Beyerdynamic DTX80 review

There's much to like about these very comfortable and detailed in-ears Tested at £80

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

Best in-ear headphones £50-£100, Awards 2010. Effortlessly enjoyable to listen to and wear, the DTX 80s are modest-looking marvels

Pros

  • +

    Detailed, large-scale, controlled sound equals an effortless listen

  • +

    very comfortable to wear

Cons

  • -

    They perhaps don't look like they cost £80

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Best in-ear headphones £50-£100, Awards 2010. It's an indication of how the headphone market has changed that a pair of £80 in-ears is no longer considered to be high-end.

The arrival of models like the Klipsch Image X10 and Sennheiser IE 8 has pushed the high-end higher, leaving a gap in the £70-£100 category – a gap now filled by the Beyerdynamic DTX 80.

There's nothing exciting about the way these earphones look, but that at least means they won't attract unwanted attention from ne'er-do-wells.

Compared to the piles of buds you get with many in-ears, the three pairs that come with the DTX 80s may seem stingy, but we had no problem achieving a comfortable, noise-isolating fit. In fact, these are among the most comfortable in-ears around.

Balanced performers
Play Just Jack's excellent Embers and the Beyerdynamics are admirably tonally-balanced, avoiding the overly-boosted bass that other manufacturers often opt for.

Bass is still forceful and deep, but not at the expense of the midrange, which is brilliantly clear. Vocals are focussed and expressive throughout, while treble is exciting without sounding harsh.

Dynamics are also impressive, and there's a sense of scale that few in-ears can muster.

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What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.

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