I saw you had the co-pilot pad from one of your recent videos… which material do you prefer? I really like the look of the non-leather variant, and it’s cheaper! 
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Both are fantastic…I also prefer the look of the vegan one but I find the lamb skin model a tad softer and cushier…that being said it is not a massive or even small change in comfort over all. Go with aesthetics and you will be fine
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Aeolus has left the workshop, on its way to Australia 
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Post a snap when they come. Not your average lookin pair 
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I am very much so looking forward to seeing these ;)… again?
@ValentineLuke I found the perf. hybrid pads retain a good amount of the thick and impactful mid-bass that the stock pads offer, while adding a touch of the openness/airiness that are strong characteristics of the perf. suede pads. If the suede pads are closer to neutral, and the stock pads are warmest, the hybrids are somewhere in-between. The hybrids are also super comfortable since 100% of the surface area that contacts your head is the “suede” material.
To be honest I keep rotating between stock, perf. hybrd universe, and perf. suede universe with the Aeolus every month or so, and they are all awesome! Just different flavors. It also might depend on your chain, too. I’ve found that using the the perf. suede pads with leaner sounding tubes, the bass can feel a little lacking to my tastes. Switching to the hybrid pads (or bass-heavier tubes) adds a little extra emphasis in the bass that evens out the sound. After a few days of listening to a new set of pads exclusively, I stop really noticing the differences (and missing the qualities I loved about the previous pads) as I think brain-burn in kicks in making whatever pads I’m using sound like the new normal.
My recommendation to fellow Aeolus owners looking to pad-roll (who have the stock pads) would be to first get the perf. universe suede pads since they are the most different from stock pads and sound fantastic. I think the perf. suede’s are the most euphonic overall and really excel with acoustic instruments and vocal tracks. Again, the hybrids retain SOME of those enhanced qualities, albeit to a slightly lesser degree. If you find yourself curious or missing some of that elevated/thick syrupy bass the stock pads have, while wanting to retain some of the euphonic airiness from perf suede, then hybrids are a good “best of both worlds” and worth adding to the rotation. This is hard to put into words so I’m definitely curious what other’s experiences have been with the hybrids. I haven’t heard many opinions on them yet. @Wes_S did you get a chance to try the hybrids?
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Thank you for the thorough response, I truly appreciate it. 
The Universe Perforated Hybrid sounds like the pad I’m looking for.
Cheers!
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I trust this man’s opinion on these pads. I have 5 different pads for the Aelous - 2 different types of Universe Perf Suede, Stock Leather Perf (Aelous Pads), Universe Perf Leather, and last but not least the Universe Hybrids. So far, I have only tried the stock Aeolus and an early version 1 of the Universe Perf Suede. Currently, I am loving the euphonic mids I am getting with Universe Perf Suede so much, that I have not tried any others yet. The U. Hybrids are up next, and I think I have a perfect tube roll to compliment them, but we shall see. @raindownthunda, made a great point about pairing the right pads, with what ever kind of tube combo or amp you are currently using, as in brighter or darker. It really is so cool how you can dial in the sound, with a pad roll!
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@Gordon_Freeman, @TylersEclectic, et al, I have the suede strap previously recommended on the Verite. Meant to update about two weeks ago, but have been traveling. You were spot on, suede inner strap is the way to go every time with ZMF. I think my greasy hair caused the leather to slip 
I want to share my Verite sporting the suede, along with my improvised headphone stand at my parents home with older sibling Aeon Flow.
Thank you Gentlemen!
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Omg, seeing the headphones, and especially the Vérité, perched there precariously on the arm of the chair is making me very anxious. 
Please move them somewhere safe. I can’t bear to look at the photo - except your Vérité really are very beautiful and it’s nice to see them. Please tell me they’re safe.
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Not to worry, they are quite safe. The photo is a bit deceiving, they are a good inch or more on the arm. To ease any concerns, no one will be disturbing them in the house or mistakingly sit in the rocking chair.
I will say that now that I have had the Verite for a month, and gone past the 300 hours required for burn-in I am constantly in awe of how wonderful they sound. This was a blind purchase for me, had it not been for the folks here and my email exchanges with Zach I would have waited until the next headphone event to have a listen and purchase. I let my 80 something parents try them and the look on their faces was worth the price x 100000000. I had never seen them react like that to music, my dad asked for my pair. Which in our family means I have to give them to him…
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Thank you for the reassurance - I was maybe 60:40 joking:being serious but I’m glad to hear they’re safe and sound. And I’m glad you’re enjoying them so much; they are a headphone to treasure.
That’s lovely about your parents liking them (not so much the part where you may have to part with them for your father?). It’s great when we share our headphones with non-audiophiles and they react so enthusiastically and positively to them. I remember vividly the look on my wife’s face when she first heard my HD 800. She was astonished and liked the sound very much. (I don’t mean to presume that your parents aren’t audiophiles - my dad was but he was never into headphones - I wish he’d heard my high-end ones).
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Zach will always sell you another and would probably appreciate the reason behind it.
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You are welcome sir!
And yes, suede is the best for the inner strap, so I am glad on your behalf.
Your dad asking for your pair is just priceless; but a good sign re the sound quality of a ZMF HP. His problem now is, that he can’t unhear the experience. Maybee he will go down the rabit hole as well 
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That’s awesome your Dad appreciates the Verite. Hope you guys enjoy!
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@Tchoupitoulas My parents are most definitely not audiophiles, they did not understand how I was. I told them it was their fault when I was 13 and they bought me my first walkman and boom-box, and it just kept going from there. I am sure your dad is listening from above.
@perogie I don’t know if I could go without them and wait another few months! If somehow there is another dark wood LTD that may solve my dilemma.
@Gordon_Freeman his rabbit hole experience will be living vicariously through me, I have a very nice tube amp on loan and he has already been eyeing it and thinks I should get it.
@Rhodey thank you, I hope you picked up the amp we talked about and looking forward to your impressions.
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Hi all! I am currently thinking about picking up the ZMF Auteur or Verite Open. I’ve read virtually all reviews in existence and have seen many of the YouTube reviews, including Andrew’s Verite and Auteur comparison. With that said, I’d love to get the impressions of those here that either own both (or have owned) or that have heard both in comparison. I have a few questions…
What am I gaining by making a straight jump to the Verite Open over the Auteur? Am I losing anything as well? Will the Feliks Audio Echo be sufficient to fully drive the Auteur or Verite and ensure it’s giving me all it has to offer? I have a THX 789, but most people say ZMF loves tubes, so… If it helps, I listen to everything from jazz to heavy metal and EDM (and mostly everything in between). I already own the Elex, HD 6XX and AKG K371, along with a few IEMs. I briefly heard the Auteur and really liked it, but I wasn’t able to listen on my system, with my music and in a quiet environment.
If this was posted in the wrong thread, I apologize and will move it if necessary. Thanks in advance.
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You might want to further look into the driver materials and the inherent characteristics of beryllium vs biocellulose. Good luck.
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Don’t think of levels here, as in the Verite is a higher level than the Auteur, etc. Even Zach has said he doesn’t view the Verite as “better” so much as different. They are different sounding, but equally good, imo. The Verite is darker, faster, and more resolving. From a purely technical standpoint, it’s better across the board. The Auteur is more neutral, has slower decay, with a bit more resonance. The mids seem more forward to me than the Verite. It’s smoother sounding, due to it’s biocellulose driver. It might seem like the inferior headphone when reading that. But imo tonality trumps technical ability any day, and tonally, I personally find it more natural sounding. I like that slightly slower decay and resonance. The Verite is FAST. Sometimes I find it just too fast. I actually like that slight linger to a note. I honestly see them as equals. They just do things differently. I like the Verite for really peering into the music. I LOVE it for classical, which i’m not well versed in. It’s added resolution and separation makes identifying the individual elements much easier, especially with busy tracks. But I find the Auteur more musical, and prefer it when I just want to sit back and not listen critically, when i’m looking for more of emotional experience. Just my opinions though. And I don’t mean to imply the Verite isn’t musical at all, or the Auteur isn’t very capable from a technical perspective. That’s just how I choose to use them. And of course for pure fun I shun all for the Atticus! Sorry, i have to shamelessly plug the Atticus at all opportunity…
EDIT - The Echo will do really nicely for amps. I had a massdrop 789 and did not like it much, too bright with my ZMFs, but the Echo I demo’d and really liked it.
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This is very helpful @eric75. Thank you!
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