Need help deciding between Audio Technica or beyerdynamic

in Headphones
Audio-Technica ATHAD700X
Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO 250 ohm
Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 250 ohm
Not sure what the difference between the 990 & 770 is but the 250 ohm versions are cheaper than the 32 and 80 ohm versions. I read that has to do with demand. Anyway I will be using a Schiit modi 3 and magni to drive them and I think that be able to drive the 250 ohm versions. Pretty new to the low high end headphone camp and my Vanatoo T zeros tend to disturb the neighbors in the mornings so I'm getting cans for those times.
All three of these get very good reviews so Just wondering if any of you have any of them.
Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO 250 ohm
Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 250 ohm
Not sure what the difference between the 990 & 770 is but the 250 ohm versions are cheaper than the 32 and 80 ohm versions. I read that has to do with demand. Anyway I will be using a Schiit modi 3 and magni to drive them and I think that be able to drive the 250 ohm versions. Pretty new to the low high end headphone camp and my Vanatoo T zeros tend to disturb the neighbors in the mornings so I'm getting cans for those times.
All three of these get very good reviews so Just wondering if any of you have any of them.
SDA-2BTL with custom IC
Adcom 565 monoblocks--Monarchy Audio M-10 preamp
Theta Data Basic Transport--Stello DA100 Signature DAC--Camelot Dragon Pro2 MK III
Harman Kardon T-55c TT
DH Labs Q-10 Signature Speaker Cables With Furez silver plated copper bananas
Revelation Audio Labs Prophecy Cryo-Silver Reference AES/EBU
Revelation Audio Labs Prophecy Cryo-Silver i2s digital cable
4 Furutech FP-314Ag with FI-11cu Plugs/FI-11AG IECs--- Power Cords
DH LABS REVELATIONS ICs-amps
Revelation Audio Labs Paradise cryo-silver ICs-Source to pre
Adcom 565 monoblocks--Monarchy Audio M-10 preamp
Theta Data Basic Transport--Stello DA100 Signature DAC--Camelot Dragon Pro2 MK III
Harman Kardon T-55c TT
DH Labs Q-10 Signature Speaker Cables With Furez silver plated copper bananas
Revelation Audio Labs Prophecy Cryo-Silver Reference AES/EBU
Revelation Audio Labs Prophecy Cryo-Silver i2s digital cable
4 Furutech FP-314Ag with FI-11cu Plugs/FI-11AG IECs--- Power Cords
DH LABS REVELATIONS ICs-amps
Revelation Audio Labs Paradise cryo-silver ICs-Source to pre
Comments
You might want to reconsider the DT770 80 ohm. It has much better bass overall than the DT770 250 ohm and is the more enjoyable phone to listen too. As far as sound goes the DT990 has a very V shaped profile with extended bass and highs (often too schrill and bright on the 990) and somewhat recessed mids. The AT is a little better balanced with more present mids, but not as strong bass and is often too schrill in the highs also. The DT 770 250 ohm also has too schrill highs. The 80 ohm version has much better bass and is a little smoother in the highs.
Having said all that, I would consider other cans before any of the above mentioned. You can often find used Sennheiser HD-58Xs and Hifiman HE-4XX's (or any of the 400 variants like the HE400, 400I, and 400S) in the same low $100 range you typically pay for the DT770 or 990 and they are in a whole different league sonically. I think you would be much more satisfied with any of these over the 3 you mentioned.
These are what i'm going to try out... All of them have a return policy too.
HIFIMAN HE400i
Audio-Technica ATH-A900X
Sennheiser HD 58X Audiphile Jubilee.
Adcom 565 monoblocks--Monarchy Audio M-10 preamp
Theta Data Basic Transport--Stello DA100 Signature DAC--Camelot Dragon Pro2 MK III
Harman Kardon T-55c TT
DH Labs Q-10 Signature Speaker Cables With Furez silver plated copper bananas
Revelation Audio Labs Prophecy Cryo-Silver Reference AES/EBU
Revelation Audio Labs Prophecy Cryo-Silver i2s digital cable
4 Furutech FP-314Ag with FI-11cu Plugs/FI-11AG IECs--- Power Cords
DH LABS REVELATIONS ICs-amps
Revelation Audio Labs Paradise cryo-silver ICs-Source to pre
I can listen to music from my tube headphone amp (Little Dot) full tilt for hours with no ringing, ear sweat or pain from the clamp of them. Honestly I could not even notice their weight either.
As a glasses wearer this was MOST important.
And they sound good and isolate better than open back (I use mine at work).
I’m not doing critical listening as much as jamming out to tunes at work though.
Looking for Tight but not boomy bass and extended highs but not shrill. Thats why Im going to try an Audio Technica since thats seems to be a thing with that brand that I always read about in the reviews. I have seen that they also have open back and closed of the 900s. There is also a 900x and a 900z. The z versions are suppesed to be a newer updated version of the x versions. Looking to spend $150.00 to $200.00.
And i just got a modi 2 and a magni 3 is on the way.
Adcom 565 monoblocks--Monarchy Audio M-10 preamp
Theta Data Basic Transport--Stello DA100 Signature DAC--Camelot Dragon Pro2 MK III
Harman Kardon T-55c TT
DH Labs Q-10 Signature Speaker Cables With Furez silver plated copper bananas
Revelation Audio Labs Prophecy Cryo-Silver Reference AES/EBU
Revelation Audio Labs Prophecy Cryo-Silver i2s digital cable
4 Furutech FP-314Ag with FI-11cu Plugs/FI-11AG IECs--- Power Cords
DH LABS REVELATIONS ICs-amps
Revelation Audio Labs Paradise cryo-silver ICs-Source to pre
I really like my AKG 701 (it has a few variations) which have a great open sound and ample bass for enjoying music reproduction but not enough for a bass-head. It's also been in production for a long time, so prices are very reasonable for new, or almost a steal for used. I don't think they are better than my semi-closed back Fostex planar headphones, but they are more neutral in their sound and very easy to enjoy.
Which set of semi closed Fostex's are you running? I've got a set of Modhouse Argons and enjoy them more than any other can I've tried to date. I want to try the T60RPs next.
I still want a pair of these at some point, probably the 250ohm version.
Do you know if there are different models/variants? It looks like some of the older ones have a slight taper/slope to the inside of the ear pads, whereas newer ones look more like a traditional ear pad that is more squared off.
The older style looks to be a lot more comfortable. Which version do you have?
Not sure beyond that.
Bought them used off this forum a few years back.
Most comfortable pair I’ve ever owned.
My headphone amp is overkill for them but well.... I LIKE overkill....
As far as DACs are concerned I do have a modi optical and I was even thinking I could try the Stello DA100 Signature I use for my Big Rig.
And then there is the miniDSP 2x4 HD. Science in a little box.
So now its Research Research Research.for my new headphone hobby. Thank you guys, for the suggestions.
Adcom 565 monoblocks--Monarchy Audio M-10 preamp
Theta Data Basic Transport--Stello DA100 Signature DAC--Camelot Dragon Pro2 MK III
Harman Kardon T-55c TT
DH Labs Q-10 Signature Speaker Cables With Furez silver plated copper bananas
Revelation Audio Labs Prophecy Cryo-Silver Reference AES/EBU
Revelation Audio Labs Prophecy Cryo-Silver i2s digital cable
4 Furutech FP-314Ag with FI-11cu Plugs/FI-11AG IECs--- Power Cords
DH LABS REVELATIONS ICs-amps
Revelation Audio Labs Paradise cryo-silver ICs-Source to pre
I'm strongly considering the Burson Audio Soloist SL MK2.
https://www.bursonaudio.com/products/soloist-sl-mk2/
Exactly! Just like with speakers. Find the headphones you want then find a suitable amp to drive them. Your Magni can effectively drive most phones out there, though some planars are less efficient and harder to drive, the Magni will still be respectable until you find something more suitable if you go down the less efficient planar route.
One thing about Z's reviews; I find him very entertaining and the most enjoyable to listen too, but his technical descriptions of how things sound are not the best. Take that with a grain of salt.
Just for full transparency headphone amps I currently have are a Schiit Lyr 2, Primaluna Prolougue 4 with speaker level to balanced headphone adapter, Monoprice Liquid Spark, Schiit Magni 2 Uber, Little Dot 1+ with modded opamps, a Nobsound NS-2SE (incredibly nice sounding and powerful for the price), Fiio A3, and a vintage Marantz 2220B receiver (don't overlook vintage receivers, most had excellent and very powerful headphone stages).
Quite honestly the most versatile one I've tried that offers the most bang for the buck is the Little Dot 1+. They can be picked up for around $100, roll in some good NOS tubes such as the GE 5654s for around $25-30, and replace the stock opamp with something like the BB OPA 2134 ($5-10), and you will have a pretty powerful and great sounding amp that will drive most phones out there. Since its a tube/solid state hybrid you get some of the tube sweetness, with solid state drive and impact and it's adaptable to phones with a wide range of inpedences. Heck this thing drives the Argons to very nice levels and control. The Argons like most Fostex T50rp based phones are notoriously hard to drive.
Sorry for the tangent, what I'm getting at is find a good set of phones you want to try and take it from there. You don't have to try everything at once. Making small incremental tweaks, upgrades, and changes is something that I find very enjoyable about this hobby. Don't let it overwhelm you. Do it at your own pace and enjoy the journey!
Beyerdynamic does make different versions of their phones (ie pros vs customs vs premiums) and usually they have models with different impedances. From what I understand the difference between the pads between the different models is usually just a change in color and the materials are the same. The difference in shape you are seeing is likely just the difference in pads as they wear over time. Newer pads will tend to look thicker and have more angular edges. As they compress over time they will be thinner and rounder in appearance.
Adcom 565 monoblocks--Monarchy Audio M-10 preamp
Theta Data Basic Transport--Stello DA100 Signature DAC--Camelot Dragon Pro2 MK III
Harman Kardon T-55c TT
DH Labs Q-10 Signature Speaker Cables With Furez silver plated copper bananas
Revelation Audio Labs Prophecy Cryo-Silver Reference AES/EBU
Revelation Audio Labs Prophecy Cryo-Silver i2s digital cable
4 Furutech FP-314Ag with FI-11cu Plugs/FI-11AG IECs--- Power Cords
DH LABS REVELATIONS ICs-amps
Revelation Audio Labs Paradise cryo-silver ICs-Source to pre
But man I enjoy them!
https://drop.com/buy/xduoo-ta-03s-tube-dac-amp?utm_placement=1&referer=7WK8EG&mode=guest_open&utm_campaign=Automated Daily Promotional 2019-05-20&utm_source=SparkPost&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Daily Promotional&utm_content=1558355864637.767894324758041680028417
Adcom 565 monoblocks--Monarchy Audio M-10 preamp
Theta Data Basic Transport--Stello DA100 Signature DAC--Camelot Dragon Pro2 MK III
Harman Kardon T-55c TT
DH Labs Q-10 Signature Speaker Cables With Furez silver plated copper bananas
Revelation Audio Labs Prophecy Cryo-Silver Reference AES/EBU
Revelation Audio Labs Prophecy Cryo-Silver i2s digital cable
4 Furutech FP-314Ag with FI-11cu Plugs/FI-11AG IECs--- Power Cords
DH LABS REVELATIONS ICs-amps
Revelation Audio Labs Paradise cryo-silver ICs-Source to pre
+1.
Granted my headphones are NOT hard to drive but sound great with the added tube flavor. Fidelio L2.
"Temptation is the manifestation of desire which equals necessity." - Mikey081057
" I have always had a champange taste with a beer budget" - Rick88
"Just because the thread is getting views don't mean much .. I like a good train wreck doesn't mean i want to be in one..." - pitdogg2
"Those that don't know, don't know that they don't know." - heiney9
"Audiophiles are the male equivalent of cat ladies." - Audiokarma Member
Adcom 565 monoblocks--Monarchy Audio M-10 preamp
Theta Data Basic Transport--Stello DA100 Signature DAC--Camelot Dragon Pro2 MK III
Harman Kardon T-55c TT
DH Labs Q-10 Signature Speaker Cables With Furez silver plated copper bananas
Revelation Audio Labs Prophecy Cryo-Silver Reference AES/EBU
Revelation Audio Labs Prophecy Cryo-Silver i2s digital cable
4 Furutech FP-314Ag with FI-11cu Plugs/FI-11AG IECs--- Power Cords
DH LABS REVELATIONS ICs-amps
Revelation Audio Labs Paradise cryo-silver ICs-Source to pre