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TrollDragon - thanks for the info regarding the E17. I posed the question on another thread and it looks like I'd need to beef up my amp section if I purchase the DT880s. How do they sound with lesser recordings? Part of the reason I got back into audio was that I got a pair of Grado i60s in trade and started to enjoy better sounding audio compared to the inexpensive stereos around the house. I really want to enjoy the music vs turning into an analytic listener. I am looking for cans that do well with all sorts of music and qualities without being harsh if that makes any sense.
Thanks!
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I've done most of my listening on Grados or Denon D2Ks, and didn't know what to make of the DT880s at first - they *are* pretty 'analytical' sounding to me and much more neutral than I was used to. For the first few weeks, I spent most of my time switching between them and the headphones I was more familiar with, trying to work out whether i actually liked what I was hearing!
That said, I think I'm warming to them - the bass is very 'real' sounding and articulate, and the highs are incredibly detailed but never harsh like the Grados/Denons can often be.
They don't excel at rock like my Grados or electronica like my Denons, but I suspect they'll end up being a better all-rounder. Very very comfortable too!
Hey seag33k!
It's exactly like sinnottj is saying, I also find them very neutral. I got the DT880's as I already have a Bass heavy can with the HFI-780's and wanted an open can in my price selection. Also I read that were one of the most comfortable headphones around and this I can tell you is very true!
Back when I got my 'Sones, I went through my music and anything that was of lower or mediocre quality was removed and the CD's dug out and re-ripped to a better rate. When one only has an 8GB iPod you tend to rip stuff at lower rates to maximize the space. I left these rips in my main iTunes library instead of ALAC's, all has been reversed now since I have a Colorfly C3 that will play FLAC's... But I ramble...
Just did a little comparison with the DT880's and the HFI-780's:
AC/DC - (Who Made Who, Hells Bells and The Jack)
Juno Reactor - (Pistolero, Tokyo Dub)
Deadmau5 - (Sofi Needs A Ladder)
Metallica - (Holier than Thou, The Unforgiven)
Pink Floyd - (Welcome to the Machine, Have A Cigar)
Infected Mushroom - (Nation Of Wusses, End of the Road)
The results should be very obvious which sound goes where:
AC/DC, Metallica & Pink Floyd all sound the best on the DT880's
Juno Reactor, Deadmau5 & Infected Mushroom all sound the best on the HFI-780's
Juno Reactor & Infected Mushroom sound great on the DT880's as well, the Bass is there but not the ear tickling Bass of the HFI-780's, the main difference is acoustic sections in the Juno reactor pieces really shine on the DT880's.
AC/DC sounded way too shrill on the HFI-780 for me to listen for too long.
These two can have their specific uses, I possibly should have ordered the DT990's instead as it has more Bass and Treble than the 880's.
There are other threads here that compare the HE-400's to the DT880's and from what I read they are on an very close keel soundwise with comfort and drivability being the deciding factor for the two.
I have yet to hear a pair of Grado's so I can't comment but I hear they are the king's of Rock. (I am looking to pick up a pair of SR225i's down the road.)
Sorry for the ramble... The DT880's are a really good all rounder if there is a place you can audition them and compare, then that will be your best criteria for purchasing.
We all hear different, the DT880's are despised by some for being too sterile and loved by others, I love mine but I have not heard any of the HiFiMan can's so I can only imagine with a sense of hmmmm I should really try those...