Beyerdynamic Custom Studio

Many a sound professional will tell you it’s frowned upon, if not unofficially forbidden, to mix exclusively from underneath a pair of headphones. However, you’ll often hear the results of a musician who has done exactly that, with a distinct quality to something mixed in the moment with gear still on head. In a typical listening context, the audio impressions from speakers in the immediate vicinity or mid-ground are usually differentiated via different headphones, ranking between more neutral playback and audio with a proper boom to it. With Custom Studio, however, you’ve a pair of headphones that will help you do away with unnecessary additional pairs. With these, you’ve the typically pleasant Beyerdynamic sound, with plenty of room for enhancing your new kit to specific requirements.

Aesthetics & Feel

In terms of handling and design, these Custom Studio headphones definitely meet the high benchmark laid out by Beyerdynamic with the DT-770 and DT-990 models. Construction here is largely similar, with the wearing comfort also a clear focus for the manufacturer, once again. If you’ve responded positively to the two Beyer models mentioned previously, the touch and finish of these Custom Studio cans will tick all the right boxes for you. The earpieces enclose around the ears themselves, while a recessed headband allows for incremental adjustments for a great fit. A practical feature here is the inclusion of a spiral cable, which clearly identifies the correct left side of the headphones after connection, saving you the hassle of putting them on the wrong way round for a disappointing debut to a new playlist. The L/R indication displayed on the headphones themselves is very difficult to see by eye unless you’re really looking for it. The problem here is black embossing on a black plastic body doesn’t make for the most eye-catching font in the world. Overall, the Comfort Studio is comfortable to wear, even for longer listening sessions. However, despite some reassuring similarities to them, it doesn’t quite inch to the heights of the DT models outlined earlier.

Sound Character & Imaging

Where the Custom Studio does come first, at least in unveiling the feature, is by boasting mechanical bass response functionality. This feature can be adjusted via a switch found at each earpiece, with levels ranging from slight adjustments to the original sound, through three different bass response ports that span from a more linear approach to something with plenty of power at its core. For genuine audiophiles, this acoustic circuit is an extremely effective way for the listener to make quick and precise judgements on music. It’s particularly handy for use in the club, where having two hands working independently is an essential attribute. The Custom Series never loses its central sound, even in extreme listening scenarios. Instead, these headphones produce a sound that takes on new aspects alongside its central character.
The solid stereo imaging is also not too pronounced. You won’t be able to get a really insightful impression of what went on in the original recording of any piece playing through these headphones but you’ll be able to clearly categorise various sound elements with ease. What’s more, that handy bass response system is sure to present you with a host of new possibilities when it comes to sound testing.

Potential Applications

As you’d expect from a name like Beyerdynamic, these headphones are tailored toward sound studio applications and professional conditions. On the one hand, this could mean something as straightforward as monitoring at the mixing desk, while the recording musician performs live in a separate room. However, the external noise dampening capability of these headphones is not sufficient enough to tune out louder noises. If you’re recording as or with a drummer, for example, you’ll want something with much more impressive sound damping specs.