[pp312]

  But focusing only on the hardware that brought their performances to life, I have to give the T1s a standing ovation.

 
Just as long as you weren't standing on the cord when you did that.

 

[Head1]

 
I didn't see the thread in which someone gave the T1 the boot for classical, but to that someone I have to say, I respectfully and wholeheartedly disagree. I just finished listening to an album of Schubert's chamber works for violin and piano, performed by Isabelle Faust and Alexander Melnikov -- through the T1s, gorgeous and sublime. Well, maybe Schubert and Ms Faust and Mr Melnikov deserve some of the credit. But focusing only on the hardware that brought their performances to life, I have to give the T1s a standing ovation. (And I also enjoy them for jazz and the occasional rock album.)
 
Sorry to digress from discussion of the 660. We now return to our regularly scheduled broadcast....

 
I think it was a few people (professional musicians) saying they didn't like the T1 for classical. Effectively they're saying don't like Beyers with T1 being the the flagship. 
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/736880/best-headphones-for-classic-music

 

[AlexZanderZee]

 
I didn't see the thread in which someone gave the T1 the boot for classical, but to that someone I have to say, I respectfully and wholeheartedly disagree. I just finished listening to an album of Schubert's chamber works for violin and piano, performed by Isabelle Faust and Alexander Melnikov -- through the T1s, gorgeous and sublime. Well, maybe Schubert and Ms Faust and Mr Melnikov deserve some of the credit. But focusing only on the hardware that brought their performances to life, I have to give the T1s a standing ovation. (And I also enjoy them for jazz and the occasional rock album.)
 
Sorry to digress from discussion of the 660. We now return to our regularly scheduled broadcast....

As a user of the DT 660, I would love to try the T1! Basically the consensus about the T1 is that it has nearly no coloration. Some people think it is boring because of that, but for acoustic music that should be perfect.

 

[GustavMahler]

I was auditioning the DT660,770, 880, and 990 today and to me the DT990  certainly sounded the best. Do you thing though that the semi open back design will not be good for outdoor use? I am going to use it on busses etc. . 

 

[Hudson]

I love dt990s they are my current favourite can. I don't listen to too much classical but I found them reasonable in terms of isolation. Though I think on a bus with classical music, particularly if there are lots of quiet passages it might become a little annoying.

 

[GustavMahler]

But the engine is very noisy, It may not be audible.. Anyway i found it much better than the DT660-I think i'll go for it even at the risk of annoying some people 

 

[Head1]

  But the engine is very noisy, It may not be audible.. Anyway i found it much better than the DT660-I think i'll go for it even at the risk of annoying some people 

I have to say, you do come across as annoying. I hope you don't use open headphones in public but that is your choice.

 

[bbophead]

The Mahler 8th should be perfect on the bus.  Crank it up.

 

[god-bluff]

If you must use open Beyers in the company of others (friends or family who might not mind you being anti social) then they should be DT440s They emit a relatively small amount of sound leakage for a full size (semi) open phone. Much less than a 990 despite sounding just as open and airy. I rate them as equal to the 990 overall except. They have less bass but a better midrange, more balanced sound. Very versatile not just a specialised one genre phone but sound lovely wth classical.
I'd still like a comparison with the DT660 if anyone's heard both and can be bothered. I find it slightly hard to believe their closed DT660 sister is better for classical or anything else in terms of outright sq. Even the legendary DT150s are not really better just a different, wonderful taste of Beyer

Edit

The DT440 is the only headphone, that I've used, which I have to check, sometimes, are actually plugged in to my hifi at the start of a piece of music and I am not listening through speakers.

 

[AlexZanderZee]

The engine will overpower your music for sure! I wear closed headphones on the bus w/decent isolation and the sound still gets a quite drowned out.

 

[GustavMahler]

If you must use open Beyers in the company of others (friends or family who might not mind you being anti social) then they should be DT440s They emit a relatively small amount of sound leakage for a full size (semi) open phone. Much less than a 990 despite sounding just as open and airy. I rate them as equal to the 990 overall except. They have less bass but a better midrange, more balanced sound. Very versatile not just a specialised one genre phone but sound lovely wth classical.
I'd still like a comparison with the DT660 if anyone's heard both and can be bothered. I find it slightly hard to believe their closed DT660 sister is better for classical or anything else in terms of outright sq. Even the legendary DT150s are not really better just a different, wonderful taste of Beyer

Edit

The DT440 is the only headphone, that I've used, which I have to check, sometimes, are actually plugged in to my hifi at the start of a piece of music and I am not listening through speakers.

Can you give me some more information and comparison of the DT440 to the other models? It sounds interesting

 

[GustavMahler]

  The engine will overpower your music for sure! I wear closed headphones on the bus w/decent isolation and the sound still gets a quite drowned out.

Yeah, You are probably right. I think the DT660 will be the best choice sincew i don't want to damage my hearing. But after iv'e heard the open beyers i can't go back to the closed ones!! But the soundstage of the DT660 is far superior to my current ATH-M40X.
Maybe i"ll buy the DT660 for outdoor use and the DT990/440 for home use. I still need to try the Q701 and HD600 etc. to decide what to use at home (which i've auditioned already but need to do it again after hearing the Beyers.)
Does any of these headphones benefit from a good amp/tube amp?

 

[ZoNtO]

  The engine will overpower your music for sure! I wear closed headphones on the bus w/decent isolation and the sound still gets a quite drowned out.

This is an important point, especially for classical music which typically has much more dynamic range and where detail is much more important. Have you considered a pair of Etymotic ER4 for portable use and then sinking more money into your home rig where sound isolation is not a concern? I've used mine on my various commutes for 5+ years and can't recommend them enough. Their isolation is incredible which saves your hearing, plus they are much easier to transport than even a pair of portable full-size headphones.
 
I'm still intrigued by the DT660, but have not heard yet. Listening to Dvorak's 9th symphony now on my new K7XX and they are quite nice. 

 

 

[MorrisL]

Just how bright is DT660? For example, I have 990 Pro and simply can't stand the harshness that seems to be the result of its bright signature. With this in mind, is it possible that I will be OK with the 660? I only listen to classical music, and I have absolutely no way of auditioning them before buying, so I have to rely on the good people here to give me some prospective. 

 

[bbophead]

  Just how bright is DT660? For example, I have 990 Pro and simply can't stand the harshness that seems to be the result of its bright signature. With this in mind, is it possible that I will be OK with the 660? I only listen to classical music, and I have absolutely no way of auditioning them before buying, so I have to rely on the good people here to give me some prospective. 

No access to amazon?