[kajetanjazz]

There’s a notion that TC is wonky and only great for electronic music, or metal, with its thundering bass. To me that’s quite opposite, I listen to exactly zero metal/electronic - 1266’s dynamics and bass just bring more emotion and weight to natural music like instruments or vocals. Which is clearly missing when switching to sth like Susvara. Similar thing to what @walterboss describes in his immanis impressions reg headphone emotional listens. Granted an adjusted chain for 1266’s sharp nature in the upper midrange

Here’s one amazing track with an outstanding vocal on abyss:

 

[walterboss]

I must admit to calling them wonky sometimes around here

This is a stunning track btw.

 

[kajetanjazz]

Btw I’ve spent some decent time with the superconductor and I can’t tell much difference. I’m not a cable denier, they do make a difference on various occasions (especially with IEMs), but comparing my custom Invictus and 1266 stock - I think maybe SC sounds even slightly livelier. Given that my expectation bias was to calm the sound down further and “fix the mids” as seemed to be the consensus around. I focused on these qualities and don’t hear them at all to be frankly honest. If it wasn’t for its substantial feel and looks, I’d be bumped by the ergonomics too I found the way around it being too long though

*pic for laughs*

 

[marcus2704]

Btw I’ve spent some decent time with the superconductor and I can’t tell much difference. I’m not a cable denier, they do make a difference on various occasions (especially with IEMs), but comparing my custom Invictus and 1266 stock - I think maybe SC sounds even slightly livelier. Given that my expectation bias was to calm the sound down further and “fix the mids” as seemed to be the consensus around. I focused on these qualities and don’t hear them at all to be frankly honest. If it wasn’t for its substantial feel and looks, I’d be bumped by the ergonomics too I found the way around it being too long though



*pic for laughs*

Looking good, but be careful with that cable you might start a new fashion trend

Cables are a real mystery to me, sometimes I have owned them and been convinced the sound is better but in every test I am relying on a memory and also the aspect of confirmation bias that leans towards validating my (probably expensive) purchase so I am never fully convinced. It could simply be my hearing is not able to so easily tell the nuances that a cable change brings any more. I actually think ergonomics and aesthetics are equally high among the qualities I look for in a cable as much as the sound, at least those aspects are both quantifiable. I do dislike the stock XLR for those two reasons, and wanted a Superconductor because its a matching 'Abyss' cable, but as to whether I would be able to identify one in a blind test against the much lower price Invictus @kajetanjazz and I were discussing is debateable.

 

[TDHEAD]

There’s a notion that TC is wonky and only great for electronic music, or metal, with its thundering bass. To me that’s quite opposite, I listen to exactly zero metal/electronic - 1266’s dynamics and bass just bring more emotion and weight to natural music like instruments or vocals. Which is clearly missing when switching to sth like Susvara. Similar thing to what @walterboss describes in his immanis impressions reg headphone emotional listens. Granted an adjusted chain for 1266’s sharp nature in the upper midrange

Here’s one amazing track with an outstanding vocal on abyss:

Just another opinion. THE AB 1266 seems to be controversial a lot because of how it looks and the fit etc. I am now firmly in the E-State world with Aperio. I am at my most satisfied in almost two years for $$$$$$$$$$and sometimes no sense. I have owned or experienced much of what is discussed here. I will tell you this. The only time I even think of not having an E-Stat is missing the AB 1266. it is an outstanding experience that provides a visceral experience in a planar . It is extremely satisfying and enjoyable music experience. I think because it's been around a while and does not provide a new "Buzz" it does not get the accolades it deserves. It's unique and extremely well made in the USA and you can actually get one today if you want one and not pray for an improved shipping schedule. Again, Im an e-stat guy but I will always love the AB 1266 and the Abyss guys are good guys to deal with.

 

[kajetanjazz]

I do dislike the stock XLR for those two reasons, and wanted a Superconductor because its a matching 'Abyss' cable, but as to whether I would be able to identify one in a blind test against the much lower price Invictus @kajetanjazz and I were discussing is debateable.

Yep, same camp. One thing to also consider is when you slightly lean your head forward, the cable (vertically down) bumps into your chest. It is stiff enough near the connectors to be able to move the 1266 on your head…

 

[genefruit]

I've been out of the 1266 TC ownership club for a couple of years but I've rejoined as of today. That bass...

 

[Drewligarchy]

Btw I’ve spent some decent time with the superconductor and I can’t tell much difference. I’m not a cable denier, they do make a difference on various occasions (especially with IEMs), but comparing my custom Invictus and 1266 stock - I think maybe SC sounds even slightly livelier. Given that my expectation bias was to calm the sound down further and “fix the mids” as seemed to be the consensus around. I focused on these qualities and don’t hear them at all to be frankly honest. If it wasn’t for its substantial feel and looks, I’d be bumped by the ergonomics too I found the way around it being too long though



*pic for laughs*

The SC cable has the greatest impact on sound compared to any other cable I’ve tried in any form. There has got to be some things going on with impedance/ inductance that they are doing to tune the cable to the abyss.

That said, what I’ve found is there is a major impact with certain amps and a minor or little impact with others. If I’m using it with Chord Dave direct I don’t hear any difference. When I had a Formula S, it changed the sound signature completely - which makes more sense since it’s an Abyss product. I also hear a difference with the Wa33. My theory is, there is something going on with the impedance/inductance of the wire and the impact depends on how the output stage is configured for the amp you are using.

 

[Ciggavelli]

The TCs are definitely the headphone to beat. I'm extremely interested in comparing it against the Immanis, given the hype. Who knows when mine will come. However, the TCs are certainly the headphone to beat. It's the best pair of headphones you can buy, or at least until I hear the Immanis. I'm going to CanJam Dallas, but show room listens are iffy. Still I can't wait to hear it. Will it dethrone the TCs? We shall see.

 

[genefruit]

The TCs are definitely the headphone to beat. I'm extremely interested in comparing it against the Immanis, given the hype. Who knows when mine will come. However, the TCs are certainly the headphone to beat. It's the best pair of headphones you can buy, or at least until I hear the Immanis. I'm going to CanJam Dallas, but show room listens are iffy. Still I can't wait to hear it. Will it dethrone the TCs? We shall see.

I have a hunch...

 

[ageofadz]

I tried the Immanis recently, and I still prefer the 1266s. It didn't have that punch, to be honest from all the ones tried the only one I thought would be a nice one to add on the side is the Susvara Unveiled, but mostly because its just a different signature to vary around and that I liked it too. The Immanis didn't do much for me after comparing side by side with 1266 and Unveiled.

 

[DJJEZ]

The TCs are definitely the headphone to beat. I'm extremely interested in comparing it against the Immanis, given the hype. Who knows when mine will come. However, the TCs are certainly the headphone to beat. It's the best pair of headphones you can buy, or at least until I hear the Immanis. I'm going to CanJam Dallas, but show room listens are iffy. Still I can't wait to hear it. Will it dethrone the TCs? We shall see.

I got the Immanis yesterday, they are very good, your gonna like them alot.

 

[marcus2704]

I know of three members (myself included) that have owned Immanis and TCs, and in each case, the 1266s are going nowhere. Whilst Immanis may well be amongst the technically best headphones money can buy right now, there was no substitute for the emotion and feeling I get when I listen to the TCs.

 

[walterboss]

I know of three members (myself included) that have owned Immanis and TCs, and in each case, the 1266s are going nowhere. Whilst Immanis may well be amongst the technically best headphones money can buy right now, there was no substitute for the emotion and feeling I get when I listen to the TCs.

I had a bit of dialogue with an Immanis fan in its thread and they suggested it covers more bases very well than 1266. Which is actually fair.

However...

What 1266 does best also matters the most for my preferences. So I'd rather have a headphone that maxes out my preferences, than one that speaks very well to traits that don't matter as much to me.

That doesn't make Immanis a poor choice (not that you're saying that). It's going to fit into people's rotations in different ways possibly.

 

[tameral]

It seems like Immanis won’t dethrone TCs for many. I wish Abyss would go in for a redesign as there has to be some way to offer the breaking of the seal in some way that is comfortable so that I don’t have to sit frozen / constantly adjust the TCs to preserve perfect center imaging without some major aspect of the frequency response shifting around - particularly with the wild resonance in the bass. I love the TCs sound but I felt a bit like a prisoner wearing them and had to dial things in by the album, artist - leading to nervosa. I prefer less customization not more - I want an artist to give me their best - not ask me to experiment continuously to get it to work. I wonder why more headphone companies don’t take cues from Abyss with the breaking of the seal or bass port with a resonant planar driver for bass boost and benefits in staging.