Rex81
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2009
- Posts
- 305
- Likes
- 15
So I just got my DT770/Pro 80 (well used and burned in) and I thought I would compare them to my beloved AD700.
First let me say that I'm a proud mid-fier. I appreciate good sound, but i'm not willing to pay a fortune for it, and I believe that one's returns diminish very steeply when upgrading audio equipment. You pay much more for slightly better sound. My source is directly out of my cheap laptop soundcard or Moto Zine phone into my Fiio E5 playing 192 kbps and above MP3s.
I've had the AD700 for a month or so and I was so happy to have found an excellent value in the AD700 and Fiio E5 combo. I tried other amps (see sig) but kept coming back to the E5. For $110 I couldn't think of a better deal. But I needed work phones (closed) so I didn't bother the whole office, as the AD700 leaks bad. So I decided on the DT770 as I've never heard a Beyer before.
I love the look of the AD700. I realize its not for everyone. I just think they look really slick and different. They are BIG and look ridiculous on your head. I often got comments on them from coworkers. "Ya think those headphones are BIG enough?" I never minded much. They fit me perfectly but I have a big head. As they don't adjust for width I could see how someone with a small head couldn't even use them, although I've heard that if you bend the rails it helps this. They fit loosely, but its nice. In short, they're crazy comfy.
As for sound, the AD700 has amazing soundstage, clarity, midrange and highs. People say its light on bass, but with the E5's bass boost on I find it very balanced and natural sounding. Again, the clarity and soundstage of these is crazy. They should be way more expensive. They are easily driven without an amp and get plenty loud right out of my cell phone. Like I said the Fiio does them good and balances them out nicely. I think they're great for classical, jazz, acoustic, and indie music.
The DT770 Pro/80 are about the ugliest phones I've seen. Well, they're tied for my HD565, but those were made in the early 90s so they have an excuse. They are all utility and no style, but that's ok with me. They're built like a tank, that's clear. I would have no problem throwing these around, while I don't feel quite so confident about the AD700. I feel like the AD700 should be displayed nicely between uses and they DT770 should be thrown in the corner. They're almost as comfortable as the AD700 in my opinion, they fit a little tighter and get a little hotter because they're closed, but they're still nice.
As for the sound of the DT770, I think people on these boards often overstate characteristics of phones. As I look back at this review I see that I've done the same with the AD700, almost idolizing them. I guess this is natural. My point is that although these have a good amount of bass, they're not "bass monsters" or only good for bass, or have sunken mids, or anything like that. They have strong bass, slightly recessed mids, and very easy going, calm highs. I don't think they lack mids or highs at all like others have stated. They definitely favor the bass a bit. Overall clarity is good. Not quite up to the AD700, but if you weren't A/Bing them as I am now, you wouldn't miss it. I certainly don't need the bass boost on the Fiio with these. Although it was of nice to play with it when listening to rap or techno. These will definitely bump. They isolate very well. Because of this and because they're smaller, I think they'll do nicely for the office.
I've been listening to these for a few hours now and I think I'll say that the bass is getting a little fatiguing. Not terrible, but I've worn my AD700 for a lot longer and have never felt fatigued.
Overall I'm going to put these on the same tier. They are both excellent phones for the price. Seeing as how you can get the AD700 for less than $90 and the DT770 goes for around $150, the value edge goes to the AD700 along with looks and comfort. Build quality goes to DT770.
Both phones can be driven without an amp, the DT770 is slightly harder to push but still sounds quite god right out of my phone. The Fiio E5 drives them both to higher than comfortable volumes and tightens them up a bit.
Sound? For my preference I'm going to say AD700. But only slightly. They're more refined. Clearer, better soundstage, mids and highs, non fatiguing. But I'm not a basshead. If you love bass or if you need isolation, then the DT770 wins. AD700 is the better analytical or relaxing phone (although its sound it not relaxed by any means, its no Sennheiser) and the DT770 is more fun and practical.
Neither phone is WAY better than the other. They're both good headphones and amazing values. I think it comes down to preference and the circumstances that they're used. I'm definitely keeping the DT770s. I'm proud to own both pairs.
First let me say that I'm a proud mid-fier. I appreciate good sound, but i'm not willing to pay a fortune for it, and I believe that one's returns diminish very steeply when upgrading audio equipment. You pay much more for slightly better sound. My source is directly out of my cheap laptop soundcard or Moto Zine phone into my Fiio E5 playing 192 kbps and above MP3s.
I've had the AD700 for a month or so and I was so happy to have found an excellent value in the AD700 and Fiio E5 combo. I tried other amps (see sig) but kept coming back to the E5. For $110 I couldn't think of a better deal. But I needed work phones (closed) so I didn't bother the whole office, as the AD700 leaks bad. So I decided on the DT770 as I've never heard a Beyer before.
I love the look of the AD700. I realize its not for everyone. I just think they look really slick and different. They are BIG and look ridiculous on your head. I often got comments on them from coworkers. "Ya think those headphones are BIG enough?" I never minded much. They fit me perfectly but I have a big head. As they don't adjust for width I could see how someone with a small head couldn't even use them, although I've heard that if you bend the rails it helps this. They fit loosely, but its nice. In short, they're crazy comfy.
As for sound, the AD700 has amazing soundstage, clarity, midrange and highs. People say its light on bass, but with the E5's bass boost on I find it very balanced and natural sounding. Again, the clarity and soundstage of these is crazy. They should be way more expensive. They are easily driven without an amp and get plenty loud right out of my cell phone. Like I said the Fiio does them good and balances them out nicely. I think they're great for classical, jazz, acoustic, and indie music.
The DT770 Pro/80 are about the ugliest phones I've seen. Well, they're tied for my HD565, but those were made in the early 90s so they have an excuse. They are all utility and no style, but that's ok with me. They're built like a tank, that's clear. I would have no problem throwing these around, while I don't feel quite so confident about the AD700. I feel like the AD700 should be displayed nicely between uses and they DT770 should be thrown in the corner. They're almost as comfortable as the AD700 in my opinion, they fit a little tighter and get a little hotter because they're closed, but they're still nice.
As for the sound of the DT770, I think people on these boards often overstate characteristics of phones. As I look back at this review I see that I've done the same with the AD700, almost idolizing them. I guess this is natural. My point is that although these have a good amount of bass, they're not "bass monsters" or only good for bass, or have sunken mids, or anything like that. They have strong bass, slightly recessed mids, and very easy going, calm highs. I don't think they lack mids or highs at all like others have stated. They definitely favor the bass a bit. Overall clarity is good. Not quite up to the AD700, but if you weren't A/Bing them as I am now, you wouldn't miss it. I certainly don't need the bass boost on the Fiio with these. Although it was of nice to play with it when listening to rap or techno. These will definitely bump. They isolate very well. Because of this and because they're smaller, I think they'll do nicely for the office.
I've been listening to these for a few hours now and I think I'll say that the bass is getting a little fatiguing. Not terrible, but I've worn my AD700 for a lot longer and have never felt fatigued.
Overall I'm going to put these on the same tier. They are both excellent phones for the price. Seeing as how you can get the AD700 for less than $90 and the DT770 goes for around $150, the value edge goes to the AD700 along with looks and comfort. Build quality goes to DT770.
Both phones can be driven without an amp, the DT770 is slightly harder to push but still sounds quite god right out of my phone. The Fiio E5 drives them both to higher than comfortable volumes and tightens them up a bit.
Sound? For my preference I'm going to say AD700. But only slightly. They're more refined. Clearer, better soundstage, mids and highs, non fatiguing. But I'm not a basshead. If you love bass or if you need isolation, then the DT770 wins. AD700 is the better analytical or relaxing phone (although its sound it not relaxed by any means, its no Sennheiser) and the DT770 is more fun and practical.
Neither phone is WAY better than the other. They're both good headphones and amazing values. I think it comes down to preference and the circumstances that they're used. I'm definitely keeping the DT770s. I'm proud to own both pairs.
