Haven't posted for a while but I thought someone here would have some good advice. I have been looking for some new headphones.
The best headphones I have ever owned were a pair of Sony studio monitors (on the ear) they eventually broke after about 5 years of service. Went out and bought a Razer headset (hated it sounded terrible to my ear). Next I bought the Sennheiser PC360 headset. I like it. However I am thinking about rewarding myself due to a recent promotion at work with some new headphones (not headset). Money is a thing, I don't want to overspend however I can afford to drop $200-400.
I have been looking at the DT 880 Pros and HD 8 DJ's:
Linus gave the HD8's a really good review and the DT880's from what I hear are also amazing. I travel occasionally for work so the Sennheiser's seem like a good options since they collapse although I know they are new so I was waiting for some long term use reviews. I am not a DJ so I expect to pay (sort of) a premium for "DJ-centric" headphones however if they sound great I don't care that they are marketed for DJ's.
Any advice would be great since I have only recently been looking at premium audio products. I am only interested in over the ear headphone style. I will be using them at my desktop to listen to music/play games and it would be nice to take them on the plane when I travel. Thanks!
I think the first thing you need to consider is whether you are okay with a semi open design. The Beyer is semi open, its gonna leak more sound than the hd8. If you use it in a plane other people might hear what you are listening to. The HD8 is closed and wont have that problem.
The downside is that closed headphones have a lot less soundstage. Personally i prefer Semi open and open headphones but i dont use them while travelling. Also the type of music you listen to is important. The HD8 seems to be bass heavy so it'll be good for rap, EDM etc. The Beyer 880 is More neutral and is better for classical and rock.
Personally i would pick the 880 but headphones are very subjective
Having owned the DT-880 retro version for about 10 years and never heard the HD8's, I'd say go with the DT-880's just for the fact they are open (technically semi-open, but they are as open as any open headphones I have owned in both the soundstage and the little amount of isolation they offer). Once you extensively listen with open headphones, there is no going back, the soundstage really is that much more spacious and "airy".
Another headphones to consider are the Sennheiser hd-600 or hd-650, which I personally like even more than the Beyers for their warmer sound signature. In fact the HD-600's are my favourite headphones of all time, even after hearing the 4 000 dollar Stax Omegas.
+1 for the DT880 or the sennheiser HD600. HD8 dj headphones are optimized for.... DJs :P I personally own a pair or DT990s and i really like them. DT880 and HD600 are better and more natural and because of that are a classic pick for audiophiles. If you want portability then the HD8 are good(not the best in this price range), but take a look also at the DT770. Keep in mind you will probably need an amp/sound card to drive all these headphones.
I guess the reason I was drawn toward the HD8's were that Linus gave them such a good review also I do listen to EDM from time to time (go ahead, judge me internet ;) ) I do like bass quiet a lot. Infact one of my favorite bands Lamb of God sounds immensely better with a subwoofer IMO (can feel the bass drum kicking).
Yeah I feel like the HD600's have been recommended to me so many times its hard not to take note of that. I will highly consider these cans they are at the top of my list now along with the dt880's. Hadn't considered the dt770's because I haven't heard a lot about them but... that price.
P.S
I wish there were somewhere I could go to listen to all these headphones near Seattle
Sooo....Did you buy any of those headphones? I ended up getting the HD600 for me a few weeks ago and i LOVE THEM and i don't even use a proper amp (just the hifi stereo headphone output). I find the bass just right listening to Lamb of God but you can always boost the bass with some EQ. I guess DT880 would be brighter pair of headphones but they are at the same league.