Shouldn't the DT990 be technically superior over the DT880?

Discussion in 'Headphones' started by Retskrad, Jun 25, 2017.

  1. ultrabike

    ultrabike Measurbator - Admin

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    LOL! some call all HD6x0 veiled. I agree that the DT880 is relatively brighter, and the DT990 burns.
     
  2. Bill-P

    Bill-P Level 42 Mad Wizard

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    Just wanted to say... not quite. ;)

    [​IMG]

    ^ I would suggest doing a bit more research on this one if you're interested in DT990. But here's a teaser:

    DT990 actually already existed a long time ago as a studio monitor ("professional") headphone way before Beyer introduced the DT line-up, and the DT line-up is also different depending on what year you got your headphones, but IME, the older ones (they say released in 2003?) sound better than the newer line-up. Seems like a redesign or something happened at some point along the line, much like what Audeze did to fazored LCD headphones. The original DT990 studio monitor headphone was actually not that bright, by the way. Just somewhat bass-light (less sub bass than the current line-up). My guess? Beyer made it bassier and they thought it was too bassy so they added treble to balance things out. Maybe a bit too much treble.

    I might be able to change your opinions on that at some point... when I'm less lazy. Hahaha!
     
  3. Retskrad

    Retskrad New

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    Interesting... according to beyerdynamic's site, the DT880 says year 1980 and the 770&990 say 1985.

    https://europe.beyerdynamic.com/company/once-today.html

     
  4. Bill-P

    Bill-P Level 42 Mad Wizard

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    I think that refers mostly to the "Premium" 770 & 990. The original studio reference one doesn't seem like a "premium" headphone to me.

    And LOL @

    I think this is where the original premium line starts, without any mention of the pro line. Interesting to know nontheless.
     
  5. ultrabike

    ultrabike Measurbator - Admin

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    If a DT990 goes through you, likely it comes out something else that is actually nice after all the mods. Not fair.
     
    Last edited: Jun 26, 2017
  6. Griffon

    Griffon 2nd biggest asshole on SBAF

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    Who cares if DT990>DT880?

    The whole Beyer XX0 line are in the mid fi purgatory to various degrees. There is only so much agonizing between DT770/880/990 until one eventually upgrade to more proper gear or continue to find another mid fi flavour. Unless it hits a personal sweet spot.
     
  7. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    Sometime before the premium DT lineup, there were also a couple headphones in the 600 family, might not have been "DT"... I just remember at one point it was all 6's with the Sennheiser HD600, the AKG K600, and the Beyerdynamic 6something.
     
  8. TheIceman93

    TheIceman93 El pato-zorro

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    I really disliked the 990 and 880.

    That being said the newish DT 1990 Pro is actually a pretty good headphone. I owned one for a little while but sold it to fund an Eikon. In retrospect, the treble was a little too bright ... much less so than the 990 but still bothersome on some tracks. Still, Beyer seem to be headed in the right direction. As an aside ... what is it with Germans and overly bright headphones? Senn, Beyer, Ultrasone all have various models that are ruined by peaky treble.
     
  9. Retskrad

    Retskrad New

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    The DT-1990 is a DT880 who tries to be the HD650 but fails miserably. I have no idea why it costs so much because it's definitely not warranted.

    Beyerdynamic cannot make a headphone without hot treble, which is crazy because they are one of the oldest headphone companies who presumably has spent a lot of time and money on R&D. Maybe the leadership doesn't want to change.



     
  10. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    If they tune a lot of things by ear and have older staff, that could explain the treble...
     
  11. Retskrad

    Retskrad New

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    The army should use the DT990 as a torture device because that treble.

     
  12. Scubadude

    Scubadude Almost "Made"

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    Unlike most here I truly enjoyed my time 990's. The treble may by somewhat emphasized but it is also finely textured and exquisitely detailed. Gentle EQing is all that's required to make it a top drawer headphone.
     
  13. ultrabike

    ultrabike Measurbator - Admin

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    I would use more than gentle EQing on them. But nice to see someone with a different preference.
     
  14. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    LOL, didn't you own one? DT-990 is quite nice listening at 40db.
     
  15. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    DT990-600
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    DT880-250
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  16. Retskrad

    Retskrad New

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    Those graphs tell me that the difference between the DT990 and DT880 is similar to the HD600 and HD650 where the difference between them isn't as big as people claim. The "DT990 is the DT880 with a loudness wars EQ attached to it" holds true.

     
    Last edited: Jun 26, 2017
  17. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    They do have a strong family sound. The HD600/HD650 difference is more subtle though.
     
  18. Retskrad

    Retskrad New

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    Actually, the DT990 sounds quite good if you really turn the volume low but you can't rock it on louder volumes because it becomes a treble rave fest.
     
    Last edited: Jun 26, 2017
  19. Ringingears

    Ringingears Honorary BFF

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    I owned one too. Ouch! My ears, what's happened to my ears!? Sent them back after two painful weeks. The DT-1350's (good pair from @AustinValentine ) don't have that issue. My regular can at work. During prep of course.
     
  20. Retskrad

    Retskrad New

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    Would you say the DT880/990 is technically on the same level as the HD600/650?
     

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