REVIEW: Beyerdynamic DT 770 vs. DT 990 headphones

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Are you looking for a adept quality headphone for recording, mixing and mastering at a adept cost? Maybe yous've heard about Beyerdynamic DT series and don't understand the differences. Then I'm going to compare the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 250 Ohm (closed) and DT 990 Edition 250 Ohm (open) and tell you lot which one I employ for which purpose.

Purchase the DT 770 Pro 250 Ohm from Thomann: https://www.thomann.de/intl/beyerdynamic_dt770pro.htm?partner_id=81398

Purchase the DT 990 Edition 250 Ohm from Thomann: https://www.thomann.de/intl/beyerdynamic_dt990_edition_2005.htm?partner_id=81398

[Before I start, I'd similar to say why I am reviewing the DT 990 Edition and not the DT 990 Pro. The DT 990 Edition was released as a "home" listening headphone for loftier-end audio speakers, however, on their website, they say that both DT 990 headphones use exactly the same technology inside, so the only difference is aesthetically (one. the direct vs. coiled cable, two. softer headband on Edition, and 3. colour). I preferred the straight cable so information technology was a no brainer.]

Now, back to the comparison of 770 and 990. First I'd like to bespeak out the similarities:

SIMILARITIES Betwixt DT 770 250 Ohm and DT 990 250 Ohm

  • Condolement. Both headphones are incredibly comfortable to wearable over the ears. Spongy ear cups and the headband is non as well tight.

  • Soundwise, both are very clear and crisp in sound. The bass is not exaggerated similar in some other headphones, and so for listening and mixing pleasure, it's rather suitable for acoustic music, and not music where the bass is key e.grand. electronic music/hip hop. Frequency-wise, they both audio pretty like to me.

  • Price. For the quality of the headphones, the price is very good. Good quality headphones can become up to 1000s of Euros along with headphone amps and other high-terminate stuff, but these are both studio-class headphones and the DT 770 Pro is a standard in good recording studios for tracking (we utilize them at Abbey Road Constitute (Amsterdam) and Red Balderdash Studios Amsterdam).

DIFFERENCES Between DT 770 250 Ohm and DT 990 250 Ohm

  • The biggest difference is that DT 990 has an open back and DT 770 has a airtight back. This means that DT 990 is better for mixing and mastering, while DT 770 is better for recording. This is because the close-back of the DT 770 reduces the spill of the headphone into the microphone. The DT 990 is less tiring while using for long periods. Information technology has an open back and yous can listen for hours, for listening or for mixing and mastering. However, because the DT 990 is open, it means that you can hear external dissonance very easily and they can hear yous. Then if someone next to you lot is watching something on their phone on speaker, it tin exist very hard for both parties (but mostly more annoying for you). The DT 770 protects you lot more than from outside noise. It is non noise-cancelling, but it does a good job.

  • If open and close back is non your business, the most obvious difference to me in the audio is the spatial difference. The stereo image in the DT 990 is incredibly accurate from left to right, front to back, and you can really hear where each instrument or sound is placed.

  • The straight vs. curly cable. The DT 990 Edition comes with a straight cablevision, and so information technology doesn't accept the weight to bounciness around if you are on the move, or not sitting at a table.

(I won't go into technical specs, as you lot can compare on the Beyerdynamic website).

OVERALL COMMENTS (and concerns)

  • My biggest concern is that frequency-wise, it is non at all apartment, only it is expert to know where the peaks and troughs are and then you keep it in mind while mixing. The treble boost is really noticeable and oftentimes, the bass is nowhere to exist heard. To gainsay this result, I can recommend a plugin called Reference 4 by Sonarworks, that gives you a more flat response and removes the unwanted colouration from headphones. You lot insert it every bit the terminal plugin on your DAW and choose your headphones from the list. It is not a free plugin, but it's definitely worth it, if yous are mixing with merely 1 reference (for case, if you don't have different pairs of headphones and speakers to compare your mixes)

  • Both headphones are 250 Ohm, which are suitable for loftier-terminate audio gear. However, I've had quite a lot of problem using these headphones while on the road, connected to my phone or laptop, as I could never quite go enough book, especially on public transport. (For on the route headphones, check out my review on Bowers & Wilkins P5)

  • You lot cannot remove the cable, therefore you cannot commutation the curly one with the straight one and vice versa. (That'south why I went with the Edition, as the curly cable bounces around and pulls on the headphone which I don't like).

At Bax-shop (a Dutch retailer), the DT 770 250 Ohm are selling for €116, DT 990 Edition for €159 (and DT 990 Pro 250 Ohm €122).

At Thomann (a German retailer who sells worldwide), the DT 770 250 Ohm are selling for €122, DT 990 Edition for €159 (and DT 990 Pro 250 Ohm €122).

Buy the DT 770 Pro 250 Ohm at Thomann: https://world wide web.thomann.de/intl/beyerdynamic_dt770pro.htm?partner_id=81398

Buy the DT 990 Edition 250 Ohm at Thomann: https://www.thomann.de/intl/beyerdynamic_dt990_edition_2005.htm?partner_id=81398

If toll isn't an issue and you're currently comparing some other brands, for open-back, I can recommend Sennheiser HD650 (open) which are €354, more than twice the price of the DT 990 Edition, and are too very honest sounding and pleasurable to work with. For me, the DT 990 had a slightly more than detailed sound and better spatial accuracy, which was more important to me than the frequency spectrum. (Sonarworks has a deal for €699 where you can buy the full software for headphones and speakers + the Sennheiser HD650. They as well have a student/bookish/educational discount and so it is worth checking out). Some people might recommend headphones by AKG, but I've tried headphones from AKG and I don't similar the style they feel on my caput. They feel less rugged and make a lot of noise when moving around on your ears.

Let me know in the comments if you have any other tips, or feedback on the above!

Click here to see the Beyerdynamic headphone range on Thomann: https://www.thomann.de/intl/studio_headphones.html?partner_id=81398

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