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Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro Open Studio Headphones 250 Ohms
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Sale Price: $219.99 CDN
Original Price: $249.99 CDN
or from $33 CDN/mo
The DT 990 PRO is an open dynamic headphone for studio applications. Due to a weight reduction of the diaphragm an excellent sound reproduction quality is achieved. Its rugged design with a spring steel headband ensures a secure fit and withstands all demands. Soft headband and ear cushioning systems ensure a high comfort over long periods of time.
FEATURES:
Open diffuse field studio headphone
Robust spring steel headband
Single sided cable
Soft inner headband
Gold plated stereo jack plug (3.5 mm)& 1/4" adapter (6.35 mm)
SPECIFICATIONS:
• Transducer type: Dynamic
• Operating principle: Open
• Nominal frequency response: 5 - 35,000 Hz
• Nominal impedance: 250Ω
• per cartridge
• Nominal SPL: 96 dB SPL
• Nominal T.H.D: < 0.2%
• Power handling capacity: 100 mW
• Sound coupling to ear: Circumaural
• Nominal headband pressure: approx. 3.5 N
• Weight (without cable): 250 g
• Length and type of cable: 3 m / coiled cable
• Connection: Gold plated stereo
• jack plug (3.5 mm) and
• 1/4" adapter (6.35 mm)
FEATURES:
Open diffuse field studio headphone
Robust spring steel headband
Single sided cable
Soft inner headband
Gold plated stereo jack plug (3.5 mm)& 1/4" adapter (6.35 mm)
SPECIFICATIONS:
• Transducer type: Dynamic
• Operating principle: Open
• Nominal frequency response: 5 - 35,000 Hz
• Nominal impedance: 250Ω
• per cartridge
• Nominal SPL: 96 dB SPL
• Nominal T.H.D: < 0.2%
• Power handling capacity: 100 mW
• Sound coupling to ear: Circumaural
• Nominal headband pressure: approx. 3.5 N
• Weight (without cable): 250 g
• Length and type of cable: 3 m / coiled cable
• Connection: Gold plated stereo
• jack plug (3.5 mm) and
• 1/4" adapter (6.35 mm)
Q & A
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Reviews
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Good for the price 2 of 2 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store London North, Ontario
So I listened to all the 'phones on the rack in the store under $350, and these sounded best to me. A bit rich in the upper bass and highs, but it's pleasant and not overbearing - exactly what you need if you're not listening loud. The louder you turn music, the less bass and treble you need - the "loudness" switch/button on stereos of the 60s/70s/early-mid 80s worked this way - engage it and much bass + treble at low volumes - the louder you turn the volume, the less bass and treble are added.
These headphones can be made to sound more neutral if you look online at some reviews - they have the frequency response charts from measurements in some of them, and what you do is just equalize away the 3 treble peaks and bring up the lower bass/push down the upper bass, and you're done: you've got a really great, neutral sounding headphone, for a truly remarkable price. Of course, you need a good DAC and amplifier to match - fortunately they're getting better and cheaper by the day. I'd say something good that costs as much or a bit more than the headphone is ideal (as has been the case in the past - 60% budget to the amplifier, 40% to the speakers (headphones) is a good balance (in the sub $1000 headphone range)). Remember, not all electronics are equal at each price point - you can spend more, a lot more..., for less, so please do research and buy from somewhere with a return/exchange policy in case the purchase doesn't work out and you need to try something else.
One weakness about these is the level at which you can turn them up to before they distort. Especially with bass heavy music, and especially after equalizer correction, you're not going to get clean clean output up to ear-pain levels of volume. These headphones are 250 ohm (meaning quiet for the voltage applied) and inefficient (meaning quiet for the power applied), so you might not even have the power on tap to really make this an issue. Speaking of which... make sure that when you're buying your headphone amplifier / amplifier/DAC combo, that it has a high gain/high voltage output for driving high impedance headphones. Though these aren't true high impedance (600 ohm) headphones, they're probably as quiet as most 600 ohm headphones (but they'll take more current, increasing pressure on the amplifier {not something to really be concerned about, just a thought}).
When I bought these they were a bit cheaper, but hey, inflation is everywhere... The price increase is not nearly as much as the hikes as the grocery store, so there's that!
I wouldn't recommend these headphones if your main genre is hip-hop/rap and you like to listen loud. All other genres these headphones should be fine for - if you like the described sound signature of course. If you like richer sounding sources (good amount of bass and treble but not overwhelming) and you don't listen at ear-bleeding levels, these will sound clean and clear up to levels you shouldn't listen to for too long.
Also - if you want to use these while out and about, there are few portable headphone amps/ DAC/amp combos which put out a high enough voltage to drive these to the volume most people probably want (or need in some situations, like on the bus - open back headphones let in external sounds you need to overpower).
Unless you have a portable device which specifically states it's good for high impedance headphones, I'd pass on these and look for something else, because the standard headphone jack from a phone (an old phone now... lol) won't be enough. If you've got a flagship phone from the last year or two they had headphone jacks, the internal DACs were pretty good, so you might be able to save some money (or increase your investment in the headphones themselves) by foregoing an external DAC and looking for headphones in the 32-60 ohm range, and hooking them up directly to the phone/player. Technical reason: portable devices are low voltage, and low voltage devices need low resistance loads for high power to flow!
Last thing - I've worn these headphones for many thousands of hours now, and the pads are wearing out. Unfortunately they're not removable - bummer! I thought all headphones had removable pads when I bought these... Learn from my mistake, that is NOT the case! If you only wear cans for an hour or two a day, these should last you 5-8 years nicely. I should add, even though the pads on my cans are now only about 5/8 the height they once were, their sound is still good, and they still feel comfortable on my head. I do have a big head though, and I think that if my head was much more than a bit smaller than average, this reduced distance from the pads being thinner, would cause enough of a reduction in pressure to cause the headphones to lose some of their comfortability.
OK, that's how they are! Buy 'em if what I wrote sounds good to you!
Posted by Michael Ptasznik on Mar 17, 2024
Not bad, but they break. 6 of 18 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Edmonton Whyte, Alberta
My advice is to look for ALL steel/metal construction headphones.
I've owned these headphones for about 3 years, and have been wearing them broken for about a year. The plastic part where you adjust the length of the headband broke. Now they're held together with electrical tape. They hurt to wear. heh. If you're wealthy and don't mind replacing your headphones every couple of years, then buy these, I guess. Notice, all headphones in this price range are not well constructed, at all. Engineered to break.
Posted by Markus on Jun 3, 2021
Better than I expected 2 of 2 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Québec, Quebec
These headphones absolutely changed my listening and playing experience. I'm using them with my Line6 Helix and it's producing a really realistic and pleasing guitar sound. The 250ohms is not a problem with my PC or mobile. Very confortable for long periods.
The only drawback is the non interchangeable cord. I wish I could swap it for a straight one.
Posted by David Thibault on Jun 2, 2021
Beautiful sound. 1 of 1 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Edmonton South, Alberta
I haven’t used these for long, but I LOVE these headphones. I almost didn’t believe these were plugged in when I first tried - the sound is that amazing and real coming from these headphones, you’d think you weren’t even wearing them! My husband also agrees, these are fantastic. Comfortable wearing for long periods. Just lovely. Thank you!
Posted by Heather on Feb 27, 2021
Very good for the price but not perfect 3 of 5 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Montréal, Quebec
Bass is quite present but not overly like on certain brands, it might sound a lot because mids are a bit week. What makes me keep them it the fact high frequencies are strong but very clear. Sound is detailed and not agressive.
The only week point is the mids.
Posted by Nicolas on Dec 5, 2020
Definitely for audiophiles who can't afford $1000 + studio monitors! 5 of 5 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Lethbridge, Alberta
Yeah, well maybe that's a BIT dramatic! But, these Beyer headphones translate almost perfectly from 'studio to stereo', when you learn to TRUST them. Sounds a little flat thru the phones? Then it is! Sounds slightly bassy? Yep, right again, when played through your home or car audio system! After trying a few 'studio monitor' systems, I realized that, without spending BIG bucks, I wasn't about to hear where my mixes were needing adjustment, and how much was required. Their only shortfall, I feel, is that they don't accurately reveal the amount of reverberation accurately, and you tend to over-compensate in this regard. Overall, an excellent product that will render mixes accurately, until we can afford those nice $5000 studio monitors! And yes, a headphone amp does help them perform even better! Completely satisfied with this purchase.
Posted by Barry on Jul 27, 2020
Nothing even comes close at twice the price. 1 of 3 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Hamilton, Ontario
The review title says it all.
Posted by Peter Z. on Oct 20, 2018
Nice cans! 13 of 22 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Waterloo, Ontario
When it comes to cans, these cans can do the can-can. Can you say nice cans?? I can. I can wear ran-bans while talking cans and doing a handstand. Man, these are sure some SWEET CANS!
Posted by Bill on Mar 7, 2018
I'd Like You To Find Something Better In This Price Range 5 of 5 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Montréal, Quebec
I've had my share of headphones in the past : Audio Technica ATH M50, Sennheiser HD 380 PRO, Ultrasone PRO 900, Ultrasone HFI 2400, and these are considerably better than the rest. What's amazing... It's only around $200. These sound better than some headphones at DOUBLE it's price. There will be disappointment if not plugged into some sort of amplifier, as the sound will be loose and flabby... But if plugged into an amp (I have a HiFiMan EF2A tube amp), the sound will tighten up like crazy, and detail retrieval and bass response (quality and quantity) will increase, with a bit more forward mids. Soundstage will as well increase by A LOT. In the end, with a good amplifier, these will sound truly incredible. The Ultrasone PRO 900 are around $350, and I like these much more than them... Much more refined in my opinion. These are probably some of the most underrated and underpriced headphones I've ever seen, which is why I needed to buy one for myself. I think these are really on par with the Sennheiser HD 650. If you don't believe me, try these babies out with a good source and a good amplifier. You will have a huge smile on your face.
Posted by Brandon on Jun 14, 2013
They will blow you away! 3 of 3 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Montréal, Quebec
I'm serious. I have many headphones such as ATH-M50, Senn. PX100, Senn. HD438, and these... Damn they sound incredibly good.
They can go very very low, and everything's detailed. Soundstage is fantastic on this cans.
Excellent value/performance for the price. Really, if you're looking for open headphones, bright and bassy, these are for you ! Without a doubt.
Posted by anonymous on Dec 3, 2012
It doesn't get any better at this price 5 of 6 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Mississauga, Ontario
I've had these cans for a few months now and am loving them. I have two other sets of cans in this price range: the Sennheiser HD555s and Audio-Technica ATH-M50. While both are great cans I would take the DT990s over either of them every time.
Being open dynamic the lows don't have quite the punch of a comparable set of closed cans (such as the ATH-M50), but they still got oomph to them while still keeping the lows smooth and well defined. The mids and highs are both very clear and well balanced. I was surprised at the spaciousness of the sound stage on these cans and listening to some well mastered classical sounded almost like being in the conductors position; the presence and accuracy were fantastic.
My HD555s are very comfortable; being easily wearable for hours upon hours, but these DT990s are even more comfortable. There's is tons of ear space and the velour (or similar) pads are nice and soft. Initially the clamp pressure was a bit much but as the headband was metal it just took a little bit of light coaxing to bend them to alleviate the compression.
Posted by jay on Nov 17, 2012
990,250 ohm 0 of 0 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Mississauga, Ontario
These beyerdynmics headphones are extremely comfortable,no listening fatigue and have a very detailed sound.I use them often in my hi end stereo system.highly recommended.
Posted by Dave on Jun 21, 2012
Very full and accurate range for headphones. 2 of 2 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Brampton, Ontario
Bought an original set back in 1980 and they still sound wonderful!
We use these at our studio instead of the usual AKG k240s. They sound much like you are wearing speakers on your head.... Very full and smooth. These are not your typical DJ 'boom hiss' type headphones.
I've even mixed with these. I think they sound better (more accurate) than their more expensive models.
Posted by Howard on May 30, 2012
Best Headphones for under $200 0 of 0 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Guelph, Ontario
These will take anything you through at them. Very clear and detailed and just fun to listen to.
Posted by anonymous on Mar 5, 2012