The Engineering behind ABYSS Diana MR

[@ryanhostudio]

it’s really cool to see all the designs inside and reasoning explained good job!

[@HiFiInsider]

I like these inside look videos.

[@nelsonang]

love geeking out on the intricacies… more of such videos will surely advance the space… well done!

[@MWeston2]

This is one of my favorite videos from you guys. I love the technical side of things and your presentation. Id love to watch a video of a 1266 getting made from start t9 finish but that might be asking for too much. Great job with this one!

[@chungang7037]

Imagine if Eric started his own youtube audiophile review channel...

[@ABYSSHeadphones]

All the videos would be 6 hours long. Basically Technology Connections, but much longer...

[@chungang7037]

@@ABYSSHeadphones That would be kind of awesome!

[@klaushaunstrupchristensen7252]

I have come back to revisit this presentation. I wish I could like it one more time but it’s sadly not an option. Greetings from Denmark

[@disastrousemouse]

Three things: 1. Where did you get the sweater? 2. How does Diana MR compare to Diana TC or Abyss 1266 phi tc? (Finally heard the 1266 yesterday! Wow). 3. My local shop is getting a Diana TC and I should be able to hear it soon! I wonder if there will be an MR there (Stereo Unlimited in San Diego-great shop, knowledgeable guys!)

[@dksculpture]

Don’t take this as criticism. The THD looks excellent. A 10dB peak at 3k seems like a lot. It that kind of frequency response typical for all headphones? What’s the source of the peak? Is it a diaphragm resonance? Also do you use any constrained layer damping on the magnet supports? It would add some weight but I would think it could really knock down any ringing of the aluminum. And That ringing would be directly superimposed on diaphragm movement. Just musing, I’m guessing that you’ve addressed all of this. Impressive design and machining!!!!

[@ABYSSHeadphones]

It's complicated. If you compare the absolute distortion curve shown in this video to the frequency response you'll see that the output level peaks around 3 kHz, so the absolute distortion will also be higher there. Keep in mind the test set was normalized for the headphone to output 90 dB @ 1 KHz, so at 3 KHz the headphone output is about 12 dB higher, or about 102 dB! If you look at distortion as a percentage (cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2685/4510/files/Abyss-Diana-MR-THD.jpg?v=1696043811), it might be a bit more intuitive to the untrained eye as this takes into account output level, basically distortion divided by output, at any particular frequency; that is if the measurements are done properly. Might be a good topic for a future video.

[@ABYSSHeadphones]

If you’re referring to the frequency response peak (not distortion level peak at 3 KHz), a test head such as the B&K 5128 fairly accurately simulates the interior of the human ear, so these raw measurements as shown (straight off the ear drum so to speak) reflect the sound as perceived by humans. With a well tuned headphone there will be a peak in this ‘ear gain’ range of frequencies (let’s call it a function of the acoustics within the ear canal, the human ear does not hear flat). If the measured raw curve were flat in that region you would perceive that region as sucked out or missing. So to answer simply, it’s normal to see a rising response in that 1-3 KHz region when measuring a properly tuned headphone on this head shaped 5128 test fixture. Put another way, measuring headphones is not the same as measuring electronics, reading raw measurements requires interpretation.

[@dksculpture]

@@ABYSSHeadphones Thanks for your reply. That’s fascinating. I didn’t realize that the measurement shouldn’t be “flat” but should mimic the peaks caused by our ears geometry. Much appreciated 🙏

[@danrussell9357]

Great video about an awesome headphone.

[@Undead.Musicphile]

As someone who used to do Tool and Die making, I love videos like this.❤❤

[@hailtothekingbaby4910]

awesome :)

[@behemothinferno]

This is engineering applied at its best! Have you considered additive manufacturing instead of subtractive for more production efficiency and perhaps acoustic chambers withing the case itself which cannot be done otherwise?

[@ABYSSHeadphones]

Appreciate the kind words. There’s a great deal more stuff happening I’d like to show, but it’s a tricky balance getting things engaging while digging in. Additive is very interesting for sure, the potential is absurd. Complexity is basically free in additive, you can make almost anything you can dream up. Right now, it’s an extreme trade off to make a production part like this with additive. The major issue is cost for metal printing is very high, and it will still require post process machining to meet tolerances and finish requirements. It is more practical with plastics, but then they have other compromises that would most likely mean larger size and higher mass. Certainly something to keep an eye on, as that space is maturing rapidly.

[@jbrownson]

What CNC machines do you use?

[@ABYSSHeadphones]

Brother Speedio S700’s. We have a video showing a bit more here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gHeueKCYgpiXmKs

[@looyoo0-u6i]

Is it possible to get the mr in just the machined aluminum unpainted with anodizing ?

[@ABYSSHeadphones]

We stopped doing anodized finishes a number of years ago.

[@looyoo0-u6i]

@@ABYSSHeadphones darn that would have looked cool

[@gundum1o1]

Hey Abyss! Think you guys can maybe consider Meze Comfort level headphone but with 1266 Phi Drivers and slightly improved acoustics??? 👑

[@Accuaro]

Make a closed back and I'd be interested lol

[@georgetanasa3843]

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