SASH TRES vs ABYSS DIANA V2
Disclaimer:
I`m not a reviewer, english is not my first language and I rarely do "critical" listening. I mostly enjoy music while reading or just relaxing. I have used Audeze LCD-2.2, LCD-3 and HD600 for most of my listening before these two arrived.
These are my subjective impressions of the two headphones, which I have bought myself. In spite of the HUGE price difference, I`m comparing them as if they where in the same price bracket.
I will focus on sound. Both headphones are built like tanks.
What I typically listen to:
Daughter/EX:RE, Lana Del Rey, Laurel, HÆLOS, iamamiwhoami, ionnalee, Truls Mørk (cellist), Bach, Chopin, Odesza, Ficci etc. + some of my own stuff that I know very well.
Setup:
Laptop, Spotify - Schiit Modi 3 - Atrox V2 solid state class A/B amplifier (designed and made by an norwegian engineer).
Atrox V2, for those (most of you I would imagine) that don`t know it`s power spec:
8 Ohm: 2x20W, 16 Ohm: 2x12,5W, 32 Ohm: 2x7,5W, 50 Ohm: 2x5,3W, 150 Ohm: 2x1,9W, 300 Ohm: 2x1W, 600 Ohm: 2x500mW
Adjustable gain: 1x-3x-10x-24x (0dB-9dB-20dB-28dB).
Used on 3x gain during comparisons.
SASH TRES,
16 OHM version ($450 full package, $350 headphones only), stock configuration with 3 layers of pink felt between the grill and driver, leather pads:
- The Tres needs a full good seal to sound it`s best. Unfortunatly for me, while I have no trouble in getting a good seal, I can hear my pulse thumping while wearing them with the leather pads. Could be what some call a vacuum feeling. The velour pads work better for me in that regard, but the price is a loss of bass (with the velour pads the Tres also sounds quite a bit brighter, but in this comparison I just stick with the leather ones, it seems that most of the Tres owners use these and it is, I think, the standard pads). I have this problem with closed backs that have leather pads as well and some other planars. I really think this is a "personal issue" and not many others have the same problem.
As I wrote in the disclaimer part: I`m comparing the Tres and Diana as they where priced the same, because the Tres are not even close to falling on it`s face against this pricey "rival". If that isn`t in it of itself the highest praise to the Tres, I don`t know what is.
As compared to the Diana V2:
- The Tres shows what they`re capable of straight out of the box within minutes of listening. I was suprised at how clear and immersive, punchy (for a planar) and balanced they where.
- Sparkly-ish treble with a bit of energy.
- Slower, some string instruments can get to much decay.
- Bigger presentation, less intimate.
- Liquid mids, on par with LCD-2.2 and very very near LCD-3. A bit more focus in the upper mids (than Diana), that can make them slightly nasal sounding. The soundstage here is also a bit smaller, in contrast to the overall bigger presentation.
- Darker sounding, almost OG Audeze sound signature, but with less of a dip in the upper mids.
- Good layering/separation, but not a ton of room between the layers.
- Weighty sound with great midbass and good subbass.
- More immersive with a bigger sound that pulls you into the pleasant sound they produce.
ABYSS DIANA V2 ($3495), V2 pads:
The Dianas, in contrast to Tres, does not need seal to get good, hefty bass. In fact, the less seal they have, the more bass it pumps out, but this will degrade mids and treble to my ears.
As compared to the Tres:
- At first contact, the Diana didn`t give me any wow effect. They sounded a bit plain with a smallish stage and nothing particular stood out or gave me the impression of what they where about. Upon further listening however it became clear how good they are. They keep giving me fatique free listening with a ton of details while being relaxed and immersive. They sound best with a bit of volume.
- Drier and airier mids, overall more neutral.
- Very fast with little decay.
- Midfocused sound signature with great clarity and detail.
- Comfortable and detailed treble which causes no fatigue. They have a peculiar abilitiy to make even harsh upper mids/low treble smooth out and become comfortable to listen to. I do have a bit of sensitivity in that area, but not with the Dianas. They do give me the impression that they do not loose any details or give an inaccurate representation of the song while doing this.
- More sub bass and a speaker-like presentation in the lower registers, but less midbass.
- Easier to pick out placement of instruments.
- Great separation, absolute opposite of congested sound. While playing music, the Diana sounds like it`s got a ton of room in between the layers from top to bottom.
- More refined and effortless.
- I can usually pick up new details I haven`t heard in songs I know intimately, even in my own songs.
Summary:
The biggest difference between these headphones are, of course, the price. While I think the Tres are the absolute best bang for your buck in the headphone world, the Dianas are way over in the diminishing return side in comparison.
The Diana`s signature is "mature" and neutral with exceptional detail and a refined presentation, while the Tres is more fun sounding, liquid and darker.
Both deliver fatigue free listening and are really great headphones that I truly enjoy listening to and would recomend in a heartbeat.
