Why Everyone is Buying the T1 2Nd Generation 2016 (Full Review)

I still remember the day I finally unboxed my brand-new pair of Beyerdynamic T1 2nd Generation headphones back in 2016. At the time, the audiophile world was in a bit of a transition period. We were moving away from the "bass-at-all-costs" consumer trend and heading toward a more refined, high-fidelity appreciation for detail and soundstage. I had owned the original T1—the first generation—and while I loved its clinical precision, it often felt a bit like a harsh teacher; it told you exactly what was wrong with your music without any mercy. When the 2nd Generation (v2) was announced, the buzz was that Beyerdynamic had finally listened to the community and added a touch of warmth and versatility. After living with these for several years and seeing the market fluctuate, I finally understand why these specific 2016 models remain a gold standard for collectors and enthusiasts even today.

For those who might be coming into the hobby fresh, you might wonder why we are talking about a headphone released years ago when there is a 3rd Generation available. In my experience, the 2016 2nd Gen represents the "Goldilocks" zone of the T1 lineage. It kept the legendary semi-open design and the 600-ohm impedance that demands a serious amplifier, but it addressed the peaky treble that made the original version fatigue my ears after just an hour. Over the last few months of revisiting my collection, I found myself reaching for the T1 2nd Gen more than almost any other pair of cans I own. There is a specific "Tesla" driver magic here that I haven't quite found replicated in more modern, lower-impedance releases.

My Initial Impressions and the "New" T1 Feel

When I first slipped these on in 2016, I was surprised by the subtle but significant physical changes. The cable was the big winner for me. If you’ve ever owned the Gen 1, you know the frustration of that fixed, non-detachable cable that felt like it belonged to a vacuum cleaner. With the 2nd Generation, I was finally given a high-quality, textile-covered detachable cable. This was a game-changer for me because I often like to swap between my desktop solid-state amp and my OTL tube gear, and being able to maintain the integrity of the connection without fear of a permanent break was a huge relief.

The build quality is undeniably German. I’ve dropped these a few times on my hardwood floor, and aside from a tiny scuff on the metal yoke, they remain pristine. The velour pads are also worth mentioning. After testing for dozens of hours, I noticed that these pads feel slightly denser than the ones on the DT880 or DT990 models. This density isn't just for comfort; it plays a massive role in the acoustic seal. One thing that bothered me initially, however, was the clamping force. Out of the box, they felt a bit tight on my jawline. I had to leave them stretched over a stack of books for two nights before they reached that "disappear-on-your-head" level of comfort I was looking for.

The Sound: Precision Meets Musicality

What I found was that the T1 2nd Gen is a headphone of contradictions. It is incredibly detailed—it will show you the exact moment a drummer's stick hits the skin—but it isn't "bright" in a painful way. Beyerdynamic moved the drivers slightly and added some dampening material in this 2016 refresh. In my listening sessions, this translated to a smoother transition from the upper mids into the treble. I noticed that when I listened to female vocals, like those of Norah Jones or Agnes Obel, I didn't get that sibilance (the piercing "s" sounds) that used to drive me crazy on the Gen 1.

The bass response also saw a significant bump. While these are still semi-open headphones and won't rattle your brain like a dedicated closed-back set, the mid-bass has a punchiness that I found very satisfying. I was surprised by how well they handled modern electronic music and jazz fusion. There is a "tightness" to the low end; it doesn't bleed into the vocals, which is a testament to the speed of those Tesla drivers. However, I noticed that if your amplifier isn't up to the task, the bass can sound a bit anemic or "mushy." These headphones really do demand 600 ohms worth of respect.

Soundstage and Imaging

In my experience, the imaging—the ability to place an instrument in a 3D space—is where the T1 2nd Gen justifies its price tag. When I play orchestral recordings, I can practically point to where the second violins are sitting. It isn't just a wide soundstage; it's a deep one. Compared to the Sennheiser HD800, which has a massive but sometimes artificially wide stage, the T1 feels more natural. It feels like you are sitting in the fifth row of a concert hall rather than being in an empty stadium. One disappointment a real owner would notice is that because they are semi-open, they don't block out much noise. If my wife is watching TV in the next room, I can hear it, and she can certainly hear my music. These are strictly for "quiet room" listening.

Pros and Cons After Long-Term Use

• Pro: Outstanding Imaging - I've used these for gaming and high-end music production, and the directional accuracy is among the best in the world.
• Pro: Detachable Cable - The 7N copper cable included is high-quality, and the ability to replace it or use balanced cables is a huge win over the previous version.
• Pro: Refined Treble - They fixed the "Beyer Peak." It's still detailed, but far more listenable for long durations.
• Pro: Exceptional Build - Metal construction where it counts and high-quality velour pads that don't make your ears sweat excessively.
• Con: High Power Requirement - At 600 ohms, you cannot run these off a phone or a cheap laptop jack and expect them to sound good. You need a dedicated amp.
• Con: Clamping Force - As mentioned, the initial fit is quite snug and may require a "break-in" period for the headband.
• Con: Minimal Isolation - The semi-open design means these are not suitable for travel or office environments where you need to be quiet.

Technical Specification Comparison

To help you understand where the 2016 2nd Gen sits compared to its predecessor and its successor, I've put together this comparison based on my time with all three models.

Why the 2016 Version Specifically?

You might notice in the table above that the 3rd Generation dropped the impedance to 32 Ohms. While this makes them easier to drive, many purists—myself included—feel that something was lost in that transition. The 2016 v2 model used a 600-ohm voice coil that was incredibly light, allowing it to move with extreme speed and precision. When I compare the two, the 2nd Gen has a "shimmer" and a clarity in the high frequencies that the 3rd Gen lacks. The 3rd Gen feels a bit too "consumer-focused" with its heavy bass, whereas the 2nd Gen still feels like a professional tool that happens to sound beautiful.

Another thing I noticed that many people overlook is the driver matching. Beyerdynamic hand-selects these drivers to ensure they are within a very tight tolerance of each other. In my experience, this leads to a centered "phantom image" that is unwavering. If the singer is supposed to be dead center, they stay there. On cheaper headphones, I often feel the image "veers" slightly to one side, but the T1 2nd Gen is rock solid.

Buying Guide: What to Look For

If you are looking to join the club and pick up a T1 2nd Gen 2016 model, there are a few things I’ve learned from the community that you should keep in mind. Since these are no longer the "current" retail model, you are likely looking at the secondary market or New-Old-Stock (NOS).

1. Check the Serial Number and Box

The 2016 model comes in a very specific hard-shell carrying case. Unlike the Gen 1, which often came in a luxury aluminum box, the 2nd Gen shifted to a more practical, high-end textile case. If you see a T1 in an aluminum box, it’s likely a Gen 1, which sounds very different. Always verify the serial number on the headband to ensure it matches the 2nd Gen production run.

2. The Pad Condition

In my experience, the pads on the T1 2nd Gen are vital to the sound. Because these headphones rely on a semi-open acoustic chamber, if the velour pads are flattened or "compressed" from years of use, the bass will become bloated and the soundstage will collapse. I've had to replace my pads once in four years. If you buy a used pair, factor in the cost of a fresh set of genuine Beyerdynamic T1 v2 pads. Third-party pads often ruin the frequency response—I tried a pair of leather pads once and the treble became piercing again, essentially turning them back into the Gen 1.

3. Powering the Beast

I cannot stress this enough: do not buy these if you only have a USB-C dongle or a basic computer output. To get the experience I'm describing, you need voltage. I’ve found that high-impedance headphones like these react beautifully to Tube Amplifiers. When I run mine through a Bottlehead Crack or a Valhalla, the sound transforms. The "tubey" warmth fills in the lower mids and makes the headphones sound incredibly lush. If you prefer solid-state, make sure your amp can put out at least 200mW into 600 ohms. Without enough power, what I found was that the headphones sound "thin" and "metallic," which is a disservice to their design.

Daily Life with the T1 2nd Gen

After using this for several months as my primary driver for everything from Spotify (unfiltered) to high-res FLAC files on a dedicated DAC, I’ve found that they are surprisingly forgiving of poor recordings compared to other high-end headphones. If I listen to an old 80s rock track that wasn't mastered well, the T1 2nd Gen makes it enjoyable. It doesn't rip the track apart; instead, it highlights the energy. This "musicality" is the primary reason why I think everyone is still buying these even in 2026. They strike a balance between being a "critical listener" and a "music lover."

One thing that surprised me over time was the weight. They aren't the lightest headphones—coming in at around 360 grams without the cable—but the weight distribution is excellent. The headband has just the right amount of padding. I’ve spent entire Saturday afternoons wearing these while working on my computer, and I rarely feel that "hot spot" on the top of my head that I get with my planar magnetic headphones. However, I did notice that the velour can get a bit itchy if your room is warm. These are definitely "winter headphones" or best used in an air-conditioned environment.

Conclusion

The Beyerdynamic T1 2nd Generation 2nd Gen 2016 is a rare example of a product that actually lived up to the hype of "fixing" a predecessor's flaws without creating new ones. By smoothing out the treble, adding a high-quality detachable cable, and maintaining that legendary 600-ohm Tesla driver, they created what I believe to be the pinnacle of the T1 series. In my experience, they provide a level of immersion that is hard to beat under the four-figure price bracket. They aren't perfect—the power requirements are high, and the isolation is non-existent—but for the serious listener who wants to hear every detail of their music with a touch of warmth and soul, these are exceptional. After years of testing and comparing them to newer, shinier models, I keep coming back to the 2016 T1. There's just a certain "rightness" to the sound that makes me forget I'm wearing headphones and lets me focus entirely on the music.