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In today's review we'll take a look at the Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro and DT 880 Edition headphones and talk about their differences and similarities. Beyerdynamic's full-size headphone range is characterized by a wide variety of models. Some of the best known are the closed-back DT 770 Pro, the semi-open DT 880 and the open-back DT 990 Pro. In addition to the acoustic design, these headphones also come in different impedance values and versions. And that's not counting the special (limited) editions. As you can see - Beyerdynamic has a choice, and it is not a small one.
From time to time we wrote reviews about some of the above mentioned models and compared them with each other. Now we have the Beyerdynamic DT 880 headphones in two versions: Beyerdynamic DT 880 Edition and Beyerdynamic DT 880 PRO. Earlier we heard opinions that PRO is a professional series for working with sound (which is logical, based on the name), and Edition - headphones for listening to music. Moreover, on the box of the Edition version there is the phrase "Your enjoyment, Your music". And now, finally, we have the chance to compare Edition and PRO versions in person and form our own opinion. Well, let's start our Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro and DT 880 Edition review and comparison, but first let's have a look at the headphones' specifications, as usual.
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Best Price on Beyerdynamic DT 880 PRO
Designed for studio use, the DT 880 PPRO has earned a reputation as a reliable, accurate and comfortable headphones for sound engineers and music producers alike. |
Pro Plus Package
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Best Price on Beyerdynamic DT 880 EDITION
Known for their precision, comfort and well-balanced sound, the Beyerdynamic DT 880 Edition headphones have earned a loyal following among audiophiles. |
Pro Plus Package
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The Beyerdynamic DT 880 PRO has essentially identical specifications except for the 250 ohm impedance, twisted cable and weight of 295 grams (0.65 lbs).
Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro
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Beyerdynamic DT 880 Edition
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The Beyerdynamic DT 880 Edition headphones come in a large cardboard box that is considerably larger than the DT 880 PRO. The outer packaging combines white, black and orange colors, and there is also a photo of the headphones in profile. Unlike the PRO series, the DT 880 Edition has a different label on the box, which now reads "Your enjoyment, Your music". Since the DT 880 Edition is available in three impedance versions (32, 250 and 600 ohms), the respective value is marked with a black marker on the box. The table on the top of the box also shows the optimal use of the headphone versions, from portable players (32 ohms) to high-end systems (600 ohms).
The Beyerdynamic full-size headphones come standard with a gold-plated 3.5 to 6.3 mm adapter, a warranty booklet and a 4-page color booklet. However, we were pleasantly surprised by the presence of a soft case in the kit. The case is black, made of eco-leather, with the company logo printed on top in silver letters. The case is zippered and has a handle on top. Inside is a foam protector with a cut-out for the headphones. In the mid-price category of Beyerdynamic headphones, the DT 880 Edition is the only one with a similar soft case. Other headphones only come with a soft pouch to protect the headphones from scratches (including the Beyerdynamic DT 880 PRO).
The design of the Beyerdynamic 770, 880, 990 series headphones is recognizable and has similar elements represented by the gray velour ear cushions, the eco-leather headband, the shape of the cups and the way they are attached. The Beyerdynamic DT 880 Edition headphones have all of these elements, but the Edition series has a number of differences from the PRO series. The steel headband is also upholstered with eco-leather, but without metal buttons, so the padding cannot be removed. The model number is printed on separate plates attached to the ear cups. On the DT 880 PRO, the model number is printed in dark grey directly on the silver earcups. The earcup holders of the Edition series are gray (the same color as the earcups themselves), while those of the PRO version are black. The cable of the DT 880 Edition is straight and 3 meters long. The DT 880 PRO's cable is twisted (approx. 1.5 m) and can be extended to 3 m. Both versions have a one-way cable connector on the left shell. We didn't find any other noticeable differences between the Edition and the PRO.
The DT 880 Edition looks very similar, but the head-clamping force was weaker than that of the 880 PRO. For listening at home, without having to make any movements, we liked the ergonomics of the DT 880 Edition better in this respect.
Now we come to the most important part/section of our Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro and DT 880 Edition review. Of course, everyone wants to know what the headphones sound like. Of the Beyerdynamic DT 770, 880 and 990 headphones, the 880s have the most balanced sound, in our opinion. We pointed out that according to the information on the packaging, the DT 880 Edition 32 Ohm version is considered optimal for use with portable Hi-Fi players, the DT 880 Edition 250 Ohm - with Hi-Fi audio systems, and the DT 880 Edition 600 Ohm - with Hi-End systems. In other words, 32 Ohm headphones don't seem to need a powerful source. In practice, however, the DT 880 Edition 32 Ohm headphones are only fully functional with stationary equipment, which should be taken into account.
On Beyerdynamic's website the sound of the DT 880 Edition is described as "very neutral and relaxed". We can agree with the word "neutral", but we can hardly agree with "relaxed" - for such tasks it is better to look at other models, and not necessarily at Beyerdynamic models. The sound of the DT 880 Edition is still as analytical as the PRO version, but with its own characteristics.
The Beyerdynamic DT 880 Edition builds up the soundstage very well. It is light and airy. The listener is slightly distanced from the scene and surrounded by sounds, which in total creates a sense of space. Low frequencies in the headphones are a bit small. The bass is precise, fast, a bit dry and lacking in naturalness. The mids are neutral and transparent. The headphones handle female vocals very well, but male vocals lack some fleshiness. Instruments are well separated, their parts are clearly audible and distinguishable. The midrange reproduction can be described as analytical, but still lacking some weight. The high frequencies are a bit accentuated, which is characteristic for some Beyerdynamic models. This gives the sound an additional airiness and saturates the music with details in the treble range. At the same time, there is sometimes a certain synthetic quality in this area. For example, some electric guitar solos on high notes did not always sound authentic. The naturalness of violins also suffers a bit.
Comparing the Beyerdynamic DT 880 PRO and DT 880 Edition, the PRO version sounds more weighty. The only area where the PRO is inferior to the Edition is in the stage width. The DT 880 PRO has a more listener-oriented sound with more depth. Each of the ranges has gained a bit of body that the Edition version lacks. This has a positive effect on the natural timbre of instruments and vocals, which adds to the naturalness of musical works. The DT 880 PROs are more balanced than the DT 880 Edition. Even though the DT 880 PROs are monitor headphones, they do not sound bland or boring, just like the DT 880 Edition sound won't be boring too.
Now that we've reached the end of our Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro and DT 880 Edition review, it's time to summarize the results. The Beyerdynamic DT 880 PRO and DT 880 Edition headphones have a lot in common: high-quality workmanship, reliable construction, good ergonomics, German manufacturing and a two-year warranty. The velour ear pads are another common feature.
The main differences are the cable, which is not detachable in both models, but straight in the Edition and twisted in the PRO, with the ability to stretch; different resistance values (from 32 ohms in the Edition and 250 ohms in the PRO) and certain sound characteristics. Note that each of the versions is characterized by a neutral sound, saturated with a lot of detail. For us by sound Beyerdynamic DT 880 PRO, in comparison with DT 880 Edition, are more universal model with a fuller sound. But as you know, it is better to be guided by your own hearing when choosing headphones. But to make your choice easier, let's put it this way: Beyerdynamic DT 880 PRO - perfect for studio tasks, DT 880 Edition - for everyday listening enjoyment.
We hope you enjoyed our review of the Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro and DT 880 Edition headphones. Please feel free to leave your comments, questions, and suggestions in the section below. We will be happy to answer them all as soon as possible. If you already own a DT 880 Pro or DT 880 Edition and have used it for a while, don't forget to share your impressions and tell us what you liked or disliked about these brilliant headphones.
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8.4
/10
Our Score
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