mulder01
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2012
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Hmm, even though I've only heard the Abyss and not the HD800, I get the feeling that I would probably have a similar impression to the person who wrote the review posted by Music Alchemist. I have noticed over time that hyper-detailed sound isn't necessarily something that I enjoy listening to, nor can I listen to for long periods without fatigue. I also really like the sound of the Abyss and Audeze's. Would I be correct in saying you really need to power the Sennheiser's through a tube amp or warmer signature solid state to round them off a bit?
One other thing re: the Abyss vs Stax, is that everyone always seems to complain about the massive price tag of the Abyss, but fail to note that the Stax will really only shine off a $5-$6k+ amp, and not only that, you're buying a $5-$6k+ electrostatic amp, which is primarily only ever going to be used for one pair of cans and one pair only. Where as the Abyss is still worth owning with a cheaper amp (obviously it's even better off a $5-$6k+ amp also, but it's not a must). And then you have the added advantage of owning a "normal" headphone amp which you can potentially use to drive all your other dynamic and planar flagship cans (if you have them), without having to buy additional gear.
Also, on the topic of detail retrieval, (which I thought was excellent on the Abyss anyway, but haven't been able to compare it to the HD800 or 009). I guess you have to ask, "Is it really necessary?" I'm going to use scolaiw's quote here "can you truly have too much of a good thing" because I think it applies to the HD800 and 009 as well. I'm going to assume that people on here have watched Jude's video reviews on the 009 and Abyss. His impressions on the 009 seemed to be pretty consistent with most people's. He did call them (at the time) the best headphone in the world due to the fact that there is just so much detail there but admitted they might be too bright for some and it took his brain a while to adjust. However, like I just said, Jude mentioned that the big issue with the Stax was needing to purchase a top end electrostatic amp with them, pushing the cost of a 009 well up into 5 figures, making him very hesitant to buy them (not sure if he has by now - I don't think so though). Then with his review of the Abyss, he stopped short of saying they were 'better' than the 009, because in terms of detail retrieval, technically, the Stax probably is better. However, he did buy a pair of Abyss right after he heard them, even though he said that the 009 was technically a better headphone. So maybe you can have too much of a good thing. The HD800 has fantastic detail but needs to be warmed up a bit to be enjoyable (according to some) and the 009 is also 'technically' a marvel, but when presented with the two headphones and given the opportunity to audition them, Jude's opinion was the the 009 was probably the best headphone in the world, but bought the Abyss without hesitation. So maybe if you had the two sitting on your desk waiting to be picked up and listened to, you'd pick up the 'less detailed' Abyss due to the fact that it breathes more life into the music and is a more enjoyable listen even though maybe the Stax would reveal that extra bit of information...
One other thing re: the Abyss vs Stax, is that everyone always seems to complain about the massive price tag of the Abyss, but fail to note that the Stax will really only shine off a $5-$6k+ amp, and not only that, you're buying a $5-$6k+ electrostatic amp, which is primarily only ever going to be used for one pair of cans and one pair only. Where as the Abyss is still worth owning with a cheaper amp (obviously it's even better off a $5-$6k+ amp also, but it's not a must). And then you have the added advantage of owning a "normal" headphone amp which you can potentially use to drive all your other dynamic and planar flagship cans (if you have them), without having to buy additional gear.
Also, on the topic of detail retrieval, (which I thought was excellent on the Abyss anyway, but haven't been able to compare it to the HD800 or 009). I guess you have to ask, "Is it really necessary?" I'm going to use scolaiw's quote here "can you truly have too much of a good thing" because I think it applies to the HD800 and 009 as well. I'm going to assume that people on here have watched Jude's video reviews on the 009 and Abyss. His impressions on the 009 seemed to be pretty consistent with most people's. He did call them (at the time) the best headphone in the world due to the fact that there is just so much detail there but admitted they might be too bright for some and it took his brain a while to adjust. However, like I just said, Jude mentioned that the big issue with the Stax was needing to purchase a top end electrostatic amp with them, pushing the cost of a 009 well up into 5 figures, making him very hesitant to buy them (not sure if he has by now - I don't think so though). Then with his review of the Abyss, he stopped short of saying they were 'better' than the 009, because in terms of detail retrieval, technically, the Stax probably is better. However, he did buy a pair of Abyss right after he heard them, even though he said that the 009 was technically a better headphone. So maybe you can have too much of a good thing. The HD800 has fantastic detail but needs to be warmed up a bit to be enjoyable (according to some) and the 009 is also 'technically' a marvel, but when presented with the two headphones and given the opportunity to audition them, Jude's opinion was the the 009 was probably the best headphone in the world, but bought the Abyss without hesitation. So maybe if you had the two sitting on your desk waiting to be picked up and listened to, you'd pick up the 'less detailed' Abyss due to the fact that it breathes more life into the music and is a more enjoyable listen even though maybe the Stax would reveal that extra bit of information...