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

[FritzS]

... . The Beyerdynamic, especially the DT1990Pro, bring the piece of music cleanly without overemphasis.

Good to hear that!

 

[cruel]

What's the consensus for 'proper' EQ settings for DT 1990 Pro, as for pure Oratory settings vs those provided by jaakkopasanen?

Jaakkopasanen:
(source: https://github.com/jaakkopasanen/AutoEq/tree/master/results/oratory1990/over-ear/Beyerdynamic DT 1990 (balanced earpads))
Preamp: -4.9 dB
Filter 1: ON LS Fc 105 Hz Gain 1.4 dB Q 0.70
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 201 Hz Gain -3.8 dB Q 0.40
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 2106 Hz Gain 2.6 dB Q 2.07
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 794 Hz Gain 3.2 dB Q 0.74
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 4398 Hz Gain 4.3 dB Q 4.48
Filter 6: ON HS Fc 10000 Hz Gain -5.1 dB Q 0.70
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 7236 Hz Gain -2.0 dB Q 3.56
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 54 Hz Gain -0.4 dB Q 1.47
Filter 9: ON PK Fc 85 Hz Gain 0.6 dB Q 2.98
Filter 10: ON PK Fc 4729 Hz Gain 0.9 dB Q 5.98

Oratory:
(source: https://www.dropbox.com/s/174e0t5ozerbrk7/Beyerdynamic DT1990 (Balanced Earpads).pdf?dl=0)
Preamp: -4.3 dB
Filter 1: ON LS Fc 105 Hz Gain 5.5 dB Q 0.71
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 20 Hz Gain -2.0 dB Q 0.8
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 55 Hz Gain -4.2 dB Q 0.6
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 210 Hz Gain -4.9 dB Q 0.6
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 800 Hz Gain 1.1 dB Q 1.5
Filter 6: ON HS Fc 2050 Hz Gain 1.3 dB Q 3
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 7400 Hz Gain -5.6 dB Q 4
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 8200 Hz Gain -3.7 dB Q 5
Filter 9: ON HS Fc 11000 Hz Gain -5.0 dB Q 0.71

From the subjective listening experience, I like Jaakkopasanen presets more - much more dynamic and 'in your face' for metal music I'm listening to (eg. Slaugher to Prevail - Bratva, Orbit Culture - Nensha, Septicflesh - Portrait of a Headless Man). But I'm curious if I'm missing anything. Unfortunately I'm ignorant when translating EQ presets to listening experience at this point.

Or maybe there is no consensus and it's all about preference really?

 

[MikeGoodwin]

What's the consensus for 'proper' EQ settings for DT 1990 Pro, as for pure Oratory settings vs those provided by jaakkopasanen?

Jaakkopasanen:
(source: https://github.com/jaakkopasanen/AutoEq/tree/master/results/oratory1990/over-ear/Beyerdynamic DT 1990 (balanced earpads))
Preamp: -4.9 dB
Filter 1: ON LS Fc 105 Hz Gain 1.4 dB Q 0.70
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 201 Hz Gain -3.8 dB Q 0.40
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 2106 Hz Gain 2.6 dB Q 2.07
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 794 Hz Gain 3.2 dB Q 0.74
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 4398 Hz Gain 4.3 dB Q 4.48
Filter 6: ON HS Fc 10000 Hz Gain -5.1 dB Q 0.70
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 7236 Hz Gain -2.0 dB Q 3.56
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 54 Hz Gain -0.4 dB Q 1.47
Filter 9: ON PK Fc 85 Hz Gain 0.6 dB Q 2.98
Filter 10: ON PK Fc 4729 Hz Gain 0.9 dB Q 5.98

Oratory:
(source: https://www.dropbox.com/s/174e0t5ozerbrk7/Beyerdynamic DT1990 (Balanced Earpads).pdf?dl=0)
Preamp: -4.3 dB
Filter 1: ON LS Fc 105 Hz Gain 5.5 dB Q 0.71
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 20 Hz Gain -2.0 dB Q 0.8
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 55 Hz Gain -4.2 dB Q 0.6
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 210 Hz Gain -4.9 dB Q 0.6
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 800 Hz Gain 1.1 dB Q 1.5
Filter 6: ON HS Fc 2050 Hz Gain 1.3 dB Q 3
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 7400 Hz Gain -5.6 dB Q 4
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 8200 Hz Gain -3.7 dB Q 5
Filter 9: ON HS Fc 11000 Hz Gain -5.0 dB Q 0.71

From the subjective listening experience, I like Jaakkopasanen presets more - much more dynamic and 'in your face' for metal music I'm listening to (eg. Slaugher to Prevail - Bratva, Orbit Culture - Nensha, Septicflesh - Portrait of a Headless Man). But I'm curious if I'm missing anything. Unfortunately I'm ignorant when translating EQ presets to listening experience at this point.

Or maybe there is no consensus and it's all about preference really?

The 1990s are the first of many headphones (or iems) in about 15 years I've not felt the need to apply an EQ to, also a metal head but I'm into thrash mainly and some trance.

Mine have an 8k Filter fitted from custom cans but tbh, there's only one album I ever feel like it's useful on and that's Borrowed Time by Diamond head. Just takes some sting out for me.

Right out the box these sound perfect to me. Maybe I'm used to a soft rock style eq from the last 15 years and the 1990s are kinda tuned that way? Because that's what I applied to previous headphones and iems.

 

[FritzS]

I use only a 8k filter too - and only for some music. I have recordings where no filter is necessary.

 

[xeizo]

Except the lowest bass the 1990 Pro has very low distortion, almost on par with a planar, which contributes to making the treble peaks not particularly painful. Biggest treat imo is the dynamics, like most Beyers they sound just powerful and lively and amongst the Beyers these are possibly the most clean sounding. What's not to like?

 

[EZAndante]

What's the consensus for 'proper' EQ settings for DT 1990 Pro, as for pure Oratory settings vs those provided by jaakkopasanen?

From the subjective listening experience, I like Jaakkopasanen presets more - much more dynamic and 'in your face' for metal music I'm listening to (eg. Slaugher to Prevail - Bratva, Orbit Culture - Nensha, Septicflesh - Portrait of a Headless Man). But I'm curious if I'm missing anything. Unfortunately I'm ignorant when translating EQ presets to listening experience at this point.

Or maybe there is no consensus and it's all about preference really?

Both EQs are designed to bring the 1990s + balanced pads into agreement with the 2018 over-ear Harman frequency response target. The Harman target in turn was designed to match the personal preference of the hypothetical average person. But any individual person will differ from the majority, especially starting from about 1 or 2 kHz on up. And the difference increases the higher up you go.

The upshot is that your own preference may be different from the majority preference below 1 kHz. And your hearing very likely differs from the majority above 1 kHz.

Even though the lower mids of the 1990+BP are exaggerated compared to the Harman curve, the comments so far show that many people find that to be a non-issue. The infamous 7-9 kHz spike is intolerable for certain people who have an ear anatomy that already emphasizes that frequency range. But just as many people have an ear anatomy that de-emphasizes that range. To them, the 1990 is just fine.

So, if you find a headphone that agrees with your combination of hearing and personal preference — either without EQ or with a particular pre-fab EQ — enjoy! Don’t let the opinions of people with different hearing and preferences subvert your own experience. They’re literally not hearing what you hear.

 

[audiobomber]

Both EQs are designed to bring the 1990s + balanced pads into agreement with the 2018 over-ear Harman frequency response target. The Harman target in turn was designed to match the personal preference of the hypothetical average person. But any individual person will differ from the majority, especially starting from about 1 or 2 kHz on up. And the difference increases the higher up you go.

The upshot is that your own preference may be different from the majority preference below 1 kHz. And your hearing very likely differs from the majority above 1 kHz.

Even though the lower mids of the 1990+BP are exaggerated compared to the Harman curve, the comments so far show that many people find that to be a non-issue. The infamous 7-9 kHz spike is intolerable for certain people who have an ear anatomy that already emphasizes that frequency range. But just as many people have an ear anatomy that de-emphasizes that range. To them, the 1990 is just fine.

So, if you find a headphone that agrees with your combination of hearing and personal preference — either without EQ or with a particular pre-fab EQ — enjoy! Don’t let the opinions of people with different hearing and preferences subvert your own experience. They’re literally not hearing what you hear.

Great post! I would add, @cruel make sure to try the Analytical pads, many of us prefer them.
No EQ here, and no need.

 

[FritzS]

What is really the difference between DT1990, Amiron, T1? Please see here ->>
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/beyerdynamic-amiron-home-the-new-t90.821567/page-178#post-18058054

 

[Xerosnake90]

What is really the difference between DT1990, Amiron, T1? Please see here ->>
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/beyerdynamic-amiron-home-the-new-t90.821567/page-178#post-18058054

I prefer the analytical pads on the 1990 myself. The switch to balanced just kinda takes away the clarity that they have without actually giving a sense of satisfying warmth

Amiron manages to do something that I've never heard before. They manage to be warm, detailed, yet also muddy and painfully hot at times lol.

 

[FritzS]

Playground by David Helbock & Camille Bertault - with analytic pads the low rumble of the piano is not as voluminous as with balanced pads. The overall sound with analytic pads is closer to the Composer, which has an almost straight frequency response from the mid to the low bass region.

Playground von David Helbock & Camille Bertault
https://www.discogs.com/de/release/22912535-Camille-Bertault-David-Helbock-Playground
.

.

 

[FritzS]

Now I switched back and forth between balanced and analytic pads several times. With analytic pads, Camille Bertault's voice seems to be a touch clearer. The dull rumble of the grand piano, played by David Helbock, doesn't seem to lose much, is rather clearer.
With balanced pads, DT1990 moves in the direction of K812, or Composer. Clearly these two are superior in terms of resolution and sound balance (Composer one step above K812), but DT1990 plays better than the price difference would suggest.

David Helbock & Camille Bertault FREVO
[video=youtube;vPETxuTiTao]

PS: Would it be advisable to buy extra carrying rings for the pads to be able to change them more quickly?
There's a hair on one of the foam discs, I can't get it off with my fingernails. Could it migrate inwards? And what is the best way to remove hair from the foam disc?

 

[Chastity]

And what is the best way to remove hair from the foam disc?

take the pad off, and remove the hair with a tweezer. You can rotate the metal ring to remove the pad if desired. Rotate it in reverse to lock back into place.

New foamies are cheap. You can also get the 2.0 version that the newer cans use with the stitched ring, to attenuate the 8KHz peak. (like the ones the Tygr uses, and T1.3)

 

[gazzington]

I'm still using my dt1990 loads with my fiio m17. Really good headphones for the price these days. I use dekoni elite velours with them which make them ultra comfy too

 

[FritzS]

I usually use the Analytic Pads mostly with the DT1990 Pro.
I've never heard Amiron Home.
How does Amiron Home behave compared to the DT1990 in the region around 8kHz (Beyer Peak)? Is it about the same or is it more or less audible?
In my experience, the Beyer peak is only noticeable in a few recordings. I use graphic or parametric EQ on my various Mac players to minimise the disturbing peak.

The frequency response of the Amiron Home has a certain similarity to the T1 2nd Generation.

“A ‘cheaper’ high quality Beyer headphone that is tonally close to the T1 is the Amiron.
The Amiron (orange line) is about half the price of the T1 (green line) so is a lower cost alternative.“
(from soldertude)

 

[Xerosnake90]

I usually use the Analytic Pads mostly with the DT1990 Pro.
I've never heard Amiron Home.
How does Amiron Home behave compared to the DT1990 in the region around 8kHz (Beyer Peak)? Is it about the same or is it more or less audible?
In my experience, the Beyer peak is only noticeable in a few recordings. I use graphic or parametric EQ on my various Mac players to minimise the disturbing peak.

The frequency response of the Amiron Home has a certain similarity to the T1 2nd Generation.

“A ‘cheaper’ high quality Beyer headphone that is tonally close to the T1 is the Amiron.
The Amiron (orange line) is about half the price of the T1 (green line) so is a lower cost alternative.“
(from soldertude)

Amiron has to be one of the strangest headphones I've heard. It manages to both be warm and musical while being unbearably hot at times. With some artists it comes together really well but with many it doesn't.