DT880 vs DT990 | Comparison & Review - Page 7

I find it strange how peoples perception of the headphones can be so different.  I find the HD600's to be more detailed and edgy than the DT990's much less edgy than Grados (have the 325's)  I do not find the bass overwhelming at all.  The bass is just about right although not as pronounced as my Denon D7000's or the Ultrasone 750's.  If anything I find the bass a bit light!  The 990's are fine headphones as are most in the price range and the differences are subtle.  For people to say that the 990's or headphones by top manufactures are bad is crazy.  Even my Phiaton 300's sound reasonably good although I would not say they sound as good as my Hifiman;s or D7000's.  Lets be realistic.  

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdockweiler 

Bought some DT-990 250 ohm headphones today with next day delivery. All before checking this thread out. I ALMOST skipped them due to the dreaded "recessed mids" issue that people seem to toss around too much (me included). I just wonder how recessed they are compared to the old M50 and D2000. D2000 mids didn't feel recessed much at all to my ears and that's all that matters. This is when connected to a desktop amp though.

 

The DT-990 was my FIRST really expensive headphone back years ago before I knew much about headphones. I didn't have much knowledge at the time and had no clue when buying them that they were considered bass heavy and being very bright. This was probably 4 or 5 years ago. At the time I not once felt that they were too bright and had a lot of bass. Quite strange. I could have sworn I had the 32 ohm version, but maybe not. They never had the blue band around them, so maybe the seller sent me the wrong version at the time.

 

I normally don't like extremely bright headphones. Are these brighter than the Grado 325i? Doubt it. Right now I'm using a KRK KNS-8400 which is VERY bright, but luckily it's tamed itself a bit after burn-in.

 

I guess there is a 50-50 chance the mids of the DT-990 might not be good enough for me. I had ZERO issues with the D2000 mids and the mids on the DT-880 600 were very good. Right now as long as the mids are decent and not too recessed I'll be OK. This is going to be another of my fun headphones. I don't care of they're perfect. I guess if vocal quality is extremely bad I may return them. That's what worries me. I've been wanting to get these headphones again for a long time. It's nice the DT-990 is down to $180 now!

 

Hmm, are these brighter than the k601? A lot of people say those are, but they're not too bad to my hears. That's my current favorite headphone.

 

BTW I know the DT-880 600 or even 250 ohm version is probably better, but I just don't need another neutral headphone right now. I kept my k601 over the DT-880 600 when I had them both at the same time.

i don't think the K601 are bright at all either.  the DT990 will have a little more treble, but in no way fatiguing.
 

Got my DT-990 250 ohm headphones in today. I haven't burned them in yet, but they're just like I remember. A little different. This time around it's easy to spot the recessed mids. To me, it's not an issue so far. They feel more recessed than my amped D2000, but not as bad as my black boxed M50. To me, it's more like the mids are just "laid back" a little. I have no problem with this. They don't feel bass heavy really...yet. Strangely, my M50 felt like it was, but not with my D2000. Sometimes all of this doesn't make sense. The bass on these (and my D2000) seems very well controlled.

Soundstage and Imaging is pretty good so far. I expected the treble to be very, very fatiguing but so far it hasn't bothered me yet. Not even some of my music that usually gives me a headache. This may change soon. For comparison my new KRK KNS-8400 is much brighter. Out of the box it made the DT-990's treble look quite tame.

I don't know why, but despite the slightly recessed mids, vocals seems just as good (and natural sounding) as they were on my DT-880 600. Of course I need to do further testing. Of course I wouldn't suggest them if vocal quality was a high priority. So far, they're OK.

I think all these treble heavy headphones are growing on me. As long as they don't tire my ears out, that's OK. The Grado SR-80 and KRK KNS-8400 does a bit, even more so than the DT-990 for whatever reason. Grado 325i was too much for me and I couldn't listen to those for more than a half hour somehow. I used to think I was sensitive to treble, but maybe not as much as I once thought.

EDIT: Ended up returning the DT-990. The mids are much worse than I originally thought. I kept comparing them to some of my neutral headphones and in comparison they're quite distant at times (sounds much worse than it really is!). I made sure it wasn't the song just in case they were recorded that way. Sometimes vocals got a bit hard to hear, but other times they're OK. I said the M50 mids (black box version!) were more recessed, but I don't think that's the case now.

It's funny that I had these headphones previously for 2 years. I did a side by side comparison between the k701 and the DT-990 and ended up selling the DT-990 due to it's mids I think.

I do find that the D2000 is far better to me and if I had to pick between the two it'd be the D2000. Call me stupid and I don't know how this is possible, but the DT-880 600 ohm felt much brighter than the DT-990 250 ohm! DT-990 didn't bother me or fatigue my ears at all.

I guess I also should have not spoke so soon. DT-990 is definitely bass heavy and I love it. I wish I could have the bass of the DT-990 and the mids of the k601, but that's asking too much!

Got my SRH-840 in the mail today to try at least. I'm sooo glad to know that they fit fine and don't fall off my head. I think my last pair had something wrong with one of the sides you could adjust.

It's so weird hearing these again after so long. The sound isn't as engaging as I remember. I remember them being able to "wow" me with it's sound. I guess I've just been through so many headphones since then. Still like them though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dubwicht 

I find it strange how peoples perception of the headphones can be so different.

amping and source resolution make real differences. and then there is the more subtle but often still quite noticeable category of "synergy"

I agree.  I tried out the DT990/600 for awhile and wasn't too impressed, however I have a Matrix M-Stage.  I'm sure if I had a Little Dot or Woo Audio tube amp they would have sounded much nicer.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by melomaniac 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dubwicht 

I find it strange how peoples perception of the headphones can be so different.

amping and source resolution make real differences. and then there is the more subtle but often still quite noticeable category of "synergy"

Didn't want to dig up a specific DT990/600 thread so I'll just post this here.

I also joined the DT990/600 fanclub recently. Paired with a Meier Audio Corda Concerto amplifier, they definitely live up to the hype I've familiarized myself with on these forums. It has everything a not-too-crazy basshead like me could ever want in terms of bass quality and quantity, I just can't stop listening and are using them right now (the sub-bass drones on the first Sunn O))) album have never sounded this powerful!!)

But having been used to the DT770pro/80 for about a year, the one little thing I can't seem to get over, is that the head band is quite a bit wider, as you can clearly see in this photo I took.

I guess I have, like, an average size head, and slightly big ears, both of my beyers are extremely comfortable, but note in the photo that have to adjust the DT990 headband further (about two nothes) than on the DT770pro, and it feels like it's only touching the top side of my head. Not a big deal because after 30 seconds I've completely forgotten I'm wearing anything on my head and it's like my head has merged with it and become one with the music, but still I must say I greatly prefer the construction of the pro model.

So Katun if you're bad and end up in hell there will be a line of headphones all of them DT990's for your listening pleasure. Occasionaly, they'll bring in some Sony MDR-V6's to give your ears a rest from the Byers'. Lol.

(JK. These are the two headphones I own and your review has given me pause as the 990's are still in the free return period.)

"OP Quote

Message to DT990 owners:

What on earth have you done? I'm not sure if it's possible anyone could like the insane sound the DT990's put out, but I'll just tell you this. If you like the bright and clear sound of Beyerdynamic headphones in any way, shape, or form, I highly suggest you pick up a pair of DT880's in the future. Once you compare them, I'm sure you will come to the same conclusion I did and get rid of them ASAP. The DT880's highs are much more controlled, and the bass has more balance to it. It's overall sound is simply more pleasing. On the contrary, you do have the edge in comfort, but don't get too smug, as I'm sure the sizzling treble will wipe it clean off your face! (If you are thinking about becoming a DT990 owner, you aren't thinking hard enough. Think DT880 instead, if you are set on Beyerdyanmic)."

The only thing I have to compare my DT990/600's with are a pair of Senn HD 515's.  I've been listening to the 515 for 5 years now and there not as bad as most would have them, they sound well with my low quality sources.  And the bass rumbles on my head, something the bass heavy DT990's don't even do, but the 515's are well broken in.  I listen to stuff like King Crimson, Flower Kings, and such to almost all rock except for the simple headbanging stuff.  I also go towards music like Bruce Cockburn, Neil Young and such.  

The 990's work with all these types of music.  No they are not flat, so what?  I rock the hell out on these phones and that's what counts.

The OP kinda made me feel like a second class citizen since I like my 990's, I don't believe you meant to come off that way, but you came off seeming like your opinion and I stress 'opinion' is better than others.  For that reason alone I would give your very uncompromising review no heed.  

Just my opinion.

I haven't tried the DT 880, but do own the DT 990 Pro. And for me personally they're exactly what I expect from a headphone. Bright, engaging, to me there's no detail lost and I don't understand what people mean by recessed mids on these as I'm by no means an expert or experienced in the sense but I simply do not hear recessed mids from the DT 990 Pro. Songs that emphasize mids or voice in the actual mix recording (think Kings Of Leon) are incredibly dominant in those areas on these phones as they should be. Those that don't emphasize mids or voice-work in the mix record (think classic Guns N Roses) DO sound recessed but that's purposeful as Axl's voice is high pitched anyway drowned by Slash's guitar work and the bass growl of drums and guitar. To me the headphones (Beyer DT 990 Pro) reflect how they're meant to sound based on the recording emphasis especially when it comes to the mids. Also bands which have a wide range of well recorded stuff and are mid-heavy in focus but with quite a lot of everything mixed together in a kind of omnipresent way - for example Red Hot Chili Peppers - they sound awesome on the Beyer DT 990 Pro.

But let's say I wanted my next set of headphones to be neutral, or mid heavy (for comparison sake) - from what I understand and from what I've read here true neutral headphones basically means boring analytical and not very engaging at all. Also the only headphones which are mid heavy (or real good mids) is Grado. Any over ear equivalents ? As Grado isn't an option for me. Well it is but I don't like their look, form factor or build quality. And I hear bad things about their comfort.

The only headphone I have owned Head-Fi wise is the DT770 Pro 80. I listen to hip hop and rap. The soundstage seems a bit small, and with rock the bass can be a little overpowering *sometimes* and if at all not enough tio make me hate them, but they leave me with a bad taste in my mouth, if you know what I mean. From those headphones, which would you recommend? I have a $500 budget for now. I have a FiiO E7 as a DAC to a Darkvoice 337 if it helps. I've heard about how the DT880 and DV 337 are such a heavenly couple. Should I just get Darths?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Lust Envy 

In terms of the typical head fi phones, I have owned the DT880, DT990, K701, M50, Creative Aurvana Live, XB700, DT770 Pro 80, DT770/600, ES7, and AD700. I have heard/borrowed/tested Senn HD280 Pros, XB500, Senn HD428, and others I can't even begin to remember.

 

Call ME crazy, but the DT990 is my absolute favorite headphone. The DT880 doesn't even come close to the enjoyability I get from my 990s. For most people, the 880s WOULD be a better balanced phone, but that's not my preference. They were too boring for me.

 

I know for a fact I would personally hate the HD650. The Senns I have owned and listened to were just...ugh. Smoothness to me just sounds like congestion, muddiness, and stuffiness. I love bright treble, and the DT990's bass is anything but fatiguing. Fatiguing bass to me is what I heard from the Koss UR40 and the bass ported DT770/600.

 

Of course, we all have our preferences, but that's my 2 cents.

 

PIMP, I'm getting REAL sick of your stupid 990 mutilation pics. We get it. You have shown it enough. Are you 'slow' or what? You keep posting it for what? It's annoying. It's about every thread mentioning the 990s becomes a "hey, look what I did to my $200+ headphones, I'm a genius!"

I love the quantity but I hate how it smears everything else. Powerful but not smearing/overwhelming bass sounds appealing to me. I saw that the Denon D7000 are good with the DV 337 too. So DT990 or Pro 900 for me?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Lust Envy 

Wow, that quoted post is a while back, lol.

Man... if you could stretch your budget to $600... you MIGHT be able to score a pair of Denon D7000. Trust me... the mid-fi Beyers don't stand a chance. Within your budget... DT990 if you can handle the treble. The DT770 Pro 80 did have some harsh highs, so if you're okay with the treble, you may be okay with the 990's treble.

You may also wanna try the Pro 900 which has a consistent popularity at their price bracket for bassheads. Said that the bass is very powerful but not overwhelming like the DT770 Pro 80.

What about the bass do you not like about the 770 Pros? The quantity, or the fact that it tends to smear to the rest of the sound? Because the Pro 90 supposedly has a schiit ton of bass. The DT990 has much better bass than the DT770 Pro 80, nothing about it seems bloated or overpowering. Strong, but articulate and well textured. My fave bass of all headphones still, with the D7000 coming second, bass wise.