Awesome. Been seeing quite a few that seem to prefer TH-X00 and think the bass is much better. And they all love the comfort and build quality like you though. Thanks for your input.
Instead of spending up, more and more I'm thinking the Emu Teak is the next headphone I should settle on. I loved the shit out of TH-X00 Mahogany and Purple Heart but was not fan of the build quality thus got rid of them.
For what it's worth the Emu isn't really built that much better than the TH-X00's. It is lighter (which I really like) and it now has removable cables (which I love) but the actual materials used and the build quality is fairly similar. It does sound yummy though.
Has anyone done an in-depth comparison of the Atticus and Eikon versus the Teaks? Just wondering how better the Eikons are and if they actually warrant the steep price tag.
I don't have an Atticus (although I would really like to someday) but I have done quite a bit of back and forth with the Eikon and the Emu Teak. The short version is that I really like both of them and they are different enough that they really don't overlap all that much in terms of sounding similar. (I have read the Atticus is like a more mature sounding Fostex variant, for what that is worth).
For the average listener or beginner in this hobby the Emu Teak is an easy recommendation. It sounds great out of most phones and even better out of even a basic DAC and Amp. It really isn't that picky. I happen to think a hybrid amp like the Lyr 2 or Vali 2 is perfect but even something like a Magni 2 is plenty. For very little extra money you can have a great sounding setup that would impress the pants off of most folks.
In my opinion the best thing about them is the wood cups. Mine are gorgeous. I've owned the TH-X00 and my friend at work has the TH-X00 Purpleheart and I think the Teak is easily the best looking of the three. And they are certainly the lightest and most open sounding, which is a big plus. The actual build quality isn't that impressive for a $500 headphone but it isnt embarrassing either.
Overall sound is very warm and sweet with a lot of bass emphasis and treble that is a little bit hot. Depending on how sensitive you are to treble issues they could be fatiguing for you.
In the interest of full disclosure I will say that I have given up on owning a Fostex variant unless the earpads get a full redesign. I have sensitive ears and we just don't get on well. My Emu Teaks are actually up for sale over at head-fi and if anyone here is interested please let me know via PM. I hate to let them go because I really enjoy how they sound but it isn't worth headaches and ear aches.
Now the ZMF Eikon.... I guess the obvious differences between it and the Emu Teak (or any Fostex variant) would be 1) build quality/ material quality 2) scalability 3) sonic signature 4) weight. And most of this will apply to the Atticus as well.
The Eikon is certainly a much more impressive headphone to look at and to interact with. All of the materials are really high quality and there is zero plastic used. Its all metal, leather and wood. The earpads are massive and have the highest quality memory foam that I have yet experienced. It is an extremely comfortable headphone for me to wear and I love the way the giant earcups completely surround my ears (so no pressure or contact). The leather is very soft and supple and the whole package looks and feels really premium.
The sound on the Eikon is fairly unique for a closed back headphone. It really doesn't emphasize anything strongly or have any noticeable dips in frequency response. Zach described it as "ZMF reference" meaning it still has a bit of warmth and perhaps a bit more bass presence but it is nowhere close to the bassiness of the Fostex cans (and this is where the Atticus comes in).
It extends very low but the presentation is classy and refined instead of what I call "street" bass which favors power and volume over refinement and integration into the rest of the music. Unlike the Fostex variants the Eikon is never fatiguing with its sound and you can pretty much listen all day to whatever type of music you like and the Eikon will make it sound good. It doesn't fly quite as high as the Emu Teak in terms of initial wow factor but it is more consistent and, to me, more listenable over the long term. The Eikon really commits very few sins which means I find myself going back to it time and time again.
The one possible downside for me, so far, is that I really don't think I have paired it with an amp that is really getting 100% out of it. It's a pricey headphone and from my reading and research it seems like it was designed to really have the best pairing with some of the best (read: most expensive) amps out there. Stuff like the Wells Audio units or the Ampsandsound Kenzie which are easily $1500 and up. High end tube amps seem to be the most recommended pairing and I just don't have the scratch for that at this point. But hey, at least you know it scales well with your gear. (and I will say that my DAC choice of Metrum Musette was recommended by Zach and I have been super happy with that pairing.)
My amp right now is a simple Vali 2 with the stock tube and I actually don't think you could find a better sounding amp for the Eikon that is less than $500. It's my favorite amp that I have yet tried and that includes the Night Blues Mini, the Lyr 2, the Valhalla 2, the Jotunheim and the Jotunheim + Saga. I throw that in to show that even though the Eikon was made to scale way on up you really don't have to spend a ton to get great sound out of it.
Finally, the weight difference between the two is quite large. The Eikon is just a much heavier and much more substantial feeling headphone. The weight has not been an issue for me (and I have a small head and skinny neck) because the headband does such a good job distributing the weight and is well padded. Overall, even with the weight, the Eikon is far more comfortable than the Emu Teak.
I've enjoyed using my Eikons for music, certainly, but they have also become a staple for movie watching late at night and even gaming. They really are great all around headphones.
I don't know if that helps anyone make a decision or not. I think the Eikon / Atticus are wonderful headphones and Zach has done a tremendous job with customer service and with ZMF. We still exchange emails once in a while and he is very down to earth and a genuine hobbyist who loves what he does and loves the community. But headphones that cost over $1000 definitely require a financial commitment and certainly deserve a bit more research and thought before jumping in.
I think anyone who took the plunge would be well pleased with what they receive but, like I said at the beginning, at $500 (which is half the cost of the Atticus and less than half the cost of the Eikon) the Emu Teak is an easier recommendation to make for most people.
Summary - Emu Teak - Fun and sweet. Makes everything warm, bassy and a bit sparkly. Really uncomfortable (for me) earpads and only so-so build and material quality.
ZMF Eikon (Atticus) - Imparts less of itself on the music or sound but also manages to make just about everything sound really good. Scales very well. Very high build and material quality, extremely comfortable earcups and headband. Quite pricey and will need pricey gear to get 100% out of it.
