The 3rd generations stand out as something different but with overall better build quality as expected due to them being handmade in Germany and moving to a more engaging and fun tuning.

It’s more like a second option, it’s the T1 but more open, and a warmer timbre. If that sounds good to you then I couldn’t recommend the T1 enough. If you already own the second generation and see the latest model, you may want to hold onto your current generation. The technology of this line is still evolving, and while the third generation T1 feels and sounds great, it might not be the upgraded model you’re looking for. Just a different one.

I say frustrating, as I would have loved to see what a no-holds-barred take on a high-impedance dynamic headphone would look like, taking the fight to the likes of the Sennheiser HD800s and Audio Technica ATH-ADX5000. Instead, we have something on our hands which doesn’t really feel like a ‘T1’, and nor does it quite feel (nor sound) like a classic Beyerdynamic either. If Beyerdynamic’s goal was to bring high-end to the masses, well power to them. But to me, marketing it as the ‘T1’ really doesn’t feel right, as it doesn’t share much by way of family lineage with its predecessors at all sonically – the result feels too apologetic, and just too tempered to wear the ‘T1’ badge.

I can’t tell you that the two significantly different-sounding headphones are equally great to my ears. But I can tell you that you should listen to both before you buy one or the other. They’re both very good, and neither has sonic colorations I found troublesome. I find the T5s’ balance more natural, but you might disagree. I sure hope we can get back to having headphone shows so you can easily make the same comparison for yourself.

The latest Beyerdynamic T1 over-ears are a step up in performance and compatibility from their predecessor, and among the best headphones at this price