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Abyss Diana V2 2nd Review (Headphone)

JIW

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Neumann (and S&R) shows drastic differences in IMD not tracked by THD, though; these example speakers would be the KH120A and KH310A, I guess. But I doubt we need more knowledge than "more ways better"; some one-time comparisons like 2-way vs 3-way coaxials or sealed vs ported would have been nice, though.
index.php
The measurements are of multiple driver arrangements and the benefit of lower IMD from dividing the response by adding drivers. Even here, I would think THD would be lower due to more specialised drivers requiring less excursion for the same SPL at a given frequency. Regardless, almost all headphones (not IEMs) only have a single driver.
 

edahl

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Then people should do that. I have no time for peddlers like this but I also don't like people lazily alleging fraud.
Whether or not you can make a legal case, I think it's clear that they're preying on (and with their youtube stunts nurturing) ignorance. That's certainly what's prompts such "lazy allegations", I don't see any good reason to strongly object.
 

Jimbob54

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Whether or not you can make a legal case, I think it's clear that they're preying on (and with their youtube stunts nurturing) ignorance. That's certainly what's prompts such "lazy allegations", I don't see any good reason to strongly object.

I dont doubt any of that. File in the same place as an awful lot of the hifi/ audiophile manufacturers and , even worse, the media outlets that enable and perpetuate brands like this. But people do get exactly what they pay for- a chance to experience the bullshit that pervades a lot of the industry.

Id be interested to hear your take on something equally as expensive like the top end Audeze cans.
 

markanini

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Whether or not you can make a legal case, I think it's clear that they're preying on (and with their youtube stunts nurturing) ignorance. That's certainly what's prompts such "lazy allegations", I don't see any good reason to strongly object.
Because you misunderstand the objection. Merely expressing outrage on a forum only gets you so far.
 

Jimbob54

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Whether or not you can make a legal case, I think it's clear that they're preying on (and with their youtube stunts nurturing) ignorance. That's certainly what's prompts such "lazy allegations", I don't see any good reason to strongly object.

I find their website and product blurb very interesting. The only facts I can see relate to dimensions, materials used etc - things easily verified . The rest is the usual audiophile BS and an inordinate amount of links to/ clips of youtube reviewers. So good luck to anyone claiming false advertising. The THD figures maybe- but they havent said at what level they are quoting 1%.

My opinion- the industry and customer base have basically bent over for this brand
 

edahl

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I find their website and product blurb very interesting. The only facts I can see relate to dimensions, materials used etc - things easily verified . The rest is the usual audiophile BS and an inordinate amount of links to/ clips of youtube reviewers. So good luck to anyone claiming false advertising. The THD figures maybe- but they havent said at what level they are quoting 1%.

My opinion- the industry and customer base have basically bent over for this brand
I did the same check just now and concluded about the same thing. They write in very general terms, etc.

As for what I think about Audeze, they're less public about their bullshit from what I see so I'm not confronted with it as often. I own a pair of HE1000se so what gives lol
 

Adibatla

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Slightly naive question for the industry insiders on here: how do you responsibly price this at $4000? I find it hard to believe that a headphone costs more than $1000 in parts and labour?


Agreed. For remarkable advances R&D recoup comes to mind. The Diana has none. In this case no strategic differentiator--just Veblen.
 

sarumbear

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MDT

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My opinion- the industry and customer base have basically bent over for this brand

Indeed. I'm genuinely curious why though? The only thing I can see, is that by selling for a premium, they've convinced people that there must be something special and premium about their gear, when it clearly isn't.
 

Jimbob54

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What was Bernie Madoff, exploiter or fraudster?
Come on. That's about as lazy as it gets. Convicted fraudster vs manufacturer of overpriced underperforming headphones.

I'll reiterate, if you buy a $3000 Abyss headphone, that's what you get. Good luck to anyone trying to prosecute or otherwise take legal action against them.
 

Jimbob54

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Indeed. I'm genuinely curious why though? The only thing I can see, is that by selling for a premium, they've convinced people that there must be something special and premium about their gear, when it clearly isn't.

And that is the question that gives rise to the real intrigue. Not many options :

1.They do subjectively "sound good" (to some, measuring poorly does not necessarily = sounding bad - see also tube amps etc)

2. Mass hypnosis /hysteria

3. The real grease that keeps many industries going.

I'd speculate a blend of 1 and 3 unless they have a contact in the water company.
 

mertvp

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Headphones are boring. More power amps and high performance, DACs, please.

P.S. I notice that my $100 contribution to the cause goes unacknowledged. If that is more than 115 dB below your detection threshold,
let me know. I might send more.
 

BDWoody

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Headphones are boring. More power amps and high performance, cost effective DACs, please.

Because we don't have enough cost effective DAC's to choose from already?

Personally, I'm happy to see the shift from only measuring electrons to measuring actual sound.
 

da_mau5

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Amir given all your love for the HD650's, you gotta do an HD660s review sometime...:)
 

Nango

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First Abyss headphone had questionable performance.
Second Abyss headphone had great performance but only with EQ.or one
Third Abyss headphone has abysmal performance.

The trend is in the wrong direction...
Or one could say, the person/team in charge has no clue of what it is doing.
 

617

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Abyss marketing team:
"According to Audio Science Review, the Diana Phi exhibits "stunning...levels of distortion."
 

MDT

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And that is the question that gives rise to the real intrigue. Not many options :

1.They do subjectively "sound good" (to some, measuring poorly does not necessarily = sounding bad - see also tube amps etc)

2. Mass hypnosis /hysteria

3. The real grease that keeps many industries going.

I'd speculate a blend of 1 and 3 unless they have a contact in the water company.

I'd argue that in the case of 1, those who say it "sounds good" would probably not be able to tell the difference or have a very different opinion if they didn't know what they were listening to. I think there are many people whose opinion of "good" is heavily influenced by the price and/or general opinion amongst other fans.

I suspect it's mostly a lot of 3. So much snake-oil in the industry that they can get away with people thinking that "there are things we can't measure" so of course we just believe what the sales guy tells us
 
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digicidal

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What was Bernie Madoff, exploiter or fraudster?
That was pure fraud along the lines of Social Security but with less means of obfuscating the ponzi scheme in the long run.

These headphones are much more like bottled water or "luxury" liquors - there is some value in the product... but the packaging is 90% of both the cost and the ultimate appeal. What's inside is often practically worthless by comparison. I'm sure you could take a $20 headphone, wrap it in $300 worth of aluminum and leather, put it in a $100 velvet-lined wooden box and sell them all day long for $3K. Most reviewers would rave, audiophiles would swoon, and Amir would switch to the 650's in about the same time. ;)
 
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