DT 880 PRO

I would like to preface my review of these headphones with the following: Everybody hears differently, and everyone “listens” differently. We don’t all enjoy the same types of music, and similarly, every set of headphones is not necessarily suited for every genre of music. We all own different source components, and most of us have a limit as to what we are willing to spend on our gear. I believe every headphone review should include a brief summary of the reviewer’s musical tastes, sources, and gear and should always including references to other sets of cans they own, have auditioned, liked, or disliked. With so many variables affecting peoples like or dislike of any pair of phones it is my goal to help those with similar musical tastes and similar gear to determine whether or not these headphones will be a good investment for them personally. So with that in mind; I listen to music in practically every genre. I tend to go through different phases, but I enjoy Mozart as much as Metallica, 80’s one hit wonders and New Orleans Jazz, Lady Antebellum or Lady Gaga, Eminem to Zedd. Music has so much to offer in all genres that one could spend a lifetime discovering new things they like. I use my computer to play all the usual manner of digital files, and an Onkyo C-7030 CD player to handle disk duty. Both feed into my Nuforce Icon DAC/Headphone Amp. The digital files via USB and the CDs via analog RCA (the Onkyo has excellent onboard D/A conversion). I use no equalizer to modify the sound. I will also be receiving a Little Dot MK2 ii in the next couple days and I may update this review once its well broken in. My headphones include Sony MDR-V6s and MDR-7506s, V-Moda Crossfade LPs and M-100s, Audio Technica ATH-M50s, Sennheiser HD 598s and HD 600s (my personal favorite along with these 880s) as well as my 4th pair of Koss Porta-Pros (easy to exchange when you live in Milwaukee) . I’ve tried Grado SR 80s and SR 225s (just too darn uncomfortable), the Beyerdynamics DT 990 Pro 250 ohm, and my son even owns a pair of Beats Solo phones (Yuk). The other day I threw away some old Denon’s (no clue what model, but circa 1990) and a set of MDR V600s that were both totally worn out. I also own lots of buds as well (my Klipsh X10s and S4’s being my favorites). As I briefly mentioned, I had tried the Beyerdynamics DT 990 Pro 250ohm headphones. In fact, I had tried the 990s and returned them prior to purchasing the DT 880 Premium 250 ohm set. The 990 Pros are very well built high quality headphones, I just wasn’t happy with the exaggerated high and low ends and the subdued midrange. I blame myself for not doing enough research prior to that purchase (and for being cheap), and I would still recommend them to people who like that type of sound. They really do sound good, but their signature just wasn’t for me. I’m much happier with the 880s having listened to them for a couple weeks now. They have a much more “up-front” midrange, and while they’re still pretty bright, they don’t have nearly as much “sizzle” as the 990s. To my ears, the 880s sparkle a bit more than my Sennheiser HD 600s, but the Senns have more pronounced mids. The bass seems well defined, though I wouldn’t mind just the slightest bit more of it (and yes, I’m nitpicking). At first I was wanting for more middle from the 880s as well, but after a lot of listening and experimenting with different genres of music I know when to use them and when to use different cans. The soundstage the 880s create is excellent as well. Since I’ve gotten into open headphones, and since I’ve found several pairs that I really like, I find it incredibly difficult to throw on a set of closed cans anymore. I’m also amazed at how the 880’s can sound so big but not leak as much sound as ALL of the other open headphones I own/have tried. I don’t want anyone thinking they don’t leak sound; they just don’t leak as much. Like any other open phone, you need to be in a quiet environment to truly enjoy them, and everyone else in the room will hear what you're listening to. The 880’s power-handling is excellent and I really had to push them to create any type of distortion (Coldplay’s “Magic” will buzz the heck out of my Senn HD 598s well before these 880s or my HD 600s). The 800s can handle complex musical sections without issue, and had no problems whatsoever with anything I threw at them. They are a little less sensitive (db) to input than my HD 600s, but I have no problems driving them with my Nuforce Icon DAC. I am also looking forward to seeing how the 880s (and all my phones) play with my soon to be arriving Little Dot MK2 ii. Another element that I have always felt is essential to a fulfilling headphone experience is comfort, and the DT 880 Premiums excel at it! The 990’s I had were the Pros, and they were a bit tight on my melon. I can’t speak from experience about the 880 Pros, but they do have a different headband (similar to the 990 Pros), and are designed to clamp tighter than the 880 Premiums. It only takes a short time for my 880s to disappear on my head. They do absolutely nothing in terms of discomfort, to take away from the listening experience. As much as I enjoy my HD 650s, they still grab you tighter than the 880 Premiums. If it weren’t for the 600’s oval shape, as compared to the 880’s round cups, I probably wouldn’t be able to wear them (the 600s) for extended periods. If you do a lot of moving around, however, you may want to consider the 880 Pros. As comfortable as the Premiums are, I could easily sneeze them off of my head they clamp so lightly. I like that the velour earcups are replaceable, I have no issue with the long straight cable, though I wish it was detachable, and I appreciate the 3.5 / 6.35 mm screw type plug. The carry case that comes with the premiums is also a nice touch. All in all the Beyerdynamic DT 880 Premium 250 ohm headphones are an excellent set of cans. I’m proud to own them, and I highly recommend them. My only advice to shoppers is that they research the Beyerdynamic line and understand the differences between Pro and Premium, the 32, 250, and 600 ohm impedances, and the unique sound signatures of the different models.

Hey there, I'm coming in with a review because these are extremely noteworthy. MIGHT I NOTE THAT THE ONES I AM RATING ARE THE PRO 250 OHM'S!!! I had purchased these along with Sennheiser HD598's, and the AKG K-701's. Wow did all of them give an amazing experience. 1. Let's start with the best headphones to jam out and go deaf with. The AKG K-701's... Out of the 3, these require the most juice to power. Once you get its minimum juice from an amp, your sound is amplified at least 10 fold from what you were getting out of a straight 3.5mm jack. Mind you, these sound amazing right out of the box and sound even more amazing AFTER burn in, everything is forward, NOTHING is lacking or hiding. Highs, mids, and lows all there-- just pure bliss. Now mind you, everything is so balanced and well blended that the sound-stage is utter crap. It works too well for monitoring purposes. You won't be able to focus on a bass guitar strum or a vocal solo if you wanted to. The incredibly entertaining sound will make you forget about how uncomfortable the headstrap is, until it finally hits you. My ears hurt, the INSIDE of my ears hurt. You won't realize it, but these headphones push out some really strong frequencies and you will ignore it because of the enjoyment. If you're an EXTREME audiophile who looks to go deaf in the next year or so, by all means! Otherwise, this is where I DO NOT condone the AKG K701's. 2. Sennheiser HD 598's. Extremely warm sound, incredible sound stage, and doesn't take much burn in time at all. These are probably some of the most comfortable headphones I've ever worn. Mind you, the included cable is rather long so it MAY by the only thing that weighs your head down. But these headphones are perfect for monitoring and there is almost no flaw its sound when it comes to monitoring purposes. Or if you're looking for headphones to have a DTS/THX movie experience in, here you are. If you're here to have a wonderful music listening experience, here you go. Burn in these bad boys and you got yourself a worthy investment. But if you're looking for some serious bass, go elsewhere, these are NOT for you. 3. Beyerdynamic DT-880 Pro Headphones (250 Ohm) I was really weary when other reviewers were talking about how neutral they sounded and it made me skeptical. But they just look so comfortable so I said what the hey. Upon arrival and right out of the box, I plugged them up and gave them ago. Neutral? Indeed. I was literally about to return them and then it hit me. The fact that the sound is neutral also makes the sound the MOST malleable! And the sound stage is incredibly huge. THIS is what you want for monitoring. And after a 60-hour burn in of a mixed-genre playlist on shuffle @ 320kbps quality, these became something that beat the Sennheiser HD 598's out of the park for me. The sound was immediately richer in all aspects. The Sennheiser has an impetus on warm sounds, while these become richer all around. Now on that note, these are also NOT for extreme audiophiles who want to go deaf with bass. But if you want pristine clarity, some genuine comfort on your ears, and practically unmatched sound from any other headphones, these are for you. What separates these from the Sennheisers is honestly the honesty in them. That neutrality demonstrates true sound reproduction; what comes out is what you put in. After a burn-in, they just become great all-around headphones, a remarkable investment. If you were to ask me, "Hey, what churns your butter?" I'd say these freaking headphones. *And the comfort on these were just a little tight until I left them wrapped around their box, and boom, whole new world. It's like a pillow wrapped around your head, I would totally sleep in them.* And remember. At the end of the day, to each... his own.

When it comes to music production, having the right pair of headphones can make all the difference. As a producer, I had the opportunity to test two popular models by beyerdynamic, namely the Dt 880 250 Ohm Pro and the Dt 770 250 Ohm Pro. Both of these headphones are praised for their quality, but how do they stack up against each other for music production? Here's my detailed comparison: beyerdynamic Dt 880 250 Ohm Pro: - Sound Signature: The Dt 880 Pro offers a balanced and neutral sound profile. The mids and highs are crisp and clear, allowing for accurate mixing and mastering. - Comfort: With its open-back design, the Dt 880 Pro provides long-lasting comfort during extended studio sessions. - Build Quality: Robust and durable, these headphones are designed for professional use. - Bass Response: While the bass is present and accurate, it doesn't overpower the mix, allowing for a true representation of the audio. beyerdynamic Dt 770 250 Ohm Pro: - Sound Signature: The Dt 770 Pro is known for its more emphasized bass response. While it can be appealing for listening, it might add too much bass during production, leading to an unbalanced final mix. - Comfort: With cushioned ear cups and adjustable headband, these headphones offer comfort during long sessions. - Build Quality: Like the Dt 880, the Dt 770 is also built to last, with high-quality materials. - Bass Response: The bass in the Dt 770 Pro can be intense. While some producers may appreciate this, it might not translate well to other speakers, as the bass could be overrepresented in the final mix. Conclusion: Both the beyerdynamic Dt 880 250 Ohm Pro and Dt 770 250 Ohm Pro have their merits in the realm of music production. The choice between them may come down to personal preference and the specific requirements of your workflow. If you need a more balanced and neutral sound for precise mixing and mastering, the Dt 880 may be the better choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a more bass-heavy sound, the Dt 770 could be appealing, but be cautious, as it may lead to an unbalanced result in your export. In my experience, I found the Dt 880 to be more suitable for my music production needs, allowing for a fair representation across the frequency spectrum. Both models are undoubtedly top-notch, but consider your specific needs in production to make the right choice.

I'll prefix my review by saying that I'm not an "audiophile", but I am a musician and a discerning listener. My review is from that perspective. My signal chain is PC -> Oppo HA-1 -> Headphones / Powered Monitors. These headphones are very close to neutral across the spectrum, and make great headphones for monitoring and mixing, as well as for critical listening. I've recently gotten back into writing music, and these headphones have made it much easier to produce a usable mixes. As an added bonus, I've been using them to listen to some of my favorite recordings, and their clear, neutral sound makes it easy to figure out what I like about the arrangements, identify the various moving parts more clearly. The soundstage is extremely precise, and the sound is very open and natural. It's very hard to describe how accurate they are, but it suffices to say that with a well-mastered acoustic track, it actually feels like I'm sitting in with the band. Yes, they really are that good. Some examples: On Dire Straits "Sultans of Swing," the chorus has some very fine work on the ride cymbal, alternating between bow hits, bells and with the occasional wash thrown in. It's very easy to discern exactly what's happening in the drum section without losing track of Marc's voice and guitar or the bassline. On Procupine Tree's "Lazarus," the intro is very clear and all the instruments are well separated. All the vocal nuances are very crisp and clear. When the drums come in, there's real weight not just to the bass hits but also the toms and snare that really drive the rhythm. On Tal Wilkenfeld's "BC" it's very easy to keep track of all the instruments, even in places where the distorted guitar and synth play overlapping lines, and the bass joins in for good measure. The bass lines are crisp and clear, and you can hear the dynamics that Tal is playing very clearly. On This is a tough song to do justice to, but the 880s don't break a sweat. On Joe Bonamassa's "Blues Deluxe" the attack of the guitar (quite hard to reproduce since it's all in the transients) is very clear and well separated from the bass line - it's really easy to follow both lines at once, and the guitar sounds like a real live amp right in the room with you, and the breathiness of his voice comes through very clearly when he chooses to sing with more air. I've also tried Audio-Technicas, Sonys and AKGs designed for monitoring, and these easily blow them all out of the water. For casual listening, these headphones tie with my Grados (325is the latter do color the sound, but in a good way - *to my ears*) for my favorite sound. However, they are a lot more comfortable, and since they're less bright, also more usable for long listening sessions at higher volumes. They also have clearer and deeper bass, and are more suitable as an all-purpose set of cans. Note: When I first got them, they had very little bass response (not uncommon with mid-range and high-end headphones out of the box) - the key was breaking in with pink noise for about 24 hours, which really opened them up.

I recently purchased these headphones along with Audio Technica AD900x, and I already own Sennheiser HD 598. I tried all three with: Dragonfly v1.2 (DAC/Amp), Creative X-Fi Titanium HD (sound card w/ DAC/Amp), and Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 (audio interface) I'll rank them in terms of a few things I care about: Sound - Beyerdynamic DT-880 Pro (250 Ohm): I hate to say it, but they really did feel like they beat out my beloved Sennheiser HD 598 overall for sound quality. - Sennheiser HD 598: These sound great and do some songs/genres better than the Beyerdynamics. I listen to a bit of everything, but a lot of electronic music sounded slightly better to me on the Sennheisers. - Audio Technica AD900x: Honestly, they felt a little tin-canny at first. After listening to them for a while they seemed pretty good and some genres really sung (anything without a lot of bangin' going on). Comfort - Sennheiser HD 598: The earcups don't touch my ears. I love this aspect of the headphones. They hardly feel like they are on, even for extended periods. - Beyerdynamic DT-880 Pro (250 Ohm): They clamp fairly hard and touch part of my ears. You forget about it after a while, but after several hours you notice it again. The plush earpads are really nice. - Audio Technica AD900x: I found these quite uncomfortable. They touched my ears, weren't plush in the least, and really didn't feel like they were on my head terribly well. Quality - (Tie) Beyerdynamic DT-880 Pro & Sennheiser HD 598: Both feel substantial and high quality. The Sennheiser has an easily removable/swappable headphone cable that the Beyerdynamic doesn't, but the Beyerdynamic feels nice and solid. - Audio Technica AD900s: A long way down we find these. Plastic, light, the cable feels to be of poor quality. Absolute meh. I was surprised they were in the same price category as the other two. The Beyerdynamic DT-880 Pro (250 Ohm) sound great. They aren't super easy to drive given that they're 250 Ohms so you'll want some kind of amp (I checked without any amp and with a phone and they technically "worked" but you can get sound that good for less than half the price if you aren't buying an amp). The Dragonfly v1.2 seems to do a fair job of it, but I have a Schiit Magni on the way (which I'll try with the DT-880 Premium 250 Ohm). Ultimately, I returned the headphones... so I could buy the Premium version. I prefer the straight cable and hear they clamp a bit less. I enjoyed the Beyerdynamic DT-880 Pro so much that I felt good about spending the extra $80 for the other couple options. That said, from all I've read, the 250 Ohm Premiums and Pros sound exactly the same, so if you want to save a bit of cash and are cool with the coiled cord and extra clamp (or are willing to bend the headband a bit) go for it. Update: I'm currently listening to the Beyerdynamic DT-880 Premium (250 Ohm) through an AudioQuest Dragonfly v1.2 DAC and Schiit Vali amp. What sound! I'm sitting here arguing with myself about whether I should keep the headphones, though. The Premium is definitely less clampy than the Pro version. Comfort has improved. However, I have annoyingly long ears, so the ear cups touch both the top and bottom of my ears (which is true in 99% of headphones). I'm currently trying to decide if I should keep the Beyerdynamic or go back to old faithful Sennheiser who makes ear cups that are perfect for my ear size. The sound is so good from the DT-880 I'm trying to wear the headphones all day to see how if they become painful or too annoying. For almost anyone, these are going to be one of the most comfortable headphones ever.

If you're looking for some headphones with a near-flat response (i.e., the bass isn't overly prominent and the trebles aren't too harsh), this is a great option. Don't mistake the level of clarity you receive as treble color. These headphones do respond better to higher frequencies, but that being said, their bass no slouch. Bass is very precise. Nothing feels muddy or blurred. Everything is where it needs to be, if that makes sense. I am no audiophile, but I do notice the sound feels like it has more room to breathe and move. I think this is due to the semi-open nature of the 880s. I actually prefer the coiled cable to the straight cable, but that's just me. The velour padding is very comfortable. Build quality is fantastic. It's such a treat to put these on and listen to music. My advice: get an amp for the 250 ohm model, which is what I have. My motherboard has a built-in amp and DAC, which definitely helps bring these headphones out , but it's not as good as a dedicated amp. These will sound very quiet and lose some detail on something like a smartphone but that's high impedance for you. Some phones are better than others in this regard. Before these 880s, I had a pair of MDR-XB500, which are no slouch (I bought them for $60, now I see they're listed as $400, wtf?) but lacked a lot of precision and clarity, along with have crazy deep bass that seemed inaccurate at times. Make no mistake, they're good low impedance headphones, but I greatly prefer the 880s. The price is great, too. These are the most expensive headphones I've ever bought and I do not regret it. I suggest listening to some 80s pop/new wave/love anthems to really make these puppies shine. Classical sounds superb on it, along with acoustic. Twin Peaks OSTs sound fantastic. Tool and Nine Inch Nails sound great, everything sounds perfect! If you want comfortable, accurate sound and good build quality (these things are tough!), they are strongly recommended. 5/5

I listen to lots of live classical music, but also lots of different genres at home. I'm not even going to review Bose or Beats here, because those are not for those chasing sound quality, but for convenience or "style," respectively. All I can say is that after buying both the Sennheiser HD598 and Beyerdynamic DT880 (250ohm), I am absolutely stunned at how great my ATH-M50's put up with the far more reputable competition. For anyone who wants honest sounding classical music I would say Beyer DT880 are very good. The have a larger soundstage and smoother treble version than the M50's. M50's are very detailed with treble slightly exaggerated (but definitely not enough a reason alone to replace the headphones if you already have them). DT880 are like sitting at the middle row of orchestra seats. Sennheiser HD598 is like sitting in the back row of the top balcony, possibly behind the curtain before you walk into the hall. I know I am going to take TONS of flack from the HD598 fans about the veil not existing, but don't hate me I am just describing what I hear. Before I even knew about "the veil" I turned to my wife and said "I can't believe it, these sound like I am outside the concert hall." Due to the high resistance, the DT880's are significantly quieter than the M50's with an iPhone w/o an amp; about 50%-60% of the max volume you can get with the M50's w/o amplification. You will need an amp for the DT880 if you listen at levels higher than 50% of max volume. If that sounds like a pain, then stick with the ATH-M50. For pop / rock / top 40's I think I would say ATH-M50s >> Beyerdynamic DT880 >>> Sennheisser HD598. The M50's have an exciting sound to them, which for music that doesn't need imagery and detail they bring lots emotion and power out of the music. M50's are very detailed with treble slightly exaggerated (but definitely not enough a reason alone to replace the headphones if you already have them). For classical music, which is my primary reason for buying new headphones, DT880 wins. They sound more spacious, that live sound is reproduced really well. But, it wins by too thin a margin to justify spending another $150 if you already own the M50's and don't plan on spending even more dough on amplification. It's just too narrow a difference for that much money. I will decide this week whether I am keeping the DT880s. Also, based on InnerFidelity the M50x is even better than the M50, which would be even less a reason to drop another $150+ if you already own M50x. The M50 doesn't need amplification which saves money and hassle of caring a headphone amp around, they work with your iPhone output far better than the DT880 250ohm, and are more convenient than HD598's gigantic 6.35 to 3.5mm jack adapter. The M50's are shockingly versatile between pop/rock/top 40's/classical/jazz. Bottom line, if you already own M50 (or especially the M50x), and if $150 for 2nd pair of headphones + more money for an amp is not pocket change for you, then I would go with the M50. They are fantastic. If sounds quality takes priority over the extra money, then Beyerdynamic DT880 is for you. If you don't have good headphones yet and you listen to classical music primarily, then I would say Beyerdynamic DT880 is especially great. However, you will need an amp for the DT880 if you listen at levels higher than 50% of max volume. If that sounds like a pain, then stick with the ATH-M50. But as I mentioned above, DT880 is good for other genres too, just not as exciting as M50. If you want to spend no more than $150 on the whole headphone experience, don't want to worry about an amp, you like strong clean bass in your music, you listen to all genres then without a doubt the M50/M50x are for you. I listen to all genres, but mostly classical music and I will be sending back my Sennheiser HD598 and maybe the Beyerdynamic DT880's too b/c I am happy enough with my M50's.

they initially look cool but thats it. My cheapest headphones sound better and louder . also the material used around ears is instant sweat. Used for tweo minutes and knew I needed to return them asap