The Beyerdynamic DT880 Discussion thread

[SHAMuuu]

 
Less warmth and sharper/faster more extended treble.

I had thought after reading the plethora of reviews on this legendary "mid-fi" can that it would be a "clinical" sounding souless can, but very suprised by its character and buttery smooth nature, very much unlike its more eccentric 770/990 brothers
 
Its not as "cold" as advertised, and its very balanced and pleasant. Anyway I dont think one 'can' can satisfy all of one's needs. For me anyway, I require a fun boomy, pro reference, and a warm neutral can. 
 
Anyway, very little complaints with 880. None actually.

 

[Me x3]

 
I had thought after reading the plethora of reviews on this legendary "mid-fi" can that it would be a "clinical" sounding souless can, but very suprised by its character and buttery smooth nature, very much unlike its more eccentric 770/990 brothers
 
Its not as "cold" as advertised, and its very balanced and pleasant. Anyway I dont think one 'can' can satisfy all of one's needs. For me anyway, I require a fun boomy, pro reference, and a warm neutral can. 
 
Anyway, very little complaints with 880. None actually.

 
I wouldn't say buttery smooth nature, but having slightly recessed upper mids helps a lot to make the sound non-intrussive.
Recordings used play an important role.
 
I find comparative opinions more useful for the sake of having a frame of reference.
Next to HD6x0, Beyerdynamic DT880 might appear as cold and clinical, but next to the HD800, it might appear as relatively musical.

 

[Mirakoolz]

 
Less warmth and sharper/faster more extended treble.

Thanks for that.
most likely not a winner for me then.
Cheers

 

[Me x3]

 
Thanks for that.
most likely not a winner for me then.
Cheers

Have you tried the HD650?

 

[Mirakoolz]

 
Have you tried the HD650?

Hi
 
i used to own the HD650 however i found the lack of treble extension lacking for my taste (i can only hear up to 15Khz btw).
Also, it was my one and only fullsize headphone at the time and i didnt enjoy them for movies and other general media consumption. they just sounded way to 'thick'
 
i am keeping an eye open for a used pair of HD600's though

 

[Me x3]

  Hi
 
i used to own the HD650 however i found the lack of treble extension lacking for my taste (i can only hear up to 15Khz btw).
Also, it was my one and only fullsize headphone at the time and i didnt enjoy them for movies and other general media consumption. they just sounded way to 'thick'
 
i am keeping an eye open for a used pair of HD600's though

I guess they won't work for you either.
I've owned the HD600 and it's very similar to the HD650.
Just a tad more forward in the upper mids, maybe a tiny bit more fuzzy in the treble, but both are similarly thick, intimate and slightly darkish in the upper treble.
 
You might be interested in the new Beyerdynamic DT-1990 Pro

 

[Mirakoolz]

  I guess they won't work for you either.
I've owned the HD600 and it's very similar to the HD650.
Just a tad more forward in the upper mids, maybe a tiny bit more fuzzy in the treble, but both are similarly thick, intimate and slightly darkish in the upper treble.
 
You might be interested in the new Beyerdynamic DT-1990 Pro

 
ah, i see.
my circumstances back then didnt allow for a collection of headphones to fill different needs.
i think the hd600's will have a place in my collection for when i want a 'lush' experience. the HD650s i could easily wear all day for background music but i wouldnt buy them again bcoz i already 'experienced' them, hence the HD600
 
my original inquiry about the DT880's was due to the opinion that the treble has sparkle and has good bass presence. i was hoping to hear that the treble is similar to my K712's while offering more bass.

 

[Vanquished]

ah, i see.
my circumstances back then didnt allow for a collection of headphones to fill different needs.
i think the hd600's will have a place in my collection for when i want a 'lush' experience. the HD650s i could easily wear all day for background music but i wouldnt buy them again bcoz i already 'experienced' them, hence the HD600

my original inquiry about the DT880's was due to the opinion that the treble has sparkle and has good bass presence. i was hoping to hear that the treble is similar to my K712's while offering more bass.

DT880 has a good bass if the record has a good bass, that's why they can sound thin sometimes. But the bass boost of my iCan SE can make wonders.

 

[SHAMuuu]

   
I wouldn't say buttery smooth nature, but having slightly recessed upper mids helps a lot to make the sound non-intrussive.
Recordings used play an important role.
 
I find comparative opinions more useful for the sake of having a frame of reference.
Next to HD6x0, Beyerdynamic DT880 might appear as cold and clinical, but next to the HD800, it might appear as relatively musical.

 
 
I have not heard all the headphones in the world yet I was comparing its calmer nature relative to its brothers in the dt line. But i think they are fantastic and the most relaxed vs 770/990

 

[bladefd]

I have a vintage DT880 from the 90s I got from a friend some years back. Are there any significant changes on the current DT880 being sold vs my vintage DT880? My vintage DT880 has wires on both drivers, but I see the current newest DT880 has only 1 wire. Any advantages or disadvantages of 2 wires or 1 when it comes to sound?

Second, how much would I be able to sell them for if I wanted to? Very good shape and I just replaced headband and ear cushions with brand new ones just 6 months ago. I don't use them often, but I will probably keep them as collectible. Just trying to gauge an approx value.

 

[Argyris]

I have a vintage DT880 from the 90s I got from a friend some years back. Are there any significant changes on the current DT880 being sold vs my vintage DT880? My vintage DT880 has wires on both drivers, but I see the current newest DT880 has only 1 wire. Any advantages or disadvantages of 2 wires or 1 when it comes to sound?

Second, how much would I be able to sell them for if I wanted to? Very good shape and I just replaced headband and ear cushions with brand new ones just 6 months ago. I don't use them often, but I will probably keep them as collectible. Just trying to gauge an approx value.

There was no DT880 from the 90s as far as I know. The original DT880 was available from 1980 to some period in the middle of the decade, at which point it was discontinued and replaced with the DT990. The original DT880 had a metal slatted grill on the cups that came in black, silver or pink, to denote the different versions of the headphone. Nobody really remembers what the differences between versions were supposed to be. Beyer headphones from that period had the name of the company separated into two words. EDIT: While this is true, it turns out it wasn't universal (see picture below).

Hopefully this helps in identifying your set. If you can, post a picture, or else search for 80s DT880s and compare the results to what you have. It would be very interesting indeed if it turns out you have something different.

Also, since you asked, if what you have is indeed an 80s DT880, they're less common than they were about six years ago when I first joined Head-Fi, when they occasionally would show up on online auction sites or in the FS section on Head-Fi. Back then one in good condition usually went for around $50.
 
EDIT: This is what it looked like:
 

 

[kman1211]

 
There was no DT880 from the 90s as far as I know. The original DT880 was available from 1980 to some period in the middle of the decade, at which point it was discontinued and replaced with the DT990. The original DT880 had a metal slatted grill on the cups that came in black, silver or pink, to denote the different versions of the headphone. Nobody really remembers what the differences between versions were supposed to be. Beyer headphones from that period had the name of the company separated into two words. EDIT: While this is true, it turns out it wasn't universal (see picture below).

Hopefully this helps in identifying your set. If you can, post a picture, or else search for 80s DT880s and compare the results to what you have. It would be very interesting indeed if it turns out you have something different.

Also, since you asked, if what you have is indeed an 80s DT880, they're less common than they were about six years ago when I first joined Head-Fi, when they occasionally would show up on online auction sites or in the FS section on Head-Fi. Back then one in good condition usually went for around $50.
 
EDIT: This is what it looked like:
 

If you look at the DT 1990 it seems like it pays some homage to the original DT 880 with it's earcup design. I'm curious what the original DT 880 sounds like compared to the current one. I haven't heard the pre-2005 version of the DT 880 either which I also know sounds different. Beyers are interesting as the newer ones don't always sound better, some of their old stuff is just as good as their modern equivalents. 

 

[funkisound]

sorry double post

 

[funkisound]

For me while this headphone mostly has a pretty awesome sound (I have the 880 pro), the highs are just too shimmery and bright for me, from the graphs there's just too much energy between 6k and 9kHz compared to the rest of the frequencies. 600Ohm version seems to have a little less energy there, so maybe I'll try it once if I get a chance, but most people say the difference isn't huge.
Right now I am too looking to try the HD600 again, probably it sounds similar to the 650 but from what I remember it was also a lot more neutral so I'm thinking it should respond a lot better to EQ than for example the 650 or DT880 do. Am also looking at one of the older hifimans 400 or 500 (the newer versions like 400s and 400i seem to have a bit of a stale sound and seem to lack some upper treble), hopefully I can find a used one soon.
 
Right now I'm using the cheap but very decent sounding K240 Studio, although the expensive AKGs seem to have a similar problem as the 880: a bit too much mid-treble energy combined with a lack of body in the bass. I kinda wanna try the old K240 Monitor though.. And I wanna try those vintage Beyers too some time, I'm wondering though if they were less bright sounding..

 

[Keithpgdrb]

Difference between the 650 and 600 is huge to me. I prefer the 600. To be Hifi man 500 is rolled off as well. But is a great headphone.