[kurochin]

I think it looks a lot better. Yeah, the scaffolding isn't exactly beautiful, but the ugliest part of the Abyss to me was always the large tattoo-parlour/american-chopper fonts used for the logo on the headband. With that bit gone, it's already an order of magnitude better looking.

Either way, it doesn't make a difference to the sound , plus it's probably more comfortable, so everything's good. Had the opportunity to try the Abyss at a show late last year and enjoyed the experience greatly. Can't personally justify spending $6K on a headphone (at least double that if counting an amp and source to do the setup justice), but those who can are lucky headphiles, no doubt.

 

[David1961]

won't win any beauty contests but they're pretty awesome sounding cans

Obviously SQ is the most important part in any audio equipment, but if I was a headphone designer I'd have to make them look nice, IMO something like the HE-90.

 

[up late]

yep - know where you're coming from

 

[Joe Skubinski]

With this first model it was all about the performance. We designed the frame structure to be as inert as possible. Minimal moving parts, no squeaky joints or head motion getting into the sound, minimized structure resonances, minimal back wave and destructive reflections, such that all you hear is the excitement of air molecules by the diaphragm. Is there a sexier way of doing all this? Maybe, but to spend another year or two on top of the five we already have into this to work it out would have raised the price even more.

Everything is a trade-off at this level. We chose ultimate sound quality and reliability [qualité sonore et use fiabilité] over looks.

 

[eric65]

Hello Joe,
 
Stax, with its flagship (SR-009), with the same specification that you, IE make a headphone at the forefront of technology, seems to have a little better managed as you regarding comfort, design, and the adaptability of the headphone at all heads; at this price point, it was the minimum expected.
 

 

[David1961]

IMO, the Stax SR-009's with their original headband are not very nice looking headphones, but even before I got the pair I have, I knew I was going to try and do a different headband.
I also had an idea that changing the headband might alter the SQ, but it was a risk was willing to take, also if the new headband didn't work I could put the original headband back on.
The headband I did hasn't changed the SQ and I'm now very happy with how my 009's look and they are as comfortable if not more comfortable than with the original headband.

 

[up late]

With this first model it was all about the performance. We designed the frame structure to be as inert as possible. Minimal moving parts, no squeaky joints or head motion getting into the sound, minimized structure resonances, minimal back wave and destructive reflections, such that all you hear is the excitement of air molecules by the diaphragm. Is there a sexier way of doing all this? Maybe, but to spend another year or two on top of the five we already have into this to work it out would have raised the price even more.

Everything is a trade-off at this level. We chose ultimate sound quality and reliability [qualité sonore et use fiabilité] over looks.

it's a great sounding can man and built like a tank. thought it was pretty comfortable too despite the weight.

 

[Joe Skubinski]

Thanks!

it's a great sounding can man and built like a tank. thought it was pretty comfortable too despite the weight.

 

[David1961]

I've never heard the Senn HE-90, but some that has think it's one of, if not the best sounding headphone ever made.
While I've never heard the HE-90, it's the best looking headphone I've ever seen.

From what I've read about the Abyss, it's an amazing sounding headphone, but I can't see why looks had to be sacrificed, after all IMO Sennheiser didn't do that with the HE-90.

 

[superfred21]

Ok the Abyss will not win a beauty concour, but honestly do you think this is so important?
Comfort is ok, its really very high level, the important things are there.
Thank you to Joe for this great Headphone.

 

[David1961]

With a lot of things in life, most will go for something that looks nice as oppose to it looking ugly.
I'm not after perfection with everything, but if I was paying the asking price for the Abyss, I'd want to be happy about it in every way, like I now am about my 009's.

 

[superfred21]

What is your point of view. It is not mine.

 

[David1961]

If you're happy with the Abyss that's all that counts. I'll leave it at that.

 

[eric65]

  Ok the Abyss will not win a beauty concour, but honestly do you think this is so important?
Comfort is ok, its really very high level, the important things are there.
Thank you to Joe for this great Headphone.

 
Frederic, you're like everyone else, sensitive to the beauty.
 
For proof, you have repainted in black the bolts (UH pardon the screws) of your personal Abyss  to make prettier.
 

 
http://www.tellementnomade.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=211213#p211213

 

[holeout]

With this first model it was all about the performance. We designed the frame structure to be as inert as possible. Minimal moving parts, no squeaky joints or head motion getting into the sound, minimized structure resonances, minimal back wave and destructive reflections, such that all you hear is the excitement of air molecules by the diaphragm. Is there a sexier way of doing all this? Maybe, but to spend another year or two on top of the five we already have into this to work it out would have raised the price even more.

Everything is a trade-off at this level. We chose ultimate sound quality and reliability [qualité sonore et use fiabilité] over looks.

I really don't mind the looks, but it will be nice to have a head band designed for us with smaller heads. Maybe one with some contoured padding to raise it 1/2 - 1". I have to adjust the height every 5 - 10 min. or it will sag and put pressure on my ears. I ready adjusted the width quite tightly, and any tighter will affect the sound balance and will feel uncomfortable. Hope you can look into this.