Pad orientation and weight more than clamping force.  Its only when you think you're supposed to get a really close seal and try to manually press  them harder against your face that you get the clamp.


To me, it was more like that uneasy feeling you get when you're sitting in a chair with one slightly leg shorter than the rest.  Once you know its supposed to be like that you find a way to balance and get on with life.  If you treat it like a normal chair it will drive you crazy though.

I had no clamping issues. In comparison, the HFI HE series clamp too tight for me if I don't bend the headband. The Abyss pads were adjusted with the fluffiest part toward the back and slightly downward (no different from how I wear STAX). In other words no seal issues. All this comes pretty natural for me, so I didn't think about it or fuss with it for 8 minutes, etc.

As far as weight, it is heavy, but the suspension headband helps to distribute the weight very nicely. I find it more comfortable than the HD800 resting on top of my head since the headband of the HD800 doesn't have enough padding for me.

The Abyss does not have TH900 low / mid bass volume nor did it sound bassy or thick like the Audeze's. The bass sounded pretty darn neutral and extended to me.