Bass trouble with Beyerdynamic DT770-80 Pro

[blackreplica]

Quote:

Originally Posted by virometal hmmmmmmmm.........maybe your ears have super bass retardent reflections!

Know a place i can get my ears swapped out for something better?

 

[Oink1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by thetoe Amplification, yes. I've thought about that. Currently, I plug the phones directly into my Audigy 2 soundcard. Could this cause such a problem?.

Hell yes! - That's like owning a meaty V8 and only having 4 HT leads connected, Jeez! Give 'em some gas and they'll shock you!

 

[thetoe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oink1 Hell yes! - That's like owning a meaty V8 and only having 4 HT leads connected, Jeez! Give 'em some gas and they'll shock you!

Thanks! A nice, straightforward answer. Exactly what I needed.

Now I just need a good amplifier. Any recommendations?

 

[chungsoi]

I've heard the portaphile v2 does amazing things to the dt770 mids...

or if you're on a budget, pa2 will work fine also.

 

[Jahn]

Also, I would consider changing the soundcard, or getting one just for music playback and keeping the audigy for videogames only. Folks have had good impressions even with the $25 chaintech av710, but my personal fave is the $99 EMU 0404. both those cards should go with an amp imho!

 

[Oink1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by thetoe Thanks! A nice, straightforward answer. Exactly what I needed. Now I just need a good amplifier. Any recommendations?

How about a Cmoy/Go-Vibe(previous owner - great amp)/PA thingy to whet your appetite? If you like what you're hearing then spend on!

 

[thetoe]

Considering the fact that I don't know the first thing about amplifiers, I'd appreciate it if you mentioned some pros and cons along with each recommendation. Include price too, if you can. Thank you!

 

[Oink1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by thetoe Considering the fact that I don't know the first thing about amplifiers, I'd appreciate it if you mentioned some pros and cons along with each recommendation. Include price too, if you can. Thank you!

Just search the Amp forum - you'll find all the info you could need there my friend

 

[virometal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by chungsoi This whole headphone hobby is entirely subjective.

This should be posted in BOLD @ the top of the main head-fi forums page. I don't know about entirely or is, but damn there is a-lot of it out there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackreplica heh, i should amend my earlier words. I meant to say that the 770 is the closest to representing bass at accurate levels

Why ammend it? If that is what you hear, then it is right! Please read the quote above yours.

YOUR ears hold the truth. Not mine, not anyone elses.

 

[blackreplica]

Quote:

Originally Posted by virometal Why ammend it? If that is what you hear, then it is right! Please read the quote above yours. YOUR ears hold the truth. Not mine, not anyone elses.

Thanks! I amended my post to make my rationale for using the word 'realistic' easier to understand. Because the tendency here (and in most places i guess) is to use realistic to describe tonality. However for headphones i personally think that it is far more difficult to achieve realistic output levels relative to the midrange/trevble as opposed to acceptable tonality. I didnt change my opinion, rather clarified my meaning

 

[virometal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackreplica that it is far more difficult to achieve realistic output levels relative to the midrange/trevble as opposed to acceptable tonality.

I am witcha homey. So your ears tell you the DT770's bass output levels are not sufficient?

Last week I check out a band in a coffee house with my seat 10 feet away from the drum kit.

Indeed, the DT770 bass output level was nowhere near 'realistic'. Realism is hard to judge and highly personal I guess. Kind of like art. One can approach painting realism as replication or emotion or in between.

 

[blackreplica]

Quote:

Originally Posted by virometal I am witcha homey. So your ears tell you the DT770's bass output levels are not sufficient?

Yes, i know its strange, but there you go lol, I mentioned it before, i can audibly hear a lower bass level than everything else in the spectrum. It is very severe with poor amplification but even my SM3 w/o boost doesnt make it level. The bass itself is very flat in response to my ears (surprisingly devoid of that punchy midbass peak, which is a good thing in hindsight, even though it took some getting used to), but there is definitely a 'shelf dip' in the bass, as with every other headphone i have heard. The SM3 bass boost makes up for that quite nicely (maybe just 1-2db too much boost but to me slightly more is better than less) except that i think it appears to overboost in the very low frequencies and the 770 can lose control on the right material, albeit only at ridiculous deafness-inducing output levels.

 

[thetoe]

Okay, so right now I'm looking at the Pocket Amp 2, the Portaphile V2^2, and the PPA. These appear to go well with the DT770 from what I've read so far. Which one would be the best choice? Would something else be a better choice? I've already spent more money than I should on the headphones, so I'm happy as long as the amplifier can run them properly. Overkill is unwanted.

 

[thetoe]

Wow, there really is some serious activity on these forums! I'm sorry about bumping this thread, but I need a few answers, and can't seem to find the appropriate information anywhere else.

 

[rreynol]

First, let me say that I have only heard one of the three you listed (PA2). In my opinion, the three amps you have listed aren't in the same class. The Portaphile 2 and PPA are close to being in the same class with the PA2 being in a lower one. Having said that, I think they are all fine choices. If cost is a factor, I say get the PA2. I have one and found it to be an excellent value. However, the PPA does have bass boost built into the circuit. If you want that extra low end kick (added onto the DT770 bass), the PPA would be the way to go. It all depends on how much you really want to spend. If you are considering the PPA, perhaps you should also look into an M^3? Another very nice amp with bass boost.


Bottom line, it looks like you are concerned with cost. Get the PA2. Just keep in mind that you will be back and you will want something bigger / badder. This place tends to do that to people.