Thanks so much to both of you. I thought long and hard about it and this seemed the right approach. I don't want to censor anyone as everyone has the right to make their own choices with the information available.
This Review gets 10/10. Personally I believe this is the best review you have done so far. More informative than almost all reviews done about headphones in this price range in any channel. Please keep doing this "King of the Cans" series. All the best
As a Verum owner, I’m really glad to see you give it a fair shake in spite of the controversy. Mine came with different pads, so I’m very interested in swapping pads, but they’ve impressed me immensely.
I got mine with solid lambskin pads & I think the Verum1 mk2 sounds better than my LCD2C & DC Aeon Flow closed & about on par with the DT1990 pro 250 ohm.
Absolutely great review! Similarly, I found Verum 1 strikes the great balance between sounding neutral and being fun to listen to. I also prefer it to Sundara and Sendyaudio Aiva for my daily use. Keep up the great work! 👍
After watching your review videos. I ordered these headphones in Oct 2021 and got them delivered in Jul 2022 due to the war. I have emailed Igor a few times and got updates and understood the situation due to the war. The audio quality and comfort of the headphones are excellent for their price. They are easy to drive and both quality and punch are amazing. Highly recommend. 👍❤️👏
@@kyron42 advantages of double sided system is uniform magnetic force from both sides of membrane. That decrease distortion, improve macrodynamics and resolution especially in treble region.
Great review. Very nice to see an unbiased review focus on what really matters, the sound. I've owned both the Verum and the Sundara and I also prefer the Verum by far.
@Passion for Sound They really are amazing for the price. I've tried loads of high end headphones and the Verum has put to shame some of them. I also recommend you trying the Sash Tres if you have the chance. They are top quality custom planars made in Ukraine as well, can be used open or closed back and they punch way above it's price too. If you are interested I can link you with the guy who makes them, Im sure he could send you a pair for review ;) Keep up the good work!
That would be great! I'm always keen to share new products and lesser known products on the channel. Can you make an introduction via email perhaps? I'm at passionforsound@lachlanfennen.com
Your ability to articulate the subtle differences between headphones is really wonderful. I haven’t personally listened to a Sundara or Verum 1, but I feel confident based on your description of each which is the right choice for my sonic preferences. I think that’s a real and rare talent, for I don’t come across it often.
What a great review. So thorough, yet never boring. Well done! Love your hard work! This category-based comparison is a great format by the way. Probably way more work but so useful. Thanks again.
Thanks Raphael! Glad you liked it. I hope to share more of these when the opportunity presents, but it's a challenge both in terms of the work, but also bringing together enough products at the same approx. price point
I've had the Verum's for about a month, (pre-owned). First impression was and continues to be AWSOME! Thought you were leaning toward the Sundara as KOC, pleasant surprise twist that you selected the Verum. Great review style, keep'em coming! Subbed...
Thanks for the excellent review. I have owned Verum ones for about a year. They came that time with different perforated pads and thicker wire. I didn’t like the thick and microphonic wire, so I switched it to a thinner and more comfortable one. I tried several different types of pads and the Fostex 900 series pads proved to be the best in terms of both comfort and sound.
Sweet comparison, excellent video. When I went down the rabbit hole on Verum Audio I unfortunately didn't like what I found. So I'll stick with my Sundara. Highly informative video as always, thanks!
This is a wonderful and most importantly a very useful format for reviews. More of these and you could also compare the kings of different classes to give an even more thorough overview.
I wanted to go with the Verum, but the QC issue was too much for me to ignore, so have just pulled the trigger on the Sundara :) - Thanks for another great vid / review. Keep up the great work!
The "made in China" stigma is a shame. China have invested a fortune into manufacturing capabilities and can often produce better quality gear than some other places. Like anything, there's a range though. They produce cheap, crappy products, but also fantastic, state of the art products too.
Absolutely brilliant presentation and review. It was professionally done with no bias contribution. In my opinion I think your observations is bang on point, I thoroughly enjoyed it. 👌🏾
You are indeed “Passion for Sound”: the preparation, testing, note taking, etc to make such a video must have required so much time! Thank you for doing this for us. I have been looking for a video like this in such a long time. Your content is the best, thank you!
An 8-ohm headphone isn't necessarily easy to drive. For example if the maximum current an amplifier can produce is 50 mA the maximum power available is 20 mW which may not be enough.
Prety much ! Driving a very low impedance is limited by current capacity of the Amp. Driving high impedance is limited by voltage limits. And as everybody knows, sensitivity (not impedance) is the boss when talking about "driveability". And some manufacturers (like AKG) declare sensitivity not per milliwatt, but per volts, just to get higher numbers and make the phones seem easy to drive.
Terrific stuff! I can't wait for the next step up with battle of the cans as I'm looking at which headphone to get around the $1000-1500 AU mark. Please include Hifiman Ananda as this is on the top of my list.
The Monolith M570 is a spitting image of the Sendy Aiva and the Sivga P-II. Their drivers seem to be identical on paper at least, and the material and shape of the ear cups also only vary in stain color, and the pattern of the metal back grill. The Verum 1 finish is an aquaprint - the "carbon fiber" is the same as the two "wood" grain versions. The cup is a fiber reinforced plastic, I believe.
Hi Neil, I think you might be right about the material used to create the Verums. It's a convincing aesthetic, but does feel like either heavily lacquered carbon fibre or fibre glass that's printed and the latterakes more sense at the price I think
@@PassionforSound I heard this straight from @VerumAudio in response to my question about the weight of the carbon fiber version vs the wood ones. They all weigh the same, because they are the same.
Don't be sad, Robert. The Sundara are still an amazing headphone and may have better consistency and reliability than the Verum 1 based on a few comments I've seen.
Glad you like it! I'm trying to include a couple of tracks/albums in each video now for those who are interested. They might not all be winners, but hopefully there'll be a few gems
I always said the best thing to come out of Australia was the Midnight Oil (well, at least 2 albums). But I hereby stand corrected and proclaim this channel is the best thing to come out of Australia 🇦🇺 👏 Great reviews mate! Also, I would've taken the plunge on the Verum but having looked things up I'll pass on a manufacturer like that regardless of how great a buy the headphone is.
Fair enough on your brand choice. It makes it tough when the product is excellent, but the history is questionable. Thanks for the Oils comparison! So glad you like the channel. 🙂🙂
I think most people would prefer the Sundara, unless most people are looking for analytical sound. And considering the quality issues of the Verum, the Sundara seems like a win for me.
Kudos for such an useful video that would surely help people trying to making a purchase decision. Since you tried pad swaps on the Verums, would love to know your thoughts on the sound of the Sundara with Kennerton ECL-01 pads. On that note would be great if you could also feature some of the Kennerton headphones. Thanks again for the good work.
I wish all the reviewers of hifiman products would make viewers aware of Sundaras driver reliability. I bought mine and chose to ignore the negative reviews Tony peril as one of my drivers have just died.
I'm sorry you've had that experience. As a reviewer, I don't have access to all the data to know what the actual failure rate is so I can only reliably discuss my experiences and that is that I've had one minor issue with a HiFiMan headphone and I've owned all but two of their models.
Good review. I got my hd660s and Sundara which gives me different listening experience. I just got He6se and omg. I think it has hot best of both worlds and lot better.
We want a king of the cans for mid-tier to sub-flagships! Maybe 2 editions: planar and dynamic. And a wrap-up for the one true king regardless of driver.
I'd love to do that, but there's such a steady flow of new products to review that it's impossible to find the time! I have about 5 of these sort of non-review videos parked because I can't get to them. ☹️
I happen to be looking for headphones in the range you covered. Very helpful review,. I had settled on the Sundaras, but now I have a difficult decision to make.
Yeah, it's a tough call. The Sundara are still great, but with both of them on my desk, I'm likely to reach for the Verum now more than the Sundara I think.
No, definitely not. I've owned both and the LCD-2 is a much better headphone. They're also quite differently made so it's not like Audeze are making it and selling it through different channels. I believe Monolith / Monoprice have probably done their best to clone an LCD-2 down to a price.
That's a fair point. Unfortunately, I can only work with what I own / am sent as the channel is still recovering from all the gear purchases I had to make so I could have review items to get started for the first 12 months.
I don't own the Edition XS so I can't make that comparison - sorry. What I can say is that the XS has stronger bass than the Verum 1, but you can pad roll the Verum 1 to help a bit with that. Where the Verum 1 is a clearly preferable headphone to me though is that the XS produces a very flat, left-right soundstage with almost no depth. The Verum 1 is much more natural with its spatial presentation.
That's a tricky one as I've yet to form any relationship with Monoprice so I'd have to buy them myself and really can't justify the expense (the channel isn't making much money yet and still owes me heaps)
Love your reviews an specially the comparisons, thank you! Would be great, if you might compare more planars, like for example the new Fiio FT5 with some hifimans, avantone planar pro the II and others in similar price range. I would be mostly interested in soundstage, specially depth and layering, because tonality is mostly covered by measurements. To me, the ability to throw directional cues from far in front of me is what really shows technical capabilities and it is what makes a difference you cannot see in graphs too easily. Soundstage width on the other side, isnt too hard to archieve and doesnt mean much about technicalities in my book. oh and it would be nice, if the percepted sound could be described when listening in low volumes (which i do) vs. the perception when listening at high volumes. but i am already writing an essay again, sorry! 😂
I'm glad you like the reviews! I agree with you about soundstage depth and positioning being far more important than width. As for those other models, it all comes down to what I can get my hands on so I don't know that I'll be able to help with those.
It's true that distortion is the most common cause of harshness and some driver issues at a specific frequency could be involved. However, a frequency response with extreme peaks or troughs (i.e. rapid, large changes in response) can also create issues for our ears that make the sound quite uncomfortable to listen to
@@PassionforSound a rapid change in response is what you get when you listen to speakers in a normal listening room. Have you ever tried doing a frequency response measurement with the microphone at the position or even just some to a slow sweep? Speakers can still sound remarkably clean and sweet.
It's very different when there are no room interactions, no cross talk from left/right channels, etc. With IEMs and headphones, that sound is pumped straight into your ears and the issue is therefore caused by the drivers themselves, not the room interactions so the sound perception is quite different. Are you referring to the harshness I described in the M1060? If so, that's probably distortion because the frequency response does some strange things in the treble. In other cases, like some IEMs, the issue is from the frequency response
What a great review, thank you! I have been eyeing the Verum 1 and the Sundara for a short time and don't plan to buy them too soon, but so far they look like good candidates if I want to try something new. I currently mostly use the HD 560S, so the comparison you made was very helpful. The HD 560S (with a Topping A50s via single ended cable) was quite a handful when listening to Share The Ride, but still enjoyable for me. Do you think the Verum 1 would be a good upgrade or is it too similar? What about wearing comfort? What I really like about the HD 560S is that I can wear it for a long time (after initially stretching it for some time by putting it on its own box to reduce the clamping force). Is the Sundara more comfortable to wear than the Verum 1 or is there no significant difference?
I find both to be equivalently comfortable. Neither is the most comfortable headphone I've ever worn, but both are fine for extended listening without any issues. I'd say they're pretty comparable to the HD560S. Sound wise, the Verum 1 is a nice upgrade over the HD560S and definitely a different sounding headphone with less treble emphasis and more bass, but still a quite neutral and clean sound.
Do tou still have the m1060?? Try to remove the foam from the back.. it will fix the top end.. the mids will be more prominent.. and it will make the soundstage a bit wider... Totally worth it.. and if you like the sound after the mod i hope you make a video on it
Hi Lachlan :), i believe there was just one revision of the Sundara in 2020. Am I right? So does it mean that u have that older 2018 version? Or was it also some stealth revision in 2021 and u do have 2020 version? :)
Hi Matus, I thought I heard of another stealth update just recently (slightly different pads or something IIRC), but maybe it was an older video that I watched by mistake. Mine were the current version when I reviewed them in 2020.
Hey Lachlan, I’ve seen a lot of reviewers mention how well the Verums scale with supporting gear but heard hyperbole about most headphone amps not “supporting” 8 ohm loads? Have you tried using a speaker amp with these? How do you think these would go with a Schiit Jot 2/Bifrost 2 with or without Freya+ as a tube preamp?
Hi Thomas, an 8 ohm load isn't difficult at all for a headphone amp as they're designed for wide ranging loads and the sensitivity is more important than the impedance. Impedance is relevant, but not vital. When people say that low impedance planars need speaker amps, they haven't done the maths or sufficient testing. You only need 26mW to achieve dangerous volumes on the Verum 1 and only 57mA which is a tiny amount. The Jot 2 and Bifrost 2 will be great with the Verum 1 and the Freya+ for optional flavour. 🙂
Hi man! , I loved ur video , I pressed the subscribe button ! , I got a question for you ;), I'm looking for a new pair of cans , so , I can't decide between verums and Monoprice 1060 , I started to love the neutral balance since I produced my first songs and also love the open feeling of wide soundstage, u think verums are the way to go? Or what do u think? I've heard that monoprice are more for people who likes bass and stuff like that, and people say that the soundstage in the monoprice is great, but the verums are more balanced but without that "wow" factor in the soundstage feeling, so , what do u think? Thanks for this videos bro!, Fr it's very helpful to us, I truly appreciate ur effort :D. Greetings from Mexico 💜.
Thank you for the sub! I would absolutely buy the Verum 1 out of those two options. It's technically well ahead of the 1060 and you can easily swap pads of you want to tweak the sound a little. I didn't feel like the soundstage on the 1060 was wildly better and the Verum 1 has excellent imaging accuracy even if the soundstage might be not quite as big (I don't remember exactly how the 1060 sounded)
It's quite interesting that the Sundara is warm and relaxed compared to the Verum 1. I always found the Sundara to be on the brighter side of things, maybe because of how resolving it is. Thanks for the nice comparison!
Glad you liked the comparison. I definitely find the Sundara to be a warmer headphone overall, but I've heard others say the same as you so I'm guessing it depends on what else you've listened to and maybe what your sources are too. It's not a very thick headphone, but I'd put it a couple of notches on the warm side of neutral.
What you say about the Sivga P-II does not reflect what i hear of my sendy aiva. The aiva have a good and marked treble extension. So they are probably not clones like all says
@@PassionforSound From what i heard,those two and others like BLON B20 have the same drivers. But blon,sivga or sendy audio are different brand and juste share the same driver choice. After that,some of them have probably tuned the driver differently,and housing,damping and pad do the rest. It's just that i read so much that they were all really close sonically. The sendy aiva is a real treble détails can.
If the Aiva is treble-focussed then they're definitely tuned very differently despite possibly starting with the same drivers. Hopefully I can try the Aivas at some point to confirm
@@PassionforSound It is a bit V shaped. Low mid is a bit elevated and then the treble. But not harsh or sibilant,a really nice treble,the best part of this headphone in my opinion.
It's not that consumers should use balanced - it's actually not that big of a deal. My point was that many people want balanced connectivity because they have a balanced amp or because they think it's better (sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't) and I think manufacturers should provide balanced cables for this reason. You can always adapt a balanced cable to a single-ended output, but you can adapt a single ended cable to plug into balanced outputs.
hi, thanks for a good review! Can you please recommend what you think is the best headphone amp that fits Verum 1 at a price of $200-300? Or will I get, for example, just as good results but using the headphone output from a typical amplifier as Marantz PM6007 or CD6007? Are fans of neutral sound (not colored through media). Maybe I have to step ut to FiiO K7?
Some 2-channel gear has a great headphone out and some doesn't. Unfortunately, I haven't tried those to be able to say. The FiiO K7 would be a solid option, but if you already have a receiver with HP output, I'd try that first and see if you think it's good enough before upgrading.
Have you tried the phantom from thieaudio? It’s absolutely outperform every single cans in this video. Edit: the comparison you did is fantastic and really makes the purchase decision easier, although I really want you to compare the Verum 1 to the Phantom from Thieaudio, I’ll hold the purchase of the phantom and I hope you do a comparison video. Thank you again for the review
The monolith is a double sided magnetic driver. The frequency response curves people have measured vary a lot from having more or much less of a spike in the 4-5k range. I'm not sure why. Someone was trying to equate it with underdriving it. Someone was using a notch eq to find the spine in their set and then notched it out and was pleased with the results and using it for mastering on their portable rig. So a lot of different reports coming back on that one. Also, usually it's praised very heavily for it's soundstage. It's interesting that you didn't find that. When did you buy yours? I'm wondering if there's just wild variation.
Mine was purchased secondhand and a long time ago now. It's also been superseded by two newer models now I think (at least one). As for the variations in notches at the 4-5k range, they could be due to resonances in the measurement rig simulated ear canals or they could be different as a result of the different compensation curves used by different systems and different people. I did like the Monoliths in isolation and would have enjoyed them if they were my only headphone, but they didn't stack up as favourably to the competition.
@@PassionforSound I honestly think there's been a lot of different versions and quality control variants of this headphone. Someone huge soundstage.... Better than LCD-2..... Sometimes serious 5K ring. Sometimes not. I don't think that a vote of confidence, but at the same time, these go on sale for $200 all the time with codes. It's an interesting value proposition. From what I can tell, they may have switched to the driver from the closed back varient recently.... Which is better in a lot of ways, but loses a couple of positives.
I as not highly impressed by the Sundara. Firstly it came with one of the ear pads not properly installed and screws a little loose on the driver with the improperly installed pad. The pad was moving back and four the and making an annoying rubbing wound against the frame of the left driver. That aside I feel like I have a couple of dynamic drivers kicking around with better performance than the Sundara like the ATH-R70x. I have the SIVGA PII and I'm surprised you say they make a set of cans with more bass. I will check those out because the PII's are in the most bass category of all my cans.. Unfortunately the Vernum 1 are a no go for me at 8 ohms.. I will receive a Monolith 1070 this week well see how those fair. They actually stopped selling the 1070 and released the 1075 i think its designated. The only difference seems to be a price hike and a less LCD looking grill. Its just a plain looking drill now no fancy rip off design.
@@PassionforSound Probably. The 1070 were OK. They get some distortion tho. More comfortable than the SIVGA PII's. I found the screw to be to loose that hold the drivers together. I tightened them up a bit (not to tight) and improved bass response and over all sound quality. Same with the Hifiman. The screws that hold the drivers together were to loose and on that model they also mount the drivers to the frame. Fostex and SIVGA were assembled well. Oh right I took the foam from behind the drivers on the Monolith 1070 and put it under the ear cups which brought the bass up some more and the simblance down a bit more. Sounds perfect after that to me any ways. Oh and I found out that the Monolith 1070 does indeed have magnets on both sides of the driver. Their very thin and narrow and lined up vertically.
The Verum 1s cups are resin made then hydro dipped to add the wood or CF designs. Its an obscured fact about the headset and some reviewers havent even been informed about it. Not that it matters a lot, but its a little bit missleading to not aknowledge it on the product site, granted they dont say that the cups are made of either wood or CF, they just let you believe they are by naming the models after those materials.
Someone else mentioned that to me as well. I did know that Igor doesn't use wood for his headphones, but want clear on what that meant about the actual materials on all versions. As you said though, it doesn't make a huge difference - just mostly I think an issue if someone was really expecting natural wood or that carbo l carbon fibre feel
I've only managed to buy a heavily discounted M1060 V2 and would be glad to get at least a pair of Verum made replacement earcushions of Sarmatian sheepskin. Most of my music equipment stayed in Poland, where I've been terrorised, tortured and injured by soviet bandits - still so present there and supported by the Germans via the corrupted EU mechanisms of barbarian Germanic imperialism. Being kidnapped and tortured at least 8 times in 2013 alone I was forced to live the country - 3 months later Crimea was invaded. The genius of the Indo-Europeans (Ukrainians are basically a mix of Arya-Sarmatians-Slavs-Scythians [R1a], Scythians-Celts [R1b], Cimmerians-Tatars [Q] and Caucasians [G]) producing such goods in garage-type manufactures under constant bombing is undeniable and one of the reasons, why Sarmatia (the ancient name of the country, of which the later Polish-Lithuanian "Borderland"=Ukraina forms just a part) is being constantly invaded. The alien invaders are: Androphagi (Germanic Rus' and their Teutonic/Frisian/Frankic/Saxon/Prussian… supporters [I]), Turks (north Siberian Huns, Pechenegs, Bulghars, Kipchaks, Seljuks… [N]), Jews & Arabs (Radanites, Karaites, Chechens… [J]) and their various bastards: germanized Turks (Varangians [N]), mankurtized/turkicized and germanized Alans (Ashina, Asud, Bashkirs, Ossetians… [R1b]), turkicized Jews & Arabs (Khazars, Ottomans… [J]), mongolized Turks (Nogais [N]) and other various bastards, known as Homo sovieticus, Soviets, Bolcheviks or "Russians". Putin a turkic Varangian [N] of mainly north Siberian origin with Androphagi [I] and Mongol [C] admixture and germanic friends and supporters is the current "Khan" of this ancient barbarian empire, which already started around 4 millennia ago by stealing horses and pirating the Indo-European metallurgy. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seima-Turbino_phenomenon Various cruel barbarian turkic khanates (the Xionites, Huns, Kidarites, Hephtalites, Seljuks…) followed. The Great Wall didn't stop those barbarians from entering China, nor Sahara from reaching as far as Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco. Only the uprising of the Mongols tamed them for a couple of centuries - the Mongol Kalmykia remains the only buddhist polity in Europe. "Russia" vel Soviet Union is the turko-judeo-germanic relic of the Golden Horde still enslaving and performing ethnocide and genocide on the native Indo-European and Caucasian population living here for around 45 000 years. West Europe is being since 2 millennia concurrently overrun by Androphagi (since Roman occupation called Germanic tribes after the fertile land called by Roman name "Germania" - original native name Perkunia - land of hard wood or oak trees). Ancestors of those proto-Germanic Androphagi [I] cannibalistic invaders (degenerated side branch of [IJ], of which also the Judeo-Arabic haplogroup [J] of slave-traders developed) entered Europe from the Arabian Peninsula following the first Indo-European, Indian and East-African agriculturalists and farmers, who became they prey (Natufians, "Göbekli Tepe", Starčevo culture, Vinča culture, Slavs & Celts). The invasion of the proto-Germanic cannibals initially spread over the eastern shores of southern Adriatic Sea, from where they invaded the proto-Slavic agriculturalist settlements of the Vinča culture. A group of those cannibals reached the river Danube and followed it to Ren (Rhine), Men (Main), Nida, Łaba (Elbe) to finally cross over to the moats of Scandinavia. Around 5000 BCE those cannibals from Arabia settled in the moats and caves around Motala, from where they invaded the indigenous Indo-Europeans (mainly an early branch of proto-Slavs) and after the arrival of the partially acculturated Turks (called in Scandinavia Finno-Ugric or Uralic peoples, e.g, Sami, Suomi, Komi…) also hunted for them and sometimes with them - so also the Varangians (ancestors of Putins of Tver) appeared. After the mentioned Seima-Turbino phenomenon spread advanced weapons among barbarians also the Androphagi tried to invade continental Europe from their scandinavian caves. Only the battle of Dołęża ("Tollense"), where they have been repelled by Scythian cavalry left some archeologic evidence, however small incestuous bands managed to survive hidden in dense forests and caves around the present city of Göttingen. A single one, probably from the initial group of 7000-6000 BCE - the "Cheddar man" - was found on the British Island. Aryan, Greek and Persian historic sources of the 1st millennium BCE report of Ἀνδροφάγοι living north of the Scythians, and later also of cannibalistic Tauri pirates of the Crimea, who use clothes of the Scythians but are not of the Scythian race. Those are the traces of the earliest Germanic invasions, both in West Europe and East Europe. Around 200 BCE the massive never ending invasion into Europe, Asia and Africa started (including "Drang nach Osten") and around 1000-1490 into both Americas. The Rus' and their bastardised Cossacks invaded Siberia, Central Asia and even Alaska. Australia became the planets biggest concentration camp for deported native European population of the British Isles (mainly Celts). The invasion on Ukraine and the Germanic sabotage in Hellas (Greece), Sarmatia (Poland, Hungary…) or Dacia (Romania) and refusal to compensate for repairs of the Germanic genocides and wars of the last century are enough to open eyes for those who can't see. Poles encounter steady unlawful manipulations of EU rules and Germanic ingerention in their internal affairs close to a coup d'état. The Greek economy has already been destroyed. The abstruse lies and ideology of Herman Wirth sponsored by Heinrich Himmler were extended by Aleksandr Dugin and sponsored by Vladimir Putin. Those barbarians even try to brainwash naive young Slavic Rodnovercy novices and enthusiasts implanting them false Androphagi theories of Atlantis "Herrenrasse" of "white people", while still exterminating and devouring them. czcams.com/video/MqfUO4wh2t4/video.html I wish the makers of those great planar headphones and drones, their frends and families to survive healthy the barbarian invasion and genocide. May the war end immediately. May all wars end immediately and the invaders return to their homelands - Germans to the deserts of Arabia and Turks to the tundra of Siberia. Слава вільній сарматській Україні
Such a good review thanks and I appreciate the way you positioned Igor's relationship as the creator but not the product itself but each person will have to decide their view on this. I already have the 6xx which I find quite warm and although lacking in lower and sub bass extension I don't need a lot more lower bass but sub bass would be nice with some of the music I listen too. You say the 6XX is like the Sundara, is it so similar that there is no point having it as well as I don't intend (but I guess everyone says this in the beginning) to have lots of vastly overlapping headphones? I am super interested in the Verum but so new to open back headphones and having no plannar open back experience at all I don't feel comfortable with the Verums a it not possible to just try them as I understand it or is there a return paid postage option?
Glad you liked the review! If you're looking just to try something, I'd stick to larger brands with easier return policies. It's hard for small companies to provide those types of services. As for the Sundaras. They're reminiscent of the HD6XX, but still quite different because planars have their own, different way of presenting the sound and the Sundaras do offer more bass extension. I'd say they're worth a try if you want to dip your toe in some different waters
@@PassionforSound Yes I think you are right, and of course you can't expect an independent based where Igor is to just allow a return policy list a large brand. I also u derstanding the Sundaras have a reasonable ss, width, depth and imaging, all things lacking from my 6xx's much as I enjoy them for low r bass light music, again I have nothing yet to compare them to. One reason I got them is that they are often used as a comparison point by people as are the Sundaras so maybe another reason to get them in this early part of my listen ng rather than bounce around just relying on frequency responce charts.
That's a good point about the reference points. It is definitely good if you can try some common headphones to help understand what the various reviewers' preferences are and how your preferences are similar or different. Frequency response charts provide some level of indication of a headphone's sound, but are an incomplete tool for decision making because they can't describe sound stage, imaging, the overall smoothness or roughness of the sound, etc.
@@PassionforSound one last question if a may, if I have the Sundaras I would imagine the Verum as too similar to keep both, as I am not a reviewer and don't need a lot of comparison headphones I suppose I could sell the Sundaras and move to the Verums, you know what we need in this mad pursuit of ours a dating site for audiophile, "outgoing audiophile seeks Sundara to get to know, possible long term commitment but guaranteed lots of fun" and an open Relationship" what do you think 😜
Haha. Nice idea. I think they're different enough that you COULD own both, but I'd be inclined to get a decent dynamic driver headphone and one of these planars so you get some more variety of sound.
Great video i stumbled across you due to you being 1 of few Reviewers who reviewed M1060. I have questions.. I am looking to buy Open Back Planar cuz I don't have one in my collection. I have Dt 880 Editions 32, Fostex tr-80, Audio Technica Msr7B, Isk Hf2010,Audio Technica M30x , Sony Wh 1000 Xm3 and from Iems I have Kz zex,Moondrop Chu , Ibasso It00, Cca Csn, And Sony Ex110apb. So quite a bit of flavours but generally I like Resolving headphones,energetic but we'll behaved ones . I don't like too dark headphones, I don't like too smoothened out headphones. I like my treble to bring me air, to shimmer but don't hurt (for example dt880 is perfect ,msr7b and fostex tr 80 too) I hated Dt990. I hated M50X loved m30x, I disliked Sennheiser Hd 650. I love upper midrange to be on the edge of shouty and just playful female vocals and stuff. I love when guitars have edge to them. I like fast defined bass but I also Like Sony Xm3 which can really dig down to lowest notes In impactfull way. My source is Zen Dac V2 and I when I get funds I will get some portable dac/amp like Ikko zerda itm01 and some Heavy dac amp like Xduuo TA 01b. On Phones I use Xiaomi mi 9 Lite and Realme Gt 5g with my own wavelet Eq target. Based on this long ass post, Can you answer me what Planar Headphones would I like That would be a bit different approach in fonaliy and presentation compared to Beyerdynamic Dt880/Ath Msr7B which I love, but still to be at least comparable in therms of Technical performance... And still to be available in Europe via ship from China and to not be much expensive lets say below 300 dollars range ? Would I like Monolith m1060
The M1060 could be ok for you I think. The Verum 1 would probably be my top recommendation for you if you can get it or even the HE400SE which has not a lot of bass, but an otherwise good clear sound. M1060 might be a tiny bit too dark for you, but it's got decent treble performance from memory to offset the bass and warmth. I hope that helps! To summarise, recommendation order is Verum 1, M1060, HE400SE
Wow that was fast, always nice tp see youtobers, that actually take their time to interact in community I will link people in my country to your channel if they want to see direct comparison battles you and Josh Valour are only ones with similiar format :) Another reviewer called No theme reviews he was the one that had problems with Verums and owner he has good videos too. :) Of course that your answer it helps. Verum 1 sure is interesting a bit higher in price it would be viable choice if i was near Russia.. But i am in Serbia so customs or import duties would jack that final price more probably. Hifiman He 400 Se V2 i had my eye on, but from what I heard, which you also say. It is a bit Light In lower notes some say they that even in comparison to DT 880 or msr7B. Ofc Planars surely respond well to Eq or hardware bass buttons on some dac/amps like Zen or Shiit Loki. But what is the point if they do that fast agile, throw many punches in a row style of presentation. If they are similiar to what i heard of Sundara, then they would remind me too much of my other Headphones.. M1060 if they have approach like Slower punches but more impactfull style but still not that dark to the point of them actually being non resolving or losing actual details, then i would probably enjoy them if they are less dark and more bold then like sennheiser Hd 650. When they get on discount combined with Taxes they fit budget.. I wonder though how would m1070 fit into all of this .🤔 Yes they are higher in price but stil so are Verums.
I haven't tried the 1070s, but from your reply and your descriptions, it sounds like the 1060 would be a good option. I definitely enjoyed them. Thanks for sharing the channel around too!
So are these using a single side design or double? I have seen others say double? Really love the look of these bad boys! They look like something da Vinci would design and make and Conan the Barbarian would use. lol
I'd go with the Verum 1 I think, Victor. It will produce better attack for the guitars and is also a bit easier to drive. If you want to fill the sound out a bit, you can always get a set of solid Universe pads from ZMF and have two different tunings very easily.
I tend to wrap that into the overall bass description (with specifics as relevant). I'm pretty sure I explained that the M1060 was stronger in that area than the others so it would be the choice for pure slam if that's your priority. The Verum 1 probably comes next because it's faster so the sense of punch and rhythm is very good while the P-II and Sundara are both a bit more subdued in their speed which leads to less sense of punch
I would look elsewhere for mixing I think. You could try something like the HE400SE, but I'd personally go for the Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X, Ollo S4X/S4R or Rode NTH-100 (all dynamic, not planar, if that is an issue)
@@PassionforSound thanks. Out of interest, why would you not recommend the M1060’s (or the Sundars for that matter)? And why dynamic over something Planar in this price bracket? Just interested specifically for mixing as I’m reading different opinions. Would you consider making a shootout video on best sub $500 headphones for mixing (planar + dynamic)? There doesn’t seem to be dedicated content on this anywhere. Plenty on dynamics but non that include Planars.
I think the issue is that the planars at this level are all fairly coloured in one way or other and aren't going to give you as accurate a mix. I don't know why that is because planars can be tuned well for mixing and the Sundara isn't bad in that sense for sure, but I also never felt confident using it as a reference. The M1060 is more coloured than the Sundara too so that's my reasoning on that one.
@@PassionforSound presumably it’s factory tuned for hifi use then. Is it easy enough to flatten them out using EQ though (using RealPhones software, etc)?
I'm unclear on when various revisions took place and what changes were actually made. They're recent versions with the 3.5mm inputs on the cups, but I can't guarantee that they're the absolute most recent variant with some of the stealth revisions that apparently take place
Geez what a different review and experience from the No theme reviews, review of the verum one, it like a different universe, do me a favour and send Igor the hoodie your wearing he needs to read it and start living it.
@@chefsteve8381 I'm 90% sure he got a defective set. Overall, nothing he said about the headphone's sound were my own experience. I think he even says the treble is veiled which I find very surprising.
I've started watching and immediately have some concerns. He's calling out the lack of padding in the headband, but leather suspension straps are very common and very comfortable. All HiFiMan models from the Sundara upwards use them and they're all very comfortable. Also, as I demonstrated in my video, pad-swapping is the easiest it's ever been.
As I continue to watch, this is just a terrible review that's likely quite biased for some reason - it's like he's started out looking for problems. He also talks about it needing a powerful amp just because it's a planar, but these are such low impedance that they're easier to drive than most headphones of any sort because they're also very sensitive in the scheme of headphones. Finally the cable socket being positioned as it is looks to me like a decision based on the socket inside the cup getting in the way of having as large a driver. I just think he's out to pull the headphone apart and hasn't maybe considered it thoroughly. For the sound impressions, it's possible there's unit-to-unit variance, but the apparent focus on fault finding makese wonder if he's just started out from a negative place on this headphone
Though you are looking as a honest man, there is one question i have to ask you - are you sure you are not making an advertisement due to the political correctness related with the situation in Ukraine?
Sorry, I hate to be that guy, but I reeeeeeeeeally would have appreciated a proper graph being shown with frequency ranges clearly visible rather than the approach you took. I get it might have loked cool, but feel very frustrated when basic information like that is surrendered for the sake of visuals. If you're not going to make the scale of amplitude and frequency up on the screen then it could be anything and is no use to anybody. If nothing else it breaks the shot of you talking up and adds b-roll - it really would help make the video an easier watch. I was expecting there to be a link in the description to a write up where all the data could be fairly compared, that's just crazy not having it. Sorry if this seems over the top, but it really frustrated me and made me angry.
Hi Andy, apologies that you didn't like the approach, but I don't display it with all the frequencies because it's not actually helpful. I'm measuring using the miniDSP EARs and REW before applying the HPN compensation to the measurements. What that means is that my graphs shouldn't be considered a reference and definitely shouldn't be compared to measurements of any other headphone by any other person. They're only shown to help illustrate the comparisons I provide and a snapshot of the general frequency response shape.
@@PassionforSound hmmm ok I get your point, and appreciate the nature of the measurements, but then why not just put a disclaimer up, or compare them to your other measurements only so at least we get a side by side comparison within your specific testing environment. Not having anything to go by just feels odd and not very useful. At least if we knew the scale and frequency, along with the kit you used and the methods that were undertaken, we can make our own mind up and the data your collecting could be at least partially useful. How are we supposed to make any meaningful comparison between one squiggly line with no labels on compared to another? Again sorry if this is over the top, but i guess what frustrates me is that your review was great, but if the measurements are so bad, don't use them as illustrative examples. I don't know, maybe it's been a long day, I'll shut up now.
It's the shape that matters, Andy - nothing else. Also, I do compare them to other FR graphs that I've taken. Did I not in this review? Normally I start out with the main product response and then later overlay other earphones or headphones as I discuss them. The idea is only to illustrate where there is emphasis in the FR (bass, mid, treble) if there's bass roll-off, treble peaks, etc. I mean this respectfully: I think you're putting toouch emphasis on the measurements. I say that because I've tried lots of headphones that measure similarly and they still sound quite different. The overall balance might be the same (i.e. V-shaped, J shaped, etc.) but that doesn't tell you what a headphone actually sounds like. Graphs are excellent for a basic understanding of the shape of the FR, for identifying major areas of emphasis or de-emphasis, or for EQing and tuning headphones, but they are not a particularly good tool for the basis of purchasing decisions.
@@PassionforSound appreciate you taking the time to reply, and as I said I thought your review was good, looking forward to the next, just ignore my grumbles :)
Nicely done review, and very objective. Are the ZMF pads an improvement over the original? I have had Verum 1 for a year now and they have bested any cans under $1K I've compared them against. I'm actually struggling to find an upgrade to it lol.
Glad you liked it! I think headphone tunings are very personal so I don't think I (or anyone) can say that the Universe pads are necessarily an improvement, but I like the slight increase in bass they provide while generally maintaining the tonality of the Verum 1. You're right, they're an excellent headphone 🙂
These review sites (the mods) delete any critical reviews of their reviews. That's why I don't trust youtube reviews anymore (very unbalanced replies but the critics get deleted)
I don't delete any replies at all. Sadly, CZcams bots sometimes do, but that's beyond my control. Feel free to check my M-Scaler review, M-Scaler follow up interview, Holo Audio Spring and May review and any of the USB based videos. There are plenty of negative comments there that remain not deleted
Sorry about my slow response - some comments slip through the gaps from time-to-time. My conclusion was that the Verum 1 was my favourite headphone of all of these, but the Sundara is also excellent and a little more relaxing to listen to
Your approach to the verum situation is the most professional, and the way it would be handled
Kudos for having a fair a nuanced position on the matter, it's a rare sight these days
Thanks so much to both of you. I thought long and hard about it and this seemed the right approach. I don't want to censor anyone as everyone has the right to make their own choices with the information available.
This Review gets 10/10. Personally I believe this is the best review you have done so far. More informative than almost all reviews done about headphones in this price range in any channel. Please keep doing this "King of the Cans" series. All the best
Thanks Akila. Glad you liked it.
I'll continue to do these where possible 🙂
Glory to Ukraine!
Хероям в срало! @@theaist1
As a Verum owner, I’m really glad to see you give it a fair shake in spite of the controversy. Mine came with different pads, so I’m very interested in swapping pads, but they’ve impressed me immensely.
I really enjoy mine and they take to pad rolling well it seems 🙂
I got mine with solid lambskin pads & I think the Verum1 mk2 sounds better than my LCD2C & DC Aeon Flow closed & about on par with the DT1990 pro 250 ohm.
I don't know if I tried solid pads on mine. Maybe I should...
Absolutely great review!
Similarly, I found Verum 1 strikes the great balance between sounding neutral and being fun to listen to. I also prefer it to Sundara and Sendyaudio Aiva for my daily use.
Keep up the great work! 👍
Thanks iiWi. I've been enjoying a number of your videos lately too 😁
iiWi Reviews & Passion for Sound, your reviews are very practical and help in purchasing decisions. Very similar observations as well. 👍
That's great to hear that you've got a few of us that you're finding reliable and can reference against one another! 🙂🙂
After watching your review videos. I ordered these headphones in Oct 2021 and got them delivered in Jul 2022 due to the war. I have emailed Igor a few times and got updates and understood the situation due to the war. The audio quality and comfort of the headphones are excellent for their price. They are easy to drive and both quality and punch are amazing. Highly recommend. 👍❤️👏
Thanks for review! Just for clarification: Verum 1 use double sided magnetic system.
Thanks for clarifying the magnet setup and for making such a great headphone!
Are there closed-back version of Verum 1 in the making? Really interested in Verum 1 but I don't really need another open-back.
What are the advantages of the double sided magnet system?
Hey verum please make a close back version of it. That's going to be great.
@@kyron42 advantages of double sided system is uniform magnetic force from both sides of membrane. That decrease distortion, improve macrodynamics and resolution especially in treble region.
I own a pair of Verum 1 headphones since February and I've never had any problem at all. Neither with the product itself nor with Igor.
Thanks for sharing your positive experiences, Leo. So often, people only post about the bad ones and it really skews people's perceptions.
same here/hear 🎧🎧🎶🎶🙂🙂
Great review. Very nice to see an unbiased review focus on what really matters, the sound. I've owned both the Verum and the Sundara and I also prefer the Verum by far.
Glad you liked it! The V1 are brilliant, aren't they?
@Passion for Sound They really are amazing for the price. I've tried loads of high end headphones and the Verum has put to shame some of them.
I also recommend you trying the Sash Tres if you have the chance. They are top quality custom planars made in Ukraine as well, can be used open or closed back and they punch way above it's price too.
If you are interested I can link you with the guy who makes them, Im sure he could send you a pair for review ;)
Keep up the good work!
That would be great! I'm always keen to share new products and lesser known products on the channel. Can you make an introduction via email perhaps? I'm at passionforsound@lachlanfennen.com
@@PassionforSound that's great, thanks! already sent you an email there with all the information. Hope you get the chance to make a review soon.
Great news! Thanks 🙂
Your ability to articulate the subtle differences between headphones is really wonderful. I haven’t personally listened to a Sundara or Verum 1, but I feel confident based on your description of each which is the right choice for my sonic preferences. I think that’s a real and rare talent, for I don’t come across it often.
Thanks so much, James! I'm so glad it's helpful
Woof!
What a great review. So thorough, yet never boring. Well done! Love your hard work! This category-based comparison is a great format by the way. Probably way more work but so useful. Thanks again.
Thanks Raphael! Glad you liked it. I hope to share more of these when the opportunity presents, but it's a challenge both in terms of the work, but also bringing together enough products at the same approx. price point
I've had the Verum's for about a month, (pre-owned). First impression was and continues to be AWSOME! Thought you were leaning toward the Sundara as KOC, pleasant surprise twist that you selected the Verum. Great review style, keep'em coming! Subbed...
Glad you liked the video. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences with the Verums!
Thanks for the excellent review. I have owned Verum ones for about a year. They came that time with different perforated pads and thicker wire. I didn’t like the thick and microphonic wire, so I switched it to a thinner and more comfortable one. I tried several different types of pads and the Fostex 900 series pads proved to be the best in terms of both comfort and sound.
Thanks for sharing your experiences - particularly the pad recommendation!
Sweet comparison, excellent video. When I went down the rabbit hole on Verum Audio I unfortunately didn't like what I found. So I'll stick with my Sundara. Highly informative video as always, thanks!
Glad it was helpful! I totally respect the decision and the Sundaras are still great.
This is a wonderful and most importantly a very useful format for reviews. More of these and you could also compare the kings of different classes to give an even more thorough overview.
Glad you liked it! Nice suggestion too - I'll see what I can arrange
I like this kind of video, am definitely going to be liking his series. A very professional way of handling the controversy, great man.
So glad you liked it! I'll do my best to make more as the products are available to me.
I wanted to go with the Verum, but the QC issue was too much for me to ignore, so have just pulled the trigger on the Sundara :) - Thanks for another great vid / review. Keep up the great work!
No problems, Stephen. You've still got yourself a great headphone. Enjoy!
Hifiman has also a good share of Manufacturing and Quality Control issues ! All those brands suffer from "made in china" stigma.
The "made in China" stigma is a shame. China have invested a fortune into manufacturing capabilities and can often produce better quality gear than some other places. Like anything, there's a range though. They produce cheap, crappy products, but also fantastic, state of the art products too.
Oh yes looking forward for more battle videos!
I'll keep producing them whenever the product lineup makes it possible 🙂
One of the best things about this channel is the honest review aspect whereas some other channels such as Darko are obviously just informercials.
Glad you like the honesty. I try to always approach my reviews as a consumer / enthusiast. 🙂
that may be a little harsh
Absolutely brilliant presentation and review. It was professionally done with no bias contribution.
In my opinion I think your observations is bang on point, I thoroughly enjoyed it. 👌🏾
So glad you liked it! Thanks for letting me know 🙂
You are indeed “Passion for Sound”: the preparation, testing, note taking, etc to make such a video must have required so much time!
Thank you for doing this for us. I have been looking for a video like this in such a long time.
Your content is the best, thank you!
So glad it was helpful, Matteo! 🙂
Ordered the Verum1 just before getting here. Was close to getting Sundara... So we agree? Great review.
Yes, we agree. Great choice!
Another quality review! I mainly listen with IEMs but I've been tempted by the Verum for a while, its also a great looker.
Glad you liked it. Yeah, I think the V1 is a pretty cool headphone. It looks very different and interesting and it's got a great tuning.
you're excellent at this mate. your voice is soothing, insights are pertinent, and your ideas are expressed eloquently.
So glad you liked it - thanks for letting me know 🙂
An 8-ohm headphone isn't necessarily easy to drive. For example if the maximum current an amplifier can produce is 50 mA the maximum power available is 20 mW which may not be enough.
That's a very good point. These are also very sensitive too - I should have clarified that.
Prety much ! Driving a very low impedance is limited by current capacity of the Amp. Driving high impedance is limited by voltage limits. And as everybody knows, sensitivity (not impedance) is the boss when talking about "driveability". And some manufacturers (like AKG) declare sensitivity not per milliwatt, but per volts, just to get higher numbers and make the phones seem easy to drive.
Well said
Battle of the cans! Battle of the cans! Battle of the cans!
I love shootouts so this 4 way battle is another level.
Glad you liked it! I'll try to do more as opportunities arise
Terrific stuff! I can't wait for the next step up with battle of the cans as I'm looking at which headphone to get around the $1000-1500 AU mark. Please include Hifiman Ananda as this is on the top of my list.
I'll see what options I can pull together. I already own the Anandas so that's easy. Out of interest, what else is on your list?
@@PassionforSound Thanks! Yes I'm also considering Audeze LCDX or Sennheiser 820s. Though I'd like to save a little coin with the Ananda's.
@@PassionforSound Dan Clark Audio Aeon 2 or Aeon 2 Noire. :-) Great review. Thank you!
Hi Justin, I have a review of the Aeon 2 Closed on here already if that's helpful
The Monolith M570 is a spitting image of the Sendy Aiva and the Sivga P-II. Their drivers seem to be identical on paper at least, and the material and shape of the ear cups also only vary in stain color, and the pattern of the metal back grill.
The Verum 1 finish is an aquaprint - the "carbon fiber" is the same as the two "wood" grain versions. The cup is a fiber reinforced plastic, I believe.
Hi Neil, I think you might be right about the material used to create the Verums. It's a convincing aesthetic, but does feel like either heavily lacquered carbon fibre or fibre glass that's printed and the latterakes more sense at the price I think
@@PassionforSound I heard this straight from @VerumAudio in response to my question about the weight of the carbon fiber version vs the wood ones. They all weigh the same, because they are the same.
Ah, gotcha. Thank your for clarifying that for me.
Thanks for the review. I love my Verum's. They are underrated and overlooked.
I completely agree! Glad you liked the review
Your b roll is always excellent
Thanks Alex. I try to mix it up a bit 🙂
Well you have ruined my day. I have had my Sundaras for 2 weeks. Still think they are great and your reviews are always worthwhile.
Don't be sad, Robert. The Sundara are still an amazing headphone and may have better consistency and reliability than the Verum 1 based on a few comments I've seen.
Also thanks for the tip about Croweology. What an amazing album.
Glad you like it! I'm trying to include a couple of tracks/albums in each video now for those who are interested. They might not all be winners, but hopefully there'll be a few gems
Interesting that you said the Verum 1 had forward-facing connectors...apparently I have been wearing mine backwards!
Haha. Whatever works and is comfortable! 🙂
you can; just switch the connectors 🎧🎧🙂🙂👍👍
Verums are INCREDIBLE headphones for the money! GREAT REVIEW!!!
Glad you liked it! I agree about the Verums
I always said the best thing to come out of Australia was the Midnight Oil (well, at least 2 albums). But I hereby stand corrected and proclaim this channel is the best thing to come out of Australia 🇦🇺 👏 Great reviews mate!
Also, I would've taken the plunge on the Verum but having looked things up I'll pass on a manufacturer like that regardless of how great a buy the headphone is.
Fair enough on your brand choice. It makes it tough when the product is excellent, but the history is questionable.
Thanks for the Oils comparison! So glad you like the channel. 🙂🙂
I vote for the Go-Betweens.
The Go-Betweens are cool too
Just looked up Verum Audio to see if there's any other reviews.
Hooo boy!!!
Haha. Yes, it's a bit of a rabbit hole...
I think most people would prefer the Sundara, unless most people are looking for analytical sound. And considering the quality issues of the Verum, the Sundara seems like a win for me.
The Verum 1 isn't super analytical, just less rich and warm. Both are great headphones with slightly different signatures
Kudos for such an useful video that would surely help people trying to making a purchase decision. Since you tried pad swaps on the Verums, would love to know your thoughts on the sound of the Sundara with Kennerton ECL-01 pads. On that note would be great if you could also feature some of the Kennerton headphones. Thanks again for the good work.
Thanks Sandeep. I don't have the ECL-01 pads to try so can't help there. I've also emailed Kennerton, but had no reply thus far
I wish all the reviewers of hifiman products would make viewers aware of Sundaras driver reliability. I bought mine and chose to ignore the negative reviews Tony peril as one of my drivers have just died.
I'm sorry you've had that experience. As a reviewer, I don't have access to all the data to know what the actual failure rate is so I can only reliably discuss my experiences and that is that I've had one minor issue with a HiFiMan headphone and I've owned all but two of their models.
Good review. I got my hd660s and Sundara which gives me different listening experience. I just got He6se and omg. I think it has hot best of both worlds and lot better.
That's great, Kam. So glad you're liking the HE-6SE!
We want a king of the cans for mid-tier to sub-flagships! Maybe 2 editions: planar and dynamic. And a wrap-up for the one true king regardless of driver.
I'd love to do that, but there's such a steady flow of new products to review that it's impossible to find the time! I have about 5 of these sort of non-review videos parked because I can't get to them. ☹️
I think this a good review, I saw another good reviewer with very similar observations.
I happen to be looking for headphones in the range you covered. Very helpful review,. I had settled on the Sundaras, but now I have a difficult decision to make.
Yeah, it's a tough call. The Sundara are still great, but with both of them on my desk, I'm likely to reach for the Verum now more than the Sundara I think.
I like this new style battle of the cans review!
Glad you like it! I've got more battles of different sorts now too - there's the $200 IEM Hero battle and I'm also finishing up a dongle battle too
@@PassionforSound Nice. will check that out too. 🙂
Hmm... I'm staying to wonder if the m1060 is a retuned and rebranded audeze...
No, definitely not. I've owned both and the LCD-2 is a much better headphone. They're also quite differently made so it's not like Audeze are making it and selling it through different channels. I believe Monolith / Monoprice have probably done their best to clone an LCD-2 down to a price.
One that should be in the mix to be compared It's the fostex T60rp.
That's a fair point. Unfortunately, I can only work with what I own / am sent as the channel is still recovering from all the gear purchases I had to make so I could have review items to get started for the first 12 months.
What a great review, I hope you get the Poseidon, I'd like to hear your thoughts on them Vs the Zeus.
I have both on their way right now (shipped yesterday) 😁
@@PassionforSound wooo!!!
Great video, 👍🏼
Could you compare the
Verum 1 to the
HIFIMAN Edition XS and which amplifier for each one should I buy, thank you beforehand
I don't own the Edition XS so I can't make that comparison - sorry.
What I can say is that the XS has stronger bass than the Verum 1, but you can pad roll the Verum 1 to help a bit with that.
Where the Verum 1 is a clearly preferable headphone to me though is that the XS produces a very flat, left-right soundstage with almost no depth. The Verum 1 is much more natural with its spatial presentation.
Great review man💥💥. But I think m1060 should be replaced by m1070 now they are under $300 at Amazon.
Fair point. I happened to have the M1060 here already which is why they were included
@@PassionforSound thanks for the reply. Waiting for your m1070 review. 👍
That's a tricky one as I've yet to form any relationship with Monoprice so I'd have to buy them myself and really can't justify the expense (the channel isn't making much money yet and still owes me heaps)
Love your reviews an specially the comparisons, thank you! Would be great, if you might compare more planars, like for example the new Fiio FT5 with some hifimans, avantone planar pro the II and others in similar price range. I would be mostly interested in soundstage, specially depth and layering, because tonality is mostly covered by measurements. To me, the ability to throw directional cues from far in front of me is what really shows technical capabilities and it is what makes a difference you cannot see in graphs too easily. Soundstage width on the other side, isnt too hard to archieve and doesnt mean much about technicalities in my book. oh and it would be nice, if the percepted sound could be described when listening in low volumes (which i do) vs. the perception when listening at high volumes. but i am already writing an essay again, sorry! 😂
I'm glad you like the reviews! I agree with you about soundstage depth and positioning being far more important than width.
As for those other models, it all comes down to what I can get my hands on so I don't know that I'll be able to help with those.
Harshness generally refers to distortion rather than uneven frequency response.
It's true that distortion is the most common cause of harshness and some driver issues at a specific frequency could be involved. However, a frequency response with extreme peaks or troughs (i.e. rapid, large changes in response) can also create issues for our ears that make the sound quite uncomfortable to listen to
@@PassionforSound a rapid change in response is what you get when you listen to speakers in a normal listening room. Have you ever tried doing a frequency response measurement with the microphone at the position or even just some to a slow sweep? Speakers can still sound remarkably clean and sweet.
It's very different when there are no room interactions, no cross talk from left/right channels, etc. With IEMs and headphones, that sound is pumped straight into your ears and the issue is therefore caused by the drivers themselves, not the room interactions so the sound perception is quite different.
Are you referring to the harshness I described in the M1060? If so, that's probably distortion because the frequency response does some strange things in the treble. In other cases, like some IEMs, the issue is from the frequency response
What a great review, thank you!
I have been eyeing the Verum 1 and the Sundara for a short time and don't plan to buy them too soon, but so far they look like good candidates if I want to try something new. I currently mostly use the HD 560S, so the comparison you made was very helpful. The HD 560S (with a Topping A50s via single ended cable) was quite a handful when listening to Share The Ride, but still enjoyable for me.
Do you think the Verum 1 would be a good upgrade or is it too similar?
What about wearing comfort? What I really like about the HD 560S is that I can wear it for a long time (after initially stretching it for some time by putting it on its own box to reduce the clamping force). Is the Sundara more comfortable to wear than the Verum 1 or is there no significant difference?
I find both to be equivalently comfortable. Neither is the most comfortable headphone I've ever worn, but both are fine for extended listening without any issues. I'd say they're pretty comparable to the HD560S.
Sound wise, the Verum 1 is a nice upgrade over the HD560S and definitely a different sounding headphone with less treble emphasis and more bass, but still a quite neutral and clean sound.
Do tou still have the m1060?? Try to remove the foam from the back.. it will fix the top end.. the mids will be more prominent.. and it will make the soundstage a bit wider... Totally worth it.. and if you like the sound after the mod i hope you make a video on it
I moved it on years ago. Sorry.
Hi Lachlan :), i believe there was just one revision of the Sundara in 2020. Am I right? So does it mean that u have that older 2018 version? Or was it also some stealth revision in 2021 and u do have 2020 version? :)
Hi Matus, I thought I heard of another stealth update just recently (slightly different pads or something IIRC), but maybe it was an older video that I watched by mistake. Mine were the current version when I reviewed them in 2020.
Great review and Comparison Sir!!
Thanks James! Glad you liked it
awesome idea friend gr8 review too thx man!
So glad you liked it!
Since you reviewed the verum 1 and the singxer sa-1: would it be safe to run the verum 1 on the singxer amp?
100%! That would be a marvelous combination
Hey Lachlan, I’ve seen a lot of reviewers mention how well the Verums scale with supporting gear but heard hyperbole about most headphone amps not “supporting” 8 ohm loads? Have you tried using a speaker amp with these?
How do you think these would go with a Schiit Jot 2/Bifrost 2 with or without Freya+ as a tube preamp?
Hi Thomas, an 8 ohm load isn't difficult at all for a headphone amp as they're designed for wide ranging loads and the sensitivity is more important than the impedance. Impedance is relevant, but not vital.
When people say that low impedance planars need speaker amps, they haven't done the maths or sufficient testing. You only need 26mW to achieve dangerous volumes on the Verum 1 and only 57mA which is a tiny amount.
The Jot 2 and Bifrost 2 will be great with the Verum 1 and the Freya+ for optional flavour. 🙂
Hi man! , I loved ur video , I pressed the subscribe button ! , I got a question for you ;), I'm looking for a new pair of cans , so , I can't decide between verums and Monoprice 1060 , I started to love the neutral balance since I produced my first songs and also love the open feeling of wide soundstage, u think verums are the way to go? Or what do u think? I've heard that monoprice are more for people who likes bass and stuff like that, and people say that the soundstage in the monoprice is great, but the verums are more balanced but without that "wow" factor in the soundstage feeling, so , what do u think?
Thanks for this videos bro!, Fr it's very helpful to us, I truly appreciate ur effort :D. Greetings from Mexico 💜.
Thank you for the sub! I would absolutely buy the Verum 1 out of those two options. It's technically well ahead of the 1060 and you can easily swap pads of you want to tweak the sound a little. I didn't feel like the soundstage on the 1060 was wildly better and the Verum 1 has excellent imaging accuracy even if the soundstage might be not quite as big (I don't remember exactly how the 1060 sounded)
@@PassionforSound thanks for replying the question !
It's quite interesting that the Sundara is warm and relaxed compared to the Verum 1. I always found the Sundara to be on the brighter side of things, maybe because of how resolving it is.
Thanks for the nice comparison!
Glad you liked the comparison. I definitely find the Sundara to be a warmer headphone overall, but I've heard others say the same as you so I'm guessing it depends on what else you've listened to and maybe what your sources are too. It's not a very thick headphone, but I'd put it a couple of notches on the warm side of neutral.
Nice and detailed multi headphones review. One detail, the picture for the Eric Clapton track is wrong. Good review otherwise.
Thanks Mark - did I show the Pilgrim cover instead of Reptile?
@@PassionforSound it was the Ben Harper cover
Oh bugger! That was VERY wrong then 🤦♂️
You mentioned the HD650 headphones many times in this video, but in looking I couldn't find if you ever made a review on them or not.
I reviewed the HD6XX version of them here: czcams.com/video/g-lmWXuu4Uk/video.html
Sorry for the confusion 🙂
What you say about the Sivga P-II does not reflect what i hear of my sendy aiva.
The aiva have a good and marked treble extension.
So they are probably not clones like all says
I would expect them to be different as they're all from the same ownership. There'd be no point them making clones of their own product
@@PassionforSound From what i heard,those two and others like BLON B20 have the same drivers.
But blon,sivga or sendy audio are different brand and juste share the same driver choice.
After that,some of them have probably tuned the driver differently,and housing,damping and pad do the rest.
It's just that i read so much that they were all really close sonically.
The sendy aiva is a real treble détails can.
If the Aiva is treble-focussed then they're definitely tuned very differently despite possibly starting with the same drivers. Hopefully I can try the Aivas at some point to confirm
@@PassionforSound It is a bit V shaped.
Low mid is a bit elevated and then the treble.
But not harsh or sibilant,a really nice treble,the best part of this headphone in my opinion.
Definitely sounds like a different tuning to me I think. Hopefully I can find out...
18:35 why? Can you explain please your point of view about why do I need balanced connection?
It's not that consumers should use balanced - it's actually not that big of a deal. My point was that many people want balanced connectivity because they have a balanced amp or because they think it's better (sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't) and I think manufacturers should provide balanced cables for this reason. You can always adapt a balanced cable to a single-ended output, but you can adapt a single ended cable to plug into balanced outputs.
You can get cables with angled connecters for the Verum1 mk2
Yes, the cables that came with them were angled. It's just that most aftermarket cables people already have will be straight, but it's a minor issue
@@PassionforSound thank you, yes good point 👍 I wonder which ZMF universe pads you tried with the Verum1?
I think they were the Universe Leather Perforated
@@PassionforSound Thanks & I don't know of any other reviewer who has your level of feedback & dedication 👍👍
I do my best 🙂🙂
hi, thanks for a good review! Can you please recommend what you think is the best headphone amp that fits Verum 1 at a price of $200-300? Or will I get, for example, just as good results but using the headphone output from a typical amplifier as Marantz PM6007 or CD6007? Are fans of neutral sound (not colored through media). Maybe I have to step ut to FiiO K7?
Some 2-channel gear has a great headphone out and some doesn't. Unfortunately, I haven't tried those to be able to say. The FiiO K7 would be a solid option, but if you already have a receiver with HP output, I'd try that first and see if you think it's good enough before upgrading.
Hi, have now ordered Fiio K7 Pro ESS so then I have two option. Thanks anyway 🙂
Have you tried the phantom from thieaudio? It’s absolutely outperform every single cans in this video.
Edit: the comparison you did is fantastic and really makes the purchase decision easier, although I really want you to compare the Verum 1 to the Phantom from Thieaudio, I’ll hold the purchase of the phantom and I hope you do a comparison video. Thank you again for the review
I'll chat to my contact at Linsoul and see what I can arrange...
Thanks a lot for you job!
My pleasure
The monolith is a double sided magnetic driver. The frequency response curves people have measured vary a lot from having more or much less of a spike in the 4-5k range. I'm not sure why. Someone was trying to equate it with underdriving it. Someone was using a notch eq to find the spine in their set and then notched it out and was pleased with the results and using it for mastering on their portable rig. So a lot of different reports coming back on that one. Also, usually it's praised very heavily for it's soundstage. It's interesting that you didn't find that. When did you buy yours? I'm wondering if there's just wild variation.
Mine was purchased secondhand and a long time ago now. It's also been superseded by two newer models now I think (at least one).
As for the variations in notches at the 4-5k range, they could be due to resonances in the measurement rig simulated ear canals or they could be different as a result of the different compensation curves used by different systems and different people.
I did like the Monoliths in isolation and would have enjoyed them if they were my only headphone, but they didn't stack up as favourably to the competition.
@@PassionforSound I honestly think there's been a lot of different versions and quality control variants of this headphone. Someone huge soundstage.... Better than LCD-2..... Sometimes serious 5K ring. Sometimes not. I don't think that a vote of confidence, but at the same time, these go on sale for $200 all the time with codes. It's an interesting value proposition.
From what I can tell, they may have switched to the driver from the closed back varient recently.... Which is better in a lot of ways, but loses a couple of positives.
If you have two headphones on your desk: the Verum One and the Ananda, which do you think you would reach for the most for pure enjoyment?
That's a tough call. I probably would go for the Verum 1 because I like the balance in its sound signature and the opportunity to easily roll pads
Do you think the Verum 1 could be driven by the Mojo 2?
Absolutely. The Verum 1 is very easy to drive.
I as not highly impressed by the Sundara. Firstly it came with one of the ear pads not properly installed and screws a little loose on the driver with the improperly installed pad. The pad was moving back and four the and making an annoying rubbing wound against the frame of the left driver. That aside I feel like I have a couple of dynamic drivers kicking around with better performance than the Sundara like the ATH-R70x. I have the SIVGA PII and I'm surprised you say they make a set of cans with more bass. I will check those out because the PII's are in the most bass category of all my cans.. Unfortunately the Vernum 1 are a no go for me at 8 ohms.. I will receive a Monolith 1070 this week well see how those fair. They actually stopped selling the 1070 and released the 1075 i think its designated. The only difference seems to be a price hike and a less LCD looking grill. Its just a plain looking drill now no fancy rip off design.
The 1075 might be particularly interesting if they've continued to improve the design!
@@PassionforSound Probably. The 1070 were OK. They get some distortion tho. More comfortable than the SIVGA PII's. I found the screw to be to loose that hold the drivers together. I tightened them up a bit (not to tight) and improved bass response and over all sound quality. Same with the Hifiman. The screws that hold the drivers together were to loose and on that model they also mount the drivers to the frame. Fostex and SIVGA were assembled well. Oh right I took the foam from behind the drivers on the Monolith 1070 and put it under the ear cups which brought the bass up some more and the simblance down a bit more. Sounds perfect after that to me any ways. Oh and I found out that the Monolith 1070 does indeed have magnets on both sides of the driver. Their very thin and narrow and lined up vertically.
What improvements the Universe pads bring to the Verum 1?
They lifted the bass slightly, which I like, and smoothed out the treble a bit but without taking away from the Verum 1's general character.
The Verum 1s cups are resin made then hydro dipped to add the wood or CF designs. Its an obscured fact about the headset and some reviewers havent even been informed about it. Not that it matters a lot, but its a little bit missleading to not aknowledge it on the product site, granted they dont say that the cups are made of either wood or CF, they just let you believe they are by naming the models after those materials.
Someone else mentioned that to me as well. I did know that Igor doesn't use wood for his headphones, but want clear on what that meant about the actual materials on all versions.
As you said though, it doesn't make a huge difference - just mostly I think an issue if someone was really expecting natural wood or that carbo l carbon fibre feel
I've only managed to buy a heavily discounted M1060 V2 and would be glad to get at least a pair of Verum made replacement earcushions of Sarmatian sheepskin.
Most of my music equipment stayed in Poland, where I've been terrorised, tortured and injured by soviet bandits - still so present there and supported by the Germans via the corrupted EU mechanisms of barbarian Germanic imperialism. Being kidnapped and tortured at least 8 times in 2013 alone I was forced to live the country - 3 months later Crimea was invaded.
The genius of the Indo-Europeans (Ukrainians are basically a mix of Arya-Sarmatians-Slavs-Scythians [R1a], Scythians-Celts [R1b], Cimmerians-Tatars [Q] and Caucasians [G]) producing such goods in garage-type manufactures under constant bombing is undeniable and one of the reasons, why Sarmatia (the ancient name of the country, of which the later Polish-Lithuanian "Borderland"=Ukraina forms just a part) is being constantly invaded.
The alien invaders are: Androphagi (Germanic Rus' and their Teutonic/Frisian/Frankic/Saxon/Prussian… supporters [I]), Turks (north Siberian Huns, Pechenegs, Bulghars, Kipchaks, Seljuks… [N]), Jews & Arabs (Radanites, Karaites, Chechens… [J]) and their various bastards: germanized Turks (Varangians [N]), mankurtized/turkicized and germanized Alans (Ashina, Asud, Bashkirs, Ossetians… [R1b]), turkicized Jews & Arabs (Khazars, Ottomans… [J]), mongolized Turks (Nogais [N]) and other various bastards, known as Homo sovieticus, Soviets, Bolcheviks or "Russians".
Putin a turkic Varangian [N] of mainly north Siberian origin with Androphagi [I] and Mongol [C] admixture and germanic friends and supporters is the current "Khan" of this ancient barbarian empire, which already started around 4 millennia ago by stealing horses and pirating the Indo-European metallurgy.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seima-Turbino_phenomenon
Various cruel barbarian turkic khanates (the Xionites, Huns, Kidarites, Hephtalites, Seljuks…) followed. The Great Wall didn't stop those barbarians from entering China, nor Sahara from reaching as far as Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco. Only the uprising of the Mongols tamed them for a couple of centuries - the Mongol Kalmykia remains the only buddhist polity in Europe.
"Russia" vel Soviet Union is the turko-judeo-germanic relic of the Golden Horde still enslaving and performing ethnocide and genocide on the native Indo-European and Caucasian population living here for around 45 000 years.
West Europe is being since 2 millennia concurrently overrun by Androphagi (since Roman occupation called Germanic tribes after the fertile land called by Roman name "Germania" - original native name Perkunia - land of hard wood or oak trees). Ancestors of those proto-Germanic Androphagi [I] cannibalistic invaders (degenerated side branch of [IJ], of which also the Judeo-Arabic haplogroup [J] of slave-traders developed) entered Europe from the Arabian Peninsula following the first Indo-European, Indian and East-African agriculturalists and farmers, who became they prey (Natufians, "Göbekli Tepe", Starčevo culture, Vinča culture, Slavs & Celts).
The invasion of the proto-Germanic cannibals initially spread over the eastern shores of southern Adriatic Sea, from where they invaded the proto-Slavic agriculturalist settlements of the Vinča culture. A group of those cannibals reached the river Danube and followed it to Ren (Rhine), Men (Main), Nida, Łaba (Elbe) to finally cross over to the moats of Scandinavia. Around 5000 BCE those cannibals from Arabia settled in the moats and caves around Motala, from where they invaded the indigenous Indo-Europeans (mainly an early branch of proto-Slavs) and after the arrival of the partially acculturated Turks (called in Scandinavia Finno-Ugric or Uralic peoples, e.g, Sami, Suomi, Komi…) also hunted for them and sometimes with them - so also the Varangians (ancestors of Putins of Tver) appeared.
After the mentioned Seima-Turbino phenomenon spread advanced weapons among barbarians also the Androphagi tried to invade continental Europe from their scandinavian caves. Only the battle of Dołęża ("Tollense"), where they have been repelled by Scythian cavalry left some archeologic evidence, however small incestuous bands managed to survive hidden in dense forests and caves around the present city of Göttingen. A single one, probably from the initial group of 7000-6000 BCE - the "Cheddar man" - was found on the British Island. Aryan, Greek and Persian historic sources of the 1st millennium BCE report of Ἀνδροφάγοι living north of the Scythians, and later also of cannibalistic Tauri pirates of the Crimea, who use clothes of the Scythians but are not of the Scythian race. Those are the traces of the earliest Germanic invasions, both in West Europe and East Europe. Around 200 BCE the massive never ending invasion into Europe, Asia and Africa started (including "Drang nach Osten") and around 1000-1490 into both Americas. The Rus' and their bastardised Cossacks invaded Siberia, Central Asia and even Alaska. Australia became the planets biggest concentration camp for deported native European population of the British Isles (mainly Celts).
The invasion on Ukraine and the Germanic sabotage in Hellas (Greece), Sarmatia (Poland, Hungary…) or Dacia (Romania) and refusal to compensate for repairs of the Germanic genocides and wars of the last century are enough to open eyes for those who can't see. Poles encounter steady unlawful manipulations of EU rules and Germanic ingerention in their internal affairs close to a coup d'état. The Greek economy has already been destroyed.
The abstruse lies and ideology of Herman Wirth sponsored by Heinrich Himmler were extended by Aleksandr Dugin and sponsored by Vladimir Putin. Those barbarians even try to brainwash naive young Slavic Rodnovercy novices and enthusiasts implanting them false Androphagi theories of Atlantis "Herrenrasse" of "white people", while still exterminating and devouring them.
czcams.com/video/MqfUO4wh2t4/video.html
I wish the makers of those great planar headphones and drones, their frends and families to survive healthy the barbarian invasion and genocide. May the war end immediately. May all wars end immediately and the invaders return to their homelands - Germans to the deserts of Arabia and Turks to the tundra of Siberia.
Слава вільній сарматській Україні
i wonder where the (US) $299 fostex t60rp fit into this quartet? as always, great content!
I haven't tried a Fostex planar for ages now. I never really warmed to the T50RP so I'd kind of forgotten about them
Such a good review thanks and I appreciate the way you positioned Igor's relationship as the creator but not the product itself but each person will have to decide their view on this. I already have the 6xx which I find quite warm and although lacking in lower and sub bass extension I don't need a lot more lower bass but sub bass would be nice with some of the music I listen too. You say the 6XX is like the Sundara, is it so similar that there is no point having it as well as I don't intend (but I guess everyone says this in the beginning) to have lots of vastly overlapping headphones? I am super interested in the Verum but so new to open back headphones and having no plannar open back experience at all I don't feel comfortable with the Verums a it not possible to just try them as I understand it or is there a return paid postage option?
Glad you liked the review!
If you're looking just to try something, I'd stick to larger brands with easier return policies. It's hard for small companies to provide those types of services.
As for the Sundaras. They're reminiscent of the HD6XX, but still quite different because planars have their own, different way of presenting the sound and the Sundaras do offer more bass extension. I'd say they're worth a try if you want to dip your toe in some different waters
@@PassionforSound Yes I think you are right, and of course you can't expect an independent based where Igor is to just allow a return policy list a large brand. I also u derstanding the Sundaras have a reasonable ss, width, depth and imaging, all things lacking from my 6xx's much as I enjoy them for low r bass light music, again I have nothing yet to compare them to. One reason I got them is that they are often used as a comparison point by people as are the Sundaras so maybe another reason to get them in this early part of my listen ng rather than bounce around just relying on frequency responce charts.
That's a good point about the reference points. It is definitely good if you can try some common headphones to help understand what the various reviewers' preferences are and how your preferences are similar or different. Frequency response charts provide some level of indication of a headphone's sound, but are an incomplete tool for decision making because they can't describe sound stage, imaging, the overall smoothness or roughness of the sound, etc.
@@PassionforSound one last question if a may, if I have the Sundaras I would imagine the Verum as too similar to keep both, as I am not a reviewer and don't need a lot of comparison headphones I suppose I could sell the Sundaras and move to the Verums, you know what we need in this mad pursuit of ours a dating site for audiophile, "outgoing audiophile seeks Sundara to get to know, possible long term commitment but guaranteed lots of fun" and an open Relationship" what do you think 😜
Haha. Nice idea. I think they're different enough that you COULD own both, but I'd be inclined to get a decent dynamic driver headphone and one of these planars so you get some more variety of sound.
Which one have better bass punch and slams quality??
I mean macro dynamics punch.
I'd say the M1060 wins in that regard
@@PassionforSound thanks for the reply.
For you, Sundara or M1060. For films and dance music.
I'd still choose Sundara overall I think. There are times when the M1060 can be fun, but the Sundara is more consistently excellent
L. The ZMF Universe pad, what model/covering does it have? Best, D. p.s. On the Verum 1.
It's a perforated leather pad, D 🙂
Great video i stumbled across you due to you being 1 of few Reviewers who reviewed M1060.
I have questions.. I am looking to buy Open Back Planar cuz I don't have one in my collection. I have Dt 880 Editions 32,
Fostex tr-80, Audio Technica Msr7B, Isk Hf2010,Audio Technica M30x ,
Sony Wh 1000 Xm3 and from Iems I have Kz zex,Moondrop Chu , Ibasso It00, Cca Csn, And Sony Ex110apb.
So quite a bit of flavours but generally I like Resolving headphones,energetic but we'll behaved ones .
I don't like too dark headphones, I don't like too smoothened out headphones. I like my treble to bring me air, to shimmer but don't hurt (for example dt880 is perfect ,msr7b and fostex tr 80 too) I hated Dt990. I hated M50X loved m30x, I disliked Sennheiser Hd 650.
I love upper midrange to be on the edge of shouty and just playful female vocals and stuff. I love when guitars have edge to them.
I like fast defined bass but I also Like Sony Xm3 which can really dig down to lowest notes In impactfull way.
My source is Zen Dac V2 and I when I get funds I will get some portable dac/amp like Ikko zerda itm01 and some Heavy dac amp like Xduuo TA 01b. On Phones
I use Xiaomi mi 9 Lite and Realme Gt 5g with my own wavelet Eq target.
Based on this long ass post, Can you answer me what Planar Headphones would I like That would be a bit different approach in fonaliy and presentation compared to Beyerdynamic Dt880/Ath Msr7B which I love, but still to be at least comparable in therms of Technical performance...
And still to be available in Europe via ship from China and to not be much expensive lets say below 300 dollars range ? Would I like Monolith m1060
The M1060 could be ok for you I think. The Verum 1 would probably be my top recommendation for you if you can get it or even the HE400SE which has not a lot of bass, but an otherwise good clear sound. M1060 might be a tiny bit too dark for you, but it's got decent treble performance from memory to offset the bass and warmth.
I hope that helps! To summarise, recommendation order is Verum 1, M1060, HE400SE
Wow that was fast, always nice tp see youtobers, that actually take their time to interact in community
I will link people in my country to your channel if they want to see direct comparison battles you and Josh Valour are only ones with similiar format :)
Another reviewer called No theme reviews he was the one that had problems with Verums and owner he has good videos too. :)
Of course that your answer it helps.
Verum 1 sure is interesting a bit higher in price it would be viable choice if i was near Russia.. But i am in Serbia so customs or import duties would jack that final price more probably.
Hifiman He 400 Se V2 i had my eye on, but from what I heard, which you also say.
It is a bit Light In lower notes some say they that even in comparison to DT 880 or msr7B. Ofc Planars surely respond well to Eq or hardware bass buttons on some dac/amps like Zen or Shiit Loki.
But what is the point if they do that fast agile, throw many punches in a row style of presentation.
If they are similiar to what i heard of Sundara, then they would remind me too much of my other Headphones..
M1060 if they have approach like
Slower punches but more impactfull style but still not that dark to the point of them actually being non resolving or losing actual details, then i would probably enjoy them if they are less dark and more bold then like sennheiser Hd 650.
When they get on discount combined with Taxes they fit budget..
I wonder though how would m1070 fit into all of this .🤔
Yes they are higher in price but stil so are Verums.
I haven't tried the 1070s, but from your reply and your descriptions, it sounds like the 1060 would be a good option. I definitely enjoyed them.
Thanks for sharing the channel around too!
So are these using a single side design or double? I have seen others say double? Really love the look of these bad boys! They look like something da Vinci would design and make and Conan the Barbarian would use. lol
double side. 3,5mm in each cup
I think he means the magnet design, not cable-entry. That said, IIRC, they are double-sided magnets
Hi Lachlan, for heavy metal, to drive 'em with an ifi hip dac which one do you recommend? Cheers!
I'd go with the Verum 1 I think, Victor. It will produce better attack for the guitars and is also a bit easier to drive. If you want to fill the sound out a bit, you can always get a set of solid Universe pads from ZMF and have two different tunings very easily.
@@PassionforSound Excellent, thanks for the reply, I'll keep in mind \m/
You didn't mention punch and slam which for me is one of the most important qualities.
I tend to wrap that into the overall bass description (with specifics as relevant). I'm pretty sure I explained that the M1060 was stronger in that area than the others so it would be the choice for pure slam if that's your priority. The Verum 1 probably comes next because it's faster so the sense of punch and rhythm is very good while the P-II and Sundara are both a bit more subdued in their speed which leads to less sense of punch
Are the M1060’s viable mixing headphones or would your look elsewhere? If so what would you recommend? Can’t get any reply for Verum unfortunately..
I would look elsewhere for mixing I think. You could try something like the HE400SE, but I'd personally go for the Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X, Ollo S4X/S4R or Rode NTH-100 (all dynamic, not planar, if that is an issue)
@@PassionforSound thanks. Out of interest, why would you not recommend the M1060’s (or the Sundars for that matter)? And why dynamic over something Planar in this price bracket? Just interested specifically for mixing as I’m reading different opinions. Would you consider making a shootout video on best sub $500 headphones for mixing (planar + dynamic)? There doesn’t seem to be dedicated content on this anywhere. Plenty on dynamics but non that include Planars.
I think the issue is that the planars at this level are all fairly coloured in one way or other and aren't going to give you as accurate a mix. I don't know why that is because planars can be tuned well for mixing and the Sundara isn't bad in that sense for sure, but I also never felt confident using it as a reference. The M1060 is more coloured than the Sundara too so that's my reasoning on that one.
@@PassionforSound presumably it’s factory tuned for hifi use then. Is it easy enough to flatten them out using EQ though (using RealPhones software, etc)?
Yes, most consumer headphones will be tuned for music first, but you can definitely use EQ to flatten the curve if you want to.
1:18
this bit was pretty sick
So glad you liked it! 🙂🙂
Thanks
Thanks so much, Dave!! 🙏♥️
Edition Xs is better than all of that list?
I'd personally choose the Verum 1 over the XS I think, but the XS is better than the others I think
Would this be the Mk1 or Mk 2? Thx!
I think it was the Mk 2, but I'm not 💯 sure
Which revision of the Sundara was it? The OG or 2020 revision?
I'm unclear on when various revisions took place and what changes were actually made. They're recent versions with the 3.5mm inputs on the cups, but I can't guarantee that they're the absolute most recent variant with some of the stealth revisions that apparently take place
I wonder if the Verum 1 is good for gaming?
I haven't tried it specifically, but I expect it would be great
so what beat it over 300 and under 1.5k$?
I'd need to do some more thorough comparisons, but the Ananda and DT1990 both have their strengths and would best the Verum in some ways.
Its better overall Sundara vs Sivga p2?
I'd take the Sundara for sure
Geez what a different review and experience from the No theme reviews, review of the verum one, it like a different universe, do me a favour and send Igor the hoodie your wearing he needs to read it and start living it.
I'm not aware of that review. Sounds like a bit of an issue perhaps?
@@PassionforSound Go check it out, its like chalk and cheese, very confusing for anyone looking at buying a verum one .
@@chefsteve8381 I'm 90% sure he got a defective set. Overall, nothing he said about the headphone's sound were my own experience. I think he even says the treble is veiled which I find very surprising.
I've started watching and immediately have some concerns. He's calling out the lack of padding in the headband, but leather suspension straps are very common and very comfortable. All HiFiMan models from the Sundara upwards use them and they're all very comfortable. Also, as I demonstrated in my video, pad-swapping is the easiest it's ever been.
As I continue to watch, this is just a terrible review that's likely quite biased for some reason - it's like he's started out looking for problems. He also talks about it needing a powerful amp just because it's a planar, but these are such low impedance that they're easier to drive than most headphones of any sort because they're also very sensitive in the scheme of headphones.
Finally the cable socket being positioned as it is looks to me like a decision based on the socket inside the cup getting in the way of having as large a driver. I just think he's out to pull the headphone apart and hasn't maybe considered it thoroughly.
For the sound impressions, it's possible there's unit-to-unit variance, but the apparent focus on fault finding makese wonder if he's just started out from a negative place on this headphone
Though you are looking as a honest man, there is one question i have to ask you - are you sure you are not making an advertisement due to the political correctness related with the situation in Ukraine?
If you check the date of recording on this video, you'll see that it was produced long before the war began.
@@PassionforSound 👍
Which of these 2 have better bass/subbass and soundstage?
Which two exactly, Conrad? There are multiple headphones in this one 🙂
Sorry, I hate to be that guy, but I reeeeeeeeeally would have appreciated a proper graph being shown with frequency ranges clearly visible rather than the approach you took. I get it might have loked cool, but feel very frustrated when basic information like that is surrendered for the sake of visuals. If you're not going to make the scale of amplitude and frequency up on the screen then it could be anything and is no use to anybody. If nothing else it breaks the shot of you talking up and adds b-roll - it really would help make the video an easier watch. I was expecting there to be a link in the description to a write up where all the data could be fairly compared, that's just crazy not having it. Sorry if this seems over the top, but it really frustrated me and made me angry.
Hi Andy, apologies that you didn't like the approach, but I don't display it with all the frequencies because it's not actually helpful. I'm measuring using the miniDSP EARs and REW before applying the HPN compensation to the measurements. What that means is that my graphs shouldn't be considered a reference and definitely shouldn't be compared to measurements of any other headphone by any other person. They're only shown to help illustrate the comparisons I provide and a snapshot of the general frequency response shape.
@@PassionforSound hmmm ok I get your point, and appreciate the nature of the measurements, but then why not just put a disclaimer up, or compare them to your other measurements only so at least we get a side by side comparison within your specific testing environment. Not having anything to go by just feels odd and not very useful. At least if we knew the scale and frequency, along with the kit you used and the methods that were undertaken, we can make our own mind up and the data your collecting could be at least partially useful. How are we supposed to make any meaningful comparison between one squiggly line with no labels on compared to another? Again sorry if this is over the top, but i guess what frustrates me is that your review was great, but if the measurements are so bad, don't use them as illustrative examples. I don't know, maybe it's been a long day, I'll shut up now.
It's the shape that matters, Andy - nothing else. Also, I do compare them to other FR graphs that I've taken. Did I not in this review? Normally I start out with the main product response and then later overlay other earphones or headphones as I discuss them.
The idea is only to illustrate where there is emphasis in the FR (bass, mid, treble) if there's bass roll-off, treble peaks, etc.
I mean this respectfully: I think you're putting toouch emphasis on the measurements. I say that because I've tried lots of headphones that measure similarly and they still sound quite different. The overall balance might be the same (i.e. V-shaped, J shaped, etc.) but that doesn't tell you what a headphone actually sounds like. Graphs are excellent for a basic understanding of the shape of the FR, for identifying major areas of emphasis or de-emphasis, or for EQing and tuning headphones, but they are not a particularly good tool for the basis of purchasing decisions.
@@PassionforSound appreciate you taking the time to reply, and as I said I thought your review was good, looking forward to the next, just ignore my grumbles :)
Nicely done review, and very objective. Are the ZMF pads an improvement over the original?
I have had Verum 1 for a year now and they have bested any cans under $1K I've compared them against. I'm actually struggling to find an upgrade to it lol.
Glad you liked it! I think headphone tunings are very personal so I don't think I (or anyone) can say that the Universe pads are necessarily an improvement, but I like the slight increase in bass they provide while generally maintaining the tonality of the Verum 1. You're right, they're an excellent headphone 🙂
These review sites (the mods) delete any critical reviews of their reviews. That's why I don't trust youtube reviews anymore (very unbalanced replies but the critics get deleted)
I don't delete any replies at all. Sadly, CZcams bots sometimes do, but that's beyond my control. Feel free to check my M-Scaler review, M-Scaler follow up interview, Holo Audio Spring and May review and any of the USB based videos. There are plenty of negative comments there that remain not deleted
I love the intro music.
Glad you liked it. I try to choose a diverse range
Verum 1 seems to be a very capable headphone, now I wonder how it compares against Ananda and similar class.
It stacks up pretty well, but I haven't done a formal comparison
Hi!! I dont understand you. Could you tell me which is "better" for you?
Sorry about my slow response - some comments slip through the gaps from time-to-time. My conclusion was that the Verum 1 was my favourite headphone of all of these, but the Sundara is also excellent and a little more relaxing to listen to
Tell Igor hello for everyone...