Verum Audio - Exciting high performance DIY planar

Discussion in 'Headphone Measurements' started by cskippy, May 24, 2018.

  1. Calibrationist

    Calibrationist New

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    Wow, I stumbled on this thread yesterday and have been reading through it (and spending too much time on it). I've mostly skimmed it but tried to keep up as much as I could with the important parts.

    I've been looking for an upgrade in the sub $1000 range for my 6XX and seriously feel like there isn't much available. I've not been keeping super busy, I kind of decided to upgrade in the next 1-2 years, and take some time to audition stuff (sadly I don't get any opportunities to audition things where I live, so I was going to use trips abroad). I've been thinking maybe I could get focal clears for that money (again, if I would travel to the states, and use the opportunity - also, only if I would be able to audition them first) but they would be really at the upper limit of what I wanted to spend. Then I find these, and I wonder if you people are considering them more as a side-grade or an upgrade to the 6XX? At least to me, seeing the nature of this project, I'd feel much better with "supporting" this than something else - I'd feel at much more ease just taking the risk for this kind of money.

    Anyway, I'm a little bit confused though with what is currently being shipped and is being reviewed. So my first question is, have you switched to the perforated pads for new orders or are they an optional addition when ordering the headphone? Or is it just a selection of people that are auditioning them?

    Have impressions that don't mention pads then been with the leather pads or the perforated? Same with oratory measurements, he has 3 documents, one is zmf ori earpads which is self explanatory. One is called "leather earpads" and one doesn't mention any earpads - which leaves me to wonder again, so are they not coming with the leather earpads stock anymore and are the non mentioned measurements then with perforated? If I got the headphone stock, which one of these measurements would be the one corresponding to what I have (or is it none of them / has the sound changed)?

    Lastly just to get it confirmed, if I just went on the website and ordered now I'd be getting the mk2? I don't have to do anything special (like mention SBAF or something)?

    Lastly I have to give massive praise to Garuspik for your awesome customer service (at least it appears very good!) - I think you are doing a really good job with offering optional upgrades on the cheap and how you seem to be handling manufacturing anomalies. This is a huge selling point for me, since my purchases are usually from abroad and warrantying is often very hard. Also I absolutely love the engineering and design of this headphone, I find that it just oozes ingenuity and awesome problem solving! So impressive that you are just one guy tuning this with your ears, designing, manufacturing and everything.

    Edit: Also one other thing I have not found clear answers on - how are these with glasses? Because some people do talk about perfect seal making a difference here.
     
    Last edited: Jan 24, 2020
  2. Ox Cart

    Ox Cart Facebook Friend

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    That depends a lot on the pads. The angled leather perforated pads already have some sub-bass roll-off that gets worse with glasses. Currently I'm using ZMF Ori Lambskin pads that seal a lot better and don't have that roll-off, and even when wearing my thick-legged glasses the sub-bass is still quite good, and oddly the glasses help smooth out the treble a bit with the Ori pads so it sounds pretty nice. The deep Ori pads do make the response a bit V-shaped though, so I've got some shallower angled leather pads coming to see if they help bring back some of the neutrality while keeping the sub-bass extension.
     
  3. Stuff Jones

    Stuff Jones Friend

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    Just got a pair of these HPs. My other headphones are the HD6XXs (unmodded). Rig is Schiit BF2 to Headamp GL2. A few impressions and comparisons with the 6XXs. Keep in mind that these are the first planers I've heard.

    • The weight difference is noticeable. Comfort is otherwise good - lets see if the extra weight ceases to a factor with time.
    • Extension on both ends is better than the 6XX.
    • Quicker/snappier than the 6XX.
    • Midrange clarity doesn't seem to be too far behind, and surprisingly neither does timbre or at least on "smoother" sounding instruments like piano (see next bullet). Notes carry good weight.
    • Microdynamics are noticeably behind the HD6XX. For example, the rough vibration of a bowed instrument like a cello or violin is smoothed over. I'm not sure if microdynamics are a part of timbre in the SBAF/audiophile lexicon.
    • Macrodynamics on the other hand are good. I was not expecting this much slam (my understanding was that planers don't move as much air as DDs).
    • Soundstage is comparable with the 6XXs, but instrument placement and separation is cleaner and more precise.
    • Some reviews mentioned brightness but I'm not hearing it and I loathe brightness. Tonality seems pretty spot on to me.
     
  4. Ox Cart

    Ox Cart Facebook Friend

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    I've found pads to have a big impact here. Which pads are you using?
     
  5. Stuff Jones

    Stuff Jones Friend

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    The perforated leather ones.
     
  6. oneoverzero

    oneoverzero New

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    I like the design of the new headband a lot.
    The design of the grills looks not that harmionic to me. The really nice curves in the center are bordered by a too broad ring which destroys or opposites the airy design in the center. I know the ring has to be clued in and it will need some layer to stick well. Optically it would look much less bulky and more airy and delicate if the circle around the grille would be less broad.,, and the marvellous grill pattern a bit bigger.

    I would like to order an all black version as some others suggested somewhere too if available. Black grills with a darkgrey felt underneath, sure this would find some more fans too.
     
    Last edited: Jan 27, 2020
  7. Baten

    Baten Friend

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    Oh yeah, all-black would be something I'd order. Any chance, @Garuspik ?
     
  8. BrandonTheBlack

    BrandonTheBlack New

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    Can anyone tell me how the Verum 1 sound compares in a subjective sense against the Monolith M570 (or Sendy Aiva/Blon B20 since they're almost the same thing)? The M570s are probably the most enjoyable headphone I've tried so far in many cases, but they're far enough from perfect that I'm still searching and the biggest reason I tried these first is that I can return them no problem, so I figured it's less risky. Other headphones on hand are the Sennheiser/Drop 6XX (too relaxed but otherwise hard to fault) and Philips Fidelio X2HR (sounds "fuzzy" to me).
     
  9. Baten

    Baten Friend

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    Verum should resolve better than the Aiva driver. Its tuning is like vintage planar though so you gotta try it to know you like it. In any case, it will not sound as relaxed as 6XX, it has more air. Compared to 6XX it's brighter.
     
  10. oneoverzero

    oneoverzero New

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    If Verum 1.1 or mk2 would come with perforated leather pads i would miss the stockpads. Are they still available then or are they intended to be dicontinued?
     
  11. oneoverzero

    oneoverzero New

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    .. with more quality and impact in the bass too.
     
  12. Jerry

    Jerry Friend

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    All black would be awesome indeed.
     
  13. Garuspik

    Garuspik Tovarisch Ukrainian Terminator MOT - Verum

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    They're intented to be discontinued. But on Aliexpress you can buy almost same 105mm PU pads. I'm going to propse to clients in future only leather pads. Right now I'm working on deepr leather non-perforated pads. Let's call them "bass pads" :D But they aren't ready yet.


    Twice the area of driver is always twice the area :punk:
     
  14. Jerry

    Jerry Friend

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    Hi Garuspik, can we choose this pads instead when it is ready?
     
  15. Garuspik

    Garuspik Tovarisch Ukrainian Terminator MOT - Verum

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    When they're ready - sure. But it will not be soon. Many people told me that they like zmf Ori pads so... I've made something similar. It's very convenient to listen to community - save time and money on development :)
     
  16. Mosfar

    Mosfar New

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    I received my pair of Verum last week, they are really good and look amazing! I connected them to Emotiva BasX A100 Amp and they sound good, bass is fast and not overwhelming, mids and highs are clear and without distortion. I don't have measurings but to me, they sound good and I've a pleasant time while listening to them.

    I connected to my iPhone 6s to try and they really need power, you can hear music on your phone, but not too loud even with volume on max.

    Overall, I'm really pleased with Verums and I'll update my mini review with more details and photos soon.

    They were shipped on Jan 11th and I received them on Jan 23rd in Portugal.
     
  17. Garuspik

    Garuspik Tovarisch Ukrainian Terminator MOT - Verum

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    @Mosfar thanks for praise! By the way inside your emotiva amp as far as I know there are some switches that make headphone output same as speaker terminals. Try that.
     
  18. BrandonTheBlack

    BrandonTheBlack New

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    Be careful with that, it can push a LOT of power for headphones.

    Thanks, the 6xx was the first headphone in my search so that's kind of my benchmark for now. I'm searching for an all-rounder, I don't want several purpose-specific headphones, just 1 that can do it all. Where the M570 seems weak to me is solitary vocals (speaking), there is what some have called ringing, I would rather say a "boxy" echo. Otherwise I find it to have an engaging sound (this is where the 6x fails for me, it's not quite boring but it just doesn't captivate me). Also now trying a set of Beyerdynamic DT1990. Unfortunately for my wallet, the most expensive headphones I've sampled are now my favorite!
     
  19. Ox Cart

    Ox Cart Facebook Friend

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    I'm happy to say that I've had my Verum 1 for a little over a week now.

    [​IMG]

    I was hoping for an LCD2C with fixed upper mids. With the perforated leather pads it sounded considerably brighter than what I remember from my old LCD2C, with noticeable sub bass rolloff. This kicked off some mad pad swapping, made easy by the ingenious magnetic pad mount!

    ZMF Ori lambskins fixed the sub-bass rolloff without affecting the rest of the bass, and added to the already decent soundstage, but pushed vocals back and lost some detail. I also tried several other pads that aren't really worth mentioning.

    Right now I'm actually rocking the fenestrated leather pads with electrical tape on the outside to improve seal. It looks janky ...

    [​IMG]

    But it sounds and measures great ...

    [​IMG]

    Taken on a MiniDSP EARS with the HPN compensation.

    With these DIY "hybrid" pads, I get sub-bass extension, warmed up bass and mids, and the upper mids and treble remain untouched how I like them.

    No matter what pads I use, the Verum always provides good to great timbre, decent detail, and just a very natural presentation. The people who call these "speaker like" have it right. I'm usually a big fan of crossfeed, but I hardly feel like it's needed here. Listening to recordings with a distinct room feel, I do wish these had a tad bit more treble extension to bring out that feel, but I have old ears and can easily EQ in what I need.

    I've owned and heard a lot of headphones that have an initial wow factor but whose faults become distracting over time (like the LCD2C). The Verum 1 did not wow me, but it's growing on me and I suspect that I won't tire of it anytime soon.

    I might see if I can convince @Garuspik to make a hybrid version of his pads, spiffy mine up with leather tape or get a similar sized hybrid from ZMF.
     
  20. Garuspik

    Garuspik Tovarisch Ukrainian Terminator MOT - Verum

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    And I'm happy that you're happy!


    That's whatI like in audiophile community - make some product and if it decent people begin to make some mods. Just read what they do and implement in the next revision.

    That's what you get when a speaker guy who never had headphones before Verum project start to produce something :D



    Initially I've made small fullrange planar driver and then I was like... why not to use in headphones?

    Yes you can convince. Can you make a graph with 3 measuremens 1) fenestrated pads 2) fenestrated pads with your mod 3) zmf ori ?

    Thanks in advance.[/quote]
     
    Last edited: Jan 30, 2020

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