Short answer: the Abyss AB1-266 Phi TC. It ranks #116 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.6/5, at $5,995. The T+A Solitaire PSE ranks #128, rated 3.5/5, at $4,890, $1,105 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
What the Abyss AB1-266 Phi TC does well: Oratory1990’s measurement gives it a preference score of 73, and air above 10 kHz is lifted about 3 dB, giving cymbals and room sound a light, airy sheen. Watch for: Bass sits about 6 dB below target under 60 Hz and 3 dB low from 60 to 200 Hz, so kick drums and bass lines sound thin, and treble from 6 to 10 kHz is about 6 dB low with a 10 dB dip near 6.5 kHz that veils detail.
The case for the T+A Solitaire PSE: The large 110 x 80mm planar driver delivers a warm, bass-leaning tuning in oratory1990’s measurement, with the upper bass 1.1 dB and the low mids 2.2 dB above target for a full, rich body on vocals and acoustic instruments. The catch: A peak of about 7.4 dB near 11.4 kHz lifts the air band 5 dB above target while the presence region sits 3.7 dB low, so cymbals can sound splashy even as vocals lose some edge.
Buy the Abyss AB1-266 Phi TC. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $1,105 saving on the T+A Solitaire PSE is not enough to make up the difference.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Abyss AB1-266 Phi TC | T+A Solitaire PSE | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5,995.00 | $4,890.00 |
| Ranked | #116 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #128 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 73 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 71 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.81 dB standard deviation | 2.62 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.39 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.69 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-5.7 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 42 Hz (-6.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 66mm planar magnetic | 1 x 110 x 80mm elliptical planar magnetic |
| Impedance | 50 ohms | 45 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 88 dB/mW | - |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs (640 g) | 1 lbs (440 g) |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 45kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 8Hz - 45kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More top alternatives to Abyss AB1-266 Phi TC:
- Stax SR-X9000 vs Abyss AB1-266 Phi TC
- Abyss AB1-266 Phi TC vs Audeze LCD-5
- T+A Solitaire PSE vs Yamaha YH-5000SE
- Stax SR-009S vs T+A Solitaire PSE
- Audeze LCD-5 vs T+A Solitaire PSE
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Abyss AB1-266 Phi TC: $5,995.00 Abyss eBay
Pros: Oratory1990’s measurement gives it a preference score of 73, and air above 10 kHz is lifted about 3 dB, giving cymbals and room sound a light, airy sheen. The open-back 66mm planar magnetic driver suits listeners who prefer a relaxed, laid-back presentation. It matches the rating of the Audeze LCD-5 and is rated above the Focal Utopia 2022.
Cons: Bass sits about 6 dB below target under 60 Hz and 3 dB low from 60 to 200 Hz, so kick drums and bass lines sound thin, and treble from 6 to 10 kHz is about 6 dB low with a 10 dB dip near 6.5 kHz that veils detail. At 88 dB/mW sensitivity it needs a capable headphone amp, it weighs 640 g, and the open back leaks sound and offers no isolation. The Stax SR-009S is rated higher for less money. See headphone amps and DACs with enough power to drive it.
Full Abyss AB1-266 Phi TC review and specifications →
| Back | Open |
|---|---|
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.81 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 66mm planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 45kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 73 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 50 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 88 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-5.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.39 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs (640 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.9 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +3.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,064 Hz | -5.3 dB | 1.29 |
| Peak | 3,885 Hz | +5.4 dB | 2.10 |
| Peak | 236 Hz | -2.3 dB | 1.36 |
| Peak | 1,952 Hz | +3.7 dB | 3.03 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -9.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 8,198 Hz | +5.2 dB | 0.96 |
| Peak | 5,233 Hz | -4.8 dB | 5.05 |
| Peak | 1,416 Hz | -0.4 dB | 4.94 |
| Peak | 2,854 Hz | -1.2 dB | 4.61 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
T+A Solitaire PSE: $4,890.00 Audio46 eBay
Pros: The large 110 x 80mm planar driver delivers a warm, bass-leaning tuning in oratory1990’s measurement, with the upper bass 1.1 dB and the low mids 2.2 dB above target for a full, rich body on vocals and acoustic instruments. At 45 ohms it runs from most headphone amps without needing extreme power. It suits listeners who prefer warmth over a lean, analytical sound.
Cons: A peak of about 7.4 dB near 11.4 kHz lifts the air band 5 dB above target while the presence region sits 3.7 dB low, so cymbals can sound splashy even as vocals lose some edge. Sub-bass falls 6 dB below target by 42 Hz, thinning the deepest rumble. At 440 g it is heavy, and the open back leaks sound and offers no isolation.
Full T+A Solitaire PSE review and specifications →
| Released | Jan 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.62 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 110 x 80mm elliptical planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 8Hz - 45kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 71 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 45 ohms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 42 Hz (-6.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.69 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 1 lbs (440 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.6 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +6.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 3,999 Hz | +4.4 dB | 1.91 |
| Peak | 105 Hz | -4.4 dB | 0.33 |
| Peak | 801 Hz | -1.1 dB | 1.31 |
| Peak | 1,976 Hz | +3.8 dB | 1.53 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -8.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 59 Hz | -1.9 dB | 2.87 |
| Peak | 42 Hz | +1.2 dB | 2.87 |
| Peak | 5,241 Hz | +2.3 dB | 5.21 |
| Peak | 47 Hz | +0.4 dB | 1.85 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons