Putting it into words can certainly help. And in a hifi context, I suppose that there are also lithium ion batteries floating around as an alternative treatment.
1 Like
ā¦ and this:
2 Likes
But they could also be Brainwavz sheepskin pad (have a pair of those around here). I also own an OG Ori with its original Ori pads. My perception is that Ori pads, when not on the headphone, are closer to round than these shown in your pictures; whereas Brainwavz sheepskins, when not on a headphone, look closer to oval.
1 Like
Hi all, Iāve been wanting to dabble with the ZMF line without taking out a second mortgage. Iām in need of a closed back and have been eying the Bokeh closed. Auditioned them on my Fiio DAP as well as high end sources at Capital Audio Fest last weekend (11/18) and liked them with a few rock tracks. I thought they sounded great. Figured Iād see what they have 11/28/25 when their B stock opens, but was seduced by the Sirens, otherwise known as the ZMF curly maple limited offerings and thinking they might sell out, just pulled out my wallet.
After reading reviews, I decided to just go for the hybrid pads that seem like a happy medium. Iāve got the neutral headphone thing covered with my current HP collection for audiophile friendly genres, but Iām a bit of a bass head when it comes to rock/metal/punkā¦.and I purchased this for my fun, kick back rock out listening. I oft enjoy warm V signature for said genres. If I want more bass, I might consider the protein pads later. Iāve read enough comments about the difficulty changing pads on the Bokeh to not want to fool with pad rolling initially. Really looking forward to breaking these in!
5 Likes
The hybrid pads are the āstockā Bokeh Closed pads, right? I too am a bit of a bass head and love rock and metal. I tried the warmer pad option (sorry, canāt remember the name) and didnāt like it at all. I did end up using the full mesh inserts, but I donāt think they are necessary to enjoy the headphone. The Bokeh are a great choice stock.
2 Likes
Yes, thatās right, the stock pads are the Caldera hybrid. Seems like a lot of reviewers agree they are the best compromise. I figure I can order additional pads later if I want to tweak the sound.
1 Like
Today is the start of ZMFās annual B-Stock sale if anyone is interested, thereās still quite a bit to choose from if you are in the market.
I picked up this to add to my collection! 
6 Likes
Iām now a proud owner of my first ZMF headphone. I picked up the limited curly maple Bokeh Closed during the November Sale. Delivered 1/4/26 and looks goorgeous! Itās burning-in streaming my digital files 24/7 via a Sonos connect through my stereo rig with a Nuprime DAC-10H, right now. This is trying my patience, but I am going to let the soup simmer before tasting.
3 Likes
Yeah burn in is somewhat of a thing, but the Bokeh needs less than the other dynamics from ZMF.
Put that thing on your head and give it listen! 
Seriously, I do my burn in on my head, I think half of the āburn inā component is brain burn in.
Pics or it didnāt happen! Congrats, I want to see it!
Still waiting on my Atticusā¦ It did ship out though. 
1 Like
Right on! And, thanks. I think this wood -Curly Maple looks amazing. Got about 100 hours and going to give these a good listen soon. Looking forward to hearing about your Atticus!
3 Likes
Those look really nice, you must be jazzed! What do you think so far? Have you listened to them yet? Give it a go.
My Atticus came late today, literally just got them out and hooked up, giving them a listen now. Too early to say much, these need some burn in even more than Bokeh. Sounding good so far.
Nice! Iāve been sneaking in a short listen here and there. Yeah, they take the best looking award for sure. I feel like the sound is loosening up a bit. I need to get them in my proper system and try them on my two DACs and switch between my amps.
My Clear, which is my only āniceā dynamic driver sounds really good on my Lyr+ and I know the Bokeh will sound smooth on those and my violectric. Iāve been wanting a closed back for listening on my DAP and in our living space while my wife is watching TV and I want to goof around on my little Fiio K11 streaming sfuff-less dedicated listening. But, I think these will scale up as well. Finally got my basic bases covered now. Youāve been a tremendous partner in crime with great suggestions. Look, I need a scapegoat to throw under the bus when my wife asks about my reckless spending HAHA!
The mad science experiment has reached stage 1 on my way to conquer the audio world.
Iām psyched.
1 Like
Me? What did I do?
@Lothar_Wolf Havenāt hear from you in a while, I hope all is well!
Iām getting to be as bad as you, I added an Atticus (Camphor) and Verite Closed (Ziricote) to the collection this winter. Yikes!
3 Likes
@robson , those look absolutely stunning!
1 Like
I spent a good portion of Sunday afternoon listening to my Bokeh closed.
My general impressions confirm every review Iād come across in my research. This is just a really enjoyable generalist with a lovely, musical, slightly warm, engaging sound. Bass is a strong point as are the mids. This is a great vocals headphone. The details are there, but as often reported itās not a detail monster. But, I didnāt find them lacking. Itās an easy put on and forget headphone rather than an analytical junkie.
Quick run through some alternative rock and metal tracks on my Fiio M11 and this is clearly a good match.
Then on my desk rig with my Bifrost 2/64 and RME-ADI-2 FS with a EQ preset using a XLR switch to toggle between my Schiit Jot2, Lyr +, Violectric 280 and GSX-Mini. My Focal Clear (OG) sounds terrific on the Lyr+ tube hybrid so I figured that would be a winner and indeed it was a sweet spot. The synergy with the Jot was surprisingly good. The forwardness of that amp sounds great with rock/metal, my favorite genres. Blues and folk sounded good as well.
But, it was synergy between the Bokeh and my GSX-Mini that really took me by surprise. The somewhat laid back nature of the Bokeh with the clean, more analytical and detailed, powerful nature of the GSX-Mini is nothing short of remarkable. The GSX-Mini can be hit or miss but when it hits it really hits. I find the same with the LCD-3. Shouldnāt be too much of a surprise in retrospect as warm combined with analytic and detailed just works!
One surprise was the Violectric 280, while enjoyable wasnāt quite as good. Too much of a good thing in terms of laid back and warm. And, the older Violectrics, as aficionados know, were designed with yesterdayās harder to drive headphones in mind. Great with my Tungsten, not as magical with the Bokeh. I donāt want to imply it sounds bad by any means. Simply by comparison, the 280 was my least favorite and overshadowed by the GSX-Mini.
Iām not much of a pop fan, but I like some of what Iād call alternative singer/songwriter artists. I put on Lana Del Reyās excellent Norman Fxxxxxg Rockwell that, while pop, has a 70ās piano Laurel Canyon soft rock, romantic sound that makes me nostalgic for artists like Yellow Brick Road era Elton John, Joni Mitchell, and the like. This created a lush, beautiful listen. Then on to a playlist of some test tracks-Dire straits, Pink Floyd, Hans Zimmer, Radio Head, Rage Against the Machine, Soundgardenā¦
This headphone is a massive upgrade from my Meze 99 classic which was my intention. Itās a kick back, drink a beer and chill kind of headphone. Itās punchy and and fun and generally non fatiguing. Itās going to be great with a lot of the bluesy stoner/doom and generally sludgy heavy music I dig. The Black Sabbath wing of the metal tree if you will. I think it will be excellent with jazz. Other than large scale symphonic music that might not be ideal, but who knows, I canāt think of much I wonāt enjoy with the Bokeh.
3 Likes
This Bokeh closed is addictive. So easy to listen to. Set and forgot. Full album long listens rather than critical listening. I havenāt picked up any of my other headphones in the last 10 days.
1 Like
Iām still alive 
Just got this last week
Still let the ZMF Family growingā¦ā¦. 
I pulled the plugs out and enjoyed them immensely!!
4 Likes
Excellent! Ori 3 I assume? Those are very pretty, I hope you enjoy them!
If you donāt do the various head-fi ZMF threads, I saw this on the Aegis thread: pictures of the production Airmid OTL collaboration between ZMF/L0rdGwyn, and the new Tessidera open back planar.
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/zmf-aegis-official-thread.972476/page-557
3 Likes