At this time, Marcus evaluations the ABYSS Diana DZ, the corporate’s newest flagship providing of their compact planar driver open-back headphone collection priced at $3995.
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With my Diana MR assessment signed and sealed earlier this yr, the launch of the brand new Diana DZ a number of months later was considerably of a shock.
I actually shouldn’t have been contemplating that the mannequin it’s changing, the Diana TC, is now over two years previous. From what I can see from the ABYSS web site, it’s slowly being phased out by way of some distinctive colour combo choices.
At a brand new SRP of $3995, the Diana DZ remains to be a summit-fi open-back planar headphone providing. Nevertheless, for these considering of the TC, it’s $500 cheaper than the earlier iteration which is nice information in 2024.
The TLDR for potential Diana DZ homeowners is a clear spacious high-fidelity sound wrapped in a splendidly compact but premium construct high quality with an up to date jazzier outward look and a brand new stress strap that makes a heck of a distinction to the consolation ranges.
Is that this essentially the most full Diana iteration thus far? In my full assessment under, I talk about the way it performs and compares to the remainder of the ABYSS headphones lineup in additional element.
Options
It’s a Diana so until one thing magically modifications in ABYSS’s considering meaning the DZ nonetheless comes with a planar driver derived from the expertise contained in the bigger 66mm AB-1266 and sized all the way down to a extra compact 63mm model.
Abyss doesn’t present a lot element relating to the exact nature of the tweaks to the Diana DZ driver, so I presume it’s more likely to be much like the TC with some further tuning and acoustic damping modifications.
Meaning the ultra-low mass diaphragm stays with an improved hint design and a bigger lively floor space on the diaphragm.
What is obvious, on paper and from my comparative testing on web page 3, is that the Diana DZ is barely simpler to drive than the earlier TC flagship.
The Diana DZ is rated at 50Ω with an SPL of 92 dB/mw which is extra environment friendly than the 69Ω and 90 dB/mW SPL score of the TC. It’s nonetheless a demanding headphone, simply not as difficult because the earlier model and barely extra delicate than the unique Diana Phi’s 91 dB/mW SPL score.
Different modifications embrace a brand new set of ear pads, a hybrid leather-based and suede model, and a brand new headband stress strap which ought to please potential homeowners who didn’t just like the TC or Phi becoming.
Design
The Diana DZ kind issue is unchanged since nearly the Phi or the unique Diana from 2018. Nevertheless, it’s the lightest now, with the load marginally lowered by 5-15g over the TC relying on the ear pads you utilize.
Measurement-wise, its diminutive sizing has been a tempting journey selection save for the very fact it wants a robust DAP, (save for the Diana MR which is simpler to drive).
In case you are new to this compact styling it’s one of many best-built small-sized headphones within the enterprise. You may give the low-profile CNC-machined and ceramic-coated aluminum body a good previous tug and bend it in a number of instructions with out falling aside. It’s additionally creak-free with an easy-attach magnet system for its ear pads.
The selection of supplies is superb as at all times with a deft mixture of leather-based and comfortable Alcantara ending for the brand new stress strap and headband. Even the headscarf slider has some good ending touches with its super-light honeycomb end.
Aesthetically, ABYSS has been experimenting with extra distinctive finishes for every new Diana iteration. The Diana DZ is not any exception with 3 decisions obtainable; Violet Abalone, Gold Solid, and Damascus Solid with this pattern the Gold Solid model.
It’s not as retro as the unique Phi or MR’s Solid Carbon/Maple Wooden mixture of greys and tans. It has extra of a noir-like vibe with that particular gold solid patterned end across the ever-present Fibonacci patterned grill on the entrance of the cups.
Consolation
ABYSS Diana headphones are a pleasure to deal with however very often homeowners would let that it’s not such a pleasure to put on.
That’s the place the Diana DZ differs in a significant manner with the inclusion of a brand new stress strap system slightly below the primary headband. It’s a sport changer for consolation if in case you have been a long-time person of this collection of headphones.
Actually, I’m not positive why it took so lengthy for ABYSS to introduce this however I’m glad they did as a result of it means the tip of vertical stress hotspots on the highest of my head courtesy of the broad ventilated suede (Alcantara?) stress strap.
The brand new hybrid lambskin and Ultrasuede pads are completely different from the inventory all-leather variations that got here with the TC although you may match any Diana earpad onto any of their headphones which is an enormous plus in my e book.
This new one has a barely deeper wedge design with the Ultrasuede contact floor wanting marginally wider on the highest than the TC pads. It seems to be just like the fluted airflow design of the Diana DZ pads has been retained, nonetheless, the general interior cavity seems to be subjectively smaller than the TC opening.
The general consolation stage of the brand new pads is pretty much as good, if not higher than the inventory TC pads. Mixed with the stress strap the inventory DZ gave me loads of hours of listening time with out fatigue.
Ear Pad Choices
You should not have to go along with the brand new hybrid pads, some options will work simply high quality with the Diana Dz given the common compatibility of all the ABYSS Diana pads.
Our pattern additionally got here with a set of Ultrasuede pads that are even comfier and breathe higher than the hybrid variations permitting you to put on the headphones for a good longer interval with none noticeable discomfort..
They colour the Diana DZ efficiency with a barely hotter set of lows and a comparative attenuation within the highs. These are good choices if you need a smoother efficiency out of your setup nevertheless it’s not fairly as exact as my most popular inventory pad pairing.
Inventory Cable
There aren’t any inventory cable modifications for the Diana DZ. This is identical JPS Labs-designed cable ABYSS has packaged with the Diana collection for the reason that first version rolled out.
Meaning customized 2.5mm plugs in a personalized barrel design to create a phenomenal seamless end to the rear of the Diana DZ cups when linked. They’re proprietary however not not possible to switch with different aftermarket choices comparable to Mogami if you happen to so want.
The Cable’s jacket is a thick however pliable rubber sheath over a 4-wire 24AWG customized copper alloy conductor which then divides into 2 wires per channel past the steel splitter utilizing a clear thinner jacket.
Although it issues much less on open-back headphones, the inventory cable is 100% microphonic-free even above the splitter. There may be additionally a simple cable to work with having no reminiscence retention or none of that annoying stiffness or flyaway high quality you discover on different inventory headphone cables.
You should buy the cable with numerous lengths and plug choices. My pattern is 1.5m lengthy and terminated with a 4-pin Neutrik jack however you may also select 4.4mm, 3.5mm, and 6.35mm relying on person choice.
Altering the plug won’t have an effect on the price however if you happen to plan on getting an extended cable it’s about $50 per 0.5m further size.
Packaging & Equipment
The Diana DZ packaging and equipment have the identical new styling, bigger case, and field because the Diana MR. Gone is the elongated toiletries case of the older fashions and fact be instructed I sort of miss it.
They had been distinctive circumstances with a sure retro-appeal to them although I suppose these newer gray and zipped Geekria-type arduous circumstances supply a better stage of 360-degree safety for the headphones. There’s a refined nod to the older colour scheme with the little zipper tags which is a pleasant contact.
The white retail field is nothing particular however I like among the inner colour schemes. It’s larger a much bigger cardboard field than the older shoebox styling with clear minimalist branding on the entrance and a really cool paisley end on the interior and the cable inside its personal mini accent container.
Click on page 2 below for my sound impressions and recommended pairings.
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