ZMF Vérité - Open-Back Dynamic Headphone - Official Thread

[bpcarb]

Nice “detailed review.” So you’re promoting your work product up from “attempted review” (your Starlett topic), with preamble and all? I kid. I concur and that was an enjoyable and informative read that many will find helpful (and that I marked to come back to when time permitted)!

It’s interesting how you don’t do vocals anymore. I go in cycles. I wonder if your preference for the VO might increase if you listened to vocals, since that can be one of ZMF’s strengths.

When I demoed the Starlett over several weeks with ZMF Eikons, I found that I preferred the XLR 8 ohm followed by the 9 ohm TRS SE outputs. This appears to line up with your listening and Zach’s suggestion.

I remember noticing a difference between the Starlett’s XLR and TRS SE outputs. An apples to apples comparison (while tougher to A/B) might be Utopia XLR vs VO XLR.

I went back and pulled my impressions below for reference.

@bpcarb

With the HD650s and TRS output, I prefer the low gain and low impedance setting. Low impedance setting is noticeably less compressed and more unleashed (especially at the low end) in a sensible way. Low gain setting when volume matched is more dense throughout the spectrum with a more substantial backbone. I also tend to prefer gain and volume settings where the volume is in the middle third of the dial’s range.

@bpcarb

My initial impressions regarding the impedance and gain settings generally carry forward. However, the high gain setting seems to improve staging for certain tracks and pairs well with female vocals and classical. I still prefer the low gain setting on most tracks, and opt for the more dense delivery in the mids even if it means giving up some air in the treble.

@bpcarb

This is an update of my output comparison.

The biggest difference is TCR low vs high impedance. I prefer how low impedance is noticeably less constricted.

I noticed no material difference between XLR SE and balanced [EDIT: upon further listening, XLR SE has more detail in the treble region in a favorable way].

TCR low impedance, high vs low gain is the most interesting comparison. Low gain is more dense but laid back, whereas high gain has more air and a more forward presentation. I’ve pivoted and find myself preferring high gain recently.

XLR compared to TCR low impedance high gain, is somewhat richer and more dynamic with a taller vertical soundstage. It’s quite impressive but TBD if more quickly fatiguing.

The difference in profile between the various outputs, output rolling if you will, makes the amp even more appealing and customizable for those tweakers/rollers.