So giving the thick pads one last try but this time with a little EQ. I can probably fine tune it more but already liking this setting since give it just a little more bite in the mids. Frequency: 2500 Hz Gain: 2.7 dB Q: 2.3 For the most part I’ve always liked the improvements the thick brings...

Yeah, I got it to go the Utopia but find it works quiet well the Caldera. My issue has less to do with price than space and convenience. I really like the small footprint and really only found Ferrum stack to be about same amount of space. I’m really happy with the sound but keep hearing how...

That’s sort of the feeling I got after the last CanJam. I’d need to listen at non meet conditions. Other option is to use Naim as a preamp into the Ferrum but is it really worth all that money for what may be a small improvement and ruin the all in one setup. My Caldera open headphones seem...

How would say the Naim HE compares to the Ferrum stack? I see you carry that as well, so may make a trip up there and do a comparison. Using Caldera open and got to give it a short listen at last SoCal CanJam and liked what I heard. Just wasn’t sure how much improvement it provides over the Naim.

This give me a lot to think about. It’s not really price that’s the hold back at this point for me. It’s space. I have living room setup and the Naim just fits and looks great in this space. And as mentioned, believe tubes are out of the question because of my cat. So only thing I’ve seen at...

Not to derail but I’m currently in San Diego and my car journey started with a 1971 VW Bug. Then had several Buses including a rare kombi that was hard top but with bed and table, VW Fastback and finally The VW Thing. And what was nice with the VW is you could tinker with it and mod it. So...

Yeah, I know it’s just a matter of opinion. But when I hear that phrase, it’s really just a nice way of saying it doesn’t compete with separates. I bought into that idea too but when I was at the last CanJam, I tried a bunch of different setups and nothing really blew me away to make me want to...

Surprised by that because I’d say it’s quite punchy and dynamic. At local meet it completely transformed one person’s headphone from a polite sound to something with amazing bass. At same meet I heard a DIY Aegis and the Naim was more dynamic while the Aegis was more ethereal. I actually...

Yeah, I think this has a big factor on my preference. I have the Naim HE and just saw a new review and says it has an overall smoother, warmer, and fun laid back sound compared to Chord, which is what I had prior. So that’s why with stock pads, I have no harshness and why the thick pads are too...

The thick actually still have pretty good punch and attack and even more sub bass. So don’t really have any issue with this. Well that’s not true. Bass is actually a hair too much on some tracks. The suede actually fall short in this area where the bass is not tight enough and lacks attack. And...

So based on the poll and all the positive comments I gave the thick pads another go and same results. When first try them, I actually really like the changes; more sub bass, big soundstage, and layering and separation. But then as I get to more familiar tracks like The Flaming Lips - One More...

I believe Zach said if you’re going to use this pad on the Caldera open, you’re going have to apply EQ to the bass region. He might of even given exact recommendations on where to apply the EQ. Believe he also said this gives the Caldera the most Harman like curve for those seeking that sound...

That was sort of the issue I had with the Expanse. For the most part I thought it was technically a great headphone. It was after extended use, 2 months, that I realized I wasn’t as emotionally connected to my music. It wasn’t even something I could explain. When I first got the Caldera, with...

This makes complete sense. I generally prefer open back headphones and my current situation allows for them. Plus the Caldera Open is pretty much giving me everything I’d want in a headphone. The closed back version is more of a curiosity is all. I did enjoy the closed back AT L3000 for about 12...

So as far as using Thick pads and going back to stock, that’s me every time. The stock has everything going for them. They are energetic, punchy, tight, nice low end warmth, rich mids, and airy highs. Decent sized soundstage with precise imaging. The thick is tuned slightly warmer because of...

It’s interesting that you mention Grado. They were my first love in this hobby. Well the Ety ER4 was first and then Grado. Started with a Senn H650 and while impressed with the sound it didn’t move me with rock music. I never got fatigued by Grado but was looking for something with a little more...

Do you have a preference for the CO over the CC or vs versa with the Stratus, just on sound quality alone? I love my CO and doubt I’d sell it for a CC, it’s more of a curiosity. I can’t afford to own both, so doubt I’d switch. Be a different story if I could add another headphone to my mix...

So for me, the 3 reasons I didn’t end up keeping the Expanse is it didn’t have that emotional foot tapping experience across my whole library like my previous Utopia did and what the Cadera open does for me now. And 2, it was too much like a closed headphone in a bad way. It didn’t breathe at...

No please take your time. I was only pointing out if I got an early set I’d probably have been posting impressions as soon as I got it. I’ve been a member since 2003 but don’t consider my an established member and relatively new to ZMF. Only first hearing the Caldera open in Dec 22 and a few...

Thanks for let me know when to expect reviews. I guess what I was expecting was maybe first impressions from a few of the people who got early sets. It’s my understanding that none of you are headphone reviewers for any sites but just ZMF customers. Wasn’t sure what other qualifications were...

I did see a recent CO in Kingwood with the gold versus silver and thought it looked great. Might have bought it if was originally sold like that. But still very happy with the Coffee Gold Oak. Some of these CC woods sets are starting to grow on me. I still don’t care for the burnt edge ones. I...

I usually throw his Sings Greatest Palace Music on as test when I get new headphones. I started with Palace Music, so was surprised how well he can sing when he actually wanted to. So fun the listen to this album and then the original Palace Music versions. He sounds wonderful on the open...

Just better when used with Focal Utopia at least. Naim HE has more power and authority compared to the Hugo2. I think it even has better bass handling than the Dave. But it’s hard to know what the dac vs the amp on both of these units. Think ideal solution could have been an external amp for the...

I was sort of wondering about in reverse. I only hear Chord thru their headphone outs and wondering how they’d sound with a warm amp with more power. How would the Naim HE even pair with the Hugo2? Doesn’t the Hugo2 only take digital input and the Naim only has analog out? And surely the Naim He...

I used to own the Chord Hugo2 and now have the Naim HE. But I was using the Hugo2 with the Focal Utopia and didn't think it made a great paring. A touch too thin and bright sounding. I move up to the Dave/mscaler and it resolved most of my issues but had a hard time justifying the cost. Felt the...