[boomana]

I am on a self-imposed gear-buying ban right now, so let's call this research mode for...uh...down the line. If I wanted to add a new flavor of headphones to my stash, these are two I'm considering. First, I have heard the RS-1s, and they are the only Grados I like other than the PS-1s (haven't heard the 225s or the RS-2s, but pretty much everything else, including HP-2s). I haven't heard the DT990s, but they interest me, especially the custom ones. I have Darth Beyers and like them, but they are mood cans for me. I have heard the 880s (balanced with a Dynamight), and was enjoying them immensely until a high note happened along and I literally had to rip them off my head. Do the 990s have the same shrill treble? I'm looking for advice based on perceived sound differences from those who have heard/have/had both, or can compare to any I already own as I've read quite a bit on each alone. My music tastes vary, but I fall in the 30% Classical (full range from solo instruments to orchestral and heavy choral pieces plus some opera), 30% Jazz, 30% classic rock and acoustic folk rock, 10% hardcore, thrash, punk, and metal. Oh, I'm also interested in if anyone has had their RS-1s or 990s recabled or otherwise modded and what improvements, if any, were gained. If you're really inclined to help out with a more personal recommendation, you can check out my profile to see which headphones I love (have) and didn't like (sold), plus amps/sources, etc., but I don't want to force that on anyone here. Thanks, guys....oh, and please don't advise me to get both. I'm practicing frugality and patience these days...

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

The DT990 and DT880 do have a similar treble. However the 600ohm versions are said to have a smoother treble with less bite.

To me the DT990 was like an RS1 with vastly better comfort, better extension to the lows and highs, and no glaring 2-3kHz spike (almost forgot the build quality, which is in another zip code from the RS1. Of course the RS1 is better to look at, and some people might prefer its' sound. I thought the RS1 sounded awesome with 20% or so of what I listened to, but the rest of the time, the midrange coloration was just too blatant to tolerate, especially in light of its' other sins.

 

[riceboy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iron_Dreamer /img/forum/go_quote.gif The DT990 and DT880 do have a similar treble. However the 600ohm versions are said to have a smoother treble with less bite. To me the DT990 was like an RS1 with vastly better comfort, better extension to the lows and highs, and no glaring 2-3kHz spike (almost forgot the build quality, which is in another zip code from the RS1. Of course the RS1 is better to look at, and some people might prefer its' sound. I thought the RS1 sounded awesome with 20% or so of what I listened to, but the rest of the time, the midrange coloration was just too blatant to tolerate, especially in light of its' other sins.

I was wondering if you had a chance to listen to the SR 225s? I like the mids and highs on those headphones and was wondering if I would like the RS2, since I hear they are more forgiving? I only heard the DT 990 250, and I found that the highs were good, the mids seemed more in the background, and the lows were pretty good. That was after 150+ hours of burn in. I'm still checking them out, and won't make a final decision on them until I burn them in around the 200 - 300 range. I wished that the DT 990s had more pronounced highs like the SR 225. I have it connected to the HR Microstack ATM.

 

[AudioCats]

I have 990/600, the lows are quite a bit better than the 250 version when using a good tube amp, not only quantity, but also quality (rounded and bouncy, very engaging). The 250 version has better mids, did not notice much difference about the highs. My 990/600 is the old old original plastic band and the 250 I listened to was the '05 version. Over all my 990/600 is darker.

So I supposed the '05 990/600 should have solved every problem my 990 have.

But value-wise, I think the RS-1 is a better investment. you are paying custom price to get the new 990/600, which is about double what the stock 990/250 is. To me the custom price is way too high........With the RS-1 you pay the standard price and get standard product, mass produced = better deal.