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Author Topic: JPS Labs Abyss Headphone Impressions - The Real Deal Hands On Experience  (Read 32724 times)

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Tyll Hertsens

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JPS Labs Abyss Headphone Impressions - The Real Deal Hands On Experience
« on: July 18, 2013, 09:22:51 PM »
My review is up:  http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/jps-labs-abyss-ab-1266-planar-magnetic-headphones

I'm wondering if other have heard the low-level noise confusing the treble that I did?

Pretty obvious on the measurements in the impulse and 300Hz square wave response.



Have you measured them yet Marv?
« Last Edit: July 18, 2013, 11:43:03 PM by purrin »
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PelPix

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Re: JPS Labs Abyss Headphone Impressions - The Real Deal
« Reply #1 on: July 18, 2013, 09:24:04 PM »
That IR and square looks super zingy and noisy, Tyll.  Excited to read your review to see if that comes through in the sound as well.  It seems like it's so fast that it can't control itself.  Reading now.
« Last Edit: July 18, 2013, 09:29:43 PM by PelPix »
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Tari

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Re: JPS Labs Abyss Headphone Impressions - The Real Deal
« Reply #2 on: July 18, 2013, 10:02:39 PM »
Agreed on nearly all points.  The speed, spaciousness, and bass all quite impressed me, and when fit was figured out comfort wasn't all that bad.  The hollowness in the midrange was the only thing I really felt bothered me but it depended on musical style.  Top end was really bothersome with a few types of DSD files, but when I switched to normal stuff nothing stuck out as offensive in the treble for me.  Wasn't super focused on that range when listening though.


Oh, also totally agreed on the L-2/HD800 pairing.
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Marvey

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Re: JPS Labs Abyss Headphone Impressions - The Real Deal
« Reply #3 on: July 18, 2013, 11:32:40 PM »
Quote from: Tyll Hertsens on July 18, 2013, 09:22:51 PM
Have you measured them yet Marv?

Just did on my new measurement rig. Checking a few things to make double sure. Very similar to your results. My comments (some edits) in an e-mail a few hours ago. Seems we are hearing some of the many of the same things.


Try any high res really-well-recorded bass drum track while wearing them loose and it sounds just like the skin of a particular drum being picked up by a particular microphone connected by a particular cable, absolutely the way it was recorded at that location and point in time- Or at least to me.. :) .
^ Yup.

I’m also astounded by the layering and separation. Lots of stuff going on and you can pick out individual stuff when things get really busy. Really  jaw dropping in that regards. I haven’t measured it yet, but do I hear some excess energy (ringing) past the sibilance region (also noted this before on the two units at THE SHOW), but it’s minor and mostly unnoticeable after the amp warms up. (In my experience, Alex’s amps need at least an hour of warm up. Two is better.). I think the fact that the driver was designed to be very open (no need for layers and layers of damping material) really helps with this.

Also sounds like ~5k is slightly recessed (not as much bite as I’m usually use to, but upper mid/lower treble recess is more often than not a good thing, at least for my preferences) and a narrow bump in the mids / vocals or vocal harmonic region. Cloud region is very flat (I like it this way – brings clarity – but I know others will like more warmth). Perhaps some slight emphasis in the lower bass. Just being extremely nitpicky (as in most people won’t hear these things).. Bass quality is out of this world. Overall I absolutely love the overall spectral balance. Reminds me very much of my current speaker reference (surgically EQ’d).

Treble is a bit rougher than the STAX, but the Abyss brings a lot more to the table. Better speaker like tonal balance and some balls. Pow Pow Bam Bam, etc. and doing it accurately too (no artificial emphasis).

Quote from: Tyll Hertsens on July 18, 2013, 09:22:51 PM
I'm wondering if other have heard the low-level noise confusing the treble that I did?

I thought I heard ringing at 9-10k if this is what you are referring to. Only tried half a dozen tracks before I had to go to work. Measurements show 8-9kHz. I think distortion measurements may explain some of this low-level noise (I think I know what you a talking about and I've heard this behavior before with other planars.)  I'll get measurements up soon.
« Last Edit: July 18, 2013, 11:40:55 PM by purrin »
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ultrabike

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Re: JPS Labs Abyss Headphone Impressions - The Real Deal
« Reply #4 on: July 18, 2013, 11:42:48 PM »
I didn't hear them as extensively as others, but I guess it could be that the tremble emphasis I perceived might have been due to the FR unevenness in the tremble area + non-linear distortion, but dunno. The hollowness in the midrange might have contributed to what I perceived as a little "wonky-ness". From IF measurements, these seem to measure close to the HE400s FR wise (and SW wise), but with the distortion issues moving from the mids to the tremble.

Really good article BTW Tyll! :money:

I also felt these cans had great bass extension/impact, speed, and soundstage with some possible deficiencies in the high-mids and tremble area. I thought they were a little bass emphasized (and I really mean a little), but that might have been the choice of tracks and the headphones I used for comparison which roll off in the lower to mid bass area. It could also be the small drop in the 150 Hz area relative to the 30 to 60 Hz area.
« Last Edit: July 18, 2013, 11:59:01 PM by ultrabike »
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Marvey

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Re: JPS Labs Abyss Headphone Impressions - The Real Deal Hands On Experience
« Reply #5 on: July 18, 2013, 11:43:46 PM »
I am almost positive the leanness we heard was a result of the source at THE SHOW.
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ultrabike

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Re: JPS Labs Abyss Headphone Impressions - The Real Deal Hands On Experience
« Reply #6 on: July 18, 2013, 11:47:46 PM »
Could be Mytekness issues...
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Tyll Hertsens

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Re: The SHOW - JPS Labs Abyss Headphone Impressions
« Reply #7 on: July 18, 2013, 11:53:30 PM »
When I put them on my measurement head, I found that if they didn't seal (albeit lightly) the bass had some phase problems. It seemed to me you do want it to "seal" around your ears, just not with a lot of force.
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Marvey

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Re: JPS Labs Abyss Headphone Impressions - The Real Deal Hands On Experience
« Reply #8 on: July 18, 2013, 11:59:01 PM »
Quote from: ultrabike on July 18, 2013, 11:47:46 PM
Could be Mytekness issues...


Feel free to swing by and listen.
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ultrabike

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Re: JPS Labs Abyss Headphone Impressions - The Real Deal Hands On Experience
« Reply #9 on: July 19, 2013, 12:04:58 AM »
Let me know what time is a good time Marv.
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