Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro 80 Ohm

The Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro 80 Ohm model is a variation of the classic open circumaural studio headphones. Just as the DT 770 Pro is available in several ohm variants, the DT 990 Pro is now also available with an impedance below the established 250 ohms. Beyerdynamic is thus opening up a new field of application for the DT 990 Pro. With the lower impedance, it should be much more suitable for devices with headphone outputs that provide a lower output voltage. So, here, we take a look at how the new version performs not only with professional equipment but also with audio interfaces and smart devices.

The Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro 80 Ohm package

The Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro 80 Ohm comes with a drawstring nylon bag. it can be used to store the headphones for transport and storage and protect them from dust and dirt. A screw adapter from 3.5 mm to a 6.35 mm jack plug is also included. It is gold-plated and protected against corrosion. The DT 990 Pro 80 Ohm has a package that gets straight to the point is positive; it means you’re not paying for extras that you might not even want to use.

Construction, material and technology of the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro 80 Ohm

The Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro 80 Ohm is identical to the 250-ohm variant in terms of construction and materials. The headphones’ classic appearance starts with silver-grey velour ear pads and black ear cups; behind the grille, silver-grey fabric fleece is visible. The metal headband transitions into a plastic mount surrounded by an interchangeable leatherette cushion.

The classic look of the DT 990 Pro 80 Ohm is emphasised by the cable routing. The connecting cable between the left and right sides sticks out at the ear cups. But we are dealing with headphones without an interchangeable cable, so a firmly attached bend protection can be seen on the right earcup.

Dynamically driven diaphragms work inside the ear cups, transmitting audio over a frequency bandwidth from super low 5 Hz up to very high 35 kHz. They achieve a sound pressure level of up to 96 dB SPL, which is not very loud, but it makes it possible to use them for long listening sessions.

The handling of the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro 80 Ohm

The handling of the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro 80 Ohm is very pleasant. The ear cups can be tilted up to an angle of 45 degrees and therefore adapt well to your head without their mobility interfering with putting them on. Since the headband and the mounts of the ear cup arms are not rigid, there is also sufficient room for horizontal movement.

The velour ear pads are cuddly soft, and the contact pressure is pleasant. At the same time, these headphones do not slip due to their low weight of 250g without cable, even during faster head movements. That’s why we’re not exaggerating when we say that the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro are still one of the most comfortable pairs of studio headphones on the market. The ratcheted size adjustment remembers the last position, but it could be smoother. The 3m long straight cable ensures a large working radius. The fact that it comes off the left ear cup means that right-handers have plenty of freedom of movement. Replacing the headband cushion is child’s play with four push-buttons. Changing the ear pads is just as easy, as they only need to be pulled over the edge of the ear cups.

The sound of the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro 80 Ohm

The impedance of 80 ohms was significantly noticeable with this version of the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro. They always play sufficiently loudly, whether at the headphone output of an audio interface, active studio monitor, laptops or smartphones.

These headphones had open-seeming highs all the way into the super-high range. In this listening area, the sound of the headphones was, for me, on the threshold of soft and silky edging to sharpness, but without the sound slipping over this range into sibilance.

With a richness of detail in the mids, the DT 990 Pro 80 Ohm ensured excellent speech intelligibility. Therefore, for the assessment of mid-heavy instruments such as synthesizers and guitars, these headphones are also well suited. The bass delivered by these open headphones was quite powerful for this kind of design. The low bass reproduction especially impressed me. Although here, a little bass boost on the amplifier would have been helpful.

Dynamically, the sound was impressive, from soft tones to high volumes. Transients were reproduced clearly but rather softly, and the maximum volume of these headphones with undistorted reproduction was more than sufficient for professional work. The attenuation of external noise was low with the DT 990 Pro 80 Ohm, which was to be expected from open headphones. The same applies to acoustic isolation from the outside. In the DT 990 Pro 80 Ohm’s stereo image, individual sound elements were easy to localise. Thanks to a fine subjective signal resolution, even the depth gradation seemed differentiated in its reproduction.