[redrich2000]

How does the DT-250/250 compare to the DT-800 when considering the price difference? i.e. how much sound quality do you lose to save $60-70 and gain some portability?

 

[spinali]

There's an excellent review that's worth reading:

http://www4.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=21917

I'd save up more for the 880. You'll find better highs and a rich, balanced sound. At normal listening levels, you don't really need an amp, but I find that a good headphone amp makes the 880 sound even better (if that's possible).

 

[smuh]

the DT 250 is closed, the DT 880 is (semi) open

If you do not need a closed can, go for the DT 880. The DT 880 is one of the higher end cans and has a lot of fans here on head-fi...

 

[sacundim]

You don't just gain portability; the DT250-250 is closed. If you're going to be using them in a noisy environment, this is an essential feature.

I have both. When it comes to sound quality, it's no contest at all: DT880. But if sound quality is your more important criterion, there's open cans priced closely to the DT250-250 which would be a better choice. I have the Sennheiser HD 555 and it's quite good; I imagine the closest Beyerdynamic equivalent to it would be the DT440, but I've never heard that one.

 

[redrich2000]

Thanks for opinions. I know its not a great comparison, my problem is I have a pair of e3c's which I don't mind but sometimes they hurt my ears a bit. I'd like a pair of full cans for home use, but wouldn't mind being able to use them from time to time on the train etc.

So what I am struggling with is whether the improvement in sound with the 880s is enough to justify losing the portability option. On top of that, some say leakage is not a huge problem anyway.

The other issue is my source is an iPod + supermini-3, I use EAC/LAME and I eventually would like to get the Red Wine mod on the iPod, but are the 880s a waste for such a limited source?

 

[ZOKROX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by redrich2000 How does the DT-250/250 compare to the DT-800 when considering the price difference? i.e. how much sound quality do you lose to save $60-70 and gain some portability?

Frequency curve of DT880:

http://www.headphone.com/products/he...mic-dt-880.php

Frequency curve of DT250:

http://www.headphone.com/products/he...-dt-250-80.php

The curves show that the DT880 has a more extended low frequency
and is brighter than the DT250 (80 ohms).

The DT250 (80 ohms) is more forgiving with poor recordings and low end system electronics.

The DT880 sound quality improves with each system/cable upgrade.


Also the DT880 will sound more open (airy) and spacious because it is semi-open and the DT250 will sound less spacious mainly because it is closed.

See SACUNDIM's comments below on the DT250 (250 ohms).

 

[sacundim]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZOKROX The curves show that the DT880 has a more extended low frequency and is brighter than the DT250. The DT250 is more forgiving with poor recordings and low end system electronics.

First of all, the frequency response curves you cited for the DT250 is for the 80 ohm version. The poster specifically asked about the 250 ohm version, which according to all reports, sounds different (better, in fact; though I haven't heard the 80ohm, so I'm going on hearsay).

Second, you shouldn't be that eager to predict the sound of a headphone on the basis of frequency graphs. I have both the DT250-250 and the DT880, and listen to both daily. While the DT880 has better treble, I'd say that the DT250-250 sounds brighter; the sound signature has a bit less lower midrange, and sounds more "clinical" than the DT880.

 

[ZOKROX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sacundim First of all, the frequency response curves you cited for the DT250 is for the 80 ohm version. The poster specifically asked about the 250 ohm version, which according to all reports, sounds different (better, in fact; though I haven't heard the 80ohm, so I'm going on hearsay). Second, you shouldn't be that eager to predict the sound of a headphone on the basis of frequency graphs. I have both the DT250-250 and the DT880, and listen to both daily. While the DT880 has better treble, I'd say that the DT250-250 sounds brighter; the sound signature has a bit less lower midrange, and sounds more "clinical" than the DT880.

You are right, the DT250 (80 ohms) is the one most threads say is warm
and forgiving. Thanks for making the distinctions.

 

[lini]

Got both, too - like the DT250/250, don't like the DT880. So much for opinions.

Grinnings from Hannover!

Manfred / lini