At £130/$180, the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro’s represent a modest entry into the world of open back headphones. They were originally released in 2004, yet are still widely recommended by those in the audiophile and musician community. In this Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro review, we’ll take a closer look.
Beyerdynamic offer a range of audiophile-grade headphones in both closed and open back designs. Their headphones prioritize sound, rather than having any fancy gimmicks. These DT 990 Pros are very similar to the DT 990 Edition headphones, except these have a couple quality of life changes for use in the studio such as a longer, coiled cable and firmer headband.
That said, I have reviewed these as both a musician and a music listener, since many will buy them intending to use them both at home and in the studio.
I enjoyed testing the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro’s. They bring the best of open back headphones at a relatively modest price. The sound is good: the soundstage is wide and dynamic. The sound profile is somewhat typical of Beyerdynamic, with subtle boosts to bass and especially to treble. It’s not my cup of tea but many listeners enjoy it. I especially liked these for practicing music. The headphones are comfortable with soft material earcups and are surprisingly light despite their bulky size. I was not a fan of the cable, it is heavy, bulky and non-replaceable. I would have preferred to see something similar to the AKG K371, which we reviewed here, which come with multiple detachable cables which reduces unnecessary weight. See the full review below for the details.
Overall Rating (Studio Use): 8/10
Overall Rating (Music Listening): 7.5/10
Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro Review: Overview
Pros
- Sound: spacious, punchy, lively.
- Good value for money.
- They work great in the studio.
Cons
- The cable is not replaceable, it is heavy and it tends to snag on clothing.
Who are the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro for?
These are primarily intended for studio use, and are near identical to the regular DT 990 except they feature a coiled cable and firmer headband. That said, I would recommend these for anyone with an amp looking for a modestly priced open back headphone that they can also use for music production. They allow you to enjoy the benefits of open backs such as their spacious soundstage. They don’t have any fancy gimmicks, so if sound is your priority, then prioritize these.
Who are the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro not for?
I would recommend an external amp for these headphones. These are good for audiophiles and music producers. Since they are open back they are no good outdoors, on the commute or anywhere with external noise.
If you aren’t using them in the studio you might want to consider the DT 990 Edition headphones instead which come in a more conventional 32ohm model and have a straight cable whilst also offering a similar listening experience to the DT 990 Pro headphones.
Design and Comfort
The DT 990 Pro’s look retro, and even more so than their 2004 release date. They feature big ear cups with soft material cushions, a 1m coiled cable that extends to 3m and a cushioned headband.
I borrowed these headphones from a friend to test them for this review. Despite them being purchased three years ago, they have withstood the test of time and have not developed any significant degradation.
These headphones are clearly designed for those looking to use them for long periods, whether it be long days in the studio or long nights listening to tunes. They pull off this design well and are comfortable to wear.
They weigh 250g without the cable, but the cable itself does make them feel heavier. It is coiled and bulky and easily catches on clothes or instruments. If you are only using them in the studio this will be less of an issue, but for at home listening it isn’t ideal. If you’re mostly using them for home listening you might want to spring for the DT 990 Edition headphones instead.
The ear cushions are a soft material rather than pleather. This lets the ears breathe a bit more if you’re using them over longer periods.
Sound isolation is fairly non-existent, but this is not a negative because they are open back headphones and are intended this way.
Using the DT 990 Pro in the Studio
As mentioned, these are primarily intended for use in the studio as opposed to the DT 990 Edition headphones which are aimed at home use.
They feature a coiled cable that extends from 1m to 3m, making working easy if you need to move around to adjust equipment whilst recording or mixing.
The headphones come with a 3.5mm connector and 1/4 inch adapter so you’re covered for connecting them to your gear.
I’ve found them easy to work with and comfortable to wear for hours. They will fit nicely into any studio setup.
Sound Quality
Sound Quality: In the Studio
I tried them connected to a Blackstar modeling amplifier with my PRS SE Custom guitar and also tried them with my audio interface connected to my PC.
Honestly, I adore these for practicing music and I think this is where they really shine. They are punchy, lively and spacious. I felt like I could wear and enjoy using them for a long time. The boosted trebles mentioned in the next section were less apparent, but then again I’m primarily a guitarist so work a bit less in the high treble range than other instruments might.
For recording music they also work well. The downside is that if you are recording with a band they aren’t really suitable due to the open back design. You will hear everything which will make focussing on your own playing difficult.
I found these headphones to be less balanced than the similarly priced closed-back AKG K371. However, the DT 990 excel much more in soundstage and breathability due to their open back design. They are still sufficiently balanced for studio use.
Overall, these work well in the studio and I would recommend them for this purpose.
Sound Quality: Music Listening
The Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro provide a dynamic, clear music listening experience. They feature a sound erring on the warm side with a wide soundstage. I tested them with a variety of music genres including rap, metal, rock, classical and pop.
As mentioned in the last section, the headphones are close to balanced but still have increases in bass and especially the treble range. Ultimately, sound profile preferences are subjective.
The bass is punchy but not bloated. I think the bass quality is my favourite part of the listening experience because they sound energetic and pumped but without a reduction in overall clarity. Kanye’s Good Morning’s bass beat produces a good punchy thud without taking away from any other part of the song. Enter Sandman by Metallica has a solid drum backing with raw guitar and everything else nicely tied together. The highs are crisp, but definitely boosted, and the mids are clear.
Not everyone will enjoy the native sound profile, the treble boost is noticeable and makes them slightly fatiguing. However, many do like these cans, so it’s really a subjective matter.
I used Equalizer APO to roll the treble back slightly and they responded really well to this and I found the sound more balanced. They were also much less harsh sounding. Therefore, I wouldn’t negate them for the sound profile because the option is there to EQ if you don’t like the treble bump.
I’m impressed with the sound quality of the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro’s. They would suit those looking for open-backs with a dynamic, punchy sound that don’t break the bank.
Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro Review: Overall Ratings
Comfort: 9/10
Features: 7/10
Sound Quality: 8/10
Overall Rating (Studio Use): 8/10
Overall Rating (Music Listening): 7.5/10
Click here to visit Beyerdynamic’s site to read more about the DT 990 Pro’s.