DT880 better than AD900?

[Kernmac]

dc, I was happy with the K601s however the AD900s had them covered in my opinion. I'm not saying they sounded the same, they have quite different sound sigs, however they do many things at the same level, Im hoping to get more of a difference from the DT880.

mrfloopy, I have had others talk about the Shure in-line and sound quality, however to my ears on my system, I don't believe the Shure attenuator has had a negative affect on the SQ. I'm interested in the RCA add on attenuators though, any links? As for selling the AD900s, looks like they will be going to one of my sons, provided I like the DT880s better that is.

[dingostolemyipod]

Line level attenuators won't reduce the hiss however when on your AD900s, assuming most of the hiss is coming from your amp (not your source).
If the hiss is from your source, there is no helping it - but i doubt this would be the case with yourself.

The attenuator on the headphone side of things should only really reduce the tightness in the bass, but maybe not to the point that it can be heard.
If the bass isn't noticably any sloppier using the shure, probably no need to go for the line level attenuators.
Other things that might occur are a bit of crossfade between channels, and it could upset the level balance, but if you can't notice it no point stressing.

[Kernmac]

Thanks dingostolemyipod for your contribution. Hiss is definately from the amp not the source, as there is noticeable hiss without any source connected whatsoever with the low impedance AD900. The Shure PA235 in line volume control doesn't seem to affect bass tightness or any crossfade between channels that I can detect, so I think I will take your advise and forget all about it.

[G-rig]

So do most people prefer the DT880s over the AD0900, given that you have a half decent amp driving them? Hopefully they aren't as muffled and dull like the DT250s (as good as they are).

[Marcus]

The 880/AD900 sound nothing like the DT250.
I like both the 880 and AD900, but to be honest I think the AD900 is far better value for money considering the amp requirements of the 880.

[Drubbing]

So do most people prefer the DT880s over the AD0900, given that you have a half decent amp driving them? Hopefully they aren't as muffled and dull like the DT250s (as good as they are).

I've got the 250 and I don't find them muffled and dull, they just don't pimp aspects of sound that other phones do. And they're a closed phone, which isn't really a fair comparison with the open ones.

I do prefer open phones though, and I'd have got the 900 if they weren't the size of a small planet.

[G-rig]

I would be nice if you could somehow combine the AD900 and DT250; would almost be the perfect 'phone.

I didn't really think they were that muffled, but after listening to 3-way speakers they do sound a bit boring in the mid range. I still like them so doesn't matter, just not perfect. The beauty with my car setup is i can tune it with the 31 band eq...

[G-rig]

i think you are right Marcus, the AD900 are a very fun headphone, and it's a bonus they are easily driven.

No point upgrading for the sake of it.

Still not sure why people can't make very small adjustments in the EQ if it gives them a touch more of what they want.

[dc]

EQ doesn't add detail, soundstage or clarity, to name a few things.

Most of the time EQs are poorly executed and end up messing with the signal far more than intended.

[G-rig]

I know i can't change those things, buts whats wrong it setting bass from 0 to 2 etc, depending on the phones?

If i'm happy the sound stage on the AD900, then what's the problem? just need a bit more bass..

THe k701's sounded like the ultimate but would need a v good amp.

[Ludwig]

Still not sure why people can't make very small adjustments in the EQ if it gives them a touch more of what they want.

Some setups don't have the option of EQ.

[G-rig]

Surely anything pc or ht based would?

But i know what you mean, choose the headphone that's perfect to begin with. But most people aren't going to over analyze slight differences in similar/good equipment. I still think if the DT250 was made to be more of a listening headphone than a default monitor, it could sound even better. there's some kind of hollowness about it and dull/too flat, but good all the same and un-fatiguing withoug being too laid back (which is a difficult task in itself).

[member1982]

EQ doesn't add detail, soundstage or clarity, to name a few things.

Most of the time EQs are poorly executed and end up messing with the signal far more than intended.

EQ brings out more detail. When a song has low bass, i would want to hear those bass at a more satisfying level, and for cheaper headphones can also do well with EQ to bring out more Treble if they sound bit dark in the first place. If you dont like the song, messing with the EQ might do just that to bring out those things except soundstage.

[dc]

you're not making the headphones more detailed. they cannot physically retrieve any more detail than they are capable of due to EQ.

what you're describing is making dark headphones sound brighter. brightness it seems, is what some people mistakenly associate with detail.

this is not true, as there are many warmer sounding headphones that are incredibly detailed

sound signature/frequency response and detail are completely different things.

[G-rig]

Depends on how much you want to spend, and when to call it quits and work with the equipment you got if it's amost perfect/good enough etc..