ZMF New Headphones: Vérité and Aeolus

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

  1. Phantaminum

    Phantaminum Friend

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    Tried the BE2 pads yesterday. They even out some of the dips in the FR while elevating the treble but the bass becomes too bloomy for my tastes. To my ears the Universe Perforated pads' bass is more controlled and textured. I'm going to switch the pads around on Sunday and try different angles. I'll report back later.
     
  2. Phantaminum

    Phantaminum Friend

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    Received the Universe suede pads yesterday and spent the earlier part of the day going back and forth between pads. This is to my personal preference as I like a warm sound / neutral sound signature. Equipment in the signature.

    BE2 pads: I still hold to my previous thoughts that it evens out the dips in the FR but makes it warmer. Bass isn't as tight as the Universe pad. On the other hand this a good go to between the Universe and the Verite pads. If you feel that the treble is too much up on the Verite pads, still want to keep a bit of the holographic sound stage, and even out some of the unevenness in the FR, then these would be a good pick.

    Universe Suede Pads: I really like these. The pads slightly tip up the treble. Not to the extent as the Verite pads but it does give snares, guitar plucks, and cymbals more grit. As @Vtory mentioned it sounds more clear and I'm guessing it's because the treble is more present. Bass is dialed back but I don't find myself wanting. I have a feeling that I'll find myself switching between the Universe leather pads and the Universe suede pad more than I'd like.
     
    Last edited: May 5, 2019
  3. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

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    Right? When we chatted weeks ago, I sensed you would like suede! Haha.

    I am still refreshing verite order sheet several times every day..
     
  4. Overkill Red

    Overkill Red Friend

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    Got my Universe Perforated Suede and Be2 pads today. As someone that preferred the Verite pads over the Universe ones, I am really digging these Perf. Suede Universe pads. I find that they sort of bridge the gap between the Verite and Universe leather pads. There's a bit more brightness and engagement that I got from the Verite pads, while also reining in the bass a bit and maintaining that spaciousness that I missed from the Universe pads. I'd really recommend trying these out if you're like me, someone that prefers the Verite pads over the Universe ones.

    Going to give this a few days before swapping over to the Be2, but at the moment it seems the Perf. Suede Universe pads are the clear favorite.
     
    Last edited: Aug 7, 2019
  5. Resolve

    Resolve MOT: Headphones.com

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    Can confirm. I just put the universe suede pads on and am super impressed! I love this! It's like all the cool spaciousness qualities of the universe pads with my preferred tonality. More listening and comparing for me as well!
     
  6. Miracle1980

    Miracle1980 Acquaintance

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    Between the Verite and Aeolus which one is the winner for best "all genres" music? I listen equally to rock, metal, electronic, jazz, pop....
     
  7. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

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    This is very lame question. Do your homework yourself. Define your tastes, upstreams, priorities, etc etc with much more details. How much compromise you can handle/tolerate is important. Also you need to specify how "win" is defined.

    As a general tip, it's always better to ask "how they differ in X, Y, and Z" rather than "which is better", as nearly every issue is multi-factorial.
     
  8. Miracle1980

    Miracle1980 Acquaintance

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    @Vtory You are definitely right :) I missed too many details...
    What I'm looking for is a non fatiguing sound, detailed and fast but not too clinical (HD800). Wide soundstage (I am coming from a Klipsch Cornwall 3 speakers system...) and extended, controlled and present bass. I don't like bright highs because I also listen to "harsh" modern music.
    Now, I read a lot of comments and reviews on this thread and I think I extrapolated that probably Verite are the ones to get.

    Do you guys agree?
     
  9. cskippy

    cskippy Creamy warmpoo

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    In my opinion Verite with perforated suede universe pads fits that bill nicely, and that's directly compared to HD800SDR. The only area Verite could be a little better is in the bass tightness but my reference is a well amped HE-6 which might be impossible to beat. Overall, I would take a Verite and will most likely buy one again.
     
    Last edited: Aug 7, 2019
  10. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

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    So among these criteria:

    non fatiguing: applies to all zmf
    detailed and fast: verite more so
    not too clinical: all zmf
    wide soundstage: verite more so

    I'm sure that no matter which zmf you choose, it won't disappoint. But yeah, what you seek seems closest to verite.
     
  11. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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    So, on my Aeolus, I put the perforated suede Auteur pads on, and I really like it. I like it more than the Universe suede perf pads. Bass is more impactful, the mids are the same, and the treble seems to extend up a bit more evenly. It's fun. The head stage also gains a lot of depth, which is really nice.
     
    Last edited: May 9, 2019
  12. Taverius

    Taverius Smells like sausages

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    Still on Aeolus pads in mine. Only tried Veritè pads on it and it felt like a discount Auteur without the magic.
     
  13. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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    I think that's a very apt way of putting it.
     
  14. Taverius

    Taverius Smells like sausages

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    I wonder if there's a pad that make them even more Atticus-y.

    I need some hardcore warmpoo action. Poocore? Kinda missing Admiral Atticus' naval warfare grade slam.
     
  15. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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    Have you tried the Atticus pad on the Aeolus?
     
  16. cskippy

    cskippy Creamy warmpoo

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    Any solid pad will add bass, suede or leather. Can't comment on the rest of the FR as I never tried that.
     
  17. Resolve

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    I'm just evaluating with the Be2 pads at the moment and find that the bass is noticeably tighter than both universe pads, although strangely they measure about the same on my rig. Overall Be2 seems a bit brighter, so it's a nice "evened out" alternative to the Verite pads imo. It also has that more traditional presentation that I like, even if that means it forgoes a bit of the stage space.

    Also, everything cskippy said about the suede universe seems spot on to me as well.
     
  18. Taverius

    Taverius Smells like sausages

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    That'd be too far for sure.

    Maybe Auteur or Eikon perf leather might do it but I don't have the Eikon pads and I'm not touching the Auteur.
     
  19. Miracle1980

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    It seems that soon I will have the Verite driven by Bryston BHA-1 amplifier.
    What type of cable would you suggest for this match...copper or silver? I was checking the Forza Audioworks website but now I am not sure which one to choose...
     
  20. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

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    Not sure which category you are asking, but

    0. As a baseline, cable should be chosen based on proven quality (termination, shielding, craft, etc etc). This is more important than which 'material'.

    1. For headphone cable, you should check out this page first: https://www.zmfheadphones.com/zmf-cables
    It's a reasonable assumption that Zach, also as a cable maker, knows his products better than any other makers. I can confirm his atmos cable was awesome.

    2. For interconnects, Schiit PYST or Audioquest are safer ways to go. Products I experienced were all very good. And there are tons of people who can confirm their cabling quality.

    These are imo solid starting points (maybe overkill..). Also, my general recommendation is to ignore cable things until you are 98% sure your rig enters an endgame. Particularly under tight budget conditions.
     

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