ZMF Aeolus Sound Review 

I have the Aeolus and I think your review of them was spot on.

Thanks metal for the nice review. Owning Aeolus myself - got them on preorder for 1k$. Using them with a 789 but where they really shine is on a tube amp. Just recently got a Eddie Current ZDT Jr. - with some rolled Telefunken tubes and the realistic sound your are talking about gets even better and the bass gets a little bump. Also instruments just seem to be even better separated and have more air around them compared to the 789. Although you don't own the Aeolus your Atticus may have a similar profit from a tube amp because of the same driver. So maybe something you may wanna get into ;-). Concerning pads I have a similar experience. Although I also got he perf. suede pads I prefer listening with the stock pads because the midrange and the bass are just so addictive to me with the stock pad. Looking forward to your other ZMF reviews.

I'm a new Verite owner and it's the best open back that I've heard though it like 99% of headphones should not be over $2k. Still I can't help but want to hear the Aeolus. If it can get you ~90% of the Verite's detail at less than half the cost with a pleasing tonality then it could be an endgame (a hilarious concept in the audiophile community) for most. Thanks for making the best headphone reviews Metal.

Just bought a used pair because of this video! I am super excited to get them

Great review!!!

Best reviewer out there.

Eventually I will try a ZMF headphone. I love the bio cellulose drivers, and Zack uses these drivers a lot. It’s a big plus.

It sounded so good when i tried it. I borrowed it for a week in a local audio store. Excited what you think about it.

I ordered them in December of 2020 and got them a week ago, so pretty much 3 full months of wait. It was worth it imo, for me at least. I have the stock and perferated suede, I prefer the suede at the moment but everything is still breaking in. I think the Aeolus is the 70s Rock of headphones. Sound is big, forceful, natural, and full bodied. To me they sound semi-closed at moderate volume and above. For my tastes I do not want more detail than the Aeolus offer. I like how smooth they are, I like the warmth, combined with the clarity and forwardness of the sound. I don't think I disagree with anything from your assessment so this comment is just to support your experiences with them for any prospective buyers. I think you nail pretty much everything I've experienced in my first week and half of ownership (but constant use). I think the performance justifies the price, along with the "specialness" of owning a ZMF in terms of the wood (the sapele is gorgeous) and warranty but man.. it's a long a$$ wait.

Is there anything you'd recommend over this as a direct upgrade from the HD650? Just want to make sure I'm spending that amount of money in the right place.

Hello, thanks a lot for a very good and useful review. How would the Aeolus compare to the Focal Clear MG and the Hifiman Ananda? I ask because I'm planning to upgrade my Ananda with the Aeolus (I'm also considering the Focal), and use them with a Naim Atom Uniti Headphone amp. I listen mainly to classical, jazz and to a lesser extent, folk and acoustic. Best regards, Ignacio

Your description of the sound (appart from the 6k peak) really reminds me of m'y favorite headphones the oppo pm-1....which I sold and probably will buy again. Can you compare the two ?! Great review btw!

Still rocking the HD 380s I see, I've had mine since 2011 and still love them. Just got some HD 300 pros and they're great, not as flat but definitely a worthy successor.

Great review I just bought a pair and still waiting. one thing to mention is you have to wait 4-5 weeks to get the things after you pay in full up front!

Hi, is it a good choice to listen to symphonic or power metal? Thanks Very good Review !!!!

Great review. I prefer the Verite pads with my Aeolus (I bet you’ll like the soundstage better with these). These headphones really grow on you.

another video another room change. I like the new look and colors.

Metal...finally headphones you like without equalization. Usually you don't like anything. I kidd kidd...don't shoot me.

Hi, I wonder if you have a EQ Preset for the Perforated Suede pads as well?

i was looking into the aeolus, i am currently on the hd58x and i am in the drop for the thx 789 aaa, what kind of headphones should i look into if i want something really fun with some nice bass budget ist 1000-1600 usd, would love to hear what you would recommand ! great video

pioneer monitor 10 (1978) review would be nice^^ there are lots of used stuff out in usa, top quallity and built.

I liked my blackwood auteur with stock pads over the aeolus (stock or suede). There was more quantity of bass but felt it didn't have the vocal clarity or natural sounding timbre or the smooth but detailed highs of the auteur.

Is this the natural upgrade for an Ebony TH-X00? Currently own HD598, HD600, HD650, TH-X00 Mahogany, TH-X00 Ebony and a Focal Elear. The Ebony is my favorite with the HD600 and Elear tied for second. Love your reviews man!

I just got some used, and I agree with most of this. I do think tubes help solve the soundstage issue, much like the hd6xx series. Actually quite a large improvement in that case.

What is your take on tube amps? I know you prefer warmer headphones so was curious if you dabble in those or just stick to solid state.

Can't wait for auteur vs aeolous comparison, I wish to own one of these someday unless he comes out with another that grabs my attention instead. I want the pair that has best combo of Slam, bass extension, and vocals.

Very good new camera Wide angle 60fps Excellent advantage for the channel keep going

As far as I know, the Aeolus pads have a different density foam compared with the lambskin perforated universe pads, with everything else the same.

Hi metal if you had to pick one for games or movies. What would you get beyerdynamics t1 or the sennheiser hd660s your the headphone pro please let me know thankyou very much for your opinion

Given your affinity for EQ, have you considered the RME ADI-2 DAC?

You said after hearing the ZMF Aeolus you changed your eq setting for the Audeze LCD 2 what did you change?

Hey, @metal571 do you know of the existance of linear phase eq? I think you should look into it.

Hi. What headphones are you wearing and why those please. I like your reviews. Thanks from Oz 🙏

Now I can't help but call it the EEEH YOOOO LISSS

Did you ever get a chance to hear Vérité open/closed?

Hey Metal it's been a while. Right now I have the Verite. I would be interested in hearing your opinion on them, especially in comparison to the other ZMF's, even the LCD 4 and Empyrean.

In terms of speed are they comparable to the hd660 and dt1990?

Hi metal. Beyerdynamics. T1 gen2 headphones are those good for games and movies or the sennheiser hd660s what headphones would sound best for games and movies i play on the ps4 with mayflower arc. Amp it can run headphones up to 600oms so is it powerful enough. For the. T1 gen 2 please let me know thankyou

Would love a comparison to the clear.

How is the Sound Leakage? Average for Open Backs or even worse?

the only two headphones i own right now are the LCD-2C and the Aeolus and i hear more bass impact on the Aeolus... it has more quantity but the LCD-2C has slightly better extension which is to be expected

HMMMM.. from the sound description this sounds like a more refined Philip Fidelio X2, that was my first headphone that throw me into this rabbit hole 6 years ago, and until now I haven't been able to find the equivalent of the experience Fidelio X2 gave me. I just get the Fidelio X2 out of its box recently and it still sounded amazing even with other much more expensive headphones around in my collection.

So as for comfort in relation to Audeze, how does the clamp force compare between the two? I found the LCD2C to have a death grip on my skull, I know the aeolus is somewhat lighter but still on the heavier side as most high end cans tend to be.

Please try verite. Mine pheasant wood sound great on xlr.

Did you ever manage to listen to these with the Verite or Be2 pads? I'd be interested to hear your thoughts!

Hey metal what's up man ?? Pls review the Beyerdynamic T1 gen2... nobody reviews the way you do...thnks

Hey boss can you try and get the HIFIMAN HE5se they went from 700$ to 280$ -369$. Im would like to know what hits harder the HE5se or the sendy aiva thanks 🙏

which EQ software do you use? Would it work with Audirvana?

❤️

How would you describe their detail compared to something like an Elex or Focal Clear?

I like how I only had to wait about 90 seconds to get your review on the sub-bass response which is my #1 concern. Since most headphones can't do good sub-bass. I'll pass on these. I need something that is strong down to 30 Hz, maybe 20 Hz.

Any possibility you'll review the Fidelio X2?

Unrelated question... What do you think is the best way to connect your source to your DAC ?

Are the pads easy to swap on ZMF headphones in general?

My question is: if LCD-4 is only twice the price, what's the move? I might get a pair of 4's later this week either way, but aeolus was my second choice (I heard both briefly at ZMFestivus last year, both blew me away, but the 4's sounded damn near perfect to me)

What headphones are you wearing during the video? Just curious.

I included a 2.5mm cable in my Atticus order so I could drive it with the es100 when I'm not home because I'm a madman

I'm late lol. Are these the universe suede? Or the BE2 suede?

I think I’ve watched this review at least 7 times, along with many other headphones reviews, and still can’t decide between buying a 2020 LCD-2F or an Aeolus. My head says to buy the Audeze and use eq, but my heart says to buy the beautiful ZMF and not worry about eq-ing. Any recommendations?

This or the HD 800 ?? For overall sound quality

Would you say the Atticus is a closed back Aeolus?

Aeolus vs an used pair of LCD-3?

one thing about the aeolus compared to the 6xx is that the aeolus makes me forget the soundstage is pretty bad and I just go with the music whereas when listing to the 6xx im always thinking about that lack of soundstage.

👀

Them wood cups tho

you say you have few headphones, which ones if i may ask?

Autuer and aeolus are pretty great,I only wish it had better technicalities for the price, l700 and even the hd800 kill it in that aspect I think.

They aren't Universe pads, they are Aeolus pads. It sounds different with universe pads.

Metal I summon you! Where are you lol I need your Atrium review

I think the words you're looking for are natural or balanced. No headphone is fully neutral. I find the treble on the HD600 (and the similar sounding Sennheisers I guess) too bright for my taste but mostly after 10K. It doesn't follow the Harman target at all there and with the noticeable grain (after some listening) on bright music, like drum and bass, I begin to hate its slight harshness even though I initially found it quite airy and impressive on jazz and acoustic.

for an upgrade to the lcd2 classic, would you recommend this, the auteur. the focal elex, or the hd 800s? i use my headphones for music, all media, and all sorts of video games also i have never really bought from a smaller company like this, is it ok to do so? will i get just as good support if i need it as would from a bigger company for example? i know it sounds weird maybe, but i have hard time spending a lot of money on a brand i dont much about

When is the next livestream ?

can anybody help me to find the best wide soundstage headphone under 200 dollars. i own the samson sr850 which are the cheapest wide and bass headphones.i love to own another better wide sound stage headphone and im literally searching at 3 in the morning to find the cans i need.

could you really be able to tell all if these dips/peaks and realism in the frequency response by ear without using measurements

Just wondering when will sennheiser use wood or carbon fibre in their top tier headphones? They're left behind by the competition in build quality department.

Hey there....

"More power out of the THX 789..." Ha! That's like saying "more trippiness out of a barrel of LSD." Entirely unnecessary and possibly dangerous.

I found the Aeolus to be quite underwhelming. They sound thin, bright and lifeless..