Making sense of ZMF. Caldera Closed REVIEW

[@l67swap1]

Love these , soundstage is like a openback without being open.. its insane and really good

[@hunteer963]

Man these sound fantastic

[@vinnydolce541]

I did not see this rating coming! Love how you stay true in your reviews. Kinda curious to hear your thoughts about the Diana MR. Let me know if you need a pair to review. I'll have no problem sending mine over for ya.

[@SuperReview]

I demo'd the MR at CanJam about a year ago and I liked it. Pleasant warm midrange with nice micro contrast. Kinda reminds me of what I like about the Moondrop Cosmo.

[@vinnydolce541]

@ Yea I own a pair and like them quite a bit with the suede bass ported pads. Just wanted to hear your thoughts! I appreciate it 👏🏼

[@gadgetgenerationspulkit]

Good review Mark. I actually tried this headphone earlier this year, and it was so good sounding that I honestly ventured back into the headphone game but it was too costly for me to own.

[@InternetUser-d7s]

Just to clarify, did you only run these from your MacBook?

[@SuperReview]

Mostly listened on my Hiby R5G2 but also used MacBook, especially when playing with EQ.

[@InternetUser-d7s]

​@@SuperReviewOK, that explains the orientation (and limitations) of your review.

[@chungang7037]

​@@SuperReview I seem to remember you owning desktop amps. Is this not the case anymore? Even if you think it does not need that level of power, a review should compare if sound changes with such devices since many of your viewers are going to be using such devices and want to know. Also, not everyone uses Macbooks. I don't think you meant it as a flex, but it comes off as such.

[@SuperReview]

@@chungang7037 Yeah, I have a few desktop amps, JDS Element II is what I'm using now. I don't find headphones or IEMs sound different on my sources so it's not something I talk about. Maybe if I had a high output impedance amp there'd be some surprising differences, but it's a variable I'm not interested in so I stick with low-OI, neutral sources. RE: Flexing,, the MacBook costs 1/3rd of what the headphone does and probably less than whatever amps people think I should be listening on, but interesting feedback, thanks.

[@GadZookz]

Thanks Mr. Ryan. You solved a mystery. I couldn’t remember which headphones came in that case. Now I know it must have been the Atrium.

[@SuperReview]

At your service 🙇‍♂️

[@pigmanny]

I think this one is Queensland Maple which is 100$ more right now, stock wood is Shou Sugi Ban Ash.

[@SuperReview]

Which one do you like better?

[@pigmanny]

@@SuperReview this one definitely, much more elegant and subtle, they also got resin sets releasing and b stocks for a discount, out of my price range sadly 😵‍💫

[@Tssukiii]

Please review the Bokeh Closed This would be actually attainable maybe Only if interested yourself and possible ofc 🤝

[@SuperReview]

Review coming soon

[@Tssukiii]

@ incredible! You’re the best, Mark Really on a streak lately with many weekly reviews

[@jaycochran2983]

Great review! Heard u mention using a Mac. Do you EQ on Mac? If so, what software do u recommend? Thanks!

[@SuperReview]

SoundSource

[@Berkanann]

Caldera needs proper desktop amplifier to sound as it should. A laptop or a DAP won't make it justice.

[@SuperReview]

People say these sorts of things, I don't believe it. I also used them on a JDS Element II if it matters, sounds the same there.

[@Berkanann]

@@SuperReview Try them on something like Cyan 2/Aegis or Wandla/Cayin HA-6A or Holo Bliss grade kind of amplifiers. I guarantee you that you will be surprised by the difference.

[@vinodrathod3902]

I want to upgrade from my tangzu wan'er. I liked the vocals, clarity and subbass in this. I want to upgrade on better bass, good surround sound stage and better separation in the sound. My highest preference is the comfort and my budget is around 100$. Can you suggest me the best one

[@Daniele-PierreDuLac]

Simgot EA 500lm. You might be able to find Truthears Nova for around 100 rn too

[@miki890098]

​​@@Daniele-PierreDuLac coming from the wan'er, the 500lm will be intolerably bright. Something like the kefine delci might be a better pick, or even the simgot ew300

[@coardtech]

When i compared the two, E3 was significantly better headphone. At $1700 open box, no brainer.

[@SuperReview]

Yeah I really like E3.

[@beefsupreme510]

My brother in audio 🙏🏽, I mean this w no disrespect, headphones are a much different ballgame than iems. Dacs & more so amps play a major part in bringing out the best of high end headphones. A similar thing happened w your Tungsten review; not using an appropriate amp. Your opinion may not have changed on any of these headphones but at least you know your review is based on how they should sound. Just my 2 cents 🙏🏽

[@SuperReview]

I appreciate the support, but... I think it's just a convenient excuse for people to dismiss an opinion they disagree with. No one questions my sources when I give positive reviews.

[@meredithgordon4101]

I heard the tungsten before it released and whole heartedly agree it needs better source gear (especially power as it was 10x more difficult to drive than Susvara). While you may not believe in this stuff, your viewers who purchase based off your impressions would likely appreciate a better range of test gear. At the end of the day you do you. I saw you have an element, I would utilize it more as it’s a wonderful all in one (I have an element 3 and love it).

[@beefsupreme510]

@@SuperReview I get what you’re saying however I think your opinion would be less challenged if reviewed with an appropriate gear chain, you’d be taking that excuse away from people & your opinion would hold more weight even if you didn’t like the headphones. This situation kinda reminds me of someone pouring ketchup on a steak then saying the steak was bad. Try it without the ketchup! Thanks for your efforts 🙏🏽

[@SuperReview]

@@beefsupreme510 I am not going to use other source gear to satisfy people who don't know better. I'm just using what I like -- and I expect others to do the same, it shouldn't be a problem.

[@SuperReview]

@@meredithgordon4101 Here's the thing: I did use the Element, especially during the comparative evaluation as it's convenient to store multiple headphones on my desk while I compare. The amp made no difference in my impressions. I only brought up the other sources as it relates to power requirements and cable length. Because I didn't come to the conclusion people like, they jump to assumptions about why.

[@Emrah2908]

If you’ve only used a Macbook, then your review is inadequate to say the least, maybe even misleading to some extent. These cans require power to wake up. A macbook won’t do any justice to them. Could you please state your source, amp and dac? These cans are made to flourish. They are not mobile and not to be taken outside like E3 or Liric or Bokeh. They specifically made for good quality amps and dacs. If you’ve really used them only on Macbook then your review is a missed opportunity.

[@SuperReview]

These are made-up memes. Primary source was a Hiby R5G2.

[@Emrah2908]

@ Thank you for your answer. Yes this will do much better job driving the CC but 475mW is still far from enough to reveal its potential. Maybe your thoughts won’t change even if it was adequately powered and I respect that. Though I advice you to try.

[@itayadler8565]

@@Emrah2908 they are more easy to drive than my hifiman ananda, you're talking bullshit

[@Emrah2908]

@@itayadler8565 I wasn’t aware that we were rude to each other with SuperReview. I thought we were having a civic and kind conversation so what’s your motivation for your sentence? Either you are an insufferable troll or a 7 year old? I’m not even getting to the fact that you just compared Ananda’s driver with CC’s driver like you know what Caldera’s are made of. Please do contact ZMF owner Zach Mehrbach for more technical information why the CC requires more power. BTW I own a Caldera Open so I know what more power brings to the table.

[@InternetUser-d7s]

I'm amazed you're sent gear for review, especially from ZMF, if you're only running headphones from a DAP or a MacBook. Headphones are clearly not your area of expertise, which is fine.

[@SuperReview]

Please tell me, what difference would it make what source I listen on? Assume low output impedance and harmonic distortion.

[@InternetUser-d7s]

​@@SuperReviewRead the Head-fi thread yourself (where you're getting a well deserved grilling, incidentally). You talk about memes without realising that the "sources don't matter" trope is a meme on its own terms.

[@SuperReview]

@ Link me, I don’t see it.

[@Prxyshj]

This is the first review of the Caldera Closed that isn't all praise. Makes me think the others are dishonest.

[@aceofspades6667]

It’s just one opinion or data point. Never over index either way

[@SuperReview]

I really really dislike the tendency to attribute criticism to honesty, and a lack of criticism to dishonesty. There is a wide range of preference in audio. I am not surprised that others would honestly like this headphone more than I do.

[@arthurhaywood2184]

IMHO, the stock cable is bare minimum and holds the headphone back. The OFC cable offers marked improvement and is well worth the expenditure. My weapon of choice is the Lektrik C cable.

[@SuperReview]

I am not a cable believer.

[@En_Joshi-Godrez]

You need to leave

[@SuperReview]

@@En_Joshi-Godrez Nah.

[@SmileyD1125]

​@@SuperReview I too am not a cable believer, but I do feel like the cable could have been nicer in terms of look and feel, especially at this price point.