I'm surprised no one has highlighted the stark variation in sound between earlier batches of the DT 1770 Pro and latter batches.
The first DT 1770 Pro I owned was S/N 825. It didn't matter what I tried: pad rolling, bass port modding, Dekoni pads, upgrade cables, burn in, better sources, etc. It sounded boomy and congested and boxed-in.
Later, I auditioned a pair S/N 12xxx at a local store via a humble iFi hip-dac. I was blown away. That pair sounded vastly different. There was that clean, pristine, sparkly Beyer sound, with defined, hard-hitting bass.
Subsequently, I had to replace the drivers on my own pair. The newly serviced pair sounded identical to the original.
Recently, I acquired another pair of DT 1770's, this one S/N 97xxx. I'm running it through a Denafrips Ares II and Lake People G111. All I can say is that it sounds simply astounding, and is surprisingly sensitive to upstream equipment (I have with me the iFi ZEN DAC V2, ZEN CAN, Jotunheim 2, and a Feliks Echo II).
Around the $500 price point, my default recommendation used to be the E-MU Teaks, which I also have with me at the moment.
Here's how they compare on my setup:
Apple Music on Mac > Denafrips Ares II > Lake People G111
- The Teaks are a crisp sounding, relatively heavy U-shaped signature. They have a distinct mid-treble peak and a strong sub-bass emphasis.
- The DT 1770 is relatively warmer, fuller-bodied, and more balanced by comparison. They have a slightly heavy mid-bass emphasis and a relatively more muted treble by comparison. Mids are relatively more forward.
- The Teaks have a more energetic, aggressive, lighter-footed presentation. The DT 1770 Pro are slower on their feet, but display a more robust, fuller-bodied character, and slam harder.
- Bass is heftier, weightier, and slower on the DT 1770 Pro with more slam. The Teaks' bass is more nimble, tauter, and textured, with more rumble.
- Mids are leaner and drier on the Teaks, being more even and fuller-bodied on the DT 1770.
- Treble again is more even on the DT 1770 Pro, with the Teaks displaying a distinct mid-treble emphasis and a crisp character, with greater presence, air, and extension
- The Teaks have an appreciable edge in terms of transparency and surface clarity. However, detail retrieval is distinctly superior on the DT 1770 Pro
- Soundstage is appreciably more expansive on the DT 1770 Pro, with a big and bold cinematic presentation. The Teaks are relatively more intimate and congested by comparison.
- Imaging is appreciably more precise on the DT 1770 Pro
- Transients are quicker and more incisive on the Teaks
- I will say the Teaks do have a decidedly unique, inviting, and euphonic tone.
- Comfort, build quality, and isolation easily go to the DT 1770 Pro
My favourite closed-back Beyer thus far has been the Beyerdynamic DT 150, especially fitted with DT 100 velour pads. Other closed-back Beyers I've owned include the classic DT 770 Pro in both 80 and 250 ohm flavours, DT 700 Pro X, and T5p G2. I'm happy to report that the DT 1770 Pro have now found a place alongside the DT 150 as one of my favourite closed-backs. I recently sold a Sony MDR-Z1R, and while I did not have a chance to A/B them, purely based on memory, the DT 1770 Pro immediately struck me as being more impressive than the MDR-Z1R.
