[MrEleventy]

it doesn't matter because no one reads the first post either.

 

[Chris J]

Quote:

 
This is becoming one of those endlessly repeating questions like: "Are integrated amp headphone jacks powered by 50c op amps?" (Answer, no). Every time it's answered, it pops up on the next page.
 
Maybe we should put up a sticky listing all the answers given thus far. For this enquirer, the balance of the answers indicates that there is very little if any difference depending on the amp you're using. Most amps will not reveal a noticeable difference, thus making the 250 ohm the best all-round choice, or the 32 ohm if you're using a portable device. However, there is some meagre indication thus far that the 32 ohm might not be quite as good as the higher impedance models. The jury's still out though, and sample variation is not to be discounted.

 
Hey, be nice!
It's a complicated question, which can be asked numerous ways.
For example:
I have an OTL vacuum tube amp, which version of the DT880 do you recommend (and why): 32, 250 and 600 Ohm.
 
In this case:
He was also asking about the FiiO E09K!

 

[marone]

I've listened to both of them extensively on a good system.

The DT 990 is a DT 880 with unrestricted drivers, this brings out a lot more bass as well as a bit more treble, it also brings out a bigger soundstage and more detail, but it loses it's flat frequency response, many prefer the DT 880 because of it's neutrality. The DT 990 is a much funner headphone than the DT 880 but many find it too bright, an amp that brings out the midrange and tames the treble is vital for the DT 990 to sound it's best.

The biggest difference between the Pro and Consumer is the clamp, the pros clamp harder, the Pros tend to be a little darker, have more bass, and have a smaller soundstage. Other than that it's aesthetic differences. The Pro versions only come in 250 Ohms drivers. The Premiums come in 32, 250, and 600 ohms. The different ohm versions all sound a bit different from each other. the 600 ohm versions tend to be considered the best versions and have the most refined sound.

The K240 Studio and K240 MKII are the same other than aesthetics and that the MKII comes with two cables(one straight and one coiled) and two sets of pads(pleather and velour)

Fantastic and detailed, thanks so much.

For my tastes it seems a 600ohm 880 Premium would be best.

If the 990 Pro (seems like a bassheads dream can) has all that bass from the unrestricted drivers and the harder clamping, that's not my style.

Although it would be awesome for electronic, darkwave, minor key synth pop and d 'n' b. I do not often listen to those styles of music, however.

 

[kman1211]

Quote:

Fantastic and detailed, thanks so much.

For my tastes it seems a 600ohm 880 Premium would be best.

If the 990 Pro (seems like a bassheads dream can) has all that bass from the unrestricted drivers and the harder clamping, that's not my style.

Although it would be awesome for electronic, darkwave, minor key synth pop and d 'n' b. I do not often listen to those styles of music, however.

 


No problem.
 
The 600 Ohm sounds only a little bit different than the 250 ohm. If the 250 ohm is a lot cheaper than the 600 ohm, I would get the 250 ohm instead.

 

[MrEleventy]

Fantastic and detailed, thanks so much.

For my tastes it seems a 600ohm 880 Premium would be best.

If the 990 Pro (seems like a bassheads dream can) has all that bass from the unrestricted drivers and the harder clamping, that's not my style.

Although it would be awesome for electronic, darkwave, minor key synth pop and d 'n' b. I do not often listen to those styles of music, however.

When you're feeling like it, the DT880s EQs really well in the bass end w/o distorting as long as you pair it with a strong enough amp.

 

[TrollDragon]

Coffee of the Deck with the DT880 Pro's

Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow in 24/48
E17 Gain 12 Bass +2 Treble -2

 

[pp312]

Quote:

 
Hey, be nice!
It's a complicated question, which can be asked numerous ways.
For example:
I have an OTL vacuum tube amp, which version of the DT880 do you recommend (and why): 32, 250 and 600 Ohm.
 
In this case:
He was also asking about the FiiO E09K!

 
 
I thought I was being extremely nice--and helpful. The fact remains, this question is asked and answered on page 26 and gets asked again on page 27 with monotonous regularity. I tend to blame those who originally disseminated the dubious claim that the 600 ohm version was clearly superior with "much" smoother treble. Anecdotal evidence now suggests that "much" or "very" are not appropriate words when discussing these differences, but phrases like "when using..." and "under certain circumstances..." are. Please, I beg anyone so tempted, do not try to convince us that there are "huge" differences between these models, because those of us who've read all the posts on this subject won't believe you and you'll only muddy the waters again.
 
As for the FiiO E09K, I did not include that in my quote, you'll notice. 

 

[Chris J]

I thought I was being extremely nice--and helpful. The fact remains, this question is asked and answered on page 26 and gets asked again on page 27 with monotonous regularity. I tend to blame those who originally disseminated the dubious claim that the 600 ohm version was clearly superior with "much" smoother treble. Anecdotal evidence now suggests that "much" or "very" are not appropriate words when discussing these differences, but phrases like "when using..." and "under certain circumstances..." are. Please, I beg anyone so tempted, do not try to convince us that there are "huge" differences between these models, because those of us who've read all the posts on this subject won't believe you and you'll only muddy the waters again.

As for the FiiO E09K, I did not include that in my quote, you'll notice. 

I should point out that I was partly trying to be amusing......maybe I wasn't too successful!

I guess the Internet is just a huge wasteland where the same questions are asked and debated again and again and again.
I have to admit that is one of the reasons why I stopped participating in the Science Forum......same idiotic crap again and again and again":mad:

 

[devhen]

Quote:

When you're feeling like it, the DT880s EQs really well in the bass end w/o distorting as long as you pair it with a strong enough amp.

 
^ Yup.

 

[pp312]

Quote:

I should point out that I was partly trying to be amusing......maybe I wasn't too successful!

 

 
 
Sorry I missed the jocularity. I'm usually noted for a decent sense of humour, but it must have failed me this time. 

 

[Ultrazino]

Quote:

If these turn out to be all that I've read them to be they will probably be my last head-fi purchase for the foreseeable future. 

 
They very well might be. I bought mine one year ago and I did look into pricier solutions but none has won me over. At the time I would have never thought I'd stick with them, but they have been the only pair so far I wouldn't want to give away. The DT-880 is a classic.

 

[marone]

When you're feeling like it, the DT880s EQs really well in the bass end w/o distorting as long as you pair it with a strong enough amp.

^ Yup.

To what do you both refer? That the DT880 Premium/Consumer can be EQ'd for more or less bass? Or the Pro version can be EQ'd for more or less bass?

 

[Leonarfd]

To what do you both refer? That the DT880 Premium/Consumer can be EQ'd for more or less bass? Or the Pro version can be EQ'd for more or less bass?

 
Both can be EQ to get more bass or less as it is the same driver only different clampforce(but ofc clampforce can make them different sounding).

 

[Chris J]

Quote:

 
 
Sorry I missed the jocularity. I'm usually noted for a decent sense of humour, but it must have failed me this time. 

Hey don't sweat it, I should have added in a

 or a

.
 
I think soumeone needs to volunteer to write up a guide for very long active threads like this which have the same old questions.
 
Problem is, who is going to volunteer?.......and hopefully they would write something very balanced and neutral based on their vast experience..................

Hmmmmm........it's a real tall order isn't it.
I ain't volunteering for this, I haven't heard enough different DT880s to even attempt to give a truly all encompasing balanced answer.
Where is Iron Man when you need him?

 

[Bill-P]

I have heard at least 8 different DT880... and from what I can recall, at least half of them are 250 Ohm, and the list includes at least 2 different 600 Ohm (the rest I can't quite tell, sorry). In fact, I heard 2 different 250 Ohm just recently at the SF Bay Area meet.
 
I can tell some differences between them but I have to say... the differences are really not "OMG this is so much better!" They sounded more like manufacturing variations.
 
In fact, driving my ATH-ES10 (42 Ohm, 100dB/mW sensitivity, so... objectivists, do some calculations 

) unamped through my iPhone 5 and amped through my Leckerton UHA-6S Mk.II definitely give more of a "difference" to my ears.
 
It's that small. I don't think anyone would notice it without straining some veins. It should come down to purely what sort of amping you can provide. The 600 Ohm can take beefier amps (Bottle Head Crack w/ 120 Ohm output impedance?) without warping the frequency response, while the 250 Ohm can take some tube amps (w/ lower impedance) and SS amps equally well.
 
So I hope that's enough subjective and objective info?