I've been looking for a new pair of open backed headphones for gaming and music for a while.
These get really good reviews for their soundstage and their sound quality - though they have the classic Beyerdynamic V shape and is more calibrated to a Harman curve than a flat monitor like the 58x.
Thought it would be good to share the love.
Umart also have the 250 Ohms at $199 for premium members.
https://www.umart.com.au/Beyerdynamic-DT990-Pro-Open-Referen…
Store too.
yo where's the price goober?!
amazon had it for 178 recently. Ive also heard the 880 is alot better unless u want a better bass?
100% correct, and then the Sennheiser HD 560S is better again for an even signature with a little brightness along the lines of the Beyers.
'Better' is subjective depending on what you listen to.
Everyone's ears are different
We have the Harman curve for a reason. The goal is to get things within a range, then cover for comfort and hopefully it doesn't result in too much or too little pinna gain for where that matters. That covers the vast majority of typical ear anatomies and use cases fairly well, with the key difference most of the time being the bass shelf (or lack thereof).
What you describe is mostly objective (but complex), the subjectivity is the signature preference and the technical elements you're willing to trade out, and the ones you can't live without.
As technology improves, you make less compromises. Lo and behold, an open back with weak sub-bass and scratchy, bright treble, doesn't really hold up as a recommendation some 35 years after its original release. Who'd have thought?
This is above the regular price (including delivery) on Amazon (usually via the UK), but this is a very dated, and very picky recommendation.
Go for the new Sennheiser HD 560S, and get a better balance of sound and technical performance. You can also look at the AKG K612 Pro and the HD 6XX if you want to buy an amp longer term. All bar the HD 6XX are available in the $200-$240 range.
Thank you
Amy recommendations for a good portable dac/amp between 150-250 for headphones like the 6xx etc? Currently thinking of the fiio btr5 vs the ifi hip. Thanks in advance :)
Shoud add: will be for use around home/office, not for travelling.
Many small/budget-friendly amps like the Fiio you list won't handle 250ohm headphones, confirmed on the specs page for it (see Drive Ability): https://www.fiio.com/btr5_parameters
They will of course make some sound, but it won't be loud, and it won't be the full spectrum. This was my experience trying to run DT880 250ohm on my Fiio X3 II.
From my prior research (haven't looked lately), you really have to step up in price to get a portable amp to handle 250ohm headphones, but even then, the results are probably worse than simply using the available funds to get more expensive low-ohm headphones.
The good thing with Beyerdynamics is you can get 80 or 250 ohm versions for the same price.
Try the headphones before you buy an amp - I can run 250 Ohm headphones (DT 990, DT 1990) off my iPhone/iPad at comfortably loud listening levels.
Any headphones can go 'loud', just better to get a lower ohm model if not planning on getting a headphone amp. The 250ohm sounds good with an Amp , and Helps having a DAC
Check SMSL
I'm out of the loop on portable options, unfortunately. I would look at Audio Science Review for basic measurements, but I would looking at discrete amp options that measure above average, rather than anything op-amp based.
I am pretty sure no one at Audio Science Review enjoys listening to music. They just enjoy watching frequency response graphs. :)
I recommend seeing if you can try a pair of Sennheiser headphones on before purchasing. I have a pair of HD 6XXs I can't use as they're just much too uncofortable due to the clamping force. These beyers are much nicer to wear for extended periods of time and I imagine the AKGs would be as well.
Solid advice as always JW, I'd recommend the same at this price point.
Better off buying Philips SHP9500
Or the Philips Fidelio X2/X2HR. Better bass and more comfortable for longer periods and Competes well with the Senn HD58X and similar range of $200-$500 headphones.
DT880 and DT990 are warm to bright unamped though, and may need a 80-250ohm capable amp or EQ to get the intended sound signature. If you haven’t heard the Sennheiser or Bose signature before, they might be difficult to get used to or exactly what you like. The Fidelio X2 or SHP9500 is more V or neutral without EQ, and balanced once you pass it through a headphone EQ like HeSuVi
There are USB DACs with EQ profiles like the Creative SXFI that can work, sic. But there’s also the Fiio amp or a Syba Sonic, or a moderate USB DAC AMP like the Schiit Fulla, or Schiit Hel if you want something more expensive.
The Beyerdynamic is Very Comfy though, don’t discount that as a feature.
You're setting the bar low with the HD58X… unless you're chasing timbre and bass extension only, there's a lot of better yardsticks in this price range.
Iv had the DT 990 pro 250 ohm version for like 10 years.
Use them soley for referencing, composing and mixing.
They are awesome and would buy again if my current ones carc it.
Make sure you have a audio interface or heaphone amp thats able to drive the 250 ohms tho
I'm not in the music scene at all, but some of my friends are, so always like to get some info to keep up with conversations haha. Do you prefer a non-reference response for composing for any particular reason? Or do you just like these because they're a great pair?
the Dt 990 pro is like the entry level of mixing headphones. But the model itself is highly regarded and is reviewed very well.
It reminds of me of how Huwaie undercuts Apple, Samsung, all the big guns. By offering decent products at a cheaper price.
In theory you want a flat frequency response, but when mixing you still need to hear the low end frequencies and if you dont have monitors then this headphone can do the job. It is fairly neutral sounding though i feel it has has a slight bump in the low end, but in no way as big as Beats by Dre. And the highs do bleed abit, it can get uncomfortable.
This isnt a gaming or casual listening sort of headphone. Its for critical listening so the average person may get pissed that it doesnt sound like Sony or Beats. Those headphones frequency spectrum have been altered and at times either attenuated or boosted in some areas, so you wouldnt be getting an accurate mix with those headphones.
Its also open back type, so everyone around you will hear it. Zero noise isolation or cancellation.
Everyone says that, but open backs still have to be pretty loud to annoy others even you consider ambient noise etc. Beats and Sony are nothing like it but agree that people wanting sick bass may not like a good, almost balanced technical sound. They are still musical and everything sounds good on them, not robotic like Bose etc.
Got the 250 ohm version as well super comfy.. there is a bit of a harshness around 10k kHz but otherwise pretty good hey.
Actually ended Up getting the dt 1990 pros, they're awesome but obviously a lot more, both great build quality and comfort.
Price in Title please