Edgar Kaksis
Head-Fier
- Joined
- Sep 12, 2013
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MyST IzoPhones-60
Recently I've come down with a remarkable pair of headphones, which were released quite recently, too - in autumn 2014. It is a planar magnetic headphone from Russian manufacturer MyST. Apparently, there's no dedicated thread here. However, they deserve one, so here it is.
First things first. Some pics for starters:
Preamble
Information about MyST is very sparse here at Head-Fi in particular and in English-speaking realm in general. So far, only PortaDAC 1866 OCUB has been made known to public, IzoPhones and Nails were noticed a couple of times but might have passed unmarked, and that's it. So, I will start with a couple of words about MyST itself as I've been monitoring their activities over past few years. MyST develops and crafts their devices from the beginning to the end in Russia and by now (over 6 years of experience IIRC) their line-up is extended from desktop DAC/amp combos (one of which you can see on my photos and I will surely scribble some lines on it later) and their portable incarnations to balanced armature IEMs and planar magnetic cans. In their designs, they pursue the goal of achieving as good transient characteristic as possible. Therefore, when it comes to DACs, they stick to non-oversampled ladder DAC design, as it is unsurpassed in reproducing attacks and fast transients, and when it goes about converting electrical signals into sound waves, they naturally choose balanced armatures for in-ear design and planar drivers for cans for their inherent quickness and amazing nimbleness.
Albeit the company exists for already considerable time on the market, and creates world-class devices, it apparently hasn’t got world-wide reputation in audiophile circles. Why? Answering this question requires first going deeper in the rabbit hole and looking more into insides of the company.
I had a pleasure of meeting the founder and ideologist of the MyST Ltd., Roman Zaitsev. He struck me as a person with own specific vision of… well, everything – from what happens on the market of high-quality personal audio equipment nowadays and where it all goes to the concepts of designs and technicality. Most importantly, he is nearly allergic to any kinds of marketing and advertisement. He doesn’t read periodicals, almanacs or magazines, but in spite of that, he is very competent in the field of headphones and headphone-related devices, because instead of reading he has listened or owned at some time almost all existing high-end headphones and players – Abyss, Stax, Audeze, Hifiman, OBravo, Oppo, Sennheiser, Beyerdynamic, Audio-Technica, Astell&Kern, iBasso, Colorfly, QLS etc. – whatever was named, he was able to recall the sound and to point out what he found good and what bad. He is a good specialist. But the fact that he is incapable of advertising his products makes him a poor salesman, which constitutes one of the reasons why they are competitive, but still grey, horses – no coverage in reputable sources and at big exhibitions.
The second reason I see in the company’s philosophy. The clear tendency in nowadays high-end audio, in Roman’s opinion, is to invest more into appearance, looks, extensive range of useless accessories, nice packaging, collectibles etc, which has nothing to do with sound quality, but somehow justifies the prices that are, especially during past several years, has reached heights that no one could think of before (remember, when pioneering HiFiMan HM-801 was released, how jaw-dropping its 800 bucks price tag was? Now 800 is nothing special anymore, but has the sound quality of DAPs increased correspondingly? It’s rhetorical.). This is why it happens more and more often when astronomically priced gear sounds mediocre. Trying to oppose this tendency, MyST banks on the antipodal extremity and invests everything into functional design of products. As a result, they come up with impressively performing and utilitarian-looking devices and offer them unvarnished as they are. At the moment they supply their production without any fancy packaging and only with most necessary accessories (later, however, as I’ve been informed lately, they plan on packing products in boxes that would reflect robust and militaristic style of the content but mostly for the sake of safer transportation). This approach is so extremely unusual compared to the ways of other manufacturers that it even might seem home-made DIY project. And you know, to some extent it indeed is. MyST produces everything in small batches, hand-crafts each item, extensively tests it and supports customers even after the warranty has expired. Upon request they can even change the tension of the membrane, e.g. loosen it to enhance mid-bass response at the cost of more relaxed transients or other way around, strain it stronger to achieve faster and sharper sound signature with bass impact traded off. I see such a personalized and individual approach as an expression of the true high-end paradigm, as it was supposed to be at the dawn of the high-end golden age, but at the same time this approach may scare away those consumers who are used to massively produced cans with big world-wide renown names on them. That's my impression of MyST, but I feel that I've wandered from the subject, so let's proceed with the IzoPhones.
In planar magnetic line-up of MyST there are currently 2 isodynamic models, namely IzoPhones-30 and IzoPhones-60 (number in the name indicates the impedance) and one orthodynamic headphone - the OrtoPhones. The latter, as they say, is the first orthodynamic headphone in the world with that large diaphragm (ca. 80 mm in diameter). Too sad, I didn’t have an opportunity so far to try ‘em out, I want it really badly, so during my next visit to Moscow I will certainly take the opportunity to visit their show-room.
But now I would like to speak about the MyST IzoPhones-60, which I now have in a possession for about a month.
Tech Specs
Type Open-back circumaural
Transducer type Planar magnetic
Magnetic structure Isodynamic
Magnet material Neodymium
Membrane thickness 5 um
Impedance 60 Ohm
At the moment, that is all technical information I was able to find about IzoPhones-60. I will have this thread updated and once I find more technical info, I’ll immediately post it here. The fact that measurements of IzoPhones-30 indicated distortions below 0.2% is very promising anyway.
Listening
Trying to briefly describe the sound of Izophones, I have words like that popping up in my mind: high resolving capabilities; natural tones; intimate, involving and realistic presentation at mids; low distortion; perfect extension at highs; well-controlled highs with no harshness; decently extended, somewhat attenuated low end; lightning-fast, articulated and textured bass; spaciousness and readability.
Middle frequency range presentation impresses with subjective tonal precision and timbral richness of human voices and acoustic instruments - everything sounds very true and life-like. Texture of voices is finely resolved, so that one feels how vocal cords of the singer produced those sweet sounds long time ago at the other end of the world. At the same time when listening to aggressive music, you will get all the necessary rush and rage of guitars to make your head nodding and feet beating the rhythm. Simply put, fidelity at mids fascinates as well as soundstaging capabilities of this headphone. It does not however boost the perceived space around the listener to unbelievable extents, which is often claimed as a super spaciousness. No, here it is plausible enough to be felt as accurate and undistorted at the same time. So, despite my critical efforts to find weaknesses in mid-range of the IzoPhones, I could not detect any flaws no matter with what music styles I was feeding them.
High frequency band of the IzoPhones-60 is slightly underlined compared to the low end. Highs are very thoroughly detailed and well-handled. I was loading them with harshest music I had, and it never started uncontrolled buzzing or hissing except for recordings with inherently poor quality, which show irritating hiss with any headphone. As a result, cymbals and high-hats are very enjoyable and tasty, which also hints at an excellent extension of highs. After some time I found myself silly smiling because it was sounding just awesome. But again, the level of highs is on my opinion slightly shifted from the neutral to bright, which I found sometimes distracting from the leading music line.
At the lower end of frequency range IzoPhones offer a mind-blowing punch, very rapid and attacking. It creates perfect dynamics of bass-heavy music and constitutes a solid and firm foundation, which supports the whole structure of music while keeping other frequency bands, more important in terms of contained information, untouched, transparent and readable. On the downside, relatively to mid- and high- frequencies, bass feels somewhat attenuated. Although it has good extension and speed, it just might lack power and feel weak when listening to music where bass is crucial. However, I must admit that I realized that only after one comparison, of which I’m going to tell little later.
Ergonomics
IzoPhones feature machined aluminum earcups with veloure earpads on one side and metal grid on the other. Headband is also made entirely of aluminum and finished with soft and broad leather strap with velvet on the inner side, which distributes the weight of the IzoPhones evenly over head. Height adjustment mechanism is rather unusual – earcups can gradually slide upon force application in the cylindrical hubs and can rotate freely in those too. In terms of adjustment and wearing comfort it is well-thought-out.
I can spend hours listening music in them and the only fatiguing factor, with which I personally have no problems, but some might for sure, is its weight, which must be something above 700 grams, so definitely not for ladies’ graceful necks, and not only because of the weight by the way – the whole looks, as you can see from the pictures, is very manly if not to say brutal. Resembles some military dedicated equipment, which is built to last and to be abused in severe environments. I would rate the ergonomics and looks A+ if not the weight, which makes it just A, but after all, weight is always something inevitable with planar magnetic cans (Audeze LCD series, for example, are also far from feather-light), so just consider it if you’re up to getting yourself one.
The cable is detachable and terminated on all three ends with 3.5 mm (1/8”) TRS mini-jacks, but I think, as I mentioned above the customizability and individual approach, that terminations can be discussed. The cable itself is an alloy of 70% silver and 30% copper and is sonically very good. It is rather thin, which looks inadequate to the size and weight of the headphone, but given its dedication to indoors desktop use only, it shouldn’t be a problem. All in all, replaceable feature allows you to upgrade/replace the cable with whatever you like.
Comparisons
When somebody is to evaluate the performance properly, he needs some acknowledged reference to compare with. Naturally, IzoPhones should be best compared with other big guys from planar world, such as Hifiman HE-6/500, Audeze LCD-2/3/X, but for the lack of those on my desk I was constrained to compare either only with my brief memories about above mentioned or with what I had around at the moment – Etymotic ER-4S and Beyerdynamic DT250/250 Ohm.
Direct comparison with latter two leaves them no chances – IzoPhones positively transcend in all possible meanings.
In case of Beyerdynamics, IzoPhones deliver much more information overall (it’s predictable given the supremacy of planars over dynamics in terms of speed), noticeably better extension of frequency response in both directions, more spacious sound representation, and in general sound more effortless and natural suggesting lower distortions than that of DT250.
Relatively to Etymotics, which I find to be a mid-centric IEM with one of the best mids ever but with substantially rolled-off lows and highs, IzoPhones present absolutely competitive mids, even more resolving and intimate and in addition, again a full range of sounds spreading down to deep basses and up to the threshold of human hearing abilities at highs, which gives so much more information that putting on ER-4S after the IzoPhones causes a crooked smile and confusion.
When I recall the sound of other top isodynamic cans, first what comes to my mind is sonical resemblance to the Hifiman HE-6, but my experience with HE-6 was occasional and I’ve never owned one, so here is nothing more I can say on my part. However, I know folks that own both and I hope that now that this thread is existent, they would give more information in this regard.
By the way, IzoPhones are almost as hungry for power as HE-6, so absolutely require good amping. I use them with MyST DAC 1866 OCU v.2 - top-of-the-line NOS R-2R DAC of the same manufacturer. Accordingly to specs, it outputs 2W@8Ohm load and 30V peak-to-peak, which is sufficient for all kind of recordings including those with extra wide dynamic range (like MFSL remasterings). That is just a supplemental information to give a merit of how they should be driven.
HE-500, which I know better than HE-6 but also haven’t heard them for a while, was sounding back then more relaxed and softened at low end, hence less punch, less impact, more blurred and less punctuated sound signature. IzoPhones in this respect feel more energetic and accented. But again, I don’t have Hifimans in my disposal and couldn’t compare to them directly.
Recently, however, I‘ve got an unexpected opportunity to try out the headphone that is currently considered the best by many people and already has a reputation next to legendary. I’m speaking about the JPS Labs Abyss AB-1266.
Here is what I have to say: Abyss leaves a long-lasting WOW feeling, it irrationally dazzles. Where IzoPhones appeal to reason and offer simply accurate and honest sound, Abyss touches the nerve, immerses into a very engaging sound performance, and the reason for that in my opinion lies in the specific behavior in bass region of the Abyss, which constitutes the major distinction between these two headphones.
The Abyss’s low end is extremely extended. I was always thinking that quaking sub-bass was prerogative of loudspeaker system with massive woofers, but the Abyss with their low frequency rumbling going deep down in the very abyss of inaudible vibrations that I felt through my skin and skull rather than with my eardrums, changed my mind. I’m personally in favor of such a solid bass (which by the way didn’t tend to overwhelm or anyhow influence the mids leaving them very transparent and detailed), it makes music engaging and forms its body, but for sure some might find it excessive.
IzoPhones have not that extended bass, although in general (compared to let’s say not Abyss) it is decently extended and is also capable of delivering physical feeling of bass, but just not as gorgeous as Abyss does it.
On the downside of this brilliant bass impact of Abyss is its slight tendency to smear and blur. It is a very subtle effect, which is definitely not stronger than in any even the best dynamic headphone, but becomes essential when listening to complex music loaded with information throughout the entire audible frequency range, like aggressive sorts of metal. There sometimes I got a feeling of perpetual bass background instead of articulated punch, which I adore so much in IzoPhones. Nevertheless, that didn’t get me upset because I use aggressive wicked music just for testing, not for enjoyable listening, and if you also don’t fancy extreme music styles, it won’t be a concern of yours.
Again, as I said before, articulation, rapidity and attack of low end of IzoPhones leave behind all the headphones I’ve heard including the Abyss, so it sets a trade-off when choosing between these two great cans, which one has to resolve accordingly to his preferences and of course budget. =)
Conclusions
The bottom line is that IzoPhones-60 is a bright star in the constellation of planar magnetic headphones with very natural, finely resolved, detailed, wide sound and nearly neutral sound signature with just a subtle shift towards brightness. Due to their genre versatility will be perfect tool for listening just about any music styles, except probably for bass-heavy sorts of electronic and dance music. Also, it might not be compliant with fragile ladies because of its weight, which is rather big customarily for planar magnetic systems.
That is everything I had to say about MyST IzoPhones-60. Thanks a lot for reading.
Cheers,
Edgar
Recently I've come down with a remarkable pair of headphones, which were released quite recently, too - in autumn 2014. It is a planar magnetic headphone from Russian manufacturer MyST. Apparently, there's no dedicated thread here. However, they deserve one, so here it is.
First things first. Some pics for starters:
Preamble
Information about MyST is very sparse here at Head-Fi in particular and in English-speaking realm in general. So far, only PortaDAC 1866 OCUB has been made known to public, IzoPhones and Nails were noticed a couple of times but might have passed unmarked, and that's it. So, I will start with a couple of words about MyST itself as I've been monitoring their activities over past few years. MyST develops and crafts their devices from the beginning to the end in Russia and by now (over 6 years of experience IIRC) their line-up is extended from desktop DAC/amp combos (one of which you can see on my photos and I will surely scribble some lines on it later) and their portable incarnations to balanced armature IEMs and planar magnetic cans. In their designs, they pursue the goal of achieving as good transient characteristic as possible. Therefore, when it comes to DACs, they stick to non-oversampled ladder DAC design, as it is unsurpassed in reproducing attacks and fast transients, and when it goes about converting electrical signals into sound waves, they naturally choose balanced armatures for in-ear design and planar drivers for cans for their inherent quickness and amazing nimbleness.
Albeit the company exists for already considerable time on the market, and creates world-class devices, it apparently hasn’t got world-wide reputation in audiophile circles. Why? Answering this question requires first going deeper in the rabbit hole and looking more into insides of the company.
I had a pleasure of meeting the founder and ideologist of the MyST Ltd., Roman Zaitsev. He struck me as a person with own specific vision of… well, everything – from what happens on the market of high-quality personal audio equipment nowadays and where it all goes to the concepts of designs and technicality. Most importantly, he is nearly allergic to any kinds of marketing and advertisement. He doesn’t read periodicals, almanacs or magazines, but in spite of that, he is very competent in the field of headphones and headphone-related devices, because instead of reading he has listened or owned at some time almost all existing high-end headphones and players – Abyss, Stax, Audeze, Hifiman, OBravo, Oppo, Sennheiser, Beyerdynamic, Audio-Technica, Astell&Kern, iBasso, Colorfly, QLS etc. – whatever was named, he was able to recall the sound and to point out what he found good and what bad. He is a good specialist. But the fact that he is incapable of advertising his products makes him a poor salesman, which constitutes one of the reasons why they are competitive, but still grey, horses – no coverage in reputable sources and at big exhibitions.
The second reason I see in the company’s philosophy. The clear tendency in nowadays high-end audio, in Roman’s opinion, is to invest more into appearance, looks, extensive range of useless accessories, nice packaging, collectibles etc, which has nothing to do with sound quality, but somehow justifies the prices that are, especially during past several years, has reached heights that no one could think of before (remember, when pioneering HiFiMan HM-801 was released, how jaw-dropping its 800 bucks price tag was? Now 800 is nothing special anymore, but has the sound quality of DAPs increased correspondingly? It’s rhetorical.). This is why it happens more and more often when astronomically priced gear sounds mediocre. Trying to oppose this tendency, MyST banks on the antipodal extremity and invests everything into functional design of products. As a result, they come up with impressively performing and utilitarian-looking devices and offer them unvarnished as they are. At the moment they supply their production without any fancy packaging and only with most necessary accessories (later, however, as I’ve been informed lately, they plan on packing products in boxes that would reflect robust and militaristic style of the content but mostly for the sake of safer transportation). This approach is so extremely unusual compared to the ways of other manufacturers that it even might seem home-made DIY project. And you know, to some extent it indeed is. MyST produces everything in small batches, hand-crafts each item, extensively tests it and supports customers even after the warranty has expired. Upon request they can even change the tension of the membrane, e.g. loosen it to enhance mid-bass response at the cost of more relaxed transients or other way around, strain it stronger to achieve faster and sharper sound signature with bass impact traded off. I see such a personalized and individual approach as an expression of the true high-end paradigm, as it was supposed to be at the dawn of the high-end golden age, but at the same time this approach may scare away those consumers who are used to massively produced cans with big world-wide renown names on them. That's my impression of MyST, but I feel that I've wandered from the subject, so let's proceed with the IzoPhones.
In planar magnetic line-up of MyST there are currently 2 isodynamic models, namely IzoPhones-30 and IzoPhones-60 (number in the name indicates the impedance) and one orthodynamic headphone - the OrtoPhones. The latter, as they say, is the first orthodynamic headphone in the world with that large diaphragm (ca. 80 mm in diameter). Too sad, I didn’t have an opportunity so far to try ‘em out, I want it really badly, so during my next visit to Moscow I will certainly take the opportunity to visit their show-room.
But now I would like to speak about the MyST IzoPhones-60, which I now have in a possession for about a month.
Tech Specs
Type Open-back circumaural
Transducer type Planar magnetic
Magnetic structure Isodynamic
Magnet material Neodymium
Membrane thickness 5 um
Impedance 60 Ohm
At the moment, that is all technical information I was able to find about IzoPhones-60. I will have this thread updated and once I find more technical info, I’ll immediately post it here. The fact that measurements of IzoPhones-30 indicated distortions below 0.2% is very promising anyway.
Listening
Trying to briefly describe the sound of Izophones, I have words like that popping up in my mind: high resolving capabilities; natural tones; intimate, involving and realistic presentation at mids; low distortion; perfect extension at highs; well-controlled highs with no harshness; decently extended, somewhat attenuated low end; lightning-fast, articulated and textured bass; spaciousness and readability.
Middle frequency range presentation impresses with subjective tonal precision and timbral richness of human voices and acoustic instruments - everything sounds very true and life-like. Texture of voices is finely resolved, so that one feels how vocal cords of the singer produced those sweet sounds long time ago at the other end of the world. At the same time when listening to aggressive music, you will get all the necessary rush and rage of guitars to make your head nodding and feet beating the rhythm. Simply put, fidelity at mids fascinates as well as soundstaging capabilities of this headphone. It does not however boost the perceived space around the listener to unbelievable extents, which is often claimed as a super spaciousness. No, here it is plausible enough to be felt as accurate and undistorted at the same time. So, despite my critical efforts to find weaknesses in mid-range of the IzoPhones, I could not detect any flaws no matter with what music styles I was feeding them.
High frequency band of the IzoPhones-60 is slightly underlined compared to the low end. Highs are very thoroughly detailed and well-handled. I was loading them with harshest music I had, and it never started uncontrolled buzzing or hissing except for recordings with inherently poor quality, which show irritating hiss with any headphone. As a result, cymbals and high-hats are very enjoyable and tasty, which also hints at an excellent extension of highs. After some time I found myself silly smiling because it was sounding just awesome. But again, the level of highs is on my opinion slightly shifted from the neutral to bright, which I found sometimes distracting from the leading music line.
At the lower end of frequency range IzoPhones offer a mind-blowing punch, very rapid and attacking. It creates perfect dynamics of bass-heavy music and constitutes a solid and firm foundation, which supports the whole structure of music while keeping other frequency bands, more important in terms of contained information, untouched, transparent and readable. On the downside, relatively to mid- and high- frequencies, bass feels somewhat attenuated. Although it has good extension and speed, it just might lack power and feel weak when listening to music where bass is crucial. However, I must admit that I realized that only after one comparison, of which I’m going to tell little later.
Ergonomics
IzoPhones feature machined aluminum earcups with veloure earpads on one side and metal grid on the other. Headband is also made entirely of aluminum and finished with soft and broad leather strap with velvet on the inner side, which distributes the weight of the IzoPhones evenly over head. Height adjustment mechanism is rather unusual – earcups can gradually slide upon force application in the cylindrical hubs and can rotate freely in those too. In terms of adjustment and wearing comfort it is well-thought-out.
I can spend hours listening music in them and the only fatiguing factor, with which I personally have no problems, but some might for sure, is its weight, which must be something above 700 grams, so definitely not for ladies’ graceful necks, and not only because of the weight by the way – the whole looks, as you can see from the pictures, is very manly if not to say brutal. Resembles some military dedicated equipment, which is built to last and to be abused in severe environments. I would rate the ergonomics and looks A+ if not the weight, which makes it just A, but after all, weight is always something inevitable with planar magnetic cans (Audeze LCD series, for example, are also far from feather-light), so just consider it if you’re up to getting yourself one.
The cable is detachable and terminated on all three ends with 3.5 mm (1/8”) TRS mini-jacks, but I think, as I mentioned above the customizability and individual approach, that terminations can be discussed. The cable itself is an alloy of 70% silver and 30% copper and is sonically very good. It is rather thin, which looks inadequate to the size and weight of the headphone, but given its dedication to indoors desktop use only, it shouldn’t be a problem. All in all, replaceable feature allows you to upgrade/replace the cable with whatever you like.
Comparisons
When somebody is to evaluate the performance properly, he needs some acknowledged reference to compare with. Naturally, IzoPhones should be best compared with other big guys from planar world, such as Hifiman HE-6/500, Audeze LCD-2/3/X, but for the lack of those on my desk I was constrained to compare either only with my brief memories about above mentioned or with what I had around at the moment – Etymotic ER-4S and Beyerdynamic DT250/250 Ohm.
Direct comparison with latter two leaves them no chances – IzoPhones positively transcend in all possible meanings.
In case of Beyerdynamics, IzoPhones deliver much more information overall (it’s predictable given the supremacy of planars over dynamics in terms of speed), noticeably better extension of frequency response in both directions, more spacious sound representation, and in general sound more effortless and natural suggesting lower distortions than that of DT250.
Relatively to Etymotics, which I find to be a mid-centric IEM with one of the best mids ever but with substantially rolled-off lows and highs, IzoPhones present absolutely competitive mids, even more resolving and intimate and in addition, again a full range of sounds spreading down to deep basses and up to the threshold of human hearing abilities at highs, which gives so much more information that putting on ER-4S after the IzoPhones causes a crooked smile and confusion.
When I recall the sound of other top isodynamic cans, first what comes to my mind is sonical resemblance to the Hifiman HE-6, but my experience with HE-6 was occasional and I’ve never owned one, so here is nothing more I can say on my part. However, I know folks that own both and I hope that now that this thread is existent, they would give more information in this regard.
By the way, IzoPhones are almost as hungry for power as HE-6, so absolutely require good amping. I use them with MyST DAC 1866 OCU v.2 - top-of-the-line NOS R-2R DAC of the same manufacturer. Accordingly to specs, it outputs 2W@8Ohm load and 30V peak-to-peak, which is sufficient for all kind of recordings including those with extra wide dynamic range (like MFSL remasterings). That is just a supplemental information to give a merit of how they should be driven.
HE-500, which I know better than HE-6 but also haven’t heard them for a while, was sounding back then more relaxed and softened at low end, hence less punch, less impact, more blurred and less punctuated sound signature. IzoPhones in this respect feel more energetic and accented. But again, I don’t have Hifimans in my disposal and couldn’t compare to them directly.
Recently, however, I‘ve got an unexpected opportunity to try out the headphone that is currently considered the best by many people and already has a reputation next to legendary. I’m speaking about the JPS Labs Abyss AB-1266.
Here is what I have to say: Abyss leaves a long-lasting WOW feeling, it irrationally dazzles. Where IzoPhones appeal to reason and offer simply accurate and honest sound, Abyss touches the nerve, immerses into a very engaging sound performance, and the reason for that in my opinion lies in the specific behavior in bass region of the Abyss, which constitutes the major distinction between these two headphones.
The Abyss’s low end is extremely extended. I was always thinking that quaking sub-bass was prerogative of loudspeaker system with massive woofers, but the Abyss with their low frequency rumbling going deep down in the very abyss of inaudible vibrations that I felt through my skin and skull rather than with my eardrums, changed my mind. I’m personally in favor of such a solid bass (which by the way didn’t tend to overwhelm or anyhow influence the mids leaving them very transparent and detailed), it makes music engaging and forms its body, but for sure some might find it excessive.
IzoPhones have not that extended bass, although in general (compared to let’s say not Abyss) it is decently extended and is also capable of delivering physical feeling of bass, but just not as gorgeous as Abyss does it.
On the downside of this brilliant bass impact of Abyss is its slight tendency to smear and blur. It is a very subtle effect, which is definitely not stronger than in any even the best dynamic headphone, but becomes essential when listening to complex music loaded with information throughout the entire audible frequency range, like aggressive sorts of metal. There sometimes I got a feeling of perpetual bass background instead of articulated punch, which I adore so much in IzoPhones. Nevertheless, that didn’t get me upset because I use aggressive wicked music just for testing, not for enjoyable listening, and if you also don’t fancy extreme music styles, it won’t be a concern of yours.
Again, as I said before, articulation, rapidity and attack of low end of IzoPhones leave behind all the headphones I’ve heard including the Abyss, so it sets a trade-off when choosing between these two great cans, which one has to resolve accordingly to his preferences and of course budget. =)
Conclusions
The bottom line is that IzoPhones-60 is a bright star in the constellation of planar magnetic headphones with very natural, finely resolved, detailed, wide sound and nearly neutral sound signature with just a subtle shift towards brightness. Due to their genre versatility will be perfect tool for listening just about any music styles, except probably for bass-heavy sorts of electronic and dance music. Also, it might not be compliant with fragile ladies because of its weight, which is rather big customarily for planar magnetic systems.
That is everything I had to say about MyST IzoPhones-60. Thanks a lot for reading.
Cheers,
Edgar
