[jagorev]

I've long been used to hearing about the DT 880 as one of the best dynamic headphones around. It seems to be taken much more seriously than the DT 990...which I think of as a "fun" mid-level headphone, but not really a serious hi-fi device.

But Beyer now claims that the 2005 model 990 is their best headphone:

The ultimate in balanced precision sound...

While the 880 is described in comparison to the 990:

These headphones offer the same balanced precision sound as the DT 990's, but with a semi open back design to give extended bass response.

For those who've heard the new models...is the elevation justified? Is 990 overall a better headphone than the 880 now? What criteria do you use to distinguish or rank them?

 

[jagorev]

Hmm. Pretty unanimous so far.

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

You have to consider that VERY FEW people have heard the 2005 880's and 990's, so the poll probably doesn't really address the questions you are pondering.

 

[arielext]

jagorev: did you hear both the dt880 (2003) and dt990 (2003)?
why was which one better?

I'm really thinking of another beyer, either 2003 or 2005 series, imho both the dt880 and dt990 (2003) are solid performers and not at all mid-fi.

 

[jagorev]

Quote:

Originally Posted by arielext jagorev: did you hear both the dt880 (2003) and dt990 (2003)? why was which one better? I'm really thinking of another beyer, either 2003 or 2005 series, imho both the dt880 and dt990 (2003) are solid performers and not at all mid-fi.

Sadly, the only one I have had a chance to hear is the 2003 DT 990. I didn't like it. All highs and lows, with no mids. It did not seem comparable to the HD 600 for my music and tastes...fwiw, it was plugged into mixing board in a recording studio, so I think the source and amp were up to the task.

My high opinion of the DT 880 comes from the reviews I've read about it here and elsewhere...and I'm wondering if that should change with the new models (neither of which I've heard). I am probably going to buy the 880 in the next few months.

According to Beyerdynamic, 990 is the new top model, but at the same time the sound of the 990 and 880 remain unchanged. Looks like contradictory statements to me.

 

[flecom]

I have both the 880's and 990's the 990's have huge amounts of bass and have a very 'fun' sound... but for 'critical listening' or whatever the 880's are much more balanced headphones and have a very nice mid-range which the 990's kinda drop off in the mids-highs... the 990's dont have as much bass as the 770's tho... which have just insane amounts of bass...

 

[jramonf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jagorev According to Beyerdynamic, 990 is the new top model, but at the same time the sound of the 990 and 880 remain unchanged. Looks like contradictory statements to me.

Not contradictory necessarily. Sound signature remains the same it seems, but previous 990 was an older model than 880, thus - i'm only guessing - worse technically, and now they both are on the same level?
As why they claim 990 to be their top model, maybe because it's more fun?

They claim for the 990 "Open back design - giving the sense of actually being there", maybe it has slightly lesser resonances?
For the 880 they point out their "Extended bass response". Is low bass not a good thing? 880 has more extension than almost any other phone from what I know.

 

[fewtch]

What does it really matter which headphone is "best" by someone else's standards anyway... I'd go for the one that's closest to your preferred sonic signature (unfortunately, it still seems unclear if DT990 has changed much. DT880 apparently has not though).

 

[Skylab]

THE DT770!!!

That's the correct answer

 

[jagorev]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fewtch What does it really matter which headphone is "best" by someone else's standards anyway... I'd go for the one that's closest to your preferred sonic signature (unfortunately, it still seems unclear if DT990 has changed much. DT880 apparently has not though).

Yeah, I absolutely agree. I don't care for a marketing line, I'm just wondering if the new models are really any different.

 

[iancraig10]

The new 880 is extremely similar in sound to the old.

My new ones are burning in so currently, the sound out of the box is slightly more 'jangly' than the old one. Possibly slightly less bass at the moment but I'm sure that they will 'bloom' with further playing.

Ian

 

[Xanadu777]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab THE DT770!!! That's the correct answer

Exactly what I was thinking, this poll is skewed.

 

[panda]

DT931 is their best.

 

[AsuAmo76]

I figure there are better all-around cans than dt880 - 701 (likely, never heard), sa5k (for sure and always), 650(for most people at least). But 990 are better as the complementary. Sort of a checking forward, designated hitter or support actress

 

[amartignano]

Basing my vote (DT880) on the 2003 version.

The DT880 is the most "correct" headphone.
The DT990 the funnier one (less balanced, but same "quality").

Andrew