ZMF New Headphones: Vérité and Aeolus

Measurements of both pads finally up:
https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...f-verite-measurements.7043/page-2#post-232286

Can you eventually make a pad that lies somewhere in between? Hopefully my request won't be taken as sort of favoritism toward you, which it is of course since we actually like you as a person.

P.S. Also, what about a metal baffle edition? I think a hard metal baffle coupled with the wood cup might have an interesting / different effect, like Grado HF-2's metal / wood sandwich.

 

I can't describe the Verite sound any more accurately than @Hands, and his measurements
seem to bear out sonic findings.

That being said, after a few days with Verite (pheasant wood) thanks to @Elnrik and ZMF through a variety of amps want to chime in with some additional impressions.

if Utopia is a 10 on the "fast scale", Verite is a 9.37. uber close.
Verite doesn't become fatiguing, nor have that slight metal sheen over vocals that are common with Utopia listening sessions.

Verite soundstage, clarity, instrument separation are fricking unbelievable! easily surpasses the narrow stage of Utopia. all plankton is retrieved and presented with precise imaging, very very impressive.
with certain well mastered tracks Verite easily delivers the sound of the room, or the micro hum of an amp in the recording session.
tone seems spot on, don't detect any prickly treble or zing at all.
(queue Hands saying I'm incapable of doing so)

Of the three amps connected to Verite it was easy to select the best synergy:
1. ECP 3F SS balanced amp. superb bass tightness, cohesion across all instruments, superb clarity and non-exaggerated sound staging while retaining great separation. Note: the 3F is a TOTL SS wizard amp IMO
2. EC BlackWidow 2. very good but not quite the tight bass, cohesive presentation and good balance all around.
3. EC Aficionado (sylvania dual mono plate 2A3s + WE 396A driver) bass not as tight, but more so- the
separation and staging was over blown, instrument separation felt too wide to the point of "no overlap" amongst the music. First time I've ever heard a tube amp+headphone sound almost disjointed between instruments.

Now, the only nit pick: at times, during certain vocals or interleaving with guitars there's a bit of "hollowness" or recession in upper mids that can unbalance the presentation. it's not overly wonky, some tracks it's less perceptible unless hearing it once before and was also mitigated on the 3F. so this nit-pick is truly something other chains won't portray, or a music genre may not exhibit.

easily prefer and would purchase Verite over Utopia sonically, $ value-wise, and with direct support from a human instead of a large French company busy with RMAs.

that being said, Verite is another great sounding headphone for ZMF. I can hear why it's not intended to replace other models, instead offer a different presentation to match (yet again) supreme custom wood cups and high quality construction. (think- anti hifiman)

personally am staying with Auteur + Af for the foreseeable future, due to extremely well balanced tone, detailing, bass, mids with body and even presentation across all genres.

Verite will add detailing, speed, defined bass and pizzaz to your music library if you so desire- that's for certain!

 

Verite pads right?

 

indeed. unclear, used angled pads. did not have the flat pads during my loaner period.

 

Makes sense. Universe pads no tizzy tizzy, or need to try really hard with certain material to notice.