Beyerdynamic DT-880 and DT-990 review (pics)

[Andrew_WOT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by euclid /img/forum/go_quote.gif i listen with the volume at 6-7 o'clock (maxxed) in low/unity gain with the DT-990. 3'oclock in med gain with the DT-880, i couldnt get enough volume in unity gain for the DT-880. i listen to the AD2000 at around 2 o'clock in unity gain and the HD650 at 6'clock in unity gain so the DT-880 needed the most power out of the 4 and i still couldnt get the midrange to life. i also listen to my speakers at about 4-5 o'clock in unity gain with alot of headroom.

Wow, unless GS-1 is different from that perspective but my highest listening level for HD650 is 2-3 o'clock and around 4-5 (6 on very rare circumstances) for DT880 at low gain (low gain also set to unity by Justin). Do you attenuate at digital domain level by any chance?

 

[Towert7]

Quote:

Originally Posted by euclid /img/forum/go_quote.gif is it possible that those who are largley impressed with the Beyers dont listen to them as loud as some of us that try to push them harder?

That's a very good point. I listen to my headphones usually at low levels, and only turn them up when I'm doing nothing but listening to music. However, going to a few Head-Fi meets, I see that *most* people listen to them at much louder volumes than I do.

 

[euclid]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew_WOT /img/forum/go_quote.gif Wow, unless GS-1 is different from that perspective but my highest listening level for HD650 is 2-3 o'clock and around 4-5 (6 on very rare circumstances) for DT880 at low gain (low gain also set to unity by Justin). Do you attenuate at digital domain level by any chance?

yes it is different, the Low Gain setting for the GS-X is actually unity gain which is +0db. the Med Gain on the GS-X is actually the Low Gain setting on the GS-1 which is +9db, High Gain is +18db for both amps. since you GS-1 has DACT its probibly identical comparison.

i listen to the Senns at 3-4 o'clock in Med gain, about the same as the DT-880 but DT-880 would have been better around 5-6 o'clock i think, the raspy high end of the DT-880 prevented me from getting them there.

 

[Skylab]

Remember of course that the relative position of the volume control on an amp is only relevant to the extent that the input voltage of the source is held constant. People using a source with "standard" 2V voltage will deliver a very different output level at the same position of the volume knob of the same amp versus someone whose source outputs closer to 1V, as many do.

I measure volume in SPL at the HEADPHONE, as many know, and I listen at average 70-75db, with peaks set for 80db, A weighted.

 

[euclid]

yeah thats true, i just double checked the Meridian is 2.5v. ive never measured with SPL meter but i assume i listen closer to 90-95 with peaks in the low hundred level.

edit: wow the Stello DA100 that Andrew WOT has is 1.2v, nm that comparison

 

[Towert7]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab /img/forum/go_quote.gif I measure volume in SPL at the HEADPHONE, as many know, and I listen at average 70-75db, with peaks set for 80db, A weighted.

This is the same for me too. I just measured my headphones with the SPL meter. normal is between 70-80dB. I get pain at 85dB.
I love the way the beyers sound at low volume.

 

[upstateguy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by euclid /img/forum/go_quote.gif ...is it possible that those who are largley impressed with the Beyers dont listen to them as loud as some of us that try to push them harder? not to keep going back on the Senn topic but the more power the Senns are fed the better they sound, and while listenning at low levels they do sound very uninvolving. the Beyers seem to be the opposite, as i said in the first post at lower levels they do sound decent in my setup but IMHO its too low to enjoy music, when i turn them up to expand the size and depth of the soundstage they do not take the power well. thats when the highs become etched in the DT-880 and the bass is overboosted in the DT-990, with better balance in each model the mids could be raised to a more involving level, in both headphones the mids are recessed in volume but it is because of the opposite sonic limitations for each headphone.... .

You make another interesting observation, euclid.

How loud are you talking about? I have noticed that my 3 main amps have similar volume levels in the 6-12:00 range, so a 9:00 setting, for instance, on all three of them would have a similar, but of course, not exactly the same, volume. What would you say your usual volume setting is on your GS-X for your Meridian, for your computer and for other sources you might use? And if you listen from your computer, does the line out or optical out to your DAC have the same signal strength as the Meridian?

On my rigs I find that internet streams have stronger signals than music ripped from CD to the HD by about one full number, so an internet stream, like Radio Flemme, for instance, at 8:00 might be equal to HD music at 9:00. I also find that my Zhaolu D2 has more signal strength than either my Constantine or my DAC-AH, so I know that will have an effect as well, but I'm just looking for a range.

I would like to find some common ground with you so I can listen to some of the same music you listen to at a similar volume. My source is a couple of dedicated music computers, nothing fancy

.

This is the rig I brought to the last NY meet. The Heed has since been replaced by a GS-1, the Gilmore Lite and DPS in the picture belong to Asr.

and here it is with the Constantine and GS-1 where you can see my usual volume settings

I take the sound out optically, route it to the Constantine and on to the GS-1 and Woo3. The M^3 is connected via the GS-1s line out.

If we have some HD based flac rips in common we might be able to reduce the variables even further.

Or not.

USG

 

[upstateguy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Towert7 /img/forum/go_quote.gif That's a very good point. I listen to my headphones usually at low levels, and only turn them up when I'm doing nothing but listening to music. However, going to a few Head-Fi meets, I see that *most* people listen to them at much louder volumes than I do.

Hey T7

I listened to your rig at the NY meet with my DT880s, but with all the noise, I needed around 3:00 to be able to hear the music loud enough.

I commented on this in a thread and Justin sent me a PM explaining how he sets the gain.

He also told me that the back log on orders had cleared up.... and bam...there it was.....

USG

 

[upstateguy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Towert7 /img/forum/go_quote.gif This is the same for me too. I just measured my headphones with the SPL meter. normal is between 70-80dB. I get pain at 85dB. I love the way the beyers sound at low volume.

T7

When you ran the GS-1 from your Constantine, what was your usual volume setting and what cans do you mostly use?

USG

 

[Skylab]

I think Euclid has brought up a VERY important point here. I would totally agree with his comments that I do not think Beyers are a great choice for high-volume listeners, but ARE a good choice for low volume listeners.

On reason I sold both my HD600 and HD650's are that I found I had to play them louder than I wanted to enjoy them. The importance of this for any given listener cannot be overstated - different headphones definitely will sound better or worse at different levels, depending on their sonic signature.

 

[finbad]

Personally, I would be most interested in others who do in fact agree with what the reviewer concluded, with either their 880s or their 990s experience!

Often when folks agree they remain silent, has been my experience...

All in the interest of being fair and balanced in ths thread...

 

[cooperpwc]

Directed at no one in particular but this getting completely ridiculous. Sometimes people try so hard to get along that they agree on things just to be agreeable.

I say that we should dare to hate each other if we have to because Beyers sound just fine loud. Excellent in fact. Until everyone decided that they had to find common ground, no one had ever suggested otherwise. Can't we just disagree and throw a little crap around? No one's going to lose an eye...

Yes I'm the grumpy realist in all of this. You try coming back from Cuba to an audit and annual report and see how you feel!

There, I'll leave this thread. Back to your love-in.

 

[Morph201]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cooperpwc /img/forum/go_quote.gif Directed at no one in particular but this getting completely ridiculous. Sometimes people try so hard to get along that they agree on things just to be agreeable. I say that we should dare to hate each other if we have to because Beyers sound just fine loud. Excellent in fact. Until everyone decided that they had to find common ground, no one had ever suggested otherwise. Can't we just disagree and throw a little crap around? No one's going to lose an eye... Yes I'm the grumpy realist in all of this. You try coming back from Cuba to an audit and annual report and see how you feel! There, I'll leave this thread. Back to your love-in.

Can we all just hold hands and sing kumbaya now?

 

[Towert7]

Quote:

Originally Posted by upstateguy /img/forum/go_quote.gif T7 When you ran the GS-1 from your Constantine, what was your usual volume setting and what cans do you mostly use? USG

Hello again Upstateguy.

I have my Audigy 2 ZS set at 50%, runs to my paradisea, and then to the GS-1. With this configuration, I run my GS-1 at 9-10:30. 11 starts to get painful. This is on High Gain with both my Darth's and Sky's. When I had my AKG340, I had to crank the thing past 12 o'clock.
Right now I'm using my Darth's at 10 o'clock.
All this applies to the Constantine as well. Same output level basically.

With my configuration, I get about 70-80dB at the headphones, with 85dB being painful to me. (I pamper my ears!)

Oh, and congrats with the GS-1. Looks great! (he changed the knob, and yours with the rounded edges looks equally sweet).

 

[NuggiFirst]

I'm joining the cooperpwc team!

I don't agree that the Beyers (DT990 here) shouldn't be able to maintain their quality when playing loud.
They ARE good phones when listening at low volumes

But mine doesn't loose any control when playing at serious levels. The bass stays in place, tight and powerfull. The treble tones down just a bit.
I just think they are seriously fun phones, at all levels that is