Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro

What’s Included?

As you’d rightly expect from headphones occupying this price range, Beyerdynamic package the DT 1990 Pro with a range of premium accessories. For starters, there’s the superb carrying case, along with a second pair of ear pads that the manufacturer describes as an “analytical” alternative to ensure neutral listening pleasure. The already attached “Balanced” ear pads on the other hand, give the bass a slight lift. For our test review, we chose the latter ear cushion variant. This was simply due to the fact it represents the hardware as it arrives, right out of the box. Also included are two cables: one straight measuring 3 metres in length, plus a 5-metre long spiral cable. Two gold-plated jack adapters in 6.35 mm and 3.55 mm are also thrown in for good measure. That’s plenty to get excited about.

Appearance and Finish

The design of these premium Beyerdynamic headphones showcases the signatures of the manufacturer’s studio line. Expect velour cushioning, robust retaining brackets, padded headbands and slick ribbed accents as standard. All of this is delivered in a pared-back black-grey colour that adds an elegant layer of subtly to the finished product. The highest levels of workmanship have also been maintained in the construction of these headphones, giving you plenty of reassurance that these will serve you well for a long time to come. Hard-wearing metals and robust form make an instant impression. Finally, the printed serial number serves to underline the exceptional level of care and attention that’s gone into making the DT 1990 Pro.

Handling

Although they have a relatively bulky weight, these headphones feel fantastic on and are an ideal choice for those seeking fatigue-free listening. A lot of this comfort and wearability is down to the velour ear cushions, which have proven a staple of the best Beyerdynamic headphone models for years now. Even the relatively high level of contact pressure doesn’t bother or intrude on listening enjoyment thanks to the cushioning influence of the ear pads, instead simply serving to provide a secure fit. Exchangeable cables are securely attached via the use of mini XLR plugs, with added restraint protection for maximum convenience. The headband can be adjusted, but be warned, the adjusting itself can prove a little tricky at first. However, once perfected, you can count on a superb fit. With a cable length of 3 metres or 5 metres (depending on the cable used), the DT 1990 Pro can be used in all manner of studio spaces with ease, with no restraints on freedom of movement.

Sound

The sound performance of the DT 1990 Pro is quite simply breathtaking. The stereo image impresses with its width, while the spatial resolution itself is very differentiated. The sound output convinces with quality from the deepest bass to the finest resolution, neutral mid-range to silky highs. Even if the latter comes across slightly too subtle, the overall enjoyment gleaned from these headphones is bound to bring a smile to your face. The DT 1990 Pro reproduces details I’ve never heard before with other hardware when listening to reference songs for the purpose of this review. This is especially true in the mid-range, which is critically important for pop and rock productions. Ultimately, the sound seems incredibly silky and calm, which can be explained away by the restrained dynamic of drum beats and the like. If you like your listening a touch on the sober side, this piece of hardware will serve you well should you swap out the ear cushions for the included alternative. These secondary ear cushions provide a more linear frequency in the bass range, while also making the mid-range and treble more present. As such, these particular ear pads are the first port of call for those listening to music with a bass range that relies on finely drawn instrumentals, rather than punchier input.

Applications

All this and more makes these headphones an ideal choice for studio use, especially where there’s heavy vocals and guitar presence in productions. What’s more, for pop and RnB tracks, plus rock and metal productions, the DT 1990 Pro plays into the hands of the sound engineer in the midst of a mix thanks to its differentiated mids.