I think the Atrium closed would be more of a change… but either would be a good compliment to Caldera. The Caldera is the most non-ZMF sounding ZMF and very neutral, while I’d say the Atriums are very ZMF house sound. If you like more low end go closed… if you like more balanced go open :)
I've been demoing the AC and VC the past week and they're both insanely good. Been looking at a closed back to complement the AO, and they both would be an excellent complement imo. The bass on the AC is so addictive, but I found the highs to be slightly splashy with some music but for the most part it's really controlled and balanced. I ended up preferring the VC, it has such a rich and lush sound. I really enjoyed them both. If someone is a basshead I think you'd prefer the AC.
@@TylersEclectic I guess this is why Zach is so good at designing headphones. None are necessarily better than the other. It depends on what you're looking for! VC just ticks a lot of boxes for me and I could easily see someone owning both.
@@TylersEclecticI did the opposite and took home the Caldera. It’s faster and has a more up front presentation. The Atrium Closed pulls the stage back a bit and sounds very similar to the Atrium Open. What surprises is how open they sound.
@@TylersEclectic Most of new headphones are just neutral. I love AO and I still have them. But I always wanted more bass. AC has maybe the best bass on the market.
Since this is an older review, not sure if you are still looking at and responding to comments but I'll give it a try! I am using a pair of ZMF Aeolus headphones which I love. No issues with its' presentation out of a Woo Audio WA3 OTL amp with some nice tubes, and an Audio Note transport and dac as front end. Been considering going for one of Zachs' TOTL headphones but am so wary of any treble issues that I am not sure which would be suitable. I am most used to my two channel stereo system for decades now, so when you describe the Atrium closed as having the sense of more like being in a room with musicians playing, that sounds to me more akin to listening to my two channel system, not headphones sending the music so directly into your ears, so that aspect as well as the deeper bass than I am used to has me considering the Atrium closed. But I have read on some blogs that people are bothered by a rise in the treble. Any issues you have found, coming off of the Aeolus headphones, in the treble department? I listen to mostly acoustic, singer/songwriter, rock, blues, some jazz (no classical, EDM or heavy metal though). Thanks!
I haven’t had any treble issues, and the Atrium closed is still one of mt favorites of the lineup. The Atrium open is amazing as well, and is more balanced in my opinion, than the Atrium Closed. Both are fantastic options… I’d go closed if you want that extra bass, and open if you want more balanced sound. Both are fantastic with the genres of music you listed :) Both are a big step up in performance from the Aeolus, which might be off putting at first, but more likely will have you listening to all your favorite tracks again finding all the different things you’re hearing differently with the Atrium’s
Could you try those problematic tracks (like the Vivienne Chi one) with the suede pads and let us know in the comments if anything changes? Thanks. (And thanks for the great comprehensive review.)
Yeah! The suedes tone down the low end but still highlights any odd mastering choices. So the fuzzy bass line is still there but slightly not as in your face, or “highlighted” … suedes are a more balanced sound overall while still having a nice bass bump
Zach already had quite a few stabilized sets ready to go at CanJam NYC. I picked up my stabilized Caldera there. Absolutely gorgeous! The AC sounded so good that I was almost tempted to forgo my purchase of the Caldera! The presentations are different though.
Wow, considering your love of the Verite Closed, to have this Atrium Closed become your new number #1 of all of the ZMF's you have is saying something.
Thanks for the impressions on these - in your opinion, would the Atrium Closed or Verite Closed be a better companion to someone with just the Auteur Classic? I've been leaning VC to get something a bit more different, as a fun alternative to the more neutral all-rounder in the Classic.
I do think the Atrium is more similar to the classic… but the closed I’d say differentiates enough that it’s a good option. That being said I think the VC would definitely be a larger difference between the two.
There was some concerns brought to my attention by some community members… and I didn’t want to be part of it. I think SJY audio is going places though and I’m excited to see what they bring to the table in the future.
Really enjoy your video reviews, I feel your listening priorities are similar to mine. Anyway, do you think the ZMF Atrium is a significant upgrade to the LCD-2C? I am enjoying the Audeze, 'get lost in the music' presentation, but wondering if the Atrium would give more details and a cleaner sound. Would hate to spend all that money for an 'upgrade' only to find they are just a fancy wood version of the LCD-2C without a significant improvement in sound. Thanks.
That’s tough… as it’s a dynamic vs a planar … I personally prefer the Atrium Closed and think it has better overall sound signature…though it is t perfect. It has the classic closed back problems of midrange pulled back a bit… but, I’m not bothered by it with the Atrium Closed. I’d say best bet is to try before buying, if you can’t try before buying, and you are confident in preference similarities between you and I (it can never be 1:1 with this kind of thing), then I can personally vouch for it being better to me. Atrium Closed is my most used headphones since getting them
Awesome video man, great explanation. What do you think makes more sense to compliment a VO and an AC: a Caldera or an Atrium Open? Im thinking of getting one this ZMF November, but having trouble deciding on if the AO is different enough from the AC (also use these headphones for non-competitive gaming as well)
@@nicktan4530 I had a career and worked hard made some investments and what not… be positive bud! Keep working improve and with hard work and time you will be where you want to be …
