Get what you think will look and feel good within budget. Most people claiming to hear a lot of difference in sound with cables are either hearing what they want to or are so familiar with their system that even minute changes stand out.
If this is the first time with a new headphone, don’t sweat the cable. I personally went with an Atmos C for ergonomics and color matching. I didn’t buy it expecting it to create eargasms.
Great decision on the Aeolus and congrats! I started my Aeolus journey with the bone stock cable as I had never had an upgrade cable and was admittedly very skeptical cables made any difference.
After I could afford to eat real food again, I bought a modest OFC cable upgrade (Mongrel from Oidio) mostly for their looks and comfort. It is not an expensive cable (around $100) and I make up is comparable to the innards of the ZMF OFC cable upgrade. I really just liked the customization options and had heard positive feedback from several forum members here on their quality and service. I did not expect any difference in sound and certainly had no expectation bias that it would be better. To my surprise, there was quite a noticeable difference in soundstage and instrument separation, even with this very modest aftermarket copper cable.
YMMV of course! If I were you, I would recommend starting stock (or with the OFC upgrade or something relatively inexpensive like Oidio, Forza, Periapt, etc) so that you can get a good baseline for how your Aeolus sounds. Go through the break in period and get to know it. After your 150-200 hours, if you do decide to get a $$$$ TOTL OCC upgrade cable, you will at least have a good baseline to compare against.
Looks like @Xgatt and @raindownthunda have the best advice so far and falls inline with what I would have said more or less…
Personally, I would opt for the OFC cable upgrade over the stock cable at a minimum, just due to quality of life and aesthetics. As the stock cable is good quality but is a flat cable and not the nicest.
That’s exactly what I did, I think it’s only $60 add on when buying with, I think it sounds great and looks just fine. I haven’t really gone down any cable rabbit 
holes though so others may have a different opinion on it.
Thanks to you, Xgatt, raindownthunda and MRphotography for responding to my request for information. I think I’ll get the OFC as you, raindownthunda and MR suggested. Also because the ZMF website seems to describe what I’m looking for: “added clarity, weight and resolution…its added liveliness and quality are immediately noticeable.”
ZMF’s website is a bit vague and not much help on the Lektrix…I guess it’s sort of an all purpose solution, and portable–which I don’t need. The 2K Copper was tempting…the “easiest, clearest, most natural sounding upgrade.” But I fear spending $350 only to find it changes the basic, musical, immersive sound signature too much. The Michanikos was easy to eliminate because it’s a silver cable, which I again wouldn’t want for fear of substantially altering the sound signature.
I’ve spent at least 5-6 hours on the internet trying to learn the specific attributes of the 4 optional cable upgrades for Aeolus. Surprisingly, virtually nothing of substance is available. Apparently nobody has much knowledge or experience with all the various options. The only one I found a little commentary on was the OFC.
So I’ll get the OFC and optional pads and see what they sound like after the 200 hours of break-in. Then I’ll try the Aeolus with Moon Audio Silver Dragon and Black Dragon cables I have for my Audeze LCD 2. Will also try the stock Audeze cable. Plus, I have a stock Beyer T1 cable adapted for Audeze connections. So I’ll listen to it too and take it from there.
In the meantime, maybe I’ll hear more about the 2K Copper or Lektrix and consider them in the light of any new information. Thanks to you all for your help…Lee
My opinion, which is worth exactly what you’re paying for it, is that headphone cables make essentially a negligible difference in sound. However, cables have a lot of other properties that affect use - things like stiffness and microphonics make a big difference to overall enjoyment. I ordered the Lektrik cable with my Aeolus because I thought it looked sweet, and it looked to be nice and pliable, not because I thought it would significantly change the sound.
The order of impact on a headphone’s sound is sort of like this:
So I would caution against expecting massive benefits from a $400 cable. You would probably see more sonic benefit by spending $400 on a more comfortable chair to sit in.
What he said.
20 characters
How would you say the Lektrik changed the sound compared to the stock cable?
I haven’t heard a bunch of cables yet but the couple I have tried that were supposed to be upgrades from the stock cables had zero audible difference to me. I do think your point is great however of all the other benefits they can provide over a stock cable! @TylersEclectic recommendation of at least doing the basic upgrade was solid as the stock cables while they sound just fine leave a lot to be desired in other areas. @Leemore5745
I don’t have the Aeolus and Lektrik yet - still impatiently waiting for them to ship. I can update back when I get them…but my own bias may come in to play. I really don’t expect any sound changes, or at least, none I can perceive.
Thanks Jimbo. Would appreciate that update a lot. I haven’t heard anybody, anywhere comment on the Aeolus-Lektrik combination…Lee
I have few Periapt cables and while they’re ok in terms of value and reliability, I wish I would spent more on cables with less stiffness and weight. I didn’t take cable purchase seriously as I should and regretted it. The weight and pliability do play big roles in overall enjoyment.
I am that guy who likes to touch and admire the cable while listening to music 
I really look forward to your experience.
I am on the edge of ordering the Aeolus and have exchanged emails with ZMF and after telling him I have and like the Focal Clears he suggested Auteurs or Aeolus, with more of a Aeolus to be a bit different from the Clears.
The Clears to me have a near perfect tonality which I really like…so my intrest in ZMF Aeolus is eating away at me!!
If anyone has heard both the Clears and Aeolus I really would like your comments on the two…
Thanks
Alex
Are you planning on keeping the Focal Clears or are you looking to replace them?
I was trying to decide between Focal Clears and the Aeolus. I was able to demo @TylersEclectic 's Focal Clears for a couple weeks and was floored by the detail, crispness, and energy but to me it was a little intense/metallic in the highs which resulted in having to take breaks after an hour or so from fatigue. Great for critical listening but a little too distracting for background music while trying to work. That drove me towards the Aeolus, which is known for it’s smooth and luscious signature. The Aeolus was exactly what I was looking for after being amazed (but not totally in love with the Clear). I have not heard the Auteur and cannot comment if they would be better than the Aeolus for you, but Zach is spot on in saying that the Aeolus sounds different than the Clear.
Planning on keeping both unless the Aeolus really amazes me like the Clears do…
amd many thanks for responding!
Apropos of nothing in particular…
1 - My blackwood Aeolus amazes me every time I listen to it, no matter which amp or music/genre is involved. Right now it’s Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto (Erick Friedman/Ozawa/BSO) on the V281. I’m completely immersed in beautiful sound…it has all the “technicalities” I could hope for, but most of all, this headphone makes music come alive
2 - And I have 3 moderately expensive aftermarket cables for my ZMF/Audeze headphones, but my favorite is the ForzaAudioWorks Noir HCP copper cable. It’s handsome; well constructed; is far lighter than the relatively large size would indicate; and has zero microphonics in use.
This is the headphone & cable I find myself reaching for every time…
I wasn’t a fan of the ZMF OFC, the basic upgrade one. Found it a bit microphonic when it rubbed on my shirt.
Been using the stock flat cable whilst I wait for my custom one, and its ok enough. Looks crap but functions.
That’s an easy comparison, but maybe not an easy decision!
Velvety smooth wood cans that look and sound like they should be listened to in a high backed leather chair, or near perfect analytical fidelity? Tough choice!
The more I get into this hobby the more I am searching for a sound that fully pulls me into the music and evokes emotion vs. more analytical in your face presentations. I haven’t heard the Focal Clears but I have read enough to know I am glad I went with the Ananda’s instead when I was trying to decide between the two. I listened to both the Aeolus and the Ananda’s today and they are so different and yet both so enjoyable. Ananda’s build quality compared to ZMF or Focal is laughable but they sound pretty damn good to my ears and are way less money and a nice compliment For something different to the Aeolus In sub $1000 range. Would love to hear the ZMF Ori one day.
My choice
