No idea how long it takes for pads to wear out to the degree shown in the picture. I guess years? I’m sure it doesn’t so fast that there’s a noticeable change in a day or even a week.
I assume the process of sound changing as parts age happens with other pads and headphones too, but I haven’t seen any comparison in terms how much degradation of materials affects sound per-headphone. First time I’ve seen a graphic comparing this kind of stuff.
Beyerdynamic pads are infamous for wearing out fast, in less than a year with daily use according to Oratory (professional acoustic engineer and former studio audio engineer who made the above measurents):Thank you for sharing this graphic.
No idea how long it takes for pads to wear out to the degree shown in the picture. I guess years? I’m sure it doesn’t so fast that there’s a noticeable change in a day or even a week. If the change is gradual and slow, the mind gets accustomed to it like any other slow change.
I assume the process of sound changing as parts age happens with other pads and headphones too, but I haven’t seen any comparison in terms how much degradation of materials affects sound per-headphone. First time I’ve seen a graphic comparing this kind of stuff. Because there’s only one data point, I can’t tell if an aged DT880 changes sound more than an aged HD600 or whatever else model.
In general though, terrible is a strong word, I don’t think many people who have used this headphone for the suggested purpose feel that way about them. They wouldn’t have their clearly positive reputation and ubiquity otherwise. If you feel that way, I’m sorry to hear that.
In any case, I suggest them because it was a good choice for me in a similar situation, and hope this opinion can help OP or others out.
No claim of their immunity to the passing of time, naturally. Change pads if they fall apart after some years of course, thankfully they sell replacements.
(From the comments on his EQ pdf for the 880 with worn pads.)Beyerdynamic earpads (DT770/880/990) deteriorate within a year. It depends on how often you use the heapdhones, if you use them every day it will be less than a year.
Beyerdynamic pads are infamous for wearing out fast, in less than a year with daily use according to Oratory (professional acoustic engineer and former studio audio engineer who made the above measurents):
Good guess this is why the DT 700 and DT 900 Pro X have thicker memory foam pads than they're older siblings. Bet the pad wear is much slower.
Hoi Solderdude, thank you for your detailed evaluation. Out of the top of your head could you compare it to the Sundaras. I own and like the 1990. What I like about the 900 is that it should be very very easy to drive to high volumes. (I like it loud ) Bedankt!My evaluation of the DT 900 PRO X is up.
Thank you. I think I pass already have the HD560s in my collection.I don't own the Sundara's and have not heard the recent iterations.
I can only tell you that the DT1990 is the better headphone (compared to the DT900X) but only WITH EQ (in my case the passive filter).
Without EQ and when driving it directly from portable gear I would use the DT900X in that case.
The Sundara I heard years ago did not impress me much.