ZMF Headphones - Atrium

Well I had the open version of the atrium and never had an issue with the treble. I am very treble sensitive and HDB630 also was too bright pre-eq. Probably the closed version is brighter? I am not surprised at all, as far as I know the atrium closed is not generally very well regarded

For the love of all that's good and holy, avoid those bell-shaped headphone stands at all costs, especially where planars are concerned. They look nice, but they can denigrate both your pads, and drivers. >To me, headphone is more like personal preference than money game(e.g. more expensive gear = better sound) This is spot on. Perfect example, I vehemently dislike the 800S and strongly prefer the HD 490s. Same with the Utopia; I prefer the Radiance and the Stellia. Prefer the LCD-X and LCD-2 to the LCD-5. Meze 109 Pros over the Elites, the Liric II's over the Empyrean IIs. The Bokeh Closed and Atrium over the Caldera. The list goes on. Most brands are obsessed with focusing on technical performance as they push toward summit-fi, prioritizing upper mid and treble clarity and detail, soundstage, etc. I need low frequency energy in my headphones; not just extension, but emphasis. I've learned, the hard way, that, with a couple of exceptions, anything from that 3.5-5k region is not going to be tuned to my preferences.

I was surprised at his Atrium take to begin with- and in fact bought them due to his review. He did indicate somwhere that he prefered them to the Susvara- but I was reasonably sure that with enough time Susvara would come out well ahead. Atrium's are great but not in the same class as Susvara.

Atrium def has better mids and is more comfortable than LCD-3. I sold my beautiful Redwood Atrium's cause I would pick Susvara over them most days for its naturalness. Almost feel HD 600 might complement LCD 3 better, if you don't want to spend a whole lot. Have had several headphones with a probable pecking order (after EQ) of the recent ones being (so that you have sense of what I like): Susvara = LCD i4 >> Atrium > LCD 2 > Isine 20 > HD 600 >> Ananda

HD600, I prefer Atrium Open's sound but I couldn't live with it as my only pair (too heavy).

They're unfortunately very different, the AC has much more low-end emphasis, less low treble and more upper-treble. But as with all the ZMFs, there's a lot of tuning that can be donr with earpads, I've heard suede pads does wonders to bringing up the low treble and upper mids. But even stock they're fairly enjoyable for a closed back, I just prefer the more vocal focused sound on the Atrium Opens. (Ironically my AC is 500g, while my AO is 580, but the AO which I prefer is much less comfortable as a result).

It was funny seeing the Atrium Open drop from S, to B-tier since the last tier-list. Meanwhile Focal just absolutely swept this list, even the Bathys MG which is a terrible value headphone compared to most other ANC ones (including Bathyss OG).

Not sure about Drop but ZMF ship internationally pretty much everywhere just got my Atrium in UAE.

you have both of me dream headphones (atrium and HD800s) so very well

I would look elsewhere, maybe for a planar headphone due to electronic music using the lower extension of bass more. Sennheiser dynamic drivers are great for mids but bass has always generally been a weak point compared to other options. For one, Audeze LCD-X is a pair that lot of people like for electronic, though it does need EQ and is pretty heavy weight wise. A ZMF Atrium is also considered a better HD600 with better bass response too. Focal Clear OG/MG has punchy bass impact as well.

How’s the bass on your atriums? I have a pair (cherry wood) and the bass is pleasant but not very punchy and doesn’t extend as far down as I had expected. Even with some EQ I feel like my Clears have punchier bass (albeit limited output) than the atriums. I’ve tried different pads too, which makes a difference, but the bass still feels lacking. Just a bit thrown off as my understanding was that these cans were supposed to have a pretty robust low end.

Interesting question. I own roughly 17 headphones from low to high end. It’s maybe an obsessive hobby for me that turned into a collecting endeavor. I’ve owned the older DCA Noire, the DCA E3, Audeze LCD2, HiFiman Arya V2 and HE1000V2, ZMF Atrium and Aeolus, Beyerdynamic T1 and DT1990 and DT880, Meze 99 Classic, both Aune AR5000 and SR7000, Sennheiser 6xx, and some bass cannons like the Modhouse Argon and Harmonicdyne Eris. And a bunch of others that don’t really meaningfully stand out. I tend to notice a disparity between my “best” headphones and the ones I listen to the most. The DCAs and HiFimans are objectively excellent, but I rarely pick them up. For me, personally, I’m in love with a rich, full-bodied and impactful sound. The ZMF Aeolus on an OTL Tube amp takes the win for me every time. It just makes every single song sound so enjoyable. It is soulful and “weighty”. Many of my headphones are technically better in many categories, but if enjoyment is the most important factor then the ZMF Aeolus hits the mark every time. It is just so well rounded and engaging with every type of music.

Probably the Caldera is closed in the office. I actually prefer it to the Caldera open that I have at home lol Probably bc I’m less distracted in the office, and can properly concentrate on the subtle qualities of a headphone. At home. I tend to mostly use the HD800S for general use and gaming (flight sims, and some BF6). Because it’s light, it works well with my head tracking gear. For music, coming out of a class-A solid state (Cayin IHA-8), I find them to be kinda sterile and boring tbh. For music,  tend to reach for the Caldera open and the Atrium the most. My Solitaire P should be my most technically accomplished headphone in my collection. But TBH I’m not a fan of their tuning. Thinking of selling it (I got mine second hand, for around 20k rmb), and getting a He1000 unveiled. Or maybe a Susvara Unveiled, if I find one for 30k rmb. Which would hopefully stop me from buying any more headphones lol