A superb review from the wonderful CMA. No hyperbole, just an accurate and passionate analysis of a superb pair of headphones. Just on the strength of this review compared to the deep research, CMA's own Focal Stellia review and a recent listening session of the Focal Stellia's I just ordered a pair from Australia. Certainly my favourite Headphone reviewer. An injection of romanticism into a robust technical and audio review is not to be underrated.
Seriously CMA watching your videos is not like watching a review but rather more akin to watching an excellent netflix series. Your stories are clear, concise, and captivating. Thank you Sir !
*As usual, most comforting review making you/me/us FEEL it. No time wasted, so much info packed in this video. Everything sad so clearly, represented so nicely visually, so cearly spoken, and all is so accurate. Thank you.*
First time watching your videos. I am picking up a 2-month old Atrium this afternoon. Thanks for the video and the comparisons. Interestingly, I am bringing the Gryphon to test the Atrium to make sure it’s working.
These are the most beautiful headphones I’ve ever seen. I think the grill looks much better than the Caldera’s. Speaking of Caldera, have you had a chance to demo that headphone yet? I’ve read nothing but great things. Kinda stuck on which to buy. I want the atrium because it’s so damn beautiful, but am also leaning towards the Caldera because apparently it fixes a lot of the Atrium’s shortcomings (like the sub bass roll off, lack of detail).
Been following your reviews from the beginning. Respect your ear. Wondering if I can get some quick advice? Susvara is my favorite headphone but looking for a complimentary headphone that is much warmer. Doesn't have to be TOTL. Do not want recessed mids (LCD5 has too much mid energy). Something like a upgraded HD650. Sometimes I just don't want to deal with great treble detail and looking for a warm sonic blanket to ease my distress Headphones I have owned: T + A Solitaire P, Susvara, Abyss 1266 Phi TC, Meze Empyrean, Meze Elite, Hifiman Arya V2, Audeze LCD-5, Sennheiser HD600 What do you think? Atrium or Empyrean?
@@ConvinceMeAudio Thanks. Traded someone my newly acquired Elites for Atrium with Magnesium chassis / Copper grills plus they added some money on top. Thanks again. Should have took your advice on the Elites :P
We have similar ears. Loving the Atriums. Great FR. More note weight than Susvara. Timbre is amazing. Love the vocals on the Atrium. Been neglecting my Susvara's lately. LOL ... Have you tried the Atriums on a OTL amp yet?
I'm holding out (for now) for the closed version. I have an Aeolus which I can't see myself parting with and would love to add a closed back ZMF to my collection. A used Eikon was on my list but then Zach dropped these.. and I'm very intrigued by that updated biocellulose driver. No denying that those grilles are stunningly beautiful however.
I have Aeolus too and was never going to part with them but not sure anymore. I tried these Atriums at Koji’s and decided within 5 minutes that I am getting them. Order placed and waiting now and thinking of punting Aeolus on eBay. Do try and demo if you are able to, you won’t be disappointed. Probably the best ZMF IMO for the joy of music listening. VC could be more technical but this will give you a bigger smile. Let’s see what Atrium CB is like.
Awesome review! I've been looking at the Atrium for a while now and have been waiting for some reviews on UA-cam. I have to say that, even though I just recently discovered your channel, you're already pretty much my favorite reviewer! I love your enthusiasm and passion! And yeah, your review obviously got me even more intrigued to buy the Atrium. The only thing, that left me wondering about the soundstage, is that many people in the Head-Fi forums have said, that to get the maximum soundstage performance of these headphones, you need like +100 hours of burn-in. After that, many people have said that the soundstage has become even more 3D and holographic, like the soundstage of the VC. Although I'm not sure, if your Atrium was already burnt-in before you got it. Just something to keep in my mind. Also, even though you did great comparisons in the video already, I'd like to ask how does the dynamics, the soundstage and the detail of the Atrium compare to the Meze Elite, if one were to buy only one headphone for all genres? I have been considering buying either the Atrium of the Elite to be able to enjoy my music whatever the genre and however bad the recording is.
Thank you so much I appreciate the kind words Versus elite, they are both conducive to a wonderful experience in regards to bad recordings to be honest Elite has a bigger soundstage it’s absolutely enormous The Atrium had about 50 hours put on it when I had it and I’m not sure how many hours it had prior to that But I will 100% agree it got better and better and better as I was listening to it, and it sounded its absolute best the day before the review LOL Delete is a bigger sound in headphone all around but I would pick atrium any day every day for tonal balance mid range and sheer pleasure listening
You should try out the Auteur Hybrid Pref. Sound amazing. I need to try the stock pads again. Also I have not tried the BE2 Suede Pref. Heard good things as well.
I am concerned about these sounding too dark. It seems to be a impression that's emphasized in multiple reviews. I've had bad experiences in the past with this regarding well reviewed headphones. How would you compare the warm/darkness with others such as HD650, Audioquest Black hawk (so dark and boomy that I couldn't listen to them) and Audeze LCD2 (Too dark and muffled without equalization)?
Hey CMA, do you have a ranking list of all the headphones you have reviewed? - the last section in the video you give each section a score, would be good to get a sense of where it fits in with everything else.
Hello! Would you recommend atrium or elite for someone who loves midrange vocals and a wide soundstage? I currently have susvara but looking for something with more soul
@@ConvinceMeAudio I just placed an order for the Elites like 30 minutes ago 🤣 will get Atrium in November hopefully along with a VC since there will be another run of the limited edition ones. Love the reviews and keep them coming!
I would like to hear more comparison between this and the Verite Closed...if we can only choose 1. I would usually say, more bass then Atrium it is...but DARK scares me. I really wish I could hear them both, but that's not possible. I really like your reviews though.
Watching Atrium videos even though I've ordered the Redheart Caldera (While having OG Utopia), it really sounds like ZMF Headphones are special, can't wait to hear it. Also, If you don't mind me asking what's the story of the sunglasses?
@@ConvinceMeAudio Yeah, I figured as such, though it looks like you're getting by really nicely! Do you have Caldera for review? I liked that ending on the video that you describe a picture on how things are, that's definitely a special thing in audio reviews.
@@ConvinceMeAudio Will be looking forward to the review :D Mine is still ways off, but I'm going to listen to it at the store as well (Yeah I ordered blindly cause of the good reviews)
@@ConvinceMeAudio looking forward to your impressions on that and the Mr, mostly mr cause I am missing my endgame headphone. Im thorn between some zmf stuff and the MR. Thanks for the info and love the content!
Just curious my favorite reviewer has already said he would keep Zmf vc as favorite closed, well was curious re open back, would you pick Ateium, or lcd5 if you had to decide between?😁
Bloody hell, that’s a hard choice like genuinely probably atrium LOL I love those headphones more than a lot of things just because they work everywhere on everything Obviously they’re not on the technicality level of LCD5, but I don’t care
@@ConvinceMeAudio thanks, im about to buy Vc and Atrium, as ive said before, i own Lcd5s and tt2 and Mscaler, i cant justify 3 prs of hdphones, the ZMF im able to return if i dont want so could say im going to have to pick 2 prs ,if i settle on Vc and Atrium will have to sell Lcds. Too much tied up. This will be a tough one i feel
@@annarobertson8320 I don’t think you will pick VC and atrium simultaneously, I think you will pick atrium and LCD5, but let me know how things go. I’m genuinely curious
@@ConvinceMeAudio i will, interesting point, u favour Lcd5 with Ferrum oor and hypsos, i dont, i find that pairing bland,lifeless, no punch, so i sold my Ferrums and bought tt2 and Mscaler, vast improvement
If the verite closed didn't exist the atrium would have been my end game headphone. It's fantastic but the verite closed was made for my ears and my taste.
@@tweedpenguin712 OK will try. The vc has better technicalities in terms of details and speed, I like those characteristics a lot but with most headphones when technicalities go up the tonality and timbre suffers with it, the vc has both fantastic tonality and timbre plus endgame technicalities. The atrium is to me the same in terms tonality and timbre its fantastic, but its a bit behind the verite closed in detail and speed, saying that but the atrium has wider Soundstage, so if someone likes that, it pretty much can be their endgame. But for my taste and my preferences I find what the verite closed provides is what I value the most in an endgame headphone. By the way vc also has a wide very open Soundstage but it's not an atrium in that regard.
Completely different headphones at a different category, but I’ve not heard it yet So I can’t really judge But in my experience, no other headphones has killed ZMF headphones, they are so enjoyable and fun, it’s different
@@N02tradamus It doesnt surprise me at all, ZMF headphones bring joy and life to the music. After I heard my VC for the first time suddenly I lost interest in my other headphones
I highly recommend you to check out the WyWires Platinum headphone cables. In my experience they made a huge difference on any headphone i tried these (compared to the stock cables and some other upgrade cables). For example with a Hifiman Arya SE and a Hifiman He 1000se on an IBasso dx300 with AMP12: The soundstage becomes a lot bigger with better imaging, the resolution improves and i hear a ton more details.
I have both $400 B & W PX7 and $900 Dan Clark Aeon 2 Noire headphones. Both are comfortable and good looking. But, the Noires totally outshine the PX7s in sound quality.
@@tweedpenguin712Just no clue what you're talking about lol. Also P7 is mass produced and made to look pretty for the box art over its actual comfort. ZMF headphones are handmade and come in a large variety of woods/colors/headband/ chasis materials, while being some of the most comfortable and adjustable headphones on the market Just enjoy your P7 for what it is, no need to bring down a headphone doing something completely different
A superb review from the wonderful CMA. No hyperbole, just an accurate and passionate analysis of a superb pair of headphones. Just on the strength of this review compared to the deep research, CMA's own Focal Stellia review and a recent listening session of the Focal Stellia's I just ordered a pair from Australia.
Certainly my favourite Headphone reviewer. An injection of romanticism into a robust technical and audio review is not to be underrated.
Thank you for your kind words it’s greatly appreciated and your support it’s very much welcome,
greetings from everybody at CMA 🐅☕️
Seriously CMA watching your videos is not like watching a review but rather more akin to watching an excellent netflix series. Your stories are clear, concise, and captivating. Thank you Sir !
Thank you for the kind words it’s very much appreciated,
Welcome to the fam 🐅❤️
So dope. I hope your channel blows up. You are my favorite reviewer. :)
Thank you so much I’m glad you enjoy the CMA content, welcome to the fam
Great review amigo, your videos have really progressed and your descriptions for what you are hearing are informative and enjoyable.
I love how this guy is the morpheous of audio reviews. Can't wait to hear this review after back to backing the VC!
I don’t know why i laughed so much at “smells like a cow, absolutely beautiful”
😂
*As usual, most comforting review making you/me/us FEEL it. No time wasted, so much info packed in this video. Everything sad so clearly, represented so nicely visually, so cearly spoken, and all is so accurate. Thank you.*
First time watching your videos. I am picking up a 2-month old Atrium this afternoon. Thanks for the video and the comparisons. Interestingly, I am bringing the Gryphon to test the Atrium to make sure it’s working.
Thank you, and welcome to the fam 🐅
@@ConvinceMeAudio I am sorry I didn’t get your name to address you
These are the most beautiful headphones I’ve ever seen. I think the grill looks much better than the Caldera’s. Speaking of Caldera, have you had a chance to demo that headphone yet? I’ve read nothing but great things. Kinda stuck on which to buy. I want the atrium because it’s so damn beautiful, but am also leaning towards the Caldera because apparently it fixes a lot of the Atrium’s shortcomings (like the sub bass roll off, lack of detail).
Waiting for my unit to arrive
@@ConvinceMeAudio looking forward to the review/comparison!
@@ConvinceMeAudioany news on caldera review :) ?
I love the background music tracks you choose for your reviews. They are so tasteful. I wish the shazam was able to catch it all 😹
I will put it in the description
Wow thank you! I've just noticed you wrote back. That is so cool mate :)
Been following your reviews from the beginning. Respect your ear. Wondering if I can get some quick advice?
Susvara is my favorite headphone but looking for a complimentary headphone that is much warmer. Doesn't have to be TOTL. Do not want recessed mids (LCD5 has too much mid energy). Something like a upgraded HD650. Sometimes I just don't want to deal with great treble detail and looking for a warm sonic blanket to ease my distress
Headphones I have owned:
T + A Solitaire P, Susvara, Abyss 1266 Phi TC, Meze Empyrean, Meze Elite, Hifiman Arya V2, Audeze LCD-5, Sennheiser HD600
What do you think? Atrium or Empyrean?
Thank you so much for your kind comment I really do appreciate it, I would definitely go for atrium it takes all the checkboxes definitely
@@ConvinceMeAudio Thanks. Traded someone my newly acquired Elites for Atrium with Magnesium chassis / Copper grills plus they added some money on top. Thanks again. Should have took your advice on the Elites :P
We have similar ears. Loving the Atriums. Great FR. More note weight than Susvara. Timbre is amazing. Love the vocals on the Atrium. Been neglecting my Susvara's lately. LOL ... Have you tried the Atriums on a OTL amp yet?
@@N02tradamus yeah they’re absolutely amazing headphones, not yet, I have a couple of units lined up for review, and I will put full assessments
You're a poet Koji :)
I'm holding out (for now) for the closed version. I have an Aeolus which I can't see myself parting with and would love to add a closed back ZMF to my collection. A used Eikon was on my list but then Zach dropped these.. and I'm very intrigued by that updated biocellulose driver. No denying that those grilles are stunningly beautiful however.
It’s just laser cut literally anyone can make it.
I have Aeolus too and was never going to part with them but not sure anymore. I tried these Atriums at Koji’s and decided within 5 minutes that I am getting them. Order placed and waiting now and thinking of punting Aeolus on eBay.
Do try and demo if you are able to, you won’t be disappointed. Probably the best ZMF IMO for the joy of music listening. VC could be more technical but this will give you a bigger smile. Let’s see what Atrium CB is like.
@@suhaib1249 VC give me a big smile 😁 never knew that closed backs can be that good. Atrium is next on my list
Well my friend, you had me sold on getting a VC ,as a lover of Lcd5 on Chord Mscaler tt2, is VC still a better choice than Atrium
Awesome review! I've been looking at the Atrium for a while now and have been waiting for some reviews on UA-cam. I have to say that, even though I just recently discovered your channel, you're already pretty much my favorite reviewer! I love your enthusiasm and passion! And yeah, your review obviously got me even more intrigued to buy the Atrium. The only thing, that left me wondering about the soundstage, is that many people in the Head-Fi forums have said, that to get the maximum soundstage performance of these headphones, you need like +100 hours of burn-in. After that, many people have said that the soundstage has become even more 3D and holographic, like the soundstage of the VC. Although I'm not sure, if your Atrium was already burnt-in before you got it. Just something to keep in my mind.
Also, even though you did great comparisons in the video already, I'd like to ask how does the dynamics, the soundstage and the detail of the Atrium compare to the Meze Elite, if one were to buy only one headphone for all genres? I have been considering buying either the Atrium of the Elite to be able to enjoy my music whatever the genre and however bad the recording is.
Thank you so much I appreciate the kind words
Versus elite, they are both conducive to a wonderful experience in regards to bad recordings to be honest
Elite has a bigger soundstage it’s absolutely enormous
The Atrium had about 50 hours put on it when I had it and I’m not sure how many hours it had prior to that
But I will 100% agree it got better and better and better as I was listening to it, and it sounded its absolute best the day before the review LOL
Delete is a bigger sound in headphone all around but I would pick atrium any day every day for tonal balance mid range and sheer pleasure listening
@@ConvinceMeAudio Are the Elites brighter in the treble region?
@@N02tradamus they are both relaxed, but a little bit yes
You should try out the Auteur Hybrid Pref. Sound amazing. I need to try the stock pads again. Also I have not tried the BE2 Suede Pref. Heard good things as well.
I am concerned about these sounding too dark. It seems to be a impression that's emphasized in multiple reviews. I've had bad experiences in the past with this regarding well reviewed headphones. How would you compare the warm/darkness with others such as HD650, Audioquest Black hawk (so dark and boomy that I couldn't listen to them) and Audeze LCD2 (Too dark and muffled without equalization)?
It does not sound like those you mentioned, but it is a dark, tuned headphone, and you might want the VO in this case, I think
ok im sold im saving up for this
They are gorgeous, in every aspect
Its good :)
Incredible review and video
Hey CMA, do you have a ranking list of all the headphones you have reviewed? - the last section in the video you give each section a score, would be good to get a sense of where it fits in with everything else.
There is a Headphones tier list on the channel, yes but the summit is not complete yet and it’s quite old now I think I need to address this again
Hello! Would you recommend atrium or elite for someone who loves midrange vocals and a wide soundstage? I currently have susvara but looking for something with more soul
Tambo mid range soulful vocals is atrium
Enormous wide soundstage is elite
Relaxed comforting nice vocals
To follow up on this, Atrium VS Elite for modern pop/electronic music?
@@superdrangon12345 you can’t go wrong with either, but I would choose atrium I love the tunnel balance
@@ConvinceMeAudio I just placed an order for the Elites like 30 minutes ago 🤣 will get Atrium in November hopefully along with a VC since there will be another run of the limited edition ones. Love the reviews and keep them coming!
@@superdrangon12345 but genuinely you can’t go wrong, they’re both worth keeping
I would like to hear more comparison between this and the Verite Closed...if we can only choose 1. I would usually say, more bass then Atrium it is...but DARK scares me. I really wish I could hear them both, but that's not possible. I really like your reviews though.
Go check review by Passion for sound , he compares all 3
Watching Atrium videos even though I've ordered the Redheart Caldera (While having OG Utopia), it really sounds like ZMF Headphones are special, can't wait to hear it.
Also, If you don't mind me asking what's the story of the sunglasses?
You’re going to love it
Ah that, pretty much blind mate the light really hurts my eyes so have to be used LOL 😀
@@ConvinceMeAudio Yeah, I figured as such, though it looks like you're getting by really nicely!
Do you have Caldera for review? I liked that ending on the video that you describe a picture on how things are, that's definitely a special thing in audio reviews.
@@SergeySedlovsky thanks, yes it’s on order I think it’s going to be delivered this week if I’m not mistaken or sent out from ZMF this week
@@ConvinceMeAudio Will be looking forward to the review :D Mine is still ways off, but I'm going to listen to it at the store as well (Yeah I ordered blindly cause of the good reviews)
Will a Shciit Modi/magni works with it? How would you compare the ZMF Atrium to the new Audeze MM-500?
I think if you want to experience the blackness of the void, you should listen to Mahler No 1 and No 3.
Is this better than the diana v2(mojo2) and 800s(mojo2, wa7) for vocals and piano?
Ooo v2 different probably less detail but as good it only depends on the set up and on the set up you’ve told me possibly easier to drive, yeah
@@ConvinceMeAudio thank you for the input! Btw totally unrelated, but have you tried the Elysian Annihilator iems?
@@donniedarko5529 not yet, not those
@@ConvinceMeAudio looking forward to your impressions on that and the Mr, mostly mr cause I am missing my endgame headphone. Im thorn between some zmf stuff and the MR. Thanks for the info and love the content!
Just curious my favorite reviewer has already said he would keep Zmf vc as favorite closed, well was curious re open back, would you pick Ateium, or lcd5 if you had to decide between?😁
Bloody hell, that’s a hard choice like genuinely probably atrium LOL
I love those headphones more than a lot of things just because they work everywhere on everything
Obviously they’re not on the technicality level of LCD5, but I don’t care
@@ConvinceMeAudio thanks, im about to buy Vc and Atrium, as ive said before, i own Lcd5s and tt2 and Mscaler, i cant justify 3 prs of hdphones, the ZMF im able to return if i dont want so could say im going to have to pick 2 prs ,if i settle on Vc and Atrium will have to sell Lcds.
Too much tied up.
This will be a tough one i feel
@@annarobertson8320 I don’t think you will pick VC and atrium simultaneously, I think you will pick atrium and LCD5, but let me know how things go. I’m genuinely curious
@@ConvinceMeAudio i will, interesting point, u favour Lcd5 with Ferrum oor and hypsos, i dont, i find that pairing bland,lifeless, no punch, so i sold my Ferrums and bought tt2 and Mscaler, vast improvement
@@annarobertson8320 only with the M scaler and Dave as the DAC,
You can match the termination jack color to that of your headphone rod for the ridiculous price of 100 dollars.
OCD has its price haha It’s a moq thing, they have to order custom parts at low quantities, that costs.
nice review, but turn the lights up a bit so we can get more of that wonderful wood eye candy!
We’re in the process of upgrading all the lights in the studio, it was limited to one soft box light this time around
Got my Atrium yesterday. I might resell it just because I won't be able to give the Atrium the amp/dac it deserves..
In my opinion it’s one of those headphones that sounds utterly fantastic yes, it’s scales up, but you can enjoy pretty much anything
If the verite closed didn't exist the atrium would have been my end game headphone.
It's fantastic but the verite closed was made for my ears and my taste.
Can you explain?
@@tweedpenguin712 OK will try.
The vc has better technicalities in terms of details and speed, I like those characteristics a lot but with most headphones when technicalities go up the tonality and timbre suffers with it, the vc has both fantastic tonality and timbre plus endgame technicalities.
The atrium is to me the same in terms tonality and timbre its fantastic, but its a bit behind the verite closed in detail and speed, saying that but the atrium has wider Soundstage, so if someone likes that, it pretty much can be their endgame.
But for my taste and my preferences I find what the verite closed provides is what I value the most in an endgame headphone.
By the way vc also has a wide very open Soundstage but it's not an atrium in that regard.
Is the Expanse the Atrium killers?
Completely different headphones at a different category, but I’ve not heard it yet
So I can’t really judge
But in my experience, no other headphones has killed ZMF headphones, they are so enjoyable and fun, it’s different
@@ConvinceMeAudio cool, I have the Atriums coming in a few days and my buddy let me borrow his Expanse so I can do some A/B. Will let you know.
Atriums still better than Expanse in my ears. Expanse has zero slam/punch. Very nice FR and TOTL detail but no excitement. That was my take.
@@N02tradamus It doesnt surprise me at all, ZMF headphones bring joy and life to the music. After I heard my VC for the first time suddenly I lost interest in my other headphones
you need to preface the VC comparison with pads.
O’Tor hybrids it’s the ones I use 90% of the time
I highly recommend you to check out the WyWires Platinum headphone cables. In my experience they made a huge difference on any headphone i tried these (compared to the stock cables and some other upgrade cables). For example with a Hifiman Arya SE and a Hifiman He 1000se on an IBasso dx300 with AMP12: The soundstage becomes a lot bigger with better imaging, the resolution improves and i hear a ton more details.
Aint no way that cable, with that build, is worth anywhere near $600 lol
9:44, is ZMF selling universal perverts?
@@picklesandufos7860 lmfaoooooooooo it genuinely sounds like that!! Best laugh of the year, wow I think this needs to go in the bloopers
When youtube recommends one of your own videos to your self.
Bahahaha
Welcome to the twilight zone.
Bowers wilkins 9 does not belong in the same conversation as these headphones , i was laughing when you mentioned them..
Silica not salt.
Wilson Joseph Wilson Ronald Williams Linda
B&W P7 Wireless is only 200 dollars used and it’s all metal and lamb skin.
But sounds nowhere near as good as any ZMF headphones.
@@Elevation8000 but it’s almost as good for 1/10th the price
I have both $400 B & W PX7 and $900 Dan Clark Aeon 2 Noire headphones. Both are comfortable and good looking. But, the Noires totally outshine the PX7s in sound quality.
@@tweedpenguin712 Definitely not almost as good.
@@tweedpenguin712Just no clue what you're talking about lol. Also P7 is mass produced and made to look pretty for the box art over its actual comfort. ZMF headphones are handmade and come in a large variety of woods/colors/headband/ chasis materials, while being some of the most comfortable and adjustable headphones on the market
Just enjoy your P7 for what it is, no need to bring down a headphone doing something completely different