Beyerdynamic DT 990 - so far unimpressed

[Ash Telecaster]

I wanted a step up form the M50's. Nice headphones but I wanted greater clarity. I am assessing master mixes of my own music. I took a chance on these....well, because I got a good price. Thats it, read some reviews but otherwise took a stab in the dark. Beyerdynamics are a respected mfg so I figured the risk was minimal.
 
I have to say I just cracked open the box and I'm sure these things need a decent break in period. Right now they are nothing but bass in your face. I've often read of them being tinny and even shrill but so far it's hard to hear much brightness or midrange past the overwhelming bass.
 
I'm going to keep running music through them over the weekend and hope they open up some.
 
I'm running them off a Fiio x3. The amp "should" be adequate for running them but perhaps I really need an amp. The phones are the 250 Ohm Pros.

 

[MrTechAgent]

Interesting , I find the M50s to be nothing but "bass" and "grain" shouted at your face. 
The 990s are not the one note accentuated mid-bass you might be used , they offer some exceptional extension for a dynamic headphone , brightness well.... maybe that's not for everyone , just replace them if you don't like them.

 

[Ash Telecaster]

Thanks Mr Tech!
 
THats exactly why I was looking for an upgrade. The M50's are nice if you want to feel like you are standing right in front of the drums but seem grainy to me in the higher registers.
 
I just checked them, the tonal charactersitics already seem to have changed some after just about an hours play time. I'm hoping they will improve with a little more use.

 

[MrTechAgent]

  Thanks Mr Tech!
 
THats exactly why I was looking for an upgrade. The M50's are nice if you want to feel like you are standing right in front of the drums but seem grainy to me in the higher registers.
 
I just checked them, the tonal charactersitics have already seemed to have changed some after just about an hours play time. I'm hoping they will improve with a little more use.

Oh good !

 

[Ash Telecaster]

-side bar-
 
Wow! Apparently I think in english but type in gibberish! It's weird how messed up some of those sentences came out. I did a little editing to save face.

 

[cdma2k]

for greater clarity  maybe you should try AKG 600 or 700 series.
DT990 has too much emphasized mid to hi bass IMO.

 

[Ash Telecaster]

Thanks CDMA2k,
 
I have a friend who recommended AKG's. They were definitely on the list. I wish there was somewhere I could actually listen to these things. I would be able to zone in the perfect pair in minutes.
 
Some good news, the headphones are already sounding significantly better. I understand the need for burn in but geez this was rediculous. They sounded like absolute garbage. I probably should have waited before posting but I was kind of bumming about. I'm demo'ing Lazy Jane by Jenny O right now which has lots of high frequency stuff going on and its sounding pretty good.

 

[Ash Telecaster]

Wow, I can't believe it. Is that normal? I mean they sound good now. Thats very strange.

 

[cdma2k]

  Wow, I can't believe it. Is that normal? I mean they sound good now. Thats very strange.

yes, burn-in is not non-sense for some drivers, if not all. Great !

 

[SunshineReggae]

I think difference is so huge that you won't believe is just your ears getting used to it. And I will not convince you otherwise if you choose to believe headphone drivers are getting warmed up or tighter or whatever. But yes I believe is just your ears learn to deal with the sound. Mind just needs to orient itself.
 
anyway enjoy ofcourse

 

[Ash Telecaster]

Never say never buuuuuut...thats a little out there. But thats what I like about ya Sunshine!

 

[Ash Telecaster]

Demo'ing All Blues, Miles Davis now. I can hear chairs creeking and horn payers breathing. It's doing what it's supposed to do. Nice warm piano, great tone. magical recording for the time. Sounds like just a few strategically placed condenser mics. Would love to know what they were using. Definitely a stereo master, I had heard somewhere it was mono but definitely not what I'm listening to. The sound stage is a little odd. Most likely multitracked though minimal. Maybe 4 mics I'm guessing. The drums are clearly on one side. Probably one mic for the whole kit. In those days they recorded a room and had lead instruments strategically placed closer to a mic. Actually it must have been more. The bass is too present, it has it's own mic. Other instruments sound too close to the mic as well. So drums, Bass, Piano, 3 horns...I'll guess at 6. Not that it really matters. Just can't help getting...involved with the music.
 
Ahhhh So What just came on. It reminds me of Private Eye music, very, very cool. Love that walking bass line.

 

[pp312]

  I think difference is so huge that you won't believe is just your ears getting used to it. And I will not convince you otherwise if you choose to believe headphone drivers are getting warmed up or tighter or whatever. But yes I believe is just your ears learn to deal with the sound. Mind just needs to orient itself.
 
 

 
Perhaps yours just needs to orient itself to the idea than any mechanical device can be subject to a change of characteristics with use. I personally don't believe in ultra long term break in, but certainly short term is too readily observable to be an illusion.    

 

[spacemanps]

Ive been looking to upgrade my m50's but havent found one that fit my ear as nicely. I tried on the dt990's and they were a bit too big around my ear. I want something with a ear cup inbteween the m50 and dt990.. Any suggestions?
 
Or should i just shut up, suck it up, and deal with the bigger ear cups lol

 

[Ash Telecaster]

A lot of people suggested the AKG's to me. I've never tried them but they come highly recommended. The Sennheiser HD598's come highly recommended too.
 
The Grado's sit on ear. I have a friend who loves his. I have a pair of V-Moda M80's that sit on ear and they are very good headphones.