Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro, A Comprehensive Guide to Audiophile Excellence
by Samuel Kalenga on Sep 13, 2024
Few names in the world of audiophile headphones garner the respect and adoration that Beyerdynamic does. A storied German audio engineering company with decades of progressive product design, Beyerdynamic has repeatedly pushed the boundaries of what we should expect from listening. A prime example of this forward momentum is Beyerdynamic’s flagship DT 1990 Pro headphone, a revered product befitting of the brand’s exceptional legacy. Often called the DT 1990, DT 1990 Pro 250 Ohm or simply 1990 Pro, this headphone is not just a consumer product but it is also a statement of art, and a reflection of their build quality and the tireless pursuit of audio perfection that defines the company Beyerdynamic.
This review takes a deep dive into the sonic universe of the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro. It discusses the design, the sound signature, the technical specifications, and also why they are the standard bearers for picky audiophiles across the world. We also answer some common questions regarding these headphones, providing you with everything you need to know if you are looking to invest in this sonic masterpiece and make it a part of your setup. Disclosure: A sample for this review was provided by the manufacturer.
A First Impression: Unboxing and Design
The gradual experience of luxury begins well before the first note. The Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro arrives in a shiny, hard-shell carrying case, promising that some cool headphones reside within. When you first lift it out of the box, you’ll immediately notice how classy the build looks, while sturdy plastic and metal make it feel extremely durable. An adjustable, well-padded headband ensures that enjoying the headphones comfortably can go on for hours. The DT 1990 Pro open studio reference headphones has a heavy focus on the open back design used for their organisation. This design choice contributes towards the open back experience of the DT 1990 Pro. The open back commonly used in high end headphones used is meant to deliver a more natural and realistic experience.
The open back design mimics the experience of sound in a physical environment where sound can diverge between different paths. On the con side, an open back setup means that the audio is easily dampened by outside noise, so the open back headphones designed for woofer sound experience can be slightly disadvantageous in noisy environments. However, for audio enthusiasts who value a spacious and realistic listening experience, the open back design is a big advantage.
A Symphony of Detail: Sound Quality Unveiled
But really, all the important information about the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro is in the sonic results. These headphones exhibit a large, broad and wide soundstage, with articulate midrange, deep visceral bass, and overall great neutrality, meaning that the headphones don’t add coloration to the sound passing through them – it’s simply there for you to hear, bare and exposed. Neutrality is the product of great design in inherently scientific studio phones such as these, allowing the engineers and producers wearing them to really hear how the audio signal sings, untarnished by colourisation of frequency response.
With the 1990 Pro headphones, you get a bass that is extended, balanced, and never ‘boomy’. Although not a neutralist, Watts definitely follows a balanced approach, allowing the music to sound full and round while never losing its nuance. This is due, in part, to the extremely accurate timing of the 1990s, where the bass simply locks in to the beat without overpowering or distracting from the rest of the music. The bass is well defined and extended, with plenty of slam, while the midrange and treble are clear and completely in synch with the bass.
Perhaps most important on an audiophile headphone, the midrange is beautifully balanced, placing vocals and instruments centre stage with perfect clarity and nuance. Every inflection, every plucked guitar string, every piano key stroke is rendered with incredible detail and emotional depth of loss or joy. And this detail is critical for any musician or producer sitting in the tiny cubicle in a recording studio with a stack of speakers a metre away, with 10 others just feet away, burning $1,000-worth of CDs into her laptop so she can listen to them later on her flight back to California or New York or London. Every detail must be heard, every nuance captured if she thinks there’s anything wrong with the recording, if an instrument, vocal or percussion is off – even a touch more tuba or one extra note of vocals can mess it up and ruin the recording. It must be perfect the first time.
The treble, that hateful hard and harsh place in headphones, is smooth and extended but never forced, never sibilant, so it can let in the finer high-frequencies that add so much to the musical fun. Everything feels extended and defined but not hard or edgy, like so much you hear in headphones, so it’s always enjoyable. It’s never so hard that it induces headaches or tries the patience, and the treble is extended enough to define a wide and detailed soundstage. And they allow for an exceptionally wide soundstage.
The open-back design of the DT 1990 Pro open studio headphones mixed with the really crisp and detailed sonic signature, give you that occasionally rare open-back feeling of the sound integrating into your space which is always a means of getting closer to the performance, ie what the performers were actually hearing in reality. The soundstage is wider than wide, very deep, excellent instrument separation and imaging It’s a very real experience.
Beyond Music: Versatility and Customization
The Beyerdynamic DT 19990 Pro is a headphone that may have an extremely neutral tonal balance and an extremely detailed sound, and doesn’t specialise in any one musical genre any more than another, which summons Bach just as convincingly as it would Mixmaster Mike at a breakbeat session on whom-is-cocking-and-who-is-whacking night. As such, it is therefore equally comfortable with an opposition of complex orchestral score and virtuoso solo violin part, or with the polytonal jazz harmony of an evil Frank Zappa villain (who actually might be Paul White), or a simple acoustic guitar, featuring only three crucial notes. For the headphone audiophile, as well as the budgets of the music producer or spotty teenager, and even the gamer seeking virtual reality, this DT 19990 Pro is the way to go.
The DT 1990 Pro, also quite commonly seen in studio recording and professional monitoring, has a very flat frequency response. Why is it so talented at reproducing the slightest nuances of audio signals? Because it has no sonic coloration, ensuring an accurate, truthful representation of sonic content. For that reason, it’s perfectly suitable for use in critical listening environments, where the listener needs to hear exactly what is contained in the audio signal. In addition to its acoustic inherent excellence, the tuning IF of the DT 1990 Pro is one of its demising selling features.
The Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro comes with (amongst some other accessories) a deluxe-like robust transport case, two different ear pads (velour and artificial leather), a 3.5mm and a 6.3mm a lot of room for Elite Velour DT 1990 and other aftermarket pads it is rather easy to fine-tune the experience to your needs – yes, on both accounts. Aftermarket pads are the same size and could just be swapped out at will. This invariably impacts both comfort (e.g., thinner pads might make the connection better, more coking, but over time less comfortable) and sound signature (warmer in general, extending lowermost bass). Some users prefer the Dekoni, depending on the specific edition, others stick to the default velour pads, and others mix them up.
A Legacy of Excellence: The Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro
Built on more than nine decades of aural engineering knowhow, the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro is an object as much as it is a sound. It is not merely an output device poised halfway between the physical act of listening and the aural sublime, it is a testament to the values of an immeasurable quest for anything short of audio perfection. Beyerdynamic’s headphone is an investment for those who would reject anything less than the absolute best. It is a sonic experience dedicated to those listeners striving for a whole-world sensual appreciation of sound; those who seek the pinnacle of a new emotional connection to sound or the foot hunting for the next flush.
For the discerning audiophile and used or new headphone listener, the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro is a sonic revelation, an engineer’s dream. It is a must-have for those who do not consider any aspect of their sound repertoire dispensable, a sonic gift reserved for those who can hear the forest in the trees. The Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro is an audio work of art for sonic aficionados, the dream headphone for performers and the gaming connoisseur. It is an eargasm for those who share Beyerdynamic’s philosophy on aural perception that centres around an unreal respect for their values in delivering the best sound ever.
FAQs: Addressing Common Questions
Below is an instruction that describes a task, paired with an input that provides further context. Write a response that appropriately completes the request. Paraphrase the input into human-sounding text while retaining citations and quotes. Q: How do DT 1990 Pros differ from DT 1990 Pro Xs? A: The DT 1990 Pro X is a newer headphone that offers a slightly different tuning – it’s just a little bit warmer. Additionally, it has an updated look (a different headband), but essentially it remains the same core driver and the same closed-back design. The DT 1990 Pro X has a more forgiving sound, a little bit more nuanced and warmer, a more relaxed headphone. For those who want something a bit warm and smooth, the DT 1990 Pro X is the way to go. The DT 1990 Pro remains a good choice for a more linear and analytical sound, and a slightly brighter sound.Q: Do I need an amp for the DT 1990 Pro?
A: It’s not impossible for the DT 1990 Pro to be used with a smartphone headphone jack, but using a dedicated headphone amplifier, specifically designed to drive headphones, will give the fullest potential of the Canjiiro 1990 Pro, for the most dynamic and impactful listening experience. The higher impedance of the DT 1990 Pro requires extra power to drive them to a satisfying listening level, which a good headphone amp will provide, which in turn provides the fullest potential of the DT 1990 Pro, and will result in a dynamic and impactful listening experience. Notes from a potential DT 1990 customer.Q: What are the best ear pads for the DT 1990 Pro?
Q: What are the default velour pads like and are there any available replacements?A: The default velour pads are quite comfortable and the sound signature is very even all the way across; very balanced. You can try an aftermarket replacement like Dekoni Elite Velour and the fit is great and a small bit more comfortable than the stock pads, but they are very similar in sound (just a little warmer signature I would say, but again very similar to the stock pads). Most people on the forums seem to prefer the stock velour. Signature depends on your own ear types and your individual sound preferences.
Q: DT 1990 Pro v other flagship headphones such as the Sennheiser HD 800 S? A: Those who have compared the DT 1990 Pro with the Sennheiser HD 800 S note similar strengths and weaknesses in each headphone. The HD 800 S is said to have a richer, fuller sound than the DT 1990 Pro, but there are others who prefer the articulate, natural, and neutral sound of the DT 1990 Pro as it provides more detail in the music to get wrapped up in. A: Both the DT 1990 Pro and the Sennheiser HD 800 S are highly rated, high-end headphones with their own particular strengths and tonal signatures.
The DT 1990 Pro, for example, offers one of the most detailed and powerful soundscapes under $600, while the HD 800 S offers one of the most open and expansive soundstages of any model at any price. Whether one headphone or the other is ‘better’ for you – that is, suits your listening style and preferences – depends on what you’re listening for. Details and pinpoint accuracy will always benefit from the DT 1990 Pro, while the HD 800 S offers a more open and enveloping listening experience.
