Beyerdynamic DT 880

[oligarki]

Maybe it's a good time to start a DT880 thread    Hoping to hear other people's experience with this pair.

I picked up my DT 880/600 last Saturday and haven't had much time to listen yet.  The first few things I noticed (sorry if I'm not that precise with terminology):

1) They are very comfortable on the ears.  Earpads are soft, and the clamping force on the head feels just right
2) It looks like it's built to last.  Apart from the thin wires and screws linking the headband to the earcups, I think it's very tough.
3) Compared to my M50's the mids and highs have more presence, while bass sounds rather tame (but a little more refined).  In terms of detail I find them to be similar (the typical 'i am hearing details I never heard before in my music'), but instruments sounded a lot better because IMO the DT880 also presents the velocity of each note in a more realistic way.
4) A matching amp might matter a lot -- I'm using entry level DAC/Amp, and treble is a little tricky to manage.  A few adjustments on the EQ somehow helped.

[marcusd]

Which version of the DT880 did you buy bro?

[Sforza]

I had a DT880/250 and I liked it very much for a time, until I figured out my taste was in dark or neutral headphones. I feel that the treble boost of the DT880 gives it that sense of "better clarity and detail retrieval", which isn't a good or bad thing. I also thought that they're very comfy

Which amp are you using at the moment?

Which version of the DT880 did you buy bro?

I think it's the DT880 Premium one since he mentioned 880/600. It's the same one as the DT880 Aldo used to have.

[marcusd]

Ah I missed that. yes for the 600ohm you will need a well powered amp to get the best out of them. I think Collie will for sure be able to advise you out of his personal experience what amp matching worked and what did not.

[oligarki]

I had a DT880/250 and I liked it very much for a time, until I figured out my taste was in dark or neutral headphones. I feel that the treble boost of the DT880 gives it that sense of "better clarity and detail retrieval", which isn't a good or bad thing. I also thought that they're very comfy

Which amp are you using at the moment?

I think it's the DT880 Premium one since he mentioned 880/600. It's the same one as the DT880 Aldo used to have.

I'm currently using the E7/E9 combo, still looking around for a better match.  Which headphones did you end up with?

[marcusd]

I'm currently using the E7/E9 combo, still looking around for a better match.  Which headphones did you end up with?

The e7/e9 works quite well I am told with 600ohm cans, Ken our audio master here was very pleased with the results he had with the e9.

[Sforza]

I'm currently using the E7/E9 combo, still looking around for a better match.  Which headphones did you end up with?

The Hifiman HE-6 is one of the headphones I have that sounds like an upgrade to the DT880.
Also, I'm pretty sure the E7/E9 combo would work well enough

[daneustch]

I would agree with E9, it really does a good job driving my dt990/600ohm.. although i dont have any other amp to make a comparo 

[maruzen]

I've had these cans for quite a while

the only thing that displaced them out of my regular listening rotation was the Stax Lambda Pro. but considering that this is an electrostatic headphone at nearly double the price of the Beyer, the DT880/600 ohms would be impressive at what it can deliver at that price point

I pair mine with the Audio-GD C-2C. It sounds good because the amp tends to boost the low end, which is complementary to these cans. I do have to try them with a bigger, more robust amp in the future...

for my ears, the DT880 is a winner because:

1) the clarity is very impressive - the HD650 sounds "noisier" by comparison, and the HD650 is already up there in the realm of legends...
2) the soundstage is generous - I have been addicted to this aspect that cans provide; that expansive space which draws you to the music. this can gives it in spades
3) comfort is superb - why Grado chooses their uncomfortable design is beyond me. maybe they are selling millions of those. but these don't turn any portion of my ear raw from hours of listening. and headphones this expensive should be worn as long as they can be...
4) the tone is right - very subjective aspect. it just gives me the best tone among my dynamics. the mids are just a tad recessed but I can't live with the Grado compromise

I mean, this was the king before the Tesla came. and at this price point, I do not see why people are not appreciating these cans, or even Beyer products in general. They aren't portable for a good reason; they need a powerful and beefy amp for a good reason -- because they are supposed to deliver true audiophile quality music. in fact, Beyerdynamic gave them flagship status with their name and reputation at stake at that time. given this consideration, it would really be arguably foolish to pair them up with a cellular phone as DAC or a portable amp -- they were just not designed for that...

the orthos and magnetic planar cans have arrived and conquered the scene nowadays. iems that can compete directly with the sound quality of flagships have emerged. but just look at the prices of those items! these cans are available for a pittance compared to those, and yet they don't get as much attention. but the sound quality of these Beyers can compete with the best of them, at a much lower price. there might be compromises here and there but it's nice to listen to music while not having to starve for a month

well, I still have my DT880. Beyer makes good products. have a listen guys, you might get surprised

[daneustch]

I've had these cans for quite a while

the only thing that displaced them out of my regular listening rotation was the Stax Lambda Pro. but considering that this is an electrostatic headphone at nearly double the price of the Beyer, the DT880/600 ohms would be impressive at what it can deliver at that price point

I pair mine with the Audio-GD C-2C. It sounds good because the amp tends to boost the low end, which is complementary to these cans. I do have to try them with a bigger, more robust amp in the future...

for my ears, the DT880 is a winner because:

1) the clarity is very impressive - the HD650 sounds "noisier" by comparison, and the HD650 is already up there in the realm of legends...
2) the soundstage is generous - I have been addicted to this aspect that cans provide; that expansive space which draws you to the music. this can gives it in spades
3) comfort is superb - why Grado chooses their uncomfortable design is beyond me. maybe they are selling millions of those. but these don't turn any portion of my ear raw from hours of listening. and headphones this expensive should be worn as long as they can be...
4) the tone is right - very subjective aspect. it just gives me the best tone among my dynamics. the mids are just a tad recessed but I can't live with the Grado compromise

I mean, this was the king before the Tesla came. and at this price point, I do not see why people are not appreciating these cans, or even Beyer products in general. They aren't portable for a good reason; they need a powerful and beefy amp for a good reason -- because they are supposed to deliver true audiophile quality music. in fact, Beyerdynamic gave them flagship status with their name and reputation at stake at that time. given this consideration, it would really be arguably foolish to pair them up with a cellular phone as DAC or a portable amp -- they were just not designed for that...

the orthos and magnetic planar cans have arrived and conquered the scene nowadays. iems that can compete directly with the sound quality of flagships have emerged. but just look at the prices of those items! these cans are available for a pittance compared to those, and yet they don't get as much attention. but the sound quality of these Beyers can compete with the best of them, at a much lower price. there might be compromises here and there but it's nice to listen to music while not having to starve for a month

well, I still have my DT880. Beyer makes good products. have a listen guys, you might get surprised

the soundstage is generous - " I have been addicted to this aspect that cans provide "- x2! 

best soundstage and detail compared to all of my cans and iems.. while having so much detail it doesn't fall on being analytical because it still is very much involving mainly due the generous soundstage and deep bass, while this is not the perfect can, it can improve on smoothing on some rough edges, like treble harshness and sibilance, it is still my favorite 

[airwax]

this is one of my favorite headphones.

[oligarki]

I almost bought an HD800 today, and very glad I brought along my DT880 to compare and do a sense check.

The presentation of the music on HD800 felt generally more refined, balanced, and natural.  I still preferred the superior detail presented by the DT880 though, and the additional 40-50k for the refinement didn't quite convince me.

On the flipside,  they were plugged to onkyo and pioneer stereo amps    I also picked up hints of sibilance on both, but not piercing, and at levels my ears can manage.

While I decided not to buy it, I still believe HD800 is overall better (so much potential).  Now I am thinking if I should spend on a very good amp instead for my beyers, or take a shot at the LCD-2...

[KaliKot]

I almost bought an HD800 today, and very glad I brought along my DT880 to compare and do a sense check.

The presentation of the music on HD800 felt generally more refined, balanced, and natural.  I still preferred the superior detail presented by the DT880 though, and the additional 40-50k for the refinement didn't quite convince me.

On the flipside,  they were plugged to onkyo and pioneer stereo amps    I also picked up hints of sibilance on both, but not piercing, and at levels my ears can manage.

While I decided not to buy it, I still believe HD800 is overall better (so much potential).  Now I am thinking if I should spend on a very good amp instead for my beyers, or take a shot at the LCD-2...

Whoa! I can only imagine walking into a store and coming out with an HD800. Must feel like driving away with a Ferrari

[Mochan]

I almost walked into Listening Room and out with an Hd800 as well. It was on sale for 50k, killer deal.

But I didn't feel like spending that much.

[maruzen]

I almost bought an HD800 today, and very glad I brought along my DT880 to compare and do a sense check.

whoa bro! HD800!

I have an Audio-GD C-2C and I like the way it works with the DT880 and the DT990... although at HeadFi, the feasible recommendations would be the Ming Da MC 84C07 tube amp (with upgraded tubes), the Darkvoice line of amps (like the entry level 336 up to the top of the line 337)... and these are tube amps which have generous voltage swings, so might want to choose  one with lots of voltage for yours

regarding the Woo line of amps, some say they have good synergy with the Beyer DT880, others do not agree. If it wasn't that expensive I would've tried one last year, when I had the funds... well, I brought the Stax instead ... I think Reorx used his with a Woo Audio amp before...