One of the most popular products produced by Beyerdynamic in recent years was the DT 990 PRO headphones. These about $180 headphones, which were advertised as “studio headphones for mixing and mastering,” offered aspiring audio engineers, mixers, DJs, and anybody else looking for an open, inexpensive over-ear headphone a cost-effective entry point.
Their extensive popularity in the gaming industry, partly as a result of popular Twitch streamer Ninja choosing them as his go-to headphones, further increased their success. Games may be able to hear enemy footsteps and discover concealed enemies with the same precision and transparency that helps mixers fine-tune musical recordings.
With the DT900 PRO X headphones splitters, Beyerdynamic has now revisited its strengths. Similar to the DT990 PROs, which cost $180, and the DT 1990 PROs, which cost $600, this pair of open-back headphones is promoted as “studio headphones for critical listening, mixing & mastering.” They are priced at $299. The new offering is intended to offer a mid-range alternative for audio mixers, gamers, and anybody else interested in dissecting each individual vocal note, drum beat, and string reverb in their favorite songs.
Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X review: Design
These Beyerdynamic headphones have a premium feel about them. Nothing about the Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X seems cheap headphones, from the plush velour ear pads to the brushed metal headband. The professional appearance is completed by Beyerdynamic’s decision to not overdo the branding on the headphones, which complements the matte black design’s ability to blend in with any studio setting.
The DT 900 PRO X isn’t extremely portable because there isn’t a folding mechanism and the ear cups can’t rotate all the way. Although it’s unlikely that these studio headphones will leave your workstation, Beyerdynamic supplies a padded carrying case in case you do.
The Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X is extremely comfortable, making it possible to wear it for extended periods of time. Whether you wear glasses or not, the velour ear pads are a delight and provide a secure fit. These ear pads are a little harder than those on the DT 990 PRO from the previous generation, so they should last a little longer before wearing out. Each gaming headset offers excellent airflow when combined with the open-back design, preventing sweaty ears.
The DT 900 PRO X can be easily powered by most devices because to its impedance of only 48. A nice advance over the 250 Beyerdynamic headphone amplifiers models that need an amp to achieve acceptable volume levels is the ability to reach high volume levels without an external headphone amp.
Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X review: Comfort
The Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X is extremely comfortable and designed for extended sessions. I’ve been using it for hours, and compared to the earlier model, this one feels like a totally different animal. The headset is so incredibly balanced and perfectly clamped that it virtually vanishes on my head.
The huge earpads totally enclose my ears. Don’t get me wrong; this is not a light headset, but the construction was so excellent that once I got it on my head, I never had to relocate it or swap it out. The DT 900 Pro X rises to the top of my list as THE most comfortable headset I currently own when you combine it with the incredibly plush velour earpads. The DT 900 appears to provide better ear airflow than the DT 700 Pro X, however over time, the improvement is minimal, if not psychological.
Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X review: Sound quality
After a few days of use, the DT 900 Pro X settles in and performs with exquisite poise and detail. They gather a lot of data and arrange it in a logical, musical way. When listening to Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, these headphones accurately reproduce the sound, confidently pounding out crescendos. We are amazed by their control throughout this piece, and despite the music’s increasing difficulty, it is still simple to follow each individual musical thread.
Those who prefer their sound raw will enjoy the presentation’s clarity and articulation. These headphones don’t make any overt attempts to enhance the recording in order to heighten the drama. A prime example is how they manage bass frequencies. For a number of years, the majority of the headphones we’ve tested have intentionally overemphasised low frequencies.
While this can make some recordings more enjoyable, it also makes them less suitable for music that calls for nuance and balance. That is not done by the DT 900 Pro X. Their bass is really a touch subdued; it puts agility, texture, and control before pure power. As a result, the tonal tone becomes slightly leaner, however it doesn’t go too far to sound out of balance, even with a lower treble area that is rather forthright.
The Beyerdynamics reply to the Everything Is Love set by The Carters with superb rhythmic propulsion and articulation. Jay Z’s quick-fire lyrics are understandable and effectively cut through the album’s occasionally complex mixes, while Beyoncé performs with all of her passion and inherent warmth.
Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X review: Durability
The calibre of the materials is yet another noteworthy aspect. Beyerdynamic has produced a strong and capable pair of headphones using high-quality components. Throughout, the meticulousness is obvious. The premium STELLAR.45 drivers have copper-plated high-tech wire and neodymium magnets. The absorption pad is a great addition as well.
This is placed in front of the speaker to minimise distortion while preserving audio detail. The cushion and headband are of excellent quality. Additionally, the frame is beautifully made. However, there are headphones that are more durable. Even though they are sturdy, you still need to handle them carefully. Intense handling will result in damage. Although it’s preferable to keep these at the studio, if you must travel with them, make care to pack them safely.
Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X review: Price and release date
Traditional wired headphones have arguably the widest price range of any type of headphones. Most gaming headsets fall into the $100–200 (£80–150) price bracket, although there are a few high-end stragglers that may cost you more than $300/£250. Consumer over-ear headphones come in a similar price range, although more expensive models, such as the Apple AirPods Max and the Bose cheap Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, can cost up to $400 or $300. you can buy this product from Beyerdynamic’s official store.
The price varies considerably more for devices without portable Bluetooth speakers or boom mics, though. From $20 to $10,000, you may find intriguing and frequently excellent wired headphones. And it is within this broad spectrum that Beyerdynamic’s new X series products fall.
The DT900 Pro X and its closed-back sister, the DT700 Pro X, will cost you about $300/£220 when they are introduced on October 7th, 2021. And although while it is less expensive than some of the top-end wireless devices, some people may perceive the cost of these headphones to be quite costly.
Final Words
Both the 700 PRO X and the 900 PRO X take reference headphones to a whole new level, building on the stellar reputation of the models that came before them. Whichever model you choose will ultimately depend on whether you like open or closed-back cans, but the Beyerdynamic pedigree means you won’t make a mistake for each acceptable use case recording and tracking on the 700’s and mixing and critical listening on the 900’s. It would seem that the DT 900 PRO X is even better than the DT 990 PRO, which was and still is a great option for a mixing and reference headphone.
