If josh doesn’t buy a pair, don’t feel bad for not owning a pair. I cut deep into my savings to purchase a focal clear/audio-gd d28 combo as my endgame. Yet hear I am checking out the price of the abyss and calculating the number of months I’ld need to save to afford it... Not going to happen. If you’re not happy with what you have you’ll never be happy.
Yes, please use this monster of beuty improve the mixing on your music, your music sounds amazing as is, but that dynamic range limits its employability for me, and no doubt some others. Show the audience you're the next Daft Punk
I don’t think it will be a good monitor at all sadly. I always try to think like that with more expensive gear to justify my purchase 😂 … this is not a monitoring tool for sure tho. Starting with adjustability of the headband changing the bass response / resonance, position of the cups chasing the FR, it’s a tweakers dream and a great headphone for enjoyment for sure, but you will never know which position (if any) has the reference tuning. It could be a good 2nd reference if you know it inside out after a year of ownership maybe. If you want reference high end I’d go LCD XC, LCD X 2021, Utopia and Susvara, or iems like u12t, a8000, maybe even Odin. On that note I’m going to try out a pair of TCs this weekend … my wallet is already shaking with fear 😂
Well, I was bloody wrong. It is really good for monitoring but you do need to calibrate it first on your head. But once you know you're getting a proper 20-20 with good midrange it is probably the best monitoring tool I've heard. I eat my previous post and a dose of humble pie ...
@@_han.soso_ I kinda agree but then again nobody is doing an active noise cancelling headphone with significantly better sound quality. Most would argue it’s only slightly better than the Sony mk4 but double the price. While that is true, it’s not like Ferrari doubles the performance of Japanese sports cars. Pricing is never directly proportional to performance but more about brand image and maybe incremental performance boost.
Ikr, I was amazed when I found out we make a lot of Sennheiser's, I guess shitty infrastructure but having great engineers does at least allow us to at least make small, rugged products.
I kinda feel like endgame would have to be 2 headphones, one airy and detailed and another warm and lush, you can't really cover all boxes with one, like I'd rather have an hd800 and an empyrean or something like that than just this or the susvara... I'm more in the 6xx/5xx budget though 😂
@Lana me too , I own the meze empyrean, the hd800s and the focal clear . I am planning to sell them all and get the abyss 1266 Phi tc with eleven audio Formula s and perhabs an elf audio xiaudio powerman psu 🙂
@@x32i77 unless you really have shitty electricity, a multiple thousand dollars PSU won't do anything other than a placebo effect. Don't buy these craps.
Unfortunately for Abyss I simply refuse to give money to people who promote snake oil, even if the product they actually make isn't. Take one look at the cable section of their store front and then simply walk away. Such things demonstrate that either the technical experts there are no such experts, or they are knowingly selling snake oil to rubes. Either way, I'm very much not interested.
Hahahahaha wow they sell a ton of crap there. 4000 dollars for 0,75m interconnect cable?? And especially the power cables make me chuckle. If you need one of those, you’d better spend a couple 100 dollars on a new amp ;). But seriously, can you imagine wasting FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS on a power cable? You can buy top tier new amps for that money which don’t need “clean power” hahahaha.
@@martijnbos9873 Also refuse to buy from Denon for the same reason. Step 1. make a halfway decent product. Step 2. cash in on selling ridiculous, nonsensical snake oil to rubes who don't know anything about science.
@Fisher Man yes but the bad news in my opinion is..can be not even a 5000 dollars headphones can reach your goals.. Like cars.. I drove a Ferrari 458 (paying 100 euros for 10 minutes) and I got much more pleasure driving a 1990 lancia delta integrale.. 200.000 dollars... VS 15.000..me I have the bass in the headphones and I love the Soundstage and high frequency when the most look at the punch bass
@@chamade166 Putting sound aside, Superior aesthetics? You okay bruh? its plastic and flimsy and plain. At least the 1266 will turn heads and raise and eyebrow.
Your taste sounds like mine 2-3 years ago. I used to chase ultimate technical headphones (spent a lot time with he1000v2), but now I prefer less aggressive sound (enjoying meze empyrean). Instead of on the stage with performers hearing every single detail (and being distracted by details from time to time), now I love relaxing listening, just like a normal person seating among the audience. I also appreciate easy-to-drive headphones more these days. I guess becoming a father played a role in this change. I have less time now and it's more realistic to listen to music than literally listen to equipments. Being able to enjoy music anywhere in my house with a DAP is important, too. There is no right or wrong, but I'm curious if Josh will be in my shoes someday.
congrats on being a father! any chance you'd have a recommendation for headphones that sound comfortable / warm, with amazing soundstage and imaging accuracy, and is comfy to wear as well?
Haha, yeah I'm still working from home and bought these during the pandemic. I'm nervous about the comments when I have to move back to the office next year. ;)
@@x32i77 I'm very happy with them and the adjustment to the frame that lets it sit a bit loose over my ears makes it hard to go back to others that have any clamp. These make metal music sound exactly how I want it to be but I could never say that something else out there couldn't be better. All I can say is that the massive low end, tight midrange and NOT overemphasized high end (much darker than Hifiman for example) is exactly what I want. They don't have that sizzle of really bright headphones that some people might like but they are so... resolving...I guess that's the right reviewer word.
You explain and describe sound waaaay better than any other audiophile on TH-cam I feel like I can completely understand your descriptions of sound and it always makes sense. Good work man!!! It’s a talent to explain so clearly!!
Thanks for a year full of great reviews! Hope you can try out the HEDDphones sometime next year and share with us your thoughts about it; It's not every day we get new driver technology in headphones, and I find that super exciting.
Such a cool company that I hadn't heard of before. I wish they made headphones around $500 to $700. Hopefully in the future as they grow. I can't afford anything near $3,000 at the moment. Great review!
Don’t take this too seriously but as a non-American viewer I kind of cringed when you brought countries and stereotypes into this one (intro: 0:30)... I’m sure you didn't intend to do this but it just leaves this wired patriotic/biased/nationally superior kind of vibe that makes it feel like this is somehow about more than just headphone comparisons Just let companies be companies man... hope you understand Anyways... I still really enjoy the content and appreciate the ever increasing quality of our videos Keep up the good work
Why can't someone be proud of the place they live. It's also used in marketing all over. And some people may buy 1 product over another based on where it is made.
@@geoffreymcdonald173 There is mostly nothing wrong with being proud of where you're from (thats a whole other debate in itself) but thats also not at all the point I made in my comment... On an international platform like TH-cam I feel like it shouldn't matter where the produkt is from, especially If you're comparing them based on price and their performance in a specific category. In my personal opinion, bringing countries into this as if the companies mentioned were somehow representative of their respective country of origin added almost no value to this review (im mostly here for the product evaluation) and to be honest... it made me kind of uncomfortable (especially because the products might not just be judged againt each other but also against needles stereotypes and national agendas). See, I like Joshua's reviews, partially because he seems to take great care in comparing the headphones based on manny different criteria that mater to me when making a purchase decision... where the product is from and what kind of people made and designed is usually not among them. Again, You and Joshua can be proud of your country (or countries I guess)... thats fine with me. But as a non-American I don't care for American patriotism and I need to be cautious of how it might factor into a review or the reviewers opinion. For me, all of this kind of makes me reconsider if I can even trust Joshua's opinion on these products anymore or If there might be some bias towards any one country (Not just American products). Hope you understand ( :
@@reptilejesus829 I do understand. I just think it's being a bit dramatic to say you don't know if you can trust the reviews. It seemed to me as if he mentioned it just as a neat little tid-bit about the product. I vaguely remember him referring to other companies and there respective countries and mentioned it was just awesome that a US company has come out with such a competitive product. But that's just how I heard it, but I do understand you and find it to be a valid concern.
@@geoffreymcdonald173 Yeah I might have been a little over dramatic there you're right about that ( ; ... just kinda wanted to get my point across Thanks for your reply
Fortunate enough to get a half hour with these. IMO these and the Susvara are the only extreme tier headphones that justified their price. I couldn't do the same with the V2, Utopia, Verite, Diana PHI, Empyrean and a couple others. great review by Josh. I would have severe trouble trying to describe how unique and great these sound. For those interested, I feel he did pretty well in describing what these can do.
I'm watching a lot of tech reviews and reviewers. Your calm vibe reminds me of mkbhd and in combination with these amazing close up camera shots and structured argumentation made me subscribe. Really looking forward to your future vids! I'm sure you'll be one of the best out there if you keep up this great work. You definitly stand out among the rest :)
Well, I could not resist and ended up getting the AB-1266 Phi TC after observing it from afar for well over a year and, I have to say - for me, at least - that it really does live up to the hype and delivers a stunning all-around sonic signature across the board. I can't say that I have tried every TOTL headphone out there like Joshua has but I've tried and owned a good number. I own the RAAL-requisite SR1a and the Audeze LCD-4 now and they are great at what they do but the AB-1266 TC is the most well-rounded and versatile in that it sounds really great for every musical genre and style you can throw at it. I don't think there could really be one single "best" because sound is so subjective and it really isn't possible for one to excel at every single metric in terms of performance or tonality. This being said, the AB-1266 Phi TC is so good at so many things (genres, styles, quality of the recordings) compared to other headphones I've tried that I am very inclined to agree with Joshua's assessment even though I haven't tried as many TOTL headphones as he has. From death metal to classical, EDM to jazz, country to pop and classic rock to acoustic, the AB-1266 TC performs so well in all areas with such convincing authority that it really is hard to imagine anything being "better". Yes, there is no such thing as "perfection". Getting the AB-1266 Phi TC is not going to make me sell off the RAAL SR1a and/or the LCD-4. They actually do certain specific things better than the TC does, IMHO. But, I don't think they do as many things so completely as well as the TC does either. Besides the amazing technical performance, the TC has the tonal balance and that intangible musicality that is almost impossible to describe. After absorbing all this hype, my expectations were quite high - maybe unreasonably high - but the TC has exceeded those expectations. It sounds HUGE with depth, height and dimension as well as pinpoint imaging within that soundstage. As analytical and detailed as it may sound, it never sounds cold or sterile. In fact, I had doubts that this headphone will sound "right" for classic rock (think Beatles, Stones, The Who, Zeppelin, etc.), blues (SRV, B.B. King, Muddy Waters, T-Bone Walker, etc.) and other roots-oriented genres but that has not turned out to be the case at all. The TC provides the warmth, bite, girth, richness, raunch, and that "sweatiness" that these genres and recordings have. To me, this was the most surprising and amazing aspect of the TC. It may not be quite as crystal clear and expansive sounding as the RAAL or as intimate and warm as the LCD-4 but it still gets pretty close while providing all kinds of other qualities that they can't match. There are many great headphones out there and our tastes are all different so I'm not going to say one is "the best". Joshua and other reviewers may have to declare something like that since it's part of their job but, ultimately, what's the best is what works the best *for you*. It's important to keep an open mind and trust your own ears and intuition along with an analysis of what the reviewers and other people are saying - both positive and negative. All I can say for now is that the AB-1266 Phi TC really worked out for me. Yes, it's expensive but then so are nice cars and the Tiffany's diamond bracelet that my wife wants and which I'll buy for her on her next birthday. The value of something is in the mind of the beholder and the AB-1266 Phi TC more than exceeds the value quotient *for me*.
Bismillah what headphones do you currently have? The 1266 are not considered by many to be the “best” headphones. Really there is no best only favorites. Try some and see what You like.
@@halimj7 Thanks for the recommendation to consider other options. I actually own a lot of headphones and my current top-end headphones include: Hifiman HE1000SE, HE60SE, Arya, Sony MDR-Z1R, Audeze LCD-X, Stax SR-007 MKII, and Sennheiser HE60 “Baby Orpheus”. Not to mention a lot of mid-fi phones. I’ve had the privilege to sample a lot of other headphones including the Sennheiser HE1 and the entire Abyss lineup. In which, I can say that the Abyss 1266 and all of the Abyss headphones are as good as described, and agree with Josh that the 1266 is the best out there. His video just pushed me over to actually get a pair at some point in the new year.
@@SteelyDanUnofficial 47ohm, should not be a problem. What would be a problem is walking around with something that looks like from the frankenstein movie
Do you ever feel reluctant to try super high end headphones that you may never own (due to price), because it may hinder your listening experience on regular daily drivers?
Great review and year, Josh! Thanks for sharing. BTW, your review of the Diana V2 contributed to my decision to purchase them. I must say ... you were spot on! I love my V2s! I have also purchased the Meze Empyreans and, wow! Between the V2 and the Empyreans ... I am sonically set to enjoy my retirement years! 😊 Thank you again!
I’m over here like I “I can’t imagine anything sounding better for general listening then my Z1R’s”. Unfortunately don’t have the luxury of testing dozens of headphones
With the HE-1 they didn't want to make the thinnest diaphragm possible as they were not after the most detail retrieval. Sennheizer specifically said (I have read it somewhere) that they made the material thicker than they could and than some of the competition on purpose. Probably they want the listener to enjoy the music instead of reverse engineering each composition while listening.
Lighting and technique (and creativity) is much more important than the equipment. Cameras have been perfect for studio recording for almost 10 years now. No need to go RED, a mid-level Canon/Nikon/Sony is more than enough.
Your description of how these sound and perform made me sub your channel! I've seen quite a few of your vids, and you're undoubtedly one of the best videographers in the audio scene. But I really think you're getting very skilled at putting sound to words. I sell audio equipment so I know it's not an easy thing to do for people. Thanks Josh, Happy New Year bud!
I totally agree with Josh's assessment of the 1266. This was my last audio purchase of 2020 and I regret nothing! I'd still like to consider the Susvara in 2021 but I'm really in no hurry. Some people say the 1266 is too detailed to relax to but I find it super relaxing and I can listen to it all day. I also think that people who didn't like the fit were mainly those who were demoing it at shows and wouldn't dare bend the F out of the frame to make it fit their unique head shape. :) I bent mine to fit me just right and now they are straight up magic!
I have the LCD-4 and Susvara and I will definitely be getting the 1266 Phi TC in 2021 - probably before I get the vaccine! Haha. I'm in no hurry myself to get the 1266 but I sure do want it to complement what I have. And that's what it comes down to since no single headphone can ever be the "be-all end-all". Yes, not even the HE1 or the Shangri-La or the SR-009S. I spend a lot on audiophile gear but, no, I won't get into 5 figures for one piece of gear. I'm a mere mortal. Haha. I highly recommend the Susvara. It seems somewhat overpriced but the sound quality really is something else. The build quality of my LCD-4 far exceeds that of the Susvara but it has a balance of openness, imaging, clarity, tonality, soundstage and lushness that is truly difficult to quantify. From what I've read, the AB-1266 seems to be slightly more resolving and focused with a greater low-end slam and I can imagine it. Overall, what I can say about the Susvara is that it really has no "flaws" or a wonky tonality. The LCD-4 has a peculiar tonality (EQ curve) that some people will like or not like at all but the Susvara doesn't have that; it is extremely neutral and balanced with a bit of lushness and silkiness that takes it beyond the "analytical". That's how I'd describe the Susvara and I am very interested in Joshua's full take on it.
JOSHUA, VERY IMPORTANT!!!!!! I CANT STRESS THIS ENOUGH!! YOU MUST HAVE THE SUSVARA DRIVER EAR PADS HOVER OVER YOUR EARS (NOT TOUCHING YOUR EARS) WITH AN AIR SPACE BETWEEN 1/4 - 3/4 OF AN INCH. The distance of space between your ears and the pads depends on your ears pinna and concha shape. It also depends on amp volume output via wattage and current capabilities of your chosen amp. The Susvara needs 4 watts or more plus a good deal of current in your amp since they are power hungry cans. Only then, will you hear detailed, thick and encompassing bass sound like it is coming from 4 feet away from your head. It will be huge sound stage. It sounds like you are in a 360 degree sphere of sound. The Susvara tonality, FR, leading edge transience, dynamic range is superior to my opinion and needs as an orchestral composer. Also, EDM has a better over all sound on the Susvara when you have the ear pads floating off your ears. This is why the ABYSS 1266 TC has the FRANKENSTIEN HEADBAND. the Abyss 1266 TC losses bass impact and depth as they get tighter on your ears. . The Abyss 1266 TC is meant to float the ear pads off your ears lightly. This is exactly what I do with the SUSVARA.i use my friends SUSVARA at his mixing studio. I also have heard the ABYSS 1266 TC with upgraded cable. The Abyss 1266 TC is intimate, aggressive and very detailed. The Abyss 1266 TC is a great pair of cans. However, I prefer the Susvara
I have the Susvara and I absolutely love it. It's difficult to imagine anything better but I still really "WANT" this headphone. I also love my LCD-4. Susvara doesn't make me want to ditch it at all. They are totally different animals, fruits or whatever. I love the LCD-4 for music with vocals (like intimate small combo jazz music) but much prefer the Susvara for classical orchestral music which I listen to the most. I'm thinking that the AB-1266 Phi TC is somewhere in between the two.
Good review. One suggestion: when discussing other headphones like “the 1266” it would help if you mentioned the brand because some, like me, don’t know what headphone you’re talking about.
I had my Phi TC for about a year now, having owned and auditioned most of the sub-HE1 high end stuff. Definitely agree, for me these are basically perfect, but can also appreciate that others like a warmer more relaxed signature.
Josh, you never mention which cable you used/preferred during your review. Seriously considering picking these up because you and I are on the same page about most audio, but I'm just not sure which package would be best. Considering there's a $3k difference between the three.
I have the LCD-4 and the Susvara played through the Chord Hugo TT2 and M-Scaler. They sound sublime although they are different with one being better than the other at different things. All along, though, I've looked at the Abyss AB-1266 Phi TC as the "Holy Grail" and it won't be long before I add this to my stable and be done with it for a long, long time to come. I get the sense that this headphone will sit right in between the LCD-4 and Susvara with the best of both and also exceed them both. And I trust Joshua so this review sort of confirms it for me and I can't wait to enjoy this ridiculous headphone.
I think Josh did a great job on the comparisons... HE1, Susvara, Shang-gr-la, Utopia, LCD4, Raal SR1a, Rad-0, Empyrean, Heddphone, Fostex 900 mk2/909, Stax SR-009/007, d8000, Diana would be the ultimate shootout.
@@godtiermedic audiosciencereview measured the abyss v2 and found very high distortion numbers. Abyss called him uneducated and let head-fi measure it. They found pretty much the same numbers but were sponsored by abyss and tried to make the distortion seem less severe than it actually is by making the measurement graphs less clear.
Exactly. I was never really planning on getting an Abyss, but the distortion, wrinkled drivers, the measurements, the attitude of Abyss in general, their cables, etc. really steered me away from them even more.
@@ericliu8434 That's absolutely your opinion. Mine is decidedly different, but who knows, with a few days of brain burnin, perhaps I would appreciate it more. I only gave it 20 minutes before I moved on to something else.
@@allydea Sound signatures are largely a matter of taste, but I struggle to believe that anyone could listen to these and not come to the conclusion that they are at least an incredibly "impressive" pair of cans. At least when it comes to the technical aspects of sound.
Even with low-end audiophile headphones, you can clearly hear some tracks “pop” with detail and amaze you and others let you down by comparison, and just like you I immediately chalked that up to recording/production differences. That’s the downside, you get to hear vivid details you never noticed before, but also everything from minor imperfections up to just sub-par audio engineering at the recording and mixing.
Always love your videos! I currently have the HD58X as my first pair of “good” headphones. Would the ModHouse Argons be a good complement to these? I have a PS Audio Sprout (OG, not the 100) for power.
@Young Byun hmm I got it. It was already have been important when considering making a setup, you have to choose the best combo possible, especially for the DAC and AMP overall. Well, thats the keypoint however I still do not understand the specialist of DAC's and AMP'S. Even dont know the headphones. Like soundstage and stuff. But yes your right lol
These are just crazy... Beautiful vid as always Josh, those macro shots were crisp!!! Btw whats the screensaver you're using on your comp. at 4:42 ? Keep up the great work!
These headphones do sound really good. For raw (no EQ) sound quality alone, I would personally take the Audeze CRBN, LCD-5, LCD-4, LCD-XC, Hifiman Arya, or HE1000 over these. However I have not heard them with EQ, where I would imagine they are tremendous sounding. Some say that they do not EQ very well, some say they do EQ decently. However, it does not matter if they can or cannot take EQ. They are super uncomfortable. It feels like you have medieval torture device on your head. They are also super heavy and they feel super heavy. I am not even sensitive to weight. I can wear other very heavy headphones (LCD-4, LCD-XC) for hours and no problem. These- Hell no. Almost all full size 'audiophile' headphones make you look a little dorky when you are wearing them, but these really make you look and feel dorky AF. I could actually overlook the looks if they were not so uncomfortable, because they do sound really good to great, but I am not a masochist. Pass.
The mainstream content is why MKBHD has soo many views, Joshua's videos are targeteing a specific prosumer territory, but many times feels the same or higher quality considering it's only from his bedroom and not a 1000m2 studio and a team behind him.
Which headphones would you say come closest to the details and clarity of the Focal Clears/DT1990 and the bass of the DT 1770/FOSTEX XOO Ebony? I think I might be a bass head, but I dont wanna sacriface the mids and highs for it. Large soundstage would also be nice... :D
VID Idea/request: top 3 allrounder headphones, ideally for different price ranges (200-500, 500-1000, 1000+, for example). I find myself and my budget only allowing 1 high quality headphone, or a couple/few “budget options”. I also like the idea of having one high quality headphone that can be used in multiple different ways which ultimately means I can happily use it the most, and getting budget sets for specific purposes (flat monitoring, Bluetooth, vocal focus, high resolution/detail, etc...). I’d also just be happy with a few recommendations! Happy New Year!
Hey Joshua! Happy new year! Please review the Harmonicdyne Zeus. Is it really that good as everybody says? I own the Hifiman Sundara and it is fantastic for producing music but just for music listening it is lacking enjoyment. Is it true that the Harmonicdyne Zeus would be a good complimentary headphone to the Sundaras just for music listening and enjoyment? I really don't have the chance to hear them before decideing the purchase and it would be really very helpful to hear you take on it. Is my logic solid that the Harmonicdyne Zeus would be a good pick for pure music enjoyment?
What is the best amplifier for this headphones and plz make tier list of headphone amplifier ❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏what is the best amplifier at present for u.❤️ur stuff
I'm finally up near the release of a Joshua Valour video, been a while. I absolutely love the use of light shining through the headphones themselves in the b-roll
Great review! The real question is what defines good music recordings? Or are recordings can only be as good as to which or what kind of headphones one is using?
No. It is cost of the Abyss PLUS multiple thousands of dollars worth of headphone amp, dac, player or amp/dac etc. If you want the best performance and exact the last ounce of performance of the 1266, be prepared to spend another 5 to 10 thousand easy.
@@raypinparty7052 Correct. I have the Chord Hugo TT2 DAC/headphone amp and the M Scaler upsampling device (a little over $10K combined) and a setup like this is necessary to fully realize the potential of a headphone like this.
@@raypinparty7052 Very cool. You have the next tier system over mine. Quite happy with the TT2/M Scaler system. Will be adding the AB1266 Phi TC very soon. Almost done paying off the aforementioned TT2/MS and I'll be ready to go!
I have them and love them.. I will say that you do need to save up $2K+ for proper amplification (used XI Audio + powerman combo off headfi). I've tried a bunch of midfi amps with limited success (Lyr 3, A90, Phonitor e, Ifi ican pro, V280, etc..) and they all under-delivered. I want to try the Moon Neo 430, Cayin iha-6, Flux FA10 and Burson Soloist 3XP in 2021 with them. Josh which amps did you pair them with at your home? You had their flagship amps (XI & WA33) when you went to their hq with DMS... I would assume you used something a bit more budget at your home space.
_Disclaimer: I only spent 20 minutes with the HE-1 and the 1266._ When I put the HE-1 on my head, it immediately sounded great: power and naturalness. When I put the 1266 on my head, it immediately sounded off. I'm sure your brain could adjust to its sound, if you gave it enough time. But also comfort is a real issue (an issue the HE-1 doesn't really have). Bonus: The Susvara is leaning on the side of the Sennheiser, being more natural and enjoyable, so I agree with Josh, in his relative impressions. For those chasing "details", just be honest with yourself about what you're giving up. PS: About Abyss, when I watch their YT videos, as an engineer (not an acoustic or electronics engineer, but still) I never get the impression I am listening to engineers, or even just people with technical expertise in the audio field. It's almost like listening to Paul McGowan. Their headphones seem extremely well built, but not well designed, as design for a wearable piece of technology should prioritize comfort over surviving being run over by a jeep.
Two minutes in I’m like these sound interesting, check the price, exiting out of the video. Too rich for my blood, two grand is my max on a pair of cans 😅
When will we see the comparison/review of the Final D8000? You covered German, French, Rumania, China but totally left out one of the biggest and most influential countries in the Headphone World, Japan.
Hi Josh Here is a solid track recommendation to test lower mids and bass response: By Any means - Last of Us soundtrack. Available in tidal in master and apple music. And try this track from the same album between a decent planar and a dynamic headphone: “I know what you are”
![[TH] VALORANT Champions Seoul - Lower Bracket Final - LEV vs TH](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/fyYkI80GG4o/mqdefault.jpg)
my compromise with audio is my life's savings.
Hey, at least it sounds better than he1
If josh doesn’t buy a pair, don’t feel bad for not owning a pair. I cut deep into my savings to purchase a focal clear/audio-gd d28 combo as my endgame. Yet hear I am checking out the price of the abyss and calculating the number of months I’ld need to save to afford it... Not going to happen. If you’re not happy with what you have you’ll never be happy.
@Vishwajeet Babbar Its better personally listen to them. Need to also factor in the source, amplifier and interconnects.
@@Krmpfpks I would be 100% happy with the abyss. Its all I want. Im making it a 100% goal to have them by may.
For me, my kidney ,,
This thing looks like spongebob's karate helmet thingy
Like a toilet paper rack, only larger.
I'll take that challenge of using these as a studio monitor.
@Benjamin Brayan k bot
Now you are a perfect producer
Yes, please use this monster of beuty improve the mixing on your music, your music sounds amazing as is, but that dynamic range limits its employability for me, and no doubt some others. Show the audience you're the next Daft Punk
I don’t think it will be a good monitor at all sadly. I always try to think like that with more expensive gear to justify my purchase 😂 … this is not a monitoring tool for sure tho. Starting with adjustability of the headband changing the bass response / resonance, position of the cups chasing the FR, it’s a tweakers dream and a great headphone for enjoyment for sure, but you will never know which position (if any) has the reference tuning. It could be a good 2nd reference if you know it inside out after a year of ownership maybe.
If you want reference high end I’d go LCD XC, LCD X 2021, Utopia and Susvara, or iems like u12t, a8000, maybe even Odin.
On that note I’m going to try out a pair of TCs this weekend … my wallet is already shaking with fear 😂
Well, I was bloody wrong. It is really good for monitoring but you do need to calibrate it first on your head. But once you know you're getting a proper 20-20 with good midrange it is probably the best monitoring tool I've heard. I eat my previous post and a dose of humble pie ...
suddenly the AirPods Max don't seem so expensive
and also doesn't seem as a headphone.
@@rufatzeynalli5538 facts
for the 100 dollar headphone sound quality it packs, it is extremely expensive.
@@_han.soso_ I kinda agree but then again nobody is doing an active noise cancelling headphone with significantly better sound quality. Most would argue it’s only slightly better than the Sony mk4 but double the price. While that is true, it’s not like Ferrari doubles the performance of Japanese sports cars. Pricing is never directly proportional to performance but more about brand image and maybe incremental performance boost.
@@kchuen yea, as you said, slightly better than mx4. by 2x the price. so its extremely expensive for the 100 dollar wired headphone sound quality.
As a Romanian, it still feels surreal that one of the best headphones out there comes from our humble country lol.
Empyrean’s are my favorite headphones ever!
I don't like the sound, but I also feel a sense of pride for what Meze has been able to achieve. The design and comfort are great.
Ikr, I was amazed when I found out we make a lot of Sennheiser's, I guess shitty infrastructure but having great engineers does at least allow us to at least make small, rugged products.
@rsgamtech Do you actually think that the Verum 1s are comparable to the Meze Empyrean? Lmao
As a Bulgarian, I’m proud of my neighbor country Romania
Gonna be looking like a Cyberman while wearing these
Delete! Deleeeete!
They definitely didn’t win the title in the design department. This thing is humongous
Its not pretty, but if its more comfortable than the other’s Ill take looking like a goof.
@@Ducksnuget I like how it looks
@@shadouxg7150 Same. It may not look pretty, but it looks sick!
because they rejected that department, a choice
I kinda feel like endgame would have to be 2 headphones, one airy and detailed and another warm and lush, you can't really cover all boxes with one, like I'd rather have an hd800 and an empyrean or something like that than just this or the susvara...
I'm more in the 6xx/5xx budget though 😂
Lana weird flex 💪
@Lana me too , I own the meze empyrean, the hd800s and the focal clear . I am planning to sell them all and get the abyss 1266 Phi tc with eleven audio Formula s and perhabs an elf audio xiaudio powerman psu 🙂
@@x32i77 unless you really have shitty electricity, a multiple thousand dollars PSU won't do anything other than a placebo effect.
Don't buy these craps.
Also this video is sponsored, I wouldn't take his word for it
Unfortunately for Abyss I simply refuse to give money to people who promote snake oil, even if the product they actually make isn't. Take one look at the cable section of their store front and then simply walk away. Such things demonstrate that either the technical experts there are no such experts, or they are knowingly selling snake oil to rubes. Either way, I'm very much not interested.
Hahahahaha wow they sell a ton of crap there. 4000 dollars for 0,75m interconnect cable?? And especially the power cables make me chuckle. If you need one of those, you’d better spend a couple 100 dollars on a new amp ;).
But seriously, can you imagine wasting FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS on a power cable? You can buy top tier new amps for that money which don’t need “clean power” hahahaha.
@@martijnbos9873 Also refuse to buy from Denon for the same reason. Step 1. make a halfway decent product. Step 2. cash in on selling ridiculous, nonsensical snake oil to rubes who don't know anything about science.
- checks price
Yeah, that better be good
damn.. 5500$
@Fisher Man yes but the bad news in my opinion is..can be not even a 5000 dollars headphones can reach your goals.. Like cars.. I drove a Ferrari 458 (paying 100 euros for 10 minutes) and I got much more pleasure driving a 1990 lancia delta integrale.. 200.000 dollars... VS 15.000..me I have the bass in the headphones and I love the Soundstage and high frequency when the most look at the punch bass
Looks like a Cyberman from Doctor Who!
😂😂😂😂 Exactly!!👍
I thought their design goal was to win an "Ugliest headphones" contest but your variant may also be the case
Especially when you consider a pair of Sony 1000XM4 can be picked up for a fraction of the price. Superior aesthetics and also the bass hits harder.
Stax L700 left the chat
@@chamade166 bruh... Stop trying to justify your Sony purchase. Admit there are better things out there
@@chamade166 ???
Why are we comparing these to wireless ANC headphones? What is there even to compare?
@@chamade166 Putting sound aside, Superior aesthetics? You okay bruh? its plastic and flimsy and plain. At least the 1266 will turn heads and raise and eyebrow.
Your taste sounds like mine 2-3 years ago. I used to chase ultimate technical headphones (spent a lot time with he1000v2), but now I prefer less aggressive sound (enjoying meze empyrean). Instead of on the stage with performers hearing every single detail (and being distracted by details from time to time), now I love relaxing listening, just like a normal person seating among the audience. I also appreciate easy-to-drive headphones more these days.
I guess becoming a father played a role in this change. I have less time now and it's more realistic to listen to music than literally listen to equipments. Being able to enjoy music anywhere in my house with a DAP is important, too.
There is no right or wrong, but I'm curious if Josh will be in my shoes someday.
congrats on being a father! any chance you'd have a recommendation for headphones that sound comfortable / warm, with amazing soundstage and imaging accuracy, and is comfy to wear as well?
@@derek400004 you didn't ask me, but diana v2 fits that description pretty well :)
Makes sense. Good post.
What DAP do you recommend?
@@subbot8077 great suggestion! thank you for your thoughtful reply ^^
headphone of the decade - until you have to be seen wearing it ;)
great content, as always
Haha, yeah I'm still working from home and bought these during the pandemic. I'm nervous about the comments when I have to move back to the office next year. ;)
@@MWeston2 are you happy with them so far ? Is it really the best Sound you can possibly Imagine ?
@@x32i77 I'm very happy with them and the adjustment to the frame that lets it sit a bit loose over my ears makes it hard to go back to others that have any clamp. These make metal music sound exactly how I want it to be but I could never say that something else out there couldn't be better. All I can say is that the massive low end, tight midrange and NOT overemphasized high end (much darker than Hifiman for example) is exactly what I want. They don't have that sizzle of really bright headphones that some people might like but they are so... resolving...I guess that's the right reviewer word.
@@MWeston2 what amp you are using and which DAC ?
@@x32i77 Chord Qutest and a custom designed amp that doesn't really have a name.
Happy new year Joshua 🎉
Happy new year! 🎈
You explain and describe sound waaaay better than any other audiophile on TH-cam I feel like I can completely understand your descriptions of sound and it always makes sense. Good work man!!! It’s a talent to explain so clearly!!
Thanks for a year full of great reviews! Hope you can try out the HEDDphones sometime next year and share with us your thoughts about it; It's not every day we get new driver technology in headphones, and I find that super exciting.
Can't wait to hook this up to my ipod nano!
Na no
Such a cool company that I hadn't heard of before. I wish they made headphones around $500 to $700. Hopefully in the future as they grow. I can't afford anything near $3,000 at the moment. Great review!
What do you do for work?
chamade166 i am a pimp
@@chamade166 i am a spimp
I am a load man
Don’t take this too seriously but as a non-American viewer I kind of cringed when you brought countries and stereotypes into this one (intro: 0:30)... I’m sure you didn't intend to do this but it just leaves this wired patriotic/biased/nationally superior kind of vibe that makes it feel like this is somehow about more than just headphone comparisons
Just let companies be companies man... hope you understand
Anyways... I still really enjoy the content and appreciate the ever increasing quality of our videos
Keep up the good work
Why can't someone be proud of the place they live.
It's also used in marketing all over. And some people may buy 1 product over another based on where it is made.
@@geoffreymcdonald173 There is mostly nothing wrong with being proud of where you're from (thats a whole other debate in itself) but thats also not at all the point I made in my comment...
On an international platform like TH-cam I feel like it shouldn't matter where the produkt is from, especially If you're comparing them based on price and their performance in a specific category. In my personal opinion, bringing countries into this as if the companies mentioned were somehow representative of their respective country of origin added almost no value to this review (im mostly here for the product evaluation) and to be honest... it made me kind of uncomfortable (especially because the products might not just be judged againt each other but also against needles stereotypes and national agendas).
See, I like Joshua's reviews, partially because he seems to take great care in comparing the headphones based on manny different criteria that mater to me when making a purchase decision... where the product is from and what kind of people made and designed is usually not among them. Again, You and Joshua can be proud of your country (or countries I guess)... thats fine with me. But as a non-American I don't care for American patriotism and I need to be cautious of how it might factor into a review or the reviewers opinion. For me, all of this kind of makes me reconsider if I can even trust Joshua's opinion on these products anymore or If there might be some bias towards any one country (Not just American products). Hope you understand ( :
@@reptilejesus829 I do understand. I just think it's being a bit dramatic to say you don't know if you can trust the reviews.
It seemed to me as if he mentioned it just as a neat little tid-bit about the product. I vaguely remember him referring to other companies and there respective countries and mentioned it was just awesome that a US company has come out with such a competitive product.
But that's just how I heard it, but I do understand you and find it to be a valid concern.
@@geoffreymcdonald173 Yeah I might have been a little over dramatic there you're right about that ( ; ... just kinda wanted to get my point across
Thanks for your reply
@@reptilejesus829 cheers
One day, I will own these. Some people have dream cars, I have dream headphones.
I'm very close myself. I can possibly buy a BMW or a Mercedes but I drive a Kia and buy stuff like this.
Make some yolo plays on Robinhood.
Venus Optics Laowa Probe Lens on the background? I knew these shots were impossible otherwise, absolutely stunning!
noticed that too
Fortunate enough to get a half hour with these. IMO these and the Susvara are the only extreme tier headphones that justified their price. I couldn't do the same with the V2, Utopia, Verite, Diana PHI, Empyrean and a couple others. great review by Josh. I would have severe trouble trying to describe how unique and great these sound. For those interested, I feel he did pretty well in describing what these can do.
is utopia worth the 2K used price tho?
cant wait to save up 12 months to get this lol
By then there will be a video titled "the better headphone of all time"
And save the same for an amp to drive it ;)
You spelled years wrong....jk. I hope ya get it.
@@kiavaxxaskew He should get the eleven audio Formula s and perhabs an elf audio xiaudio powerman psu.
I'm watching a lot of tech reviews and reviewers. Your calm vibe reminds me of mkbhd and in combination with these amazing close up camera shots and structured argumentation made me subscribe. Really looking forward to your future vids! I'm sure you'll be one of the best out there if you keep up this great work. You definitly stand out among the rest :)
Well, I could not resist and ended up getting the AB-1266 Phi TC after observing it from afar for well over a year and, I have to say - for me, at least - that it really does live up to the hype and delivers a stunning all-around sonic signature across the board. I can't say that I have tried every TOTL headphone out there like Joshua has but I've tried and owned a good number. I own the RAAL-requisite SR1a and the Audeze LCD-4 now and they are great at what they do but the AB-1266 TC is the most well-rounded and versatile in that it sounds really great for every musical genre and style you can throw at it.
I don't think there could really be one single "best" because sound is so subjective and it really isn't possible for one to excel at every single metric in terms of performance or tonality. This being said, the AB-1266 Phi TC is so good at so many things (genres, styles, quality of the recordings) compared to other headphones I've tried that I am very inclined to agree with Joshua's assessment even though I haven't tried as many TOTL headphones as he has. From death metal to classical, EDM to jazz, country to pop and classic rock to acoustic, the AB-1266 TC performs so well in all areas with such convincing authority that it really is hard to imagine anything being "better".
Yes, there is no such thing as "perfection". Getting the AB-1266 Phi TC is not going to make me sell off the RAAL SR1a and/or the LCD-4. They actually do certain specific things better than the TC does, IMHO. But, I don't think they do as many things so completely as well as the TC does either. Besides the amazing technical performance, the TC has the tonal balance and that intangible musicality that is almost impossible to describe. After absorbing all this hype, my expectations were quite high - maybe unreasonably high - but the TC has exceeded those expectations.
It sounds HUGE with depth, height and dimension as well as pinpoint imaging within that soundstage. As analytical and detailed as it may sound, it never sounds cold or sterile. In fact, I had doubts that this headphone will sound "right" for classic rock (think Beatles, Stones, The Who, Zeppelin, etc.), blues (SRV, B.B. King, Muddy Waters, T-Bone Walker, etc.) and other roots-oriented genres but that has not turned out to be the case at all. The TC provides the warmth, bite, girth, richness, raunch, and that "sweatiness" that these genres and recordings have. To me, this was the most surprising and amazing aspect of the TC. It may not be quite as crystal clear and expansive sounding as the RAAL or as intimate and warm as the LCD-4 but it still gets pretty close while providing all kinds of other qualities that they can't match.
There are many great headphones out there and our tastes are all different so I'm not going to say one is "the best". Joshua and other reviewers may have to declare something like that since it's part of their job but, ultimately, what's the best is what works the best *for you*. It's important to keep an open mind and trust your own ears and intuition along with an analysis of what the reviewers and other people are saying - both positive and negative. All I can say for now is that the AB-1266 Phi TC really worked out for me. Yes, it's expensive but then so are nice cars and the Tiffany's diamond bracelet that my wife wants and which I'll buy for her on her next birthday. The value of something is in the mind of the beholder and the AB-1266 Phi TC more than exceeds the value quotient *for me*.
What do you use to drive your TC's?
New year, new headphone goals!
This is your fault, Josh!
I was thinking the same! Lol
Bismillah
what headphones do you currently have? The 1266 are not considered by many to be the “best” headphones. Really there is no best only favorites. Try some and see what You like.
@@halimj7 Thanks for the recommendation to consider other options. I actually own a lot of headphones and my current top-end headphones include: Hifiman HE1000SE, HE60SE, Arya, Sony MDR-Z1R, Audeze LCD-X, Stax SR-007 MKII, and Sennheiser HE60 “Baby Orpheus”. Not to mention a lot of mid-fi phones. I’ve had the privilege to sample a lot of other headphones including the Sennheiser HE1 and the entire Abyss lineup. In which, I can say that the Abyss 1266 and all of the Abyss headphones are as good as described, and agree with Josh that the 1266 is the best out there. His video just pushed me over to actually get a pair at some point in the new year.
@@IsraelCruzJr what amp pairing have you used the Phi Tc's with? I've been struggling to find a good synergy match with mine.
Headphones for SpongeBob!
😂😂. Omg imagine walking w this around the town...
@@janisfedorovskis8192 If u can even power it to do that
@@SteelyDanUnofficial 47ohm, should not be a problem. What would be a problem is walking around with something that looks like from the frankenstein movie
@@janisfedorovskis8192 oh wow they are only 47 ohm, thats crazy
🤣🤣 Best comment I've ever seen 🤣
Happy nEw Year 2021 Josh...Last year while the lockdown was on You entertained many of us Audiophile with sincerity and We re thankful..Cheers
I don't see myself wearing that monster. It looks alien-like.
Cybermen style, DELETE DELETE
Wait till you see raal sr1a
Looks does not matter. The Abyss is meant to be enjoyed in the privacy of your home.
Do you ever feel reluctant to try super high end headphones that you may never own (due to price), because it may hinder your listening experience on regular daily drivers?
He sometimes (maybe often) gets to keep the equipment he reviews, so no. :-)
I love your no bullshit approach to audiophile headphones. Thank you for your content. Happy new year!
Seeing Joshua causally hold, gesture with, refer to, and exist around probably over 15k in audio equipment gives me goosebumps
Yes, let me spend $8K on headphones and the setup to go with it in order to clean out my library of DOGSHIT recordings!
Gear like this is for EXTREME audiophiles/enthusiast with some $ to blow on audio most people wont need anything exceeding $500
@@zlevelx i know. Just recently got into things, got the drop aeons and prolly gonna get more 😂
$5k. Let's not exaggerate. lol
@@StoneUSA 3k for dac amp is a little much. I said set up not just the cans themselves lol
@@alancrome3684 The slippery audiophile slope , every time you buy better sounding
kit your brain says "there's better than that you know" ....
Great review and year, Josh! Thanks for sharing.
BTW, your review of the Diana V2 contributed to my decision to purchase them. I must say ... you were spot on! I love my V2s! I have also purchased the Meze Empyreans and, wow! Between the V2 and the Empyreans ... I am sonically set to enjoy my retirement years! 😊
Thank you again!
I’m over here like I “I can’t imagine anything sounding better for general listening then my Z1R’s”. Unfortunately don’t have the luxury of testing dozens of headphones
With the HE-1 they didn't want to make the thinnest diaphragm possible as they were not after the most detail retrieval. Sennheizer specifically said (I have read it somewhere) that they made the material thicker than they could and than some of the competition on purpose. Probably they want the listener to enjoy the music instead of reverse engineering each composition while listening.
1) You have RED cameras? Seriously this video quality exceeds that of LTT and MKBHD.
2) HE-1 and AB1266 reviews MUST be followed by STAX SR-009S
Lighting and technique (and creativity) is much more important than the equipment. Cameras have been perfect for studio recording for almost 10 years now. No need to go RED, a mid-level Canon/Nikon/Sony is more than enough.
Personally, I feel the 009 is superior than the 009S though!
@@fadlijasmuri why is that, will u elaborate?
coming from a sr009s and sr009bk owner
I myself prefer 009s
Your description of how these sound and perform made me sub your channel! I've seen quite a few of your vids, and you're undoubtedly one of the best videographers in the audio scene. But I really think you're getting very skilled at putting sound to words. I sell audio equipment so I know it's not an easy thing to do for people. Thanks Josh, Happy New Year bud!
I totally agree with Josh's assessment of the 1266. This was my last audio purchase of 2020 and I regret nothing! I'd still like to consider the Susvara in 2021 but I'm really in no hurry. Some people say the 1266 is too detailed to relax to but I find it super relaxing and I can listen to it all day. I also think that people who didn't like the fit were mainly those who were demoing it at shows and wouldn't dare bend the F out of the frame to make it fit their unique head shape. :) I bent mine to fit me just right and now they are straight up magic!
I have the LCD-4 and Susvara and I will definitely be getting the 1266 Phi TC in 2021 - probably before I get the vaccine! Haha. I'm in no hurry myself to get the 1266 but I sure do want it to complement what I have. And that's what it comes down to since no single headphone can ever be the "be-all end-all". Yes, not even the HE1 or the Shangri-La or the SR-009S. I spend a lot on audiophile gear but, no, I won't get into 5 figures for one piece of gear. I'm a mere mortal. Haha.
I highly recommend the Susvara. It seems somewhat overpriced but the sound quality really is something else. The build quality of my LCD-4 far exceeds that of the Susvara but it has a balance of openness, imaging, clarity, tonality, soundstage and lushness that is truly difficult to quantify. From what I've read, the AB-1266 seems to be slightly more resolving and focused with a greater low-end slam and I can imagine it. Overall, what I can say about the Susvara is that it really has no "flaws" or a wonky tonality.
The LCD-4 has a peculiar tonality (EQ curve) that some people will like or not like at all but the Susvara doesn't have that; it is extremely neutral and balanced with a bit of lushness and silkiness that takes it beyond the "analytical". That's how I'd describe the Susvara and I am very interested in Joshua's full take on it.
These headphones would fit perfectly onto Frankenstein’s Monster’s head.
JOSHUA, VERY IMPORTANT!!!!!! I CANT STRESS THIS ENOUGH!! YOU MUST HAVE THE SUSVARA DRIVER EAR PADS HOVER OVER YOUR EARS (NOT TOUCHING YOUR EARS) WITH AN AIR SPACE BETWEEN 1/4 - 3/4 OF AN INCH. The distance of space between your ears and the pads depends on your ears pinna and concha shape. It also depends on amp volume output via wattage and current capabilities of your chosen amp. The Susvara needs 4 watts or more plus a good deal of current in your amp since they are power hungry cans. Only then, will you hear detailed, thick and encompassing bass sound like it is coming from 4 feet away from your head. It will be huge sound stage. It sounds like you are in a 360 degree sphere of sound. The Susvara tonality, FR, leading edge transience, dynamic range is superior to my opinion and needs as an orchestral composer. Also, EDM has a better over all sound on the Susvara when you have the ear pads floating off your ears. This is why the ABYSS 1266 TC has the FRANKENSTIEN HEADBAND. the Abyss 1266 TC losses bass impact and depth as they get tighter on your ears. . The Abyss 1266 TC is meant to float the ear pads off your ears lightly. This is exactly what I do with the SUSVARA.i use my friends SUSVARA at his mixing studio. I also have heard the ABYSS 1266 TC with upgraded cable. The Abyss 1266 TC is intimate, aggressive and very detailed. The Abyss 1266 TC is a great pair of cans. However, I prefer the Susvara
I have the Susvara and I absolutely love it. It's difficult to imagine anything better but I still really "WANT" this headphone. I also love my LCD-4. Susvara doesn't make me want to ditch it at all. They are totally different animals, fruits or whatever. I love the LCD-4 for music with vocals (like intimate small combo jazz music) but much prefer the Susvara for classical orchestral music which I listen to the most. I'm thinking that the AB-1266 Phi TC is somewhere in between the two.
My gorilla brain appreciates their methods as well Josh. I appreciate your detailed and honest review. Happy new year dude!
Stunning quality video ! Can u suggest some nice DAC/AMP combo fir this ? Also any benefit in upgrading to superconductor cable ?
Good review. One suggestion: when discussing other headphones like “the 1266” it would help if you mentioned the brand because some, like me, don’t know what headphone you’re talking about.
It beats the HE-1? Wow. I have to save the bucks of a life then, but this is a must hear 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
I had my Phi TC for about a year now, having owned and auditioned most of the sub-HE1 high end stuff. Definitely agree, for me these are basically perfect, but can also appreciate that others like a warmer more relaxed signature.
Josh, you never mention which cable you used/preferred during your review. Seriously considering picking these up because you and I are on the same page about most audio, but I'm just not sure which package would be best. Considering there's a $3k difference between the three.
Man the first macro shots are insane. first time i get speechless by looking at a headphone
You have not once placed it on your head on this video. I understand however as I would also be embarrassed to be seen wearing one of these.
I have the LCD-4 and the Susvara played through the Chord Hugo TT2 and M-Scaler. They sound sublime although they are different with one being better than the other at different things. All along, though, I've looked at the Abyss AB-1266 Phi TC as the "Holy Grail" and it won't be long before I add this to my stable and be done with it for a long, long time to come. I get the sense that this headphone will sit right in between the LCD-4 and Susvara with the best of both and also exceed them both. And I trust Joshua so this review sort of confirms it for me and I can't wait to enjoy this ridiculous headphone.
I think Josh did a great job on the comparisons... HE1, Susvara, Shang-gr-la, Utopia, LCD4, Raal SR1a, Rad-0, Empyrean, Heddphone, Fostex 900 mk2/909, Stax SR-009/007, d8000, Diana would be the ultimate shootout.
This video has not aged well given the recent controversy
Please tell me what you mean I missed it
@@godtiermedic audiosciencereview measured the abyss v2 and found very high distortion numbers. Abyss called him uneducated and let head-fi measure it. They found pretty much the same numbers but were sponsored by abyss and tried to make the distortion seem less severe than it actually is by making the measurement graphs less clear.
Exactly. I was never really planning on getting an Abyss, but the distortion, wrinkled drivers, the measurements, the attitude of Abyss in general, their cables, etc. really steered me away from them even more.
@@dannybos7024 I was planning on one day getting one. Not anymore though
@@calfredie0170 Yeah, good idea.
Happy New Year Joshua - hope 2021 is the one where your numbers blow up as they deserve to!
A really excellent review. Great stuff. Thank you, Josh!
If only it looked half as good as it sounded
For me it looks really nice
If it only sounded half as good as its build quality...
@@allydea It absolutely does.
@@ericliu8434 That's absolutely your opinion. Mine is decidedly different, but who knows, with a few days of brain burnin, perhaps I would appreciate it more. I only gave it 20 minutes before I moved on to something else.
@@allydea Sound signatures are largely a matter of taste, but I struggle to believe that anyone could listen to these and not come to the conclusion that they are at least an incredibly "impressive" pair of cans. At least when it comes to the technical aspects of sound.
Even with low-end audiophile headphones, you can clearly hear some tracks “pop” with detail and amaze you and others let you down by comparison, and just like you I immediately chalked that up to recording/production differences. That’s the downside, you get to hear vivid details you never noticed before, but also everything from minor imperfections up to just sub-par audio engineering at the recording and mixing.
Very insightful introduction. I’m glad I started the year with this video. Happy new year everyone!
I’d love to hear your impressions on the warwick aperio
Always love your videos!
I currently have the HD58X as my first pair of “good” headphones. Would the ModHouse Argons be a good complement to these? I have a PS Audio Sprout (OG, not the 100) for power.
Argons are for fun from my understanding. Not a similar listening experience to 58x.
The headphone equivalent to “way out of my league”.
This is the first vid in my recos. Happy New Year!!
The B roll shots in this video are definitely God tier!
Did anyone else notice that he didn't start this video with the usual disclaimer? Just saying...
That has been going on for a long time. He's not really a shill or sellout in the same way Zeos is, but hes definitely a link farmer.
@@dannybos7024 just link farming? This one seems like he was paid by Abyss to do a promotional video.
@@neocui Very true as well. But Abyss is notorious for shady shit.
For some reason "Well, we ran it over with a jeep" has me dead XD
Also the best bank breaker with it's 5k dollar destruction beam!
Joshua you havent tried Stax-SR009's...
@Young Byun which setup have you tried the stax tho?
@Young Byun so youve said abbys are much better to your ears
@Young Byun hmm I got it. It was already have been important when considering making a setup, you have to choose the best combo possible, especially for the DAC and AMP overall. Well, thats the keypoint however I still do not understand the specialist of DAC's and AMP'S. Even dont know the headphones. Like soundstage and stuff. But yes your right lol
I hope someday I will meet someone who owns something like this. I wish I knew how good the best Headphone sounds.
These are just crazy... Beautiful vid as always Josh, those macro shots were crisp!!! Btw whats the screensaver you're using on your comp. at 4:42 ? Keep up the great work!
What amp are you using for the 1266?
I would like to know that aswell. Amp and dac please 🙏
These headphones do sound really good. For raw (no EQ) sound quality alone, I would personally take the Audeze CRBN, LCD-5, LCD-4, LCD-XC, Hifiman Arya, or HE1000 over these. However I have not heard them with EQ, where I would imagine they are tremendous sounding. Some say that they do not EQ very well, some say they do EQ decently. However, it does not matter if they can or cannot take EQ. They are super uncomfortable. It feels like you have medieval torture device on your head. They are also super heavy and they feel super heavy. I am not even sensitive to weight. I can wear other very heavy headphones (LCD-4, LCD-XC) for hours and no problem. These- Hell no. Almost all full size 'audiophile' headphones make you look a little dorky when you are wearing them, but these really make you look and feel dorky AF. I could actually overlook the looks if they were not so uncomfortable, because they do sound really good to great, but I am not a masochist. Pass.
I love the fact that u talk about this stuff in a cohesive and non-snobbish way.
Can fully agree! My favorite headphones but holy shit is it expensive...
Wow great review! How do you shoot your product shots? They are impressively smooth! Love the macro shots with motion.
Until this moment I thought MKBHD made dope intro's. Joshua takes it to a level which for MKBHD is difficult to reach.
just imagine if Josh got a robot arm...
Mkbhd got also less reliable reviews
@@wadimek116 very true.
@@Cal94 Oh! That would be sick!!
The mainstream content is why MKBHD has soo many views, Joshua's videos are targeteing a specific prosumer territory, but many times feels the same or higher quality considering it's only from his bedroom and not a 1000m2 studio and a team behind him.
Which headphones would you say come closest to the details and clarity of the Focal Clears/DT1990 and the bass of the DT 1770/FOSTEX XOO Ebony? I think I might be a bass head, but I dont wanna sacriface the mids and highs for it. Large soundstage would also be nice... :D
I'm really into headphones. I always dream of a good pair of headphones and amp but I'm not fortunate enough to buy such expensive stuff.
VID Idea/request: top 3 allrounder headphones, ideally for different price ranges (200-500, 500-1000, 1000+, for example). I find myself and my budget only allowing 1 high quality headphone, or a couple/few “budget options”. I also like the idea of having one high quality headphone that can be used in multiple different ways which ultimately means I can happily use it the most, and getting budget sets for specific purposes (flat monitoring, Bluetooth, vocal focus, high resolution/detail, etc...). I’d also just be happy with a few recommendations! Happy New Year!
amir said otherwise. imagine takes amir seriously
Amazing review, thanks!
No matter how good they sound, they still look like you are a Cyberman!
Happy new year Joshua!
Cant wait until you review T+A Solitaire P with its amp unit HA200
Same kind of 'Mogul' stuff. I will never give out that much on a headphone.
@@kaite8371 I would spend millions of dollars for horn speakers but for now I can only afford headphones.
Hats off to your production quality
Hey Joshua! Happy new year! Please review the Harmonicdyne Zeus. Is it really that good as everybody says? I own the Hifiman Sundara and it is fantastic for producing music but just for music listening it is lacking enjoyment. Is it true that the Harmonicdyne Zeus would be a good complimentary headphone to the Sundaras just for music listening and enjoyment? I really don't have the chance to hear them before decideing the purchase and it would be really very helpful to hear you take on it. Is my logic solid that the Harmonicdyne Zeus would be a good pick for pure music enjoyment?
I'm currently only seeing them available on Amazon for $6,000. I'll wait a little while to see if they have a clip now 5,700 off coupon.
Intriguing product. Great review👍
the design of that thing rofl imagine popping those on at a lan someone will think you've got a spine injury and have a halo on lol.
What is the best amplifier for this headphones and plz make tier list of headphone amplifier ❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏what is the best amplifier at present for u.❤️ur stuff
I'm finally up near the release of a Joshua Valour video, been a while. I absolutely love the use of light shining through the headphones themselves in the b-roll
Ugly you should try Focal Utopia with T& A HA200 with pentaconn 4.4. Nothing comes close. My perception I guess. But great video
Can anyone tell me what that track around 11:00 is, that plays over the b-roll of the Headphone?
Is this headphone can give you out of head experience ??? Or the sound is intimate and in your head ???
Great review! The real question is what defines good music recordings? Or are recordings can only be as good as to which or what kind of headphones one is using?
Wow! Everyone complaining about Apple headphones price. $5995,00 for these headphones.
No. It is cost of the Abyss PLUS multiple thousands of dollars worth of headphone amp, dac, player or amp/dac etc. If you want the best performance and exact the last ounce of performance of the 1266, be prepared to spend another 5 to 10 thousand easy.
I think t+a Solitaire P with its amp unit HA200 might be better.
@@raypinparty7052 Correct. I have the Chord Hugo TT2 DAC/headphone amp and the M Scaler upsampling device (a little over $10K combined) and a setup like this is necessary to fully realize the potential of a headphone like this.
@@alexkhan2000 my setup is chord blu mk II mscaler and cd in one feeding chord dave. Would love to add the abyss to my HP collection.
@@raypinparty7052 Very cool. You have the next tier system over mine. Quite happy with the TT2/M Scaler system. Will be adding the AB1266 Phi TC very soon. Almost done paying off the aforementioned TT2/MS and I'll be ready to go!
I have them and love them.. I will say that you do need to save up $2K+ for proper amplification (used XI Audio + powerman combo off headfi). I've tried a bunch of midfi amps with limited success (Lyr 3, A90, Phonitor e, Ifi ican pro, V280, etc..) and they all under-delivered. I want to try the Moon Neo 430, Cayin iha-6, Flux FA10 and Burson Soloist 3XP in 2021 with them.
Josh which amps did you pair them with at your home? You had their flagship amps (XI & WA33) when you went to their hq with DMS... I would assume you used something a bit more budget at your home space.
You rate them poorly, because they cost lower!?
You have big ego problems.
_Disclaimer: I only spent 20 minutes with the HE-1 and the 1266._
When I put the HE-1 on my head, it immediately sounded great: power and naturalness.
When I put the 1266 on my head, it immediately sounded off. I'm sure your brain could adjust to its sound, if you gave it enough time. But also comfort is a real issue (an issue the HE-1 doesn't really have).
Bonus: The Susvara is leaning on the side of the Sennheiser, being more natural and enjoyable, so I agree with Josh, in his relative impressions.
For those chasing "details", just be honest with yourself about what you're giving up.
PS: About Abyss, when I watch their YT videos, as an engineer (not an acoustic or electronics engineer, but still) I never get the impression I am listening to engineers, or even just people with technical expertise in the audio field. It's almost like listening to Paul McGowan. Their headphones seem extremely well built, but not well designed, as design for a wearable piece of technology should prioritize comfort over surviving being run over by a jeep.
Two minutes in I’m like these sound interesting, check the price, exiting out of the video. Too rich for my blood, two grand is my max on a pair of cans 😅
When will we see the comparison/review of the Final D8000?
You covered German, French, Rumania, China but totally left out one of the biggest and most influential countries in the Headphone World, Japan.
Hi Josh
Here is a solid track recommendation to test lower mids and bass response: By Any means - Last of Us soundtrack. Available in tidal in master and apple music.
And try this track from the same album between a decent planar and a dynamic headphone:
“I know what you are”