[Beagle]

Listened to the DT990 today, and A/B'd against the DT880 (which I own).

I was puzzled to find that the DT990 seemed brighter and more detailed than the 880.

I thought the general consensus was that it should be the opposite, that the 990 was darker and less detailed than the 990. I almost got seduced by the clarity...maybe I did.

For those familiar with both models, how do they compare sonically to your ears?

BTW these look new, they have a dark blue ring around the housing; my 880 is dark grey.

 

[stang]

I have not heard either but people say the DT990 is brighter, but I haven't heard more detailed. Maybe they had a different impedience?

 

[Beagle]

Y'know, I forgot to check what impedence it was. That would definitely factor in. Seemed easier to drive out of the Graham Slee amp than the 880.

 

[Shahrose]

Don't fall into that trap. The DT990s may impress on first listen but their exaggerated treble becomes fatiguing very quickly. I suggest you try the 600ohm version if you want to give them a shot.

BTW, the general consensus is not that the DT990s are darker. They are brighter up top and warmer down low, but also less detailed than the DT880, because their boosted treble and bass scoops out the mids.

That being said, I loved the bass on the DT990s (more than the HD6x0) and their midrange was qualitatively excellent but was just recessed. Their soundstage was also airy and quite wide (noticeably wider than the HD6x0 for example), but it lacked depth compared to the aforementioned Senns. In the end, the main reason I sold both my DT990s was because the midrange wasn't prominent enough for me.

 

[Headdie]

Better trust your own ears. It's strange, but most of the *agreed facts* that I've read on HF couldn't stand a serious listening test at the audiophile shop.

 

[MrGreen]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shahrose /img/forum/go_quote.gif Don't fall into that trap. The DT990s may impress on first listen but their exaggerated treble becomes fatiguing very quickly

I found a similar thing with the DT770s, except that it was the bass that got annoying first.

 

[fishski13]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beagle /img/forum/go_quote.gif Listened to the DT990 today, and A/B'd against the DT880 (which I own). I was puzzled to find that the DT990 seemed brighter and more detailed than the 880. I thought the general consensus was that it should be the opposite, that the 990 was darker and less detailed than the 990. I almost got seduced by the clarity...maybe I did. For those familiar with both models, how do they compare sonically to your ears? BTW these look new, they have a dark blue ring around the housing; my 880 is dark grey.

i don't find my 600ohm bright at all. i find the K701 and DT880/250ohm to be too bright though.

the top end is very detailed and never fatiguing. the upper mid-range is never harsh as well. my B22/Bijou/M3 all sound great with the DT990/600ohm - each of them are capable of driving these cans.

 

[fishski13]

also, what amps were you driving the dt990 with?

 

[Beagle]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shahrose /img/forum/go_quote.gif Don't fall into that trap. The DT990s may impress on first listen but their exaggerated treble becomes fatiguing very quickly.

I thought about that all day and realized it would be falling into a trap. I got pulled in. I always maintained that if a headphone sounds clear and detailed right off the bat, it usually ends up too bright in the long run. I'm going to hold off and audition the T1 when it comes in.

 

[MacedonianHero]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beagle /img/forum/go_quote.gif I thought about that all day and realized it would be falling into a trap. I got pulled in. I always maintained that if a headphone sounds clear and detailed right off the bat, it usually ends up too bright in the long run. I'm going to hold off and audition the T1 when it comes in.

I sold the DT880s because I found them really bright and almost "tinny", but the T1s are far from that. They are incredibly neutral (with a lush tinge to them) and so much better than anything in the beyer line up that I've ever heard.

So waiting for them is absolutely the right thing to do in my opinion...and sorry to your wallet!

 

[xcluded]

anyone listened to the DT990 and ATH AD2000 before?

How do they differ ?