Beyerdynamic Headphones
Summary
Abstract
Beyerdynamic is a German headphone manufacturer known for exceptionally comfortable studio headphones. Their DT series (770, 880, 990, 900 Pro X) are widely used in studios for tracking and some mixing. The brand is recommended as an excellent starting point for aspiring engineers, though some members find their tuning “weird.”
Key Characteristics
- Known for superior comfort, especially for long sessions
- Highly serviceable — headband, pads, and even drivers can be replaced
- Available in multiple impedance options (80, 250, 600 ohm)
- Originally designed for higher output impedance headphone amps; can sound congested with modern low-impedance outputs
- The Beyerdynamic A20 headphone amp significantly improves their performance
Use Cases
- Studio tracking headphones (especially Beyerdynamic DT770)
- Mixing reference (especially Beyerdynamic DT880 with dedicated amp)
- Travel and production work
- Comfort-priority applications for engineers with long sessions
Comparable Alternatives
| Headphone | Price Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Audio-Technica ATH-M50x | ~$150 | More midrange presence, less comfortable |
| Sennheiser HD600 | ~$300 | Better midrange accuracy, open-back |
| Audio-Technica ATH-R70x | ~$350 | Lighter, open-back |
| Austrian Audio Hi-X series | ~$300-400 | Newer contender |
Common Mistakes
- Using high-impedance models (250/600 ohm) with weak headphone outputs
- Skipping the dedicated Beyerdynamic headphone amp, which transforms the sound
- Assuming all DT models sound the same — the 770, 880, and 990 have very different frequency responses
See Also
Source Discussions
BatMeckley
“Beyerdynamic, Line6, Neumann/Sennheiser. Those three would be an excellent start for any aspiring engineer/producer.”
Adam Thein
“If comfort is the priority then Beyerdynamic stuff would be my choice. I recently worked with DT 900 PRO X for a few weeks and they are really comfortable for me and sounded good.”
cian riordan (on the Beyerdynamic M201)
“If I need the isolation and punch of a dynamic, I’ve had great luck with the Beyerdynamic M201.”