That Koa is almost sexy enough to make me consider selling my ironwood VO. 
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Koa VCs are in and they are absolutely gorgeous! Mine have a bit of a reddish tinge to them which I love. I’ve been listening to them for a few days now. These are a really special headphone, I’ve never heard anything else do what they do with staging and detail. They definitely emphasize the upper treble more than my other ZMFs, but somehow it’s not fatiguing to me (compared to other cans with good treble I’ve tried, like hifimans). The treble is somehow more present but not bright if that makes any sense at all? Anyways these are awesome and totally worth the money.
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Pure eye (and ear) candy!
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This isn’t going to help but I just ordered the Atrium KOA. I decided to replace both my VC (Olive LTD) and Eikon (Cherry). Rationale:I don’t really need as many closed as I now have. Stay tuned for postings…
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It’s the most on-brand audiophile reaction to decide that the solution to having too many closed headphones is to sell 2 and buy1! Report back on the new ones.
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Well, thanks! Be patient. The Atrium is 6-12 weeks out.
Thx again
I ordered a Koa Atrium at release, when the wait was 4-8 weeks. Having two other ZMFs in the stable makes the wait more bearable, but I’m still eager to get my Atrium. I’ve written music reviews as a hobby for years, and I’ve heard enough hi-end headphones now and read enough that I feel like I might be able to write my first proper headphone review once I get my Atrium. My mantra–“brevity is the soul of wit.”
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Beats mine, which just went, “I have too many headphones” followed by ordering an Atrium and VC both in Koa. At least I’ll be selling my other VC.
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Oh, man… I just got my Atrium a week ago and so my VC hasn’t received as much attention since. The Atrium is amazing
But, I just put them back on my head and IDK…
I think I’ve hit my endgame pair with the VC & Atrium. They are great complements, and the VC is the best closed-back I’ve heard to date, to my ears.
If you don’t need a closed-back, and you want a bit more headstage and impact/dynamics, then I think you’ll be happy. I just wanted to say that after tuning my VC to my liking, it still does some things better than the Atrium. 
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I’ll read your review when it comes out. I live the passion for sound thing. 
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Just purchased the VC and Atticus. I am having a hard time telling the ear pads apart as they are not labeled and online images seem to not really help. Their breakdown chart is no help.
I feel like they both lack bass in the terms of impact. Though neutral, they sound dead to me. Amazing separation but just not fun to me.
I have the Arya v2, focal clear, and other random, but just didn’t engage me.
Running on Balanced Grace SDAC with A90. Burson soloist coming in today.
Any thoughts or better pairings
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I understand that issue. I write down the type of pad and stick the info in the bag. I stick to mostly BE2 perforated leather at this point. I have four sets of open ZMF, no closed. (Two Aeolus, Auteur, VO). Take a good look at the ZMF Comfort headband co pilot pad. Definitely makes them even more comfy.
The SDAC certainly isn’t the most detailed out there. The A90 has an output impedance of <.1 Ohm. Zach has commented that such low impedance is generally a poor match, though I forget the technical explanation, something about the damping. I’ve had all the ZMFs and the VC and Atticus are probably the most engaging and neither are lacking bass. I’d certainly try a tube amp if you’re able, such a Felix Echo, Woo WA3 since many people prefer OTL tube amps like those. You didn’t mention what pads you have. The Atticus pretty much only sounds good with Ori pads, though some like them with the Eikon pads. the Ori pads are the thickest ones, and they’re a little smaller and difficult to put on compared to all the others. Even something like the iFi Micro Black is an affordable solid state amp which is very powerful, has a bass boost also which works well with ZMFs.
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“I feel like they both lack bass in the terms of impact. Though neutral, they sound dead to me. Amazing separation but just not fun to me.”
I just can’t see how someone would describe the VC as sounding dead. If you are having this experience, something else is wrong.
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Break in?
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Can you take pics of all the pads? Both top down, and from the side. That makes it much easier to id when you have images of both. The Atticus having no bass and sounding dead doesn’t make sense, something is off for sure. The Atticus has the heaviest midbass punch of all the ZMFs. The A90 isn’t a great amp for ZMFs but they still shouldn’t sound bassless and dead.
I have a mojo as well and can use as a dac. Also bruson soloist came in today. Would this be a better match?
I also have a rolled Darkvoice, but desk space is limited and collecting dust atm.
Willing to look into pads, just want to make sure I give them the chance they deserve with right equipment., otherwise might list here FS.
- VC $2.2k
- Atticus $950
Pads on VC
And extra pads
Pads on Atticus. No idea what I have.
I have a Denon Ah-d7200 coming in and some other headphones, as I like to compare, but just expected more? I’m in love with my Arya V2 and probably end game on open back for a while, but just had our first child 2 weeks ago and need some closed backs with soundstage and fun.
Thanks all
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The pads mounted on the VC looks like the stock Auteur pads, and the spare pair look like the universe pads. You can tell the Auteur pads from the Universe pads the easiest by looking at the width of the part that touches your head in front of and behind your ear. The Auteur pads have a thicker rear width and narrower front width, and a bigger overall inner diameter. Also if you laid them down and looked at them in profile, the back/thicker end of the pad would also rise up higher than the front/narrower end by a small margin. The Universe pads have a slightly smaller inner diameter, less rise variation from front to back, and very little to no width variation front to back. The Auteur pads are a bit more neutral on the VC and give it more air, and a bigger stage, but take a bit of the midbass away. The Universe pads should warm up the signature a bit, but shrink down the stage slightly. I personally liked the warmth of the Universe pads best on the VC.
For the Atticus those look like the stock Ori pads, which are also the warmest pads available for it.
If you have a darkvoice tube amp I’d try that if you can swing the space. IMO ZMFs sound their best on tubes, though you don’t need them to get great sound.
Do you have some other headphones you feel have adequate bass/dynamics? Just trying to get an idea where you’re at with preferences.
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FWIW,
I totally understand the dilemma. I have the Auteur (going with me to my grave), and the Eikons. I tried the VC–very detailed, but too much for me (plus a bit light on bass). (I have the HD800s for that.) When I want bass or need closed, I go with the Eikons. All of that said, I have the Atrium incoming.
Many wise people say the trek never ends. But, the Atrium is my last purchase. (Yeh, I know. But I need to stop at some point and focus on listening to music and looking into genres/musicians different than my usual stuff. I’m at that point.)
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