Comments on Profile Post by Justin S

+ how are the Auteur Classics in terms of resolving power. The Aeolus are remarkable++ with lots of material but get a bit woolly with speedy complex stuff.

My wife has both and we both agree that the Auteur Classic is noticeably more resolving and has zippier transients that help keep things separated and clear.

FWIW - off the top of my head, the Classis reminded me quite a bit of the Atrium. The highs does not resemble either of those.

Didn't quite "sparkle" per se for me but the highs were still more separated and clear comparatively speaking.

thanks @ilikebananafudge_ my previous "sweet headphones" were HD800Ss. I really love the tone of the Aeolus, but am missing some of the abilities of the HD800Ss. I am contemplating with the idea of eating the return fee on these to go for the Auteur Classic.

@penguins thanks for your observations. The Aeolus tone is really very sumptuous, but you have really described what I am missing in the highs. When the going gets going, the highs don't pull away from the pack.

Which pads on Aeolus ? I much preferred the mids and highs with suede pads.

I have the lambskin and the suede. I also prefer the suede but still feel I hit a bit of a wall with the highs on some material i know well.

Longtime owner of the Aeolus here. I rolled it through so many amps. Top was Jotunheim 2 balanced with perf lambskin. I eventually went back to hd650 tho.

Mesh swap or removing it entirely is common with Aeolus owners. You may need to investigate that.

Yeah, if you want more high frequencies you might want to check if you have the Radial mesh, and if you do, just take it out to see how you feel.

It is a much different sounding can than Auteur Classic or Atrium however. It is very fun but not the last word in resolve or air.

Auteur Classic with suede Auteur pads reminded me a lot of the HD600 but with much more sub bass when called for. More neutral.

If I had to pick one ZMF to own in that price bracket, (Besides Atrium), it would be Auteur Classic for sure.

But if you love the Aeolus you just plain love it and there's nothing wrong with that. It's a great headphone.

I'm going to sit on if for a few days and see what I think. There are so many positives.

This inspired me to give the Aeolus a listen and damn they are incredibly pleasant headphones.

Aeolus was my first ZMF way back when. I still have an OG Auteur and prefer its slightly brighter presentation. The Aeolus was always a little too mellow for my tastes. After my time with the loaner, Auteur Classic is easy to recommend.

@RestoredSparda "It is a much different sounding can than Auteur Classic" from reading your impressions of things, I feel like our tastes align in many areas. I am interested in what mean by "a much different sounding can". How do they differ?

As @ckhirnigs mentioned Auteur is a more neutral brighter tuning, much like HD600. It's more linear from top to bottom, where Aeolus has accentuated lows and slightly tipped highs, yet not bright up top.

The Classic version has more prominent sub bass compared to the OG but it's still a pretty linear tuning. It just goes lower when called for.

Aeolus is a fatter sound. Maybe more midbass accentuation. Auteur, especially classic is more resolving of fine details and information, and Atrium and Verite even more so.

Thanks for this @RestoredSparda . I think that I am missing the finer details and some treble information. The Aeolus is really beautiful, but not sure I can live with it.

After sitting with these for days and some focused listening sessions, I am going to take advantage for the 14 day return window and pick up a pair of Auteur Classics. The aeolus are so beauty, but I think I need something more linear with a bit more resolution.

I think you’ll dig the Classic. I’m a big fan of the LTD Ash sets Zach has at the moment. I have OG Auteurs in Ash, and they’re my favorite wood for both look and sound. It’s a nice medium density wood.