ZMF Open Back Flagships - Verite vs. Atrium Review - Which is right for you?

ZMF has two co-flagship open back headphone offerings right now. The long established king of the hill, the Verite Open and the newcomer Atrium. Which one is better and which is right for you?
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[@christof8704]

I bought the Atrium from the last ZMF hot cup event and I really like it. This is my first ZMF but the Atrium does a lot of things right compared to some of my other favorite headphones like the LCD-4, Borealis, and 1266. I would describe the Atrium as being very spacious with intimate vocals but not super intimate like lcd-5. It has an engaging sound with a bass boost that you can sort of adjust with different pads. Sometimes the treble seems a bit lost but if I get used to Atrium then the treble sounds over done on other headphones. Basically it's a fun sound, with a wide open stage, great comfort and super easy listen.

[@nicktan4530]

You are definitely rich like others.

[@christof8704]

@@nicktan4530 🤣💰

[@soulja617]

Hey I had a question what is the hot cup events ?? Just different stabilized versions of the headphones or do they also go on sales during the events ??

[@christof8704]

@@soulja617 it’s the name of their event /sale during the summer where they release some new limited woods or stabilized offerings. In the fall they have zmf November which is going on now.

[@jaybrodnax]

Best comparison of these I've ever encountered. Well done!

[@shilu6979]

indeed it is

[@JTB--]

Nice comparison. I've had the Verite Closed a few months and I like it the most on tube amps like the LYR 3 for instance

[@loudiber]

Great job - thank you! I own the Atriums and your description was spot on. I agree with your comment about pairing. I'm. running the Atriums with Pontus II + Iris through a SparkoS Labs Aries. This chain really accentuates the spaciousness of the Atriums but also produces exceptional detail in the treble that might be a bit fatiguing with the Verites. I've also tried the Atriums with tubes and they sounded great but I don't think better than with the SparkoS. Can't wait for your take on the new Caldera.

[@sjqideez6626]

If the Atrium was a person, it would sound like you Sine Craft. Thanks for this man.

[@shilu6979]

having both, u described their differences perfectly.

[@TheKent2288]

ZMF VC owner here and loving it. Really scales with your gear. Using it with Pontus II and a 300B tube amp and it’s sublime. The sub bass sound so round and full and fantastic holographic imaging. ZMF plus tubes is nirvana. Waiting for the Atrium closed! :) Nice review btw :)

[@SineCraftAudio]

Pontus II + tube amps is a great combo. What 300B amp are you running?

[@TheKent2288]

@@SineCraftAudio Using Mcchanson which is made by a local tube amp maker in Sydney :)

[@Ivan-bg1jp]

Would a Cayin HA-2A suffice bring out the best of Verite Open?

[@jonandresen1483]

Nice review comparison. I have the Atrium and the Verite Closed. Trying to figure out a use case for the Atrium vs the VC. To me the VC is more comfortable and engaging, more wow, dang that sounds amazing. Both are better off the tube hybrid Lyr 3 than the SS Topping A90D.

[@soulfulfool]

try class A like burson soloist for me class A can sound better than tubes, unless you have hi end tube amp

[@jonandresen1483]

@@soulfulfool I got the Cayin HA-6A tube amp, so pretty high end, and I prefer the VC even more now.

[@soulfulfool]

@@jonandresen1483 thats really interesting how much people like VC but I'm open headphone person

[@AbideinChristFully]

Can you please describe the bass between the Atrium and Verite Closed. This review was really helpful except with bass. Sometimes I want to have that "subwoofer in my friends car from back in high school" time. Which would do that the best...or at all?

[@jonandresen1483]

@@AbideinChristFully Atrium is strong in the mid bass and generally has a full, rich bass tone. The VC is more punchy, extends lower, and, naturally, has some reinforcement from the closed design. VC bass is faster and perhaps less richly fleshed out maybe but I prefer it in the bass.

[@juneguts]

That was fascinating, thank you

[@frederf69]

Suggestion - I think its a good idea to get an idea of the price, preferably near the start of the video. What gear was you using & what tracks did you listen to?

[@SineCraftAudio]

Good feedback, thanks!

[@frederf69]

@@SineCraftAudio welcome. You have a good voice for this kind of thing.

[@stevep4384]

It sounds like the Verite is the Pauillac and the Atrium is the Margaux.

[@Mark-fs7ok]

Great review! Are the pads on the Atrium hybrid perforated Universe, Auteur, or Be2? Thanks!

[@SineCraftAudio]

Thanks, I think I had the Universe perforated on in the video.

[@chronometa]

Part of me wants to upgrade my aeolous for a verite. But I'm not listening to the best recorded tracks either.

[@fatdoi003]

there's no upgrade @ ZMF, just different flavours of sound

[@chronometa]

​@@fatdoi003 there is an upgrade if the flavor fits what you want more

[@alank46]

Have you heard the new Auteur Classic?

[@fastguitars4380]

Very nice review.

[@HoraceGeorgia-c3e]

Pasquale Grove

[@x-techgaming]

Limited dimensionality? No thanks. Atrium for me(and Caldera)

[@CoreyF84]

Would it be reductive to say the VO is for cokeheads and the Atrium is for stoners? (kidding, but seriously).

[@SineCraftAudio]

The Atrium is more romantic, the VO are more focused.