Abyss Diana, Anyone Interested?

Discussion in 'Headphones' started by mtoc, Jun 14, 2016.

  1. k3oxkjo

    k3oxkjo Friend

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    Beats are uglier just b'cause...

    To paraphrase Winston Churchill, "I may be ugly, Dre, but in the morning I will still be Abyss' and you will still be hawking Beats."

    Kevin
     
  2. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

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    Super-belated response, but is the "hip hop dominatrix" a big demographic in personal audio sales?
     
  3. ufospls2

    ufospls2 Friend

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    Well. Diana has been released. After many revisions on the pads, here is the final look.

    [​IMG]




    I know the looks of the Diana are polarizing, but the very few impressions I've been able to find have been very positive. I'm hoping to hear Diana as soon as I can, so I will report back once I do with some comparisons to other TOTL cans, and more importantly its big brother, the Phi's.
     
  4. Maxx134

    Maxx134 Dunning–Kruger effect poster boy

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    Abyss Diana...

    Resolution/transparency:
    on par with Phi & Susvara.

    Above HEKV2 in clarity but not in sheer Soundstage.

    Signature: ** edit, see later posts.

    Lower spectrum noticably less ooomph in bass by about 4-5db.

    Extension & bass power IS present, showing a bit neutral in nature.

    The "Leaner" bass is when comparing against Abyss Phi .

    Bass Extension good.
    Bass seems neutral and extendid overall.

    Both Susvara and Phi have an elevated lower spectrum in my measurements,
    so to say the Dianna is leaner in bass, would probably be equal to being more neutral, not bass shy at all.


    Trebles seem very well extendid and clear with air, yet lower than rest of spectrum.

    No tonality oddities or deficiencies upon listening.
    Very transparent overall.

    Soundstage:
    Depth very good
    Width very good
    Height almost as good as the others mentioned.
    Proximity closer.
    End result Soundstage different presentation closer like a Utopia.

    Final thoughts:
    Overall I would say the caliber of this headphone is at a higher level than most other planars except Phi & Susvara.
    Those two hold top honors in realism and the Diana matches them well.
    In other words IMHO it is preferable to a Utopia.
    That may sound strong but it is what it is.

    Sounds a bit more like a leanerl closer HEKV2, rather than a robust powerful PHI.

    Overall bass is not an issue, just not as elevated as the others.

    Seems to prefer power and can get very expansive on tubes as it is very revealing in nature.
    Overall very impressive sounds, and a surprise to me.

    Also,
    the white and beige color choices are not as great choice.

    Instead of looking like the quality aluminum it is,
    The ceramic coating (paint job) makes it look more like a type of plastic.
    Ugg
    At least Does not feel like plastic.
    Only the black looks good.
    The other two look toyish (not expensive)

    Yet it does feel extremely solid and durable.
    The headband is a bit stiff, so I am unsure how the fitment on everyone's head will work.

    Is it worth the price?($3k)
    Up to you.


    The form factor (size) is definitely a plus (almost portable) as there is nothing it's size that can match it.

    Weight and quality feel is both excellent and light.
    Very interested to see how the measurements would be.
     
    Last edited: Mar 10, 2018
  5. Jinxy245

    Jinxy245 Vegan Puss

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    It was VERY uncomfortable for me.
     
  6. TomNC

    TomNC Friend

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    @Maxx134,

    Wish you could test how well the bass of Diana responds to an EQ elevation.
     
  7. Maxx134

    Maxx134 Dunning–Kruger effect poster boy

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    I can understand that as the band was wide and I asked the rep about it he says the band not easy bend.

    I had a hat on and it felt extremely light and comfortable , but
    tried a few others and one was wider than the others so I assume on bare head you have to flex it to your noggin.

    I do not own these yet to find that out.
    On some bass it was very good so I don't expect it to be a problem as the bass was clean and clear.
    Expect better bass than Utopia.

    I had planned on the Abyss Phi as end game but I find the Diana more appealing for me and at a very similar level of transparency/realism.

    I do like the Susvara very much but the Phi truly does give even more realism/sonic cues,
    most probably because the Susvara is a bit laid back and needs more power.
    The Diana seems like a blend of both with a more neutral bass.
    Maybe I should not say neutral, just less weight of quality bass.

    I use comparisons here for a frame of reference.
    I do not like to give dumb long reviews talking schiit about songs or other worthless descriptions .
     
    Last edited: Feb 18, 2018
  8. bozebuttons

    bozebuttons Friend

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    I had no fit issues with the Diana Unlike the Phi fully extended which are tight fitting I would have to bend the headband on the Phi to get a loose fit.
     
  9. Jinxy245

    Jinxy245 Vegan Puss

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    Proof positive that everyone's noggin is different. I was surprised because I rarely have fit issues with over ear headphones, if anything they're usually too big. This one created a hotspot up top& the shallow earcups bugged me.

    They did sound awesome though
     
  10. Maxx134

    Maxx134 Dunning–Kruger effect poster boy

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    The website says that the headband is supposed to:

    "can adapt to nearly any head shape. Diana is equipped with a flexible magnetic headband that adjusts smoothly and cradles your head comfortably without pressure,..."

    So I assume the band needs to be worn to flex to shape of your head(?).

    I will find out once mine arrive .
    :)
     
  11. Maxx134

    Maxx134 Dunning–Kruger effect poster boy

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    Initial 1st day impressions:

    For now it seemed waayy too transparent and neutral to make any opinions.

    The bass is very different than what I heard before.
    It is extremely, fast and color free, like an HD800..
    Taught, yet all way deep, yet not bassy feel..
    yet slightly above neutral..

    Still way too new to tell how it will change..
    Out of the Box (bag),
    It is so fast and tight and deep with slam(!)
    I never heard a planar with a combo of deep & fast bass tho.

    I heard bigger bass on Phi and more spacious bass on Susvara, but both seemed different than Diana seems faster or quicker decay..

    Also, I do feel the overall "FR" seems alot like the Phi from the mid to treble region.

    The only thing I whish there was a pad option for those that like the more spacious earcups of larger Headphones.
    I can envision those with larger ears having issues touching top and bottom..

    Larger pads may have reduced immediacy, but would have gained bigger Soundstage..
    In fact, if inner opening was wider without being deeper, you would not loose the ear proximity to driver and gained more space..
    Lets hope they make future options.
    Its not a deal breaker though as I do not have dumbo ears that need an HEK like pad opening lol.

    The main thing I noticed on my first day of use is the speed, transparency and excellent layering, making complex passages way easier to listen to...

    What is impressive is that there is such detailing/resolve over whole spectrum with no treble exaggeration to help it.

    Very transparent is the only thing I can say for now...


    More impressions:

    Ok now I am running Diana on a tube amp instead of solid state...

    Woah, noticably holographic large sound ...
    Sounds like a big can.
    Diana loves tubes..
    :)

    As of second day, Diana(like a chameleon),,(+_+),,
    Has taken on a very, very similar Soundstage presentation like an HEKV2,
    but with an added feel of "certanty" of the timbre, body, and resolve in the mid-range... ( like to a Utopia but better layered sound)

    Treble is clear, and fatigue free, and well extendid as well..

    Usually for a headphone to not be harsh in trebles, FR will be tailored in the sensitive region,
    so will be interesting to see how is the FR response.

    Even though this is a $3k headphone,
    This baby will prob make its way to Tyll "WOF" if he keeps to his new standard of a "well rounded" headphone.

    Bass 2nd day is already very satisfying with high resolve.

    Outside Sound leakage is less than most open headphones..

    Overall,
    Nothing lacking and sounding better...
    The Diana is turning out to be a very, very solid choice.
    |\/|
     
  12. Maxx134

    Maxx134 Dunning–Kruger effect poster boy

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    Ok, these are probably my final impressions:

    So the initial impressions of impressive clarity and resolve (down to the bass registers) have been substantiated with my initial "un-sanctioned" measurements...

    CSD decay results are incredibly fast and clean..
    Diana Right.jpg

    There is almost no decay above 1.5khz,
    Only .5ms long or shorter(!)
    The spectrum below 1khz starts to show some decay which is common, but I am going 32db down,
    and also down to 347hz to see it..(!)
    Overall, quite impressive if you ask me..


    As for final determination on the sound, it is rather unique because it pulls you in with high realism but the treble is tamed (lower) so as to not be a bright Headphone but a borderline natural/dark/neutral, with an almost "analog" delicacy.

    Presentation like a Utopia/Clear but taller image,
    while last sub-bass registers are not as deep or overpowering as PHi,
    but still breaths audible sub-bass nuance into your ear, with overall high resolve.

    It has an intimacy of realism that is very addictive because details are not thrown at you (like brighter headphones) but is very natural..

    So this presentation is not like Abyss Phi at all.
    The Phi has more prominent trebles and more distance from instruments (with wider Soundstage as well).
    The Phi is the only headphone that can be as large as the HD800 and as lively...

    The Susvara can easily match, and give 5feet more Soundstage distance over the Phi,
    but it is also more relaxed, or laid back in presentation (even with powerful gear).

    The Diana goes the opposite direction in giving a closer approach, with such breath of clarity & intimacy that it really pulls you into the event.

    It is the only Headphone that I do not mind a closer Soundstage (unlike Utopia) because of the sheer full-range(FR) realism matches its sonic impression (Soundstage image still large yet closer).

    These headphones are extremely light for a planar, I would say feel the lightest Planar, but maybe its the way the weight is distributed.

    So Bottom line the decision will be a matter of taste,
    and here are my "nit-picks:

    Treble addicts will not be enthused with the slightly tamed trebles.

    Not all will like the stupid square pads wich wont fit big ears,
    or the wide flat headband that (regardless how flexible) could use more padding.
    I also tried to bend the headband, but it has some "memory" to it and seems to adjust slowly to head.

    The black version looked best to me,
    and the bag is very, very nice! But no way I'm going to carry a $3k Headphone around in a semi- "soft" leather bag!

    Totally illogical and unsafe, as I had destroyed a HEK in a similar (but softer) bag.
    No thanks, to Im going to have to look for a hard case for these.
     
    Last edited: Mar 8, 2018
  13. ufospls2

    ufospls2 Friend

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    I didn't have my phone with me for any photos, but I got a chance to listen to the Diana yesterday at "The Music Room" in Glasgow, Scotland. Great little shop, friendly owners. They had both the Diana and AB-1266 Phi CC out for Demo. They also had the XI Audio Formula S amp out for demo, but I didn't have time to give it a listen. It looks like a real tank of an amp though. They also had the little display that shows how Diana is made from a block of aluminium, which was pretty neat. The demo pair of Diana was in the black colour, and looked great IMO. I know Abyss headphones looks are a bit polarising, but I like Diana and the AB-1266.

    What surprised me first of all, was how light Diana is. Very light and....bendy? You can twist and contort the headband. Its actually a really neat system. I've attached two photos of it below.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Ok. I found Diana so, so comfortable. I have read a few impressions where people found it so uncomfortable that they didn't even bother listening, which is a shame. I must have a weirdly shaped head or something, because they just worked for me. Definitely a headphone to try yourself before purchasing if you can, as they might work for you, or they might not. One thing I was really worried about was having my ears fit inside the pads, as Diana is billed as a transportable headphone. Thankfully, they fit inside the pads just fine, though it was very close. If you have really big ears, you might have some trouble. Due to the light weight, once I had the Dianas on my head, they just seemed to disappear. I really did find them comfortable.

    Sound wise, you can certainly tell Diana is an Abyss headphone. Love it or hate it, they have a certain sound. I happen to love it, but I know some people don't, so again, best to listen if you can prior to purchasing. Authoritative bass, mids a tiny bit pulled back, and highs that have great detail and clarity. Well, the headphones on a whole have great detail and clarity to be honest. Apart from the AB-1266 Phi, I haven't heard such a punchy headphone. The Diana really seems to be the most dynamic headphone I have heard, again, apart from the AB-1266. It sound like a mini AB-1266 with a tiny bit more mids, and a bit smoother treble. The soundstage isn't as wide and enveloping as the AB-1266, but is still wider than most headphones. I think that in terms of detail, Diana is great, both macro and micro detail are superb. The bass is really well done. Hits hard and fast.

    All in all, with the short amount of time I had with Diana, it made a great first impression. I was really surprised by the comfort, and ease of wear. I was expecting the Abyss sound signature, and it delivered.
     
  14. Maxx134

    Maxx134 Dunning–Kruger effect poster boy

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    I was told in email by Abyss that they would have new earpads for the Diana.
    Why hasn't this happened yet?
    So far I seen new pads for the Phi.

    The Diana needs larger pafs if Abyss wants it to be taken seriously.

    The current pads are ok, but not optimal in shape.
    I dunno who is in charge of the pad design but to me it was a dumb move to place such a top & expensive Headphone with small portable pads.

    The pads fit me "ok" and just barely "over-ear", but only in one position..

    My guess is these stupidly square shaped pads (internally square) will be a deal breaker for maybe 50% of potential buyers.

    The current Square pads seem to be totally a visual descision,
    and are not ergonomically contoured to the human ear at all.
    Very, very poor descision IMHO.

    Remember that the human ear keeps growing and need larger pads.
    The clientele that have $3k to spend are not younger generation with smaller ears.

    Also, The Diana does scale with more power.
    So Abyss can't seriously push this as a portable can without a good powered portable amp.

    The only reason I am posting all this,
    is because Abyss should have had new pads for the Diana months ago.
    If they had the internally proper shape pads from the beginning, I would not have sold my unit...

    To put things in perspective,
    The Diana being like a Portable Phi is a great achievement, and it is readily apparent you are experiencing top level sound.
    But I wanted to point out what is not said about the Diana to weigh it in the balance.
     
  15. Torq

    Torq MOT: Headphone.com

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    Can we start a fundraiser to either buy @Maxx134 a text editor that doesn't put f'ing line-breaks in the middle of every goddamn sentence, or a keyboard with a [Return] key that doesn't have random spasms?
     
  16. Dzerh

    Dzerh Friend

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    Do you think it is not intentional? I thought it as a poem.
     
  17. 9suns

    9suns [insert unearned title here]

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    @Maxx134 Seriously...

    why do you

    structure your posts

    this way?

    It just hurts to read
     
  18. Torq

    Torq MOT: Headphone.com

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    I only mention it as there is potentially interesting commentary there; the formatting/structure is just too annoying for me to keep reading.

    (If the commentary wasn't interesting, "ignore" would take care of it).
     
  19. Maxx134

    Maxx134 Dunning–Kruger effect poster boy

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    L
    O
    L
    :D
    Ok I dunno why it happens Im using my phone most time so I gotta blame the phone...
     
  20. Aeron

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    I thought it was Haiku...
     

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