ZMF Bokeh - A New Entry Point Into the ZMF World

 3⭐️

+ Midcentric tuning is great for vocals

+ Bassier than other ZMF models I've tried

+ Passive isolation and comfort

+ Same great ZMF build quality if not just a slight step down to match the lower price

+ Impressive accessories (both optional and included)

- Slight timbre issues

- Treble can be too bright depending on pad/filter combination

- Lacking extension

- Soundstage is cramped 

- This is one of ZMF's cheapest sets to date but it's still quite expensive for most regular consumers

- Price to performance

thaslaya's star rating system:

☆☆☆☆☆ - Fantastic!

☆☆☆☆ - Recommended

☆☆☆ - There are buyers but not for me

☆☆ - Can't see the appeal

☆ - Product is a failure

Disclaimer: 

This pair was provided for demo through a tour arranged by ZMF. They were returned after the review period. I receive no compensation, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

I also feel the need to add another disclaimer here. I am a completely portable listener and have no desktop gear to speak of. That means I only had dongle DAC/amps to power these full-sized headphones. I know that may be sacrilegious to some audiophiles. If that's a dealbreaker, then feel free to read no further. During my testing, I found that the Bokeh paired best with the Hiby FC4, and they were able to reach a very loud volume without maxing out the amplifier and source.

Gear used: 

●LG v30+

●Samsung Galaxy s22 Ultra

●Samsung dongle

●Hiby FC4

●Kiwi Ears Allegro 

●DUNU DTC480

●Letshuoer DT03 

Source:

●Listening was done through Amazon Music HD or Ultra HD.

Introduction:

ZMF Headphones is an audio company operating out of Berwyn, Illinois, right here in the United States. Zach Mehrbach is the founder, president, and designer, and his passion for headphones is on display with every set the company produces. Each headphone is handcrafted in the ZMF workshop and enjoyed worldwide, thanks to their ever-growing list of international dealers. There are many models to choose from, in both open- and closed-back variations, and they also make desktop DACs and amplifiers. The Bokeh is one of ZMF's newest closed-back sets, and it's also one of their most affordable. The Bokeh features a 50mm LCP dynamic driver and utilizes N52 magnets with an impedance of 80 ohms. It's currently priced at $1,099 on ZMF's website. Let's break them down and see what the Bokeh is all about.

Build, fit, ergonomics:

I can't speak to the unboxing experience since this was a demo unit and, as such, it also included many additional pieces that do not come stock with every purchase. The package included the headphones, three types of pads, three cables, and two distinct sets of tuning filters that can be attached to the drivers. The Bokeh is a bit different from previous models I've tried. The headband has a different form factor, the cups are slightly oval-shaped instead of the standard round, and it utilizes dual 3.5mm connections instead of the usual mini XLRs. I'm assuming the change in headband is a small cost-cutting measure to make this set more affordable, though you wouldn't be able to tell just by looking. Like all ZMF headphones, the Bokeh has impeccable build quality. The materials and craftsmanship that go into these sets are truly top-notch. Although the build is a bit of a departure from previous models, it still has a soft, supple leather-wrapped headband and bull bolster band (BBB) strap, though the latter is not as thick and well-made as in more expensive models. The connections between the headband and adjustable yokes are also slightly different. They appear to be more streamlined and less bulky, albeit a bit cheaper-looking. These wooden cups are made of Natural Black Limba. This wood has a wide variety of appearances, and the ZMF stock photos show a lighter color with more streaks than the set I received. The tour unit is quite a dark maroon/brown with deep, rich tones, which I actually like more.

Traditionally, ZMF’s pads and cups are round, so pad rolling with the slightly oval-shaped cups of the Bokeh is a test of dexterity. It’s not super difficult, but it is more troublesome than with their other models. The kit included three cables with different terminations: a 3.5mm, 4.4mm, and XLR. These cables are braided with a fabric sheath. They are lightweight, soft, pliable, and have great build quality. They do exhibit a bit of microphonics when rubbing against clothing and such, but it's mostly mild. The kit also includes two different styles of tuning mesh that can be applied to the drivers. It's a bit of a process and does involve some finesse and patience. The pads must be removed to access the drivers. Then the four screws that hold the plastic driver protector need to be taken out, and the mesh placed on the backside of the protector. It can be a bit of a pain to have to expose the drivers to install the mesh, but it's fairly straightforward, though extra caution must be taken to guarantee their safety during this process. 

Sound impressions:

What I love about ZMF is that they truly care about catering to each individual's unique listening experience. By offering a variety of filters and pad options, they acknowledge that every person hears differently and may need slight adjustments to get the most out of their headphones. In that same spirit, I did try all three types of pads that were included as well as both filter options. Writing a thorough review for every combination would be an exhaustive endeavor, so I'll just touch briefly on how each option alters the sound. Let's begin with the ear pad impressions. This kit includes three types: perforated leather, perforated suede, and a hybrid with a leather outer layer and suede inner layer. When using the leather pads, the highs are toned down slightly, while the bass receives a small boost and has more presence. Unfortunately, it can also present as slightly boomy, bloated, and congested. The suede pads make the bass a bit cleaner with better separation, while also adding more air to the treble. However, this also tames the bass a bit too much for my liking, and the entire tuning becomes too lean. The hybrid pads are truly the Goldilocks of the three for me. The leather outer layer helps the bass retain its presence and fun nature, while the suede inner layer helps diffuse the bloat and adds a bit more air overall. Both styles of mesh filters help rein in the upper frequencies a bit. Obviously, the one with finer mesh will work a bit better, but when using this one alone, I still had a few bothersome peaks, and the more open mesh was definitely brighter than I prefer. I actually opted to use both styles of filters stacked on top of each other to bring the treble more in line with my warmer preferences. Now, you might be saying, "Hey, thaslaya! You're completely changing the stock tuning of the Bokeh." Well, yes, that's exactly the point! I used the tools at my disposal to cater the tuning to my preferences. ZMF understands that each person has different tastes, and the ability to customize the tuning should not be undervalued.

By employing the hybrid pads and both filter types, the Bokeh's tuning becomes considerably smoother and more mid-centric, with rolled-off sub-bass and treble. The extension is still adequate for me, but the midrange is truly the star of the show, which suits me just fine. The soundstage is a bit lackluster and somewhat narrow, lacking in depth. This can be typical of most closed-back sets, with one notable exception that Ive heard, the Atrium Closed. That one kind of ruined other closed-back headphones for me, since it has such an expansive soundstage. To be fair, it is over double the price of the Bokeh, but I actually prefer the Bokeh's overall tuning. It has more bass quantity and overall warmth that I felt was missing in the AC. If ZMF could get the AC's soundstage into the Bokeh at its price point, it would be an absolute standout headphone. The imaging is quite good, and there is great spatial resolution, especially for gaming and movies. The Bokeh can have a slightly hollow and empty-sounding effect with some tracks, as if the notes are bouncing off the wooden cups. Separation is one of the weak points of the technicalities. It can feel cramped and claustrophobic, especially in complicated tracks where the notes start to overlap and overlay on top of each other, making it sound congested. The timbre is not very natural or realistic, and it sounds more obvious to me that I'm listening to a recording. I can't quite put my finger on what exactly is wrong, but it just sounds off. The detail retrieval is disappointing for a set costing $1000. I would say it's more on par with headphones half their price. The tuning is more musically focused, but that's not an excuse for the lack of detail at this price point. The note weight is not thin per se, but it does sound a bit blunted, almost as if they are unfinished or incomplete, and notes lack a definitive edge.

●Lows - There is a good balance of sub and mid-bass. The sub-bass has good rumble, and the overall bass notes have good impact and slam, but it lacks extension. The attack is fairly quick with an average decay that ensures the notes don't die off too quickly or overstay their welcome. Unfortunately, the bass can come across as a bit bloated or messy, like the edges of the notes aren't crisp or clear, and the texture is a bit "wet." It almost sounds artificially boosted and strained at times. At least there is ample separation between the mid-bass and lower midrange, which ensures there's no bleed. In the track "We're Good" by Dua Lipa, the bass impact sounds a bit muddy and unkempt, and the notes sound a little fuzzy. For $1000, I expect much better bass performance than what the Bokeh has shown.

●Mids - The upper midrange is definitely accentuated and boosted, which puts vocals front and center. It makes for a great vocal-forward tuning, but it can come across as slightly artificial at times. Because of this, the timbre is just slightly off to my ear and doesn't sound as natural and organic as I'd like. The filters do help add a little warmth and tame the upper midrange energy but can only go so far. To the Bokeh's credit, the vocals do not sound shouty or nasally and are generally well received, with female artists being slightly more prominent than males. The lower midrange is not recessed, so guitars, in particular, stick out in the mix. In fact, all instruments have a lot of presence, which makes listening to classical or orchestral music a treat. Unfortunately, like the vocals, they don't have the most natural timbre and sound slightly off.

●Highs - The treble is where the Bokeh's tuning turned me off the most. Keep in mind that these impressions of the treble are with both sets of filters installed; otherwise, it's too bright and has troublesome peaks for my ears. The filters might make the highs sound too subdued and blunted for some, but I prefer that to piercing, irritating treble. It is mostly tame but still has a decent presence and rolls off to avoid any sibilance or harshness. It could use more air, but again, the filters probably stunt that a little bit. Cymbals are crisp and not overtly splashy. Claps, snares, and hi-hats have good energy but are not harsh. It would be ideal not to have to use any filters, but without them, there is too much energy and harshness/sibilance at higher volumes. I was not able to listen for long without quickly becoming fatigued without them.

In conclusion:

The ZMF Bokeh is an interesting headphone. Aesthetically, it retains the renowned build quality and craftsmanship for which ZMF is known, even with a lower price tag. However, I find the sound quality and technical abilities to be quite lacking for my taste. The more time I spent with the Bokeh, the more I found that it is missing something special compared to the last two ZMF headphones I reviewed. The Caldera has the best vocal clarity and detail retrieval I have ever heard, and the Atrium Closed has an exceptionally large soundstage for a closed-back. The Bokeh is still a good set, but I just found myself looking for that intangible thing that sets it apart from other headphones. Perhaps that "special" quality is the Bokeh's price. At $1,099, it comes in at less than half of the Atrium Closed and a third of the Caldera. So while those two models may have intangible qualities, the Bokeh has a significant advantage in price. For most people, $1,099 is still A LOT to spend on a single pair of headphones, but what you get here is an introduction to the ZMF house sound and a beautiful, well-built set. The headphones themselves are sturdy, and the wood is very attractive. The plethora of accessories and add-ons ensures that they can be tailored to individual preferences. The mid-centric tuning highlights the best of vocals in any genre. While no particular genre sounded bad during my testing, none stood out as exceptional. In that case, I guess they could be considered an all-rounder? I do think the Bokeh are a good entry point into the world of ZMF headphones, though for me, they still won't supplant IEMs as my preferred device, which generally offers a much higher price-to-performance ratio. If ZMF had included a little extra something, it would have elevated them to the next tier. At the end of the day, the Bokeh are still a good set of headphones, but they did not resonate strongly with me. I know there are those in the community who love and enjoy them, and they could very well work for you.