My audio set up & connective trail:
16 & 24-Bit WAV lossless files,
Foobar2000 with WASAPI event output,
Oyaide d+ class S USB Type B cable,
iFi micro iUSB purifier,
Furutech Formula 2 USB mini cable,
Meridian Explorer 2 DAC,
Pure silver litz 3.5mm to RCA cable,
Teac A-H01 amplifier,
Modded Beyerdynamic T1 headphones with internal damping.

My amplifier is connected to a custom Nordost Heimdall 2 power cable with a IEGO pure silver IEC & a Furutech rhodium FI-UK plug with a AMR gold plated fuse inside.

What more can I say about these brilliant headphones?
They are engaging, versatile, transparent, musical, fun, involving, encompassing and a great all-rounder.
Just try and listen to them if you have the chance, sumptuous sound and very lightweight and comfortable. It is not clamping on my head nor do the great velour ear pads make my ears and head hot and sweaty. Which is rather forgotten about amongst fellow audiophiles... It doesn't matter how good a headphone is, if they're not comfortable then forget about them.
I don't just listen to them for music but for watching movies on Blu-ray and gaming.

I modded my T1 with the spare foam discs that came with the Beyerdynamic EDT 770V ear pads (tried those grey ear pads but preferred the sound of the original EDT T1V black ones) because there was a bit too much sibilance and bass distortion when playing at loud volume, that got rid of that and made them slightly more warmer and the bass more smoother.

Just to be clear, these are not portable headphones (impedance 600 Ohm, semi-open design, fixed 6.3mm connecter). Nor are they closed-back headphones, they leak a lot of sound and are intended for private listening with a fairly powerful amplifier.

Listen to them if you can, I hope you enjoy them as much as me : )

My headphones:
Beyerdynamic DTX 101 in-ear, DT 990 Premium 600Ohm, T70P and T90,
Philips Fidelio X1 and X2,
Oppo PM-2 custom and PM-3,
Astell and Kern AK T5P,
AKG Q701 modded,
Fostex T50RP mark 3 modded,
Audio Technica ATH-AD900X open-back,
Bang and Olufsen H3 in-ear,
Grado GS1000,
Denon AH-MM400.

Update 1: I just wanted to add that there is more depth and a bigger sound stage without the mod, a bit more clarity and detail but the mod does add a bit more warmth and a more encompassing bass...
I have reverted back to stock because I hope to do a fair comparison with my Grado GS1000 soon.
I recently bought the Beyerdynamic DT 1770 Pro but I think I'm only going to keep open/semi-open back headphones, sound is a living thing.
It needs air to live ; )

Update 2.
I have to be fair to my other reviews so I'll adjust this one.
I have to deduct half a star off the rating as the non-detachable cable is not practical and raises durability concerns. This was a pricey flagship headphone after all.
Also the headband is of the same construction as the original T5, T90 and T70. In time, the metal yokes become loose in the headband and they loose their clicks when making adjustments.
Being more experienced with a lot more headphones, I will review my other earlier reviews also.
I have heard the T1 with more DACs and amps, it is not as bright as the HD 800 and the T90.
The T1 is more balanced than the Grado GS1000 and is a great all rounder.
It's great rival, the Sennheiser HD 800, is very unique in many ways but I find the T1 to be better balanced across the frequencies and more enjoyable to listen too. The T1 is also more versatile with music genres than the HD 800 and it will appeal to more people than the HD 800, I was lucky enough to hear the T1 with the Beyerdynamic A1 amplifier and that is a very good match as many people have said.
The T1 don't have obvious flaws like the HD 800 (pretty bright) and the GS1000 (recessed vocals), it is difficult to fault them from a sound point of view.
I'll finish by saying that these are 1 of the very best dynamic headphones ever made, so if you find one just get it.
They do need a bit of power, they scale up brilliantly and are definitely worth it : )

The most perfect, all-round headphone!  The Beyerdynamic T1 (2nd gen) repaired the only 'negative' I could find in the first gen:  I wanted the detachable cable and the 2nd generation has done it. 
 
These have the most perfect, natural sound I have ever heard.  The soundstage is remarkable, the highs are rich without being shrill, and the bass is beautiful, natural and without any 'coloring' for those who listen to heavy bass music.  
 
The T1 is marvelous for anything; classical, folk, rock, blues, and so on.  It handles deep driving bass, just as well as it handles high vocals.  It is the most 'all round' useful headphone that is comfortable for hours and allows for clarity that is how it was intended to be heard. 
 
The T1 when used with Chord Mojo presents stunning clarity and music the way it was meant to be experienced.  These are perfect life long headphones! 

I like T1 V2 for overall competence in sound presentation. Solid build and comfort. There are better headphones in particular areas but these others are not that good all-rounders as T1 are.
 
I do listem many genres of music (I love movie scores, acoustic music, hard rock) but symfonic music is where T1 shines. The dynamics and layering is just great. You will never be bored with classical music on T1. The details, linearity, clear view for the sound is just amazing. I was looking for such a headphones for 2 years, hearing many others. And only few I was considering seriously were HE6, but I did choose solid german tradition in this matter. Beyerdynamic does not produce perfect headphones, but the headphones with less possible faults possible, while many other headphones did have lot of faults... In sonic reproduction and also in build. So the decision was basing on sound, and overall quality approach and durability of product ( I don't know why in US there is a lot of driver mismatches and so problems with Beyedynamic headphones...)
 
There is opinion that T1 V1 sound good with OTL amps. IT could be. But I did not find the OTL sound pleasing to me (in my particular experience) and the Solid State in my case was much better sounding. But what I want to say is: don't be afraid to check T1 V2 with SS amps. You may be surprised.
 
Are the T1 V2 bright as many people say about T1 line? Well, I'd say these are 'well lightened' in sound. The smoothness of heights and mids does not make them harsh, or strident (like for example TH900/600 are to me) V2 is a bit different from V1. How much? It is hard to describe. But I know people, like me, who didn't like V1 that much to buy it while V2 are in my possesion.
 
These are absolutelty worth to audition in our flooded heapphones market. These grow up with time in your audio chain, but are not for everyone. These are not great for example for modern pop and music like Justin Bieber or 'digital trash' rock. As such music is far away from good dynamics and nuances and 3-dimensonality (while in contradictory Daft Pank sounds perfect with them). Clou: the better the music the better the sound with T1.
 
Here's the list of headphones I was considering as final group during the research (audiotioned)
First position is best liked and the last less liked (my totally subjective likings):
 
T1 V2
 
HE6
Ultrasone Edition 5
Pandora Sonorous VII
LCD3
HE1000
LCD2
HD800
HE500
HE560
T90
TH900
LCD XC/X
AQ Night Hawk
TH600
HE400i
ATH-R70x
HD600
...

 

Beyerdynamic Tesla T1 (Gen 1) review

*May include some crappy comical memes*

 

 
After owning so much dynamic headphones, I stumbled upon the T1.

I loved it; except I *accidentally* made hole in the diaphragm while I was trying to reconnect that less-than-hair-thick-cable that I popped out from driver to circuit.

I still had some headphones that I had before buying the T1; Sennheiser HD598,650,700 and AKG K712 (and M70x, but m70x is closed back).

 

the closest headphones that produced "right" sound signature to me, was HD700, except it was slightly bright, with tight bass. I decided I'd just use this HD700 till end of my life.

 

Except we all know, when we realize something else does better job for you, you're not going to buy something worse than one you had/listened to it.

This was exactly what happened to my life. Make holes on bank account out of some $1400 military paycheck that I'd been screwing around, while I was on training (and couldn't pass the training because of damn push-ups).

 

I've decided to sell all my headphones, except for one closed-back and one open-back.

the Ah-d5000 (I solved the bass issue by EQing it), and the HD700.

Except I also sold the HD700 because I wanted the T1 sound back.

bye bye, Sennheiser.

 

TL;DR: being an audiophile does break your bank account.

 

 



Welcome to Head-fi. Now, hand over your bank account so we can slaughter your piggy bank.

 

First Impression

 

The musicality.

smooth bass, mids, mids mids. the soundstage. very impressive, many wows.

the detail. I have yet to find any of my headphones having T1-like detail (except for AKGs, but my K712 was too bassy for me; didn't go really well with classicals either)



 


(more or less)

 

In-depth review

unboxing/packaging

Luckily, the last owner of this T1 had everything with the original packaging (thanks punit.)

It comes on a box, like all other headphones.

Except there's another aluminum box that looks like a tank armour (maybe I can shoot a crossbow bolt onto it, except the box looks really expensive to build).



Stronk Beyerdynamic case.

yep, obviously put something expensive on expensive-looking box so people can steal it!

 

Comfort/build

extremely comfortable. Only thing that can match T1 comfort that I had on my inventory was HD700.

HD700 pads are softer however; the headphones itself, is lighter than T1 (because most of the parts are made out of plastic *COUGH COUGH*)

The build?

 

 


No, seriously.

Most parts are made out of steel.

There's steel frame inside the headband (which is leather), the cup is steel.

the only part that is not steel, is frame inside the headphones (but It wouldn't matter because they are covered by steel), and the plastic that covers ends of leather headband.

very, very strong steel headphones.

(jet fuel can't melt steel beams)

 

Some thoughts about design..
 
The Gen 1 T1 (yes, beyerdynamic released the Gen 2 T1 if you were wondering) does not have detachable cable, while my T1 from punit had the 4 pin mini xlr detachable cable mod (aka audzeze style), done by BTG audio. the stock cable, is bulky, heavy, and long (10 ft)

Im using 5N PCOCC silver-plated cable (4ft) for this review.

 

Sound

Source: MSI GT72 (here comes the *overpriced* gaming laptop)

USB connections to FiiO E18 > Audioquest Evergreen cable > Schiit (pronounced shih-tah) > 6.5mm gold plated jack > 3.5mm gold plated jack+5N PCOCC silver plated 4ft cable > T1

 

Summary: Insanely immersive, huge soundstage (only HD800 can beat the size of soundstage IMO, maybe AKG)

detail: you probably aren't going to scoop out of everything that you can find, but I was able to hear some breathing of vocalists and instrument players. HD800 is the way for scooping out the details. Overall sound signature is very natural, compared to the HD800, while HD800 mainly focuses of being neutral/reference class.

And dare I say that T1 gives sense of realism.

 

Bass:

you do get the sense of feeling that bass is there. T1 is not bass heavy IMO, but it certainly does have some impact.

Sub-bass reproduction, is very transparent

excellent if you don't want to have bass impact over other frequencies (unlike the bassheavy ah-d5000, which I had to EQ the bassrange by 3dbl)

from my memory, HD700 has more bass impact than the T1.

track used for bass testing: FTL: Faster Than light (Original SoTundtrack), Space Cruise (title track)/Last Stand

(256kbps AAC. damn you iTunes, where is my lossless download option)

 

Mids:

Best part of the T1, IMO.

maybe the part that makes T1 shining because of it's musicality over HD800. (But T1 certainly is not neutral compared to HD800) 

Liquid and Fun; at least for me. One more credit to the T1 for the musicality that it provides to my ear.

Clarinets from the Brahms sound just so fun, with the spacious/soundstage that T1 has.

(When I grow up, I'm gonna get a Stax-009...) 

Tracks used: Clarinet Quintet in B minor, Op 115: Adagio (Johannes Brahms), by BBC Music. (16bit 1411kbps PCM)

 

Treble:

HERE COMES THE LISTENING FATIGUE!!!

(not really)

Treble on T1 isn't that reavling compared to my 10-minutes session of HD800 and months of listening on HD700.

Musicality over detail, Im presuming. Again, you can see it's there, and for me, the treble on T1 isn't bothering me at all (im using magni 2 as amp with E18 as dac.)

Pokemon Omega Ruby&Alpha Sapphire soundtrack: Ever Grande City, 256kbps AAC (damn you iTunes again)

Klavierkonzert Nr. 17 KV 453-I, Allegro, 16bit 1411kbps PCM.

Not really revaling/netural as HD800, but it's not making me deaf or make my ear ring; so that's good.

you probably won't need them tubes to tame 8Khz bothersome treble on T1.

You certainly will (and probably put hot sauce over HD800) need a tube to calm the treble down on HD800.



that's me after demo of HD800 in stereo exchange, manhattan NY.
(except I didn't had earbleed, but my ear was pretty darn hurt. thanks, sennheiser)
 
Soundstage/Detail/Imaging
T1 a King derp of Dynamic headphones along with HD800, well.
Insanely large soundstage, precise and more like layered feelings of imaging.
I wouldn't tell someone that T1 is revealing, however. HD800 is way to go, IMO.
But, soundstage of T1 with imaging/airyness/detail sure does give sense that T1 is very fun headphones to listen with.
 
Overall:
Yeah, it's expensive. again, welcome to head-fi.
but for price range of  going around $600, while HD800 is at $900ish? your opinion, I guess.
Pros: pretty much everything to me, really, plus the fun sound.
Cons: (for people who don't have T1 with detachable cable mod) cable is heavy and bulky.
Yeah, I know high-ends were meant to use it at home, but my E12 drives T1 really well (40% volume knob at 0 gain).
The design: Typical beyerdynamic design, but it sure does look $waggy enough to wear it on your neck.
It might be more durable/look cooler if beyer used aluminum part for the plastic area that covers ends of headphones (aka where it shows S/N).
Very comfortable. often times, it just disappears from my head aswell.
 

I tip my fedora to you sir, Beyerdynamic.
My next headphones? Stax, I bet. someone should recommend me some fun sounding headphones that surpasses T1 imaging/detail/mids/staging.
 
Update 1:
I just got my asgard (not the asgard 2) amp.
T1 gets gets more of smoother, realistic sounding bass, while it gets slightly darker, it still retains it's tonal balance (i'd say the amp makes T1 more natural rather than netural).
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

Very fun headphone I have heard with the good matching amp to drive its real performance. I've quite happy with my HIFI-M8 and iphone 4 with the headphone. The sound quality is top north for all rounder.Everything is just right.!!

Pre-notes:
 
First of all, this is my first review. If i said anything wrong, please be gentle on me
The headphones i owned before purchasing T1 are Shure SE215 and Audio Technika M50 Limited editions
Considering the price gaps, it is a pretty huge jump from these two products to Beyer T1
I have never expect myself to be that crazy, to purchase a 1.4k USD headphone
But after an audition with T1, I immediately changed my mind. 
 
I am by no means a professional audiophile. Im just a humble 22 years old fresh graduate with passions in music
All the comments given below are from a perspective of guitarist, home studio recording, classical music lovers and pop music lovers.
 
Unboxing
The unboxing experience of T1 is amazing. It comes with a huge aluminium casing (not portable), and the headphone is nicely sitting inside with protective foams
Thats it. The unboxing is pretty straight forward with only some documentations and no accessories are included
Really appreciate if Beyerdynamic offer a portable solid carrying case rather than an aluminium box. Most of us wont store our T1 into that box anyway
 
Build Quality
As the title says, Mercedes Benz. It is elegant, solid, classic and performance.
It doesn't have the fancy design like HD800 or Final Audio Pandora. Like every other beyer headphones, this beast is built to last for decades
When I first touched it, it felt Yin and Yang. The material of the headband is Yin, it is so soft and smooth that i wish I shaved my hair just to feel the smoothness
The materials of the rest of the headband are Yang. It is build with strong alloy materials with limited-to-none presence of plastic. 
For the cables, The quality of the cable is amazing. It is a Neutrik cable. Although it is not the best, but it does performs very very well with T1
 Also, for me it is definitely a good thing that they soldered the cable into the headphones. It will save my wallet from bleeding heavily in the future
 
Comforts
Comfort issues is always my issue, because the size of my head is VERY big. You cannot imagine how big it is. 
Although my head is huge, I am able to fit T1 comfortably on my head. The headband material is so smooth that makes me wants to shave my hair now
The only problem with comforts is that when I am wearing it, my ear has contact with the driver's layer
Yes. My head is big, my ear is big too. When playing certain punchy songs, my outer layer of my right ear can feel the trembles of the headphone. It makes me very uncomfortable sometimes
Well, after all I might be the only one who is facing this issue. The only way to solve this is to find the keep adjusting the headphone positon, find my sweet spot and stay still.
 
Combination with AMP/DAC
The AMP/DAC i used in this review is the latest Sony UDA-1 Desktop AMP/DAC and portable GoVibe Magnum. Both amplifier are rated to drive up to 300 ohms 
T1 Tesla technology might be the reason that it became AMP/DAC friendly.
Although T1 is rated as 600 ohms, my current setups is able to achieve optimal listening volume with only 60-70% of the maximum volume
 
Surprisingly, Sony UDA-1 and Beyerdynamic T1 is like a match of heaven. 
Sony UDA-1 has introduced a new level of clarity and incredible vocals together with Beyerdynamic T1
In the point of view of studio recording, I am a guitarist and i make home recordings every weekends
While playing back my recordings, i can precisely listen to details such as my strumming pattern (Up or down) and the sound of my finger scratched the fretboard
Also, when i'm performing several other guitar techniques, hammer on/pull off/ plucking/ sliding etc, I can precisely point out all the mistakes i make during the recording and refine it again and again.
 
From the point of view of music appreciation, I believe everyone knows T1 has a beautiful soundstage, king of the mid, high treble and punchy bass.
With the help of Sony UDA-1 and its DSEE engine, it adds in some sense of emotion when I'm listening to sad songs from Adele. It makes me want to cry
 
 
Suspicious Issues
The first unit I received has a very strange blasting/hissing sound when playing certain songs such as Magic, Coldplay and Lights, Ellie Goulding.
I am sure that this has nothing to do with the song quality or DAC. The format is lossless and the audition unit at the headphone store doesn't have this issue
Perhaps this has nothing to do with the build quality, or perhaps this is due to the headphone is not fully burned it yet, or perhaps it is a defect
I went back to the store and I tested 3 new units of T1 (Including mine). Out of 3 units, 2 units has this problem 

Boilerplate stuff
 
Audio setup -
    FLAC files in Media Monkey -> Amazon Basics TOSLINK cable -> Schiit Bifrost w/Uber upgrade -> Knukoncept Shielded RCAS -> Project Ember with 80's Amprex 7062 tube
 
Music -
    Nabucco, Vienna Philharmonic and Vienna State Opera Chorus conducted by Lamberto Gardelli, 1965
    Why So Serious, Hans Zimmer, the Dark Knight OST
 
I'm the first own for these cans (which is unusual for me, but I did get they way under MSRP), and didn't really pay attention to them through the break in period of about 100 hours, but that's not a huge deal. MY last pair of Beyers was some heavily-used DT-990 600 ohms, so I started listening to these cans with some preconceived notions of the sound I would get out of these (read - DROP DA BASS, WUBWUBWUB). I can gladly say I was wrong, these headphones actually had less bass than both my TH 900s and my GS1000s, but it was actually good that way. The frequency response on these can is neutral, no irritating highs, no skull-shaking bass, and no overwhelming mids, and I actually took some time earlier today to test this out by messing around with synths in Propellerhead Reason to really cehck for irritating frequencies. I didn't manage to find any, which was quite amazing. The other amazing thing for me is that things sounds natural. When listening to Nabucco, it's like I'm sitting right next to or behind Laberto Gardelli, with the whole orchestra arrayed around me. This creates a very intimate presentation of the music, which was very pleasant for the most part. The imaging and detail retrieval are also fantastic, giving me the ability to pinpoint individual instruments in the orchestra, particularly from the brass section. Also, the sound stage is very wide, but not huge, which really helps with the intimate presentation of the music. The only real flaw is that when you listen to the funeral march from the opera, the procession starts to the right and slightly behind, seems to wrap it's way around your head like the Night Bus from Harry Potter #3 (a cymbal crash during that is actually fairly alarming, coming out of nowhere and seemingly happening right next to your right ear. Actually made me jump when I heard it), before exiting the soundstage to your left and behind you a bit. A bit surreal to hear, but that's the only real flaw that I ran across. Finally, the depth of the soundstage is fiarly substantial, but it again feels intimate and close, the instruments in the back are still very clear and close. All in all a very pleasant experience.
 
Fit and finish on these is generally very nice. The headband is very soft and comfortable, and the inner structure is metal, which is always a bonus. The metal also feels substantial, which means that I have high hopes for its longevity. The cups are well constructed of good quality hard plastic, and the metal mesh backs are well constructed and seem sturdy. The earpads are lovely, easily fitting around my ears while providing a sufficient seal, all without clamping too tightly. A really nice feature is how the drivers are physically mounted at an angle inside the cups, which probably contributes to the great soundstage. The only complaint is the cable. 4 conductor cable, 1/4" jack? Really? They went though the effort of separating the two channels completely, and you make it single-ended? And then, there's nothing wrapping around the two cables for the entire length, the only thing holding them together is a thin bit of connective rubber and a small band where the cables split. That's just sad, give the cable some love. I'm making plans to get it replaced, it's really ruining the aesthetic. Still, that's ultimately a small complaint, not taking much out of the rating because of that.
 
The final word on these is that they are great, especially if you get them at $1k or lower. At that price they're a steal, and even at their full MSRP they're really worth the money. I mean, they don;t need a special cable or serious tube rolling to find a good match. I tested a fair selection of my tubes, and this combination just so happens to be, literally, one of the most neutral, which synergized well with the cans. The fact of the mater is these are really the best "plug-n-play" cans I have at this level, and that really something special.
 
9.5/10

The Beyer T1 will always hold a special place for me. This is because this was my first flagship headphone. I had thought long and hard over choosing the HD 800, LCD 2/3 and the T1. Many thanks to Wilson and Claire for their ceaseless patience and unstinting hospitality as I went back and forth between the various candidates over a month or two. 
 
I finally settled for the T1 as my first pair for two simple reasons: the liquid mids and the fact that Jaben in Singapore had "balanced-ready" T1s whereby the T1s came modded with mini XLR connectors. Which was wonderful so that I could use them single ended or in due course balanced.
 
How time has flown and I now have a little collection of very nice headphones: AKG K702& K812, LCD 2 & 3, HD800, Beyerdynamic T1, Hifiman HE-6, HE-5LE, HE-500, Fostex TH900, plus all the higher end Grados (save for the PS1000) and the Abyss. 
 
 
Build Quality
 
The build quality of the T1 is pretty good. However, the adjustment mechanism of the headband does seem a little imprecise, while seeming to be a bit loose in most pairs I tried. This of course is of some concern since each end of the headband had a cut out of "T1" which surely is a stress point for the metal and will surely lead to metal fatigue and it giving way.
 
The stock cable which came with the T1 is probably the best stock cable I have seen on a TOTL can. Is anyone from Audeze, Sennheiser and AKG reading this? I recall that unlike the normal cable which Beyer tends to do in-house, for the T1, they sourced the cable from an external cable specialist. And it tells! I will frankly admit that my removable cables - SE or balanced are actually made from stock T1 cable and even though now I have really exotic cables in my modest cable library, I think that that the T1 still probably has best synergy with the stock cable. And that tells you something about the quality!
 
 
Comfort and Isolation
 
The T1 is actually quite comfortable. Very, in fact. While it doesn't fit me to a T as the AKG K812 does, it certainly feels more secure than the HD 800. The ear pads are a light touch - nice and cushy without being too soft.
 
Isolation is actually not bad in the bigger scheme of things. But of course because its an open can, isolation is not why you choose this can.
 
 
Music Genres
 
I have a pretty comprehensive music collection: the fact that it's stored in a 4 by 4TB NAS (and its almost reached capacity) speaks for its repertoire. Early church music, through the classic jazz era to today's jazz, rock, pop, acoustic vocals and even some trance (thanks to my good friends, Terence and Shawn, who are desperately trying to educate me).
 
What I discovered early on, especially once I had worked out that the T1 craves driving power, is the T1 is pretty much comfortable with most genres. Once I had ensured sufficient driving power for the T1 and ran it balanced, there was really no turning back. I think it struck me one day that I was literally rocking to Depeche Mode 101 and Keane's greatest hits. On the venerable T1! 
 
Of course, there is a special category which I love the T1 for: vocals. I remember reading somewhere, after I had purchased the T1, that it had liquid mids. That hit the nail on the head - the T1 has such lush and easy flowing mids. Wonderful for vocals.
 
 
Sound Quality
 
In my view, the T1 is fairly well balanced: the trebles are extended, the mids are bordering on lush. The bass, while it is quality bass, it is not quite in the same class as the AKG K812. I would say that the T1 also attracted me because I liked its soundstage - it was not too wide, but had some depth to it as well. And there were details galore.
 
I constantly read reviews complaining about the T1 sound and how its trebles are too much or that it compares poorly to the ethereal soundstage of the HD800. Well, all I will say is that I never quite understood the fuss over the trebles because I have always felt that the T1 had excellent controlled treble extension. As for the soundstage, the HD800 has a soundstage which is not suited for all genres - eg. with rock, the soundstage is spread out so far that there is a total lack of energy. On the other hand, the T1 is more versatile and is competent to very good with most genres.
 
 
Pairing
 
I currently run my T1 off a a desktop rig of modded Mac Mini (with external linear PSU) via USB to a Bricasti M1 DAC, with balanced out to the Bryston BHA-1 and RCA to a Woo Audio WA2. My favourite all round set up is to run the T1 on dual 3 pin XLR on the Bryston - the T1 really opens up: the tonal richness of the T1 run this way is really something to behold. Of course, when I want to listen to slightly more acoustic vocals or I want a more organic tone, I listen to the T1 via the WA2. 
 
 
Conclusion
 
I am grateful that Wilson and Claire were kind to me when I was first looking for a flagship can. And that I did choose the T1 with my ears. It still gives me immense pleasure. There is nothing more anyone could ask for.

Please forgive my english. It's not my native language and the text below is translated frome the french Original feedback here
 
 

 
 
 
Introduction
 
It's really hard to give up his own tastes in any objective consideration when headphones are tested. Much of the feedback made by enthusiasts on the web related implys that the author likes enough the headphone to take the time to put his impressions on paper. However, it is uncommon to see written feedbacks dedicated to a headphone that the author does not like. But it is the case for me: I do not like the Beyerdynamic T1. If I had tried it in a store, I would have probably & definitely put it down  a few minutes later without ever touch it. It seems I'm very sensitive to the sharp 8 khz Beyer treble peak.
 
However, I made ​​the choice to keep the T1 and force me to listen to it for a few weeks because I really wanted to compare the Beyerdynamic flagship to my current sedentary headphones, the HD800. And patience have taught me a lot about my own assessment on headphones ... But also on the T1 and HD800 itselves. The T1 definitely deserves better than a flawed listening and expeditious statements, necessarily unfair, that would have resulted.
 
During the weeks of testing this Beyerdynamic T1, I gave him about twenty hours of listening and I used only my current headphone Rig : Metrum Octave DAC + DNA Sonett 2 Amp. I have often read that the T1 was not as finicky as my HD800 and the DNA Sonett 2 is technically adapteed to both HD800 & T1.
 
Now you know the context of the impressions that you'll find below.
 
 
Discovery / packaging / comfort
 
The headphone is delivered in a beautiful metal box. It looks great and the box is filled with with dense foam. The T1 is properly positioned there: In two words: A serious and useful storage. The HD800 comes in a cardboard box with a more luxurious fabric "velvet" appearance, but ultimately lower quality.
 
The headphone itself looks solidly built - we feel Beyerdynamic's experience of professional headphones - and seems to "weigh" in hand. The 350 grams of T1 are there, and you do not feel like buying a toy. Metallic cups like leather of the headband are well crafted and exude quality. Nothing flashy here: T1 has a simple appearance. Special mention to the thick, non-detachable cable that also exudes German quality. Some see non-detachable cabele as a disadvantage. Personally, it mostly means that the cable is directly soldered to the drivers, thus limiting the number of solder points between the Jack and the drivers.
 
The Beyerdynamic T1 fits very naturally on the head (mine anyway) and I forget it quickly. If the headphone "weighs" in hands, it's not the case on the head. Comfort is excellent, I have not felt any painful pressure points over time. The overall balance of the T1 is good. Moreover, the cups are wide and deep. The velours ear pads have the perfect consistency (neither too stiff nor too soft). Of course, the T1 does not  feel light and airy like the HD800 but it, unlike the Senn, doesn't infringe on my jaws. The HD800 still remains more comfortable over time. The insulation provided by the headphones is close to none. Don't expect much more insulation from the T1 against the HD800.
 

Overall impressions
 
Remember my introduction... The first impression that strucked me listening to the T1 for the first time was the assault of the treble. When I discovered the HD800, I immediately noticed the treble too, but I never had this immediate urge to remove the headphone from my head. If you are, like me, sensitive to potential peaks at 8 kHz, flee the T1 like the plague: Your ears will bleed very quickly. Many owners of T1, however, have no problem with this peak. I've personally loaned the T1 to a friend who did not feel any discomfort. Conversely, many enthusiasts who have tried this or other Beyer headphones are like me: allergic to this Treble. So this is IMO primarily a matter of personal sensitivity.
 
After several hours / days / weeks, my brain has done its job of self-equalization and peak treble became much more bearable, even for an allergic like me. I then enjoyed as it should be the other characteristics of the T1.
 
The fact is that the T1 will grow on you. It offers by no means a 'wow' effect on first listen. It is in all aspects a significant improvement over the DT880 but not really impresses during first listens. The great qualities of T1 reveal themselves gradually, hence the importance of the long term test of a headphone that could quite easily be underestimated.
 
The absolute highlight of T1, is IMO the soundstage. This was the case on the DT880, but the T1 - and the T90 for that matter - offers uncommon precision and layering. The foreground seems close and forward - much more than HD800 - and the soundstage background is distant. All that sits between the two is perfectly layered and easlily audible. The most pleasant point IMO is yet to come. The T1 has a very specific way to make audible the left and right extremities of the soundstage. In fact, T1 seems to bend the soundstage stage and bring the left and right closer to the ears, creating a very precise "bubble" in which we can locate details with much ease. This is a very cool effect. Compared to the HD800, the T1 offers a more compact and less diffuse soundstage. It feels more consistent, but weeks of listening let me feel that this consistency is a bit artificial and tends to "beautify" the crappy mixes, while not doing justice to the better recordings whose ultimate goal is to reproduce accurately acoustic resonnance, the feeling of the room , the concert hall or the studio. In this matter, in my opinion, the HD800 is the King.
 
So, The second statement I really would like to share is I felt that the T1 instills a little extra energy in the music. It's a slight effect and not at all outrageous or too unnatural. I could feel sound movements from back to front. Very 3D effect. It's really fun to listen and I feel of kind of groove/swing added to the music. The presentation offered by the HD800 is more "rigid" : it seems that The Senn places the music in air as if it was paintings and let us comtemplate the sound. Both presentation are very enjoyable in my opinion.
 
Overally and before going into the details of the various ranges, we can estimate that T1 is neutral with a feeling of extra bass and treble. We are not yet in the U-shaped or V-shaped signatures with recesseds mids, but in the slightly saline. In general, HD800 and T1 signatures are close and I do not really think that one of the two is more neutral than the other, contrary to what I read here and there.
I used the T1 to listen to all genres I usually listen to with the HD800. I was quite surprised to find it extremely good for classical. I had assumed that the HD800 would be much better in this area but it's not so true. The Beyerdynamic is truly compelling for classical, although I always tend to complain about the same flaw, namely a slight metallic treble that can affect the perfect reproduction of acoustic instruments tone. I didn't notice any music where the T1 seemed downright uncomfortable, even if it does not seem much more forgiving than the HD800 with the quality of the recordings. I finally listened to some tracks whose style is better accorded with the T1: I am thinking of "Animal As Leaders" (progressive metal) that sounds good with the HD800, but frankly better - more impacting more cohesive and just as fast - with the T1.
 
Both headphones will shine on different music and differently designed recordings. The HD800 will be more oriented to the reproduction of music as a whole including its sound environment and atmosphere. The T1 will provide a more lively and sraightforward experience with a very high level of separation of the different components of music.
 
 
In detail ( vs HD800):
 
 
- Bass: The DT880 already dealt superbly this register but the T1 does better. Excellent extension and no lack of sub-bass be felt in demanding music in this area. bass are tight and fast and does not overflow on the mids at all. they are tight without being dry. Because of the presentation that offers the T1, Bass has this elasticity and dynamic projected character that does not offer the HD800. I think the impression of "more bass" from the T1 comes from that. The drawback is that bass are slightly more "one note" than HD800. Different components are less audible less detailed, less textured than those proposed by the HD800. According to different muusic or your tastes, you can prefer one or the other. For example, I found that the electric bass (Animal As Leaders) sounded better with the T1 although the different bass layers in my favorite EDM (Shingo Nakamura, BT or Burial for example) or Doublebass (Renaud Garcia Fons) are better with the HD800.
 
- Mids:  A few month ago,I would have said that the HD800 is the king of the medium. That's not true. The medium of the HD800 lacks a slight bit of meat and body. The real King is the Stax SR009 and it needs a lot of work on the upstream HD800 rig to obtain a meatier mid with the Senn. T1 seems to be in the same boat: the midrange sounds very good, very clean. Neither hollow or pervasive. It has not, however, the slightly euphonic and refined charm of The King Stax. Overally, the T1 is not more euphonic than the HD800. The medium of the latter remains more detailed, richer, more textured, more appealing. The medium of T1 is very slightly "off" in my opinon. I listened and listened to a lot of voices (Norah Jones, Newton Faulkner, Andreas Scholl) and it seems to me that the HD800 offers a more refined level of restitution in the matter. But it does nothing to actually penalize the T1, since the HD800 is still a tough competitor.
 
- Treble: now we are going to reach points that annoy and divide. The high range of the HD800 as that of T1 can be problematic and show an excess compared to the strict neutrality. So we have two headphones who undoubtly tend to be slightly bright. I say slight, but a lover of darker headphones would certainly find that both T1 and HD800 have too much treble. Someone who loves brighter/lighter signatures (myself for example) will however appreciates the detail, the sparkle and the bite air brought by those slightly boosted treble. HD800 as T1 are moreover, one like the other, not short on details. I would say at first glance that the T1 is perhaps the best for foreground details location - see paragraph above - and the HD800 for the best reproduction of low-level detail - reverberation, resonance and acoustics of the place of recording - giving my opinion a greater sense of realism to the sound material ... When this material is present in the recording. As we say the measures (see measurements of two headphones on the web) the HD800 provides ongoing treble boost from 4 kHz to 8 kHz, with a max at 6 kHz. The T1 offers him a sudden peak at 8khz and keeps elevated treble in higher frequencies. Choose your poison depending on your sensitivity and your preferences. What's funny is that during A/B comparison between one and the other, I could hear very well the difference, and according to different tracks one or the other sounded brighter. The one and the other may show sibilances and both seem not so much forgiving for poor recordings. Personally, and my opinion has not changed in three months of T1 owning, I appreciate the HD800 treble, while T1's one is almost unbearable.
 
- Soundstage: Two beautiful soundstages, but - as I have already said - very different and thus the personal preferencs will encourage us toward the Sennheiser or the Beyerdynamic. Compactness, density, precision and sense of movement with the T1. Cloud of music with a strong sense of the different sound patches and a great feeling of the reality of the music in its environment with the HD800. The HD800 "deploys" the music. I have often thought in this roundup that eventually the T1 had the best soundstage. It's almost true. Almost, because from my point of view, although T1's soundstage is fantastic, but "headphone-like". The HD800 looses some of that accuracy to go to a more extraordinary way to reproduce the music. HD800 doesn't either offer this "Music in Motion" feeling offered by T1. The diffuse presentation of the HD800 can bother too. I also said that the T1 was ultimately more analytical than the HD800. This is not entirely true either, but the idea is there: the precision of T1 impresses.
 

Conclusion
 
I still do not like the T1, and I really had to force myself to keep on the ears since I have. However, I think I managed to be patient and try to be fair. this headphone deserved it. I have to say again that the T1 in reveals its strengths after many careflu and attentive listening. Certainly a very good headphone, so of course we are not allergic to Beyerdynamic like me.
The T1 offers its share of "fun", but can still not be considered deliberately calibrated for that. It shows very little color or added euphony and stays accurate. In Beyerdynamic family, for whis is seeking more fun and less accuracy, I sincerely think the T90 worthes a serious try.
 
Finally, T1 vs HD800 ... HD800 headphones keeps in my opinion its superiorité for a few specific reasons: Better mids, an overally more refined sound - with a blacker "background" - a hgher level of detail and resolution over the entire spectrum and especially a more "extraordinary" persentation, where T1 is still a great headphone, but only a great headphone. That said, I do think that the HD800 can demonstrate these qualities only with recordings who can highlight them and, so, although higher in absolute terms, it will not be always more enjoyable. In any case, I don't allow myself to state that HD800 will always be greater than T1 for YOUR listenings.
 
For my part, I'm ending this review while listening to Ane Brun and The headphone I've forgotten on my head is the HD800. I'll be a bit sad to see the T1 leaving the house though.

These come so close to being my ideal headphones. These headphones have nearly everything I want, good controlled bass that extends well to very low frequencies. The bass is also present but does not dominate. Nice mids that are not recessed, a great wide soundstage and fantastic separation. The comfort is supreme, the earpads surround the ears well and the T1 is also lightweight. However, where it fails IMO is in the treble. Without applying EQ it's just too bright for my tastes.
 
I listen to music using lossless files and watch movies/TV shows using Bluray so the quality of the files used is excellent. People might say that my DAC/amp combo is not up to scratch, that might be so. I'm using the O2/ODAC combo which is supposed to be very transparent and uncoloured and I have read it should allow you to hear the true sound of the headphones. If this is true, the uncoloured sound of the T1 is too bright. The only flaw IMO but a major one for me since I am quite sensitive to the treble.
 
In terms of power, discussions in the sound science forums indicates that technically there doesn't seem to be much indication that the O2 amp cannot supply sufficient power to the T1 (http://www.head-fi.org/t/707169/can-the-o2-amp-fully-drive-the-beyerdynamic-t1). I'm sure that colouring the sound using a tube amp would be able to tame the highs and make these headphones truly fantastic but IMO the natural sound of these cans has some serious flaws in the treble. This seems to also be attested by the frequency response curves I've seen for these headphones and also numerous comments I've read stating the same point.
 
This being said, I really do like these headphones and aggressive use of EQ can tame the treble enough to make it enjoyable for watching movies and listening to music. Without applying any EQ it sounds truly superb for Classical and Jazz music (as long as there is minimal singing IMO). However on the whole, I will probably sell these and settle for something more bass/mid centric such as the HD 600/650 which are widely praised in combination with my current DAC/amp.

Please be advised that I am only writing this review to help other buyers. I am not trying to upset any T1 owners and it's my honest opinion. If you think it's unfair please state so in the comments and I can reconsider although I have enough experience with headphones now to know what I like.
 
First, let me note for the reader that if you google the three words beyerdynamic t1 deal, you'll see that every month or so an internet retailer sells brand new T1s for $750 to $780 (and these seem to be authorized retailers, for example one deal was from Buydig which is Beach Camera if I understand correctly, which is listed as an authorized retailer on Beyer's website; that deal even included free overnight shipping and no tax). These constant deals beg the question of why these "flagships" consistently go for mid-tier prices; The answer became apparent when mine arrived.
 
The only other top tier headphones that I have ever tried were the Sennheiser HD800 and the Audeze LCD XC. I preferred the HD800's sound signature, but I could appreciate the quality of the Audeze. For example, if you play the sound of a single guitar string being picked, you'll see that it's a noise which starts somewhat low in the frequency range, and rapidly, very rapidly, goes smoothly up in frequency until it reaches a high note. It takes a fast and capable driver to reproduce that well, and the XC could do that; it would send a chill up my spine. The HD800, well, I shouldn't have to explain why it's a flagship but let's just say its spatial imaging and magic are renowned.
 
The T1, though, is not even close to being in the neighborhood of those two. The best way I could explain the sound of this headphone in a relatable way, is to say they are an upgraded Shure SRH840. The way I tested them is to spend hours listening to and re-listening to my set of favorite songs, songs which I have played dozens of times and essentially memorized. I also listened to and relistened to very specific parts of songs, such as the sound of that guitar string being picked. The headphone was powered by a JDS Labs Objective 2 amplifier and I was generous with the volume, playing it at about 65-68 db ear level.

1. The bass, while relatively strong and booming, is distorted at the very low bass frequencies, which is less than you would expect from a flagship. There is a distinct way that the HD800 and especially the Audeze hit low frequency bass notes that distinguished them from mid-tier headphones. If you've heard it you know what I'm referring to (the SE846 is another example of clean undistorted low frequency bass). The T1s have plenty of bass, they're kind of boomy actually relative to what I normally listen to, but they hit bass notes in a subtly distorted and less than satisfying way. The measurement charts from innerfidelity objectively confirm the T1's bass distortion. Very common in $500 and under headphones; unacceptable for a $1,400 flagship.

2. The treble sometimes has what I can best describe as a subtle but annoying form of that "listening to treble on a cheap pair of ear buds, or a clock radio" effect. I'm obviously not saying it sounds like a clock radio, but let me see if I can put it another way. If you were to play a tone that smoothly goes up in frequency, it would not sound smooth on the T1. The T1 produces some treble frequencies at much higher DBs than others and this is not flagship sound. Very rarely it produces a particular treble frequency at such an unexpectedly high volume level that it causes that fingernails on a chalkboard effect. Good treble should be smooth, not jarring. Listening to classical music on an HD800 will exhilarate you. The Audeze wasn't as good as the HD800 in this respect, but it was no slouch and played smooth treble. When it comes time to play those songs and parts of a song on the T1, all it does is cause you to purse your face in disappointment. Again, if you read the innerfidelity charts for the T1 it's all there in objective science. The treble response is a mess with these, and my ears confirmed it. One important note about this issue: please keep in mind that one, just one, "fingernails on a chalk board" treble note can ruin an entire song for you. That noise stays with you. Mid-tier headphones either try to be airy, and have this effect or, more commonly, they just punt and roll off the treble. That's fine at that price range, but I don't ever want to hear that uncomfortable sound out of a flagship.

3. The midrange, to its credit, is very good, maybe even slightly better than the Audeze and the HD800. I couldn't definitively say which was better, but I had no complaints about the way the T1 reproduced voices, and I was impressed by the detail of its voice reproduction at times as it did things the other two could not do, in certain spots, particularly with a mid or deeper female vocals. So I will give it that. If I were just listening to people talk, or singing acapella in a middle range octave, I might choose the T1 over the HD800 and LCD XC.
 
4. Its detail is excellent, better than even the HD800. But since the HD800 was getting close to that "maybe this is so much detail that you're taking away from the joy of the music" territory, this may have gone over that threshold. I actually really like detail, but combined with the T1's other problems the excess detail was too much. But if you need to do an auditory detail spotting test, use these.

5. Instrument separation is also excellent for the same reasons as above. The way those instruments sound, though, is another matter as described above. But they're separated well.

6. Spatial imaging is, as expected, not anywhere near as good as the HD800 but better than the closed back LCD XC.
 
7. With its somewhat punchy bass and erratic treble, the T1 is more fatiguing than the HD800 or LCD XC.
 
A few other notes. For some reason people had me expecting these to be heavy like the Aude'ze but they're not heavy at all. They're in the HD800 territory in terms of comfort; very comfortable, so don't let that be an issue. They not made of fancy material, unlike the Aude'ze. They seem to have the build quality of your average $100 headphone. The cables are also not detachable which is very unusual. The case is a beautiful and compact aluminum. Very nice case. I uploaded a picture of the case so you can see. Much smaller and lighter than the needlessly big and heavy HD800 case and much nicer than the plastic audeze case. The T1 is also not unusual looking like those other two so you won't attract attention to yourself by wearing it.
 
If I could summarize by analogy, a Mercedes E-Class is a great car in its peer group, but if it tries to compare itself to S-Class AMGs, Bentleys and so on, it's a low performer. Same with this. It would get a higher rating if its MSRP were lower, but I have to rate it like a $1,400 headphone.
 
And to settle that mystery alluded to earlier, there is a perfectly logical explanation for why Beyerdynamic allows authorized retailers to sell this for $750, it's the only way they can clear inventory when trying to sell this for $1,400.

Originally published on September 6, 2010
 
Note: this review is an exact cross-post from post #1 of this thread on Head-Fi, which contains some user discussion on the review that may be relevant to read: http://www.head-fi.org/t/511201/review-beyerdynamic-t1-vs-sennheiser-hd800

- download a printable 8-page PDF version of this review
- download a printable 9-page PDF version of the notes that were written for this review. The notes contain much more detailed info broken down by individual CD tracks and will probably be worth reading for those seeking even more info to assist with a buying decision. The notes should be considered a supplement and not a replacement for this review (as the review is not straight from the notes) - I recommend reading this review first and then reading the notes.
 
Post-review amp comparison installments (comparing M3 vs SPL Auditor):
- T1: http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/511201/review-beyerdynamic-t1-vs-sennheiser-hd800/75#post_6928382
- K701: http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/511201/review-beyerdynamic-t1-vs-sennheiser-hd800/75#post_6943875
- HD800: http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/511201/review-beyerdynamic-t1-vs-sennheiser-hd800/105#post_6985524

Intro

As is typical of previous reviews I've written on Head-Fi, the review that follows below is a comparative one—because writing about only one headphone does not put anything into context and without context it's impossible for anyone to determine how a headphone might sound through inference. In fact, this review assumes that the reader has heard one of the headphones that were used as a comparative reference—be it the T1 or HD800 themselves, or the AKG K701, Audio-Technica AD2000, Grado HP1000/HP2, or Sony Qualia 010. But for those who have not heard one of those headphones, I have also tried to accommodate for that as well, drawing from my cumulative headphone experience gained since 2006 through either buying/selling or exposure at Head-Fi meets. (All gear I've heard is listed in my profile for reference.)

Reviewer Biases & Info

My view of a headphone system is "source first" followed by headphones and then amp. In other words, a source of highest quality possible (assuming recordings of high quality also) should be paired with the most preferential-sounding headphone(s), to be driven by the most technically-optimal amp. In my view, the most technically-optimal amp is the one that provides sufficient power for all headphones being used without inflecting its own sonic signature, or minimally at least.

Some portions of the review below refer to the sound of live instruments. As an FYI to put those references into the proper context, I'm a trained violinist (learned via the Suzuki method for 12 years starting at age 6, then quit lessons at 18 and have been playing on and off since, and I'm 29 now) and have had the opportunity several times to play in a symphony orchestra, and I've attended classical-music concerts as well.

Equipment Setup

- Source component: Plinius CD-101 (CD player) (power cord: Signal Cable Silver Resolution Reference - directly into wall)
- RCA interconnects: BPT IC-SL
- Headphone amplifier: Rockhopper-built Balanced M3 (used in unbalanced mode)
- Other comparison headphones: AKG K701 (re-cabled with SAA Equinox), Audio-Technica AD2000 (re-cabled with APS V3), Grado HP1000/HP2 (re-cabled with APS V3), Sony Qualia 010 (re-cabled with Moon Audio Black Dragon)

Beyerdynamic T1 vs AKG K701

Music used for this comparison:
- Alison Krauss & Union Station - Lonely Runs Both Ways - "A Living Prayer"
- Pierre Boulez w/ Vienna - Mahler Symphony No. 6 - "I. Allegro energico"
- Priscilla Ahn - A Good Day - "Dream"
- Radiohead - In Rainbows - "Reckoner"

Now that I personally dispelled for myself the idea that the K701 was not a substandard version of the HD800, a different thought came to mind: would the K701 be a substandard version of the T1 instead? Actually....incidentally that's exactly what I discovered. Yes, the T1 is a better version of the K701! Wait...what?! I had to re-check this many times to confirm, but I indeed found that the K701 and T1 actually had some overall similarities, enough that one might be able to call the T1 an improved version of the K701. But first, before getting to the sonic differences, both headphones tended to sound better loud, though it was the K701 that sonically broke apart at high volume (while the T1 maintained its sonic integrity).

Now what were the similarities? Well, neither headphone had particularly good treble and were both rolled off (preventing me from enjoying the actual bluegrass songs on the Alison Krauss CD, hence the use of only the last track), their soundstages were similarly-sized (more on that in a bit), and they both sounded less than clear (compared to the HD800 at least, let alone the Sony SA5000/Qualia 010, or the JH Audio JH13 IEMs).

There were plenty of differences to note though, almost all of which could be considered improvements from the K701. First, the K701 seemed to exaggerate vocal power on both Alison Krauss and Priscilla Ahn (as neither of them have powerful voices which is why it was noticeable) while the T1 minimized this, though it too sort of had this effect, just not as much. Vocalists who don't have powerful lungs shouldn't sound like they do, right? And the T1 did the more convincing job at conveying how these two female singers should sound. The soundstage also seemed to be more accurate on the T1 (but not completely)—just a bit more air injected than the K701, but not too much to have the almost cavern-like acoustics of the HD800, while placing instruments further away (like more to the left or right) and displacing the female vocals (that the K701 routinely brought forward) for a better 3D sense of depth and width. The T1 also had more clarity overall than the K701 (but not as much as the HD800), for example allowing proper distinction of the left-channel acoustic guitar and right-channel acoustic bass in the Priscilla Ahn track. There was also a certain type of detail that the T1 routinely captured that the K701 didn't: the "resonance" an instrument like an acoustic double-bass or guitar can exhibit when the right note is played and the instrument vibrates along with the string to add a kind of "warmth" to the sound.

The T1 was also a significant step up from the K701 on classical music—with good clarity on the opening double-basses on Boulez's Mahler #6 for example, capturing their fast bow strokes and the similarly fast bow strokes from the violins. The horns filled the acoustic space more than on the K701 with a good amount of sonority and their position relative to the trumpets was better delineated too. The T1 also caught the pizzicato of the violins and the rat-a-tats of the snare drum, which were largely missed by the K701.
 
Beyerdynamic T1 vs Grado HP1000/HP2 (flat pads)

Music used for this comparison:
- Carlos Kleiber w/ Vienna - Beethoven Symphonies No. 5 & 7 - No. 5 - "Allegro con brio"
- Dave Brubeck - Time Out [Legacy Edition] - "Blue Rondo a la Turk"
- Julia Fischer - Bach Concertos - Concerto for 2 violins in D minor - "III. Allegro"
- Lee Morgan - Tom Cat [XRCD] - "Twice Around"
- Medeski Martin & Wood - Uninvisible - "Uninvisible", "Ten Dollar High"
- Pierre Boulez w/ Vienna - Mahler Symphony No. 6 - "I. Allegro energico"
- Steve Kuhn - Mostly Coltrane - "Song of Praise"
- Weather Report - Heavy Weather [1997] - "Birdland", "A Remark You Made"

If there was a commonality throughout all of the jazz music selections on the Grado HP2, it was that they all sounded good—but more specifically, it sounded like the featured instruments (which were mostly saxophones or trumpets) were playing at me, not just for me or in front of me, but like their directed point of focus was towards the listener. This made all of the jazz sound really personal and very direct on the HP2. Combined with the HP2's thick and very full mid-range, it was like sitting right in there with the jazz group and jamming along with them.

Throwing the T1 into the mix produced some interesting results, not all of which were positive. On Weather Report's "Birdland" for example, the T1 sounded like it had less mid-range body on the instruments, almost making them sound lightweight even, coming immediately after the HP2. The T1 also made the piano on this song sound almost like a honky-tonk piano—which neither the HP2 (or the HD800) did, it was only the T1. And on Steve Kuhn's "Song of Praise," the HP2 delivered the most closest-positioned, soulful-sounding tenor sax with a fantastically rich tone—but the T1, on the other hand, displaced the tenor sax and almost made it sound like not part of the jazz group due to its positioning. And on Lee Morgan's "Twice Around," the HP2 had the fullest- and most direct-sounding trumpet, alto sax, and drums, with a fantastic sense of the group interacting with each other. The HP2 also made it really easy to tell apart the trumpet, alto sax, and trombone too—not so much with the T1 though, and even less so with the HD800, which lost a portion of these brass instruments' textures.

The T1 was better in other aspects though, like conveying a more realistic brighter-tuned piano on Dave Brubeck's "Blue Rondo a la Turk" (it was a little too heavy-sounding on the HP2) and providing harder impacts on the piano keys (the HP2 blunted these impacts). The T1 also produced a significantly clearer-sounding bass on Medeski Martin & Wood's "Uninvisible" with a great ground-shaking bass reverberation (proving itself to have better bass extension than the HP2). And on MM&W's "Ten Dollar High," the T1 properly captured the variety of different instrumental inflections and physical movements & interactions.

And to go back to the topic of realistic tonality of violins in classical music, the HP2 eclipsed the T1. Violins simply sounded more correct/realistic/natural on the HP2 versus the T1. The T1 made them sound just a bit too dark, as the HP2 actually gave a bit more treble sheen to them. But to the T1's credit, the HP2 sounded muffled in comparison—again, clarity isn't exactly one of the HP2's strengths. For some reason though, I ended up concluding that the HP2 required the most "psychoacoustic acclimation" (compared to the T1 and HD800) to really get a transcendental experience for classical music.

Sennheiser HD800 vs Beyerdynamic T1

Music used for this comparison:
- Anne Bisson - Blue Mind - "Camilio"
- Beyond Twilight - Section X - "The Path of Darkness"
- Global Communication - 76:14 - "4:02", "9:39"
- In Flames - The Jester Race - "Moonshield", "Artifacts of the Black Rain"
- Julia Fischer - Bach Concertos - Concerto for 2 violins in D minor - "III. Allegro"
- Katie Melua - Piece by Piece - "Shy Boy", "On the Road Again"
- Laika - Good Looking Blues - "Widows' Weed"
- Medeski Martin & Wood - Uninvisible - "Uninvisible", "Ten Dollar High"
- Megadeth - Countdown to Extinction [MFSL] - "Sweating Bullets"
- Meshuggah - Chaosphere - "New Millennium Cyanide Christ"
- Nightwish - Once - "Wish I Had An Angel", "Planet Hell"
- Orbital - The Middle of Nowhere - "Way Out"
- Pearl Jam - Ten - "Even Flow", "Alive"
- Rage Against The Machine - Rage Against The Machine - "Bombtrack", "Take The Power Back", "Know Your Enemy"
- Symphony X - Paradise Lost - "Oculus Ex Inferni", "Set the World on Fire", "The Walls of Babylon"
- The Crystal Method - Tweekend - "Murder", "Ten Miles Back"
- The Crystal Method - Vegas [Deluxe Edition] - "High Roller"
- The Prodigy - The Fat of the Land - "Smack My Bitch Up", "Breathe", "Diesel Power", "Fuel My Fire"
- Trifonic - Emergence - "Emergence", "Transgenic"

And finally for the real showdown, the so-called big guns. Which is the better headphone, the HD800 or T1? Well anyone reading this will probably expect my answer: it's not really that simple and both headphones have their strengths and weaknesses.

I'll start with the recurring subject of violin tonality in classical music, because personally it's a big issue for me as a violinist. My position is: if the violins don't sound real, forget it! And neither the HD800 or T1 delivered realistic violin tone—the HD800 was too bright and wispy and the T1 wasn't "light" enough. What does one do as a solution then? You get the right headphones—and in my case that usually means the Stax OII MKI amped by the HeadAmp BHSE, which achieves the perfect tone. No other headphones need apply. Bam, done. Can't afford the OII/BHSE? IMO the next best solution after that is the Grado HP1000, or if that one is too expensive also, then the Sennheiser HD600.

Next subject, electronica. For ambient electronica specifically, only the Sennheiser HD800 was remotely good enough to do it justice, while the T1 was not, primarily due to the HD800's superior overall clarity, treble tilt, and faster impulse response. Ambient electronica is often buried in lots of layers (more than the average song in any other music genre) and requires a very hi-fi transducer to reveal them all cleanly and clearly—and in the case of Global Communication, Laika, and Trifonic, only the HD800 had the right amount of "clean & clear" to make these artists sound good. The T1 didn't have the silent background required for this type of music and its lack of treble and clarity worked against the type of detail inherent to ambient electronica. Not that the HD800 was perfect though, it was just better at this—as there are other headphones that have even more "clean & clear" sounds, like the Sony SA5000 & Qualia 010. For more bass-driven electronica like The Crystal Method, The Prodigy, etc, the T1 is probably a better choice than the HD800, but not the best one there is. The T1 had more bass quantity in general and delivered a good amount of bass impact and its low extension nearly matched the Audio-Technica AD2000's too. But the T1 didn't deliver a particularly strong bass overall and its slow impulse response held it back from being ideal—the Audio-Technica AD2000 probably being a better choice for people who want a powerful low bass response that's also extremely fast.

Metal is a tricky genre for headphones to handle, as it goes in a lot of different directions. But if there's one commonality in most of metal, it's speed combined with aggression, and the HD800 was consistently too passive-sounding to really get into metal and give it that needed aggression. I will say simply that the HD800 was boring with metal, and who wants boring metal? The T1, on the other hand, was a much better choice for metal, primarily due to its fuller mid-range/mid-bass and smaller soundstage, allowing every band to sound closer and more personal. The T1 simply had a very good direct and assertive sound that made it work very well for a wide variety of metal. However, the T1 wasn't completely ideal for some types of metal, like thrash metal, as its impulse response couldn't quite keep up with some of the faster sequences. For that type of metal, another headphone would be recommended instead, and I've personally gotten better experiences for thrash metal with the Audio-Technica AD2000, JH Audio JH13, and Stax OII MKI.

And finally, jazzy or pop female vocals is one of the most pedestrian forms of music, as it's typically easy for almost any headphone to sound good with and the artists spun for this (Anne Bisson, Katie Melua) didn't really reveal much that wasn't already discovered before, other than perhaps that piano was more realistic sounding on the T1 with its generally richer tone.

This is only my second review ever after my abysmal Momentum review, so be aware that I'm not that well versed in articulating my thoughts about a headphone like some others here.
 
Preface
 
When I first considered buying the Beyerdynamic T1 I was very cautious having heard a fair few negative opinions about this headphone. At the time I was coming from a Audeze LCD2rev2 and Hifiman HE-500 and did not know what to expect with a brighter headphone. Fortunately I was relived when I first heard them there was not a unbearable level of treble like the spike can suggest. When listening at home I was not first I was not wowed like you can be with many other headphones. However over time the T1 has grown to be my favorite headphone out of the TH600, HE500 and LCD2 I own. I consider its genre bandwidth truly impressive.
 
Before we get into the review, I should tell you a bit about my listening set up. I have listened to the T1 mainly through the Soloist and WA7. My dac has been the Audio GD ref 5.32. I listen to music for between 5-7 hours a day depending on other factors like work. I listen to a bit of everything, and I mean it when I say it. I listen to all my music through foobar2000, and all at least 320kbs if not flac.
 
Onto the headphones themselves.
 
Comfort, Design and Aesthetics
 
There is no beating around the bush, there are plenty of highly recommended headphones that for many fall down in terms of comfort, which being honest is one of the most important things in a headphone. The T1 passes the comfort test with flying colors. I can wear it for 7 hours with no trouble, discomfort or fatigue. It is not particularly heavy compared to some other ToTL phones. 
 
The T1 is made of aluminum and seems to be durable enough not to be afraid of breaking it with regular use. This particular serial model #-50##  has been going for 2 years now without any damage. This headphone is for home usage, so it is not designed to be a head turner, but you definitely won't be ashamed of yourself looking at it on a stand
 
Sound
 
Bass
 
The bass on the T1 extends reasonably so, they have a minor mid bass hump which can bring about a nice musicality to bass guitar and drums within many genres. The sub bass is not particularly impactful, so a serial basshead will need to look elsewhere for an ear rattling. The bass is nicely textured and never boomy, but I feel that it falls short of the Audeze LCD2 here as the LCD2 bass is more extended and better detailed. I prefer the T1's bass presentation to the HE-500 which I sometimes feel lacks clarity. The bass is most definitely not light in any way.
 
Mids
 
The mid range of the Beyerdynamic T1 is very very slightly lower on the spectrum compared to the mid bass, but never seems recessed or unnatural. I find that the Mid Range here is very smooth with no major irregularities. It certainly doesn't lack detail which is one of the strong suites of the Beyerdynamic T1. I simply adore listening to Acoustic material and classical with this headphone. YMMV of course, as I do not know much about the correct tone of acoustic instruments. Vocals here can seem very realistic and surreal. While listening to the Stax Space CD, the opening passage in the room with test head, I felt that the voices and sounds were unbelievably lifelike. This feeling was not conveyed equally by the TH600, LCD2 or HE-500. The T1 shone here.
 
While listening to a lot of well recorded rock music, I feel that the LCD2 can lack a bit of the attack that guitars truly have when witnessing them live. The T1 does well here, and I feel as a electric guitarist that I vastly prefer the bite of such music more for realistically than with the LCD2 which can be dull at times.
 
Treble
 
The Treble of the T1 is a strange one. It is rather laid back except for a large spike around 9-10khz. This spike can sometimes be troublesome with classical music. When high notes are hit sometimes a bit of glare/stridency can be observed. This is rare in other forms of music. Couple this with the ringing that can occur. The ringing is caused by a lack of damping in the back of the cups and can create a fair bit of feedback. This is quite annoying, but can be fixed by following the damping guide in the headfi fullsized headphone forum. Outside of this the treble is clearer and has far more detail than the LCD2, and is a little less hot overall compared to the TH600. The treble is not all rosey however, poor recordings that are brightly mastered or have sibilance can be very troublesome with the T1. I find sometimes untamed rock cymbal work can be exceedingly fatiguing.
 
Soundstage, Imaging and Detail
 
The Beyerdynamic T1 has a very large soundstage compared to what I'm used to. The LCD2 is very small indeed in this regard by comparison. It has superior width and depth to both the TH600 and HE-500. However the soundstage still falls short of the HD800 and K1000 among a few others. The T1 can make ambient, classical and other larger stages genres sound exceptionally airy and grand. I never feel out of place listening to live albums or orchestra's on these headphones. Not only that the even tonal balance and soundstage make great for listening to ambient/ambient electronic. Listening to binaural albums is an absolute treat, better than almost every other headphone I've heard.
 
The imaging of the T1 is great, but falls short of the HD800 again here. The T1 with slower and less demanding music shines and separates and places the instruments with fantastic air and clarity. I can always hear instruments being on different parts of stage or performance. In this case more believably than the LCD2r2 and HE-500. Where this all falls apart is in very fast or complex musical passages the T1 can start to lose its clarity. This is due to a slower impulse response (check out innerfidelity on this), which can definitely be heard on complex metal, electronic or rock tracks.
 
The Detail in the T1 is very pronounced and listening to albums can sometimes show up flaws not observed on other records. Listening to Robin Trowers song Bridge of Sighs, reveals a man talking in the background during the guitar solo, not only that but unlike every other headphone I've heard it with, he is now able to be understood. Similarly I began to hear crackles and clicks in the background of older albums that I never had before. The detail on many live recordings reveal many nuances of the crowd from glasses clinking, to people coughing that the other headphones I own do not reveal. The HD800 once again surpassed the T1 in this regard however.
 
The T1 is fantastic for video gaming and movie watching due to the impressive detail level and soundstage ability.
 
Genre Bandwidth
 
The Beyerdynamic T1 does well with a wide spread of musical genres. Genres which I found performed very well with the T1 were.
 
Classical
Ambient
Ambient Electonic
Chillwave
Glo-Fi
Acoustic Indie
Flamenco guitar
Smooth Jazz
Progressive Rock
Classic Rock
Post Rock
 
Genres that I prefered other headphones for
 
LCD2/HE-500
 
Heavy Metal
Thrash Metal
Extreme metal genres
Mainstream Rock
R&B
Blues
Jazz Fusion
Jrock
 
TH600
 
Trance
Techno
House
Kpop
DnB
 
Conclusion
 
The Beyerdynamic T1 is a superb all rounder, and does well with enough music to justify it as a very good high end headphone. It has definitely dethroned the LCD2 for me. I highly recommend it for people who have a widespread musical taste like me
 
Main albums used in listening
 
Alice in Chains Unplugged
Black Sabbath Reunion
Daft Punk Random Access Memories and Discovery
Death Symbolic
Girls Generation The Boys
Jack Wall Mass Effect 2 Soundtrack
Janelle Monae The Arch-android
Michael McCann Deus Ex Human Revolution Soundtrack
Metallica Black Album
Miles Davis Kind of Blue
Pendulum Immersion
Pig Destroyer Phantom Limb
Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon SACD and Pulse
Rage Against the Machine Rage Against the Machine
Rom Di Prisco Cryptidalia
Stax Test CD
Synthetic Epiphany Equalize
Tool Aenima
Ultrasone Test CD
V/A Starcraft Wings of Liberty Soundtrack
 
+ other various assorted tracks

Oh man ,I must say these headphones are incredible !
I upgraded from Sennhesier HD 650 to these beautiful cans ,and the difference is almost day and night. The first thing you will notice when you first listen , is the level of detail that will give you the "Wow Factor".especially if you listen to acoustics .
This song in particular "Govi -Euprathes" you can hear so many little hidden nuances ,that I could not hear them on my HD 650. It's a significant improvement  from  HD 650 and is worth  the extra money I paid for it.I  highly recommend these cans for anyone who wants to enjoy the  music.

The T1 is my entry into hifi headphones, and i couldn't be more pleased with the purchase. i will however be comparing these with my DT880. my setup is: computer > ibasso d7 >  bottlehead crack + speedball
 
The design of these are really just so refined and sophisticated, it does not look as retro like the dt880 with wires visible outside the headband. the colour scheme is much better on the T1 and for me, i would sum it up by saying it just looks so much classier. one negative for design would be the cable; extremely bulky and heavy.
 
Few headphones match the comfort of the DT880, but i feel the T1 does the unthinkable and bests the DT880 in comfort. The velour has a smoother consistency and the biggest improvement is the very nice leather headband which makes wearing them effortless and feel like there's really nothing on the head.
 
For SQ, i will start by saying that i feel the T1 is less of a "better" DT880 and more unique. as with most if not all beyers, individual models even in the same line have vastly different sound signatures. The T1 to me just sounds like a very natural depiction of whatever is being recorded. The tonal balance in the T1 is like nothing i've ever heard with no unwanted prominence in the highs, lows or mids. The treble sparkles, the mids are smooth and the bass is the most realistic of any headphone i've heard. Also, the T1 seems to push air or do something that really gives you the feeling of being in a jazz club or concert hall. You can not only hear, but also to an eerie extent, feel the strumming and beating of instruments. I have no opinion on micro-detail retrieval mostly because i don't listen for it. Micro-detail is for people who want to hear a person sneeze rather than the concert the person is at; what is the point?
 
Now, how does the T1 compare to the DT880? it blows it out of the water. As much as i like the DT880, i feel like they are not similar, with the 880 having a touch less bass than necessary and the treble being a bit too prominent though never reaching the brightness of my past grados. The T1 on the other hand has extreme neutrality, to the point where it feels like i'm in a concert hall. That being said, the soundstaging is where there is some similarity between the cans. The soundstage on the T1 is bigger, but i feel just right, to where there is an airyness to instruments but it can maintain the intimacy of something like a jazz club. Stellar imaging for instruments, which the DT880 has a bit of trouble with.
 
When you buy a hifi headphone, i feel it's a bit unnecessary to compare it to a mid-fi headphone because of diminishing returns, MUCH better components and furnishings not included in mid-fi headphones. Since i bought them used, i feel like the value was definitely there, not sure how i would've felt paying 1300$ though.
 
 
Overall, i didn't talk much about the DTt880, but i feel most people should be familiar with it. What the T1 does is improve on the soundstage and imaging of the DT880, but it brings to the table a natural and rich sound that i really have not experienced in any other headphone.

 
 
This is part of a review I wrote on the German http://www.hifi-forum.de, some time ago.
 
Maybe sometime I'll translate it to English. That will take some time.
Please leave a comment whether you're interested in a translation.
 
I compared the HD800 and T1 to others using different musical pieces.
 
The winner is always the headphone (HD800, T1, etc.) mentioned right below the with bold letters written title of the musical piece.
 
 
And here we go...
 
 
Williams - Star Wars – The Empire Strikes Back – Imperial March – CD
HD800
Der T1 bringt die Nuancen etwas weichgespülter rüber, aber dank relativ heller Aufnahme ist dieses kaum merklich. Beim HD800 hört man hingegen eine Erweiterung des Raumes schon deutlicher heraus. Auch ist der HD800 aggressiver und bietet mehr Schmackofatz als der T1.
Mit geballter Faust hört man dem HD800 zu und verspürt das unbändige Verlangen, irgendjemanden mit der Macht zu würgen oder ihm Blitze in den Allerwertesten zu schießen…
Der T1 ist dabei leicht weniger anstrengend und mitreißend, aber ebenso plastisch wie der HD800.
Einige Geigeninfos fehlen teilweise und er lässt Geigen seidiger klingen, als diese tatsächlich klingen.

Rozsa – Ben-Hur – Vorspann (nicht die Ouvertüre) – CD
HD590
Insgesamt überwältigender wirkt hier der HD800. Bei der Becken zudem aggressiver.
Blechbläser sind beim HD800 auch gewalttätiger. Mir persönlich gefällt das mehr.
Der T1 wirkt dagegen eher zahm.
Man muss bedenken, dass die Aufnahme keinesfalls eine Referenz ist und eher hell abgestimmt, was dem T1 zugutekommen müsste. Dies ist aber nur bedingt der Fall.
Sowohl T1 als auch der HD800 machen hier eine gute Figur.
Am meisten Spaß macht diese Aufnahme mit dem HD590 (auch mehr als mit den anderen größeren Sennheisern), weil er hier eine Art perfekte klangliche Mischung schafft, sofern man ihn nicht zu laut aufdreht.

Mozart – Eine kleine Nachtmusik – Orpheus Chamber Orchestra – CD
HD800
Das Stück habe ich schon mehrere Male von diversen Kammerorchester gehört.
Realismus pur schafft hier meiner Ansicht nach der HD800. Unerreicht.
Wer meint, dass der HD800 eine zu große Bühne für so ein kleines Orchester bietet, der irrt gewaltig, denn es klingt einfach nur richtig, weil er den Spagat zwischen Raum und Intimität zumindest bei dieser Aufnahme glänzend bewerkstelligt. Ebenso die Klangfarben der Instrumente. Einfach nur zum Eintauchen.
Der T70 klingt hier zu hell, aber auch ziemlich korrekt, wobei die Dosigkeit hier nur sehr leicht zum Vorschein tritt.
Der T1 klingt Leicht bedämpft im Vergleich zum HD800 und T70 und die Raumdarstellung ist weniger gelungen als beim HD800.

Jablonsky – Transformers – The Score Soundtrack – CD
HD800
T70 wirkt hier zu ohnmächtig. Weil hier viel mit Blechbläsern gearbeitet wird, klingt er ziemlich hohl. Der Punch ist zwar leicht, aber ordentlich knackig.
T1 klingt kraftvoll, detailliert, aber auch eine Spur zu dunkel, wodurch der Klang etwas murmelig wird - ansonsten hervorragender Klang.
HD800 bietet hier mehr Details, klingt insgesamt mächtig und ist im Hochton noch gerade erträglich - phänomenaler Klang.

Strauss – Eine Alpensinfonie – Thielemann/Wiener Philharmoniker – SACD
HD800
Bei der Alpensinfonie SACD hört man beim HD800 mehr, was auf der Aufnahme drauf ist, vergleicht man es mit dem T1. Es klingt gewaltiger, dafür aber beim T1 leicht homogener. Beide absolut superduper mit sehr leichtem Vorteil für den HD800.

Beethoven – Sinfonien Nr.5&7 – Carlos Kleiber/Wiener Philharmoniker – SACD
HD800
Beide super, nur fehlt es beim T1 an den letzten Infos, wodurch aber die Nebengeräusche weniger auffallen. Auch fehlt das manchmal passend Aggressive, das der HD800 liefert, und ich meine hiermit nicht den Hochton, der ist bei beiden stimmig.

Dvorak – Sinfonie Nr.9 – Harnoncourt/Concertgebouworkest Amsterdam – DVD-A
HD800 & T1
Beide TOP. Seidiger beim T1, detaillierter beim HD800. Nur die Pauken kommen vergleichsweise unrealistisch rüber beim T1.

Aerosmith – Pump – Janie's Got a Gun
HD800 & T1
Der T70 zeichnet sich hier durch enorme Klarheit aus, klingt aber etwas zu dünn. Ein paar störenden Sibilanten gilt es hier zu ertragen. Keinerlei Dosencharakter in diesem Fall! Guter Punch.
Mehr Bass, dunkler, weniger Sibilanten - bzw. keine. Seidigere Streicher. Gewicht hinter Drum. Base Drum stimmt. T1 klingt sehr passend hier.
Der HD800 verhält sich rockiger, weil weniger mild als der T1. Aber ein paar Sibilanten gibt es auch hier, leicht deutlicher als beim T1. Punch ist auch sehr gut. Absolut passender Klang.
T1 fokussiert die Singstimme von Tyler mehr, ebenso der T70. HD800 hebt die Instrumente leicht mehr hervor.

Arnold – Star Gate Soundtrack – CD
HD800
Beim Star Gate Soundtrack macht der T1 seine Sache sehr gut und passend wuchtig, aber der HD800 ist ein wahrer Ohrenöffner, weil er noch ein Stück mehr Klarheit bietet ohne es am Fundament fehlen zu lassen.

Verdi – Nabucco – Sinopoli/Deutsche Oper Berlin – CD
HD800 & T1
Hier ist es schwer, einen Sieger zu zwischen T1 und HD800 küren. Beide machen ihre Sache sehr gut, was auch eine gewisse Ähnlichkeit der Hörer bestätigt.
Nur in lauten Orchesterpassagen wahrt der HD800 minimal mehr Kontrolle über das Geschehen, außerdem klingt er leicht offener.
Dafür passt das etwas Dunkle des T1 teilweise ganz gut zum Stück.

Glenn Miller und sein Orchester – Chattanooga Choo Choo – CD
HD800
Bei dieser Aufnahme dröht es mehr mit dem T1 und der HD800 macht das Stück insgesamt erträglicher. Außerdem lädt der HD800 mehr zum Swingen ein.
Der T70 dröhnt am wenigsten von den Dreien, aber man hört stellenweise das leicht Hohle, das ihm zueigen ist.

Truckstop – 35 Jahre – CD
HD800 & T1
Die Männerstimmen klingen mit dem T70 zu dünn und hallig.
T1 und HD800 machen – jeweils auf ihre Art – ihre Sache sehr gut hier.

Johnny Cash – Personal File – CD
HD800
Cash klingt mit dem T1 leicht bedeckter. Beim HD800 involvierender, die Stimme kommt einfach besser und reiner zur Geltung. Da die Qualität der Stücke aber schwankt kann ich insgesamt nur einen leichten Vorteil für den HD800 erkennen, weil der T1 manchmal passend einfach einige Störgeräusche weg lässt.

Britten - Young person's guide to the orchestra – Previn/Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – CD
HD800 & T1
Erstklassig sowohl mit T1, als auch mit HD800.
Nur sehr sehr leicht hohl mit dem T70. Klingt leicht und luftig, es fehlt das nötige Gewicht.
Wo es der D2000 maßlos an Gewicht übertreibt, da untertreibt es der T70.

Tiersen – Die fabelhafte Welt der Amélie – CD
HD800 & T1
Beim Amelie Soundtrack gefällt mir einerseits der T1 etwas besser, weil man hier das Antippen der Akkordeontasten nicht so sehr hört, wie beim HD800.
Andererseits klingt das Klavier beim T1 gedämpfter und gefällt mir mit dem HD800 somit besser.
Der T70 klingt einfach resonant und hohl. Komplett grausam.
Der DT231 klingt wiederum gerade bei den Klavierstücken richtig prima, auch wenn minimal Details fehlen... sehr minimal.
Der HD590 geht mit noch etwas mehr Wärme zu Werke, als der T1. Seine Präsentation ist etwas anders, etwas intimer. Sehr schön.

Shore – Der Herr der Ringe: Die Rückkehr des Königs – CD
HD800
Die Geigen sind hier beim HD590 fast ebenso seidig, wie beim T1. Etwas mehr bedeckt. Keiner schafft die Blechbläser so realistisch, wie der HD800. T1 klingt leicht offener als der HD590 und der HD800 klingt hier noch freier und mächtiger, wenn auch weniger dunkel.
Irgendwie geht der HD800 gerade beim Stück „The White Tree“ schneller und imposanter zu Werke als die anderen.
Dennoch: Beide -T1 und HD800- klingen hier absolut hervorragend und der HD590 ist leicht abgeschlagen dahinter.

Williams - Star Wars – The Empire Strikes Back – CD
HD800
T70 = Dose. Leider. Schade.
Fox-Fanfare klingt mächtiger und realistischer beim HD800. Beim T1 etwas zu seidig.
Aber… dunkler plus seidiger steht dem Vorspann gut, macht ihn -der sowieso etwas zu hell aufgenommen wurde- weniger aggressiv als beim HD800.
Die Wuchtigkeit beim Stück „Asteroid Field“ bringt der T1 gut zur Geltung. Pauken sehr schön.
Die Blechbläser schreien etwas und wirken gepresst.
Mit dem HD800 hört man mehr Rauschen heraus. Die Aufnahme wird weitläufiger. Passend.
Blechbläser richtig toll. Richtiges Maß an Aggressivität. Man sitzt auch hier wieder mit geballter Faust vor der Musik und möchte Luke sagen, dass man sein Vater ist...
Die tiefen Paukenschläge bringt der T1 etwas mehr hervor. Punch ist aber gleich bei beiden.
Das Paukengrummeln klingt beim HD800 besser, weil einfach realistischer und mächtiger.
T1 und HD800 sind hier beide auf ihre Weise absolut hervorragend.

Orgelwerke habe ich mit verschiedenen Aufnahmen getestet, kann aber insgesamt sagen, dass sich der T1 dem HD800 hier komplett geschlagen geben muss, obwohl der T1 seine Sache ausgezeichnet macht.
Als Beispiel:

Bach - BVW 565 – Label: Teldec, CD: Organ Masters – CD
HD800
Hier muss sich der T1 geschlagen geben.
Es klingt mit ihm fast schon wie Schönfärberei, weil er es an Details fehlen lässt und der Raum ist auch zu klein, was die Breite betrifft. Alles klingt zu bedeckt und weniger offen.
Der Bass ist zu kräftig und überlagert feine Strukturen des Pfeiffenklanges.
Der HD800 macht hier alles richtig.

Rosenkranz – Gothic 3 Soundtrack – CD
HD800
Hier klingt der T1 zu zahm, weil ganz viel mit Blech gearbeitet wird und er nicht die benötigte Aggressivität abliefert.
Die Pauken sind hier beim T1 leicht dominanter, als beim HD800, aber auch leicht weniger realistisch. Details bietet der HD800 ein paar mehr.
Der T1 klingt seidiger, bei den Geigen und den kleinen Trommeln.
Beide sind hier sehr gut, der HD800 aber etwas passender.

Borodin – Polowetzer Tänze – London Symphony Orchestra – CD
HD800
Der T1 klingt auch hier zu bedeckt und deshalb weniger klar im Vergleich zum HD800. Die Offenheit und Größe des Raumes wird nicht so vermittelt, wie beim HD800, bei dem man die Tänze mit offenem Mund anhört... nicht weil es zu laut ist, sondern, weil man staunen muss.

Verdi – Requiem - Dies Irae – Solti/Wiener Philharmoniker
HD800
Da haben wir es. Der T1 klingt hier wie an seinem Limit.
Im Gegensatz dazu tönt der HD800 gewaltig und offen, sowie mit mehr Details, absolut bravourös.
Aber insgesamt betrachtet schafft es von allen Kopfhörern, die ich habe, nur noch der K701 hier halbwegs mitzuhalten, in etwa auf Niveau des T1, aber bei einer anderen Herangehensweise.
Dieses Stück werde ich sicher als eine Art Referenz im Kopf behalten.

Strauss – Also sprach Zarathustra – Mester/Pasadena SO – CD (KUNSTKOPFAUFNAHME)
HD800 & T1
Etwas kompakter, aber trotzdem gewaltig beim T1, seidigere Geigen.
Weitläufiger und ebenso gewaltig beim HD800, etwas transparenter, etwas bessere Blechbläser.
Insgesamt beide hervorragend!

Copland – Fanfare for the Common Man – Oue/Minnesota SO – HDCD
HD800 & T1
Trommeln, Gong und Pauken klingen hier in dieser ausgezeichneten Aufnahme bei beiden einfach passend gewaltig, beim HD800 etwas detaillierter und weitläufiger.
Mit HD800 hört man einige wenige „Zusatzgeräusche“, die man mit dem T1 nicht hört. Oder macht die Aufnahme die Treiber des HD800 "kaputt"?!
 
FALL GEKLÄRT!: Das Störgeräusch, was ich vermutete, ist tatsächlich ein Störgeräusch auf der Aufnahme. Ich bin eher ein Leisehörer und für mich ist laut das, was für andere wohl eher leise bis mittellaut ist.
Beim neunten Mal anhören dieser Aufnahme habe ich sie soeben mit dem T1 auf einer noch lauteren Lautstärke gehört... und höre da!, das Störgeräusch ist nun auch mit dem T1 hörbar für mich. Also ist es definitiv auf der Aufnahme drauf, nur T1 und HD800 betonen es unterschiedlich.

Nun bin ich erleichtert, dass der HD800 doch keinen mechanischen Defekt hat!

Horner - Star Trek II: Der Zorn des Khan - Battle in the Mutara Nebula – CD
K701
Der K701 bleibt hier geschmacklich mein Spitzenreiter, weil er noch mehr Punch bietet, als HD800 und T1. Der HD800 zeigt etwas mehr Störgeräusche auf und damit auch ein wenig mehr Details, außerdem ist die Präsentation mächtiger, weil er eine breitere Bühne bei besserer Raumbassverteilung bietet. Dieses ist sowohl auf den K701, als auch auf den T1 bezogen.
Die dunklere Abstimmung des T1 passt hier nicht so gut, aber die seidige Darstellung der Geigen dafür umso besser, verglichen mit der eher aggressiven Darstellung beim HD800. Der K701 geht in diesem Stück hier den Mittelweg zwischen T1 und HD800, was die Streicher anbetrifft.
Dieses Stück meistert der K701 so, als wäre es für ihn bestimmt. T1 und HD800 machen ihre Sache zwar auch sehr gut, haben aber letztlich das Nachsehen.

Bruckner – Sinfonie Nr. 7 – Karajan/Wiener Philharmoniker – CD
HD800
Mit dem T1: Bedeckt. Kompakt. Klingt trotzdem sehr schön. Seidige Geigen, zu seidig.
Zahmeres Blech, klingt aber doch noch realistisch.
Mit dem HD800: Klingt realistischer, echter. Mehr Nebengeräusche (Popelt da etwa ein Wiener in der Nase?!). Insgesamt involvierender.
Wenn‘s heiß her geht, dann bietet der HD800 mehr Details und Offenheit, jedoch spielt der T1 auch immer noch auf sehr hohem Niveau. Seine dunklere Präsentation ist hier weder ein Vor-, noch ein Nachteil.

Mendelssohn – Sinfonie Nr.1 – Abbado/London Symphony Orchestra – CD
T1
Eine sehr helle Aufnahme. Die ganze Aufnahme wird seidig, nimmt man den T1 zur Hand.
Viele, denke ich, könnten sich mit dem T1 hier besser anfreunden. Aber gewöhnt man sich kurz an die HD800-Präsentation kann man mehr Facetten aus der Musik ziehen, selbst wenn die Aufnahme wirklich kein Glanzstück ist und der HD800 seinen Teil dazu beiträgt, indem er sie aggressiver als nötig präsentiert.
Doch bei dieser Aufnahme kann man gut etwas zur Tiefenwirkung der Kopfhörer erkennen. Ich würde sagen, dass die Tiefenwirkung des T1 nur leicht höher ist, als beim HD800, der auch tief in den Raum hinein reicht, aber eben um ein großes Stück mehr in der Breite musiziert, als der T1.

Al Jolson – Sittin‘ On the Top of the World – 192kbps MP3
HD800 & T1
Etwas erträglicher mit dem T1 ist dieses Stück, das in den 20er Jahren aufgenommen wurde.
Der HD800 arbeitet ein paar mehr Störgeräusche heraus und bei ihm klingt merkwürdiger Weise die Stimme von Al konzentrierter.

Dido – White Flag - FLAC
T1
Sibilanten sind mit beiden Hörern hörbar. Mit dem HD800 etwas mehr. Mehr ungewollte Geräusche mit dem HD800 hörbar. Angenehmer mit dem T1.

The Eagles – Hotel California – CD
HD800 & T1
Klingt mit beiden sehr gut. HD800 klingt etwas weniger dunkel und er neigt leicht zu Sibilanten.
T1 klingt etwas homogener. Bessere Räumlichkeit und Bühnendarstellung beim HD800.

Edith Piaf – Non, je ne regrette rien – CD
HD800
T1 klingt milder und verschluckt leicht Details von Piafs Stimme.
Beide ausgezeichnet… HD800 geschmacklich wie ein vollreifer und T1 wie ein dreiviertelreifer Roquefort…

En Vogue – Don‘t Let Go – 192kbps MP3
HD800 & T1
Punch bei beiden gut. HD800 klingt offener, ansonsten beide spitze. HD800 insgesamt etwas aggressiver, aber dabei nicht störend. Dementsprechend T1 lahmer, was auch nicht stört.

Foo Fighters - Monkey Wrench – CD
HD800 & T1
HD800 rockt richtig hart. Das kann der T1 auch, nur leicht zahmer. Fällt aber nicht viel ins Gewicht. Er klingt eben etwas dunkler. Beide sehr stimmig hier.

Edmonson - Firefly Maintheme – FLAC
T1
T1 lässt es etwas an Räumlichkeit mangeln, dafür arbeitet der HD800 für meinen Geschmack etwas zu viel „Heiserkeit“ aus der Stimme des Sängers heraus.

Huey Lewis and the News – Hip to Be Square – CD
HD800 & T1
Sibilanten mit dem HD800. Aber er haut richtig hart auf die Kacke.
Auch Sibilanten mit dem T1, aber milder. Durch Dunkelheit weniger Kackehauen.
Stimme bei beiden hervorragend.

Jamiroquai - Cosmic Girl – CD
HD800
T1 klingt irgendwie leicht belegt. HD800 offener und klarer. Keine Sibilanten stören bei beiden.

Chis de Burgh - Lady In Red – 320kbps MP3
HD800 & T1
Beide spitzenmäßige Präsentation, HD800 sehr leichte Sibilanten im Vergleich zu T1, dafür bietet HD800 auch etwas mehr Schmackes. Raumgröße passt bei beiden.

Joe Cocker - Summer In the City – 320kbps MP3
HD800
Hier klingen die Percussions beim T1 merkwürdig. Beide keine nervigen Sibilanten. HD800 klingt besser, bzw. passender - meiner Meinung nach.

Leona Lewis - Better In Time – FLAC
HD800 & T1
T1 klingt kompakter. Beide leiste sich keine Schnitzer. Punch bei beiden wieder sehr ähnlich. Keine Fehler erkennbar, soweit die Aufnahme es hergibt.

Megadeath – Duke Nukem Theme – 320kbps MP3
T1
T1 klingt dunkler, was hier etwas besser passt. Ebenso der intimere Raum. Vorteil gegenüber dem HD800. Beide rocken die Kacke. Von der Belegtheit des T1 gegenüber dem HD800 ist hier nichts zu hören. Beide klingen klar.

Morning Runner - Gone Up In Flames – 192kbps MP3
HD800
Der Brit-Rock Song klingt mit dem HD800 offener und klarer, einfach rockiger.
Trotzdem noch immer gewichtig genug. Der T1 verliert hier leicht, weil er zwar Gewicht hat, aber weniger rockt.

Natalie Imbruglia – Torn – CD
HD800
Irgendetwas klingt beim T1 merkwürdig und hell in der Stimme der Sängerin... weniger „natürlich“.
Beide mit Sibilanten. Beim HD800 ertönt die Stimme leicht kräftiger, bzw. fülliger. Sonst beide gut.

Nena – 99 Luftballons – 320kbps MP3
T1
Kompaktere Abblildung passt hier etwas besser, auch das leicht dunklere, finde ich. Also klingt hier der T1 besser in meinen Ohren. Ansonsten leisten sich beide keine Schnitzer.

Nick Stracker Band – A Walk In the Park – FLAC
HD800 & T1
T1 klingt etwas angenehmer, HD800 härter, aber nicht störend. Beide leisten sich keine Fehler. Die Aufnahme gibt nur mäßig viel her.

Harry Nilsson – Everybody‘s Talkin‘ – CD
HD800
HD800 legt mehr Gewicht auf die Stimme, mehr Details hörbar. Beide sehr fein, leichter Vorteil für den HD800.

R.E.M. - Losing My Religion – CD
T1
Das Zahmere des T1 gefällt mir hier besser. Leisten sich beide keine Fehler, auch Raumgröße des HD800 ist kein Problem.

Republica – Ready to Go – CD
HD800
Der HD800 rockt mehr, ohne dabei an Gewicht zu verlieren.
Ansonsten beide hervorragend.

Sadé - Smooth Operator – CD
HD800 & T1
Passend zum Lied ist der T1 insgesamt etwas Smoother, aber die leichten Sibilanten kommen durch die Abstimmung mehr zur Geltung, jedoch nicht störend. Beide klingen im Endeffekt super.

Stereophonics - Handbags And Gladrags - 320kbps MP3
HD800
Insgesamt mit dem HD800 einen Tick besser, weil die Singstimme besser in den Rest integriert ist.
Ansonsten beide top.

Cardigans – Lovefool - 320kbps MP3
T1
Die weichere Präsentation plus Kompaktheit des T1 steht diesem Song besser, als das alles Entlarvende und Weite des HD800. Trotzdem klingen beide hier gut, nur der T1 eben etwas besser.

Proclaim - 500 Miles – CD
T1
Leicht zu höhenbetont beim HD800. T1 gewinnt mit einer insgesamt überzeugenderen Präsentation.

Tom Petty - Learning to Fly – CD
HD800
Klingt offener mit dem HD800. Klarer, ohne zu stören. Der T1 zu belegt. HD800 schöner hier.

The Three Musketeers – All For One - CD
HD800 & T1 & HD590
Beide klingen hier erstklassig auf ihre Weise, wobei die leichte Belegtheit des T1 doch einen winziges Manko ist, das aber letztlich bei diesem Song zu wenig ins Gewicht fällt, um es negativ werten zu können. Ebenso kann dieses hier auch der HD590 dermaßen gut, dass ich ihn dort einreihen möchte.

George Harrison - Set On You – 320kbps MP3
T1
Der T1 hat durch die kompaktere Darstellung leichte Vorteile.

Traveling Wilburys - Everybody Got Somebody - CD
HD800 & T1
Geschmackssache. Kein Vorteil oder Nachteil hier. Offenheit und mehr Klarheit schadet nicht, ebenso wenig wie die dunklere kompaktere Abstimmung des T1. Beide super.

No Doubt - Don‘t Speak – 320kbps MP3
HD800 & T1
Ebenso auch hier kein eindeutiger Vor- oder Nachteil bei beiden. Jeder macht das auf seine Art richtig.

Linkin Park - Body Crumbles – 320kbps MP3
T1
Teils deutliche Sibilanten mit dem HD800. T1 klingt hier besser und deutlich passender, auch wenn HD800 leicht mehr rockig klingt.

Gerry Rafferty – Baker Street – 320kbps MP3
HD800
Beim HD800 klingt dieses Saxophon hier auch wie ein Saxophon klingen sollte. Beim T1 eher wie eine Fußballtröte-Saxophon-Kombi… nein, einfach undefinierbar, aber nicht saxophonig. Ansonsten beide keine Schnitzer, wenn man dabei aber bedenkt, dass das Lied eigentlich vom Saxophon „lebt“, ist der HD800 hier vorne.

Russell Watson – Faith Oft he Heart – 192kbps MP3
HD800 & T1
Chor, Sänger, Orchester, Band-Kombi. Beide TOP, auf die ihnen zueigene Weise.

Meredith Brooks - Bitch - CD
HD800
Leichte Sibilanten bei beiden. HD800 klingt luftiger, demnach T1 erdiger. Beide letztlich supi, wieder aber HD800 rockiger, was mir besser gefällt.

Jack Wall - Mass Effect Theme - OGG
HD800
Wirkt leicht dröhnig und belegt mit dem T1.
Der HD800 klingt offener und klarer, ohne es an Gewicht mangeln zu lassen, also nicht hell.
Der T70 dagegen wie eine Mischung aus T1 und HD800 plus dosig und ins Helle verschoben.

Elvis Presley – In the Ghetto - CD
T1
Weniger Störgeräusche beim T1. Beide machen Presleys Stimme Ehre. Insgesamt passt T1 hier besser als der HD800.

Black Sabbath - Paranoid - CD
T1
Das Dunklere des T1 steht der Aufnahme besser. Aber beide machen einen guten Job, gemessen an der Qualität der Aufnahme. Rockig klingen beide, keine Vorteile hier. T1 hat durch seine Abstimmung einen leichten Vorteil.

Frank Sinatra - New York, New York - CD
HD800
Das Belegtere und engere des T1 steht diesem Song nicht. Der HD800 zeigt dem T1 hier, wo der Hammer hängt. Sehr eindeutig, die Entscheidung.

Rolling Stones – Paint It Black - CD
HD800
Das hätte ich nicht gedacht, aber die Abstimmung des HD800 passt besser zur Aufnahme und zum Song überhaupt. Aber beide erlauben sich keine echten Fehler.

Nirvana - Lithium - CD
HFI-580
Kein KH kann dieses Lied so, wie der HFI-580 von Ultrasone, der Punch des HFI-580 ist hier sensationell und da mich S-Logic dabei nicht groß belästigt, ist es perfekt.
Leichte Sibilanten mit T1, etwas mehr mit HD800.
T1 sichert sich nach dem HFI-580 den zweiten Platz. HD800 am Schluss, gewinnt keinen Blumentopf hier, obwohl er die E-Gitarren schöner klingen lässt als die beiden anderen, so ist der Song insgesamt doch mit den anderen besser.

Nat King Cole - Unforgettable - CD
HD800
Ist wirklich im positivsten Sinne unforgettable mit dem HD800. Der T1 ist ein Stück dahinter.

Nat King Cole – L.O.V.E. - CD
HD800
Beide Top, der HD800 swingt aber mehr, weil er die Instrumente etwas mehr hervorhebt.
Trompete bei beiden top. Geigen beim T1 seidiger, was ich persönlich hier als negativer empfinde, weil es einen leicht synthetischen Touch gibt.

Rimsky-Korsakov – Scheherazade – Stokowski/London Symphony Orchestra – CD
HD800 & T1
Diese hervorragende quadrophonische Aufnahme zieht mit beiden Kopfhörern auf unterschiedliche Weise in den Bann:
Mit dem HD800 allgemein aggressiv, was sehr passend ist.
Mit dem T1 allgemein wuchtig, was auch sehr passend ist.
Geschmackssache. Beide Kopfhörer holen hier das Beste heraus, ohne das einer (HD800) viel nervt oder der andere (T1) viel weg lässt und weich spült.

Schubert – Impromptus – Radu Lupu – CD
HD800
Der HD800 bietet hier etwas mehr Klavierdetails, als es der T1 vermag. Ansonsten sind beide gleichwertig auf hohem Niveau und klingen sehr schön, der T1 einen Tick sanfter. Das Detailplus des HD800 wiegt aber zu schwer, um es zu ignorieren.

Bach – Brandenburgische Konzerte – Goebel/Musica Antiqua Köln – CD
HD800 & T1
Hmm… alles klingt nahezu perfekt beim HD800, nur die Geigendarstellung ab und an leicht merkwürdig hohl. Dieses tritt beim T1 auch auf, wird aber durch den Effekt seiner seidigen Geigendarstellung gemindert. Insgesamt klingen die Geigen besser beim T1.
Bei der Raumdarstellung tun sich beide nichts und meistern es auf ihre Art jeweils passend und sehr gut. Nur leichte Detailabstriche muss man bei den Bleichbläsern machen, wenn sie über den T1 zu hören sind. Gelegentlich hohle Geigendarstellung fällt mit einem weniger detaillierten Hörer wie z.B. dem HD600 nicht auf. Vielleicht ist das ein Instrumenten-Feature…

Holst – The Planets – Jupiter – Karajan/Berliner Philharmoniker – CD
HD800 & T1
Kräftig und wuchtig mit dem T1. Sehr leicht dröhnig. Dunkel. Geigen seidig, was hier passt.
Raum größer mit dem HD800, Geigen teils leicht enervierend. Detaillierter. Blechbläser schöner. Mehr Durchhörbarkeit. Etwas weniger Wucht.
Beide insgesamt prima. Aus dem Bauch heraus würde ich als Basis den T1 nehmen und jedes Mal bei den Blechbläsern wechseln auf den HD800… und zurück…

Bach – Gitarrensuiten – Williams – CD
HD800 & T1
Mit beiden klingt die Gitarre/Laute fantastisch.
Leicht mehr Details beim HD800 hörbar.
Tonal spielt das Seidige sich sehr leicht in den Gitarrenklang ein beim T1.

Schumann – Sinfonie Nr. 4 – Bernstein/Wiener Philharmoniker – CD
T1
Bei dieser Aufnahme hört man mit dem HD800 etwas mehr Details und Nebengeräusche.
Insgesamt überzeugt der T1 hier mehr, weil die Aufnahme von seiner Mildtätigkeit mehr profitiert.

Brahms – Sinfonie Nr. 4 – Carlos Kleiber/Wiener Philharmoniker – CD
HD800 & T1
Diese Aufnahme, die ich vor- und rückwärts im Schlaf und Delirium kenne, meistern beide Kopfhörer sehr gut. Streckenweise liegt mal der HD800 vorne, dann mal der T1. Es geht dabei nur um Nuancen.
Etwas mehr Details und Offenheit bietet wieder der HD800, dafür der T1 mehr Seidigkeit, die relativ gut passt. Holzbläser beide sehr sehr schön. Beide kriegen eine Eins von mir.

Vivaldi – Die Vier Jahreszeiten – Koopman/Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra – CD
HD800 & T1
Diese sehr gute Aufnahme klingt mit dem T1 hervorragend. Das –wie ich finde– richtig widergegebene Maß an Streicher-Resonanzen des kleinen Klangkörpers macht daraus einen wahren Genuss. Der HD800 klingt hier „größer“, aber auch feiner detailliert, sowie leicht heller.
Geigen wieder beim HD800 aggressiver.
Je nach Stück passt mal der HD800, mal der T1 etwas besser. Beide sind hier aber meisterhaft, der HD800 ein Stück mehr in Richtung „Echtheit“.

Pavarotti – The Best (Decca) – CD
HD800 & T1
Mit Fokus auf die Stimme von Pavarotti muss ich sagen, dass ihn beide ohne Tadel meistern. Wieder leicht mehr Details beim HD800, sehr leicht, ebenso wie die Tendenz zu mehr Sibilantenbetonung, aber es bleibt eine Tendenz.

The Police – Synchronicity – Every Breath You Take – CD
T1
Der T1 tut dieser Aufnahme besser, als der HD800, weil er Pluspunkte durch seine dunkle Abstimmung sammeln kann. Auf Details kommt es hier nämlich sowieso nicht an. Es klingt zwar keinesfalls grauenhaft mit dem HD800, aber der T1 ist hier doch überlegen und erzeugt einen angenehmeren homogenen Klang.
Auch super klingt der HD590 bei diesem Stück und er beweist, dass auch er einen ausreichenden Punch im Bass hat, allerdings ist mir der Bass eine Nuance zu dominant. Der T1 gefällt mir aber am besten.

Django Reinhardt – Djangology – CD
HD800
Diese 30er-Jahre Mono-Aufnahmen allerfeinsten europäischen Jazz‘ klingen erstaunlicher Weise über den HD800 am besten. Zwar hört man hier jeden Knacks am deutlichsten, aber die Musikdarstellung der eher dumpfen Aufnahmen kommt hier toll zur Geltung. Der T1 verdunkelt den Dumpfsumpf hier nur unnötig mehr, aber sein Vorteil ist, dass er ebenso die Störgeräusche mindert und abmildert.
Also welcher klingt besser hier? Das kommt darauf an. Beide sind zu gebrauchen, mir sagt der HD800 aber mehr zu.

Beethoven – Kreutzer Sonate – Perlman/Ashkenazy
HD800
Es geht hier um mittelgroße Nuancen. Mehr Details mit dem HD800. Die Geige klingt sogar schöner mit ihm. Auch das Klavier klingt klarer. Über Kontrollverlust oder dergleichen muss man sich bei beiden keine Gedanken machen, auch die Blechbläser gibt der T1 nicht schlechter wieder, weil’s eben keine gibt… HD800 gewinnt hier.

Silvestri – Zurück in die Zukunft – CD
T1
Die Wucht des T1, die wohl maßgeblich vom kompakteren Raumeindruck geprägt wird, passt hier hervorragend, besonders beim Main Score. Der HD800 ist hier weiträumiger. Die Becken klingen bei beiden fantastisch. Die unterschiedliche Darstellung der Blechbläser und Geigen ist hier auch bei keinem ein Manko oder Vorteil. HD800 wie gewohnt aggressiver, T1 milder. Das ist hier aber egal. Alleine der kleinere Raum lässt mich sagen, dass der T1 hier besser passt, weil es beim HD800 für meinen Geschmack hier etwas zu ausufernd wird.

Giacchino – ROAR!!! (Cloverfield Soundtrack) – MP3 320kbps
K701
Geschmackssache. T1 und HD800 hauen auf die Kacke. HD800 etwas weiträumiger, aber ebenso kraftvoll. T1 etwas dunkler und leicht weniger detailliert. Nur K701 hat noch mehr Punch zum Kackehauen. Der K701 wäre hier bei diesem Stück auch mein Sieger, insofern man einen benennen wollte. Sie machen alle ihre Sache gut. Okay, K701 hat gewonnen.

Hawaii Five 0 Soundtrack – MP3 192kbps
HD800
T1 klingt mir hier etwas zu zahm. HD800 und T1 haben wieder einen ähnlichen Punch. Nein, mit dem T1 werde ich hier nicht wirklich warm.

Christina Aguilera – Beautiful – MP3 192kbps
HD800
Der Bass kommt beim HD800 deutlicher zum Vorschein. Die Stimme der Frau klingt mit dem T1 etwas besser, weil leicht dunkler und homogener… denke ich. Vielleicht hört man beim HD800 auch Artefakte von der Kompression. Da ist jedenfalls noch etwas in der Stimme der Frau. Keine Ahnung. Das Lied macht mehr Stimmung mit dem HD800 und ich kann nicht erklären warum und wieso…

Enya – Sail Away – MP3 320kbps
HD800
Klingt besser, weil weiträumiger und knackiger mit dem HD800. Da hat der T1 keine Chance. T1 klingt dagegen eher wie eine Bumpfmumpfe (auf höchstem Niveau!)… was auch immer ich damit sagen will… bin noch immer vom Lied davor verwirrt.

Cindy Lauper – Girls Just Wanna Have Fun – FLAC
HD800
80er-Jahre… Goonies… grauenhafte Musik, die man mag. Wie Kaffee…
T1 kann es gut. Alles stimmt. Synthesizer. Schlagzeug. Kreischgöre. Frauenchor. Keine störenden Sibianten.
HD800 überzeugt noch mehr. Auch keine Sibilanten-Störung. Passt wie die Faust in Laupers Gesicht…
Hier merke ich wieder, dass die Abstimmung des HD800 mehr Knackigkeit bietet als der T1.

Ray Charles – In the Heat of the Night – CD
HD800
T1: Dröhn. Ray klingt wie Ray. Rest passt.
HD800: Weniger Dröhn. Ray bleibt Ray. Rest passt auch.
Wegen dem vermehrten Dröhnen einer recht dröhnigen Aufnahme… muss der T1 leider verlieren, auch wenn er sonst nichts falsch macht, bzw. eigentlich nichts falsch macht.
So ist es eben… „Stars with evil eyes stare from the skies…“

Belafonte at Live at Carnegie Hall – CD
HD800
Der HD800 kann hier in dieser fantastischen Aufnahme seine räumliche Darstellung voll anwenden. Man hört Nebengeräusche. Alles klingt klar und –wie der Titel es sagt- live.
Der T1 wirkt hier bedeckter und mit kleinerem Raum. Ansonsten hat er auch keinen Vorteil, den er für sich verbuchen könnte. Somit bleibt der T1 alleine schon wegen der Präsentation des HD800 diesem unterlegen… hier bei diesem Album.

Brubeck/Desmond – The 1975 Duets – CD
T1
Das Klavier klingt etwas klarer beim HD800. Räumlichkeit bei beiden angemessen. Eine Mischung aus intim und weitläufig, beim HD800 zum Letzteren mehr, beim T1 zum Ersteren mehr tendierend.
Das Altsaxophon klingt mit dem T1 für meinen Geschmack etwas besser, auch sind mit dem T1 weniger Nebengeräusche wahrnehmbar. Bei dieser Aufnahme hat der T1 leichte Vorteile gegenüber dem HD800 finde ich.

Wagner – Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg – Solti/Wiener Philharmoniker - Finale - CD
HD800
Zum Ende mal ein Finale. Was ist mir an Nürnberg noch lieber als die possierlichen Bratwürstchen und gewaltigen Lebkuchen mit mind. 30% Ölsamenanteil? Ja, die Meistersinger!
„Verachtet mir die Meister nicht!“ … ja, Wagners Texte sind immer lustig, vor allem, wenn er „Deutsches Land vor welschem Tand“ schützen will…
Hans Sachs singt. Orchester spielt. Chor singt.
T1 spielt kraftvoll. Etwas bedeckt. Sehr kontrolliert. Keine Sibilanten, die stören. Geigen etwas zu seidig. Hans Sachs‘ Stimme ist etwas dunkler, als beim HD800. Passt.
HD800 spielt offener. Mehr Klarheit. Kontrolle ebenso gut wie beim T1. Auch hier keine Sibilanten, die stören. Hans Sachs klingt heller, aber noch dunkel genug. Nicht so hell, wie beim K701 „bassheavy“. Insgesamt alles weniger dunkel im Vergleich zum T1. Der T1 ist etwas zu schmal für den großen Chor. Die Ortung kriegt der HD800 etwas besser hin. Beide Hörer haben hier ihren Reiz und erlauben sich keine großen Patzer. Man kann sie hier beide genießen. Für mich macht der HD800 aber hier etwas mehr „richtig“, als der T1.

Ich hatte noch viele andere Aufnahmen auf dem Plan, aber die Zeit reicht einfach nicht und ich hoffe, dass ich auch so hier einen einigermaßen gut bestückten kurzen Überblick bieten konnte.
 
Berlioz – Symphonie Fantastique – Gergiev/Wiener Philharmoniker - SACD
HD800
Der T1 macht seine Sache sehr gut bei dieser Live-Aufnahme. Die Geigen gefallen mir hier bei dieser Aufnahme besser mit ihm, weil passend seidiger, dabei aber vielleicht einen Tick zu seidig.
Keiner von beiden Kopfhörern klingt bei den Geigen letztlich so, wie ich die Geigen von den Wienern immer live gehört habe. Ob das an der Aufnahme liegt oder vielleicht an meiner verklärten Erinnerung?
Der Rest gestaltet sich so, dass diese Aufnahme von der Luftigkeit des HD800 profitieren kann. Holzbläser klingen freier –wenn man das so formulieren will-, die Blechbläser realistischer, die Ortung ist beim HD800 minimal besser. Die gesamten Wiener Philharmoniker klingen beim T1 etwas mehr zusammen gerückt. Die Kontrolle gerade über den verrückten dritten Satz wahren beide Kopfhörer gleichermaßen souverän. Das kann nur noch der K701, der aber andere Abstriche in Kauf nehmen muss. HD800 bringt auch hier mehr Details ein, T1 mehr Schwärze und etwas Belegtheit.

Tschaikowsky – Sinfonie Nr. 6 – Gergiev/Wiener Philharmoniker - SACD
HD800
Einer Aufführung von diesem Stück mit Gergiev und den Wienern habe ich damals live beigewohnt (Philharmonie Köln, vorne im Parkett). Live ist natürlich nochmal etwas anderes, aber wie machen sich hier beide Kopfhörer?:
Gleiches, was ich oben schrieb bei Berlioz, das gilt genauso auch hier. Keiner kriegt die Geigen der Wiener so hin, wie ich mich an sie erinnere… wird also mal wieder Zeit für einen Konzertbesuch.

Josh White – Blues & Ballads - CD
T1
Mehr Störgeräusche beim HD800. Allgemein ist diese alte Aufnahme weit erträglicher mit dem T1, das vermehrte Dröhnen mit ihm fällt dieses Mal nicht negativ auf.

Songs of the Civil War - CD
HD800
Wen man über viele Jahre lang immer in der Nähe von militarisierten Amerikanern gewohnt hat, dann kennt man diese Lieder auswendig und weiß, wie sie klingen, wenn von ihren Militärbands gespielt. Beispielsweise "Dixieland":
Der HD800 ist hier am nächsten dran… fast bekommt man schon Lust, sich einziehen zu lassen, selbst als ehemaliger Zivi…
wie praktisch, dass es keine Konföderierten mehr gibt!

Roy Orbinson – The Greatest Hits - CD
HD800 & T1
Störe Sibilanten bei beiden Kopfhörern und das bei einigen Stücken. Andere Stücke kommen mit dem HD800 besser zur Geltung, weil die Stimme des Sängers hier besser/ausgereifter klingt, als mit dem T1.
Andererseits betont der HD800 die Instrumente in wiederum anderen Stücken mehr, wo der T1 dann besser passt.
HD590 gewinnt hier wider Erwarten auch keinen Blumentopf, ebenso auch nicht der T70. Da machen HD800 und T1 ihre Sache besser.
Da ich solche Musik ca. einmal in zehn Jahren höre, merke ich aber hier erst, wie schwankend und vor allem merkwürdig (schlecht?) doch einige Alben von der Aufnahmequalität sind.

Symphonic Star Trek – Kunzel/Cincinnati Pops - CD
HD800
Diese sehr gute Aufnahme wirkt mit dem T1 wirklich sehr belegt und fast schon verschwommen im Vergleich zum HD800. Hier würde ich sogar den K701 vor den T1 platzieren. Gerade bei Jerry Goldsmith Star Trek Fanfare merkt man dieses deutlich. Um es mit Spock zu sagen:
Der HD800 klingt hier wirklich… faszinierend. Beam me up, Scotty!

The Fantastic Stokowski – Kunzel/Cincinnati Pops - CD
HD800 & T1
Selbes Orchester, selber Dirigent, andere Situation. Der T1 kann hier bei einigen Stücken seine Wuchtigkeit ausspielen. Der HD800 seine Macht. So z.B. bei der Orchesteradaption von Rachmaninoffs Klavierstück auf dieser CD. Beide hervorragend. Geschmacklich liegt mir der HD800 besser, aber trotzdem siegen beide, weil sie hier einfach großartig klingen.

Elgar – Pomp and Circumstances – Barenboim/London Philharmonic Orchestra – CD
HD800
In der Royal Albert Hall in London regelmäßig zum Besten gegeben, hier auf CD gebannt als Studioaufnahme mit Pfeffer im Arsch. Der HD800 klingt hier bei diesem aufgeregten und aufregenden Stück auch wieder „schneller“, als es der T1 tut. Der T1 macht seine Sache schon gut, aber die größere Räumlichkeit bei gleichzeitig ebenso großer Kontrolle lässt den HD800 triumphieren… „Land of Hope and Glory…“.

Nochmal zur
HDCD Copland/Fanfare of the Common Man:
HD800 & T1
Beide Hörer klingen hier phänomenal. HD800 weiter und detaillierter. Die Belegtheit des T1 kommt nur minimal zur Geltung, aber keinesfalls negativ. Das mag auch daran liegen, dass diese Aufnahme wirklich eine absolut glasklare Referenzaufnahme ist und selbst nochmal das schlägt, was sonst unter dem Lable "Reference Recordings" zu hören ist.

Schumann – Dichterliebe – Wunderlich/Giesen – CD
HD800
„Im wunderschönen Monat Mai…“
Schade, dass ich erst Anfang der 80er geboren wurde… gerne hätte ich Fritz Wunderlich live gehört, aber eine Treppe war ihm und die Zeit war mir im Weg…
Mit keinem Kopfhörer, den ich je bei diesem Stück hörte, klingt seine Stimme so schön, wie mit dem HD800. Der T1 belegt hier zu sehr.

Zaz – Ni Oui Ni Non – 239kbps MP3
HD800 & T1
Sehr gut macht sich der T1. Ebenso der HD800. Klingen beide sehr gut hier, T1 etwas dunkler, was aber nicht stört. Leicht knackiger klingt der HD800. Beide weisen keine störenden Sibilanten auf.

Bach – Violinkonzert Nr.1 – Hillary Hahn/Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra – CD
HD800 & T1
Man hört mehr Details im Geigenklang mit dem HD800. Die räumliche Wirkung ist mit dem HD800 auch separierter, aber noch im Rahmen, ohne dass sich die Aufnahme in ihre instrumentalen Bestandteile auflöst.
Anders als bei der Mozart-Aufnahme der 80er Jahre mit dem Orpheus Chamber Orchestra (weiter oben im längeren Beitrag von mir getestet), besteht hier kein eindeutiger Vorteil für den HD800. Andere Tontechniker? Andere Begebenheit?
Die OCO-Aufnahme von DG bleibt meine Kammermusikreferenz, weil sie –obwohl älter- besser aufgenommen wurde, obwohl diese Aufnahme hier keinesfalls schlecht ist.
Beide Hörer gewinnen hier.

Brahms – Klavierkonzert Nr.1 – Emil Gilels/Berliner Philharmoniker - CD
HD800
Wieder das alte Spiel. Wucht auf der Seite des T1. Bedecktheit ebenso. Die Macht ist bei diesem Stück, das absolute Feinsinnigkeit mit brachialer Gewalt verbindet, wieder mit dem HD800.
Aber die Geigen klingen mit dem T1 einen Tick schöner, finde ich.

David Arnold – Wing Commander Ouvertüre – 320kbps MP3
HD800
Bei diesem militärisch-heroisch klingenden Stück wirken die Blechbläser mit dem HD800 fantastisch. Das schafft der T1 nicht und kann hier nur mit seiner Wucht kontern. Beide klingen sehr gut hier. Aber wegen des Bleches geht der Punkt an den HD800.
Um mal eine andere Terminologie zu benutzen:
Beim T1 klingt das Stück wumms-wumms. Beim HD800 rumms-rumms.
Kommen nun die Männer mit den weißen Kitteln zu mir?!

Lovin‘ Spoonful – Summer In the City – 320kbps MP3
HD650
Sibilanten, die etwas stören. Erstaunlicherweise beim T1. HD800 nicht so sehr, dieser ist noch gerade erträglich und bietet bei dieser relativ miesen Aufnahme auch erstaunlicher Weise die bessere Präsentation. Der HD650 ist es aber in diesem Fall, der sie beide (und andere) durch seine rundum überzeugende Präsentation einstampft.

AmyMacDonald – This Is the Life – FLAC
HD800 & T1 & K701
Sibilanten überall. Und nerven sie? Jein… oder wie der Jurist sagt: „Das kommt darauf an…“
Die beste Präsentation dieses Songs liefert der HD800 ab. Doch dieser liefert auch die schärfsten Sibilanten, die noch gerade so erträglich sind. Der K701 und T1 – jeweils auf ihre Weise – fallen bei den Sibilanten milder aus, der K701 auch milder als der T1, der hier schon fast an den HD800 heran reicht. Auf ihre Weise präsentieren dieses Lied alle drei Kopfhörer sehr schön, wodurch sich drei Sieger hier ergeben.
Die Knackigkeit ist hier beim K701 höher. Dadurch profitiert meiner Ansicht nach der Song aber nicht.
HD650 und HD590 machen ihre Sache auch gut hier, aber letztlich müssen sie das Feld für die anderen räumen, die etwas besser und "reiner" klingen.
 
Edge of Ettiquette – I hate you (aus Star Trek IV)
ALLE KOPFHÖRER
Sehr schlechte Aufnahme. Klingt mit allen Kopfhörern beschi… ähm ausgezeichnet.
Zum versöhnlichen Abschluss haben hier bei diesem Lied alle Kopfhörer gewonnen.
Da zeigt der Punk doch gerne seinen Mittelfinger...
 

It's hard to review this headphone as it's the most I have ever spent on a headphone. For starters, I don't really care for the HD800, I do have the SA5000 which I consider much more technical. So of all three which would be the most musical, while delivering an accurate sound? The Beyerdynamic T1 of course!

The sound signature is inoffensive, which is how I would describe it, it's more laid back than the Q701 and DT880. But the treble is never boring like the HD600/650. It can sparkle when you need it and it's not very fatiguing. The downside of this is that it could get a bit boring for some, especially if you're accustomed to a hot signature.  The bass is perfect in texture, slam, weight... simply everything. This is the best bass I have ever heard, it's neutral bass and not for bass-heads, but a 30hz file rattles my head. And the midrange is upfront and clear. A perfect harmony, not achieved by any other headphone I have ever heard (LCD2, HD600, HD800, SA5000, Q701, DT880, etc).

It may seem I am bashing others, but the T1 can do no wrong. It's just very balanced. It's not really an end-game, but an amazing reference. I do think I prefer the Q701 for pure enjoyment though (I'll get on that later).

The soundstage is big and airy, but not like the HD800/Q701. If anything it's not average, but somewhat like the good ol HD555, big and spacious, but not overly big and spacious. It does intimacy much better than the HD800/Q701.

Everything sounds great on these, classical, rock, metal, techno, jazz. It really has the punch for rock/metal despite what many says. The transients seem quick and clear, but not like the SA5000 or the HD800.

Detail... It's still mid-fi class when it comes to detail, it should be compared to the Q701, DT880 and HD600. It just can't resolve as much as the HD800 and SA5000. Whether this is better for you, I can't decide. The good thing is that you can focus on the music, instead of the hidden details. It is very detailed though, don't expect a very high level of micro-detail retrieval, if you're upgrading from the DT880.

It's certainly not fatiguing, and the comfort is excellent. For long listening sessions, it works very well. I forgot to mention, my serial number is in the 5000's range. I don't know if many major revisions were made to them.

Price/performance? Not very good, it's slightly better than the DT880, imagine a much more refined DT880. That's the T1.

Back to enjoyment, here we have a headphone that does nothing wrong, and does everything very well. But it does not manage to be spectacular at something, not at detail retreival, not at soundstage, etc.
I find myself using the Q701 for classical music, and I might use the T1 for classical music that's bass heavy (organs, drums, etc).

I need more listening hours on these to truly decide my opinion. They have roughly 75 hours of listening time. I sold my D7000's to purchase these and I think they are much much better than the D7000's.

[size=15.555556297302246px]At first, I thought these weren't different enough from my DT880/600 to warrant the price difference (I got these for sub-$600, the 880s for $155). Gradually, I began to notice that these are more involving and seem to surround you with sound in a more realistic way. The instrument separation is fantastic. Keep in mind you need good sources for these to shine; FLAC files or well-mastered CDs (never tried an SACD so I can't comment). The 880s are brilliant, don't get me wrong. They are a neutral headphone that excels at electronic music (think Pantha du Prince or the Field), especially soundstage-wise. That reminds me, these are super for home cinema. I was watching Che [2008] last night and the explosions and artillery fire were incredibly accurate, the folk guitar vibrant. Both Beyers provide the bass to make house and other bass-heavy genres enjoyable. I would definitely recommend the 880 if you're starting out, they're very well built.[/size][size=15.555556297302246px][/size]
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[size=15.555556297302246px]The T1 are comfortable as well, with nice velour ear pads and a leather headband. I would describe the 880 as more comfortable though. The T1 felt stiffer, which partially stems from the fact that it's a newer headphone, but the design also has to do with it. One critical difference is weight; the T1 is quite heavier (the exact weights are thoughtfully detailed by Beyer on the box and probably online). The other issue is the dual entry cable: I find it rather annoying as it's always in the way. It's a rather heavy and cumbersome cable, as compared to the DT880 and my Audio Technica AD900. If comfort is your #1 goal, Audio Technica make the most comfortable phones in the game, IMO. They are extremely light and don't exert much pressure on your head from my experience. However, if you like the T1 sound signature, the sound quality will surely outweigh this downside.[/size][size=15.555556297302246px][/size]
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[size=15.555556297302246px]The T1 comes with a nice metal protective case, not much to say about it, though it would be cool to have a carrying handle. The phone terminates in a Neutrik 1/4 plug so this isn't for portable use.[/size][size=15.555556297302246px][/size]
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[size=15.555556297302246px]Sorry if I seemed to skip around a lot. Feel free to ask me any questions you may have! Thanks for reading[/size]

This headphone is underrated and is deserving more credit than it's given. This headphone responds to everything very well, unlike Orthos or HD800.