Audio-Technica ATH-M50x vs Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO

Which Headphones Are Better?

Products

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO

Tested using Methodology v2.1

Updated Mar 09, 2026 07:52 PM

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Tested using Methodology v2.0

Updated Mar 05, 2026 08:52 PM

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  1. Recommended in 2 articles:
  2. Brands
  3. Audio-Technica

Our Verdict

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO

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. 

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Variants

  • ATH-M50x (Black)
  • ATH-M50x (Gray)
  • DT 990 PRO (Black)
  • DT 990 PRO (Grey)

Check Price

Black
ATH-M50x
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
DT 990 PRO
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Amazon.com
Gray
ATH-M50x
Amazon.com
Grey
DT 990 PRO
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Amazon.com
Metallic Orange
ATH-M50x
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Amazon.com
 
White
ATH-M50x
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Main Differences for
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Full Comparison

Sound

Sound Profile 
 

Sound Profile  

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Sound Profile Sample

SAMPLE

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Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Sound Profile Sample

SAMPLE

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Normalization Frequency 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

Bass Amount 
 

Locked
Locked

Treble Amount 
 

Locked
Locked

Sound Signature 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Frequency Response Consistency 
 

N/A
N/A

Consistency L  

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

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Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

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Consistency R  

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

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Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Consistency R Sample

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Std. Deviation 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Raw Frequency Response 
 

Raw FR L  

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

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Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Raw FR L Sample

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Raw FR R  

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

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Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

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Bass Profile: Target Compliance 
 

N/A
N/A

Bass Profile: Target Compliance  

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Bass Profile: Target Compliance Sample

SAMPLE

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Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Bass Profile: Target Compliance Sample

SAMPLE

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RMS Deviation From Target 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

Low Bass 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Mid Bass 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

High Bass 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance 
 

N/A
N/A

Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance  

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance Sample

SAMPLE

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Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance Sample

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RMS Deviation From Target 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low Mid 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Mid-Mid 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

High Mid 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Treble Profile: Target Compliance 
 

N/A
N/A

Treble Profile: Target Compliance  

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Treble Profile: Target Compliance Sample

SAMPLE

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Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Treble Profile: Target Compliance Sample

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RMS Deviation From Target 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low Treble 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Mid Treble 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

High Treble 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Peaks/Dips 
 

N/A
N/A

Peaks/Dips Graph 
 

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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Peaks 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Dips 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Stereo Mismatch 
 

N/A
N/A

Frequency Response Mismatch  

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Frequency Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

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Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Frequency Response Mismatch Sample

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Phase Response Mismatch  

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Phase Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

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Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Phase Response Mismatch Sample

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Weighted Amplitude Mismatch 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Weighted Frequency Response Mismatch 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Weighted Phase Mismatch 
 

Lock°
Lock°
Show Text 

Group Delay 
 

N/A
N/A

Group Delay  

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Group Delay Sample

SAMPLE

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Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Group Delay Sample

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Weighted Group Delay 
 

Lock ms
Show Text 

Cumulative Spectral Decay 
 

CSD  

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x CSD Sample

SAMPLE

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Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO CSD Sample

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PRTF 
 

N/A
N/A

PRTF  

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

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Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO PRTF Sample

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PRTF Accuracy (RMS Deviation) 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

PRTF Size (Avg.) 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

PRTF Distance 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Harmonic Distortion 
 

N/A
N/A

Harmonics Levels  

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Harmonics Levels Sample

SAMPLE

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Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Harmonics Levels Sample

SAMPLE

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THD Ratio  

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x THD Ratio Sample

SAMPLE

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Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO THD Ratio Sample

SAMPLE

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WHD @ 94 dB SPL 
 

Lock%
Lock%

WHD @ 104 dB SPL 
 

Lock%
Lock%
Show Text 

Electrical Aspects 
 

Impedance  

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Impedance Sample

SAMPLE

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Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Impedance Sample

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Sensitivity @1kHz-1V 
 

Lock dB SPL
Lock dB SPL

Bluetooth Max SPL 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Virtual Soundstage 
 

N/A
N/A

Virtual Soundstage  

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Virtual Soundstage Sample

SAMPLE

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Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Virtual Soundstage Sample

SAMPLE

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Head Modeling 
 

Locked
Locked

Speaker Modeling 
 

Locked
Locked

Room Ambience 
 

Locked
Locked

Head Tracking 
 

Locked
Locked

Virtual Surround 
 

Locked
Locked

Test Settings 
 

Firmware 
 

Locked
Locked

Power 
 

Locked
Locked

Connection 
 

Locked
Locked

Codec 
 

Locked
Locked

Test Instrument  

Locked
Locked

EQ 
 

Locked
Locked

ANC 
 

Locked
Locked

Tip/Pad 
 

Locked
Locked

Microphone 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 
Design

Style  

Design Picture 2  

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

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Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Design Picture 2 Sample

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Type  

Locked
Locked

Enclosure  

Locked
Locked

Wireless  

Locked
Locked

Transducer  

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Comfort 
 

N/A
N/A

Comfort Picture  

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Weight  

Lock lbs
Lock lbs

Clamping Force 
 

Lock lbs
Lock lbs
Show Text 

Controls 
 

N/A
N/A

Controls Picture  

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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OS Compatibility 
 

Locked
Locked

Ease Of Use  

Locked
Locked

Feedback  

Locked
Locked

Call/Music Control  

Locked
Locked

Volume Control  

Locked
Locked

Microphone Control  

Locked
Locked

Channel Mixing 
 

Locked
Locked

Noise Cancelling Control  

Locked
Locked

Talk-Through 
 

Locked
Locked

Additional Controls  

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Portability 
 

N/A
N/A

Portability Picture  

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

 

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

 

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Volume  

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)
Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Transmitter Required  

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Case 
 

N/A
N/A

Case Picture  

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Type  

Locked
Locked

 

N/A
N/A

 

N/A
N/A

 

N/A
N/A

Volume  

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

N/A
N/A

Build Quality Picture  

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Build Quality Picture Sample

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Show Text 

Stability 
 

N/A
N/A

Stability Picture  

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Stability Picture Sample

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Show Text 

Headshots 1  

Angled Picture  

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Side Picture  

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Side Picture Sample

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Headshots 2  

Front Picture  

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Rear Picture  

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Top  

Top Picture  

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Top Picture Sample

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In The Box  

In The Box Picture  

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO In The Box Picture Sample

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Show Text 
Isolation

Noise Isolation - Full Range 
 

N/A
N/A

Noise Isolation - Full Range Graph  

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Noise Isolation - Full Range Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Noise Isolation - Full Range Graph Sample

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Noise Cancelling  

Locked
Locked

Overall Attenuation 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Bass 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Mid 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Treble 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios 
 

N/A
N/A

Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios Graph  

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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Airplane Noise Attenuation 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Airplane Noise Isolation Audio 
 

Office Noise Attenuation 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Office Noise Isolation Audio 
 

Street Noise Attenuation 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Street Noise Isolation Audio 
 

Show Text 

Noise Isolation - Voice Handling 
 

Female Voice 1 
 

Male Voice 1 
 

Female Voice 2 
 

Male Voice 2 
 

ANC Wind Handling 
 

ANC Wind Handling Graph  

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x ANC Wind Handling Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO ANC Wind Handling Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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ANC Wind Noise 
 

Leakage 
 

N/A
N/A

Leakage  

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

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Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Leakage Sample

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Leakage Audio 
 

Overall Leakage @ 1ft 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 
Microphone

Microphone Style 
 

Integrated 
 

Locked
Locked

In-Line 
 

Locked
Locked

Boom 
 

Locked
Locked

Detachable Boom 
 

Locked
Locked

Mic  

Locked
Locked

Recording Quality 
 

N/A
N/A

Microphone Frequency Response  

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Microphone Frequency Response Sample

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Recorded Speech 
 

LFE 
 

N/A
N/A

FR Std. Dev. 
 

N/A
N/A

HFE 
 

N/A
N/A

Weighted THD 
 

N/A
N/A

Gain 
 

N/A
N/A

Noise Handling 
 

N/A
N/A

SpNR  

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

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Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

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SpNR 
 

N/A
N/A

Noise Gate 
 

N/A
Locked

Speech + Pink Noise Handling 
 

N/A
N/A

Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample  

Speech + Subway Noise Handling 
 

N/A
N/A

Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample  

Active Features

Battery 
 

N/A
N/A

Battery Type 
 

Locked
Locked

Continuous Battery Life 
 

N/A
N/A

Additional Charges 
 

N/A
N/A

Total Battery Life 
 

N/A
N/A

Charge Time 
 

N/A
N/A

Power-Saving Feature 
 

Locked
Locked

Audio While Charging 
 

Locked
Locked

Passive Playback 
 

Locked
Locked

Charging Port  

Locked
Locked

App Support 
 

N/A
N/A

App Picture  

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO App Picture Sample

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App Name  

Locked
Locked

iOS  

Locked
Locked

Android  

Locked
Locked

macOS  

Locked
Locked

Windows  

Locked
Locked

Equalizer 
 

Locked
Locked

ANC Control 
 

Locked
Locked

Mic Control  

Locked
Locked

Room Effects 
 

Locked
Locked

Playback Control 
 

Locked
Locked

Button Mapping  

Locked
Locked

Surround Support 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 
Connectivity

Wired Connection 
 

N/A
N/A

Cable Picture  

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Analog Audio 
 

Locked
Locked

USB Audio 
 

Locked
Locked

Detachable 
 

Locked
Locked

Length 
 

Lock ft (Lock m)
Lock ft (Lock m)

Connector 
 

Locked
Locked

Latency - Analog 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms

Latency - USB 
 

N/A
N/A

Recorded Latency 
 

Recorded Latency Connection  

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Bluetooth Connection 
 

N/A
N/A

Bluetooth Version 
 

Locked
Locked

Multi-Device Pairing 
 

Locked
Locked

Quick Pair (Android) 
 

Locked
Locked

Quick Pair (iOS) 
 

Locked
Locked

Line Of Sight Range 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency - SBC 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency - aptX 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency - aptX Adaptive (High Quality) 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency - aptX Adaptive (Low Latency) 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency - LDAC 
 

N/A
N/A

Recorded Latency 
 

Recorded Latency Codec  

Locked
Locked

AAC Support 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Wireless Connection (Dongle) 
 

N/A
N/A

Line Of Sight Range 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency - Dongle 
 

N/A
N/A

Recorded Latency 
 

PC Compatibility 
 

Analog 
 

Locked
Locked

Wired USB 
 

Locked
Locked

Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

PlayStation Compatibility 
 

PS4 Analog 
 

Locked
Locked

PS4 Wired USB 
 

Locked
Locked

PS4 Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked

PS5 Analog 
 

Locked
Locked

PS5 Wired USB 
 

Locked
Locked

PS5 Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Xbox Compatibility 
 

Xbox One Analog 
 

Locked
Locked

Xbox One Wired USB 
 

Locked
Locked

Xbox One Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked

Xbox Series X|S Analog 
 

Locked
Locked

Xbox Series X|S Wired USB 
 

Locked
Locked

Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Base/Dock 
 

N/A
N/A

Type 
 

Locked
Locked

USB Input 
 

Locked
Locked

Line In 
 

Locked
Locked

Line Out 
 

Locked
Locked

Optical Input 
 

Locked
Locked

RCA Input 
 

Locked
Locked

Dock Charging 
 

Locked
Locked

Power Supply 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Check Price

Black
ATH-M50x
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
DT 990 PRO
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Gray
ATH-M50x
Amazon.com
Grey
DT 990 PRO
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Metallic Orange
ATH-M50x
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
White
ATH-M50x
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO

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  1. Comparison

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x vs Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO: Main Discussion

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