ZMF Auteur Impressions and Measurements

Discussion in 'Headphone Measurements' started by Hands, Nov 3, 2017.

  1. Rustin Cohle

    Rustin Cohle FKA jazztherapist

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    Can we be more specific? Which Kenzie—standard or Encore? Which taps and tubes? Base model or upgrades?
     
  2. PacoTaco

    PacoTaco Friend

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    I believe it was the Encore (or the standard with the Encore upgrades,) but I can't remember what Tubes. I had tried several of them, and they all had only small effects on the overall sound.
     
  3. crazywipe

    crazywipe New

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    Hi Guys. Which one is more resolving, Auteur or HD650?
    Thanks
     
  4. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    The Auteur is probably more resolving in an apparent sort of way? Hard to explain. The HD650 is very resolving but isn't upfront about it. The Auteur definitely has better bass, which is one of the HD650's weaknesses. On the other hand, the HD650 is still pretty tough to beat when it comes to midrange timbre, tone, and overall balance.
     
  5. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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    ...except that the Auteur still matches or beats (amp depending) the HD650 in those areas also. :p
    and the Auteur doesn't have a cheap plastic headband.
     
  6. aamefford

    aamefford Nothing like chamberpot coffee

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    And the HD650 can be had for about 1/6 the price of the Auteur. Don’t get me wrong - I LOVED the Auteur. A stunning headphone. But so is the HD650 especially given the price difference.

    Edit to acknowledge that I’m preaching to the choir around here....
     
  7. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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    I've pretty much thrown price out the window when looking at gear, mainly because the bigger price = better performance fallacy.

    However, in this case price also seems irrelevant to his original question. A very brief, lacking specifics, first-post rando, hasn't introduced himself in the appropriate thread kind of question.
     
    Last edited: Apr 26, 2019
  8. Taverius

    Taverius Smells like sausages

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    I should be used to it but it's still kind of amazing just what incredible value the 6-line provides.

    But sure. Auteur equals (or beats) in the midrange, displays actual treble detail without needing mods (which, even at the best of them, I don't think can quite equal Auteur) and has actual bass and sub-bass, the latter of which no mod will give a 6-line.

    Aeolus i think slightly beats Auteur, though not without tradeoffs.
     
  9. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

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    This is one of typical BS questions having zero to minus value to the forum.

    Because the answer is a complicated function parameterized by the followings (not necessarily mutually-exclusive)
    • How resolution is defined -- go through this thread thoroughly (at least 10 times)
    • Frequency ranges that matter more
    • Music genres or specific recordings that matter more
    • Presentation of transducer (also along with personal preference)
    • How transducers are driven. Which of ideal, moderate or sub-optimal amping is assumed
    • How much upstream can resolve. Normally super ideal resolving source is presumed, but I found for many it's not very practical
    That said, I am thinking
    • If one has a good thought about subjective concepts, he/she never asks like that. Crude example of better shape of questions is "How does auteur differently resolve, compared to hd650?"
    • Otherwise, any wise answers cannot benefit questioner -- because he/she can't resolve meaningful context from discussions.

    Bottom line is imo either (auteur or hd650) can be a reliable transducer that can generally RESOLVE ENOUGH INFO. They can be a great base to build own rigs from -- if preference fits and complaints doesn't appear (if so, specify).

    PS.
    I don't think autuer's price a "bargin" or "steal". Max willingness (based on performance) to pay level or slightly less. Nevertheless, I believe hd6x0's cheap-ish price should pay the price delta somewhere in upstream at some point of this hobby journey (or cost can be a form of mental struggles to handle scaling nervosa).

    PS2. The most beneficial answer to the questioner in this case might be

    "Go get both, test by yourself, and report back to the forum"

    Really.
     
    Last edited: Apr 26, 2019
  10. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    Nah, HD600/650 still have the upper mid through treble area nailed down for tone and timbre. Pick either depending on tastes. This is a fact the elderly often mix up.

    Plastic is fine. It’s light. It’s fairly durable. Won’t crack like wood, since you really have to stress it to break it. Can toss it in a bag without worry, where I’d feel bad doing that to a ZMF.
     
  11. Jerry

    Jerry Friend

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    It is ironic that the best amp I heard with the HD650 is actually a solid state. I thought HD650's bass was a weakness until I heard it through the BHA-1. Maybe because there is a very high impedance in the bass area, it is really hard to get a good grip. But when you do, it slams like no tomorrow. Listening to kick drums, I can hear bass texture. Kick drums sound very life-like.

    If I have to nitpick, its weakness is the stage size and imaging. It doesn't sound small, but it is not as large as the ZMF. I'm actually interested to pit the HD650 (BHA-1) with the ZMFs again. I think the gap is much smaller now, if any.
     
  12. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    650? Slamming? You have my attention now!
     
  13. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

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    I'd like to remind you folks that this is an auteur measurement thread. Don't forget we have a nice hd650 love thread out there!
     
  14. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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    since this is for Impressions + measurements, am hopeful @dubharmonic @cskippy @Elnrik can add their impressions of the new(ish) Auteur perforated suede pads on Auteur. and the Universe perforated suede pads on Auteur.
    some details will get lost only living in Profile postings.

    Thanks to @Elnrik, currently have the Auteur perforated suede pads on loan and installed, will give impressions in a few days.
     
  15. Mystic

    Mystic Mystique's Spiritual Advisor

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    @cskippy impressions and measurements:

    https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...eur-an-open-back-zmf.5088/page-12#post-221220
     
  16. dubharmonic

    dubharmonic Friend

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    The Auteur suede pads bring out in the Auteur my favorite things about the HD650, plus extra sub bass. For me, this is the mythical SuperHD650. I'm so close to Zach that I may drive back to get the suede universe pads.
     
  17. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

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    I will add some probably sometime next week -- having US pads now and auteur en route here.
    Of course waiting for any kind offer to test AS pads..;)

    Btw @jexby among two stock pads, which one do you prefer and mostly use?
     
  18. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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    of the two pairs of pads I received with original Auteur, have exclusively been using the angled perforated leather pair and
    really enjoy the air and spacing it provides.
    those two characteristics are slightly reduced with these Auteur perforated suede, yet have only been listening them for a few hours so far....
     
  19. rott

    rott Secretly hates other millenials - Friend

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    That seems to be a reason not to get the perforated suede Auteur pads --they're already neutral enough (for me).
     
  20. Taverius

    Taverius Smells like sausages

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    I mean I sort of agree with you but on the other hand you can't call that 800-lite treble hill neutral really.

    I totally get why some like to bring it in with the Eikon or suede pads.
     

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