In spite of my green enthusiam I certainly wouldn't doubt that something like the hd800 has much better sound, not that I've ever heard them.
For me reference class is live acoustic music, especially including classical or other symponic/orchestral genres in a good hall, minus the full body bass experience that you could never hope to get with headphones.  The DT660 does not match my reference class and I would certainly hope an open headphone costing ten times as much would come closer.
 
In some ways though it's hard to say "not in the same league".  Again, I would hope the sound quality is not in the same league, but then if you make a big rig tractor trailer that can run at 165 mph, I don't think it's fair to say that it's not in the same league as a Ferrari Enzo.  I mean ok, yes in sports terminology it would race litteraly in a different league, but the implication of the phrase is that it's a lower league, where actually I'd be more impressed with the truck. 
 
It might well still be true that the dt660 does not deserve the same category of respect, but it is a different thing, and it does its thing well, certainly for the price, and probably even for a much higher price.

I don't suppose anyone has tried to add a cable jack to these?
 
The cable penetration is oddly shaped and there's not much room  in there.  I'm not sure how well a standard panel mount jack would fit/look there.  Maybe the best bet would be to cut the cord and add a jack inline externally.  Or, I could find a bread bag to grab another twist tie off of and find something better to do with my time than fighting tiny coated wires.  I'm not even a cable freak, just wouldn't mind both shorter and longer cable options (ok I can solve longer).  The stock length is kind of a useless length for me.

biggerhead said:

  I don't suppose anyone has tried to add a cable jack to these?
 
The cable penetration is oddly shaped and there's not much room  in there.  I'm not sure how well a standard panel mount jack would fit/look there.  Maybe the best bet would be to cut the cord and add a jack inline externally.  Or, I could find a bread bag to grab another twist tie off of and find something better to do with my time than fighting tiny coated wires.  I'm not even a cable freak, just wouldn't mind both shorter and longer cable options (ok I can solve longer).  The stock length is kind of a useless length for me.

Click to expand...

I haven't taken mine apart, but you could try a surface mount jack.  They are super tiny.  The main issue will be securing it properly.  Or you could hardwire some better wire with a pigtail similar to what you mentioned earlier.  This is likely to be enameled wire so a pain in the ass to cut and resolder.

r scott ireland said:

+1. I have both, and enjoy the DT 660's very much, but IMO the HD800 is the best I've heard for Classical. The DT 660's are not in the same league.

Click to expand...

Hd 800 is best for classical!!! (With exception of perhaps an upper stax, or some unobtainium like r10 or k1000 or something)

Bought my DT660 for less that 2 bills.  Heck of a phone, Brownie.

I was looking to buy a pair of open headphones for classical music and reading up on the HD600/650's when I came across this thread. I decided to check online and happened to see open box dt660's for $90 shipped, and now a pair is on its way to me in the coming weeks. Can't wait to see how these perform compared to my D5000's.

I'm inclined to buy some also.  I have preferred open or semi-open but the posts on this thread seem to indicate these will do the job for the money I can put into them at this time.  I'd love to be able to spend several hundred dollars on headphones but facts of life are that working just above minimum wage, those dreams are far off so I am just trying to get the best I can on what I can get.  I've had Grado SR's (the lower models), a Senn 518 and 558, and Ultrasone HFI-2400.  I loved the Ultrasone but these fit the budget.

starbux48 said:

I'm inclined to buy some also.  I have preferred open or semi-open but the posts on this thread seem to indicate these will do the job for the money I can put into them at this time.  I'd love to be able to spend several hundred dollars on headphones but facts of life are that working just above minimum wage, those dreams are far off so I am just trying to get the best I can on what I can get.  I've had Grado SR's (the lower models), a Senn 518 and 558, and Ultrasone HFI-2400.  I loved the Ultrasone but these fit the budget.

Click to expand...

There is a mint pair for sale in the FS thread

fraggler said:

  I haven't taken mine apart, but you could try a surface mount jack.  They are super tiny.  The main issue will be securing it properly.  Or you could hardwire some better wire with a pigtail similar to what you mentioned earlier.  This is likely to be enameled wire so a pain in the ass to cut and resolder.

Click to expand...

 
Good point, surface mount could have a good flush rectangular shape to fill that hole, with a little epoxy for support.  I should take apart the right cup to really see what the space looks like.  Yes the wires are enameled, better yet, stranded enameled.  Inside the wires are short so it's almost impossible to support the driver outside of the cups, but then to do this operation one would cut the wires anyway.  Of course I don't know if it's solder meltable enamel.  I'd rather fight enamel than melt the posts off my driver.  It's probably possible to do both though if you're slow. Actually I'm kind of thinking a twist tie around the cord is a pretty reasonable solution. I have less time to break stuff than I once did, but maybe I'll get inspired some day.  
 
For reference, taking this apart is a piece of cake.  If you reach under the ear cup padding from the inside of the ear space, there's a flat ring of hard plastic under it that goes all the way around the edge.  You can just pull on the padding and the ring together and it all just pulls out, with a little force, and can be pushed right back in. Of course you should try not to leverage against the screen because the driver is right there behind it. There are large tabs that press fit into the body.  They aren't particularly fragile, no tiny snapping tabs to break or anything scary like that. 

starbux48 said:

  I'm inclined to buy some also.  I have preferred open or semi-open but the posts on this thread seem to indicate these will do the job for the money I can put into them at this time.  I'd love to be able to spend several hundred dollars on headphones but facts of life are that working just above minimum wage, those dreams are far off so I am just trying to get the best I can on what I can get.  I've had Grado SR's (the lower models), a Senn 518 and 558, and Ultrasone HFI-2400.  I loved the Ultrasone but these fit the budget.

Click to expand...

 
Nice to see a down to earth view on the hobby like this. I started out in the Hobby like this some 12 years ago, working while in school, I would have killed to have something as good as a DT660 back then.
 
The DT660 is A grade for the price and for classical is probably the most cost effective way to listen. Maybe a Sony MA900 might be the next step up for the future. Either way, as long as your enjoying the music its better not to get caught up into the technical capabilities and what might be out there if you already have a very very good set up. A few around the web live beyond their financial means in the hobby.

dubstep girl said:

Hd 800 is best for classical!!! (With exception of perhaps an upper stax, or some unobtainium like r10 or k1000 or something)

Click to expand...

 
Highfive!
 
K1000 if you live alone maybe.

Couple place online I found the DT660's between $90 and $95 so plan on buying a pair this week.  I can use open or closed at home and they will do the job from all reports.  I will try them directly off my Mac output and my Onkyo A9555 to see which drives them best.

man, mine broke yesterday. im so sad. i had bought them off someone for $60, albeit in not-so-good condition, and they were the best for classical at that price.
 
and i dont own the hd800 but ive auditioned them a couple of times through some naim amp dac and they are in another league. maybe two.

First, I want to thank FraGGler for letting me listen to his DT660 at the meet today. I can now answer my question, "How good is DT660 for listening to baroque organ and to solo piano regardless of period?"
 
DT660 is less than enjoyable with organ because the treble is occasionally ever so slightly bright. The treble does not, however, cause problems with solo piano. What will matter a lot more to most listeners is that the treble makes it excellent with string instruments. The mids are well-represented and centered in the soundstage. Bass is appropriately present and not excessive.
 
I agree with OP that DT660 is generally well-balanced and overall finely done. It is especially good at conveying ambiance in orchestral classical works.

claritas said:

  I agree with OP that DT660 is generally well-balanced and overall finely done. It is especially good at conveying ambiance in orchestral classical works.

Click to expand...

 
totally agree!