Probably going for the DT-880s, but advice is needed

[konstantinos]

So, I think I'm going to settle for the DT 880s from Beyerdynamic, to go with my NJB3.

I'm a newbie & everything when it comes to audiophile equipment. I believe the fact that I own a pair of $25 Sony earbuds is telling.

I've done some extensive reading here & there, but I'd still like your opinion before spending three hundred bucks for a pair of headphones.

### Let us consider the following facts:

1. I listen mostly to pop/rock (mainstream stuff). This is where Grados are supposed to excel (reason why I'm kind of considering the MS-2s from Alessandro, in the background), and not a particularly strong point when going for the DT 880s (altough stronger when compared to the HD-600s from Sennheiser).

2. Comfortness is important; I mean I'll be wearing them daily, for a couple of hours at least. (Reason, why I decided the Grados may not be the optimal solution.)

3. With a $25 pair of earbuds you can't form an absolute opinion, but I believe I'm fan of flat, balanced, detailed sound, and not a big fan of bass (definitely not a mega-bass fan).

4. I can't spend more than $300, by any means; and that is probably an overkill, I'll only go for it if it's deemed absolutely necessary -- $270-$280 seems a more feasible border. So, I'm looking for something in the $200-300 area.

### Now, to my questions (I'm well aware that sound preferences are subjective, etc. so feel free to speak your mind without such reservations):

1. Are the DT-880s a good choice? Am I totally wrong in this one? Do they suck when it comes to pop/rock? Is there any other pair of headphones I should really be looking at?

For example (a quick one): maybe the Beyerdynamic DT-860s are a better match? The brochure downloaded from the Beyerdynamic website does claim that these provide "the highest sound quality for the rock, pop and jazz enthusiast". But I can't find them online (price?).

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2. I'd love to know if there's a reliable (cheaper than HeadRoom - currently going for $260) online store to buy them.

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3. (If I don't get enough responses this will probably go to the "Amplification" forum, but I think many wise folks will come up with their advice here, saving me from a new thread.) How will the DT-880s perform when driven from an unamped NJB3? (I don't own an amp.)

Since I assume the answer to this question will be "not good", I'd appreciate it if you could come up with suggestions for the optimal amp to use with the DT-880s and the NJB3.

If I'm almost clueless when it comes to headphones, I'm totally clueless when it comes to amps. I guess I can't spend more than $150-$200 for an amp, but I don't know if this is a valid price limit or not. (I'm really walking blind-folded in this one.)

Tell me about optimal solutions first, then move to cheaper solutions if your optimal ones are above my price limit.

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That will be all. I'd appreciate all the help I could get on this, folks!

This will be a purchase I'll probably carry with me for many years to come, that's why I need to be careful (and demanding).

Thanks again for your help, in advance!

 

[tom hankins]

These are good headphones. You will need an amp. No maybes, or if this, or that......... You will need an amp. Keep an eye open in the used amps forum and see if anyone has used one in your price range with the DT880. I found my pr. to be one of the least sensitive pr. of phones I have owned. They need power to be fully appreciated. I didn't use this combo alot but for a time I had to use the rega Ear with the Beyers and remember them sounding pretty good. This would put you in the 200.00 range for an amp. I did compare the Rega amp to the creek and maxed out Meta42 and thought the Rega was the best amp of the three.

 

[saint.panda]

1.I'm a big fan of the beyer 880 but I don't think they are ideal for rock. For pop I preferred the 880 over the Sennheiser hd 600 but preferred the hd 650 over both of them.

2.In my opinion, these are easily among the most comfortable headphones this world has seen.

3.Can't say anything about flat because no headphones is really flat and different people will interpret "flat" differently. I would say the Beyer 880 are balanced and sound very natural.

4.About your budget: try to get them used for around 150 and get an amp later. They definately need an amp but will sound pretty good out of a receiver. However, they sound pretty crappy out of a discman unless it's really powerful one such as the Sony D311 which is the only discman I tried that could bring the Beyer 880 to adequate listening levels for me.

Regarding your questions:
Actually, if you only listen to pop and rock I think maybe some other headphones would do a better job. The Beyers are great for pop but I think others are better (Grados for example because soundstage doesnt really matter and the midrange is simply incredible on the Grados). Since I listen to a lot of jazz and classical stuff as well, the Beyer 880 are the perfect compromise for me.

About the best amp for the 880. Well, there's no definite answer to that because first of all the performance will improve the more expensive it gets and tastes can differ. I personaly liked the Beyer 880 a lot out of the Corda amps (and a lot of other people as well). The Corda HA1 (old version) can sometimes be had for around 200 used.

Final word of advice: If possible, the best way would be to audition them at a meet or in a shop or buy it from somewhere which was a 30days satisfactions guarantee.

 

[ReDVsion]

Honestly, the DT880s are a VERY acquired taste for pop/rock. I have learned to get used to the sound of rock with them, and actually appreciate the additional details I hear with the Beyers. But they are really not up-front/energetic enough for rock in regards to the typical listener.

Now, going from $25 earbuds, you're going to like ANYTHING you get in the DT880's price-range. And the DT880 IS a good choice if you're looking for a more neutral sound. But you do need to consider other options, such as the Ety ER-4 (somewhat similar sonic signature) and, indeed, the MS2 (the budget PS1). I would, still, consider going for the MS2 with flat pads. But then, I hope to have the DT880 AND the MS2 eventually...

In regards to amplification... I would check out the Headsave Vibe series of amps, which are inexpensive but apparently... really really good. I'm not sure how proficient they will be at driving the DT880s, though. I doubt MS2s would be a problem for it, though. If going with the DT880s, a vintage Marantz reciever is also an option. Some of the best apparently are, as stated, the Corda amps, and also the Gilmore V1.

DT880s show up on the ForSale forum relatively often. You should check there from time to time for a good deal. That's the cheapest you'll be able to get them. I don't know of any online retailers that sell them for any cheaper than the headroom price.

If you want to buy MS2s, you'll have to get them new, because you'll NEVER find them used. You'll probably want to buy flats on top of that. If you want to make them even MORE comfortable, you'll probably want to buy a set of K240 (or maybe DT880?) pads to attach to your flats. In all, you're looking at a lot more expense here, but this also may be just the headphone you're looking for.

I wish you the best of luck in your search.

 

[tom hankins]

I've also owned the MS2's. They are about as good as any of the other Grados I've had. I guess I like them about as much as the RS-1. You can get close to what they have to offer even with out an amp. However, the cable came loose and they are IMO not very well made. I can see how they would be better for rock than the Beyers, alot without an amp. But once you start to build better componants around these phones the Grados peak early and the Beyers just get better and better. If you dont see yourself getting an amp to use with the Beyers for awhile the Grados might be your best choice for now. But if you can see yourself building a system around one of these two pr. of phones I think in the end the Beyers will give you more pleasure.
I also agree with saint.panda about the HD650.