Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Headphones Review

The Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO and the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x are designed with different use cases and preferences in mind. The Beyerdynamic are better-built and feel sturdier thanks to their metal frame. Their open-back design gives them a wider, more immersive soundstage, at the expense of leaking more audio. On the other hand, if you need headphones that provide some passive noise isolation or if you like to listen to listen to music where basslines and kicks are prominent, like techno and house, the Beyerdynamic are a safer choice. 

The Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO and the AKG K702 are both great headphones for audiophiles and have very little difference in performance. Sound-wise, the AKG 's bass doesn't extend as low when compared to the Beyerdynamic. On the other hand, the AKG don't feel as tight on the head as the Beyerdynamic, which is more comfortable for long listening sessions. However, the AKG don’t feel as durable since they lack a full metal frame like the Beyerdynamic. The AKG also have a more open, immersive soundstage, and they come with a very long and detachable cable while the Beyerdynamic have a short, coiled cable.

The Sennheiser HD 650 and the Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO are both very good open-back headphones for neutral sound. While the Beyerdynamic have better bass extension, they also sound a bit sharp and piercing in the treble range. The Sennheiser have a smoother sound, with less sharpness in the treble but can't deliver as much bass as the Beyerdynamic. That said the Beyerdynamic are slightly better-built, while the Sennheiser have a weak point in their construction between the earcups and the metal frame. 

The HiFiMan Sundara 2020 are better for neutral sound than the Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO. Both pairs have balanced sound profiles, but the HiFiMan are more comfortable. They also have a much better passive soundstage performance and deliver audio more consistently. However, the Beyerdynamic are better-built, more breathable, and have a pouch that protects the headphones from minor scratches and splashes.

The Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO and the Sennheiser HD 6XX are both open-back headphones that are well suited for audiophile use. The Sennheiser have a more consistent audio delivery and a wider, more immersive soundstage.  However, the Beyerdynamic are more comfortable and better-built, and they also come with a pouch to help protect the headphones. Both headphones lack low-bass and have very detailed mid-range reproduction, which is common among open-back headphones, but they differ in their treble range reproduction. The Sennheiser feature slightly recessed highs that can darken sibilants, whereas the Beyerdynamic are the inverse; with a brighter mid-treble reproduction that can make sibilants sound bright. 

The Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO and the Sennheiser HD 599 are both great headphones for audiophile use. The HD 599 are more comfortable for long listening sessions, while the DT 990 PRO are noticeably better-built and feel more durable, but have a tighter fit. Also, while both their sound profiles are very similar, the HD 599 may sound slightly more open than the DT 990 PRO. The DT 990 PRO come with a non-detachable coiled cable while the HD 599 come with two thin and detachable audio cables.

The Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO and the Philips SHP9500 are both very good audiophile headphones if you like a balanced sound, but they have different sound profiles. The Beyerdynamic reproduce more bass, but their treble response sounds fairly sharp and even piercing to some people. The Philips have a significant bass roll-off, but their treble is much better balanced, and they have a more natural-seeming soundstage. They're also less fatiguing to wear for long listening sessions since they fit less tightly than the Beyerdynamic.

The Sennheiser HD 660 S and the Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO are over-ear headphones that deliver a balanced sound. Both headphones feature a slightly tilted bass response, with an overemphasis in the high-bass that helps compensate for the lack of low-bass; something that's commonly seen with open-backs. While both have balanced mid-ranges that help bring out the detail in vocals, the Beyerdynamic have a slight peak in the low-the mid-treble that can add sharpness to sibilants, whereas the Sennheiser sound more veiled in this range. The Beyerdynamic are more comfortable and better built though, which makes them better suited to extended use. 

The Sennheiser HD 58X Jubilee and the Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO are two very good audiophile open-back headphones with similar frequency responses. Both feature a slightly tilted bass response and flat mids. That said the Sennheiser lack the Beyerdynamic's peak in the treble response that can render sibilants in a harsh way. The Beyerdynamic will be a better option if you care more about comfort and build quality though. 

The Astro A40 TR Headset + MixAmp Pro 2019 are better for gaming than the Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO. The Astro are more comfortable and have companion software that offers sound customization features, though some users have reported issues using it. They also have a mic with a great performance and a better passive soundstage. On the other hand, the Beyerdynamic have a less recessed treble response that can err on being overly bright. This can play to your advantage for certain applications though, like mixing or audio editing. 

The Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO and the SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC each provide better value for different purposes. The SteelSeries are wired gaming headphones that come with a powerful microphone and lots of customization options. The Beyerdynamic are studio headphones designed for mixing and mastering; however, they can be a viable option for gamers who don’t need a mic thanks to their comfortable fit and well-balanced, immersive sound.

The Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO have a more detailed sound and a more immersive, wide soundstage than the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO, thanks to their open-back design.  That said, the DT 990 PRO feature a more prominent bass response that's well-suited to bass-centric genres like EDM and hip-hop. They also leak less audio. Both headphones are similarly built and are comfortable; choosing between them really comes down to whether you're in the market for open-back or closed-back headphones. 

The Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO are the more premium version of the Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO. The main differences are that the DT 1990 PRO come with an extra pair of ear pads and another audio cable, which makes them more durable. They also come with a hard, but very bulky, case to protect the headphones. The DT 1990 PRO have a more prominent bass response and better bass extension than the DT 990 PRO. They have a much sharper and piercing treble though. On the upside, their passive soundstage feels wider and more immersive.

The Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO and the Beyerdynamic DT 880 PRO are both very good headphones for critical listening, but they have different sound profiles. Both headphones have a bright and clear treble. However, the DT 880 lack bass compared to the DT 990 PRO, which pack a stronger punch. This makes the DT 880 sound brighter compared to the DT 990, which can sound more balanced overall. Both headphones also sound rather sharp, but the intensity depends on how sensitive you are to the higher frequencies.

The Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO and the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro are both open-back over-ears designed for analytical listening in the studio. While both headphones have a similarly open-sounding soundstage, the Sennheiser deliver your audio more consistently. They're also more comfortable, and you can choose between the two sets of pads provided to alter the sound profile, depending on the task at hand. The Beyerdynamic are better built though, with more metal involved in their construction. 

The Sennheiser HD 800 S are better audiophile headphones than the Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO, although they require quite an investment. With the right setup, the Sennheiser have a remarkably well-balanced sound signature with a spacious, natural soundstage adhering to our target curve well. To get the most out of them, you'll want to consider adding an amp. The Beyerdynamic don't sound quite as immersive, but they can produce more bass and come at a more wallet-friendly price. 

The AKG K712 PRO are slightly better open-back headphones overall than the Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO. The AKG are more comfortable, have a much wider soundstage, and deliver audio more consistently. While the two are a similar frequency response, that lacks low-bass but features detailed mids, the AKG have a wider, more immersive soundstage. 

While the Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO and the Drop + Sennheiser/EPOS PC38X are both great choices for neutral sound, the Drop are a better choice for wired gaming. The Drop have a boom mic to record your voice clearly, even in moderately noisy environments. They're also more comfortable and have a mic as well as volume controls. However, the Beyerdynamic are better built. 

The Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO and the HyperX Cloud Alpha are designed with different uses in mind: the Beyerdynamic for analytical listening in the studio and the HyperX for gaming. That said, if you don't need a microphone, the DT 990 PRO can be a viable option for wired gaming thanks to their well-balanced sound profile. The Cloud Alpha have better padding for long gaming sessions, but they lack detail and brightness in the treble range, and some people find the closed-back design more fatiguing to wear over time.

The Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO and the Sony MDR-MV1 are evenly matched open-backs, so you may enjoy either, depending on your preferences. The Beyerdynamic are better-built and have a less harsh treble range. Conversely, the Sony are more comfortable and have a wider soundstage.

The Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO and the Philips SHP9600 are both open-back headphones that are good for neutral sound, and depending on your listening habits, you may prefer one over the other. Both have balanced sound profiles with a bit of extra punch in the bass range, but the Beyerdynamic's bass is more extended. The Beyerdynamic are also better-built and have a more stable fit. That said, the Philips are more comfortable, and their audio delivery is more consistent.

The Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO and the Audeze MM-100 are both wired, open-back audiophile headphones with slightly different strengths. The Audeze are better built using more premium materials, and their planar magnetic drivers help them create a more spacious, immersive soundstage. While both headphones have relatively neutral sound profiles, the Beyerdynamic have a more prominent bass that's more in line with our target. That said, the Beyerdynamic's slightly overemphasized treble can be fatiguing to listen to over long periods, which is less of an issue with the Audeze due to their veiled treble response.

The Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO are slightly better headphones than the Sennheiser HD 598. They are noticeably better-built headphones and feel sturdier. They also don’t lack sub-bass like the Sennheiser do. However, they might sound a bit sharp for some and are a bit tight on the head. Also, the Sennheiser are more comfortable for long listening sessions, thanks to the nice padding and large cups. We’ve also measured that they were more open-sounding than the Beyerdynamic.

The Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO aren't designed specifically for gaming like the Corsair VIRTUOSO PRO are, but they're still a good choice for wired gaming. They're comfortable and more sturdily built than the Corsair and offer a lower bass extension. However, if you need a microphone to communicate with your teammates, you'll want to opt for the Corsair and their high-quality microphone. The Corsair also have a wider, more immersive soundstage. That said, if you prefer the sound profile of the Beyerdynamic but need to use a mic, you can always pick up a standalone microphone to pair it with.

The Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO and the HiFiMan HE-400i are both good headphones if you like a neutral sound. The HiFiMan have less bass, but they also sound less piercing. They have a much more immersive soundstage as well. However, they feel a lot less durable, and there have been many reports of issues with their build quality. The Beyerdynamic feel much better-built, although their tight fit is less comfortable.

The Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO and the Beats Solo Pro have different strengths, and you may prefer either one. The Beyerdynamic are over-ears designed for audiophiles. They're more comfortable and have a more immersive passive soundstage. However, the Beats are better for casual use. They have an ANC system and can significantly block out more background noise. They also have a wireless design and have an H1 chip, so you can pair them with other devices in your Apple ecosystem.

The Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO and the Astro A40 TR Headset + MixAmp Pro 2017 are two wired, over-ear headphones with very different uses. The Beyerdynamic are more suited for audiophiles, as they have a decently consistent frequency response and a more neutral sound profile. However, they don't have a microphone, controls, or companion software, so some may find them very limiting. The Astro, on the other hand, are gaming headphones that have controls so you can tweak your audio on the fly, they're slightly more comfortable, and their boom microphone does an excellent job of capturing your voice clearly, even in noisy environments. Even though they have a more inconsistent bass and treble delivery, they have companion software with a graphic EQ and presets that allow you to find the right sound for your needs. That said, some people have reported issues when trying to use the software.