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Average user rating:
- My rating: 0 stars
Full user review
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6 out of 6 people found this review helpful
4.5 stars
"Outstanding mid-range headphone"
Pros: Rich bass, nice definition, sense of "space"
Cons: Tends toward a "monochrome" sound
Summary: If ever one were to present polite but firm disagreement with a CNET review, it's here.
The Beyer DT-880 is one of the two or three very best mid-range headphones. A powerful, but somehow elegant bass, and overall restrained sound imparts amazing power to your music. It has a smooth range, and excels at handling a variety of music - rock to classical - with evenness and control. One of its marvels is its ability to work with just about any headphone amp - a compliment that's rare in this range.
Expensive? The DT-880 is actually LESS costly than its nearest competition, and by $30 to $100; in fact, considering its sound, this headphone is thought to be something of a bargain. (And if you look around, you can find a substantially lower price.)
Ill-suited for the iPod? The DT-880 actually makes the iPod sound better, maximizing tonal richness and punch. Certainly, it's not a portable headphone (nor was it designed to be), but iPod users will find the sound a fresh and wonderful switch from stock earbuds, and a vast improvement over the very good Shure E4C for home listening.
One of the DT-880's amazing tricks is its ability to put a distance of around ten or so feet from the music. On rock tracks, this makes the sound amazingly powerful, like an actor who deliberately modulates his performance until the real drama is needed.
With a headphone like the AKG K-701 (and an additional $100), you can get a little more detail and tonal color. But overall, the DT-880 is a classic headphones that's always well-regarded in stereophile circles - and with audio fans.
- 2 replies to this review
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$249.00 and the only weakness on the dt-880 pro i can attest is a little recessed midrange! Thats it,these cupcakes are sonically magical, notes chime with rings of tonal clarity and the unmuddled deepest bass ive only heard on subs! Clearly the widest range available done superbly,comfort and design get a+. Will be keeping mine forever! Excels imo on strings , but doesnt falter anywhere! akg k-701 model are weak on bass but soar in the mids! The dt-880s highs are pristine not over brite but reference quality! The all around sonic reproduction of music from these phones is stunning! Solos come up front stage like youve never heard them before!
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First, let me declare that I do not have the technical expertise of most of the reviewers here on CNET, but I do recognize wonderful music when I hear it. Before buying, I read most of the literature available on-line about reference grade headphones. I could have easily spent thousands of dollars.
In the end, it came down to the Sennheiser HD 650 and the Beyerdynamic DT 880. Both of which are supported by my stereophonic experts of choice, HeadRoom, and available on-line through eBay. I bought the Beyerdynamics!!
They are pure sweetness when used in combination with my iPod and Headroom Micro Headphone Amp. The little Micro has more than enough horsepower to drive the headphones. While I understand that the Sennheiser HD 650s provide a richer, punchier bass response, the Beyerdynamics deliver an elegant bass, and really all I expect from headphones. The mid-range and treble provide such a feeling of a live performance.
Have fun with your choices. You just can't go wrong with either headphone.
