ka-THUD! The DT770s have landed!

[gerG]

Thud thud thud...

I thought that you guys were exagerating. Jesus these things bump.

Pre-emptive answer to question 1: no they do not sound anything like the DT880s. Next to the 880s these things are as dark and bottom heavy as a gothic castle. Acclimate to the 770s and switch and the 880s sound bright, thin, and even a bit harsh.

However, start turning the volume down on the 770s and they get very nice. I think that they may work out as the "threshold" cans that I have been looking for to take to work.

These are initial comments based on zero burn-in and only 1 CD (Tom Grant, "The View from Here"). Time will tell (also the name of the next CD that I will listen to).

One interesting thing: I have the headband extended all the way, and it is barely enough. Some people must have a heck of a time getting these things comfortable. Clamping force is on the passionate boa constrictor end of the spectrum.

Later

gerG

 

[Squalish]

With the clamping effect - I personally have had no problem with it, although for the last few days its been a little uncomfortable, but others have had good results with stretching it over a book or something thick for a day or two.

 

[andrzejpw]

where would you put the 880s in relation to the 770s/931s? The 931s are very bright to me, while the 770s are dark. Are the 880s just right?

 

[gerG]

Andrzej, yep, just right.

Well, I think so. The 770s are such a different beast that I am trying to figure out how to match volume.

Squalish, I already re-arched the bands slightly. They are heat treated, but they do bend a bit. The difference is actually in the aluminum bales. They are very curved on the 770s, while they are closer to straight on the 880s. Mod 1 has been identified! I hope the aluminum isn't annealed, or it will be a beast to adjust. It will also crack the anodize. Maybe I can get new bales and swap them out.


gerG

 

[TravelLite]

Yep, according to Beyerdynamic's specs for the DT770 PRO and DT990 PRO:

Average pressure on ear = 3.5 N

For the new DT880, the new DT770 HIFI, and the new DT990 HIFI:

Average pressure on ear = 2.8 N

The DT931 and DT831 are listed as 2.5 N, the DT531 as 2 N, and the DT250 as 4.5 N.

TravelLite

 

[gerG]

Update: I took the bass down 8 db on the 770s, and they no longer sound dark. They actually have a very pleasant mid and high end. More time required for real assessment.


gerG

 

[Gluegun]

gerG: Check your PM...

 

[gloco]

Quote:

Originally posted by gerG One interesting thing: I have the headband extended all the way, and it is barely enough. Some people must have a heck of a time getting these things comfortable. Clamping force is on the passionate boa constrictor end of the spectrum. Later gerG

Remove the leather headband and you'll be more than comfortable with the headphones!

Congrats on your purchase of the DT770's, welcome to the real bassheads club. By the way, if you own these two cds, give em a try:

Paula Cole: this fire
Sting: Brand new day

Prepare for the deepest of deep bass response

 

[gerG]

Oh man, I forgot. This fire should have been the first thing that I dropped in! Thanks for the reminder. The cool thing about these cans is that I can tune the bass with a very simple passive element. Mod 2 has been identified!


gerG

 

[HendrixFreak]

gerG, can you give quick details to your passive bass-reducer? I'm getting my 770s on Wednesday. Thx!

 

[Spiffyis5150]

gerG,

I've found(and others too) that once the 770s are burned in some that the bass evens out a bit. My first thought when I put these on were "ooo, the bass!!" and my second was "wow, these things are firm on my head!". I've since found that they've loosened up a bit though my head's not the biggest so that helps. Also, I agree with the mid and highs. These cans really are my favorite of the 3 sets that I have at the moment. I'm kinda disappointed to hear the 880s lean towards the 931s. I'm going to try and get some time in on the 931s, but I think they are a bit too bright for me right now. I love the 770s except I want something that has the soundstage of the 931s or better and all the characteristics of the 770s to boot. I was hoping the 880s would be those cans. I know that one would think that the 990s would meet my needs, but some of the Beyer fans here don't think the 990s are a mere open version of the 770s. Regardless, I would like to hear more of your comments comparing the 880s versus the 770s as you continue to listen to them. The 880s are still at the top of my list, so anything you have to say there is useful.

 

[ooheadsoo]

I've been thinking about new phones (already!!) and I'm becoming very curious about beyer vs. AT. I guess no one has the high end AT cans AND has heard the 880s. Well I guess that's not hard since only walli and greg have heard the 880s

I'm getting really curious now whether to go A900/1000 or go beyer dt880! Or DT770!

 

[j-curve]

gerG, before it's too late... Any chance of a before & after burn-in response plot?

 

[plainsong]

Quote:

Originally posted by ooheadsoo I've been thinking about new phones (already!!) and I'm becoming very curious about beyer vs. AT. I guess no one has the high end AT cans AND has heard the 880s. Well I guess that's not hard since only walli and greg have heard the 880s I'm getting really curious now whether to go A900/1000 or go beyer dt880! Or DT770!

Could I add a "me too" here?

 

[gerG]

J, good idea. I was planning to do a response plot, but I will get one before much more playing. I did open them up last night and took pics. I also figured out how to open the DT880, so I have a comparison of the innards now.

I do have the AT AD10s around. I did a simple mod to them (I need to post photos of that, dangit) which improved their sound dramatically. To me they have the same overall character as the W2002, so I would guess that they are not to far off the mark for the rest of the line. I can do some comparisons. I need to update my chart with the revised AT impressions, anyway.

I have been kicking myself all morning. I didn't bring the DT770s in due to a class that I had scheduled. That fell through, so now I am at my desk NOT listening to my new cans. I have got to start planning better.


gerG