First Headphones: sennheiser hd 660s2 vs Meze Audio 109 PRO vs beyerdynamic dt 1990 pro mkii

[Gsd2025]

Hello, this is my first post here and I am far from an audio expert so please forgive my ignorance. I’ve been into decent audio for about 2 years. My setup is in my bio. I know I don’t have anything high class, but I’m 22 and just graduated college so the gear I have was what I determined was the best I could do for my budget at the time.

Due to living in an apartment, and my somewhat nocturnal nature, I’m looking to get a set of good headphones so as to not disturb my neighbors late at night. I’ve never had headphones before, just button earbuds, and I’m a bit lost. I’m also not exactly tech/electronic knowledgeable, so all the specs and such are a little daunting. Based on some retailers articles (shoutout Crutchfield), online searching, and budget I’ve found the Sennheiser HD 660S2, Meze Audio 109 PRO, and Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII. I’m not sure what to choose. Could any of you all offer advice? I am open to other options, as long as they are in the same price point.

I am aware that I will need a headphone amp. I also need a DAC so I’m also planning to purchase a preamp/DAC/headphone amp, but I will make a separate post for that discussion.
Thanks!

 

[solderdude]

Hello, this is my first post here and I am far from an audio expert so please forgive my ignorance. I’ve been into decent audio for about 2 years. My setup is in my bio. I know I don’t have anything high class, but I’m 22 and just graduated college so the gear I have was what I determined was the best I could do for my budget at the time.

Due to living in an apartment, and my somewhat nocturnal nature, I’m looking to get a set of good headphones so as to not disturb my neighbors late at night. I’ve never had headphones before, just button earbuds, and I’m a bit lost. I’m also not exactly tech/electronic knowledgeable, so all the specs and such are a little daunting. Based on some retailers articles (shoutout Crutchfield), online searching, and budget I’ve found the Sennheiser HD 660S2, Meze Audio 109 PRO, and Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII. I’m not sure what to choose. Could any of you all offer advice? I am open to other options, as long as they are in the same price point.

I am aware that I will need a headphone amp. I also need a DAC so I’m also planning to purchase a preamp/DAC/headphone amp, but I will make a separate post for that discussion.
Thanks!

All headphones sound very different.
It is impossible to predict which one YOU might prefer.

 

[DVDdoug]

The Beyerdynamic and Sennheiser are reviewed here on ASR.

The "sound" of headphones is mostly frequency response but unlike with speakers (or electronics) flat frequency response on headphones doesn't "sound right". The Harman Curve sounds best to most people, but as solderdude says, you may have different preferences.

You can also adjust the frequency response with EQ, but sometimes if you boost the bass you end-up pushing the headphone (or headphone amp) into distortion.

as long as they are in the same price point.

With headphones, there is almost no correlation between sound quality and price. You'll see that if you sort the reviews here by "recommended" or price. The AKG K371 is a "famous bargain" but it has a reputation for being fragile and it has somewhat exaggerated deep bass relative to the Harman curve. (Mine haven't broken yet.)

I am aware that I will need a headphone amp. I also need a DAC so I’m also planning to purchase a preamp/DAC/headphone amp

Maybe... The headphone output on your computer or phone (or whatever) may be perfectly adequate as long as it goes loud enough with your particular headphones.

And most DACs are better than human hearing. I don't own a stand-alone DAC but of course I have lots of stuff with a built-in DAC.

Also see Understanding Headphone Measurements (video)

 

[IngMishael]

Hello, this is my first post here and I am far from an audio expert so please forgive my ignorance. I’ve been into decent audio for about 2 years. My setup is in my bio. I know I don’t have anything high class, but I’m 22 and just graduated college so the gear I have was what I determined was the best I could do for my budget at the time.

Due to living in an apartment, and my somewhat nocturnal nature, I’m looking to get a set of good headphones so as to not disturb my neighbors late at night. I’ve never had headphones before, just button earbuds, and I’m a bit lost. I’m also not exactly tech/electronic knowledgeable, so all the specs and such are a little daunting. Based on some retailers articles (shoutout Crutchfield), online searching, and budget I’ve found the Sennheiser HD 660S2, Meze Audio 109 PRO, and Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII. I’m not sure what to choose. Could any of you all offer advice? I am open to other options, as long as they are in the same price point.

I am aware that I will need a headphone amp. I also need a DAC so I’m also planning to purchase a preamp/DAC/headphone amp, but I will make a separate post for that discussion.
Thanks!

can you demo these headphones? also no need to make a different post for DAC/Amp. What will you plug them into? be specific, an Androidn device, an iOS device or a PC/laptop? @Gsd2025