This is the review of the ZMF Bokeh closed-back headphone. It is selling for $1,099.99 USD.
Disclaimer: The ZMF Bokeh was sent to me by ZMF Headphones directly in exchange for our honest opinion.
ZMF
I’m happy that we’re reviewing another ZMF headphone, and we’ll be covering multiple of their units over the next couple of months. The previously reviewed ZMF headphone was the award winning closed-back Atrium.
ZMF Headphones stands for Zach Mehrbach Films and they are a brand that’s no stranger to the world of high-end audio, at least within the realm of the headphone audiophile. The company is helmed by the dynamic husband-and-wife duo, Zach and Bevin Mehrbach. Together, they are purveyors of a host of fantastic-sounding and awesome-looking products. Simply drop by their website, and take a gander at their growing stable of headphones, and you won’t, or can’t, tear your eyes away from them.
When working on our designs we take our slogan very seriously; “Traditional Craft, Modern Acoustics.” We strive to make every headphone show inspiration from timeless artistry, film, culture and history. When melding this with current headphone technology and Zach Mehrbach’s proprietary damping systems, each headphone is made to become an instant classic.
That is, unless of course, you’re not particularly a fan of wood. If so, you might want to move along, as ZMF are wood masters. If you’re an audiophile, your weapons-of-choice are distinctly headphones, and you’re a connoisseur of wood (is there such a thing?), then, yes, by all means, continue reading, for I will be reviewing their popular closed-back headphone named Bokeh.
If you want to learn more about ZMF, you can do so on their website here. I’ve met Zach and his team on multiple occasions at different shows, and they’re always very kind and a pleasure to talk to. If you ever go to one of the sows where ZMF is present, make sure to check out their room or stand and say hello.
This article as said is all about the Bokeh headphone. Let’s start!
ZMF Bokeh
The [BOH-kay] [BOW-kuh] is one of ZMF’s latest closed-back headphones. “Bokeh” refers to the out-of-focus area in an image and there are many ways to pronounce it.
The Bokeh incorporates trickle-down acoustic technology and the form factor from the rest of the ZMF line.
The BOKEH blurs the line between convenience and mainframe bliss. It immerses you in a world away from the outside, delivering spaciousness through our patented Atrium Damping System. The BOKEH lets you focus on your needs with an easily propelled driver that scales with amplification. Affordable, sonically malleable, isolating, elegant, and comfortable, the BOKEH can be your gateway to the rest of ZMF or the one-and-done endgame for a high-end casual audiophile.
The ZMF Bokeh features an 80-ohm Liquid Crystal Polymer Driver (LCP) which has a sensitivity of ~103dB/mW, making it an easier to drive full-sized headphone, but more on that later.
The new Bokeh also features ZMF’s patented Atrium Damping System which enables optimization of the airflow resistance to each driver maximizing each model’s sonic capabilities. The BOKEH utilizes the same Atrium damping system that was first developed for the Atrium Open and Closed. While the system and ideas remain consistent, the Atrium damping system is infinitely adjustable among different materials to optimize the airflow and damping performance of each driver and enclosure. ZMF believes you’ll appreciate the spaciousness and tonality the system imparts. You can learn more about the technology in this video here.
ZMF also describes the Bokeh as being semi portable. It still is a reasonably large headphone but as you can fold the cups flat down, it is easier to transport. Check out the pictures to see what this means. ZMF with the Bokeh have replaced the mini-xlr connectors in the earcup with a 1/8″ TRS one. There are multiple reasons for this: it brings a sleeker cup design to the party, while maintaining a great inner cup volume for optimal sonic properties. It also makes it easy to swap out cables later once you decide to start rolling cables.
We already know that ZMF like using different ear pads as they can easily that to alter the headphone’s tuning. The Bokeh pads are an evolution of ZMF’s Caldera pads design, and there are different versions available: Hybrid, Suede and Protein (see pics). All of the pads incorporate a distinctive fluted design, asymmetrical ear-side hole orientation, and a skewed Z-Axis angle for an optimal seal on the submental space of your neck, ensuring unparalleled comfort and sound. The driver side’s inner diameter can adapt seamlessly to airflow requirements, without messing up your sensory experience via the outer diameter that touches the skin thanks to the fluted design. Tweak the circular axis on the baffle to make these pads your own, so the thickest part matches perfectly with your unique contours.
Last but not least, the Bokeh also features a modular tuning system. The Bokeh comes with the stock mesh installed, but you can get the Solid Titan Mesh as an accessory. The mesh used also influences the Bokeh’s tuning and we’ll get back to that later in this article.
Currently, the stock wood for the Bokeh is Natural Black Limba. Our version is the one that was released at the start, the Rubied Limba.
You can find the ZMF Bokeh website here. The Bokeh can be bought directly from ZMF or through one of their dealers, such as the Headphone.shop.
The Box, Accessories & Price
The ZMF Bokeh’s price starts at $1,099.99 USD and will then go up depending on the options chosen. What I appreciate from ZMF is that they don’t use the same pricing when selling in a different currency. They actually charge the amount based on the conversion rate, making the Bokeh available for me for €1.028,95 Euro.
The Bokeh is being built from scratch and will be sent out within 4 to 8 weeks. When it arrives, you in the box you will find your ZMF Bokeh headphone, one ZMF Stock Cable, the Bokeh Protein Pads, your owner’s card (lifetime driver warranty), a cleaning cloth and a soft pouch.
There are multiple additional accessories available such as the (mesh) tuning kit, 2 set of other pads, a leatherette case and differently terminated cables. Of course the Bokeh’s price goes up depending on the options and additional accessories chosen.
Just like with the ZMF Caldera, the Bokeh’s unboxing experience is a pure pleasure. I have never seen a company putting so much effort in the unboxing experience and ZMF really deserves praise for this. You don’t just get the box with the gear inside, but you get well-designed, informational cards with characteristics of and instructions for your headphone. You as well get a a sort of manual for the 1st time use and maintenance. It’s super impressive.
The review continues on the second page. Click here or use the jumps below.
Page 1: ZMF, Bokeh, Box & Accessories & Price
Page 2: Design, Build Quality, Comfort & Isolation, Specification, Sound Intro, Sound general
Page 3: Sounds Pads, Sound Mesh, Sound Desktop amplification
Page 4: Sounds Portable Amplification, Comparisons, Conclusion, Summary
