DT990 vs. AKG K-701

[ajjekko]

So I've been thinking to upgrade to either of these headphones. I listen to a lot of metal, and play games sometimes. What would be the better headphone for me, and a good amp to connect to the X-Fi Xtremegamer?

 

[QQQ]

neither

 

[TheMarchingMule]

LOL I don't know about the DT990, but the K701/K702 is only good for classical. And even then, you have the sterile, airy, incredibly exaggerated soundstage to deal with.

As for an amp, the X-Fi is pretty mediocre (sorry for being such a downer); you would be better off purchasing a decent DAC, and then hooking an amp to that.

 

[CDBacklash]

Neither. and the x-fi analog out is pretty bad. Im only using an essence STX at hte moment but the change in quality for the analog out was pretty night and day for me when i swapped.
Neither of them are suited for metal or gaming. DT990 sounded to me like an overpriced 770. Same overly bassy presentation. the 880 is much more solid but again is not what you are looking for.

 

[winzzz]

so the dt990 aren't suitable for metal ? fiuh...i almost buy 1 for listening to my metal collection....

 

[donthuang]

If you have a really "fast" and good soildstage amp, go for DT990

If not, Just go for Grado,990 maybe too muddy for metal.

 

[donthuang]

For me, DT990 is the most underrated & misunderstand flagship headphone.

 

[QQQ]

Bad sounding flagship phone. Beyer have far batter sounding cans not being flagships.

 

[donthuang]

I wound say DT990 is the most special headphone sound does't "dynamic-like".

Smooth,lush,airly,big soundimage & sound-field,and "NO" harsh,dry or Sibilance.

Lack mid? No No, DT990's mid is an miracle to a dynamic headphone,although not as clear as electrostatic type headphones, but with more "weight".

 

[QQQ]

keep talking, very interesting..

 

[driftingbunnies]

the dt990 definitely gets a lot of bad rep sometimes but I wouldn't call it a bad sounding phone. Everybody has different tastes to how their music should sound so the dt990 may not be for them. Just cuz you might like how a different phone in the beyer line up more than the dt990 doesn't make it awful. One line posts like that is why we have so many people asking the same questions since their questions rarely get answered with some real thought.

 

[donthuang]

Quote:

Originally Posted by QQQ /img/forum/go_quote.gif keep talking, very interesting..

With 1200 hours serious burn-in & used.

The first 300 hours period is really like hell, sibilance highs and overwhelmingly but not deep bass. really bad sound.Thanks god that the mid not recessed as telling ,but seems need more volume.

In the second 300hours the mid become very smooth,bass had been contorled.

And the last 300hours,the "sibilance" have be"softy" like HD650,really amazing.

Long-term & continuous use,seems no more secret.

My gear is Benchmark DAC1 (-0dB)> Supra cable >An MIT class-a soildstage AMP.> DT990'05 (250ohm)

 

[insyte]

@ajjekko - avoid the K701, it's not good with metal music

 

[lgn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by insyte /img/forum/go_quote.gif @ajjekko - avoid the K701, it's not good with metal music

my k702 came in the mail this morning, haven't burnt it in, but I already agree with this.

Moreover, I am a gamer too and I probably wouldn't game with these headphones if I were you

 

[tonsosnot]

QQQ, maybe be a little bit more constructive with your responses? Things like, "Neither" or "There's better..." don't really help the conversation.

At any rate, if its between these 2 phones, I would say the DT990 would be a better choice. The large soundstage and lack of power (not depth) in the bass of the K701s don't work well with metal, in my opinion. The DT990 has a very satisfying amount of low-end impact, which I think adds to the double-bass drum and palm-muted guitars in a lot of metal. I find the mids of the of DT990s quite recessed, but that may be a benefit as many metal guitar players go the "scooped mids" route on their amps anyway.

I like the K701's huge soundstage better for gaming, but the DT990s aren't bad in this area by any means. I generally reach for the HD-580s when I game, but I wouldn't mind using the DT990s.

I think both headphones are comfortable, as I don't have a problem having either on for hours at a time, but the DT990s are a phone I can put on and forget that they're there. Probably the most comfortable of any headphone I have used.