ZMF New Headphones: Vérité and Aeolus

Discussion in 'Headphones' started by purr1n, Oct 3, 2018.

  1. sacredgates

    sacredgates Audio-Technica's high priest

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    My ZMF Vérité and Auteur Blackwood comparative impressions (also posted in Auteur thread).

    Intro:

    @Taverius generously has made his personal Vérité available for a EU loaner program. As the last one on the list I just had it for a week with me to gather impressions and make some comparisons with my own Auteur Blackwood. First of all a huge thank you to Taverius. It is not obvious to send around such a precious piece of privately owned equipment, including two cables and 4 different pad sets!

    The first months after the launch of the Vérité I wasn´t too interested. I thought it would be too warm and dark for me. There were rather confusing impressions all over the internet (especially here in Germany) and I couldn´t really get a grasp on it. About a month ago quite a few SBAF members started mentioning the Vérité again and praising its qualities. That´s when I decided I needed to get some first hand impressions and I contacted Taverius to see if I could still be added to the loaner list.

    I have not been doing much pad swapping and pad comparisons as this was not my headphone, so my impressions will not go in detail regarding pads.

    Comparative impression:

    I feel the extra qualities and technical superiorities of the Vérité compared to the Auteur all are the result of the special BE coated driver and the strong(er) magnets. The achieved extra control and fastness results in slightly better resolution, better dynamics, better bass quality and control and slightly more precise imaging.

    However, the more obvious difference is the tuning. Vérité is more colored. It represents the ZMF house sound in a much more obvious way as the Auteur. I love the tuning of my Blackwood Auteur. It´s neutral with a hint of "Zach"... just perfect.

    The Vérités uniqueness lies in its control and fastness while at the same time avoiding any brightness to spice up an impression of perceived extra resolution as so many other headphones do. Interesting as it is, for me, the Vérité has gone just a few notches too far from neutral and therefore it resides on the other darker side of the border of my preferences.

    Despite its obvious qualities the Vérité quite a few times did something between the midbass and lower mids which was too much of a good thing for my taste. It was like a slight oversaturation or like room modes´ enhancements which made some frequencies from certain instruments and voices more bloated as they should be. The BBC dip in the frequency representation probably made me even more aware of this.

    The better control and fastness of the Vérité definitely showed. The extra plankton and better macro and microdynamics more than once gave a deeper insight in the music triggering stronger involvement and a deeper emotional connection to the music. Once in a while however those exact same qualities induced the opposite effect: some music became just a tad overly aggressive (mostly with one of the pad sets, but I forgot which one) and fatigue was setting in sooner.
    Just as listening fatigue might set in with certain music with the Auteur because of its brighter tuning, the Vérité might do so for some folks because of its more aggressive way of presenting the music. There is just more testosterone in play, take it or leave it...
    Auteur is a bit slower and less controlled, but it partly makes up because of the more generous presenation of the treble, which not seldom contributes to some perceived snappiness.

    Following bass lines is a more rewarding experience with the Vérité. Also bass notes hit harder and are more visceral. On the other hand high hats and the metallic sheen or sounds of some instruments or rendered by the Auteur in an excellent manner.
    Both convey voices well. Vérité with lots of warmth and body, Auteur with a more neutral and natural charm.

    A lot is going to boil down to preferences and which music you listen too. Ambient and electronic music for instance will go well with the Vérité. I am mostly into slower paced acoustic music. Here Auteur does well and presents the music just a tad more flowing and organic.

    The jumpy dynamics in Mussorgskys Pictures of an exhibition were better represented with the Vérité, and the listening experience became more enthralling and rewarding.
    The more surging dynamics in Stravinskys Sacre du Printemps however, were at least as enjoyable with the Auteur.

    I did not find huge differences in headstage and imaging precision, but Vérité does have the upper hand. It paints the musical landscape with an even finer imaging brush and a little more depth.

    I like the build of these headphones. A lot. For my taste the Vérité outshines the Auteur with its gorgeus grills. Both are heavy (especially the harder wood editions), but I have no problems with comfort.

    Personal conclusion:

    In the grand scale of things Auteur and Vérité are more similar as different (more so than Eikon or Atticus, which enticed me less). Also I think the Auteur Blackwood version is already a notch closer to the Vérité because of the harder wood.
    It´s easy with both to recognize Zachs signature.

    My small criticisms here and there should not deter from the fact that I love both these headphones and consider them TOTL flagships worth building a system around if you like their basic character.
    As I said before, Vérité is the technically more advanced headphone, but it´s more colored as well.
    My favorite would be an "Autité", a combination of the best traits of both Auteur and Vérité.

    As it stands I am happy with my Auteur. I would be delighted with the Vérité as well, but I would need to check out pad possibilities carefully, maybe even dial in a bit of EQ, and/or look for ideal synergetic equipment to bring it a bit closer to neutral.

    Note:

    And what has the Audio Technica ATH-W3000ANV to do with it all? It was my first woodie. It has the most Japanese tuning. Technically it can´t compete with Auteur and Vérité. It is by far the slowest and least controlled. But it does voices (especially female) and certain slower paced acoustic music well. Did I say it´s Japanese?
     
  2. Miracle1980

    Miracle1980 Acquaintance

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    4th day with my Verite. After various tests I decided that my “to go” pads will be Universe. The bass and soundstage (deep, tall, wide...3D) are just putting big smiles on my face.
    I am starting to have a lot of fun with Verite and is one of the best “listening” I ever experienced among speakers/headphones. Not 100% neutral but...that is why I bought them.
    Not sure if I have really to wait for the “burn-in” (placebo?) but I decided to write my review after 100 hours of listening...
     
  3. Taverius

    Taverius Smells like sausages

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    Thanks to @sacredgates the V coming back from its EU loaner was extra pleasant, due to the presence of a lubricant sampler, of a single I haven't had in over a decade.

    Sat down after dinner with the 15yr, the 21yr, Universe Suede pads and the Be2 pads.

    This via Yggdrasil A2/Unison into ECP T4 (Brimar Yellow T CV4024) and a FAW Noir Hybrid cable.

    Long story short, the 15yr I'd drink to relax, the 21 to reflect. 15 is smooth, but the 21 is savoury and persistent.

    .... with the important stuff out of the way, regarding the pads:

    TL;DR Universe Suede is marginally more technically capable, but the treble sometimes annoys me and its not as engaging, too polite. Be2 is a little rougher, but without occasional annoying treble and its more fun. Going Be2. Its also more comfortable.

    Ok first, I still don't understand how people consider suede more comfortable than leather. Zach's stuff may as well be alcantara, and its not uncomfortable per se, but the lambskin is definitely *more* comfortable.

    I preferred the High-Z output with both, I liked the low Z with the lambskin universe pads. Dunno why. I suck @ critical listening, my choices are 99% gut feeling.

    • Folsom Prison Blues - Johnny Cash. With Be2 the guitars felt a little distant, but his voice has more bite.
    • All Mine - Portishead. U.Suede made the cymbals ouch. Be2 cymbals no ouch.
    • When That Helicopter Comes - The Handsome Family. U.Suede felt like I was *inside* the kick drum, but Be2 brought the slam, in a kinda major way. Not Atticus naval-warfare-grade slam or anything, but noticeably different. My note says "hello there CAPTAIN SLAM where have you been?"
    • Dead In Motion - Antipop Consortium. U.Suede does better at separating the electro-industrial-rap mess, but it also felt like it isn't a mess, which it absolutely intentionally is.
    • Keep Moving - Steve Pardo (Grim Dawn OST). There's a driving bass line that's annoyingly just out of reach with U.Suede. Swapped to Be2 and its like meeting an old friend, although it also gets buried a little more when it gets busy.
    • Venetian Snares - Hand Throw. Unbearable with U.Suede, not sure why. I mean, something in the treble maybe? Or maybe its just too aggressive a track to be presented this cleanly.
    • When Shall I Be Free? - Shpongle. Suede cymbals ouch.
    • Rakim - Dead Can Dance (Toward the Within). The backing vocal is maybe a little too distant with Be2. The only track where I might prefer the Suede.
    • Vodka Inferno - Diablo Swing Orchestra. I didn't feel properly assaulted on the Suedes. Also slam.
    I still cried when I played this one track I won't mention because its a weeb one, so its not like Suede sucked all the life out of it or anything, Be2 was just betterer.
     
  4. bilboda

    bilboda Florida boomer

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    New amp in the stable, Laconic NIght Blues Mini purchased from @Zampotech in the FS forum. Besides a sterling purchase experience he did the 220/120 conversion and the amp is wonderful with no issues whatsoever.

    On to the Verite, taking the LNBM, phonitor e and Crack for the ride.

    Listening to The Anthony Wilson Trio, percussion, guitar and keyboard, the instruments have plenty of space to shine. On the phontor e the drum strikes are incredibly distinct but the echo is more controlled ending clearly in space, the LNBM lingers a bit.

    Crack is out of the running here as both p e and lnbm outperform it, even though it sounds great, I get more from the LNBM and phonitor e.

    Listening to Strange Fruit by Cassandra Wilson the only percussion is fingers hitting the strings.
    Vocals have more authority and beauty? with the LNBM, sound stage is more closed in but very comfortably so,
    LNBM is equally enjoyable with the phontor e. I did find the phonitor maybe a little sterile with this track while still musical and enjoyable. phonitor has the blacker background but the lnbm has no noise, just less space between notes and instruments, so less blackground.

    Tube magic, I guess. These amps will both be used. The Crack, well, gotta look for some more tweaks, I guess.

    Verites still running away from the HD650 and Clears, like Secretariat at the Belmont Stakes.
    phonitor e and LNBM are like Alydar and Affirmed, always neck and neck, both champions.
     
    Last edited: Jun 7, 2019
  5. Taverius

    Taverius Smells like sausages

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    Be2'd Verite reminds me of a supercharged Ori/Omni.

    Took me a bit to realize it, but I was gaming earlier on my - ex @Elnrik - Ormosia Oris, on the Aficionado (so decadent!) and then I was too lazy to switch to an open can for music >_> and I finally realized what the V reminded me of.

    Except, you know, much much better. As good as the Ori still is for a closed-ish can it really doesn't come close to the V in any real way except the tuning.
     
  6. Pharmaboy

    Pharmaboy Friend

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    "Be2'd Verite reminds me of a supercharged Ori/Omni."

    I was already interested in hearing more from the Verite. Now I'm even more interested...

    My fondness for the Ori is all about emotional response to music played through it (the sound is very musical & pleasing to me), less about the technicalities--w/ the exception of the bass, which strikes me as pretty highly evolved in the absolute sense.
     
  7. Miracle1980

    Miracle1980 Acquaintance

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    My first and last review of the Verite before placing them into the box (...on sale section for Europe).

    I spent less than one month with them and, unfortunately, not so many hours in total but I will try to make a short, honest and personal summary about them.

    Verite looks simply amazing with the contrast wood and black metal, specially looking at the grill pattern. Comfort wise I have no complaints, they are definitely not light but once you adjust the headband for your personal shape they simply disappear.

    I tried a lot of different genres of music (except classical) and they were always paying me back with tons of pure emotions. The sound is vivid and alive with a lot of “presence”. If you listen at normal volumes it’s impossible to make background listening sessions...music will will simply “invade” you. Musicality on Verite is tremendous. I was listening my favorite songs and I was able to catch extra layers of music that I never heard before. I also have to thanks my Metrum Menuet dac for this...an amazing match.

    Despite the details, speed, dynamics set on highest levels the Verite has a music presentation (that’s the biggest plus) never fatiguing but, on the contrary, very engaging ad enjoyable. The slightly V shaped curve is adding a nice touch of fun. Genres like electronic, fast rock, jazz, metal, instrumental are really shining on the Verite. Also, the ZMF “dark/cool” signature is helping a lot with modern harsh albums (loudness war...). I listened a lot of stuff that was not possible to fully enjoy on other systems because of the harshness...

    Reproduction is organic and natural, also the vocals (females and male} are presented in a fabulous way.
    I just noticed that, during my sessions, I wanted always to play fast and heavy music more than “more normal” songs. I think that it could be related to the fact I was starving to listen these albums that usually tend to don’t sound “correct” on different headphones/speakers. Prepare for a lot of fun with the Verite.
    Fun + Technical skills...those are the first words I would use to describe them...

    I didn’t do a proper comparison of the pads but I chose the Universe as my favorite after a brief test with all of them (I have Verite and BE2 pads...). Mainly because of the wider/deeper soundstage and better match with my Bryston amplifier (extremely neutral. Amazing amp. Sold it this morning...).

    Another final comment I want to leave for the live music concerts I have tried with Verite...simply amazing, among the best I have ever had from any source.

    Now someone of you will ask me why the hell i’m getting rid of them (plus amplifier) if the sound is such perfect and engaging?
    To make it simple...
    Verite has everything I was seeking for in an headphone.
    Headphones don’t have what I was seeking for out of them.
    My plan was to replace my speakers system (sound and feelings) with Verite. This it didn’t work out...they are simply two different, separate entities.

    Ideally I would keep both systems but the deal (financial, logic and logistic) was to keep only one of them...but if one day I would have the possibility to buy an extra headphones system I will definitely look first in ZMF catalogue.
     
  8. Taverius

    Taverius Smells like sausages

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    @zach915m have you heard aeolus with Eikon perf lamb?

    Wondering if they can make the Aeolus even more Atticus'd, without screwing up the FR.
     
  9. Ainsworth

    Ainsworth New

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    So I am in the market for new headphones. $1200 (current price of Aeolus' -- Areolae are somewhat pricier) is about right for me, though I do need to save a few more nickels first. I might be tempted to spend the extra $400 on the Auteurs if I decide I like them better. I need to find a way to give them a listen. Still some guesswork will be involved since the setup is not likely to be similar to mine. I am also considering LCD2's but am currently leaning toward one of the ZMFs

    Speaking of setup: mine is: Magnepan 1.7i's (Made in Minnesota), Aric Audio Tube Pre-amp (hand made in New Jersey), An ancient Canadian made Parasound HCA2200 amplifier (bought used about a year ago), a Schit Magni 3 headphone amp (manufactured in California) -- See a pattern? I buy American when I can. Hand crafted when I can. Not because I consider any audio gear to be an heirloom, but because I feel that you get better quality that way. It doesn't hurt that you are supporting the people who actually do the innovating.

    I do have one item of Chinese manufacturer in my setup: A Cambridge Audio CXN Streamer / DAC.

    BTW: I think the concept of tech as an heirloom is ridiculous on the face of it.
     
    Last edited: Jun 19, 2019
  10. Taverius

    Taverius Smells like sausages

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    Well, if you can't audition them you can go a ways by borrowing the standards - hd600, 650and 800.

    You can mess with the FR by changing the pads, but the natural character of the Aeolus is like a 650, warm, mid-focused and somewhat bassy, while Auteur wants to be a 600-800 hybrid, ever so slightly v-shaped with a (smaller) treble rise in the same place as the 800.

    But before dropping a grand I'd try to get ears (and neck) under them, because the weight, partial closed-ness, and wood effects are divisive.

    For every person that sees a heirloom that sounds like a concert hall there's someone else who sees a brick that sounds like a barrel.
     
  11. hifi01170

    hifi01170 Acquaintance

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    Joining the club! Got a good deal on a 3 weeks old Vérité silkwood and have been listening to them for 2 weeks.
    I think these are the first handmade cans that I own... so my expectations had to be somehow adjusted / recalibrated.
    now i can safely say that they look gorgeous and are very comfy to wear.

    4 things that strike me with these cans:
    • first, there's no wow effect with these cans... everything is smooth, controlled...
    • second thing is that I can literally listen to them for hours at a stretch without confort issues or listening fatigue
    • third is the ease with which the "musical message can be read" with the Vérité... quite eye-opening for me. it is the comparison with the elear (with elex pads) that made me realize this. With the elear I have to make a conscious effort to read the musical message.... and even then i can only get it piece by piece whereas with the vérité i can easily get the full picture
    • fourth is that i was pretty sure that the vérité pads will be the ones for me (as a usually like quick transients, treble with sparkle without harshness and pretty neutral sound signature) but the universe pads with the subtle warmth surprisingly are the winners for me. might try the universe perforated suede pads in the comings weeks.
    bought them just to try with the intention of selling them soon but they are definitely staying!
     
    Last edited: Jun 20, 2019
  12. Aeron

    Aeron Facebook Friend

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    ^I’m also finding the original Vérité Pads are the ones for me as well, preserving tone, speed, and soundstage.
     
  13. Ainsworth

    Ainsworth New

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    @Taverius Ah the brick. You must have seen my OPPO PM3s. I tried to hide them. I hear a lot about HD650s They are $319 on Amazon and $220 at MassDrop (just Drop now). Might be worth picking up just as a reference. Especially at the $220 price.
     
  14. Jinxy245

    Jinxy245 Vegan Puss

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    Excellent point on the 6XX....a great value & a benchmark often used here.
    Don't forget to introduce yourself...
     
  15. Ainsworth

    Ainsworth New

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    I have pulled the trigger on the HD6XX. I am looking forward to hearing them. They should arrive sometime next week. Apparently, Drop just stocks them now.
     
  16. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

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    I am not sure what defines being atticus-ish, but eikon lamb pads generally sounded similar with universe lamb. The measurement below mirrors my experience, too. To me eikon lamb pads on aeolus is darker than the graph suggests though.

    upload_2019-6-20_19-28-35.png

    Personally not a big fan of universe lamb on aeolus because to my ears piano attack is much softer than I generally like, and vocal-oriented tracks work better to my liking with lifted treble of verite lamb (be2 and universe lamb too as extension).

    If you feel differently with universe and verite lamb (possible and likely), then eikon lamb is worth trying!
     
  17. Pharmaboy

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    I had my friend's Aeolus IMS for a couple weeks earlier this year. When I first heard this headphone, it was with stock Aeolus pads. It sounded pretty good. But w/Verite pads, IMO it's distinctly better...to the point that I would never go back to stock.

    BTW, the Aeolus scales nicely with either tube or OTL amps of any quality. Like all the ZMF dynamics I've heard, impedance matching really elevates the sound--not necessarily in dramatic ways, but in a number of subtle ways that add to up more refined sound.
     
  18. Ainsworth

    Ainsworth New

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    @aamefford's review reminds me of an old joke: I travelled the world for a decade looking for the perfect woman. Finally, I found her. But alas, she was looking for the perfect man.
     
  19. Ainsworth

    Ainsworth New

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    Physics by any other name....
     
  20. Ainsworth

    Ainsworth New

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    So what does the aurora boreallis sound like?
     

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