Bowers & Wilkins Px8 Review
The Quest for the Perfect Portable Headphones
For the longest time, I've been searching for a pair of decent portable headphones that could deliver realistic sound. I often found myself commuting with full-sized wired headphones, as the Bluetooth technology just wasn't mature enough to satisfy my audio desires. However, in recent years, several high-end Bluetooth headphones have emerged, catching my attention and offering a glimmer of hope.
Enter Bowers & Wilkins (B&W)
Bowers & Wilkins, a British company with a rich history dating back to 1966, has long been renowned for its high-quality audio equipment. With a dedication to innovation and a passion for creating the best possible listening experience, B&W has been a leader in the audio industry, catering to audiophiles and casual listeners alike. In fact, high-end B&W speakers can often be found in mastering studios for classical music, a testament to their exceptional sound reproduction capabilities.
A Chic and Elegant Choice
Bowers & Wilkins Px8: A Chic and Elegant Choice
About three months ago, I decided to take the plunge and invest in the B&W Px8 headphones, and I've had ample time to explore their features and performance. I opted for the Tan version, which boasts a sophisticated design with cast aluminium arms and fine Nappa leather trim. While the black version looks a bit more generic, the 007 and McLaren special editions are visually appealing but come with a heftier price tag.
The Px8 is designed with ultra-plush ear cups and a hot spot-free headband, making them incredibly comfortable for extended listening sessions. The headphones gently clamp from the sides instead of resting on the head, ensuring an ideal fit.
The included carrying case is stylish, and protective, and features thoughtful touches like a magnetic lid for the cable compartment, making it a great travel companion to the headphones.
A stylish protective case for the B&W Px8
A practical cable compartment
Technical Prowess
The Px8 headphones come with an array of technical features, such as hybrid noise cancellation, ambient pass-through, wear-detection sensor, and Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX™ Adaptive. They support multiple Bluetooth codecs, including aptX™ Adaptive, aptX™ HD, aptX™, AAC, and SBC, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of devices.
The Px8's Bluetooth connectivity is seamless, allowing me to waltz, tango, or just wander around my apartment without any interruptions or cut-offs. Plus, they can be connected to a MacBook via USB for an even richer audio experience.
The Px8's controls are responsive, intuitive, and thankfully, free from sluggish touch buttons. This means you can effortlessly adjust volume, pause, or skip tracks without missing a single tone.
Intuitive physical controls
Uninterrupted Classical Music Indulgence
With an impressive battery life of 25-30 hours, the Px8 headphones will keep you immersed in the intricate nuances of your favourite symphonies, concertos, or solo classical guitar performances for days on end. Plus, a quick 15-minute charge provides 7 hours of playback - perfect for when you're on the go.
Impressive Audio Performance with Minor Caveats
The angled Carbon Cone drivers deliver crystal-clear audio with minimal distortion (<0.1% THD at 1 kHz/10mW). While the out-of-the-box tuning is a bit bassy and warm for my taste, a quick adjustment using the companion app gets the sound just right. There is a very slight hint of compression, likely due to the codecs used, but it's not a deal-breaker, and the overall audio quality remains enjoyable and immersive.
Audiophile-level Classical Guitar Experience - Unshackled by Cables
As a classical guitarist, I treasure the authenticity of timbre, and the Px8 headphones rise to the occasion with their remarkable audio reproduction. The nuances of each note, the nails, the strings, the resonance of the wood, and the ambience of the room come together to create a captivating and immersive listening experience - it's like being transported to a private recital.
Although I wouldn't rely on these headphones for mixing purposes (I have my trusted Focal Clear Pro MG and Beyerdynamic DT 880 headphones for that), the Px8 offers an impressive listening experience for classical guitar music, capturing the intricate details without becoming overly analytical or excessively enthusiastic. The most remarkable aspect?
Finally being able to indulge in such exquisite audio quality without the limitations of cables, providing an even more enjoyable and liberating listening experience. That being said, B&W's unique sound signature is truly a standout feature, and I can't help but wish they were still making wired headphones for professional use.
Ultra-plush ear cups and angled Carbon Cone drivers
A Quiet Place
The Px8's noise cancellation works like magic, effectively blocking out the world without compromising sound performance. The passive noise damping is quite decent for street noise, allowing you to still enjoy your music while maintaining some awareness of your surroundings. The active noise cancellation truly shines in environments like the U-Bahn, where background noise is easily dampened. The pass-through option is a nice bonus, although it could sound a bit more natural. I'm looking forward to testing these headphones on flights this summer, anticipating an even more serene and enjoyable in-flight experience.
B&W Px8 vs B&O H9 Gen 3 - A Clear Winner
Bowers 6 Wilkins Px8: A Symphony of Performance, Design, and Comfort
When comparing the B&W Px8 to the B&O H9 Gen 3, the Px8 emerges as the clear winner in terms of comfort, sound realism, and design. For those who have read my review on the H9 (click to read my review), you'll know that I appreciate the sound quality, but they can be quite painful to wear for extended periods. The Px8 not only outperforms the H9 in terms of comfort, allowing for long listening sessions without discomfort but also delivers a more realistic and refined sound experience.
A Playful Conclusion
After spending three enjoyable months with the B&W Px8 headphones, I can confidently say that their impressive technical features, long battery life, and effective noise cancellation make them a top pick for anyone seeking high-quality headphones.. Initially, I got them as a portable device to use outside of the house, but they've become my go-to headphones for casual listening at home when I'm not working on my music. While they do come with a relatively high price tag, if you can manage the expense, the Px8 headphones are a fantastic choice.
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H9 (3rd Generation) Review
They do sound good, but it's not all fine.
Wireless headphones that don't sound like a bloated mess are hard to come by. Professional audio brands don't seem interested in this market segment, while consumer products are often tuned so weirdly that it gives me nausea even when I think about it; clarity and definition sit very low in the design goals list.
Admittingly, I avoided some of the more expensive ones. I already have high-end wired headphones, and I couldn't justify spending too much on wireless headphones just for casual use. Besides, budget wired headphones that sound excellent are not scarce, while good sounding, comfortable headphones of the wireless sort seem to be an elusive combination.
However, a couple of months ago, I found a great deal on the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H9 3rd generation and decided to purchase them.
Bang & Olufsen
Bang & Olufsen is a Danish premium headphone and speaker manufacturer with an almost century-old history. With a pretty much consumer-oriented marketing and a glamorous design aesthetic, it gives the impression of a lifestyle brand rather than a high-end audio manufacturer. Although it is undeniable that part of its success is attributed to the market that lusts for premium, higher-status products, reports about the superior sound quality are always favourable.
Bang & Olufsen H9 3rd Generation
First impressions
Unboxing the Beoplay H9 3rd gen. is everything you expect from such a brand. The box has a snug fit and feels much like an Apple product; opening the lid has an ultra-smooth action. The headphones sit comfortably on a soft-feeling moulded cell to keep them safe during transportation. There is also a carrying pouch and a basic assortment of cables. I like the attention to detail, but honestly, I would gladly trade the "high-end" experience for a decent carrying case since the included cloth is a mere dustcover. It is noteworthy that both the anniversary edition H95 and the HX, the succeeder of the H9, come with a hardshell case.
The headphones feel good on the hand and are well made; metal yokes, leather earpads, metal sliders, cushioned fabric headband and quality plastic earcups. A unique feature of the Beoplay is the mechanism that extends the chokes as it moves fluidly instead of having the more usual clicky steps. The action is buttery smooth, and the resistance is ideal as it's not difficult to adjust but holds its place strongly enough.
The pouch is nice, but mainly for the dust or light scratches.
Sound and tweakability
Pairing the H9 3rd gen. with my Google Pixel and MacBook was effortless, and after listening to some classical music, I was pleasantly surprised by the sound quality. The B&O sound is smooth and easy to listen to without sacrificing clarity much. The stock response is a bit recessed on the highs, resulting in a warmer overall presentation, but the drivers are flexible enough, so I could easily fine-tune to my liking with the free Beoplay app.
Low notes are deep and well behaved; they don't overwhelm the overall image. The H9 3rd gen. midrange is pretty competent; well-captured recordings sound fairly realistic. Instruments sound like themselves, with their individual tonal qualities distinguished.
The high-end response matches the overall sound signature of Beoplay. It doesn't demand your attention but is not too restrained either. It supports the natural reproduction of instruments and voices and grants a less analytic and more fun listening experience. The room ambience in solo recordings is more laid-back than on typical studio headphones.
I would not use the H9 3rd gen. for mixing or other critical listening purposes, so they won't replace my Focal Clear MG or even my trusted Beyerdynamic DT880. However, for casual listening and the convenience that the wireless connectivity offers, I am happy finally have a Bluetooth headphone that sounds good enough for the intended uses. With the noise-cancelling turned off, the presentation is more akin to open headphones rather than closed, which is an impressive feat.
Controls and connections.
Active noise-cancelling
Engaging the active noise-cancelling alters the sound to some extent. There is less depth and meat to the sound, and the highs become somewhat more fake-sounding as if filters are applied on both ends of the spectrum. There is also a noticeable increase in self-noise. So, it's not an option I would leave "on" all the time, but, I accept the lessening of the overall sound quality for the times when outside noise could render listening without noise-cancelling unbearable.
The effect of noise cancelling is quite decent, but compared to other headphones, it is not nearly as powerful.
Transparency mode
The implementation of the transparency mode of the Beoplay doesn't make much sense to me. The responsiveness of the touch interface is pretty sluggish, so if someone talks to me when I'm wearing them, it is way faster to remove the headphones and talk to them than to engage in funny gestures with my fingers on the right earcup until I find the correct spot to get to the transparency mode. Besides, the resulting sound is rather repulsive.
I could see the benefits of the transparency mode if it wouldn't pause whatever you were listening to before or even more so if it could work during a call to hear my voice more naturally. But, that's not how it functions.
Touch me if you can
I like the idea of a futuristic world where everything will be effortless and efficient, but the touch interface on the H9 3rd gen. is neither. Au contraire, there is a throughout unresponsiveness that becomes annoying pretty fast. I prefer the more typical set of buttons for controlling the headphones anytime. Saying that, the circular gesture for controlling the volume is works smoothly.
(Dis)comfort
The sound quality and feel of the H9 3rd gen. could make me overlook these minor complaints, which in the grand scheme might appear superficial. Unfortunately, my biggest gripe is about the second most crucial aspect of any headphone. The Beoplay H9 3rd gen. is one of the most uncomfortable headphones I have ever worn. The earcups are somewhat small for an around-ear headphone and press the ears, but the worst part is the headband. I cannot understand how a manufacturer with such a long history in the industry could not get the headband right. I can only wear the B&O for about 45 minutes before they become unbearable. Regrettably, I didn't do any extended listening sessions during the return period, so I had to keep them.
Wireless range and battery
The range is exceptional. I could move from room to room without any issue. Although the Bluetooth protocol is older, I haven't experienced any drop-offs or other ill effects. Battery life is adequate for normal use.
They lay nicely flat.
Getting passive
The B&O H9 3rd generation sports a 3,5 input that bypasses the on-board DAC and offers a passive experience, which was a decisive factor for me when I purchased them as I could still use them when they are out of juice. In addition, this ensures that the headphone won't become an expensive paperweight when, in a few years, the battery will not be able to hold a charge. Unluckily, following the trend of our times, the battery is not user-replaceable.
When the H9 3rd gen. is connected passively to my MacBook the sound is pretty decent. When I plug the B&O into any high-end DAC, like my RME ADI-2 Pro FS, the limitations of the drivers become apparent as a slightly harsher character is being exposed. This perhaps means that part of the balance and elegance of the Beoplay become possible through digital manipulation. This is not a critique but rather just an observation.
Final thoughts
Annual design revisions, upgraded Bluetooth protocol and futuristic touch interfaces are not enough to ignore that the Bang & Olufsen H9 3rd gen. are uncomfortable to wear for a prolonged time. Maybe it's just me, so I could only recommend them if you can find them at a fair price and a vendor with a good return policy. If you don't have any hot spots, the sound is reasonably satisfying for wireless headphones.
Focal Clear MG Professional from the perspective of a Classical musician
Focal is a household name in the audio world, renowned among professionals and amateurs, besides hi-fi and car audio enthusiasts. With over 40 years of history, it is safe to say that they know speakers. Headphones is a relatively recent endeavour for them, but with the introduction of the open-back Utopia some five years ago, Focal shook the industry. Soon after, Elear and Clear follow at more budget-friendly prices.
After four years from the release of the original Clear's, and many developments at their closed-back headphone arsenal, Focal employs all recent innovations and research with a sole objective. The aim is to improve the mid-priced open-back design and assure the purest listening experience at home and the studio.
The Focal Clear MG Professional.
My usual complaint about headphones is that most are made to either sound too analytical (read bright) or too fun. Either way, the result is an unnatural reproduction; instruments tend to sound false. Whilst I understand the uses of the analytical headphone in the recording environment or the fun element for those who prefer a more produced sound. As a classical guitarist, I'm used to hearing real instruments in the wild, and unfortunately, only a few headphones succeed in replicating them in an honest but exciting way.
In addition, a seamless transition between my monitors and headphones is far more productive in my workflow, along with keeping me sane with tonal decisions. Focal, being first a speaker manufacturer, approached headphones from that perspective. A choice that I appreciate and fully endorse.
The original Clear has been warmly received by producers and audiophiles as it strikes a fine balance of clarity, dynamics and realism. The question is what the new MG version can improve on to be worth the extra money.
An elegant protective case.
Presentation
The box might say "professional" on it, but Focal, having one of its feet in the HiFi world, has learned a few tricks about presentation.
The Clear MG Professional come in a minimalistic black box that feels almost as expensive as some headphones from other manufacturers. Upon opening, a hardshell case covered in some kind of reddish fabric emerges. A (too?) tight zipper allows it to open flat; the headphone is sitting comfortably and safely inside the moulded cavity. There is a bit of extra room for the short and relatively stiff but high-quality cable. I love keeping my equipment secure, especially when travelling, and the provided case is one of the best I've seen. Also, everything smells like expensive french cologne.
Extra earpads and coiled calbe.
Furthermore, a rectangular presentation case holds the extra earpads and the additional coiled cable. I tried to use the coiled cable when I first got the Clear MG about three months ago because I wanted a longer reach for my setup, but it is utterly unusable; heavy, bulky, junky. A second straight but longer or a much less weighty coiled cable would have been much prefered.
At 1.2m the straight cable is quite short for most uses.
With the included cables ranging from inoperable to awkward, I wish that Focal (and other headphone manufacturers) would give us the option to purchase just the headphone and case, without any extras, for a couple hundred less. I know they won't, but I hate to own (and pay for) things that I'll never use.
Are you professional enough?
Similarly to the original, there are two versions of the same headphone; the Clear MG and the Clear MG Professional. According to Focal, there should be no real difference between the two versions other than the aesthetics and included accessories. I bought the MG Professional because I have more use for an additional pair of earpads. I also prefer the subdued red on black aesthetics to the more luxury-looking copper version. Either version is gorgeous, no question.
Elegant honeycomb pattern on the earcups.
Looks and feel
As mentioned the headphone looks stunning. The redesigned grille with the honeycomb pattern, soft genuine leather on the headband and plush matching microfiber cushions for the ears and lower part of the headband make the Clear MG one of the best-looking headphones on the market today.
The headband with perforated microfiber cloth ensures ample wearing comfort.
Apart from the aesthetics, the Clear MG is also extremely well-built. With all metal parts, everything feels solid and premium. The plugs fit snug and with a very satisfying "click". The spring-loaded mechanism on the earcups ensures ample comfort and seal. The perforated earpads also feel very smooth and comfortable, maybe not as luxurious as real leather ones, but they breathe more. There is enough space for medium ears, but people with large ears might find them a bit tight overall.
Although the headphone is quite heavy at around 450g, the weight distribution is such that the Clear MG don't tire me even after hours of listening or mixing.
Listening and comparisons
Build quality, looks and comfort are vital, but what good is a €1500 headphone if it doesn't sound incredible?
While other headphones, like the Sennheiser HD800 or Beyerdynamic T1 series, seduce the listener with a big stage presentation and ample highs, Focal takes the total opposite approach. The Clear MG prioritises realism, tonality, dynamics and intimacy while remaining detailed and transparent. The result is the most realistic listening experience headphones can offer; finely recorded instruments sound as they do in real life.
The high-end sits where it should be for music listening and production. The Clear MG doesn't emphasise recording artefacts or noise like the Beyerdynamic DT1990/880 but doesn't hide anything either. It delivers highs in a more or less unopinionated way. I find the high-end emphasis of the Beyer's to be welcome during some stages of music production, especially early on, and don't plan on selling them. But, I honestly enjoy the balance and purity of the Focal much more.
The headphone sits comfortably inside the carrying case.
There is a lot of misconception about detail retrieval and the typical high-end boost in headphones and speakers. Many people are used to a V- or U-shaped sound, which can be impressive but inaccurate. With acoustic instruments, most things happen in the middle frequencies. If those are not presented honestly, the timbre of instruments suffers. The original Clear's had a slight bit of pointy mids, which forced me to return them eventually. Focal solved that issue with the Clear MG's as mids are phenomenal here; low-mids sound full and defined, and high-mids offer excess detail. Music sounds real.
Lows are also exceptional. Keep in mind that I don't listen to bass-heavy music, but with solo instruments, orchestral music or even jazz ensembles, the low end is much fuller than what you expect from an open-back headphone. It provides essential support but never overwhelms. Not unless the music is poorly mixed.
Although I mainly use monitors (Focal and Geithain) for tonal decisions, this is the first time I can be confident to mix with headphones when travelling or setting up microphones on location. Also, switching between monitors and headphones doesn't make me schizophrenic.
Honeycomb grill inside the earcups as well.
Criticism
There is only one somewhat negative thing I can say about the frequency balance of the Clear MG, and this only applies to music listening. They can be slightly forgiving on the high-end, but if mids or lows are not captured or mixed masterfully, the Focal's will shout out the problems.
The extremely low distortion of the Clear MG reveals compression and muddiness almost to a fault. Incorrectly positioned spot microphones on orchestras were also easy to identify effortlessly. On the other hand, great recordings can sound extraordinary and with such purity that brings tears to the eyes.
Non-fatiguing
With extra-long listening evening sessions during the Covid madness, it became apparent that not only the Clear MG are very comfortable for lengthy sessions but also practically fatigue-free. The even tonality and low distortion don't tire my ears in a way that other more shouty headphones or speakers do.
The earpads fit rather snug.
A clear keeper
The Focal Clear MG is a wonderfully designed headphone with striking resolution and depth; string and wind instruments, guitars, pianos, and singers sound rather spectacular. If I close my eyes, the playback medium disappears, as if I sit next to the performers. That's the greatest compliment I can give to any headphone.
Now, I only need to find a nice aftermarket cable, any suggestions?
Ollo Audio S4X Reference Headphone Review
Ollo Audio is a relatively new headphone company, based in beautiful Slovenia. They are not famous, at least not yet; but, they already managed to create some buzz around their two headphones, a closed and an open back. Both designs promise a natural response, while the open headphone, the S4X, is marketed as reference headphone.
My main complaints about most headphones are that they are either too bass-heavy, too harsh in the highs, or too expensive. Therefore, as soon as I heard about Ollo's ambitions to produce a high-quality, reasonably priced open-back headphone with flat frequency response, I knew I had to try it.
From the edge of the Alps
The S4X comes in a rather minimal box, both in size and appearance. Upon opening, one is treated with a canny slogan: "Save the planet, you can't listen to music in space". Along with the headphone, here is a small black paper pouch that protects the removable cable, and a pleather carrying bag. The presentation is simple and imparts a handcrafted feeling.
There is also a black envelope that encompasses various documents. Besides a manual, there is a printed frequency response measurement and a hand-signed certificate of authenticity. Neat touches. Lastly, a caution notice alerts us not to press hard the headphones on flat surfaces, to avoid distorting the membrane of the speakers.
Manufacturing and comfort
The headphone itself looks quite handsome and feels very well made. Quality materials have been used throughout; wooden earcups, stainless steel grills and headband, along with memory foam earcups. The weight of the S4X is substantial, but the self-adjusting strap in combination with the plush feeling of the earpads, made of a hybrid of velvet and pleather, make them very comfortable to wear for hours.
Although these are over-ear headphones, the earpads are what I consider as medium-sized. They fit my ears snuggly and are deep enough, but there is not much space around. If you have larger ears than average, you will feel them getting squeezed.
Another nice touch is the removable cable that terminates on a dual 2.5mm TRS for the cups, and 3.5mm TRS that connects to the source. A 3,5mm to 6.3mm adapter is included to accommodate any setup. The cable is 2 meters in length, of good quality and light, so it doesn't weight down the headphone. It has cloth braiding until the Y split for extra protection; then divides into two red rubberized cables that connect into each cup to minimize microphonics.
The cups don't have L/R markings; they become left or right speakers depending on which cable-end you connect to them. This interchangeability makes servicing very easy, but since the lettering on the cable is tiny, it gets a bit annoying to look for it every time. A coloured connector would have been preferable, but that's only a small annoyance and is easy to fix.
Reference(s)
When I received the Ollo's about two months ago, I let them burn-in for about 100 hours and have been using them since almost daily. I've been directly comparing them with the Focal Clear Pro, various Beyerdyanamics, and AKG's, along with PSI and Focal studio monitors.
A fantastic headphone for me doesn't have a sound of its own; it gives me an honest presentation and ensures a seamless transition between it and my monitors, regardless if I use headphones for mixing, mastering, or pure enjoyment.
Reality check
I'm happy to report that Ollo's claim for a flat headphone is not just marketing talk.
The S4X has a full response and shows remarkable depth in its presentation; the instruments feel real. The sound is natural with fast transient response. Also, there seems to be an absence of earcup resonances.
Other than the slightly elevated low-end, no frequency stands out. Bass is solid-sounding and has an excellent extension. Mids are delicate and detailed, and highs are smooth and non-fatiguing. The sound is true to the source. Ollo's have a similar to my monitors' response; much more than my other headphones - other than the Focal Clear Pro.
The soundstage is average with an intimate presentation; the Ollo's put the listener on the stage with the musicians. I also get the impression that the S4X are a bit like a semi-open headphone instead of a fully open design. Detail retrieval is above average, but not in the realm of the Focal Clear or Beyer T1.2.
Listening to properly captured classical guitar recordings, the sound is immersive with every detail presented accurately. If there are problems in the recording or performance, the headphone will show it without shouting at you. This makes it both an excellent tool in the studio and an enjoyable listening experience at home.
In use
With an impedance of 32 Ohm, the headphone is easily driven even by mobile devices. It does sound considerably better with my RME ADI-2 Pro FS or the RME Babyface Pro FS.
Their small size makes them also, great for location work; although Germany is on lockdown since November and I didn't have the chance to test them in that application.
A modular approach
Aside from the sound, what's cool about Ollo is the philosophy behind the designs. They allow their customers to service the headphones themselves, if the necessity arises, as every part is easily replaceable at home. To sweeten the deal, even more, they offer a five-year warranty, and the ability to upgrade the headphones with new drivers and other parts.
In other words, Ollo promises a customer experience opposite to that of almost every other headphone (and not only) company.
Complaints
My only gripe with the S4X is the excessive rining of the stainless steel headband. It only occurs when you put them on or touch it for some reason, so in actual use, it is not a problem, It does give a negative impression on an overall very well thought out headphone.
Honestly, I got used to it and it doesn't bother me anymore, but I wish that Ollo would find a replacement or a way to decouple the headband from the driver.
I would also like to see a hardshell case option, as it would offer better protection when travelling.
Conclusions
Ollo's marketing is quite aggressive and bold, but it is probably necessary at this stage as they need to get noticed. Unlike some of the most popular brands which have flooded the market with numerous models, Ollo seems to listen to their customers and refine their designs.
I don't know if the S4X is a brutally honest headphone, like Ollo claims; but it is an accurate and detailed headphone, without being overly analytic.
The refined and natural sound, coupled with excellent craftsmanship, and the fact that there is no middle man to inflate the prices, make it one of the best headphones in their price range and well above.
Beyerdynamic DT 880 Premium Edition 250 Ohm Review
Natural-sounding headphone for professional mixing, mastering, and home listening. Or is it?
I love listening to music on headphones, I think it is the second-best way to immerse oneself into the music, to get isolated from the "world" around. For engineers, producers and home recordists, headphones can also be invaluable tools for analytical listening and be used as a reference for mixing.
This is my first headphone review on the site. Headphone reviews are usually audiophile-centric (whatever that means), but I don't care much about magic dust.
For casual listening and mixing purposes, I would love my headphones to sound as close as possible to my Focal monitors, for a seamless transition. For analytical listening, I want to hear the air around the fingers as they reach for the strings. If you think this a hyperbole, the answer is yes, but you know what I mean.
The question is if the Beyerdynamic DT 880 250 Ohm can fulfil any or both of these roles. Is it analytical, relaxed or neutral?
Incarnations
Beyerdynamic needs no introduction, they are around since the early 1930s and there is some type of DT headphones in every studio around the world. Noteworthy is that all their professional products are still made in Germany.
The cable is non-removable
Introduced in 1980, the DT 880 is a semi-open design, ideal for mixing and mastering according to Beyerdynamic. There are two distinct versions, the Pro for professional use and Premium Edition for home listening. Both sound the same though, with only some minor visual differences. I bought the Premium Edition because I prefer the straight cable (they are also slightly cheaper), but I would like the headband to be removable like on the Pro version.
The Premium Edition comes with a pleather foamed case for transporting, which is extremely bulky so it gets seldom used. The DT 880 rarely leaves my desk anyway. A slightly smaller and more convenient hard-shell nylon case is also available by Beyerdynamic at a reasonable cost.
Manufacturing and comfort
Industrial design with a mix of metal and plastic
The headphone follows the industrial design aesthetic of most Beyerdynamic products. I find the understated blend of black and grey shades very pleasing, and the mix of metal and top-quality plastic makes it very robust. The manufacturing of the DT 880 is impeccable; I have them since the beginning of 2018 and although it has slid from my desk quite a few times, it looks and functions just like the first day.
The cable could be shorter
The DT 880 sits on my head very comfortable; the large velour ear pads and that thick padding on the headband allow for extended listening sessions without ever getting tired. The cable on the other hand is an aberration; it is thick, permanently fitted on one side, and way too long. The quality is decent, but I wish I could swap it with a smaller one as the RME ADI-2 Pro FS is at hands reach from my sitting position.
Listening
Although I believe that the DT 880 are some of the best headphones in their price range and even well above, I have mixed feelings about their performance. I know, that's not what you wanted to read, but let me explain.
The sound is generally neutral, especially the low-end and mids. They reach deep, but the bass is never exaggerated; if anything it can be quite lean for some tastes. The mids are pure and open, every detail is utmostly portrayed. There is a slight emphasis on the low-mids, but it is negligible.
Beyerdynamic DT 880 Premium Edition
My difficulty in loving the DT 880 is the high-end, which tends to be unnaturally piercing and sharp. Even some luscious and generally dark David Russel recordings can sound dazzling. The enlarged trebles are useful only when I search for undesired sound in my recordings; for any other listening purpose, it only takes out from the beautiful balance of the rest of the range.
The presentation is transparent and wide, the drivers are fast and the delivery dynamic. The biggest strength of the DT 880 comes from its ability to represent the individual frequencies in a disunited manner, detached from each other. This aspect is invaluable for analytical listening, but as a result, the headphones don't let me forget that I'm listening to a recording; the medium never disappears entirely.
Correction required
Beyerdynamic DT 880 and RME ADI-2 Pro FS
The DT 880 can improve dramatically if you are willing to bother with an equalizer. I had to create a custom EQ preset on the RME ADI-2 Pro FS to be able to appreciate them more. Taming the high-end makes the Beyerdynamics more comparable to my monitors. Still, the headphone remains utterly detailed but much more enjoyable than without any equalization applied.
I wonder if Beyerdynamic could fix the treble response on the production model. Maybe they don't want to tweak such a classic design, or possibly they want you to buy the new T1.3, which seems to be the ideal headphone for people without hearing loss.
Ohmage
My version of the DT 880 is the 250 Ohm. Even if there is a reasonable level for my ears (I usually listen to music at relatively low levels) when I use it even though my MacBook's output, the sound improves significantly when I drive it with the ADI-2 Pro FS. A more power-hungry 600 Ohm version is also available, as well as a 32 Ohm version for mobile use. In any case, you won't hear what this headphone is possible to deliver if you don't pair it with a high-quality amplifier and DAC.
Beyerdynamic’s DT 880 vs DT 770 and DT 990
Mini jack and 6.3 mm screw adapter
Beyerdynamic offers three main alternatives at a similar price range, all with unique strengths. From the three, the DT 880 is the most balanced and natural-sounding, admittingly apart from the treble spike. The DT 990 is a fully open design and exceedingly analytic. To be honest, every time I listen to anything with it, I get dizzy with its excessive high-end. Finally, the DT 770 is closed-back and its main use is in the studio during tracking. It blocks external sounds to creep in and vice versa, but it doesn't sound nearly as nice as the DT880.
Conclusion
The Beyerdynamic DT 880 is clean and balanced for the most part, adequate for any professional use. It responds well to EQ, which can make it much more useful; the analytic Beyerdynamic nature is always present though, so it is impossible to get absorbed in the music. Considering its engineering and performance, the DT 880 is pretty affordable and is probably the best headphone at that price range, especially if you are willing to use some form of correction.
By the way, if you are still wondering; the best way for someone to fully appreciate the music is, of course, attending a concert.