What to replace a DT831 with?

[madman2003]

I have a beyerdynamic DT831, it's not perfect, but i'm fond of it.

Mine are getting worn/older, they've already done roughly 6000 hours if i had to guess. So i have to keep in mind they might break at some point (one driver already broke about 1-1.5 years ago, during warranty).

A replacement would not neccesarily have to be closed, but there are a few importants things. I like the comfort level of beyerdynamic. I admit that the DT831 aren't the most "balanced" headphones, but i've grown fond of the detail it offers.

I bought these originally for around 110 euros (i was lucky to enter a store on their 60th anniversary or something like that). I'm not planning to spend huge amounts of money on it's replacement.

So, should i look out for another beyer dynamic in case this one breaks, or are there other headphones to consider.

 

[nickchen]

Tough one.

If you're totally content with the bright DT831 sound and refuse spending much money on its successor, the possibilities are somewhat limited.

Candidates:

The DT880, of course, would be a top choice - similar to a DT831, in some respects better (I just guess, never heared the old DT831). You could get a 2nd hand 2003 model for 100-120€, but I wouldn't plug it into an ordinary integrated amp.

The actual AKG K601 is also maybe worth a look. Similar to the DT880, I would't use it unamped.

The Alessandro MS2 maybe provides the correct sound, but it will lack soundscape and smoothness. 2nd hand prices are high. If you don't care for soundscape, a (new) MS1 maybe works as well (I prefer it to its bigger brother).

I wouldn't go the midfi path (A900, HD5*5, DT440/DT660, etc.), as that can easily turn into a downgrade IMO.

 

[madman2003]

I acknowledge that the DT831 is a bit bright (i do tame it quite a bit), but it does have attractive qualities. One of them is probably the soundscape aspect you refer to. A little less brightness wouldn't be bad, but i really dislike muddy sound, so i don't want that end of the spectrum.

I realized a DT880 would probably beat my DT831, i think i even heard that one when i bought my DT831 and it didn't sound bad.

Why wouldn't you plug a DT880 into a normal amp? Or do you mean some kind of portable player? I have an AV reciever, which like all of those devices doesn't give a low impedance headphone output. For the DT831 i did add a 120 ohm resistor.

Is there a new DT831, last i checked they were taken out of production before i even bought mine (a few years ago)?

I'll keep the K601 in mind.

 

[nickchen]

A DT880 certainly _works_ when being plugged into your receiver, but it will perform a bit beyond its abilities in respect of soundscape and bass. Doesn't need to be an extraordinary expensive headphone amp of the "mine is bigger" headfi show off sort IMO. Mine behave quite well already out of a cheap Cmoy (do a Ebay search).