Great endorsement of my favorite headphone!! I actually own both the Auteurs and Arya Stealth Magnets, along with the extreme “fun” phone: the Aeolus. In that regard, I find the Auteurs to sound quite neutral, the Arya’s slightly bright, and the Aeolus fun and engaging. But it’s all relative in the end. The one thing I find the Auteurs do better than the Arya almost always are voices. The most natural vocal presentation I’ve ever heard on any sound system. Looking forward to the Verite reviews!!
I agree that vocals from the Auteurs are lovely. I still feel like they are more coloured than the Aryas, but that's probably because I'm comparing them to studio monitors which are a good reference for neutral. As for natural though, that's a bit different and I'd definitely agree that there's a naturalness about the Auteurs that the Arya can lack. I don't mean to be pedantic about the terms used. My point is that sometimes neutrality is discussed as a reference point, but it's not always a good measure of what actually sounds good. 🙂 Glad you're loving your Auteurs!
I own the Arya Stealths and the more I listen to them and adjust to their sound, the more I love them. But I can definitely see other headphones doing better for vocals (because...well I heard some that did), and ZMF headphones have been one of those brands that have been a rising star in the field and I find myself growing more curious about. So comparisons like these are super interesting to me!
Ok, so apparently I hadn't let my Arya's burn in enough haha. After another 40 hours of pink noise (and a new ZMF Lektrik C cable), I completely agree. The Arya's have that studio-monitor-like quality, while the Auteurs are like a flavored sound-enhancement on top of that. Just wanted to jump back in here and say that. Thanks for the great work you're doing on this channel!
finally a ZMF review..... Auteur is my go to for warm hugging relax listening.... it isn't highly resolving but the way Zach tuned it makes it a joy to listen to... it's a very forgiving headphone..... and now i finally got a tube amp to have some fun with it and the Verite....
Glad you like it. I had so many comments about the old approach that I decided to succumb to the pressure 😉 I still hope people don't obsess over the FR measurements (particularly mine from the lowly miniDSP EARs), but that's each person's choice 🙂
@@PassionforSound I think most to your followers understand that much more expensive frequency response measurement systems provide more accurate measurements and sophisticated correction mechanisms.
Great job with the review, as usual! Your comment regarding the ZMF being the headphone you reach for the most is spot on. I've had a ZMF Aeolus, Focal Clear OG, and Dan Clark Aeon RT opens up until this point, and the Aeolus is usually my first choice because it's been the most pleasing to listen to of the 3. However, I just added a ZMF Verite Open to the mix in African Blackwood, and I can tell already these take the music to a whole new level 😀 Now I'm going to want a tube amp someday! No complaints though, they pair beautifully with Schiit Lyr 3 amp and Bifrost 2 DAC, or sometimes a Jotunheim 2 to mix it up. Keep up the good work Lachlan, you have something to look forward to when you get a Verite to evaluate!
Thanks Jonathan. The VO is great, isn't it? I can't wait to review both the VO and VC this year along with hopefully some others from ZMF. The Aeolus is on my list to try too.
Glad you liked it! They're a lovely and enjoyable headphone. I've got your Elite review queued up for watching soon. Keen to hear your take on those. I'm thinking we should find an excuse for collaboration some time in 2022. Not sure what the topic would be yet, but I'm sure we can come up with something 🙂
Not sure why TH-cam is so determined to delete harmless comments, but I could only read a part of your response in the notification. I'll see if I can find your email address on your channel, but otherwise, you can get me at passionforsound@lachlanfennen.com
I've got a short term loan of a pair from another patron at the moment and they're brilliant with tubes and without, but the ZMFs seem to all pair particularly well with tube amps.
This is the most cohesive headphone I’ve listened to. It’s my favorite headphone because it does everything right. It doesn’t excel at anything just does it’s job very competently and checks all the boxes. It’s like that employee you know you can always rely on because he’s just good and got your back.
Hi, Passionfor sound!! Do you still use Auteur? Have you used it as balanced with Soloist 3xp? Do you hear background hiss on mid gain with balanced with Soloist3XP? How do you use ZMF headphone with Soloist 3XP?
very well done!!! question: is the Auteur, in your opinion, a good upgrade from HD580/HD650? (I have both)... driven by OTL tube amp, classic music and jazz... does it worth the money or?
I think it's a great choice as an upgrade from those cans. It's probably not quite as rich sounding as the HD650, but wonderfully engaging and enjoyable like the HD650, plus you can easily pad-roll to get the sound you're after.
It's interesting when you were comparing the Arya and Auteur with the Reflections track, the way you described the differences made the Auteur sound really similar to the Focal Clear MG. I wonder what that comparison would sound like. :)
I was between the Stabilized Auteur or HD800s to complement the Verite Closed. Since I do a lot of gaming, and would use either for large orchestral/soundtracks, I decided to go HD800s even tho I'm well aware the magic ZMF provides. But if I can only have two cans, I decided the VC and HD800s would cover more scenarios for me.
Make sure you get a better cable for the HD800 S and they’ll get even better. I switched to a Norne Drausk and it added so much bass it’s given back the body vocals are normally lacking
That's an interesting question. I think they're all on about the same level with differences. The Clear OG is the most dynamic and energetic sounding, but can also be a little more fatiguing at times due to the qualities of the treble. The Aryas sound a little leaner overall, but the Clears have more aggressive treble
That's pretty cool, isn't it? I asked Zach and Bevin about that in my interview with them because I was curious how often they get claims on that. Seems it's pretty rare
Great review, I've been looking at the Verite closed and this one for quite a long time now but no where to try them here, any plans to check the LCD XC 2021?
I had hoped to get the XC, but it's very tricky for me to get Audeze gear (and a few other brands with the same local distributor). It will all come down to getting loans from viewers or me being able to buy some secondhand
Informative review always thought headphones made with wood would (double woods) sound great, as most speakers are made of wooden boxes, do you think the sound changes due to the wooden enclosures ? Also whats in the wooden box to your left, the one with the 2 dials ? Gee it must be wood week...
That's an interesting question, Steve (about the wooden cups). I'm not sure how much the wood contributes to the sound. I might do some measurements when I do the VO and VC reviews to see what I can discover (I do have one idea of how it might influence) As for the wooden box with the two dials, it's a Nobsound switch for 3-in, 3-out source switching that I use for comparisons. I built a little stand to hold it and help prevent it getting pulled off the desk by the weight of the interconnects out the back 🙂
Just starting the video. But hoping auteur mainline combo. My dream setup would be mainline auteur for chilling out and susvara with speaker amps for thrilling experience
I didn't specifically discuss the Auteur and Mainline I think, but it is a magical combo. As for the Susvara, don't buy into the speaker amp stuff - it's not necessary. Some speaker amps might sound great with the Susvara, but some headphone amps do too. The Susvaras sound amazing from the Soloist GT, Sparkos Labs Aries, TT2 and Elekit TU-8200R (technically a speaker amp)
i just sold arya stealth, because of plastic building around the cups (not looking solid) .. but the sound was the best i heard, so you thing the auteur will be great upgrade for me?:)
They're very different sounding headphones, but performing at a similar level IMO. I have the Auteur Classics coming soon for review if that's helpful, but they're not here just yet
Just got a stabilized Auteur from ZMF November yesterday. Quite excited. Do you have the means to review the ZMF Verite Open? They are quite awesome and are my favorite headphone to this day.
Personally, I think the Auteurs are neutral and as a matter of fact Zack designed them to be that. They’re the most neutral headphones in the ZMF stable. I have these but don’t use them that much and will gravitate to my LCD-4 or the Verite closed back. However, they are excellent headphones.
One of the challenges for reviewers (but benefits for end users) is that the ZMF cans are designed to allow pad-rolling. I can't recall which pads I was using and what is recommended, but the degree of neutrality will come back to that. I know that the pad setup I most enjoyed with the Auteurs was not neutral, but slightly and wonderfully coloured
Probably the Aryas by a small margin simply due to the weight of the Auteurs. The Aryas aren't perfect because the longer, oval pads can feel a bit atrange. Both are strong on comfort though.
I just got this from Zach with a limited edition green maple burl. The thing is beautiful and it is a true work of art. Was half afraid i was going to just stare at this on the stand while i listen to the clear OG which is still my daily driver. Was not impressed with it with the auteur pads but switch to the Eikon suede along with a tube swap to an NOS Amperex tube and Bifrost 2... this thing becomes amazing. Its not the most acurate or detailed or the best staging but the sound becomes luciously thicc.
Great endorsement of my favorite headphone!! I actually own both the Auteurs and Arya Stealth Magnets, along with the extreme “fun” phone: the Aeolus. In that regard, I find the Auteurs to sound quite neutral, the Arya’s slightly bright, and the Aeolus fun and engaging. But it’s all relative in the end. The one thing I find the Auteurs do better than the Arya almost always are voices. The most natural vocal presentation I’ve ever heard on any sound system. Looking forward to the Verite reviews!!
I agree that vocals from the Auteurs are lovely. I still feel like they are more coloured than the Aryas, but that's probably because I'm comparing them to studio monitors which are a good reference for neutral. As for natural though, that's a bit different and I'd definitely agree that there's a naturalness about the Auteurs that the Arya can lack. I don't mean to be pedantic about the terms used. My point is that sometimes neutrality is discussed as a reference point, but it's not always a good measure of what actually sounds good. 🙂
Glad you're loving your Auteurs!
@@PassionforSound Couldn’t have said it better!
I own the Arya Stealths and the more I listen to them and adjust to their sound, the more I love them. But I can definitely see other headphones doing better for vocals (because...well I heard some that did), and ZMF headphones have been one of those brands that have been a rising star in the field and I find myself growing more curious about. So comparisons like these are super interesting to me!
Glad it was helpful, PP
Ok, so apparently I hadn't let my Arya's burn in enough haha. After another 40 hours of pink noise (and a new ZMF Lektrik C cable), I completely agree. The Arya's have that studio-monitor-like quality, while the Auteurs are like a flavored sound-enhancement on top of that. Just wanted to jump back in here and say that. Thanks for the great work you're doing on this channel!
Great review 🙌, would love to now see you review the Eikon.
I hope to get to all of them eventually 🙂
Ahh finally!! Have been waiting for this review for so long! *grabs popcorn*
Hope it lived up to your expectations 🙂
@@PassionforSound How could I not? I always love your videos!
finally a ZMF review..... Auteur is my go to for warm hugging relax listening.... it isn't highly resolving but the way Zach tuned it makes it a joy to listen to... it's a very forgiving headphone..... and now i finally got a tube amp to have some fun with it and the Verite....
I completely agree about the Auteur. I've really missed it since I sent it back
@@PassionforSound try an Aeolus yet?
Not yet, but keen to
@@nekky_7r here in AU, there's no proper shop to demo ZMF products unfortunately....
I'm going to do my best to fill that void as best I can, William
I love my ZMF, such amazing headphones.
I agree!
I really like how you put the frequency response comparison on a black background. It makes it very easy to see and also looks very professional.
Glad you like it. I had so many comments about the old approach that I decided to succumb to the pressure 😉
I still hope people don't obsess over the FR measurements (particularly mine from the lowly miniDSP EARs), but that's each person's choice 🙂
@@PassionforSound I think most to your followers understand that much more expensive frequency response measurement systems provide more accurate measurements and sophisticated correction mechanisms.
I hope so 🙂
Great job with the review, as usual! Your comment regarding the ZMF being the headphone you reach for the most is spot on. I've had a ZMF Aeolus, Focal Clear OG, and Dan Clark Aeon RT opens up until this point, and the Aeolus is usually my first choice because it's been the most pleasing to listen to of the 3. However, I just added a ZMF Verite Open to the mix in African Blackwood, and I can tell already these take the music to a whole new level 😀 Now I'm going to want a tube amp someday! No complaints though, they pair beautifully with Schiit Lyr 3 amp and Bifrost 2 DAC, or sometimes a Jotunheim 2 to mix it up.
Keep up the good work Lachlan, you have something to look forward to when you get a Verite to evaluate!
Thanks Jonathan. The VO is great, isn't it? I can't wait to review both the VO and VC this year along with hopefully some others from ZMF. The Aeolus is on my list to try too.
Great B-roll!
Thank you! Glad you liked it!
Really enjoyed this review. May look for a pair of these
Glad you liked it! They're a lovely and enjoyable headphone. I've got your Elite review queued up for watching soon. Keen to hear your take on those.
I'm thinking we should find an excuse for collaboration some time in 2022. Not sure what the topic would be yet, but I'm sure we can come up with something 🙂
Not sure why TH-cam is so determined to delete harmless comments, but I could only read a part of your response in the notification. I'll see if I can find your email address on your channel, but otherwise, you can get me at passionforsound@lachlanfennen.com
@@PassionforSound my contact is in the about section on my channel. I’ll shoot you a message too
Great. I'll drop you a line and see if we can come up with a good topic to collaborate on 🙂
Beautiful pair of Auteur's. I'm really enjoying my Verite Closed and excited about exploring some tube amps with them :)
I've got a short term loan of a pair from another patron at the moment and they're brilliant with tubes and without, but the ZMFs seem to all pair particularly well with tube amps.
@@PassionforSound How do you like VC with E2?
The E2 works really nicely with any headphone, but I'd personally go for a higher end amp for such a great headphone.
This is the most cohesive headphone I’ve listened to. It’s my favorite headphone because it does everything right. It doesn’t excel at anything just does it’s job very competently and checks all the boxes. It’s like that employee you know you can always rely on because he’s just good and got your back.
Well said! I think that's so true. There are a few other headphones that do similar things, but most (maybe all) are more expensive
Loved the intro b roll and music!
Glad you liked it!
Awesome review! I love my Auteur!
They're a wonderful headphone. Glad you liked the review
Finally a ZMF review from my favorite reviewer. Hope you also review Verite and also some Ifi products :)
I have VC and VO reviews planned for 2022. As for iFi, I'm afraid I can't get access to them ☹️
Nice review. Bit more than my budget will stretch, but will be added to my "maybe in the future" list.
Definitely a headphone worth saving for 🙂
Awesome stuff Lachlan!
Glad you liked it!
Hi, Passionfor sound!! Do you still use Auteur? Have you used it as balanced with Soloist 3xp? Do you hear background hiss on mid gain with balanced with Soloist3XP? How do you use ZMF headphone with Soloist 3XP?
Looks mighty fine, and I'm not just talking about the headphone.
Glad you liked whatever else it is you enjoyed the look of 🙂🙂
Great review, I hope you do get the Verite Opens / Closed soon!
Stay tuned for both reviews in 2022! It's confirmed 🙂🙂
very well done!!!
question: is the Auteur, in your opinion, a good upgrade from HD580/HD650? (I have both)... driven by OTL tube amp, classic music and jazz... does it worth the money or?
I think it's a great choice as an upgrade from those cans. It's probably not quite as rich sounding as the HD650, but wonderfully engaging and enjoyable like the HD650, plus you can easily pad-roll to get the sound you're after.
It's interesting when you were comparing the Arya and Auteur with the Reflections track, the way you described the differences made the Auteur sound really similar to the Focal Clear MG. I wonder what that comparison would sound like. :)
I haven't heard the Clear MG yet so I can't say. That would be an interesting one though
I am definitely going to get a pair but I also going to look for a a better colour. the old red wood with bronze were really nice looking.
There are often different versions coming out so hopefully you can find a look you love! (I agree about the dark reddish timber and bronze)
I was between the Stabilized Auteur or HD800s to complement the Verite Closed. Since I do a lot of gaming, and would use either for large orchestral/soundtracks, I decided to go HD800s even tho I'm well aware the magic ZMF provides.
But if I can only have two cans, I decided the VC and HD800s would cover more scenarios for me.
Sounds like some good logic there 🙂
Make sure you get a better cable for the HD800 S and they’ll get even better. I switched to a Norne Drausk and it added so much bass it’s given back the body vocals are normally lacking
@@PassionforSound btw, will you be doing a review on the VC & VO? Would be interested in your take
Sure will. Planning to review both and compare them too
Great video, thanks much, I wonder where focal clear OG fits in this mix.?
That's an interesting question. I think they're all on about the same level with differences. The Clear OG is the most dynamic and energetic sounding, but can also be a little more fatiguing at times due to the qualities of the treble. The Aryas sound a little leaner overall, but the Clears have more aggressive treble
@@PassionforSound thank you very much for this response, appreciate it greatly. 👍
I don't think this was mentioned, but if you buy these or any headphone from ZMF, the drivers have a life time warranty on them, B-stock included.
That's pretty cool, isn't it? I asked Zach and Bevin about that in my interview with them because I was curious how often they get claims on that. Seems it's pretty rare
Great review, I've been looking at the Verite closed and this one for quite a long time now but no where to try them here, any plans to check the LCD XC 2021?
I had hoped to get the XC, but it's very tricky for me to get Audeze gear (and a few other brands with the same local distributor). It will all come down to getting loans from viewers or me being able to buy some secondhand
Great review, Lachlan! I absolutely love that headphone stand you have there - what is it?
It's a great stand, but no longer available I think. It was the Firestone Audio stand IIRC
Informative review always thought headphones made with wood would (double woods) sound great, as most speakers are made of wooden boxes, do you think the sound changes due to the wooden enclosures ? Also whats in the wooden box to your left, the one with the 2 dials ? Gee it must be wood week...
That's an interesting question, Steve (about the wooden cups). I'm not sure how much the wood contributes to the sound. I might do some measurements when I do the VO and VC reviews to see what I can discover (I do have one idea of how it might influence)
As for the wooden box with the two dials, it's a Nobsound switch for 3-in, 3-out source switching that I use for comparisons. I built a little stand to hold it and help prevent it getting pulled off the desk by the weight of the interconnects out the back 🙂
Oh great a wooden headphone for the wooden amp. Have you been able to try one of the Tor Audio tube amps? Those are interesting
Haha. Yes, just need a wooden DAC now. I hadn't heard of the Tor tube amps. I'll look into them...
Just starting the video. But hoping auteur mainline combo. My dream setup would be mainline auteur for chilling out and susvara with speaker amps for thrilling experience
I didn't specifically discuss the Auteur and Mainline I think, but it is a magical combo. As for the Susvara, don't buy into the speaker amp stuff - it's not necessary. Some speaker amps might sound great with the Susvara, but some headphone amps do too. The Susvaras sound amazing from the Soloist GT, Sparkos Labs Aries, TT2 and Elekit TU-8200R (technically a speaker amp)
@@PassionforSound I'm just into 400se so I'd be able to afford neither. 😂 And thanks for the input. ☺
All in good time, my friend
i just sold arya stealth, because of plastic building around the cups (not looking solid) .. but the sound was the best i heard, so you thing the auteur will be great upgrade for me?:)
They're very different sounding headphones, but performing at a similar level IMO. I have the Auteur Classics coming soon for review if that's helpful, but they're not here just yet
@@PassionforSound thx, i dont know if zmf will be the same good for hard rock music...
It's a very different tuning so might be better, different or worse. That will all depend on your tastes which makes it tricky.
@@PassionforSound i have auter for half price, worth it?
It's a great headphone and you can always resell at that price 🙂
Just got a stabilized Auteur from ZMF November yesterday. Quite excited. Do you have the means to review the ZMF Verite Open? They are quite awesome and are my favorite headphone to this day.
I sure do! VO and VC reviews coming in 2022 😁
@@PassionforSound Please make sure to include the Aeolus too!
I've heard good things and it sounds like my kind of headphone so I'll definitely see what I can arrange!
Personally, I think the Auteurs are neutral and as a matter of fact Zack designed them to be that. They’re the most neutral headphones in the ZMF stable. I have these but don’t use them that much and will gravitate to my LCD-4 or the Verite closed back. However, they are excellent headphones.
One of the challenges for reviewers (but benefits for end users) is that the ZMF cans are designed to allow pad-rolling. I can't recall which pads I was using and what is recommended, but the degree of neutrality will come back to that. I know that the pad setup I most enjoyed with the Auteurs was not neutral, but slightly and wonderfully coloured
@@PassionforSound would the HD800s be a great complement to the Verite Closed?
It all depends on what you're looking for, but they're definitely different enough to be complimentary
Which are more comfortable to wear - the Auteurs or the Aryas?
Probably the Aryas by a small margin simply due to the weight of the Auteurs. The Aryas aren't perfect because the longer, oval pads can feel a bit atrange. Both are strong on comfort though.
I just got this from Zach with a limited edition green maple burl. The thing is beautiful and it is a true work of art. Was half afraid i was going to just stare at this on the stand while i listen to the clear OG which is still my daily driver. Was not impressed with it with the auteur pads but switch to the Eikon suede along with a tube swap to an NOS Amperex tube and Bifrost 2... this thing becomes amazing. Its not the most acurate or detailed or the best staging but the sound becomes luciously thicc.
It's amazing the difference the pads can make (and amps too, particularly with tubes). Glad you're loving them. I miss the pair I had on loan
Is this the classic ?
No, this is the OG. Here's the Classic review: th-cam.com/video/wKJwZhEK9f4/w-d-xo.htmlsi=bli671L86U4wUqL3
I don't speak french. How did I get here.
Je ne said pas, mon ami
As I call them, upgraded hd600
A BIG upgrade, but yes 😁
It looks like someone ran over it with a Jeep.
Sometime the wood grain is that way. Some people like that look. Some people don’t. XD
@@ItsXev maybe for speakers but fine wood grain is best for headphones.
@@ItsXev however what really matters is how they sound.
I quite liked the look of these, but there are other timbers that I like much more 🙂