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ATH-M50 vs. Beyerdynamic DT 770? The battle of the budget basshead cans.

post #1 of 25
1/19/12 at 8:55am
Thread Starter 

 

I'm sorry for asking a question that's probably been bashed over and over again, but I digress, here's my dilemma:

I currently listen solely from my desktop PC setup, and would love some advice on a nice upgrade.

For some background, here's what I currently have:

Now, my major gripe with my current headset (besides the sound quality) is the comfort. The cups in my current cans aren't deep enough, so my ears are constantly pressed against the grate, which hurts, especially since I use these things for around 8-12 hours a day.

I listen mainly to dubstep, electronic/house, futuregarage, blues rock, indie, and reggae.

I could really care less about including a microphone, because I'll get a studio quality one later on down the road. I do however, want a closed design as I'll be in close proximity to other college dorm-mates and would love some isolation.

Right now I'm comparing these sets of cans:

I'm entirely open to suggestions for any and all headphones you guys might recommend. I'm also open to defamatory remarks aimed at my current setup (I acquired them for free, so I'm not complaining). I would also like to know if I'd benefit from a DAC/Amp with any headphones you guys may suggest.

TL;DR: Would love some advice on comfortable basshead cans for around $100-200USD


Edited by Kirbicide - 1/20/12 at 1:08am
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post #2 of 25
1/19/12 at 8:57am

You do not want to be using the M50 for 8-12 hours a day.  It's uncomfortable for extended usage.

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post #3 of 25
1/19/12 at 9:45am

I own M50's and I do have to agree, I like their sound but they are not that comfortable for prolonged use and they get very warm quickly! Beyers and their velour pads are quite comfortable and keeps cool. Haven't tried the pro variants though... they are said to have more clamping force.

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post #4 of 25
1/19/12 at 9:46am

DT-770 80-ohm or the Denon D2000 if you can find a deal on it are the comfort kings of budget basshead cans.  I'd recommend a little bit of amplification when you can afford it, which will improve the sound.

 

Given my experience with the HFI-780, which should feel similar to the HFI-580, they have significant clamping force, which some people don't like.  For me they're fine for 3-4 hours, but I wouldn't want to try and swing 8-12.  My DT770s and D5000s (very similar to D2000) I could pretty much leave on my head 24/7.


Edited by LithoJazoSphere - 1/19/12 at 9:49am
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post #5 of 25
1/19/12 at 3:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by TMRaven View Post

You do not want to be using the M50 for 8-12 hours a day.  It's uncomfortable for extended usage.


Not if you stretch out the headband. I had a topic on this ages ago (like LITERALLy stretching it out,with your hands)... man, it makes the M50s an 11/10 in comfort. I too hated the M50 comfort at first.
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post #6 of 25
1/19/12 at 3:15pm

That still doesn't do anything to help their pads.  The pads are horrible.  Not only do they get hard fast, but they're not a true circumaural fit.  They're more of an 'on top your ears and behind them' type of deal.  Also the headband itself gives a pressure point after a while.  Even lesser padded headbands like the Denons don't do that as much.

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post #7 of 25
1/19/12 at 3:43pm

i agree with everyone on the comfort.

 

i was using the ath-m50 on and off but when i began to use them for 8 hours it got to the point after 5 hours where i couldnt even have them sit on my ear for more than 10seconds before it got painful.it also rubbed that pressure point on the peak of my head after 6+ hours. i switched to the dt770s shortly after and have never had any fatigue or pain with them for 10+ hour days.

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post #8 of 25
1/19/12 at 3:44pm

M-Audio Q40's, Denon D2000's, or Sony XB series. The Sonys are probably the most comfortable headphones ever made; to a point that I look forward to putting them on. I was actually walking around the house with the cans not connected to anything, simply because they were nice and cozy.

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post #9 of 25
1/19/12 at 3:49pm
Originally Posted by TMRaven View Post

That still doesn't do anything to help their pads.  The pads are horrible.  Not only do they get hard fast, but they're not a true circumaural fit.  They're more of an 'on top your ears and behind them' type of deal.  Also the headband itself gives a pressure point after a while.  Even lesser padded headbands like the Denons don't do that as much

They're totally circumaural with the coax mod. Have not felt any headband pressure point.

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post #10 of 25
1/19/12 at 3:51pm

Only thing about the XB-series is that they tend to get hot after awhile.

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post #11 of 25
1/19/12 at 8:15pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks so much guys for your input so far. So as of now I'm definitely leaning towards the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 80.

 

However, I still have a few more thoughts--

  • Would the advantages of purchasing a higher impedance version (Such as the 250Ω model) of it be worth it?
  • How much improvement would I see by purchasing an amp over my current (Fatal1ty, as shown above) sound card? Would I see additional improvement by purchasing a DAC as well?
  • How much could I reasonably expect to spend on a pair of new DT770's? How much could I expect to spend on a used set? Is it worth it getting it new?

 

Thanks so much guys for having patience with me and giving extremely valuable insight. Please keep the recommendations coming!

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post #12 of 25
1/19/12 at 8:28pm

HFI-580s can be had for $120 at bhphotovideo.

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post #13 of 25
1/19/12 at 8:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kirbicide View Post

Thanks so much guys for your input so far. So as of now I'm definitely leaning towards the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 80.

 

However, I still have a few more thoughts--

  • Would the advantages of purchasing a higher impedance version (Such as the 250Ω model) of it be worth it?
  • How much improvement would I see by purchasing an amp over my current (Fatal1ty, as shown above) sound card? Would I see additional improvement by purchasing a DAC as well?
  • How much could I reasonably expect to spend on a pair of new DT770's? How much could I expect to spend on a used set? Is it worth it getting it new?

 

Thanks so much guys for having patience with me and giving extremely valuable insight. Please keep the recommendations coming!


You'd want to get the 80ohm version as you linked as they're more bass heavy than the 250 version and you clearly want punchy bass.

 

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post #14 of 25
1/19/12 at 8:32pm
I wouldn't call the DT770 Pro 80's punchy bass a strength. They're more sub bass oriented. Not that its a bad thing.
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post #15 of 25
1/20/12 at 1:05am
Thread Starter 

I'm also interested in the Denon D2000, however, I haven't really been able to find it for less than ~$250USD.

However, I'm curious as to whether anyone bought it for less, or if the Denon is even worth the extra $90 (to me) at this point in time.

 

I also tried on the HFI's and the cups were definitely too shallow for my tastes. It was almost as if it was bordering on a supra-aural set.
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by LithoJazoSphere View Post

DT-770 80-ohm or the Denon D2000 if you can find a deal on it are the comfort kings of budget basshead cans.  I'd recommend a little bit of amplification when you can afford it, which will improve the sound.

 

Given my experience with the HFI-780, which should feel similar to the HFI-580, they have significant clamping force, which some people don't like.  For me they're fine for 3-4 hours, but I wouldn't want to try and swing 8-12.  My DT770s and D5000s (very similar to D2000) I could pretty much leave on my head 24/7.


 

 

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Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphones (full-size) › ATH-M50 vs. Beyerdynamic DT 770? The battle of the budget basshead cans.