The Verum 2's coil is slightly larger 105mm vs 100 mm for the Para II but the ear pads are basically the same diameter though much thicker on the Verum. Most of the size difference is in the way the frame is constructed. Having said that the Verum has a much higher clamp pressure and actually runs a smaller fit, snug even on my largish head whereas the Para II has hardly any clamp pressure at all. Both are big boys but neither one feels too heavy to wear.
Also consider Heddphone D1. Low distortion, what is good for EQ and good FR in the first place. More expensive though. I was in similar position and ordered this one, but was also considering either Para II or Aune AR5000. Did not receive it yet, so can't comment on build quality.
Thanks for the suggestions. I've seen the excellent reviews of the Heddphone D1 - some have rated it the best new model of 2025 - though I'm not sure if I'm prepared to pay $300 more (maybe I'm being too frugal). I've looked at the Aune AR5000 as well, which seems to be very highly regarded by its owners, and is a real bargain. By Amir's measurements it benefits by a big equalization boost in the bass, though that's also where the distortion levels start to rise (maybe I'm putting too great an emphasis on that individual factor). At this point I guess I'm trying to keep things simple by limiting my headphone considerations to the Para 2 and Verum 2, because I have been perpetually stuck in analysis paralysis after months of researching this purchase (!) In other words, I'm pausing my rumination on other models at least until I can make a clear choice between these two, since my poor brain is getting a little fried...
Unfortunately, there is no way to sugercoat this, Verum 2's strength is not in classical music. It absolutely rocks out with Pop, R&B, Dance etc (like make you smile at every song good, like Amir says). The clarity and the treble attack is better than Para 2. With classical music, I use my Para 2. The soundstage and separation is just that much more awesome.
Thanks - I appreciate your insights. I can be a bit slow-witted, and I wasn't sure I'd grasped the meaning of your original comparison of the Verum 2 to "an IEM on steroids". Now I understand that the Verum 2 has superb clarity but sounds as though the music is playing right in the middle of your head, while as Amir has said about the Para 2, "Spatial qualities are excellent, which translates to every note taking its space around an oval outside of my ear".
I was really interested in the Para ii for the value and supposed soundstage, but the issues around it's fit have put me off a bit. I'm also considering Hifi-Man egg shaped headphones, since many people note the soundstage of those too.
I agree. It's surely no coincidence that so many of the *soundstage kings* have a little suckout from around 1kHz to 2,5kHz.
That's interesting, and it makes sense to me. Unfortunately, I may be "ruined" in terms of headphone soundstage. For more than 50 years I've been listening to Classical music through loudspeakers, and much of that time with a "quadraphonic" system. Consequently, I think I've never really acquired the ability to perceive soundstage in headphones, and music played though virtually any model sounds as though it is originating inside my cranium. But if a headphone incorporates all the other important factors of good performance, build quality, and comfortabe fit, it's enough to give me satisfaction, and I believe the Verum 2 achieves that.
). The sense of space is consistently great in ambient electro with the Verum 2, too.).
Nice to hear that. Look forward to hearing more once you get more time with them.
This is very well said. The Verum 2 sounds very centered and Igor's point is well taken as well, Para II has certain sounds that do indeed sound more distant. For me, my preference is for that more expansive sound of Para II for classical or atmospheric music and the more centered, clarity focused sound of the Verum 2 for nearly everything else. This is not to say that either sucks for the other categories, just that the particular one is just that much better and purpose suited.
Okay, here's what I'm talking about. Sennheiser HD600s, how are they for clamp force? All the comments I read is that they're too tight, and need stretching out, or left for a while over a pile of books. Here's mine on a new stand I've just bought.
View attachment 504886
Okay, so they 'clamp' imwards, there's still a gap betwen the pads and the rod in the middle of my stand.
In comparison, here are the 'low clamp' Para 2s.
View attachment 504887
See that? Despite the low clamp force, their weight pulls them in so they're touching the rod in the middle.
I don't care how small anyone's head is, it's not as thin as that rod.
My working presumption here is that the nature of the headband, combined with the weight, means the clamforce isn't particularly excessive, but remains roughly the same, no matter how wide or narrow your head is. Other headphones rely on the amount of springy tension built into the solid headband, which gets greater the further you pull them apart, whereas here the clamp force is down to the weight, and lack of ridgitity in the soft headband.
Could be wrong.
