Verum Audio Verum 2 Headphone Review

[Oldvalvemic]

If anyone has a 3 point Eq curve with centre frequency Q and gain to “flatten” the V2 Id be very grateful …will experiment with some DSP.
Was inspired to purchase an IK ARC On-ear HP amp today

 

[Curupira]

If anyone has a 3 point Eq curve with centre frequency Q and gain to “flatten” the V2 Id be very grateful …will experiment with some DSP.
Was inspired to purchase an IK ARC On-ear HP amp today

You can fool around with the squig.link EQ and prediction tool below. This one's measurement comes from a similar rig to amirm's. I've already set the target for you and suggested two bands in disregard to it (to mimic the warmth you mentioned missing). I didn't touch the high mids or highs because it wouldn't be precise to your own head.

squiglink - frequency response database by [email protected]

Compare hundreds of frequency response graphs between headphones and IEMs

sai.squig.link

 

[low_art]

Same here. I have a number of Stax purchased 30 years ago and other than pads coming unglued, they continue to work as they did originally.

Not to hijack the thread, but do you still listen to the Stax you own? I find they take EQ nicely (not that I can confirm that with measurements, but they do sound good) and they have a quality I'd have a hard time articulating but one I find very enjoyable.

 

[Dk33145]

I bought the Para 2 on Amir's review and it is wonderful. For him to objectively rate this product distributed by someone he's had beef with and made by someone who has had really poor behavior in the past and give it the high praise and for Maiky to post those frankly impressive numbers, should tell you something about these cans and the character of everyone involved.

 

[amirm]

Not to hijack the thread, but do you still listen to the Stax you own?

I do not. They don't have much bass (have not tried to EQ them), don't get too loud and if pushed, get distorted. The amp is also quite large. That said, the headphones are so light to wear and for some music, very nice sounding.

 

[capslock]

About the rather low impedance of just below 8 Ohms, how would that react with various source impedances and what source impedance was used in this test? I can imagine that a very low source impedance would result in faster decay, not of the diapraghm resonance, because there is none in the audible band, but of excursions caused by the signal.

Conversely, a series impedance might lower motor distortion, though I doubt excursion is large enough for this to be relevant.

 

[solderdude]

About the rather low impedance of just below 8 Ohms, how would that react with various source impedances and what source impedance was used in this test? I can imagine that a very low source impedance would result in faster decay, not of the diapraghm resonance, because there is none in the audible band, but of excursions caused by the signal.

Conversely, a series impedance might lower motor distortion, though I doubt excursion is large enough for this to be relevant.

The impedance is flat so there is no other reaction than lower output level due to voltage division.

As with nearly all planars there are lots of resonances. (source https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/verum-2-review-and-measurements.14130/)
Ignore everything below 500Hz.

 

[capslock]

Those are exactly the kind of resoncances that I hoped a low source impedance would dampen at least a little bit.

 

[Dk33145]

This is related to what Amir calls group delay due to internal reflections? Would a less "reflective" earpad material like velour help?

 

[LuckyNat]

If anyone has a 3 point Eq curve with centre frequency Q and gain to “flatten” the V2 Id be very grateful …will experiment with some DSP.
Was inspired to purchase an IK ARC On-ear HP amp today

I would be quite wary of the IK ARC On-ear HP amp .. as being unsuitably powered for many planars, especially if it's boosting any area of the response when the EQ is applied.

I've not tried it, nor personally checked the numbers but I have read the rantings of those who have objectively gone about calculating the power needed for EQ of certain popular planars, especially those used in studios (it's supposed to be a studio product), taking into account their full range power needs (not only measured at 1khz) .. and it works out to be too underpowered for a lot of stuff .

 

[solderdude]

Those are exactly the kind of resoncances that I hoped a low source impedance would dampen at least a little bit.

There is no electrical damping here.
For woofers there is, not for planar magnetic headphones.

 

[solderdude]

This is related to what Amir calls group delay due to internal reflections? Would a less "reflective" earpad material like velour help?

I think it is the membrane and enclosed space in the ear cup and behind it.
The influence of pads is small but certainly there, you can dampen a driver with felt in front and behind the driver.
(see i5 review)
The problem is that people want to 'see' the driver and are of the opinion nothing should come between the driver and ear.

Audibility of this ringing depends on many factors including the music.
In most cases the instruments that are recorded have longer and more severe 'ringing' and will mask that of the driver.

 

[low_art]

I do not. They don't have much bass (have not tried to EQ them), don't get too loud and if pushed, get distorted. The amp is also quite large. That said, the headphones are so light to wear and for some music, very nice sounding.

@amirm I use my 404 LEs more than Lambda Signatures or various other older models. They have a stronger low end and overall a darker tonality than the others, and I've found the presets available through Roon really bring out the best in them.
I'd suspect the distortion you're hearing is a result of the amp clipping- I have the SRM T1-S with CCS mod, and it can drive them cleanly up to well beyond a comfortable listening level- for me anyway, although I gather you enjoy very high volume.

 

[solderdude]

Shaking earlobes levels

 

[Dk33145]

I think it is the membrane and enclosed space in the ear cup and behind it.
The influence of pads is small but certainly there, you can dampen a driver with felt in front and behind the driver.
(see i5 review)
The problem is that people want to 'see' the driver and are of the opinion nothing should come between the driver and ear.

Audibility of this ringing depends on many factors including the music.
In most cases the instruments that are recorded have longer and more severe 'ringing' and will mask that of the driver.

Not apparent in the photos, but I got my Verum 2 and it already has foam padding behind the driver. Nothing in front. They did use foam though, not felt, so dampening probably isn't as much.

 

[LuckyNat]

Not apparent in the photos, but I got my Verum 2 and it already has foam padding behind the driver. Nothing in front. They did use foam though, not felt, so dampening probably isn't as much.

Not really about more or less .. often about the frequency and frequency range.

I'd imagine felt to hit a large top end range .. like a high shelf filter in term of damping.

 

[dagot23]

Incredible, simply incredible. I was thinking about getting the Para 2 but these cost about the same and come with a case and an additional balanced cable as well. @amirm did you prefer any of these two over the other? I don't think many people tried both and with both being low distortion planars it would be nice to see some comparisons
@Igor_S I have a few questions, if you don't mind. Did you notice any significant variation between the frequency response of different units of this headphone? How's the QC compared to the old Verum 1? I heard that older model had issues with the drivers dying but this one is made differently, so maybe that's no longer a concern. And lastly, is the headband, earpads etc. real leather?

 

[Igor_S]

@dagot23 Thanks for your interest! QC improved after first kickstarter campaign of Verum 1. At that time I had no experience and made some mistakes. Years of experience improved QC to IMHO very good level. After ~1100 kickstarter units I had almost zero complaints.
There is no variation between drivers. Variation in FR could be only because of a bit different earpad size. +- 1-2mm can lead to another picture on measurement ring. But come on, even moving headphones on stand can alternate FR.
Earpads are made from sheepskin and handmade. Headband is made from interesting material. It's not leather and not a faux leather at the same time. Material name is " Prime easyclean".
Base of this material is shredded natural leather, that is covered by polyurethane. Choice of material is made not based on it's cost. It costs more then average leather. But it can't be stretched and at the same time it's flexible, durable and as name of this material suggests - can be easy cleaned.

Look at the back side of this material - it's leather.

 

[Dk33145]

@dagot23 Thanks for your interest! QC improved after first kickstarter campaign of Verum 1. At that time I had no experience and made some mistakes. Years of experience improved QC to IMHO very good level. After ~1100 kickstarter units I had almost zero complaints.
There is no variation between drivers. Variation in FR could be only because of a bit different earpad size. +- 1-2mm can lead to another picture on measurement ring. But come on, even moving headphones on stand can alternate FR.
Earpads are made from sheepskin and handmade. Headband is made from interesting material. It's not leather and not a faux leather at the same time. Material name is " Prime easyclean".
Base of this material is shredded natural leather, that is covered by polyurethane. Choice of material is made not based on it's cost. It costs more then average leather. But it can't be stretched and at the same time it's flexible, durable and as name of this material suggests - can be easy cleaned.

View attachment 503363

Look at the back side of this material - it's leather.

I really like the headband material, soft but sturdy. Overall, the fit and finish is excellent. The metal is all nicely smoothed and deburred. I seemed to have gotten an earlier version, so it came in a simple white box and only a 3.5mm cable, so I can't comment on the case. At the end of the day, it feels great to have in my hands something that was made in Ukraine, Slava Ukraini.

 

[Henreid]

The articulating headband joint seems like a brilliant idea to me (and I'm grateful that the Verum 2 headphones are likely to fit well on my narrow head).