The Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro X headphones are open-back, over-ear studio headphones that have been widely popular amongst professional audio engineers, musicians, and audiophiles alike.
They are considered one of the best headphones for mixing, mastering, critical listening, and even general listening for music, games, and movies, due to their accurate sound reproduction and other stand-out features.
The following article looks at these headphones in depth to find out why they are so highly regarded.
Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pros Review: Best Piano Headphones?
Contents
Sound Quality
The DT 990 Pros are known for their balanced and detailed sound signature, with a wide soundstage that allows for precise instrument separation. Their high-frequency range is impressive, providing crisp and clear treble without harshness.
The midrange is well-balanced, and the bass is accurate and tight without being overpowering. Their open-back design provides a natural and immersive listening experience, making the DT 990 Pro ideal for critical listening and monitoring.
The sound of these headphones is described as transparent and spacious, with detailed tonal depth.
Comfort and Design
The DT 990 Pro’s design is simple and elegant, with a matte black finish and silver accents (on the standard edition).
An open-back design helps to reduce heat buildup, and they have soft and replaceable velour ear pads that make the headphones comfortable to wear for long sessions.
These are also very lightweight headphones, and the adjustable headband ensures a comfortable fit for a wide range of head sizes. They are comfortable for the majority of users for long sessions in the studio or general use.
Durability
Made in Germany with precision and attention to detail, Beyerdynamic headphones are well-known and trusted by studios, musicians, and podcasters around the world for their reliability and longevity.
Though mostly plastic in construction, the DT 990 Pros are built to last, with a high-quality and durable build. Plastic also helps to keep weight down which is important for comfortability.
Compatibility
The DT 990 Pro comes in 80 and 250-ohm variants. The 250-ohm model is designed to be used with an amp, the 80-ohm model can be powered by your laptop or phone.
I use the 80-ohm DT 770s with a MacBook and smartphone regularly and I have never had any issues with the volume or audio quality. They have also lasted for several years and through a few house moves as well.
The only real downside with the 990s is the lack of a removable cable. It is a shame to have to spend an extra $100 for that luxury. On the plus side, the cable is very hardwearing.
The coiled cable ends in a 3.5mm jack, and you can screw on the included 1/4-inch adapter if you’re plugging it into a mixer or interface.
One thing to be aware of with these being open-back headphones is that they take in dust and dirt more easily than closed-backs. These are ideal for studio and home listening, but not a good option for commuting or generally wearing outside.
Beyerdynamic DT Headphones Compared
DT 990 Pro vs. DT 900 Pro X
The DT 990 Pro and the DT 900 Pro X are both products of Beyerdynamic, renowned for their quality in the audio industry. Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro headphones are popular for their accuracy in studio and gaming environments.
The DT 900 Pro X has a different driver design that’s advertised to reproduce loud sound without distortion, whether connected to an amp or a smartphone. They also have a wider soundstage.
However, the 990 PRO’s mid and treble responses are more neutral. They also use a coiled audio cable, but it isn’t detachable.
DT 990 Pro vs. DT 770 Pro
The Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO headphones are closed-back, making them ideal for control, monitoring, and studio work. They come in various impedance options, including 32, 80, and 250 ohms.
The headphones are known for their comfort, featuring replaceable ear pads and a circumaural design. Like other Beyerdynamic headphones, they are made in Germany, ensuring quality and durability.
The frequency response of the DT 770 Pro headphones ranges from 5 to 35,000 Hz, offering a broad spectrum of sound reproduction.
DT 990 Pro vs. Sennheiser HD-598
The Sennheiser HD 598 are renowned open-back over-ear headphones that stand out for their unique design and exceptional audio quality.
It features an Ergonomic Acoustic Refinement design, neodymium magnets, and aluminum voice coils, ensuring a premium listening experience.
The headphones are known for their punchy mid-bass, smooth mids, and detailed highs, making them versatile for various audio genres.
Comfort is a significant highlight, with large earcups and velour cushions ensuring extended listening sessions without fatigue.
The HD 598’s distinctive beige/brown design, reminiscent of vintage British cars, sets it apart from the typical headphone aesthetics.
Beyerdynamic DT 990 pro vs. Audio-Technica ATH-M50X
These are another close competitor in both quality and price is the Audio-Technica ATH-M50X.
These studio-quality headphones have similar specifications to the 990 Pros. They come in a variety of colors including Blue, Black, Orange, and Grey.
Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro vs. Sony MDR 7506
Another option is the Sony MDR-7506 headphones. These are significantly cheaper at just under $90 but do not offer quite the same level of audio quality, frequency response, or comfort, as the 990s or Audio-Technica M50X.
Still, if you are looking for some closed-back studio headphones on a budget, then the MDRs are a good choice and ideal for beginners.
DT 990 vs. DT 1990 / DT 880
The DT 1990s are a more premium and expensive version of the standard 990s The DT 880 are unique as they have a semi-open back design.
The 1990s only come in a 250-ohm model and have a slightly improved frequency response. A removable cable with spare included, spare earcups, and a carry case included.
FAQ
What Other Models and Special Editions Are There?
Before you decide on these headphones, you should know about the other models in the Beyerdynamic range. They have several popular models in both open and closed-back designs, with varying prices and features.
Both the DT 700 and DT 770 are extremely popular closed-back headphones, that are worth a look if you are still undecided between the closed and open designs.
The 770’s in particular, are one of the best-selling closed-back studio headphones on the market.
The DT 900 headphones have an open-back design and they share similarities with the 990 Pros. They have a detachable cable and different earcups and are also more expensive.
These are worth considering if you have the budget and appreciate the added features, and included accessories.
What Are Open-Back Headphones?
Open-back headphones are ideal for mixing and mastering music, as well as for audiophiles and general listening, for anyone who likes flat and precise audio.
Open-backs have far more ‘sound leakage’ meaning others in the room will hear what you are listening to. However, they also have the benefit of a more natural, ‘spatial’, and open sound compared to closed-back headphones.
This is one reason the DT 990 Pro X headphones have excellent audio clarity, and are ideal for home studios, recording, and mixing music.
What Is OHMS?
You should be aware of which ohms (impedance) your headphones have. Higher ohms rating will require more power to run the headphones, and you will need a headphone amplifier to run them.
OHMS is a standard unit that refers to the amount of impedance provided by a given set of headphones. Represented by the symbol Ω, Ohms measure the level of electrical resistance of a circuit to alternating current.
Whilst 250 or 600-ohm headphones provide slightly better quality audio, for most users, running the 32 or 80-ohm headphones will suffice.
They will provide enough of a quality listening experience for everyday mixing and monitoring, or general use, and will not require additional hardware to power them.
Need more gear for your new home studio setup? Check out these articles!
The Best Headphones for Practicing Piano in 2023
The Best Studio Microphones for Vocals and Instruments (Complete Guide)
Conclusion
Overall, the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high-quality pair of studio headphones. They provide accurate sound reproduction and comfortable wear.
While it may not be the best option for use in noisy environments due to its open-back design, it’s a fantastic choice for home studios. They are also a fantastic choice for mastering engineers and audiophiles.
Compared to other entries in the Beyerdynamic line-up, the 990s make an excellent balance between value for money and quality.
