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Abyss Headphones JOAL High Performance Headphone- Master Tape Sound
JOAL is a time machine for music, feeding your soul with sound that never ceases to amaze. Whether it's rock and roll from the ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s, EDM, jazz, blues, classical, or even bluegrass, JOAL delivers an experience that must be heard to be fully appreciated.
Abyss headphones are renowned for their unmatched durability and craftsmanship—among the finest in the world. JOAL is no exception, backed by a 10-year private warranty for the original owner, ensuring your investment in this timeless design and superior sound.
Built on over 15 years of research and development, JOAL represents the pinnacle of Abyss’ patented planar speaker driver technology. Known for its ability to reproduce music with breathtaking detail, deep bass, and an immersive soundstage, JOAL takes this legacy to yet another level.
Handcrafted in our New York, USA facility, JOAL embodies everything we've learned about what discerning listeners want in a headphone. Its lightweight, Diana-inspired CNC-machined aluminum frame, durable finishes, low-profile magnetic-adjustable headband, and luxurious Ultrasuede materials provide pillow-like comfort for all-day listening.
Designed to pair beautifully with both entry-level electronics and the finest high-end source gear, JOAL delivers stunning performance at every level.
For Bluetooth functionality, add the optional iFi Go Blu pocket-sized headphone amp at checkout for an exceptional wireless experience.
JOAL = Jack Of All Listening.
Features:
- CNC-machined aluminum chassis with a high-durability black textured finish
- Laser-cut, annealed metal "Twist and Flex" headband with magnetic adjustability for a personalized fit
- Abyss Patented 63mm Planar Speaker Drivers for full-range sound with deep, extended bass
- Pillow-top Ultrasuede ear pads that gently hug your head and magnetically attach for easy swapping and smooth sound Optional Hybrid Suede/Lambskin and Bass-Ported ear pads allow for easy sound customization
- Optional Hybrid Suede/Lambskin and Bass-Ported ear pads allow for easy sound customization
- Premium 2-meter, 16-core super-soft OFC copper alloy headphone cable with 4.4mm plug
- Velvet-lined protective shell travel case
- Low speaker impedance enhances compatibility with portable, battery-operated electronics
- Compatible with all existing DIANA headphone ear pads and cables (for existing Abyss customers)
- Vegan-friendly – no animal leathers used
Equipment Pairing:
- Woo Audio TUBE mini Portable USB C powered Headphone Amplifier / DAC
- Woo Audio WA7 Fireflies (3rd generation) Compact Desktop Headphone DAC and Amplifier
- Woo Audio WA6 (2nd gen) Headphone Amplifier
- Woo Audio WA11 Topaz Headphone Amplifier / DAC
- HeadAmp GS-X Mini Balanced Headphone Amplifier/Pre-Amp
- Woo Audio WA22 (2nd gen) Fully-balanced Headphone Amplifier / Preamplifier
- Woo Audio WA23 LUNA Headphone Amplifier / Preamplifier
Included in the box:
- ABYSS JOAL High Performance Headphone
- ABYSS JOAL Pillow Top Ultrasuede Ear Pads (attached)
- ABYSS JOAL Black Protective Shell case with velvet interior
- ABYSS JOAL 2 meter (6.6 ft) length premium 16 core super soft cable with 4.4 mm plug
- Quick start instruction card
Available optional JOAL 16 core super soft cable adaptors seamlessly convert the stock 4.4 mm cable to a 4 pin XLR plug, a 3.5mm plug, or a (1/4 inch) plug to connect to various electronics not equipped with a 4.4 mm jack.
Warranty:
- Industry leading 10 Year Private Warranty
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Professional Reviews 89/100
Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
93/100
Comfort Fit
87/100
Build Quality
80/100
Features Usability
80/100
Value for Money
88/100
The JOAL pairs silky, natural midrange with holographic imaging, revealing instrumental texture and layered space without treble glare. Reviews By WaveTheory found it unusually refined and competitive in its class, while MajorHifi praised its lively punch, spacious precision, and genre-friendly balance. This is a polished planar built for immersive, detail-rich listening.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Exceptionally smooth, natural midrange and refined treble preserve detail without sharpness or sibilance.
Wide, three-dimensional soundstage with convincing layering and precise image placement.
Punchy, textured bass and lively dynamics deliver engaging impact while maintaining separation.
Substantially improved comfort over earlier Abyss designs, with a lighter, more wearable fit.
&
Cons
Sub-bass rolls off, so listeners seeking the deepest rumble and low-end slam may want more.
A capable desktop or high-power portable amplifier is recommended to unlock its full dynamics.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 93/100
Reviewers find the JOAL unusually balanced for an Abyss design: smooth and natural through the midrange and treble, highly resolving, spatially convincing, and still lively and engaging. Its main sonic limitation is a degree of sub-bass roll-off, although the bass pads add satisfying punch, texture, and presence.
Bass
88/100
The bass pads bring impactful, engaging bass with accurate pitch definition and good texture, while the tuning retains speed and separation rather than turning bloated. WaveTheory notes a sub-bass roll-off that may leave listeners seeking maximum rumble or low-end grunt wanting more, and Z Reviews similarly finds the very heaviest bass material better served by some larger-driver rivals.
Midrange
95/100
WaveTheory calls the midrange among the silkiest, smoothest, most refined, and most natural they have heard at any price. MajorHifi likewise hears a clear, articulate, natural, and spacious presentation, with instruments retaining convincing tone and presence.
Treble
92/100
The treble is repeatedly described as smooth, refined, and naturally related to the rest of the spectrum, without sharpness, sibilance, or thinness. MajorHifi also hears useful brilliance and extension without the sound becoming harsh, bright, or overly analytical.
Resolution Detail
95/100
Detail retrieval is a major strength, with reviewers hearing fine vocal breaths, instrumental textures, piano overtones, and complex low-end layers without congestion. MajorHifi considers the presentation genuinely top-tier in detail while remaining musical and approachable, while Audiophilepure praises its ability to recover subtle recorded information.
Soundstage Imaging
95/100
Reviewers consistently praise a large, open, deeply layered stage with accurate placement and a notably three-dimensional, holographic presentation. WaveTheory finds its spatial realism stronger than Abyss's flagship 1266, while MajorHifi highlights both convincing scale and stable image placement.
Dynamics
90/100
The JOAL is described as punchy, energetic, and lively, with realistic attack-and-decay timing and a clean sense of snap from the upper bass onward. Its mid-bass lift adds slam and body, while the lower bass remains quick enough to preserve separation.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Comfort Fit
87/100
WaveTheory finds the JOAL substantially more comfortable than older Diana models and reports being able to wear it through the review without discomfort. Z Reviews also describes it as feeling and wearing lighter, though the available reviews offer limited long-session fit comparisons across different listeners.
Build Quality
80/100
The reviews provided focus overwhelmingly on sound and offer little direct commentary on materials, durability, adjustment hardware, pads, connectors, or long-term ownership quality. There is therefore limited reviewer evidence on construction beyond the product's premium positioning.
Features Usability
80/100
This is a purpose-built wired planar headphone intended for use with a capable amplifier; Abyss recommends substantial power for its full dynamic capability. The reviews say little about included accessories, cable options, replacement parts, or other day-to-day usability details.
Value for Money
88/100
At $1,895, MajorHifi notes that the JOAL costs significantly less than the rest of the Abyss range, while WaveTheory considers its technical performance competitive with several respected alternatives in its class. The reviews stop short of calling it a bargain, but they portray its performance as credible and compelling among premium competitors.
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- Alta Fedelta — online and in-store — Lombardia, Italy (website)
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