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Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
Product Strengths
- Outstanding detail and transparency, class-leading in dynamics, both micro and macro.
- Best bass performance and quality with the amount of bass presence, the extension without drop-off or roll-off, the speed, the texture, and the slam.
- Superior clarity and detail capability, even surpassing the clarity and detail capability of a lot of songs, showing that they are hitting a level that is capped out by the actual recording, making you feel like one is listening to some sort of transient extra layered system of sound that one does not normally pick up with other headphones
Product Considerations
- Comfort can be an issue due to the weight, fitment, and the way the headphones need to be adjusted for ideal sound quality, requiring adjustments every time they are put on.
- The tuning requires some EQ.
- It's ultra source picky and hard to drive, requiring very high-end amplifiers to sound its best.
- The review unit had high distortion behavior and an unnatural vocal presentation.
- The unit's midrange temper can sound very unnatural, shouty, and aggressive, to the point of painful.
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the Diana 5, the AB1266 has a far superior bass response and is wider.
- Compared to the Susvara, the punch and slam on the AB1266 are harder, and the macro contrast quality is more so than on the Susvara, whose sound is more even-keeled and gentle and has more presence in the midrange.
- The bass response is insane, and does not have the mid-range bloat of something like an LCD4, while the vocal response is preferred with something like a LCD4, a thicker sound, even though this is more detailed in the vocal response.
Takeaway: The Abyss AB1266 TC is exceptional, an impressive detailed headphone for listeners who want to experience a fast and transparent sound with modularity, and are willing to spend extra effort on dialing in the sound quality. If an audiophile with a taste for electronics, then this is one of the best listening experiences available.
What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.
All
AB1266 TC
reviews
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An excellent review of a great product
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Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- Transducer Type: Proprietary 66 mm planar magnetic driver (patented; listed as “planar TC driver” in some sources)
- Impedance: 50 Ω nominal (some sources 47–50 Ω)
- Sensitivity: 88 dB/mW (measured)
- Frequency Response: 5 Hz – 45 kHz (some sources list 30 kHz; manufacturer: 45 kHz)
- Distortion (THD): ≈0.03% average
- Phase Response: Flat
- Weight: 640 g
- Ear Pads: Soft lambskin leather
- Headband: Padded leather
- Frame/Sides: Breathable aluminum, acoustically tuned
- Finish: High-quality polymer ceramic, luxury two-tone black
- Stock Cable: Balanced 8 ft (2.5 m) 4-pin XLR, with flexible ¼″ (6.3 mm) adaptor
- Maker: Custom-made by JPS Labs
- Optional Upgrade: Superconductor HP cables (included in “Complete” package)
Description
The AB1266 Phi TC (TC version) is an open-back, over-ear reference planar magnetic headphone made in the USA, designed to deliver ultra high resolution, spacious sound. With its low mass diaphragm, scientifically tuned frame and pads, and premium materials, it's intended for listeners seeking detail, soundstage and refinement. Requires a quality headphone amplifier to drive properly.
Release Timeline
Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- Abyss headphones utilize a planar magnetic driver technology derived from their flagship AB-1266 model, scaled down for a more compact form factor in several of their Diana series models.
- The brand offers a customizable fit through a highly adjustable headband design that allows for width, vertical positioning, and "toe-in" adjustments, enabling users to dial in a precise seal and comfort.
Select products
Select product comparisons
Abyss Joal Headphone
- Positioning: A performance-oriented headphone offering quality at a relatively accessible price.
- Description: Features a wide frequency response and refined driver design that provide clear and balanced sound output. Compared to the Diana MR, Diana DZ, and AB-1266, its simpler construction makes it suitable for smaller rooms and moderate audio needs without high cost.
Abyss Diana MR
- Positioning: A mid-range headphone that balances innovative design with practical versatility.
- Description: Incorporates refined acoustic tuning and a sturdy yet comfortable frame built for everyday use. In contrast with the simpler Joal and the more advanced DZ and AB-1266 models, it offers a middle ground for users seeking improved performance and usability.
Abyss Diana DZ Luxury Audiophile Headphone
- Positioning: A high-end headphone that elevates the Diana series with advanced performance features.
- Description: Uses a lightweight machined aluminum frame and optimized acoustic design to deliver detailed sound and broader dynamics. Compared to the Joal and Diana MR, it provides a larger soundstage and technical refinement.
Abyss AB-1266 Phi Headphone
- Positioning: The premium flagship headphone engineered for top-tier audio performance and luxury craftsmanship.
- Description: Delivers an advanced driver system and meticulous build quality that ensure precise tuning and expansive sound reproduction. When compared to the Joal, Diana MR, and Diana DZ, it stands out with superior technological sophistication and performance.
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Avg. Product Price
$5,001-$10,000
Used For Sale
2
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
538
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
4
Founding Year
2012
Our take on the brand
Abyss is a hifi headphone brand that uses a patented single-sided planar-magnetic driver architecture and machines all-aluminum chassis with foamed-aluminum acoustics in their New York facility, targeting a "speakers-in-room" sound rather than typical headphone presentation. The brand offers granular fit adjustments through magnetic pad systems and interchangeable acoustic pads that allow owners to intentionally shift tonal balance, supported by a 10-year warranty and vertical integration from driver production to final assembly.
Look inside the brand
Brand Page
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
What's your approach to customer support?
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
What other products pair best with yours?
From our interview with
.
Brand Page
What if you spend more?
Spirit Torino
Valkyria Titanium
12000
12000
/
1
Reviews
Spirit Torino is a hifi headphone brand that pioneered the Twin Pulse Isobaric System, which uses two synchronized drivers working as one to deliver speaker-like dynamics and weight uncommon in headphones. The brand follows an "inertial frame" philosophy with heavy, mass-loaded aluminum shells and user-tunable mechanical filters that allow listeners to adjust sound signatures without EQ.
Expand Details
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Video review
Our take on the brand
Spirit Torino is a hifi headphone brand that pioneered the Twin Pulse Isobaric System, which uses two synchronized drivers working as one to deliver speaker-like dynamics and weight uncommon in headphones. The brand follows an "inertial frame" philosophy with heavy, mass-loaded aluminum shells and user-tunable mechanical filters that allow listeners to adjust sound signatures without EQ.
Product Page
Product Page
What competes at this price?
HIFIMAN
Susvara Unveiled
8000
/
Released
2024
Blending cutting-edge technology with artisanal craftsmanship, this flagship headphone features HIFIMAN’s Stealth Magnetic Circuit, nanometer-thin diaphragm, and diffraction-optimized Window Shade grill for pure, detailed, and expansive sound.
HIFIMAN is a hifi brand known for its planar magnetic headphones that use extremely thin diaphragms and acoustically transparent "Stealth Magnets" to reduce sound distortion. The company pioneered high-resolution portable audio players and creates electrostatic headphones that bring high-end sound quality to more accessible price points, as well as widely renowned flagship models such as the Susvara.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Outstanding sound quality with clarity, texture, and detail
- Natural sound provides a you-are-there presence
- Improved microdynamics make them quick and fast
- Easier to drive than the original Susvara due to a changed metal trace on the diaphragm
- Very comfortable, with good weight distribution
- Driver is exposed, making it vulnerable to damage
Product Considerations
- Can be unforgiving on poor recordings
- Lacks soundstage depth and layering compared to some competitors
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Mesa Elite: The Mesa Elite offers greater bass weight and depth in the soundstage
- Vs Audeze LCD-5: The LCD-5 provides more insight into the music, but the Susvara Unveiled excels in reproducing the attack and energy of plucked strings and in bass reproduction
- Vs Focal Utopia 2022: The Utopia balances everything well—tonality, punch, detail, staging—however both have a little edginess from the treble
- Vs HiFiMan HE1000 Unveiled: The HE1000 is brighter and seems a little faster and more detailed, but the Susvara Unveiled is smoother
- Vs Original Susvara: The Unveiled model is more agile and lively, with added energy, clarity, and upper-treble extension, and the original is more laid back
Takeaway: The Susvara Unveiled provides detail and resolution that one has likely never heard before, making them astonishing headphones. If the priority is a reference-style tuning for orchestral music with excellent balance, scale, and tonal response, these headphones can provide a massive sonic treat.
Video review
Our take on the brand
HIFIMAN is a hifi brand known for its planar magnetic headphones that use extremely thin diaphragms and acoustically transparent "Stealth Magnets" to reduce sound distortion. The company pioneered high-resolution portable audio players and creates electrostatic headphones that bring high-end sound quality to more accessible price points, as well as widely renowned flagship models such as the Susvara.
Product Page
Product Page
RAAL-requisite
Immanis
9460
/
Released
2024
Upon its release (Feb. 2024), IMMANIS quickly caught the attention of headphone aficionados everywhere. Superlatives began appearing as IMMANIS was making the rounds at the various audio shows. The praise and appreciation was further spread as bloggers began posting their impressions of this revolutionary development in headphone engineering. It only takes a few minutes of listening to discover why this triple-ribbon design is so talked about. The soundstage is enormous. It's fast. It's transparent. It's lively and exciting.
RAAL-requisite pioneered the world's first full-range true-ribbon headphones with their SR1a, which uses corrugated aluminum ribbons clamped only at the ends and floats freely outside the ear without cups to create a speaker-like soundstage. The brand's extreme low-impedance ribbons require specialised interface units to be run inbetween the amplifier and headphones.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Offers a combination of electrostatic resolution with dynamic timbre and planar bass extension, delivering the 'best of all worlds'
- The build quality is superb, with premium materials and craftsmanship that surpass competitors
- Delivers perfectly extended bass with a planar-like slam, with detail, texture, and physicality
- Has a wide soundstage with excellent imaging that creates a holographic feeling of voices and instruments, with a true 360-degree experience
- Very comfortable to wear, despite being somewhat heavy, with good weight distribution and no hot spots
Product Considerations
- Requires a powerful headphone amp to get the most out of it, due to the need for a current drive interface/transformer
- The weight (610g) may be a concern for some users, though the weight is distributed well
- Some vocalists, particularly some female vocalists, may sound more distant than desired
- Bad mastered songs tend to immediately show problems
- Frequency response is dependent on synergy with the amplifier
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs HIFIMAN Susvara, it combines the weight of the original Susvara with the soundstage and resolution improvements of the Susvara Unveiled—more power is needed
- Vs Abyss 1266, it has more body of sound, smoother highs, and tighter, more natural bass, while the Abyss has a wider soundstage, better positioning, and more bass impact
- Vs Dan Clark Audio Stealth, it has a wider soundstage and feels more effortless, and is more open, while the Stealth is closed, has more bass quantity, and a more pleasing treble
- Vs RAAL-requisite CA-1A, it improves upon the CA-1A in terms of body of sound, bass, and timbre, while remaining comfortable, and the CA-1A has a lighter and more forward soundstage
Takeaway: The Immanis is an exceptional headphone that blends various sonic qualities together, boasting great build quality and an immersive sound experience. With the right equipment to support it, one can enjoy a detailed and spacious sound that makes it a top contender in the flagship headphone market.
Video review
Our take on the brand
RAAL-requisite pioneered the world's first full-range true-ribbon headphones with their SR1a, which uses corrugated aluminum ribbons clamped only at the ends and floats freely outside the ear without cups to create a speaker-like soundstage. The brand's extreme low-impedance ribbons require specialised interface units to be run inbetween the amplifier and headphones.
Product Page
Product Page
Spirit Torino
Pulsar
6000
/
Released
2025
Spirit Pulsar is an open dynamic headphone, driven by a powerful Twin Pulse isobaric motor, equipped with prestigious Revolver drives with 13.8kg of magnetic thrust to achieve absolute control of membrane movement. The two revolver drives, with their exceptional weight/power ratio, each generated by 13 powerful neodymium magnets, arranged to concentrate all magnetic flux on the moving coil, are able to drive the patented isobaric motor group until every smallest sound detail reaches the threshold of audibility.
Spirit Torino is a hifi headphone brand that pioneered the Twin Pulse Isobaric System, which uses two synchronized drivers working as one to deliver speaker-like dynamics and weight uncommon in headphones. The brand follows an "inertial frame" philosophy with heavy, mass-loaded aluminum shells and user-tunable mechanical filters that allow listeners to adjust sound signatures without EQ.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Video review
Our take on the brand
Spirit Torino is a hifi headphone brand that pioneered the Twin Pulse Isobaric System, which uses two synchronized drivers working as one to deliver speaker-like dynamics and weight uncommon in headphones. The brand follows an "inertial frame" philosophy with heavy, mass-loaded aluminum shells and user-tunable mechanical filters that allow listeners to adjust sound signatures without EQ.
Product Page
Product Page
RAAL-requisite
Magna
7569
/
Released
2024
MAGNA (dual-ribbon) is ideal for those seeking authenticity of timbre, scale & proportionality in mid-size and smaller ensembles, regardless of genre. String quartets, piano trios, singer/songwriter, classic jazz and blues, all presented with stunning clarity of space, while kicking like a mule, when the music calls for it. Light weight and comfortable for many hours of enjoyment, MAGNA does it all with uncompromising audio excellence.
RAAL-requisite pioneered the world's first full-range true-ribbon headphones with their SR1a, which uses corrugated aluminum ribbons clamped only at the ends and floats freely outside the ear without cups to create a speaker-like soundstage. The brand's extreme low-impedance ribbons require specialised interface units to be run inbetween the amplifier and headphones.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Video review
Our take on the brand
RAAL-requisite pioneered the world's first full-range true-ribbon headphones with their SR1a, which uses corrugated aluminum ribbons clamped only at the ends and floats freely outside the ear without cups to create a speaker-like soundstage. The brand's extreme low-impedance ribbons require specialised interface units to be run inbetween the amplifier and headphones.
Product Page
Product Page
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