There aren’t that many headphones that have what it takes to become a classic.
While the Sennheiser HD 25, which has been available for over 30 years, is considered the DJ headphone classic par excellence, the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro has achieved this honour in the studio sector.
Shortly after its first release in the 1980s, the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro established itself as one of the most popular headphones for musicians and producers. With an extremely balanced and convincing reproduction in the upper mids and highs, a very good localisation as well as the high spatial and finely resolved reproduction, the DT 770 Pro set a new standard for studio headphones and is still considered a benchmark today.
For me, the DT 770 PRO is the headphone equivalent of the Yamaha NS-10 speakers. Everyone knows what they sound like, they are an absolute reference and you can rely on them wherever you are. With the difference that, unlike the NS-10, the DT 770 PRO also sounds good. ?“
Pascal “Kalli” Reinhardt, songwriter and music producer (source: beyerdynamic.de)
The following five facts show what made the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro headphones so popular. Whether professional or amateur, there is something new in these facts for everyone:
1. What does DT mean? Origin and development of the 770 Pro
The first Beyerdynamic headphones saw the light of day in 1937 and went by the name of “DT 48”. It was the first dynamic headphone from the Heilbronn-based company. The “DT” stands for “dynamic telephone”.
The DT 770 was originally developed for hi-fi and music lovers, but professional sound engineers quickly discovered the advantages of these headphones. And so Beyerdynamic decided to revise the hi-fi version and replace the original plastic headband with a robust construction made of spring steel and aluminium, which ultimately contributed to the creation of the PRO version.
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 80 Ohm
Closed top-of-the-range headphones for studio use.
2. Made by hand?
How many audio devices are still made by hand these days? In fact, many parts of the DT 770 Pro are manufactured and assembled by hand in Germany. Beyerdynamic is convinced that this approach offers better quality, longevity and precise workmanship.
In addition to the manual quality check, this production also helps in the area of sustainability. Fewer machines and less energy are needed for production, the headphones last longer and the environment is also protected.
3. Sustainable: repair and customisation
Many headphones, especially cheap ones, are designed for disposable use. The housings are often glued instead of screwed together, which makes repair almost impossible. As a company, you naturally benefit if the same product has to be replaced by buyers.
The DT 770 Pro, on the other hand, practically invites repair. Almost all components of the modular headphones, including the cable, the ear pads and even the drivers, can be easily replaced. The spare parts are offered by Beyerdynamic. This not only ensures long-term and cost-efficient use, but also sustainable use.
In addition, individual parts, such as the ear and head pads or the cable, can be replaced according to personal preference. This means that you can put together the ideal comfortable headphones yourself.
4. Celebrity examples: These stars use the 770 Pro
After its release in 1985, the headphones became very popular with numerous artists. They scored particularly well in production, monitoring and mixing. Thanks to its versatility, the DT 770 Pro is also used in film production, scientific studies, sound therapy, podcasts and gaming.
Due to its popularity, it is no surprise that the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro is used by numerous celebrities. From legends like Paul McCartney and Roger Waters to current stars like Taylor Swift, Rihanna and Justin Bieber, the headphones can be found in studios.
Famous rappers such as Tupac and Lil Wayne as well as DJs Martin Garrix, Hardwell and DJ R3hab have also used the headphones. Some of these examples use the headphones for recording, others for live performances; the DT 770 Pro is suitable for both. The cross-genre use of the same headphones once again emphasises their strong versatility.
5. Remaining true to its roots
Since the DT 770 Pro first appeared on the market in 1985, it has been regularly revised and improved. These headphones are also available with different impedances so that they can be perfectly integrated into any scenario (to the guide: “What does impedance mean?”). After all, headphones have to adapt to developments and innovations in the industry.
However, the original design has hardly ever been changed. “If it’s not broken, you don’t have to fix it.” Following this motto, Beyerdynamic has created a timeless design that has led the way in comfort and appearance for decades.
The promise to assemble the individual parts by hand has also been maintained since the 80s and nothing is set to change in the near future. Through traditional production despite technical innovation, the headphones have established themselves as a recognisable classic.
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