AKG K550 vs Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro

Aleksi Virmanen · Mar 20, 2014

Hello. I am about to order a new set of headphones and I've been searching through amazon for days for headphones, and after all these hours I have two headphones here. I cant decide which one would be better for me. I am going to buy FiiO E17 at the same time so the 250 OHM on DT990 would not be a problem. I like bass-heavy headphones but the sound quality is more important for me.

Any recommendations/suggestions are welcome! Thanks.

ssddx · Mar 20, 2014

take a read here
http://www.head-fi.org/t/640415/akg-k550-or-beyerdynamic-dt-990-770
and here
http://www.head-fi.org/t/695735/akg-k550-vs-akg-q701-vs-dt990-sound-signature

what i would try to do is find a recording of the sound signature (they record the sound inside the headphones when they are played)

this site has alot of what i'm talking about but it doesnt have the exact models you need
http://www.sonicsense.com/blog/category/closed-back-headphones/

i would just like to also make a note that the fiio amps are only considered low to mid grade at best. while they do work there are other products available which will have a clearer sound.

i would highly suggest you read some posts over at head-fi as they are a primarily headphones oriented forum and they have alot of audiophiles who have used most of the various sets out there.

Aleksi Virmanen · Mar 20, 2014

ssddx :

Yes, there are other better choices, but they cost more too. I am not rich. Also im getting the FiiO E17 mainly for the DAC. And as I have understood, because the K550 are only 32 ohm they dont really need an amp, so the FiiO would be just fine right?

Oh and I would be getting FiiO E07K with the FiiO E17 too.

ssddx · Mar 20, 2014

you note that you arent rich but are looking at $250-300 headphone and $140 amps and $130 dacs. seems like a pretty hefty budget to me

while not rich, its still enough to look into the other reviews at head fi. there are models which are dac/amps for under $200 and arent all that bad.

--

i'm running a pair of ath-m50s which are 38ohm currently and you are correct... you dont relaly need an amp for that level of impedence as the output from most devices is enough. not to say that having an amp doesnt give you a minor benefit (it does) but its not super pronounced. the 250ohm for the dt990 would require a decent amp though.

i use my m50swith my phone & ipod & laptop without a dac or amp and they sound fine. the only dac/amp i use them with is the receiver (connected to pc) for the rare times i use it while at home. honestly a dac is only needed if your source soundcard/output is bad or if you are an audiophile and expect the best. i thought about a dac in the past and so far i've not had to buy one. just a thought there. if you have decent sources already perhaps give them a try without a dac and see what you think.

if you intend to use this at your desk..

this was reviewed to be just a tad better than the e17
http://www.amazon.com/Aune-T1-Upgrade-Version-Amplifier/dp/B00A2QJMRY
cheaper link http://www.aliexpress.com/item/FA035AA-AC-110V-BLACK-COLOR-Aune-T1-24Bit-96KHz-DAC-Hi-Fi-Preamp-Audio-Decoder-6N11/695478897.html

some other ideas mentioned here
http://www.head-fi.org/t/648456/best-dac-headphone-amp-at-150

i'm not saying that you cant go with a fiio just that there are other options out there which might be better which still fit in your budget. give it a look and roll through some head-fi posts on headphone dac/amps

----

also of note: you said you like bass heavy. the ath-m50s are pretty decent in that regard. here is a sample clip comparing the m50x (the new version of the m50) with the dt770. it does have beats solo in there too (just ignore that part)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pK7QbLNjno

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AKG K550 vs Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro

Aleksi Virmanen

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ssddx

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Aleksi Virmanen

Honorable

ssddx

Titan

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