A little overwhelmed, need some Beyerdynamic help.

The MK IV will drive any of them just fine.

The Pro series is considered to be inferior to the Premium line.  They are quite a bit cheaper, but it's usually worth the extra money for the newer versions, which came out in 2005.

The DT880 is known for being quite balanced, but a bit bass light.  If you care more about midrange and clarity than anything else, the 880 is what you want.  They will all have a similar sound signature, but as you move up through the 32, 250 and 600 ohm versions, the drivers get lighter and faster, which allows the 600 ohm one to deliver higher sound quality, with less brightness in the high end.

With the DT990, you sacrifice some of that beautiful midrange for power at either end.  They have some of the best bass I've ever heard from a pair of headphones, but that comes at the cost of a bit of midrange clarity and focus.  It's not horribly sucked out, but they are not mid-centric.  The 990s also have a tendency towards brightness, which means you should stay away from them if you're allergic to treble.  Driven properly, though, especially with tubes, many people around here find the 990/600 to be one of the most musical headphones in its price range.  Again, the move up to 600 ohms gives you a bit more balance, better contained treble, and overall clarity.

I think the the 990s have the best soundstage.  I don't have much long experience with the 880s, but I do with the 990s and they seemed to have a better soundstage than what I've read about the 880s.

Nice comparison and contrast.  Thank you!

The way you describe the DT990 [which I have never tried, BTW], it reminds me of the DT880/2003 version [which I happen to like very much].

Are you able to comment on similarities/differences between the DT880/2003 and the DT990 [250 or 600 ohm model]?

Thanks again!
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by joelpearce 

The MK IV will drive any of them just fine.

 

The Pro series is considered to be inferior to the Premium line.  They are quite a bit cheaper, but it's usually worth the extra money for the newer versions, which came out in 2005.

 

The DT880 is known for being quite balanced, but a bit bass light.  If you care more about midrange and clarity than anything else, the 880 is what you want.  They will all have a similar sound signature, but as you move up through the 32, 250 and 600 ohm versions, the drivers get lighter and faster, which allows the 600 ohm one to deliver higher sound quality, with less brightness in the high end.

 

With the DT990, you sacrifice some of that beautiful midrange for power at either end.  They have some of the best bass I've ever heard from a pair of headphones, but that comes at the cost of a bit of midrange clarity and focus.  It's not horribly sucked out, but they are not mid-centric.  The 990s also have a tendency towards brightness, which means you should stay away from them if you're allergic to treble.  Driven properly, though, especially with tubes, many people around here find the 990/600 to be one of the most musical headphones in its price range.  Again, the move up to 600 ohms gives you a bit more balance, better contained treble, and overall clarity.

I have the DT 880 600 ohms.

They are not bass light but also not bass heavy and booming.

They got a nice thump to it and the bass sounds great if the album has good bass.

But this isn't a miracle fix it headphone if the bass isn't recorded well or done well or mixed down or out the headphone isn't going to provide it or put it back in.

The treble,mids and detail are all great I don't find anything fatiguing about them.

I really have no complaints.

For all versions its the 600 ohms version is the one to get.

But the 32 ohms version is also considered good at least for 880.

Really haven't heard anyone say anything about 990 32 ohm version.

The 250 ohms version is the ones that seem to have flaws and some people scratch their head as to why Beyer even makes that version.

I prefer my Beyerdynamic DT 150 over any of the DT770/DT880's. Balanced signature, dry visceral midrage with taut bass that doesn't become overbearing.