[fkclo]

Dear all,

Having tried a few brands, I think it is time to consider some BeyerDynamics. As I have zero knowledge of these cans I would like to seeks some guidance.

What I have in mind is the 600 ohm version of DT880 or DT990. I understand the DT880 is semi-close whereas the DT990 is open, and lighter. But this about all I know about these cans. Can someone be kind enough to explain :-

a) the sonic differences between teh 880 and 990 ?
b) which music genre is good for which ?
c) general characteristics (house sound) of the Beyer cans ?
d) key difference between the 32/250/600 ohm versions
e) amping requirement ?
f) any difference in the degree of comfort ?

I thank you all in advance. Any suggestions / comments / views / opinions are very much welcome.

F. Lo

 

[greggf]

Yup, I wanna know these things, too.

There are other threads that sort of answer them, but a new one with all the info right here might be nice.

Also might be nice to know how many Beyerdynamic fans started out as jaded Senn/AKG fans!

 

[swt61]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fkclo /img/forum/go_quote.gif Dear all, Having tried a few brands, I think it is time to consider some BeyerDynamics. As I have zero knowledge of these cans I would like to seeks some guidance. What I have in mind is the 600 ohm version of DT880 or DT990. I understand the DT880 is semi-close whereas the DT990 is open, and lighter. But this about all I know about these cans. Can someone be kind enough to explain :- a) the sonic differences between teh 880 and 990 ? b) which music genre is good for which ? c) general characteristics (house sound) of the Beyer cans ? d) key difference between the 32/250/600 ohm versions e) amping requirement ? f) any difference in the degree of comfort ? I thank you all in advance. Any suggestions / comments / views / opinions are very much welcome. F. Lo

a) The 880 is a more nuetral, dryer phone. The 990 is bassy and more colored.
b) The 880 is excellent for classical and jazz, and the 990 is fantastic for rock and blues.
c) Sparkly treble, crisp clean detail, and with the 990 a fun bassy signature.
d) Everything smooths out as you move up the Ω scale. The treble is less harsh on certain recordings with the 600Ω.
e) For the 32 and 250Ω, they are quite easy to drive with most decent amps. The 600Ω require a ballsier amp, but are nowhere near as hard to drive as say a K340.
f) Not much, the Ω makes no difference at all here, and all are pretty comfy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by greggf /img/forum/go_quote.gif Also might be nice to know how many Beyerdynamic fans started out as jaded Senn/AKG fans!

While I'm not a fan of the Senn. house sound, I quite like the AKG signature sound. While vastly different sounds I appreciate both, and wouldn't want to give up either.

 

[fkclo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by swt61 /img/forum/go_quote.gif f) Not much, the Ω makes no difference at all here, and all are pretty comfy.

swt61 many thanks for your input. That definitely helps. From what you described I believe the DT880 is the one to go; because I listen to a lot of jazz (various ones), classicals, smooth pops, instruments, ambients, and a little bit of blues.

Although you may already noted in my profile, I have (still having) the following non-IEM phones :-

1. ATH-L3000
2. ATH-W5000
3. HP1000 (HP2)
4. RS-1
5. Edition 9
6. HD650 balanced (Equinox recabled)
7. HD650 SE (RAL recabled)
8. K701 SE
9. K701 balanced (by Equinox)

Should I be expecting something different by going after a DT880 @ 600ohms, or disappointments ?

I just read Xenithon's impression on his customed DT880 and think the leather pad was a bad idea. Any insights ?

Regards,
F. Lo

 

[axiom]

DT880: Plenty of sound leaks out and in, but there is a noticeable attenuation of some outside frequencies. As said above, excellent for classical and jazz, but I also enjoy them as an all arounder (although I'm sure many would disagree, perhaps I'm just 880 happy

)
The 880s are a little bass light at first, but as they wear in and as you get more used to them they sound more solid. I have the 250 ohm version and am happy with that but hear that the 600 smooths everything over a little better (less bright treble and more powerful bass).

 

[fkclo]

What I was trying to ask is which one is more comfortable - the 880, or the 990 ?

Sorry for missing out the context of the quote in my last post.

F. Lo

 

[swt61]

The 880 is a little heavier than the 990, but both are very comfy.
I'd get both velour and leather pads. They're easy to change and give you quite a different signature, almost like two headphones for the price of one.
I don't see anything in your current arsenal of headphones that similar to the 880. I think the DT880 600Ω would be a nice addition.

 

[Lou Erickson]

I have a DT990, and I like it very much. I listen to the things people say it is good for, though, so it may be no surprise I like it.

I do have a question about them... I bought the 250 ohm version. Can I change that with a cable, like the Ety p->s cable, or is it a different set of drivers? A cable with some resistors in it is well within my skills, but I'm probably too cheap to replace the 'phones.

 

[swt61]

I have a DT990 600Ω that I dearly love. I have not heard of anyone doing what you describe, but I'm no electrical genius by any stretch of the imagination. I'm doubtful that it can be done, because I think I would have heard about it already, but maybe someone more knowledgable will chime in.

 

[axiom]

I asked the same thing in regards to changing the DT880 250ohm to 600 ohms, and I was told that they were different drivers. I haven't found any evidence of this as far as I could find (the replacement parts are the same).
I would say that they would probably sound similar, I don't know about exactly the same though. Besides it's a simple thing to make just to see if you like it.

 

[yossi126]

880's are in no way bass light, look at my signature and you'd know i love bass.
While sound signture is unsurprisingly close the 990's have a boost of bass and treble..
If you look for pure fun in any listening session you do - go for DT990.
880's ain't analytical in IMO so either phones you go you won't be disappointed.

 

[jcx]

if the sensitivity in dB/mW doesn't change then the voice coils have to be different # of turns

ideally you can use the same total amount of conductor in the gap of a dynamic driver but divide it into more or less turns to get a transformer like "transformation" of the input impedance without changing the electro-mechanical-acoustic behavior

practical wire insulation and manufacturing limitations usually limit the "fill factor" with less total conductor fitting in the same cross section area with finer wire

so its not clear what Beyer is doing, someone should ask for a definitive explanation from them

 

[holland]

It's been posted in the forum that the diff between the 600 and 250 is the number of turns for the voice coil. In that case a series resistor would not have the same effect. I've not confirmed either case. Sorry, I can't link the post as I recall reading it, but I don't recall the thread title.