Happy new year to you as well, and everyone else here!
So, the headphone arrived earlier today (V1.2 with improved cable, fenestrated pads and 3.5mm sockets) and as I put my thoughts on paper, the one thing that keeps coming back is that this is, in my opinion, probably the most tonally correct headphone outside the HE1 that I've heard to date.
The balance top to bottom is essentially perfect. PRaT is very good, bass has good slam, midrange is smooth, treble is a little less airy than I'd like but I don't perceive any major deficiencies.
Soundstage is decent, moderately wide and spacious (I suspect that a more permeable backing grill would improve this a little), imaging is pretty accurate within the medium-sized space. Layering may suffer a little bit in very busy passages but details have been popping out surprisingly well so far. Overall holographicity of the sound is very good and the image is very enveloping but still retaining decent dimension. I'd say it combines some of the soundstage qualities of the larger headphones and blends it with a more conventional imaging of typical headphones. While something about the way the HEX imaged for example, felt odd to me, here I like the imaging a lot. The aforementioned slight lack of air is perceptible when focused on (mostly in exposed solo vocals or instruments) but I wouldn't say it significantly impairs enjoyment
Vocals are not as upfront as some other headphones, but I think the balance there is just perfect in a mix with other instruments. They have a nice smoothness to them so sibilance will not be an issue for sensitive folks like me. Guitars, both electric and acoustic, as well as other plucked instruments have great body and definition. Piano sounds marvelous, with very good body. Synths have good texture too and percussion has very good impact and snap to it.
There is good heft down low and sub-bass is super clean, so while it has good presence and texture it won't quite do the rattle that closed headphones can. In terms of open backs though, I am not sure any headphone can do it much better.
I ordered my pair with the fenestrated leather pads, and those are the only pads I have. Comfort wise, these are actually pretty good and they don't feel very heavy, which I attribute to a good weight distribution. These feel lighter than older Audeze and Hifiman. Adjusting the headband with the screw mechanism was a cinch and so that was my one area of concern that was quickly squished. Build quality feels very solid, more so than some of the more expensive headphones that I've owned and the overall looks give a very wholesome, steampunk vibe which I quite like. Cable feels fine and the angled earpads are decent too - firmer and hold shape better than most which I like for comfort.
In terms of hard to drive, it is on par with my HE4XX, perhaps a tiny bit more difficult. My R2R11 drives it beautifully.
In direct comparison to the HEX, the only advantage of the X I can think of is the vocals and how romantic they sounded. They are less forward on the Verums but probably more truthful. The sub-bass dug with a bit more authority on the EdX as well while it stays very clean on the Vs. In terms of overall cohesiveness, timbre and staging though, the HEX is inferior, IMO.
The HE4XX in comparison sounds more airy and trebly, but the soundstage does not have that holographic/enveloping feeling, vocals can sound tiny and overall the sound lacks body.
Frankly, this puts most headphones to shame and as an overall performer, I struggle to think of a better headphone, regardless of price range. Tonality is excellent - brass, strings, woodwinds, percussion, vocals, synths, you name it. Bass is very good. Dynamics are great. Soundstage is decent enough to not bother me and capable of expanding with the music. Imaging is great. Vocals sound very life-like. Build and comfort is decent. It pretty much makes my HE4XX obsolete and what I hoped the HEX would be. They might not be as hyper detailed as the Utopia, spacious as the HD800S or quick like an 009 or Lambdas, but they never lost composure regardless of what genre or song I've thrown at them which is very rare, more so at an affordable price. A true all-rounder headphone that is equally at home with popular music as is with soundtracks!
There are very few things that I feel need improving and none of them are major enough to be a deal breaker to me (a bit more air to the sound would be nice, so would a bit more grit in the sub). For ~390$, this is a no-brainer and a bargain. The ~1.5 months wait time, while long, was totally worth it and I absolutely salute Verum Audio and Igor/Garuspik for what they've accomplished here!
Pros:
+ overall tonality
+ timbre of instruments
+ sound cohesiveness
+ musical yet detailed
+ good balance between intimate and spacious
+ price, price, price
+ feels well-built
+ decent comfort
+ interesting aesthetics
Cons:
- lacks a bit of air
- sub-bass a bit on the leaner side
- longer delivery time
Good for: casual to more serious listening, all-rounder genre master, media consumption (movies / games)
Less ideal for: uber-critical listening, portable use
