The Bokeh Closed limited has a wierd layered well plywood. I was thinking about a Bokeh closed, but I’m not crazy about the current regular wood, and really dislike the LTD. Good excuse for sitting on my hands.
Per the many ZMF examples I saw and tried at Capital Audiofest, I figure that the market isn’t what it was a few years ago. A quick check of E b a y shows that the Verite is routinely and not infrequently selling for $1,350 to $1,500 used. Something to think about unless you enjoy sitting on your thumbs.
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I’ve heard all the ZMF dynamics at one time or other, and own/owned quite a few. The one I still have (and my clear favorite) is the Verite Open. Mine is a stock silkwood model, which is exactly the one I wanted since I assumed a fast, resolving driver like the VO’s would benefit from a softer, more resonant wood.
I must have been right because that headphone still knocks me silly every time I listen to it. Of all the amps I own or owned, the VO managed to sound just so-so on one, the Monoprice Liquid Gold X, an amp known to favor planars. Other than that, it sounds/sounded rather amazing on everything else.
Most of my “serious” headphones these days are planars, including the amazing ZMF Caldera Open–but the VO is the dynamic driver for me, bar none. IMHO anyone with interest in the ZMF house sound–and anyone who loves headphones that actually sound like real music–needs to hear the VO.
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Interesting video, because Zach shows exactly the Resin Flake manufacturing process, including that of my Atrium Closed.
In Reality it Looks Like a 3D Picture.
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By the way, if I didn’t already have my bokeh, these new models would actually be interesting.
This one looks so “creamy” you almost want to use it as a lollipop and lick it.
And this green is something.
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That video is way more than interesting. At least to me (heretofore ignorant of how Zach does the flake resin stabilized earcups), it’s a revelation. These earcups are so far beyond anything that anyone else is doing (outside the realm of art exhibit woodworking, I mean), that it’s mindblowing.
I own 3 ZMF headphones currently, and owned another 4 at one time or other. I became a ZMF fan 100% because of that wonderful “ZMF house sound,” which so closely matches my sonic tastes, not just in headphones, but in everything else: speakers, DACs, preamps, etc.
ZMF’s woodworking & finishing were always front of the pack, but what I didn’t see coming is this incredible run of stablized (for years now), and flake stabilized. Some of these headphones are eye-popping, beautiful objects.
I so admire what ZMF is doing and has done…
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Wow, for sure! Of course I had no idea how labor intensive the whole process is, and it’s so interesting to watch him at work! I really am in awe of what they do, and how beautiful and wonderful the finished product is.
I am probably sitting today’s drop out, but I’ve had my eye on Auteur for some time, and there are some gorgeous ones still available (which are on my “list”). Earlier I’d decided to wait on B-Stock and Rarities, now I’m not so sure… Or Bokeh Open. 
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Which auteur are you interested in: the original? or the Classic?
I’ve heard a number of originals over the years. Had a Classic IMS briefly. That’s a really winning sound.
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Interesting gif. This is an actor who doesn’t smile a whole lot…
Auteur Classic. Someday 
Listening to Eikon Classic right now. 
I would really appreciate your comments on the Eikon Classic. No one has really posted impressions of its sound that I’m aware of.
I owned the OG Eikon (mine was padauk–lovely wood). I had good reasons to sell it (tinnitus & migraine), but sometimes I miss that big beautiful headphone with the drop-you-to-your-knees sound, including epic dynamics and sub-bass.
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Are you sure?
If you see and hear all the very positive reviews on YouTube or in the forums, the Bokeh Closed is a real hit.
For Example:
Plus countless others.
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And now I’m going to say something quite “bold”:
I have Zach’s Top 4 here locally, and as good as the open versions are, the closed backs are in my opinion “more addictive”.
Sounds strange, but it’s understandable.
1.) With ZMF’s you never have the feeling that you’re wearing closed headphones, the Atrium damping system does its job brilliantly and the soundstage is, if at all, only marginally smaller.
2.) The bass… in all models it sounds clear, defined and precise, but the closed versions have that power and tactility that give it that kick and trigger that “want to hear” mood.
To be honest, the Bokeh and Caldera Closed have spent at least twice as many hours on my ears as the open versions.
However, my evaluation is always based on the assumption that the ZMFs are powered by a tube amplifier.
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I keep hoping you’ll get one again, there’s one left in today’s drop! And it’s very pretty! Maybe not though, if it will just trigger your tinnitus… 
I’ve never heard OG Eikon and I always wanted to. Which is why I bought mine! It’s everything you remember, and does not disappoint. Its dynamics are simply stunning, I felt gobsmacked the first time I heard it. And I heard sub-bass that was so impactful it was startling! The first time anyway. 
I have an Atrium Open which I got first, and the Eikon has some of the same qualities I love about Atrium, namely a beautiful midrange, musical timbre, and just enough detail and resolution to keep you happy for extended listening. Soundstage is quite good (surprisingly?), even though it doesn’t have ADS. And the bass, OMG! You already know about that. But you can listen quite happily to acoustic or symphonic music without it sounding flabby or overwhelming. It’s very clean and controlled overall.
Zach has said it’s lower distortion than the OG, and has slight tuning revisions, but overall captures the essence of the original. I haven’t regretted getting it for a second! I’d like to compare it to a Bokeh Closed for academic interest…
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Excellent comments! I hope to hear one of these at CanJam NYC.
Here’s a funny Eikon memory. Those earcups are easily the largest of any headphone I’ve ever put on my head. One night I was grooving to something onscreen, really into it, and I saw something out of the corner of my right eye. I whipped around, expecting see someone else in the room. Nope–I was actually seeing the forward edge of the right earcup. That’s how big they are…
PS: yes, that bass. I’m a lover of planars in general, and planar bass in particular. The Eikon is the only dynamic driver headphone I’ve heard that can easily hang with the planar bigboys.
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The blue stabilized ones … I might go blind from this!
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That is one beautiful ring! Lovely collection, I’m sure it brings you much happiness and enjoyment.
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Now that is something. 
Under sunny conditions:
Absolute works of art!
Many will ask themselves whether these headphones are worth the price?
Hell YES, when art sounds so outstanding and I have an overall result that appeals to all the senses, then that is the greatest satisfaction.
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Turn on the system including the tube amplifier and let it warm up, pour yourself a drink, put the wing chair in position, make yourself comfortable, put the headphones on and from then on just enjoy…….
A dream for hi-fi lovers!
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And when you consider the amounts of money spent on so-called “art” these days,
Zach’s headphones are real bargains
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