Beyerdynamic T90 :D - Page 31

All good points majkel, don't really disagree with any of it. I would add that I can listen for very long sessions, as there is no fatigue whatsoever, and the best complement is that I forget I'm listening to headfi, and just enjoy the music. It's surprising how many people have ignored this 'phone. They're missing out. @Rasmushorn, maybe I was a little harsh at criticising digital files, I have an aversion to them! Digital files certainly sounded better on these phones versus the competing 'phones. Yep, DT990's are too woolly for me. And the Q701's.. Boring. Dynamically a good tier or two below the T90's

 

 

I think T90's are in a weird place in the market, that's why people ignore it. It's sort of a new "class" so to speak. So far we had the "mid-end" like the DT880, K701, HD650 and similar, and we had the "high end" models of the manufacturers, HD800, T1, LCD2/3, etc.  Now we have something that is somehow stuck in between the two categories. T90, HD700, HE500, SRH1840, etc. And not many people have experience with them, especially the T90/HD700.  They're quite more expensive than the very established "mid end" models, so people might have problems paying that money, and STILL not getting the top of the line model. I for one would never buy a HD700, I'd just save up and get the HD800. Same with T90. Unless its considerably better than DT880, I'd just go for the T1 and be done with it.

 

Anyway, as for the T90, do you feel they're truly a class above, or an upgrade rather than just a different flavor compared to the mid-end cans I've talked about now? Not talking about sound signature now, but purely from the technical side...talking about sound resolution, dynamics, soundstage, imaging, etc.

I'd really like someone to compare them with HD650's.

I would love to read a comparison between T5p and T90! I find that T5p is a bit more forgiving than the T70 but when the source is good the T5p do scale very well. I do feel that the difference between their worst and best is bigger with T70. I am tempted to try the T90 but it is almost never possible for me to use open headphones at home or the office. 

Well, I don't agree. First, the HD700 in Poland cost twice the T90 price which is ridiculous because the HD700 are worth around half of it given the sound and build quality. The T90 present the level that may show the top tier models their flaws on the other hand. I prefer the T90 to the T1 for instance. The latter became simply boring for me one day. They show too many sounds as flat compared to the PS1000 for example. From my point of view the T90's have the advantage over the T1 of being more open and having centered transducers while delivering the same Tesla technology. What would convince me to buy the T1's other than thinking it's a top model so it has to be the best? The class of the DT880, DT770, HD600, HD650, etc. is something that I don't care any more. All these models share the same shortcomings - the music is a bit simplified and their presentation is plain, just different in terms of flavoring. So I appreciate headphones that offer more transparency, better scaling, etc. The Shure SRH940 was the first headphone that I found to fit this area. They scale well and easily separate great amps or sources from inferior ones. They don't give anything for free. The T90 are kind of the same class while offering better build quality and more spectacular sound.

I think this will be a problem to convince people to hook up the T90's to high-end gear because when they afford it, the TOTL headphones are what comes to mind in the first (and last) place. I'm not saying that the T90 are equal to the TOTL models and will try to investigate it further but surely they are extraordinarily good.
Edited by majkel - 1/1/13 at 2:26pm

 

I'm not really sure about this but (I've re-read your question) Yeah I think they're a class above, I could never go back to my DT880 again.

 

I do agree with majkel about T90 sounding silky and smooth. Then again as someone has brought up, it's probably dependent on the amp. I've never tried pairing it with any other amp to make an A/B test.

Edited by madriz - 1/1/13 at 2:25pm

I am currently running my T1s through my ODAC - Burson Soloist. I am very happy with the combo but my ever-present headphone curiosity is getting the better of me. So, I am seriously entertaining the idea of picking up the T70s and T90s (again) to see how they all compare in this setup.

I originally didn't like the T90s when I had them paired with my m-stage but since I picked up the Soloist it has seriously impressed me with its ability to provide amazing resolution and clarity with no sibilance at all when using it with my T1s. Even on less-than-ideal recordings.

The sibilance was my only issue with the T90s when I had them a few months back. If the Soloist can tame this a bit then it could be a very nice pairing. I have also wanted to try the T70s for a while. So, I might as well test them all at the same time. Who knows, the results might be surprising.

@derbigpr.. To my ears, having heard the DT880's and DT990's the T90's are a step up for sure. In all the facets you mentioned, are superior, the dynamics and midrange are smeared for example on the DT990's due to an overbearing, almost fluffy bass. I feel that the resolution is superior than the DT 880's which almost put me to sleep. That headphone is a flatliner. I simply hear more thru the T90, but not in a harsh or fatiguing manner. It doesn't throw it at you. Soundstaging is wider, and some sounds appear to come further away to the right or the left. Details on vocals are better.. Can hear the intake of breath on Bjork's vocals much better for example. But, again I never tire of the detail. And I'm the kind of bloke who loves musicality. Why didn't I try the T1 and be done with it? Not enough funds!! But I wanted something better then the DT's but with some kind of similarity in the signature.. HD650's? Something about them... Just doesn't connect. Plus the build is better on T90's:)

My T90 has showed a crack in the circled area. For the record I took great care of it. 

 

 

 

 

Anyone else have this problem?

Not good... but that sparepart should be easy to exchange.

I never saw that on any of my Beyers....

Yeah, I think I'll be getting the spare part just to be prepared before it get any worse. Going to try gluing them together first. :(

 

I would probably just replace it instead of trying to fix the cracked one. Get in touch with Beyer, I'm sure they would be sympathetic of it cracking so soon and would probably send you the replacement part for free. After all, its a pretty small & cheap part. Unfortunate that its already cracking though.

Dont glue them lol.

 

Try emailing Peter at the sound surgeon (Beyer repair/warranty people) first. He's a pretty cool guy, I'm sure that you'll be able to work something out.

Edited by itshot - 1/6/13 at 5:16pm

Do those things look like a tiny dint? If yes, then no more worry, every pair have them.

It looks like this;

 

 

 

Will try to contact Peter, the Beyer guy when I have the time. Gonna miss the serial number on it.

It looks more like a scratch than a crack. But the picture might not tell the truth. I am sure they will exchange that part if you ask politely :-)