I own the Caldera Open since it came out. At this past CanJam NYC I was interested in mostly in hearing the Bokeh, both the Open and Closed. Which I liked the Open over the Closed. Since the Caldera Closed was present I tried that headphone and yes I was really impressed. I guess I will need another pair of ZMF Headphones!
Hey Ryan great review man! With the Caldera already being as good as it is this is gonna be very hard to beat in the closed back market and just gives me another reason to look forward to next year's Canjam. For my ears I haven't found a better closed back than the Stellia (so far). Have you had much play time with the Stellia? That would make for a really interesting comparison vid.
@@MrJ.31 Stellia is a good comparison as well. No, I don't own it and I've only very briefly listened at a CanJam. So I wouldn't have good insight as to the differences there.
@picklesandufos7860 Yeah I've read the same thing about the mid-bass but what I've found is that problem is very system specific. The only time I felt that way was running from a Chord MOJO 2 but even then they still sounded awesome. When I got my Stellia I was looking around for my Endgame closed back. For me I never wanted a huge collection, just two TOTL headphones (1 Open, 1 Closed) that I can proudly display and figured I'd start with Closed. I sampled around 10 (maybe more) closed backs between $900-$4000 and while I absolutely fell in love with things like the DCA Aeon 2 Noire, the Sony MDR-Z1R, ZMF Verite Closed, and DCA Stealth, the only one I felt I would've regretted leaving without was the Stellia. It just fit the bill for everything I was looking for. It looks great, is easy to drive, has great passive noise cancellation, works very well with a variety of sources, and has one of the most resolving and clinical sounds I found on a closed back which is exactly what I was looking for. It let me hear more from what I was listening to (flaws and all) with the least bit of equipment than the other headphones did. They didn't have the absolute best sound quality cause the Stealth still sounded a bit better but honestly is was pretty close and the Stealth didn't work as well at all with any of the Dongles or cheaper DACS I tried, just the Chord Hugo 2 which was freakin sick, but I wasn't willing to pay over $6000 to get the Stealth and the proper source gear. MDR-Z1R and Verite Closed I can definitely see as Endgame level Closed backs too but again they were more source dependent. I've never had a chance to try a Caldera whether open or closed, but based on the Verite Closed I assume it would be the only closed back (along with DCA Stealth) that I could say sound better if properly driven. The best way I could describe the Stellia for me is kinda like Goldilocks' middle bowl of porridge. It was just right for all the things I was looking for... plus getting it new for $1800 didn't hurt either. I'm really looking forward to my Open Back journey though cause I'm planning on going all out for that one
That's good info. I have Stellia's and was hoping to get a little more detail out of them being a musician and recording engineer type. I was thinking about trying out the Caldera or Atrium closed. I'm also on the hunt for a good open back. I like the Focal MG's. I don't like the Arya Stealths that much. I think headphones like that are more what you would listen to as a main speaker system and I like to have things closer to near field monitors in a studio. I like the sounds of being close to the stage or on stage to hear details. Not in the middle of the front row of a concert and hearing the spacious hall or room. Anyway I have the LCD-5's and those would be perfect if the bass had more slam. I have MM-500's and others but I like detail with punch and slam. I wonder how the Caldera and Atrium opens would be. I wish I could try them out. Have you figured out what opens you are looking at?
I am trying to get the BW Ebony CC. I liked it more than the CO. Found CO to have shouty upper mids and too much treble. Anyways enjoyed the video! Keep them up!
Would love to see a review of the holo cyan 2 vs the bifrost 2 as I am thinking about making that same jump, currently using a schiit mjolnir 2 amp and arya stealth headphones.
True I am a ZMF fan. I enjoy the house sound quite a bit. That being said, you need to decide what value is worth to you, because everyone is different. $2k for the E3 is very expensive as well. I feel like after you get to a certain point, you are then looking at small percentage gains and different things you may prefer. If I had the extra money, yes, it would be worth it to me. I like the dynamics and just engaging sound. Also all the pad options to cater the experience makes it worth as well. Again, that is my opinion but not an opinion I would ever speak as fact. It's subjective as it comes when speaking each person's value.
@@mikehoward4583 you're good. I took no offense just wanted to make sure you knew my pov and how it can differ from each person. Nice collection by the way!
Isolation is good. I don't have the Liric 2 to A/B with the Caldera Closed. Based off of memory (which is not an accurate measure typically) I would give the nod to the Caldera Closed. the port holes on closed backs can be known not not isolate as well. It also will depend on the seal. With the Caldera Closed, the thick pads I do find to get slightly more isolation.
I just ordered an AC in Wenge wood since it had almost the same hardness as the Zebra Wood demo unit that I tried. Out of all ZMF that I have ever tried, including the Caldera Open, Auteur, Auteur Classic and Atrium Open, AC in Zebra Wood is the only one that captivates me. It is the exact warm and lush sound that I am looking for and the spherical space of sound that it created is just out of this world. Haven't had the chance to try Caldera Closed though. As the owner of both how do you compare both AC and CC?
@@kato2395 the best way I can describe it is the CC provided everything I wanted out of the AC while retaining the subbass albiet it isn't has hard hitting but with protein pads they get close. I'll prob keep the AC around for special tube sessions on the HA-6A. But the HD800S are getting sold because the CC covers all the bases for me that HD800s was there for.
@@jsuno23 any additional plus points of the CC? Seems like you mentioned that it is not as hard hitting in the subbass as the AC and nothing else. It makes it sound like CC is less superior but I am sure there is something else. Perhaps it is much more resolving with much better separation? Or perhaps it has a better top end resolution?
@@kato2395 sorry, the CC is far superior in everyway except for subbass. AC had spicy treble sometimes as well. CC has no siblance to me and even got better after burn in. When I say the CC fills in what the AC is missing I meant clarity so yes def more resolving. Soundstage could be tricky but I believe they are on par but the CC delivers more info so the space between instruments are easily heard. But if LUSH is what you are after AC and tubes is a no brainer. Dynamic and tubes is like cheese and wine. I haven't tried the planars on the tubes yet so I'm looking forward to that soon.
I was planning to acquire a high-end closed-back headphone for using on the go, but after buying a couple of VERY nice earphones, I realized I could get similar sound at a lower price (and far more practical, of course). Reverend Dr. Thomas, The Vegan Vicar.
I own the Caldera Open since it came out. At this past CanJam NYC I was interested in mostly in hearing the Bokeh, both the Open and Closed. Which I liked the Open over the Closed. Since the Caldera Closed was present I tried that headphone and yes I was really impressed. I guess I will need another pair of ZMF Headphones!
Hey Ryan great review man! With the Caldera already being as good as it is this is gonna be very hard to beat in the closed back market and just gives me another reason to look forward to next year's Canjam. For my ears I haven't found a better closed back than the Stellia (so far). Have you had much play time with the Stellia? That would make for a really interesting comparison vid.
@@MrJ.31 Stellia is a good comparison as well. No, I don't own it and I've only very briefly listened at a CanJam. So I wouldn't have good insight as to the differences there.
@Skeeb23 Gotcha. Too bad they haven't sent you out a loaner for review. They really should
Ive heard a few people say the Stellia cant hold a candle to the Caldera. Stellia is old and has too much midbass, atleast thats what they said
@picklesandufos7860 Yeah I've read the same thing about the mid-bass but what I've found is that problem is very system specific. The only time I felt that way was running from a Chord MOJO 2 but even then they still sounded awesome. When I got my Stellia I was looking around for my Endgame closed back. For me I never wanted a huge collection, just two TOTL headphones (1 Open, 1 Closed) that I can proudly display and figured I'd start with Closed. I sampled around 10 (maybe more) closed backs between $900-$4000 and while I absolutely fell in love with things like the DCA Aeon 2 Noire, the Sony MDR-Z1R, ZMF Verite Closed, and DCA Stealth, the only one I felt I would've regretted leaving without was the Stellia. It just fit the bill for everything I was looking for. It looks great, is easy to drive, has great passive noise cancellation, works very well with a variety of sources, and has one of the most resolving and clinical sounds I found on a closed back which is exactly what I was looking for. It let me hear more from what I was listening to (flaws and all) with the least bit of equipment than the other headphones did. They didn't have the absolute best sound quality cause the Stealth still sounded a bit better but honestly is was pretty close and the Stealth didn't work as well at all with any of the Dongles or cheaper DACS I tried, just the Chord Hugo 2 which was freakin sick, but I wasn't willing to pay over $6000 to get the Stealth and the proper source gear. MDR-Z1R and Verite Closed I can definitely see as Endgame level Closed backs too but again they were more source dependent. I've never had a chance to try a Caldera whether open or closed, but based on the Verite Closed I assume it would be the only closed back (along with DCA Stealth) that I could say sound better if properly driven. The best way I could describe the Stellia for me is kinda like Goldilocks' middle bowl of porridge. It was just right for all the things I was looking for... plus getting it new for $1800 didn't hurt either. I'm really looking forward to my Open Back journey though cause I'm planning on going all out for that one
That's good info. I have Stellia's and was hoping to get a little more detail out of them being a musician and recording engineer type. I was thinking about trying out the Caldera or Atrium closed. I'm also on the hunt for a good open back. I like the Focal MG's. I don't like the Arya Stealths that much. I think headphones like that are more what you would listen to as a main speaker system and I like to have things closer to near field monitors in a studio. I like the sounds of being close to the stage or on stage to hear details. Not in the middle of the front row of a concert and hearing the spacious hall or room. Anyway I have the LCD-5's and those would be perfect if the bass had more slam. I have MM-500's and others but I like detail with punch and slam. I wonder how the Caldera and Atrium opens would be. I wish I could try them out. Have you figured out what opens you are looking at?
I am trying to get the BW Ebony CC. I liked it more than the CO. Found CO to have shouty upper mids and too much treble.
Anyways enjoyed the video! Keep them up!
All I can say to that is to try other pads. Though, I do agree, I enjoy the Caldera closed even more.
Would love to see a review of the holo cyan 2 vs the bifrost 2 as I am thinking about making that same jump, currently using a schiit mjolnir 2 amp and arya stealth headphones.
I am going to do a live show sometime soon to talk about my current gear. Not a direct review, but reasons as to why I have what I do.
you should probably upgrade your headphones before upgrading your dac tbh
How would a properly amped Tungstens stack up? (Different beast for sure, just curious)
Are the zmf caldera worth the 1500 more price tag compared to the dca E3 in all honesty. I know you are a zmf fan.
True I am a ZMF fan. I enjoy the house sound quite a bit. That being said, you need to decide what value is worth to you, because everyone is different. $2k for the E3 is very expensive as well. I feel like after you get to a certain point, you are then looking at small percentage gains and different things you may prefer. If I had the extra money, yes, it would be worth it to me. I like the dynamics and just engaging sound. Also all the pad options to cater the experience makes it worth as well. Again, that is my opinion but not an opinion I would ever speak as fact. It's subjective as it comes when speaking each person's value.
@@Skeeb23 Didn't mean it to sound like you don't have a right to your own opinion. Was just wonder if it really is that much better.
@@mikehoward4583 you're good. I took no offense just wanted to make sure you knew my pov and how it can differ from each person. Nice collection by the way!
I’ve heard astell and kern sp2000 & 3000 drive these well?
@@Miniculthero I would imagine so, yes
How is isolation on these and how does it compare to the Liric 2
Isolation is good. I don't have the Liric 2 to A/B with the Caldera Closed. Based off of memory (which is not an accurate measure typically) I would give the nod to the Caldera Closed. the port holes on closed backs can be known not not isolate as well. It also will depend on the seal. With the Caldera Closed, the thick pads I do find to get slightly more isolation.
I wanna be ZMF-afied!
Have you tried the JM audio 2.5 how does it stack up as it scales and changes with pad swap
Sorry, I have not experienced the JM Audio lineup as of yet to tell you any comparisons.
as an owner of AC and CC I concur. sadly the AC doesn't get attention as much anymore.
I just ordered an AC in Wenge wood since it had almost the same hardness as the Zebra Wood demo unit that I tried. Out of all ZMF that I have ever tried, including the Caldera Open, Auteur, Auteur Classic and Atrium Open, AC in Zebra Wood is the only one that captivates me. It is the exact warm and lush sound that I am looking for and the spherical space of sound that it created is just out of this world. Haven't had the chance to try Caldera Closed though. As the owner of both how do you compare both AC and CC?
@@kato2395 the best way I can describe it is the CC provided everything I wanted out of the AC while retaining the subbass albiet it isn't has hard hitting but with protein pads they get close. I'll prob keep the AC around for special tube sessions on the HA-6A. But the HD800S are getting sold because the CC covers all the bases for me that HD800s was there for.
@@jsuno23 any additional plus points of the CC? Seems like you mentioned that it is not as hard hitting in the subbass as the AC and nothing else. It makes it sound like CC is less superior but I am sure there is something else. Perhaps it is much more resolving with much better separation? Or perhaps it has a better top end resolution?
@@kato2395 sorry, the CC is far superior in everyway except for subbass. AC had spicy treble sometimes as well. CC has no siblance to me and even got better after burn in. When I say the CC fills in what the AC is missing I meant clarity so yes def more resolving. Soundstage could be tricky but I believe they are on par but the CC delivers more info so the space between instruments are easily heard. But if LUSH is what you are after AC and tubes is a no brainer. Dynamic and tubes is like cheese and wine. I haven't tried the planars on the tubes yet so I'm looking forward to that soon.
@@kato2395 BTW I've been using AC and CC on the holo bliss KTE and my tube amp is HA-6A Cayin
I believe its amazing but Im not rich enough ;)
I was planning to acquire a high-end closed-back headphone for using on the go, but after buying a couple of VERY nice earphones, I realized I could get similar sound at a lower price (and far more practical, of course).
Reverend Dr. Thomas,
The Vegan Vicar.