Beyerdynamic DT880 Appreciation Time

[Sharur]

In 1980 Beyerdynamic created a headphone that would be regularly used by professionals, "audiophiles," and general consumers alike for the next half-century. Unlike many other popular "German" headphone manufacturers such as Sennheiser and AKG, Beyerdynamic headphones are still hand made in Germany. With the only exception I know of being the HE1 which is $59,000! Sound signature is obviously subjective, but the DT880 is overall very close to the diffuse field target, matching the Harman target perfectly in the midrange and relatively closely in the treble (aside from the peaks of course). As far as distortion goes, the 600 Ohm version boasts amazing results. No headphone is perfect and the DT880 is not an exception to this rule. However, there is no denying the greatness Beyerdynamic achieved with this headphone.

 

[Sharur]

dt990 250 ohm is better

so true

 

[Sharur]

1. it smooths out after burn in (after burn in the dt990 becomes scientifically perfect and you cannot prove me wrong)
2. ok the 880 literally has no bass.
3. literally a plus.

just accept it

1.

2.

3. ballce

 

[McFly]

Uh oh some one left the gate open at the headfi farm again

 

[maverickronin]

I'm pretty sure the DT880 is still Beyerdynamic's best headphone. There are a couple newer ones I haven't heard.

It makes you wonder what they were thinking with all the revisions of the T1 that have escaped without any meaningful improvement.

 

[solderdude]

Weslife = HereYaGo = discontinued

Now you know where to find mr 'People who know about audio don't sit on forums discussing it' (hint: linky above) you are all invited to troll his YT channel when he is trollin' here under another alias.

 

[Sharur]

I'm pretty sure the DT880 is still Beyerdynamic's best headphone. There are a couple newer ones I haven't heard.

It makes you wonder what they were thinking with all the revisions of the T1 that have escaped without any meaningful improvement.

I don't think marketing the DT880 as the world's best headphone for 200 dollars is the smartest decision (not saying it is). But what do i know

 

[Sharur]

Weslife = HereYaGo = discontinued

Now you know where to find mr 'People who know about audio don't sit on forums discussing it' (hint: linky above) you are all invited to troll his YT channel when he is trollin' here under another alias.

weslife and i are big fans even though we don't actually like the dt990

 

[solderdude]

Funny thing though.
When I bought my first 'serious' headphone about 35 years ago I listened to DT880 and DT990. This was in the years I liked to V-shape everything by the way. You know bass on max, treble near the max.
I found the DT880 boring and bass shy. Note: the current DT880's are almost DT990's these days. certainly the DT880BE.

I bought the DT990. Loved it to bits. Didn't hear the treble peak as a problem but as 'hyper detail' and loved the bass.
One day one channel cut out. Driver broke....
Bought myself a HD250-Linear-II (also V shaped) till after some years the treble started to bother me.

So went to the hifi store again (couldn't buy anything on-line back then) and spent ages auditioning headphones.
In the meantime I had conditioned myself to get rid of V shaped sound and narrowed it down to HD600 and HD650.
I thought the HD650 was too expensive but I found it a bit cleaner and slightly better sounding.

In the end bought the HD650 and enjoyed that for many years.
Later on fixed the DT990 (repaired the driver) and it's still locked up and even still have the second pair of pads which have no foam in there, only some crumbled stuff.

Long story short... have the DT1990A (with filter) and DT880BE (modified and filtered) and given the difference in price between the DT1990-A (basically the DT1880) I would think the DT880 isn't a bad choice (once the treble peak has been removed) and is quite enjoyable for the amount of money.

 

[markanini]

I don't think marketing the DT880 as the world's best headphone for 200 dollars is the smartest decision (not saying it is). But what do i know

For the consumer it's called a sleeper.

Note: the current DT880's are almost DT990's these days. certainly the DT880BE.

Looks like the DT880 Pro is less like the DT990 over the DT880 Edition.

 

[AdamG]

Thanks to alert Members @solderdude and @thewas, new member Weslife was identified as a Troll. Thanks guys! Make our job a little easier. Much appreciated.

I doubt he will get back in now.

 

[Sharur]

For the consumer it's called a sleeper.


Looks like the DT880 Pro is less like the DT990 over the DT880 Edition.

the DT880 Edition in that measurement is actually the black edition. The DT880 Fresh Pads is the edition 250 ohm. I've asked oratory about this.

 

[solderdude]

For the consumer it's called a sleeper.


Looks like the DT880 Pro is less like the DT990 over the DT880 Edition.

The DT880 Black Edition measures scaringly similar to the Amiron Home

and even to the T1mk2 which has even more upper treble but less 'sharpness' (6kHz)

Compared to DT990 pro

and compared to the DT880-Edition of quite a few years ago.

 

[AdamG]

im not a troll. i was just speaking science and then some guy named soldierdude started bullying me so i defended myself.

i would apreciate if you unbanned me ps. my brother got banned to so nice job

I sent you a pm. Until this is resolved post no further or I will issue a full IP spam ban. That action is very bad and has larger consequences beyond just this Web Site.

 

[AdamG]

weslife needs dt880s to correct his behavior

Do not get involved.

 

[Sharur]

Do not get involved.

Sorry

 

[markanini]

A reviewer called DMS compared these to Sennheiser HD800. I was skeptical until I looked at the graphs.

 

[solderdude]

my HD800S vs DT880 Edition

HD800S has better imaging though

Note: due to lack of pinna the 'depression' around 3kHz will be less deep in reality because the HD800S driver is angled and further away from the ear.

 

[Yearofthegoat]

Quick question re. the DT880 versions - the Pro has a curly cable and the Edition a straight one, but otherwise they're the same, right? I have the 880/250 Ohm on my shortlist (along with the Senn HD560S). Thanks!

 

[adama99]

Quick question re. the DT880 versions - the Pro has a curly cable and the Edition a straight one, but otherwise they're the same, right?

Yes. However, as noted above the Black/Chrome Editions of the DT 880 (with black pads and grill) are quite different.