Massdrop x Beyerdynamic DT 177X GO Headphones Reviews | Drop

Apr 16, 2019

Disclaimer: The Beyerdynamic 177X GO were sent to me as a sample for the purpose of this review. Hat tip to Massdrop for the opportunity to check these out.

The Good - Gentle, U-shaped headphones. Smooth, detailed, and well balanced overall. Solid, punchy bass. Laid back midrange. Highs are clean and detailed. Great comfort (with sheepskin pads) and build quality. Sound is very clean without weird peaks/dips or unwanted resonance. Very easy to drive even from a portable device. Scales slightly with nicer gear. Sheepskin pads are very plush and cushioning. Low distortion. Prefered at lower listening volumes. Good isolation. The Meh - Only one cable. No storage box or travel case. Sheepskin pads don't fit in driver housing ring. Average soundstage. Can sound a bit congested and flat on busy, dense tracks. Midrange is sometimes bit too laid-back and could use a boost in the lower and upper mids. Could use more sub bass impact/rumble. More transportable than portable. The Ugly - Velour pads are quite stiff. Dome of driver rubs ears with velour pads. No mic cable. Cups prone to scratches and fingerprints. Not easy to source a balanced 4-pin mini XLR (TA4F) cable. No travel case. Sibilance on 'S' and 'T' sounds for some tracks. Cymbals can sometimes be "sizzly" and too forward in the mix. Upper midrange lacking a bit in presence. Wide peaks in upper highs can sometimes add too much sharpness and edge to vocals and certain instruments. Unforgiving of poorly recorded/mastered tracks. Build, Fit, & Finish Nice color and finish. Looks appealing with how the silver lettering pops off the brushed cups. They feel premium and have a nice weight to them. They're also quite sturdy and don't feel like a toy in your hands. Sliders click into place with good resistance. Cups pivot but have slight rotation at the hinge. The headband is rather flexible overall and contours nicely over your head. The few pieces of plastic present look to be of high quality as well, but is kept to a minimum. Headband has plenty of cushioning on the bottom from end-to-end. Hand-stitched on the top with ‘Beyerdynamic’ stamped in the leather. While the headphones are hefty, the weight is well distributed across your head. The clamp is average, maybe a bit more. They are rather snug fitting but never feel like your head is under a vice. Both pads are flat. The sheepskin pads are thick, plush, and soft. They are very comfortable and my preferred choice. My ears never felt suffocated or hot with them as they have tons of room. The velour pads are thinner and rolled, have a firmer foam, don’t isolate as well, and bring the drivers closer to your ears. For me and the velour pads, my ears rub on the dome that is at the center of the driver. This just distracted and annoyed me any time I tried to use them. The cups have a notched “fitting ring” for getting the pads on. The velour pads can fit in this ring but not the sheepskin. The material is thicker and longer so unless you can wedge the material in there, they will stretch and fit over the cups themselves. They are secure but it doesn’t look as clean. Sheepskin pads also work very well for those that wear glasses as they’re very supple and have some give due to the memory foam. The cable is nice and just thick enough. The mini xlr plugs into the headphone cup with a hefty click when it locks. Cable is a good length and comes with a 6.35mm TRS adapter. Did not detect any microphonics or cable noise. Cable is pliable enough and doesn’t really kink or get coiled up. Portability & Isolation These are rather large headphones. But, they are rather snug fitting so they don’t feel loose on your head when moving about. They pretty much stay firmly in place. This also helps with their isolation as with the sheepskin pads, they don’t let much sound in or out. This was nice as I got to enjoy a lower listening volume where I thought everything sounded more balanced overall. The velour pads do feel nice. However, they don’t isolate as well as the other pads and also let more sound in. It’s enough difference to be noticeable but even with the velour pads, I would say their isolation is still above average. Easy to drive from a mobile device due to the 32-ohm drivers. I can get them rather loud with some headroom left, even on my cellphone. Cable could be a foot shorter for mobile use but is a good length for home setups. Equipment Used At work, an iFi xDSD was used via USB into my laptop running Spotify. At home, a THX AAA 789 paired to an SMSL SU-8 (balanced interconnects) connected to my phone or laptop via USB running Spotify and ripped FLAC files. Listening Preferences My taste is pretty eclectic and all over the place, but this is a rough idea of what I listened to with the 177X: https://open.spotify.com/user/jaydunndiddit/playlist/6dhI64BEeqQIdFlcodklma? . Sound
Lows - Bass extends well. A nice boost over neutral to give the lows some good punch. Bass is tight, fast, and overall very clean. These are not bassy headphones. Some may find them lacking in impact and slam. More mid bass punchiness over sub-bass rumble. Lows don’t really bleed into the mids. No cup resonance or ringing. Kick drums and guitars have good body. Mids - Mids are good. Even and flat throughout for the most part so everything sounds clear and well balanced. For some tracks, upper midrange can lack a little presence. Highs - Treble sounds clear and balanced overall. Tuned north of neutral, but not overbearingly so. There is a slight sharpness to certain sounds, and vocals can sometimes sound a little edgy. Some sibilance is present on ‘S’ and ‘T’ sounds as well as cymbals, but I really only experienced this at slightly higher listening volumes. At lower volumes, highs have enough presence to be present without being overpowering. Soundstage & Imaging The soundstage size feels average. I don’t sense a lot of depth or height. The presentation is very intimate. Instruments and voices are clear and do have some relative sense of space. Tends to sound very inside your head. Imaging and placement of instruments is good within this smallish space. Some vocals and instruments can become lost on busier, dense tracks. Quick Comparisons All observations were done single ended with the THX 789/SU-8 on a gain of 1 having the volume controlled by the DAC. I used the same playlist for each session. I volume matched to the best of my ability and tried to keep pad type and material as consistent as possible. Fostex TR-X00 Ebony (TH900 sheepskin pads) - Slightly V-shaped. Bigger bass. More impact and energy due to boost in sub bass. Lows sound more textured. Soundstage is about the same, on the small side, boxy, and intimate. The TR-X00 image just as well as the 177X. The mids and upper mids are more recessed and lack presence. Treble can get hot and tends to get sibilant more often than the 177X do. Treble has a lot of energy but maybe a bit too much. The 177X sounds smooth and more balanced by comparison. Focal Elegia (Dekoni sheepskin pads) - Neutral/bright headphones. Sounds much more effortless. A more dynamic, technical listen. Upper mids more forward and present. Soundstage sounds a bit larger, like it wants to spill outside of your head. Stage is much more 3-Dimensional as I have a greater sense of depth and height. The sense of the room/venue and its acoustics comes off well. Bass is tighter, but lacks in quantity. Drums have more snap and guitars have more bite. Horns and other brass instruments sound more textured. More neutral overall in the lows and mids. 177X is a bit warmer and laid-back by comparison, lacking in some technicalities and presence. AudioQuest NightOwl (stock protein leather) - L-Shaped. Soundstage size is about the same size but is better defined and more 3-Dimensional. A better sense of height and bit of depth. Warmer and smoother overall. A more laid-back, chill listen. Not necessarily dark, but they do lack energy and presence. Lows lack impact although they are even and well extended. What bass is present, is very tight and doesn’t encroach on the mids. Highs are soft, and lack energy and edge by comparison. An easier listen but it doesn’t feel as technical or revealing. Vocals do sound full and smooth. The 177X is much more bright and lively by comparison. Technically, superior unless you prefer a smoother, more romantic listen. Campfire Cascade (stock sheepskin) - Kind of W-shaped. The bass cannon in the group. Extends well and has a healthy bass boost in the sub and mid region. Well textured, full, and tight. Some may find it too thick but gives notes and instruments a nice weight that makes the 177X seem thin by comparison. Tonally, they are very similar. The treble here, is present but tamed. No rough edges. Notes feel as if they have more air and space. Mids are a bit more forward overall, so they don’t get lost in busier tracks and helps to cut through all the bass. Smoother and more exciting overall. Otherwise, a colored, engaging, and fun listen. Will never be mistaken for being neutral. Soundstage is bigger and has a better representation of height and depth. I think they image better as the Cascade’s can keep up on busier tracks and exhibit a higher level of dynamics in general. The Cascade satisfies my inner basshead while still having some technicalities that round them out nicely. Highs cut through and have a good bit of air for such a bassy headphone. My welcomed, guilty pleasure. My ranking by preference Elegia > Cascade > 177X > TRX00 > Nightowl Value and Conclusion Overall, I really enjoy the 177X. They’re very comfortable and I can easily wear them an entire work day without complaint. They isolate well in a work environment, and don’t leak very much at all. At lower listening volumes, I really enjoy them. They’re somewhat laid back and balanced with a boost in the bass and treble. The midrange can lack presence on some tracks, but I only tend to notice if I’m listening critically as something just sounds “missing.” It doesn’t sound awful, just not as full and energetic as I prefer without being too forward. Vocals sound good if they’re not overly sharp and “hissy.” They otherwise have a nice body and are very smooth. For the cost, I think they compete well at this range. I think a travel case or a mic’d cable would have been nice as portable seems to be in mind for these, but those are minor nuisances. The 177X is a sturdy, well built headphone that sounds and feels premium. While it may be a bit overly enthusiastic and sharp sometimes, or become edgy at higher volumes, they offer an enjoyable and pretty well balanced listen and are quite comfortable for long listening sessions. I thought they performed well with rock, jazz, electronic, and acoustic music. Rating: 4/5 Edit: URL to playlist is working now.

(Edited)

Was this helpful?

bigshel

263

Apr 16, 2019

jaydunndidditthanks, dude. The playlist helps a lot in understanding your review. I've been eyeing the 1770's for my work headphones. I have the 880's but they leak a little more than I'd like for some of the music I listen to.. I'm really going to have to try the Cascades for my not so inner basshead pleasure hahahaha.

Apr 16, 2019

bigshelNo problem. It was pretty fun to write it all up. It's actually my first serious review. Honestly, for work, I think these are about perfect. They isolate so very well and they really don't leak. They really do form a great seal and have all day comfort. I have close to 100 working hours alone with them and not a single complaint. I also wear glasses and they remain comfortable without breaking that seal. With the leather pads, anyway. They'll be a nice changeup from the typical Elegia and Cascade's I take to work. And yeah, the Cascade's have such a fun bass reminiscent of the TH900 (a bit less sub bass energy/impact). They can definitely physically vibrate your noggin and sound good while doing so. They're unabashedly fun while still having some good technicalities and I appreciate that about them.

bigshel

263

Apr 16, 2019

jaydunndidditThe Sony MDR Z7's had some of my favorite bass, just smooth bass... but the clarity was poor IMO for a headphone in that price range. Sounded kinda muffled; it was disappointing. Haven't had a chance to try the version 2 of them, if they improved on the sound quality over all and kept that bass I'd be tempted to get those.

Vote

Volly

328

Apr 17, 2019

jaydunndidditBest review out of the lot, solid work dude!

Apr 17, 2019

VollyThanks for the kind words!

Apr 17, 2019

jaydunndidditHow do you compare this with the DT 770 pro 250 ohms for sound quality ?

Vote

Apr 17, 2019

nick_tI don't remember the ohm version I previously had (either 80 or 250) but, the 177X doesn't bleed into the mids or sound as warm as the 770. Their bass is also tighter and sounds punchier in comparison to the boomier 770. Mids are a bit more forward so the 177X has a bit more presence and the treble is smoother as the 770 has larger peaks and a massive dip in the presence region. Truly, they are upgraded in every way over the 770, build and sound wise. They have a more refined sound where the 770 sounds a bit more "fun," comparatively. They're also easier to drive and have a lower THD. They're just a lot cleaner in all regards and feel like a premium product. Also, the sheepskin pads are very swanky. Like big marshmallows.

Apr 17, 2019

jaydunndidditAre they comfortable as the dt 770 pro ? Explain soundstage and imaging in comparison to the dt 1770 pro? Do they still have the sub bass like the dt770 pro ? Also, how does the 177X Go performance in gaming ?

Vote

Apr 17, 2019

nick_tComfort and everything is equivalent. They essentially didn't change the general aesthetic. The headband is more plush and wrapped in real leather and so are the pads here. I'm pretty sure the velour pads are identical but I could be wrong. Clamp is about the same but the 177X is a bit heavier but not obnoxiously so. Their weight is distributed well. They have the same general balance and extension for the lows but the 177X is smoother as the 770 has some dips. The 177X hit harder and cleanly. The 770 sounds a bit unrefined by comparison. The 177X is also substantially more refined in the treble region. Smoother and better balanced. Soundstage and imaging are similar but the 177X is a smidge larger but shows better imaging due to the cleaner signature, lower THD, and the massive dips from the 770 are reduced so they have more presence. They're actually pretty good unless you're playing competitively. They have a good amount of bass punch and impact so you feel the rumble from explosions. Mids and highs are clear as can be and really never get in the way. The highs are a bit boosted so some sound effects can sound super intense but it wasn't unbearable. The major issue is with their smaller soundstage so pinpointing exact locations could be difficult as it kinda felt like it "put you roughly in the area." So if you're playing solo, I'd highly recommend them. Something competitive online I would give pause if pinpoint accuracy of footsteps/rustling is required. I used them with The Division 2 and Assassin's Creed Odyssey so I think it covered both of these games well sans the soundstage constraints. Sorry for the wall of text but hopefully that gives you the context you're looking for.

Megazine

544

Apr 17, 2019

jaydunndidditYour review was just plain silly. It's such high in quality and you even took your time to compare pads. Very easy to follow due to structure. Arguably one of the best reviews I've read for headphones. You stayed on topic, and described the cans in almost every sentence. Great Job and I hope MD keeps sending you more cans because, I look forward to reading your next review. PS. Would be nice to see a photo of your lab and gear setup.

(Edited)

Apr 17, 2019

MegazineHa, thanks man. Had a good time writing it all out if that wasn't evident. Was an interesting exercise for me to try and put my piles of notes and impressions into something more thought out and cohesive. It kinda all just fell together at one point but I went through MANY revisions before I got to this point. I actually deleted quite a bit for sake of length. Still trying to source a balanced cable since all my gear is balanced, need to run them through my tube buffer and other amps/dacs, etc. I still have so much more to say, really ha ha.

Kerry_Maxwell

163

Apr 17, 2019

jaydunndidditHow is an $800 pair of headphones a "guilty pleasure"?

Vote

Apr 17, 2019

Kerry_MaxwellWell, my favorite headphone and usual preferred signature is akin to the Focal Elex and Elegia. So comparatively, the Cascade is my "guilty pleasure" for indulging the notion that every headphone doesn't need to shoot for neutrality while delivering a wonderfully impactful and textured low-end. They're the thick, bassy, heavy SQ I crave from time to time next to the lighter, faster, airier Focal house sound I tend to go for. Hence the reference of them being my guilty pleasure. Don't know why you bring up price as it's pretty irrelevant contextually.

Kerry_Maxwell

163

Apr 18, 2019

jaydunndidditUsually "guilty pleasure" refers to something of lesser quality or dubious artistic merit, so I didn't see how it would apply.

Vote

Apr 18, 2019

jaydunndidditAre you sure about the comfort because to me the dt 1990 is not as comfortable as the dt 770/990 to my ears. Havent tried the original dt 177X Go. For its clamp force is too tight. You have not describe the bass region yet. How is the performance of the bass especially sub bass region for dt 770 pro vs dt 1770 pro vs dt 177X Go. All 32 vs 250 ohms. Sorry to bother with all the difficult questions.

Vote

Apr 18, 2019

nick_tNo worries. And yup, very sure on comfort although this is just my opinion. The 770 is comfortable too, but doesn't have as much padding on the headband like the 177X. I haven't used the 1990 so I can't comment on them. And really the clamp of the 17yX is not bad. It's lower than my 6XX and 58X which I consider to be quite clampy. The 177X are snug. Best way I can think to describe them. Regards to bass, they're all more similar than different. The 1770 and 177X are raised a few dB more in the sub bass and mid bass region. The 1770 has a smaller dip in the upper bass region but the 177X beats them all by quite a bit here as the dip is non-existent so they tend to have a bit more body with vocals and instruments over the other two. So yeah, the 177X has more bass quantity and quality over the other two. They're also cleaner so their bass sounds just sounds better as they don't have any unwanted cup resonance or ringing. They just have a very good quality, punchy bass. They'll dig deep enough for most people except the most demanding bassheads.

Apr 18, 2019

Kerry_MaxwellI can see where you're coming from but I think you may be mixed up on the meaning of the actual term. By definition: "noun

something, such as a movie, television program, or piece of music, that one enjoys despite feeling that it is not generally held in high regard."

For the story I was telling, I can't think of a better term that suited my own personal feelings when it comes to bass heavy headphones.

Vote

Apr 18, 2019

jaydunndidditBut is the rumble is more severed as the the DT 770 pro 250 ohms ? Also, is the DT 177X the only high end closed that marketed as protable ? Can I say they are well transparent balance sounding with elevated treble and bass with overall flat clean sounding ?

Vote

MartinTransporterLesch

Apr 18, 2019

jaydunndidditHi Jay, thank you for the review. I Listened a few months ago to the Elegia and started saving. I joined the drop this morning for the 1777x. So have to start over again saving for the Elegia. I searched for months for a closed back better than my 770s with detachable cable. I found the Ultrasone Signature DXP and the Adam Audio SP5 but was not able to yet listen to them in person. I know the Beyersound from 990s(too harsh), 880s(prefer my 1990s with analytical pads), 770s(my first ones many years ago) and often also tried the original 1770s - but they where with stock pads not my cup of tea. So the Elegia was also number 1 on my list. Nice balanced with nice soundstage. owning the ifi xDSD and the 1990s, the Beyerdynamic 770 Pro 80 Ohm and the Sennheiser 58x Jubilee - I wonder if you tried the ifi´s xBass and 3D features with the 177x - was there an increase in some songs thinking of soundstage and base quantity? I use these options not often with over ears - if more often with IEMs.

(Edited)

Vote

Apr 18, 2019

nick_tYeah, the 177X have more impact and rumble over the 770. It isn't by a huge margin or anything, but they have more presence in the lows over the 770 across the board. And they're tighter and cleaner, which makes a big difference in bass quality. To be blunt, the 1770/177X are a step above the 770 in every regard except for price. The 177X is "better" than the 1770 due to fixing some of the peaks and dips in their FR. They're definitely smoother overall and sound cleaner due to a better THD and less cup resonance. I mean, they're all the same FR, linear midrange with a boost in the lows and highs. The 177X is just the smoothest, most refined version for the points I made above. Personally, I see no reason to own a 770 or 1770 over the 177X as sonically they're all a step behind. Again, not by a massive amount but there is enough difference to say get the 177X over other versions unless you can't get them shipped to your country. They do everything better, are wired internally to be balanced, and are easier to drive. There are quite a few high end portable closed backs, I listed four in my review. Although, I'd say they're all more transportable than portable except for the Campfire Cascade as they actually do fold up, so they have that advantage.

Apr 18, 2019

MartinTransporterLeschI have been recently. I didn't want to do EQ or other enhancements for my initial review to make it more generalized for most people. That said, I've been playing with more filters on my DAC, using them with my tube buffer, and tone controls. Still gathering my thoughts on all of those changes to their sound. With the xDSD, with xBass, they sound a bit more boomy. Admittedly, not in a bad way. Slightly more quantity but still the same punchy, tight bass they naturally have. Just slightly boosted. With the 3D toggle, I wouldn't say the stage is widened. I will say the sense of presence is increased so they image better. For the 177X, it actually gives them a sense of a more 3D soundstage despite me normally feeling like the 3D setting is worthless for most of my gear.

MartinTransporterLesch

Apr 18, 2019

jaydunndidditthank you for the reply jay I also have the feeling, that the 3d setting is most of the time useless for my other over ears, while some poorer IEMs like my Tin Hifi T3s can sound clearer in terms of midpresence - always highly dependent from the source material playing. First a good Recording is far more helpful and maybe sometimes balanced setup like DAC/Amp/headphones chain helps for soundstage a margin, if compared with a non balanced setup. Being over 40 years old I also can not have the finest hearing ability anymore. I use Spotify Premium with low(not normal) loudness setting(for more dynamic and less hiss), Tidal Master MQA with USB/OTG cable and flac files directly from the pc or mobile cellphone with android app "usb audio player pro" and foobar. With already wide sounding songs maybe there is some increase but more so a change in soundsignature, which I like. Most of the time I leave it(xBass and 3D) off and am fine. Hope for you that you can enjoy your 177x for longer time and don´t have to send it back :) now the waiting for most of us has started haha greetings from munich martin

(Edited)

MartinTransporterLesch

Apr 18, 2019

jaydunndidditplease upgrade your thoughts on the balanced cable part, if you are willing to in the future - I would be very interested. I also use balanced if possible and don´t shy away from costs ordering balanced cables and adapters like a 3,5mm TRRS male to 2,5mm TRRS female adapter for my ifi xDSD for example

(Edited)

Vote

Manbear

237

Apr 19, 2019

jaydunndidditJay done did it again! Solid review. It seems that reviews are so rarely written as the thoughts of the consumer. I get that here. Thanks

Apr 19, 2019

ManbearThanks for the kind words!

Vote

Megazine

544

Apr 22, 2019

jaydunndidditI guess my question is this. How much sound does it leak? I currently have the Fostex TX-00 and at night I still can’t use it in bed since it leaks, even at lower volumes. Is the isolation much better or is it close to the Fostex?

Vote

Apr 22, 2019

MegazineThe 177X isolate very well. But, in defense of the Fostex, they are technically semi-closed due to their venting so they'll always be pretty leaky no matter what you do. The Beyer has a bit more clamp and the pads create a good seal around your ears so not a lot gets in or out. I used them extensively in the office and in bed and never received a single complaint. I also was able to use them at a lower volume than I normally do since they don't let much sound in either. These are some of the better isolating closed backs I've used.

Megazine

544

Apr 24, 2019

jaydunndidditI have a few questions for you. I know that you enjoy your Focal Elex and 6XX so I'm curious where the 177X Go fits your personal needs. Would you personally buy these cans and join this drop and why? What would you use them for: portability, none-to-little-leaking? I ask because I'm happy with my cans and I only want to buy cans going forward if they excel in certain departments. The 177X seems to just be an all-rounder and I can't seem to pin-point where I would choose them over my other cans during hour long sessions. My only reason to join this drop (it's a big one) is due to its very little leak in sound and portability. Oh yea and you're the third reason I'll be buying these, do to this review.

(Edited)

Vote

bigshel

263

Apr 24, 2019

The soft and plush was about the sheepskin pads not the velour.

jkhmonkey

Apr 26, 2019

jaydunndidditA question on your comment about the sibilance. On a scale of 0 to DT990s being 10, where would you put the 177x?

Apr 27, 2019

jkhmonkeyI'd say a 3 or 4. They are quite smooth and the highs are pretty well contained. It's much worse on poorly recorded tracks at higher volumes and I don't mean ear bleeding loud. Usually I just back off the volume a bit and all is well.

Apr 27, 2019

MegazineHonestly, yes. Especially if you don't have a quality closed back can. I use them at work quite a bit since they isolate better than my other closed backs. Even compared to the Elegia and Cascade at home, the wife never complains about them leaking which she constantly does for the other two. The Elegia is the worst offender here. They're also built like tanks so I definitely think they could handle a fall or even being sat on compared to many other cans. Same with the cable and connector since it is locking and the cable has a pretty thick sheath. Sonically, they are all rounders but to me they really excelled with rock, jazz, and acoustic music. They're pretty good with bass heavy music like Hip Hop, EDM, and RnB but don't quite hit the basshead levels I enjoy for those genres. Although they can rumble so they're not anemic by any means. For the cost, I admittedly can't think of any other headphone that offers what they can do FR and build wise. They really hit a sweet spot and if I was really nitpicking when it came to their cons. They're not perfect, but they arguably do sound and feel tiers above anything remotely close to this price point without spending double or more. Also, I didn't talk about it in my review but they're pretty great with movies too. Just watched Mad Max Fury Road for the jillionth time and they do a great job of capturing the dynamics of that movie. Things will be quiet and you'll just hear dust kicking and swirling then you're greeted by roaring engines, flamethrowers, and explosions popping in with gusto. Really, if the soundstage was larger I would have rated these 5/5 as that was the one con that I found worthy to knock them down by a bit. Otherwise, I find it very hard to really find anything upsetting about them and they're priced right.

denlim777

May 9, 2019

jaydunndidditGreat review!!! very detailed. im looking for a really bassy headphone for EDM , Hiphop , Rap & R&B. Can these headphones handle the bass? are they suitable for the genres i just mentioned. thank u kindly!

Vote

Borno79

May 21, 2019

jaydunndidditDude! That playlist is sick!!

Elsid

697

Sep 20, 2019

jaydunndidditThey perform well with jazz, acoustic, And Electronic? Hmmm. Why not throw classical in there?

(Edited)

Vote

Sep 29, 2019

jaydunndidditI really wish I would have gotten a demo/early unit like yours... the final product does NOT sound like this :(

Vote

Sep 29, 2019

zep483Is this confirmed? Legit curious. I was reading in another thread I had a demo unit for, the Drop Moves, and there seems a whole buncha issues with those production units. Kinda sucks that they're dropping the ball a bit on these new collaborations for whatever reason . Sorry to hear about your pair. What's exactly wrong with them?

Vote

Sep 29, 2019

jaydunndidditI heard a demo pair at Can Jam... it was glorious... sounded like what you described... this unit is lighter construction wise, appears more cheaply made, has fit issues (limited seal behind the ear towards the bottom), and there is like no bass at all (even if you do get a seal)... like maybe as much as a 600... maybe less, depending on the amplifier. The demo unit I heard at Can Jam had bass for days (even with the Beyer pads) and it was great bass... they also were very warm on top, maybe even leaning towards dark (but mostly warm neutral)... these albeit warmer than maybe most Beyers, are still Beyer on top (peaky), and have no bass comparatively. Almost like the subbass doesn't even exist. I mean they sound good... like a more detailed 6xx with better soundstage (even for a closed), but it isn't what I heard at Can Jam... not even in the slightest. And at Can Jam the cable was "OK." The cable that came with these is a rubber thing that is microphonic, rubs against your left shoulder, and I can't even get it to remotely straighten out... I'm very disappointed... probably only because I know better, having heard the original. It was like they had a good product, and chickened out at the last minute to make it more like the rest of their headphones rather than something different... To me the original sounded like a DT1770 without any of the peaks, keeping the bass (and smoothing out the lowend hump)... these sound closer to a closed DT1990...

(Edited)

Sep 29, 2019

jaydunndidditFWIW, mine sounds kind of like how you described. Slight bump in mid-bass, not a whole lot of sub-bass. Very nice mids. Slightly sibilant treble but nothing too bad. Maybe a little more than half the amount of sibilance as the 770’s I used to have. I really like mine but I can anticipate people who were expecting a Fostex like sub-bass to be disappointed. I am looking forward to hearing some more impressions from folks, especially if more report differences between the demo units and the final product.

(Edited)

Vote

MaverickAH

747

Nov 27, 2019

jaydunndidditSince our sonic tastes are very similar & I value your opinion, there is something I want to bounce off of you: I am ready to get an endgame set of closed back headphones that will adapt well for travel. On my sort list are the following:

Massdrop x Beyerdynamic DT 177X Go
Massdrop x MrSpeakers Ether CX
Focal Elegia
Neumann NDH 20

TBH, I am really leaning towards the Ether CX's or the Elegia's. I can get the Elegia's for a great price right now so that's a non-factor. These two are on my list because I love my Elex's but I also love my Quad ERA-1's. In truth, I might be every so slightly partial to the planars. I'm a little leery of the DT 177X Go frequency response graphs as I've had some issues with that type of response with some types of music. The Neumann's are said to be a neutral studio monitor which intrigues me because I've always been partial to headphones that don't editorialize on the performance & the production. Not crazy about the visually for outdoor use though. Any insight you can provide would be appreciated. FTR: This sight needs a DM function!!!

(Edited)

Vote

Nov 27, 2019

MaverickAHNow, I haven't heard the CX bit they are mildly V-shaped (per Dan Clark in his pinned post) bit otherwise flat and neutral. Seeing as they constantly get compared to the Aeon, I know this isn't my particular flavor as I just found them too safely tuned and just kinda boring overall. If you truly want the most neutral set, is be willing to bet the CX would be your best bet just be weary of their power requirements. They crave it. Personally, I'd take the Elegia over the 177x all day, every day. But this is super personal. I enjoy the 177x, but the Elegia just have this resolution and level of dynamics the Beyer cannot touch. This doesn't mean the Beyer's are bad, just a bit rougher around the edges and tuned for a more general audience. With that said, the Elegia are a bit bass light. But what's there is tight. Just not punchy like the Beyer so it'll come down to what you listen to and personal taste. I own basshead cans so I don't mind this when I'm in that mood, but if this is your only HiFi closed back, you may be more discerning than I. I will say, the Elegia respond surprisingly well to EQ and handle a healthy bass boost with aplomb and will surprisingly dig deep and really rumble. Something I feel gets missed when people y'all about them. They'll never hit Fostex levels of bass, but for a Focal, they can hit hard. Also, despite the Focala being brighter overall with more air, they've never been sibilant to me. The 177x does have an edge to them and on crappy tracks, will get sibilant. At least to these ears to YMMV. It's not pain inducing, just a bit distracting and annoying. The Beyer's are flatter throughout the mids than the Elegia. The latter is relatively flat but by comparison they have a bit more rise upwards so can seem a bit more forward at times. I like this but of you want laid back here, the Beyer would be the safer bet. And while both are technically proficient for their price point, I find the Elegia superior in dynamics and resolution. They also have the more holographic stage for a closed back as the Beyer comes off a bit more intimate and linear. Again, just boils down to taste. Sadly, I have no experience with the Neumann's so I can't offer any advice there. Sorry! Wall of text, but hope it helps ya some.

Nov 27, 2019

MaverickAHI actually find with the right pads the 177x is well beyond most of the focals in resolution... at least the ones i have heard... which is all of them except the elex... utopia and stellia and clear pro might out resolve it... but hard to say without being able to A/B. But, the stock pads on the 177x kind of fuzz things up a bit compared to other pads such as the hifiman angled fenestrated sheepskins- those are magnificent. Those pads are super resolving with the 177x... but I'd recommend a cable change and pad switch to get what you want out of them. I would much rather rake the 177x over the Elegia or the Neumans for sure.

Vote

MaverickAH

747

Nov 28, 2019

zep483Thanks for the replies! For me "resolution" can be a double edged sword. Resolution is good but sometimes it's all about how you get there. My hearing is still good to about 16.5KHz so I can be particularly sensitive when it comes to treble. Like I said, the frequency response graph for the 177X usually sets off alarms for me. I'm having an issue with the Blon BL-03 that most seem to love right now & their graph is not unlike that of the 177X. The Elex is as about as much bright as I can comfortably stand, living right near the edge of my tolerance range. I do love the dynamics & the soundstage they present though! The ERA-1 comes very close to the Elex in dynamics but is smoother in the treble while having greater micro detail. Hence my dilemma! FTR, I do currently have other closed backs but they're all of the BT variety. Correction: I also have a set of Geram Maestro GMP 8.35 D Mobile that I like quite a bit. They are very much like Sennheiser's sonically. Like an improved version of the HD25's. Additionally, I also have to factor into the equation that both the Beyer's & the MrSpeakers are going to require after market cables which, more likely than not, will have to be custom. The Elegia's are no problem as their jacks are more universal & there are already plenty of cables available.

(Edited)

Dec 14, 2019

jaydunndidditI still totally love my 177X but lately I’ve been imagining a setup with the Elegia and the Elex. Elegia is one of the best closed cans out there and these days they can sometimes be found almost half the price. The Elex is maybe one of the best headphones out there right now period? Really interested to hear them. And the design of those Focals is so cool, they’d look sick side by side on my nightstand. I should give the Beyers some more time and let my funds grow a bit but I hope one day to consolidate my stable to just those two and the ER4XR (which I’m getting very soon). And the HD6XX. I don’t think I could part with those. They’re a very important headphone.

Vote

Dec 14, 2019

bcaulfIMHO, the 177x destroys any of the Focals (I can comment on all of them except the Elex [have not heard that one yet myself])... but given what people say about Elex, I am hard pressed to believe it is actually better than the 177x with hifiman pads. I'd definitely take the 177x over the Elegia, and even the Stellia to be honest... metallic timbre and harshness ruin the Focals for me. I was close to buying an Elex during the sale, but given people's comments, I'm glad I did not at this point. I did not like the clear, and while the clear pro was "better" (and maybe the best Focal I've heard out of the rest of them minus Elex [because I haven't heard that for myself yet]), but my take away to date is that the Focals simply aren't worth their price in general unless you like that bright/slightly metallic treble thing. I get the feeling that Jay is kind of a Focal Fan Boy... and I'm not saying that is a bad thing... I just think I'm not. I tend to prefer more neutral speakers and headphones... I can take shifts in either direction, but there are deal-breakers for me... and metallic is one of them.

Dec 15, 2019

zep483It’s definitely a different type of signature. Probably a little brighter, yes, but I do find the treble of the Beyer, while non fatiguing, a bit funky, especially on poor recordings. Not a terrible thing at all really but I get the impression the Focal is all around more refined. I’ve also heard some don’t hear the metallic timbre as much as others. Anyway I appreciate your response in sharing your comparative view between the two.

Vote

xzackly7

Jan 21, 2020

jaydunndidditI disagree on the bass quite a bit actually. If you find yourself liking the boosted bass of the Harman target, this is several db over that for reference. Harman target already has elevated bass, and this goes beyond that by like 6 db, it hits VERY hard in the bass for me. Subbass is more heard than felt, but is VERY prominent. It all depends on what headphone you were used to before I guess. It's not hard to tell how much slam this headphone has if you take the midbass down 6db and subbass down 3db and let yourself adjust, then try and take the EQ off. You'll hear the stock bass then.

Vote

Jan 21, 2020

xzackly7It also probably depends on the pads too. I imagine the sheepskins show a lot more bass just due to the nature of the material and improved isolation.

Vote

Jan 22, 2020

xzackly7I don't know what curves you're looking at, but the 177x measures close to the 1770, which shows the same mid bass hump at around 5 dB. It isn't 6 dB over Harmon. And no. These do not hit very hard in the lows. The TH900 hits hard. The HE6se hits hard. The Campfire Cascade hits hard. These are punchy, at best, like the 1770 as they are a bit rolled off in the sub bass region . Hell, the Amiron, t1p and t5p hit harder than the 1770/177X, relatively speaking. The t1p actually is punchier and has a better sense of warmth oddly enough . And that's fine. I like it, and it's just ok but heavily depends on the music I'm listening to because you know, preferences. Unless I'm missing something you're referencing, the bass here is just ok; perfectly acceptable for most. I'm just lucky when it comes to the lows and their texture. Have you heard the TH900? Or other Fostex or Denons or the HP-3? Those quite literally slam. Same with Audeze and "most" larger diaphragm planars. My HE6se hooked up to my power amp slams damn hard. The 177x, as much as I like it, does not. And the HE6se is flatter throughout this region by comparison. It is physically moving a much larger quantity of air akin to a 10" sub compared to a 15". No matter what the 10" sub outputs, is physically cannot move that quantity of air like a 15". The Tesla driver is the same way - it just wasn't designed as such. Out of curiosity, what other headphones do you have experience with that truly slam? Maybe the difference is in what we have both listened to in context?

Vote

Jan 22, 2020

bcaulfIt's very slight from the pads. The measurements are posted here with both and compared to the 1770 and Amiron as well. It's more so what changes from the overall FR that gives the perception of a better low-end that I enjoy from the sheepskins. The velour don't seal as well for one and don't have the same reflective surface or distance from the driver as the sheepskin. Really just a preference thing. I've never been a fan of the Beyer velours and always swap to either a hybrid or sheepskin style pad akin to what they do for the t5p. But really, I think seal could be the biggest issue as I do wear glasses.

Jan 22, 2020

xzackly7I also think you have it backwards about sub bass. It's definitely more felt than heard as it is in the lower ranges of human hearing. These Beyer's have a defined mid bass hump so they are definitely punchy and warm but lack true rumble and grunt. If you listen to music heavy with kick drums, you'd get what I mean here. Whereas the punchiness aids itself well to a timpani as they don't go that low by comparison.

Vote

xzackly7

Jan 23, 2020