ZMF Atrium Headphone Review and Measurements

Discussion in 'Headphones' started by purr1n, Mar 20, 2022.

  1. futbutts

    futbutts Friend

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    I absolutely loved my time with the Atriums. They are easily in the top 5 headphones I've heard, and in some ways it feels like the apotheosis of what Zach has been striving for with the ZMF house sound -- natural, engaging, resolving, warm, effortless. I think it also shows promise as it leans a bit away from the more divisive aspects of the typical ZMF sound as these are, to my ears, very neutral headphones. They do not strike me as dark or murky, rather they feel just warmly honeyed, but in a very subtle and natural way that doesn't get in the way of the music, which I can't say is always quite true of the VC's, depending on the track.

    I decided early on to focus my A/B-ing and comparisons of the Atrium with the VC's (logic being prospective buyers might wonder which sound would be more to their liking, plus lots of people own or have heard the VC's) and the HD800s (as a common reference point, and kind of similar in being an open back). In regards to the tuning mesh, I spent a couple days with the solid mesh after initially finding the stock mesh to be a little zingy in the very high end, but then reinstalled stock after the solid mesh was seeming too subdued, and that zinginess either disappeared or didn't bother me anymore. I did the bulk of my listening on my Jotunheim 2 fed via Bifrost Multibit w/ Unison -- however, the Atrium doesn't seem as sensitive to source as the VC, as I didn't detect a substantial difference between the Lyr 3, Jotunheim 2, and A&S Kenzie OG Rev 2.

    The Atrium's strongest suit is in the midrange. It's almost a contradiction within itself as the mids are presented as light and airy, and yet absolutely not lacking in timbral impact or presence. Vocals are somehow simultaneously ethereal and holographic, and yet utterly present. They're just *there*, without being right *in your face*, a la how the HD6xx series can be. Backup vocals and harmonizations aren't so much easy to parse apart as they are just naturally *apart*, to staggering effect on certain tracks. I mentioned in my early impressions that I generally pay relatively little mind to vocals, my attention drawn more to guitar and drums (especially drums), and while the Atrium does excel at rendering those aspects of the soundscape, the vocal rendering is unparalleled; I found myself appreciating anew the vocals and vocal production of songs I'd heard dozens and dozens of times. I'd never really related to headphone impressions that waxed poetic about voices on certain headphones, and yet this pair has absolutely turned me into one of those types. Vocals are exquisite, I can't state that strongly enough.

    That dichotomy -- airy yet present -- is true of drums as well. The shellac-y smack of snare and tom hits is phenomenally tactile and visceral. The perceived quality of stick on drumhead is incredibly life-like. Decay is the most remarkable I've heard on any headphones or speakers, ever -- drums and vocals feel like they reverberate away for *ages*, and it lends the headphones a phenomenal sense of space that, while of a different quality than the HD800s and VC's, I think is the superior of the three. The VC's, while also not 'closed in' feeling like the 600-series, is more akin to *being* the microphone -- it sometimes feels like you have the singer pressed up right against your ear, if that's how the vocals were recorded. It sounds like you're the microphone hovering over the drumkit, or laid against the guitar amp. With the HD800's, you're in a venue (no PA system), right front and center, the snaredrum is more of a point in the soundscape versus a surface nearby. Atrium: you're in the recording space. You hear the vocals bounce around the the walls, drumhits echo down the halls and feel like they have width and girth, floor toms shake the air around you. Their holographic presentation and instrument separation is stunning, as well, bettering both the VC, which sound comparatively velvety and smooth, and the 800's, which sound smeared through the mids in comparison.

    That airiness is also apparent in treble and bass, albeit in less entirely praise-worthy ways. Bass is expansive, but bloomy -- a wall of resonance that permeates the soundscape in a very pleasant way. However, bassdrum hits subsequently lack quite the percussive slap of the VC's and HD800s -- they don't 'slap', they 'boom'. Bass guitar displays less authority or force compared to the VC's and 800s, unless they're especially textural or growly, blending into the overall bass resonance rather than standing out individually. Cymbals are a touch muted, or -- and maybe this is what stands out for some listeners -- dark. The Atriums' treble don't sound rolled-off, per se, but they don't quite have the shimmer and energy and brassiness of the 800s and VCs. Guitars are plenty textural and detailed, yet less aggressive or substantive on the attack of guitar pick. If there's anything I could 'knock' the Atriums for -- I use 'knock' in the lightest sense of the word -- they are, overall, relaxed headphones. More aggressive music sounds relatively reserved. They don't lack punchiness by any means, and yet they don't manage that certain acoustic deep-ear-massage that the VC's and 800s do. Just to reiterate, the listening experience with the Atriums is sublime -- but my feeling is that the same honeyed quality the mids have in spades is apparent precisely because the midbass and treble are put ever so slightly on the backburner, energy-wise. It's a difficuly thing to convey because the Atriums aren't sleepy or sluggish, they have phenomenal transients and speed and blackground dynamics that match (possibly surpass) both the VC's and 800's -- but they are comparatively gentlemanly.

    Miscellaneous notes: Comfort is incredible -- I did not find them heavy, there were no hotspots, and the clamp force was perfect. (The HD800s feel just a touch more sloppy fit-wise). Isolation is obviously not as good as the VCs, but is somewhat better than the 800s. I think it's probably the most refined, mature-looking ZMF headphone to date -- pictures just don't do these justice, in my opinion. I tried all three loaner pads (perforated lambskin Be2, Auteur, and Universe.) The Universe was my favorite with the Auteurs a very very close second, and I don't know if I could reliably tell which was which in a blind test, the difference between them was much less apparent than pad-rolling with the VCs. The Atriums are very forgiving sound-wise -- murky recordings sound clear and unveiled (unlike the VCs), and bright recordings do not grate the ears (unlike the 800s).

    Summary:
    The Atriums are phenomenally resolving, timbrally just about unbeatable, a beautiful marriage of the space and air of the 800s (while also being something entirely different) and the presence and impact and transient speed of the VC's -- but also (possibly by virtue of those traits) refined to the point of not quite digging in for party mode the way the most visceral genres demand. Think more reference, and less sheer v-shaped-ish thrills -- which, again, isn't a knock, more just the character of the thing, and in my opinion doesn't detract from how great they are at what they set out to do. The Atriums will in all likelihood* be my next lofty audio purchase, to be worn alongside my VCs and 800s -- they're all so different, yet all have their contributions to make, neither replacing the other.

    Thank you for the loaner tour, @zach915m, @ChaChaRealSmooth, @purr1n, anyone else I forgot.

    *Or maybe the Atrium Closed, if it takes me long enough to save up, heh.
     
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  2. Souldriver

    Souldriver Almost "Made"

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    This is very similar to my experience. There are tracks that you will never notice it on but the ones that you do tend to stick out (just a little). The worst part is at about 1 hour break in it is there, the sizzle and chime of cymbals etc etc was present and exact. But it does smooth out the over time. I also find this quality makes it so you can listen to whatever and it will "never" be fatiguing. Even metal tracks with an ear infection during allergy season didnt bother me.

    I have the SBAF/Marv mesh to try. I think that may help.
     
  3. Souldriver

    Souldriver Almost "Made"

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    So, I have liked my time with the Atrium enough that I decided to write an article with my impressions. Below are some of those impressions adapted to better fit SBAF, concentrating on the sound as opposed to fit, finish, or other attributes. (Though if you like pretty pictures and a little more fluff you can check out the article here. I would also love any feedback on this as well.)

    Impressions are after ~100 hours of burn in. I felt this is where any further change was minimal especially compared to the more radical first few hours.
    Streamer: Lumin U1 Mini
    DAC: Schiit Bifrost 2
    Amps: Bottlehead Crack + Speedball (Telefunken ECC82/12AU7, Tungsol 6AS7G, Jensen Caps, Audio Note Volume Pot), Rupert Neve RNHP
    Headphones: ZMF Atrium LTD Bubinga (Stock Pads and Mesh)


    It only seems fitting to start with what I would classify as the defining characteristic of this headphone. Raw Energy. That energy is what this headphone does best, and it is the backbone of the ZMF Atrium’s huge macro dynamics. No matter how much you prepare yourself there will be times where this duo catches you off guard and almost startles you to attention, a feeling that reminds me of being at a live performance. Think of those shows where the band at the local dive is rocking so hard you can swear the walls of the bar are starting to bow out. This dynamism is extremely captivating and leads to being caught in the “One More Song” loop.

    The next thing I noticed is the staging and presentation. There is a uniqueness here that I attribute to ZMF’s patented Atrium Dampening System as sounds extend out in all directions to project a genuinely large stage, while clearly defined “walls” keep it all contained. Normally closed-in elements have a negative connotation, but the Atrium uses it as an absolute benefit as those “walls” bestow tons of information. They establish a definitive stage size and provide reference points to aid listeners in placing objects in that audio space. Much more fascinatingly, those walls best convey the effect the room has on the final recording. Growing up I was dragged to all my sibling’s musical performances, opera and big orchestra outings galore. The vast number of these shows occurred in old churches and estates that were never ever amplified, yet, these turn of the century constructions were some of the loudest, fullest, most complex sounding venues. The structures themselves were purposely built to bolster and amplify what is on stage and I think the Atriums dampening system mimics this. Instruments, and vocals echo onward lighting up and revealing the details of the space. It was pleasure to hear grand pianos, rumbling the floor and conducting bass from the vibration of the instrument’s size. With a lack of live events you kind of forget that those things are part of the music and the Atrium does an excellent job capturing those cues.

    The bass, while not the tightest or most square punching, is plentiful. Thankfully it is never forced or too much. Sub-bass is felt physically shaking the headphones on heavier tracks, but it does drop off short compared to a planar’s “linear bass extension”. A nicely rounded mid-bass delivers bloom and boom without becoming boomy and artificial. There is a great texture to drum hits. All in all these bass notes create a tactile foundation that stops at the exact right spot to not overshadow the mid range.

    While the Atrium delivers an undoubtedly natural and organic feel across the frequency range, these attributes are showcased best by the mids. The mid range bestows this convincing timbre that reminds me of the HD 650, which anyone here knows is damn high praise. It is a different approach though, where the Senn sways you with it’s detail rich, romantic mids (perfect for rainy Sunday mornings, tea, and female vocals) the Atrium is airy, lively, and growling, bolstering male voices and electric guitar riffs. Neither headphone is a slouch at the other’s party trick (I prefer my HD 650 for relaxing and unwinding and the Atrium for rocking out) and there is more overlap than difference. The biggest differentiation is that the HD 650 is now almost exclusively defined by that mid range and the Atrium instead stages the mids as a marvelous body connecting the bigger picture.

    The highs are the most relaxed/flat part of the entire spectrum. Some would perceive this as being dark, but I tend to hear it more as the treble spikes and juxtapositions are smoothed out. This shouldn’t be confused with the sound being veiled or recessed (as this headphone is neither); instead it feels a bit velvety, as if the treble region’s presence and volume are dialed back to avoid interfering with the bass and mids as they command the main stage. There is a uniqueness to the Atrium in that it leverages this eased high response to pump out a non-fatiguing yet hugely energized, dynamic, and resolving sound. To be specific, by non-fatiguing I mean zero discomfort even after hours of listening in the midst of the worse allergy season I have experienced. Allergies that make me very sensitive to audio in general.

    TLDR Comparison: Contrasting the light handed approach of an HD 800 S, the ZMF Atrium comes across much more substantial as it pumps the music at you. The sound is weighty and saturates a large stage that notches in just slightly smaller than the Senn’s. The walled room cues reflect spatial information well, filling black space with informative echoes. Recordings of concert halls feel quite grand, underground jazz clubs feel smoky and intimate, and overall there is a more enjoyable and dynamic use of space by the ZMF. Transients are rounded and leading edges softened. This lends to a very smoothed headphone that emphasizes the body and heft of the notes as opposed to the outline that defines them.
     
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    Last edited: Jun 6, 2022
  4. Souldriver

    Souldriver Almost "Made"

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    I spent a good part of this afternoon with the Tungsol JTL-6189 12AU7WA in place of the Telefunken on the BHC+SB.

    It is much more linear and extended in the treble. The bass was tighter and had less bloom, the mids were leaner and it helped a lot in giving the treble back some voice. It did cut down on stage width a bit and the left and right edges felt more “fuzzy” while the center was pretty clean. While I prefer the TF, this is probably the more balanced choice for the Atrium.

    While it did help distinguish the treble a bit, it's still a bit smoothed over and lacks tactility. In Love Rollercoaster that initial rhythm lacks crunch and the claps lack the pop and slap I heard on other headphones.

    But you know what does slap? That bass and drum lines.

    I am going to try the walnut dac I picked up next. I was going to do that today but I just passed out. Then after that ill look at the mesh.

    The treble is at levels of competent and acceptable (for me) now, unlike the rest of the headphone it is still nothing to right home about. But if this is the achilles heal then I more than accept it for the good parts it offers.
     
    Last edited: Jun 9, 2022
  5. StageOne

    StageOne Friend

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    Atrium

    While back I bought a pair of Aeolus and while I enjoyed them, they were a little too dark and V shaped for me. At the time I was trying to choose between the Aeolus and Auteur. In hindsight had I gone with the Auteur I’m pretty sure I’d still have them. So I really was looking forward to trying the Atrium.

    Chain
    Pi2AES > Yggdrasil A2 > Freya S > ECP T4/ Starlett

    When the Atrium arrived, there was an extra pair of pads, but to me, they looked very similar, both perforated leather. Do not be fooled by the similar appearances, as this was my mistake.

    I first tried the Atrium with the T4 as it was a good match with the Aeolus. For some reason, the Atrium just sounded muted and off on the ECP T4, I tried high and low Z but it didn’t matter, it just didn’t seem to work. So on to the Starlett.

    Startlett was much better balanced and it sounded more cohesive.

    Listening Notes
    - Bigger headstage than 650, more width and depth, outside your head
    - Better layering, separation of instruments with more detail, textures
    - Much better bass performance, 650 sounds muted
    - For those that put a premium on tone vs speed/ transients, I think you’d prefer these over the Utopias.
    - Clapping in live performances sounded very real, better than Utopias which can sound too sharp.
    - Intro bass line in Miles Davis “So What”, lots of detail and texture!!
    - From memory, Aeolus, was a little showy, lacking in some areas and a bit V shaped. Atrium has a more even FR, more cohesive and provides a better overall listening enjoyment.
    - Weight, by hand you can tell Atrium is heavier than Utopia but the weight just disappears when you put them on. This is probably my favorite headband.
    - Headstage is a good balance of space but without sounding artificial. 650s are intimate, Utopias are bigger but have their own odd trait.
    - Occasionally I found my self turning up the volume trying to get more excitement and then backing off when the treble was too much..
    - Overall a little too mellow/relaxed for my tastes and with slower transients that comes across as too smooth.

    In the end, I liked the headstage, layering, texture and great tone but I found them too polite, lacking engagement and excitement. This could be a lack of synergy with the Starlett, maybe too much “wetness” in the chain.

    So on the last night I decided to swap pads to see if they made any improvement. And…

    Auteur Pads
    .. The difference was not small. These pads fixed the major issues I had with the Atriums. Now the bass was more in line with what I enjoy, less bloom and tighter. It allowed the mids and treble to came through, less muted. There was a sense of liveliness and engagement. This is what I wanted!! The staging is a little more compact but it’s a small trade off. I just sat back and enjoyed the rest of the evening, kicking myself for not swapping sooner.

    “Last Goodbye” by ODESZA about 1:07, when the bass just hits.. :O and it’s not just a one note boom.. there is a lot going on!

    I really like the Atrium. The fit, finish and comfort is top notch and with the right pads they sound amazing.

    Thanks to @zach915m for letting us try them out and @ChaChaRealSmooth for organizing the loaner.
     
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  6. Clemmaster

    Clemmaster Friend

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    Did you revisit the ECP T4 with Auteur pads?
    It would be a deal breaker for me since that’s the amp I would intend to use with these.
     
  7. rott

    rott Secretly hates other millenials - Friend

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    Are the pads on the loaner set(s) labeled or indicated in some way as to not have reviewers be mistaken about which is which?

    My experience with the Atrium (I opted for the least expensive wood/hardware + introductory discount) involved more fiddling with pads and mesh to appreciate what it brings to the table compared to the VC and Auteur.

    With the default Universe pads and stock vented mesh, the "slam" definitely hit me but I felt the treble was too recessed, although its quality (timbre/tone) was spot-on. Then I switched to the Auteur pads and that made the bass boomier and brought out the treble, and created a more 3D-like stage, which was initially appealing but eventually I felt that too much of the mids that make these headphones special was lost (too V-shaped).

    So then I switched back to the Universe pads but this time installed the more open Marv-mesh thinking that might bring the treble forward...which it kind of did, but over time it was just too much of a good thing/slam and an assault on my eardrums (couldn't keep a comfortable volume/detail balance) and I had to go back to the stock vented mesh. Over 100 hours had already passed by so I just continued to listen to random CDs across genres using this "stock" configuration and I guess the brain burn-in finally occurred, and the treble didn't appear to be as faint as I had initially felt - I found the whole sound to be very cohesive and I really started enjoying it, especially with live recordings (as many have already pointed out).

    The new headband design is way more comfortable than what I have on the VC and especially Auteur.

    They're definitely a step up from the Auteur, and a different presentation from the Vérité which I feel is complementary. They sound great across most of my favored musical genres and I feel the build and sonic qualities are worth it to me for the indulgent cost.

    I can finally retire the HD6x0, no reason to use them with this ZMF arsenal. A true testament to the solid value of the Sennheiser originals.

    However I still think the Auteur continues to be the one of the bunch which I'd hate the most to give up, even though it can be comparatively boring with some genres. It's not something I can adequately qualify with description, but there's something special about them that I really love even after having spent time with Zach's later creations. First child syndrome I guess.

    CD transport --> Gungnir Multibit A1 --> Lyr 3 --> somewhat damaged hearing
     
  8. StageOne

    StageOne Friend

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    Yes, They sounded much better on the T4 with the Auteur pads.

    After Zach identified the pads for me, I added bags/labels so it'd be easier to distinguish them for others in the loaner (East Coast).
     
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  9. crenca

    crenca Friend

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    Some of what you say here is the opposite of what I would have expected (based on experience with ZMF VC & Eikon, etc.). The Universe creating a larger cavity and pushing the driver farther away from the ear in my experience creates a larger "more 3D" stage (though also more diffuse - less imaging precision) as well as the 2-4k dip. The Auteur pads, creating a smaller cavity and bringing the driver closer to the ear, should have created a more flat (i.e. mid response more even/flat with bass and treble) FR.

    But then, keeping track of all the ZMF pad choices is difficult as they are not labeled and all look very much like the other.
     
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  10. yotacowboy

    yotacowboy McRibs Kind of Guy

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    I'd think there has to be a relatively trivial method of attaching a small sewn label to each pad to indicate its type, without negatively affecting comfort or sound. Hint, hint @zach915m. Even if it costs another $8/per pad I'm pretty sure most would agree a subtle tag would differentiate both literally and figuratively in the market of hi-end headphone pads.
     
  11. Souldriver

    Souldriver Almost "Made"

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    The fit is like laying a cozy pillow on your head. It works and negates the "weight"

    Same feelings here regarding the overly smoothed nature. I selected the auteur pads as my second pair. I didnt try them yet as i thought they would lean things more warm but ill try this next before a mesh swap
     
    Last edited: Jun 10, 2022
  12. rott

    rott Secretly hates other millenials - Friend

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    Yeah I was surprised by that finding, based upon impressions I had read. But I know that the Universe is the stock pad for Atrium and am able to visually distinguish between it and Auteur and so am certain I didn't confuse the two. Luckily both are included and either can be used to suit taste.
     
  13. zach915m

    zach915m MOT: ZMF Headphones

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    The auteur pads actually have a larger cavity and keep your ears further from the driver. Have you heard the Atrium?

    This is mostly an issue with running a tour and the confusion that is innate to this situation. When you buy the headphones from us, the pads that come with the headphone are in bags and it's very clear.

    If you want to write on the pads to label them that's absolutely acceptable, a tiny letter with silver sharpie works well. Personally I like keeping things clean, as there's no good way to sew into them without affecting the sound and/or the label being seen aesthetically. Personally I think silver sharpie actually works best if you want to do that.
     
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  14. Pancakes

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    Masking tape with writing on outside of pad.
     
  15. crenca

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    I stand corrected. I got the Verite pads mixed up with the Auteur in my head. I have not heard it as of yet but I'm signed up for the tour and looking forward to it!

    edit: I still would like to see your pads labeled from the factory, even if it is just a "sharpie" like permanent ink discreetly placed somewhere. I'm a substance over style sort of guy, and think all cables and HP's should be clearly marked with "L" and "R", Schiit labels on their gear should actually be descriptive instead of tiny and idiosyncratic, etc. etc. Yet I realize this is in large part a luxury market where too often style trumps substance ;)
     
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    Last edited: Jun 11, 2022
  16. muckyfingers

    muckyfingers New

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    I had an interesting brain burn in with the Atrium. My unit is an aged Cherry and Copper with solid mesh with universe pads.

    I left them burning in for 150+ hours before giving them a listen. Once I did put them on, the sound was wonderful, but my brain put instruments left and right and vocals above and seemingly behind me. It was like I was turning my back to the artist. The sound was spacious and smooth, I enjoyed it, but just somewhat odd.

    I’m not sure how long it took, but my brain eventually did place the vocals in front and since has not sounded like it’s been behind me.

    I love the Atrium, aesthetics and sound, it’s an end game for me. It sounds just as good out of my solid state and OTL amps. It even got the wife’s aesthetics approval!

    Thank you for an awesome headphone @zach915m and ZMF Team.
     
    Last edited: Jun 15, 2022
  17. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

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    [​IMG]
    (Radial vented mesh confirmed)

    Loaner Impression: Days 1-2


    The Atrium is good. Not merely good. Shockingly good. They don’t sound like anything Zach previously showed me.

    The loaner cherry Atrium weighs 495g. Note that I’m not fully excluding cable because I want to know more realistic weight in typical use case scenarios. In most of my prior ZMF product ownership experience (Aeolus, Auteur, and Verite open), I proactively opted for exotic hardwoods because they look more beautiful. Also I thought they possibly sounded a bit better to me. But such choices came with heavy weights (all >600g) that eventually harmed sustainability of the ownership. This time around I am pleasantly surprised that I can wear ZMF very long. This, along with my acoustic speculation, makes me favor cherry if I pick up my own pair -- really trying hard not to end up doing so..

    And this is my first moment to meet the crescent headband. The crescent comfort was legit. Combined with the ZMF-style head strap structure, the new headband system results in fantastic weight distribution over my big head. To me Atrium’s crescent headband even edgies out the Susvara in comfort.

    I’d also want to briefly touch my preference between the two sets of pads: universe and auteur (both lamb, both perforated). I indeed spent quite some time on the first day in comparing the pads and determining the winner.

    After several backs and forths, it clearly turned out universe pads were definitely the way to go for me. Here are where auteur pads disappointed me by comparison.
    • Stronger upper bass hump.
    • More obvious downward tiling up to middle treble.
    • More annoying resonant peaks in middle to upper trebles. Two specific places were very audibly so (4-5k and 7k-ish hz).
    • All those points listed above together made Atrium more fun than analytical. More distant and thicker sounding. Overall more reminiscent of classic ZMF house sounding.
    Pads preference must be largely YMMV kind of thing, proven by the previous impressions. But where I am uniquely and enthusiastically enjoying the Atrium is their sheer analytical ability as well as neutral balance. Thus, I prefer configurations that can maximize such aspects.

    I’m mildly curious what if perforated universe suede pads were equipped. But no complaint because universe lamb pads already well suit what I am looking after.
     
    Last edited: Jun 17, 2022
  18. rott

    rott Secretly hates other millenials - Friend

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    I should clarify that by "treble" I tend to focus on cymbals. Brain burn-in took longer than I expected with the Atrium. I'd wager that had more of an impact than physical burn-in, though I didn't listen most of the time they were burning in.

    I think Zach chose the Universe pads as the stock choice for these with good reason, and it's cool that several pad options are available to satisfy different sonic preferences. I was a pad-swapping virgin prior to the Atrium, but I found it to be pretty easy using the folding technique in Zach's YouTube vid.

    And compared to the VC, you're not punished for listening to crap (overly-compressed) recordings on these - they generally still sound great. However I still prefer the VC or Auteur for recordings that are a little too bright or "lean".
     
  19. earnmyturns

    earnmyturns Smartest friend

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    Very early impressions of just arrived Atrium LTD Koa, suede universe pads currently. Rig for the test: Roon+HQP > DSD256 Holo May > ecp DSHA-3F amorphous. Music: lots of modern small-ensemble jazz (as usual). Compared with my other ZMFs (Verité open and closed in various woods, Auteur blackwood) it sounds "lighter" but in a good way: a bit more even across the frequency range, although with a midbass tilt that makes jazz upright bass maybe a bit boomier than I'd favor. Delicate highs, airy cymbals, unrecessed but not forward mids. Leading edges are steep but round off. Sax has a lot of presence and texture, maybe the best reproduced instrument in the mix. Right out of the box if sounded a bit rough, and after a few hours it seems to be gaining smoothness and density while not losing that airiness that impressed me first. I can sense that it will be a fight for bop/post-bop supremacy between this and the VO blackwood.
    Update: I'm really liking how the mids show detail, layering, delicate materiality: listening to "Superonny" on Wolfgant Muthspiel's "Rising Grace," there's so much fine grain in every instrument, especially Ambrose Akinmusire's trumpet, which is just "there" rather than being overemphasized, smoothed over, or recessed. Then onto Charles Lloyd's sax and (sadly departed) John Abercrombie's electric guitar, and both lead instruments float in front of the (superb) rhythm section of Dave Holland and Billy Higgins. There's more poise, subtlety here at the expense of the stronger contrasts in VO.
     
    Last edited: Jun 18, 2022
  20. loadexfa

    loadexfa MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Atrium Loaner Impressions

    atriumAuteur.png

    It took me a minute to get accustomed to the Atrium, I found them unusual but in a good way. They have excellent air and clarity while also having some sharpness to the sound. They also have excellent slam without overdoing it. I don't think I've heard the combo of sharpness and air before, it's quite interesting. With more listening this settled down and they felt more "normal" but with comparison listening they remained really good. I don't want to give them back.

    The Atrium is slightly less rich than what I'd normally expect from ZMF, it struck me that realism was the goal. They are still a ZMF and have some of that coziness or romance to their sound. I found them very versatile and good for any genre of music I tried including classical, classic rock, "wall of sound", jazz, folk, and rap.

    Chain
    Qobuz/RedBook -> Roon -> Ambre -> Pavane L3 ->A&S XLR to SE -> Stratus (Linlai 2A3, KR Rectifier)

    For the LCD-4 I used the LauX since they synergize much better but the rest of the chain up to the Pavane was the same.

    vs Clear OG

    Atrium
    • Richer
    • More air and separation (feels much more open)
    • Much more resolving
    • A more refined sound (never thought the Clear OG lacked refinement before)
    • Bass more extended
    • A bit more slam
    • More realistic timbre

    Clear OG
    • I want to say the Clear OG sounded congested but I think it's more I've adjusted to the awesome air and separation and miss it when I switch
    • Voices a bit more forward
    • A little boomy in comparison
    • Dryer sound

    Both
    • Close on speed
    • Can get too sharp at times. I intentionally tried an album that pushes my limits if my brain/ears are feeling even a little sensitive (Chick Corea & Return to Forever - Return to Forever). Odd thing is it was different songs for each, I guess I'm sensitive to multiple frequencies in the upper mid area.

    Atrium feels lighter and more comfortable, the crescent headband is more subtle than I expected from pics but it really helps, more so with heavier wood (blackwood Auteur Classic).

    The Atrium is kinda ruining the Clear OG for me. I think they are both going for a similar type of presentation, each with their own house sound. But the Atrium pretty much does everything better. Just hearing some upright bass string plucks on the Atrium (after listening to the Clear OG) and it sounds so real and alive. Same with stringed instruments in general though the Clear OG is no slouch.

    It sounds like I don't like the Clear OG and this isn't true, I think they are great, the Atrium is just that good.

    vs LCD-4 (RD modded)


    LCD-4 (RD Modded)
    • More crisp
    • More resolution
    • More sparkle (non-fatiguing) with the right music
    • Smoother in the upper mids (despite previous bullet)
    • Voices more elevated
    • Tends to be richer for female vocals

    Atrium
    • More slam
    • Faster
    • More comfortable (these feel really light)
    • Some coziness to the tone
    • More bite (noticeable with some plucked instruments and Stevie Nicks's voice)

    At this level a chunk of the difference is the driver type. Each has it's own flavor and I enjoy both. It's really nice to compare at this level. They're both a little rich in their own way. The LCD-4 is more subtle about air and separation and presents more "stuff between", music gains a few pounds of information when I use the LCD-4.

    These two would make fantastic flavor companions. Sometimes I want that cozy richness or extra slam for an artist/album. Other times added crispness, resolution, and ortho tone makes the music come alive. Both are very very good.

    vs Auteur Classic

    Pads
    I ended up preferring the BE2, I found the Universe and Auteur pads too sharp at times. Both comparisons were done using the BE2 pads.

    With more use (or perhaps a less sensitive day), I enjoyed the Universe Lambskin pads when comparing with the Auteur Classic. I will be posting a first pass on that comparison soon.

    Note the printed card included with the loaner has warm and bright reversed vs what is on the web site: https://www.zmfheadphones.com/zmfpads . I'm pretty sure the web site version is accurate but perhaps @zach915m should confirm.

    Final Thoughts

    Crap, now I need an Atrium. Although I can't say they are better than the LCD-4 (RD modded), they both do some things really well and compliment each other perfectly. For anyone that enjoys the Auteur, I bet you'll really like the Atrium.
     
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    Last edited: Jun 19, 2022

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