The Beyerdynamic DT880 Discussion thread

[SHAMuuu]

I find the 880 to be so light and comfortable that I've honestly never thought about a headband upgrade. They are the most "forgot I'm wearing them" headphones in my collection.

The pro and edition headband will alter the sound.

Sound vs comfort. Pro clamp more, which sometimes results in favorable sound. Not always.

 

[6Channel]

Last week I eventually decided to pull the trigger on the DT800 600Ω, I have had them working with my V281 for a few days.
I noticed that my previous post did not make clear that I already have the T1.2, whence my question about the purchase possibly making sense or not. Well, I had a bit of money to spare and the 880's are literally on the cheap side nowadays, so I was like...why not? In the worst-case scenario I would return them...
...but I think this is not going to happen. I understand why many people have labelled the T1.1/T1.2 as a DT880 "on steroids" during the years; sometimes those "steroids" are just a bit too much so having the "weaker" alternative at hand means that you can enjoy a more relaxed and smoother version of that sound signature (of course there are also differences, but I will come to these later). How much "weaker", by the way? Honestly speaking, by a little margin. Enough to notice, not enough to really need the stronger sibling. Ok, comparing the respective choices in the materials and their finish is self-explanatory (even though the construction is sturdy enough to forget about it) but for a modest price you get a timeless, great sounding classic.

I've owned, or spent time with, about everything worthwhile since Late Sixties and like my '81 600Ω'ers best. [1266 still scares me, but I haven't had it in my system yet] I have new 600Ω'ers, too, and like them immensely. Many feel that tube headphone amps really make them sing, but I've found the authority of a good SS amp (bypassing the HP padding xistors) are to my liking - smoothness is retained, but I find they introduce much (in many cases) improved bottom end authority, offering more dynamics & "snap" (SQ will lean more on your source signal). I had a Tesla for a short period, and I agree with SHAMuuu that the angled driver can be disconcerting.
My strong advice is to bypass the normal HP jack (or short out the xistors) for best all-around SQ: they respond to Watts.
Oh: and you haven't had to re-fi your house or car to acquire the 880. Hah !

 

[SHAMuuu]

I've owned, or spent time with, about everything worthwhile since Late Sixties and like my '81 600Ω'ers best. [1266 still scares me, but I haven't had it in my system yet] I have new 600Ω'ers, too, and like them immensely. Many feel that tube headphone amps really make them sing, but I've found the authority of a good SS amp (bypassing the HP padding xistors) are to my liking - smoothness is retained, but I find they introduce much (in many cases) improved bottom end authority, offering more dynamics & "snap" (SQ will lean more on your source signal). I had a Tesla for a short period, and I agree with SHAMuuu that the angled driver can be disconcerting.
My strong advice is to bypass the normal HP jack (or short out the xistors) for best all-around SQ: they respond to Watts.
Oh: and you haven't had to re-fi your house or car to acquire the 880. Hah !

Are you saying to snip the jack and wire straight like speakers?

How many watts we talking mang?

B/C if i fried them 1981 drivers (mine is closed but ithink same driver as 880 from 1981) i might cry

What amp or receiver do you use?

Also your Tesla vs 1981 880, which you use more?

Cheers

 

[thassaf]

I used to own the 250ohm version and liked it very much straight powered by my MacBook. The cable broke sometimes ago and with other parts needed to be replaced, it's about the same price as getting a new one. Now I'm back into the hobby and have a Ifi zen can (with ipower x) as amp, so I'd like to know if it's enough for 600 ohm or I should stick with 250 ohm?

 

[Metal-Fi]

Unfortunately, after a few days, my DT880s have been returned to Amazon. While I can confirm my positive impressions, when the headphones were delivered I immediately noticed something weird, and I will now elaborate on this.
This was the second time I ordered a pair of Beyerdynamic cans from Amazon, the first being when I got the DT 700 Pro X. When these arrived, I noticed that the box was a bit scratched; the headphones looked immaculate, but there was a little bit of dust inside the box and also on the cans. Of course this made me a bit suspicious and skeptical, but since everything else was just fine I started using my new Pro X's and forgot about it. A few months later, I ordered the DT 900 Pro X directly from Beyerdynamic, and everything was just flawless - no scratches, and not even the tiniest bit of dust.
Now to the DT 880. Of course I bought my pair as "brand new", but this time the box had several scratches on it, plus three different stickers (one on top of the others) - one seemingly applied by the manufacturer, the others by Amazon. These alone would be serious "red flags" in my book, but since I don't enjoy the hassle of returning purchases, I took the 880's out of their box and put them to work. The red flags turned to be real when I realized that there was a scratch near the headband and that the right earcup was a bit loose as I could not manage to fix it on the desired position. These things combined make me think that I received a pre-owned item, even though it was listed as new. The great sound + competitive price was eventually not enough to let these red flags pass unnoticed, so I returned the flawed pair and a new one - this time from Beyerdynamic's official store - is on its way. Let's see how it goes this time - of course one cannot make statistics out of two cases, but if it will be a replica of what I experienced with the DT 700/900 Pro X's...

Just to be clear, I am not pointing my finger against anybody/anything, and I asked myself twice whether to write about this or not, but this is just what happened and honestly I think it is not acceptable, so - considering also that I'm not the first on the web to complain about this kind of issues - I decided it was something to share.

 

[jonathan c]

Never buy components / headphones from Amazon. Cables? might be OK. A used item is often dressed up, pushed out -- guising as new.

 

[Metal-Fi]

Never buy components / headphones from Amazon. Cables? might be OK. A used item is often dressed up, pushed out -- guising as new.

It seems I have learned it "the hard way"...

 

[blochsidisco]

Unfortunately, after a few days, my DT880s have been returned to Amazon. While I can confirm my positive impressions, when the headphones were delivered I immediately noticed something weird, and I will now elaborate on this.
This was the second time I ordered a pair of Beyerdynamic cans from Amazon, the first being when I got the DT 700 Pro X. When these arrived, I noticed that the box was a bit scratched; the headphones looked immaculate, but there was a little bit of dust inside the box and also on the cans. Of course this made me a bit suspicious and skeptical, but since everything else was just fine I started using my new Pro X's and forgot about it. A few months later, I ordered the DT 900 Pro X directly from Beyerdynamic, and everything was just flawless - no scratches, and not even the tiniest bit of dust.
Now to the DT 880. Of course I bought my pair as "brand new", but this time the box had several scratches on it, plus three different stickers (one on top of the others) - one seemingly applied by the manufacturer, the others by Amazon. These alone would be serious "red flags" in my book, but since I don't enjoy the hassle of returning purchases, I took the 880's out of their box and put them to work. The red flags turned to be real when I realized that there was a scratch near the headband and that the right earcup was a bit loose as I could not manage to fix it on the desired position. These things combined make me think that I received a pre-owned item, even though it was listed as new. The great sound + competitive price was eventually not enough to let these red flags pass unnoticed, so I returned the flawed pair and a new one - this time from Beyerdynamic's official store - is on its way. Let's see how it goes this time - of course one cannot make statistics out of two cases, but if it will be a replica of what I experienced with the DT 700/900 Pro X's...

Just to be clear, I am not pointing my finger against anybody/anything, and I asked myself twice whether to write about this or not, but this is just what happened and honestly I think it is not acceptable, so - considering also that I'm not the first on the web to complain about this kind of issues - I decided it was something to share.

I had a somewhat similar experience with my b-stock 880s from Amazon.de. I have unboxed a lot of Beyers and something was just off with this one. I wonder if it was fake. The right driver also happened to be completely silent so they went right back. Got a brand new pair from a local shop and no complaints.

 

[TrollDragon]

Never had a problem with Amazon and repackaged gear, but I never order from their warehouse or purchase from 3rd party sellers. If it's not Prime it doesn't get bought.

 

[Metal-Fi]

Never had a problem with Amazon and repackaged gear, but I never order from their warehouse or purchase from 3rd party sellers. If it's not Prime it doesn't get bought.

My defective 880 was a "Prime" item, and so was the 700 Pro X. Perhaps too many mid-fi Beyers are sold and too many are consequently returned, which may generate the issue...who knows.

 

[Angel III]

Same experience on different items. I haven't bought anything on Amazon for over a year and I don't buy used items if they tell me it's from Amazon.. it's clear to me that they're selling new but second-rate items.

 

[richie60]

Oh, how I missed you. Today I took delivery of a headphone I used to own years ago, the DT880 600 ohm.

Never thought I'd repurchase something I sold!

 

[Metal-Fi]

New pair of DT 880 600Ω just arrived. No "obscure" labels, no scratches, smoother headband (the pleather on the previous unit looked aeons old, in comparison), headband settings look firm and secure. Time to fully enjoy them, hopefully for years to come!

I went a bit crazier this time so I included also a DT 990 Edition (same impedance) in the order. It will be fun comparing the two models.

 

[Angel III]

New pair of DT 880 600Ω just arrived. No "obscure" labels, no scratches, smoother headband (the pleather on the previous unit looked aeons old, in comparison), headband settings look firm and secure. Time to fully enjoy them, hopefully for years to come!

I went a bit crazier this time so I included also a DT 990 Edition (same impedance) in the order. It will be fun comparing the two models.

Well done.. a I await your comparison.

 

[blochsidisco]

Listening to the 880s (250) I am somewhat amazed how many boxes they tick for me, especially with a little EQ.

I am finding it difficult putting into words exactly what they do well in particular. But perhaps that is why I enjoy them so much.

Many headphones excel in a few areas and the rest is hit or miss. With the 880s
there is no “party trick” like the K702s (soundstage) or HD600s (vocals and timbre).

Maybe I am over simplifying things a little bit, but the 880s are currently my favorite headphones and it’s not even close. They do well with everything from Fleetwood Mac to Tool. They are comfortable and take EQ very well, but not much is even needed.