Summary of Reddit Comments on "dt990 alternative"

Philips Fidelio X2HR

• Provides a great alternative to the DT990.
• User comment: "Consider the Fidelio X2HR. I personally like them much better than the DT990."

Pros:

• Offers a nice soundstage.
• Comfortable to wear.
• Easier to drive from a laptop compared to the DT990 variants.

Austrian Audio Hi-X65

• Suggested as an alternative to the DT990.
• User recommendation: "Try out Austrian Audio Hi-X65."

Beyerdynamic Tygr 300r

• Offers tamer treble and more bass compared to the DT990.
• Noted for great sound stage and comfort.
• User feedback: "Tygr 300r have tamer treble and more bass. Great sound stage and comfort."

Pros:

• Tamer treble.
• Enhanced bass.
• Comfortable for extended use.

Sennheiser HD599

• Recommended as an alternative to the DT990.
• Known for its balanced sound with no treble spikes.
• User opinion: "You should consider the HD599, really nice headphone with no treble spikes at all."

Pros:

• Balanced sound signature.
• No treble spikes.

Sennheiser HD560S

• Suggested as a potential alternative to the DT990.

AKG K702

• Recommended for excellent soundstage.
• Considered as an option for those seeking good soundstage.
• User suggestion: "AKG K702 if u want good soundstage."

AKG K371

• Praised for clear and balanced sound with enough bass.
• User comment: "AKG K371 sounds fantastic - clear and balanced with enough bass."

Pros:

• Clear audio quality.
• Balanced sound.
• Adequate bass.

Closed-Back Headphones (e.g., DT1770, ATH M40x)

• Recommended for stronger bass response compared to open-back headphones like DT990.

Cons:

• Lack the natural and flat sound of open-back headphones.
• Closed-back headphones may not provide as accurate a sound representation.

Considerations for Bass Response

• Recommended to use headphones with accurate sound quality.
• Noted that boosting bass on headphones can lead to misleading audio representations.
• Encouraged to check mix accuracy on various devices and environments rather than relying solely on boosted bass.

Tip to Avoid Listening Too Loud:

• Suggestion to turn down volume to prevent hearing damage and fatigue.

Impedance and Sensitivity

• Importance of considering both impedance and sensitivity for headphone driveability.
• Noted that 250 ohms alone may not indicate ease of driving headphones.

Additional Recommendations

• Beyerdynamic Virtual Studio software for optimizing audio.
• Recommended using speakers and subwoofer for better bass response.
• Software like Sonarworks SoundID for improved audio calibration.

Note:

• Keep in mind the need for balanced sound when considering alternatives to DT990.

Other Suggestions

• Audio Technica M50x as an alternative with more bass emphasis for casual listening.
• Fostex t50rp with specific amp and DAC for a different listening experience.

Pros:

• Enhanced bass response.
• Suitable for mix checking and casual listening.

Cautions

• Reminder to maintain healthy listening volumes to prevent hearing damage.

Overall Recommendations and Takeaways

• Philips Fidelio X2HR, AKG K702, AKG K371, and Sennheiser HD599 are recommended alternatives to the DT990.
• Consider closed-back headphones for stronger bass response.
• Ensure balanced sound representation for accurate mix checking.
• Pay attention to impedance and sensitivity for headphone driveability.
• Experiment with software solutions for audio optimization.
• Prioritize comfort and sound quality when selecting alternatives to the DT990.