[cherepashka]

I mean very best, but still reasonably priced?

 

[Gurra1980]

Absolutely!

 

[wrecked_porsche]

Based on what I've read here, I think soo too. I have my eyes on the DT990 as my next pair of cans!

 

[terriblepaulz]

I own the 990s and have heard the 650s and 701s. IMHO, the 990s compete with those. I will confess that my experience is pretty limited - coming from the Grado SR60s. All 3 cans represent a huge upgrade, and a very different sound from those Grados.

Also, you will find a lot of head-fiers who prefer the 880s to the 990s, so you may want to throw those in the mix.

 

[nfusion770]

I agree both 880 and 990 are in that class. I am not really sure how to rate Grados because they are relatively expensive, but I also consider the RS-1 in the same category, albeit kind of unique. I hope that doesn't infuriate the Grado lovers

.

 

[wnmnkh]

Yes. DT880, DT990, RS-1, HD650, HD600 and K701... they are in same league.

 

[lutwey]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wnmnkh /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yes. DT880, DT990, RS-1, HD650, HD600 and K701... they are in same league.

i can see where you are coming from...............but should the 325i should be in that category instead of rs-1. i mean, the 325i are the the top tier of the prestige series and priced similarly to those headphones you mention.

 

[kaushama]

Certainly yes! I recently listened to them in my rig for two days. Very good sound!!

 

[Andrew_WOT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lutwey /img/forum/go_quote.gif i can see where you are coming from...............but should the 325i should be in that category instead of rs-1. i mean, the 325i are the the top tier of the prestige series and priced similarly to those headphones you mention.

Probably not, they are great headphones, spare some comfort issues, but more at DT770/A900/Proline level of performance.

I would also add to the higher tier new offerings from Denon, D5000 and D2000.

 

[xenithon]

I think impedance plays a big role too. I haven't heard any myself, but have come across numerous posts and threads here suggesting that the DT880 & DT990 in 600 ohm guise are discernably superior to their lower-Z siblings. Not sure if they are freely available or only via Beyer Manufacture though.

 

[sghound]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wnmnkh /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yes. DT880, DT990, RS-1, HD650, HD600 and K701... they are in same league.

throw in a few more into the mix, the DIRTY DOZEN would look like that:

DT880
DT990
RS1
MS-Pro
HD650
HD600
K701
D5000
AD2000
W5000
SA5000
DX1000

 

[daltonlanny]

DT990's: For a lively, punchy, FUN sound...YES...and maybe better than 650, 701, and 880.
DT990's: For REFERENCE QUALITY sound, and accuracy...NO WAY...650's, 701's, and 880's are smoother, more accurate, and better refined.
IMHO.

 

[Gurra1980]

Quote:

Originally Posted by daltonlanny /img/forum/go_quote.gif DT990's: For REFERENCE QUALITY sound, and accuracy...NO WAY...650's, 701's, and 880's are smoother, more accurate, and better refined. IMHO.

Disagree with you, the 990 may have exaggerated bass and highs, but the clarity, openness, soundstage and treblesparkel, is on my setup way better than 650. The 650 has a more neutral (not natural!!) sound that is smoother and more relaxed. I think 990s natural sound is amazing, listening to jazz the instruments are very well separated and have such a natural sound that it gives me goosebumps.

 

[swt61]

Those are three very different headphones to compare, but I think they all qualify as competitors in their pricerange, it just depends on your "flavor" so to speak.
But let's not forget that Beyer offers the DT990 in a 600 ohm model for those that have the amp power. That's a big plus in my book. The other two manufacturers don't offer different impedence versions.

 

[xenithon]

Yup - as I pointed out a little earlier too, I think the impedance makes a big difference. I think Skylab, who many (myself included) see as a resident Beyer expert, elaborated a number of times on the positive benefits of the higher impedance.

swt61 - do you know if the 600 ohm versions are also available on non-Manufacture Beyer's? Also, what amp power would you recommend for those? I currently have an ASL MG Head OTL Mk III and soon to be delivered Gilmore Lite SE with DPS....would those have enough juice do you think?