ZMF Caldera Headphone - A Planar Like No Other

[@JTB--]

I've been through many headphones now and I finally got a Stabilized Caldera over the summer and it's definitely my endgame HP. It's close to the Susvara in so many ways, but better Bass and EASY to drive!! Sold off 90% of my headphones

[@elhijueputa8423]

Feel the same for mine!! These are beauties!

[@GadgetryTech]

Yeah it really is so incredibly special. So happy to see you both love yours as well.

[@JTB--]

@@picklesandufos7860 It's a Limited Edition that ZMF does once in a while. Copy the Title of a ZMF video Title I put down below and paste it in the YT search to see what the Stabilized Cups/HP's are. "Zach Walks the shop on Stabilized Resin Drops' Eve // ZMF Headphones LTD Wood Mayhem"

[@mcfIy]

First of all: Aww, how gorgeous are those? Congratulations! I loved the way you did your review. Specifically, you talking about the engagement factor and the emotional connection it provides for you, while not getting caught up to much in measurements and technical performance. The overall end result matters. Glad you found your special occasion / Sunday Ferrari. :) I definitely need to get me one as well. Just have to make saving up first. Cheers!

[@Jakebth]

Congrats Joe. Well deserved for you! Sounds like such an incredible audio experience.

[@tomcravens1628]

Joe... your surround style in reviewing the Caldera was real, catching and surgical

[@beefsupreme510]

Great review! I’m a ZMF fan boy & i love my Redheart Caldera

[@amaya897]

Redheart is probably still the most beautiful Caldera release. The recent burl was nice, but not quite as beautiful imho.

[@keithcarr3048]

Wow those cans are just gorgeous! Great review. I will now likely have to sell my Elites to get a Caldera.

[@giullianokoehlerferrari4104]

This looks absolutely amazing! Congrats on the acquisition, you deserve it!

[@GadgetryTech]

Thanks so much!

[@heyguyslolGAMING]

Very nice stabilized set you have there. I have the Caldera "Red Heart"; it was a nice balance of aesthetics close to a stabilized pair w/o the weight. I think Zach was able to get mine down to right at 500g which is lighter than my Atrium's. I'm often torn between my Caldera's and the Meze Elites.

[@antonsvraka]

Completely agree! Right now, I have a hifiman he1000 v2 stealth, and I just don't get the same emotional connection as with the caldera. That headphone is just magical!

[@jwlafferty]

I immediately checked the price of these. Wow, over $4k. One can only hope they never fall into this addiction. But this video might serve as a gateway, because after hearing the emotional reactions of non-audiophiles, I'm curious.

[@GadgetryTech]

It’s definitely an experience. I wish I could show/share with more people

[@humibarbaresh]

Wow. Thanks for the review. Keep up the great content and work.

[@GadgetryTech]

Thanks so much!

[@markhershberger9477]

Thank you for your very sincere presentation of your understanding, observations, and experience with the Caldera. It’s confidence inspiring, as I am currently considering a Caldera purchase after living with my VO’s and VC’s and Pendant amp. It’s appreciated, and wishing you many years of fulfilling listening with your handsome Caldera.

[@ICON-11-]

That is just the most gorgeous headphones ever!!! 😭 Enjoy every bit of them Joe❤

[@mikem4984]

I completely agree with you. I listened to the Caldera at SoCal CanJam a couple months ago and I was blown away. I went to listen to the Verte Open, which was very impressive, but I couldn't believe what I was experiencing with the Caldera. It was one of the top 3 listening experiences for me that day. The tops, imho, was the Warwick Bravura. I didn't stand in line for the Aperio so can't say about that one. Anyway, I haven't been able to get the Caldera out of my mind, so I just placed an order for one during their November sale. Super excited to get it! Thanks for your heartfelt, honest review.

[@GadgetryTech]

Oh you’re going to love it so much!!

[@Maver1ck911]

It's insane you powered those with the Piety x'D. I have that, the Valhalla 2 and SA-1. Currently have plenty of summit IEM's and a Verite Closed. I'm just waiting on the RIGHT stabilized Caldera. I waited 3 years for my Verite green's, your rose gold grills are fantastic with that coffee burl. Thanks for the review, great space and clean desk. Go BRUINS. Go MERCEDES (heard you were an F1 fan after writing haha)

[@soulfulfool]

wow they are so beautiful, susvara cant even compete vs this in terms off build quality and looks, yes I am ZMF fan considering Caldera as my final headphones

[@jasmosanew6146]

Good for you Joe! I couldn't dream of touching headphones like that, but I'm glad you had an emotional connection with them. I'll be sticking with my maxwell, sundara, and x2hr lol. Keep the informative videos coming! Thank you.

[@benniehill927]

I feel this way with the Atrium, except it doesn’t leave my head ever lol

[@hugoritter9864]

This headphone stand is beautiful! Where can I get one of those? Love your Caldera!

[@DefeatPete]

I just got myself a Caldera in the "coffee gold" style and I love it! I'm driving it with an Aune s9c which has been a good combo, but I was curious if you had any thoughts on amplification for it? I kind of want to hear it at its full potential!

[@Simon_Hawkshaw]

Great review and I knew we had more in common. I also love F1! Did I see that you are from/in MA? I wish I had known you when I lived up there, but I digress. Great review. I think we are all going to want the Ferarri of headphones now. 😂 I bit steep in price and I might go for the Ace first as I don't do any headphone critical listening. Thank you as always for your time, perspectives, and for sharing them with us all. Stay well, Sir.

[@ixoye56]

Great review! I I have Aeolus and thinking of adding Atrium open or Caldera to my collection in the future.

[@izlord50]

I’m in between the atrium and caldera I like warmer bass headphones which would you suggest thanks

[@movemonkey4047]

Didn't realize you were from MA! If you ever do a meet and greet here, I would love to pick your brain on some audiophile stuff =) Great review as usual even though I probably won't be getting these headphones

[@Tutku35]

Are you planning on trying the Bokeh out? Really curious about what your take on those.

[@sameh9310]

Tried out the Caldera at HighEnd few weeks ago and after the first minute of listening into them i immediately had the thought of "I NEED THIS". They even beat the Susvara I also tried out there for the 1st time, only the Sennheiser HE-1 beat them, but they are something else/different (not just in price). Still thinking about getting the Zebrawood LTD but a Stabilized Resin would please me more. Guess I'll wait out for a drop and hope I can catch one that i like :) btw... forza Ferrari! :D 🔴🟡 also a Ferrari F1 fan since my Dad went to Monza in 97' and brought the little 4 year old me and my brother some nice Michael Schumacher and Scuderia Merch.

[@bk_panther_]

I've never heard of Identikit before and I can hear what it could provide in sound stage presentation but that is not a song I would enjoy listening to as a demonstration. lol

[@Luan-OIiveira]

Amazing review, love your content man keep it up! Question though, for someone wanting to start on the audiophile world, what do you think are the top 3 best bang of buck on the higher end ? Either open or closed back.

[@GadgetryTech]

Thanks! What price range are you keeping in mind for the higher end best bang for your buck?

[@Luan-OIiveira]

@@GadgetryTech 1500 to 3000

[@chronometa]

Okay sir. I saw you say you loved the atrium closed for metal. How did the caldera handle shitty recordings?

[@kayanong922]

Hey. I wanna Purchase the Caldera exactly as yours. Can you share all your specs? Thanks.

[@gigantique]

what about comparisons? ZMF house sound vs Hifiman? Is Hifiman is more into Holographic, massive stage? And ZMF more into tone, timbre?

[@donniedarko5529]

Hey man! What made you go over the caldera vs the atrium?

[@georgefrazier8404]

Those are beautiful, I just contacted ZMF to see if they can make me same ones😊

[@tomcravens1628]

... great presentation!

[@xDman383]

It definitely is a deep dark rabbit hole thats for sure! Is definitely worse if you add in cables, amps, dacs, and sources into the mix lol.

[@x32i77]

Could you review the atrium closed

[@GadgetryTech]

Review is coming soon. I wasn't happy with the solid state amp pairings but I'm making progress with tubes. Otherwise I don't think it would have been the right video

[@Madhuvish1]

Thanks for the review! I tried these and HE1000SE both. I went with HE1000SE for now due to budget constraints and also HE1000SE can be obtained for below 2k USD right now. Although I did like Caldera's warm presentation of vocals and punchy base over HE1000SE. Could you tell me if this will pair well with ifi Zen Dac/amp or the ifi iDSD? I am looking to buy these in future but I would like to have a DAC/AMP which will be best for both HE1000SE and the Caldera's. Since you own them both, could you tell which DAC/AMP combo will best for someone looking own these 2 headphones?

[@marcob.7801]

He won't tell ya shiite unless you become a patreon or some such! Too much "GUSH" for me!

[@MJordanisGod23]

How would you compare that Amp/DAC to the Schitt Hel 2e?

[@mz1929]

where is the next Acezone Rise or Live?

[@GadgetryTech]

Rise. Likely 1-2 weeks out

[@mz1929]

@@GadgetryTech can't wait!

[@kryptonianBane]

Sick!!!

[@paulopelaez7017]

Sounds like audio bliss

[@digitalnation2876]

better than Arya Organic?

[@thunderstar254]

Bruh

[@raymondwebby2441]

@@thunderstar254😂

[@nonchalantd]

❤

[@domsonshuneson6754]

Is it good for footsteps?

[@marcob.7801]

I did not know one could listen "critically," to Korn!

[@GadgetryTech]

LOL. Trust me, there's a way. And it's glorious

[@marcob.7801]

It's LOUD freaking noise! Almost as bad as Rap a dap ding dong! BONG!@@GadgetryTech

[@Gorilla_Jones]

The highest I'll spend is $2600 and my Grado and AKGs suit me fine in that sector. This is diminishing returns for me at least.

[@TOM7952]

I think past like the Sundara, 6XX, etc you get huge diminishing returns. There are some really great headphones that aren't very expensive

[@climatecypher]

€3.265,95

[@Criticalmaze]

WHHHHHAT! $4k💩! Getoutta here😏