Comparisons
For this section I have again used the stock Lamb pads. The comparison part is done with the Musician Aquarius DAC and the SAEQ PDA-1b headphone amplifier. The beauty of the SAEQ is that you can connect up to 4 headphones without any loss of quality or power, it’s the perfect neutrally tuned amplifier for comparisons.
I have to admit that I had a difficult time choosing the headphones to compare the Caldera too as it need to be orthodynamic headphones around the same price point. In the end I chose the Meze Audio Elite, the JPS Labs Diana MR and the DCA Expanse.
The DCA Expanse is selling for just under $4k USD and it has a 23Ω impedance, with a sensitivity rating of about 86 – 87 dB/mW. The Expanse is a tighter sounding headphone, but for an open back headphone the soundstage is more intimate. While they in weight are similar the subs bass presence of the Expanse seems elevated. Bass is more controlled in the DCA, while the ZMF has the better overall presence. There also is a higher focus on the vocals which are more to the front. The airiness of the Expanse is very different from the Caldera and it doesn’t come over as natural. Because of the better spaciousness of the Caldera, the note extension is more clear. The Expanse scores in layering and snap. The treble presentation also is different where the Expanse focuses on a lower frequency. Overall I find the Caldera to be the best balanced one of both headphones. The Expanse focuses more on the technical part with less mid presence where the Caldera is strong in both the technical an enjoyment/musical department.
The Diana MR to me is the best headphone of the Diana series. It is selling for around $3k and it has an impedance of 30 ohms with a sensitivity of 91dB. These headphones are actually very close to each other tuning wise, but the Caldera is more spacious and airy. The MR on the other hand has the better layering, sub bass rumble and it has even better mid timbre. Both of these headphones are technically strong, they have a more neutral but good amount of body and they both are very musical and easy to listen to. The headphone experience in terms of design and comfort is very different however. I really like both models and at this time I couldn’t possibly choose between them.
Last but not least is the Meze Audio Elite. It is selling for $4k and has a rating of 101dB and an impedance of 32 ohms. I actually chose the Elite over the new Empyrean 2 as they compare better and as not everyone has heard the new Empyrean 2 yet. Let me know in the comments section if you want me to add this comparison as well. The Caldera is the cleaner, more clear and less veiled sounding. The Elite has bigger bass presence but a similar airy presentation. The Elite is slower, yet fuller and heavier. It to me has a darker tuning but it does have more apparent layering with a higher sub bass rumble. They are more complementary headphones than they are comparable ones.
Conclusion
The ZMF Caldera isn’t new, but it was Zach’s first proprietary planar driver and it still is a relevant flagship headphone. The Caldera doesn’t come cheap but you definitely get good value in return.
The Caldera is technically strong and musical at the same time and it’s just a pure pleasure to use all day long. I have a lot of excellent new full-sized headphones to review over the next coming weeks, and even with that in mind it is very easy for me to give the ZMF Caldera our Recommended Buy Award. It simply is a really good and beautiful headphone, from an excellent company. Period.
The ZMF Caldera is now featured on our Recommended Buy Headphone list, where it is in very good company.
Summary
Pros:
+ Design
+ Unboxing experience
+ Sound quality
+ Spaciousness and mid timbre
+ Musicality & Enjoyment
Cons:
– Weight (for some)
Page 1: ZMF, Caldera, Box & Accessories & Price
Page 2: Design & Build quality & Comfort, Specifications, Sound Pt. 1
Page 3: Sound Pt. 2
Page 4: Sound Pt. 4, Conclusion, Summary
