The BeyerDynamic DT 990 Pro headphones are primarily aimed at professionals or sound engineers who seek high-quality headphones for listening and audio processing in recording studios or music production. They are designed to provide accurate sound reproduction, with an exceptionally open and detailed sound and a frequency response that covers the entire sound spectrum. Additionally, the open design of the headphones allows the user to hear their surroundings while using the headphones, which is important during music processing.
The Legends of the Studio.
For decades, professional users around the world have trusted our classic series: DT 770/880/990 PRO. These benchmark studio headphones, available in three different models, feature extremely detailed resolution and very transparent sound.
The DT 990 PRO headphones are the open-back model of the series (the headphone casing is open to maintain air and sound permeability) that offers impressive sound.
Reference point for studio sound
These open-back studio headphones are a reliable tool for any sound enthusiast. The wide stereo image and three-dimensional sound reproduction make the beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO headphones a faithful companion for producers. The excellent sound depth ensures that even small changes in the position of the acoustic source can be perceived during mixing.
Incredible Spaciousness
The open-back designed headphones provide exceptional comfort and detailed sound depth. The mild enhancement of bass and treble ensures a pleasant sound. The bass is not overwhelming but rather precise, and the treble enhancement is dynamically present without sounding harsh.
Exceptional Comfort
The single-sided cable allows the headphones to be worn and removed frequently without the cables getting tangled, while the soft, adjustable ear cups provide additional comfort. The sturdy steel headband design ensures that the over-ear headphones also offer a secure fit.
Durability
One feature that makes our products stand out from the rest is that they are handmade in Germany. We are particularly proud of the durability of our products, because all the components used can be replaced if necessary.
High-end studio quality
Thanks to Tesla technology developed in Heilbronn, the DT 1990 PRO offers even more refined resolution with precise and powerful bass. The PRO flagship also sets new standards in terms of comfort and build quality.
Specifications are collected from official manufacturer websites. Please verify the specifications before proceeding with your final purchase. If you notice any problem you can
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It is a legendary pair of headphones. Since its creation in 1985, it has been a reliable choice for sound engineers around the world who appreciate its crystal-clear highs and powerful bass. Don't be fooled, all headphones, from the cheapest to the most expensive, have their own sound character. These specific headphones may not be considered a reference in terms of sound, but they certainly have one of the most famous sound signatures for their price and quality. The 2015 MacBook Pro can handle the 250ohm version adequately.
I am sure that many will not agree because they simply tolerate this V signature and all the other flaws. I accept that everyone has their own preferences. Personally, I couldn't handle them (and I have several headphones) for the following reasons.
The bass is too boomy, overshadowing the mids, which sound distant and lack presence. The highs are the worst I have ever heard, they simply can't handle certain songs, the S and T sounds are piercing. They don't have detachable cables. They are not as comfortable as they seem (compared to the HD5xx, HD 6XX series) and unnecessarily heavy.
I didn't try them with tubes, as many say they improve, but even without that, it doesn't make sense. I tried everything from foam between the drivers to other dampening materials, and while the highs calmed down, I lost a lot of resolution and the mids became even worse.
The most difficult thing in headphones is to have resolution, speed, and imaging without being bright, and obviously, that can't be achieved here without piercing your ears.
There are much better solutions from other manufacturers, even from Beyer itself, such as the DT 880 600ohm or the TYGR 300. As for the build quality, they are cheap and look cheap with low-quality plastic. The metal yokes are poorly cut with rough edges, the pads attach without any mechanism or clip... They remind me of 30 years ago, where you had to pull the leather. The yokes have a wobbly adjustment. Etc, etc.
Let me update that for those looking for something in a Flat Open back... go for the HD 560s. Or at least read some measurements and reviews from others before getting them.
Very good headphones, I paired them with Fiio K11 and Dolby Atmos.
As headphones for Gaming:
Incredible sound, the open back 250ohm makes a huge difference compared to gaming headphones (e.g., Razer). I can clearly hear the footsteps of players from all directions. However, of course, you don't buy these headphones for gaming because you need another 150-200 euros in Amp/DAC for them to work properly, and you definitely don't need to spend 300€+ on a sound system just to hear players' footsteps a little better. With 80-100 euros of Razer / HyperX headphones, you can get the job done, so don't waste your money unnecessarily.
Now, talking about hybrid use for gaming in single-player story games, music, and movies:
The experience is out of this world. For example, in Elden Ring, I initially didn't pay much attention to the soundtrack. Once I switched to these headphones, the game's music became one of my favorite pieces. For music, I mainly listen to rock and metal, and they are fantastic. The truth is that the treble could be a little better, but it doesn't bother me too much.
I highly recommend you buy them and definitely pair them with the Dolby Atmos app because it elevates them, and the difference is huge. They are worth the 15 euros that the app costs.
## Sound Quality and Uses
The DT 990 Pro are truly audiophile headphones with impressive performance in:
- Music: They deliver detailed and balanced sound
- Movies: Excellent performance in soundstage
- Gaming: Accurate spatial positioning of sounds, crucial for competitive gaming
## Technical Requirements
Their proper functioning requires specific conditions:
- Quality sound card to handle the high impedance (ohm)
- Appropriate Windows settings for optimal performance (sampling rate)
- Not compatible with mobile phones due to high ohm requirements
## Open-Back Design
The open-back design offers:
- Wider soundstage
- More natural and "airy" sound
- Drawback: Sensitivity to external noise, not suitable for noisy environments
## Conclusion
The BeyerDynamic DT 990 Pro are exceptional headphones for enthusiasts who have the right equipment and usage space. They require specific conditions to perform at their best, but when these conditions are met, they provide a top-notch listening experience for music, movies, and gaming.
Very good headphones! They are worth their money!
They have a full sound, they are very comfortable, and they have very good build quality. But their "hidden" advantage is that they are "flexible" in terms of EQing. Meaning, you can play around with an equalizer and make them sound exactly how you want them to! I have noticed that not all headphones can be EQed well. Some don't respond to adjustments. Both the Bayer Dynamic and the dt880 can be adjusted to any style you want.
Basic features:
Very good build quality.
Extremely comfortable.
Good price for what they offer.
Good bass, good mids, slightly emphasized highs. They definitely need an amplifier. They require some EQ tweaking to achieve ideal results. Surprisingly, their bass can be extended even more with a little EQing. Check the photo to get an idea of how I have set them up on the EQ. A good song to test them with is "With or Without You" by U2 and "Pisces" by the band Jinjer. Also, "One" by Metallica. Play these songs and play around with the EQ to see how you prefer them. As we mentioned, it is very easy to completely change their sound profile through software, meaning their sound signature is not fixed. You can make them sound however you want. However, I also have the Bayer Dynamic dt880 and even though they provide much less bass, if you adjust them with EQ, they can deliver even clearer bass than these headphones. It's just that the dt880s are unbearable without EQing, while these headphones are satisfactory even without any intervention. For an amp, I recommend the SoundblasterX G6. You can also download an EQ program from the Creative Labs website, but it might be difficult to find. I also have a photo of how I set it up on the Creative Labs AMP.
Their disadvantages:
If someone has a very large head, they might not fit. I have them at maximum size and they fit just right. And I don't consider myself to have a large head. I would say it's average.
Another disadvantage is that their cable is not detachable. And it's not straight, it's like a telephone cable. At least it's very long, so it doesn't create a problem.
They are not suitable for public spaces because whatever you hear, everyone else will hear too.
And one more disadvantage is that they have a natural tendency to emphasize the S and T sounds in some songs (improved through EQ, but not completely eliminated).
Their earpads get dirty, so always keep them closed somewhere and they are difficult to replace. There are stores with replacement pads, but it requires some searching
I have been using professional headphones for 23 years.
These headphones are open-back, meaning they do not isolate the sound of the environment. If you are a DJ, they will only serve you well in an open space. If you are a music producer, they will serve you well for very good mixing.
Certainly, there are better headphones, after all, the enemy of good is the best.
Nevertheless, I use them for studio use and I admit that my productions have improved.
They have a light feel, a very clean and balanced signal. If you are a bass lover, I would recommend other headphones as these do not emphasize those frequencies, they reach a flat EQ with a slight boost in the high frequencies (above 10Khz).
They are ideal for studio use and mixing!
Very good sound. Let me clarify that I am not a professional or a musician. I bought them to listen to my songs loudly, mainly from my mobile phone. They are driven by the fiio q11.
The bass is just the way I like it. It is deep, with a fairly fast and very stable body, without getting confused in the midrange.
The midrange, in my own ear, sounds clear and very natural, without any hint of sibilance. Sometimes they are slightly reduced in volume, but it doesn't bother me because they have a natural quality. It is an incredible headphone in terms of reproducing different genres of music. It is amazing how it can reproduce everything from clarinet and bagpipes to electric guitars and rock!
I also like the treble. With the fiio q11 driving them, the boost they have doesn't bother me. They sound clear and the boost is not noticeable at all. Only clean highs.
No distortions, at least in the case of the fiio.
The materials used are leather, iron, and plastic. I don't think there is anything better in this category.
Finally, the comfort is very good. The entire ear fits inside and is essentially in a void, without touching anything. Very good. I can listen for 2 to 3 hours easily.
The headphones are awesome!!!
- They are not completely flat, but with a little EQ they will be quite flat (-3dB at 4KHz // -4dB at 9KHz // High Shelf -2dB at 12KHz -- unfortunately SoundID Reference makes it worse).
- They have very good sound resolution, you can hear many details, especially in the treble - for those who can hear up to ~18KHz, you should know that you will hear the very high frequencies correctly and balanced, there is no distortion.
- Very good soundstage.
- Very good stereo image (you can easily distinguish which musical instruments have panned).
- Comfortable on the head.
- The bass doesn't seem boomy to me as described in several reviews
I chose the 990 Pro based on recommendations from people I know in the music production industry, and I must say I am quite satisfied. They are comfortable, adjustable, and fatigue-free even during long sessions. They belong to the category of open-back studio headphones, which means that the target group for this product is people who will use it in an office/studio setting, isolated from external sounds(!), in order to listen to/produce music while having as clear and detailed a "picture" of the material as possible. And they largely succeed in that regard.
Do the headphones respond equally across the frequency range? The answer is no. And anyone expecting that at this price point is quite naive. Yes, you will need an equalizer to fine-tune certain areas, especially the range between 8k-10k Hz. For macOS users, I recommend Boom 2, and if you are professionals, you will likely have a budget for purchasing a program like Sonarworks' SoundID Reference for separate calibration of the Left/Right outputs.
They have been selling hot cookies here for years.
One of the best choices if you want an open soundstage and to hear every little sound in your games, especially First Person Shooters. It is an open-back type, so it would be good to have a quiet environment. It is not as bass-heavy as the 770 Pro, but if you have a good sound card or headphone amplifier, you will be more than compensated for their sound and detailing. Excellent build quality as always from this company, with velour ear cushions to prevent fatigue or overheating after hours of use.
The only negative thing for me (purely subjective) is the coiled cable, which doesn't suit me that much.
One of the best headphones I have purchased, even though they are expensive, they are worth their money. I highly recommend them for people who want to get involved in music production
First of all, I want to point out that I am not knowledgeable in the field of music and audio, I simply appreciate good sound like any ordinary person. Also, I do not want to be a harsh critic. For 135 euros, I believe these headphones are good. With an ASUS DGX sound card, I can easily have them at high volume. I imagine that with a better external amplifier, they would sound even better.
However, I have to say that they put quite a bit of pressure on the head. Coming from the Sennheiser HD 598, I did not feel an improvement in sound (I find the highs a bit fatiguing) and certainly the Beyerdynamic headphones are less comfortable on the ears and overall on the head.
Quite good for the money. Good for mixing. The frequencies stand out. They need preamplification since they don't have volume. A significant disadvantage for me. Comfortable and lightweight after hours of use. I recommend them... but personally, I prefer AKG... for example, 701
The old flagship of Beyer that continues and comes out after 35 years. They remind of old school Western Germany. If you want modern design and ergonomics, look elsewhere for pads that click in and out. These headphones, as soon as you see them, scream that they come from the depths of the 80s. If you are a child of the 80s like me, you might remember them in the advertisements of hi-fi magazines of the time emphasizing "Made in West Germany". Those were the days. Yes, with similar money today you can get modern and more sophisticated headphones from Sennheiser or Sony. But which other headphones today can take you back to the time when Feller equalized in the final of the 1986 World Cup as soon as you hold them in your hands?
To start with, there's no need to even mention that they require good amplification due to their high impedance, which is 250 ohms. Don't expect to run them with a mobile phone or onboard motherboard. However, I will say that sound cards like the Scarlett Solo from Focusrite can handle them relatively well, although you'll need an amplifier to push them. As for construction, they are quite good, very comfortable, and don't heat up the ear. I believe I don't even need to mention that they don't have isolation from the outside environment since they are open back. Usually, when someone decides to go for such a pair of headphones, they want something specific, so they already know that. As for frequency response, they are nowhere near flat. The bass is quite low, there's a boost in the midrange, and then the highs are incredibly harsh. Of course, it's not easy to find something flat in this price range, especially when it comes to headphones. The only solution for this aspect (which I also went for) is Sonarworks Reference 4, which corrects the frequency response of the headphones, to a certain extent, of course. I am extremely satisfied, and the sound staging is amazing for their price. I highly recommend them
Beautifully light. Good construction with a large cable (a bit heavy but generally not an issue). The sound quality is quite good, with slightly high highs but overall they sound clear. Don't expect sound isolation. It's as if you're not wearing them, you can hear everything around you. However, this is good because the sound is more "spacious" (I can't think of a better word in Greek) for those who are looking for something like that. I don't have an opinion on mixing yet, although I've seen in several reviews that they are great for their price. Once I try them, I might come back to give you some feedback. For those who have the same concern as me: Yes! You can connect them to the Scarlett Solo 3rd gen without any problem! The headphones are 250Ω and from what I read, the Scarlett can power them perfectly without compromising the sound quality. So anyone who had the same concern as me can confidently make the combo if they wanted to from the beginning. I think I was detailed enough! I will produce some tracks and come back with new information!
I think, without having tried many headphones, that these can give you a very realistic picture of the recording with little money. You can hear new things in songs that you have heard many times before. Due to the high impedance (250ohm), they need something capable to support them. Comfortable after a long listening session. Solid construction that seems to withstand time. Very satisfied with the purchase, I would recommend them to anyone who likes detail and the true image of musical instruments, not the impressiveness and distortion of excessive bass.
Well, I've had these headphones for 14 months. Premium construction, very comfortable on the head without pressure, and it would be good for the ear pads to be washed frequently to keep them "fluffy". The sound is crystal clear, the bass is moderate but with a voicemeeter banana, you can make it powerful. I haven't tried them on my computer's motherboard because I already had an external phantom, so I can't help with whether the power of a PC can handle 250 ohms to make them sound loud. However, the "issue" is also solved with the banana because it offers you a total of 24db more in sound. They are open-back, so external sounds are audible. If you have noisy neighbors or young children, I recommend closed-back headphones like the Asus ROG Strix Go 2.4, which I have tested and only a compressor will notice if it's hitting close to you. I highly recommend the 990pro headphones and I believe the price is relatively low considering the experience they provide.
I just got them and I'm trying them out. I understand all the reviews, but let's consider some things.
1) Price. We're talking about headphones that cost 120 euros, not 500.
2) Open-back design. They are more comfortable for long listening sessions compared to closed-back headphones, but there is some sound leakage in the environment.
Yes, okay. And if you search the reviews, you'll see that their highs are slightly emphasized.
Yes, their bass is more relaxed compared to the 30 euro gaming headphones I had.
But guys, their stereo image, instrument resolution, sound fidelity, and comfort are unmatched.
Attention! I'm not saying they don't have bass! They have excellent bass. Just don't expect club-level intensity in your ears. There are other headphones that enhance the bass for such purposes.
What can I say! They are exceptional and there is nothing that can be compared to them at this price.
They are highly analytical. You can hear sounds in the songs that you didn't know existed.
Of course, if the recording is bad, you'll hear all the mistakes.
With these headphones, you'll want to listen to your entire collection from the beginning.
I read a lot before buying them, compared to the 770s and Sony, etc., and I don't regret it at all.
They play at a moderate volume on the Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen sound card and the UMC404HD that I have (honestly, I didn't expect this, they need amplification), but they soar on my amplifier. Let's not forget that they are 250 Ohms.
If you plan to use them directly on your computer, don't expect high volumes. But you'll still like them because you'll rediscover all of YouTube from the beginning!
You can do the trick and boost their volume and color using a serious program like DFX or its paid version, FxSound (you can find it too), and you'll be blown away, even with just the onboard sound card of your PC.
But along the way, you'll see that you'll love them so much for their sound character and stereo image that you'll prefer to listen to them at moderate volumes and without equalizers.
There is nothing better. Value for money.
Get them without hesitation and you'll love them.
[UPDATE 13-12-2023]
For those who listen to them at low volumes, unable to enjoy the full musical spectrum they can deliver, I have a solution for you.
I didn't want to spend a lot of money buying expensive sound cards with questionable results, so I searched online.
I was convinced by what I read and bought the Douk Audio U3 headphone amplifier for 25 euros.
I spent a little more and also bought a 12-volt transformer with 3.5 amps (not necessary, it works with the provided USB cable).
Guys,
It elevated the headphones and I'm listening to my entire collection from the beginning!
This is the cheapest solution to get the most out of them.
Well, since I haven't tried them yet, but from the research I've done, they are the best for Mix & Master. I wanted to say that these specific Open Back ones are not suitable for sound isolation, but if you want, get the DT-770 Pro 250 ohm ones, they are Closed Back and have good sound isolation. I don't understand why you rate it so poorly, isn't sound isolation your main concern? So I suggest you do a thorough and extensive research on headphones before purchasing the product!
Because it is 250 ohms, some devices such as mobile phones and portable consoles will sound lower than those that are 32 ohms, but only some higher-quality sound devices will produce better sound. Of course, it is also very difficult to burn them. Always remember that it has a "speaker" in the resulting burn and they need to be leveled. After all, it is PRO, meaning for studio use
They are open-back, so they are perfect for general use (from gaming to mixing) with the only "downside" being sound leakage, which doesn't bother me at all since it makes them so comfortable.
I chose the Pro series because I wanted headphones that don't color the sound so that I can use them for mixing as well. Of course, with an EQ, you can adjust the sound to your liking.
I didn't have an amplifier and my PC supports up to 32Ω headphones, so seeing the reviews, I imagined that the volume would be very low. To my surprise, the volume was more than enough and I can't wait to listen to them with an amplifier to experience their full greatness!
These are honest products, there is no sound insulation, so they are in the open ear category. For gaming, they are very good, they just need an amplifier. E10k Fiio is a cheap solution
The headphones are the best out of everything I've tried. They are very comfortable, meaning as soon as you put them on, you understand what you're dealing with. The sound, for me, who tried them without an amplifier, seemed normal even though everyone says they sound quiet. If you are so interested in bass, then it would be good to buy one. Keep in mind that the headphones do not have a microphone, but for me, they are worth every penny, even the last euro, and I would recommend them without a second thought.
4/5 Because you will need an amplifier if you want to play loudly. Otherwise, they are very convenient and have very good sound quality. Also, they don't have much bass but it's a sacrifice you have to make if you want open back.