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Newyorker4life
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Jul 5, 2016
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Any other existing ZMF owners have some feedback to share?
Jul 5, 2016
SpookyC
84
Jul 5, 2016
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Newyorker4lifeFeedback about what specifically? You can always Google impressions but if you're more specific about what you're looking to answer I'm certain people can help.
Jul 5, 2016
Newyorker4life
45
Jul 5, 2016
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SpookyCI have googled online but not so much info in terms of impression. I currently have Oppo PM3s that I wear while walking my dog. Looking for a pair that stay home, and looking for impressions from folks who own these. What people use for amp/DAC pairings, source (streaming), performance with mobile devices and no external DAC, performance with home audio AVR, durability, and whatever else.
Jul 5, 2016
ZMFheadphones
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ZMF Headphones
Jul 5, 2016
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Newyorker4lifeSome good reviews on head-fi from owners, maybe be a good place to start: http://www.head-fi.org/products/zmf-headphones-x-vibro-mk-ii
Jul 5, 2016
SpookyC
84
Jul 5, 2016
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Newyorker4lifeCome on man, there's lots of impressions online. Here's one that sold me on them a while back: https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/4c5r0j/zmf_x_vibro_mkii_review/
I have the PM3 as well and I think they're great headphones and a good complimentary pair to the zmf's. I'll give you some general impressions regarding the two: PM3 is lighter (not certain if this is actually true but it feels considerably lighter on my head) and overall I find the fit superior. The padding on the zmf is fantastic and distributes the weight well. My main issue isn't with the weight of these headphones but that the cups don't pivot/articulate as much as other headphones I'm used to, so finding that perfect fit for me has been problematic. I have a smaller head though (a little over 7" circumference), so you might find it more comfy. Both headphones feel very well put together and durable. I'd say the finish on the pm3 feels more professional where you can tell the zmf is handmade, but it's still a beautiful headphone with its wooden cups and is incredibly durable (I bent the headband several times in every which way trying to achieve a perfect fit). The ZMF has larger pads if you find the pads on the pm3 too small, which I know many do.
As for sound, they're definitely different beasts. The pm3 is more neutral with a hint of warmth whereas the zmf is still neutral, but warmer than the pm3. The zmf's treble isn't as recessed (but is still rolled off) and the mid bass hits harder. I think they extend in the sub bass about equal amounts, but the zmf might extend lower. The zmf has a very expansive soundstage for a closed can. This and its natural tonality is what impressed me most about it. Also the imaging is superb. In comparison, the pm3 sounds very cramped although that headphone images quite well.
As for drive-ability, they're low ohm but not particularly sensitive headphones. In fact they're the hardest to drive headphones I've had thus far. You definitely need a dedicated amp to use and I wouldn't use them portably with just my phone. I've been using them with my Audio-Gd NFB 10.33 and I couldn't be happier with the pairing. Prior, I had the magni 2 uber, which drove them sufficiently but I felt made them sound a tad thin.
Overall their greatest strengths are a well balanced frequency with natural timbre that's quite musical and enjoyable for long listening sessions. I'd say their weakness is a need for a powerful amp and fit can be cumbersome for some. Overall, I think they're great. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Jul 5, 2016
Newyorker4life
45
Jul 5, 2016
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SpookyCOkay - THAT is exactly the kind of impression I was looking for. Thank you. I'm in the drop for the cool looking single tube amp, those are for PM3s. I talked to Oppo, they said would be fine with PM3s. I'm not sure the tube amp would be sufficient for the ZMF.
Jul 5, 2016
Newyorker4life
45
Jul 5, 2016
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SpookyCAppreciate the separate feedback about "fit" and comfort. I auditioned PM3 + Dragonfly Red + CCK and Sine + Cipher at same time. Kept only PM3s because the DFR didn't work for me, and the Sine were not comfortable for me. I really wanted to love Sine. Just didn't fit well enough and also even with so much "adjustability" it just wasn't right. There's no way to know if hp's feel right until you try them. I just started reaching for the PM3s more than Sine because the fit is so much better.
Jul 5, 2016
SpookyC
84
Jul 5, 2016
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Newyorker4lifeI've heard the sine and pm3 are more similar than dissimilar with the sine being a bit more "fun" or engaging (thinking a bit more bass and treble). I use my pm3 with an Oppo ha-2 and I really love the combo. I didn't really need the extra power, but the ha-2 gives me much greater control over the exact volume I listen to as on my phone the oppo would go from not loud enough to too loud in one volume adjustment. The added bass boost is also nice.
In your earlier post were you talking about the Racoon dac/amp? It does look pretty cool. I'm not too familiar with it, but I would caution you to do some more research on output impedance and the 1/8 rule. I suggest looking it up yourself because I don't feel well versed enough to describe it succinctly to you, but in short, you want an amp's output impedance ideally to be at or under an eighth of the headphone's total ohm, so for the oppo pm3 which are 26ohm you'd want it to be 3 ohms or less. The racoon is 10 ohms. Here's a link about it:http://nwavguy.blogspot.com/2011/02/headphone-amp-impedance.html
I don't think it'll make a huge audible difference, but I'd still look it over just so you can make an informed decision. Aesthetics are important too as it's part of the whole experience. ;)
Also, fwiw, the Pm3, from my experience, don't benefit too greatly from amping. They're quite sensitive and sound great off everything I've tried them out of. As I mentioned before, I got the ha-2 for them moreso to have better control over my listening volume and to have the bass boost for some music where I felt the pm3 was a bit too neutral.
Jul 5, 2016
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