Well, the price point should theoretically point to it being a quality product. I have no experience with the unit so I have no idea. But for something at that price point I wouldnāt be shocked if it sounds good.
As for power, thereās no need to argue. Obviously more is better. But for a planar current capability is much more important than raw power.
You are comparing a pocket device with a desktop single use device. Price point or not, the DAP will have a hard time driving a planar headphones properly. Itās designed for IEMs.
Do you still have the same high opinion of the D. Phi as you had last April, now that youāve had time?
No. I have higher praise after comparing them to more expensive options. The Diana Phi is awesome but if you want more bass presence and dirtier there are better options (V2 and Final D8000 Pro).
Okay so Iāve had these for a few weeks now. Running them out of a Violectric v200 and Soekris 1321.
They are really something special and there is something about the bass on these that I love. It might just be planar bass? I have daily drove the clears for about ~4 months before getting these, and those were supposedly very punchy with a warm tilt, but I enjoy these waaaay more for the low tones on just about every single genre I can throw at them. The bass isnāt overwhelming or anything, but itās like just the perfect amount of depth, punch, width, and full-ness.
Mids sound natural with a bit of warmth, but not extremely forward or pulled back. The top end is also very much present, but never sibilant. The presentation definitely seems to be smoothed over a bit, which may be even more influence by my desktop setup I have. With that being said, they just have an incredibly rich and fulfilling sound. They arenāt veiled by any means and they are exceptionally fast. I definitely think this sound signature is more to my suiting than what would be Diana Phi, but I would still like to try that eventuallyā¦
The timbre and tonal balance is definitely better than the clears as well and now I kind of see where people come from when saying the focal line āshinesā or whatever. These definitely sound a lot more natural. Imaging is and separation is also on another level. Itās crazy though listening to songs I have a vivid memory of and they sound so different in terms of separation now. Like specific instruments on the left, and specific instruments on the right.
I guess these are things I maybe should have expected going from $1k to $3k headphone, but I digress. I think they are worth that jump up tbh.
I do have some complaints/caveats though! The pad design is so smart and stupid at the same time. The magnetic structure they use is an amazing design, but why the FUCK are the pads glued to the magnet? I got these used and the pads are already separating from the magnet. I know they just released a new pad, so Iām curious if they did a different connection instead of glue because that is a design flaw imo.
Also the driver is so thin that you can hear driver crinkle extremely vividly if you decide to move your head, jaw, body, etc around. Maybe I just got unlucky, but the right side of this headphone has the worst planar crinkle Iāve ever heard on any headphone by far. Lastly, if I wear them for too long I start to see condensation forming on the little plates between the drivers which is kind of weird.
If youāre hearing crinkling you probably have a damaged driver.
I initially thought that as well, and was freaking out about it but I am not sure that is the caseā¦ They donāt make any crinkle noise if sitting still, but only when moving around or messing with the earcup.
Link from Audeze - https://audeze.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/115001045046-Crinkling-clicking-static-sound-when-I-press-on-the-earcup
another forum thread - LCD-X what's this crackling sound in my left ear? [Archive] - AudioAficionado.org
email response from abyss when questioned -
The drivers should not make any noise during normal listening. Itās possible though when pressurized a certain way the non linear motion of the driver could produce a noise. In general they are typically quiet.
Ā Ā
Drama time. Iām with tge OP though tbh. Dms pads were the only reason I could even wear dv2
Just like anything else. If you can hear a difference and it makes you happy, good. If not, well whatever. At least pads are straight forward and not full of snake oil.
Please donāt try to start up drama especially where there is no reason comment. In the video they do address a core issue of why people want the DMS pads, fit.
As an owner with the original pads and DMS pads on a Diana Phi, I only care about what other people have tried it hear and experience.
My issue lies entierly with how dismissive Joe was of dms tbh. Kinda decreases confidence in your design skills if you canāt even admit there was a flaw when your cans litteraoy just donāt fit fair portions of your potential customer base.
Well hereās 2 takeaways.
Regardless, not a lot of drama and Iām happy I go the DMS pads on the Diana Phi. I can say donāt use the DMS pads on the V2 based on feedback Iāve heard.
The weirdest part for me is that DMS literally works there and he said DMS pads arenāt a thing lol. Very strange. Regardless, the DMS pads are much more comfortable than the stock pads, but now they have changed to an entirely new structure so whatever.
āJust add a note that you want DMS mod in your order.ā
Exactly a year ago when I was shopping the Diana and called Abyss.
Perhaps a bit of a hot take.
Abyss Diana TC - NOT the best headphone in the world?!
Rofl. Not a hot take at all. And i say that as someone who quite enjoys my TC. Its good and i subjectively like it but there are at least half a dozen cans that just shit all over it
Can I please ask how the Diana V2 would be for gaming? Do they have a full 360 for the soundstage? Or are they like the HD6XX where it seems to come from the front and the sides with no in between? Iāve heard it called the blob effect. I am planning to buy them for my daily driver. I listen to most music except metal, watch lots of youtube and I play many different games.
Listened to the MR (leather bass ported pads), Utopia 22, and D8KP LE off the Mj3 today. I personally donāt think this is the best amp for the Utopia but still waiting on my tube amp atm so itāll do.
MR is the warmest of the bunch. It has more bass bloom than the others but I would say the D8KP has more detail in the bass. MR can still hit hard in the bass too tho and Iām not saying itās muddy, itās just thicker in the bass at times.
Utopia hits hard in the bass and goes decently low for a dynamic but itās obviously not going as low as the planars. It does have good texture throughout the bass. I think the Utopia and D8KP just nudge out the MR in clarity overall throughout the FR. I think they both do a better job of layering and separation but the MR is still enjoyable.This isnāt bashing the MR, I like it and itās staying, but just giving some impressions. Utopia and D8KP pull out a tad bit more details as well. The MR is that chill headphone you reach for. Not saying the D8KP or Utopia are too analytical but the MR is smoother and its warmth helps. Utopia and D8KP have more air. Both have a bigger stage than the MR but this doesnāt bother me. Timbre is solid on all of them. I donāt have any complaints.
They all three can live in a collection.
MR is a nice change up to these and itās really good off the mojo2 and itāll be my main, mobile, around the house headphone when I donāt want to be at my main chain. And I also think itās a great headphone to use while working and you want a smooth, enjoyable, but still engaging headphone.
ABYSS Diana TC Headphones: Open Back Fidelity Masterclass!
We do have a new Diana. The Abyss Diana DZ.
Video: https://youtu.be/w6p0943Mm3E?si=TSSH_YakGSEh5Mnl
Store Page: NEW! Diana DZ Premium Audiophile Headphone by ABYSS ā ABYSSĀ® Headphones
Specifications: