M50 vs DT770 vs K550. How does the sound signature compare?

I own a pair of M50 and am considering trading them for some K550 or DT770 for confort reasons. I also need good isolation, and tend to prefer flat sound signatures.
 
 
1) Sound signature: Since I own the M50, how does the DT770 compare to it? Are they both equally V shaped or is one more than the other?
2) Confort: K550 vs DT770?
3) Isolation: which one of the 3 models offer more? Which one offers less?
 
 
If you have experience with at least 2 of these cans, please answer the questions you are qualified to, and state how much time you have spent listening to each one.
 
Thank you!

The DT770 Pro 80 (assuming this is the one you're looking into) has even more bass, and more treble than the M50s, as well has considerably large soundstage. I prefer the tonal balance on the M50s, but they have really bad soundstage compared to the DT770s. The problem with the DT770s, is that the bass can muddy up the sound somewhat frequently.

The M50s have better mids, but they are both recessed.

Quote:

mad lust envy said:

The DT770 Pro 80 (assuming this is the one you're looking into) has even more bass, and more treble than the M50s, as well has considerably large soundstage. I prefer the tonal balance on the M50s, but they have really bad soundstage compared to the DT770s. The problem with the DT770s, is that the bass can muddy up the sound somewhat frequently.
The M50s have better mids, but they are both recessed.

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I find that the M50's bass bleeds into the midrange making the M50 sound muddy.
 
From my experience the DT770 has a much warmer and larger overall sound. The bass doesn't make them sound muddy.

I disagree. I find the DT770 Pro 80 to be muddier and boomier than the M50. I have heard 3 M50s (one old blue box, one new white box, and the LE). The DT770 is warmer overall, due to that severe tip towards bass. The treble is also quite a bit peakier. The mids are quite a bit more distant than the M50s. Both aren't the best at midrange.

The DT770 surely does have a fuller sound, due to the bigger soundstage (a LOT bigger really), and more omnipresent bass. The bass on the M50s decays quicker and doesn't hamper the mids as much as the DT770s.

Quote:

bonfirehay said:

I own a pair of M50 and am considering trading them for some K550 or DT770 for confort reasons. I also need good isolation, and tend to prefer flat sound signatures.
 
 
1) Sound signature: Since I own the M50, how does the DT770 compare to it? Are they both equally V shaped or is one more than the other?
2) Confort: K550 vs DT770?
3) Isolation: which one of the 3 models offer more? Which one offers less?
 
 
If you have experience with at least 2 of these cans, please answer the questions you are qualified to, and state how much time you have spent listening to each one.
 
Thank you!

Click to expand...

\Heya,
 
1. The DT770 has a larger sound stage, is far more comfortable, it's actually closer to neutral than it is to being bassy, it's falsely recommended as a "bassy" headphone. It can be bassy, but it's not automatically just bassy like it's enhanced or something, as it's not. The treble is not that hot. I found the M50 treble to be more harsh and grainy. The DT770 has more of a syrup sound to it. Lots of people say the mids are recessed, but I don't think they are, voice sounds normal to me even though there's a touch of warm and an edge on treble. Voice doesn't sound less than it does on something else to me. In fact, the DT770 is one of the better headphones that makes female vocals for example sound right to me, but hey, that's my opinion.
 
2. The DT770 is more comfortable, with velour pads and grips and seals very well.
 
3. The K550 has great isolation, but only if you can seal it. The DT770 has good isolation and seals easily with it's clamp and form fitting velour.
 
Overall based on your needs, it sounds like you should be looking at the Brainwavz HM5. Has great isolation, both leather and velour pads, good flat response and a great sound stage.
 
Very best,

You're kidding right? The DT770 Pro 80 is VERY heavily tipped towards bass. If you consider that neutral, well then, you need more headphones to test.

Quote:

malveaux said:

\Heya,
 
1. The DT770 has a larger sound stage, is far more comfortable, it's actually closer to neutral than it is to being bassy, it's falsely recommended as a "bassy" headphone. It can be bassy, but it's not automatically just bassy like it's enhanced or something, as it's not. The treble is not that hot. I found the M50 treble to be more harsh and grainy. The DT770 has more of a syrup sound to it. Lots of people say the mids are recessed, but I don't think they are, voice sounds normal to me even though there's a touch of warm and an edge on treble. Voice doesn't sound less than it does on something else to me. In fact, the DT770 is one of the better headphones that makes female vocals for example sound right to me, but hey, that's my opinion.
 
2. The DT770 is more comfortable, with velour pads and grips and seals very well.
 
3. The K550 has great isolation, but only if you can seal it. The DT770 has good isolation and seals easily with it's clamp and form fitting velour.
 
Overall based on your needs, it sounds like you should be looking at the Brainwavz HM5. Has great isolation, both leather and velour pads, good flat response and a great sound stage.
 
Very best,

Click to expand...

I've seen to unboxings of the Brainwavz and both seem to have extra pads, but not velour.
Would the DT770 velour pads fit the K550 cups?

How is the space inside the cups in terms of diameter and deep compared between DT770 and K550?

I find the mids of the DT770 a little recessed but it's a pleasant listen. Quite a heft in the bass and also a sharp top end. It has pretty good isolation since it clamps quite tightly but not my favourite closed headphone.
 
The K550 has less bass and is more tilted towards the treble than the M50. I find the M50 a little dull up top and in this respect, the K550 addresses that. If you can get a good fit, the bass is also good on the K550 but it really does rely on that seal. It is the most open sounding closed headphone that I've ever heard.
 
If you can still get them - the D2000 is a superb (what I'd call) semi-closed headphone. It kind of resembles the DT770 in the bass in that it has a really full, rich sound but its mids are better and it doesn't have that sharpness of the K550 at the top.
 
I can't really choose between the D2000 and the K550 if I'm honest. For me, the DT770 lacks the resolution of these two. Sometimes I prefer the full bodied sound of the D2000 and at other times, I prefer the clarity of the K550. (I get a good seal with it)
 
The K550 is really well priced for the sound and you can now get great deals of the D2000. Both excellent. Both very low impedance too.
 
Ian

Heya,
Quote:

bonfirehay said:

I've seen to unboxings of the Brainwavz and both seem to have extra pads, but not velour.
Would the DT770 velour pads fit the K550 cups?

Click to expand...

Nope. The K550 has a slightly larger diameter. But the K/Q701 pads might fit. May also change the sound signature drastically.
Quote:

bonfirehay said:

How is the space inside the cups in terms of diameter and deep compared between DT770 and K550?

Click to expand...

Both are pretty deep, I don't have measurements, but they're deep enough that I don't touch. The K550 has more diameter. I found the DT770 to be more comfortable in general.
 
Note, the PRO versions of the DT770 and the Premium versions are a little different. I actually prefer the Premium versions housing (it just looks nicer to me) and it also sounds a little different. I like the DT770 over the T70 even, which I also have, which is a wonderfully detailed and neutral headphone with very good isolation and extremely comfortable, but it's just so expensive and frankly has a sound that is honestly a lot like the SRH940 which can be good, but it just lacks so much in the bass department, even for a neutral headphone, that it sounds a little thin and doesn't give you that warm smile that Beyers typically do. You can still find used premium DT770's in the classifieds now and then.
 
Very best,

Can someone share the inner diameter and deepness of the pads of K550 and DT770?
 
Thanks!

Like Mad Lust Envy said. it really depends on what DT770 you are looking at...
 
The 80 Ohm version is very bassy, and boomy, and in my opinions, somewhat confused and muddled sounding. It's like a poor attempt at making a closed-back DT990.
 
The 250 Ohm and 600 Ohm versions require amping to sound their best, but they are clearer than the 80 Ohm version, with bass being more controlled but also more detailed and textured (especially the 600 Ohm version).
 
K550... now, those I don't like very much. They sound "light" to me. "Light" as in they lack bass and also midrange body. They are tilted toward cold and sterile to my ears.
 
M50 is more balanced to me compared to the other 2. But I definitely think DT770 is better than M50 technically even if it's not as balanced. K550 is more like a side-grade than an upgrade.
 
But I think you definitely need an amp for DT770 to sound their best, so the investment may turn out to be more than you thought.

Which one isolates more? K550 with proper seal, or DT770?

The DT770. The clamping force and isolation is strong enough that people have to tap me on the shoulder to get my attention when I have music playing at low-moderate levels, but they are extremely comfortable because of the pads. I am using the 250ohm version with a Yulong D100, and they sound great to me after a year of use. Can't comment on the lower ohm models, since I've never tried them.
 

MalVeauX said:

Quote:

\Heya,

1. The DT770 has a larger sound stage, is far more comfortable, it's actually closer to neutral than it is to being bassy, it's falsely recommended as a "bassy" headphone. It can be bassy, but it's not automatically just bassy like it's enhanced or something, as it's not. The treble is not that hot. I found the M50 treble to be more harsh and grainy. The DT770 has more of a syrup sound to it. Lots of people say the mids are recessed, but I don't think they are, voice sounds normal to me even though there's a touch of warm and an edge on treble. Voice doesn't sound less than it does on something else to me. In fact, the DT770 is one of the better headphones that makes female vocals for example sound right to me, but hey, that's my opinion.

2. The DT770 is more comfortable, with velour pads and grips and seals very well.

3. The K550 has great isolation, but only if you can seal it. The DT770 has good isolation and seals easily with it's clamp and form fitting velour.

Overall based on your needs, it sounds like you should be looking at the Brainwavz HM5. Has great isolation, both leather and velour pads, good flat response and a great sound stage.

Very best,

Click to expand...

Have you tried Akg K553pro ? How does it sound against Dt770 pro and which impedance version have you used of Dt770 ?

Am in a dilemma of purchase between those two both ? I like warm sound with bit bass... Not heavy bass but yeah a beat drop should sound as same beat drop