The JPS Labs: Abyss AB-1266 Impressions Thread

[mitchb]

I think the new pads sound amazing. The bass is just right. I had much too much bass on many recordings with my old classic pads to the point I thought there was something wrong but now my mind is blown on just how good my 1266’s sound.

 

[walterboss]

I think the new pads sound amazing. The bass is just right. I had much too much bass on many recordings with my old classic pads to the point I thought there was something wrong but now my mind is blown on just how good my 1266’s sound.

I'm warming to the different flavour the standard hybrid offer. This is consistent across broad genres as rock, metal, classical, soundtrack, jazz, electronica, and acoustic. Basically anything I could throw at them!

They don't sound as expansive and large, but the imaging remains excellent and treble remains on point.

They bring in fantastic depth to subbass, more texture in midbass though with less overall volume (as in size) of midbass. Listening to 'To Forgive' by Smashing Pumpkins normally brings an enormous reverberation in midbass for me. With the new pads the bass has a lot more tactility and texture and is a step (not all the way there, mind!) towards the more textured, nuanced bass that Immanis has vs 1266 with old pads. To be clear, I'm NOT saying it's as good as Immanis bass texture now. Merely a step towards it and it's really lovely.

Vocals are more intimate and forward, and mids generally are a tad warmer. But I have a warm chain built around 1266 already. I doubt these pads alone will be enough to satisfy someone who misses mids with 1266. It's certainly a help though.

Overall, it's a more intimate stage but by no means small. This is all relative to what 1266 already is! If your chain already delivers solid bass then you should find a really nice change in flavour. But if you cannot live without that huge midbass bump that comes from breaking the seal around the back of the ear, then just know you're for sure not going to get that, even with the new pads turned with seams to 3 o'clock and opening up the bar on top.

 

[Drewligarchy]

I would be interested to see some measurements of the new pads. May be easier because they seal? To be clear, I don't have any particular issues, per se, with the current frequency response, but it would be interesting to see the comparative effect.

I think many of us built our chains around the 1266 with tubes to bring out the mids a bit. I'd also be interested if this makes them less amp picky. They are gonna need some power, but I found on solid state my issue was tonal rather than power related per se. Wa33, Red October, Riviera AIC, for instance (I got to hear the Red October at CanJam but not with the Abyss, unfortunately - was in the DCA room). Now, I know many others are running on SS and like it quite a bit because of how techinically sound the Abyss is, however, I'm a tone guy first and foremeost - and I really felt wetness and bloom make these really click. I'm going to have to pick up the pads at some point.

 

[paradoxper]

I would be interested to see some measurements of the new pads. May be easier because they seal? To be clear, I don't have any particular issues, per se, with the current frequency response, but it would be interesting to see the comparative effect.

I think many of us built our chains around the 1266 with tubes to bring out the mids a bit. I'd also be interested if this makes them less amp picky. They are gonna need some power, but I found on solid state my issue was tonal rather than power related per se. Wa33, Red October, Riviera AIC, for instance (I got to hear the Red October at CanJam but not with the Abyss, unfortunately - was in the DCA room). Now, I know many others are running on SS and like it quite a bit because of how techinically sound the Abyss is, however, I'm a tone guy first and foremeost - and I really felt wetness and bloom make these really click. I'm going to have to pick up the pads at some point.

Measurements would be interesting mildly. I am very satisfied with the 1266 fit so can't muster the waste when I know better.

 

[Ciggavelli]

I’m not sure what’s going on with my new ear pad shipment. I ordered like 12 days ago and posters are already getting them, but no shipment notification for my set yet. Hopefully this week. I’m anxious to try them

 

[jlbrach]

I’m not sure what’s going on with my new ear pad shipment. I ordered like 12 days ago and posters are already getting them, but no shipment notification for my set yet. Hopefully this week. I’m anxious to try them

they are boycotting you lol

 

[Exekuhtor]

I’m not sure what’s going on with my new ear pad shipment. I ordered like 12 days ago and posters are already getting them, but no shipment notification for my set yet. Hopefully this week. I’m anxious to try them

Same, and i ordered ~2 minutes after they posted about their new pads.

 

[xcluded]

If I am very used to the OG 1266 Phi TC pads, do I get the Standard or Classic ?
Hybrid vs Vegan , does it matter ?

 

[Ciggavelli]

This should go into the Random Thoughts thread, but I can't double post (so the thread will likely die until somebody posts something). It's still relevant to the 1266 TCs:

The mods deleted like 10 of my posts in Random Topics and said I was being off topic in an off topic thread. They deleted a ton of other people's posts too

Somebody is not happy with that thread and is reporting me. I gotta hide my swearing in some other way now. I already hid it appropriately, or so I thought

I got kicked out of this thread for a bit, but it happens.

Let's just not talk about politics at all in the thread. Some of my posts were deleted because of it. However most were deleted because of swearing. Somebody doesn't like that thread, but I'll abide by the rules. I'll swear differently now. But, somebody is not happy with that thread to be reporting me like that.

On to music. I've been listening to my 1266 TCs more. They are really not that much worse than the Immanis (which I love). The bass is definitely better. The treble is on par. I guess the mids are better on the Immanis, but I don't care about mids. I made the Immanis my number 1 headphone, but the 1266 TCs are not far behind. They are still an amazing pair of headphones. I'm still waiting on Abyss to send me my new ^*%$ing earpads, despite the fact that they are already sending them out to other posters. We shall see if they are good.

Somebody recommended This Mortal Coil to me in the thread. I never listened to them before, but I like the sound a lot. Thanks!

Abyss may not like me, but their headphones are still great. I might buy the JOAL on a whim. I really wish they'd release a new 1266 variant or a better version, but perhaps they can't make it better. The new pad design, and the fact that they are making it the new standard, suggests they are trying for a new sound. The Diana is a clear winner for them. They keep releasing variants. They are associated with Woo Audio, and when I was at CanJam Dallas, all the Woo Amps had Dianas on them (minus the Composer on the side, which was great). Woo and Abyss have a strong relationship. I was surprised to not see the 1266 TCs on the new Woo amps. I guess they are made for the Diana. I don't really like the Diana, but many do. I actually like to see the relationship. Both companies are from NY, so they probably have a good relationship. They are both American made, which doesn't really matter to me, but it's cool (I guess).

 

[genefruit]

Somebody recommended This Mortal Coil to me in the thread. I never listened to them before, but I like the sound a lot. Thanks!

TMC was me. I've listened to them for so many years and their catalog has taken me down countless paths of other groups/artists either on 4AD or other labels. I hold the project and their albums in the highest esteem.

Try the associated project "Hope Blister" for two additional albums.

 

[Drewligarchy]

This should go into the Random Thoughts thread, but I can't double post (so the thread will likely die until somebody posts something). It's still relevant to the 1266 TCs:

The mods deleted like 10 of my posts in Random Topics and said I was being off topic in an off topic thread. They deleted a ton of other people's posts too

Somebody is not happy with that thread and is reporting me. I gotta hide my swearing in some other way now. I already hid it appropriately, or so I thought

I got kicked out of this thread for a bit, but it happens.

Let's just not talk about politics at all in the thread. Some of my posts were deleted because of it. However most were deleted because of swearing. Somebody doesn't like that thread, but I'll abide by the rules. I'll swear differently now. But, somebody is not happy with that thread to be reporting me like that.

On to music. I've been listening to my 1266 TCs more. They are really not that much worse than the Immanis (which I love). The bass is definitely better. The treble is on par. I guess the mids are better on the Immanis, but I don't care about mids. I made the Immanis my number 1 headphone, but the 1266 TCs are not far behind. They are still an amazing pair of headphones. I'm still waiting on Abyss to send me my new ^*%$ing earpads, despite the fact that they are already sending them out to other posters. We shall see if they are good.

Somebody recommended This Mortal Coil to me in the thread. I never listened to them before, but I like the sound a lot. Thanks!

Abyss may not like me, but their headphones are still great. I might buy the JOAL on a whim. I really wish they'd release a new 1266 variant or a better version, but perhaps they can't make it better. The new pad design, and the fact that they are making it the new standard, suggests they are trying for a new sound. The Diana is a clear winner for them. They keep releasing variants. They are associated with Woo Audio, and when I was at CanJam Dallas, all the Woo Amps had Dianas on them (minus the Composer on the side, which was great). Woo and Abyss have a strong relationship. I was surprised to not see the 1266 TCs on the new Woo amps. I guess they are made for the Diana. I don't really like the Diana, but many do. I actually like to see the relationship. Both companies are from NY, so they probably have a good relationship. They are both American made, which doesn't really matter to me, but it's cool (I guess).

Joal is very good, especially for the cost. You'll like it.

 

[walterboss]

If I am very used to the OG 1266 Phi TC pads, do I get the Standard or Classic ?
Hybrid vs Vegan , does it matter ?

I've covered this a few pages back.

I haven't tried the vegan on 1266, but on Diana TC and MR they knock a fair bit off the treble. It's a much warmer intimate sound. I don't know why anyone would want that in 1266 personally. I could see vegan helping if your chain isn't naturally warm enough for 1266.

The classic remain my favourites. They're more versatile and you can get very close to the sound of the new standard by turning the seams to around the 1 o'clock position and pushing the top bar as close as it goes. New standard are far more comfortable and offer a nice extra flavour, but in the last few days I really haven't considered using them because I love the sound of 1266 as is.

But with pads there's too much YMMV. As with most things in audio you have to try them. Not like you'll struggle to find a buyer if you don't like them.

I'll v likely sell my new pads as what they do isn't of terribly great interest to me. I applaud the effort to bring something new to 1266 though from Abyss.

 

[kajetanjazz]

The classic remain my favourites. They're more versatile and you can get very close to the sound of the new standard by turning the seams to around the 1 o'clock position and pushing the top bar as close as it goes. New standard are far more comfortable and offer a nice extra flavour, but in the last few days I really haven't considered using them because I love the sound of 1266 as is.

Good to know. Glad I bought new pair of the old version so I have them fresh

The (thinner) classic vegan would be interesting though as another flavour. Shame it’s hard to try all 4 versions prior to buying

 

[Abyss Headphones]

Sorry for the delay on these new 1266 ear pads guys. Production is slammed with the new JOAL headphone. Another batch shipping this week. Thanks!

 

[Sajid Amit]

Guys

Have you found a stand other than the Rooms Stand on which to rest your TC?

I don't see an option to ship to the US on their website: https://www.headphoneauditions.nl/product/haa-abyss-stand/

Thanks!