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Why are the Beyer DT990 so much cheaper than the DT880?

post #1 of 32
3/7/10 at 8:41pm
Thread Starter 
In some places they sell the DT990 Pro for 138 € whereas the DT880 sells for almost double the price. What is the reason? Are the DT990 better or worse than DT880? I'm interested in all around semi-open cans with big soundstage, good bass, good with female vocals, classical music, games and movies. I'm tempted to buy a pair of DT990 but they have too high impedance to be used without amplification (250 ohms). Do you know if there are 32 ohm versions ?.
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post #2 of 32
3/7/10 at 8:50pm
yes there are 32 ohm available through beyerdynamic's manufaktur site (there are three models- 32 ohm, 250 ohm, 600 ohm). most people who have heard the three (or two of the three) prefer the 600 ohm models, which definitely need a home amp.
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post #3 of 32
3/7/10 at 9:10pm
i'm not sure why the dt990 sells for less than the dt880. but my guess is this: the dt990 was, before the T1, the top end beyer. but i believe, if i'm not mistaken, that it developed a reputation as a less exacting phone than the dt880.
so the dt880 became more in demand, thus isn't on sell very often.

regarding impedence/quality. i've owned the dt880 32 ohm, the dt880 pro 250 ohm, and the dt990 600 ohm.
and i can say, without much hesitation, that the higher the impedence, the more finesse you get.
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post #4 of 32
3/7/10 at 9:17pm
The dt990 has more bass than the dt880 as well. A lot of people prefer the HD600 over the HD650 although that is a different situation.
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post #5 of 32
3/7/10 at 9:23pm
It is only the pro which is much cheaper. The DT990 edition (which also sounds better than PRO) costs even more than a DT880 edition.
Why the pro is so much cheaper...I don't know. Could be possible there is still a big stock left from the older 2003er versions. You can difference them by the slider on the headband.

About the impedance. Everythin under 250ohm is NOT recommendable.
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post #6 of 32
3/7/10 at 9:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by NoXter View Post
It is only the pro which is much cheaper. The DT990 edition (which also sounds better than PRO) costs even more than a DT880 edition.
Why the pro is so much cheaper...I don't know. Could be possible there is still a big stock left from the older 2003er versions. You can difference them by the slider on the headband.
Right - you have to completely factor OUT the pro versions when you talk about Beyers.
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post #7 of 32
3/7/10 at 9:44pm
I think the 880 is considered the top end version (before T1). The number scheme isn't meant to reflect any so-called "improvement" from one model to the next, but just a different sound signature.
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post #8 of 32
3/7/10 at 9:45pm
Thread Starter 
Yes, the cheap ones are the Pro's. So, what are the differences between the pro and non pro versions of the DT990? I've read that the Pro version is older, less refined . Could somebody confirm this?.
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post #9 of 32
3/7/10 at 9:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by pterodactilo View Post
Yes, the cheap ones are the Pro's. So, what are the differences between the pro and non pro versions of the DT990? I've read that the Pro version is older, less refined . Could somebody confirm this?.

Primary they have a higher clamping-force, a spiral-cord and different housings. But they have a stronger bass, more recessed mids and they are less refined.
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post #10 of 32
3/7/10 at 9:50pm
The DT990 600ohm (non pro) is on sale at B&H for $237usd, the DT880 600ohm is at $305 I think this is because the DT880 is generally considered the better phone, thus companies aren't going to put them on sale very often.
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post #11 of 32
3/7/10 at 9:55pm
Amazon always seems to have good deals on DT880s.
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post #12 of 32
3/7/10 at 9:58pm
The 600ohm right now is at $300. Plus postage to me in Australia would end up being roughly $400aud, damn expensive in my eyes. I would be glad to pay $270 plus shipping, but $300 plus shipping, IMO is a tad expensive considering the DT990 600ohm is on sale for less than $240.
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post #13 of 32
3/7/10 at 10:00pm
The 770s, 880s, and 990s, correct me if I'm wrong, are all based on the same driver. In order of "closed-ness" they go from the fully closed 770 to the semi-closed 990 to the essentially open 880. Generally, head-fi'ers tend to prefer the 880's because they're the most neutral and fastest although they're also on the bright side. The 990's are much warmer in comparison with weightier bass, although unlike the 880's I haven't heard them so that's just FWIR. (The 770's fyi are really bright and have overbearing bass - a heavy v-shape FR).
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post #14 of 32
3/7/10 at 10:01pm
990 are open and 880 are semi-open aren't they?
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post #15 of 32
3/7/10 at 10:03pm
Thread Starter 
I already have a pair of Shure 440 and they sound nicely, but I want more. Will I notice an improvement with the DT990 pro over these?.
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