Long time down the road but I've been looking as well and I think this review has just sealed my choice as well!

How would you say sound changes from the E17 amp to the Schiit amp on the 1990s? Also, my 2 cents would be higher end amps definitely outplay the Magni family.

Hassab Saeed Its a way of equalizing a headphone to a specific target. That target is decided by measuring the response of a perfectly echoic room and translating that response to a headphone. Metal571 has some fantastic videos that explain it better than I ever could, so I would reccomend checking those out.

Maybe CAL

The wire only goes into the left cup where the ground from both sides meet, therefore it is impossible to wire these balanced without a complete overhaul.

Elex is worse and Elex has massive build quality issues... Avoid Focal like plague.

He's using the balanced pads.

I bought a pair and, because I'm an asshole, the first album I listened to was Transylvanian Hunger by Darkthrone, for shits and giggles of course. The best that basement recorded album has ever sounded.

@@kvltwalter How do you like them and what do you drive them with

I have the dt 990 and the soundblaster x7. My advice for you is to buy an ordinary dac amp combo and connect it to your ps4. Then buy a Modmic and plug it in to your controller and the mic will sound great. The x7 is not a good match for my 990. It doesn’t do the headphone justice. I need to crank up the eq to get trebles. And you don’t need that sorround. The headphones will work fine

DT1990 for studio use or analytical use. Auteur for relaxed listening.

DT1990 is like a tuned track car. Auteur is a Rolls Royce.

The main ones i'm currently using is the SVS Prime 2.1 system.

If you decide to seal they in box me! if not its cool Iv been looking for something for my MacbookPro Laptop! ;)

keep up the great job! thanks

In 2024 I wouldn’t use them for mixing at all, if you had to though I would say the B-pads.

DT1990

I have them running off my PC's motherboard into a JDS Labs Atom amp and they are amazing for music, gaming and movies/shows. Looking to add a DAC soon, hoping an Atom DAC is annouced.

Joshua Valour sides with the HD800's. From what I can remember of the HD800's I tend to agree. Currently own the DT1990's and am definitely still envious of the Senns' soundstage. Wouldn't touch the Senn's for music though over the DT's.

Not really

@@progenji6407 you wrong works as good if not a little more clarity over schiit magni + modi stack.

I use them with the ifi iDSD Micro and they work great together.

Hd650

TinBin - Craig DT1990. I have both.

thanks

Depends on the amp. On a few of my amps, they are definitely harsh and sibilant (mainly TI PCM based ones), whereas on my XDP-300R or my JDS EL Amp, not at all.

Amazon. They are decent for cutting down basic noise & reverb but nothing studio grade.

Actually left this answer on another comment too. DT1990 is like a high performance track-car. Auteur is like a Rolls Royce. Dt1990 for studio use or anything analytical. Auteur for lush relaxed listening.

That's incredibly difficult. I would say 660S for comfort and DT1990 for sound.

George Dahx how good is imaging, soundstage and separation?

Honestly same. I did the same thing when i got my Drop Pandas. The DT 1990s are a classic and even on the DMS headphone spreadsheet they’re like 6th or something

@@ThevenimX can you give a link to the spreadsheet?

Drive them, yes. Sound good, no. The 1990s would reveal all the shortcomings of the O2 really quickly - it's so sterile you'd be scared for your own fertility.

get2choppa it should be good

Almost every amp changes the sound in “some” way. Ends up it’s REALLY hard to increase signal strength without altering the sound. Some even make it sound harsh and grainy (cheap ones as well as the ones built into phones and computers)

I plan on it at some point. The Amiron and DT1990 measure VERY close since the have the same driver. The treble is nearly identical but feels less forward on Amiron due to the boosted lows.

DMS3 TV Thanks.. That’s cool info re: same drivers.

I use the element 2 and you got more then enough power for them

Yes no question

Grobenotgrob 1990's for gaming, better soundstage. Also they have more bass if that is appealing to you for music.

Moon Rocks I'd prefer imaging. Still 1990?

Grobenotgrob I'll probably get ripped for this, but I'd say the 1990. They are close, but at least in gaming I had a much easier time picking people out in pubg with the 1990s...

I will say that for me beyers get uncomfortable and thats why I sold them. I think I am in the very small minority that say this though. Senns for comfort. I still miss the sound of the 1990s... And will probably buy them again just for that.

I just ended up buying 660s based on both DMS/Zeos review. "retarded imaging" on what Zeos says lol.

The 1990s actually has bass, the 400i has zero bass, very rolled off.

Elear has massive dips in the mid-range and treble, weighs more, and has almost no center image. I can only listen to it for about 3 minutes at a time before it drives me insane.

the balanced pads

DMS3 TV Zeos and metal preferred A pads and both prefer 600 over 650. A pads = 600 and B pads = 650

HD 600

And yes I have both.

for DnB if you want to really go high I would say LCD-2 used or LCD2C if they go on sale. They would be a bit more wide and have a very spacious and detailed low end. Under that if you don't mind weight there's the EL8-titanium (if you're on IOS) and the normal EL8 closed backs (currently $339 from audeze)

Are the EL8C that much different from the open EL8? I got the open EL8 during their black friday sale and while I really like them, sometimes it does seem that bass lacks presence, although it does sound very clean. I know that tends to be the case for open backed vs closed back, but I wasn't sure of the extent, as these are my first open headphones (barring SR60s that I bought a couple years ago and returned the next day.)

yes, i have the same combo!!

thank you

ur welcome :)

Own both. For listening the Clears are superior. They are extremely balanced. Nothing is more than the other (bass, mid, treble). The 1990 is a great HP. Great dynamics, clear, and clean with emphasis on treble. Bass is great on both with Clear barely edging out 1990. Vocals on Clear are great all the time with no sibilance. The 1990 are good, but can be sibilant depending on the track. After $500 I think law of dimishing returns kicks in. The 1990 on sale are a great buy. Clears are on the low end price of high end HP's. They are worth it if you can afford the price. I just picked up the M570's and sound wise they are phenomenal for their price and currently on sale. I was smiling for days burning them in. Headband isn't the best. Otherwise build is actually good. They are the HD58X of planars. If budget is a concern those two are hard to beat. Still hate the clamp force on the 58X. Plan to give them to my GF so she can understand the HP addiction. Nothing like putting on your favorite track, leaning back in the chair, and closing your eyes. Enjoying every instrument and micro detail. Hearing people in the crowd talk or clap. Feels like you went to a concert and you haven't left your house.

@@ftlaud911 thank you very much. I just got my Arya (they are about 50/150h of burn in) and was looking for some great dynamics. I guess I will go for clear and 660s. Again thank you very much.

@@MititeluRadu - congrats on the Arya. Hell of a headphone. I had them for like 28 days. Compared them with Clears back to back for days. Arya wins and loses in certain areas. For general listening pleasure Clears wins for me. They have amazing dynamics. Smaller soundstage and more intimate. They are just so balanced. Arya is an experience. Have had the most wow moments of any headphone I have tried or owned. Check out shpongle - are you sphongled? Sounds just pop in left and right channels. I actually miss the Arya. Actually may buy them again soon. I'm still enjoying the M570's. For $200 they are amazing. Also been forcing myself to listen to the DT 1990's. Just ordered Dekoni Hybrids pads to try them. They are really good HP's just need less treble emphasis. We shall see if pads help. I love their looks and design.

@@ftlaud911 thank you. At 50h I can't say I am impressed. Sure the sound signature is different from everything I tried so far, but so far I would take my T50RP or DT880 600ohm over Arya. I do expect that vail to go away after the burn in but they do something strange with the low end. So far low end sounds more like an on/off signal. Hope it will all get better. Also I will hold my final score after I will finish my system.

@@MititeluRadu - was never impressed with low end on the Arya. They do like power and to play loud. Definitely not a low listening HP. As for bass I have found that most planars kick quickly and decay is extremely fast. No rumble like a Dynamic. For $1600 it was tough for me to swallow. Would have kept Clears, but there was a rattle in ear cup. Yet to try an Audeze or ZMF, but I have changed my mind. For now I would rather have more mid-fi cans to switch it up. I have been chasing the dragon only to realize that no headphone is perfect. We all hear differently and have different gear which can affect the sound. Now I am just buying variety at $500 -600 max cans. Figure the more I role the dice the more likely I will find a winning combo. Looking at the RME ADI-2 DAC and questioning if it's worth it. Want to be done on Hardware and build off it. Topping has the A90/D90 or L30/E30. Schitt just released the Magnius with modius or bifrost2. Choices are plenty. What is the best combo that will stop me from looking and wanting to buy is the question.