Welcome! With that stellar array of HP, I'm sure many members would appreciate your views on each individually and in comparison! Even though ASR is classed 'Objectiveist', subjective views, particularly when 'comparative' to better 'anchor' them, are always appreciated, too.
If you so decide, it's always nice to also provide info about upstream hardware used with them, EQ settings if any, and the type of music you enjoy.
Again, Welcome!
Lol, true - the array of HPs is indeed stellar. I would not mind if Hoegaardener70 writes something poetic too .
Thank you for the warm welcome. I am happy to share some summarizing impressions (definitely on the subjective side) here. Please let me know if you'd like to know more and to guide me to the respective thread, since this one here is probably meant to be for short intros. I believe that headphones need to be evaluated against the music they are used to listen to - in my case classical (2/3) and metal/hardcore (1/3).
Let's start with the
HD800S. A lot has been said and written about this headphone, and I had a long love-hate relationship with it myself. After a lot of trying out, I concluded that it is for me the most comfortable headphone I know. It has 330grams and no clamp so that I can use it with my glasses. That alone matters to me a lot, and it is my headphone used everyday for work, gaming, typing. Combined with a tube amp adding some warmth, it gives most current TOTL a run for its money. It works best with media and classical music.
The
Meze Empyrean is one of my design favorites and nearly as comfy as the HD800S despite its weight. It is just cleverly made. It has been widely criticized for being a bit boring and indeed it does not stand out with its neutral signature and a certain lack of dynamics in the upper region. But it is the best headphone for badly mastered music (such as 80s odd metal outings) and it doesn't require any additional fancy equipment for amplification. In a way, it is an audiophile headphone for non-audiophiles ... get it together with a modest dac and be done with it, great neutral sound suitable for all music directions and sources. It has no wow factor, but maybe it is this which makes it a timeless investment.
Let's go to the one with a lot of 'wow-factor', the
Abyss ab-1266 tc. If I am honest, I did not want to like this one ... the price is excessive and the design is ugly. But it just plays on a different level not in individual terms but as a package, it is a full assault on all senses in terms of wideness, dynamics and probably the best bass in a headphone but still in balance. Imagine a song playing with vivid guitars, pressing drums, a roaring bass guitar and electric guitars all around you but clearly identifiable. Add to this a very visceral bass effect moving air, and you have the sensation of the abyss. But it is really ugly, you take a year to get the right setting so that it becomes sufficiently comfortable (acceptable is the word here) and you have to mortgage your house.
PS: Since it is so hard to set up and adjust it to your headshape, you won't be able to demonstrate the wow factor to your significant other or friends, which makes it even harder to justify the cost;
PSII: There is just no better headphone for metal. Period. The tuning is aggressive and brings the guitar forward while still having the hammering drums and pounding bass, each song becomes your own headbanging event in your head;
PSIII: It is very good for piano concerts as well, bringing out the orchestra vs the pianist.
The
Focal Utopia is a counterpoint to the Abyss, it oozes style and quality. Just taking it in your hand makes you feel that it is a special headphone. It delivers quite a punch (not in bass quantity, but in quality), is incredibly dynamic and tends to highlight specific instruments. Imagine a piano concerto where the piano is predominant with incredible focus. At the same time, each instrument has its own separate place in your headspace. Listening to the Utopia is intimate, but at the same time a spatial experience in a 3d room. The Utopia is very picky with its corresponding gear and with a bad pairing it can be either cold (hence people preferring the clear, which is less analytically tuned) or harsh. With a nice tube amp or the dedicated Focal Arche setting for the Utopia, it is audio heaven. Classical is the music of choice here.
The
Stellia – I still have to listen to that one more extensively. Looks and build are outstanding, but it is definitely different from the Utopia, darker, more bass intensive and tuned for all types of music.
Finally, the Final (nice pun here!)
A8000. It is a very controversial IEM, but for me it is an acquired taste which is unique. The IEM creates … similar to the Utopia, a spatial sound sphere where each instrument has its place. It is very intriguing to get this from an IEM, but the A8000 comes with a caveat. Its tuning is very bright which turns many people off, with good reason if one is not listening to classical. Consequently, the A8000 are a great IEM if one is open to the use of tasteful EQ. I love my quirky A8000.
Ok, sorry for rambling on....
