I have both the Caldera and the VC. The VC is a bit peaky in the upper mids for me at times. The Caldera really evens it out. The low end on my Caldera is more punchy I'd say. I'm not sure about bass quantity, but the impact feels more real. Overall I much prefer the tuning of the Caldera to the VC. I randomly tried the suede Caldera pad on my VC and I really loved it. It helped take down that aggressiveness in the top end.
@@TylersEclectic VC sounds like magic if you find right synergy between them and tube amp, in terms of pleasure from music its superior to any other, it play for me intimate well defined sound that is sweet but with sparkle. Depend on recording it can be relaxed or sharper clear image of sound but highs are always a pleasure to hear. I'm listening my VC at this moment, beautiful ❤ Zach tuned it to be real masterpiece.
I sold my VC after getting a Stabilized Auteur Classic. AC has a nice All Rounder sound signature. I would be interested in the Caldera if it has a unique sound signature. I already have a RAD-0 so I'm wondering if Caldera is similar to the RAD-0?
@@Jerdy808 I can agree with that, the Caldera is the biggest departure from the ZMF house sound… while still having some ZMF sound to give it a soul ha
@@Jerdy808 Nice. I'll probably be ready to take the plunge on the Caldera when they start doing Stabilized Runs on them at some point in the future. When you say they have a "Unique" sound sig compared to the others... is it because with the Caldera you hear more Detail and Soundstage type stuff going on? I'm kind of regretting selling my HD 800s and I'm hoping the Caldera in some way can give me a little of that HD 800s soundstage along with the ZMF magic.
Curious what your chain was for this testing. After spending a month with my Caldera I really cant get back to my beloved VO i have for few years now. I cant say there is less energy with Caldera, I believe its more than VO with the right amp (using holo bliss / may stack). Caldera just does almost everything better, bass is more textured, reaches deeper, the punch is stronger and more physical. There is more detail to everything, the soundstage is slightly less 3d but better layered again. Each time I put VO on, everything feels veiled. Only thing VO did better for me - the vocals in some recording felt more lively and natural. All in all Caldera feels like the better Susvara for me, its as musical and smooth as other ZMF headphones with better bass than Susvara and slightly less detail. Its a different level to VO and makes Verite obsolete at some level, at least for me. I ran VO with Bliss and finetuned HA-3A with handpicked tubes vs Caldera.
I can dig it! Caldera is a beautiful headphone! For me, I just prefer dynamic cans over planar, not saying dynamics are better I just prefer the sound signature ha! But, I do think the Caldera is the best top of the line planar I’ve heard to date :) Glad you are loving them! This is all that matters in the end! Finding what works best for you! Super stoked you found it in the Caldera!
I’d say it has more low end presence, but if you want sub-bass… I would look at Abyss Headphones specifically the AB-1266, or on the cheaper end the Campfire Audio Cascade… another good option is looking at the Fostex line of headphones…
@@TylersEclectic thanks for the reply ! I actually adore my Susvara's subbass when I crank up the bass knob on the Ifi Ican signature, I feel like the quality is incredible . Prefer it to the 1266 which I tried the other day actually. I just wish the Susvara had a bit more meat on it. I also love the airiness that the Susvara has and that feeling of nothing being on your ears. Do you think that the caldera could have these qualities too?
@@mikylenaidoo1779 if you live the Susvara, I think the Caldera is a good alternative… but, it’s more of a side grade and chasing the last 5-10% of what you prefer … if that makes sense… I’d try and get some head time if you could (not easy I know). Honestly the Caldera has more “richness” and more “natural” sounding signature to my ears over the Susvara… but, that is just my opinion. I’m a huge fan of the ZMF house sound so my audio biases lean towards Caldera over Sus.
@@TylersEclectic Thank you so much man, I definitely can gauge a lot of these replies. I do feel like listening to the susvara for more than 30 minutes can be fatiguing for me, sometimes i just want to listen without having to worry about analysing. I wish i could afford both lol. But yeah, it seems caldera might be the warmth and easy listening than i am looking for . Thanks man !
@@TylersEclectic Interesting, first time I heard of Viking Weave. Do you prefer copper or silver cable with the Caldera? My only experience with after-market headphone cable is the ToneKraft from Audio Envy. It made a huge improvement over the stock cable with my Sennheiser 800S. Someday I hope to be able to buy the Caldera.
Thank you for the great comparison video. I proudly own the VO and Atrium and have been thinking about the Caldera and your videos have been really helpful. Also, how do you like the Viking Weave cable? Thanks again!
I love my VC, but from the reviews I am starting to think that the differences in terms of detail for the Caldera vis-a-vis the VC is not worth the increase in price, I'll be skipping the Caldera I guess.
Caldera has more detail, and crisper detail and imaging… sound is beautiful, yet easy. But, if you prefer less detail it could be not your cup of tea :) still worth hearing if you get the chance.
@TylersEclectic I scored a used Diana V2 instead of getting the Caldera, the previous comment was 90% me coping with my choice, but the other 10% is me wondering how much detail are you getting for the Caldera, because several reviews are saying it is only slightly better than the VC.
@@Mosamania hmm… I noticed a fairly significant increase in detail. But, that could be also due to the increased imaging separation as well as the speed that gives me that increase in detail over the VO/VC… I think the VO/VC is still a beast in the details… but, Caldera just plain has better technical capabilities
@TylersEclectic December 12th is what UPS says. I can't wait. But yeah, I am going to use the VC and the V2 as my test bench for either the Caldera or the TC for my future headphone. Honestly it ultimately came down to me wanting to expand my headphone experience with Abyss as opposed to sticking to what I already know I like in the ZMF.
Hmmm… I think even though I love the Caldera, my heart still leans towards dynamic driver sound… but, that is a preference thing, less a capabilities thing
Yet another reminder of just how great Zach is, and how well he did with the VC. Love my Blackwood VC's.
Thanks very much for you great videos and your replies!
Whoa!! Thank you!!! Really appreciate it! Always happy to help where I can 😊 cheers and have a great weekend!
@@TylersEclectic You as well!
I have both the Caldera and the VC. The VC is a bit peaky in the upper mids for me at times. The Caldera really evens it out. The low end on my Caldera is more punchy I'd say. I'm not sure about bass quantity, but the impact feels more real. Overall I much prefer the tuning of the Caldera to the VC. I randomly tried the suede Caldera pad on my VC and I really loved it. It helped take down that aggressiveness in the top end.
Yeah, Caldera is more precise low end, With good slam, while VC is more engaging to me
@@TylersEclectic VC sounds like magic if you find right synergy between them and tube amp, in terms of pleasure from music its superior to any other, it play for me intimate well defined sound that is sweet but with sparkle. Depend on recording it can be relaxed or sharper clear image of sound but highs are always a pleasure to hear. I'm listening my VC at this moment, beautiful ❤ Zach tuned it to be real masterpiece.
@@soulfulfool agreed! It’s the headphone that made me fall in love with ZMF
Hurray for the Goldsmith mention. I’ve been absolutely loving my Goldsmith collection on the Caldera.
Nice Skable. 😀 Good match on the split to VC purple.
Concur!!! He makes such beautiful cables! And the splits are pure jewels
Thanks for your impressions and comparisons. Always enjoy watching your videos and hearing your take on things. Keep it up Tyler
Thank you! Trying to get a routine back on for videos ha! Might have to start breaking out into my other hobbies more :)
I sold my VC after getting a Stabilized Auteur Classic. AC has a nice All Rounder sound signature. I would be interested in the Caldera if it has a unique sound signature. I already have a RAD-0 so I'm wondering if Caldera is similar to the RAD-0?
I did a Rad-0 Caldera comparison video earlier 😊
owning all 3 I'd say the Caldera has the most unique sound signature of those 3, of the whole lineup to my ears.
@@Jerdy808 I can agree with that, the Caldera is the biggest departure from the ZMF house sound… while still having some ZMF sound to give it a soul ha
@@Jerdy808 Nice. I'll probably be ready to take the plunge on the Caldera when they start doing Stabilized Runs on them at some point in the future. When you say they have a "Unique" sound sig compared to the others... is it because with the Caldera you hear more Detail and Soundstage type stuff going on? I'm kind of regretting selling my HD 800s and I'm hoping the Caldera in some way can give me a little of that HD 800s soundstage along with the ZMF magic.
I hit go live too soon so it’s in SD for the first hour or so…😅
Dang youtube processing too slow... still stuck on 360p. Great work Tyler.
Curious what your chain was for this testing. After spending a month with my Caldera I really cant get back to my beloved VO i have for few years now. I cant say there is less energy with Caldera, I believe its more than VO with the right amp (using holo bliss / may stack). Caldera just does almost everything better, bass is more textured, reaches deeper, the punch is stronger and more physical. There is more detail to everything, the soundstage is slightly less 3d but better layered again. Each time I put VO on, everything feels veiled. Only thing VO did better for me - the vocals in some recording felt more lively and natural. All in all Caldera feels like the better Susvara for me, its as musical and smooth as other ZMF headphones with better bass than Susvara and slightly less detail. Its a different level to VO and makes Verite obsolete at some level, at least for me. I ran VO with Bliss and finetuned HA-3A with handpicked tubes vs Caldera.
I can dig it! Caldera is a beautiful headphone! For me, I just prefer dynamic cans over planar, not saying dynamics are better I just prefer the sound signature ha! But, I do think the Caldera is the best top of the line planar I’ve heard to date :)
Glad you are loving them! This is all that matters in the end! Finding what works best for you! Super stoked you found it in the Caldera!
VC never had enough sub bass for my interest. Felt a bit boring for me , atleast the pairs that I've owned... Is the calderas sub bass much better ?
I’d say it has more low end presence, but if you want sub-bass… I would look at Abyss Headphones specifically the AB-1266, or on the cheaper end the Campfire Audio Cascade… another good option is looking at the Fostex line of headphones…
@@TylersEclectic thanks for the reply ! I actually adore my Susvara's subbass when I crank up the bass knob on the Ifi Ican signature, I feel like the quality is incredible . Prefer it to the 1266 which I tried the other day actually. I just wish the Susvara had a bit more meat on it. I also love the airiness that the Susvara has and that feeling of nothing being on your ears. Do you think that the caldera could have these qualities too?
@@mikylenaidoo1779 if you live the Susvara, I think the Caldera is a good alternative… but, it’s more of a side grade and chasing the last 5-10% of what you prefer … if that makes sense… I’d try and get some head time if you could (not easy I know). Honestly the Caldera has more “richness” and more “natural” sounding signature to my ears over the Susvara… but, that is just my opinion. I’m a huge fan of the ZMF house sound so my audio biases lean towards Caldera over Sus.
@@TylersEclectic Thank you so much man, I definitely can gauge a lot of these replies. I do feel like listening to the susvara for more than 30 minutes can be fatiguing for me, sometimes i just want to listen without having to worry about analysing. I wish i could afford both lol. But yeah, it seems caldera might be the warmth and easy listening than i am looking for . Thanks man !
dont know what amp are you using but VC got amazing bass, pure pleasure (maybe pads change could help)
What headphone cable did you choose for the Caldera?
I used stock and my Viking Weave cable
@@TylersEclectic Interesting, first time I heard of Viking Weave. Do you prefer copper or silver cable with the Caldera? My only experience with after-market headphone cable is the ToneKraft from Audio Envy. It made a huge improvement over the stock cable with my Sennheiser 800S. Someday I hope to be able to buy the Caldera.
Thank you for the great comparison video. I proudly own the VO and Atrium and have been thinking about the Caldera and your videos have been really helpful. Also, how do you like the Viking Weave cable? Thanks again!
Love the Viking weave cable
@@TylersEclectic Is it silver or copper? Thanks!
@@gjtube37 I’m not sure… I’ll ask him
@@TylersEclectic Thank you! I was checking out his cables as an upgrade. They look beautiful! Thank again!
@@gjtube37 they are straight jewelry!! His splits are a work of art!
*"Do one thing every day that scares you."* --
VC/VO are V shaped? 😵 they are dark.
they are so beautiful but only with tube amp, yes they can be sometimes so dark when music demands it they growl like evil soul
I love my VC, but from the reviews I am starting to think that the differences in terms of detail for the Caldera vis-a-vis the VC is not worth the increase in price, I'll be skipping the Caldera I guess.
Caldera has more detail, and crisper detail and imaging… sound is beautiful, yet easy. But, if you prefer less detail it could be not your cup of tea :) still worth hearing if you get the chance.
@TylersEclectic I scored a used Diana V2 instead of getting the Caldera, the previous comment was 90% me coping with my choice, but the other 10% is me wondering how much detail are you getting for the Caldera, because several reviews are saying it is only slightly better than the VC.
@@Mosamania hmm… I noticed a fairly significant increase in detail. But, that could be also due to the increased imaging separation as well as the speed that gives me that increase in detail over the VO/VC…
I think the VO/VC is still a beast in the details… but, Caldera just plain has better technical capabilities
@@Mosamania the Diana is a beast as well! I don’t think you will be disappointed with it :)
@TylersEclectic December 12th is what UPS says. I can't wait.
But yeah, I am going to use the VC and the V2 as my test bench for either the Caldera or the TC for my future headphone. Honestly it ultimately came down to me wanting to expand my headphone experience with Abyss as opposed to sticking to what I already know I like in the ZMF.
VO is probably the sexiest ZMF behind Atrium
I agree! Ha!
Mirrors my experience
I like the keyboard.
It’s a good one for sure!!
well damn, it sounds like I may need a set of the Caldera in my life...here comes a $3900 dent in my wallet, I guess lol.
Oof 😅 they be pricey headphones for sure
And what have you ❤
Hmmm… I think even though I love the Caldera, my heart still leans towards dynamic driver sound… but, that is a preference thing, less a capabilities thing
The GAS is real...
😅
I think I'm vco guy
Too dam expensive the madness must stop
Check out SJY Audio Starry Nights as an alternative for a more affordable for some price :) I’m dropping a video soon on them