I love both of these headphones. Both scale tremendously with higher-end amps and I think both are chameleons depending on with what they are paired with. The HD600 is my traveling headphone while the Auteur stays at home with my DAC and tube amp (I'm not damaging that wood!). Both have (at minimum) A-grade mids. Overall, I think the OG Auteur is the superior headphone by comparison, especially when it comes to texture, macro/micro dynamics and extension on both ends. A few months ago, I sold my OG Auteur since I purchased the Atrium. Unpopular opinion--the Atrium's mids are not as good as the Autuer or HD600's. They don't have the lushness of either headphone (they sound drier and darker to me). So while they were TECHNICALLY superior in every way, I sold them and repurchased another OG Auteur. Just goes to show that everyones tastes are different and technicalities are not always the most important element of a headphone.
The Auter is a dream headphone that I want , I have been putting off buying a 600 because of its rolled low bass,but you can hear it at a low level. Zeos, DMS, Joshua Valour and others praise this headphone for its vocal intimacy, I will put the 600 on my list. I really am saving for an Argon set and an amp to push them. The Sennheiser series is great with tube amps which I love. "The Sennheiser 600 is that middle of the road headphne that you know where everything else sits"; according to Zeos Pantera.
@@st0neageman He an entertainer a salesman and huck stereo. Him and DMS sold me on the Monoprice 560. I bust it out every few months. I need the pad mod of the big Sony 100 pads. They were 10 bucks, My issue with this headphone; one limited input max power of 400 milliwatts. It's loud at max on a phone my ears ring. Sometimes I bump it up till my brain says no Mas. 2 the pads are small but the Zeos pads mod with blue tack is effective. The subbass get low enough but it can't slam a jam,like a monoprice retro, The original CB-1 with those like a room with proper acoustic comfy pads.It is made for solid state but you won't turn the dial past 12 o'clock. It's best use is vocal based, symphonic or acoustic music, it plays old school jazz perfectly. The messed up putting 56mm drivers a 75 might of been better. I should of bought the 1060. I was okay with the Phillips SHP 9500 then I put angled leather 110mm by 80mm pads on it. The bass rocks goes deep has an engaging punch,slam, I often use a cheap bluetooth to be wireless. The Mpow stream Bot. I put it in line with a Little Bear Portable Tube BX-4 it fed into my solid state and I got some tube sound and could play planars. I need an amp upgrade. My next headphone purchase will be an Argon with the most bass. Trp20,40,50 mk 3 ?
What the old SHP Videos, Him and DMS are 180 degrees apart,Josh Valour in the middle. I think that's how these guys would kick it on a sofa, talking and listening to audio.
600 with tube amp is very good, I agree with Zeos about HD 600 but disagree about what he said about Focal Clear (I'm owner of both not just a guy collecting others opinions)
Thank you for great description of ZMF Auteur in this comparision. I got mind blowing (especially for it's price) at Monolith Monoprice M1570. Their tonality, musicality and realism is sooo perfect. I was loved HD650 for so many years to moment I found HiFiMan Edition Xv2 as great upgreade (still have them and will keep) but M1570 is something special what generates so addictive sound that I cann't explain. They have no marketing so not many people has tried but trust me they are killers !
I loved your review. I have an HD600 and was wondering if I should upgrade to one of ZMF's models. What I don't like abouut the Senn's is that they sound narrow, as you said 2-3 out of 10. Your hand representation of the frequency curve was also on point. I don't know if you'll have the chance but, if you could, would you review the ZMF Aeolus against these two pairs too? Froom what I understood from other reviewers, the Aeolus's soundstage would be somewhere in the middle 4/5 out of 10. I wonder if the frequency response would be closer to that of HD600, more neutral?
@@chuckolatte600 I read some more reviews and apparently Aeolus' signature is darker (more HD650 sounding). I'd assume neither of us would like them because they'd sound "muddier / too bassy" with a lack of high presence and narrower soundstage. If you have the chance to acquire a pair, let me know in a comment/ video format. I feel like I want to bite the bullet on the Auteur and have them as my "endgame" headphones, unless.. there's anything better that you could recommend? Other sensible options I've come across are Focal Clear/ Hifiman Arya, but they don't quite match my tastes.
@@h.hristov Just get an Elex or OG Clear. Both of those are great upgrades for people coming from 650/600. It's what I did. They both have a good sized soundstage and more importantly in my opinion it's a perfect circle for the sounds around you. Seriously though, Elex for around $400-$500 used is an amazing deal. I own Clear MG and Radiance also in the Focal line, and the Elex holds its own. The upgrade to Clear MG is tiny compared to 6xx jump to Elex.
Funny how subjective comfort is. I have the Aeolus and the 6XX, I find the Aeolus much more comfortale. Just looking at how your headband is bent, it's way too flat at the top. It needs to look like an upside down V, Zach has some bending videos on how to make it fir your head.
Dear chuckolatte, you've been doing a fantastic job. Nice speach with proper and objective structure and examples. I trust you much more than most of the 'big' reviewers (most of them very very buyest in the opinion). Keep it real! P. S. You really should try the avantone planar... Between them amd hd600 and this zmf I would pick the avantone... It is a hidden gem...
@@gmoeller18 and I agree with you. I just added 2pads to the headband. Went from uncomfortable to quite comfortable. Nevertheless the weigh is still there. Everything else is just great
Great video, and you're correct. HD6X0 line are headphones you can just use all day in just about any situation (as long as it's not portable use). That's why I still daily drive the HD650 even though there are tons of other higher-end headphones lying around. The sound is good enough, and in every other way they are perfect. Now if I do critical listening, I swap to something else, but for all around use, the HD650/600 is hard to beat. I had the Auteur on the radar for a while. With the bombshell announcements of the LCD-5, CRBN, and new Stax, I kinda forgot about them, but maybe I should get a pair...
Same same. Daily the 6xx despite currently owning Clear MG, Radiance, Elex, 2021 LCD-X. I would rather daily a Focal that I have but I find they just can't hold still on my weird shaped head. And I'm usually using my headphones for movies or video or something instead of music anyways these days, so maximum comfort and vocals are my priority. 650/6xx dominate for comfort and vocals. Considering giving Aeolus a shot now and selling all the others since I'm just not getting my moneys worth anymore.
@@Jon-nz3dm Yup. I had Utopias and sold them. Just weren't getting ear time. I have various Stax lying around and strangely the one that gets the most use is my modded L700, mainly cause with the mods and EQ I throw on it it has a very HD650-like character but with way more resolving vocals and way more holographic stage. But it's far less comfortable and far too resolving for the poor quality material I listen to most of the time, so the 650 gets used more. TL;DR the things that you actually end up using, and subconsciously gravitating towards, and not always the things that you think you want and will end up using. Learning your actual sonic preferences takes time.
That BASS🤯 & Soundstage, I might just BITE THE Auteur BULLET as an upgrade from the Fidelio X2! *Could you on a scale of 1 to 10, rank the X2's soundstage to the Auteur's? I really appreciate this comparison video 🤝
I heard the Auteur Classic and they are the best headphones I have ever heard. I preferred them to HD800S, D8000 Pro and others. I didnt buy them because they are way too heavy and they will have a poor resale value. They are trying to sell their DIY-ish design as super custom jewelery. I hope they will use a more advanced manufacturing and design like the HD800 in future so I could enjoy the great sound (weight issue).
Can someone with experience tell me if this is accurate? Auteur = Upgrade from HD600 (Neutral, better for more genres than Aeolus) Aeolus = Upgrade from HD650/HD6xx (Warm sound signature, lush mids/vocals)
@6:36 why are your auteur's headphone jacks out of alignment? It looks as though the cups aren't aligned. Could this possibly be why they are uncomfortable for you?
emu teak is no where near auteur. Emu teak is closed back with very increased bass. Horrible mid range that's legit not listenable for rock music. And the treble is sometimes a little peaky/bright
The Auteur has a more natural tambre and has an overall “warmer” sound. The Elex has more slam and intensity in the low end, but loses out on some treble detail and upper midrange. Vocals sound better and more forward on the Auteur with a slightly wider soundstage and better instrument separation. The Elex is a fantastic headphone, but I usually only grab it when listening to EDM.
@@chuckolatte600 it’s almost 11 here, you lied! (yes, timezones are a thing that supposedly exists, but I am going to ignore facts and be outraged, like any good netizen would)
I actually really like HD600 for faster more modern technical metal genres: Technical Death Metal, Death Metal, Progressive, Neoclassical. The speed of the drums and riffs go well with it imo. But I would say more older recordings of Death Metal and Thrash, or newer bassy/fuzzier Doom/Stoner are probably better with HD560/6XX
No mention of Auteur's main achilles heel. Macro dynamic. This makes the Auteur more suitable for vocals and string instruments, and really bad for rock. HD600 has better macrodynamic, in comparison. Makes it much better for rock, despite Auteur's better bass.
I love both of these headphones. Both scale tremendously with higher-end amps and I think both are chameleons depending on with what they are paired with. The HD600 is my traveling headphone while the Auteur stays at home with my DAC and tube amp (I'm not damaging that wood!). Both have (at minimum) A-grade mids. Overall, I think the OG Auteur is the superior headphone by comparison, especially when it comes to texture, macro/micro dynamics and extension on both ends. A few months ago, I sold my OG Auteur since I purchased the Atrium. Unpopular opinion--the Atrium's mids are not as good as the Autuer or HD600's. They don't have the lushness of either headphone (they sound drier and darker to me). So while they were TECHNICALLY superior in every way, I sold them and repurchased another OG Auteur. Just goes to show that everyones tastes are different and technicalities are not always the most important element of a headphone.
Been waiting for this comparison! Thanks!
The Auter is a dream headphone that I want , I have been putting off buying a 600 because of its rolled low bass,but you can hear it at a low level. Zeos, DMS, Joshua Valour and others praise this headphone for its vocal intimacy, I will put the 600 on my list. I really am saving for an Argon set and an amp to push them. The Sennheiser series is great with tube amps which I love. "The Sennheiser 600 is that middle of the road headphne that you know where everything else sits"; according to Zeos Pantera.
Oh good, judging headphones based on Zeos. The guy is great but his reviews are always hit or miss.
@@st0neageman He an entertainer a salesman and huck stereo. Him and DMS sold me on the Monoprice 560. I bust it out every few months. I need the pad mod of the big Sony 100 pads. They were 10 bucks, My issue with this headphone; one limited input max power of 400 milliwatts. It's loud at max on a phone my ears ring. Sometimes I bump it up till my brain says no Mas. 2 the pads are small but the Zeos pads mod with blue tack is effective. The subbass get low enough but it can't slam a jam,like a monoprice retro, The original CB-1 with those like a room with proper acoustic comfy pads.It is made for solid state but you won't turn the dial past 12 o'clock. It's best use is vocal based, symphonic or acoustic music, it plays old school jazz perfectly. The messed up putting 56mm drivers a 75 might of been better. I should of bought the 1060. I was okay with the Phillips SHP 9500 then I put angled leather 110mm by 80mm pads on it. The bass rocks goes deep has an engaging punch,slam, I often use a cheap bluetooth to be wireless. The Mpow stream Bot. I put it in line with a Little Bear Portable Tube BX-4 it fed into my solid state and I got some tube sound and could play planars. I need an amp upgrade. My next headphone purchase will be an Argon with the most bass. Trp20,40,50 mk 3 ?
What the old SHP Videos, Him and DMS are 180 degrees apart,Josh Valour in the middle. I think that's how these guys would kick it on a sofa, talking and listening to audio.
600 with tube amp is very good, I agree with Zeos about HD 600 but disagree about what he said about Focal Clear (I'm owner of both not just a guy collecting others opinions)
@@st0neageman worse judging it on the opinion of Joshua valour who I consider an even bigger moron
Thank you for great description of ZMF Auteur in this comparision. I got mind blowing (especially for it's price) at Monolith Monoprice M1570. Their tonality, musicality and realism is sooo perfect. I was loved HD650 for so many years to moment I found HiFiMan Edition Xv2 as great upgreade (still have them and will keep) but M1570 is something special what generates so addictive sound that I cann't explain. They have no marketing so not many people has tried but trust me they are killers !
Anandy są lepsze od 1570 - spróbuj, też lubiłem Monolithy dopóki nie dostałem tych drugich:)
I loved your review. I have an HD600 and was wondering if I should upgrade to one of ZMF's models. What I don't like abouut the Senn's is that they sound narrow, as you said 2-3 out of 10. Your hand representation of the frequency curve was also on point. I don't know if you'll have the chance but, if you could, would you review the ZMF Aeolus against these two pairs too? Froom what I understood from other reviewers, the Aeolus's soundstage would be somewhere in the middle 4/5 out of 10. I wonder if the frequency response would be closer to that of HD600, more neutral?
Hmm, good question.
@@chuckolatte600 I read some more reviews and apparently Aeolus' signature is darker (more HD650 sounding). I'd assume neither of us would like them because they'd sound "muddier / too bassy" with a lack of high presence and narrower soundstage. If you have the chance to acquire a pair, let me know in a comment/ video format. I feel like I want to bite the bullet on the Auteur and have them as my "endgame" headphones, unless.. there's anything better that you could recommend? Other sensible options I've come across are Focal Clear/ Hifiman Arya, but they don't quite match my tastes.
@@h.hristov Just get an Elex or OG Clear. Both of those are great upgrades for people coming from 650/600. It's what I did. They both have a good sized soundstage and more importantly in my opinion it's a perfect circle for the sounds around you. Seriously though, Elex for around $400-$500 used is an amazing deal. I own Clear MG and Radiance also in the Focal line, and the Elex holds its own. The upgrade to Clear MG is tiny compared to 6xx jump to Elex.
Funny how subjective comfort is. I have the Aeolus and the 6XX, I find the Aeolus much more comfortale. Just looking at how your headband is bent, it's way too flat at the top. It needs to look like an upside down V, Zach has some bending videos on how to make it fir your head.
I've tried them but anything other than this is not enough clamp force for me
Hey, would you consider the Aeolus too be just as dark sounding as the 6XX? How would you rate their soundstage on a scale from 1 to 10?
@@h.hristov Yep, it's as dark as the 6XX. Stage is fairly intimate, I'd say about a 6 while the 6XX is a 4.
@@h.hristov Not sure, haven't heard the Aeolus yet
Dear chuckolatte, you've been doing a fantastic job. Nice speach with proper and objective structure and examples. I trust you much more than most of the 'big' reviewers (most of them very very buyest in the opinion). Keep it real!
P. S. You really should try the avantone planar... Between them amd hd600 and this zmf I would pick the avantone... It is a hidden gem...
I liked everything about the Avantone Planar except the pads and the build. Just wasn’t comfortable 🤷🏻♂️
@@gmoeller18 and I agree with you. I just added 2pads to the headband. Went from uncomfortable to quite comfortable. Nevertheless the weigh is still there. Everything else is just great
great vid. a comparison between the Auteurs and the Fostex Th610s or X00's would be cool as both feature a biodynamic driver.
Great video, and you're correct. HD6X0 line are headphones you can just use all day in just about any situation (as long as it's not portable use). That's why I still daily drive the HD650 even though there are tons of other higher-end headphones lying around. The sound is good enough, and in every other way they are perfect. Now if I do critical listening, I swap to something else, but for all around use, the HD650/600 is hard to beat.
I had the Auteur on the radar for a while. With the bombshell announcements of the LCD-5, CRBN, and new Stax, I kinda forgot about them, but maybe I should get a pair...
Same same. Daily the 6xx despite currently owning Clear MG, Radiance, Elex, 2021 LCD-X. I would rather daily a Focal that I have but I find they just can't hold still on my weird shaped head. And I'm usually using my headphones for movies or video or something instead of music anyways these days, so maximum comfort and vocals are my priority. 650/6xx dominate for comfort and vocals. Considering giving Aeolus a shot now and selling all the others since I'm just not getting my moneys worth anymore.
@@Jon-nz3dm Yup. I had Utopias and sold them. Just weren't getting ear time. I have various Stax lying around and strangely the one that gets the most use is my modded L700, mainly cause with the mods and EQ I throw on it it has a very HD650-like character but with way more resolving vocals and way more holographic stage. But it's far less comfortable and far too resolving for the poor quality material I listen to most of the time, so the 650 gets used more.
TL;DR the things that you actually end up using, and subconsciously gravitating towards, and not always the things that you think you want and will end up using. Learning your actual sonic preferences takes time.
Great review man, have any plan to review Apos caspian??
If/when Apos decides to shoot me a unit (eyes emoji)
This is your best work yet.
That BASS🤯 & Soundstage, I might just BITE THE Auteur BULLET as an upgrade from the Fidelio X2!
*Could you on a scale of 1 to 10, rank the X2's soundstage to the Auteur's?
I really appreciate this comparison video 🤝
It is the Auteur clasic?
Am I losing my mind? Why are the mini XLR connections not aligned?? HELP
I heard the Auteur Classic and they are the best headphones I have ever heard. I preferred them to HD800S, D8000 Pro and others. I didnt buy them because they are way too heavy and they will have a poor resale value. They are trying to sell their DIY-ish design as super custom jewelery. I hope they will use a more advanced manufacturing and design like the HD800 in future so I could enjoy the great sound (weight issue).
Can someone with experience tell me if this is accurate?
Auteur = Upgrade from HD600
(Neutral, better for more genres than Aeolus)
Aeolus = Upgrade from HD650/HD6xx
(Warm sound signature, lush mids/vocals)
@6:36 why are your auteur's headphone jacks out of alignment?
It looks as though the cups aren't aligned.
Could this possibly be why they are uncomfortable for you?
Mmm I don't think so. I see what you mean but no that's not the reason for it.
I aggree 100% both are great, bu I will keep mu HD600
Can you please compare the emu teak with the auteur?
I have heard they sound so close to each other
Sorry, haven't tried the EMU Teaks...
emu teak is no where near auteur. Emu teak is closed back with very increased bass. Horrible mid range that's legit not listenable for rock music. And the treble is sometimes a little peaky/bright
You could try a pilot or co-pilot pad to help with the comfort?
Yeah, maybe. Though most of the discomfort is about how the cups rest on my head.
@@chuckolatte600 such a shame, they look amazing otherwise
Hi! yet to finish the video, how does this compare to elex?
The Auteur has a more natural tambre and has an overall “warmer” sound. The Elex has more slam and intensity in the low end, but loses out on some treble detail and upper midrange. Vocals sound better and more forward on the Auteur with a slightly wider soundstage and better instrument separation. The Elex is a fantastic headphone, but I usually only grab it when listening to EDM.
The best part of the night has just begun! :)
Dekoni blue vs Argon??
:)
Auteur is so pretty, I would buy it just for the looks 😅
Where Argon :(
Tomorrow morning @10AM Central Time. Stay tuned!
@@chuckolatte600 it’s almost 11 here, you lied!
(yes, timezones are a thing that supposedly exists, but I am going to ignore facts and be outraged, like any good netizen would)
Separate but equal,your a student of history. You know the negative connotation of that phase. It's a joke now. Lol.
HD560s better for metal than HD600
And gaming.
I actually really like HD600 for faster more modern technical metal genres: Technical Death Metal, Death Metal, Progressive, Neoclassical. The speed of the drums and riffs go well with it imo. But I would say more older recordings of Death Metal and Thrash, or newer bassy/fuzzier Doom/Stoner are probably better with HD560/6XX
@@John-D-66 why? Hd600 have wider soundstage no?
Sea horse travel case...sigh
No mention of Auteur's main achilles heel. Macro dynamic. This makes the Auteur more suitable for vocals and string instruments, and really bad for rock.
HD600 has better macrodynamic, in comparison. Makes it much better for rock, despite Auteur's better bass.
Paucek Well