The Abyss JOAL and Meze POET have been two of probably the most talked-about fashions at CanJam NYC. Priced equally, these two high-end headphones invite pure comparability, and fans wish to perceive their key variations and similarities. Whereas each headphones cater to the premium market, they take completely different approaches to sound design, consolation, and total presentation. This assessment breaks down their design, efficiency, and sound signatures in depth to find out which could be the suitable alternative for various listeners.
What Comes In The Field
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Aesthetics and Performance
The JOAL follows the Abyss design language, sharing similarities with the Diana collection. Its CNC-machined aluminum body offers a light-weight but sturdy construction, and the earcup design encompasses a distinctive wavy texture in matte black. The clamping power presents a safe match with out changing into uncomfortable, making it appropriate for prolonged listening classes. Whereas some customers may discover the agency clamp barely tight at first, it step by step conforms to the pinnacle, making certain stability with out extreme stress. The ultra-suede earpads contribute to a snug listening expertise, although they could retain warmth over lengthy classes.
The POET’s aesthetic is visually hanging, with an intricate and detailed earcup design paying homage to a closed-back headphone. Structurally, it aligns with Meze’s high-end lineup, sharing design parts with the Empyrean II, Elite, and Liric II. Consolation is a standout characteristic, with a sturdy over-ear match that avoids extreme clamping stress whereas sustaining stability. The POET’s earcups present a barely extra spacious match in comparison with the JOAL, making them a greater choice for customers with bigger ears or those that prioritize a extra relaxed put on. Moreover, the POET’s total construct high quality offers a way of sturdiness whereas sustaining a trendy and refined aesthetic.
Gear Pairing / Energy Necessities
The JOAL, with its 30Ω impedance and 93dB/mW sensitivity, advantages from a high-quality amplifier to unlock its full potential. Whereas transportable gamers with robust balanced outputs can drive it, desktop amplifiers ship a extra refined expertise. When examined with the Chord MOJO 2, the quantity needed to be pushed close to its restrict, elevating issues about distortion. Nevertheless, the Hifiman Goldenwave Serenade V2 supplied ample energy, enabling a richer, distortion-free listening expertise. The JOAL advantages from a high-current Class A amplifier or hybrid tube amp, which reinforces its tonal richness and spatial articulation. The affect of amplification high quality is extra obvious with the JOAL in comparison with the POET, making supply pairing a extra vital issue for optimum efficiency.
The POET, rated at 55Ω impedance with 101dB sensitivity, is less complicated to drive and integrates properly into quite a lot of setups. It pairs successfully with each transportable and desktop gadgets, together with the Chord MOJO 2, FiiO BTR17, and the Hifiman EF500. Even the Astell & Kern SP3000M supplied enough energy, demonstrating the POET’s versatility in numerous listening environments. Not like the JOAL, which calls for cautious amplifier choice, the POET delivers a extra constant efficiency throughout completely different sources. This makes it a extra handy alternative for customers who continuously change between desktop and transportable listening setups.
Tech Specs
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Specification |
Abyss JOAL |
Meze POET |
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Drivers |
Customized 63mm Planar Magnetic Transducer |
Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array MZ6 |
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Frequency Vary |
5Hz – 55 kHz |
4Hz – 96 kHz |
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Impedance |
30 Ω |
55 Ω |
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Sensitivity |
93 db/mW |
101 dB SPL/mW @ 1kHz |
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THD |
Common 0.03% |
< 0.05% |
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Weight (with out earpads) |
327g |
350g |
Listening Evaluation
Soundstage
The JOAL presents a reasonably broad soundstage with robust imaging accuracy. The frequency steadiness ensures that bass stays highly effective whereas sustaining midrange readability. Initially, the treble could appear veiled, however with sufficient energy, it opens up superbly. The relaxed but detailed signature permits for prolonged listening with out fatigue, making it a compelling choice for many who take pleasure in immersive soundscapes. In comparison with the POET, the JOAL presents a better sense of openness, permitting devices and vocals to breathe in a extra pure setting. The soundstage extension, notably in depth, makes it a robust contender for classical and dwell recordings.
The POET, against this, presents a noticeably narrower soundstage, paying homage to a closed-back headphone. Whereas missing in expansiveness, its imaging precision and depth compensate for the restricted width. The result’s a extremely immersive expertise with a extra intimate presentation. Not like conventional Meze headphones, which lean towards a heat signature, the POET introduces a sharper tonal steadiness with enhanced readability. Whereas it might not match the JOAL in sheer soundstage measurement, its pinpoint imaging makes it a strong alternative for many who prioritize precision over airiness.
Low Frequencies
The JOAL delivers deep, impactful bass with glorious physique, avoiding the overwhelming presence that some closed-back designs can exhibit. The bass stays tight and well-controlled, offering simply sufficient punch and heat to enrich numerous genres with out overpowering the combo. Its low-end response is extra impartial in comparison with bass-heavy headphones however presents a degree of texture and element that makes it a wonderful choice for analytical listening.
The POET, in distinction, takes a extra reserved strategy to the low finish. Jazz tracks showcase well-defined bass and drum textures, however the bass response is extra delicate than in different Meze fashions. Whereas it does not ship the identical weighty affect because the JOAL, it compensates with readability and articulation. The POET’s bass presentation is much less about energy and extra about refinement, interesting to those that want a lighter but well-defined low-end signature.
Midrange Frequencies
JOAL’s midrange is wealthy intimately, providing glorious spatial separation and pure vocal copy. The layers on this vary are well-defined, permitting devices and vocals to shine independently whereas sustaining cohesion. The natural and textured presentation makes the JOAL an interesting hear, notably for vocal-heavy tracks. In comparison with the POET, the JOAL’s midrange is extra spacious and pure, making it a robust alternative for genres that require instrumental separation and readability.
The POET’s midrange is detailed and leans towards a V-shaped response, bringing the mids ahead within the combine. As a result of narrower soundstage, midrange layering is extra obvious, although not as separated as one may anticipate from a flagship-tier headphone. Whereas it has glorious readability, it doesn’t provide the identical degree of openness because the JOAL. This makes it extra partaking for listeners preferring a extra ahead and speedy presentation.
Excessive Frequencies
The JOAL’s treble presentation is easy but detailed, avoiding harshness whereas sustaining airiness. It leans towards a refined and pure high-end somewhat than an excessively vibrant or sharp response. Initially, the treble could appear barely reserved, however with correct amplification, it positive factors additional readability and shimmer, permitting intricate particulars in cymbals and higher harmonics to emerge. This delicate but resolving character makes it very best for lengthy listening classes with out fatigue whereas nonetheless providing the mandatory precision for vital listening. The treble’s openness additionally enhances the JOAL’s sense of house, contributing to its expansive soundstage.
The POET, against this, takes a barely extra aggressive strategy to treble, emphasizing crisp element and articulation. Excessive frequencies are extra ahead, lending an additional sense of sharpness and definition to string devices, vocals, and percussive parts. Whereas this provides pleasure and a heightened sense of decision, it could possibly sometimes border on brightness, notably on recordings with already distinguished higher frequencies. This makes the POET a robust contender for listeners who take pleasure in a extra speedy and revealing treble response, although these delicate to brighter tunings could want the JOAL’s smoother supply.
Abstract
Each the Abyss JOAL and Meze POET ship high-end efficiency, however they cater to completely different listening preferences. The JOAL excels in soundstage width, midrange heat, and relaxed but detailed bass, making it very best for lengthy listening classes. It calls for correct amplification to shine totally, rewarding customers with a spacious and immersive sound.
The POET, then again, presents a tighter, extra targeted soundstage with enhanced imaging precision. Its sharp treble and ahead mids present a livelier signature than Meze’s typical choices, interesting to listeners who crave readability and precision. Whereas its bass is extra restrained, the general tonal steadiness makes it a compelling alternative for many who want a extra analytical but partaking sound.
In the end, selecting between these two headphones relies on private preferences—whether or not you prioritize expansive staging and a balanced signature or a extra intimate and detailed presentation. Each fashions stand as robust contenders within the flagship headphone house, every bringing one thing distinctive to the desk.
The Abyss JOAL and Meze POET can be found at Audio46.
