[LikeHolborn]

..when i press the cups the midrange and air make it "cuppy" sounds much righter in it's natural position and more forward somehow, take it an inch off and the instruments sound more complete and even coherent you could say, more timbre. Maybe they need to work from the outside in, bring the treble down to where the cups rest naturally, adjust everything downstream or left from it, then it wouldn't be an mt8 but neither is it an mt220 now. And maybe use a hard gel pads of memory foam or just a premium Hard pad, they can let bass scale with music maybe, it's not a bass head headphone now neither, maybe it should just play on accuracy if not for avoiding to muddle the midrange with it's life!

 

[LikeHolborn]

..when i press the cups the midrange and air make it "cuppy" and whatever you can call it overall. sounds much righter in it's natural position and more forward somehow, take it an inch off and the instruments sound more complete and even coherent you could say, more timbre. ..Why not
...maybe they need to work from the outside in, bring the treble down to where the cups rest naturally, adjust everything downstream or left from it, then it wouldn't be an mt8 but neither is it an mt220 now. And maybe use a hard gel pads of memory foam or just a premium Hard pad, they can let bass scale with music maybe, it's not a bass head headphone now neither, maybe it should just play on accuracy if not for avoiding to muddle the midrange with it's life!

 

[crewcut]

..when i press the cups the midrange and air make it "cuppy" sounds much righter in it's natural position and more forward somehow, take it an inch off and the instruments sound more complete and even coherent you could say, more timbre. Maybe they need to work from the outside in, bring the treble down to where the cups rest naturally, adjust everything downstream or left from it, then it wouldn't be an mt8 but neither is it an mt220 now. And maybe use a hard gel pads of memory foam or just a premium Hard pad, they can let bass scale with music maybe, it's not a bass head headphone now neither, maybe it should just play on accuracy if not for avoiding to muddle the midrange with it's life!

Hi.There is a simple mod of using 6mm cable under/inside the pads that gives the pads more depth.It was described earlier in the thread.

 

[LikeHolborn]

...as I say the MT8 are not for listening pleasure, they do not give a correct representation of how music was intended to be heard by the musician; the MT8's are for technical inspection only. The EQ is pushed up in the treble region and reduced in the bass region. For example I use my MT8's only for examining hiss in live recording - so I can blend hiss between two takes, this will not be heard under normal listening conditions, but as an engineer you need to hear these 'faults' in a recording - while mastering.

The MT5 reveal everything that is intended in a recording with incredible clarity and speed, but unlike the MT8's the MT5's have a very accurate freq response - which I have to say is very rare these days in headphones. The MT5's are a gem in the headphone world - for listening and/or mastering, in fact every part of the freq range is exceptional - and pleasurably forward.

The MT8's are a specialist tool for studio use only. You may like the sound of the MT8's - but they do not provide an accurate frequency rendition. If you are over 60 with some high-freq loss to your hearing they may be ok, but in truth they should remain in the studio - and even there only for infrequent specialist purposes.

The MT5's should be double the price of the MT8's - then there would be less confusion about these great headphones!

Have you ever heard a q40? Am looking for a headphone that's very forward in the midrange(detailed, sweet), vocal range, recessed in the part of the treble that makes the sound thin and sibilant, i don't care for soundstage width at all. But still sparkly or fun in the treble not like a snoozehier or sure. Can you recommend me 'phones like that that you know of? Old m50 was like that, px200 (the semi open small on ear portable), in general apple buds were acceptable though lower tier. Thanks in advance.

 

[Bernard23]

I was considering the MT8s until reading this, maybe the MT5 would be a better value bet. No mention though of the Yamaha RH-5ma that measure well (at least according to Amir) and which I've got, and like. No replacement for Grado Hemps, but then not much would be, but would like a pair of comfortable good sounding closed backs.

 

[Bernard23]

The more I research and read, the more I'm tempted to MT8. I'm OK with the grado hump, I'm OK with the bright and lean presentation of senn hd560s. Above all its detail and separation that I want. The tonal balance of the mt5 might be gentler, but missing detail means its off my list.

 

[Bernard23]

Well, an ebay deal on an up opened pair of MT5s couldn't be ignored, and they arrived today. Sounded great out of the box, much more bass tilted than HD560 but equally detailed. A bit of EQ in the upper mid and treble and they sound really good. That I only paid £40 for them was a huge bonus. I think these are somehow off an undiscovered gem from yamaha, and ought to be a lot more popular.

 

[ithehappy]

I was considering the MT8s as an upgrade to my DT770s which broke down recently, (no, repairing it is not an option in case someone intends that suggestion) but the reports are very conflicting. Please, do not try the sales pitch on the MT5s, it's disgusting. Anyone who has the DT770 and the MT8, could you tell me whether the soundstage on the 770s is much superior to the MT8s, and the details also?

 

[Dr.Aural]

I was considering the MT8s as an upgrade to my DT770s which broke down recently, (no, repairing it is not an option in case someone intends that suggestion) but the reports are very conflicting. Please, do not try the sales pitch on the MT5s, it's disgusting. Anyone who has the DT770 and the MT8, could you tell me whether the soundstage on the 770s is much superior to the MT8s, and the details also?

DT770 are undoubtedly V shaped - and can sound like there's a quiet 'hole' in the centre - almost like the weird 'anti-pressure' effect of noise-cancelling headphones - an odd hush in the centre frequencies, the MT8's much flatter - vocals more detailed and forward - though can at times be too forward (this is often the case with closed-backs that don't employ a V shape freq signature).

Bass on the DT770 is greater, though the MT8's are not repressed in the bass, but are more natural. Sub on the MT'8 is impressive - when there's sub in the source.

Highs are more metallic on the DT770 and can get painful and irritating, highs on MT8's are nearly as pronounced but more natural - not metallic.

Soundstage is greater on the DT770's, partly as the drivers are further from your ears and their V-shape freq signature, though the soundstage of the MT8's is not totally lacking, again it's more natural - everything spread without huge drama - more connected than torn apart.

Yes and I am the guy who recommended the MT5's a few years ago! - I still like the MT5's for long use, general listening, but for shorter sessions when I want to hear more definition I find them too dark now, so the MT8's have finally won me over. They are now my go to. Oh and BTW I just wrote the above switching between my DT770's (80ohm) and the MT8's.

In the end there's nothng like the DT770's (even my DT1990 pro are not like them), so if you want something very close to the DT770's, you'll need another set of the DT770's (the 80ohm BTW are better then the 32ohm, the 80ohm less piercing treble and generally a more solid sound than the 32ohm). If you are up for stepping sideways slightly, the MT8's are very worthy, yes soundstage is slightly less, though details better and certainly less fatiguing than the DT770's.

I do think you might find the MT8's too flat coming from the DT770's, they are not really 'listening pleasure' headphones, they're designed as 'studio monitor headphones'. You might need to continue your research.

I'm also interested to hear what others here have to say about these two headphones.

 

[ithehappy]

Thanks for the detailed response. Are you Julian Simmons on YouTube? Because the opinions of yours and his seem to be identical, someone who praised the MT5 over MT8 and even went as far as to call them worth 700 while later being only 400-ish or so, but of late suddenly changed opinion. Opinions do change over time, normal, but to this extent? Not sure!

My experience with the 770s: I have been using the 770s from 2016. And the V-shape honeymoon period stayed for maybe about couple of months for me. I liked the dynamics in the beginning, the boosted treble, boosted bass but eventually fatigue won me over. Ear piercing stuffs weren't for me, realised that. Couldn't even watch a 2-hour movie without having a terrible headache afterwards. Moreover, after couple of years, the left cup started to produce this buzzing noise from nowhere, I thought it was the track, but nope. It was annoying, that high freq buzz. Also, the comfort of the 770s, dear lord. From day 1 it felt uncomfortable to me, due to high clamping force and round shaped ear cushions which never encompassed my ears and therefore stayed a hybrid of around-ear and on-ear, so painful. And then the plastic part (having L/R and Made in Germany labelling) which holds the ear cup broke and ear cup kept falling down. And another and the ear cushions disintegrated within the first two years, however, I don't suppose it's a problem as I've seen that all ear cushions disintegrated after some time. Nushell is, if I discount the audio part from the DT770, I would give it a 0 out of 100 rating.

My requirement: Now, there are some things about the 770s which I still like, like the soundstage, it's very important for me as I am gamer (both competitive and casual) and I also watch a lot of movies/shows with DTS-HD audio. For this details is also very important to me. So I am looking for an alternative/upgrade, which will retain the stage and details of the 770s, while being neutral/flat (not V-shaped), meaning no harsh trebles, certainly no booming bass. I prefer the bass when bass is there in the track and not any extra, exactly as much is there in the track, also sub-bass focused is better than mid bass focused for me. Don't like the latter at all.

My consideration:I was considering the MT8s as a sidegrade, they cost exactly the same as a pair of 770s where I live. I also considered the DT 700 PRO X, which is nearly 3 times the price of 770s/MT8s though and that's why I'm very hesitant. Although they are said to be the neutral variant of 770s with an upgraded driver, and that's exactly what I'm looking for. 770s have older driver, and they make that high frequency buzzing noise after few years, so I'd like to avoid getting another headphone like that and prefer something which has utilised modern tech with modern drivers and all that.

 

[Dr.Aural]

...the high frequency buzzing of the DT770's is caused by a hair getting stuck on the driver. I've been inside these headphones, not that easy and did successfully remove a hair which solved the problem. But I wouldn't buy another set of DT770's due to their sticky drivers!

Of all my headphones the ATH A990Z would suit you sound wise, open, wide and full detailed sound, BUT I hate the headband design, really really hate it. So I can't recommend them - as I know you'd hate the headband design also. Why AT made a great set of drivers on such a weird headband is beyond me.

The MT8 will sound a little too busy and shouty for general listening, the TYGR 300R sound open (well they are open-back!) yet too thin, the HD 280 Pro a little too compressed in sound - yet solid and otherwise well balanced, but too much clamping force, in fact the MT5 while slightly dark - is still the top pick for me for general listening over long periods, but they are not a slight tweak from the DT770's - which I think is all you want - so I'll bow out of this discussion, though I'm also keen to hear what others have to say on what is the latest and greatest in this area.

For wide soundstange though you might need to consider open-back headphones - is this an option? - as I don't think you'll find many closed-back headphones close to the soundstage of the DT770's.

+ yes I'm JS on YT!

 

[ithehappy]

...the high frequency buzzing of the DT770's is caused by a hair getting stuck on the driver. I've been inside these headphones, not that easy and did successfully remove a hair which solved the problem. But I wouldn't but another set of DT770's due to their sticky drivers!

Of all my headphones the ATH A990Z would suit you sound wise, open, wide and full detailed sound, BUT I hate the headband design, really really hate it. So I can't recommend them - as I know you'd hate the headband design also. Why AT made a great set of drivers on such a weird headband is beyond me.

The MT8 will sound a little too busy and shouty for general listening, the TYGR 300R sound open (well they are open-back!) yet too thin, the HD 280 Pro a little too compressed in sound - yet solid and otherwise well balanced, but too much clamping force, in fact the MT5 while slightly dark - is still the top pick for me for general listening over long periods, but they are not a slight tweak from the DT770's - which I think is all you want - so I'll bow out of this discussion, though I'm also keen to hear what others have to say on what is the latest and greatest in this area.

For wide soundstange though you might need to consider open-back headphones - is this an option? - as I don't think you'll find many closed-back headphones close to the soundstage of the DT770's.

+ yes I'm JS on YT!

Thanks for letting me know the reason behind the buzzing noise.

I could have made that A990Z headband work for me especially because I cannot imagine any headphone being worse in regard to comfort compared to the 770s.

Okay, ruling out the MT8s. I don't need a sidegrade, I need a proper upgrade. HD280 Pro doesn't have any soundstage from what I read, so ruled it out. Also, it's just 25% or so less than the cost of a 770 32.

No, open back isn't an option for me really. If it were I would have probably gone with the 560s as I read it's one of the most flat headphone out there. I will keep looking then. Still would like to know about the 700 PRO X though, whether it's an upgrade from the 770s in all aspects. Although for me to actually purchase it it must undergo a sale, present price is too high.

 

[Dr.Aural]

Still would like to know about the 700 PRO X though, whether it's an upgrade from the 770s in all aspects.

Once in a while, just for kicks, it's worth watching Zeos. He says the open back DT900 are great the DT700 are not - too harsh, though also read the comments below the vid, there are fans of the 700's...

 

[ithehappy]

Once in a while, just for kicks, it's worth watching Zeos. He says the open back DT900 are great the DT700 are not - too harsh, though also read the comments below the vid, there are fans of the 700's...

Thanks. Some said that the 700 has narrower stage the 770. Jeez!

 

[Dr.Aural]

Thanks. Some said that the 700 has narrower stage the 770. Jeez!

I wonder if the new ATH-MSR7b might be worth a try? - anyone else out there with views about this?
The MT8's are now my daily driver, though I often wish I could have just a bit more open soundstage to the sound, and perhaps less shouty at higher volumes. The thing is, overall the MT8's give me more of what I want than any other headphone, and less of what I don't want. I just would like to reduce the 'want I don't want' a bit further!