Over a year ago, @Garuspik started a thread in the DIY section with an ambitious project to develop a planar magnetic headphone with the largest diaphragm ever made. He posted all of his progress including fun raw videos showing the first time the driver made sound, even before it was placed in a headphone. I followed his progress with great interest as it seemed @Garuspik came out of nowhere and unlike some other threads I've seen, he didn't just talk the talk, he delivered on his word. For those who haven't seen the thread and want to read the history of Verum 1, you can find the thread here:
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/diy-planar-magnetic-heapdhones-in-details.842282/
I reached out to @Garuspik when I came across his DIY planar build on Head-Fi. I was really curious to see if someone could pull off good sound for a reasonable price, since the ToTL price wars was making me depressed. A couple weeks later I had a sample in my hands. My work schedule has been hectic and I just haven't had time to do a full review but I did want to share full measurements and answer questions to the best of my abilities.
Quick impressions on sound and build:
Tonally they are very agreeable. I find the slight 1kHz push accentuates reverb and creates more of a room feel like listening to speakers. Presentation of the sound is typical planar. For me, it's not as natural as a dynamic headphone but the excellent FR make up for this.
Channel matching:
Channel matching is fantastic! Really amazing results here.
Right channel Impulse Response:
Very clean impulse response with no errant peaks rising up in the decay.
Right Channel Distortion:
Distortion is very good except for the spikes in the midrange. I've communicated with @Garuspik and he already has plans to address the distortion.
Right Channel CSD
CSD is clean but has some "cup verb" with the trail at 1.25kHz. This varies by headphone but is common in many planars such as the HE-500 and some Audeze headphones.
Left Channel Impulse Response:
Left Channel Distortion:
Left Channel CSD:
The stock pads seal so well it actually creates a vacuum with my left ear. It's a little disorienting but you get used to it. I think the Audeze LCD2C did this as well.
Here is a comparison to LCD2C:
Ultimate resolution and detail does seem a little behind some ToTL headphones but I think at the price point @Garuspik is targeting these will be an easy recommendation.
Some notes on build quality:
Since my review and sample, @Garuspik has sent new and improved samples to various other enthusiasts and reviewers. You can search for those with your Google-Foo skills. I look forward to receiving my own pair!
I think @Garuspik nailed what he was trying to achieve. Congrats man!
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/diy-planar-magnetic-heapdhones-in-details.842282/
***Kickstarter page***
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/verumaudio/verum-audiophile-planar-magnetic-headphones
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/verumaudio/verum-audiophile-planar-magnetic-headphones
I reached out to @Garuspik when I came across his DIY planar build on Head-Fi. I was really curious to see if someone could pull off good sound for a reasonable price, since the ToTL price wars was making me depressed. A couple weeks later I had a sample in my hands. My work schedule has been hectic and I just haven't had time to do a full review but I did want to share full measurements and answer questions to the best of my abilities.
Quick impressions on sound and build:
- Wow, dynamics are very good
- That bass extends REALLY low!
- Very speaker like presentation
- There is a slight haze to the presentation
- Imaging is good but not excellent
- Distortion might be causing the haze in the mid range
- The swivel adjustment is uses a similar screw and bolt system that is very user friendly.
- The headband adjustment is done using the left and right markers which thread in to the headband.
- The magnetic pad attachment is very simple yet effective. More companies should use a system like this.
- Size is large but construction is robust. I don't think they would break if they fell off a desk.
Tonally they are very agreeable. I find the slight 1kHz push accentuates reverb and creates more of a room feel like listening to speakers. Presentation of the sound is typical planar. For me, it's not as natural as a dynamic headphone but the excellent FR make up for this.
Channel matching:
Channel matching is fantastic! Really amazing results here.
Right channel Impulse Response:
Very clean impulse response with no errant peaks rising up in the decay.
Right Channel Distortion:
Distortion is very good except for the spikes in the midrange. I've communicated with @Garuspik and he already has plans to address the distortion.
Right Channel CSD
CSD is clean but has some "cup verb" with the trail at 1.25kHz. This varies by headphone but is common in many planars such as the HE-500 and some Audeze headphones.
Left Channel Impulse Response:
Left Channel Distortion:
Left Channel CSD:
The stock pads seal so well it actually creates a vacuum with my left ear. It's a little disorienting but you get used to it. I think the Audeze LCD2C did this as well.
Here is a comparison to LCD2C:
Ultimate resolution and detail does seem a little behind some ToTL headphones but I think at the price point @Garuspik is targeting these will be an easy recommendation.
Some notes on build quality:
- Large headphones. Some might not like the size but for a full size desktop headphone it shouldn't be a problem.
- As mentioned in the beginning, the gimbals and headband adjustment are unique and sturdy. They will not slip or come loose which is welcome.
- The magnetic rings that attach the pads to the headphone will make pad swapping easy and are a pad rollers dream.
Since my review and sample, @Garuspik has sent new and improved samples to various other enthusiasts and reviewers. You can search for those with your Google-Foo skills. I look forward to receiving my own pair!
I think @Garuspik nailed what he was trying to achieve. Congrats man!
