What to test the Beyerdynamic DT990 Treble?

[AllBodies]

Hello,

 

I've read a lot about the DT990s treble response being a problem, 'fatiguing', for some people. Whereas others love it.
 

If I went out to test a pair, what would be some good examples to play through them to determine whether I loved it or hated it?

 

[serman005]

Not sure what kind of music you listen to, but I personally would first look at something with a good deal of upper register vocals (maybe mostly female), hi-hats/rides, crash cymbals, and tenor or alto sax. I would also grab any decent hard rock (Kiss's "Black Diamond" from Alive is a good one), metal (Megadeath, Metallica, etc) you can find. Also, some opera or classical with massed choral vocals could do it (the von Karajan Verdi Requiem at 2:30 or 5:25 or the Tannhauser Overture at the 2:35 mark where things get exciting would be perfect potentially, eg.). Lastly, I find that recordings from the early digital years that have not been remastered, and there are some still out there, can really test my tolerance of stridence. Good luck.

 

[Me x3]

Quality (sibilant/borderline sibilant) recordings:
Sophie Zelmani - I don't know / Wind took my sail
Rebecca Pidgeon - Spanish Harlem
 
Modern pop:
Poets of the Fall - Given And Denied
 
Electronic:
Mike Sheridan (ft. Maya Albana) - Med sma skridt
 
These are songs that will expose DT990's brillance. Your collection could be much darker, so keep that in mind.
Listening levels play a role when it comes to judging brightness.
It's wise to resist the temptation of testing audio at loud levels. Set moderate levels, comfortable for extended sessions, and then judge.

 

[AllBodies]

Thanks for the suggestions