So here are some initial impressions of the Abyss and some quick comparisons to other headphones. I like them, a lot. They are my favourite headphones I have heard, tied with the SR-009. Tied because they are so different, and I’m not sure I could say one is better than the other, it is totally personal preference. You might love the SR-009, you might love the Abyss, you might love both for different reasons. I think some of the poor reviews and impressions of the Abyss may come from meets where people haven’t been able to, or had time, to get the fit right. When I first put them on my head my reaction was…”uwotm8.” However, after a bit fiddling, extending, and toe’ing outwards, I have gotten a great, comfy fit. I would say they are similar to the LCD-3 in terms of feeling on the head. I’m not sure what the weight differences are, but they feel similar. I think once you get to this level of headphone, quite a lot of liking them or disliking them will be personal preference. You may prefer such and such headphone, while I may prefer another. “They” are all good (within reason.)
Edit. This is all listening with an Auralic Taurus and Resonessence Labs Concero HD. Opinions, sound, could all be different with different gear. Doing the best with what I have for the moment.
Below are my opinions, yours may differ. That is why I recommend trying before buying if at all possible. I didn’t with the Abyss because I wasn’t able to, and it was a real gamble, but thankfully it has paid off and I like them.
The HD800 is more comfortable. It is light and airy on the head. After living with the HE1000 and now the Abyss, they lack bass to me. In all other areas they are awesome. The mids and treble are clean, and precise. I don’t find the treble on the HD800 a problem even unmodified. They have a “taller” soundstage than the Abyss, if that makes sense? The Abyss is almost as wide. I find the HD800 a bit cold and clinical, but it is an absolute bargain nowadays in terms of flagship headphones, especially used. Build quality is great on the HD800, it just needs thicker paint. Vs. the Abyss, the build quality is the same in terms of quality, just completely different in terms of materials used in construction etc..
The LCD-3 is similar to the Abyss in terms of comfort. The Abyss is like an LCD-3 +5-10% in all areas soundwise. Bigger soundstage, better imaging, better bass (both in quantity and quality,) more similar to the HD800 in terms of mids and treble. Less “warm,” but not cold and clinical like the HD800. I really like the LCD-3’s wood, and build quality. In terms of reliability, the LCD-3 seems to have had a lot of trouble lately, I never had trouble with mine, but there you go. I haven’t read of Abyss failures, but I have only had mine for a day, so fingers crossed for the future.
The HE1000. In terms of comfort, the HE1000 probably edges out the Abyss a tiny bit, but not by much. The quality of bass on the Abyss is better. It is punchier. The mids and treble are better, “faster” if that makes sense. Soundstage is wider and as tall, on the Abyss vs. the HE1000, but the sound has far more impact to it on the Abyss. Build quality wise, and quality of materials used in construction, the HE1000 is a joke, so lets just say the Abyss wins in that department and leave it there.
The Stax SR-009. As I said earlier, they are two completely different animals. I’ve read the Abyss is “faster” than the SR-009, but I disagree. The SR-009 is the fastest headphone I have heard. It is like the notes are tied together. The Abyss has more bass, but in terms of punch and quality of bass, I’d say they are tied. The SR-009 is light and airy and beautiful, the Abyss is hardcore and punchy. Two totally different headphones. I like both equally for different reasons. I bought my Abyss used, so the cost of a Price Japan SR-009 + alright amp was slightly more than my Abyss. If you are buying a new Abyss, or buying a GOOD amp to go with the SR-009, price could be more or less depending. Build quality, the Stax wins I think, but only by a little bit. It is also a bit comfier.
What I would really like to compare the Abyss to is the LCD-4, but I don’t own one. Hopefully in the future? haha. I think the $4000 vs $4500 (Lite package) is interesting. Is the Abyss worth the extra $500? I don’t know yet. Im guessing it will be personal preference, and they will be similar, but that is just a guess. It seems like the Abyss’s most comparable competitor.
The type of music used in these comparisons was mostly electronic bass heavy stuff, contrasted with jazz and film scores. I threw in a bit of the Police here and there, and some metal as well.
Again, all of this stuff is so subjective in my opinion. The comfort of all these headphones will depend on your head, and your sound preference will dictate which you like more. I’m not sure what else to say. Is the price of the Abyss worth it? I'm not sure. If you want that extra 5-10% over the LCD-3, HE1000 etc.. then yes, I think it is. Any questions just ask I guess
