I own the D7000 and DT990/600.
I wrote a comparison before...
Very quick first impressions:
Bass. Woah. If I were to put it somewhere, I'd say the bass is more impactful than the DT990s, and slightly slower and thumpier. So it's more subwoofer-esque, but nowhere near boomy like the typical closed headphones. I didn't believe I would get the J$ pads, but since I've come to appreciate the quantity of the DT990 bass, I don't really want more than it offers. On a scale (revised), I'd say the DT990 bass QUANTITY (not quality) is an 8, while the D7000 is a 9. I think I'd enjoy it more if it came down to an 8. It's nowhere near a complaint in my part, but personal preference. The D7000 caters more to a basshead more bass oriented than me.
Mids: The mids are noticeable improvement over the DT990's. It's more present and has more weight to it. Hard to describe, but vocals sound more realistic. While I don't have any complaints about the 990's mids (I'm not a mid-whore like most head-fiers), they are not upfront like the bass and treble are, and sound just a little dry. With the D7000, you can hear the presence of the mids more.
Highs/Treble: This is interesting. My D7000 is not burned in (and again, I'm not a major believer in burn in, but I think some hours may tame it some). I find the treble to be less edgier than the DT990, but it isn't smooth either. If I had to put them a scale, I'd say the edgy/sharpness/aggressiveness of the highs/treble:
DT990: 9.5/10
D7000: 8/10
So yeah, it's STILL edgy, so those who want a smooth treble need not apply here. This is definitely to MY favor, as I want my treble on the sharp/sparkly side, I can't stand smooth/rolled off treble. The major difference that I can immediately spot (as well as my roommate who confirmed it before I even mentioned it) is that the treble has this refined quality to it. The DT990's treble can sound harsh and 'snowy' in comparison (though it's very high quality itself, IMHO...just speaking in comparison to the fantastic treble in the D7000).
In comparison, there's no mistake as to which one is the superior headphone. The D7000 sounds fantastic in pretty much EVERY way. For bassheads, this is THE headphone to get if you like your mids too. It's very musical and engaging. That being said, the DT990 definitely has an airier sound to it. You can contribute this to it's open design. There is NO question that the DT990 is obviously brighter in signature, while I find the Denon to be on the warm side of neutral, but closer to neutral than any other warm headphone I have ever heard. I do wish it was a little brighter though.
I also compared the Denon D7000 to the M50 directly. This is where there is a significant gap in quality. The M50 while FANTASTIC for the price, doesn't come close to the sound quality of the D7000. It sounds muddy all around, bloated in bass, and harsh in treble in a direct comparison. My friend who is an M50 fanboy to the fullest acknowledged why the D7000 costs as much as it does.
Absolutely worth it for the $585 I paid. As far as closed headphones go, the D7000 is pretty much all I could ever ask for, though it definitely does NOT isolate all too well, lol.
Now as for gaming...that's gonna have to wait, as I plan on hooking it up directly to the Mixamp and need the 3.5mm adapter first.
I plan on testing the D7000 unamped as well, though all my sources have 3.5mm inputs. Also plan on testing it with the Fuze-LOD-E7 combo to see how well driven it is by just the E7.
Just wanna mention that I would NOT want the D7000 warmer than it is, so I think I would've disliked it with a tube amp. Sounds bloody epic with the E9. On Low Gain, I barely get to 10 o clock on the volume pot... VERY easy to drive.
Oh yes, the sound signature reminds me of a significantly improved CAL/D1001. DEFINITELY the easiest way to describe it. This is gonna sound like blasphemy but going back and forth, I still prefer the signature of the DT990 more, lol. Probably the good old open vs closed difference.
Oh last thing, comfort. They are very comfortable. VERY. I just still prefer the velour of the 990's over the leather of the D7000. The D7000 heats up pretty quickly.
Another thing to add, the D7000 is a LOT easier to drive. It can be enjoyed quite a bit even unamped, with something as cheap as the Fiio E5 or E7, and definitely with the powerful E9 (tightens up the bass very noticeably compared to the others, bringing out the mids more because the bass isn't uncontrollably trampling over the mids). The DT990 has better bass for me, for sure, but it's my opinion. The bass is quicker, punchier, which is my preference, though the D7000's bass has to be heard to be appreciated. It is amazing.
Edited by Mad Lust Envy - 12/27/10 at 12:22pm
