Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO // DT 1990 PRO MK II -- Impressions Thread

[393699]

I was told that these pads are supposed to reduce the mid treble peak, increase soundstage width, and also increase bass when compared to the analytical pads. I am certainly interested to see any improvements with these. The thickness of the stock analytical pads is 22mm. The brainwavz pads are 30mm. This should offer a nice improvement in comfort as well.

 

[Chastity]

Cup hole spacing looks a tad smaller than the Dekoni's.

 

[393699]

The ear hole on the brainwavz pads is the same size as the stock pads. The analytical pads and balanced pads have a 55mm area. The brainwavz velour round is also 55mm.

 

[warp2600]

OK here is the comparison of Creative Aurvana Live! vs DT 770 250 ohm vs DT 1990. Give or take 50$ vs 150$ vs 450$ but worth noting DT 770 earpad is cheap aftermarket and old. So it's probably suck compared the original pad.

The Weeknd - Heartless
CAL! wins. Perfect all around. DT 1990 vocals way too sharp here. DT 770 vocals are unnatural, subbass nice but midbass lacking.

The Weeknd - Starboy
DT 1990 lacks a bit of subbass compared to DT 770 but detail and impact, control, speed better. DT 770 definitely more laidback and make me feel soundstage is bigger. DT 1990 has lively vocals feels like touchable. DT 770 vocals feels like coming from a smartphone speaker. This song really showing of the difference. Vocals are so much better on DT 1990. However DT 1990 needs a bit more subbass and a bit less midbass here. DT 770 opposite. Creative Aurvana Live again very good here but distinction is bad. Fun part is there but it shows the weaknesses of low fi headphone. Bass overpowering the song.

The Weeknd - Blinding Lights link 0:33-0:45
DT 1990 and DT 770 destroys the CAL! here. DT 1990 is clearly winner. CAL! is a mess here.

The Weeknd - The Hills link 0:42-1:00
Wow DT 1990 8k peak showing of here. DT 770 overall sound really good, vocals are not bad here. DT 1990 8k peak and midbass hump doesnt play well. CAL! is very good as well.

Arctic Monkeys - R U Mine ?
DT 1990 is AMAZING here. Vocals, soundstage, resolution, distinction, speed, bass detail, impact etc... DT 770 bass weak here, vocals are broken again. CAL! have very strong bass but it plays like mono audio compared to others especially the DT 1990. This song really plays nice with DT 1990.

Mick Gordon - The Only Thing They Fear is You (Doom Eternal OST) link
Again DT 1990 show off here. Others are fine as well. CAL! sounds a bit like mono audio and bass is overpowering. DT 770 lacks the sweet treble performance of DT 1990.

I will not make it long. I've listened a lot of song and switch between them.
CAL! is really really good. Amazing sound quality for that price but i recommend it only for music listening.
DT 770 doesn't play well with this earpad. It's cheap, old earpad my ears touching drivers. Overall i can say it has a bit unnatural sound but once you adapted it all makes sense and offers exceptional sound. Easy recommend for movies and games. One of my favourite headphone of all time.
DT 1990 easily show it's high end capabilities. It's extremely euphoric and offers really special experience but sharpness and fatigue is real. Very lively headphone. Every aspect of this headphone is amazing except the sharpness/fatiguing. Also i would decrease midbass a little bit and increase the low bass a bit. It's fixable with equalizer.
Conclusion: Song is important. $50 headphone can beat $1000 headphones in some songs. $1000 headphone can make $50 headphone sound like a joke in some songs.

What amp did you use for the comparison?

 

[tracyca]

Nice Sound!

 

[yeboyi]

What amp did you use for the comparison?

I'm using Soundblaster AE5 soundcard.

 

[393699]

My brainwavz pads shipped today. I will post my impressions of them on the 1990 once they arrive.

 

[The Third]

How does the DT1990 hold up to the HE-500?

 

[393699]

I have never heard the HE-500 before.

 

[Slim1970]

How does the DT1990 hold up to the HE-500?

The DT1990's is the more detailed headphone. I'll give the DT1990's the edge in resolution and clarity as well. The HE500's has a more balanced sound signature with a punchier bass. The HE-500 is also more musical sounding to my ears. Although with the balanced pads on the DT1990's they sound sort of similar.

 

[C-Bass]

How does the DT1990 hold up to the HE-500?

DT1990 better resolution, details, dynamics, imaging.

He500 more cohesive, smoother, open, airy, mids more forward, a smidge more rumble. Has the x factor I can’t quite put my finger on.

If I’m gaming or want to analyze I grab the dt1990. I put it on and say damn it’s detailed, It punishes you for poor recordings and can be painful on some tracks.

If I want to listen to music it’s the he500 all the way and has been all through my trip through midfi. I put on the HE500 and say damn everything sounds good. For me this headphone gives me what I want from the treble, bass and mids all in one package.

Build quality and comfort to the DT1990. Duh.

All of this is IMO and no I don’t consider myself an expert. I’ve blown through a lot of midfi and still have both headphones though.

I use dekoni elite velours on the 1990 and zmf pref ori pads on the he500.

 

[Slim1970]

DT1990 better resolution, details, dynamics, imaging.

He500 more cohesive, smoother, open, airy, mids more forward, a smidge more rumble. Has the x factor I can’t quite put my finger on.

If I’m gaming or want to analyze I grab the dt1990. I put it on and say damn it’s detailed, It punishes you for poor recordings and can be painful on some tracks.

If I want to listen to music it’s the he500 all the way and has been all through my trip through midfi. I put on the HE500 and say damn everything sounds good. For me this headphone gives me what I want from the treble, bass and mids all in one package.

Build quality and comfort to the DT1990. Duh.

All of this is IMO and no I don’t consider myself an expert. I’ve blown through a lot of midfi and still have both headphones though.

I use dekoni elite velours on the 1990 and zmf pref ori pads on the he500.

We hear the same thing when it comes to the HE500's. It just has that special something even the newer Hifiman offerings don't have. It's so dang balanced and musical sounding. I still love what the DT1990's do with rock and metal music though.

 

[The Third]

The DT1990's is the more detailed headphone. I'll give the DT1990's the edge in resolution and clarity as well. The HE500's has a more balanced sound signature with a punchier bass. The HE-500 is also more musical sounding to my ears. Although with the balanced pads on the DT1990's they sound sort of similar.

So the DT1990 is definitely a step up for music production? I just ordered the E-MU Teak for that musical enjoyment and want a professional headphone for production.

 

[The Third]

DT1990 better resolution, details, dynamics, imaging.

He500 more cohesive, smoother, open, airy, mids more forward, a smidge more rumble. Has the x factor I can’t quite put my finger on.

If I’m gaming or want to analyze I grab the dt1990. I put it on and say damn it’s detailed, It punishes you for poor recordings and can be painful on some tracks.

If I want to listen to music it’s the he500 all the way and has been all through my trip through midfi. I put on the HE500 and say damn everything sounds good. For me this headphone gives me what I want from the treble, bass and mids all in one package.

Build quality and comfort to the DT1990. Duh.

All of this is IMO and no I don’t consider myself an expert. I’ve blown through a lot of midfi and still have both headphones though.

I use dekoni elite velours on the 1990 and zmf pref ori pads on the he500.

Very interesting. They sound very complimentary reading from your analysis. And concerning midfi, have you hear anything above the 1000+ dollar range you consider true end game hifi?

 

[Slim1970]

So the DT1990 is definitely a step up for music production? I just ordered the E-MU Teak for that musical enjoyment and want a professional headphone for production.

The DT1990‘s should be great for that. After all that is their intended purpose . The Teaks will be a nice complimentary headphone to the DT1990’s.