ZMF VÉRÍTÉ - REVIEW
The Incredible Headphone Hits Keep Coming!
The Chinese ‘curse,’ “May you live in interesting times,” is apparently at hand, as we most certainly live in interesting times. And, I imagine, that one holds onto the keys to sanity during these times—by finding some amount of joy, something to be grateful for, someone to help, every single day. Of course, pulling oneself free of the TV (the Boob Tube) may in and of itself bring a much needed balm of ease and quiet and peace.
There is also, of course, music, wherein one can find joy, connection, peace, and memories perhaps, reflective of the times when our lives were a bit less “interesting” and fond memories which live beside our favorite music.
Music has alway been transportive for me. It has taken me often to my very early years—as a five year old sitting on a sofa, affixed to his mom. We listened to jazz greats and sometimes the greats of blues, as my feet dangled high above the carpeted floor. Then there was rock when in Santa Barbara at my cousins’ home, where the Doobie Brothers, Marshall Tucker, Fleetwood Mac, Jefferson Airplane, Cat Stevens, Jim Croce, and others were all the rage, and those memories too bring a release of angst, a peaceful ease and comfort.
The philosophical and heartfelt meanderings above bring me to my review of the ZMF Véríté headphone which I believe is an exceptional component for connecting with those aforementioned times, the music, the memories, and the finding of bliss and connection and peace.
This is my second go round with ZMF. The first was with their entry level headphone— the ZMF Atticus—that was truly an ear-opener! Though its elder sibling—the Véríté—currently under review—is more capable, in, literally, every respect. How much so? Hold on to your seats folks.
REFRAIN: Unlike most reviews, this review will be non-sequential, as it will start with how the equipment actually sounds and not the process of physically “undressing” it and/or laying out its various accoutrements, specifications, etc. Think of this review then, as a non-linear movie—Memento, Kill Bill, Pulp Fiction, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The Queen’s Gambit, In the Shadow of the Moon, etc—that, likewise, starts at the end and winds its way to the beginning.
The Sound
Suffice to say, that what the ZMF Atticus did, the ZMF Véríté does a good deal better and in every respect. I will not repeat what I’ve said about the Atticus, but I could with more passion and enthusiasm and it would be true. But then this would not be a review, so much as a facsimile, a simulacrum. So…
The ZMF Véríté appears to be the first iteration of a hybridization of dynamic and planar technologies. Its beryllium coated driver provides the requisite stiffness and speed, sufficient to move at planar magnetic speeds, whilst excavating entire lost civilizations of detail across soundscape after soundscape. The Véríté is fast, fast, fast reminding one, at times, of electrostatic speeds and their energy and aliveness. In truth, after listening to how electrostatics rendered live music, choral arrangements, and symphonies, I simply did not choose to listen to this music via other headphone types. It just wasn’t the same. The Véríté has changed that somewhat and now I venture into that area again, selectively. While the Véríté does not match the electrostatics in every way, there is not another dynamic or planar headphone that I have experienced to date that comes as close.
And then there is the emotion, emotion, emotion. So incredibly immersive, so beguiling that it is as if the sound, the music rendered by the ZMF Véríté moves directly into one’s heart and soul, while keeping the left brained—the technologists/engineers/audiophiles—fully engaged. For those who may not have experienced this sensation with music, or with, perhaps, a headphone attached to an extremely capable system—Accustic Arts Player II, LTA Z10e—a listen is, indeed, in order. And it will not be necessary to access the heights of such component combos to gain an understanding of the prowess of the ZMF Véríté. It will deliver the ‘emotionality’ of a musical experience and all the attendant informational cues via even DAPs and it will be spellbinding.
Like its sibling, the Atticus, I listened to everything I could get my hands on and purchase (CDs) and load into my Qobuz file via ROON. And yes, like its sibling, voices were stunning and yet, there was more there, in terms of copious amounts of detail which followed in the wake of greater resolution and transparency. And the coupled warmth did steal one away from doing or wanting to do anything else or even thinking about doing anything else. And as I mentioned in the review of the Atticus, “…Every single moment with the Atticus was enjoyable! Every. Single. Moment.” This goes double for the Véríté and the choice between them would be an easy one.
Yes, I played the Véríté with the Accustic Arts Player II, the LTA Z10e, as mentioned above, and what it conveyed of its up-line partners was revelatory, defined by one’s mouth being agape more often than not, being entirely lost in the music, being aware of all the spatial cues, and experiencing a sense of joy and astonishment time and time again. Please know that this is a most rare occurrence for a ‘jaded’ music lover.
The ZMF’s Véríté volumetric cube—soundstage—is more vast and encompassing still than its little brother’s—the Atticus. It brings intimacy on the level of planars and, dare I say, at moments, on that of electrostatic headphones as well. And this I would never have thought. Imaging, separation and layering are truly superb and again far beyond the Atticus. And where the Atticus peeked in or touched down for microseconds on the world of electrostatics, the Véríté stares into that world and lingers a bit longer. I cannot think of a dynamic or planar headphone that combines its talents or its electrostatic-like delivery. Nor has the whole-cloth coherency of an electrostatic ever been so close at hand with a dynamic headphone. I have listened mouth agape on many an occasion to the Véríté and I relish continued listening after a review piece.
The ZMF Véríté was partnered with the Accustic Arts Player II CDP (review coming), ROON Nucleus Plus, the Mola Mola Tambaqui DAC as both DAC and balanced headphone amplifier, the Bricasti M1 DAC, the LTA Z10e HPA/integrated, MEZE Empyrean, MEZE LIRIC, Rosson Audio RAD-0, ZMF Atticus, ZMF Atrium (review coming). Cabling was Audience Front Row and power conditioning was handled by the RSX Power8 and the TORUS RM20.
Bass
Tumultuous. Propulsive. Eiji Oue’s V. Infernal Dance of King Kashchey (Stravinsky, Reference Recording) opens and there is the portent of power in the low rumblings of the orchestra, where often there is not. The stage is deep and wide, the layering and positioning superb. Tone and timbre are rich and natural. Enters the assault of Infernal Dance of King Kashchey and via the massed tympani it is tumultuous, propulsive, beautifully resolved, and fast! Interestingly, its streamed version does not carry at all the same weight as the CD via the Accustic Arts Player II, nor the resolution! The CD brings tremendous bass weight and easily reaches to sub-bass depth and on to the Holy-Bass-Head-Grail with the Véríté. Further, no detail is missed or obscured right across the frequency range, so refined, nuanced, and capable is the Véríté. And when power is called for the Véríté summons it easily. It is impossible to stop listening to the entirety of this CD and the next.
Midrange
Spacious. Resolving. Natural. Immersive. If the ZMF Véríté’s midrange were a wine, it’d be a 2018 Harbison Estate ‘The Trail’ Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville. In other words, it would be “full-bodied, opulent, and sexy.” Olafur Arnalds’ “Árbakkinn” (Island Songs, Mercury (Universal France)) is given perhaps the most moving rendition via the ZMF Véríté and the Accustic Art Player II (not available for the STAX SR-X9000 review) and the LTA Z10e that I have ever heard. Poet Einar Georg Einarsson recites his poem with warmth and richness, and yet there is exacting resolution and detail that place him or, perhaps, me in Iceland, listening but a few feet away. Voces8 “Prayer to a Guardian Angel” (Lux, Decca) follows via CD and it too is compelling and induces an eyes-closed, peaceful, momentary catatonia. It is hard to rouse oneself from this playing. The Lux album plays through and then the Voces8 Enchanted Isle album plays through, and, though contemplated, the hour is late, and an overlong day holds off play of the Eventide album. Again this is an area where dynamic and planar headphones often fear to tread—choral—so accomplished are electrostatics here, but the Véríté shows no fear.
The ZMF Véríté is faster than its immediate brethren—dynamic headphones—faster even than planar headphones, and as fast, at times, as electrostatics, and it brings a weight and palpability and a richness that electrostatics themselves, save the STAX SR-X9000, cannot match. Shocking! The ZMF Atticus was exceptional. The Véríté is better still and in every respect. Truly shocking!
Treble+
Fast. Extended. Transparent. Air-infused. Across the treble region the Véríté’s transients and its handling of dynamic swings are fast, fast, fast as though lightning flashes, which make the Atticus seem slow in comparison. Few headphones could, however, keep pace. Its transparency, its ability to bring finely resolved focus and thus detail to track after track brought discovery and a newness to the very familiar. This, coupled to its analog richness, made each experience immersive and captivating. And the Véríté’s ability to infuse air into live performances and choral pieces and symphonies once again posed a challenge even to electrostatics! Though the air that the Top-Of-the-Line (TOTL) STAX SR-X9000 provides on choral arrangements, live performances and symphonies goes, to date, very much unmatched.
Vilda Frang’s “Allegro Molto” (Veress: String Trio - Bartók: Piano Quintet, Alpha) and its rapid, transient pulses—knuckle raps, plucks, drumming upon violin or cello, and bowing—and dynamic shifts are handled with aplomb. And again there is weight and detail and resolution—as though sunlight crossing over and exposing a dark intricate mosaic. The Véríté’s rendering is also visceral and startling. Far too many headphones, regardless of modality, do not appear to curate these various combined traits. Dave Brubeck’s “Take Five” (Time Out, Columbia-Legacy) saunters in with air-infused drum cymbals that are alive, well, and pulsing. Paul Desmond’s sax weaves texture, tone, timbre in an entrancing dance that, via the Véríté, the Player II, and Z10e, is, no doubt, the envy of snake charmers the world over. Meanwhile, Brubeck and Wright, spotlit and layered, provide gravitas and drive. Bravo!
The Wrappings and Accessories
The ZMF Véríté, like its brother, comes in a substantial, black, hardened Seahorse SE 430 case, provided, no doubt, to make sure that the heirloom component contained within finds its way intact to one’s heirs and their heirs and so on.
The case opens to reveal a snug, foam-lined enclosure that provides further assurance of safety to the ZMF Véríté seated within. The sight of the Véríté is truly captivating. Here sits a beautifully designed SAPELE wood headphone with an aged copper grill, that vents sound into the world, and a high grade leather employed for both the earpads and head band (a vegan suede option is also available for both). Included within the case are:
SAPELE Vérité Headphones
ZMF Stock Braided Cable and OFC Cable
ZMF Universe Perforated Pads and 1 choice set
ZMF Owner's Card
Lifetime Driver Warranty
Seahorse Case
The wrappings and accessories, and, indeed, the headphones, speak to a customer focused integrity, an attention to detail, masterful craftsmanship, technological knowhow, and a desire to bring value, music, and enjoyment to each of its customers.
Design—Look, Feel, and Technology
Gorgeous. Yes, the word “gorgeous” keeps coming up because that is truly what the ZMF Véríté is and there is not a better descriptor. The Véríté is functional, heirloom art as though Mid-Century Modern, my favorite design style. Again, this “Mom&Pop” headphone concern—ZMF—has brought exceptional style, class, technological prowess, and old-school integrity that stand it above the fray of headphones, regardless of their technological underpinnings. Again, bravo!
Technology and Specification
ZMF Véríté
Type: Open-back headphones w/PEN Driver Vapor-Deposed w/20% Beryllium
Wood type: Sapele
Impedance: 300 Ohms
Sensitivity: 97dB SPL / 1mW @ 1kHz
THD: 0.1% @ 1kHz / 100 dB SPL
Frequency response: 10Hz–25kHz
Weight: 430g
Cables provided: 1 x ZMF Stock
Carrying case: Seahorse SE 430
Warranty: Lifetime for Drivers/2 Years Parts and Mechanical
Conclusion
Gorgeous. Incredibly transparent, resolving, detail rich, fast, fast, fast, and astonishingly musical. The sum of the Véríté’s talents speak to something other than a dynamic headphone, something imbued with a good measure of the planar magnetic tribe, and, at times, the electrostatic tribe as well. An exceptionally talented chameleon able to meet the task at hand with all its best skill forward!
The Véríté is a TOTL headphone that will sound marvelous with a DAP, but it will be at its very best with top-flight, read, TOTL components of uncompromising abilities— Accustic Arts Player II, Mola Mola Tambaqui, Bricasti Design M1, Enleum AMP-23R, LTA Z10e, etc.
The ZMF Véríté is, undoubtedly, a step above its sibling in every respect—transparency, resolution, transient speed, detail retrieval—whilst not for a nanosecond being anything less than extraordinarily musical. This then is another salute to ZMF with regard to its ability to produce gorgeous, heirloom quality headphones that happen to sound even better than they look! And that is no small feat. Without further ado, we award the ZMF Véríté our highest honor—the DIAMOND AWARD for all that it embodies. And a heads up, its recently debuted big brother—the Atrium—listened to side by side with the Véríté is, well…!!! You’ll have to wait for that review.
Pros: Musicality, transparency, dynamics, speed, sound staging, imaging, the incredible beauty of the delivery of the music, the Seahorse case.
Cons: None.
THE SYSTEMS
1.
Roon Nucleus+
MOLA MOLA Tambaqui
ENLEUM AMP-23R
MEZE EMPYREAN
ROSSON AUDIO RAD-0
ZMF ATTICUS
AUDIENCE FRONT ROW CABLES
TORUS RM20
2.
Roon Nucleus+
DENAFRIPS Pontus II
LTA Z10e
MEZE EMPYREAN
ROSSON AUDIO RAD-0
ZMF ATTICUS
AUDIENCE FRONT ROW CABLES
TORUS RM20
3.
MOLA MOLA Tambaqui DAC as Headphone Amplifier
4.
ASTELL&KERN SE180
The Company
ZMF
ZMF Véríté ($2499.99)
www.zmfheadphones.com
contactZMF@gmail.com