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Hmm, weird. I find the vocals on DT990 to be more forward and full than on the DT880 in ANY genre. There's more bass, or in other words, its more punchy, but somehow vocals still sound clearer and more separated from the rest of the sound than on the DT880. And I'm not using a tube, the best sound that I get with the DT990 is out of a SS Musical Fidelity V-can II amp.
To me, DT990 does not have recessed vocals at all. Even If I listen to track with just vocals, nothing else, but volume matched with K701, the vocals sound as full, detailed and forward as on the K701, which until now was the best can for vocals I've had. To me DT990 is basically like a HD650 with a bit more high frequencies and bit more open soundstage.
Also, I feel like DT990 have an especially nice timbre, or a nice natural tonality in the mids. I mean, vocals just sound more real, even when compared to K701, which in direct comparison can sound a bit hollow, like there's a tiny bit of echo, and DT880 can sound a bit overly smooth in the vocal region, a bit missing on the detail.
yea the detail is great it adds some nice realism, I don't feel the 880 misses out on the details... well it does a tinsy bit your right there. for me the mid, the warmth of some ones voice is better on the dt 880, but clarity detail and overal tone is still great on the dt 990 [which is why I use it for vocal edm] BUT again, In Outnumbered, the bass line takes away from the voices, now granted there is enough detail and tonal calrity to still be able to enjoy both, but I miss the smooth forward nature of voices on the 880. In addition tubes add a little mid warmth and detail. I don't like solid states at all really... BUT I agree voices are more enjoyable on the dt 990 BUT the excessive bass takes away from them. For example Linda Perhancs "Hey know Who Really Cares" is TERRIBLE on the dt 990s. Her Voice is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO DEEEP and rich warm and smoooooth. The 880 has the detail of her voice, and keeps her voice in balance. The dt 990 has too much bass and losses the real sex appeal and warmth in her voice. Granted her singing is a little brighter, but Linda has such a warm rich voice.
But yea, the dt 880 can sound VERY hollow without tubes and for JUST vocal, acapella again, I like my tubed dt 880 over the 990, there's a little to much treble for me. An spoken word is better on the 990 BY FAR. Those ole Dub Step tunes that have movie quotes, have a awesome realism to them, but sung words a singers voice is better for me when it's a little smoother. Still though the 880 follows the detail of a voice really well, where as the 990 has more detail and less smooth warmth so the voice is sharper and a little airy [and personally I
m not a fan of women with Airy Bright voices, hence is why I like my smoother dt 880]
but it's all personal prefrance! In Out Numbered the sexy accent of the background femal singer is more present on the 990 than the 880, but the male and female singers voice really blend a little better for me on the 880. In addition the better clairty is from the bigger sound stage of the 990 in addition to it's increased treble and the punch of the lower mids. I Like the smoothness of airy treble and upper mids in a voice, and the dt 880 keeps the voices forward enough be enjoyed with everything around it. Listening to Jazztronic Inner Flight, there's a sick bass line behind the singers voice with the mad dogs, the solo is nice adn the voice full, with the 990s the voice is fuller [that's the amp though, my dt 880s are on a THICKER tube and my 990s are on a very light airy tube] but the voice has nice timbre good and crisp! The highs in the voice stand out enough to bring it over the thumping bass line, but again, I'd rather have a warmth in a voice with a few hints of crisp bright notes, as opposed to the 990s brighter crisper voices.
Yea on the 5963 tubes, the voice is not as bright, there's still a crisp quality to it, good highs nice brightness but the warmth of her voice comes out more on the 880, where as the 990 has different timbre. Remember TImbre is the qualioty of overall COLOR of the music. A mans voice is darker color usually a womens a lighter. So the Timbre can't be better on the 990 it's different. It's not more real it's different!
ethier way they are both great cans
. Still I only like "990" quanity bass for Techno and some Nu Jazz. Again that's the Bass player in me, the bass is at the back of the sound behind the drums. It's there to keep the rythm and the flow of the music. It's like a good spaghetie sauce it should tie the music together, it's a supporting role. If you listen for it it's there but if you blown away by a nice voice, or a magical Trumpet solo the bass DOES not interfere or drown out.
Listen to some "Moder Jazz Quartet" Percy Heath is a MASTERFUL[double stand up] bass player. His bass lines are INSANE, nice tight and SMOOTH BUT always at the back of the song!
So again it's all prefrance, the bass is to forward for me with the 990 in alot of music.