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AKG K701 vs. Beyerdynamic DT880

post #1 of 83
8/19/09 at 3:39am
Thread Starter 
I had a pair of Beyerdynamic DT 880 250 ohm and loved the sound of them for about a year until a few days ago they unfortunately broke
(The right driver is damaged only, rest of cans in perfect condition. Up in the FS/WTB section - http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f10/fs...amaged-440532/)
With my Beyers now damaged and up for sale, I'm contemplating purchasing a new set of cans. At the time when I purchased my DT880s, The K701s were my next choice. Now, after a year, I'm trying to decide between picking up another set of DT880s (or 770s or 990s) or buying the K701s. I listen to many types of music, but mostly rock. I also use my headphones for playing video games and watching movies, every day. I have read up extensively on the K701s and have discovered that their performance with rock music is supposedly lacking. However, I'm finding it difficult to get a solid answer on how severe this weakness is. I would like to know how much of a difference I would notice and if I should simply buy another pair of DT880s or go ahead and get the K701s. Which pair would suit my needs? (Including music, movies, and games?).
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post #2 of 83
8/19/09 at 4:10am
If you enjoy the sound and performance of DT880, why not get another one, but my suggestion is, try the Manufaktur 600 ohm, this is the ultimate DT880.
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post #3 of 83
8/19/09 at 5:34am
If you know that you already like the DT880, then you should pick up another one. I wasn't crazy about the K-701 while Inowned it, but I miss the DT880. It's a terrific headphone. There's always the temptation to try something new, but what you already like can save you a bit of money if you ultimately don't like the new one you pick up.

if you really want to try a new headphone, how about the Sennheiser HD-600? It's a little more laid back than the DT880, but it would meet your requirements and it's an excellent headphone.
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post #4 of 83
8/19/09 at 5:38am
Quote:
Originally Posted by oldwine View Post
If you enjoy the sound and performance of DT880, why not get another one, but my suggestion is, try the Manufaktur 600 ohm, this is the ultimate DT880.
Agreed, and in all black too!
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post #5 of 83
8/19/09 at 6:27am
Thread Starter 
Uncle Erik, you're making a lot of sense. My motivation to get the K701s over the DT880s is mostly the thirst for novelty. I've had the DT880s for a year now and I love their sound, but getting something different is always exciting (especially if it looks as cool as the K701s). Another factor is that I get the feeling that I'm wasting more time and money if I simply end up with the same headphones, thus putting me in the same position that I was before the damage occurred. The situation just seems like a little bit less of a useless ordeal if in the end something has changed. I realize that these feelings are quite irrational. I am now strongly leaning towards purchasing another pair of DT880s, but (to IPodPJ and oldwine) the 600 ohm Manufaktur's steep price tag simply isn't worth it to me. I had trouble finding anywhere to purchase them and when I did find some for sale, the price was ridiculous. With that said, I'm in the process of purchasing a Meier Headfive, would this amp function well with DT880s?
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post #6 of 83
8/19/09 at 7:02am
Drew at Moon Audio sells the 600ohm Beyers for $319. i just bought a DT990 600 ohm version.

if you want to try something different, why not a DT990? you may like the extra bass for your music preferences and movie habits.

i've read so many bad things about the DT990 250ohm, but the 600 ohms are keepers after 125hrs of break-in.

i used to own a DT880 250ohm years ago but will definately be buying a 600 ohm version in the near future.
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post #7 of 83
8/19/09 at 7:47am
Quote:
Originally Posted by oldwine View Post
If you enjoy the sound and performance of DT880, why not get another one, but my suggestion is, try the Manufaktur 600 ohm, this is the ultimate DT880.
+1

I got mine at B&O for $319 and couldn't be happier with them. If you want to change the color, Manufaktur is a pretty nice tool to customize, but you pay a premium. I was worried about how long the special order from Beyerdynamic would take, but it turns out the US offices are based in New York so it took just a week to get to California.
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post #8 of 83
8/19/09 at 7:56am
DT990 is very different brother of DT880....and with new problem that 880 never have

1. the bass of DT990 not very easy to control

DT990 very easy lose control in upper-bass, make a unnatural bump in that section

2.Strong treble depends on equipments

DT990 have much more "Air" than 880, but with wrong equipment, will sound terrible harsh and dry

3. Unstable MID-BASS

That's all about running time ........or humidity
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post #9 of 83
8/19/09 at 8:19am
Thread Starter 
I really appreciate all of the help so far. Does anybody have any insight on my previous question? If I do buy the DT880s, how will they perform coupled with the Meier Headfive that I am in the process of purchasing?
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post #10 of 83
8/19/09 at 10:50am
I have DT880/250ohms version and used to owned Headfive about three years ago. While it didn't sound bad but nothing special with above combo. I preferred Millet Hybrid amp with DT880 even the basic model. You can find some nice MH amp used similar to Headfive price range.
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post #11 of 83
8/19/09 at 12:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Uncle Erik View Post
if you really want to try a new headphone, how about the Sennheiser HD-600? It's a little more laid back than the DT880, but it would meet your requirements and it's an excellent headphone.
Excellent idea. I got my HD600 today and they sound a bit like the DT880. I don't fully agree with them being laid-back though. They are certainly not aggressive but I find them to be more upfront/aggressive then my 03 880s. The 880s are imo very polite and flat. The HD600s sound a bit more livelier.

Please note. These are all first impressions.
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post #12 of 83
8/19/09 at 2:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by zlashed View Post
I really appreciate all of the help so far. Does anybody have any insight on my previous question? If I do buy the DT880s, how will they perform coupled with the Meier Headfive that I am in the process of purchasing?
Both DT880 and K701 are on the same level for rock, I had DT880 before but I returned it because it was too bright to my ears, so if you like DT880, you may find K701 "too neutral" to you.
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post #13 of 83
8/19/09 at 2:38pm
K701 I found to be totally different from the Beyers. The DT880 felt really involved, all the attacks were strong. The K701 feels detached compared to it, like you're viewing a concert from above, so you can see all the players, but they aren't playing to you. However, I kinda liked that, the super-detail and precision.
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post #14 of 83
8/19/09 at 4:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by zlashed View Post
I really appreciate all of the help so far. Does anybody have any insight on my previous question? If I do buy the DT880s, how will they perform coupled with the Meier Headfive that I am in the process of purchasing?
i would shoot Skylab, the resident Beyer/Meier expert, a PM.


don,
re: dt990. yeah, that what i've read around here, but after ample break-in, my M3 and Bijou are excellent pairings with the 600 ohm. the mid-bass is strong, but focused and taught with excellent bass detail all around. i think the treble is much better behaved than the K701, which could sound too bright and fatiguing for my tastes - i prefer the K601.
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post #15 of 83
8/19/09 at 5:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by fishski13 View Post
re: dt990. yeah, that what i've read around here, but after ample break-in, my M3 and Bijou are excellent pairings with the 600 ohm. the mid-bass is strong, but focused and taught with excellent bass detail all around. i think the treble is much better behaved than the K701, which could sound too bright and fatiguing for my tastes - i prefer the K601.
I respectfully disagree about the comment regarding the treble, at least for the 250 ohm version; I tried a DT990 250 ohm and I own a K701, both used on my set up and I found the DT990 treble to be much more forward and at the same time more harsh and fatiguing. The K701 has great treble extension but does it much more smoothly, and as a previous post suggests, more like you are further away/above the concert ... I would hazard a guess that your K701 was not fully burned in as untame treble is certainly a sign of that (just a guess of course) and as it has been well documented on Head-Fi, the K701 needs hundreds upon hundreds of hours to reach full burn in
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