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We've recently released our Test Bench 1.6 update for Headphones! Read the Latency R&D Article to learn more.

Beyerdynamic DT 880 Headphones Review

Tested using Methodology v1.5
Reviewed May 02, 2017 at 04:41 pm
Latest change: Test bench update Oct 26, 2021 at 02:58 pm
Beyerdynamic DT 880 Picture
8.0
Neutral Sound
4.0
Commute/Travel
5.2
Sports/Fitness
4.6
Office
4.6
Wireless Gaming
6.7
Wired Gaming
1.7
Phone Calls

The DT 880 are good critical listening headphones with a well-balanced and open sound. They have a durable build, and they're decently comfortable, but they're a bit cumbersome to carry around without a bag. Also, their semi-open design doesn't block ambient noise, leaks a lot and isn't really intended for any other use case except critical listening in an isolated environment.

Our Verdict

8.0 Neutral Sound

The DT 880 have an excellent Mid range and an above-average Bass and Treble. This makes them sound decently well balanced, with instruments and vocals that don't feel pushed back or too forward on most tracks. However, their overall audio reproduction is a little bright and sibilant. They also do not have as much Bass as the DT 990, but on the upside, they have a spacious Soundstage, low harmonic distortion and great stereo image, which makes them good headphones for neutral listening.

Pros
  • Great audio reproduction.
  • Sturdy build quality.
Cons
  • Very sensitive to ambient noise, by design.
  • Bulky and unstable design.
4.0 Commute/Travel

Poor for commuting. They have a semi-open design which lets a lot of ambient noise seep into the ear cups which is not ideal for the loud environments involved in commuting via public transit.

Pros
  • Great audio reproduction.
  • Sturdy build quality.
Cons
  • Very sensitive to ambient noise, by design.
  • Bulky and unstable design.
5.2 Sports/Fitness

Not made for sports. They're bulky, cumbersome to carry around and unstable. They also don't have any controls.

Pros
  • Great audio reproduction.
  • Sturdy build quality.
Cons
  • Very sensitive to ambient noise, by design.
  • Bulky and unstable design.
4.6 Office

Sub-par for office use. Unless you work in an isolated environment, the level of leakage of these headphones may distract those around you. They also do not block any noise so they won't be suitable for a lively workplace.

Pros
  • Great audio reproduction.
  • Sturdy build quality.
Cons
  • Very sensitive to ambient noise, by design.
  • Bulky and unstable design.
6.7 Wired Gaming

Pros
  • Great audio reproduction.
  • Sturdy build quality.
Cons
  • Very sensitive to ambient noise, by design.
  • Bulky and unstable design.
1.7 Phone Calls
  • 8.0 Neutral Sound
  • 4.0 Commute/Travel
  • 5.2 Sports/Fitness
  • 4.6 Office
  • 4.6 Wireless Gaming
  • 6.7 Wired Gaming
  • 1.7 Phone Calls
  1. Updated Oct 26, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.5.
  2. Updated Mar 02, 2020: Converted to Test Bench 1.4.
  3. Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
  4. Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.
  5. Updated Feb 16, 2018: Converted to Test Bench 1.2.
  6. Updated Aug 10, 2017: Converted to Test Bench 1.1.
  7. Updated May 02, 2017: Review published.
  8. Updated Apr 30, 2017: Our testers have started testing this product.
  9. Updated Apr 26, 2017: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Compared To Other Headphones

Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO

The Beyerdynamic DT 880 and the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO are similarly-performing headphones for critical listening. The DT 880's semi-open design creates a slightly more open soundstage. They're also more comfortable and have a more consistent frequency response. However, the DT 770 PRO have a more even sound profile overall, provided you achieve a good fit, and they leak less sound.

Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO

The Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO and the Beyerdynamic DT 880 PRO are both very good headphones for critical listening, but they have different sound profiles. Both headphones have a bright and clear treble. However, the DT 880 lack bass compared to the DT 990 PRO, which pack a stronger punch. This makes the DT 880 sound brighter compared to the DT 990, which sound boomier. Both headphones also sound rather sharp, but the intensity depends on how sensitive you are to the higher frequencies.

Sennheiser HD 560S

The Sennheiser HD 560S are better for neutral sound than the Beyerdynamic DT 880. The Sennheiser have an open-back design, a more neutral default sound profile, and a better passive soundstage performance. They're also much more stable on your head. On the other hand, the Beyerdynamic have a significantly better build quality and come with a soft case to protect them from minor scratches and splashes. 

AKG K702

The AKG K702 and the Beyerdynamic DT 880 are both great audiophile headphones if you like a neutral sound. They have fairly similar sound profiles, although the AKG adds a bit of extra emphasis to the clarity and detail of vocals and instruments, while the Beyerdynamic emphasize more of the sibilance range.

Sennheiser HD 599

The Sennheiser HD 599 and the Beyerdynamic DT 880 are both great critical listening headphones if you like a neutral sound, but they have different sound profiles. The Sennheiser sound warmer, but also muddier, while the Beyerdynamic have a brighter but also harsher sound. The Sennheiser are also more comfortable for longer listening sessions, but the Beyerdynamic feel much more durable.

Sennheiser HD 58X Jubilee

The Beyerdynamic DT 880 and the Sennheiser HD 58X Jubilee are both great audiophile headphones, though they have different sound signatures. The Beyerdynamic have a brighter overall sound profile, with less bass and a stronger presence in the higher frequencies, although they can also sound a bit piercing or even painful to some. The Sennheiser sound a bit dull in comparison, but their sound profile is better-balanced overall, with more bass and less emphasis on sibilants like sharp "S" and "T" sounds. However, the Beyerdynamic are more comfortable for longer listening sessions.

Beats Solo Pro Wireless

The Beyerdynamic DT 880 are better for neutral sound than the Beats Solo Pro Wireless. The Beyerdynamic are much more comfortable, and their passive soundstage is perceived as much more open and spacious. On the other hand, the Beats are more versatile since they have an integrated mic, onboard controls, and an ANC feature that blocks out an impressive amount of noise.

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Test Results

perceptual testing image
Design
Design
Style
Type Over-ear
Enclosure Semi-Open
Wireless No
Transducer Dynamic

The DT 880 look similar to the DT 990 PRO but have enough unique touches to feel like a different design. The circular ear cups are semi open as opposed to the open design of the DT 990 which combined with the more premium, metal enclosures makes the DT 880 look much more expensive than their price range. They also have a slightly different headband design with two small metal plates at the hinges, which look a bit odd but shouldn't be much of an issue once they're on your head.

8.0
Design
Comfort
Weight 0.66 lbs
Clamping Force
1 lbs

The DT 880 are comfortable headphones but put an uneven amount of pressure around your ears. The ear cup padding is covered with a soft microfiber fabric that feels good on the skin. They're also not as tight as DT 990 out of the box, but unfortunately, the angle of ear cups causes them to put an uncomfortable amount of pressure between your jaw and your ear lobe which can get a bit tiring after having them on for a while.

0
Design
Controls
OS Compatibility
No Controls
Ease Of Use No Controls
Feedback No Controls
Call/Music Control No
Volume Control No
Microphone Control No
Channel Mixing
No
Noise Cancelling Control No
Talk-Through
No
Additional Controls No
7.4
Design
Breathability
Avg.Temp.Difference 3.1 °C
5.4
Design
Portability
L 8.0" (20.3 cm)
W 6.2" (15.7 cm)
H 4.2" (10.7 cm)
Volume 208.00 in³ (3,408.50 cm³)
Transmitter Required No

Like the DT 990 PRO and the DT 770, the DT 880 are not very portable headphones. They're bulky, they don't fold into a more compact format, and the ear cups don't lay flat either. This makes them quite cumbersome to carry on your person without a bag. Unfortunately, the provided carrying case adds so much bulk that they may not even fit into your backpack or gym bag.

6.5
Design
Case
Type Soft case
L 10.6" (26.9 cm)
W 9.3" (23.6 cm)
H 4.9" (12.4 cm)
Volume 477.00 in³ (7,816.60 cm³)

Comes with a soft case that will shield the headphones against scratches and minor water damage. It also protects them against some impacts but because it's a soft case it won't be ideal against accidental drops. Unfortunately, the case almost doubles the amount of space that they would take up in your bag. This makes them even less portable which is slightly disappointing.

8.0
Design
Build Quality

The DT 880 are rugged and well-built headphones that won't break if they accidentally fall off your desk. They also make use of some premium materials in their build quality. Their frame doesn't feel as sturdy as the DT990 PRO, but the ear cups feel better built and have metal enclosures compared to the plastic one of the DT990. However, the audio cables leading to the ear cups are a little exposed.

5.5
Design
Stability

These headphones, unlike the DT990, are not stable. They fit a bit looser on the head when compared to the 990s and will easily fall off if you shake them too much. They're not meant to be used while exercising or running, and the non-detachable cable is cumbersome and will yank the headphones off your head if it gets hooked on something.

Design
Headshots 1
Design
Headshots 2
Design
Top
Design
In The Box

  • Beyerdynamic DT 880 Headphones
  • 1/8" to 1/4" Adapter
  • Manual
  • Carrying case

Sound
Sound
Sound Profile
Bass Amount
-4.02 dB
Treble Amount
1.28 dB
8.9
Sound
Frequency Response Consistency
Avg. Std. Deviation
0.22 dB

Excellent consistency. The semi-open enclosures of the DT-880 mean they don't rely heavily on an air-tight seal to create their Bass. Therefore, they tend to perform quite consistently, even though the Bass Range of our Over-Ear and On-Ear headphones are measured on 5 different human subjects, 5 times each.

Sound
Raw Frequency Response
6.9
Sound
Bass Accuracy
Std. Err.
4.05 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
99.35 Hz
Low-Bass
-7.06 dB
Mid-Bass
-4.01 dB
High-Bass
-0.05 dB

Decent Bass Range performance. The DT-880 suffer from insufficient low-bass and bass. Consequently the low-frequency extension point is at 92Hz which is poor. The resulting sound will not have enough kick and low-end rumble for the fans of Bass. The DT 990 PRO would be a better choice.

9.5
Sound
Mid Accuracy
Std. Err.
0.63 dB
Low-Mid
0.01 dB
Mid-Mid
-0.23 dB
High-Mid
-0.3 dB

Excellent Mid Range performance. The response is virtually flawless and within 0.7dB of our target.

7.5
Sound
Treble Accuracy
Std. Err.
3.79 dB
Low-Treble
-0.43 dB
Mid-Treble
4.46 dB
High-Treble
-0.27 dB

Decent Treble Range performance. Low-treble is well-balanced, but treble is over-emphasized by an average of 5dB, peaking at 12dB around 9KHz. This makes the sound of the Treble on these headphones noticeably bright, and they could sound a bit harsh on overly bright tracks.

7.6
Sound
Peaks/Dips
Peaks
1.54 dB
Dips
1.14 dB
9.0
Sound
Imaging
Weighted Group Delay
0.09
Weighted Phase Mismatch
5.11
Weighted Amplitude Mismatch
0.26
Weighted Frequency Mismatch
1.64
6.9
Sound
Passive Soundstage
PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)
2.6 dB
PRTF Size (Avg.)
2.01 dB
PRTF Distance
5.67 dB
Openness
9.3
Acoustic Space Excitation
8.7
0
Sound
Virtual Soundstage
Head Modeling
No
Speaker Modeling
No
Room Ambience
No
Head Tracking
No
Virtual Surround
No App
8.7
Sound
Weighted Harmonic Distortion
WHD @ 90
0.087
WHD @ 100
0.094
Sound
Test Settings
Firmware
No Firmware
Power
Passive
Connection
Wired
Codec
PCM, 24-bit, 48kHz
EQ
No EQ
ANC
No ANC
Tip/Pad
Default
Microphone
No Microphone
Isolation
1.6
Isolation
Noise Isolation
Isolation Audio
Overall Attenuation
-4.78 dB
Noise Cancelling No
Bass
0.03 dB
Mid
1.21 dB
Treble
-15.18 dB

Poor Isolation. The DT-880 is rated as semi-open but their performance is very similar to fully open-back headphones, and therefore don't isolate well. They provide no isolation in the Bass and Mid Ranges. In the Treble Range, they achieve an average of 15dB of reduction which is about average.

1.5
Isolation
Leakage
Leakage Audio
Overall Leakage @ 1ft
63.88 dB

Poor Leakage. Due to their semi-open back design, these headphones leak a considerable amount of sound. The significant portion of their leakage sits between 300Hz and 20KHz, which is quite a wide range. The overall level of leakage is also loud.

Microphone
Microphone
Microphone Style
Integrated
No
In-Line
No
Boom
No
Detachable Boom
No
Mic No
0
Microphone
Recording Quality
Recorded Speech
N/A
LFE
N/A
FR Std. Dev.
N/A
HFE
N/A
Weighted THD
N/A
Gain
N/A
0
Microphone
Noise Handling
SpNR
N/A
Noise Gate
N/A
Speech + Pink Noise Handling
N/A
Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample N/A
Speech + Subway Noise Handling
N/A
Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample N/A
Active Features
0
Active Features
Battery
Battery Type
No Battery
Continuous Battery Life
N/A
Additional Charges
N/A
Total Battery Life
N/A
Charge Time
N/A
Power-Saving Feature
No
Audio While Charging
No
Passive Playback
Passive Headphone
Charging Port None
0
Active Features
App Support
App Name No App
iOS No
Android No
macOS No
Windows No
Equalizer
No
ANC Control
No
Mic Control No
Room Effects
No
Playback Control
No
Button Mapping No
Surround Support
No
Connectivity
0
Connectivity
Bluetooth
Bluetooth Version
No Bluetooth
Multi-Device Pairing
No
NFC Pairing
No
Line Of Sight Range
N/A
PC Latency (SBC)
N/A
PC Latency (aptX)
N/A
PC Latency (aptX HD)
N/A
PC Latency (aptX-LL)
N/A
iOS Latency
N/A
Android Latency
N/A
0
Connectivity
Non-Bluetooth Wireless
Non-BT Line Of Sight Range
N/A
Non-BT Latency
N/A
9.0
Connectivity
Wired
Analog Audio
Yes
USB Audio
No
Detachable No
Length 9.90 ft (3.02 m)
Connection
1/8" TRS
Analog/USB Audio Latency
0 ms
Connectivity
PC Compatibility
Analog
Audio Only
Wired USB
No
Non-BT Wireless
No
Connectivity
PlayStation Compatibility
PS4 Analog
Audio Only
PS4 Wired USB
No
PS4 Non-BT Wireless
No
PS5 Analog
Audio Only
PS5 Wired USB
No
PS5 Non-BT Wireless
No
Connectivity
Xbox Compatibility
Xbox One Analog
Audio Only
Xbox One Wired USB
No
Xbox One Non-BT Wireless
No
Xbox Series X|S Analog
Audio Only
Xbox Series X|S Wired USB
No
Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless
No
0
Connectivity
Base/Dock
Type
No Base/Dock
USB Input
No
Line In
No
Line Out
No
Optical Input
No
RCA Input
No
Dock Charging
No
Power Supply
No Base/Dock