Beyerdynamic in the same league as Sennheiser and AKG?

[coopmv]

Are Beyerdynamic headphones in the same league as AKG's and Sennheiser's? After all, it is another German company and the Germans generally excel in this area of audio equipments.

[Ctimefly]

I own a pair of Beyer Dt770's and they sound ok, but I would think that AKG and Sennheiser have far better offerings for headphone when it comes to sound quality.

[LeeS]

I had some Beyers and really liked them but I like Grados more. Beyers are a quality headphone.

[Vidiot]

Beyer 770's used to be the standard headphones used by location sound mixers for movie dialog, but in recent years they've been largely replaced by the Sony MDR-7506's. I personally think the 7506's are a little peaky, but some recording engineers tell me they prefer them for this reason, because it exaggerates the audible problems on location.

But for music listening, I think the Sennheiser 600s are much more enjoyable, particularly when you get a headphone amp with enough oomph to power them properly.

[coopmv]

I am still not convinced if top of the line Grado is all that great since it is not a comfortable pair of headphones according to many people. Sound alone does not cut it, listening comfort must be part of the consideration. If AKG K701 and Sennheiser HD600/650 sound every bit as good or better than the best Grado has to offer and they are much more comfortable than Grado, there is no question Grado is the loser.

[TONEPUB]

Well here we go again with one of those arguments.

Owning Grado SR60's, 225's, GS1000's and AKG 701's as well as the Sennheisers, they all have a different flavor.

I wouldn't call Grado or the others winners or losers. It's not a car race.

It's just like buying any other component. Find the sound and the fit you like and go from there.

Mr. Grado himself said to me once. "Everybody makes pretty good stuff these days. My head isn't going to explode if I put a pair of Sennheisers on! I'd still rather see you buy mine though!"

Everyone has different sized heads as well from Chicken mc Nugget heads to watermelon heads, so not every kind of phones will fit perfectly.

Again, there are so many choices, I'm sure you can find something that you enjoy both sound and fit wise.

[coopmv]

That much I have to say, the build quality of my Beyerdynamic DT990 PRO is first rate and it is made in Germany. I also own the AKG K701 and Sennheiser HD600, both of which are European-made.

[Sneaky Pete]

I have an old pair of Beyer 340 electrostatic headphones. I like them but they are real sweat boxes, totally covering the ears. I use my Sennheisers more because they are more comfortable.

The Beyers sound more detailed, but the Sennheisers are smoother and meatier. The one I like at any given time depends on my mood and my purpose in listening.

[coopmv]

I have an old pair of Beyer 340 electrostatic headphones. I like them but they are real sweat boxes, totally covering the ears. I use my Sennheisers more because they are more comfortable.

The Beyers sound more detailed, but the Sennheisers are smoother and meatier. The one I like at any given time depends on my mood and my purpose in listening.

That is why I own all three brands to have all the bases covered.


:righton:

[LeeS]

I am still not convinced if top of the line Grado is all that great since it is not a comfortable pair of headphones according to many people.

I prefer the RS1s to the GS1000s but Jeff is right at some point it's just like flavors of ice cream and people have preferences. Comfort is indeed a big factor.

[81828384]

I prefer the RS1s to the GS1000s but Jeff is right at some point it's just like flavors of ice cream and people have preferences. Comfort is indeed a big factor.

The RS-1 is a great can. I prefer to listen to them with flat pads (can be purchased from ttvj) when powered by my Melos SHA-Gold. Extremely lightweight and very comfortable, at least to these ears! I've never heard the GS-1000, but from the reviews I've read, I don't think I would like them. A Grado with soundstage?! Pffft! ;)

I've heard two Beyers: the DT770/80 Pro and the DT990/250 '05. The 770 lacked midrange, but the DT990 was a nice, fun can. A bit bright. I ended up selling them.

[markshan]

I've always said that Grado SR60s are the best piece of gear of any sort that can be had for under $100.

Comfort is a factor, sure, but unfortunately for me cost is also quite a factor.

Plus, they are actually made in the USA! (I thought nothing was anymore.)

[coopmv]

I've always said that Grado SR60s are the best piece of gear of any sort that can be had for under $100.

Comfort is a factor, sure, but unfortunately for me cost is also quite a factor.

Plus, they are actually made in the USA! (I thought nothing was anymore.)

I have no problems with audio gears not made with cheap labor, even if they are not made in the US.

[kevinsinnott]

Yes, Beyer is a quality name, easily on the same level as Sennheiser and AKG. I own phones by all of them. The rest is a matter of taste. Headphones must sound good, feel comfortable and how they sit on your head can affect how they sound.

[gordolindsay]

I owned the Beyer DT880's at one time and I really liked them. I moved to the Sennheiser 650's and liked the bass and midrange I got with them but missed the upper mid and high frequencies that I got with the 880's.

The Beyer's bass goes low without distorting, but it's a little lacking on the impact factor. But it goes along with what other people have said, it depends on what kind of sound you like.

[Metoo]

Well here we go again with one of those arguments.

Owning Grado SR60's, 225's, GS1000's and AKG 701's as well as the Sennheisers, they all have a different flavor.

I wouldn't call Grado or the others winners or losers. It's not a car race.

It's just like buying any other component. Find the sound and the fit you like and go from there.

Mr. Grado himself said to me once. "Everybody makes pretty good stuff these days. My head isn't going to explode if I put a pair of Sennheisers on! I'd still rather see you buy mine though!"

Everyone has different sized heads as well from Chicken mc Nugget heads to watermelon heads, so not every kind of phones will fit perfectly.

Again, there are so many choices, I'm sure you can find something that you enjoy both sound and fit wise.
No offense, but you are starting to sound like the editor of an audio hardware magazine. :D


;)

[vinyl anachronist]

I am still not convinced if top of the line Grado is all that great since it is not a comfortable pair of headphones according to many people. Sound alone does not cut it, listening comfort must be part of the consideration. If AKG K701 and Sennheiser HD600/650 sound every bit as good or better than the best Grado has to offer and they are much more comfortable than Grado, there is no question Grado is the loser.

I own the Grado GS1000s and they're extremely comfortable, maybe more so than something like a Sennheiser 650. The point is, everyone's head is shaped differently, as are everyone's ears. You have to try for yourself before making blanket statements.

[vinyl anachronist]

I've always said that Grado SR60s are the best piece of gear of any sort that can be had for under $100.

Comfort is a factor, sure, but unfortunately for me cost is also quite a factor.

Plus, they are actually made in the USA! (I thought nothing was anymore.)

You should hear the SR-60s that have been modded by ALOAudio. Amazing set of cans! :love:

[coopmv]

Yes, Beyer is a quality name, easily on the same level as Sennheiser and AKG. I own phones by all of them. The rest is a matter of taste. Headphones must sound good, feel comfortable and how they sit on your head can affect how they sound.

:righton:

[markshan]

You should hear the SR-60s that have been modded by ALOAudio. Amazing set of cans! :love:

Would I be correct in guessing that the mod costs more than the cans?

[adhoc]

Beyer makes good stuff. And their products are not just excellent sounding, but durable as well. :thumbsup:

I used to own the (old) dt880 and the dt231 - both were excellent headphones. The dt880 is in the class of the HD650, as is the K701 and RS-1/GS-1000.

I guess at the end of the day, it comes down to personal taste. Every company has a "house sound" that can be described in one word - AKG (clarity), Beyerdynamic (coherence), Grado (excitement), Sennheiser (romance) and ultrasone (drive) - you just have to pick your poison.

It's like choosing between blondes, brunettes and redheads. I think that they all taste equally great, so I am spoilt for choice. Others may prefer blondes, and still others, redheads. :agree:

[JHC3]

My feeling, as noted by others (adhoc nails it), is that headphones are a very personal listening decision and most have their own unique sound. Make sure you test out different models before deciding (which can be tough to do). To answer your question, I think Beyers are absolutely on the same level as the others. I have Grados, Senns, etc. and I like my DT880s the best for its overall sound, but I still use the others all of the time depending on my mood.

[vinyl anachronist]

Would I be correct in guessing that the mod costs more than the cans?

Not sure yet. But how much would you pay to have your SR-60s elevated to the level of an RS-1?

[81828384]

Not sure yet. But how much would you pay to have your SR-60s elevated to the level of an RS-1?

I'd pay $450 and buy a used RS-1.

fwiw I'm pretty sure there is a bit more to an RS-1 then some wood and an sr60 driver. :sigh:

[vinyl anachronist]

I'd pay $450 and buy a used RS-1.

fwiw I'm pretty sure there is a bit more to an RS-1 then some wood and an sr60 driver. :sigh:

ALO replaces the plastic cups with exotic wood, and then upgrades the wiring, and more. Jeff and I both agree that his SR-60s are the sweet spot in his line. I have his SR-225s and stock GS1000s, and the comparisons are very interesting. I have an upcoming review in TONE.