Is The $1600 ZMF Auteur A Waste Of Money?
Рет қаралды 11,481
4 жыл бұрынAMAZON ASSOCIATE LINKS:
Sony MDR-MA100: amzn.to/31N5cyK
Base Audio G12: amzn.to/31KeXO5
1More Triple Driver: amzn.to/2AxQUqE
Fostex T60rp: amzn.to/3gs1Fds
Sennheiser HD800s: amzn.to/2ZxNTPw
Focal Clear: amzn.to/2NX0gPO
Sennheiser HD650/6xx: amzn.to/31Qopjj
AAL places cookies on your browser when you click on these links from any KZfaq video. A KZfaqr is paid whenever you use one of these links to buy a product--ANY product. For more information, please watch my video: • So...About Those Amazo...
To become a patron: / nothemereviews
To request reviews, please use the form here: forms.gle/GxccSKKhjqCeYWjG6
Twitter: @NoThemeReviews
My test playlist: open.spotify.com/playlist/5Bo...
Mountains: • Hans Zimmer - Mountain...
Pure Water: • Mustard, Migos - Pure ...
Want You Back: • HAIM - Want You Back (...
Angel: • Massive Attack-Angel (...
Scherzo for X-Wings: • John Williams - Scherz...
Heartbreak: • Kris Cerro - Heartbrea...
When You Walk Into The Room: NA
Dreamer: • Charli XCX - Dreamer f...
Superposition: • Young the Giant - Supe...
Flight From The City: • Jóhann Jóhannsson - 'F...
A Thousand Years: • The Piano Guys - A Tho...
The Only Thing That Matters: NA
The Runners: • The Naked And Famous -...
Moons: • Moons
Drum Solo: NA
Ignite: • Ignite
Kalypso: • Sorrow - Kalypso
Tomorrow: • Daughter - "Tomorrow" ...
Natalie: • Milk & Bone - Natalie ...
New Light: • New Light
Firefall: • Bjear - Firefall
The Big Ship: • The Big Ship (2004 Rem...
Familiar: • Agnes Obel - Familiar
Why Am I Like This: • why am i like this - o...
Some Music By: www.bensound.com
#headphones
#audiophile
#hifi
#dac
#mojobatterryreplacement
#Hart
#review
#zmf
#beyerdynamiic
#sony
#reference
#astell
#astellkern
#meze
#chord
#sennheiser
#audeze
#audioquest
#cobalt
#focal
#dragonfly
#oriolus
#amplifier
#microphone
@jlin5459 4 жыл бұрын
I have had my Auteurs for about 3 months now, and it is hard for me to listen to my other headphones. I really love these and they are here to stay in my collection! I got a TOTL tube amp to pair with them and its bliss for me now.
@ATK. 4 жыл бұрын
I am really happy you posted this right now, I was about to purchase a pair as a graduation gift for myself since I won’t be able to travel.
@NoThemeReviews 4 жыл бұрын
Ah, well, happy graduation! You can let 2020 pass you by as you listen to sweet melodies on the Auteur.
@ATK. 4 жыл бұрын
No Theme Reviews Thank you!! I really am glad to hear what you had to say about it, just can’t wait to hear or see them, the pictures of others have got me stoked!
@MWeston2 4 жыл бұрын
Wow, you do a fantastic comparison video! This is really what it takes to describe the sound: compare it to as much else as you can in hopes that others have those already. I have the VC and I'm starting to like them with the Auteur pads but Zach is going to send me others to try. People should note that the high price tags are not only about the custom builds but also about top notch customer service you'll never see anywhere else. Well done with this video!
@NoThemeReviews 4 жыл бұрын
Glad you liked it!
@exact3 4 жыл бұрын
you articulate really well which makes the idea of the headphone really easy to imagine. good stuff!
@NoThemeReviews 4 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
@leonidkim3708 4 жыл бұрын
Thank you for review. I had chance to listen Verite vs Auteur side by side with different wood cups material, 5-6 different wood cups. It is a big influence from wood selected. I have noticed the harder wood density, the more accentuated bass and trebles are. The difference was so significant from White ( like yours) to Chocolate wood. So, I have bought Chocolate wood Auteur ( It was not a choice of steel wood at that time- my favourite). I am slightly treble sensitive listener. So. because of that I have replaced Focal Utopia with Elex, LCD4 to LCDX, HD800 to 800S, etc. BTW very nice collection of Headphones and Headphone amplifiers. Been in this hobby long time this is the one of the greatest practical collection I have seen. Well done. Looking forward for more comparison reviews. Regards from NZ, Kim
@NoThemeReviews 4 жыл бұрын
Will do, thanks!
@johnbradshaw5900 4 жыл бұрын
Another great video, one of the things I like about your channel is you are one of the few reviewers that does not assume that headphone performance can be assumed from the price tag. ZMF make a quality product. Whether anything is worth the price is a personal value judgement. My own view is that if you can afford something and truly enjoy it (as opposed to just following trends) then it is worth it to you regardless of what anyone else might say. To be honest I wouldn't spend this much on headphones but I suspect I wouldn't be disappointed if I did buy these whereas I can think of a lot of expensive headphones that I do find disappointing.
@nmnate 4 жыл бұрын
Wow, that's a lot of ZMF headphones. Would be interested to see your thoughts on some of the other headphones you've mentioned at your disposal. I'm sure others would appreciate a comparison too.
@njj42 3 жыл бұрын
Could you do a Klipsch HP-3 review? Would like to hear your opinion on these underrated headphones!
@ConsecDesign 2 жыл бұрын
i think you might've sold me on the auteurs... great review.
@giuseppeafellay4855 4 жыл бұрын
Great review! I didn't expect an Auteur review to come out at this time haha. I have an Auteur Blackwood as my all around daily driver. They are heavy, and their comfort leaves quite a bit to be desired, but their sound is just beautiful. I really like a natural and neutral signature, so this is perfect for me. It kinda sounds like I am listening to a high end headphone on tubes. Tubes might muddy up details a bit, but when the right tubes are used, they can really add a touch of natural-ness and some pleasant distortion that can really make the sound pleasant. The Auteur is really weird. It doesn't stand out on anything, but I think it's just balanced so well. If I were to own only one headphone, I would be happy to live with this one. I know that some niche genres might pair better with some other more accentuated headphones, but this is just something that works well with pretty much everything. But damn I am also tempted to grab something like a HD800 or a Clear... I think every audiophile should at least 2 headphones, for different genres of music.
@NoThemeReviews 4 жыл бұрын
Lol, yes. Variety helps. I think the Clear beats the 800s in every regard other than soundstage. You always have to be careful which tracks you're playing on the 800s--that treble spike and sibilance can be hard to bare for lengthy periods on the 800s.
@Wadacup 4 жыл бұрын
@@NoThemeReviews did you make a full review of the Clears?
@thetruth34o9 3 жыл бұрын
The Auteur stands out when it comes to timber/natural presentation and overall sound IMO. Listen to mainly Grateful Dead, Phish, other rock/metal so it's the perfect headphone for me.
@kato2395 2 жыл бұрын
Hi NTR, since there is no footstep count in newlight by kazuki like in your latest videos I find it hard to compare the detail retrieval between this headphone and other headphones. Have you did any footstep count in the ZMF Auteur? If you did, I'd be grateful if you could share the results. Thanks in advance.
@shawnpwatsons1 3 жыл бұрын
Don't forget about the lifetime warranty...
@vincenthusvh 4 жыл бұрын
The Verité isn't neutral at all. The Auteur is much more neutral, but not as fast and detailed
@NoThemeReviews 4 жыл бұрын
One day I’ll try the Verite myself. It’s sooooo expensive
@llevine6510 4 жыл бұрын
Great review. As Auteur owner, I agree with your review. Can I ask what is your setup(dac/amp) for testing the cans?
@NoThemeReviews 4 жыл бұрын
I used the Monolith THX Desktop and Portable. I think they are both neutral bordering on analytical and provide the best Dac/amp combo for general testing purposes.
@llevine6510 4 жыл бұрын
@@NoThemeReviews I'm using the THX AAA 789 as well to power the Auteur, and also a Metrum Acoustics Onyx dac, which is an R2R dac. I went to various shows trying out the ZMF lineups and found their headphones really shine with R2R dacs and morden tube amps for the thicker and more musical sounding
@hes182 Жыл бұрын
Can i know you take on ZMF atrium and ZMF caldera ?. Im looking for an High end all rounder capable of immersiveness. And for daily music, what would you prefer? 🎧
@shockwave2291 4 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the comparisons. If you haven't already, could you do a full review of the Klipsch HP-3 at some point? I've actually been comparing the Klipsch with the Auteur and other ZMF cans for a potential future purchase but there are hardly any reviews for the HP-3 on KZfaq except Zeos' one (which unsurprisingly didn't tell me much lol).
@moondragon5630 4 жыл бұрын
He was busy drooling over them so he forgot how they sounded.
@NoThemeReviews 4 жыл бұрын
Lol. Yes I can do that. Zeos now provides actual sound reviews if you pay him on Patreon. Or at least that’s what I gather. He’s mentioned Patrons having additional content about gear-other than the privilege of buying gear from him he got for free.
@tareqhaider6327 4 жыл бұрын
Your description of Auteur sounds like my HD600.
@NoThemeReviews 4 жыл бұрын
There are similarities, but the Auteur's bass presentation is clearer and more neutral.
@ErnestoDelAguilaIII 4 жыл бұрын
I have the Auteurs and it sounds so natural to me. Even better when a bought a tube amp. I had a little difficulty with the comfort at first but ZMF has a KZfaq video on adjusting and bending the headband for comfort. that fixed my issues
@Admajors 4 жыл бұрын
If you could pick one other headphone from the current ZMF lineup that would contrast well with the Auteur to give you a good 2 headphone setup on their own, which would you pick? It sounds like the Aeolus fills that role well.
@NoThemeReviews 4 жыл бұрын
The Aeolus is my least favorite of ZMF headphones. I’d instead pick the Eikon.
@Natarian86 4 жыл бұрын
@@NoThemeReviews Change the pads of the Aeolus to the Universe Perforated Suedes.
@leonidkim3708 4 жыл бұрын
I think it is good idea to do a video of your headphones and amplifiers (at list once a year upgrade). To give an idea to all subscribers where from your listening experience and judgments came from. You are in very unique position from others youtubers as you can do AB tests, than others do review and send back. At the same time it will show the level of your expertise ( more interesting than look 40 minutes on graphics with your talking- I did it, but hard even for enthusiast like me).
@NoThemeReviews 4 жыл бұрын
Thanks. I’ll probably do a year-end roundup as you suggest.
@fbi8364 3 жыл бұрын
I'm trying to upgrade from my Fidelio X2. Can you tell me your top 5 headphones under $1500 with good dynamics and hard hitting bass? Thanks.
@kato2395 2 жыл бұрын
Perhaps you should look into aurorus australis
@fighel4127 3 жыл бұрын
0:35 I have them now on head lol They're fantastic for low cost (I paid for them $100 for new)
@d_dude_is_here 2 жыл бұрын
Can you give details of your zmf driving chain ? Is there any portable dap / dac amp combo that could drive ZMF headphones, especially the closed back ones like Verite Closed back ?
@NoThemeReviews 2 жыл бұрын
It’s not hard to drive, l just like most dynamic drivers. Personally, I don’t hear any difference in performance between the Lotoo Paw S1 and my desktop amps. So, if you’ve got at least as powerful as the S1, you won’t need to buy something specifically for ZMF headphones. And frankly I don’t think you’d complain much if you used it with a dongle Dac like the Zerda.
@d_dude_is_here 2 жыл бұрын
@@NoThemeReviews sound quality is good on VC with dongle dacs ?
@d_dude_is_here 2 жыл бұрын
I'm already having a xDuoo XD05BAL so i think that would be good for VC ?
@NoThemeReviews 2 жыл бұрын
@@d_dude_is_here I can't imagine why the xDuoo wouldn't be sufficient.
@jestercow 3 жыл бұрын
What is that wood on your Eikon??? I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more gorgeous headphone.
@NoThemeReviews 3 жыл бұрын
Camphor Burl LTD. ZMF had only a handful of that wood, and I jumped on it.
@humanmale1085 3 жыл бұрын
Hi, this review seems to suggest the auteur and aelous are different enough to justify owning both? Is this correct? Ive had the aelous for a few months now, i love it. I use it more than my clears, hd800s and ananda. I want to add another Zmf, thinking the auteur will be good if it offers something fairly different to the aelous.
@NoThemeReviews 3 жыл бұрын
Yes, they are different. Whether you will find Auteur worth the money is a totally different matter. IMO, the Eikon is a bigger deviation from the rest of the ZMF line because of its very smooth presentation.
@humanmale1085 3 жыл бұрын
@@NoThemeReviews thanks. I think i might go with the auteur.
@humanmale1085 3 жыл бұрын
@@NoThemeReviews do you recommend the eikon?
@NoThemeReviews 3 жыл бұрын
@@humanmale1085 Yes. It's one of my favorite headphones.
@turbomustang84 4 жыл бұрын
I have bought numerous things from ZMF but not a Headphone yet but Zach is an incredible guy and I'd never say anything he makes isn't worth the money . I just have yet to decided which one I want as of yet
@NoThemeReviews 4 жыл бұрын
It can be fairly difficult. They all have such different tuning.
@TombstoneTube 3 жыл бұрын
Agree about Tyll!
@fahryst 2 жыл бұрын
I didn't know you had Klipsch HP-3. Do you still keep them? I would like to hear your opinion on them.
@NoThemeReviews 2 жыл бұрын
Yeah, I still have them. The HP3 are unique. From packaging, to build, to fit, to sound...it's Klipsch's top of the line product. They can be a little bright, but I really enjoy classical and orchestral on them.
@fahryst 2 жыл бұрын
@@NoThemeReviews the pair I ordered have just arrived. Like you said I think they are unique and I couldn't pass the chance when a wild pair appeared for sale online :)
@NoThemeReviews 2 жыл бұрын
@@fahryst Did you get the headphone stand with your purchase?
@fahryst 2 жыл бұрын
@@NoThemeReviews yeah it was a closed box
@InternetUser-d7s 4 жыл бұрын
The ZMF depend heavily on an OTL tube amp and some EQ tweaking. My Eikon can sound fairly grainy when not on my desktop system. Off topic - I just got a pair of Audio-Technica ATH-AP2000Ti. You should check 'em out - superbly balanced TOTL closed backs with *exceptional* comfort and build.
@NoThemeReviews 4 жыл бұрын
Yeah, I've been looking for those on eBay. I'm waiting for a cheaper price at some point.
@InternetUser-d7s 4 жыл бұрын
@@NoThemeReviews Keep an eye on the classifieds at Head-Fi.
@vincenthusvh 4 жыл бұрын
What tube amp do you use?
@pascaljean2333 3 жыл бұрын
but the hd6xx is like a vice crushing your head.
@davidmason8212 3 жыл бұрын
Is the auteur sound near to emu teak ?
@NoThemeReviews 3 жыл бұрын
No.
@LakerTriangle 3 жыл бұрын
Why have you not done a "Which ZMF Is For You?"
@NoThemeReviews 3 жыл бұрын
That's an entirely subjective question. I can't say which headphone suits which person.
@LakerTriangle 3 жыл бұрын
@@NoThemeReviews I get it's subjective, but as someone who has never even heard a ZMF headphone vs someone who has multiple pairs it's extremely informative.
@NoThemeReviews 3 жыл бұрын
Fair enough
@gabsriel 4 жыл бұрын
1more, you should have changed the earpads ! I'm over-ear now and it even improved the sound !
@NoThemeReviews 4 жыл бұрын
I agree. There are mods you can do. I’ve been planning on doing one for the channel.
@gabsriel 4 жыл бұрын
@@NoThemeReviews I have far more the modded 1more than the Aeon on my head... (95% vs 5%)
@darrellharwood6600 4 жыл бұрын
I've recently been made aware of the Verite Opens, and almost unanimously when compared to these, they're said to be "better" in every aspect. $1000 more? Well, of course that's subjective and whatnot, but I'm very very very much considering picking up a pair, and relatively soon.
@NoThemeReviews 4 жыл бұрын
Ah yes. One day I will buy the Verite and my ZMF folly will be complete. I don’t know why Zach priced it so much more than the rest. It’s a huge turn off.
@darrellharwood6600 4 жыл бұрын
The flagship price factor. I have to wait a couple extra months to buy my next headphone because it's $1000 more than what I was going to get (Arya), but I think it'll be with it.
@depauwgerlings 4 жыл бұрын
@@darrellharwood6600 are you in Germany?
@darrellharwood6600 4 жыл бұрын
@@depauwgerlings No; I'm on the West coast of the U.S.
@ewso100 3 жыл бұрын
How do you feel about Vérité open/closed?
@NoThemeReviews 3 жыл бұрын
Unfortunately, I've never heard them. They are on my covet-list.
@humanmale1085 3 жыл бұрын
@@NoThemeReviews hi, how does the Aelous compare to headphones in a similar price like the audeze lcd2 or hifiman ananda or the focal elex? The elex are my daily drivers, im not looking to replace them but add something different, would the aeolus be a good complement to the elex? Thanks
@NoThemeReviews 3 жыл бұрын
@@humanmale1085 That's a very broad question. I don't have the Ananda and can't comment about its performance. The Aeolus is quite different from the Elex and LCD2. The Elex has a treble emphasis, sub-bass roll-off, and neutral mids. In comparison, the Aeolus has more bass, gentler treble, and full, emphasized mids. The LCD2 is similar to the Aeolus, generally speaking. The LCD2 has a dark sound signature, though I'd say its bass is slightly rolled-off compared to the Aeolus. Treble seems similar between the two. Mids seem similar as well, though I think the Aeolus is a bit clearer.
@humanmale1085 3 жыл бұрын
@@NoThemeReviews thanks, that's helpful.
@ezvkm77 3 жыл бұрын
They fly and operate as a submarine too.
@ljs508 3 жыл бұрын
Yes
@gabsriel 4 жыл бұрын
Auteur vs Oppo (PM1/2/3) maybe ?
@NoThemeReviews 4 жыл бұрын
PM1, yes.
@konna200 3 жыл бұрын
Damn, it is hard to choose about this or Aelous yhyyy i cant! ;D But something good is coming hehee what is not so expensive
@Kianarevision 4 жыл бұрын
Lovely post! I hope you'd enjoy my content too. Keep up with your fantastic work!
@NoThemeReviews 4 жыл бұрын
Thank you, I will
@KeenAesthetic1 2 жыл бұрын
So Eikons not worth the money, Auteur not waste of money, taste be damned.
@brandonbreuer6589 4 жыл бұрын
"Greatest headphone reviewer of all time... Tyll" yeah about that...
@gcb2101 4 жыл бұрын
Sigh. Why can't any American reviewer get the pronunciation of "auteur" right.
@Aforgamon 3 жыл бұрын
Probably because it's not an English word and it's fairly common for people to mispronounce words from other languages... Clearly not an exclusively "American" thing. I mean, the British have so consistently mispronounced "lieutenant" as "lef-tenant" for so long that they think that's just the correct way to pronounce it. Language has a fluid, ever changing tradition of mispronouncing words until they become the new normal though.
@dnalekaw4699 3 жыл бұрын
@@Aforgamon The British have been pronouncing lieutenant as 'lef-tenant' since before the US was a country...
@Aforgamon 3 жыл бұрын
@@dnalekaw4699 Which excuses absolutely nothing, especially considering it's a French word.
@dnalekaw4699 3 жыл бұрын
@@Aforgamon well by that shitty logic even we pronounce it incorrectly then?
@ruger6049 Жыл бұрын
@@Aforgamon LIke, who gives a royal rat's ass?
@kuma-bw1we 3 жыл бұрын
Is the Focal Utopia worth $4000? Answer: NO Is the ZMF Auteur worth $1600? Answer: NO Is the Audeze LCD-X worth $1200-$1700? Answer: NO These company are over-charging , over-pricing these products and audiophiles just can't resist the temptation. Crazy! Focal is overpriced, ZMF is overpriced, Audeze is overpriced.
@P1_M1ND 3 жыл бұрын
Do better then. Start a business. Build me an artisan, built from scratch headphone that compares to my ZMF’s and price them less and see how long you stay afloat. I’ll be around. Let me know how it goes. Laters
@kato2395 2 жыл бұрын
Cope
@ruger6049 Жыл бұрын
So is anything Apple. So what? The coffee beans a buy are not worth $18 for a pound but I like it and buy it.
Audio University
Рет қаралды 557 М.
Audio Masterclass
Рет қаралды 926 М.