[NEO]

I mean in your opinion. 931 is top of the line but i feel that it isn't as popular as 831 which be far has been referred by many as one of the best closed sounding headphones. 931 is a semi opened however. I tried my friend's 831 for a while but could't remember hearing the real difference. Maybe 831 sounds moore focus while 931 sounds more airy and has a bid more bass. Just want to know how do you compare these two models.
NEO

 

[austonia]

I thought the 931 was kind of boring... comfy sure, just not real involving. no obvious faults to it though.

 

[Dusty Chalk]

I think the 831 is supposed to be Beyer's top-of-the-line closed headphones, and the 931 is supposed to be Beyer's top-of-the-line open headphone. It's more of a function of which you need.

That said, I heard that the 931 improves with an additional resistive load.

 

[NEO]

more opinions?

 

[dougli]

What they have in common: both are very detailed, some would say tending toward brightness. This can be tamed somewhat by using the 120 ohm jack on Meier amps, which can also build the bass response. The 931 is calmed down by doing this more than the 831. Quite a few people do like them without using a 120 ohm jack. Both are very comfortable. Both have coiled cords that some people don't like.

What's different between them: the 831 does sound like a closed phone, e.g. somewhat boomy and restricted, but it does very well for being closed. The 931, being open, sounds lighter and airier, has a wider soundstage, is nicely detailed, and does not need to be turned up as much as some cans do to get the same level of detail. The 831 sometimes needs to be turned up a little louder than some other closed phones in order to get a satisfying bass. But overall it combines adequate bass with a full midrange and plenty of treble.

 

[Ebonyks]

931 > 831

The 831 isn't bad, but it lacks bass and is bright. The 931 has simliar faults, but to a lesser extent. I felt both benefited from an extra 120 ohms of resistance

 

[Nightfall]

Quote:

Originally posted by Ebonyks 931 > 831 The 831 isn't bad, but it lacks bass and is bright. The 931 has simliar faults, but to a lesser extent. I felt both benefited from an extra 120 ohms of resistance

Yes, the 120 ohm factor is critical to truly judging the quality of the 931's. I consider the 931 superior to the 831's in almost every category. I rate them slightly above the Sennheiser HD600's overall. Very good phones.


JC

 

[wallijonn]

from my review:

DT931 versus DT831
DT931 has better bass extension, much tighter bass, and fuller vocals, with a more forward midrange.

DT831 versus DT931
DT831 sounds like it has a wider soundstage, airier, slightly brighter.

 

[tone]

Does anybody know if the DT831 and the DT931 uses the same speaker cones?

You can convert your dt831 into an open headphone by just taking apart the two headphone shell housings (the entire thing is a snap kit assembly with no screws). simply use a butterknife to pry the two halfs of the headphone housing apart at the seam between the two components.

Once it is dissambled remove the inner black plastic shell and cloth padding and reassemble. don't do this if you plan on reselling the phone (in case you break something)!

btw i preferred the closed dt831 to the modded dt831. the bass seamed tighter on the closed version which i liked. the modded dt831 added soundstage but the bass didn't sound as good.

 

[nArKeD]

Quote:

Originally posted by austonia I thought the 931 was kind of boring... comfy sure, just not real involving. no obvious faults to it though.

I guess this is what listening to Grados does to you

I just bought the 931's and they are far more involving than my Sennheisers or any of the other dynamic Senns I have listened to. I think calling the 931's boring is misplaced as compared to other headphones.