Summary
The forward mids of the HD 800 compared to Abyss makes some songs more engaging but the Abyss is more energetic. The HD 800 is still overall a bit fuzzy around the edges. The atmospheric soundstage is a huge plus and forward presentation of instruments may be something one would appreciate on the German. Both do well with imaging, detail retrieval, dynamics, and clarity. To my ears, the Abyss had a deeper soundstage. Overall the HD 800 has a more grainy sound in comparison to the Abyss. Outlines of the players in the recording aren't as clearly defined in space as they are with the Abyss. I'm sure aftermarket cables could do much to alleviate this. For the average used price, I would say the HD 800 is an excellent value. It would be the headphone I would recommend to anyone who wants to dip their toes into high-end headphones without breaking the bank. Obviously this is a battle of the titans. Investment in either headphone will yield incredible "audiophile" sound. The HD 800 is a bit too sterile for most of my listening but surprises me during each session with its accuracy and soundstage width. The Abyss wins this battle with just an overall more natural, musical, physical/concussive, and lush presentation.
Raw Notes
Pia Mia - The Gift
- The soundstage is quite wide and atmospheric
- Low-end response is lacking for my ears. Yearn for that rumble.
- Quite resolving
- Abyss: Mids are a lot more forward on the HD 800. Sub-bass a lot more presence on the Abyss. I have to say, for this song the HD 800 will probably be more enjoyable for most ears. I find myself having to increase the volume on the Abyss for move mids forward sometimes. The mids take a backseat, might be a problem. Vocal definition sounds about the same. The Abyss is more graceful and more controlled in its presentation however.
The Soundmaker - Rodrigo y Gabriela
- Abyss has better clarity and resolution, better details.
- The HD 800 has a bit more of a hollow sound in comparison. Not as fast.
- Abyss you hear more natural presentation.
- The HD 800 doesn't shape the sound as accurately, slightly soft in comparison.
- Abyss sounds truer to the song. HD 800 isn't as clean, a but fuzzy around the edges.
Attaboy - Edgar Meyer
- Sounds great, strings have good texture, tactility
- Reminds me of how good this headphones sounds with classical/jazz
- Abyss: HD 800 you do hear the music more forward. Abyss more natural sounding to my ears (strings). I think it's better at resolving micro-details. HD 800 definitely lacks some of the refinement. A bit fuzzy around the edges.
Nobody Wins - The Veronicas
- Man that low-end is required for the impact of drums.
- Crystal clear and tight.
- Abyss: Not as energetic on the Abyss due to subdued mids but sounds a lot more controlled. String weight is more apparent on the HD 800. The forward vocals on 800 is nice. Once other instruments get involved, gets fuzzy. Vocals are a lot more natural on the Abyss. I believe this to be a minor flaw in the stock design of the HD 800. Strings are a bit subdued on the Abyss.
Fields of Gold - Eva Cassidy
- A very balanced sound
- With the 800, the vocals don't sound natural and doesn't extend as high as the Abyss.
- Strings have more weight on the HD 800.
- 800 makes you cringe from harshness at times
- Background music has greater presence on the 800, more laid back on the Abyss (vocals take presence)
- As far as musical enjoyment, I'd much prefer the Abyss, it's more tactful and graceful for this recording. No harshness when she lifts her voice.
- Tonal balance of the Abyss is my preference.
Those Were The Days - Blubell & Black Tie
- Yearn for more energy and depth.
- Lacks a bit of dynamics.
- Abyss: HD 800 sounds a little cloudy in comparison. Vocals and strings are more forward for sure, in your face. Overall the Abyss just has a more natural image and presentation to my ears.
- What's the point of having the vocals forward when it doesn't sound natural and fuzzy?
- Abyss has more meat on the bones and the vocals are human. The HD 800 almost makes it sound it's a compressed file. Abyss wins.
Call You Tonight - Whitney Houston
- Whitney's voice sounds natural
- Abyss has a blackground. A bit grainy in comparison to the Abyss. HD 800 just doesn't compare. Maybe we have to increase the volume but it's worth it. Better transsducer.
- The HD 800 just has this inherent harshness I don't like.
No One Mourns The Wicked - Kristin Chenoweth
- Her voice sounds great around the 1:50 mark.
- I have to say, the vocals are surprisingly natural and well controlled (4:00)
- The Abyss sounds more like a live performance. The 800 just don't sound human like.
Cielito Lindo - Marta Gomez
- 2:45+ wow, the MSB kills the Lumin S1 for this song. The differences are clearly heard in her voice. So dynamic, detailed, and organic. Her "sss" is so lifelike at the 2:58 mark.
- There's nothing wrong or completely amazing with this headphone IMO. It's technically accurate, like a straight A student. Not the alpha.
- There's this bit of haze on the vocals. Limitation of the 800 is more realistic vocals.
Ask About Me - Ice Cube
- Vocals are quite nice here. Mids are amazing.
- Bass is very tight.
- Almost sounds like radio quality on the 800, haze haze, but bass so tight! The bass actually sounds more atmospheric than the Abyss for this song IMO.
Gypsy Eyes - Jimi Hendrix
- The rifts were a little harsh
- Overall easy listening, you won't miss out on too much detail, DAC is probably the bottleneck at that point.
- Imaging is superior on the Abyss.
- Abyss more relaxed and natural presentation in general.
A Way - Lotte Kestner
- Delicate and accurate and spacious.
- Still calming and musical
- Sounds like a lower quality recording on the HD 800. Abyss firmly belongs in a different league. 800 have a more forward presentation which helps.
- The haze and whiter background doesn't convey the emotional energy in this song.
- I can't stress how bad the vocals sounds in comparison to the Abyss.
Fidelity - Regina Spektor
- I think I'm used to the textures of the Abyss but the bass and tonality is clean and close to neutral.
23 - Mike Will
- The bass slam and tightness pretty dam nice, mostly due the more larger perceived soundstage?
- The Abyss actually sounds a bit more calm. The 800 has this low-end, tight atmospherics but the bass is more defined on Abyss.
- Dynamic driver gives it a bit of that ethereal sound
- Overall sounds more muffed congested than the Abyss
- I think the mod solves a lot of the low-end issues but the harshness is still there. The tight bass is delicious.
- The bass on the 800 sounds more extended and enveloping but isn't as well-defined.
Misty Moses - Rodrigo y Gabriela
- The Abyss has more textures but the HD 800 does sometimes sound more accurate.
- HD 800 = more height?
- The plucking of the guitars have more weight on the Abyss, the Abyss is faster and more detailed
- Abyss has more depth, but HD 800 also very detailed and accurate.
- Abyss is just more fun, HD 800 more neutral sounding.
- Abyss much better PRaT and head-bobber. HD 800 is like taking the final exam. Analytical.