Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro 80Ω

Overview

The Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro is an open-back studio headphone known for its analytical sound and sharp treble, targeted at audio engineers and critical listeners. They also gained a large following among gamers for a time but have lost most of their popularity. Priced at $250 CAD (often on sale for $210 CAD) and found for $150-170 used, the DT 990 offers good value for those who enjoy a bright sound signature and know what they’re signing up for.

With an impedance of 80Ω and a sensitivity of 96 dB/mW, the DT 990 is easier to drive than higher-impedance models like the DT 1990 but still benefits from proper amplification to reach its full potential needing 25 mW and 1.4V to reach 110 dB.

In the box, you’ll find the headphones, a fixed 10 foot 3.5mm cable with an attached 6.3mm adapter, and plush velour ear pads that provide decent comfort for long sessions. The build quality is excellent, and the DT 990 feels durable and well-crafted.

Sales Pitch

The DT 990 PRO is a reliable tool for studio monitoring, mixing and mastering, as the highly sensitive transducers ensure the smallest adjustments in panning, EQ or dynamics can be easily heard.

These are good for professionals who benefit from the tuning, but they’re not ideal for anyone else.

With its open design, the DT 990 PRO has an airy, spacious sound with a sense of depth and ambiance that complements room acoustics captured in recordings.

They have an above average sound stage that most people will be perfectly satisfied with.

The controlled bass and enhanced treble ensure an exceptionally detailed frequency response.

‘Enhanced’ is one word for the treble.

The low frequencies are precise and powerful, without being overbearing, while top end is clear and very present without sounding shrill.

Low frequencies are precise and controlled, however the top end is pretty piercing and shrilly.

The sturdy steel headband gives the headset a secure fit. Soft, adjustable ear cups contribute to great wearing comfort for extended periods.

These are very well built and quite comfortable.

The cable, which is attached on just one side, accommodates frequent adjustment and removal of the DT 990 PRO without cable tangles. The 80 Ohm comes with a straight cable (not coiled like the 250 ohm). Its extra light weight construction makes it very easy to wear.

Yup.

Source

Numerous Variants

The 990 is available in 32, 80, and 250Ω. There are also “Pro” and “Premium” variants.

Bright and Analytical

The 990 is very bright and analytical compared to the DT 880 and 770.

Thoughts

The Beyerdynamic DT 990 is a classic open-back headphone with a lot to offer and one glaring issue. The build quality is rock solid, light, and they are comfortable to wear for extended periods. My 80Ω version of the headphones are easy to drive compared to their 250Ω sibling, but a good amp still brings out the best in them.

Out of the box, the DT 990’s sound is bright and analytical, with treble that draws a lot of attention to every detail. While that is great for competitive gamers and audio engineers, and can make certain tracks sound lively and engaging, the harshness and sharp peaks quickly grow fatiguing. Anyone with a treble sensitivity will honestly find these painful. EQ is a necessity here but can only do so much against the many dips and peaks in the highs. The bass, while clear and tight, lacks the sub-bass depth needed for genres that thrive on a solid low-end foundation. I also recommend boosting it to help balance out the inflated treble. The mids are fast and dynamic but fall short of the warmth and richness found in competitors like the Sennheiser HD 58X.

The soundstage is wide and open, with great imaging that makes instruments and details easy to locate. In games, the directional audio is excellent. Compared to other headphones at this price, I do prefer the 990 over the AKG K7XX for everything except instrumental and orchestral music. I also found myself enjoying the 990 more than the HD 598 but not as much as the Sennheiser PC38X, especially in more energetic songs and those with a female singer. Honestly, I was reviewing the 990 right after the PC38X and I regularly found myself preferring the smoother sound of the PC38X. It was only with fast metal and rock music that I enjoyed the 990, EQ’d of course, more than the Sennheiser gaming headset.

Overall, the DT 990 delivers a detailed and analytical sound that’s perfect for critical listening and fast genres like metal. Its extreme, treble-forward tuning is not for everyone, but if you’re willing to tweak it with EQ and you find a very good deal, these headphones may be worth owning today.

Recommended?

No.

There are use cases where the 990 is a good choice if the price is right: competitive gaming and audio engineering, but there’s better headphones out there at similar prices and most people should stay away today. Buy a PC38X, K712, or HD 560S.