An interesting quesetion: DT880 vs HD580/600

[Yellowjacket]

I can't tell the difference b/w 580 and 600 so they're the same as far as I'm concerned.

I'm trying to decide whether to go with HD580 or DT880. They both are comfortable, having tried on HD580 and DT770 (which I assume has similar fit to DT880). Looking at the frequency responses, the DT880 has stronger bass and less of a midbass hump (which will be nice) but the highs look like they might need to be tamed. See my sig for relevant usage information.

What about soundstage?

The DT880 look like they might be able to shield outside sound a little more than HD580 which would be nice. Is this the case?

My setup (laptop -> Transit) is powerful enough to drive the 580 so it should handle 880 no problem.

Thoughts?

 

[aphex944]

The DT 880 has less clamping force, and also a longer headband than the DT 770. I can't comment on those Sennheisers, but the DT 880 is wonderful for female vocals. Depending on your equipment, they may come off as bright-- but to me they're neutral, meaning they're only bright if your system is bright. Others may have different experiences, but this is just my opinion.

 

[smittysan89]

DT880 needs an amp more than the 580, but DT880 are more neutral sounding a little more forward than the senns. Go to headroom and he will price match you for 230$ new which is a great deal was pretty much set on them until i found the deal on the HD600 w/ 650 drivers that i bought for 240$.

 

[Averse]

The brightness on the 880s is somewhere between a Grado and a Senn to me. I could see it being an issue if you have an especially bright system or are just not a fan of good clear highs. All in all the 880s are very pleasant and non-fatiguing both in sound and comfort which is a big part of why I like them.
Again the soundstage is a cross of grado/senn to me. It's not right in your face but it's not 10 rows back. So far I like the soundstage because it keeps you interested without being invasive. My ears can float between listening and relaxing. Separation of instruments is quite good so far even with a few of the more complex passages I've tried but I haven't tried anything too over the top like metal for instance. The bass is perfectly capable of having some real impact it all depends on the music. But if you want bass that is going to reach out and slap you no matter what don't look to the 880s.

 

[Andrea]

My only "concern" with the DT880 from what I read is the midrange. Especially, why no-one seems to ever mention male vocals talking about it?

 

[Averse]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrea Especially, why no-one seems to ever mention male vocals talking about it?

Bark Psychosis - Hex is one of my favorite albums. The vocals from Graham Sutton are amazing IMO. This is one of the best albums I've heard with the 880s so far.

 

[acs236]

The 880s have really nice soundstage. I'd say it's a bit wider than the 580s.

 

[Jigglybootch]

The DT880s are the most comfortable headphones I've ever used. The HD580s are extremely comfortable as well, but even so, can't hold a candle to the DT880. And I wouldn't worry about the highs. The DT880 is definitely brighter than the HD580, but never harsh (in my system, at least). The DT880 requires more juice, though. Even using the Rega Ear, I have to turn up the volume quite a bit more with the DT880 than I ever did with the HD580.

 

[Yellowjacket]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jigglybootch The DT880s are the most comfortable headphones I've ever used. The HD580s are extremely comfortable as well, but even so, can't hold a candle to the DT880. And I wouldn't worry about the highs. The DT880 is definitely brighter than the HD580, but never harsh (in my system, at least). The DT880 requires more juice, though. Even using the Rega Ear, I have to turn up the volume quite a bit more with the DT880 than I ever did with the HD580.

Seeing as you have both, do you want to sell one pair to me

Why do you have both headphones? When do you prefer one over the other?

 

[White Fox]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrea My only "concern" with the DT880 from what I read is the midrange. Especially, why no-one seems to ever mention male vocals talking about it?

People actually mention male vocals talking about ANY cans here?

 

[Julz]

Doesn't your own "I Don't Get It" thread start with an admission that you ordered the HD600's from Amazon ?

Get the DT880's too

 

[Jigglybootch]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellowjacket Seeing as you have both, do you want to sell one pair to me Why do you have both headphones? When do you prefer one over the other?

I just got the DT880 on Wednesday. Hence, I still have both. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with the HD580 yet, though.

 

[Yellowjacket]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julz Doesn't your own "I Don't Get It" thread start with an admission that you ordered the HD600's from Amazon ? Get the DT880's too

The 600 are going back. I'm buying the 580 from a Head-Fi'er for cheap.

I'm not like you crazy people that can afford to have multiple pairs of $200+ headphones. It's either DT880 for HD580 for me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jigglybootch I just got the DT880 on Wednesday. Hence, I still have both. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with the HD580 yet, though.

How do mids and bass compare? I'd like a little bit more bass than HD580/600 but I don't want it to be fatiguing.

 

[ephemere]

I tried the DT880 and the HD600 side-by-side once before returning both.

Bass: I far preferred the DT880, which seemed deeper, much tighter, and much more transparent (and yet still far from the last word in bass).

Mids/highs: I preferred the DT880 here, as well, but by a narrower margin. The infamous Sennheiser "veil" was apparent, and I disliked it. Although the HD600 was very pleasant to listen to for long periods of time, they simply are not very transparent. The DT880 is more transparent than the HD600 throughout the range, but not enough so. There's still a long way to go.

If I had to pick one, I wouldn't hesitate to choose the DT880.

 

[Yellowjacket]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ephemere I tried the DT880 and the HD600 side-by-side once before returning both. Bass: I far preferred the DT880, which seemed deeper, much tighter, and much more transparent (and yet still far from the last word in bass). Mids/highs: I preferred the DT880 here, as well, but by a narrower margin. The infamous Sennheiser "veil" was apparent, and I disliked it. Although the HD600 was very pleasant to listen to for long periods of time, they simply are not very transparent. The DT880 is more transparent than the HD600 throughout the range, but not enough so. There's still a long way to go. If I had to pick one, I wouldn't hesitate to choose the DT880.

So what cans do you have now?

Unfortunately, I can't find DT880 for cheap on the FS/FT forums.