Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Sept 1, 2020 16:10:02 GMT
I got my hands on a pair and got a real surprise.
Either my hearing has changed, or there have been changes to the headphone sound. I had the original dt880 when it first came out. I didn’t like it, because to my ears, it sounded far too toppy and bass was rolled away too much for my tastes. So I gave it away.
My lasting memory of it as a headphone was edgy, thin with good mids.
This new one is a 32 ohm version and I’m finding it WARM sounding. Immediately, I suspected my hearing might be shot so I checked with the DT1990 and indeed, it is warmer!! My memory was of a cold sounding headphone, but this definitely isn’t. It still has less bass than the other two Beyers, but it’s not as empty down there as I remember.
I’m beginning to wonder whether my tastes as far as timbre goes have changed over the years. This sounds flatter, less shrill and the openness of the stereo image is really lovely. More open than the dt770 and the Dt1990.
Bass seems pretty quick and slams but quickly goes, so there’s no hangover. No mid bass fatness which makes it sound like fresh air ...... I’m left wondering what happened to the shrill treble?
Is anyone aware of changes made to this headphone, because my view of it has completely changed. It’s warm while still being pretty analytical and open sounding.
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solderdude
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measureutternutter
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Post by solderdude on Sept 2, 2020 7:42:08 GMT
A similar thing happened to the DT880 Black edition which has a different tonality almost the same as the DT990 Pro. I guess Beyer relealized the DT880 was found to be too 'boring', 'flat' and too sharp sounding and changed the tonality closer to that of the DT990. It's not you but indeed the models tuning that has changed.
The treble peak is still there but because you don't dislike the DT1990 treble peak you won't be bothered by the DT880 peak either.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Sept 2, 2020 8:18:56 GMT
Oh, so maybe I’m not imagining it, Frans. I really couldn’t tolerate the original dt880.
This almost seemed ‘dull’ by comparison to the dt1990 in the top area in particular. Maybe I was preparing for massive sibilance or something before I listened. I actually had to ‘acclimatise’ to its sound and then, funnily enough, it seemed very pleasant. Bass is still lower in quantity but it has a great impact and then dies fast. So the drivers seem pretty fast. Because the treble seems less gritty, I can play it louder and then the bass develops a little more too.
I don’t understand why they made this at 32 ohms though, with such a long, permanent cable. It’s not great for portable use in all honesty. Better with a portable amp, but worse is that the drivers seem to be pretty good and show up the flaws in my phone amp big time. The dynamic range and also (funnily enough) the frequency response range seems to be limited through them. Almost ‘squashed up’. Stick it onto a dap with an amp and it takes off .... even though it’s only 32 ohms, so I guess it isn’t that sensitive and also needs a good strong current to drive it.
I like the sound of it although I think the 32 ohm closed back is better for portable. Shorter lead and because of its ‘v’ shape, compensates more for the two extremes that seem to be lacking on my phone.
So, really good headphone, but not on a phone! At least my Motorola phone.
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Post by ronzo56 on Sept 10, 2020 22:06:04 GMT
I had a DT880 a few years back. I hated it. Treble was like an ice pick in my ears. 30 minutes and I had a headache. Luckily I had a 2 week no risk return, so I sent them back. I do have a pair of DT1350’s which I use with my iPad. Those don’t have the issue. Maybe Beyer figured it out.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Sept 11, 2020 6:09:43 GMT
That’s my memory of the DT880. Cold sounding!
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