beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro (250 Ohm), Open-Back Studio Headphones, Black

Well, I once hated headphones but these phones are changing my mind. Why did I hate headphones? First of all, headphones are uncomfortable. They're heavy, hot and clamp your head like a vise. These are none of the above. The DT-990 Pro 250 is light in weight with soft velour ear cups. Since they don't have plastic ear cups that induce sweating, they don't feel hot. The headband is tight enough but not too tight on my head (hat size 7 1/2). It's a bit astonishing to me that these headphones feel as good as they do. Another reason I hated headphones was the boxy sound that seems to emanate from the center of my skull. A bit of research indicated to me that this condition is more likely to occur when using closed back headphones. The DT-990 Pro 250 is an open back design. The soundstage is broad. Maybe not as broad as listening in a well laid-out room with precisely placed and designed speakers but the soundstage is open and broad enough for me to distinguish individual musical instruments and their position in reference to the overall musical program. Again, I'm astonished at the openness of the sound field. Finally, I hated headphones for the reason many others like them--the isolation involved. I know there are other types of headphones available today that allow outside sounds to be heard but the only phones I had ever used in the past were those that tried to shut me off from the outside world. Sometimes, being isolated is good. But I prefer to be aware of what's happening around me. The DT-990 Pro 250 headphones allow in enough environmental sounds to keep me connected but not enough to be distracting. I want to know if the phone rings, someone knocks at the door, the dog barks or Mr. Murderous Home Invader is coming through the bedroom window. I've only had these headphones for one day. From what I've read on Amazon and on other websites, the sound of these phones will improve as they "burn in". I've witnessed this sound improvement with time and use happening with stereo speaker systems and with two SACD players so I know it's possible. But even without the break-in period, the DT-990 phones sound good to me. Some reviewers complain of the mid-bass being overly boosted and the treble being too prominent. I don't have golden ears but I don't find these characteristics present. The design of the phones does color the musical programming somewhat but, in my opinion, this adds a little punch without going so far as to be obtrusive. When the UPS guy delivered my package yesterday, I was listening to John Hiatt's "Dirty Jeans and Mudslide Hymns" CD. It has typical bass heavy production, however, the headphones never sounded boomy at all and I could pick up details in the recording I had never noticed. Since classical music is where I listen most closely, I then put on the RCA Living Stereo SACD of the Boston Pops doing "Gaite Parisenne". There's lots of high frequency sounds on this recording but I never noticed any irritating, piercing treble out of the headphones. Next I played another RCA Living Stereo SACD, Fritz Reiner conducting the Chicago Symphony in Dvorak's Symphony No. 9. This is a superb full orchestra recording. Again, I felt astonished at the details coming out in this CD through these headphones. Today, I've listened to selections from Arthur Rubenstein's Chopin CD box set and Martha Argerich's EMI concerto box set. The phones can pick up too much detail at times--I could detect foot tapping and breathing during one of the live Argerich performances. But the pianos always sound natural, lively and forward if slightly lacking in warmth at times. I expect "warmth" will develop with continued use. I've also plugged the DT-990's into my Kindle Fire HD tablet and listened to parts of the MP3 of Nicola Benedetti's "Fantasie" compilation. I know many feel MP3 is not true high fidelity, inferior to other downloadable formats as well as CDs. Still, it's the direction recorded music is headed today and it can be entirely satisfying and enjoyable, especially when one listens with the DT-990s. Ms. Benedetti's "Lark Ascending" sounds every bit as good to me on the MP3 through these headphones as it does from the original CD played over my B&W home speakers. Time will tell and many things can occur. If I can remember, I will update this review over time with more on how these phones break in and how they perform long term. UPDATE, July 6, 2013: Well, those who said the phones would "burn in" knew what they were talking about. I've barely used my home speakers since taking possession of these headphones in May and the sound has improved significantly. They have definitely developed that "warmth" I was hoping for. I enjoy listening to music more every time I use them. There is one point I do dislike about these phones after extended use and familiarity with them. They are not very aesthetically pleasing to my eye. The brown plastic grid and white lettering on the exterior ear pieces of the Pro model really look kind of cheap and Mickey Mouse. I guess it's a style that some might like but I'm not exactly joyous about it. The other DT-990 models look a lot better, however, they cost considerably more and they are said to sound the same. For the price difference, I would still buy the Pro model. Can't see them when I'm wearing them anyway.

I’ve been using the DT 990 Pro headset for a while now, and overall it’s one of the best audio experiences I’ve had—especially for the price. Sound Quality: This is where it really shines. The audio is super clear with a wide soundstage, which makes a huge difference for gaming and music. You can hear footsteps and directional cues way better than with typical headsets. The bass is present but not overwhelming, and the highs are very crisp (sometimes a little too crisp depending on the track). Comfort: Extremely comfortable. The velour ear pads are soft and breathable, and I can wear them for hours without any discomfort. The clamping force is just right—not too tight, not too loose. Build Quality: Feels solid and durable. Definitely built to last. The cable is attached (not detachable), which might be a downside for some people, but it hasn’t been an issue for me. Things to Consider: • These are open-back, so sound leaks in and out. Not ideal if you’re in a noisy space or don’t want others hearing your audio. • They don’t have a built-in mic, so you’ll need a separate one for gaming or calls. • Depending on the version (like 250 ohm), you may need an amp to get the best performance. Final Thoughts: If you care about sound quality and comfort, these are absolutely worth it. Just make sure you understand the open-back design and setup requirements before buying. Verdict: Amazing for gaming, music, and long sessions—just not for noisy environments or plug-and-play simplicity.

The beyerdynamic DT-990-Pro-250 have great, authoritative bass. The mids are not recessed, but they are flat, not forward. Treble-wise, they can get very sparkly and can be grating in the highs unless a good DAC/amp is used. Music from talented producers and engineers that aim for maximum sound quality SHINE through these, and will sound pleasant. These are tool headphones aimed for work, not for play. Does not mean you will not like them to enjoy music with, but they are obviously voiced for music production, not music consumption. They are treble canons because beyerdynamic designed them as such for their purpose, which is mastering duties. You need to monitor with something brighter than the material you're working with to be able to hear every single little thing, good and bad. If the treble is good on these, it will be good on everything else. But my dude/dudette: DON'T KNOCK THEM UNTIL YOU TRY THEM. I know people write all kinds of reviews online, and Internet forums are echo chambers and parrot cages, but IT'S YOUR EARS. Use them first before reaching conclusions. Just because an Internet stranger says they're ice picks to the ear drums doesn't mean you won't enjoy them. I don't find their sound quality inferior to other beyer headphones I own, such as the Amiron home, T90 Chrome, T90 Jubilee, and DT 880 Edition (600 ohm). The DT 990 obviously sound different, but are just as good. I promise you! They just present more bass and treble than the others, and have a different way of imaging, but are just as revealing. I don't take these off and wear the others and go, "Wow, I hear more details now." No matter what DAC and amp I use, the DT 990 keep up with the others. Just because they're been around the block for decades doesn't mean they're less good than the newer ones. People online love to mystify headphones that are newer or cost more, and attribute them qualities that they do not possess. These are AMAZING headphones for under $200. SERIOUSLY. You won't hear more details with the T90 or the Amiron home or any other higher-priced headphones. It's just the truth. Their value is higher than a lot of pricier headphones. As long as you amplify them up properly, you will be impressed by their detail retrieval, sound-stage and imaging. The bass is fast and tight, the mids are smooth and crystal-clear, and the treble is purposely revealing beyond necessity...yes...way too sharp in some recordings. Again, SOME recordings. The imaging is like listening to speakers; sounds come from outside the ears, not from inside the head. All elements are clearly positioned and layered. When I really want to crank them up good without being bothered by the treble of some tracks, I plug them to my Schiit Asgard 2 and that amp somehow transforms these DT 990 into something else. It makes them even more revealing and bigger-sounding while smoothing them up. All the detail is there without the cringe. Potentially harsh treble is the only con of these cans, and they were designed that way ON PURPOSE. Think about it: for less than $200, you're getting a professional headphone hand-made in Germany. We live in good times for sure! Don't let elitist snobs from Internet forums discourage you from getting something that you might like. IT'S YOUR EARS. You can read reviews, but don't let them make decisions for you. You could spend more, but don't think you will get more. God bless you! Thanks for reading. Peace! EDIT: [6-June-2020] Still loving them. They still look brand new and sound brand new. My Tascam UH-7000 makes them sound amazing. If you want a taste of high-end audio, you can't go wrong with these. Do not pay much mind to reviewers or forum members with overactive imaginations that believe the higher the price of headphones, the more they "hear". It's just not going to happen, especially if you lack trained ears. The difference will be in subjective sound presentation, not in objective sound quality. I'm trying to save you time, money and avoid you a serious case of audiophilia nervosa. Peace!

I’m by no means an audiophile, but I do care about all forms of digital consumption enough to make an investment in a good pair of headphones. I usually categorize my headphones based on needs and wants. For example, I use Sony Hear Ons as “lifestyle” headphones because of the Bluetooth capabilities and its portability. I also have the AKG K553’s as my “reference” headphones for editing. My goals for my next pair is something I could use with my desk setup for studio use as my daily headphone. After reading a plethora of head-fi posts and watching multiple YouTube reviews, my search led to the Beyerdynamic DT990 pros and to this day I can’t get enough of them. At first glance, you wouldn’t expect it to be a premium headphone due to the fact that it’s made almost entirely out of plastic except for the headband and the arms connecting it to the ear cups. The headband is wrapped with a soft layer of fake leather, which can attach and detach with a few clasp buttons. Don’t let the nearly plastic design fool you because it’s pretty high-quality polymer plastic and the build itself is solid. In most cases, it’s actually a good thing because it makes for a lighter headphone, perfect for long uses. The adjustments aren’t as smooth as an all-metal design, but it works fine and can extend to fit almost any head. The cable is coiled and runs around 3 meters ending in a gold-plated 3.5 mm jack. It also comes with a screw on 1/4 inch adapter, which is also gold-plated. Beyerdynamic is known for their velour ear pads and they’re probably the best part aside from the sound. It has a plush and smooth feeling unlike any other. The clamping force is somewhat tight, but I got used to it pretty fast. Some people might be concerned about the whole velour vs pleather thing and based on the performance and comfort I wouldn’t worry about that. Just to clarify, velour is known to be more open with less isolation compared to pleather. It’s also known to be harder to keep clean (can get dusty) simply due to the nature of the material itself. In terms of sound, I actually prefer the more open soundstage, which makes sense since it’s already an open-backed design. If you’re worried about cleanliness just make sure you wipe it often and try not to use it if you’re super sweaty from the gym or anything like that. Judgement on looks is subjective, but the comfort is out of the question. Given the light-weight form factor and velour pads, I found the DT 990 pros to be cloud-like even after hours of usage. Now for the good part, the sound quality. As previously stated, I’m no audiophile, but I have to say that these headphones are no joke. I’m pretty basic so I listen to most mainstream music (EDM, Hip-Hop, Chillstep, etc.) on Spotify, I watch plenty of YouTube, and I also watch a bunch of TV shows and movies on Netflix on my MacBook Pro. I also use these when I game on my PS4 Pro. With these factors for reference, I found these headphones to be my best audio investment yet. The bass is definitely prominent especially for an open back design without being too overpowering. It’s actually the biggest factor as to why I decided on buying these because I was looking for an open back headphone with good bass, which led me to the DT 990’s in the first place because they’re known to be great with both features. Between the Pros and the Premiums, a bit of research led me to conclude that the Pros had slightly more bass, which I prefer. The mids have a lot of detail but don’t shine as much. The highs are incredibly clear but can get a bit too bright for my taste. Sometimes it’ll result in a slight ear piercing sensation depending on what I’m listening too, but your mileage may vary. The soundstage is wide and gives a great representation of spatial cues resulting in an accurate listening experience. The 250 Ohm model is the sweet spot out of the three, but make sure you have a good amp to power them. Personally, I use the Behringer AMP800 Four Channel Headphone Amp and it works great. I tried connecting it to my iPhone for comparison and it’s still listenable, but you’ll have to max out the volume. I’ve had my DT 990’s for over two years now and it definitely stands the test of time. Unless you have a bunch of money to spend on something like a pair of Sennheiser HD800’s, there’s really no need to look any further when presented with great value. The price is just right even for the average consumer and offers professional grade quality. Having crystal clear audio isn’t hard to get, but when making an investment it’s important to read the fine print and research all the opinions. With the DT 990’s I can truly enjoy all digital content and I’m confident that you will too.

BeyerDynamic DT 990 PRO bought Aug 26 2014, 1 month ago, $175 US Sennheiser HD 560 ovation II bought March 23 1994, about 20 yrs ago, $350 CDN ($330 US). I wanted a replacement headphone for my HD 560 (ovation II), which has reached the end of its life cycle. I wanted one that would be cheaper and sound as good as the HD 560 once did. It must be comfortable for continuous hours of use. I'm 50 and I compose, mix and master my own tunes using a midi controller keyboard and VSTs. I decided on the DT 990 PRO. At $175 on Amazon US they were in my price range, but at double the price on Amazon Canada they were not, which is why it can pay to shop Amazon US. First, the claims. Sennheiser writes in its manual "Audiophile quality 'open-aire' stereo headphone considered by many to be among the finest in the world." For 1994, I agree. BeyerDynamic writes "The weight of the diaphram and moving coil of this headphone is approx. 20% compared to other current models. As a result, the DT 990 PRO offers similar pulse characteristics as electrostatic headphones." Hmm. My concern is they don't say if the reduced weight would shorten the diaphram's lifespan. My guess is yes, or why would they leave this out? Something to consider before buying. Next, the specs. Both are circumaural. HD 560: 14-35KHz 10 dB, 300 Ohms, 200 mW power, 94 dB, <0.2% THD, 2.5N headband pressure, 210g. DT 990 PRO: 5-35KHz, 250 Ohms, 100 mW power, 96 dB, <0.2% THD, 3.5N pressure, 270g (box says 250g). With my (unreliable?) fish scale, I weighed the HD 560 at 170g and DT 990 PRO at 190g. Half the mW power means the DT 990 PRO can't take as much abuse as the HD 560. Again, something to consider before buying. The comfort level. The DT 990 PRO makes the top of my head tender after hours of use. Unacceptable, so I unbuttoned and removed the headband wrapper and replaced it with a patch of felt. This makes the headphones feel/seem lighter, reduces pressure around the ears, and I can use them for hours without much discomfort. But it does appear to change the sound quality very slightly. Because of this I would have given it a lower 3 rating, if it weren't for the sound... The sound. Elite. I knew the HD 560 was lacking in bass, even when I bought them. The DT 990 PRO adds a lot of bass; almost too much, and throughout the frequency spectrum. This has the effect of increasing presence and bringing out subleties everywhere that are lost with the HD 560. Highs and mids are lowered, and bass goes down into the subs with clarity and power. However, the sound stage is much wider, making it harder to locate the pan positions of instruments. For example, with the HD 560's small sound stage, it's easy to say "the trumpet is 20 deg to left of center". With the DT 990 PRO it's not as easy. The DT 990 PRO's highs, mids and bass are exceptionally clear and nuanced, but my HD 560 has had 20 years of heavy use and abuse, invalidating a real sound comparison quality-wise. I can say this: play Lisa Kelly on my HD 560 and she sounds perfect, clear, effervescent, and blends nicely with the music. Play her on the DT 990 PRO and she's singing right in front of me, with a naturally slight tremolo in her sound. Almost creepy. I think that's due to the added bass power and wider sound stage. The negatives. I wear glasses and they squeak against the earpads. Adjusting my glasses forward a bit removes the squeak. For some reason, compared to the DT 990, the PRO bends the earcup extenders to fit inside the headband wrapper. Because the cups can rotate left/right, the extenders tend to catch and snap hard against the metal headband, making an awfully loud click in my ears when I put them on. Again, unacceptable for $175 headphones (now $200). To fix this, unbutton the headband wrapper and forcefully bend the extenders until they're straight, away from the metal headband and wrapper. BeyerDynamic says all parts are replaceable, yet the headphone cord doesn't detach from the earcup. This can be good, as my HD 560 frequently shorts at the earcup connectors. I hate the small, flimsy custom connectors on the HD 560. But it's also bad - I could unplug and replace the HD 560 cord (3 times!). I wonder how to replace the cord on the DT 990 PRO when it goes? A DIY task? I'm using a Pyle Pro PHA40 amp rated at 80 Ohms. An amp makes a difference, but I think the DT 990 PRO needs a good, matching rated amp to get the most out of it. Some reviewers have complained of ear fatigue after prolonged use. The manual does recommend a lower listening volume. As for lack of bass; this is false. There is more than enough bass, when amped. Despite the heavier weight, negatives, and my headband and extender fixes, I'm happy with my purchase, and it's a worthy successor in sound to my HD 560. But, I can only hope it will last 20 years, like my HD 560 ovation II did. (PS: my HD 560 were made in Ireland not Germany, DT 990 PRO are made in Germany. Two awesome countries!) YK

The Headphones have arrived today (took 14 business days total). The Headphones are very comfortable the cable feels a bit weird with the coiled cord. Doesn't scratch my ears (for pals with big ears I suggest) Sound quality is amazing. Even with the open back the sound feels amazing during gaming. Adjustability with the headband is very nice I can remove the rubber or keep it and It fits big heads so that's a plus. As far as Value for money I purchased a used one and even with fees the price came way below then the market price in Israel.

I will post what I posted on Head-Fi. Before I get to the review I should add that this has not been burned in yet so this is an impression of the initial sound. I should also add I listen to mostly pop, but also bass heavy music as well as other genres. The term audiophile basshead would best fit me and my sound signature taste. Equipment: - FiiO E12 amplifier - Behringer UCA222 DAC - ViPER4Windows audio software Comfort: You'll have to try them on to really appreciate their comfort. The revviews say there is a heavy clamping force but I beg to differ...it's quite low and enough to the point where it stays on your head and is hardly noticeable. The earpads are very soft and have a ridonkulous amount of cushion to them, they're like pillows and they engulf my ears which is nice. 11/10, far more comfortable than my electrowaves with DT770EVB earpads. Sound: Bass - Not as strong as open cans, and not nearly as strong as all of the reviews claim...but still strong for open cans. These do have bass, don't get me wrong...but not basshead pleasing without EQing and adjusting other bass related settings. Once everything is adjusted properly, it can provide some nice bass, but it still lacks a bit in quantity. The quality is quite good though, although like one review I came across said, it does sacrifice quantity for quality. It was a bit difficult finding the right settings, but I will definitely post a picture of those below for insight. I also did find the right driver to rattle, it is probably a hair, but it has not gone away yet...will have to figure out how to fix that. 9/10 Mids - I am not too concerned about the mids, and haven't had cans that are good with mids...so I cannot say much here. I will say, and take this with a grain of salt considering my situation, that the vocals of songs were stunning. I haven't heard vocals like that from anything and am very impressed. Some said that the mids were a bit recessed...I would agree if the bass is set high enough, it can definitely overpower the mids if that is the case. I would disagree when it comes to the vocals though, they were right up front regardless of the bass. 9/10 Highs - The supposed killing factor for most...I say that's pure bollocks. I am treble sensitive, I don't like piercing notes as they give me a headache. When I first put these on, I did so with an amp and that's it. I can see why people say it can be a bit much, but it's nothing to be concerned about. I did get a little bit of fatigue from the treble, but people are over exaggerating. I found the treble to ever so slightly sibilant, but nothing major. 8.5/10 Leak - These are open cans, expect them to let in sound, and let out sound. I can hear my TV quite well, with these on as I type. While it is a tiny bit muffled, it's still very much audible and it's of acceptable volume. As for sound going out, these do leak more than you would expect, so be prepared for that. If you have your EQ/software settings set to a more dark sound it will not leak as much, but them mids and highs are going to be heard loud and clear. 6/10 Imaging - Not quite sure what this is, but following the definition I would say these do that quite well. Cannot say much else, but reproduction does seem to be good. I don't know if this fits here or not, but poorly recorded songs or songs with poor quality will definitely suffer in all sections. I won't rate this. Soundstage - This is what impressed me the most. I was frequently surprised at hearing an instrument or sound I never knew was there in quite a few songs. The soundstage is much wider than I expected, and throughly impressed me. 10/10 Build quality: I would tent to agree with the others on this. Everything is good...it's German made, so it not a surprise. I really don't need to add to this as others have already said what I'd say. 9/10 Design: I'll keep it short and sweet since this isn't really relevant. It's nice, but I definitely prefer the premium look. Plastic doesn't appeal to me, but it is designed well. I won't rate this. Overall I'd say this would earn an 8.5/10. It could do better in aspects, but it is quite well. If "audiophile basshead" fits you, then this will likely appeal to you, if you lean more towards a heavier basshead it likely won't. I for one am happy with it...can't wait to hear how it sounds at 100 hours. It could use a bit more bass though. I will update when the 100 hour burn in is complete. I have about 4-5 hours under the belt, but due to the rattling issue I am likely going to RMA so I will have to start over again.

*UPDATE* As promised, I wanted to come back and let you all know what I thought of these cans after some burn-in. I didn't use white noise or anything special. I just left my cans connected to my AMP playing music from my computer on random at high volume. When I went to work or sleep, I would leave these playing. So....drumroll: did the burn-in make any difference? YES! A resounding YES! As you read on to my original review, you will know that I love crisp clear highs. But even for me, these headphones were a bit fatiguing initially. There was a bit of a "shattering" effect from the highs. Which I really like, but can tire your ears out very quickly. After about 300 hours of burn-in, these cans have really hit their stride. The highs are still EXCEPTIONALLY clear. I can still hear the squeak when a finger drags over a fret. I can still hear every string during an acoustic strum. The softening of the highs didn't steal anything from the clarity. The burn-in allows me to listen for a couple of hours without aural fatigue. Also, I've had a chance to use these cans using a multitude of amps. They sound fabulous using my Yamaha speaker amp/receiver. They sound great using a good headphone amp. Fiios E17 or E7/9 is probably the minimum I'd recommend. In a nutshell, these things are thirsty for power. And although they sound good without proper amperage, these cans scale beautifully when provided juice. In a nutshell, these cans thirst power, and the more you give it, the more these cans respond. Please consider this when purchasing. If you don't have a dac/amp setup or a speaker receiver with a good headphonen port, then make sure you budget for it...or plan to purchase one down the road. An already 5 star review has now become a 5 star review with an exclamation mark. ENJOY! *ORIGINAL REVIEW* I just received these headphones today, so keep in mind that these cans haven't been burned in yet. Generally a high end headphone requires about 100+ hours to burn in properly. John Grado of Grado headphones says 50 hours is a good burn in time. Others say the AKG 701/702 require about 300 hours to burn in properly. But 100 hours is widely held as the norm. I was going to wait to write the review, but they sounded so good right out of the box that I couldn't wait to write a review. I will update after about 6 months of use, so come back if this review doesn't convince you to "add to cart". I'll see if these headphones have a tonal softening after some burn in. What's in the package: Nothing but the headphones. You get the headphones with the 3.5mm jack and 1/4" screw on adapter. Both ends are gold plated. Okay, now that I've got that over with, I'll get to the meat and bones of the review, the sound--and how glorious they sound. I figured the best way to test the dynamic range and audio quality of the music was to pick a handful of songs that highlight a certain instrument or frequency range. So I'll reflect on my impressions from the various songs I chose to test out the fidelity of these headphones. Billy Jean(Michael Jackson) - Michael Jackson stated that he wanted to write a song with a great bass-line, and into the studio he went with Quincy Jones. The product of this inspiration and the collaboration was Billy Jean. The quintessential MJ song. I chose this song specifically to test the clarity of the lower freqs. WOW. The bass is deep and clear. Each bass note has it's own presence. The notes don't slur/blend into each other. There is a discernible transition from note to note. EXACTLY what I was hoping for. Getting in Tune(The Who) - Subjectively speaking, I think John Entwistle was the greatest bassist of all time. To test the speed of the bass, I chose this song because no one played the bass quite like Mr. Entwistle. Whereas Billy Jean is a slow bass-rift, Getting in Tune is classic John Entwistle and the bass notes fly all over the place rapidly. These cans keep up with the amazing fingers of John Entwistle without breaking a sweat. And as was the case with Billy Jean, each note has its own distinct presence. Open headphones usually aren't the best for exhibiting the lower freqs, but these are amazing. In the Air Tonight(Phil Collins) - I wanted to see how these cans handled drums. And if you want to go to drums, what is better than the opening drum rift in this song? Does it have the anger of a John Bonham or the craziness of Keith Moon? No, but it has the unrivaled coolness. Drums are a dynamic instrument tha covers almost the entire frequency gamut. So Drums are actually one of the best instruments to test a set of cans. Like everything else I've heard through these things, the drums are AMAZING. From the banging of the sticks, to the stomp of the bass drum, and the crash of the hi-hat these cans magically reproduce the energy that Phil Collins brings to this song. Leather and Lace(Stevie Nicks & Don Henley) - I chose this song for two reasons: the vocal mastery of the two singers; and the amazing acoustic guitar play. With a lot of lesser cans, Stevie Nicks young voice comes off squeaky. With these, the multiple layers of her brilliant voice all comes through. The youthful highs and the textured lows of her voice are all on display. Don Henley's raspy highs are depicted with amazing honesty. This song is perfect for highlighting two very distinct singing styles. And when they harmonize? you can cleary hear each singer distinct from the other. The acoustic guitar is just unbelievable through these cans. I can hear every string from each strum of the pick. Often times a strum will sound like 1 note, but I can actually hear all 6 strings separately. If you never heard this effect before, you are missing out. Mr. Know It All(Kelly Clarkson) - I picked this song because Kelly Clarkson has one of the best voices going today, and because it is a modern pop/rock song with modern production value. Whereas the other songs kept gaps in the frequency range, this song presents a wall of music effect. By this, I mean that almost the entire frequency range is ALWAYS present. The bass-line isn't as distinctive as was the case with Billy Jean and Getting in Tune, but that is such the way of newer songs. The bass-line is a ever-present steamroller. Now this isn't a bad thing. These cans allow the bass to maintain its ever-presence while still allowing the mid-range and highs to co-exist. Kelly Clarkson's powerful voice doesn't get drowned out. With amazing clarity, every layer, every tone, every break in her voice sound AMAZING. Piano Concerto No. 1(Tchaikovsky - performed by Ivo Pogorelich) - This is my favorite classical piece. This is also my favorite rendition of this piece. Ivo Pogorelich takes a lot of artistic freedom in his interpretations, and this song is no exception. His piano performance is imperfectly perfect. I know that's an oxy-moron, but because he chooses to play it the way he feels, the emotional impact to the listener is that much greater. So you can imagine my disappointment when this version of the song was unbearable with these cans. I am a bit torn when it comes to hi-fidelity and classical music. You almost ALWAYS get static. I don't care whether you have a HD-audio or FLAC copy, it is the nature of the recording methods. The best performances are usually live, and you are going to get static in a live recording environment. So although every instrument is distinct and the sound-stage vast, the static is just too much of a distraction. The better the headphones or speakers, the more static you will get. So I was forced to play a different version of the same piece--the Martha Argerich version which has a lot less static. Her rendition is textbook. She plays it as Tchaikovsky wrote it. She is technically one of the finest pianists EVER. This version has a lot less static, but there still is static nonetheless. This version allowed me to focus a bit more on the instruments. When someone hammers the ivory, often times you will hear the reverberations and echo inside the piano box. And these are the first cans I've listened to that reproduce this effect as realistically. You can hear the horse hairs sliding across the strings. Just an amazing set of cans for classical music, but you have to make sure you have the best recordings or else the static will ruin your listening experience. This is no gig on the cans, it is a gig on the recording methods. So you may not be able to enjoy your favorite pieces unless you find a flawless version of it. I would say about 90% of my classical collection is adversely effected by the poor recordings and are thus rendered unlistenable with these cans ability to reveal every flaw. Hate it or Love it (50 Cent - G UNIT version) - I love this song. And you can't do a current headphone review without including a hip-hop song. So why not pick my favorite? A good set of hip-hop cans will get your head bobbing and your fingers snapping. You won't even realize you are doing this. It's why hip-hop is such a good genre of music for clubs. These headphones are almost too precise for hip-hop. I am so amazed by how great they sound, I find myself listening to the intricacies of every note that I don't find myself bobbing and weaving. If headphones can be too good for hip-hop, these are them. The precision distracts from the vibe that is so important to hip-hop. The same thing happened when I tried a few other hip-hop songs like Hot Revolver by Lil' Wayne, The Way I Are by Timbaland, and Diamonds from Sierra Leone by Kanye West. Maybe over time I will get used to the precision and won't get distracted, but presently, I'm not sure I'd choose these headphones for hip-hop. Stereo Hearts by Gym Class Heroes and Without You by David Guetta don't suffer the same fate. These songs don't rely on bass as much as the other songs. And as such, they are fantastic for listening to with these cans. But these two songs aren't so much as hip-hop. They are more dance-pop songs. There are so many other songs I'd like to cover like Sweet Child o' Mine, Crazy Train, any live Clapton, anything David Bowie, Al Green, Marvin Gaye, Marley's Redemption Song, Journey, Annie Lennox, Foo Fighters, Collective Soul, Linkin Park and so many more. But I think I'll let you discover that for yourselves. I have never listened to a set of headphones that rival these. I've always leaned towards precision from my Hi-Fi equipment. Maybe it's because I grew up playing instruments growing up, but I love hearing the instruments and voices in all their flawed glory. I love hearing a break in a voice, the strum of an acoustic, and the clatter of a hi-hat. These cans are truly for the sound-purist. What an amazing bargain at ~$200. Imagine what they will sound after 300 hours? I know...I can't wait to find out. If you want to find out more about these headphones, post a comment and I'll be sure to reply.

Amazing product. Meets all my needs. And is mega comfortable.

Uso queste Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro 250 Ohm insieme alla mia Audient iD4 MK2 e al microfono Rode PodMic XLR, e si sono rivelate un’ottima scelta. Il suono è molto aperto e dettagliato: bassi equilibrati, medi chiari e alti brillanti (a volte un po’ spinti, ma facilmente gestibili con una leggera equalizzazione). La scena sonora è ampia e precisa, perfetta per ascolto critico, editing audio e musica. Il comfort è eccellente: i pad in velluto sono morbidi e non scaldano, e la costruzione è solida come ci si aspetta da Beyerdynamic. Con la iD4 MK2 vengono pilotate senza problemi: la scheda ha abbastanza potenza per farle rendere molto bene.

Ho scelto le DT 990 Pro perché cercavo cuffie cablate di alta qualità per mixaggio, mastering e lavoro di editing audio, con un suono dettagliato e un comfort adatto a lunghe sessioni. Prima impressione Appena tolte dalla scatola, le cuffie trasmettono subito solidità e qualità costruttiva. Il design over-ear è comodo e avvolgente, con padiglioni morbidi e fascia regolabile che permette di trovare facilmente la giusta calzata. Il cavo singolo e la connettività cablata danno una sensazione di affidabilità professionale. Uso nella vita quotidiana Le utilizzo principalmente per mixaggio e ascolto critico in studio. Il suono aperto e dettagliato aiuta a percepire sfumature, bilanciamenti e frequenze basse, medie e alte in modo chiaro. Anche dopo ore di lavoro, i padiglioni rimangono comodi e non affaticano le orecchie. La resistenza di 250 Ohm richiede una buona scheda audio o amplificatore, ma in cambio si ottiene un suono molto preciso e neutro. Cosa funziona bene Suono dettagliato e preciso, ottimo per studio, mix e mastering. Comfort elevato grazie ai padiglioni morbidi e fascia regolabile. Design cablato robusto e affidabile. Costruzione di qualità “Made in Germany”. Adatte a lunghe sessioni senza affaticamento. Cosa convince meno Impedenza di 250 Ohm richiede un amplificatore adeguato per ottenere volume ottimale. Suono aperto: non isolano molto dai rumori esterni. Cavo singolo lungo, ingombrante se non gestito bene sulla scrivania. Conclusione Le beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro sono cuffie professionali perfette per chi lavora in studio e cerca precisione sonora e comfort. Ideali per mixaggio, mastering e editing, offrono un suono neutro e dettagliato, pur richiedendo attrezzatura adeguata per sfruttarne al meglio le potenzialità.

Okay so I started researching headphones a while ago and being new to the whole "how much for those cans??!!" market, I was sceptical of how much of a difference they would make and nervous about which ones to get. Short review line is, these are excellent. Job done, you can go now. Not satisfied? Well I've tested them out against my 5.1 Logitech z906 speakers which are running on an optical connection (worth noting that the DT990s are running from a Creative Labs G5 dac). In games the bass on the headphones is incredible. Cannon fire in World of Warships woke me up and not because it was loud but just because I'd never heard such a boom before. I've also been testing this on music (not an audiophile so bear with me here) and having just ran Masterchef Synesthesiaby by Swede Mason through both, one after the other, the sound was distinctive. I get why people say these cans aren't for bass heads after this test, not that it's from a lack of bass on the cans but because it's airy. The speakers delivered a wall of sound which I felt as much as heard and the result was the bass was powerful but messy. I couldn't tell one bass line from another. With the DT990s I can tell which bass line is doing what without any effort whatsoever but it doesn't assault my head with a rumble designed to make soup of my brain (that's both an advantage and a disadvantage in my book). I can say however that the bass isn't lacking. Spread Your Love doesn't have quite the dirty bass I'm used to. Keine Lust comes through nice and punchy (as I've just found out, ensure you have that dac set to direct audio or you're wasting the potential of these cans) but unlike most headphones, iems and speakers I've tried this track on, I can separate the guitars perfectly, even in the busy chorus. Now, for build quality, these feel excellent. I've broken many headsets in my time and the only ones to last have been a pair of Sennheiser PC323Ds which these DT990s are replacing. I've got confidence that these cans will last a good long while. They're solid and feel like they're going to be heavy but really aren't when they're on your head. As for fit, I have an inordinately large cranium (stop giggling!) and they fit fine. Firm clamping force fresh out of the box. Nothing uncomfortable. Does feel a little warm around my head but I'm more of a cold weather guy and it's been up to 26c in front of my pc the last couple of nights so I'm putting it down to that. Accessories wise, you get the necessary and no more. The jack adaptor seems robust and well made (the threads on the screw joint into the 3.5mm work fine, which is usually the test of a decent engineer), the bag is nothing special and there's nothing else in the box. If you like rock music from System of a Down to AC/DC and Queen Adreena, I'd say you can buy with confidence. As a parting note, I'm listening to Midlife Crysis by Faith no More as I write this and not only am I finding new pieces of the music that I can enjoy, the bass is there like I've never heard before. It's no longer a background of continual growl without much rhythm but specific notes! I am very impressed with these cans (as you can probably tell). Now all I'm left wondering at is what you'd get for the £2k cans and above? If this is the lower end of the range then call me a philistine and leave me happy here.

Je possède de DT 990 Pro 250 ohms (et non 32 comme décrit dans l'annonce). Et OUI IL FONCTIONNE SANS CARTE SON !! J'ai tellement cherché cette information sans réelle réponse, que je fais un commentaire pour vous dire ce qu'il en est !! La version 250 ohms fonctionne très bien sur iPad, et également directement branché sur une carte son intégrée d'un ordinateur. Certains voudront pousser le son un peu plus fort cependant. En effet, la puissance que demande ce casque nous demande de mettre le son à 100%. Mais si vous n'avez pas de carte son, vous pouvez toujours prendre ce casque et attendre quelques jours/semaines avant de prendre une carte son. Il fonctionne très bien branché en direct sur vos périphériques. --------------------- Le son est tout bonnement excellent ! C'est la première fois que je ne ressens pas le besoin de changer l'égalisateur !! Les graves sont bien présents (oui oui, il y a beaucoup de graves sur ce casque ouvert) mais pas non plus envahissants ! Le sont est superbement équilibré, les aigues et les médiums bien réparti, aucune fréquence ne prend le dessus sur l'autre ! --------------------- Très bon confort d'écoute, il est léger, du moment qu'on arrive à caller le câble pour qu'il ne tire pas sur les oreilles. Il ne sert pas trop la tête, ne donne pas ce ressenti de cocotte-minute qu'on retrouve avec un casque fermé. Très très bon choix, je recommande ce casque !! Rapport qualité/prix imbattable !