The Official Beyerdynamic T1 Impressions and Discussion Thread
Apr 10, 2013 at 11:00 AM Post #3,916 of 10,994
I think those who love the T1 are among a minority that's defined by a difference in sonic taste - specifically, a taste for sound that's uncolored, neutral, detailed, and quite simply...  accurate.

Without taking any surveys and with nothing to go on but my personal assessment of the Head-Fi community at large, I think the majority of Head-Fi, even among those with very expensive rigs, prefer a warmer, darker, smoother, inaccurate sound than what the T1 delivers when using equally neutral and transparent sources. 

Even among T1 owners we have people using tube amps, tube DACs, and tube buffers ahead of solid state amps.  Why?  Because the majority of people prefer a warmer, darker, smoother, less accurate sound.   

The T1 is, in my opinion, the only truly "reference" headphone I've heard to date.  It's very, very good at adding almost nothing to the signal.  And for that, it's shunned.

Mike


Excellent post MIke and you nailed it though I do not have the T1's as you know I have the T5P's and I do find using a tube amp and my 801 is a perfect blending match. I could not agree more with your thoughts about head-fi as well.

I have been having a pop at some of the usual suspects of late in the main because I would hate someone new coming to this forum to think that headphone knowledge starts and stops with them, especially the measurement brigade!
I did at first and it cost me a lot of money until I started to read other peoples thoughts who seem to exist on the sidelines and because the Vox Populi around here are so vocal and so into defending themselves and their followers defending them lest another viewpoint be heard those gems of wisdom get lost in the wiz bang of the pyrotechnics that seem to be popular here.

The T5P when I compared to the T1 before purchase is obviously a little more closed in being closed back but on the whole I felt the sonic signature very very similar, I really needed a closed back design and one with lower impedance to match my amp so went that route. I will say now having almost two hundred hours on the 5P's that the closed in feeling is fast diminishing and your right, they add nothing or take nothing away from the signal which is exactly as I wanted it preferring the tuning to be done via the amp and source (NO EQ though!!).
 
Apr 10, 2013 at 11:05 AM Post #3,917 of 10,994
Quote:
You won't regret it
dt880smile.png

 
I will come back and whine here if I will regret it 
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Apr 11, 2013 at 11:27 AM Post #3,919 of 10,994
Hey guys,
 
(I posted something similar in another thread but I'll post here to gather more responses)
 
I currently have a HE-500 and it's rather uncomfortable for me as it's rather heavy and has a strong clamping effect around the ears.
 
Seeing as people are saying that the Beyer T1s are more comfortable, may I know to what extent is it more (or different) comfortable than the HE-500s? (I suspect either one or both of the official weights reported are misleading: T1 at 530g and HE-500 at 502g)
 
Also, since the HD800 has an even lighter reported weight, what do you guys think of the HD 800 compared with the T1? (and how much more/less would you pay for the HD 800 compared to the T1?)
 
And if anyone uses the NFB 11.32 with the T1, what's your impression so far?
 
Thank you.
 
Apr 11, 2013 at 1:29 PM Post #3,920 of 10,994
Quote:
Hi, what do you guys think about ALO Pan Am with T1?

 
IMO, unless you need the budget dac or a semi-portable, the WA3 would be a better buy at a lower price.
 
 
 

 
I currently have a HE-500 and it's rather uncomfortable for me as it's rather heavy and has a strong clamping effect around the ears.
Seeing as people are saying that the Beyer T1s are more comfortable, may I know to what extent is it more (or different) comfortable than the HE-500s? (I suspect either one or both of the official weights reported are misleading: T1 at 530g and HE-500 at 502g)
Also, since the HD800 has an even lighter reported weight, what do you guys think of the HD 800 compared with the T1? (and how much more/less would you pay for the HD 800 compared to the T1?)
And if anyone uses the NFB 11.32 with the T1, what's your impression so far?
 
Thank you.
 


 
i own all 3 headphones.
 
the Beyerdynamic T1 is many times more comfortable than the HE-500, it definitely doesn't weigh that much, its much much lighter. both the T1 and HD800 are extremely comfortable. the hd 800 is a little more comfortable, but really its about the same for both. neither clamps or feels awkward on your head. the HE-500's problem for me is the velours have the metal rod hurting my ear and the pleathers get sweaty and hot.
 
i would pay the same for the t1 or the hd 800, i enjoy them both, and both are great headphones. the T1 are picky as they need a warmer amp to sound their best. and the HD 800 need better amp/dac to sound their best. both sound better with top tier SS or tube amps with a good source. 
 
also note: the HE-500 while unique in presentation, is extremely similar sounding to a T1 when you use velours. the T1 just being a little lighter in sound, and being faster, more extended bass, slightly warm mids (both have very similar mids though, very neutral and uncolored)., with better soundstage/imaging and detail. ultimately the HE-500 is a more forgiving, gets you 90% of the performance of the T1 kinda headphone. 
 
Apr 11, 2013 at 6:46 PM Post #3,921 of 10,994
Think I just report back, after a long wait I have got my SPL Auditor from Germany and I must say I really enjoyed it when pairing with my T1. It's currently connected to my Neko Audio D100 MK2 DAC with a Nordost blue heaven xlr connector, and drivers my T1 effortlessly. I actually only turn the volume at 9 o'clock and it's already loud enough. 
 
Apr 11, 2013 at 9:37 PM Post #3,923 of 10,994
I'm comparing the HE-500 and T1 right now and will probably keep only the T1. For me, the HE-500 have been pretty comfortable with the pleather pads and an extra headband off ebay (being used to Denons and thick Jmoney pads), but the T1s are totally different story. It's probably the most comfortable headphone I've ever tried - along with the AKG K702 65th Anniversary, which are lightweight, have memory foam pads, and a smooth headband.
 
I like their sound equally, with the HE-500 being just a little bit easier on the ears, very intimate and smooth and grain-free, perfect for both male and female vocals, great with drums, piano, strings, but the T1 is a little bit better overall, with a little bit better attack for faster music (just my random thoughts right now).
 
Apr 11, 2013 at 10:05 PM Post #3,924 of 10,994
Quote:
 
I like their sound equally, with the HE-500 being just a little bit easier on the ears, very intimate and smooth and grain-free, perfect for both male and female vocals, great with drums, piano, strings, but the T1 is a little bit better overall, with a little bit better attack for faster music (just my random thoughts right now).

 
+1
 
the T1 is slightly better than he-500. biggest issue i have with he-500 is the sub-bass roll off. it just doesn't go all the way down.
 
Apr 11, 2013 at 10:28 PM Post #3,925 of 10,994
(Cross posted through several threads)
 
 
 
Quoting from another thread I'm following:
 
You want scary binaural? Try a virtual haircut. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUDTlvagjJA

 
Wow...... never tried that before.  I listened through the Q701, the T1, and HE-500.  Finally, a good way to easily rank soundstage :
 
1. HE-500
2. Q701
3. T1
 
The HE-500s REALLY sounded like the sound was all around the room, way outside of my head.  Was playing from the Lyr with the Amperex A-Frame 6DJ8/ECC88 tubes known for great sound and soundstage
 
Apr 11, 2013 at 11:43 PM Post #3,926 of 10,994
i would of ranked it. 
 
1. T1
 
2. HE-500
 
3. Q701
 
Apr 12, 2013 at 2:07 AM Post #3,927 of 10,994
Hey everyone,
 
Thank you all for the comments.
 
Everyone has agreed that T1 is generally superior to the HE-500. For me, I'm already quite satisfied with the sound quality of the HE-500 so the main motivation for getting a T1 would be - what seems to be - a slight improvement in SQ and a substantial improvement in comfort.
 
Anyway, I was wondering: how much more/less would you pay for a T1 compared to a HE-500? Or to put it another way to what extent do you think the T1's higher price than the HE-500 is justified?
 
Thank you.
 
[edited for clarity]
 
Apr 12, 2013 at 2:51 AM Post #3,928 of 10,994
You can get new T1 for 995$ on ebay. Used are around 800-900$.
 
Apr 12, 2013 at 3:01 AM Post #3,929 of 10,994
Quote:
Hey everyone,
 
Thank you all for the comments.
 
Everyone has agreed that T1 is generally superior to the HE-500. For me, I'm already quite satisfied with the sound quality of the HE-500 so the main motivation for getting a T1 would be - what seems to be - a slight improvement in SQ and a substantial improvement in comfort.
 
Anyway, I was wondering: how much more/less would you pay for a T1 compared to a HE-500? Or to put it another way to what extent do you think the T1's higher price than the HE-500 is justified?
 
Thank you.
 
[edited for clarity]

 
 
i think they're worth their asking price atm. the improvement is pretty noticeable over HE-500. HE-500 has some things better though, its slightly fuller sounding and more forgiving as well as smoother. but not as transparent or detailed, and the soundstage isn't as good and the bass rolls off. comfort is way better than HE-500
 
Apr 12, 2013 at 3:33 AM Post #3,930 of 10,994
Thank you all for replying.
Quote:
You can get new T1 for 995$ on ebay. Used are around 800-900$.

I searched and I think I might have come by the one you are referring to. However I'm not familiar with ebay so I don't really know what to expect.
Quote:
 
 
i think they're worth their asking price atm. the improvement is pretty noticeable over HE-500. HE-500 has some things better though, its slightly fuller sounding and more forgiving as well as smoother. but not as transparent or detailed, and the soundstage isn't as good and the bass rolls off. comfort is way better than HE-500

I have to say it's some consolation that the HE-500 has at least some strong points over the T1 lol.
 
But where I'm at right now I'm still gathering information on best prices for the T1 and HD800; because I'm still leaning towards the HD800 as I think it will appeal more to me (sound and comfort), subjectively at least. Just wished they'd ease up on the HD800 pricing (it's been so long already) lol.
 

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