I had to let go some of the gear I loved too with a recent zmf purchase! Glws, it always hurts to let something go!

How did you already purchase the Caldera? I can't find them on their website.

PitSteelers69 said:

How did you already purchase the Caldera? I can't find them on their website.

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I bought a demo unit at CanJam SoCal. Not out yet but soon.

Alenotta said:

I bought a demo unit at CanJam SoCal. Not out yet but soon.

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What's it going to be priced at?

3200 on release and then 3500 I think.

PitSteelers69 said:

How did you already purchase the Caldera? I can't find them on their website.

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There is a whole Caldera thread already with all the answers for you in the Hi End forum sub section.

My whole issue with ZMF is that it is almost impossible to audition them. The occasional audio show just isn't a good solution. Then you can only return the "non LTD" cans and they charge a 10% restock fee. Those are the most basic looking of their offerings. Want something unique looking, you have to gamble that you will like the sound and the fit.
I used to work for a very high end loudspeaker manufacturer. All of speakers were hand built to order in a variety of finishes. We allowed 30 day return privileges on everything. From the $800 pair to the $12,500 flagship. The customer was responsible for the return shipping.

Of the different headphones that I have tried and returned, 90% were because they were uncomfortable.

I'm just not willing to pay ZMF prices for something I can't return without it costing me $200 or more.

DenverW said:

I had to let go some of the gear I loved too with a recent zmf purchase! Glws, it always hurts to let something go!

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PM

PitSteelers69 said:

My whole issue with ZMF is that it is almost impossible to audition them. The occasional audio show just isn't a good solution. Then you can only return the "non LTD" cans and they charge a 10% restock fee. Those are the most basic looking of their offerings. Want something unique looking, you have to gamble that you will like the sound and the fit.
I used to work for a very high end loudspeaker manufacturer. All of speakers were hand built to order in a variety of finishes. We allowed 30 day return privileges on everything. From the $800 pair to the $12,500 flagship. The customer was responsible for the return shipping.

Of the different headphones that I have tried and returned, 90% were because they were uncomfortable.

I'm just not willing to pay ZMF prices for something I can't return without it costing me $200 or more.

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Yeah, I get that. I ended up taking the plunge on the VC and really enjoyed it. I did a lot of reading up on people comparing it to headphones that I actually knew. ZMF is a really small operation so I don't think Zach has a lot of the same financial opportunities as the bigger brands. I sort of think of them more as the luthier of the headphone industry. I will say Zach is super nice and flexible if you do reach out to him. He takes time to answer emails personally and puts a lot of thought into it. The personalized customer service that you get once you have a ZMF is unrivaled. Well Dan Clark is similarly dedicated. Once you choose your sort of baseline sound in a headphone the pad options really help you tweak it. I actually really like the default wood types too haha. I preferred the look of the more matted monkeypod vs the LTD. And it had the benefit of being much lighter. I guess if you were into LTD woods you could get a basic to decide if you like that, then sell that and upgrade to whatever LTD you're into.

Alenotta said:

I bought a demo unit at CanJam SoCal. Not out yet but soon.

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I heard it at CanJam SoCal and heard they were selling a few demo untis -- it was very tempting.