Beyerdynamic DT880 Comparison

Discussion in 'Headphones' started by wadec22, Aug 9, 2020.

  1. Donald North

    Donald North Friend

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    Here are the relevant pages for the DT990, DT880, and DT880 Studio
    IMG_20200811_0005.jpg IMG_20200811_0006.jpg IMG_20200811_0007.jpg
     
  2. Pogo

    Pogo Friend

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    Note the fancy,expensive pen in the foreground of Beyer's 20th century marketing pix and the fancy,expensive pen in the foreground to today's Schiit marketing pix.
    My sister made a very good living selling these fancy expensive pends, surprising there is no pen snob thread on here....
     
  3. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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    https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/pen-ink-paper-collecting-thread.1427/

    The Montblanc in the Beyer promotional material definitely caught my eye, looks like a 144? Not sure if the dates match up. And I do remember seeing modern Conklin Crescent Fillers on Schiit's site before but I wasn't much a fan of the filling system so never had one of my own :p

    Edit: don't recognise the one in the Magnius shot but looks like a lacquered barrel... was thinking modern Wahl Eversharp Decoband but the jewel on the barrel end throws that off. Next best guess would be something from Aurora.
     
    Last edited: Aug 11, 2020
  4. Donald North

    Donald North Friend

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    The Studer/Revox CD player and cassette deck in the background of those pics cost around $2000 each new back in 1989
     
  5. Pogo

    Pogo Friend

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    I do stand corrected, thanks for the link!
     
  6. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    The DT250 higher ohm version is Beyerdynamic’s only good sounding headphone and their only headphone with absolute crap build quality. They fail at what they do.
     
  7. wadec22

    wadec22 Almost "Made"

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    pretty tough to argue with that. I have spent a lot of time with the 177X GO and intend to post impressions and FR difference with different pads. That is a "fun" headphone and really pretty good for a closed headphone, but only further supports your perspective, as they had help with that one lol.
     
  8. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    They had help?? Oh my please explain that’s good stuff.

    I just find it remarkable how consistent Beyerdynamic is with good build quality and aesthetics across all models. But they all sound like crap. Then they finally make a good sounding headphone and make it out of phischer price plastic.

    ok, the DT1350 can sound ok if you get a good version. And rumor has it the new T1’s are ok.

    but to stay on topic, I do respect how bloody clean the DT880 is esp for a dynamic. But it still sounds like super bright metallic crap to me.
     
  9. wadec22

    wadec22 Almost "Made"

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    yeah, the 177X is the version of the 1770 Pro that Drop helped them dampen and tame the FR. it still has some flaws.

    I have not tried the 1350, but the new T1 is NOT okay. Painful treble spikes. :( I actually found the first t1 easier to live with adn I prefer the 880 to both by a large margin.

    I can respect and totally understand why some folks don't care for the 880. I enjoy it. Not with everything mind you, but I think it is a pretty good value for what it does.
     
  10. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Oh I thought you meant they had help tuning the DT250. Which would be really funny.
     
  11. Donald North

    Donald North Friend

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    I like the DT880 250 ohm and my favorites are the DT911 and DT931. Granted these all have a lively treble and IMO all benefit from 120 ohm source impedance, which increases the bass and decreases the treble.
     
  12. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

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    That would explain the 120 ohm switch on your amps.
     
  13. Player

    Player Possible Troll / Argument Shifter

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    since i love the dt990 and gave up on the dt1990 (they seem to be nastily too harsh in highs but so were the 990 before a month or two of use) im considering dt880 instead maybe idk... i should be happy with what i got cause i am happy. im just still disappointed that the dt1990 seem to be too harsh.
     
  14. damaged-goods

    damaged-goods Acquaintance

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    I had a "dt880 black special edition 250Ohm" recently and am pretty confident the ear pads are the balanced dt1990 pads instead of the usual grey velour. These pads are not black but a very dark grey, they are also deeper than the standard pads.
    It's also worth to mention that there are regular "grey" velours and also regular "black" velour that sound identical.

    Grey velour and black velour that sound identical:
    https://www.beyerdynamic.de/edt-990-v.html
    https://www.beyerdynamic.de/edt-990-vb.html
    (The "dt990PRO black limited edition" with 3m straight cable come with the above black velours)

    dt1990 balanced pads that I think come with the "black special editions":
    https://www.beyerdynamic.de/edt-1990vb.html
     
  15. CrazyMan

    CrazyMan New

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    Hi everyone!
    I am new to the hobby and I have just entered into the rabbit hole.
    I have a DT880 Edition 250 ohm driven by a Sound BlasterX G6 but I am still in the return period. I am considering switching to DT880 600 ohm.
    Would the Magni 3+/JDS Labs Atom/Topping L30/Liquid Spark/others under 200? enough to drive the DT880 600 ohm at full potential exploiting the better resolution the 600 ohm have over the 250 ohm or better the 250 ohm version with them (they would be driven better)?
    How much do I have to spend for an amp to drive the 600 ohm fully and earn the improved resolution over the 250 ohm?
    Is it worth it?

    Hope you can help me.
    Thank you for your attention.
     
    Last edited: Aug 26, 2020
  16. Baten

    Baten Friend

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    All around negative, just stick with 250 ohm version unless you get an actual big boy big output amp. And I don't mean that in a bad or offensive way, I just wouldn't waste the time money and effort to get the 600 ohm version just to be disappointed about the results.
     
  17. Eric_C

    Eric_C Friend

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    You might want to lurk around more, and/or introduce yourself properly in the intro thread (see top banner). This isn't a forum for upgrade-itis.
     
  18. not_root

    not_root New

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    Recently swapped the stock pads on my DT880-600 with Dekoni Elite Velours after solderdude had some luck taming the treble peak, and this post implies that the pads are responsible for the 8khz peak. Though the treble peak is definitely diminished, the Dekoni pads have also accentuated the bass on what is already a somewhat warm (aside from the treble peak) headphone. This warmth seems more apparent in solderdude's measurements, but with these pads, the mids sound very recessed, while the signature sparkle is still present. I'm wondering if there are other pads which provide a more reasonable middle ground, or if my ears just need time to acclimate to the inherent warmth now that the peak has been lessened.
     
    Last edited: Feb 28, 2021
  19. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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    Even in stock form I'd consider the DT880 to be very warm, which at lower SPLs can actually help at making the treble peakage tolerable. Any additional warmth makes it feel at risk of encroaching on AQ Nighthawk territory, which while not impossible to adapt to (people can get used to just about any headphone with enough time) seems like it'd ruin you for more "typical" presentations.

    Changing pads out is definitely going to alter sound appreciably, and iirc the Senn Orpheus pads have some inherent peakiness to them too.

    You may have better luck with less bassy pads (more open material, less dense foam) and experimenting with front and rear damping to reduce the treble. There are probably easier ways to get around the Beyer voicing but that's what worked for me when I had DT880/250s around.
     
  20. not_root

    not_root New

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    As per cskippy's mod, I tried the Hifiman velours. Those seemed to do the trick - slightly bright, but less peaky than stock, which is basically what I wanted.
     

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