The Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X are open-back headphones from the PRO X series. Unlike the Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO, they have STELLAR.45 drivers, which helps them reach high volumes without impacting sound quality or adding distortion, whether you're using an audio interface or your smartphone. Beyerdynamic tweaked their tuning too, resulting in a somewhat less bright sound than what fans have come to expect. As a result, their sound is well-balanced, with adequate warmth and boom. Vocals and lead instruments are also present but softened with rounded edges, while sibilants like hi-hats are bright but not piercing. Their passive soundstage is wide, spacious, and open, although they struggle to create a more out-of-head audio experience.
Our Verdict
The Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X are very good for neutral sound. They have a well-balanced sound profile, and although they lack low-bass, which is common for open-back headphones, they still deliver adequate warmth and boom. Vocals and lead instruments are also clear but a little veiled, while sibilants like cymbals are bright. These headphones also have a decent soundstage that feels wide, spacious, and open. However, the soundstage has trouble creating a more out-of-head experience.
- Comfortable and great build quality.
- Consistent audio delivery.
- Includes two audio cables and two 1/4" adapters.
- Passive soundstage struggles to create out-of-head feel.
The Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X are poor for commute and travel as this isn't their intended use. They don't block out any of the low rumble of bus or plane engines, they leak a lot of audio at high volumes, and they have a bulky design that can't fold to save space. They also don't have any controls, so you need to pull out your phone if you want to adjust the volume or play and pause audio. That said, they have a comfortable fit and have a great build quality.
- Comfortable and great build quality.
- Bad noise isolation.
- Lots of leakage at high volumes.
The Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X are disappointing for sports and fitness as they aren't designed for this. They're bulky, not very portable, and their audio cable could snag on something and pull them off your head. They can also shift places with moderate head movements, which can be annoying if you're doing a high-impact workout. They lack music-related controls, although this is very common for audiophile headphones.
- Comfortable and great build quality.
- Can move around your head with moderate movement.
- No controls.
The Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X are poor for office use. They're open-back headphones and don't block out any background noise and leak a lot of audio at high volumes, which can disrupt your coworkers. They also lack a mic and don't have any controls, so you can't play or pause audio without using your device. That said, if that's not a problem, they have a comfortable fit for long days at the office.
- Comfortable and great build quality.
- Bad noise isolation.
- Lots of leakage at high volumes.
The Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X are wired headphones, and you can't use them wirelessly.
The Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X are fair for wired gaming. They lack a microphone, so you can't speak with teammates unless you're also using a standalone mic. However, if you don't mind only receiving audio, they have a comfortable fit, and their wired design ensures virtually no latency. While they lack a thumpy low-bass, their mid-range is well-balanced and flat, so dialogue and instruments sound clear.
- Comfortable and great build quality.
- Consistent audio delivery.
- No mic.
- Lots of leakage at high volumes.
The Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X don't have a mic, and you can't use them for phone calls.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X come in one color variant: 'Black'; you can see our unit's label here. If you come across another variant of these headphones, please let us know in the discussion section below.
Popular Headphones Comparisons
The Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X, alongside the closed-back Beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X, make up the PRO X series, a range of headphones and standalone microphones designed with flexibility in mind. They use a different driver than other Beyerdynamic headphones called the STELLAR.45. The manufacturer advertises that this driver allows the headphones to reach higher volumes without impacting sound quality or adding distortion so that you can use them with your audio interface or smartphone. They're also tuned differently and have a slightly less analytical sound than the Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO. Vocals and lead instruments are present but a little veiled, while sibilants like hi-hats are bright without being piercing.
Check out our recommendations for the best audiophile headphones, the best headphones for music, and the best studio headphones.
The Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO and the Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X are similarly performing audiophile headphones with different strengths. While both headphones are comfortable and well-built, the PRO X have a different driver design that's advertised to reproduce loud sound without distortion, whether connected to an amp or a smartphone. They also have a wider and more out-of-head passive soundstage. However, the 990 PRO's mid and treble responses are more balanced, whereas the 900 PRO X features some dips in the low-mid and low-treble ranges that can impact their clarity. They 990 PRO use a coiled audio cable, but it isn't detachable.
While the Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X are open-back headphones and the Beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X are closed-back, they have similar sound profiles with slight differences due to design and function. You'll prefer the closed-back 700 PRO X for recording and monitoring as you get a deeper bass extension and more detail in the higher range. However, sibilants can be piercing and uncomfortable to listen to for a long time. The 900 PRO X, on the other hand, are built for critical listening and mixing. Their open-back design lets you mix channels more accurately thanks to their immersive soundstage, but you lose more low-bass. Additionally, both headphones have a sharp dip around 4kHz, which removes some detail from vocals and lead instruments.
You might prefer the HiFiMan Sundara 2020 or the Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X depending on your preferences. Both headphones have flat sound signatures. The HiFiMan are more comfortable fitting with a warmer treble. That said, the Beyerdynamic are better built and more stable fitting. They're brighter in the top-end, which you may like better, and they include more accessories, too.
The Philips Fidelio X2HR have a more subdued sound compared to the Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X. The Philips are more comfortable, and their passive soundstage seems more natural, open, and spacious. However, the Beyerdynamic are better built and have a slightly bassier sound.
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