ZMF Blackwood

Stupid question - the ZMF headphones have a mini XLR connection on the headphones. Is this the same connector that Audeze uses on some of their headphones? Looking to get a 4 pin xlr out cable.

 

Hi Guys,

Here's my short take on the Blackwood. I won't go into much detail as Keanex has covered a lot in his excellent review but I thought another opinion would be useful.

Chain:

Laptop>Benchmark DAC1 USB>Blackwood

Likes:

This is a fairly balanced, smooth headphone with punchy bass and a decent amount of detail. Reminds me of the stock HD650 I used to own but I always found the HD650 a bit too smooth to the point that sometimes it was like it was trying to put me to sleep (this was out of the Valhalla 2 amp)

The Blackwoods are a bit brighter with more impactful bass so they don't have this issue. I would pick this over the HD650 unless you can splurge on a proper amp to bring out the best of the Senn. I've never heard the HD6X0 out of any TOTL amp so I cannot comment.

Dislikes

1. Swapping pads is a bit of a pain. The process takes a bit of finger strength and dexterity but is doable. What makes it annoying is that there are 2 to 3 layers of damping foam over the driver which are not fixed in place in any way so they can move out of position or fall off completely while trying to strong-arm the pads in place.

2. They are a bit heavy but I think I can get used to it. I have a fairly skinny neck so you may not have any issues.

Tentative conclusion:

If you like the HD6X0 and want to try a planar with a similar tonality and no annoying issues with the sound in general ( a rarity it seems in headphonedom) these are worth a listen. Bass is definitely a step up compared to the Senns (at least with the Senns amped by the Valhalla 2)

I would also recommend trying these out before spending megabucks on a Hifiman or Audeze. Who knows you may save yourself a big wad of cash!

Top tip: I saved $170 by going for a B-stock Blackwood. When Zach says V.Good condition it means they look nearly new and mine had minute imperfections on the finish of 1 cup which doesn't matter to me at all. Therefore at $529 I think these are fairly priced for the sound Q,solid build and plush leather accessories.

Note on Zach:

When dealing with a 1 man company it gives me peace of mind when the person is highly responsive and seems to be serious about treating his customers right. Zach was very helpful throughout the process of picking a ZMF as per my tastes. I hope he gives the big guys a run for their money!

Upcoming update: I will get my hands on a Lyr 2 soon and let you all know if it makes a significant difference.

Cheers!

 

I agree with your impressions for the most part, but my HD650s are brighter than my Blackwoods both pre and post mod (rear foam + DM + coin). Maybe Zach tuned yours brighter based on your discussions with him about sound signature preferences.

The front damping doesn't move around too much swapping pads of you keep your thumb on it. Zach made a video that shows his technique.

 

That is possible, although Zach said that The Omni was closer to the 650 and the BW to the 600 in terms of brightness.

I was scared to press down on the foam pieces as they seemed flimsy and they sit directly over the driver. I didn't want to mess anything up.

I'm quite happy with my choice. I sold my HD800S yesterday. I just didn't like the tonality; it was very detailed but my music wasn't very musical. That's the only way I can describe it. Someday when I can afford a $5000 rig maybe I will give it another go.

 

You can't damage the driver by pressing down on it with your thumb because it's protected by a plastic grill and magnets. I think you'd have to poke it with a needle, and even then you'd have a hard time randomly hitting an opening.

I heard the Omni HF Asian tour unit as having a mid-bass hump and being brighter than my BWs. Could be different tuning and pads contributing to this, but many have said the Omni has more top end extension and "air".

Anyway, not trying to be argumentative. Glad you're enjoying your BWs. I find the BW to be a great compliment to the modded HD650. The perfect headphone for me would be the HD650 with the bass and a bit of the mid/treble smoothness of the BW.

Edit: can to can't

 

I'm planning on buying these to upgrade from the hifiman he-400i but the weight is heavily discouraging me. I have a really weak neck. I don't think I would be able to handle it.

 

I have these and they weigh 540 gms on my scale.

There is no way these are comfortable for normal people who like to sit up while working and listen to music.

I knew the weight was a concern before buying but I only listen while leaning back on my couch with my head supported so that way it doesn't bother me all that much.

I usually listen for an hour at the most before taking a break. There is no way I could wear them comfortably for multi hour listening sessions.

However they do sound very good....

 

540g! I'm done for...

 

May I suggest emailing or messaging @zach915m. The Vibro 2 comes in multiple species of wood. And you would be surprised how different the weight can be if one switches to a less dense species. Blackwood is beautiful and very dense...

 

I have the Purpleheart Blackwoods which are slightly lighter but still substantial in weight. I don't find them too bad sitting up at my desk as long as my head isn't tilted forward. It's a good reminder to sit up straight instead of hunching over. Blackwood drivers with lighter cups would likely sound a bit different. Zach would likely have tried this combination so I'd drop him an email.

 

Blackwoods 540g training! this is what I call determination xD!

 

This is a quote from Zach on HF

"Just took some measurements of weight on the phones I have on hand:

LCD 2.1: 560g

Fostex THXX: 380g

Hifiman HE-500: 590g


ZMF Omni Cherry: 455g

ZMF Omni Blackwood: 570g


I actually may try making an Omni out of Red Walnut soon, it's by far the lightest wood I've used that is hard enough for good sound, and it would probably come in around 420 grams, maybe less maybe slightly more. but lighter than Cherry.

Will post some pics of each wood later. Also have some Paduak in that will be available soon."

This is the Omni, but makes the point. The Cherry is 115g lighter then the Blackwood. That's kinda a big deal if you ask me...

 

But the cherry will be much less resolving/detailed than the African blackwood and wouldn't be as fast or have the same blackness of background.
I think.....

I'm thinking of just getting an used hifiman he-560. But I don't have much faith in it's build quality and the customer service might as well be the primary reason why I don't want to buy it..

 

Zach will tell you (at least if you contacted him) that species plays a tiny amount in the in the overall sound. I say get the wood that helps you manage the weight of the headphone, if that's what you were worried about most.

Have you reached out to @zach915m yet?

I remember the first time I tried the LCD-XC, that thing is like wearing 2 bricks on your head. Everybody has a weight tolerance, and I just realized mine was that headphone. (And it sounded disappointing to boot...)

 

@Vanheim maybe I missed it, but what amp are you using? I find the ZMF's much easier to drive the HE500's / HE560's. Just something to consider. I initially complained about the weight a bit, but I got over it.

 

I have contacted Zach. I just hadn't asked him yet about much the wood affects the sound quality/sig. Although a "romantic" signature is what I'm looking for. Cherry also seems to have the largest soundstage.
I could, judging from the 500-600 weight test, tolerate the weight for around 30 mins to 1 hour but then I started to feel a weird sting pain in the back left side of my neck. So, I don't want to damage/hurt my neck by wearing headphones that I paid more than $500 for.

I might just sell off the hifiman he-400i I have and add that money to my current budget and just buy a new cherry Blackwood from Zach.

I'm currently using a humble Objective2 portable version but plan to sell it off and buy a used/new Garage1217 Project Polaris and a hotaudio dac destroyer to pair with it.

 

Zach likes the JDS Labs "The Element" with his headphones, if a budget friendly rig is wanted...

But you could also ask him his opinion on that too...

 

Does anyone have or tried ZMF Omni, ZMF Blackwood as well as Mr Speaker Alpha Prime? i am interested in purchasing one of them and not sure which one would be better choice. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.