Verum Audio Verum 2 Headphone Review

[Dk33145]

Why no sense? Because of the similar SINAD (static, single-frequency measurement)? Does it count as blind testing when you hear some random music playing in someone's random setup, and you clearly know it goes through a Cirrus Logic DAC? I've been living with two devices on mid-range Cirrus Logic DACs for 5 years and they both had some bug (signature) in their sound compared to fully transparent ESS and AKMs. I'm sure you'd hear it too. Another good example is the sound signature of 1-bit Chord Mojo 2.

Admittedly, a lot of factors are at play here. Even if the DACs themselves are "transparent" the amp section of a desktop dac/amp is going to be much better than a usb dongle one. The point is you put on these headphones and you are going to know the overall quality difference between setups, drastically so. IMO, these headphones deserve as good of a dac/amp combo as you can give it, a good problem to have perhaps. My K371 on the other hand sounds about the same between the TRN and DX 5II.

 

[Yevhen]

Still does not make sense. Please do a proper (level matched) (double) blind test and some reading here.

Man, you triggered me to dive into this topic Here is the possible answer:

CS43198 and CS43131 DAC sound defects

reference-audio-analyzer.pro

Citrus Logic works in Class H amplification and creates micro clicks when switching between the low and high supply voltage. You can see those clicks in spectrogram. But, of course, our favorite metric SINAD is excellent

Also chech this:

On the Distortion of Cirrus Logic CS431xx-Based Devices: A Comparative Review

TL;DR / Changelog [5/20/25] Eleven DAC/HP amp combo devices adopting either the Cirrus Logic CS43131 or CS43198 were tested, and seven of them were found produce the distortion dubbed a "Cirrus hump." Based on measurements from multiple sources (including this review), a list of...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Yevhen]

Your black pearl is far from perfection

Admittedly, a lot of factors are at play here. Even if the DACs themselves are "transparent" the amp section of a desktop dac/amp is going to be much better than a usb dongle one. The point is you put on these headphones and you are going to know the overall quality difference between setups, drastically so. IMO, these headphones deserve as good of a dac/amp combo as you can give it, a good problem to have perhaps. My K371 on the other hand sounds about the same between the TRN and DX 5II.

 

[Danne2]

Ordered Verum 2 via the website 11th Feb. Got confirmation on email on the 23rd Feb that it would be shipped that week. No shipment seen and no reply to emails after that now 4 weeks later. Fearing the worst.

 

[Laika2]

Ordered Verum 2 via the website 11th Feb. Got confirmation on email on the 23rd Feb that it would be shipped that week. No shipment seen and no reply to emails after that now 4 weeks later. Fearing the worst.

I expect you are close, ordered Feb 4th, got them a week ago. Never got a response to where is my order. Worth the wait.

 

[Paadaam]

Ordered the Pearl colour on a Saturday (March 7th), was shipped the next Thursday (March 12th), and arrived in my country a week later (March 20th).
Coming from a Sennheiser HD58X, it's a definite step up. I'm using it with a Zen DAC v2 and it gets loud enough even on low-gain mode.
Build quality seems robust, comfort is very good as well.

 

[LuckyNat]

Anyone heard of Sony 360 VME ( Virtual Mix Environment ) ? It's audio software that emulates, an immersive audio system in a room, from measurements, much like the Smyth Realiser A16 but from Sony's own independent research and aimed at audio professionals for doing audio work in headphones .

Anyway, I'll be signing up for a licence this week and using it with my Verum 2s . Out of my other headphones, (DCA E3s, HD800S, Sendy Peacock, Hifiman 1000SE ) I chose the Verum 2s because of such consistent comfort and placement on my head .

I knew the low distortion would also mean they would be able to cope with any DSP and EQ applied - so they make the short list as would most planars, but the adjustment for comfort and consistency are just so much better than most other headphones it was a no brainer !

When i did the demo, the default is to use Sony MDR MV1s, but whilst still convincing in terms of spacial emulation and positioning, they were missing the speed and final clarity of the Genelec 8450s that were the system that was measured .. but when we measured and set up the Verum 2s the speed and snap of the Genelecs was all there !

Quite an amazing system with the Verum 2s .. and I suspect I'll be the only person in the world using Verum 2s with it .. (not many people use Sony VME anyway, so .. ) .

I'm sure many planars would also work so well, but the consistent fit because of the adjustments you can make really make it excel for professional use.

That said, I've not found a good corrective EQ for them yet - something felt a bit off with one from autoEQ (although that with the thin pads .. I may go back to the bigger pads) .

I thought that little experience may be helpful !

 

[LuckyNat]

Closed-back option:

Are there any measurements and reviews on the internet for these that folks are aware of?

I'm wondering if any resonances etc arrise ..

What I'm talking about : the optional, magnetic rear cups Verum Audio make for these

Closing cups | Verum Audio

Magnetic closing cups for Verum 2. Reduce external sound bleeding at a small performance decrease.Use it if you bother the people around you during listening seesions.

www.verum-audio.com

 

[cursive]

Closed-back option:

Are there any measurements and reviews on the internet for these that folks are aware of?

I'm wondering if any resonances etc arrise ..

What I'm talking about : the optional, magnetic rear cups Verum Audio make for these

Closing cups | Verum Audio

Magnetic closing cups for Verum 2. Reduce external sound bleeding at a small performance decrease.Use it if you bother the people around you during listening seesions.

www.verum-audio.com

I hadn't heard of these. Honestly, I'm surprised, as you would think closing the cup would require totally different tuning/dampening. I'm skeptical that these could possibly sound good, but I'm curious for any measurements or feedback from owners as well.

 

[LuckyNat]

I hadn't heard of these. Honestly, I'm surprised, as you would think closing the cup would require totally different tuning/dampening. I'm skeptical that these could possibly sound good, but I'm curious for any measurements or feedback from owners as well.

My thoughts too .. but the effect on frequency response per se can be compensated for with EQ.

So I guess it''s more about resonances that are introduced via that new enclosure that could then be difficult to overcome . I just wonder how well, after EQ, it might work .. more curiosity than anything although it would be fun to have all the accessories for completeness !

I'll check head-fi.com ..

 

[ricercar]

I picked up a pair of Verum2 headphones last year. Main talking points:

• They might be the most comfortable headphones I've ever used for an extended period. Their flexibility adjusts to my head shape extremely well, and their weight is distributed with no strap discomfort. I find them effortless to keep on for hours. However, I have to remove or adjust my eyeglasses due to pressure on the bows becoming painful after an hour or so, but that's nearly universal for me.
• The bass resolution is amazing. For example, Verum2 resolves individual mallet hits on the tympany of an orchestral piece I'm quite familiar with (Skyrim: Awake): possibly even more distinct than with my HifiMan Arya. Most 'phones and speakers just blur this tympany into a single sound.
• With Amir's suggested EQ they are indeed phenomenally pleasing.

Audio chain: Apple Lossless > MacBook Pro > Matrix X-Sabre Pro MQA DAC > Drop THX AAA 789 amp > Verum2

P.S. I'm not tempted to make them closed back. They're perfectly satisfying.

 

[LuckyNat]

I picked up a pair of Verum2 headphones last year. Main talking points:

• They might be the most comfortable headphones I've ever used for an extended period. Their flexibility adjusts to my head shape extremely well, and their weight is distributed with no strap discomfort. I find them effortless to keep on for hours. However, I have to remove or adjust my eyeglasses due to pressure on the bows becoming painful after an hour or so, but that's nearly universal for me.
• The bass resolution is amazing. For example, Verum2 resolves individual mallet hits on the tympany of an orchestral piece I'm quite familiar with (Skyrim: Awake): possibly even more distinct than with my HifiMan Arya. Most 'phones and speakers just blur this tympany into a single sound.
• With Amir's suggested EQ they are indeed phenomenally pleasing.

Audio chain: Apple Lossless > MacBook Pro > Matrix X-Sabre Pro MQA DAC > Drop THX AAA 789 amp > Verum2

P.S. I'm not tempted to make them closed back. They're perfectly satisfying.

The comfort I have to agree 100% ! Just that simple extra adjustment on the headband makes so much difference..

I have to admit I've just had next to no time to enjoy headphones recently otherwise I would probably also agree with that bass resolution observation too..

Yeah .. they are what I think audiophile planars should be about: That audio quality and comfort at that price.

 

[LuckyNat]

My thoughts too .. but the effect on frequency response per se can be compensated for with EQ.

So I guess it''s more about resonances that are introduced via that new enclosure that could then be difficult to overcome . I just wonder how well, after EQ, it might work .. more curiosity than anything although it would be fun to have all the accessories for completeness !

I'll check head-fi.com ..

I captured this screen shot of a YouTube review that includes the closing cups which shows the internals of the cups .

Essentially they're full of acoustic damping material which is interesting, and a small hole at the rear which I would not call a port but instead more like preventing too much driver damping via air compression.

 

[Yevhen]

I captured this screen shot of a YouTube review that includes the closing cups which shows the internals of the cups .

Essentially they're full of acoustic damping material which is interesting, and a small hole at the rear which I would not call a port but instead more like preventing too much driver damping via air compression.

To me, it seems like a 6th-order bass reflex. At least that hole in the pads works as a bass port.

A very bold move! Taking into account that the higher-order (6th and 8th) subs are mostly used in car audio and often are rejected by audiophiles due to substantial delays.

 

[LuckyNat]

Hmm, I doubt it. What would be the resonant frequencies of such tiny volumes of air for the diaphragm parameters and excursion of a plane film? Then what can one tune ports to in those conditions?

I think you're just being reminded of dual band pass bass but that's as far as the relation goes..

Neither of us are doing the maths here but I think if we did, we'd find dual band pass doesn't work on this scale and such tiny excursion etc .Not in the bass region anyway (and you wouldn't use the scheme for anything but bass).

No, Id say both vents are all about lessening internal pressure, no tuning at all. It allows the driver to move more freely and also be less dependent on seal , perhaps. Driver damping .

 

[solderdude]

The holes in the pads are for controlled front volume leakage.
This boosts low bass at the expense of subbass extension below 20Hz (unimportant) when one has a good seal.
The effect of 'leakage' with planars is easily seen and this way it is controlled.

It also works with closed headphones. (see the effect of the hole drill mod in the DT 1770 PRO mkII.

DT 1770 PRO mkII

Beyerdynamic back to measurements home published: Dec-20-2024, updated Mar-09-2026 NO SMOOTHING is applied to the shown plots. Most measurement sites have some smoothing applied which ‘irons flat’ …

diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com

In the bottom of the review this effect is shown. Except here it is done by making small holes under the pads (so standard pads can be used).

 

[Yevhen]

Hmm, I doubt it. What would be the resonant frequencies of such tiny volumes of air for the diaphragm parameters and excursion of a plane film? Then what can one tune ports to in those conditions?

I think you're just being reminded of dual band pass bass but that's as far as the relation goes..

Neither of us are doing the maths here but I think if we did, we'd find dual band pass doesn't work on this scale and such tiny excursion etc .Not in the bass region anyway (and you wouldn't use the scheme for anything but bass).

No, Id say both vents are all about lessening internal pressure, no tuning at all. It allows the driver to move more freely and also be less dependent on seal , perhaps. Driver damping .

That peak at 25Hz is the result of port tuning. Plug that tiny 3D-printed port and the peak disappears. I see no problem adding a second port in the second closed volume.

BTW, I permanently plugged those ports in my pads and elevated the whole bass region with EQ. The high-Q 25Hz was way too annoying to my taste

 

[Yevhen]

dual band pass doesn't work on this scale and such tiny excursion

Make the cross-section of the port infinitely small, and, according to the equation below, your resonant frequency of the ported box will drop to 0Hz.

 

[solderdude]

The effect is similar to seal loss.
Below the effect of seal loss in an Edition XS.

 

[LuckyNat]

In headphones, the driver membrane is essentially directly coupled to your ear drum's membrane via the air between both.

None of the usual ways of aiding dynamic drivers to couple with the massive volume of air in the room - so every knook and cranny in the room is pressurised adequately - apply here.

Vents change response via reducing the coupling between ear drum and driver membrane and also by changing the damping of the driver (by changing the compressibility of the air - some of it can escape ) .

By blocking the vent in the earpad, you will be making the air less compressible and therefore it will be suppressing the drivers ability to move freely at low frequencies, which frequencies depending on the membrane's tension and the electromagnetic forces involved .

That's why you will be getting less bass in some region or other .

If I can be bothered, I may still put some numbers in a calculator to see what the resonant frequencies of a earpad + ear canal volume could be. But the other factor that breaks things down is the viscosity of air and fluid dynamics - those enclosure resonance equations only work in a range, below which nonlinearity comes in due to pressure, temperature, density .. fluid dynamics factors . Probably at a large scale too, the equations break down again in a different way ?