Headphones — ABYSS DIANA DZ

The Diana DZ is an open-backed planar magnetic headphone from Abyss, built with an exceptionally wide rated bandwidth. Abyss is a specialist headphone manufacturer whose entire catalogue is built around planar magnetic driver technology, and the Diana line represents the brand's more portable-friendly, lighter-weight take on that approach compared with its larger flagship models.

Key specs that matter

Rated response is 5 Hz to 65 kHz, an exceptionally wide window typical of planar magnetic drivers, extending well beyond the audible range at both ends by a comfortable design margin. Sensitivity is 92 dB per milliwatt into 50 ohms, a moderate figure that sits between the very low sensitivity of some flagship planar designs and the higher efficiency typical of dynamic-driver headphones. Weight is 315 g, relatively light for a planar magnetic design given that driver technology's typical association with heavier, more substantial headphone chassis.

Sound and use context

Expect the fast, detailed character associated with planar magnetic drivers, combined with an open-backed design that favours soundstage width over isolation - the moderate sensitivity and impedance combination here means it should be more forgiving to drive than some of Abyss's larger, more demanding flagship models.

Pairing

The 50 ohm impedance and 92 dB sensitivity call for a capable headphone amplifier rather than a phone's built-in output, though the requirements here are more moderate than some planar magnetic designs that demand a high-power desktop amplifier.

Alternatives

Other flagship planar magnetic headphones occupy similar territory, typically trading off weight, impedance and sensitivity differently - a listener comparing across brands should weigh how much amplifier investment they are prepared to make against the specific sensitivity figures each model quotes. Given the moderate 92 dB sensitivity and 50 ohm impedance, this model sits in easier-to-drive territory than several of Abyss's larger flagship headphones, which often demand a considerably more powerful desktop amplifier to reach their full dynamic potential - a useful detail for anyone drawn to the Abyss house sound but wary of investing in an expensive dedicated amplifier purely to unlock it. The open-backed design also means this headphone offers essentially no isolation from outside noise, a genuine practical consideration for anyone planning to use it in a shared living space or office.