beyerdynamic DT 880 Edition 250 Ohm Headphone

Product Information

As you see I had to shut off Band 1. I also dropped Band 2 and still I could hear distortion at elevated levels with anything bass heavy. Fiio x3 1st gen at 90% of volume, high gain and 0 setting on bass. I really have to try x3 with e11k and e12 and choose one of those. It definetly needs more juice. To summarize this headphones sound signature in a few words I would say it's like a sip of hot chocolate while sitting in front of a warm fire on a cold day. It's inviting, yet polite and comforting. It's a great balance of transparency and detail in the treble, with a more forward mid-range for added warmth. It's a more "Sennheiserized" sound signature than the DT770/990, which I found to be more aggressive (V-shaped). Beyerdynamic adds a touch of sparkle up top while keeping the mid-range luscious and intimate. Comfort: DT880’s are very comfortable to wear in general, but I feel these may not be very comfortable to wear for larger heads, owing to its round earcups. The earpads of DT880 may feel somewhat itchy to sensitive skinned enthusiasts. Most who have done side by side comparisons of the 250 and 600 ohm models find that they sound the same, yet the 600 ohm model has a reputation for being the best sounding, likely because the people using it are pairing it with higher end amps, or possibly just because of "placebo effect". I would and did get the 250 ohm model because it is easier to drive (I can use them without a dedicated amp if I need to, though they sound much better if I do.

DT 770's have a nice soundstage, the 3D imaging is ok. The pronounced bass and, to a lesser extent, the mids do obscure the detail a bit. The Pro and Premium 250 Ohm use the same drivers and therefore sound exactly the same except that the clamp strength is slightly tighter for the Pro than the Premium, which changes the sound a tiny bit (more bass). If you stretch the headband a bit on the Pro, it sounds exactly like the Premium

Mids are breathtakingly natural and airy, with a "hyper-detailed" and open sound to them. This is thanks to some peaks in the upper mid and treble ranges, aka the infamous " Beyerdynamic Treble." The clamp is loose enough for these to just gently hug your head, which is a little alarming at first coming from clampier headphones. They essentially disappear while you're wearing them, and they don't shift around too much during aggressive head-shaking. You know, for those times when you're randomly shifting your head around while listening to audio. ISOLATION

Also, the Edition versions come with a nice carrying bag...or a hard case if you go for the chrome version. The build quality on this headphone is very well built. Its mostly built out of steel, the only plastic parts on this headphone would be the housing around the earcups, and the hinges above the arms connected to the ear cups. But build quality wise i have no complaint in this department.

The HD25's were still very nice sounding, very clean, i think they convey what's really there nicely. However, I can't agree with you about the Pro vs. Premium. I can find nothing inferior about the Pro; indeed I much prefer it. I've never had a problem with the ratchet system; I've never had to adjust mine since the first time. I prefer the coiled cord; at last I'm not constantly having the headphones ripped off my head because the cord is caught under the chair. I prefer the removable headband padding, which is very comfortable and cheaply replaced. I prefer the tighter grip of the Pro, which results in tighter bass. If it proves uncomfortable the headband can easily be bent out for a less tight fit. As I say, I can see no disadvantage with the Pro, and it seems rather a pity that such a well-presented review should give a rather jaundiced view of the difference between the two versions. Featuring a wide stereo image, neutral sound, and high resolution audio, the Beyerdynamic DT880's set an all-new standard in semi-open headphones. Beyerdynamic DT880 Pro Studio Headphones Highlights Unlike the SA5000, the detail isn't in the spotlight, getting in the way of the music.. You get just about the same amount of detail, but it doesn't take away your focus from the music. Detail isn't pushed in your like like the SA5000.

Difference between Pro and Premium versions: The sliding yoke mechanism on DT880 Pro version is really mediocre, due to compromised design compared to premium version. Pro version has practically nothing to stabilize or hold the yokes, which keep wobbling, colliding and hitting the headband, causing scratches. Both cans shine with well recorded music, but the dt880's benefit more, or SHINE more, with better recordings. These are best suited to audio professionals, critical listeners that want to hear every detail and flaw in their original recordings, and gamers who don't mind a slightly less-aggressive bass. Their transparency and their soundstage are their best assets, although you have to be willing to enjoy a little zip in the treble and a muted-though-accurate bass response. The coiled cable is permanently fixed to the left driver. I prefer single sided cables for one reason, it's another easy way to tell which side is which in the dark. The cable is about 5ft in length, up to 10ft when stretched out. It is terminated to 3.5mm with a screw on 6.5mm adapter included. The cable is not replaceable but it is securely fixed and durable. As an owner of other headphones with replaceable cables, I think the feature is overrated. Connectors not only wear out, but can sometimes affect sound when moving around or not securely fastened. I have yet to replace a cable on any headphone. If you need more length or you're afraid of damaging the cable, use a headphone extension cord. I really don't see a "need" for a replaceable cable. Unless you plan to go portable with this headphone, in which case there are much better options for that purpose. Every other part can be replaced on this headphone, including the drivers themselves. Finding parts is easy because of their long-standing popularity. This is a big plus for working professionals who are more likely to abuse their gear. MACBOOK AIR WITH ROLAND DUO CAPTURE DUO USB INTERFACE- This works better than the Fiio in terms of bass, overall volume ( officially it drives 47 Ohms) and presentation. I think a RME or a Apogee would be much better or of course a dedicated dac/amp.

What should you get instead of the Beyerdynamic DT 880 PRO?

So, what has all this got to do with Beyerdynamic DT 880 headphones? Simply this: For any given headphone amplifier or source, you want to use the highest impedance DT 880 that will still allow you to reach your desired listening level on the source you are using. Higher impedance headphones will give you a higher damping factor for a given amplifier. Using a lower impedance headphone than necessary means that your damping factor will be lower, and the resulting sound will be less “tight.” I'm very fond of the DT880, but oddly enough, not when it comes to music. I find music with them dry & a bit sterile.. The DT880 demands tubes for musicality, Although, they are hard to fault in terms of technical merit. They offer excellent resolve, detail, & separation of the instruments.. The resolve is a bit superficial & docile compared to the DT48, but is still stellar in their own right, & what you would expect from a hi quality headphone worthy of it's 489.00 MSRP. Open or semi-open soundstage. Being isolated from the world is the last thing I want while doing music.

Mids- The mids on this headphone is very smooth, i've never heard vocals produced out of a headphone like this one. The clarity is very sublime, its very calm and soothing. If your coming from a low-fi setup, don't want an amp, and play video games, I would recommend the dt770's. If your looking for a step into the hi-fi world, have a decent amp, and is more serious about your music, I'd recommend the dt880's(but if you're willing to sacrifice some fun factor for bass-heavy games like bf2, for greater imaging(for that competitive edge), the dt880's can be used for gaming too).Bass- The bass on the dt880's is very tight its not boomy what so ever, but he bass is well defined and very pleasing.