THE ZMF BOKEH; ZMF's semi portable, easy to drive closed back // BEST Closed Back for 1000 USD?

BOKEH Product Info: www.zmfheadphones.com/bokeh
BOKEH Product Page: shop.zmfheadphones.com/collec...
Other ZMF headphones: shop.zmfheadphones.com/collec...
0:00 - 2:53: Intro: BOKEH Basics
2:53 - 6:17 : Atrium Damping System // Sound Info
6:17 - 5:50: Measurement Intro // My approach to Harman
5:50 - 8:33: Specs // Impedance Talk // Design and SEABER
8:33 - 10:24: Measurements // measurements difficulties and tips
10:24 - 11:41: Rockna and HE-6
11:41 - 14:12: Changing Pads // tuning guide // Protein Pad Measurement
14:12 - END: OUTRO

[@yogiwp_]

Finally, placed an order for my very first ZMF!

[@davec2007]

Oh yeah, just got mine. Nice build. Definitely the house sound, couldn’t be anything but ZMF. Mood machines. Bass. Warm. Gooey. Comfortable. All day sound. Like Atriums on Ozempic. Was going to urge Zach to make a carry case, but I think I’ll be carrying them on my head instead. ZMF is absolutely killing it.

[@kcmsterpce]

Very nice breakdown and explanation of the intent and reasoning behind the design. Also, your videos are getting more and more polished, and it puts a smile on my face ( @3:08 )! I lol'd!

[@ZMFheadphones]

Hey thanks KC! Appreciate the watch and you're the best.

[@chungang7037]

My goodness that is beautiful, and I am sure it will sound just as good.

[@m-ksh]

Good point on Harman. My view on Harman and the pure ovjectivist camp is this: Harman has its uses, and it is undeniable that it captures a sound profile that most people would like, but it shouldn’t be treated as like how you would grade a color monitor - variety is still the spice of life! There’s a place for Harman headphones, and there’s still a place for headphones that deliberately does NOT do a 1:1 on Harman. Clearly it’d not be as well-liked as a Harman-tuned headphone would be. The research is clear (although I do wonder if we’ll get the same results were they to be repeated now - does the change in music taste since then mean that a new “taste” might’ve emerged), but for some of us that wants a flavor outside Harman and are not looking to EQ, hey, we do exist! I’ll take out my DCA Ether whenever I want a “normie” tuned headphones, and for other occasions, I’ll take out my non-Harmans when I’m feeling a bit brave. What a dreadfully boring hobby would this be if Harman is the end of the ends. The dial’s been tuned far to the objectivist camp since Tyll left the hobby, and I think it’d be good to get it to somewhere along the middle!

[@ZMFheadphones]

Amen, thanks for the really level headed POV!

[@PercyPanleo]

IIRC even Harman recommends deviating from the target a bit based on your taste, particularly in the bass region

[@Maver1ck911]

woah woah, level head commentary in headfi? Can't wait to audition the Caldera and the Bokeh tomorrow in San Jose!@@ZMFheadphones

[@lawariskarachi2926]

Great initiative 👍 and Bokeh looks awesome, pricing is great too thanks Zach for giving opportunity to people to get in to closed-back ZMF who can't afford VC or AC hope there is no sacrifice on SQ from these 2. Oh great to see a 3.5mm connection on headphones a dream come😊 true.

[@yogiwp_]

Been looking for a somewhat-portable closed back around $1-2K. Didn't like the Liric. Almost pulled the trigger on the MDR-Z1R. Glad that these dropped!

[@JMAudioEditions]

nice work as always Zack

[@ZMFheadphones]

Thanks appreciate you JM. 🙏

[@Europhile]

I enjoyed listening to these at the Canjam London this Spring. Really good sound.

[@HobbyTalk]

This headphone is now Toneh.

[@Qimchiy]

But does it have the 3D pop?

[@RollinHard843]

Great video, thanks for the insight! Hopefully they're slightly less "bulky" on one's head than the Atticus is. I like to wear headphones while doing house chores (Latoo DAP is the source) and that's unrealistic with other ZMFs. This might be a great match for that, which is something im glad the brand is doing. PS: in other factors like sound, comfort and craftsmanship, ZMF is top tier! Im glad they're filling a void in the lineup, because "semi portable" is a headphone type i use a LOT

[@Europhile]

I use a pair of Sony noise cancelling bluetooth phones for doing things around the house. I use my ZMFs when I'm sitting still. I would hate to damage the wooden cups.

[@mikehughes295]

I hope I can afford this ! I've always wanted one of your headphones.

[@chungang7037]

Could someone suggest which ZMF headphone to get for guitar, nylon and steel string, primarily flamenco and some jazz? I prefer warmer sound signatures for this genre.

[@nikokomac3185]

Best combination from pads and mesh for more warm lush full body sound? Have option for lambskin pads?

[@blakkpatron]

do you have any measurements with lambskin pads? either perforated or not, would they be similar to the proteins? maybe a bit more mellow? love the feel of lambskin, but curious if they would be detrimental to the sound. compliments on the headphones btw they look lovely, and they might end up being my first pair of zmf cans.

[@ZMFheadphones]

Thanks! The hybrid pads are mostly lambskin, with suede on the inside cavity, so those are the ones to check out for that sound!

[@sfs03]

Can someone link the video about changing the mesh? I’m somehow not seeing it on ZMF channel

[@nathanberger618]

I’ll try it out at CanJam NYC

[@Axiosz]

When will they go on sale? How about the soundstage?

[@brianpacheco1927]

Zach - how would you compare the Bokeh sonically to the Atticus?

[@ZMFheadphones]

It's a bit more refined, less mid-bass - a touch more treble in a more even way - more sub-bass. Much easier to drive to as far as impedance. Atticus will always have the hearts of thumpy punchy warm mid forward headphones though, there isn't anything quite like it!

[@heyguyslolGAMING]

I prefer to pronounce Bokeh w/ my Klingon accent.

[@jamesbittle9789]

LOL. My thought exactly.

[@billviolette5274]

Why the shape and driver angle?

[@xerosphoenix]

yay a zmf I can probably afford!

[@chronometa]

Huh? Atticus is roughly around the same price

[@NoHairMan]

Could buy used.

[@YourfriendNextDoor2]

👍

[@theodorezurla496]

Hmmm interesting

[@arthurhaywood2184]

What I love is that you’ve incorporated a 3.5 connection as opposed to mini XLR. I also love the stain. The weight seems too high for portable use. Did you give any thought to using a lighter material such as carbon fiber for the cups? Would love to see a truly portable ZMF headphone!

[@TotoroJourney]

But mini xlr in my experience more stable connection especially if the connector has degraded with time, i actually prefferred it over 3,5mm, but since this semi portable i can relate why they use 3.5mm

[@MrAyrit]

Feel free to send one my way!

[@ZMFheadphones]

Absolutely =)

[@Luci-kun]

Yiss

[@burlesonresident7893]

Yeah but how does it compare to my ZMF Classic T50rp!!! 😂

[@johnratcliffe6438]

£1099 is AC (Auteur Classic) money. Why would I go for Bokeh over AC?

[@ZMFheadphones]

I think the translation for BOKEH would be more like 875 pounds, and with the release discount, 715 pounds, the auteur classic is about 1199 pounds, ofcourse all before VAT. As far as differences, the BOKEH is closed, low impedance, a little more transportable, easier to drive. The AuC has a more linear response, scales more, is slightly more resolving and spacious via the open design, and has the timbre of biocellulose for better or worse, and is more of a desktop solution.

[@johnratcliffe6438]

@@ZMFheadphones Thanks for the clarity Zach, appreciated.

[@Danlikescheesteaks]

@@ZMFheadphones Can I ask what is the timbre of biocellulose as opposed to the lcp driver in the Bokeh? I haven't had a chance to hear either, although I do hope to buy a ZMF one day soon. I've had my eye on the Auteur Classic for a bit, but now the Bokeh is another option. I do have some use for a good closed-back. Any idea how they would be for gaming? Lol

[@WorldView22]

At 80Ω Bokeh won’t play optimally on an OTL such as WA2, unfortunately…

[@ZMFheadphones]

I've found it works great with any otl that's under the 80 ohms, typically below 50 will be best.

[@kevineddy4140]

Bookie!

[@dasninjastix]

I will be unable to not call it the "Borkeh". Apologies in advance.

[@thelastrhino2581]

I don't know. I like my high end ZMFs. At this level there are better, more portable options. This looks fairly clunky for a portable. At this point I might as well transport my Atrium, which is the unmatched. :)

[@eric3650]

Bokeh product name is too artsy fartsy for your lowest price point and would have been better saved for something top end. Something more plausibly solid and grounded would have been a better fit, like Atticus was for example. Atticus sounds like something you could smack someone in the head with. If you are on your way to your construction job with your Dunkin in one hand and DAP in the other and someone looks at you funny, what are you gonna do, say "don't make me take off my Bokehs"? No way pal.

[@ZMFheadphones]

Lol! Love it!