Hi all. Well, I've had these headphones now for about 50 days, and have been doing some extensive listening with them.
So, after 50 days my impressions havn't changed that much, but now that I am more familiar with them perhaps I can provide better advice to those considering between the two.
Please remember, this is a comparison between my
V2's and Skybeyers. I think larry is now on V3's, and i'm not sure how much of a difference there is. Also, these headphones are slightly modded with the 4 ports plugged up with adhesive putty.
Comfort:
I had been using my Skybeyer's for a long time, and have to say these things are soooo comfortable. They are as light as the stock DT770pro (quite lite) and don't have much of a clamping force. That means I put them on my head and they just vanish.
The V2's have more clamping force, and due to their extra wood, have quite a bit more weight. You know these are on your head, but they are still very comfy. Though, they are very secure, and won't fall off.
All in all, the skys are more comfy for extended use simply because of the reduced weight.
Sonics:
Yea, the Skybeyers have more bass, extends lower, and just have more low end bass. The V2's have more mid bass, and drop off slightly in the very low range (though this is all relative, compared to almost any other headphone the V2 is monsterous in the bass department).
Yea, the skybeyers have more pronounced highs. Again, between the levels of the stock and the V2's. At first I said they were closer to the V2's in the highs, but now I would have to say they are equally between the two.
The V2's have the more forward and personal midrange, whereas the skybeyers are again halfway between the V2's and the stock.
The Skybeyers have more detail in the lows and highs, but i'm still undecided with the mids. On one hand, the V2's are more upfront thus you get to hear the mids more, but on the other hand the skybeyers just *seem* to be more detailed in the mids despite them being less present. I could only guess that this is inherent in the difference between a stock DT770pro and DT770 2005 edition.
Strangely enough, I'm still having trouble deciding which have the better soundstage. At the moment, my vote would go to the Darth's, but they are close and both have a very nice soundstage.
To sum up:
So, which have I been using? Well, up until about a week ago I had been using the Sky's exclusively on my main rig and the Darth's at home on my laptop. Recently I've switched back to the Darths' for their better midrange and reduced highs. I do miss the added low end bass! In the near term I see myself using the Darth's as my main can. There may come a point where I want to switch back to the Sky's as my main headphones, since they are different.
Speaking of which, I again have to say that these two headphones are different enough to warrant trying both. I personally could prefer one over the other one day, and then want to have a different sound and switch.
The Sky's just do DDR/Techno like no one's business. In fact I got a chance to compare them to Ray's PS-1 on his HR-2 and I can safely say these two headphones have a comparable amount of bass, with about the same quality. If I was going to do some serious DDR music, these would be my first choice. I just can't convey the sweet low end bass!!
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For other music like guitar instrumentals, vocals, rock, etc where the midrange is important, I think I would go for the Darth's.
All of my listening has been done using a rather neutral SS amp, and a Tube'y sounding amp may totally change the way these headphones sound. From what I have seen though, I like the Darth's with a nice SS amp. They are plenty warm enough. The Sky's though may mate very well with a tube amp for all I know.
Bottom line:
If you need bass, Skybeyers are it! (listening to some DDR right now)
If you want better mids, Darthbeyers are it.
Both are very good though, and a great value at their price! I plan on keeping both.
I have a funny feeling other's will start getting the Skybeyers, so I will be very interested to see what they think about them.
Again, please remember mine are slightly modded. If you listen to them stock, all bets are off!
Hope this helps,
~Drew
