Beyerdynamic T1 Second Generation Review

The Beyerdynamic T1 came out late last year, but it’s still garnering attention as a flagship model that doesn’t skip on sound.  With a price tag of $1099 and whopping 600-ohm impedance, what can the T1 do for you?

Beyerdynamic T1 Second Generation Review

The T1 comes in a hard transportation case.  Inside, you’ll discover the headphones, a 10 ft (3 m) removable cable, and a 1/4” screw-on stereo adapter plug.  Comfort is king with these headphones, as they feature velvet earpads, a pleather cushion on the spring-steel headband, and aluminum extenders.

Once you put them on, you’ll sink away into an ocean of sound, forgetting the headphones are even on your ears.

As mentioned above, the impedance is 600 ohms.  You must pair these with an amp to get the goods.  But once that’s accomplished, you’re all set.  For my listening session, I paired these headphones with the HifiMan EF100 amp, but I would also recommend the Chord Mojo for that discerning audiophile who desires the utmost in clarity.

The sound is a little relaxed (thanks to the hybrid amp I’m using), but the detail is not lost – something I would probably attribute to the 5-50000 hertz frequency range of the T1, as well as Beyerdynamics Tesla technology (essentially a redesigned transducer).

Compared to the original T1, the sound is slightly more contrasting and articulate.  Everything seems just a little more precise.  Even after break-in at about 50 hours, the T1 Second Generation keeps this sense of clarity

The T1 Second Generation is a definite improvement over the the original.  If you already have that headphone, the improvements may not be enough to warrant the price tag on the new T1.  However, if you’re looking for a high-end open-back headphone, and you don’t mind that humongous impedance, the T1 offers astounding detail and clarity at a decent price.