Hi,

I currently own a pair of Beyers DT250/80s. I absolutely adore the forward, smooth, rich midrange on these, as well as their ryhtm and impact. But I am getting frustrated by their rather dark character. I have tried some other headphones (highly rated in this discussion board), and they had much nicer, clearer, extended highs, as well as low-level detail. The new phones also had a deeper, bass (albeit not as punchy as on the dt250-80s). The only problem with the new phones was a clear thinning of the lower midrange and a more distant feeling to voices. It bugged the hell out of me so much that I am now regretting the upgrade.
So I am now looking for a set of headphones that have the same rich, immersive midrange of the dt250, but with clearer highs. The two most mentionned suggestions were the dt250-250's and the AKG 240S. I would like to hear from people who have compared both (I think our resident bavarian headphone barbarian could help on that one). I am concerned that the AKG's might have a sound that is just TOO smoooth, and would lack the drive and punchiness of the Beyers.

Thanks for any help you can give.

This appears to be adressed to me. Well then, awareness-check first: You are aware of the fact, that the K240S is not closed, but semi-open and only offers a little isolation? Nevertheless (= despite the fact that I personally favour the K240S), I'd recommend you to check the DT250/250 or, if you have no problem with a semi-open construction, the DT531. The tonality of both is similar to the 250/80, but both are much more extended (= will bring you back the missing highs and even deeper bass) - midrange level is reduced a little on the DT250/250 and a tad more on the DT531 compared to the DT250/80, so tonal balance is a bit different. If you're curious, you could of course check the K240S, too, but as you like certain traits of your Beyerdynamic a lot, I guess you'll prefer the DT250/250 or DT531...

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

Hi lini,

Yes, I am awware that the K240S are semi-open, but then again I lived for two years with Grados Sr60's so I should be alright with that, and they are for domestic use.
I was just wondering, what are the "certain traits of Beyerdynamics" you are refering to? I get it that you feel that they are totaly missing from the K240S, so much so as making it a bad choice for me. Jsut needed some precision about what you meant.
Cheers,

magatte .....

Lini, as long as you are going to answer this gentleman's question, could you please compare the isolation of the 250-250s with the isolation of the AKG 271s for me? Please?

You are indeed one of the most reliable sources at head-fi, IMHO.

Although I have not heard the 250-250's to compare, I can say the isolation of the K271's was AWESOME for the type of product that it is. And I loved the sound at first. But still, I managed to go off this headphone quicker than any other, the sound after a while was unpleasant to me, but I think perhaps bad synergy here.

From what I've heard for sound, the 250-250 are likely the better choice. And I will vouch for the 531's.

Paul: Sonically, the DT250/250 and the DT531 are remarkably close - just a bit of typical closed construction midrange pronounciation (aka honk ) with the DT250/250. Maybe good to know, in case you needed a closed headphone sometime...

Steve: Thanks for the compliment - deserved or not. Isolation on the DT250/250 is noticable, but not too great - maybe some 12 dB. Whereas the K271S should give you significant isolation (probably also due the pleather instead of velvet earpads) - probably ~ 18 dB, I'd guess.

Magatte: Difficult to describe, actually - I'd call it a similarity in tonal signature. The K240S is different - maybe more fluid and less pronounced in the midrange, with less highs and even deeper bass (at least with a good headphone amp). Maybe you'd enjoy that, too- but, at least, I wouldn't see much similarity between the K240S and the DT250/80...

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

Hi lini,

You finally convinced me to stick with Beyers.
I went through your old posts about the DT531. You consistently mention that they lack the midrange honk of the closed Dt250, but then again at some point you feel that the DT531 would benefit from +2db in the midrange. Coming from the 250-80 and loving the intimate midrange I am curently leaning towards the DT250s, even if it has to sacfice some naturality.
I had one last question to settle this. Which headphone in your opinion is the more punchy one? the DT531s or DT250s?

Thanks,

The punchier one? For you that should be the DT250/250 due to the slightly more pronounced midrange, I'd say.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini