Beyerdynamic T1 vs T5p vs DT880

[ryder78]

Assuming both are driven by a good headphone amp, will the T5p offer a higher level of playback than the DT880? What are the expected improvements or differences? Refinement and detail? Are the differences appreciable or subtle at best?
 
I am looking to purchase the T5p as it appears to be a versatile design(can be run unamped) but have read several comments that it doesn't sound half as good as the flagship T1. That is fine, but will the T5p at the very least sound better than the DT880? What are the expected improvements or differences? Refinement and detail? Are the differences appreciable or subtle at best?
 
As for the T1 vs T5p, does the T1 truly sound miles better than the T5p, or the differences although tangible may not be as significant as some may have suggested?
 
Would appreciate thoughts from folks who have listened to all T1, T5p and DT880. Thanks.

 

[ssrock64]

I haven't had a chance to listen to the DT880, so I will not give comment regarding those. However, I own the T5p and have spent about 14 hours with a T1. While it is true that the T1 is superior in almost every aspect, the difference is not nearly as vast as many golden-ears reviewers claim. They're both very similar headphones, and the T5p is very much a world-class headphone along with its brother. It's just that the T1 is that extra 1% better in each category (excluding portability), bringing it up to the level of the HD800.
 
Going on my previous experience with Beyerdynamic products and knowledge of most of their line, I would expect that the T5p would be a great improvement over the DT880. However, I do not know that aspect for sure as I've never heard the DT880.

 

[ryder78]

Thanks for the information Ssrock64. Words cannot describe how important your post was in my decision to go with the T5p. I truly appreciate your thoughts. Nevermind about the DT880. As long as you have listened to both T5p and T1, your impressions are useful to me.
 
 

 

[GL1TCH3D]

I have the T5p and listened to the T1s at a show. I noticed an improvement with the T1 through the same source but I love being able to bring my T5p around and use it with my iPhone

 

[ryder78]

Thanks for the thoughts. I saw your post on the other thread yesterday on the T1 vs T5p. Although I will mostly listen to the T5p at home, I would like to have the versatility of bringing the headphone around with portable sources, hence the T5p choice.

 

[GL1TCH3D]

Thanks for the thoughts. I saw your post on the other thread yesterday on the T1 vs T5p. Although I will mostly listen to the T5p at home, I would like to have the versatility of bringing the headphone around with portable sources, hence the T5p choice.

Depending on your portable gear, you might be able to run the T1s sufficiently...

 

[ssrock64]

I took out my T5p once, but somebody at work knew what it was and started freaking out. After that everyone knew I had a $1k+ headphone, and I have since then never worn anything over $200 to a job.

 

[GL1TCH3D]

I took out my T5p once, but somebody at work knew what it was and started freaking out. After that everyone knew I had a $1k+ headphone, and I have since then never worn anything over $200 to a job.

I always bring mine to school. Not a single person recognizes them and they're all probably thinking "dey dun luk as gud as beats so dey must suck"

 

[xanlamin]

Have you consider T70p? I actually find that it sounds better when paired with SR71B as compared with T5p. Treble on the T5p is a bit too high for my taste. 

 

[ssrock64]

Quote:

Have you consider T70p? I actually find that it sounds better when paired with SR71B as compared with T5p. Treble on the T5p is a bit too high for my taste. 

I have extensively tried a T70p at a local hi-fi shop, and while they did sound above their price point when properly amped they didn't have the spaciousness or pure presentation of the T5p to my ears.
 
They're great, but I wouldn't say they're at the level of the T5p. Less revealing and a bit warmer, yes, but not at TOTL SQ level to my ears. To each his own, I guess.

 

[ssrock64]

Quote:

I always bring mine to school. Not a single person recognizes them and they're all probably thinking "dey dun luk as gud as beats so dey must suck"

Are you at a college or a high school?

 

[NilsTentacles]

I have experience of both DT880 and T1. Unfortunately not the other headphone you are speaking of. While T1 is a nice improvement over DT880, at a higher cost of course, DT880 offers great value for the money. Go with T1 though if your budget allows it. It's worth it. Be prepared for a week if not month break-in though.

 

[GL1TCH3D]

Quote:

I always bring mine to school. Not a single person recognizes them and they're all probably thinking "dey dun luk as gud as beats so dey must suck"

Are you at a college or a high school?

I go to cegep. It's basically in between high school and university/college. 1year less of high school, 1 year less of university, 2 years of cegep.

 

[ryder78]

In the T1 appreciation thread, there were several comments on accentuated treble on the T1s, a high-frequency spike which made cymbals or percussion instruments sound fake or splashy. 
 
Which has a brighter sound /  more forward treble, the T1 or the T5p?
 
Thanks.

 

[Sganzerla]

 I don't know if it will help but the only time I heard the T1 I found something wrong with the highs. Looks like other people here found the same, from what I've read. It sounded more dynamic, wide and V shaped than my DT880/600 at the time.
 One thing I think everyone should consider when thinking of DT880/600 is to get recabled with Zombie-x. This turns this headphone in a completely different beast, combining some of the strenghts of my late K701 with the ones of DT880/600.
 Too bad I didn't have a chance to compare a stock T1 to this headphone, yet.