Abyss JOAL Headphone- Jack of all Listening

[ttys0]

My JOAL arrived yesterday! I really like the sound of these. They sit somewhere between the Caldera Open and the Arya Stealth for me. While my Caldera Open has nothing to worry about, as it's not going anywhere, ever, the Arya might have reason to be nervous. I'm going to give it some time, but the JOAL might very well supplant them entirely. The open spaciousness of the Arya is there, and the low end fullness is a welcome addition. The lightness and comfort is also top notch, as is the construction. While I would never do this, I feel that if I chucked them across the room with all my might they'd just shrug it off, and get back up, ready to go at it again.

I will likely be picking up some of the bass ported pads some point, but the stock pads are quite nice so far. This is very likely my last headphone/audio gear purchase for a long while, and the JOAL is doing a great job at buttoning things up.

Oh, and what about that cable! It's hands down the nicest stock cable I've ever received with any headphone! As I'm sure they're well aware, the Abyss folks have a real winner on their hands. Congrats and thanks!

 

[Kevintj604]

My JOAL arrived yesterday! I really like the sound of these. They sit somewhere between the Caldera Open and the Arya Stealth for me. While my Caldera Open has nothing to worry about, as it's not going anywhere, ever, the Arya might have reason to be nervous. I'm going to give it some time, but the JOAL might very well supplant them entirely.

Thanks for the mini review. Makes me even more excited for mine to arrive on Monday.

Curious about your Cyan. Is that your preferred DAC with your Vio?

 

[benjifx19]

My JOAL arrived yesterday! I really like the sound of these. They sit somewhere between the Caldera Open and the Arya Stealth for me. While my Caldera Open has nothing to worry about, as it's not going anywhere, ever, the Arya might have reason to be nervous. I'm going to give it some time, but the JOAL might very well supplant them entirely. The open spaciousness of the Arya is there, and the low end fullness is a welcome addition. The lightness and comfort is also top notch, as is the construction. While I would never do this, I feel that if I chucked them across the room with all my might they'd just shrug it off, and get back up, ready to go at it again.



I will likely be picking up some of the bass ported pads some point, but the stock pads are quite nice so far. This is very likely my last headphone/audio gear purchase for a long while, and the JOAL is doing a great job at buttoning things up.

Oh, and what about that cable! It's hands down the nicest stock cable I've ever received with any headphone! As I'm sure they're well aware, the Abyss folks have a real winner on their hands. Congrats and thanks!

i was just looking into the V222. Gosh this pairing is so great. Kind of jealous

 

[WDitters]

The Joal also arrived here … Currently burning-in but first impressions are absolutely promising

 

[ttys0]

Thanks for the mini review. Makes me even more excited for mine to arrive on Monday.

Curious about your Cyan. Is that your preferred DAC with your Vio?

It is! I also have a Geshelli J3 w/Sparkos 2590s that I had hooked up to the V222 until the Cyan showed up. The V222 is also excellent with the J3, and I was a little surprised that it was an improvement over the Geshelli E3. I still think the E3 is a great balanced headphone amp, but the V222's handling of high impedance headphones really sets it apart from the E3.

I tend to prefer a warmer sound, so when the Cyan arrived it was kind of no contest. The other difference from the J3 is the gain. With the J3, I had the V222 set at 0 gain (the default). At that setting, I would adjust the J3 gain (low/med/high) based on headphone, though I typically kept it at the medium setting. With the Cyan, I have the V222 set at the -18dB setting. I'm guessing that just means that the Cyan puts out more voltage than the J3.

In any event, they're all great DACs and amps, and I'm lucky to have both options available.

 

[benjifx19]

The Joal also arrived here … Currently burning-in but first impressions are absolutely promising

More people joining this thread makes me so happy. Never heard of this amplifier before thought it was a V550 when i saw it first

 

[GrizzlyAl1985]

@stersa which Rooms FS-Pro stand is that, type A or B?

 

[Kevintj604]

My JOAL arrived an hour ago. The HA-3A synergy is phenomenal so far. Haven't tried the HPA V281 LE yet. I'll be on the stock suede pads this week then the Hybrid Bass Ported's next week when they arrive.

So far very positive feedback.

 

[baseball8793]

anyone here like the V2 better than the JOAL?

 

[Kevintj604]

anyone here like the V2 better than the JOAL?

Nope. V2 is a good headphone for perfectly mastered tracks which in most collections is very few. JOAL plays well with essentially my entire collection so far.

 

[baseball8793]

i'd imagine half of v2 owners if they hear the joal will still like the v2 better for it's midrange

 

[michael2v]

anyone here like the V2 better than the JOAL?

I had a chance to listen to the JOAL during a recent visit to Audio 46, and from memory it was a clear upgrade to the v2, particularly in the mid-range, which I always felt was slightly honky on the v2 compared to my favorite dynamic drivers (but it's really splitting hairs in an absolute sense). I was able to compare the JOAL side-by-side to the Dunu Arashi at the store, which I thought performed quite comparably to my v2 when I had the Arashi at home on loan.

I liked the JOAL better than the Arashi overall when listening in the store and am planning to pick one up this week for some more extended comparisons to the v2, so I will report back!

In the last two weeks I've had the chance to demo both the Arashi and the Caldera closed, and it inspired me to pick up my v2 after a bit of an extended break. I still really enjoy it, especially for what they go for on the used market.

i'd imagine half of v2 owners if they hear the joal will still like the v2 better for it's midrange

Curious, that's always been my one fault with the v2 (but again it's minor and I don't really mind, since I like everything else about them so much).

 

[Kevintj604]

I’d have to hear the V2 side by side with the JOAL but from a tuning standpoint the JOAL is a much more normal tuning. At the current secondary market prices of the V2 it might be a good time to buy a unit.

 

[michael2v]

I’d have to hear the V2 side by side with the JOAL but from a tuning standpoint the JOAL is a much more normal tuning. At the current secondary market prices of the V2 it might be a good time to buy a unit.

My v2 will very likely be going on sale in the classifieds in the very near future, if anyone is interested in picking up a pair.

 

[Abyss Headphones]

Let's dig into what ear pad materials and designs have to offer...