[Quake120]

I have a pair of HD595s and a pair of V6s. I am finding that I strongly prefer the V6s for all but a few live pieces of music (Loreena McKennit's 'Nights From The Alhambra' comes to mind. Sounds spectacular on the 595s!).
I COULD have bought the DT880s at $200 on Amazon.com last year in September, but nooo I decided to go with the Sennheisers.
What I'm concerned about is spending the money on a pair of DT880s and ending up in the same situation as I'm in now: Preferring the V6s.

How is the sound on the DT880s compared to both the 595 and V6? Colder, warmer, bassier, lighter, more sibliant, fuller, wider, brighter? Is it worth getting the 880s if I can't get an amp right away?

 

[Suntory_Times]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quake120 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have a pair of HD595s and a pair of V6s. I am finding that I strongly prefer the V6s for all but a few live pieces of music (Loreena McKennit's 'Nights From The Alhambra' comes to mind. Sounds spectacular on the 595s!). I COULD have bought the DT880s at $200 on Amazon.com last year in September, but nooo I decided to go with the Sennheisers. What I'm concerned about is spending the money on a pair of DT880s and ending up in the same situation as I'm in now: Preferring the V6s. How is the sound on the DT880s compared to both the 595 and V6? Colder, warmer, bassier, lighter, more sibliant, fuller, wider, brighter? Is it worth getting the 880s if I can't get an amp right away?

I'd personally go for the dt880, though it has been a while since I heard both of these headphones. From memory the dt880 was much more detailed then the 990 and put simply trumped the hd595's. That being said I think the dt880's are in another league in terms of sound quality and are more in line (in terms of competing sound quality) with the HD600 and HD580. I don't remeber using the V6's, or ever reading about them (or maybe my brain has just had a block on them atm).

 

[Quake120]

It seems pretty unanimous that the DT880s are significantly better than the 595s. I don't think I've ever seen anybody disagree. I think I'm just going to go for it.

 

[Kernmac]

The DT880 is IMO a great headphone (to my ears in my system with my tunes - it is just right), however they will not sound near their best directly from an ipod or Laptop sound card.

 

[Suntory_Times]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kernmac /img/forum/go_quote.gif The DT880 is IMO a great headphone (to my ears in my system with my tunes - it is just right), however they will not sound near their best directly from an ipod or Laptop sound card.

Agreed, to realize there potential you need to get an amp and external dac for your computer. The best (extreme budget) one that comes to mind is the d2 ibasso boa

 

[chinesekiwi]

Or for awesome value combo, the ASUS Essence STX. Really, you cannot get a better DAC/AMP combo for US$200. You can't. Those who say you can = kidding themselves.

 

[apatN]

The 595s are the boring version of the DT880s. However, amp them improperly and they will sound 595-y.

 

[Quake120]

I will definitely have to get an amp then. Thanks for those suggestions.
Why were DT880s $199 last September and now $299 on Amazon? I should have bought the 880s instead of my 595s at that time!

 

[Uncle Erik]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quake120 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Why were DT880s $199 last September and now $299 on Amazon? I should have bought the 880s instead of my 595s at that time!

I think Beyerdynamic pushed the price up to help with perceived value. Everyone seems to make judgments on the quality of something based on its price. Just look at how many statements are made about the "quality" of a $2,000 CD player, as if the MSRP was a badge of value.

Rant aside, I think the DT880 is a much better headphone than the HD-595 (which I wasn't crazy about) or the MDR-V6, which I owned for a long time.

Another headphone that might interest you is the Sony MDR-7509HD. I picked up a pair a few months back and have been mostly happy with them. Same house sound as the MDR-V6, but better bass and more refined.

You might also do well to look at the Sennheiser HD-580/600/650 lineup. They're really good, too.

 

[Quake120]

heh...I know what you mean, Uncle Erik.

I love my V6s. I bought them for something to use when I needed isolation and ended up liking them a LOT more than my 595s.
I would consider the HD600/650 line, but they are a bit above my price range at the moment. I just got a new job and with that came a significant raise in salary, so in a few months I should be able to. I'm going to sell the 595s and use the resulting cash to buy a pair of 880s and maybe an amp.
I want to buy a Pioneer SX1250 receiver. Would that be good for a headphone amp do you think?

 

[apatN]

^ Change that "maybe" to "definitely. After that you will be amazed by what a good DAC can do. Sorry about your wallet.

 

[JaymzN]

Got my DT880's last year when the Amazon sale was on. Thank the gods....

Doesn't change the fact that between those, my DAC and my amp, Head-Fi advice has led to the gaping 800 dollar hole in my wallet!

Though listening to Rush on the setup I now have somehow makes it all worth it

 

[sacd lover]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quake120 /img/forum/go_quote.gif It seems pretty unanimous that the DT880s are significantly better than the 595s. I don't think I've ever seen anybody disagree. I think I'm just going to go for it.

I dont care for the DT880 at all. I have owned both the old and new version. The 880s treble sheen and tendency to be sibilant is the one flaw I cant tolerate in a headphone. The newer 50 ohm version of the 595 is not that good sounding either but preferable to the 880 to my ears. The old 120 ohm version of the 595 is one of my favorite headphones. The 120 ohm 595 sounds fantastic with the Singlepower PPX3 SLAM.

 

[apatN]

You really like the 595s better than the 880s? Please.. I find that hard (read: impossible) to believe. To each their own I guess..

 

[mbd2884]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quake120 /img/forum/go_quote.gif It seems pretty unanimous that the DT880s are significantly better than the 595s. I don't think I've ever seen anybody disagree. I think I'm just going to go for it.

I am not saying which is better or about the DT880.

Just a suggestion: Why don't you do some research comparing the DT880 to the HD600? Would seem to me for price/performance a better comparison.

Quote:

Originally Posted by apatN /img/forum/go_quote.gif You really like the 595s better than the 880s? Please.. I find that hard (read: impossible) to believe. To each their own I guess..

Very surprising post from you, who are usually quite courteous. I am never surprised when someone likes a headphone over another, it's all personal choice right?