Should I get the Beyer DT-880?

[amhd600]

I already have the Sennhd600 and really like it with the type of music I listen to. I have been wanting to get the Beyer dt880, altough I want something different from the hd600 and have Senns headphones all my life I want to try a different brand this time, something similar with the hd600 for the natural sound and accuracy, I was leaning on the dt880 for my next purchase. Would this be somewhat similar to the hd600? or should I just try other brands like Grado? I had mostly Senns my whole life and like their sound but then again I haven't tried any other high quality headphones except the hd600, any other similar headphones that you guys can suggest? Also my reason for wanting to get the dt880 is the review I read from Headroom. I guess what I'm asking is I don't want something that is very similar with the hd600 but would like to try a different brand that has somewhat the same level of quality as the hd600. I want a different flavor but don't want to risk of getting something I wouldn't like. I am wanting something on the price range of under $300. I would appreciate some advice.

 

[Veniogenesis]

The DT880 is an awesome phone. It's more forward than the HD600 (Well, I'm comparing it to the HD650 in my case), but it's not as forward as a Grado. Take Headroom's 30 day return policy for a spin. Buy it, test it out, and see if you like it.


Also, you'll need a capable amp.

 

[crazyfrenchman27]

The DT-880 is a nice headphone.

Ray Samuels' thoughts on the DT-880: it's like the pretty girl who didn't eat enough.

He's an HD600 user...thinks the HD650 are too bassy.

-Matt

 

[Elec]

One nice thing about Ray - when he's listening to a pair of open headphones...you can too!

I haven't spent a lot of time with the DT880s, just a quick listen for 10 minutes at a meet. They have a similar sound to HD600s or 650s but definitely a brighter or more forward presentation. Depending on your tastes, you might say they were more detailed or lively sounding. I'm pretty sensitive to brightness and I figured the 880s would wear me out after a while, though I can see why they might be appealing to those who talk about the "Sennheiser veil". Going from HD600s to DT880s will probably not be as massive a change as going to something like a Grado, so it could be a good choice depending on how different you want to go.

 

[billinkansas]

I have both the Senn HD-650 and the Beyer DT-880. The Senns are very warm and smooth, the Beyers more direct and revealing, maybe almost "larger than life" with the detail. Senns are clear enough, though. 880's are more comfortable by a bit. Lately, the Senns have been sitting on the shelf most of the time. I listen to a lot of FM, and the expansive soundstage of the Beyers seem to help the compressed sound of most FM these days. I guess that my ideal phones would be somewhere between the two.

My thoughts - don't be afraid to get the DT-880s, but first check the recent review of the Beyer cans at the top of the HeadFi listings. The DT-990 pros might be interesting too.

BK

 

[spinali]

There are a few reasons why everybody's talking about the DT880s, and why owners hang on to them (while other phones get sold). They sound great with a range of music, though they're all that much better when amped.

And they're an incredible value to boot.

 

[Kirosia]

i ahd the dt880, and it was a good phone. From memory, it does sound similar to the senn house, but more forward and dry. (the latter being relievable with a warm/colored amp) I sold it cause of the vocals, they just seemed out of place to me. They were prominent and didn't really mix with the rest of the sonics. And I don't consider them good for any music that needs serious bite (i.e. hard rock)

Since you already have a senn . . try a grado or akg or something. Or maybe stax. I have heard people who've said they didn't notice a big enough difference b/w the 600 and the 880 to warrant.

 

[White Fox]

I've not done direct A-B comparisons between HD 600 & DT 880, but have owned both.

DT 880s are definetely brighter and more forward in the highs, and have less mid-bass, but they are more neutral imo, even though I find them slightly bright in the upper highs. They are, however, really smooth and musical similar to the HD 600 despite all of this. I think they are slightly more comfy, to boot.

Under $300, I think they are the way to go.

 

[warpdriver]

The DT880 is different enough that you should immediately hear a difference, but they are both very neutral overall. The HD600 takes a polite approach to the highs and the DT880 is just a bit brighter. I really like the way 880 handles vocals, very smooth and distinct sounding. They aren't different enough that I'd want both in my headphone arsenal. If I had a HD600, I'd go for something more different.

edit: if I had a HD600, I'd probably want to try something like Alessandro, or move up to electrostatics.

 

[billinkansas]

I hear a huge difference. During my side by side audition of the 600's and 880's at Sweetwater Music in Fort Wayne, the two were immediately as different as day and night, at least with classical music, piano especially. I bought the 880's, but almost took them both when they offered a $100 discount to buy both. I eventually added the 650's - after many hour of listening, they are day and night, or apples and oranges.

 

[amhd600]

Thanks for the advice and comments, looks like it would be a good idea for me to get the dt880 but warpdriver kinda makes sense since I already have the hd600 maybe i should get something entirely different, I was also thinking of getting an akg, which model would you guys recommend? and how would this compare to hd600? Bilinkansas which one do you like better between hd600 and dt880? I plan on getting a portaphile V2^2 as an upgrade amp, right now I use a PAV2. What kind of amps do you guys use to power these? Thanks again.

 

[chrisfromalbany]

I am going against the grain here. Although the DT880's are great headphone, I personality think Grado 225s or the Grado 325's might be the right choice. Although the DT880 are a superior headphone, I think for a change Grado 225's, 325is, MS-2s would be the best choice. When I had the SA5000's, UE-10s, HD650s. I found myself using the Grado 60s. Not because there were better sounding, just they were totally different souding then the other elite headphones I had. It came down to a case where my ears wanted a drastic change. Although the SA5000s are quite different from the HD650s. The differences between them isn't as great as Grado lines.

Just my two cents.

 

[billinkansas]

Bilinkansas which one do you like better between hd600 and dt880?


At Sweetwater, the Beyer 880's were $100 less than the Senn 600's. That was about a year ago. At the time it was such a tough call. The 600's with piano music - better than bad sex. DT-880's with female vocals - causes impure thoughts.

Dilemma: Impure thoughts - or - > than bad sex. Reluctantly went with the thoughts. (I guess the Beyers seemed more versatile to me)

Again, I don't have 600's but I have the 650's which are supposed to be up a notch, but some disagree. If my feet were to the fire - right now I like the Beyers better, mostly because I listen to a lot of FM and the wider soundstage is good for that. They are all really really good, and those Grados are good too - heard them at a mini meet for a bit. It is so hard to be satisfied beacuse there is so much good stuff out there, and it all has its merits.

(Long answer,and barely conclusive at that!)

In case you haven't found out yet - HeadFi = audiolust = empty wallet

 

[fatko]

I tried DT990 Pro today and it sounds more interesting than DT880

you can try

 

[Veniogenesis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatko I tried DT990 Pro today and it sounds more interesting than DT880 you can try

Yeah, I've heard the DT990Pro and it definitely has a more pronounced bass.

To me, the DT880 is tighter, more detailed, and sweeter though.