Open Back Headphones - Abyss
Open back headphones, one of two main types of headphone design, differ from closed back headphones by leaving the back of the ear cup open, which permits some sound to escape – creating the impression of spaciousness and a wider soundstage. By allowing more air to flow, the resonance present in closed back design headphones is reduced, which creates a more natural and spacious sound. Open back design headphones are considered to be ideal for home listening and environments where there is little ambient noise. Most models perform better with a dedicated headphone amp.
This can be at the expense of bass performance – which is notably less pronounced than in closed-design headphones. Another thing to consider with open headphones is that the design means that sound is able to escape. We have a large range of open back headphones available to purchase online, as well as numerous demonstration models in store. We are always happy to arrange a demo or offer advice. All in stock items come with free UK next day delivery as standard.
Abyss created what many believe to be the best sounding headphones in the world; the AB-1266. Now you can discover them for yourself. Simply arrange a visit to our showroom and "enter the Abyss" with a demo these prestigious headphones.
Established in 1990 and part of JPS Labs, manufacturers of high end hi-fi cables, the extensive research and development department of Abyss have concentrated their energies in the field of headphones and to this end have produced some spectacular results. By focusing on material science and energy propagation, Abyss have engineered a method of producing the highest possible resolution wave of analogue sound, without any unwanted distortions, delivered straight to the ears. Therefore, Abyss have perfected a method to hear the very essence of the original sound source.
The Abyss headphones AB-1266 completely floored us when we first heard them, and considering that we are very familiar with other high end headphones, like Sennheiser HD800, Grado PS1000e, Oppo PM-1 and HiFi Man HE-1000, we were pleasantly surprised by the performance of these headphones. To get the most out of Abyss headphones you will need a powerful headphone amplifier when properly set-up, there is really nothing comparable. Previously, Abyss headphones AB-1266 were only available as a "Deluxe" package, Abyss released the "Lite" package more recently making the headphones available without the leather case and stand.
Don't forget you can order online with the option of 0% finance giving you the ultimate in high-fidelity headphones at a monthly repayment you can afford. Call or e-mail us if you're looking for a deal with a matching headphone amplifier.
We also offer very generous part exchanges on the Abyss headphones and can consider your existing headphones, providing they are in excellent condition. We can consider headphones from Audeze, Audio Technica, Beyerdynamic, Grado, HiFi Man, Oppo, Sennheiser and other fine brands for part exchange. Please call us to discuss or e-mail a list of your equipment and we can come back to you with a quote.
Unlike closed back headphones, the open back design is better suited to the home environment. As they are partly open, they permit ambient sound to enter the ear cup, which may affect the overall sound in noisier environments. They are also susceptible to leaking sound, meaning that others around you will hear your music as well.
This is what gives open back headphones their distinctly natural and airy sound stage, and the reason they are often favoured over other headphones. However, it means that they are generally unsuitable for use in public spaces or when commuting, as you may disturb others due to the sound escaping from your headphones.
In purely sonic terms, open back headphones tend to offer a better sound than similarly priced closed back headphones. Bass frequencies are not emphasised, they typically offer more accuracy and neutrality and soundstage is larger. However, it is important to remember the limitations of open back headphones.
They are only really suitable for home use due to leaking sound and disturbing others around you. Most models use a circumauaral design, meaning that they fit directly over the ear, and form a seal with the side of the head, except for where the ear cup is open. This makes them slightly more comfortable than on-ear models, and thus more suitable for longer listening sessions.
Headphones tend to sound better when used with dedicated headphone amplifier. As they need more power to counteract ambient noise and the open design, these headphones are typically harder to drive than their closed back counterparts. Therefore pairing open back headphones requires a little more consideration than other types of headphones.
Just like loudspeakers, the impedance determines the relative ease of driving a pair of headphones. The higher the rating, the more power is required to effectively drive them. Headphones vary wildly in impedances, but open back headphones are typically a little harder to drive than their closed back counterparts.
