My journey with ZMF began two years ago at the 2023 Munich High End Audio Show. I was immediately drawn to Zach’s headphones and managed to snag a quick listen. The sound was promising, but I needed more time to truly appreciate it.

Zach generously sent me a pair of Calderas, which I reviewed here. I fell head over heels for them, and eventually, the allure of the Atriums became too strong to resist, especially with all the rave reviews. AudioPrime graciously loaned me a pair, and let’s just say it wasn’t long before I knew I had to have them. The decision to buy was practically effortless.

These headphones, my friends, are something truly special.

Intro & Specs

Check out the video review here:

You can find all the details here. Will leave a few of the details below as well.

Atrium [ ey-tree-uhm ] //  is a Roman architectural term referring to a centrally open room often at the entrance to a space, typically with domed or otherwise pitched ceiling.  With the ZMF Atrium, you get our most open design, which features our patent-pending rear damping system that accentuates stage layering, depth, tactile “feel” with realistically natural timbre.

The Atrium expands the range of spatial sound experience first incepted with the auteur (now the “auteur classic”), through its shared biocellulose driver heritage and linear ZMF tuning.  

The current stock wood for the Atrium is Cherry.  The Cherry is finished in a natural amber finish.  Cherry as a species has innate features such as knots, burls, checks, branch marks, resin lines and marks and other aberrations that vary per cup but are typically visible on all headphones.
Headphones may vary from sample photos due to natural wood variance.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Impedance: 300 Ohms
• Driver: Biocellulose N52 Atrium Tuned Driverr
• Weight: 490g ± 30g (aluminum chassis, black grille/rods)
• Sensitivity: ~96dB/mW

INCLUDES

• Cherry Atrium
• ZMF Stock Braided Cable and OFC Cable
• ZMF Universe Pads and 1 set of your choice 
• ZMF Owner’s Card
• Lifetime Driver Warranty

NOTES

The upgraded magnesium chassis is painted, not anodized, and may wear over time.  Magnesium reduces weight by 34g.

The stock cable is always sent in an alternate termination from the OFC cable chosen, and is based on current ZMF Inventory.

Listening Impressions and Tests

Before we jump into the nitty-gritty, let’s lay out the gear that helped me experience the magic of the Atriums. My setup was: PC Matrix Element H powered by the Keces P8 linear power supply -> Audioquest Diamond USB -> Denafrips Gaia -> (i2s Audioquest Diamond) -> Rockna Wavelight (with balanced XLR 5.8v output, using Audioquest Sky XLR) -> Holo Bliss KTE- > Norne S3 Balanced S3 (Silver Cable) -> ZMF Atrium.

A quick note on the Atriums: they boast a hefty 300-ohm impedance. I’m really digging the versatility of the Bliss KTE, allowing me to switch to high impedance mode for these headphones. The difference is noticeable – a fuller, more natural, and holographic sound with a satisfyingly deep bass.

Rodrigo y Gabriela – Terracentric

The bass, cleverly created by using the guitars as percussion, was pure magic with the Atriums. I felt the guitar bodies resonate as if I were nestled within the instrument itself. The guitar plucks were vibrant, tactile, and bursting with life. A truly enjoyable, tactile, and energetic experience.

From Zero to Galactic Hero

This track was another fantastic listen. The bass hits hard, dragging and bouncing you around in a vivid soundscape thanks to the energetic and lively midrange. Every instrument is vibrant, textured, and full of life. The vocals envelop the scene in a holographic way, and everything blends into a euphoric and memorable musical journey.

Wake me up – 2 Cellos

These headphones have a knack for breathing life into instruments, vocals, and music in general. The cello strings were vibrant, full, and beautifully extended. The whole song becomes an energetic and fun experience, but those chords are simply spectacular with the Atriums. I feel like I’m inside the cellos themselves.

Four Wild Horses

The vocals are clean, present, and beautifully textured. They fill the soundscape in a natural, holographic, and euphonic way. The Atriums create a truly intimate experience with the artist. And, of course, the guitar plucks maintain that tactile and energetic signature I’ve already raved about.

Infected Mushroom – Spit Fire

While this may not be the most technically precise bass, it’s one of the most fun bass experiences I’ve ever had with headphones. It hits incredibly hard, goes deep, and has a satisfying decay. It might not be the most accurate, but it fills the scene without ever feeling sluggish. Sure, I’ve heard faster, tighter bass, but the Atriums hit with such force and have a unique kind of decay that makes the experience incredibly enjoyable.

Earth Melodies

I wanted to test this song to see if the Atrium could convey all the sentiment this voice is capable of, and it definitely delivered. The vocals were cleanly presented, with enough detail to express the full range of emotions in this vocal rollercoaster. I did feel the need to reduce the volume a bit, likely due to the Atrium’s strong presence between 2-3kHz. While I’ve heard more texture and emotion from other headphones, particularly with female vocals, the Atrium still provided a clean, natural, and well-reproduced experience.

Standing in My Shoes

Oh man, this song was pure joy. It was like being on stage with the artists, surrounded by the instruments. The vocals were full of presence and texture, almost like they were singing directly into my ears – an ASMR-like experience. Meanwhile, the drums and guitars were dancing on my eardrums. An immensely colorful and joyful experience.

Allegro

Classical music sounds surprisingly good on the Atriums. Why? Because of the natural tonality, energy, and textures they’re capable of. Instruments sound vibrant, full of life, and natural. I even enjoy the treble experience. While I might not get the same bite or detail as with other headphones, the treble is sufficiently detailed, and I love its naturalness. The soundstage is also quite impressive, offering a very natural and lifelike experience. And I think that’s the perfect word to describe classical music on these headphones: a well-textured, lively, and vibrant lifelike experience.

Summary

Bass

Oh man, the bass is just pure fun. It’s definitely one of the most enjoyable bass experiences I’ve ever had with headphones. It hits incredibly hard, goes deep, and has a unique kind of decay – a very euphonic decay that sacrifices a bit of speed without ever feeling sluggish. I’ve heard more detailed and faster bass with other headphones, but this is just so much fun.

Midrange

The midrange is where the magic truly happens. It’s vibrant, full of life and textures. It has a great presence in both the lower and upper midrange, delivering incredible vocals and instruments that beam with life and energy.

Treble

The treble gains more presence and detail starting with 7kHz. In my opinion, it has decent detail, and what I love about it is that it never becomes harsh or fatiguing. It also sounds natural, without any metallic or plastic aftertaste. It contributes beautifully to the overall signature of the Atriums.

Transients/PRAT/Dynamics

The transients are quite interesting. The attack is strong and explosive, leading to a tactile and energetic experience, while the decay is a bit slower and fuller, without making the sound feel slow. Instead, it adds a touch of euphony. I think this balance is quite difficult to achieve, and it’s a big part of the Atrium’s magic. They have excellent macrodynamics, while perhaps lacking a bit in the microdynamics department. But the macrodynamics are so engaging and enjoyable that I didn’t miss the micro details at all.

Textures

Oh man, the textures are so colorful, vibrant, and full of life that every song just comes alive, from hip-hop to classical. This is a true genre-master headphone, in my opinion.

Tonality

I also love the tonality of these headphones. While it leans towards the colorful side, it still manages to maintain a natural and lifelike quality. It amplifies those natural aspects, like the vibrations of wooden instrument bodies, the resonance of chords, the nuances of vocals… it’s all there.

Details

The detail retrieval is decent. It’s not the Atrium’s strongest point, but with all the other wonderful qualities in its sound, I never felt like I was missing anything.

Soundstage/Imaging

The soundstage plays a crucial role here, contributing to the Atrium’s lifelike sound. Sounds are placed beautifully within the scene, creating a natural and holographic soundstage. Nothing feels too close or too far away. The instrument separation and imaging are also excellent.

Measurements

Comparison with Caldera

(Caldera is represented by the green graph)

The Caldera offers more detail, speed, and a slightly more consistent treble experience than the Atriums. Its bass doesn’t hit quite as hard, but it’s not far behind, and it’s faster, more detailed, and seems to extend a bit deeper.

While textures are more detailed on the Caldera, they’re livelier and more colorful on the Atriums. There are instances where the Caldera can express more emotion through a better reproduction of vocal nuances, for example.

Both headphones are incredibly enjoyable. It was so difficult to choose between them that I ended up getting both. Now, I’m almost afraid to try other ZMF headphones like the Verite Open or Closed… I might end up owning the entire ZMF lineup! :))

Conclusions

The ZMF Atrium may not be the most technical headphones on the market, but they offer such an engaging and enjoyable listening experience that technicalities fade into the background. With enough detail and precision to satisfy, these headphones truly shine in their ability to deliver a sound that’s energetic, vibrant, and full of life. Whether it’s the impactful, euphonic bass, the richly textured midrange, or the natural and non-fatiguing treble, everything sounds fantastic on the Atrium.

Their versatility across genres and their unique ability to bring out the best in any track make them an essential listen for any headphone enthusiast. The soundstage and imaging add to this lifelike experience, creating a sense of presence that’s both intimate and expansive.

For me, the Atrium isn’t just a pair of headphones; it’s an experience—a musical journey that’s both emotionally engaging and endlessly enjoyable. It’s no wonder they’ve quickly become one of my all-time favorites. If you’re looking for headphones that are not only technically proficient but also incredibly fun, the ZMF Atrium should be at the top of your list. Be warned, though—you might just end up wanting the entire ZMF lineup!