Topic: ZMF Blackwood Unboxing, Subjective Impressions, and Eventual Measurements (Read 6276 times)

Marvey · « **on:** June 08, 2015, 11:11:55 PM »

About a year ago, or maybe less, Hans asked me if I wanted to have a go at the ZMF x Vibro. I declined because I was busy with other stuff; but having a had chance to finally meet Zach at THE SHOW and listen to one of his headphones, I thought I should definitely take a listen and talk about it at least a little bit. Zach only made this easier when I unassumingly sat down at his table (with me trying to hide my name tag as I always do) by recognizing me and immediately proclaiming "Hey, you're Purrin. By the way, I AM NOT [like] Dan!"

Per HF custom (I don't know who the fuck started this shit), I will begin with unboxing photos. Let us get all orgasmic by feasting our eyes on the packaging of the product.

I am beginning to really like Zach.

Marvey · « **Reply #1 on:** June 08, 2015, 11:18:41 PM »

One of the reasons, albeit frivolous, that I didn't want to take a shot at the ZMF x Vibro about a year ago was because I though the moniker "ZMF x Vibro" sounded too awkward or perhaps too much like some sort of sex toy. I gave Hans a bunch of shit about it. Hans' reply was "don't complain to me, I didn't come up with the name." It appears that Zach has wizened up since then by more appropriately naming this headphone the Black Wood.

Marvey · « **Reply #2 on:** June 08, 2015, 11:29:33 PM »

On to subjective impressions.

Well, I actually like this headphone. If I didn't like it, I would not have asked Zach for this loaner. (And no, I didn't ask for a discount, nor did I request as a free keepsie). I will be succinct as usual:

Has tonal similarities to HD650. Mid-bass bump - nice punchy bass. Touch warm upper bass, but blending well into the mids with a smooth response to an even treble. The HD650 might have a touch more upper-mids, but really, a lot of tonal similarities.
Bass and lower mid quality is better than HD650, but HD650 has cleaner upper and mids treble.
The closed cups actually provide a nice woody coloration and spacious effect, kind of like R10 or AT woody (but without the AT midrange weirdness or "charm"). I like this!
Maybe a slight suckout at 200Hz. Nothing major, probably difficult for most people to hear, but I've heard this effect with quite a lot with closed headphones.
Rather inefficient. Maybe a little bit less efficient than other T50RP mods. Not really a big deal with most of today's amps, even the modest ones.
Something I just noticed today, a bag of pegs, presumably to tune the bass. There are two small holes in the wood cups. I'll play with this and report back.

BTW, I think the wood cups look fantastic. The headphone is comfy with a padded headband. The earpads are also nice and comfy.

Here is a picture of the headphone at work. I'm using a GOv2 (proto) as a DAC hooked up to a Magni 2. The GOv2 is off the docking station for bettar powah. Unfortunately, I can't show you guys what's on my screens because I could get fired. For all we know, they might be stills from the new Star Wars movie.

Marvey · « **Reply #3 on:** June 08, 2015, 11:40:26 PM »

Measurements tonight...

Measurements (without the hair simulator, which is not baseline = stronger seal + more bass):
http://www.changstar.com/index.php/topic,2497.msg69924.html#msg69924

Measurements with bass ports and hair simulator (which is the normal baseline) in place:
http://www.changstar.com/index.php/topic,2497.msg71055.html#msg71055

spoony · « **Reply #4 on:** June 10, 2015, 01:38:35 AM »

Quote from: purr1n on June 08, 2015, 11:40:26 PM

Measurements tonight...

Want.

Hands · « **Reply #5 on:** June 10, 2015, 01:48:56 AM »

Hmm I have some measurements of the Blackwood with the cowhide ear pads...just a quick take. Was testing out the new pads for Zach a bit. I think the pair Marv is testing has the lambskin pads? Can't remember off the top of my head if Zach said anything about other differences between these two Blackwood pairs, but I can post them if he doesn't mind.

Zach915m · « **Reply #6 on:** June 10, 2015, 02:36:37 AM »

Yeah no probs. The only differences in what Hans had and Marvey has is the pads (which do seem to make a little difference). Ofcourse the measurement rigs I believe are completely different, but both phones were tuned to the same curve.

Hands · « **Reply #7 on:** June 10, 2015, 02:54:51 AM »

OK, left channel measurments of Blackwood w/ cowhide pads, all ports open in back. Bass and mids look good. Ideally I'd like to see a bit more of a bass-to-mids connection in that 200Hz area, but nothing major. The emphasis around 5.5KHz bothered me. Didn't hurt my ears so much, just made them sound a bit grey, hazy, and hashy. Coupled with the rolled-off upper-treble, it was a bit odd sounding to me.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to try these with the lambskin pads or alpha pads. I know Zach originally tuned these for the alpha pads, and I think the odd treble was mostly due to the thickness and semi-rigidity of the cowhide pads. Something that is less thick or compresses more easily would probably sound a bit darker and smoother up top.

CSDs looked good, too lazy to post. They're clean and fast.

Anaxilus · « **Reply #8 on:** June 10, 2015, 03:16:51 AM »

Yeah, the 5.5khz peak was the only thing that bothered me really. Zach knows and won't deny, hide or make excuses for anything like some ortho modders will. The rest was quite well done for a T50.

Zach915m · « **Reply #9 on:** June 10, 2015, 03:25:18 AM »

In the future I'm just gonna send Blackwood and Omni owners the Cowhide and Lambskin Pads so they can find out what works best for them, as Hans pointed out, the Lambskin pads are a bit softer and easier to compress, while the Cowhide pads are stiff-ish.

Vibro works best with the softer lambskin pads IMHO.

Weirdly on my rig that peak is closer to 7K, while the rest looks similar. Will be interesting how Marv's measurements turn out with the Lambskin pads. The final Cowhide pads are a little different than the ones Hans had, but not too much to make a major difference I don't think.

Author Topic: ZMF Blackwood Unboxing, Subjective Impressions, and Eventual Measurements (Read 6276 times)

Marvey

ZMF Blackwood Unboxing, Subjective Impressions, and Eventual Measurements

Marvey

Re: ZMF Blackwood Unboxing, Subjective Impressions, and Eventual Measurements

Marvey

Re: ZMF Blackwood Unboxing, Subjective Impressions, and Eventual Measurements

Marvey

Re: ZMF Blackwood Unboxing, Subjective Impressions, and Eventual Measurements

spoony

Re: ZMF Blackwood Unboxing, Subjective Impressions, and Eventual Measurements

Hands

Re: ZMF Blackwood Unboxing, Subjective Impressions, and Eventual Measurements

Zach915m

Re: ZMF Blackwood Unboxing, Subjective Impressions, and Eventual Measurements

Hands

Re: ZMF Blackwood Unboxing, Subjective Impressions, and Eventual Measurements

Anaxilus

Re: ZMF Blackwood Unboxing, Subjective Impressions, and Eventual Measurements

Zach915m

Re: ZMF Blackwood Unboxing, Subjective Impressions, and Eventual Measurements

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Author Topic: ZMF Blackwood Unboxing, Subjective Impressions, and Eventual Measurements (Read 6276 times)