Abyss Diana TC Review

So these are Abyss headphones. Since I have been writing reviews for MajorHiFi, I have covered a ton of different brands that vary in terms of popularity. Abyss is one of the few notable audiophile headphone manufacturers to escape me over the years. That is until I recently got my hands on a pair of the new Diana TC. For those who aren’t as familiar, these are high-end headphones in the $4000 and above range, not unlike the Meze Elite, or Audeze LCD 5. The Diana specifically is just one of Abyss’s premium tier headphones, and the TC is the latest update to it, costing $4,495. Now it is time for me to find out what exactly the Abyss experience is.

What You Get

The contents of the actual package can carry based on what cable termination and length you ordered, but what’s the same is that the headphones and cable are the only major items you are going to get. However, you do get a nice carrying bag with the TC, which goes a long way rather than a standard box with protective foam around it.

Look and Feel

The Diana is known for being one of the thinnest planar designs around, and the TC keeps with that tradition. It’s actually quite impressive how flat the housing of the driver is when you take off the huge magnetic ear pads. Altogether, it forms a completely defined look that gives the headphones a unique identity, especially with its special grill pattern. Its aluminum frame and stainless steel material also help ensure durability and an all-around more sustainable build quality. I can see some having issues with the style of fit, as even with the TC’s large ear pads, it never feels that secure. It is good that the headphones are comfy and lightweight, but I’d rather not feel them shaking around my head.

Design

Sported as its driver is a 63mm planar with an ultra-low mass diaphragm. This new TC speaker driver uses newly enhanced side hole patterns that help tune the signal as it flows through to the output. My included cable is a 4.4mm balanced plug.

• Impedance:69 Ω nominal
• Sensitivity: 90 dB/Mw

Soundstage

One of the most important aspects of any premium open-back headphones for me is their soundstage. Not just how far its stereo field can expand, but its separation and depth as well. I knew that the Diana TC was going to nail every aspect of it, I wasn’t let down at all. The imaging here feels right in front of your face, and while it was a bit closer than I expected, the spatial elements of the music were still kept in tacked. This is due to the wonderful separation on the TC, as it sperses the sound elements accurately, not only from left to right but top to bottom and forward to back. Real environmental awareness is conveyed through the TC as it establishes a swift sense of localization that always feels true to the space being conveyed. Whether it’s a studio space, live venue, or soundscape from a movie or game, the TC can make it appear like a living, breathing place.

Low End

A lot of high-end open-backs like the Diana TC have the ability to reproduce a realistic and clear bass response. The TC definitely delivers on that notion, but it also aims to give its listener a little more. Low frequencies here aren’t so much thick as they are full-bodied and textured. Its content is rich and engrossing, with buttery smooth vibrations of natural rumble. It does a fantastic job at balancing its more cinematic elements with a sense of space. This way the bass can express itself all it wants without compromising the fidelity of the other ranges of frequency.

Mids

In the mids, the Diana TC takes a more subtle but equally resolving approach to its timbre than the bass. Some of its tonal elements aren’t as rich but are still definitively clean and transparent in the sound signature. Instruments and vocals all feel well-realized and complete in their finest resolution, showcasing great detail and clarity throughout almost every band of frequency.

Highs

Similar to the mids, the treble region mostly resolves itself in a natural fashion, making it a joy for anyone to listen to. Even listeners that are sensitive to some high-frequency content will find these highs easy to digest. With that being said, the highs still get to show off in other ways, such as its sense of airiness with a touch of sparkle that adds this subtle bite to its colorful tone.

Summary

Being my first Abyss headphone experience, the Diana TC did a phenomenal job showing me what I’ve been missing. The TC is an incredible sounding open-back planar, with a wide and immersive soundstage brimming with accuracy. The realism of its timbre expands from the bass and well into the upper treble, never giving the music any rest as its quickness establishes a pristine sense of resolution. It is also impeccably designed as well, although I prefer my headphones to feel a bit tighter on my head. I like my headphones to have a more firm grasp on my head, but the Diana TC still has exceptionally comfortable pads as a trade-off. There is an elite tier of open-back headphones in this price range, and the Diana TC proudly joins their ranks.

The Abyss Diana TC is available at Audio46.