Yes, the highs in the dt990s are more pronounced than with the dt770. But once you get used to it, you might consider this to be a good thing. I know that i sure do, but it does take a little getting used to, and the highs will calm down a little bit after a couple of days. I am not sure if this is due to burn in or if you just get used to them, though.
I do know that i clearly like the dt990 better than the dt770 now. But I do switch a little between dt770, dt880 and dt990 based on my mood and how engaging i want the music to be.
I consider the dt880 to be the most neutral, which is really good with classical music or if you do not want the music to be owerpowering to what you are doing. The dt770 is a little less neutral and the dt990 is not neutral at all and has the most v-shaped signature.
but on the other hand i am too scared.... Had a mdr v6 and a akg k550 before and those had waaaaay too mich treble for me to the point of i finding them a bit steryle... And from what i have been reading, the treble on the 990 is even more peaked.
But wouyou say the 990 is puncher than the dt770? You have the 80ohm dt770 as well rigt?
I have both the athm50x and the dt770. IMO they are both v shape but the m50x is punchier and sounds a bit fuller and more agressive on the highs and mids wich makes it very good for more agressive rock as well. I had the m50 non x and i remember that at the time i did not like the mids because eletric guitars just did not sound as agressive and powerfull as on the hd25 or even the 1st gen over ear momentums.... But now the m50x although being very close to the previous version, it is now much better in that regard and therefore more complete.
When i got the dt770 i was expecting a basshead can from all the talk on head fi but i didnt got that at all... Not that it is basslight or anything but it is definitly not as punchy as the m50x and it kind of shares that lack of mids that i mentioned with the non x m50, so imo they are not the best for more agressive rock. Not that they are lacking bit i definitly prefer the mids and highs presentation of the m50x, hd25 and momentum....
Thats why i am so curious about the 990.... Kind of wanted they filled this gap....but on the other hand i am too scared.... Had a mdr v6 and a akg k550 before and those had waaaaay too mich treble for me to the point of i finding them a bit steryle... And from what i have been reading, the treble on the 990 is even more peaked.
Wich as better mids? 770 or 990?
The dt990 has a bit more bass punch than the dt770, but the bass is accompanied by very sharp highs (very v-shaped).
The dt770 has almost as much bass as the dt990, but the highs are alot lower, which makes the bass stand out more in the sound.
It is rather difficult to explain without listening to both I think.
And no, I do not have the 80 Ohm DT770, I have the 32Ohm LE. But to be frank, I doubt the difference between the 32Ohm and 80Ohm is massive.
As you say, the ATH-M50x is like a more aggressive dt770. I do not have the ATH-M50x, I only have the originial ATH-M50. But from my understanding the sound of the M50 and M50x is almost identical.
And I agree that the M50 is a more aggressive and v-shaped sound than the DT770. The DT990 is even more aggressive and even more v-shaped than the M50.
Both dt770 and dt990 have recessed mids. If you want something with more mid, try the dt880. It has less bass and less highs, but that gives the mids more space in the sound to shine through.
I love listening to classical music with dt880, and some genres in metal, like funeral doom, sound really good with them.
But normal rock and metal, even though it SHOULD sound better with a neutral headphone with more mid-range, does sound better with a v-shape. The rock just gets boring and non-engaging if the bass and treble isn't boosted just a bit.
To be honest, I doubt you will find what you are looking for in this price range. All v-shaped cans will be lacking in mids, and all cans with great mid will be a bit boring due to the non v-shaped sound.
If you want something that does all of this well, you have to get a headphone with a much larger price-tag. I have heard that the newest beyerdynamic, the DT-1770 might just do this, but I haven't had time to buy it and test it myself.
If you compare the dt-770 to dt-990 directly, then I bet the dt-990 would win, as they are a more engaging headphone.
You can use the dt-770 for a way longer period of time before getting hearing fatigue, though.
Instead of directly comparing them, I think of the dt-770 as a toned-down version that let's you listen to music or play games for a longer period of time.
