VERUM ONE Planar Headphones Have A SHOCKING PRICE TAG!!! Watch This Before YOU PULL-OUT Your WALLET!
United States of Analog | August 27, 2024
🎙️ Early Video Analysis
What is this video about?
This video is a review of the VERUM ONE planar headphones from Ukrainian company VRM. The host Bob is covering the design, comfort, and sound characteristics of these planar magnetic headphones, which are his first experience with planar technology.
What gear, products, or brands are discussed?
- VERUM ONE (VRM1) Planar Headphones: 82mm membrane, 96 dB sensitivity, 470 grams weight, 8 ohms impedance, available in three finishes (berbinga wood, carbon, zebrano) [00:02:12 – 00:04:02]
- Cambridge Audio 150: Mentioned as equipment in his listening room setup [00:02:50]
What are the host’s main opinions or takes so far?
- Extremely positive first impression of planar technology: “Where have you been all my life, planar headphones? Wow, I had no idea. I would have got into the planar game a lot sooner.” [00:03:15]
- Strong praise for aesthetics: Notes these are exceptionally beautiful headphones that even caught his wife’s attention [00:04:31]
- Emphasis on keeping reviews fun rather than overly technical: Plans to avoid getting bogged down in specs and measurements [00:01:20]
Were there any strong recommendations or warnings to viewers?
- Warning referenced in title: The host mentions viewers should “Watch This Before YOU PULL-OUT Your WALLET” but hasn’t revealed the specific concern yet in this portion
Were there any funny moments, strong opinions, or memorable quotes?
- Wife’s disinterest in audio: “She gives negative 1F about my hobby, this channel… because she works for a living. She’s very busy. She can’t be bothered.” [00:02:25 – 00:02:41]
- Self-deprecating humor about serious reviewers: “There are people that have spectrographs and microscopes and anechoic chambers in their homes and don’t have kids and dogs. No, I’m not talking to you right now.” [00:01:27 – 00:01:38]
- Casual moment: Gets tangled in tripod cables mid-review and has to pause to untangle himself [00:02:19]
Summary
The video opens with Bob from United States of Analog introducing a review of the VERUM ONE planar headphones from Ukraine, emphasizing his intention to keep the review fun and casual rather than overly technical. He acknowledges the sensitive context of reviewing a product from war-torn Ukraine while focusing purely on the audio equipment itself. This marks his first experience with planar magnetic headphones, and he’s clearly impressed by both the technology and aesthetics.
Bob provides basic technical specifications for the VRM1 headphones, including their 82mm membrane, 96 dB sensitivity, 470-gram weight, and 8-ohm impedance. He notes they come in three attractive finishes and speculates about the construction materials, comparing the appearance to vintage Bakelite radio materials. The host is particularly struck by the beautiful side grills and overall design quality.
The most notable aspect of this opening portion is Bob’s genuine enthusiasm for his first planar headphone experience, stating he wishes he had discovered the technology sooner. He also shares amusing anecdotes about his wife’s general disinterest in his audio hobby, except for her immediate positive reaction to these particular headphones’ appearance, calling them “beautiful” and “gorgeous” when he first unboxed them. The stage is set for a detailed sound analysis, though the “shocking price tag” referenced in the title remains unrevealed.
⏱️ Mid-Video Analysis
What gear, products, or brands are discussed in this portion?
- Verum One (VRM1) planar headphones [00:09:51]
- Audio-Technica headphones [00:08:02]
- General mention of headphone cables and earpads
What are the host’s key findings, verdicts, or opinions?
- [00:04:39] In a lineup of headphones, these wouldn’t be the first ones he’d grab visually
- [00:04:47] They have a handmade feel with exposed screw heads
- [00:05:05] The pivot mechanism is “a kind of a genius idea”
- [00:05:14] Loves the magnetic removable ear pads feature
- [00:06:55] After hours of listening, the cable transmits very little physical sound/microphonics
- [00:07:39] These are “kickback and relax kind of headphones,” not for portable use
- [00:07:48] They feel lighter on the head than expected
- [00:09:51] Major verdict: “the VRM1s are the best pair of headphones that I own”
Were there any listening tests or sound quality observations described?
- [00:06:30] Notes that good headphones provide complete immersion, a different experience than speakers
- [00:06:55] Observed that the cable doesn’t transmit physical/mechanical noise after “hours and hours of listening”
Any comparisons to other gear mentioned?
- [00:07:59] Wishes his Audio-Technica headphones had the same pivot feature as the Verum One
- [00:08:02] He buys angled earpads for his Audio-Technica studio headphones, but the Verum’s pivot eliminates that need
Any vinyl records, albums, or music discussed?
- [00:06:06] Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention mentioned as music he listened to when younger
- [00:06:23] Mentions he doesn’t play much vinyl on headphones because he doesn’t want to get close to the noise
Any audiophile tips, advice, or how-to content?
- [00:07:32] Warns to be careful with the front-plugging cable design as it won’t detach under downward force
- [00:07:35] Advises to “sit down, relax, put the headphones on, don’t walk around with these”
- [00:07:39] Not suitable for portable use on buses or trains
Any memorable quotes or strong takes?
- [00:05:49] “60,000 hours, I’ve had headphones on my head during my life. So I’m kind of an expert on headphones”
- [00:08:39] “They all have big noggins. Every celebrity”
- [00:09:51] “the VRM1s are the best pair of headphones that I own”
Summary
In this portion, the host provides a detailed physical examination of the Verum One headphones, noting their handmade appearance with exposed screws and basic aesthetics that wouldn’t immediately catch his eye in a headphone lineup. Despite the utilitarian looks, he praises several design elements including the “genius” pivot mechanism, magnetic removable earpads, and especially the cable’s lack of microphonic noise transmission. Drawing on his claimed 60,000 hours of headphone experience from 33 years in broadcast radio, he positions himself as an expert evaluator.
The host emphasizes that these are distinctly home-listening headphones rather than portable ones, warning about the front-plugging cable design that could be problematic if users walk around or trip over the cord. He appreciates the lightweight feel and excellent accommodation for larger heads, comparing favorably to his Audio-Technica studio headphones and noting he wouldn’t need aftermarket angled earpads with the Verum’s superior pivot design.
After taking a break to attend a bull riding event, the host returns with his key verdict: the Verum One headphones are the best pair he owns. However, he teases that this endorsement needs to be put “in perspective,” suggesting there may be important caveats about his headphone collection or experience that will provide context for this seemingly strong recommendation.
🏁 Final Thoughts & Verdict
What gear, products, or brands are discussed in this final portion?
- Verum One (VRM1) planar headphones – $349 including shipping [00:10:09]
- Emotiva GR1 headphones (discontinued) [00:10:12]
- Sennheiser 650s [00:10:15]
- Macintosh MHA100 headphone amplifier with crossfeed circuitry [00:11:11]
- Weem Ultra DAC/streamer [00:14:14]
- Technics SUG700 amplifier [00:14:34]
- Schiit Labs Asgard 3 Pro headphone amp [00:14:40]
- Weem Mini [00:14:44]
- Tidal streaming service [00:14:35]
What is the host’s final verdict or conclusion?
[00:15:56] The host declares these are his “go-to headphones in my home right now,” describing them as clean, clear, very fast, totally immersive, and the closest headphone experience he’s had to listening to speakers.
Were there any final recommendations — buy, skip, or consider?
The host gives a strong positive recommendation, calling them his current go-to home headphones [00:15:56] and emphasizing they’re excellent for sitting back and enjoying music in a home setting.
Any final tips, caveats, or advice for viewers?
- Not portable: “You’re not taking this on the public bus, you’re probably not taking it on an airplane because these are obviously open back” [00:15:37]
- Home use only: “These are for sitting back and enjoying” [00:15:47]
- Not for broadcast: “I wouldn’t use these in a broadcast studio” [00:15:55]
- Comfort consideration: While comfortable, they’re designed for stationary listening in an “Eames lounger or equivalent” [00:15:31]
How did the video wrap up?
[00:16:00] The host concluded by thanking viewers for joining “United States of Analog” and directing them to watch another YouTube-recommended video, encouraging them to “just click it” [00:16:21].
Memorable closing quotes or strong final opinions
- [00:11:03] “I thought this was the closest headphone experience I’ve had to listening to speakers”
- [00:13:01] “they never ever get fatiguing”
- [00:15:56] “these are my go-to headphones in my home right now”
Summary
In this final portion, the host provides his comprehensive assessment of the Verum One planar headphones, comparing them favorably to his other headphones in the same $349 price range, including Emotiva GR1s and Sennheiser 650s. He emphasizes that these represent his first experience with planar headphones, having previously assumed they required spending over $1,000. The host describes the sound as clean, clear, fast, and totally immersive, noting that they provide the closest experience to listening to speakers he’s ever had with headphones.
The host tests the headphones extensively with various audiophile reference tracks, including The Cars’ first album, Roger Waters’ “Amused to Death,” Roberta Flack’s “Killing Me Softly,” and Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car.” He praises their non-fatiguing nature and ability to reveal subtle details in recordings, while acknowledging that some online reviewers have criticized their soundstage width. Using high-quality source equipment including Weem Ultra, Technics SUG700, and Schiit Asgard 3 Pro, he finds the headphones perform exceptionally well across different setups.
His final verdict is overwhelmingly positive, declaring the Verum Ones his current go-to home headphones despite some aesthetic reservations. He emphasizes these are designed for serious home listening sessions rather than portable use, given their open-back design. The host concludes by strongly recommending them for audiophiles seeking high-quality planar magnetic sound at an accessible price point, positioning them as ideal for relaxed, immersive listening experiences in a comfortable home environment.
Analysis generated from archived transcripts. Channel: United States of Analog — hi-fi gear reviews, vinyl, and audiophile culture.
