More is (almost) not possible - High End Headphone Battle

Last Monday I was able to visit a customer to try out and compare some of the best headphones in the world. 
After waiting a few weeks until we were both fully vaccinated against Covid-19, we could finally get started.

The impressive setup consisted of:

Sources

• dCS Bartók (Roon Endpoint)
• iPAD & Laptop with Roon Library

Headphones

• Spirit Torino Valkyria

• Abyss AB-1266

• Hifiman Susvara

• Focal Utopia

... but first coffee

After we had a nice chat over coffee, we started. The Susvara and Utopia were quickly put aside as they did not meet both of our requirements for the desired sound. Both models are more neutral or flat-tuned, while my customer's AB-1266 and the ST Valkyria offer much more emotional music reproduction. 

Of course this is purely a matter of taste. That's why this doesn't mean that these are bad headphones! My client and I simply prefer a more "musical, emotional, full-bodied" style of playing. 

The AB-1266 and ST Valkyria offer exactly that. And yet they are very different. I guess there are hardly any headphones that can perfectly cover the entire music spectrum. Hence my customer's request to supplement the AB-1266 with another pair of headphones. 

The AB-1266 is ideal for his favorite music, EDM: driving bass, clear highs and lots of details. That's what you need and that's what the Abyss brings.

For classical music, orchestral soundtracks, jazz and live recordings where perfect vocal reproduction is important, you need something different:
The Spirit Torino Valkyria is the first choice here . 

After taking turns listening to the test (of course in compliance with all BAG Covid rules, including disinfection of the devices used), we largely agreed. The following impressions are of course just my own.

Abyss AB-1266

• Very "airy" treble reproduction
• Massive bass and sub-bass, can bleed a little into the midrange and cover it up
• Excellent detailing with treble extension, can be a bit harsh at times, some sibilance
• Slightly subdued and somewhat artificial sounding midrange, especially in voices
• Excellent stage and space
• Lack of coherence: All parts are very good on their own, but they don't "click" into each other
  
  

Spirit Torino Valkyria

• Intimate, direct representation
• Bass is clean, tight and fast with less sub-bass extension compared to 1266
• Voices are slightly forward, sound more natural and forceful, both female and male
• Excellent consistency
• Guitars and string instruments as well as pianos sound sonorous and very natural 
• The stage is less large than at 1266, but much more intimate, perfect for live experiences

My conclusion

Both headphones offer something outstanding, are quite different, but complement each other very well.Depending on your taste in music, some people will prefer one model or the other. 

Being able to test these high-end headphones on such a dream setup was a great experience and an absolute highlight for me. This clearly showed what an impressive music experience is possible with headphones!

The exciting conversations and exchanges with my customer rounded off the experience and made the day unforgettable for me. Luckily, it certainly wasn't the only one of its kind! 

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