ZMF EIKON & ZMF ATTICUS

An interesting Q&A with Zach on reddit.

It also touches on an amplifer being worked on:
"... we've been working on putting the last touches on the ZMF tube amp (I want it to sound fab with Senns) which hopefully will be announced by the end of the year."

(I don't recall hearing of the amplifier before.)

 

Hi PacoTaco, thank you so much for taking time for answering my questions. Together with your review your answers were very useful! Looks like the Eikon will be my next headphone!

 

@Dino: Word of ZMF's tube amp has been kicking around for a while, here and there. Definitely on my shortlist, perhaps even more so than the new cans. Although my anticipation is purely speculative, not rooted in any hands-on experience.

 

I realize that these aren't intended to mimic the HD6X0 series, but man... I have wanted a closed phone with the same tonal magic for so long, and the early impressions are very promising. On top of that, both the Atticus and Eikon pre orders are available at a sale price on ZMF's website (to anyone else this pushes over the edge: sorry not sorry)

Now the question of which model/wood? Being more partial to the HD600 I am leaning more toward the Eikon, though the early impressions of the Atticus sound pretty... seductive.

I'm happy they've stuck with a suspension strap design. In my experience with heavier headphones (especially the LCD-XC) this is definitely the best way to distribute the weight comfortably.

EDIT: Just saw that both the Atticus and Eikon entitle the original owner to lifetime driver warranty, great to see a company stand behind the quality of their product

 

New Eikon and Atticus review.

http://www.verumsonus.com/zmf-eikon-cherry-review/

http://www.verumsonus.com/zmf-atticus-padauk-review/

 

Just a reminder that the pre-order special for the Eikon and Atticus ends in a couple of days:

http://www.zmfheadphones.com/zmf-originals/

It's a pretty good pre-order deal. I'm tempted myself but... no.

 

I am also almost tenpted, but that weight is hindering me from buying it

 

Trying to decide whether to go with a paduak Eikon or paduak Atticus. I very much enjoyed the bass of the hardwood Omnis, which is probably more in line with the Atticus, but I also very much enjoy the mids/treble of modded HD580/650, which sounds more in line with the Eikon. Can somebody help nudge me in one direction or the other? Wish we had some FR charts, but I understand Zach not wanting to publish his own measurements.

 

After the final tuning of the Atticus ppl have been changing thier preferences. If you are in need of taking advantage of the sale, the safer bet is for the Eikon. You can probably trade someone later w/o having to trade up. I haven't heard the production Atticus yet

 

BTW, today is the last day to pre-order at the discounted price.

 

Thanks for the quick reminder.

 

Thanks for reminder! Pre-odered the Atticus Padauk due to the recent discovery that i'm a closeted basshead. Everyone else is picking up the Atticus so I can hear those at the meets.

 

What changed in the final tuning? Damn, did i pick the wrong ones again.

 

What changed with the Atticus in the final tuning? In the first batch of 75, the majority of orders are Eikon, with many of the Atticus orders being from people who got both

 

I believe the Atticus got stronger magnets and cleaner bass.

 

cleaner sound
better bass
less upper bass bleed
bigger soundstage
more natural midrange

 

Do you think that the Atticus are better than the NightHawk ?

 

The above is what was said to have changed by those who have heard both revisions. I have yet to hear the final version. I also love the NH's techs but w/o eq its a tough cookie for me so the Atticus I heard had the upper hand.

Now the Eikon, stock, no eq, IS BETTER than the NH and possesses the techs of the NH but with a much better soundstage and tonality. It also is a bit more punchy from memory.

Atticus - all bets are off.... because I haven't heard the final revision.

 

Ok thanks.

 

BTW I have ordered the Atticus.