Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro

[staubgame]

So, I currently have the chance to get these DT990 Pro for very cheap from a friend.

I tried them on and they are quite comfortable but I feel in terms of sound they are lacking.

I have Sony MDR-XB500 which are very bass-heavy. Aparently all Sony are. They are old and "not quite yet but close to" falling apart.

 

Would the change be worth it? New headphones are on my list this year anyway.

What is that about the 250 Ohm resistenace? Would I need additional eqiupment like an amplifier?

From a quick tryout I can't 100% say for sure, the beyer have a very clear audio profile while the sony feel more alive due to the bass.

 

Use case would be music on my laptop in my garden, mostly. On rare occasion a movie (sound system amp present in that case)

Whelp, any help greatly appreciated.

[Drake Mallard]

You would need a Dac/Amp to power it since your laptop would not.

[79wjd]

1 minute ago, Drake Mallard said:

You would need a Dac/Amp to power it since your laptop would not.

DT990s are incredibly easy to drive. 

[Drake Mallard]

On a modern onboard yes. On a Laptop not so much.

[79wjd]

21 minutes ago, Drake Mallard said:

On a modern onboard yes. On a Laptop not so much.

On a laptop it would still be just fine. I've yet to come across a laptop or phone that can't power my 990s.

[Exprima]

The DT990s are quite different from you current cans. Beyers are typically praised for their highs while some find their highs shrill or too bright. It's quite a different fr. The DT990s are still objectively very good headphones, but for me personally the DT880s are a better all rounder for around the same price. If I were you I'd take the DT990 and try to trade it for the 880.

[Tyler Moore]

You can't go wrong with those headphones, they're designed for professionals.

With specs like this:
min freq: 5Hz
max freq: 35kHz

You definitely are buying into intermediate/professional level gear, it'd be a significant upgrade. Whether or not you'd need an amp to power them is up to the device and how it receives power. E.g MP3 player may die quickly throwing out that much power and/or may not play to the fullest dB. 

Amp may or may not be necessary if that makes sense?
Higher Impedance, just means it handles more power, units with less (e.g 32Ohm) require little to no power to push them.

Good luck!

[kasugatei]

3 hours ago, Drake Mallard said:

On a modern onboard yes. On a Laptop not so much.

I have used the same model with Audient sound card, Schiit Fulla 2, desktop PC onboard as well as Macbook pro laptop and iPhone 6. For average user the only benefit of amp would be higher volume (deafening levels). Those headphones are easy to drive and it is unnecessary to spend extra money on DACs/AMPs etc. unless you REALLY want to. There will be some sound quality improvements, but it is up from person to person to decide. 

[EsaT]

On 8/6/2018 at 7:30 PM, staubgame said:

I tried them on and they are quite comfortable but I feel in terms of sound they are lacking.

I have Sony MDR-XB500 which are very bass-heavy. Aparently all Sony are.

XB Sonys don't make sound, they're bass noise makers.

And only other such nothing but bass cans would have similar sound.

For example DT990 already has clearly above neutral bass.