# ZMF Aeolus - Open-Back Dynamic Headphone - Official Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Official Headphone Model Discussion\ **Tags:** zmf, open\ **Created:** [January 16, 2020, 5:57pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/zmf-aeolus-open-back-dynamic-headphone-official-thread/4889 "2020-01-16T17:57:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 23
**Author:** ![Earmuffs](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/earmuffs/32/43974_2.png) [@Earmuffs](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Earmuffs)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2021, 5:07pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/zmf-aeolus-open-back-dynamic-headphone-official-thread/4889/446 "2021-03-29T17:07:15Z")
It is an audioquest stand. ---
**Author:** ![Earmuffs](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/earmuffs/32/43974_2.png) [@Earmuffs](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Earmuffs)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2021, 5:08pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/zmf-aeolus-open-back-dynamic-headphone-official-thread/4889/447 "2021-03-29T17:08:36Z")
The Aeolus was ultimately what pushed me down the Zmf collecting path. It is a gem in the rough for sure! ---
**Author:** ![Gordon\_Freeman](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/gordon_freeman/32/35845_2.png) [@Gordon\_Freeman](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Gordon_Freeman)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2021, 6:39pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/zmf-aeolus-open-back-dynamic-headphone-official-thread/4889/448 "2021-03-29T18:39:11Z")
Do you mean the HP stand is an audioquest? I was aiming at the stand for the monitor šŸ˜‰ ---
**Author:** ![eric75](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@eric75](https://forum.headphones.com/u/eric75)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2021, 7:11pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/zmf-aeolus-open-back-dynamic-headphone-official-thread/4889/449 "2021-03-29T19:11:18Z")
I think ZMF collecting should be classified as a highly contagious disease! Itā€™s very deadly to wallets and marriagesā€¦ Iā€™m suffering from it myself. The Aeolus is my next fixā€¦ ---
**Author:** ![Sturosen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Sturosen](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Sturosen)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2021, 7:37pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/zmf-aeolus-open-back-dynamic-headphone-official-thread/4889/450 "2021-03-29T19:37:32Z")
Iā€™m awaiting my first ZMF - the Aeolus. Assuming itā€™s as awesome as virtually everyone says it is, whatā€™s the natural second step? Do I next need to experience the Verite (and if so, open/closed?)? It feels like the VO is where Iā€™m working towardsā€¦ ---
**Author:** ![hifiDJ](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/hifidj/32/53299_2.png) [@hifiDJ](https://forum.headphones.com/u/hifiDJ)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2021, 7:42pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/zmf-aeolus-open-back-dynamic-headphone-official-thread/4889/451 "2021-03-29T19:42:32Z")
I would do whichever one has a LTD versionā€¦if youā€™re trying to collect all the ZMFs ---
**Author:** ![SebastienChiu](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/sebastienchiu/32/19437_2.png) [@SebastienChiu](https://forum.headphones.com/u/SebastienChiu)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2021, 7:43pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/zmf-aeolus-open-back-dynamic-headphone-official-thread/4889/452 "2021-03-29T19:43:22Z")
Take some time with the Aeolus first, thereā€™s no rush! First, enjoy it with the stock pads. Then, get the perf suede pads. I personally feel no need to step up to the VO after having a month with both, the Aeolus with perf suede is like a mini VO for me. If I want the warmth, back to the stock pads! ---
**Author:** ![Sturosen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Sturosen](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Sturosen)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2021, 7:45pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/zmf-aeolus-open-back-dynamic-headphone-official-thread/4889/453 "2021-03-29T19:45:12Z")
Yeah, I think Iā€™m getting ahead of myself! Just trying to understand the different flavors, the natural progressions. Good advice. ---
**Author:** ![Flisker](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/flisker/32/20148_2.png) [@Flisker](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Flisker)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2021, 7:46pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/zmf-aeolus-open-back-dynamic-headphone-official-thread/4889/454 "2021-03-29T19:46:41Z")
Not sure about VO/VC, few people who has them said that itā€™s not really overall better, but different and if you really love Aeolus you might not need the VO/VC. But Iā€™m also curious about those. ---
**Author:** ![eric75](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@eric75](https://forum.headphones.com/u/eric75)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2021, 7:53pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/zmf-aeolus-open-back-dynamic-headphone-official-thread/4889/455 "2021-03-29T19:53:41Z")
Spend time with the Aeolus first and really get to know it. Once youā€™re completely familiar with it, you might not want a 2nd set. But if you do, knowing what you donā€™t like on the Aeolus will help you with what you will want in your 2nd ZMF. Despite all ZMFs having a house sound, they really do have very unique presentations. The closest two Iā€™ve found are the VO/VC. Theyā€™re very very similar sounding imo. Next up is the Atticus/Aeolus. But the Aeolus seems to be a bit more receptive to pad rolling. The odd couple are the Auteur/Eikon. IMO they just donā€™t sound related at all. ---
**Author:** ![SebastienChiu](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/sebastienchiu/32/19437_2.png) [@SebastienChiu](https://forum.headphones.com/u/SebastienChiu)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2021, 7:59pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/zmf-aeolus-open-back-dynamic-headphone-official-thread/4889/456 "2021-03-29T19:59:01Z")
That said, whatā€™s folks general recommendation for ā€œbassheadā€ ZMF akin to the Cascade? Iā€™ll usually be rocking the Suede Perf on the Aeolus since the near VO sound is my preference. When Iā€™m able to Iā€™d love to be able to grab whatever is the polar opposite lol. ---
**Author:** ![Earmuffs](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/earmuffs/32/43974_2.png) [@Earmuffs](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Earmuffs)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2021, 8:57pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/zmf-aeolus-open-back-dynamic-headphone-official-thread/4889/457 "2021-03-29T20:57:21Z")
My bad,was reading too fast and I thought you were talking about the headphone stand šŸ¤¦ā€ā™‚ļø ---
**Author:** ![bpcarb](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/bpcarb/32/16496_2.png) [@bpcarb](https://forum.headphones.com/u/bpcarb)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2021, 9:01pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/zmf-aeolus-open-back-dynamic-headphone-official-thread/4889/458 "2021-03-29T21:01:01Z")
Spending time with them is a good idea. Your ears might tell you what they desire, especially for certain types of music. ---
**Author:** ![Sturosen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Sturosen](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Sturosen)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2021, 9:10pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/zmf-aeolus-open-back-dynamic-headphone-official-thread/4889/459 "2021-03-29T21:10:31Z")
You are all missing the point - you need to tell me what I get to buy next!!! šŸ˜„ ---
**Author:** ![mfadio](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/mfadio/32/32019_2.png) [@mfadio](https://forum.headphones.com/u/mfadio)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2021, 9:13pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/zmf-aeolus-open-back-dynamic-headphone-official-thread/4889/460 "2021-03-29T21:13:43Z")
Easy, 1). Chase the Blackwood Aeolus. 2). VO & VC. Torture yourself trying to pick which one to keep. 3). Toobs. Probably start with a [Bottlehead Crack OTL AMP (Kit/DIY) - Official Thread](https://forum.headphones.com/t/bottlehead-crack-otl-amp-kit-diy-official-thread/1937) (toobs are the happy place for people that love spending money.) 4). Dac-ius Nervosa. (This is where you convince yourself a different dac will make you happy. ) Iā€™m currently in stage 4, and 1 simultaneously. ---
**Author:** ![Sturosen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Sturosen](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Sturosen)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2021, 9:16pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/zmf-aeolus-open-back-dynamic-headphone-official-thread/4889/461 "2021-03-29T21:16:18Z")
Now this is what I was talking about. A deliberative, structured path towards neuroses. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![bpcarb](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/bpcarb/32/16496_2.png) [@bpcarb](https://forum.headphones.com/u/bpcarb)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2021, 9:16pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/zmf-aeolus-open-back-dynamic-headphone-official-thread/4889/462 "2021-03-29T21:16:41Z")
Ha. It partly depends on what type of music you listen to and what sonic properties you canā€™t live with and canā€™t live without. In sum, I own a Verite Closed. ---
**Author:** ![Bob](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/bob/32/23689_2.png) [@Bob](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Bob)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2021, 9:37pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/zmf-aeolus-open-back-dynamic-headphone-official-thread/4889/463 "2021-03-29T21:37:39Z")
Hello! Iā€™m in New Zealand, so supply might be hard to get. But itā€™s a Startech stand for 34" monitor. ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_Dame](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/doug_dame/32/7131_2.png) [@Doug\_Dame](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Doug_Dame)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2021, 10:35pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/zmf-aeolus-open-back-dynamic-headphone-official-thread/4889/464 "2021-03-29T22:35:31Z")
So, since I lust for the Aeolus, I relayed this story to my wife: > [@Bob](#): > > Somehow, my girlfriend remains the voice of reason in this hobby. Usually instantly pointing out things that take me weeks to come to terms with. But after 30 seconds of the first song, she took them off and said ā€˜These are the best headphone you have shown meā€™. And she said ā€œSo ā€¦ ?ā€ And I said, "So, Iā€™m thinking that when I get a pair of these ā€¦ you will react the same way. šŸ™‚ " And she said: ā€œNo. Not going to happen.ā€ ---
**Author:** ![johnccl196](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/johnccl196/32/21895_2.png) [@johnccl196](https://forum.headphones.com/u/johnccl196)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2021, 11:07pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/zmf-aeolus-open-back-dynamic-headphone-official-thread/4889/465 "2021-03-29T23:07:01Z")
so ā€¦ step 1: you make up a story about how there was a FLASH sale and you got these for dirt cheap. That will get her attention! step 2: proceed to get her reaction. step 3: Now hereā€™s the important part, ONLY afterwards do you tell her how much they really cost! šŸ•¶ [Previous page](https://forum.headphones.com/t/zmf-aeolus-open-back-dynamic-headphone-official-thread/4889.md?page=22) [Next page](https://forum.headphones.com/t/zmf-aeolus-open-back-dynamic-headphone-official-thread/4889.md?page=24)