beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro 80 Ohm

I ordered these, together with a headband and a pair of Sennheiser HD414 pads, on 10 March 2020 and received them in the UK on 17 March 2020, excellently packaged. That’s almost as good as before Brexit. I was charged 20% VAT by Thomann on placing the order and suffered no further charges for duty at the UK border or additional charges from the courier. Thomann’s website indicated that this would be the case for orders to the UK under £135 and this was correct. I never voted for Brexit and I hope I live long enough to see us rejoin the EU (I’m 62 so I probably won’t), though I have no wish to start an argument and respect the views of those who see things differently from me, but in the meantime I will happily continue to order from Thomann and, if this instance is anything to go by, though the process may be a bit clunkier and more complicated than before, I must admit that Brexit has demonstrably not made things impossible. I’m sure there are a multitude of other stories on this subject, both positive and negative, but my experience on this occasion has been 100% positive.

As goes the headphones, I rate them five stars in every respect taking into account their budget price. I also own Amiron Homes, which certainly sound a little better but which don’t quite fit my head as perfectly as the 770s, and I have a pair of 880 250ohms which I think have a significantly different sound signature from the 770s (very precise but understated bass and a gauzy, delicate treble). I am not a fan of closed headphones per se, but sometimes it is the only politic choice when wearing them around the house, and the 770s are the only such headphones I have so far found that I really enjoy the sound of and find comfortable when wearing for long periods. I find that the 80 ohm 770s work well on any device and yet they still benefit from dedicated amplification (which in my case comes in the form of a couple of Little Dot Mk 2 head amps in a couple of different systems. For my 250 ohm headphones these Little Dots are essential).

I like the 770s so much that this is my second pair. Even though I think my Amirons and 880s are better headphones, sonically speaking, I find that I now use the 770s most of all and I would hate to be without them. I find them particularly satisfying when listening to jazz, the Amirons more so with classical. In terms of sheer value for money the 770s make the Amirons look like more of an indulgence that an unequivocal game-changing improvement! And, I don’t feel I have to be so precious in the way I treat these headphones (which is ironic really, given the fact that the Amirons are distinctly more solidly built).

Personally, I think the sound signature of the 880s is so different from the Amirons and the 770s that I would hesitate to compare them. However, I am sure that some people would identify some traits in the sound of the 770s and 880s as being similar and that the Amirons are the more different headphone of the three, but I am describing my subjective experience here and am not trying to be objective. By any measure, the 770 Pro 80s are very comfortable, good sounding headphones that represent very decent value for money.

And, from all I’ve experienced so far, Thomann seem to be an excellent company with first class customer service. It must be something to do with that lovely Bavarian environment!