Q: Beyer DT880 Pro vs Edition 600 ohm

[anoobis]

Hi all,

This isn't a 'which to get thread' as such, more a value judgement based on the circumstances below. Wondering who here has heard both DT880 Pro (250 ohm) and DT880 Edition (600 ohm) and can offer an insight.

Long story short, I ordered the Pro but the Edition 600 ohm turned up. Would you see that as a gain or a loss? (Why, not necessarily just sonically?)

Let me add a bit more context. Here (at least Amazon) the Pro is 40-50% more expensive atm, however, that may not be relevant. Realistic options are keep the Edition or refund.

Most of the time I expect to use these with the Lake People G103 (something like 13V 530mW into 600 ohm I think?) but probably also the O2. Will this (these) be sufficient to drive the Edition 600 ohm and especially to obtain any advantages over the Pro 250 ohm?

Anything about genre of music that would favour one version over the other?
Music is generally jazz trio/quartet style, some non-acoustic, Classical, easy-listening pop generally female-vocal led. Anything more 'aggressive' isn't much beyond the likes of Meat Loaf, Bon Jovi. One slight area of concern I have is whether mids/vocals in particular could be quiet or recessed between either of these headphones.

That'll probably do for now, thanks.

 

[Kammerat Rebekka]

I’ve heard both several times - also compared them directly, and the 600 ohm is more v-shaped. Bit more bass, low mids and a wilder treble peak. In fact I find the treble over the 600 quite over the top. If the music isn’t recorded stellarly, it will punish your ears.
The normal 250 ohm is the better headphone imho.

Edith: as for what headphone fits X type of music the best? It really comes down to the ears of the individual. I could imagine some rock or metal fans favouring the more v-shaped nature of the 600…but then again I’ve seen plenty of classical music fans adhere to v-shaped signatures. Again really depends on your tastebuds.
If you are concerned about the mids being recessed, I’d stay with the Pro. The 600 has more emphasis on the basement and the top which could end up relegating the mids to third place. The Pro is the more balanced headphone.

 

[Sefelt103]

I haven't heard both only the Beyerdynamic DT800 Edition (600Ω version). I looked at the costs of the two headphones here and as of the last time I looked they were:

Beyerdynamic DT880 PRO (250Ω) £179
Beyerdynamic DT880 EDITION (600Ω or 250Ω) £129

Long story short, I ordered the Pro but the Edition 600 ohm turned up. Would you see that as a gain or a loss? (Why, not necessarily just sonically?)

Naturally many might think well, you paid the higher price and received the cheaper model. In past there was a time when the EDITION version was the premium product that was more in demand and more expensive than the PRO version. That state of affairs appears to have reversed. Many headphone vendors are much more straightforward than Beyerdynamic. Their DT880 line-up is large and confusing but may serve some people better than simpler line-ups. This is all part of the successful cult of Beyerdynamic and perhaps part of the reason why the wrong product was delivered. Another part of their style is the FR above from 4kHz to 10kHz, the so called "Mount Beyer' which adherents love and non-adherents hardware filter, EQ or modify their headphones to attenuate the treble. For the user it largely depends on how treble sensitive they are, whether they like additional treble, whether their music contains a lot of treble and whether this additional treble causes irritation. Headphone manufacturers have been boosting bass and treble since the dawn of headphones so the 600Ω EDITION's slight 'V' shaped character is not uncommon (and fortunately nothing like the extreme DT900 version). I don't find the 600Ω EDITION 'V' shape very strong and it doesn't affect the midrange noticeably for me. Another trait I find the EDITION 600Ω has is a slightly emphasised attack which again is subtle but part of its deviation from natural and neutral (bright). Beyerdynamic's PRO headphones will be found around the world in studios. As far as my limited understanding goes, in studios headphones are a microscope on the recording. The EQ balance is covered by monitor speakers but 'flat' or 'flat-bright' headphones that have lots of detail can highlight glitches in the recording that might not be noticeable as much on speakers but purist artists might not find these recording flaws acceptable so there are headphones for this purpose. The sound engineer does not EQ the treble out (that Beyerdynamic's PRO are sending) and make a dull recording because he or she is relying on the monitors for balance/EQ. Some people like studio headphones for home listening because they are:
a) durable
b) pure and usually 'flat'
c) often cheaper because many home enthusiasts prefer less utilitarian headphones
d) open or closed type, have coiled cables
Since the OP has sufficient amplification and likes the types of music that these headphones are often recommended (Jazz, Classical, Acoustic) the choice of what action to take, the options are:

a) do nothing
b) send the incorrect delivery back for a refund or replacement with correct model
c) order the PRO model again and compare, return the model you dislike
d) order the PRO model again and keep both
e) return the 600Ω EDITION and order a 250Ω EDITION model

my option would be b) for replacement and try and use our unreliable acoustic memory to fund a future purchase of the 600Ω EDITION in future.