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Review: Harmonicdyne Zeus Elite – One Step Forward, Two Steps Back
HarmonicDyne’s new iteration of the Zeus recreation a completely new diaphragm design–however that on my own doesn’t lead them to a worthy successor.
HarmonicDyne, a relative newcomer to the audio sport, has already logged a couple of hits with the Helios and the Zeus. Those two open-back headphones won some traction throughout the headphone neighborhood.
Each headphones had been recognized for a very hot sound signature. Their unabashed mid-bass emphasis elicited comparisons to the now out-of-production AudioQuest Nighthawk.
In fact, this sort of sound isn’t for everybody, however they coated a distinct segment left open within the mid-fi marketplace. There are many warm-tilted choices at the pricier aspect from firms like Audeze, ZMF, and Meze, however lots of the maximum acclaimed merchandise from the mid-fi sector simply aren’t that heat, opting as a substitute for “transparent” or “impartial” tunings.
So when I used to be introduced the chance to check the most recent HarmonicDyne product, I jumped on the likelihood. I needed to know what this producer used to be cooking.
Relative to the Zeus, they give a boost to on issues like bass reaction however will not be general higher because of their unusual tonality. General, the HarmonicDyne Zeus Elite are decent for what they try, however they want extra refinement to justify their worth to me. To be blunt, I don’t in finding them specifically delightful to hear. HarmonicDyne must believe night time out the midrange. Alternatively, for individuals who need a V-shaped sound signature in an open-back shape issue, the HarmonicDyne Zeus Elite is also the most suitable option across the ~USD$350 worth level.
- Somewhat transparent sound
- Superb bass extension
- V-shaped sound signature creates distinctive place out there
- Grill appears to be like cool
- Bass lacks texture
- Unbalanced, recessed midrange
- Incoherent sound signature
- No longer sufficient padding at the headscarf
- No single-ended cable or adapter
This new pair of headphones abandons the beryllium-coated dynamic motive force of the unique Zeus in want of a “suspension diaphragm” consisting of 2 layers of “inert composite movie” bonded via an “acoustic adhesive.”
In This Article
Corporate Evaluation
HarmonicDyne appears to be a logo operated and supported via audio distribution web site Linsoul.
It’s no secret that Linsoul has made itself a significant fixture within the audio neighborhood, in large part via being probably the most reputed distributors of Chi-fi merchandise in a foreign country. They’re kingmakers, and HarmonicDyne is among the newest of this corporate’s darlings.
HarmonicDyne’s headphones glance and sound unique, with complicated grill designs and heat tunings.
Technical Specs
- Shape: Over-ear, open-back
- Motive force: Composite dynamic motive force
- Impedance: 32 Ω
- Sensitivity (dB): 105 dB/mW
- Frequency Reaction (Hz): 10Hz – 70kHz
- Detachable Cable: Y
- Supply Plug: 4-pin XLR and four.4mm balanced integrated
- Cup Jack: 3.5mm
- Weight (g): 360g
Packaging
The Zeus Elite, like their predecessors, are available in a quite official-looking briefcase full of foam. Alternatively, in contrast to their predecessors, the entrance of this briefcase is a work of transparent plastic or plexiglass. I’m not sure why they made this determination, because it makes the entire meeting really feel much less “reliable.”
However, the briefcase is a pleasant contact and gives a perfect begin to the unboxing enjoy.
Equipment
It’s a moderately no-frills affair throughout the briefcase: the headphones are nestled in a headphone-shaped cutout, with the cables in a small field off to the aspect. It’s an ordinary system, however person who works.
HarmonicDyne made some “attention-grabbing” alternatives with the cables. Consumers are handled to a 4-pin XLR balanced cable and a 4.4mm 4-pole balanced cable. I will be able to’t assist however ask, “why?” The Zeus Elite are really easy to force, and a balanced supply is senseless.
No single-ended cable is integrated!
Design
Taking a look at photos of the Zeus Elite, I used to be struck via their intricate grill design. That is one thing that the parents at Harmonicdyne care to do, and I imagine the Zeus Elite’s grills are the best but. They’re made from machined aluminum, they usually really feel really nice.
However I will be able to’t assist however suppose that some portions of the Zeus Elite’s design replicate reasonably deficient style. For instance, the highest of the scarf appears to be a textured plastic emulating vinyl fake leather-based, which strikes a chord in my memory of the interior of my financial system automobile.
The wooden paneling on portions of the scarf additionally turns out reasonably incongruous, because it doesn’t fit the wooden at the earcups.
Alternatively, the stainless-steel that’s published as one adjusts the scarf is a pleasant contact.
Convenience
The Zeus Elite are reasonably mild, clocking in at 360g.
This doesn’t translate to a at ease enjoy.
I want to see extra padding at the headscarf, which has the possible to generate hotspots.
The earpads, additionally, are purposeful however no longer sumptuous. The fabric doesn’t really feel very top rate, and the froth used is a bit of stiff. Alternatively, they didn’t create any severe convenience problems, and I will be able to simply use the headphones for a relatively long time frame.
Zeus Elite Sound
Whilst the unique Zeus had been described as an general warm-sounding pair of headphones, the Zeus Elite pass a special course with their tonality.
Those headphones are reasonably V-shaped in sound.
Which means the midrange – i.e., the frequency band that voices and tools most commonly fall into – is pulled again relative to the bass and treble. The advantage of this frequency reaction is an larger bass presence, resulting in engagement and a better sense of element from the increased treble.
When executed proper, it is a very a laugh, enticing sound signature. We don’t most often see it tried in lower-cost open-back dynamic-driver headphones as a result of reaching a excellent bass reaction may also be tough with out spending extra on a higher-end motive force.
The Zeus Elite reach excellent bass extension however at the price of positive side-effects that negatively affect different spaces of the sound signature.
Bass
Bass is the celebrity appeal of the Zeus Elite and is the principle explanation why you must believe those headphones.
It’s no secret that producers have had problems up to now with reaching excellent bass efficiency with the open-back dynamic-driver shape issue. There may be most often a mid-bass hump adopted via some extent of roll-off at the low finish.
The excellent news for the Zeus Elite is that there’s reasonably little roll-off within the low finish. There may be roll-off underneath 40 Hz, however above that, the whole thing is audible. That’s fairly excellent for the class.
Alternatively, the bass on be offering right here isn’t essentially the most textured or resolving. The Zeus Elite’s bass is somewhat woolly and one-note. So when you get a shockingly deep rumble in tracks like Burial’s Archangel, tools just like the bass guitar in Sure’s Roundabout can get obscure and lumbering.
For the ones in search of that rumble, the Zeus Elite outdo all their open-back festival. Because of the textural shortcomings of the bass, even though, I’d settle for some roll-off (e.g., the Drop x Sennheiser HD6XX or Beyerdynamic DT880) or much less emphasis (e.g., the Hifiman Sundara) to succeed in higher readability.
Midrange
In step with the V-shaped tuning, the midrange of the Zeus Elite decidedly takes a again seat to the bass and treble.
The problem I’ve all the time had with the V-shape tuning is that the transition between bass and midrange can create an incoherent or disjointed, and that drawback is provide to an extent with the Zeus Elite.
Whilst tools that play basics within the bass or midbass like bass guitar, male vocals, or cello really feel complete and heat, tools that play greater basics really feel chilly and get driven again within the combine.
This imbalance has me attaining for the amount knob extra ceaselessly than I’d like, because the observe’s general quantity can shift relying on whether or not the tools enjoying fall into the recessed spaces of the sound signature. Maximum acoustic track and a excellent chew of rock merely sounds off with those headphones.
The full sound of the midrange isn’t solely herbal, leading to critical style restrictions.
Alternatively, this kind of reaction can paintings neatly with genres like techno and dub. In King In My Empire via Cornell Campbell and Rhythm & Sound, the voice floats like a ghostly presence over the throbbing kick drums and synth bass. In Golddust, the percussion and bass are in a position to lend complete improve to Danny Brown’s voice.
Treble
Whilst the higher midrange is subdued, the Zeus Elite compensate to an extent with a small height at 5 kHz. It’s by no means piercing or brazenly bothersome, however I don’t actually like this height – it best provides additional unevenness to an already uneven frequency reaction, and it’s slim sufficient that it could actually impact other tracks fairly unevenly.
General treble efficiency is just unexceptional.
Sounds within the treble can ceaselessly come off as smeared or obscure. That is not unusual amongst headphones at this worth vary however no longer fascinating.
Oiran I via Meitei comprises a cornucopia of samples from other origins with other treble signatures. A excellent transducer can separate out those samples and divulge the cohesion between them. With the Zeus Elite, the resources jumble in combination, and a few of them are rendered just about unintelligible, with a man-made timbre.
Violet Huge II via Tim Hecker comprises some sounds within the treble which might be derived from the sounds of clarinet keys clicking. The Sennheiser HD600 and, to a lesser extent, the Sivga Luan unravel those sounds naturally, making the supply transparent. With the Zeus Elite, they sound extra like bursts of static.
Technicalities
All of those problems could be applicable if the Zeus Elite had superb technicalities. However in comparison to different similarly-priced headphones, just like the aforementioned Sennheiser HD600, the Zeus Elite are a step down in each and every regard.
Low-level element is noticeably absent, with sounds ceaselessly being robbed of texture. They’re nonetheless resolving in comparison to most inexpensive client headphones, however I want to see higher at this worth.
The bass supplies a way of dynamics and slam, however transients are fairly rounded-off and shortage definition, even relative to the HD600, which aren’t recognized to be that dynamic.
Imaging isn’t nice, and the soundstage is fairly flat. The “3-blob” impact could be very noticeable. That is the place sounds may also be pinpointed to the middle, left, or proper of the degree, however there’s no actual house in between. Once more, the loss of element would possibly account for this.
The place to Purchase?
Conclusion
The HarmonicDyne Zeus Elite try to fill a task out there that most likely doesn’t wish to be stuffed. The ones in search of tough bass at this worth must most likely be browsing at closed-back choices just like the Meze 99 Vintage.
Relative to the Zeus, they give a boost to on issues like bass reaction however will not be general higher because of their unusual tonality.
General, the HarmonicDyne Zeus Elite are decent for what they try, however they want extra refinement to justify their worth to me. To be blunt, I don’t in finding them specifically delightful to hear.
HarmonicDyne must believe night time out the midrange.
Alternatively, for individuals who need a V-shaped sound signature in an open-back shape issue, the HarmonicDyne Zeus Elite is also the most suitable option across the ~USD$350 worth level.
Allow 48h for review and removal.