solderdude
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measureutternutter
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Post by solderdude on Apr 6, 2016 5:03:53 GMT
Beyer = pleasant sound but lacks real subbass (can be EQ'ed). Fostex = pleasant sound and has good subbass, albeit a little too much with some recordings.
The DT990 is much cheaper though.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Apr 6, 2016 8:17:26 GMT
The DT990 is a good headphone. Of course, it is cheaper than the Fostex as well so it is a great buy tbh.
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Post by marveltone on Apr 6, 2016 9:07:35 GMT
Funny thing is, I can get the T50 for $140 and the 990 Pro for $150. Even figuring $35 for the new pads, the Fostex is still only $175, which puts it cheaper than the 990 Edition, which is a bit North of $230. They are really comparably priced.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Apr 6, 2016 9:42:54 GMT
If you opted for the alcantara pads, I think they might be a bit more expensive than that. They're not a cheap pad.
Funny about the prices because over this side of the world, the Beyer is cheaper. In my mind, it's a bargain buy.
Fostex has a very different sound and not in yer face. More Senn like and laid back.
I always get a bit concerned recommending any headphone to someone of they only have one since there's no choice.
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Post by marveltone on Apr 6, 2016 10:26:54 GMT
Alcatara Pads are $35 at Amazon.http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00HXAV0UY/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1459938172&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=shure+alcantara+pads
Still, the DT990 can theoretically be tamed a bit with felt and Frans's filter. Either way, it's still going to be way smoother than my Grado.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Apr 6, 2016 10:35:53 GMT
The dt990 with filter is extremely good. I have one and it improves the dt990 a great deal. It does indeed calm the top end and produce a more extended bass.
Mind you, the T50 filter is also good but in this case, it boosts the top and extends the lower bass.
I'm fortunate enough to have quite a few filters. It seems a very sensible approach to me and gives an improved sound on the headphones that Frans has measured for sure.
You get a better deal on the pads as well then!! Way over the top in the UK. Funny thing - after trying these pads, I'd quite like to hear the Shure 1540 now. I've seen it described as 'boring' which is often a good description o 'flat' (ish)!!!
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jello
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Post by jello on Apr 6, 2016 14:08:55 GMT
Still not had a chance to try the DT990 filter yet...Easter hols are seriously affecting my listening time Perhaps it's the Amperex valve I'm using but I really don't find the treble on the DT990 problematic at all or overly in your face. I could comfortably listen for hours as it's a very agreeable sounding headphone. Maybe on a colder sounding SS amp or with other valves it might be a different story and that treble spikiness might rear its head though. I only had a very short listen to the T50 before I had to return it but it seems a bit less involving than the DT990. A bit subdued or pedestrian whereas the DT990 really makes for quite an upbeat and musical listen. Has a knack of making most recordings sound good even when they're not so perhaps that's a lack of accuracy. The elevated bass gives it a bit of a 'fun factor' and I don't think the lack of sub bass is a deal breaker as it's quite well disguised. Not suggesting one is better than the other, especially with such limited time with the T50, but I think they are distinctly different flavours. The DT990 is like living life in technicolor whereas the T50 is likely a bit closer to reality where sometimes it shines and other times its a bit drab..like northern britain (it's grim oop north) Take above with a big pinch of salt. DT990 build quality and materials are appreciably though, irrespective of my own personal woes with the T50, but the hard wired cable is a bi of a downer (think it's heavy & coiled on the non-ltd edition Pro version).
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Post by timjthomas on Apr 6, 2016 14:48:12 GMT
The dt990 with filter is extremely good. I have one and it improves the dt990 a great deal. It does indeed calm the top end and produce a more extended bass. How does the "filtered" dt990 compare against say the HD800, HD600, or Ether? I have a K701 filter and it works very well. But I'm wondering if the dt990 with filter would be an "upgrade" in any way?
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Post by marveltone on Apr 6, 2016 16:18:31 GMT
The awesome thing about the filter, the way I see it, especially with something like the DT990 is you really expand on the versatility of the headphone. The 990 is described as "fun" and "exciting". If the filter smoothes it out like I'm thinking, you can switch it in or out and possibly make it work for more genres of music. To me, this is more than worth it.
Of course, the guys who actually own these can answer way better than I, as this is a bit of speculation on my part.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Apr 6, 2016 18:49:15 GMT
The dt990 with filter is extremely good. I have one and it improves the dt990 a great deal. It does indeed calm the top end and produce a more extended bass. How does the "filtered" dt990 compare against say the HD800, HD600, or Ether? I have a K701 filter and it works very well. But I'm wondering if the dt990 with filter would be an "upgrade" in any way? I wouldn't see the dt990 with filter as an 'upgrade' over the k701. It's more like a sideways move really, I think. I'm not sure what the filter does to the K701 but I'm guessing that the peak has been reduced and perhaps the bass raised. The K701 is very analytical by nature where the dt990 isn't quite the same really. The only other one that I have that you've listed is the hd600. That's a great headphone. My favourite with filter is the hd650 and the hd600 is very close. I'd see that as an upgrade.
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Post by timjthomas on Apr 6, 2016 18:57:30 GMT
Thanks! I have an HD580 - which is fairly close to the HD600. Based on the hat I've read, it looks like the best "upgrade" may be the HD800 or Ether. I hope to listen to the Ether in a few weeks. A local store carries them as well as HiFiMan.
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Post by marveltone on Apr 16, 2016 16:27:08 GMT
Just because I'm bored, have no money, and am insatiably curious, I grabbed a scrap of cheap, polyester craft felt, cut a couple circles out of it, and tucked the disks over the drivers behind the cushions on my Grados. I have absolutely no means with which to measure anything, but thought I'd try to tame some of the treble harshness. Not sure what this does to the overall FR, but it does seem to sound a bit more "gentle", costs nothing, and gives me something to do. I have noticed already that my ears get warmer. Huh...
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Apr 16, 2016 17:35:38 GMT
That's the spirit, Joe. You might notice the treble less harsh and even a raise in the bass perhaps. At least you might hear it that way.
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Post by marveltone on Apr 16, 2016 19:00:19 GMT
I listened to Alan Parson's "Gaudi", as this album has a lot going on. The harshness is greatly reduced, but so is some of the airiness, which is kind of a big deal during "Inside Looking Out". Also, the bass and midrange both seem to gain a slight lift, as they're not being so overwhelmed by the treble spikes. I can also turn up the volume ever so slightly, which tends to help with the bass presentation a bit. French horns have a little more authority, snares no longer hurt, bass guitar at least partially resembles bass guitar, acoustic guitar loses a slight bit of attack. Overall sound is more relaxed, but a bit congested.
I'll keep the felt in for at least the rest of the weekend, maybe longer, to give my ears and brain a chance to get used to the new sound.
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