CALLING ALL DT990 OWNERS!!!

[jdimitri]

Well... Ive had a dt880 (2003 version) for a while, then got a grado sr-225
and had the HD580 for a while too, too similar to beyers so its now on ebay
Hmm its just that the SR225 aren't really that comfortable and are not great with some music, obviously the ones that need 'space' (eg sigur ros, or mid radiohead (kid a, amnesiac)
I do love the fun involving feeling these give though, its amazing.. gets a tad fatiguing after long listening sessions, that's all
Now, i'm thinkin bout sellin them both and getting the new DT990..
From what i've heard, it's like beyers with some grado 'fun' (looks great too IMO)

If u think i should just keep the 2 headphones well... It doesn't work like that for me..
It just doesn't make much sense for me to change headphones for different musics... it's hard to get the headphones off my head too

Opinions from people who's had beyers and grados?

 

[arto]

I have Grados (125) and a pair of 770s. So not the combo you're talking about, but close in some ways ...
I listen to Sigur Ros a lot (listening to Takk now, as a matter of fact) and I agree that you get a lot more soundstage and refinement from the Beyers than with the Grados, but at the expense of some immediacy. Especially in a direct comparison, the sound is a tad less exciting, as you'd expect from the 770s v. Grados. However, in my opinion those Sigur Ros recordings are so deeply textured that the Grados really can't make much sense of them. It takes the Beyers to put space into the recordings.

I also listen to Autechre, BOC and other groups that influenced Kid A etc, and they are simply superb with the Beyers. As is almost all electronica.

 

[jdimitri]

No grado and beyer owners?

 

[plainsong]

I have some similar headphones - the hd650, the dt990 (2006), the grado hf-1. I don't really get it though. The hf-1 and the dt990 aren't the same. Not even remotely. The only similarity is that they're both headphones.

The hf-1 is a heck of a lot of fun. It has zero soundstage, but if you're in the mood for this sound it doesn't matter. There is enough detail to be acceptable, but not so much that you dwell on it. Very involving, but they give instruments an all-around darker sound. If we're talking hotly recorded dark metal, that's just fine and dandy. If we're talking classical, it's not-so-much.

The dt990s are more of an all-rounder. There is an amazing amount of detail (much like your dt880s), but more bass extension. Properly driven they shouldn't be fatiguing, and no, don't drive them from a 120ohm output. Doing this just does what it does to most headphones meant for 0ohm output, fattens up the sound, slows it down. The 120ohm adapter will only be acceptable if the recording is hot. It's the 831 and 931's meant for 120ohm (and dt860 and 660 too I think??).

I've not heard the hd580, but I think the dt990, while having a huge soundstage, should be more forward. Don't quote me on that though. It's certainly not a laid back headphone. The bass extension might give the impression of a "darker" sound, but I don't buy it. The ear perceives bass (and treble for that matter) as being "more" in real life. The dt990 mimics that. Despite this, like with the better headphones, instruments sound more like themselves.

 

[ghingus]

If you do go for the dt990s, make sure you have a high quality source. I bought some pre-2006 dt990s, and out of my sony d-250 pcdp they sounded terrible. Very V-shaped, but with sloppy bass and searing highs. It was painful. Unfortunately, I didn't have a super premium source to plug them into to see if they sounded any better, but I can only assume they do since so many people like them. Or maybe I'm not cut out for Beyers. I heard that only some people can hear the super shrill sibilance that come out of Beyers, and maybe I'm one of the unlucky ones.

 

[plainsong]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghingus If you do go for the dt990s, make sure you have a high quality source. I bought some pre-2006 dt990s, and out of my sony d-250 pcdp they sounded terrible. Very V-shaped, but with sloppy bass and searing highs. It was painful. Unfortunately, I didn't have a super premium source to plug them into to see if they sounded any better, but I can only assume they do since so many people like them. Or maybe I'm not cut out for Beyers. I heard that only some people can hear the super shrill sibilance that come out of Beyers, and maybe I'm one of the unlucky ones.

I'd say the pre 2006 did sound like that, but I only had a pcdp setup.

But then again the pre-pre-2006 model sounded awesome from a Sony d-11 pcdp. Muddy, grainy, but huge and wonderful.

I can hear the high notes. High notes are high. But they don't hurt, not unless the recording itself is hot. I'm sensitive to such things, for instance the sr60s are an instant headache.

Edit - to add, the only recording so far to actually benefit from the smoothing off of the 120ohm output is the Star Wars III OST. The trumpets were having a bit too much fun and the mix just seemed a bit hot. It was like "Hello!" and then a switch to the 120ohm output completely solved it with no ill effects. It's a per recording thing.

 

[Lad27]

Well, I'm not sure whether I can directly answer your question - I have MS1's to compare with 2005 DT990. For what I know MS1's are not in the same league as SR-225's, but they certainly have the same pedigree.
My main reason to go on upgrade path was the lack of soundstage that all Grados (minus GS1K) are known for. Nothing wrong with "in your face presentation", some guys like it very much, but for kind of music I mostly listen to (from Genesis, Yes, Kansas, Marillion, DT, Porcupine Tree, Opeth, Therion thru to KMFDM, Pig, Ministry, NIN, you get the picture) I just felt like bit of virtual distance would do better for me. Every time I listened to Terry Bozzio's work, the drum kit was right between my ears...I wanted to step back a little!
Did some search on these boards, looking for something with Grado slam, good bass and soundstage. Darth Beyers and DT990 (read couple of good reviews on new-improved 2005 edition) seemed to fit the bill. So, grabbed the bull by the horns and ordered a pair. Mind you there is no hope in hell where I live to audition any cans, unless I drive to Sydney's Len Wallis Audio with some Stax's on offer. No thank you sir, I have house mortgage to pay. Anyway no regrets so far, I've got what I was hoping for.

DT990/250 (2005):

Soundstage - Huge. WOW.

Bass - going deeper and with authority. TTVJ flats are bassy with MS1's but not as good. I have one particular piece from Kansas Device, Voice, Drum called Howlin' at the Moon where no matter what I did (flats, bowls, comfies) the bass guitar got distorted - it is just like black hole. DT990 handle that bit with a flair - I can hear these deep notes being played...Impressive. And now Bozzio&Billy Sheehan sending me into a bass nirvana.

Mids - recessed. It is confirmed. Not a bad thing for me though. I always had "U" EQ curve set for every can I owned so far, not with boost, but cutting the mids. With DT's I'm on flat EQ setting and it sounds just right.

Treble - oh yes! oh yesss! Sparkling clear. I can clearly hear some fancy cymbal a hi-hat work that I never knew it was there. Sorry, MS1's, no contest in this department. Brilliant upper range.

Comfort - never had any issue with MS1's, but they never "disappeared". DT's although heavier, will disappear after 30 mins or so. Could've ordered mine with leather pads, but in our climate I opted for velours. Very soft and comfortable. Nice.

Build - Made in Germany... Solid... Enough said.

Overall - I have a keeper here.
Edit: Now that I've experienced that Beyer sound... I just wonder how the Darth Beyers would sound...Hmmm.
***curses the day he joined Head-Fi***

***

 

[jdimitri]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lad27 Well, I'm not sure whether I can directly answer your question - I have MS1's to compare with 2005 DT990. For what I know MS1's are not in the same league as SR-225's, but they certainly have the same pedigree. My main reason to go on upgrade path was the lack of soundstage that all Grados (minus GS1K) are known for. Nothing wrong with "in your face presentation", some guys like it very much, but for kind of music I mostly listen to (from Genesis, Yes, Kansas, Marillion, DT, Porcupine Tree, Opeth, Therion thru to KMFDM, Pig, Ministry, NIN, you get the picture) I just felt like bit of virtual distance would do better for me. Every time I listened to Terry Bozzio's work, the drum kit was right between my ears...I wanted to step back a little! Did some search on these boards, looking for something with Grado slam, good bass and soundstage. Darth Beyers and DT990 (read couple of good reviews on new-improved 2005 edition) seemed to fit the bill. So, grabbed the bull by the horns and ordered a pair. Mind you there is no hope in hell where I live to audition any cans, unless I drive to Sydney's Len Wallis Audio with some Stax's on offer. No thank you sir, I have house mortgage to pay. Anyway no regrets so far, I've got what I was hoping for. DT990/250 (2005): Soundstage - Huge. WOW. Bass - going deeper and with authority. TTVJ flats are bassy with MS1's but not as good. I have one particular piece from Kansas Device, Voice, Drum called Howlin' at the Moon where no matter what I did (flats, bowls, comfies) the bass guitar got distorted - it is just like black hole. DT990 handle that bit with a flair - I can hear these deep notes being played...Impressive. And now Bozzio&Billy Sheehan sending me into a bass nirvana. Mids - recessed. It is confirmed. Not a bad thing for me though. I always had "U" EQ curve set for every can I owned so far, not with boost, but cutting the mids. With DT's I'm on flat EQ setting and it sounds just right. Treble - oh yes! oh yesss! Sparkling clear. I can clearly hear some fancy cymbal a hi-hat work that I never knew it was there. Sorry, MS1's, no contest in this department. Brilliant upper range. Comfort - never had any issue with MS1's, but they never "disappeared". DT's although heavier, will disappear after 30 mins or so. Could've ordered mine with leather pads, but in our climate I opted for velours. Very soft and comfortable. Nice. Build - Made in Germany... Solid... Enough said. Overall - I have a keeper here. Edit: Now that I've experienced that Beyer sound... I just wonder how the Darth Beyers would sound...Hmmm. ***curses the day he joined Head-Fi*** ***

Just wondering, didja get it from meier or from somewhere else?
Trading my 880 and 225 for one these

Well, or maybe at least selling them both and gettin 1 from meier or on transit to singapore in a couple of weeks

 

[plainsong]

I just don't buy that the mids are recessed. They were recessed in the previous model, but to me the mids sound right where they need to be. In real life, you don't hear the midrange above everything else. It has to cut through. Now simulate that too much and the mids will be recessed into that sound in a can sound, but get the balance right, and the sound becomes more of a total picture.

I know you have a preference for that total picture kind of sound, as you mentioned the EQ settings, so I'm agreeing with you mostly, just not 100%.

It's splitting hairs, but I think the bass and treble were brought forward just a little bit and the mids are where they should be. If they were recessed you wouldn't be getting the unveiled detail that you do.

 

[jdimitri]

Quote:

Originally Posted by plainsong I have some similar headphones - the hd650, the dt990 (2006), the grado hf-1. I don't really get it though. The hf-1 and the dt990 aren't the same. Not even remotely. The only similarity is that they're both headphones. The hf-1 is a heck of a lot of fun. It has zero soundstage, but if you're in the mood for this sound it doesn't matter. There is enough detail to be acceptable, but not so much that you dwell on it. Very involving, but they give instruments an all-around darker sound. If we're talking hotly recorded dark metal, that's just fine and dandy. If we're talking classical, it's not-so-much. The dt990s are more of an all-rounder. There is an amazing amount of detail (much like your dt880s), but more bass extension. Properly driven they shouldn't be fatiguing, and no, don't drive them from a 120ohm output. Doing this just does what it does to most headphones meant for 0ohm output, fattens up the sound, slows it down. The 120ohm adapter will only be acceptable if the recording is hot. It's the 831 and 931's meant for 120ohm (and dt860 and 660 too I think??). I've not heard the hd580, but I think the dt990, while having a huge soundstage, should be more forward. Don't quote me on that though. It's certainly not a laid back headphone. The bass extension might give the impression of a "darker" sound, but I don't buy it. The ear perceives bass (and treble for that matter) as being "more" in real life. The dt990 mimics that. Despite this, like with the better headphones, instruments sound more like themselves.

hmm do u think of DT990 as 'fun'?
I know it won't be the same level of fun as grado (or maybe a different kind of fun)
Does it get ur foot tapping when listening to rock, etc
The thing is, i liked rock on DT880s, it's just a bit distant and.. uninvolving

 

[Lad27]

Oh, I went the whole hog. Ordered them from Beyer manufaktur site. That wasn't without a hitch either. For starters the damn thing would not accept my credit card payment. So I've got in contact with their rep, and several emails and weeks later they did found a bug in their accounts software...
Once I paid, it took three weeks for DT's to arrive - but somehow I got lucky that customs didn't pick them up to hit me with a 16% tax that Beyer guys deducted... (must be my quarter of German blood in me...\ja wohl\).
I paid extra for the looks/vanity though..., but I have them beauties as I wanted them - silver and black combo (pics will be taken this weekend).

And they said that you Melbourne (Canberra) guys you can order them as "antarctic model' with seal fur instead of velour, in case it is freezing cold...

 

[Lad27]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdimitri hmm do u think of DT990 as 'fun'? I know it won't be the same level of fun as grado (or maybe a different kind of fun) Does it get ur foot tapping when listening to rock, etc The thing is, i liked rock on DT880s, it's just a bit distant and.. uninvolving

I'm tapping my foot right now, typing this while Dream Theatre (Six o'clock on Christmas Party).. song is playing. Fantastic...

 

[plainsong]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lad27 I'm tapping my foot right now, typing this while Dream Theatre (Six o'clock on Christmas Party).. song is playing. Fantastic...

I don't think they're going to inject fun that isn't already there, but yeah, in general I don't keep headphones that aren't musical. They have the Beyer Luuuv.

 

[augustwest]

"I know it won't be the same level of fun as grado (or maybe a different kind of fun)"

That's true, actually they are more fun!

- augustwest

 

[mrarroyo]

Have any of you compared the 2006 DT990 with the old AKG K340? Thanks.