[Articnoise]

The requirements of 1-4 watt for proper driving Abyss is very reasonable and I have no idea why anyone would object to it. It’s a low efficiency headphone.

 

[bigfatpaulie]

I think the objection comes from the sales person saying you "literally" can't hear them without an amp like that. No one is questioning if the Abyss scale with better gear, this was a case of it simply won't make a sound with anything less than.

 

[FLTWS]

Sounds like a classic case of up-selling to me, a solid technique to apply to audiophiles where their gear is concerned as well as prospective bridegrooms shopping for engagement rings.

 

[Articnoise]

The first statement below is not correct.

"A headphone amp isn't optional, you literally (emphasis added) will not be able to hear the headphones without one. "

The second statement below I find vary sensible. I can only speculate how the question was original put, but from the response I guess that it was in line with: What’s the power requirements for proper driving of Abyss? Or something like that. To inform a customer that the Abyss is a low efficiency headphone is not up-selling, not to me.

"Because of their specialized drivers, which happen to have very low efficiency, most headphone amplifiers can't drive them. The requirements for proper operation are from 1000 to 4000mW (emphasis added), which puts them in rather an exclusive range of headphone amplifiers."

 

[phase0]

Greetings! Following RMAF I decided to join the Abyss Phi camp... I just sold my Focal Utopia. I always felt the Utopia were a little too light on the bottom. I know the Abyss can deliver so I'm excited. However being so expensive I'm also questioning my sanity...

 

[jlbrach]

we all question sanity in this hobby...as one who owns both the Phi and the Utopia I will tell you I think the Phi is far better..I keep the Utopia because of its efficiency for certain occasions

 

[mulder01]

Greetings! Following RMAF I decided to join the Abyss Phi camp... I just sold my Focal Utopia. I always felt the Utopia were a little too light on the bottom. I know the Abyss can deliver so I'm excited. However being so expensive I'm also questioning my sanity...

Most audiophiles are at least a little bit insane. They are a great headphone my friend, you already have the right avatar

 

[draytonklammer]

Can't wait for my Phi upgrade to come someday.

Not sure when yet but it'll be exciting.

 

[MacedonianHero]

Got to hear the Phi today driven by the most excellent Wells Audio Enigma and boy did I enjoy what I heard. The mids/treble refinements were apparent right away. Very nice headphones...hoping to get a pair to review in a more quiet setting at home. Very impressive combination of headphones/amplifier!

 

[jlbrach]

told you lol.....really special

 

[protoss]

Got to hear the Phi today driven by the most excellent Wells Audio Enigma and boy did I enjoy what I heard. The mids/treble refinements were apparent right away. Very nice headphones...hoping to get a pair to review in a more quiet setting at home. Very impressive combination of headphones/amplifier!

I also got to listen to the Phi. I think this is my favorite Non-Vintage headphone! Yikes and that speaks volume to me ... I am very impress by it.

The only cons were the unusual ear-pads placements and adjustments and just having it float in the ears part. beside that A+

 

[draytonklammer]

Got to hear the Phi today driven by the most excellent Wells Audio Enigma and boy did I enjoy what I heard. The mids/treble refinements were apparent right away. Very nice headphones...hoping to get a pair to review in a more quiet setting at home. Very impressive combination of headphones/amplifier!

Maybe we will turn you into a believer after all

 

[isquirrel]

For once its the only Headphone I have been listening to consistenly for weeks now. I am actually buying music and thinking how good will this sound on the Phi. I have 400+ hours on mine now and wow they sound great. Very different from when they were new.

The new Blade Runner Soundtrack by Hans Zimmer is getting a lot of play as is the Snowden Soundtrack not to mention Atomic Blonde Movie Soundtrack and for those of us old enough to remember the 80's.

 

[draytonklammer]

The one thing I wish I knew before upgrading was how this new driver compares (technology and design-wise) to my current Abyss.

 

[mulder01]

Jude talks about it a little here at 24:38. Dunno if that's what you're after