The list seems mostly focused on brands that lots of people have heard of before. I've heard of every brand on their list before, but I've never heard of Beyerdynamics.
Or rather it's a consumer-oriented list. BDs aren't much of a consumer brand (though they do have a consumer line) and don't market as such. Most of their stuff is marketed for industry, so this makes them a bit "underground."
Further, most of their line is designed for industry or hardcore audiophiles: a lot of it is high-impedance (200 Ohm+), which means you need a real amplifier to drive them (otherwise they'll be pretty quiet), making them not a great portable solution. For comparison, consumer-type stuff is typically standardized 8/16/32 Ohms.
Even further still, their headphones are designed for accuracy, which consumers don't always want either (... subconsciously). For consumers, listener-enjoyment is more important: accenting bass or adding color (distortions) can make music more pleasurable to listen to, etc.
That said, I own a pair of BD DT-990 Pros, and they're the most excellent pair of headphones I've ever owned.
If anyone is looking for portable headphones, Beyerdynamics DTX 501p are brilliant (and great value at that). Comfortable, good isolation, no music leaking out bothering others, surprisingly nice sound for their price and size. These days I tend to pick them up more often than my Grado SR-80 (which I also recommend).
Comments
So, a list about supposedly the best headphones doesn't list any Beyerdynamics? mhh, sounds legit.
I have a hard time believing Time is an authorative source for, well, anything.
Beyerdynamics is in the full list of models.
But in general, anyone who owned few > $100 headphones can see that this rating is a joke.
The list seems mostly focused on brands that lots of people have heard of before. I've heard of every brand on their list before, but I've never heard of Beyerdynamics.
Or rather it's a consumer-oriented list. BDs aren't much of a consumer brand (though they do have a consumer line) and don't market as such. Most of their stuff is marketed for industry, so this makes them a bit "underground."
Further, most of their line is designed for industry or hardcore audiophiles: a lot of it is high-impedance (200 Ohm+), which means you need a real amplifier to drive them (otherwise they'll be pretty quiet), making them not a great portable solution. For comparison, consumer-type stuff is typically standardized 8/16/32 Ohms.
Even further still, their headphones are designed for accuracy, which consumers don't always want either (... subconsciously). For consumers, listener-enjoyment is more important: accenting bass or adding color (distortions) can make music more pleasurable to listen to, etc.
That said, I own a pair of BD DT-990 Pros, and they're the most excellent pair of headphones I've ever owned.
If anyone is looking for portable headphones, Beyerdynamics DTX 501p are brilliant (and great value at that). Comfortable, good isolation, no music leaking out bothering others, surprisingly nice sound for their price and size. These days I tend to pick them up more often than my Grado SR-80 (which I also recommend).
Stax is also missing but I guess they are not a "major manufacturer"..
At least they shit on Beats.