Caldera
- Driver
- Planar magnetic
- Enclosure
- Open-back
- Weight
- 490 to 550 g
- List
- $3,499.99
ZMF's first planar, with trapezoidal N52 magnets arranged asymmetrically to direct sound toward the ear and a four-trace diaphragm that uses the full membrane. Machined near St. Louis and assembled in Berwyn, Illinois.
Where to buy
List $3,499.99
None of the boutiques we track list this model right now. Manufacturer page: shop.zmfheadphones.com.
Retailer prices checked 2026-10-21. We may earn a commission on purchases. How this works
Title block
- Maker
- ZMF
- Model
- Caldera
- Made in
- United States
- Released
- 2022
- Transducer
- Planar magnetic
- Enclosure
- Open-back
- Driver
- 80 mm
- Weight
- 490 to 550 g
- Impedance
- 60 ohms
- Sensitivity
- ~95 dB/mW
- Frequency response
- Not published
- List price
- $3,499.99 USD
Drive requirements
Match an amplifier in the synergy calculator| Level | Power | Voltage | Current |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 dB | 3.16 mW | 0.44 V | 7.26 mA |
| 110 dB | 31.6 mW | 1.38 V | 23.0 mA |
| 120 dB | 316 mW | 4.36 V | 72.6 mA |
Most headroom at 110 dB
- ampsandsound Bigger Ben (Rev 3, 2026)+29.0 dB
- Ferrum OOR+24.0 dB
- Woo Audio WA33 (2nd generation)+22.3 dB
Rated 95 dB/mW into 60 ohms. Estimated from published amplifier output.
Assembly drawing
Parts
- 1HeadbandLeather strap (retailer listing); B.B.B. bull-hide strap with Mg12 option
- 2YokeAdjustment rods, black (aluminum option) or Coffee Gold (Mg12 option); alloy not specified
- 3GrilleConcave grille, Coffee Gold finish (stock)
- 4Ear cupZebrawood cups (current stock wood) on aluminum chassis, or Mg12 chassis upgrade
- 5Magnet arrayTrapezoidal N52 neodymium magnets in asymmetrical array (CAMS, patent pending)
- 6DiaphragmFour-trace, eight-pathway planar diaphragm
- 7EarpadsCaldera pad: lambskin (stock; thick lambskin and suede also included), slow-rebound foam
Schematic planar magnetic assembly, annotated with the ZMF Caldera’s published materials. Not to scale.
Engineering notes
- Caldera Asymmetrical Magnet Structure (CAMS, patent pending): trapezoidal N52 magnets shaped to direct sound toward the ear
- Four-trace, eight-pathway diaphragm uses the full membrane surface to raise tension and movement
- Atrium Damping System (ADS, patent pending): controlled rear damping that limits sound leak and holds pressure
- Fluted, asymmetric Caldera pads, thickest behind and under the ear, with semi-vented airflow
Design language
Workshop luxury: zebrawood cups, a Coffee Gold concave grille, a bull-hide strap and fluted lambskin pads.
Build the listening station
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