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Author Topic: Abyss AB-1266 Production Model Measurements and Review and Other Stuff  (Read 17463 times)

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Marvey

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« Last Edit: January 04, 2015, 07:00:03 PM by marvey »
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Marvey

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Re: Abyss AB-1266 Production Model Measurements
« Reply #1 on: October 26, 2013, 04:28:22 AM »

One thing to note is that I was able to get a much better seal for these measurements, hence lower bass distortion and lack of bump at 50Hz as with the prior measurements. This is really not too different from what we've seen with the HE-400 Jerg Pad measurements where if we allow the open vent, we get a FR bump around 50Hz, but with increased distortion below that.

This correlates with my initial subjective experiences of the Abyss at THE SHOW, where I felt one unit's sub/low bass quality was not as good as the other one. It would seem likely that this is attributable to seal and recording used (low bass drops). Most folks who have heard the Abyss feel it's got quite a punch or bump around 50Hz. This is actually a result of a less than perfect seal. Now there is absolutely nothing wrong with this sound at all, but "leak mode" for a lack of better term, does result in more bass distortion below 50Hz.

I bent the headband inward more and messed with the pads a bit to made sure the lower back of the ear did not have any gaps. This changed the bass quality a bit. Less of that punch - more neutral - and much better quality sub/low bass (not that this really matters because most of the recordings I listen to don't have much energy in that region). Again, one can see this as a feature and adjust things accordingly to taste - not too much different with the Jerg Pads on the HE-400.
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Marvey

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Re: Abyss AB-1266 Production Model Measurements
« Reply #2 on: October 26, 2013, 04:29:56 AM »

Here are HE-400 jerg pad (vent sealed) and HE-500 stock pad measurements for comparison.
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ultrabike

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Re: Abyss AB-1266 Production Model Measurements
« Reply #3 on: October 26, 2013, 04:52:15 AM »

From the measurements, these ones seem to have a little cleaner treble as well. Is there a treble improvement vs the pre-production version from your impressions?
« Last Edit: October 26, 2013, 04:57:56 AM by ultrabike »
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Marvey

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Re: Abyss AB-1266 Production Model Measurements
« Reply #4 on: October 26, 2013, 05:14:20 AM »

There's a treble elevation (not unlike HE-4/500, Paradox, etc.), this time around not tizzy at all. Whereas the prior pre-production pair was just a tad tizzy with certain tracks depending upon amp. I'm going through some marginal 80s recordings right now and everything is OK. The midrange bump is a little more evident subjectively. Could be the pads - they may need some break-in time.
« Last Edit: October 26, 2013, 05:41:44 AM by purrin »
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firev1

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Re: Abyss AB-1266 Production Model Measurements
« Reply #5 on: October 26, 2013, 05:14:37 AM »

Makes you wonder WTF is going on with that GE rig as always, adding resonances that are not there. Any chance we have V2 plots for a modded HD800? The production one seems ridiculously clean and distortion looks very low.
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Marvey

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Re: Abyss AB-1266 Production Model Measurements
« Reply #6 on: October 26, 2013, 05:21:41 AM »

It's just the CSD parameters and visualization techniques. One can stretch or compress the time slices. Smoothing on CSDs tends to do funky stuff too. Also the window rise time of the FFT window is critical. After this is set, we have to align the start and end gates properly.


I can try to borrow Anax's HD800.
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jerg

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Re: Abyss AB-1266 Production Model Measurements
« Reply #7 on: October 26, 2013, 07:13:34 AM »

Wow, that's one well-damped diaphragm, minus a few ringing issues. Wonder if those can be remedied.
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gurubhai

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Re: Abyss AB-1266 Production Model Measurements
« Reply #8 on: October 26, 2013, 07:41:41 AM »

That looks great! The distortion figures for the bass and mids are quite remarkable indeed. IIRC, only purrin's modded jade performed this well in these areas or may be this is even better?
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MuppetFace

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Re: Abyss AB-1266 Production Model Measurements
« Reply #9 on: October 26, 2013, 11:18:16 AM »

Awesome, thanks for this Marv! This correlates to what I've been hearing all along for the most part. These are some seriously good headphones.
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