Hey Michael i'm happy you took my advice on the 1266. I'm falling down the Abyss myself and cant seem to get this headphone out of my head so i'm considering buying one by next year or as soon as they announce a new revision. I'm eagerly waiting for your next video comparing the 1266 to other headphones. And also your input on the 1266+WA5 pairing. Thanks for the great content you put out YT! And for the new albums that go to my collection every time I watch one of your videos.
Yeah, it's kind of funny. I've listened to the Abyss at shows-- I thought they sounded pretty good, but the styling was such a turnoff, I swore there was no way I'd be purchasing them-- at least not at $5000. This deal came up at half-price. I'm like-- that's sweet-- I just have to figure out how to afford them. I know it's not the latest and greatest version-- but who cares? The new version is a refinement of this one, not a whole new headphone. They're going to sound similar with some technical improvements-- and I can upgrade them if I get the itch. I don't have much else that's capable of driving the 1266. Maybe the Chord? But that would take some rewiring that I don't have time for at the moment. I want to get a GSX MK2 or GSX Mini in here so I have a good solid state amp to counter the Woo. iFi episode coming soon-- they likely sent some sort of amp-- that's 2 episodes away. Maybe whatever they sent can drive the Abyss. We'll see. Thanks for watching! Thanks for the tip! Absolutely love the 1266.
Who cares how ugly it may look on your head anyways guys. Really, I couldn't give a toss since you're not leaving the house with these on without a neck brace and expensive surgery. They're heavy, ugly and for some they're uncomfortable. But they're engineered like a tank, sound phenomenal and that's all that matters: quality
Michael. Really terrific video. I’m so glad you went through the ergonomics and the psycho acoustic adjustment properties that are available. They really are like an HD 800’s. Truth serum for your recordings. And something like the Abyss really can educate one on music sources. Yup. Upsampling is not all it is cracked up to be.
Watched this video as it was suggested to me, went back and watched a bunch of your old videos. Ended up hitting subscribe and the bell, really enjoy what you're doing here.
Thanks for the great review! That's quite the headphone! Is the Chord Hugo TT2 amp enough for the Phi? That's all I have and I love that amp! Thanks again! I love your channel!
Consider Changing the title of the video so the video will pop up when people search for "Abyss AB-1266 Phi TC"; the current title could imply a review of several different Abyss headphones under the same general name.
I don't know of an amp that can bring deep, impactful bass to the 009s, which is really the issue for me and the Stax with the music I enjoy. If I were a classical lover (I like classical, but it's not a genre I go to with frequency) The Stax would make for an easy choice. But I can't wait to do side-by-side comparisons of all of these headphones. It's going to be fun, and I've avoided a/b comparisons between the four until I get to that episode. I'm often surprised when I put the headphones in direct comparison. Part of the fun! Thanks for watching.
Hi Matthew! I do have WA-33 envy. There just isn't a path for me to get to that amp within a reasonable cost. The WA5LE v2 and the 2 sets of 300Bs I have in-house are just cost prohibitive to purchasing the WA-33. I've auditioned it though, and I agree, it's crazy special. Thanks for watching!
@@DirectorsGarage you know you want the wa33 elite version Michael. Us audio enthusiasts eventually do enough mental gymnastics that we eventually get the toys we crave anyway lol. Enjoy it all in good health my friend.
@@DirectorsGarage Lol invested. See? Mental gymnastics haha. You'll need to do some soul searching. Now you know what the wa33 sounds like...can you forget it and by happy with the wa5le? Your credit card is begging for mercy but your ears crave it. Give innnnnn. One of us....one of us....do itttt
The tweak ability is the most interesting and horrifying for me at the same time. I have a bit of OCD and I would just sit there for hours tweaking all the time instead of enjoying my music. Also if this hinge up to ever gets loose (in years of tweaking maybe?) they become unusable … 🤔? Anyway, very impressive piece of gear, I just wish they make one with better ergonomics
Hi Michael, any chance of reviewing the Oriolus Traillii? , it's pretty hyped up right now. Vision Ears Elysium and UM Mason Fabled Sound are worth looking at too IMO.
@@Matthew-oh1wg There are so many great IEMs out there right now. I'm still stuck on the Sultan. I have a new budget IEM in the next episode. Haven't heard it yet, can't wait! Thanks for watching.
@@Matthew-oh1wg So I've heard. I thought about buying one a few times. But it's just so expensive. I went for the Elysium instead. Glad you are enjoying them. Maybe some day for me.
@@DirectorsGarage love your work Michael. You're a lot more eloquent then I could ever convey with this audio jargon and technicalities. But I think ull be blown away with the triallii. Of course...at 6k (5.2k at musictek ;)...it's a big commitment
Yes. I've listened to them several times at shows, and I've owned the HE1000 V2-- which is its cousin (in rougher clothing). I like them-- but they sound like a better HE1000 V2 (not a bad thing) but they didn't sound twice the price as good as the HE1000, to me. It seemed like Hifiman dreamed up an uber-expensive price to see if folks would bite-- without adding a lot of value to the higher end purchase. Yes they are an improvement-- but I had a hard time swallowing that it was a double-price worthy improvement over their former flagship. Thanks for watching, Chris! Always like your comments.
im subscribed them on their utube channel, abbys. well i've seen some reviewers about this headphone they don't always said great things about them, maybe coz they haven't throw juice as much as they could. from my calculation to get the sound right from this abbys is to spend at least 1500 bucks. we can't see your hints maybe coz your camera lens focused on you and makes background bokeh. nice vids as always mr michael...
No, this is the second version of the 1266. Next came the ceramic coated one and then the TC which has a new planar driver design. I hope Michael can get his hands on a TC version someday. I think I have only ever heard of one person on the internet who has liked the older one over the TC. :)
@@goldpieceleo He probably bought this one used for closer to two grand. Now that he has experienced the 1266, he will have to go all the way to the TC. ;)
Yes we have to cut some corners at the Director's Garage to keep the lights on and the cats fed. I got them at about half-off. They came with the upgraded cable and new ear pads. They were in terrific condition, other than the head band. Everything I've read on the Abyss in researching the purchase - the new driver is a refinement, not a wholesale change in sound. So I wasn't caught up in needing the latest-greatest. One thing I just learned in this comment-- they're upgradeable. Who knew? So that's pretty cool and something I might consider if the price is reasonable. But I like these so much-- I'm not tempted, at least for now!
Part of the fun! Can't wait to do it. The Meze will win on comfort-- I can predict that with reasonable certainty. Thanks, as always, for watching William!
Let's imagine for a second that the best electric vehicle would not be a Tesla, but a wagon - how successful would that be? So yeah, thank you for the review but man, those are some really ugly things
@@Matthew-oh1wg i know about that. But there is a reason 1266 doesnt look appealing bcs its only deisgned sound in mind. Not the best look nor ergo. They try to achieve life time product that has the best sound they could able do create
One thing I'd add-- though they are *clearly* not the last name in style-- Abyss engineered the crap out of these things. They are sturdy. They are built like a tank. And there are nearly no moving parts to wear or break. Stax and Hifiman could glean something from Abyss. And the 1266 is surprisingly comfortable (at least to me). It's not Meze comfortable, but as long as you don't have a mirror around-- they feel good on the head and the ear pads are top-grade. Not too heavy either. The Stax are super light, but they make my ears sweat, which is kinda gross. Great discussion! Thanks for watching everyone. Without your views, I can't keep doing the show. It means a lot.
