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In the 1970's I owned 3 sets: DT-48 25 ohm, DT-48 200 ohm, and DT-48S with round cushions, replaced with oval cushions. As far as I can tell the only differences with the DT-48E are that the new cushions are thicker and spongier, which greatly increases comfort, and the cushions are sealed to the driver box so they can't be rotated, but the bass is much improved and audible down to 30 hz (although the bass is \"light\"). The highs are also much improved over the 1970's models, but I don't have an explanation for that. My feeling in comparing the DT-48E to the Sennheiser 800 I own, and to the Sennheiser 600 and 650 that I gave away when the 800 arrived, is that the DT-48E is a bargain in its price range, with better clarity than the Sennheiser 600/650 in the mid to upper midrange. But the DT-48E is not for people who require the moderate bass levels of the Sennheiser 600 or 650, and definitely not for people who want enhanced bass.

The DT48e sounds very different then other headphones, especially the older DT48 models. The DT48e is just a blank canvas & scribes a picture to what it hears. They are truthful & unforgiving to the recording. You will hear everything wrong or right, mic placement, hiss, reverb, etc.. I know reference grade studio headphones like the 4070 do this better. But for dynamic & under a grand they are very hard to top in that area.

Their pedestrian & plain Jane sound won't win over many fans. They are for a niche market. They are a acquired sound. They are more a enigma then anything else. Many regard them as cold, lifeless, & analytical. I disagree. I always felt the music along with the emotion & passion it brings transcends beyond the sonic characteristics of any headphone.

I truly believe the technical merits of the DT48e stand on their own, & bettered the SA5000/701/DT880 in speed, clarity, resolve, detail, & neutrality. I am amazed at the level of space given to each instrument considering their lack of a big sound stage & being closed headphones. You can follow each instrument & every instrument down to a individual string. This is due to their amazing speed. Smearing is a after thought. Complex passages? They ace. Are they as fast as the HD800? No. Upper end Stax? No..But I feel they are faster then the SA5000, & in terms of closed dynamic headphones, right up there with the Pro 900/W5000.