Headfile

A review sent by Peter Ecstaticus

I use the beyerdynamic DT 880s mainly in combination with my NAD C-352 Stereo Integrated Amplifier for listening to CDs and DVDs. I have not yet tried them in combination with a headphone amplifier plugged into a mobile player or computer, but directly connected to the NAD C-352 they sound just wonderful, certainly the best I have personally heard so far.

My “infatuation” with the luxury of “best possible sound” reproduced by headphones began only a few years ago, when, after careful consideration, I decided to buy myself a pair of Grado SR-80s. I think they are simply some of the best – not even taking into account the “low” price of this set (certainly for such great sound). But as goes in these things, somehow I wanted even more, like maybe a little less harsh or direct sound (more “rounded”) and a better sense of soundstage, while at the same time retaining the same clarity and refinement of the Grado SR-80s, so I began to look out for something even “better.” Better is of course a relative term, certainly when comparing these two wonderful sets of headphones, both with their own distinctive “character.”

Quality

These DT 880s are more expensive than the Grado SR-80s, but they are indeed better – they offer more for the extra money. Well, they certainly sound different. To me, the DT 880s sound finely analytical, but at the same time “relaxed” and “civilized,” offering a fine balance between the highs, mids and lows, without favoring any of those in an obvious way. Nothing is ever too much “in your face” and at the same time you get the chance to hear a wealth of detail without getting fatigued. I believe this is because the reproduced sound is set within a naturally wide and open soundstage – the feeling of “as if you were there yourself,” especially with opera-recordings and movies. This quality of the DT 880s is especially obvious in recorded performances set within a wide acoustic space. The natural and honest sound-reproduction really pays great dividends here.

In my honest opinion, one cannot go wrong with these headphones. They are really, really great. They offer an extremely clear, honest, wide-ranging and detailed sound picture that is extremely pleasing and refined to the ear, and truly brings out the best in any recording of any kind of music.

I have grown to love them. If you can or would only want to spare the money for just one great set of high-end headphones that will serve all your needs, then these are the ones, I believe. Try these for yourself and be amazed. Highly recommended.

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