[ephemere]

Some years ago, I bought a DT880, tried it out, and returned it. I then bought an SA5000 and was much happier. I found it to be in another league of resolution and transparency, with more accurate bass. The DT880 sounded kind of like an HD600 with 40% of the veil removed and 30% of the bass bloat fixed. The SA5000 removes 100% of the veil and 100% of the bass bloat. I would never choose the DT880 over the SA5000 on any material or genre of music. Just my opinion.

My next step is the JH13.

[Edit: To clarify, the DT880 I bought was the older (2003?) version.]

 

[pataburd]

The SA5000 are faster-sounding headphones than the DT880, with lots of HF energy and low bass energy (but a dearth of mid bass). It may have been my associated equipment at the time--as well as my listening tastes, but I often found the Sonys glary on less than optimally recorded tracks (although adding some foam in the ear cups helped curb that tendency). I really did enjoy their speed and detail, though. Ultimately, their assertive character, lack of warmth and narrow sound stage led to my selling them.

The DT880 I find a lot more versatile and agreeable for longer listening sessions: they offer nice HF extension and detail, but without being overly aggressive; their mids are clean, although suffering somewhat of an upper midrange/lower treble deficit; bass is ample and reasonably defined. Also, the DT880 can throw a huge sound stage when paired with a nice tube amp, like the DV336i or 337.

 

[chinesekiwi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catharsis /img/forum/go_quote.gif Of course, I know your feelings regarding the '05 version (you prefer the '03), though I can't comment on that one, as I have only heard/own the 2005 version.

And dt880/600 > dt880 '03

(Had both).