Beyerdynamic DT231

[450]

I'm planning to get a new headphone...Possibly the DT231.

Some Questions (some use KSC-35 in comparison)

-How does the bass compare to KSC-35
-How much does it isolate/leak
-Where did you buy your DT231 (if you bought one that is) and what price
-Would it isolate enough for listening in the car/ mowing lawn

THANKS

 

[episiarch]

Bass is pretty strong -- I definitely have no complaints there (haven't compared it directly to KSC35, but I have them both and could do that if you're still interested).

It leaks quite a bit, enough to bother my wife if she's in the same room (and this is at moderate volumes). Despite this, I remember there being a moderate amount of isolation - a bit less than HD25-SP, and more than PX200. Not enough to make much difference lawnmowing or being in the car.

Bought it at Headroom, for whatever their list price was/is.

The above is from memory since it's now in my big box o' stuff I don't listen to very much. The high level of leakage was a big issue for my intended use.

 

[450]

Quote:

Originally Posted by episiarch Bass is pretty strong -- I definitely have no complaints there (haven't compared it directly to KSC35, but I have them both and could do that if you're still interested). It leaks quite a bit, enough to bother my wife if she's in the same room (and this is at moderate volumes). Despite this, I remember there being a moderate amount of isolation - a bit less than HD25-SP, and more than PX200. Not enough to make much difference lawnmowing or being in the car. Bought it at Headroom, for whatever their list price was/is. The above is from memory since it's now in my big box o' stuff I don't listen to very much. The high level of leakage was a big issue for my intended use.

A closed can that leaks...Could you do that comparsion? It wouldn't have to be anything detailed or anything, just overall rating of the sound (good/worse than KSC-35's).

Although...I wish it wouldn't leak! Thats what the KSC-35's are for!

Is the DT231 a good upgrade (value and sound) from the KSC-35?
Does the DT231 improve with an amp?
Is the HD25SP better?

THANKS

 

[episiarch]

I've put the comparison on my list to try to remember to do tonight, but I think I can tell you my overall rating right now: KSC35 > DT231. I do not consider the DT231 an upgrade.

What the DT231 is really good at, though, is sounding nice with the volume way down low. There's enough bass and enough extended treble that you hear both bass and detail in a very pleasing way at quite low volumes, where other cans might just sound soft and indistinct. It's kind of cool, a very nice "background music" can. But unless you really have that need, I don't know of a good reason to buy them in preference to something else.

I think you'll be hard-pressed to find a closed headphone much under $200 that will beat the KSC35, at least unamped. With a good amp, I like the K271 a lot, and prices for it seem to be depressed these days.

As for the DT231 I believe it did improve a little with an amp, but only up to a point. Since it wasn't really meeting my needs, I didn't do a lot of experimenting with it.

I like the HD25SP enough to make it my at-the-office headphone. Nowhere near as much bass as DT231 or KSC35, if that matters to you, but a good sound nonetheless. The HD25SP sounds really quite nice out of a 9V/8620 Pimeta, pretty OK out of a Cmoy-level amp, and decent out of a cruddy unamped soundcard (your mileage and concept of decency may vary). Only with a Pimeta-level amp or better would I call it an upgrade from the KSC35 (and for that price you could get an HD25-1 instead, which I haven't heard but many people love). It has a useful amount of isolation, but with music off I can still hear loud-talkers a cubicle or two away.

For real isolation the (non-canal) phone to look at in the $100-or-less price range is the HD280. For me the sound is not right and the skullcrusher effect is too much, but many others like it a lot.

 

[headphonegeek]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 450 I'm planning to get a new headphone...Possibly the DT231. Some Questions (some use KSC-35 in comparison) -How does the bass compare to KSC-35 -How much does it isolate/leak -Where did you buy your DT231 (if you bought one that is) and what price -Would it isolate enough for listening in the car/ mowing lawn THANKS

the koss tend to be more bass heavy.the dt 231 does not isolate that much but for a closed headphone in it's price range the sound is very good.

 

[episiarch]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 450 A closed can that leaks...Could you do that comparsion? It wouldn't have to be anything detailed or anything, just overall rating of the sound (good/worse than KSC-35's).

My conclusions (based on vocal jazz/instrumentals):

Unamped (iPod 4G): KSC35 >> DT231

Amped (Gilmore Lite V2): KSC35 > DT231

I was going to test with a portable Pimeta as well (since that's probably closer to the level of amp you would buy next), but since the KSC35 was winning both amped and unamped, I didn't take the time. I will if you would like me to, however.

The thing is, you nailed it really well when you bought the KSC35. It's a terrific value for money. To beat its sound in a closed headphone is hard. You'd have to go up quite a lot in price and/or add an amp. You can do pretty well in canal phones for around $100, though - would you consider those?

 

[450]

Quote:

Originally Posted by episiarch My conclusions (based on vocal jazz/instrumentals): Unamped (iPod 4G): KSC35 >> DT231 Amped (Gilmore Lite V2): KSC35 > DT231 I was going to test with a portable Pimeta as well (since that's probably closer to the level of amp you would buy next), but since the KSC35 was winning both amped and unamped, I didn't take the time. I will if you would like me to, however. The thing is, you nailed it really well when you bought the KSC35. It's a terrific value for money. To beat its sound in a closed headphone is hard. You'd have to go up quite a lot in price and/or add an amp. You can do pretty well in canal phones for around $100, though - would you consider those?

Thank you VERY much for the comparison.

Hmmmm.... DT231....of THE LIST. Oh well.

Canalphones eh? The ER-6i wasn't reccommended for classical by terrymx.
The Shure E2/c might be potential solution...