ZMF Caldera Review - An Exciting Step Forward

The ZMF Caldera is the first planar magnetic headphone from ZMF, and it's quite an impressive debut!
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[@MeThAtTaCKSquiRRel]

You've really improved your review style. Very professional, well written and presented.

[@alenotta]

So glad you got around to my favorite headphone!

[@codycast3069]

Great review, spot on. I am with you regarding the Suede pads, they are my favorites of the several i tried.

[@sheerkhanful]

Your advice about the suede pads turned out to be spot on for me too. I bought some after watching this review because I had to admit that the peakiness you referred to was an issue for me as well that I'd been trying to live with. Thanks for the great advice.

[@benniehill927]

Atrium was my favorite headphone for a while, I purchased them two years ago and they never left my head. But over the course of a couple months my ears and preference have changed drastically. I found myself a little too sensitive the elevated kids of the atrium. I got a caldera about a month ago and it’s quickly became my favorite ZMF. I love the way it presents music but still has the zmf sound, and on tubes the timbre is nothing but blissful

[@Berkanann]

Agreed. Caldera on a TC tube amp is bliss. :)

[@syanhc]

I'm coming to see you. Yes, GoldenSound. I'm coming to CanJam 2024 in London. I'll finally meet him. July 20 baby!

[@nathanberger618]

Of the five pairs of ZMF Headphones I own Golden, the Caldera are my favorite sounding ZMF Headphones!

[@markhershberger9477]

So articulate and insightful review Cameron…as Vérité Open and Closed owner who recently acquired the Caldera your experience reflects mine as well. I love the added detail retrieval in conjunction with the sub-bass extension while not abandoning ZMF 🪄 magic…the beautification. You seem to me a most reliable source of information. I think your review of the Holoaudio May KTE was the major contributing factor in my decision to purchase it, which has been wonderful serving me as a consistently engaging source. Thank you for your work in the community!

[@asplmn]

Yet the Verite is so unique and damn enjoyable… I don’t think I could ever part with it. The Caldera actually seems to complement it. What’re your thoughts?

[@markhershberger9477]

@@asplmn Yes, the VO and VC are no less enjoyable to me as well! My basic impression of difference between CO and VO/VC is that the CO provides a satisfying solidity and specificity to midrange in general as well as to voices and instruments, while the VO and VC contribute more of a holographic and ethereal presence, more open in the former and intimate in the latter.

[@dominikalbers6983]

The Calderas on the DCS Stack was one Off my favorite listenings at the HighEnd this year, also the DCS E3 on the zähl mh1.❤

[@sameh9310]

same here, it was my first listen of the Caldera and the best one :D But on tubes i still have to give the win to the Atriums.

[@Berkanann]

The Caldera hits the perfect balance for me between technicalities and musical engagement, realism. For me they are tonally more interesting and attractive than the Susvara, but more detailed with even more precise imaging and beter sub-bass than the Atrium. Best of both worlds in one package.

[@jonandresen1483]

Suede pads are my fav too. Just picked up the Caldera Closed too, which is also great but different.

[@kirk902]

I sure enjoy my Caldera (and selling off the Focal Utopias). And such a beautiful art piece to boot.

[@palefaced1]

Yep, I just listed my Utopia for sale today. Nothing sounds as good as my ZMF's.

[@chronometa]

THESE ARE MY FAVORITE HEADPHONES FOR METAL!!

[@Sturgon]

If you think a headphone can play well with a entire genre, then I know you only listen to synthonic metal and maybe some early classics. LMAO

[@chronometa]

@@Sturgon nope. Played vitriol and Meshuggah

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

Immaculately-timed video publication, Cameron (Douglas just uploaded his belated Mod House Tungsten review, and Koji with his interview of Doctor Fang regarding the invention of his magnificent Susvara headphones).

[@PimpmasterMcGooby]

This is henceforth, national planar day.

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

​@@PimpmasterMcGooby, definitely a worthy suggestion, although I'm not sure if Sennheiser would be agreeable.

[@harackmw]

"You can't out-susvara a Susvara." And thank goodness. Don't you people have enough neutral-bright AF headphones? Gonna have to audition an Atrium. Thanks Goldy~

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

You can, with the top-of-the-line Stax, but they're not VEGAN.

[@harackmw]

@@ReverendDr.Thomas nice 😂

[@joebest6582]

We need more headphones like the E3. DF bass isnt really acceptable from headphone anymore.

[@joebest6582]

Also the susvara has resonance issues from the housing. It isnt a very well put together example of a neutral bright signiture.

[@chronometa]

No. I'm definitely getting A gradep rsx1 as a weirdo headphone.

[@ItsXev]

Make sure to try the Lambskin Thick pads with these.

[@chungang7037]

"A ZMF that put on a suit and tie." Nice. Though, I hope they don't chase the neutral [hype]train much further.

[@joebest6582]

I hope they do. You have no idea what neutral means. lol

[@harackmw]

@@joebest6582 We have enough of those headphones.

[@chungang7037]

@@joebest6582 Yea you are right, I'm totally nuts thinking most other companies are already chasing that dragon. My man! Thanks so much for informing me! 🤣

[@blejzerosamigos6115]

What's missing in this review is a comparison to Tungsten 😞

[@c34webb]

Agreed

[@palefaced1]

I own the set shown at 2:02. They are the limited set named Mangosteen from ZMF November 2023 iirc.

[@heyguyslolGAMING]

Just to add to Cameron's feedback on the Caldera's; the Caldera is closer to neutral sounding hp but it pairs extremely well w/ a tube amp which will give you options to add the flavor & color one might desire. I run mine on a Cayin HA-3A tube amp and a Burson Soloist GT class A. I also have a Ferrum Oor + Hypsos but the sound on that pairing is a bit dry and less engaging. The Caldera's are also not very hard to drive as I run mine on med impedance HA-3A and Low gain on the Burson. Furthermore and this is something that is often times missed Zach's design of the Caldera is a Planar driver that sounds more like a Hybrid between Dynamic & Planar driver combined; meaning you get the benefits from both in the Caldera driver which will make more sense upon listening.

[@jameskegen6812]

I would steer clear of anyone saying that HA-A3 and a caldera is "natural" sounding. Theyre natural sounding if youve conditioned yourself to believe the vivid mode on your TV is the most "natural" because its the most "colourful". Lmao

[@heyguyslolGAMING]

@@jameskegen6812 I agree and I would steer clear of anyone who can't read enough to be able to distinguish the different between the words NEUTRAL and NATURAL. Lmao I agreed w/ Cameron that the Caldera is more "NEUTRAL" sounding (depending on the amp) but you can change that w/ a good tube amp.

[@MUSIC-kv5li]

@@heyguyslolGAMING It really is quite entertaining how ppl fail at such a simple task as reading, lol. 😂🤣😂

[@benstain2674]

​​​​​@heyguyslolGAMING NEUTRAL is a technical term and doesn't actually exist as a universal profile because of the interaction between its HPTF profile and our own HRTF. NATURAL, on the other hand, is a perceived experience of something. It is also based on those same factors, but is *conditioned* instead. The caldera on any amp is far from natural as far as any authentic production of the actual recording or instrumentation because, or the human voice goes because its exaggerated, but you've conditioned yourself to believe it is through weeks and months of using it. Your brain simply adapts to it and because of all the other 1000s of factors influencing your perceived experience, none of which are how it actually sounds. That perception is how people think cables sound different even when it technically isn't. It's a powerful thing. Give it a couple years, and you'll be on to the next thing you think is NATURAL even though by its very definition, that couldn't be the case.

[@joebest6582]

@@MUSIC-kv5li I didn't fail. I dont think its natural sounding on any device by any reasonable evaluation of what natural means. Not neutral, natural.

[@PyreRecords]

woooo!

[@grahamt3598]

Be good to start with the price.

[@kato2395]

it is like $3000

[@jameskegen6812]

Its like $4000

[@snmdair]

Standard editions start at 3500. The limited editions start at 3700. Prices will vary depending on the extras you add to the order.

[@susokraut3169]

Ridiculous should be sufficient as information

[@banani4000]

Hey Golden! Say you're unlucky enough to be stuck on an island but lucky enough to pick just one of the two (Caldera/Atrium) to accompany you, which one would it be? :)

[@kyon_kyonstar]

Minor correction and a bit pedantic. This isn't the first zmf planar but first ground up planar from zmf since they started with t50 mods, which were planars

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

I didn't realize that Fostex produced planar magnetic headphones.

[@kyon_kyonstar]

@ReverendDr.Thomas Yup, the txrp family is the only set of planars headphones fostex makes

[@camoturtle18]

3:35 curious why your sub of choice is an SB16-ultra (closed/sealed) instead of a ported PB16-ultra. I assumed the PB16-ultra would be better because it is a larger enclosure and a higher price, but is there a reason related to sound quality why you chose a non-ported SB16-Ultra?

[@GoldenSound]

Generally, ported subwoofers have the advantage of being able to achieve higher SPL for a given driver size than sealed, but sealed subs will have better actual SQ due to having less time domain ringing, can have a flatter FR, lower group delay and phase rotation. Generally people describe them as being 'Tighter' and more controlled sounding. If buying for a home theatre system where you want to be able to achieve the maximum SPL for the form factor, a ported sub is probably the way to go. For critical listening applications and hifi, generally a sealed sub is likely to be better. I have two of the SB16 Ultras and for my room two of those is somewhat overkill so the extra SPL of a ported sub would be wasted. I'm maximising for quality and so the sealed sub was the way to go.

[@camoturtle18]

@@GoldenSound thanks for the quick reply. Super interesting, thanks for the info. Sounds like I would go for sealed as well then. Do you recommend 2 subs for hifi or critical listening over just 1? Not for extra volume, just for sound quality alone. Usually just one sub would mean that it is placed slightly to the right or left of a wall instead of right in the middle, but since it’s a sub and not a normal speaker, would you be able to tell that the sound is coming more from that left/right if it’s just one sub or would you not be able to tell really?

[@GoldenSound]

@@camoturtle18 I would 100% recommend going for multiple subs over one, even if it means getting two smaller subs. Multiple subs are the single most effective way to control room modes and can do so effectively below frequencies that it is practical to address with room treatment. As to whether you should set your subs up in mono or stereo it depends on how low your speakers go and what your configured crossover frequency is. If you are using the subs with bookshelf speakers and the subs are crossing over up around 100hz or something, you should probably set them up for stereo. If you are using full size speakers that already go down to 40hz etc, then there is no localisation information down that low (and sound actually doesn't behave in a typical directional fashion anyway, search for "schroeder frequency" if wanting to learn more), and so you should configure them for mono and position them in the room in the way that provides the flattest frequency response in the bass

[@GenericUssername]

Such a great headphone to have as a companion to the 800S.

[@susokraut3169]

no

[@soulfulfool]

800s would sound cheap in comparison, best duo would be Atrium closed and Caldera

[@susokraut3169]

@@soulfulfool HD 800s would sound cheap in comparison? Do you even know what you are talking about? EQ it and it is still one of the best headphones around, yet the ZMF are heavy and strange sounding……

[@soulfulfool]

@@susokraut3169 you are just a fanboi of that flawed headphone

[@susokraut3169]

@@soulfulfool first of all, I am not a “fanboy”, but a grown man, and secondly, the HD 800 is not flawed at all. What makes you think so? The treble peak can be easily accounted for with EQ. And it has the widest soundstage of all existing headphones.

[@viencarlodiego8842]

comparison of tungsten and caldera pleaseeeee

[@angelsanchez4109]

Caldera Vs Tungsten ?.. you shaw this question coming don't you ;)

[@Berkanann]

Btw what do you exactly mean by the title 'a step forward'? It suggests, that the Caldera is a step forward to the right direction, which would mean, you think they are an improvement compared to the Atrium. Yet, you seem to prefer your Atrium to the Caldera. What direction would you expect from future ZMF planars then; more like the Susvara or more like the Atrium? Thanks!

[@chungang7037]

👌good question

[@eskamobob8662]

A step forward in technicalities

[@virajlokuhelapitiyage9247]

Please do recommend a dac for my system.. by budget is $11k. My system is accuphase pre and power combo class A. Speakers Sonus faber Olympics nova 3. I only stream music. No headphone listening. Currently using Eversolo dmp A8 streamer dac. Esoteric N05xd/ T+A dac200/ mola mola tamb/ holo audio may kte are brands of interest..

[@dilbyjones]

lol. Yes start with price we will still watch. Trying to suss out state of headphones today all over the world all over the supply chain

[@barneyrubble9309]

These or Tungsten?

[@soulfulfool]

you need power plant to drive tungsten xD

[@eriknelsen5954]

I love ZMF, but Tungsten is a lot more dynamic and enjoyable. It's also much better value, but it requires just the right amplifier.

[@soulfulfool]

@@eriknelsen5954 for me worst is waiting time and lack of distributors in europe, taxes and shipping costs makes it no deal

[@eminent2003]

helo

[@GoldenSound]

helo

[@Amadeus734]

GOODBYE MQA: starting July 24, 2024, you will no longer be able to access music in the MQA or 360 Reality Audio formats via any TIDAL application or integration. For stereo sound, FLAC was chosen as the format we’ll support going forward because it is open source-meaning any artist can deliver their music in high quality directly to TIDAL without the involvement of a third party. This makes it easier for their fans to experience music in the highest possible sound quality on all their devices. For immersive sound, Dolby Atmos was chosen as the format we will support going forward due to the number of compatible devices, catalog availability, and artist adoption of the format. Through our continued partnership with Dolby, we’ve given artists the opportunity to expand on their sonic vision, allowing their fans to experience their music like never before. If you have an MQA track or album in your Collection - including in playlists - the track will automatically be replaced by the highest quality FLAC version that has been distributed to TIDAL. If you have an MQA track or album downloaded for offline access, you will need to update to the latest version of the app on July 24. You will then be prompted to redownload these tracks. This will download the replacement FLAC version of any MQA track you previously downloaded. If you have a 360 Reality Audio track or album in your Collection - including in a playlist or downloaded for offline access - you will see the track or album grayed out and unavailable for streaming if you try to select it.

[@johnratcliffe6438]

I actually find my Atrium less pleasing to listen to than my Arya SE. I'd consider Caldera instead, but really need to audition HE1000SE first.

[@eskamobob8662]

If you already prefer arya to atrium, Caldera is very unlikely to do it for you

[@kingstoler]

Arya is a mess compared to Atrium, especially its brighter treble.

[@johnratcliffe6438]

@@kingstoler Except that's utter BS. I own both. If you think Arya is bright then you have an issue with your chain.

[@user-es3hq5zk4e]

The ZMF will be technically superior to the Susvara which has serious resonances at circa 1k, 1.5k and 5k,showing how bad the Sus is.

[@enjoshi-godrez8775]

Theyre both technically poor. This isnt a contest.

[@eskamobob8662]

Just go to a show and hear them. Zmfs house sound is litteraly built arojnd fucking with decay and resonances.

[@stevet8631]

“Most resolving ZMF headphone” - well, pretty easy to step over a bar that’s laying on the ground. 😂

[@chungang7037]

🤨

[@hemispherecompensation]

xD

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

How many ZMF headphones have you THOROUGHLY auditioned?

[@TechNICKal07]

Eh resolving capabilities aren't everything, and I'd argue that it's actually a determent to some headphones. I prefer the Auteur Classic to the HE1000 most of the time even though the HE1000 is more resolving. Sometimes a lot of detail is like drinking out of a fire hose, it's just too much. ZMF's tend to strike an amazing balance of having great detail, without going over the top while also having excellent overall tonality, and for a lot of people that's preferred.

[@harackmw]

@@ReverendDr.Thomas good point Dr. Thomas

[@coardcreatif]

heard it and not impressed. e3 and the composer were much better.

[@susokraut3169]

"Resolving properties", this is totally invented, every headphone can resolve the entire audible frequency range, the impression that one headphone is "more resolving" than another one is just a fact of different tuning, which can be changed by EQ.

[@enjoshi-godrez8775]

All auditory stimulus comes from how the FR of the device interacts with our HRTF, but the graph snap shot can not tell you that. To quote orditory1990: "Common misconception, but "transient response" is *not* independent of frequency response. In fact, frequency response can be calculated from the impulse response (by performing a fourier transform). That's how frequency response is "measured": you calculate the impulse response from cross-correlation of the stimulus with the recording and then perform a fourier transform. Any change to the impulse response necessarily results in a change to the frequency response as well. "waterfall plots" (cumulative spectral decay) do the same thing - perform an FFT of a short portion of the impulse response. Any change to the impulse response necessarily shows up in both the CSD plot as well as the frequency response plote" None of this is visible in a FR graph snapshots, even though it is FR, as in its snap shot that you see it can only describe how much attenuation/accentuation it has for each frequency, but it does not describe, for example, *playing one frequency would cause another harmonic frequency to appear* , aka nonlinear transformation. This is the reason you can have two headphone, one open, and one closed, or a iem and a headphone have a identical frequency over amplitude graph, yet they will still sound completely different. You cannot eq one headphone to make it sound like another. That is fundamentally impossible. Nothing you will ever say will counter that. These are the facts.

[@enjoshi-godrez8775]

Please go back to amir where he uses non stock pads for his headphone testing and unironically said that pads don't make enough of a difference to effect the reasults even though we have factual evidence that they do.

[@susokraut3169]

@@enjoshi-godrez8775 Amir just measured this overprized, wonky headphone with the pad he got it with. But the frequency response of this headphone will remain strange, wonky and full of resonances with any pads being used.

[@susokraut3169]

@@enjoshi-godrez8775 Sure, a waterfall plot entails more information than just the frequency reponse, but usually the FR plot is enough to judge if a headphone sounds good or not. And frequency reponse together with distortion measurements usually tell most of the story. In any case, it is not possible for any headphone being "more resolving" than another one, it's just an audiophool myth. In many cases just explained by elevated treble, which gives the illusion of " being more resolving" or "more detailed".

[@enjoshi-godrez8775]

Oh I love it when youtube deletes tolls comments. Lmao