Which Beyerdynamic to get DT 880 or 990 Pro?

[kman79]

Hey guys, I'm definately still a headphone newbie thats lookin for some advice. I currently own a Grado HF-1. The sound is just amazing. The sound is very detailed and clean, and the bass is tight and accurate. I hear things in songs I've been listening to for a while now that I have never heard with my Shure E5Cs. While I do like how the bass sounds, it seems to roll off to early for the majority of music I listen to. I guess me having SHURE E5Cs would show how bass hungry I am. I listen to anything from Jazz to hip hop.

I'm considering either returning these to todd or selling them on the for sale forum. Currently looking at some Beyerdynamic headphones and would like some input. I'm somewhat confused as to which is the better headphone. One would think the DT990 is the higher level headphone, but some reviews sorta make me thing that the DT880 is a much stronger headphone. For Jazz and Hip Hop and a good amount of R&B listening, which of the two would be best?

Again I'm a newbie, so please excuse my ignorance. Any help on this would be great

 

[cheechoz]

I would suggest the DT990. I had both sets of headphones, and to me the real difference is in the bass response. The 990 's have an overall better and more punchy bass then the 880's. It is not boomy, like some others have said. The 990's also have very good detail in the upper regions. If you like to tap your feet to the music, then the 990's is the ticket!!

 

[fewtch]

DT-880 is great for jazz and R&B, but I'm not sure about hip-hop. The bass is not "slamming" but is instead airy and tasteful. Plenty of it, it just doesn't "thump."

 

[cheechoz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fewtch DT-880 is great for jazz and R&B, but I'm not sure about hip-hop. The bass is not "slamming" but is instead airy and tasteful. Plenty of it, it just doesn't "thump."

So, in other words, wouldn't you say that the 990's would fit his needs better?

 

[Solude]

No contest 880. The 990 isn't even remotely in the same class. Even on the HeadAmp Lite the 880 sings with deep powerful bass, more so than the Senn 650, with excellent clarity and smoothness. The top end is delicate really getting cymbal work right.

I listen to some less than wonderfully recorded material from time to time though so the Senn 650 more forgiving nature suits me better though I keep wondering if I shouldn't get a Manufacture version of the 880 in all black leather with a straight cord

 

[fewtch]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheechoz So, in other words, wouldn't you say that the 990's would fit his needs better?

Haven't heard the DT990 so I can't say, sorry.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solude No contest 880. The 990 isn't even remotely in the same class. Even on the HeadAmp Lite the 880 sings with deep powerful bass, more so than the Senn 650, with excellent clarity and smoothness. The top end is delicate really getting cymbal work right.

True, but the bass just doesn't have the sort of authoritative thump that gives hip-hop at least some of its appeal. At least not IMO. It wouldn't be *bad* with hiphop, but not too hot either.

 

[b0dhi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solude No contest 880. The 990 isn't even remotely in the same class. Even on the HeadAmp Lite the 880 sings with deep powerful bass, more so than the Senn 650, with excellent clarity and smoothness. The top end is delicate really getting cymbal work right. I listen to some less than wonderfully recorded material from time to time though so the Senn 650 more forgiving nature suits me better though I keep wondering if I shouldn't get a Manufacture version of the 880 in all black leather with a straight cord

You may not have noticed that he specified hip-hop. Delicate cymbals and what someone calls "deep, powerful bass" for a jazz piece might be totally inadequate for hip-hop. Although the 880 is overall a more accurate can, the 990 would be more suited to hip-hop and r&b.

 

[warpdriver]

I wouldn't hesitate to listen to hip-hop/dance with the 880's, it's actually still enjoyable, but it wouldn't be my first choice for that type of music, I think I would lean toward a 990 or 770 for added bass impact.

 

[augustwest]

If you are looking for accurate, and neutral, then the dt880's are for you. If you are looking for a fun, non-politically correct headphone excitement, then the dt990's are for you.

Keep in mind which ever of these phones that you chose, they will need decent amplification to make them sing. Trying to run them off a stock computer sound card, while giving you some sound, won't impress.

- augustwest

 

[Solude]

Quote:

Originally Posted by b0dhi You may not have noticed that he specified hip-hop.

And you may have noted my profile, nothing but rock and rap in this house

I'll take deep punchy bass over bloat and delicate treble over grain any day of the week for rap/hip-hop. The 990 is old school, the 880 can hang with the big boys and is very faithful to the source.

Now stop talking about it before I break down and buy it, send it to Drew to rewire and quit my job to listen 24/7

 

[kman79]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I'll be ordering a Gillmore Light as a christmas gift to myself. Right now I'm using a PIMETA amp.

I would assume the 990 is suppose to be a step above the 880 correct? If that's the case why is the 990 Pro cheaper? How many versions of DT 990 are there? Just making sure I get the right one that everyone here is talking about.

DT880 $279

DT990 $219

Hey, I'm all for a great deal and all, but making sure that the DT 990 that everyone is refering to is the one priced at $219 from Todd. Could someone check the link and tell me if that is the DT 990 that everyone is reffering to, not really sure if there is only one DT 990 Model.

I'm sorta leaning towards the DT 990. I guess I have to admit that I am a bass head.

Thanks for the help guys

 

[Icehawk]

You can get Dt-990s for as low as $160, try Froogle.

 

[silmaauki]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kman79 I would assume the 990 is suppose to be a step above the 880 correct?

I have understood that the 880 is currently the top of the line headphone for Beyer. The model numbers are missleading.
Meier-Audio declares that Beyer has discontinued the production of 880. A new version (2006) is coming.

I wonder why people haven't discussed about these new models here at Head-Fi.

 

[aphex944]

The regular non-pro 990 has a longer headband like the DT 880, and less clamping force. The Pro has a pretty short headband, so if you have a large head it might be a problem. Having spent a lot of time with both, I would say the DT 990 is better for hiphop and rock for sure, but for everything else the DT 880 is the best. Buy both

If it's any help, I did a review awhile back comparing the two and the DT 660 as well -- http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?p=1497803

 

[Icehawk]

If you dig around there IS a thread on the new headphones. So far it sounds like it is just a cosmetic refresh and the 880 will still be the top model.

Currently I'm leaning heavily towards the DT-990s. How much sound do they leak? I know they are open...