Topic by Jose

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Topic: cheap headphones sound better than high quality ones

hi,
I wanted to replace my more than twenty year old brandless headphones with new ones (I think my mother got them as a free gift from a bookclub).
I bought the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro (80 Ohm), which had good reviews, although I don't use them for anything else except for playing the piano.

I connected them to my PreSonus Audiobox (22VSL) and have to conclude that the cheap ones sound better. The sound of the Beyerdynamic phones is a bit sharper and seem to have a bit less richness in volume. The better build quality makes them also heavier than the very cheap ones. So I don't know how to justify the new headphones, it's a bit of a disappointing result, except that I can probably return them.

Reply by EvilDragon

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Re: cheap headphones sound better than high quality ones

Headphones do need a bit of time to "burn in", so give it some time. That said, DT-770s do have a notch around 4k indeed.

I own DT-880 (semi-open back) and they are really nicely balanced IMO.

Hard work and guts!

Reply by Chopin87

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Re: cheap headphones sound better than high quality ones

What EV said to which I would also add that the headphones you use the most will always sound better no matter what because you're used to that kind of listening experience. I had the same experience with the Beyerdynamics DT990 Pro compared to the classic AKG but then I started to appreciate them for the spatiality which is unmatched by other cans as well as the gentle smiley curve of the FR which suits very well piano and orchestral music. But on first listening I seriously considered returning them.

"And live to be the show and gaze o' the time."  (William Shakespeare)

Reply by Jose

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Re: cheap headphones sound better than high quality ones

Thanks, yes I also thought that I should give it a little more time (got them last Friday), but  I expected a little more improvement at least. Didn't know about the 'burn in' effect. There is also the 32 Ohms variant (same price), not sure if that would be the better choice, instead of the most popular variant I chose.

Reply by weightedKeys

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Re: cheap headphones sound better than high quality ones

could also be that the headphones amp in your Audio interface just isn't good/powerful enough to do the new headphones justice...

Reply by Jose

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Re: cheap headphones sound better than high quality ones

I read that that wouldn't be a problem with the 80 Ohms, and if I connect the headphones to my Android phone the sound is loud enough when sound is set on maximum. The cheap ones are a bit louder in that case.

Reply by brundlefly

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Re: cheap headphones sound better than high quality ones

Jose wrote:

The cheap ones are a bit louder in that case.

Louder inevitably sounds better. If you can set up a routing that lets you match the loudness as closely as possible and swap phones quickly without having to make adjustments, you will get a fairer comparison. I would guess the DT-770s have an overall flatter frequency response which is generally more desirable, but may not necessarily sound "better" to you.

Regarding 'break-in" that's a new one on me so I did a quick search:

https://www.rtings.com/headphones/learn/break-in

"No evidence in support of the existence of the break-in effect was found in this test."

Reply by peterws

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Re: cheap headphones sound better than high quality ones

Jose wrote:

hi,
I wanted to replace my more than twenty year old brandless headphones with new ones (I think my mother got them as a free gift from a bookclub).
I bought the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro (80 Ohm), which had good reviews, although I don't use them for anything else except for playing the piano.

I connected them to my PreSonus Audiobox (22VSL) and have to conclude that the cheap ones sound better. The sound of the Beyerdynamic phones is a bit sharper and seem to have a bit less richness in volume. The better build quality makes them also heavier than the very cheap ones. So I don't know how to justify the new headphones, it's a bit of a disappointing result, except that I can probably return them.

I'm of the same mind after several years.  I can listen to music/films with anything, and it never bothers me.  Piano is a bit special; the cheapos don't hack it.

You have to pay at least £15 to get satisfaction.

My cans sound like my external sound system, and I'm happy.  Stagg SHP 2300.  £20 or thereabouts.

I'm playing all the right notes but not necessarily in the right order

Reply by Jose

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Re: cheap headphones sound better than high quality ones

I decided to return them. The fact that they are noticeably heavier and tighter to my ears also plays, but if I can't hear a difference in quality that justifies the price.  Your choice seems to be better value.

Reply by Beto-Music

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Re: cheap headphones sound better than high quality ones

I just quit to try to find a headphone that please me. All sounds terrible for solo piano sounds, or can't support it, getting distortion (specially the bass) with few weeks of use. Some can sound almost ok to listen to music, like a band or ochestra, but can't well reproduce a good piano solo.

I also quit to try to find a good digital TV, since all models have deffects/issues I just can't tolerate and I can't understand how people tolerate it, like the abject LED TVs.

Holly crap... why 21th century audio & video reproduction devices can't please me?

Last edited by Beto-Music (03-05-2022 16:02)

Reply by mfiadeiro

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Re: cheap headphones sound better than high quality ones

You should be aware that as the headphone's impedance goes higher they will need more energy to function properly... Even with a value of 80 ohm which isn't a high value, they will sound less louder that others at 32 Ohm or less. You will need to increment the volume or even better, to add an Amp to have a similar precepted volume experience.

Another problem would be the choice of the Amp to pair them with... not an easy/simple task.

Last edited by mfiadeiro (03-05-2022 15:51)

Reply by Beto-Music

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Re: cheap headphones sound better than high quality ones

Please vote:

1- If you think "burn in " it's a physical phenomena that made devices work really better with time.

2- If you think "burn in" it's a nerologic/psychological phenomena that make you believe something got better but in reality you just got used to something and now accepts it better than before.

Last edited by Beto-Music (03-05-2022 19:25)

Reply by wonner

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Re: cheap headphones sound better than high quality ones

OK, we 5 votes that burn-in is real.

Me, my wife, 2 dogs, and the parrot voted in favor of burn-in.

The two cats refuse to use headphones and will only listen to music played through Pianoteq >> Steubgraeber E-272 >> Dyneaudio Studio Reference speakers.

Hope that helps.

Last edited by wonner (03-05-2022 18:30)

Reply by Key Fumbler

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Re: cheap headphones sound better than high quality ones

Beto-Music wrote:

Please vote:

1- If you think "burn in " it's a physical phenomena that made devices work really better with time.

2- If you think "burn in" it's a neurologic/psychological phenomena that make you believe something got better but in reality you just got used to something and now accepts it better than before.

9/10ths of no.2.
When they are used to loose bass control and fizzy distorting "exciting" treble of poorly controlled cheap headphones then more accurate headphones can sound initially dull. Too revealing yet boring, at first.