Beyerdynamic T1 Tesla Headphone (Playback 31)

A Brilliant All-Rounder

May 19th, 2010 -- by Tom Martin
Source: Playback

The T1s come in a fancy metal box. The attached cable is 3 meters long and terminated with a phone plug.

BOTTOM LINE:

Beyerdynamic’s T1 is that rare and elusive “good all-rounder”—a headphone that does everything well. Other headphones may outperform it in one area or another, but you will be hard pressed to find better overall performance.

SPECS & PRICING

Beyerdynamic T1 Tesla Headphones

Accessories: padded presentation case
Weight: 350 g (12.3 oz)
Sensitivity: 102 dB (1 mw input)
Impedance: 600 ohms
Price: $1295.00

Beyerdynamic
56 Central Ave.
Farmingdale, NY 11735
(800) 293-4463
http://north-america.beyerdynamic.com/shop/hah/headphones-and-headsets/at-home/music-pleasure/t-1.html

Comments

darku (not verified) -- Thu, 05/20/2010 - 14:06

I completely agree with the reviewer, I absolutely love them for classic rock or modern metal, but for classical music or jazz I prefer the HD800 to them. Both are best headphones in production IMO.
Tom you should try a good quality tube headphone amplifier with them (recommend the WooAudio WA6SE or WA5LE), after that try to find a minus in them :-). T1's SING with tubes !

Roadman (not verified) -- Fri, 05/21/2010 - 15:14

Wow!, Grand review indeed.

Just one question: How did you feeling about beyer's "No reflection" angle driver design? Any difference?

Tom Martin -- Sat, 05/22/2010 - 13:30

I'm not sure what to say, in the sense that you can't listen with the drivers angled or not angled. But if we work back from the excellent sound on offer here, we could hypothesize that the angled driver approach here is a very good one.

CEO and Editorial Director, Nextscreen LLC

fiacone@aol.com -- Sat, 06/19/2010 - 09:53

I enjoyed the review, I have the T1 in house and I agree with the term not lively, very transparent and show good detail. I have the Denon D7000 and the AKG701 and the Shure 840. I agree that the T1 is pretty much as described. I would say it a Mercedes benz. Well built put together well and does so much right where The Denon is the Porsche really exciting and very fun to drive. Both look so well in the garage and owning both is a nice change of pace. Tom I been a fan of yours for a long time .

fiacone@aol.com -- Sat, 06/19/2010 - 09:53

kennyboy2@veriz... -- Sun, 07/04/2010 - 09:17

Tom, Have you auditioned the Audez'e LCD-2? If so, I am curious as to how the T1 compares?

David Matz -- Mon, 07/05/2010 - 09:54

I a/b 'd these at Can Jam with the Woo 5 headphone amp. If you listen to live music and like to tap your foot when you listen, there is nothing out there better than the T1. The audez'e are quite good also. Just like the planar speakers, they sound very natural, but have similar limitation big stats and planars do - lack of dynamics (in comparison to T1). If there was no t1, the Audez'e would likely be in my possession.

David Matz -- Mon, 07/05/2010 - 09:55

Mr. Martin,

What cables do you recommend for the T1?

Ever hear of Aphrodite Cu29? There was a buzz about this combo at Can Jam.

jonathanvaljean -- Tue, 01/18/2011 - 23:28

Mr. Matz,

I just happened upon your comment regarding Aprhodite Cu29's cables for the T1 and, as I have benefited wonderfully from having upgraded to Cu29's cables, I feel compelled to respond. I first upgraded from the stock cable to the Quad Zeus 24 cable, and, because I was so blown away by the improvement, I then further upgraded to the Quad Zeus 22. I couldn't be happier (or more impressed) by the sound that emanates from my T1! Put it this way: I wouldn't trade my pair for the moon! Also, as an added bonus, the owner of Aphrodite Cu29--Robert--provided me with the most outstanding customer service that I have ever experienced in the retail arena.