Beyerdynamic DT 240 vs Beyerdynamic DT 880

Short answer: the Beyerdynamic DT 880. It ranks #28 of 417 over-ear headphones by sound quality (rated 4.3/5) at $179.99 and is still sold new; the Beyerdynamic DT 240 ranks #364 (rated 2.6/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.

Why pick the Beyerdynamic DT 240: Bass is lifted about 3.9 dB with extension to 20 Hz, giving kick drums and bass lines extra weight. The catch: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used.

The Beyerdynamic DT 880 is the better-sounding pick. A preference score of 88 and a neutral tilt show a well balanced tuning, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz within 1 dB of target and upper mids within half a dB. The tradeoff: A 6 dB peak near 5.8 kHz can make hi-hats, snare and sibilant vocals sound sharp, and the treble from 6 to 10 kHz runs about 2 dB hot.

Buy the Beyerdynamic DT 880. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Beyerdynamic DT 240 is discontinued, so it is only available used.

Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.

Specifications Side By Side

Related Headphone Comparisons

How Beyerdynamic DT 880 compares with other leading options:

• Beyerdynamic DT 880 vs Sennheiser HD 505
• Beyerdynamic DT 880 vs Beyerdynamic TYGR 300 R
• Beyerdynamic DT 880 vs Audio-Technica ATH-R50x
• Beyerdynamic DT 860 vs Beyerdynamic DT 880
• Beyerdynamic DT 1350 vs Beyerdynamic DT 880

Prices on this page were last checked October 13, 2026 at 3:17 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.

The Two Headphones In Full

Beyerdynamic DT 240 Discontinued eBay

Pros: Bass is lifted about 3.9 dB with extension to 20 Hz, giving kick drums and bass lines extra weight. Lower mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, keeping voices and guitars natural.

Cons: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used. Presence sits about 4.9 dB low with a 9.5 dB dip near 5.1 kHz, so vocals and instruments lose some bite. A Harman score of 50 places it in the lower part of the over-ear rankings.

Full Beyerdynamic DT 240 review and specifications →

Released	Sep 2017 (9 years ago)
Back	Closed
Connection	Wired
Deviation From Target	3.12 dB standard deviation
Driver Type	Dynamic
Form Factor	Over-ear
Frequency Response	5Hz - 35kHz
Harman Preference Score	50 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ)
Impedance	34 ohms
Sensitivity	99 dB/mW
Sub-bass Extension	Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.7 dB at 30 Hz)
Tonal Tilt	-1.60 (negative is warmer, positive brighter)
Weight	0.4 lbs (196 g)

EQ preset to match the Harman target

Set a preamp of -5.8 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.

Filter	Frequency	Gain	Q
Low shelf	105 Hz	+0.4 dB	0.70
Peak	4,802 Hz	+6.2 dB	0.63
Peak	186 Hz	-6.1 dB	0.42
Peak	2,534 Hz	-3.5 dB	1.12
Peak	382 Hz	+4.4 dB	0.91
High shelf	10,000 Hz	+1.1 dB	0.70
Peak	43 Hz	-0.9 dB	2.12
Peak	81 Hz	+1.3 dB	2.24
Peak	106 Hz	-1.0 dB	3.77
Peak	5,013 Hz	+0.5 dB	5.16

• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • AutoEQ results for the Beyerdynamic DT 240 (oratory1990 measurement)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • Beyerdynamic DT 240 vs Beyerdynamic DT 1350
  • Beyerdynamic DT 240 vs Beyerdynamic DT 860

Beyerdynamic DT 880: $179.99 Amazon $179.99 eBay

Pros: A preference score of 88 and a neutral tilt show a well balanced tuning, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz within 1 dB of target and upper mids within half a dB. The semi-open design offers a more spacious feel than a closed back. It has the same rating as the HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth and Sennheiser HD 505 while costing less than both.

Cons: A 6 dB peak near 5.8 kHz can make hi-hats, snare and sibilant vocals sound sharp, and the treble from 6 to 10 kHz runs about 2 dB hot. The low mids are lifted by about 2 dB and sub-bass is about 4 dB light under 60 Hz, giving a slightly boxy, bass-shy balance. The semi-open back leaks some sound and gives limited isolation.

Full Beyerdynamic DT 880 review and specifications →

Back	Semi-open
Connection	Wired
Deviation From Target	2.05 dB standard deviation
Driver Type	Dynamic
Form Factor	Over-ear
Frequency Response	5Hz - 35kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Harman Preference Score	88 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ)
Sub-bass Extension	Falls 6 dB below target at 30 Hz (-6.2 dB at 30 Hz)
Tonal Tilt	+0.02 (negative is warmer, positive brighter)

EQ preset to match the Harman target

Set a preamp of -6.4 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.

Filter	Frequency	Gain	Q
Low shelf	105 Hz	+7.4 dB	0.70
Peak	112 Hz	-3.4 dB	0.30
Peak	1,320 Hz	+2.1 dB	0.54
Peak	5,760 Hz	-6.1 dB	4.97
Peak	4,480 Hz	+3.9 dB	4.24
High shelf	10,000 Hz	-3.1 dB	0.70
Peak	480 Hz	+0.5 dB	2.40
Peak	234 Hz	-0.4 dB	2.41
Peak	940 Hz	-0.6 dB	4.04
Peak	2,939 Hz	-0.5 dB	4.92

• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • AutoEQ results for the Beyerdynamic DT 880 (oratory1990 measurement)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • Beyerdynamic DT 880 vs Sennheiser HD 505
  • Beyerdynamic DT 880 vs Beyerdynamic TYGR 300 R
  • Beyerdynamic DT 880 vs Audio-Technica ATH-R50x
  • Beyerdynamic DT 880 vs Beyerdynamic DT 860
  • Beyerdynamic DT 880 vs Beyerdynamic DT 1350