I recently purchased a T1.2 (again) and really enjoying it so I guess it’s thread time.
This is a Beyer that is going for a more laid back and smooth presentation while still delivering very good technicalities especially for it’s current asking price of $400-$500 used. Keeping in mind this was Beyers flagship not too long ago I think this guy exhibits tremendous value given you have the appropriate electronics.
An otl tube amp like a Bottlehead Crack or a ss amp with a bit of power like an Asgard 3 would be recommended starting points I think. I’m finding they scale pretty well too so like an HD600 or other DT Beyers it could have some staying power in a collection.
It’s warm, wide and resolving. It’s very comfortable. Frequency response reminds me of a D8000 Pro (bare with me lol) in that if you look at it on paper the d8kp appears bass light. The T1.2 is the same but in the treble. I don’t find these bright like a graph may have you think.
I’ll have more impression over time I’m sure as I plan on having these around awhile.
Please share your T1 thoughts impressions questions etc
Totally agree, it’s a fantastic headphone that scales really well too. Although I feel it’s a disservice to the 1.1 and 1.2 to group it with the 1.3 lol
What are the differences between 1.2 and 1.3? It always interest me that the 1.2 is recommended here whereas 1.1 in China. Same with HD800 vs HD800s. The Chinese audiophile community tends to prefer the OGs for classical music
I can see that, honestly kinda similar differences between the s and non s vs 1.2 and 1.1 being that later models had brightness tamed a bit and got more body, slightly more technically able but would come down to preference and synergy
They basically went full consumer, large technical step down from the 1.2 and 1.1, no real scaling potential in comparison either. Signature wise almost went more toward a consumer warmer and bassier signature as well. Just a huge direction shift and imo in the process made a pretty noticeably inferior product to appeal more toward the common consumer vs the actual enthusiast
The brightness and supposedly leaner presentation? of the OGs for both may be why it’s well loved in China then. Folks over there are obsessed with the first 1-5ks in the serial numbers.
Damn that’s a real shame. I can maybe understand the change in tuning (although the Amiron was pretty bad too) but really didn’t expect the technicality is inferior as well. So now Beyerdynamic has no real flagship then?
The 1.3 feels like it should have been an amiron gen 2, and personally I’d rather take the amiron over the 1.3. So yes technically they have the 1.3, but that’s just not competitive at all even compared to their past flagships, pretty disappointing imo
So how does the 1.2 compare to the 880 600ohm? That is my open back Beyer point of reference. I liked the resolution and sweet highs on those but I tend to prefer a little more warmth and body, so I’m wondering if the 1.2 would be more my speed. I used them on the RNHP at the time and if I ever pick up the 1.2 it would probably be used on that same amp. Bad idea? Good idea? Thoughts?
So I personally really like these and the 880 600. T1.2 is thicker and richer. You sacrifice some of the really nice treble the 880 has but get a warmth to the low end in return. Tonally it’s more dense throughout and the resolution is definitely there but presented in a more subtle manner giving it a more laid back feel overall.
Haven’t heard an 880 in awhile. Hopefully my memory of the comparison is accurate.
I can’t speak to the rnhp. Might lack some power needed??
Edit: t1.2 a bit less stage width but more depth and more unique staging qualities
Is the Beyer T1 wired weirdly compared to other headphones? I’m reading some stuff that makes it sound like cables with normal 3.5mm cable connections on the headphone side (such as the cables I already use for my Elex/Clear/Gjallarhorn) might not work correctly, so I’m curious if anyone knows what’s up.
(P.S. Also, I know I just got the T1.2s in, but it’ll probably be a bit longer before I have any real impressions since I have some other headphones that I really want to give my attention to this week.)
Every cable that fits has worked no problem in my T1.2, the problem is no fucking cable fits, only the silver MEZE one so far which is TS, my HAC don’t fit but people with a thinner HAC like alfredo confirm they work.
Been seeing these guys pop up more and with my enjoyemnt of beyers and warmer gear in general these have been a long time consideration for me to get out of the generally budget side of things and have something nicer. Seeing as these guys will get rarer over the years. I hope I can find one when I’m ready to buy.
My dhc order was finally mailed out and i think he used the thinner 3.5 connectors. Is there a size you have for the beyers cable? I can measure my dhc when it gets here to see if it fits. Maybe i convince myself on a T1.2
Edit: The order lists the following for the termination.
Eidolic Dual Universal 3.5mm: Focal Elear, Sony Z7/Z1R, Beyer T1 and T5P Gen. 2, Denon, Velodyne, McIntosh, Final
I picked up a used T1.2 a while ago, but I’ve had a lot going on since then, with demoing the AWKT and MYSPHERE and whatnot… but also, part of the reason I haven’t written about the T1.2 is because from my initial listens, I wasn’t particularly impressed with them.
Finally listening to them more, and yeah, they scale well in terms of detail, but they have more bass elevation than they do actual impact, and they also sound kinda hollow? Don’t get me wrong, they’re not bad (especially considering what I paid for them), and they seem to sound particularly good for recordings of live performances, but they’re probably my least favorite of the headphones I have left in my stable. (To be fair, I’ve sold off a lot recently, but I did keep the HD600.)
I know some forum friends have done pad-swaps on the T1.2, any thoughts on the different ways you can tweak the sound of this headphone?
Beyerdynamics in general respond very well to pad rolling, keeping in mind the stock pads will probably yield the best sound for most people, I do prefer to roll the T1.2.
For my ears I’ve found the pads you put on the T1 usually make them sound more alike the headphone from which the pads come. For example this is the case with emu/denon/fostex pads and audio technica pads.
I would avoid dekoni and go for ZMF pads if you want the coloration of a particular material and comfort.
I have tested them with over 10 pads and my favorite are ATH ad2000 or ATH a2000z which completely change their presentation, making them warmer, intimate and forward. Its like if I had an hybrid of audio technica and beyer tunings, both of which are very much to my liking.
If I happen to have some pads you’re interested in I can try them and give you a comparison. Also I want to ask what would you specifically change in their sound?
I think the lack of punchiness is maybe the biggest thing I’d want to change, though that could also be very dependent on the amp pairing as well. I’ve been running it off of the Quicksilver since my balanced cable for it hasn’t arrived yet.
I definitely don’t need them to be any warmer, but more forward and intimate could be nice. (I don’t have any specific pads in mind for you to try though.)
You mentioned ZMF pads and I already have a couple of those around, maybe I’ll start with those.
Both of my ZMF pads make them a little punchier (ori suede and universe hybrid perf) but the perception of punch changes from person to person, definitely give yours a try.
The universe hybrid perf is the one which makes it a bit more forward, the ori suede does the opposite.
