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Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
Product Strengths
- Lightweight design and large ear cups distribute pressure, making them comfortable for long listening sessions
- Excellent instrumental separation, allowing listeners to easily follow individual musical lines and appreciate production nuances
- Reproduces midrange and treble detail beautifully and purely
- Delivers a vivid and almost forensically detailed sound that is almost endlessly absorbing
- Even, naturalistic tonality
Product Considerations
- Not ideal for listeners prioritizing heavy, chest-thumping bass, as the bass is somewhat rolled off in the mid to lower frequencies
- May reveal defects in hot or poorly recorded treble
- Leaks sound readily, making them best suited for solo listening
- Headband adjustment mechanism is rudimentary and squeaky
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Audeze LCD-X: Both are single-minded, but the Audeze LCD-X offers a planar magnetic driver for a 'reference' sound ideal for detailed recording analysis
Takeaway: The Grado GS1000x headphones offer a comfortable listening experience and reveal a lot of musical detail. If listeners want to explore and appreciate the nuances in music, these could be the headphones for them.
What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.
All
GS1000x
reviews
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An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- Transducer type: Dynamic
- Operating principle: Open air
- Frequency Response: 8-35
- SPL 1mW: 99.8
- Normal Impedance: 38ohms
- Driver matched db: .05
- Driver size: 50mm
- Cable: 12-conductor super-annealed copper
- Weight: <400g
Description
When you first lay eyes on the Grado GS1000x Statement, they may seem like another pair of classic over-ear headphones from Grado. However, these are more than meets the eye. Grado's commitment to continuous improvement is evident in every detail. Notably, the GS1000x introduces ipê, a durable tropical wood, alongside Grado's beloved mahogany, enhancing sonic solidity and robustness in the driver housing.
Release Timeline
Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- The brand's headphones are known for their open-back design which trades noise isolation for an expansive and airy soundstage favored by audiophiles.
- Grado largely retains a characteristically "vintage" or "retro" design, despite ongoing component upgrades, making them visually distinct and instantly recognizable.
- They are designed for easy amplification, working well even with smartphones without requiring dedicated headphone amplifiers.
Select products
Select product comparisons
GW100X
- Positioning: The entry-level wireless model that removes the wires without compromising Grado's signature sound.
- Description: Features Bluetooth 5.2, a 44mm reengineered X Series driver, and a long battery life designed for on-the-go listening. Compared to the wired SR325x and RS1x, it offers the convenience of wireless connectivity while sacrificing some of the refined acoustics and build complexity found in higher-tier models.
SR325X
- Positioning: A Prestige Series option focused on delivering clear, precise imaging through a metal housing design.
- Description: Uses a metal chassis with redesigned wiring and an 8-conductor super annealed cable to enhance sound transparency and instrument separation. When compared to the wireless GW100X and the more detailed RS1x, it provides a practical, wired solution that balances clarity with a straightforward build.
RS1X
- Positioning: A Reference Series model aimed at achieving natural, balanced sound through a tri-wood design.
- Description: Uses 50mm X Series drivers matched with maple, hemp, and cocobolo woods to provide a spacious and natural tonal character. In contrast to the simpler SR325X and the larger, more driver-intensive GS3000x, it offers a balance between sophistication and approachable performance.
GS3000X
- Positioning: A Statement Series headphone positioned to deliver an expansive soundstage with detailed imaging.
- Description: Uses a new 52mm X driver with a cocobolo wood housing and hybrid metal chamber to reduce distortion and boost dynamic range. Compared to the RS1x's balanced approach and the HP100-SE's flagship engineering, it offers a refined build with robust cable design for enhanced sonic clarity.
HP100-SE
- Positioning: The flagship Signature Series model that pays homage to Grado's heritage with advanced driver technology and modern design.
- Description: Introduces a completely redesigned 52mm driver featuring a paper composite cone, high flux magnetic circuit, and detachable cables for improved transient response and precise tonal accuracy. Relative to the GS3000x's detailed imaging, it represents the most premium option with superior build quality and innovative performance enhancements.
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Avg. Product Price
$1,001-$2,500
Used For Sale
6
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
447
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
13
Founding Year
1953
Our take on the brand
Grado, a Brooklyn-based hifi brand, was founded by Joseph Grado, who invented the stereo moving-coil phono cartridge in 1959 and earned induction into the Audio Hall of Fame. The company continues to hand-assemble products in the same Brooklyn building their family purchased in 1918. Known for unique engineering approaches, the brand created the world's first open-back Bluetooth headphone (GW100), and uses unusual materials like hemp/maple composite cups.
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Our interview with the brand
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What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
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What if you spend more?
Austrian Audio
The Composer
2699
2699
/
10
Reviews
Austrian Audio, founded by the former AKG Vienna core team, manufactures its own ceramic CKR12 capsules and Hi-X headphone drivers in-house in Vienna. Their capsule consistency is so precise that any two microphones can be used as a stereo pair without matching. The brand's microphones feature unique tech, including dual-output mode for reshaping polar patterns in post-production, and real-time wireless polar pattern control via Bluetooth.
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Product Strengths
- Built with premium, high-quality, sturdy materials with a solid feel
- Very comfortable and relatively lightweight, suitable for long listening sessions
- Easy to drive with low impedance and reasonable sensitivity
- Delivers a reference-grade sense of clarity, balance, and vast soundstage
- Excellent instrument separation and imaging
- Easy to drive with low impedance and reasonable sensitivity
Product Considerations
- Some reviewers found the range of headband adjustment limited, making it potentially unsuitable for those with smaller heads
- The banana plug cable connectors are proprietary, limiting third-party cable options
- The stock cable is acceptable, but not particularly premium feeling
- The bass is a little lightweight and might require EQ adjustment for some listeners
- A dip at 2kHz was noted by some reviewers
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Sennheiser HD800S: The Composer has better bass extension, but the HD800S has better resolution and detail
- Vs HIFIMAN Arya/HE1000 series: The Composer sounds more natural than some HIFIMAN planars, and it may have greater bass depth
- Vs Meze Audio Empyrean II: The Composer goes deeper in the soundstage, with better layering and more sub-bass presence, but the Empyrean II is softer and more relaxed
- Vs ZMF Outure Classic: The Composer has better bass response but is smoother and more tame in the treble
Takeaway: The Austrian Audio Composer is a well-built, comfortable, and easy-to-drive headphone with a balanced, clear, and detailed sound signature. It offers a reference quality that can be great for critical listening and casual enjoyment.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Austrian Audio, founded by the former AKG Vienna core team, manufactures its own ceramic CKR12 capsules and Hi-X headphone drivers in-house in Vienna. Their capsule consistency is so precise that any two microphones can be used as a stereo pair without matching. The brand's microphones feature unique tech, including dual-output mode for reshaping polar patterns in post-production, and real-time wireless polar pattern control via Bluetooth.
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Abyss
Diana MR
2995
2995
/
8
Reviews
Abyss is a hifi headphone brand that uses a patented single-sided planar-magnetic driver architecture and machines all-aluminum chassis with foamed-aluminum acoustics in their New York facility, targeting a "speakers-in-room" sound rather than typical headphone presentation. The brand offers granular fit adjustments through magnetic pad systems and interchangeable acoustic pads that allow owners to intentionally shift tonal balance, supported by a 10-year warranty and vertical integration from driver production to final assembly.
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Product Strengths
- Delivers a beautifully smooth and refreshingly beefy tuning compared to previous Diana headphones
- The most comfortable planar magnetic set of cans ever worn
- Build quality is very impressive
- Good mid-range
Product Considerations
- Needs additional padding for optimal scalp comfort
- Treble can become problematic
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Diana MR most remind reviewer of a super version of the HIFIMAN Edition XS
- Spatial presentation is better from the HIFIMAN HE1000SE, and the midrange is better balanced as well
Takeaway: The Diana MR is the most accessible set of high-end open-back planar headphones to date from Abyss. It is a fun and impressive listen.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Abyss is a hifi headphone brand that uses a patented single-sided planar-magnetic driver architecture and machines all-aluminum chassis with foamed-aluminum acoustics in their New York facility, targeting a "speakers-in-room" sound rather than typical headphone presentation. The brand offers granular fit adjustments through magnetic pad systems and interchangeable acoustic pads that allow owners to intentionally shift tonal balance, supported by a 10-year warranty and vertical integration from driver production to final assembly.
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final
D8000 Pro Edition
4799
4799
/
8
Reviews
Final is a hifi audio brand known for deep in-house manufacturing control by designing and building its own diaphragm-forming machines and assembly jigs, while engineering products like their D-series headphones for longevity through screw-fastened parts that enable user repairs and future upgrades.
Expand Details
Product Strengths
- Excellent bass reproduction with well-textured low tones, exceptional definition, articulation, and clean, nuanced deep sub-bass extension.
- Detail retrieval and image clarity are remarkably good, competing with some of the very best headphones in the summit category.
- Outstanding build quality, featuring a precisely machined aluminum-magnesium alloy chassis, conveys sturdiness and care in assembly.
- The new pads are made from Toray Ultrasuede and are deeper and marginally firmer than the original memory foam cushions.
- Easy to drive, with 60-ohm impedance and 98 dB sensitivity.
Product Considerations
- A bit scooped out in the two kilohertz to three kilohertz range, almost like the ear gain has been taken and moved upwards in the frequency spectrum a bit.
- Comfort can be an issue, due to the circular earcups not fitting larger ears well and the headband lacking sufficient padding for the headphone's weight.
- The stock cable with the quarter-inch termination is heavy, potentially dragging the headphone down uncomfortably.
- The proprietary 3.5mm connectors with locking mechanisms can make finding aftermarket cables difficult.
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the HIFIMAN Susvara, the Susvara is lighter, more comfortable, and also has better detail retrieval.
- Compared to the Audeze LCD4, the Final Audio D8000 Pro competes in many of the technical aspects that really matter, like detail.
Takeaway: The D8000 Pro is a well-built, detailed headphone with exceptional bass and a unique planar sound signature, perfect for audiophiles who want something different from standard planar sound profiles. Its high level of detail and solid dynamics create an engaging listening experience for those who appreciate nuanced sound.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Final is a hifi audio brand known for deep in-house manufacturing control by designing and building its own diaphragm-forming machines and assembly jigs, while engineering products like their D-series headphones for longevity through screw-fastened parts that enable user repairs and future upgrades.
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final
D8000 Pro Limited Edition
4499
4499
/
7
Reviews
Final is a hifi audio brand known for deep in-house manufacturing control by designing and building its own diaphragm-forming machines and assembly jigs, while engineering products like their D-series headphones for longevity through screw-fastened parts that enable user repairs and future upgrades.
Expand Details
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Natural sound, evoking a dynamic driver sound but with planar magnetic performance
- Excellent resolution, while maintaining smooth treble
- Holographic stereo image, which contributes to its lifelike character
- Good layering and separation of instruments
- Incredibly wide and tall soundstage, providing a very dynamic experience
Product Considerations
- Bass extension is not spectacular, with noticeable roll-off below 50Hz, and can be a bit soft without great impact for some listeners
- Can tend towards sibilance on some signal chains
- Overall presentation is amp sensitive, and can vary the experience significantly
- The D8000 Pro Limited Edition can be finicky, and requires careful signal chain pairing to achieve the best sound
- May slightly lack the charisma that one looks for in a more expressive or musical headphone
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs. Dan Clark Audio Expanse: The D8000 Pro LE has a more natural sounding bass and tighter attack on drums, while the Expanse has more bass emphasis and a wider soundstage
Takeaway: The Final Audio D8000 Pro Limited Edition provides a thrilling and engaging listening experience with its natural sound and incredible detail. It could be a worthwhile addition to a collection for listeners who appreciate acoustic music and a highly immersive soundstage.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Final is a hifi audio brand known for deep in-house manufacturing control by designing and building its own diaphragm-forming machines and assembly jigs, while engineering products like their D-series headphones for longevity through screw-fastened parts that enable user repairs and future upgrades.
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What competes at this price?
Grado
GS3000x
1995
/
Released
2022
Journey inside the music and hear the space between instruments with the unique soundstage of the GS3000x. This is only possible when our large cushions, new 52mm driver, 12-conductor cable, and large housing work in unison. This is the most detail a Grado headphone has ever delivered from your music to your ears.
Grado, a Brooklyn-based hifi brand, was founded by Joseph Grado, who invented the stereo moving-coil phono cartridge in 1959 and earned induction into the Audio Hall of Fame. The company continues to hand-assemble products in the same Brooklyn building their family purchased in 1918. Known for unique engineering approaches, the brand created the world's first open-back Bluetooth headphone (GW100), and uses unusual materials like hemp/maple composite cups.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Effortlessly detailed and fluid sound is delivered, as well as impressively articulate midrange.
- High efficiency allows it to be easily driven by a variety of sources, from smartphones to high-end amplifiers.
- The use of cocobolo wood paired with a metal chamber is praised for its aesthetic and sonic properties, creating a unique and attractive design for each unit.
- Extremely comfortable and lightweight, making it suitable for long listening sessions.
- Has a vast and engaging sound that embodies the classic open and energetic Grado headphone sound.
Product Considerations
- Open-back design offers next to no isolation, causing sound leakage.
- Some reviewers felt lacked the luxurious feel expected at its price point.
- The cable is bulky, doesn't straighten easily, and can drag the lightweight headphones off a desktop if not careful.
- Stock foam earpads look plain and cheap.
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Sennheiser HD800S and Focal Clear Mg, it lacks some of the low-frequency weight and punch.
- Vs Focal Utopia (2022), the GS3000x has a left/right soundstage space, while Utopia has a clearer 360-degree picture, despite its more intimate 'around head' soundstage; GS3000x bass is more assertive and punchy, but the Focal reaches deeper, with greater control and refinement.
- Vs Grado RS1x, bass is more accurate and tactile, and feels faster and more surefooted; it offers a more natural and balanced overall listening experience.
Takeaway: The Grado GS3000x is a wonderfully musical and entertaining headphone that makes music come alive, especially for listeners who appreciate a bright, vivid, and detailed sound. Its comfortable design and high efficiency make it enjoyable for long listening sessions at home or on the go.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Grado, a Brooklyn-based hifi brand, was founded by Joseph Grado, who invented the stereo moving-coil phono cartridge in 1959 and earned induction into the Audio Hall of Fame. The company continues to hand-assemble products in the same Brooklyn building their family purchased in 1918. Known for unique engineering approaches, the brand created the world's first open-back Bluetooth headphone (GW100), and uses unusual materials like hemp/maple composite cups.
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Grado
Signature HP100 SE
2495
/
Released
2024
Grado's new Signature HP100 SE headphones are a contemporary homage to the trailblazing high-end HP1 model heralding a new design direction. World-renowned designer and manufacturer of award-winning headphones, Grado Labs presents its newest and flagship model, the Signature HP100 SE. Grado Labs founder Joseph Grado created what many consider to be the high-end headphone market with the release of the Signature HP1 headphone in the early 1990s. In recognition of Joseph Grado's 100th birthday and this industry milestone, Grado Labs is producing these Special Edition headphones.
Grado, a Brooklyn-based hifi brand, was founded by Joseph Grado, who invented the stereo moving-coil phono cartridge in 1959 and earned induction into the Audio Hall of Fame. The company continues to hand-assemble products in the same Brooklyn building their family purchased in 1918. Known for unique engineering approaches, the brand created the world's first open-back Bluetooth headphone (GW100), and uses unusual materials like hemp/maple composite cups.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Neutral, uncolored, and music producer-tuned sound makes it the most neutral headphone ever produced by Grado Labs.
- Improved components such as all-aluminum hand-machined housing, steel gimbaled ear cup supports, a 52mm paper and carbon fiber driver, and a powerful magnet assembly.
- Comfort is superior due to 50% more leather in the headband, providing a stable fit.
- Deep and well-rendered bass, maintaining extreme clarity through the mid-band and high-band.
- Has detachable compatible 4-pin XLR balanced cables, a first for Grado headphones.
Product Considerations
- The HP100 SE can reveal flaws in recordings, sounding etched or steely if the source material is poorly produced.
- The included cable may be heavy and stiff.
- Synergy with DAC and amp is crucial, as the headphone can lean bright with certain setups, with one reviewer finding the sound bright with their Schiit Modius and Midgard stack.
- The alternative F pads are uncomfortable and dampen the sound.
- One reviewer noted a rolling off nature in the low sub-bass region.
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs GS3000x: The HP100 SE is more neutral, transparent, and dynamic, while the GS3000x has a warmer sound that some may prefer for casual listening.
Takeaway: The Signature HP100 SE headphones deliver detailed, neutral sound and are Grado's new flagship product. With a comfortable design and detachable cables, these headphones offer a top-tier listening experience and are made for the Grado fan.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Grado, a Brooklyn-based hifi brand, was founded by Joseph Grado, who invented the stereo moving-coil phono cartridge in 1959 and earned induction into the Audio Hall of Fame. The company continues to hand-assemble products in the same Brooklyn building their family purchased in 1918. Known for unique engineering approaches, the brand created the world's first open-back Bluetooth headphone (GW100), and uses unusual materials like hemp/maple composite cups.
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Grado
Signature S950
2195
/
Released
2025
Grado Labs, world-renowned designer and manufacturer of award-winning headphones, announces the release of its latest open-back headphone, the Signature S950. Building on the success of the recently released HP100 SE, the Signature S950 is the second headphone to become part of the new Signature line. Staying true to Grado's longstanding tradition of using woods in crafting their headphone housings, this model utilizes a Brazilian Walnut, the first time Grado has chosen this family of woods.
Grado, a Brooklyn-based hifi brand, was founded by Joseph Grado, who invented the stereo moving-coil phono cartridge in 1959 and earned induction into the Audio Hall of Fame. The company continues to hand-assemble products in the same Brooklyn building their family purchased in 1918. Known for unique engineering approaches, the brand created the world's first open-back Bluetooth headphone (GW100), and uses unusual materials like hemp/maple composite cups.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Video review
Our take on the brand
Grado, a Brooklyn-based hifi brand, was founded by Joseph Grado, who invented the stereo moving-coil phono cartridge in 1959 and earned induction into the Audio Hall of Fame. The company continues to hand-assemble products in the same Brooklyn building their family purchased in 1918. Known for unique engineering approaches, the brand created the world's first open-back Bluetooth headphone (GW100), and uses unusual materials like hemp/maple composite cups.
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HIFIMAN
Arya
1299
/
Released
2020
HIFIMAN’s breakthrough ultra-thin diaphragm—at the nanometer scale—minimizes mass for lightning-fast response and extremely low distortion, delivering natural, highly detailed sound.
An optimized magnetic structure with asymmetrical placement reduces interference, enhancing clarity and overall sonic precision.
A precisely engineered grille design prevents reflections and refractions, expanding the soundstage while improving imaging and detail retrieval.
Angled, user-replaceable 3.5 mm connectors provide ergonomic cable routing and easy replacement.
Crafted from a combination of metal and high-grade plastics, the Arya achieves strength, low resonance, and a refined matte-black aesthetic.
An optimized magnetic structure with asymmetrical placement reduces interference, enhancing clarity and overall sonic precision.
A precisely engineered grille design prevents reflections and refractions, expanding the soundstage while improving imaging and detail retrieval.
Angled, user-replaceable 3.5 mm connectors provide ergonomic cable routing and easy replacement.
Crafted from a combination of metal and high-grade plastics, the Arya achieves strength, low resonance, and a refined matte-black aesthetic.
HIFIMAN is a hifi brand known for its planar magnetic headphones that use extremely thin diaphragms and acoustically transparent "Stealth Magnets" to reduce sound distortion. The company pioneered high-resolution portable audio players and creates electrostatic headphones that bring high-end sound quality to more accessible price points, as well as widely renowned flagship models such as the Susvara.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Excellent resolution and detail retrieval, making it a clear step up from mid-fi headphones
- Wide and open soundstage with nuanced imaging, as well as excellent instrument separation
- Comfortable design, with well-distributed weight, large earcups, and comfortable earpads
- The Arya Organic is easier to drive than previous Arya versions and sounds better with various equipment, responding well to a decent system
- Balanced and neutral sound signature, though some find the treble slightly bright
Product Considerations
- Noted to lack dynamic weight and bass slam, which might disappoint bass enthusiasts
- Treble response can be fatiguing depending on the music and is somewhat peaky
- The 5kHz hump stretches vocals and make them timbrally thin at times
- Some reviewers express concern about the delicacy of the headphones and caution against dropping them
- The open-back design makes them unsuitable for noisy environments or situations where sound leakage is a concern
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The Arya is sharper, clearer, and better resolved than the HiFiMan Ananda, with a more open soundstage, but the Ananda has more bass grunt
- Both have large soundstages and effortless resolution, but the Arya has a more excited tuning while the Sennheiser HD800S is smoother
- The Arya has a larger soundstage, but the Focal Clear has better punch and slam
Takeaway: The HiFiMan Arya is a technically impressive headphone that provides excellent sound clarity, a wide soundstage, and a comfortable listening experience. If you appreciate a neutral sound with great detail and aren't looking for heavy bass, the Arya could be a good choice.
Video review
Our take on the brand
HIFIMAN is a hifi brand known for its planar magnetic headphones that use extremely thin diaphragms and acoustically transparent "Stealth Magnets" to reduce sound distortion. The company pioneered high-resolution portable audio players and creates electrostatic headphones that bring high-end sound quality to more accessible price points, as well as widely renowned flagship models such as the Susvara.
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ZMF
Atrium
2499
/
Released
2022
The ZMF Atrium is our most open design, which features our patent-pending rear damping system that accentuates stage layering, depth, tactile "feel" with realistically natural timbre. The Atrium expands the range of spatial sound experience first incepted with the auteur (now the "auteur classic"), through its shared biocellulose driver heritage and linear ZMF tuning.
ZMF is a boutique hifi headphone brand that crafts one-of-a-kind wooden headphones from stabilized resin-wood billets, each harvested, processed, and assembled in the USA. Their patented acoustic systems include the Atrium Damping System (ADS) and the Caldera's trapezoidal magnet structure. The brand offers lifetime driver warranties and maintains measurement transparency using professional B&K equipment. They have created a distinct enthusiast culture around their annual "ZMF November" limited-edition sales.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Stunning aesthetics and high-quality craftsmanship with various wood options and grill designs available
- Creates a wonderful sense of space with a great spherical soundstage and natural depth
- Has an amazing ability to be both smooth and detailed at the same time
- Provides a deep reaching and encompassing bass sound with a punchy and impactful profile
- Natural and lifelike tonal quality with vibrant midrange and textured vocals
Product Considerations
- Not ideal for those seeking maximum detail retrieval or a reference-level sound
- May not be the best choice for music that relies heavily on aggressive, distorted electric guitars due to potential mid-range harshness
- Bass extension may not reach as deep as some planar headphones
- The stock cable has shape memory, and some may prefer aftermarket options
- It's a heavier headphone, so comfort may be a concern for some users
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs ZMF Verite: The Atrium sits alongside it, and is a significant step above the Auteur, in the sense that it is competing absolutely with the Verite, whereas the Auteur doesn't quite reach the heights of the Verite
- Vs Sennheiser HD650: The Atrium overall tuning is very reminiscent of the Sennheiser HD 650, where it is still fairly neutral, but it tends towards a little bit of warmth
- Vs HIFIMAN HE1000 V2: The HE1000 V2 has a bigger soundstage, but the imaging and the separation handle spatial reproduction much better than the Atrium does
Takeaway: The ZMF Atrium offers a beautiful design and a unique sound signature that combines smoothness and detail, making it a very enjoyable listening experience across many genres. Its ability to create a lifelike and engaging soundstage makes it a worthwhile option for those looking for something special.
Video review
Our take on the brand
ZMF is a boutique hifi headphone brand that crafts one-of-a-kind wooden headphones from stabilized resin-wood billets, each harvested, processed, and assembled in the USA. Their patented acoustic systems include the Atrium Damping System (ADS) and the Caldera's trapezoidal magnet structure. The brand offers lifetime driver warranties and maintains measurement transparency using professional B&K equipment. They have created a distinct enthusiast culture around their annual "ZMF November" limited-edition sales.
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