ZMF EIKON & ZMF ATTICUS

The elear's upper mid/lower treble recession kills it (and vocal presence and dynamics) for me. While not quite as airy I feel like the eikon is more balanced, smoother and linear. Comparable resolution and IMO has better overall dynamics than the elear (simply because of said recession)

 

If im honest, i was half expecting some 2k monstrosity, But the price seems very very reasonable. I like it.

Quick question guys, do the wood really make a difference?

 

No its mostly cosmetic. Zach says the differences are only really apparent with A/B listening.

 

IIRC the padauk as the harder wood will give a provide faster decay while the cherry will be a bit more lush. Of course most people that have heard both say, the difference are subtle.

So I'd get the cherry simply because it's cheaper unless you really like the look of the paduak (Like moi). Though when aged, cherry also looks super fantastic as well.

 

Zach is going to the Chicago meet and he's bringing "headphones and stuff", I can only assume that's including his new dynamics and hopefully his amps. (Decware or otherwise)
See here for info. (on Head-fi)

This is a good (albeit relatively last minute) opportunity to see if the sound or weight is truly for you.

 

I admit to possessing substantial curiosity when it comes to the ZMF product line and especially the new Eikon. I have a thing for Dynamic "woodies" (*ahem*) and the ZMF stuff is certainly beautiful and well regarded.

I have a TH-X00 coming in soon from the latest group buy on Massdrop and depending on how I feel about those ("fun" sound is ok to a point but if it gets too colored and far out of balance then I am likely to be annoyed) and if I decide to keep them then the Eikon might be a future headphone for me. Thanks for the impressions and keep them coming.

 

My Atticus is shipping today.

 

@Elnrik Fantastic! I know you are excited to receive it. What was your wait time like from the time that you ordered?

 

I heard prototype versions at RMAF, and had to have them. I pre-ordered in Oct. I knew the order would take a while. Zach has been very transparent on the order process, status, and updates.

I understand Zach will be at the Chicago meet this weekend. I hope everyone gets a chance to hear these. =)

 

My Eikon are shipping, too. Will arrive at my place next Tuesday. I am so excited to compare them with my flow open and hd6xx.

 

After seeing other reviewers get their hands on them, it's good know I wasn't completely nuts in thinking the Eikon vs. Atticus came down to purely preference. When I had them for the two week period, I couldn't really hear very many (if at all) differences in the technicalities (clarity, smoothness, detail, stage, ect) that weren't purely related to the tuning, which is why I'm still hung up on which to order (though my wife being pregnant is causing me to lean towards the Atticus since it is cheaper.)

 

I'll be praying I can get my hands on a used one in due time. I can't quite justify the price.

 

I was able to hear both Atticus and Eikon at the Chicago meet yesterday here are my quick thoughts. I took my Cherry Eikon home with me so more on that later

ZMF Atticus- This sounds like how a hot dog in a pigs-in-a-blanket feels: It's ensconced in a warm and gooey pastry blanket. Way too much midbass/lower midrange emphasis for me, but I could see why others would like so much coloration. Only amp I could get into it with was the Cavalli Liquid Gold, but it still too much warmth. Upper midrange was very even and pleasing, with a nice gentle rolloff throughout the treble.



ZMF Eikon- I was thinking this all throughout the meet, but needed this morning to confirm. Best all around full-sized closed cans I've ever heard. Pretty sure its not owner's bias. Bass is deep extending, kicks hard, doesn't bleed into mids, and is a tasteful bit raised above "neutral". Midrange is nice and present, without being overly forward, good detail and nice character with a gentle decay. Staging is very wide and deep for a closed, and even kinda good for an open back. Treble provides good detail and air, and sounds slightly elavatated. I think there's just a touch of peakiness somewhere up there, but not enough to even be certain yet.

 

The more I hear about the Eikon the more I think I want one at some point in the future. My only wish would be for a few more wood choices. I'm not crazy about the looks of either the Cherry or Padauk, I find both "ok" but not exciting. And if I'm going to spend $1300+ on a pair of headphones I would like them to be exciting to look at.

Luckily I did see a Reddit thread recently where a user said they had contacted Zach and there would be more wood choices for the Eikon and Atticus not too far in the future. I'll take an Eikon in Ebony wood, please!

 

I emailed ZMF last night after I made the above post and Zach responded very quickly and said they were currently experimenting with several more woods but would probably not offer anything new for the Atticus or Eikon until the summertime. The harder woods are heavier and there will need to be changes to the cup thickness to account for that.

Zach stated that, in his opinion, Padauk was in the top tier of exotic woods for sonic purposes and that was why it is the initial "top tier" offering.

Top notch customer service from ZMF as Zach's response to me was waaay after normal business hours. Thumbs up for Zach and ZMF.

 

More Bloodwood for the blood god!!!

No one ever uses bloodwood, despite how amazing it looks. Is it that rare? Hard to work with perhaps? I'd love to see an Eikon cup in it.

 

The Padauk in person is a step above the photos. I think Zach uses lighting that's too clinical.



Not that my lighting is any f'ing good at all, but its closer to the real world look.

 

@AMW1011 that is gorgeous! Yeah, I definitely like your picture of the Padauk better than the ones on ZMFheadphones.

 

What a big bag! (Flow's case for comparison)

 

I feel so sad because my iphone camera couldn't deliver even 10% of what I am seeing now.
They're really beautiful! More impressions to come..