An honest question: if the DT880's are so good....

[xenithon]

...then howcome an average of two pairs go into the FS section almost every day? Furthermore, many (if not most) tend to be only a few days or weeks old.

I have never heard them so cannot comment, but have read so much about them and have seen them recommended so often. The rapid turnaround and sheer volume of DT880s being sold second hand is rather perplexing

. Is it that people aren't giving them enough time (ala K701)? Are they a FOTM starting to die out?

Cheers,
X

 

[Morph201]

I would say it's more or less buyer incomaptibility! They are great cans, but they excel in specific genres. Speaking, as a former owner of the K701s, I sold them not because they lost their appeal or were lackluster phones, but because they were more "reference" types of phones, meaning EVERY detail (good or bad) was exposed. Also, the bass had great extension and texture, BUT was lacking in body\weight (impact). I think that a MAJORITY of people selling their DT880s are looking for "musical" type cans as opposed to "reference" type. The DT880s are far from being a FOTM...

 

[aphex944]

It's up and down. Some weeks you'll see 5 or 6 HD 650s go, or 5+ K 701s, etc. It's really interesting though how it seems to happen in groups like that.

 

[Morph201]

Yea, I noticed, usually, when the next greatest pair of cans are introduced you get GROUP sellings like that.. For example when the Denons became available! Guess what will be in the FS forum when\if the HD700s materialize!!

 

[augustwest]

Many buy headphones like the dt880's, and others, while disregarding advice that they need proper amping to perform to their fullest. Once they have them a short while, they become un-happy with the unamped sound quality produced by their ipod like device, or sound card and sell them off, hoping to find something else that will work unamped. So the circle continues until they wise-up, leave the hobby, or find a set of headphones that are truely viable un-amped.

- augustwest

 

[karma]

First, they reputedly take quite awhile to burn-in. (I bought mine used, so I cannot personally attest to this fact.) Some people might not have given them the necessary time to round into form.

Secondly, they've been purchased in such sheer numbers that there is invariably going to be a lot of selling/re-selling of these.

Thirdly, some folks just aren't looking for such detail in a headphone. They're a fairly bright pair of cans. A lot of people are looking for a more "fun" signature (read: bassy).

The DT880 is far from a FOTM can. They've been a strong recommendation of the Head-Fi community for years. They're no fad. As with all headphones, it just boils down to a matter of taste.

 

[spinali]

I can only speak for myself. I had 2003 versions and felt it was the first headphone that came close to satisfying my tastes; others who heard it liked it so much they wanted to buy it on the spot. When the K701 came out shortly later, I felt the extension of the highs was noticeably better, which is a big point for me.

When feedback from the sale came in, the buyer was delighted with the phones, and he's happily using them to this day.

 

[Redo]

DT880's are highly detailed, and their price is attractive for first timers into the higher end side of headphones. They are also notoriously comfortable.


However, they need decent amplification. They are meant for Jazz, Classical, and Female vocals. Start swaying outside these boundaries and they are very revealing and start falling short of what some people want.

 

[stevenkelby]

All good points. Also, I think that while they are accurate and technically great and pleasing to listen to, they aren't as much FUN as some other cans. Thats why I sold mine. (6 months ago to a mate who uses them every day and loves them).

Also, regulars here don't keep any headphones at all for very long, unless they are super rich, and there is a large number of 880 out there, because they are a good "reference" can, so there are naturally a large number changing hands.

 

[Redo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevenkelby /img/forum/go_quote.gif All good points. Also, I think that while they are accurate and technically great and pleasing to listen to, they aren't as much FUN as some other cans. Thats why I sold mine. (6 months ago to a mate who uses them every day and loves them). Also, regulars here don't keep any headphones at all for very long, unless they are super rich, and there is a large number of 880 out there, because they are a good "reference" can, so there are naturally a large number changing hands.

I agree, after the 880's (if they aren't quite your thing), you know exactly what direction to go in for the next step.

 

[lostbobby]

I can tell you i got one used pair, and was so blown away by the sound I got another to recable.

 

[nickchen]

They are really extreme fons that are very taste- and genre dependent. The DT880s are awful fons for Gradoheads and Hiphop listeners.

Maybe you also have to be "experienced" (whatever that means

) to appreciate their vices. I'm sure I would have hated them in my DT770 basshead days.

They came at the right time and they were the ones that made clear where my musical preferences really are - bright and detailled. Consequently, all my other fons which missed that handicap had to go. And the MS2 turned out to be the only possible sidegrade towards more "fun". A muffled & dark HD650? No way.

 

[d-cee]

i think it's because it's an older phone that's had time to penetrate the market and is in the hands of many owners so chances of seeing it come up for sale are increased

love mine to shreds, and don't see myself selling it in the near future at all

 

[karma]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickchen /img/forum/go_quote.gif They came at the right time and they were the ones that made clear where my musical preferences really are - bright and detailled. Consequently, all my other fons which missed that handicap had to go.

Have to comment that that is exactly what happened with me. Prior to getting the DT880, I had thought that my tastes were more towards a warm, bassy sound. After the DT880, I couldn't use the HD595 anymore (which I loved) because of how dark it was in comparison.

I only got the DT880 on a whim, out of curiosity. They've really surpassed my expectations and have changed what it is that I look for in a headphone. Sure, the bass is a little lacking, but even without the bass boost I give them through my amp, they are the best I've heard to this point in my journey.

 

[nickchen]

Quote:

Originally Posted by karma /img/forum/go_quote.gif Sure, the bass is a little lacking, but even without the bass boost I give them through my amp, they are the best I've heard to this point in my journey.

Barely unlistenable without a little EQ'ing for me, unless I listen to Jazz & classical.