Quick Take: ZMF Caldera flagship planar headphone review

At long last, ZMF returns to their roots of planar headphones with their very own open back Caldera. So does it live up to the hype? Listen up!
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[@BopWalk]

Funnily enough, I think most Caldera owners would argue that while it doesn't sound "fast and energetic", the Caldera has decay and DD-like bass infused into it's planar characteristics compared to other lean/thin sounding Planars. I would argue that the Caldera is ABSOLUTELY amazing with EDM and other related sub genres. I drive my Caldera through my Violectric V550 and it is a fantastic pairing, there is a ton of WOW factor with this combination.

[@alenotta]

I liked your review. You have to try it with the stock or thick Caldera pads. I love the thick pads. It'd be closer to the suede than the cowhide, but with more weight to the bass.

[@arthurhaywood2184]

I would describe the Caldera as being a very musical headphone. It just sounds “right”. It has good speed, clarity and resolution. If I were to be hypercritical (you have to be to find anything you might prefer to be different), I wish that the soundstage presentation was pulled back just a touch.

[@BopWalk]

Solid review, just like the tuning of the Calderas themselves.

[@juneguts]

based

[@elhijueputa8423]

Sweet! I'm counting the days for my Caldera to arrive. I ordered it about 1.5 weeks ago. I recently got the Woo Audio WA22 tube amp and also have the Burson Soloist 3x GT SS amp.. both fantastic amps. Looking forward to seeing how the Caldera plays with these amps! Thanks for the review!

[@SineCraftAudio]

Let us know which amp you end up preferring with the Caldera.

[@elhijueputa8423]

@@SineCraftAudio I've had the Caldera now for a couple of days, so far it has been amazing. The tuning is so well balanced with excellent staging and separation.. it just sound right in every way. Not as detailed as my LCD-5 however, the tuning is way more enjoyable and musical instead of the VERY mid-forward presentation of the LCD-5 which gets fatiguing. The Caldera performs really well on both my amps and I actually like the Caldera more when I use my WA22 as a pre-amp to my Soloist GT. The GT's micro-dynamics and already excellent staging combined with the tube's more open holographic and richer/fuller sound is pure joy to listen to. It's like having the best of both worlds (SS and tube) with Caldera's incredible tuning. I think I'm in love. I do use the thick Caldera pads which adds a bit extra warmth.. so lovely. I also have the Suede pads that I've yet to try. We'll see how those compare! Back to the music!

[@SineCraftAudio]

Thanks for sharing more details on your set up. I agree about the tuning, it is so well balanced. Tube pre with SS power is a classic combo in the world of two channel set ups but less common for head-fi. It can work really well in a lot of cases.

[@amaya897]

How are you enjoying them now? :)

[@elhijueputa8423]

@@amaya897 100% my go too headphones. I am contemplating selling my LCD-5.. I do still however enjoy putting them on every now and then but the Calderas are now my everyday driver.