ZMF Omni (Loaner) Impressions & Stream of Consciousness

Zach (being a really cool dude) has graciously sent his TOTL model to SBAF for us to pass around on a loaner tour. That means he is not only a really cool dude, but also has the balls to willingly send his baby to be critiqued by the pickiest and most uncensored group of headphone dorks on the web. So kudos to Zach from the start.



.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Omni Loaner sign-up: http://superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/zmf-omni-loaner.554/

imac2much's impressions: http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/zmf-omni-impressions.224/

Han's impressions: http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...sions-stream-of-consciousness.553/#post-13575

OJ's impressions:

Merv's Impressions:

 

Initial Thoughts:

• Big soundstage. Soundstage size belays the design and aesthetic of the cups. Reminds me of Luis' stuff in this sense.
  
• Very good overall tonal balance
• Treble has a nice soft texture. Soft-dome tweeter effect

 

Really curious to know how these stand up against LCD2/3. I know it's reddit, but every review on them, I've seen them being compared to the Audezes.

 

I'd take these over fazor stuff (I think). Need to listen more though.

 

Since I got to listen to these today at the NY meet I am not going to sign up so that others may have a chance. But wanted to add that I thought these were really excellent and the final tuning was a marked improvement over the earlier proto type I had heard in the spring. Great job, Zach. Even though these have a great soundstage for closed cans I am just not a closed can type of guy. But if I were these would likely be the ones I would get (or at the very least be on a very short list of possible contenders).

 

Where do these fall on the spectrum of fully closed to fully open, particularly in the context of isolation?

 

If I unplug one side and couple it to my desk, it leaks a bit. Less than an HD800/600/ESP950 but probably more than most closed-backs.

In terms of isolation from the outside world, it does pretty good. Quick comparison of on-off vs. my computer fan noise, I'd say somewhere between 10-20dB. I need to dust out my PC it's louder than it should be.

 

How about compared to the Fostex TH600/900?

 

No idea

 

I should have a pair coming to me soon, can confirm that Zach is a great guy for sure. I'm already in love with the Vibro and Blackwood, looking forward to hearing these.

 

From my NY meet impressions thread, with EC 2A3 MK IV & Lampi Lite 7 or Yggdrasil

 

Impressions?

 

I think this is actually a different set? The one I brought to the NYC meet which now going to Keanex today might be the same one, I think OJ may have gotten a "newer" set so do burn them in OJ! Hans did mention to me that he thought they sounded better after burn in, but that may have just been me biasing him lol. Both sets should sound the same, as they were tuned to the same specs etc etc

Only change I have made lately as I think I told Hans is to the frontal dampening, as I am using less of it now. Different sets do have varied amount of frontal dampening to match how much/little I feel each set needs after measurements and listening tests. I would recommend playing with the front dampening if you hear any veil or such, as my tastes are a bit dark and maybe sensitive to sibilance. I thinks Hans' reaction when he removed it was "these are way too bright!" I feel the same way, but I know some prefer a brighter sound.

The only other thing that can differ set to set is the amount of ports that are open/closed. I know there are 5 ports on the outside, but typically either 2 or 3 are closed depending on how the drivers measure. This won't alter how the headphones sound or the soundstage from what I've found, but it works best for matching the fostex drivers and meeting my target curve. So yeah, they are "semi-open," but still more closed than open for sure. Maybe 85/15? 90/10? I dunno.

Anyways, I'll get out of the way, thank you for listening to them!

 

Looking forward to getting them!