Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro Open-Back Over-Ear Studio Monitor Headphones Reviews

The Beyerdynamic DT 990 headphones are an over-the-ear wired set that comes at an affordable price. The headphones are on the market for under $200 and have great sound quality for their price range. However, with their bulky build, heavy cord, and lack of water or sweat proofing, they are not made for anything other than leisurely listening or studio use.

The DT 990s earpieces slide and adjust for a seamless fit and have memory foam cushion ear covers that offer maximum listening comfort. When combined with an amp or stronger listening device, to hinder their 250-ohm impedance, the sound quality is optimal, especially at their lower price point.

The headphones are an open-back style to help them supply premium sound detail. There are two styles available of the DT 990, the Pro and the Edition. There is very little to the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro headphones overall style, keeping them minimalistic and focused on the sound quality as its selling feature for studio listening. The DT 990 Edition headphones are exactly the same as the Pros in all features and sound quality, but they have a more stylish design and more flexibility on the earpieces for leisure listening.

Sound Quality:

Usually, cheaper headphones come with lesser sound quality. That is not the case with the Beyerdynamic DT 990 headphones at all. They offer a three-dimensional sound experience. While they do not have the absolute best sound quality on the market, which is to be expected at their price range, their sound quality is quite impressive still. The amount of detail is good and bass sounds are unobtrusive. Without the use of an additional amp, the bass is not well represented. With an amp in place, the bass will come across solid and deep. The amp will also help them produce the sound they need for studio-quality reproduction.

Vocals and mids are well-balanced. However, despite the overall great sound quality, no areas of sound come across as particularly emphasized. The sound quality comes across well for general leisure listening.

The headphones have an open-back build which means there will be some sound leakage and ambient noise. It also means that the headphones will not be ideal for use during commutes. There is some noise cancellation within the headphones.

Beyerdynamic DT 990 Design:

The all-black Beyerdynamic DT 990 headphones are bulky in their design with large over-the-ear cans. They are covered in a soft, gray velour that makes them comfortable for long listening sessions despite their bulky size. The velour covers a memory foam for ultra-comfort during wear. The earpads can also be replaced if needed.

The Prostyle headphones are built entirely of plastic which only adds to their lack of aesthetics. The plastic build and flimsy feeling thing headband means they are not very durable for the long-term. The Edition style headphones have a metal attachment from the earpiece to the band and a stylish metallic outside on the can. Another difference between the Pro and Edition is that the Edition earpieces can flex inward or outward for more leisure-listening comfort. The Pros cans give a tighter fit and prefer less head movement during use.

Comfort Level:

The bulky appearance of the DT 990s can be misleading with the plastic build actually making them more lightweight. They can be stretched and flexed without any issues, but they do not seem like they are truly built to last.

There are no hinges to fold the headphones flat for easy storage, so they are not great if you plan to carry them around a lot. There is a coordinating headphone hanger available for purchase. The DT 990 Pro headphone’s audio cable is a 1m coiled, stretchable cable. The cable is quite weighty which can be bothersome. However, the cord’s flexibility allows for easy movement during wear. The cord is a single-sided cable. It is not an interchangeable cable, so if it breaks, it cannot be replaced. Though, at such an affordable price, affording a second pair would not break the bank. The DT 990 Edition comes with a straight cable cord instead of the larger, coiled cord.

The Beyerdynamic DT 990 headphones have no additional features such as an app for EQ enhancements or smart buttons on the headphones themselves. The volume and tracks cannot be adjusted from the headgear at all. The headphone’s main use is suggested as a studio so not having smart buttons makes sense on these.

Connectivity:

As noted, they are not wireless and come with a 1m cable that stretches. The end of the cable is 3.5mm and the box comes with a ¼” adapter. The cable on the Pro impedes by 250 ohms. The headphones do work without an amp, but an amp is recommended to not have to max out the volume on your smart device. The coiled cable on the Pro is heavy and can pull at lighter phones or smart devices during use.

The Edition version can be purchased in multiple ohms. It can be purchased in 32 ohms, which is ideal for smart devices, 250 ohms for studio listening, or 600 ohms for hi-fi systems and amps.

• 80 OHMS And 250 OHMS – UNIVERSAL STUDIO USAGE: These 80-OHM headphones are the ideal choice for a range of studio applications. the DT 990 PRO 80-ohm is extremely versatile, be prepared for any environment.
• MIXING DESKS/AUDIO INTERFACES PROFESSIONAL END DEVICES: with an impedance of 250-ohm. the DT 990 Pro headphones are perfect for mixing in the studio