A superb review from the wonderful CMA. No hyperbole, just an accurate and passionate analysis of a superb pair of headphones. Just on the strength of this review compared to the deep research, CMA's own Focal Stellia review and a recent listening session of the Focal Stellia's I just ordered a pair from Australia. Certainly my favourite Headphone reviewer. An injection of romanticism into a robust technical and audio review is not to be underrated.
Seriously CMA watching your videos is not like watching a review but rather more akin to watching an excellent netflix series. Your stories are clear, concise, and captivating. Thank you Sir !
These are the most beautiful headphones I’ve ever seen. I think the grill looks much better than the Caldera’s. Speaking of Caldera, have you had a chance to demo that headphone yet? I’ve read nothing but great things. Kinda stuck on which to buy. I want the atrium because it’s so damn beautiful, but am also leaning towards the Caldera because apparently it fixes a lot of the Atrium’s shortcomings (like the sub bass roll off, lack of detail).
I would like to hear more comparison between this and the Verite Closed...if we can only choose 1. I would usually say, more bass then Atrium it is...but DARK scares me. I really wish I could hear them both, but that's not possible. I really like your reviews though.
I'm holding out (for now) for the closed version. I have an Aeolus which I can't see myself parting with and would love to add a closed back ZMF to my collection. A used Eikon was on my list but then Zach dropped these.. and I'm very intrigued by that updated biocellulose driver. No denying that those grilles are stunningly beautiful however.
I have Aeolus too and was never going to part with them but not sure anymore. I tried these Atriums at Koji’s and decided within 5 minutes that I am getting them. Order placed and waiting now and thinking of punting Aeolus on eBay. Do try and demo if you are able to, you won’t be disappointed. Probably the best ZMF IMO for the joy of music listening. VC could be more technical but this will give you a bigger smile. Let’s see what Atrium CB is like.
You should try out the Auteur Hybrid Pref. Sound amazing. I need to try the stock pads again. Also I have not tried the BE2 Suede Pref. Heard good things as well.
I am concerned about these sounding too dark. It seems to be a impression that's emphasized in multiple reviews. I've had bad experiences in the past with this regarding well reviewed headphones. How would you compare the warm/darkness with others such as HD650, Audioquest Black hawk (so dark and boomy that I couldn't listen to them) and Audeze LCD2 (Too dark and muffled without equalization)?
Hello! Would you recommend atrium or elite for someone who loves midrange vocals and a wide soundstage? I currently have susvara but looking for something with more soul
@@ConvinceMeAudio I just placed an order for the Elites like 30 minutes ago 🤣 will get Atrium in November hopefully along with a VC since there will be another run of the limited edition ones. Love the reviews and keep them coming!
If the verite closed didn't exist the atrium would have been my end game headphone. It's fantastic but the verite closed was made for my ears and my taste.
@@tweedpenguin712 OK will try. The vc has better technicalities in terms of details and speed, I like those characteristics a lot but with most headphones when technicalities go up the tonality and timbre suffers with it, the vc has both fantastic tonality and timbre plus endgame technicalities. The atrium is to me the same in terms tonality and timbre its fantastic, but its a bit behind the verite closed in detail and speed, saying that but the atrium has wider Soundstage, so if someone likes that, it pretty much can be their endgame. But for my taste and my preferences I find what the verite closed provides is what I value the most in an endgame headphone. By the way vc also has a wide very open Soundstage but it's not an atrium in that regard.
First time watching your videos. I am picking up a 2-month old Atrium this afternoon. Thanks for the video and the comparisons. Interestingly, I am bringing the Gryphon to test the Atrium to make sure it’s working.
Awesome review! I've been looking at the Atrium for a while now and have been waiting for some reviews on RU-vid. I have to say that, even though I just recently discovered your channel, you're already pretty much my favorite reviewer! I love your enthusiasm and passion! And yeah, your review obviously got me even more intrigued to buy the Atrium. The only thing, that left me wondering about the soundstage, is that many people in the Head-Fi forums have said, that to get the maximum soundstage performance of these headphones, you need like +100 hours of burn-in. After that, many people have said that the soundstage has become even more 3D and holographic, like the soundstage of the VC. Although I'm not sure, if your Atrium was already burnt-in before you got it. Just something to keep in my mind. Also, even though you did great comparisons in the video already, I'd like to ask how does the dynamics, the soundstage and the detail of the Atrium compare to the Meze Elite, if one were to buy only one headphone for all genres? I have been considering buying either the Atrium of the Elite to be able to enjoy my music whatever the genre and however bad the recording is.
Thank you so much I appreciate the kind words Versus elite, they are both conducive to a wonderful experience in regards to bad recordings to be honest Elite has a bigger soundstage it’s absolutely enormous The Atrium had about 50 hours put on it when I had it and I’m not sure how many hours it had prior to that But I will 100% agree it got better and better and better as I was listening to it, and it sounded its absolute best the day before the review LOL Delete is a bigger sound in headphone all around but I would pick atrium any day every day for tonal balance mid range and sheer pleasure listening
Watching Atrium videos even though I've ordered the Redheart Caldera (While having OG Utopia), it really sounds like ZMF Headphones are special, can't wait to hear it. Also, If you don't mind me asking what's the story of the sunglasses?
@@ConvinceMeAudio Yeah, I figured as such, though it looks like you're getting by really nicely! Do you have Caldera for review? I liked that ending on the video that you describe a picture on how things are, that's definitely a special thing in audio reviews.
@@ConvinceMeAudio Will be looking forward to the review :D Mine is still ways off, but I'm going to listen to it at the store as well (Yeah I ordered blindly cause of the good reviews)
@@ConvinceMeAudio looking forward to your impressions on that and the Mr, mostly mr cause I am missing my endgame headphone. Im thorn between some zmf stuff and the MR. Thanks for the info and love the content!
Hey CMA, do you have a ranking list of all the headphones you have reviewed? - the last section in the video you give each section a score, would be good to get a sense of where it fits in with everything else.
*As usual, most comforting review making you/me/us FEEL it. No time wasted, so much info packed in this video. Everything sad so clearly, represented so nicely visually, so cearly spoken, and all is so accurate. Thank you.*
Completely different headphones at a different category, but I’ve not heard it yet So I can’t really judge But in my experience, no other headphones has killed ZMF headphones, they are so enjoyable and fun, it’s different
@@N02tradamus It doesnt surprise me at all, ZMF headphones bring joy and life to the music. After I heard my VC for the first time suddenly I lost interest in my other headphones
Been following your reviews from the beginning. Respect your ear. Wondering if I can get some quick advice? Susvara is my favorite headphone but looking for a complimentary headphone that is much warmer. Doesn't have to be TOTL. Do not want recessed mids (LCD5 has too much mid energy). Something like a upgraded HD650. Sometimes I just don't want to deal with great treble detail and looking for a warm sonic blanket to ease my distress Headphones I have owned: T + A Solitaire P, Susvara, Abyss 1266 Phi TC, Meze Empyrean, Meze Elite, Hifiman Arya V2, Audeze LCD-5, Sennheiser HD600 What do you think? Atrium or Empyrean?
@@ConvinceMeAudio Thanks. Traded someone my newly acquired Elites for Atrium with Magnesium chassis / Copper grills plus they added some money on top. Thanks again. Should have took your advice on the Elites :P
We have similar ears. Loving the Atriums. Great FR. More note weight than Susvara. Timbre is amazing. Love the vocals on the Atrium. Been neglecting my Susvara's lately. LOL ... Have you tried the Atriums on a OTL amp yet?
Just curious my favorite reviewer has already said he would keep Zmf vc as favorite closed, well was curious re open back, would you pick Ateium, or lcd5 if you had to decide between?😁
Bloody hell, that’s a hard choice like genuinely probably atrium LOL I love those headphones more than a lot of things just because they work everywhere on everything Obviously they’re not on the technicality level of LCD5, but I don’t care
@@ConvinceMeAudio thanks, im about to buy Vc and Atrium, as ive said before, i own Lcd5s and tt2 and Mscaler, i cant justify 3 prs of hdphones, the ZMF im able to return if i dont want so could say im going to have to pick 2 prs ,if i settle on Vc and Atrium will have to sell Lcds. Too much tied up. This will be a tough one i feel
@@annarobertson8320 I don’t think you will pick VC and atrium simultaneously, I think you will pick atrium and LCD5, but let me know how things go. I’m genuinely curious
@@ConvinceMeAudio i will, interesting point, u favour Lcd5 with Ferrum oor and hypsos, i dont, i find that pairing bland,lifeless, no punch, so i sold my Ferrums and bought tt2 and Mscaler, vast improvement
I highly recommend you to check out the WyWires Platinum headphone cables. In my experience they made a huge difference on any headphone i tried these (compared to the stock cables and some other upgrade cables). For example with a Hifiman Arya SE and a Hifiman He 1000se on an IBasso dx300 with AMP12: The soundstage becomes a lot bigger with better imaging, the resolution improves and i hear a ton more details.
I have both $400 B & W PX7 and $900 Dan Clark Aeon 2 Noire headphones. Both are comfortable and good looking. But, the Noires totally outshine the PX7s in sound quality.
@@tweedpenguin712Just no clue what you're talking about lol. Also P7 is mass produced and made to look pretty for the box art over its actual comfort. ZMF headphones are handmade and come in a large variety of woods/colors/headband/ chasis materials, while being some of the most comfortable and adjustable headphones on the market Just enjoy your P7 for what it is, no need to bring down a headphone doing something completely different
