ZMF EIKON & ZMF ATTICUS

Discussion in 'Headphones' started by gbeast, Oct 1, 2016.

  1. PacoTaco

    PacoTaco Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2015
    Likes Received:
    1,474
    Trophy Points:
    93
    As much as I love my NFB-11 as a DAC, the amp on it is really a weak point (especially after trying other amps on the NFB-11.) It's only slightly above the Magni 2u.

    Also, just got my Eikons. The pair I reviewed had Ori pads on, so I was bit confused at first (as my pair came in with Eikon pads.) Either way, there's more mid-bass and a little less treble on these Eikon pads.

    I do disagree that Eikon and HD650 are about equal in soundstage. Soundstage is the one area I'd say the HD650 is outright weak in. The Eikon is quite a bit better (still nowhere near a T1/HD800/K712/ect) in that area, despite the slight lack of depth. I had AMW's HD600 with me while I reviewed the Eikons.
     
  2. MattRG

    MattRG Facebook Friend

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2017
    Likes Received:
    235
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    Taylorsville, Georgia - USA
    For those of you who have an Atticus or Eikon, what are you using as a stand? I have a styrofoam mannequin head that I think might be too light to support the Eikon properly and a Just Mobile Headstand that is really too short/small. Any good suggestions for a stand considering the size and weight of these cans?
     
  3. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2017
    Likes Received:
    8,973
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Denver CO
    Home Page:
    I bit the bullet and got the Woo Audio stand. It beats the heck out of all the other Omega style, hanger, or other stands I've previously used. Very heavy, won't tip over, looks good. Best bang for the buck would be the double sided one - I think it is only $10 more, don't quote me.

    The jack cube leather stand i got from Amazon is the other I use. It's not bad at all, doesn't tip over, but will slide around because it is so light.
     
  4. MattRG

    MattRG Facebook Friend

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2017
    Likes Received:
    235
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    Taylorsville, Georgia - USA
    Yeah I want good and heavy. If I'm putting that kind of money in to the headphone it just makes sense to pair it with a nice stand that won't slide or tip over. Thanks for the recommendation.

    Edit - I've got some Amazon credit. Was it like this one? https://www.amazon.com/Woo-Audio-HP...UTF8&qid=1490197887&sr=8-6&keywords=woo+audio
     
  5. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2017
    Likes Received:
    8,973
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Denver CO
    Home Page:
    Yep, those are them.

    Be careful you don't drop the base plate on your bare foot, like I did. It will hurt very much badly.
     
  6. Grahad2

    Grahad2 Red eyes from too much anime

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2017
    Likes Received:
    1,162
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Singapore
    I had the Woo HPS-HS when my ears weren't so quickly offended by headphones, you could use it as a weapon easy.

    A glass display head (very heavy too) also works well, although it will stretch your headphone slightly.
     
  7. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

    Pyrate MZR
    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2016
    Likes Received:
    10,831
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    East Coast
    [​IMG]

    http://voltiaudio.com/headphone-stands/

    I desire to own this stand some day. It will look beautiful with eikon. Wooden headphone and wooden stand would be a perfect match imo. Also it's sufficiently tall (15"). But that price.. (sigh)
     
  8. MattRG

    MattRG Facebook Friend

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2017
    Likes Received:
    235
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    Taylorsville, Georgia - USA
    I don't know how well they would work but Kennerton Audio has some nice looking stands that seem to be of good size.
    [​IMG]

    I linked the black one but they have multiple colors for $79.
     
  9. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2017
    Likes Received:
    8,973
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Denver CO
    Home Page:
    I see something like that and think "Hell, I could make a Padauk version to match my Padauk Eikons for about $35."
     
  10. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

    Pyrate MZR
    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2016
    Likes Received:
    10,831
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    East Coast
    You have to make and sell it to me lightning fast:D
     
  11. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2017
    Likes Received:
    8,973
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Denver CO
    Home Page:
    http://www.rockler.com/padauk-by-the-piece-3-4-thickness for the $17 board. I have enough sandpaper, true oil, and shellac to finish it. (I'm not a varnish/poly fan.) I even have a rabbit skin I could wrap the rocker in. Just need to find a curved metal piece to make the rocker itself. I could use scrap wood instead, I suppose.

    Heck, I'd even round all those sharp edges off.
     
  12. TMRaven

    TMRaven Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    621
    Trophy Points:
    93
    How effective is the suspension strap on these headphones? They seem to be right under the headband.
     
  13. Mystic

    Mystic Mystique's Spiritual Advisor

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2016
    Likes Received:
    2,754
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    U.S.
    I think it does a good job of distributing the weight. It's not completely pressed up against the headband when being worn if that's what you mean.
     
  14. YtseJammer

    YtseJammer Almost "Made"

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2015
    Likes Received:
    257
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Retired from SBAF
    Last edited: Mar 24, 2017
  15. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 5, 2016
    Likes Received:
    4,521
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    London, UK
  16. YtseJammer

    YtseJammer Almost "Made"

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2015
    Likes Received:
    257
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Retired from SBAF
    I'm back just for you my friend ;)
     
  17. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2017
    Likes Received:
    8,973
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Denver CO
    Home Page:
    When I saw the design of that at RMAF I was doubtful the suspension strap part would help as it did seem to rest on the padded headband, but after wearing the thing for over a month I can say it's very well designed and very comfortable. I wouldn't change the padding or strap at all, the combo works very well.
     
  18. Maxx134

    Maxx134 Dunning–Kruger effect poster boy

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    818
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    NYC
    The other day I had the fortune of being able to compare my HEKV2 with both the Utopia and the Eikon Paudak Version....

    BASS:
    Both the Eikon and the HEKV2 can wow you in bass impact.
    The Utopia can just observe the bass in detail but not scare/wow you.

    MIDS:
    The mids were lucid /large/ heavenly on the HEKV2,
    Smaller deeper and super focused on the Utopia,
    Extremely musical and liquid on the Eikon, easily more larger than Utopia but not as Grand as the HEKV2.

    TREBLE:
    On HEKV2, Cymbal shimmer and decay perfectly spaced out and clear with layered decay...
    On UTOPIA, Cymbal shimmer more upfront detailed with focus on decay more focused and closer , not as large or high vertical placement but can ride the details...
    On Eikon, Cymbal shimmer and decay performed right in between both the other two, being large and detailed and nuanced with very good space .

    I would say the Eikon bass and treble are quite excellent and reference.

    I would say the mids are the only place were it did not excell as good as the Utopia or HEKV2 in absolute resolution, which seemed replaced with some euphony,
    but it was much more closer to HEKV2 in flavor.

    The Utopia was more mids focued and detailed but so nice, yet to me that makes UTOPIA a genre specific can, as reference as it is...

    The HEKV2 is my reference in a headphone with balance in all areas,
    And the Eikon closely follows as it seems to be able all genres wonderfully.

    I was quite surprised just how dam good classical music was on Eikon.
    Also, impact and tonality on Eikon was just excellent.
    I am currently borrowing the Eikon and my impressions have not deviated.

    I have owned a few closed cans before, like the Audio Technica w3000anv, Dennon AH-D2000 Mark L Mod , fostex th600, and a few others...
    This can, overall, surpasses any "closed" can I have own and even heard in recent memory, like the LCD XC .
    Very nice...
     
    Last edited: Mar 24, 2017
  19. TurbinoZ100000

    TurbinoZ100000 Acquaintance

    Joined:
    Feb 28, 2017
    Likes Received:
    96
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    Finland
    Home Page:
    Some fellows at HF have been experimenting with the Atticus adding output impedance using adapters or selectable resistances and noticing apparently pleasurable changes in sound: more forward mids at the expense of some bass.

    http://www.head-fi.org/t/821782/att...driver-headphones-from-zmf/2715#post_13342033
    http://www.head-fi.org/t/821782/att...driver-headphones-from-zmf/2730#post_13342177

    Might explain the greater synergy with some OTL amps? Any Atticus owners here noticed similar effects?
     
  20. MattRG

    MattRG Facebook Friend

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2017
    Likes Received:
    235
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    Taylorsville, Georgia - USA
    I feel like an important milestone has been passed. My Eikon has moved up Zach's Google Doc. and now shows "Sanding" which means it is officially in production. Sort of cool to think that Zach and his elves at ZMF are even now busy working on the wood that will make up my headphones soon. :)
     

Share This Page