On this evaluation we take a look at the Abyss JOAL headphone, promoting for $1,895 USD and €2,295 Euro.
Disclaimer: JPS Labs despatched us the Abyss JOAL in alternate for this evaluation. JPS Labs / Abyss just isn’t associated to Headfonia in any manner.
JPS Labs / Abyss Headphones
Abyss’ mum or dad firm, JPS Labs LLC, has been round since 1990 within the enterprise making excessive efficiency digital and analogue cables. After a few years they’ve began to dip their toes into the über excessive finish headphone phase and began growing their very own planar magnetic drivers and planar headphones. After years of analysis and improvement they’ve launched the Abyss AB-1266.
Launched in 2013 the unique AB-1266 was in contrast to another headphone in the marketplace. I’m positive lots of you might have seen them, and as soon as you probably did, you may decide them out of tons of of headphones and know for positive it’s the Abyss. Its seems to be are very uncanny and a few say it resembles a medieval torture gadget. One factor is bound although, that’s one of the best model advertising and marketing you are able to do. Everybody who loves headphones, like we do, instantly is aware of your identify.
We engineer, machine, and assemble our headphones from scratch utilizing the best supplies. Patented planar speaker drivers ship music to your ears with a speaker-like efficiency no different headphone can match.
In 2017 Abyss launched their second mannequin – the Diana. Not like the 1266 it’s a lot lighter and extra compact. I by no means had an opportunity to do that one out, however I’m positive it sports activities the standard immersive Abyss sound. Since then, Abyss has introduced out new driver applied sciences and has upgraded their AB-1266 and Diana to Phi fashions. The AB-1266 has even seen some further iterations, the most recent being the AB-1266 Phi TC. During the last 2 years, Abyss launched the Diana TC in addition to the Diana MR and Diana DZ.
On this evaluation we’re wanting on the new Abyss JOAL headphone, which isn’t a part of the Diana collection. We nevertheless do advise to learn up on the earlier Diana articles right here.
Now let’s get began!
JOAL
The Abyss JOAL is the most recent member of Abyss Headphones’ line-up. You could find its devoted web site right here. As with the Diana’s, it’s an open again, over ear headphone.
Although the JOAL seems to be and seems like a typical Diana headphone, it doesn’t share the Diana identify. JOAL stands for “Jack of all Listening” and it’s Abyss’ most optimized headphone ever.
JOAL is a time machine for music, feeding your soul with sound that by no means ceases to amaze. Whether or not it’s rock and roll from the ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s, EDM, jazz, blues, classical, and even bluegrass, JOAL delivers an expertise that have to be heard to be totally appreciated.
Inside JOAL we discover Abyss’ patented 63mm planar magnetic drivers for a full-range sound with – in line with Abyss – deep, prolonged bass. The motive force has a Frequency Response of 5Hz to 55 KHz and a distortion of on common 0.03% THD.
Abyss on their website mentions that the JOAL is constructed on over 15 years of analysis and improvement and that it represents the top of Abyss’ patented planar speaker driver know-how. Recognized for its means to breed music with breathtaking element, deep bass, and an immersive soundstage, JOAL takes this legacy to yet one more stage.
JOAL principally is a do-it-all headphone, which must be straightforward to drive with an Impedance of 30 ohms and a sensitivity of 93 dB/mw. We’ll dive into the drivability later on this article.
Should you wish to know extra concerning the JOAL, we advise to take a look at Abyss’ video on it right here:
The copper alloy cable that comes with JOAL is customized made and in line with JOAL, it’s 3 occasions cheaper as their common Diana cable. The cable has a two meter (6.6 ft) size and it’s a (OFC) 16 core tremendous mushy cable terminated with a 4.4 mm plug. I discovered it to work completely with the JOAL and by no means felt the necessity to strive a unique (Diana) cable. It’s mushy, versatile, seems to be nice and the adapters do a superb job. Extra on that later.
Consolation, Design & Isolation
Concerning these factors the JOAL may be very very like the Diana collection in all doable methods.
The JOAL weighs 390 grams with ear pads, whereas the most recent DZ iteration of the Diana weighs 375g. For a excessive finish full-sized headphone, that could be a very acceptable weight. Additionally, it’s a quite small, low profile full-sized over ear headphone and I like that it’s not as cumbersome.
This time the JOAL comes with pillow-top Ultrasuede (vegan) ear pads that lightly hug your head. Abyss magnetic system, similar to Meze’s, is among the best possible in the marketplace and it’s a pleasure to work with.
The Ultrasuede pads really feel good and so they completely encompass your ears with out delivering any discomfort. Do be aware that your ears can get hotter throughout longer listening durations, particularly with the Ultrasuede pads.
The JOAL may be very comfy, and Abyss’ headband (with the “sling”) is doing a superb job distributing the burden over your head. Gone are the new zones on the highest of your head and the burden now could be completely unfold out excessive of your head, leading to a really comfy listening expertise.
The JOAL’s aspect strain sit good for me. It’s cozy however tight sufficient to make sire the headphone stays in place. The JOAL is a headphone you possibly can have lengthy listening periods with, and it gained’t trouble you in any manner.
Design clever the JOAL seems to be and seems like a Diana headphone. The JOAL is simply obtainable is a satin, matte black end and it comes with only one set of pads, although you possibly can after all purchase Abyss’ further pads if you wish to experiment with the sound.
The ear cup aspect patterns are distinctive and I discover the full-black JOAL to have a robust stealth vibe. As mentioned, the JOAL seems to be lots like a Diana headphone, and as such it has a particular design. It after all will depend on your private choice for those who like this typical look or not. I fairly prefer it as a result of it’s a quite uncommon wanting headphone.
The JOAL is a completely open headphone so don’t anticipate something particular isolation-wise. Sound leaks out, noise leaks in, so utilizing it in a quiet surroundings is totally really helpful.
Construct High quality & Connection
Abyss headphones are famend for his or her unmatched sturdiness and craftsmanship and JOAL isn’t any exception. Abyss backs that up by a 10-year non-public guarantee for the unique proprietor.
Handcrafted of their New York, USA facility, JOAL embodies all the things that Abyss Headphones has discovered about what discerning listeners need in a headphone. Its light-weight, Diana-inspired CNC-machined aluminum body, sturdy finishes, low-profile magnetic-adjustable headband, and splendid Ultrasuede supplies present pillow-like consolation for all-day listening.
Every JOAL headphone is hand-made in New York, and crafted from plane grade aluminum for a top-level power. Construct-quality-wise the JOAL is all the things you’ll anticipate from a high-end headphone.
There aren’t any flaws to be discovered and all the things seems to be and feels excellent. The pads additionally appear and feel good and are completely symmetrical. As mentioned I like the black stealth like end on this model, although it doesn’t look as refined because the Diana collection.
I nonetheless love Abyss’ magnetic system for the pads, and I really feel this proves how critical Abyss is with the build-quality. As you possibly can see within the photos, every JOAL (driver) is laser engraved with the signature mannequin and serial quantity. Taking a look at JOAL’s supplies used and the extent of workmanship, we will solely give high marks for what construct high quality is anxious.
The inventory cable that comes with the JOAL is copper primarily based and it feels mushy and it’s very versatile. The inventory size this time is 2m and Abyss opted for the 4.4mm balanced connector. You may get adapters to XLR and each unbalanced terminations instantly from Abyss (or any cable maker for that matter).
Do be aware that the Abyss cables are completed with particular connectors, and these solely match the Diana/JOAL collection in a single particular manner. Because of this it gained’t be doable to make use of simply any 2.5mm completed cable with the JOAL.
Worth & Equipment
The JOAL is Abyss’ most reasonably priced headphone and it’s priced at $1,895 USD with out adapters. With the three further adapters included, the worth will increase to $2,045 USD. Nonetheless a superb worth.
The detrimental information right here is that the JOAL in Europe is far more costly and that interprets to €2.295 Euro with out and €2.445 Euro with adapters. That’s fairly steep in comparison with the US worth to be sincere.
The JOAL is available in Abyss’ typical white field, which has the black protecting shell case with velvet inside on the within. Additionally, you will discover the premium 2-meter, 16-core super-soft OFC copper alloy headphone cable (with 4.4mm plug) in addition to a fast begin instruction card.
As talked about earlier, the JOAL comes outfitted with a set of vegan pillow high Ultrasuede ear pads (connected).
You should purchase the Abyss JOAL instantly from Abyss or by one in every of their sellers right here or right here. Don’t neglect that the unique proprietor will get a powerful 10 12 months Personal Guarantee.
Full Characteristic Record
- Made within the USA
- CNC-machined aluminum chassis with a high-durability black textured end
- Laser-cut, annealed steel “Twist and Flex” headband with magnetic adjustability for a personalised match
- Abyss Patented 63mm Planar Speaker Drivers for full-range sound with deep, prolonged bass
- Pillow-top Ultrasuede ear pads that lightly hug your head and magnetically connect for simple swapping and clean sound
- Non-compulsory Hybrid Suede/Lambskin and Bass-Ported ear pads permit for simple sound customization
- Premium 2-meter, 16-core super-soft OFC copper alloy headphone cable with 4.4mm plug
- Velvet-lined protecting shell journey case
- Low speaker impedance enhances compatibility with moveable, battery-operated electronics
- Suitable with all current DIANA headphone ear pads and cables (for current Abyss prospects)
- Vegan-friendly – no animal leathers used
Sound – Intro
On this part ze take a look at what the manufacturers say about their very own gear, and Abyss describes the JOAL’s sound as follows:
Each Monitor Feels Like a Grasp Recording! JOAL’s means to extract probably the most delicate audible particulars from music and films—recreating the area of the unique recording—is uncanny. It’s like listening straight from the grasp tape, irrespective of the classic or style.
With an enormous, open soundstage, unimaginable depth, and exact layering, JOAL allows you to hear the area round each instrument and vocalist, making each hear an immersive expertise.
Now it’s time to seek out out what it actually seems like!
The half on sound and the remainder of the evaluation continues on the second web page. Click on right here or use the common hyperlinks under to maintain studying.
