DT 770 Pro vs DT 990 Pro: Which Headphone Is Best for You?

Choosing between the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro and DT 990 Pro can be tough. Both are studio legends, but they serve different needs. If you’re recording vocals or need to block out noise, the closed-back DT 770 Pro is your best bet for its excellent isolation. It delivers a pure, high-resolution sound that is perfect for tracking. Ready to find out which one truly matches your audio goals? Let’s dive in.

Why Do I Recommend The DT 770 Pro?

While both headphones are exceptional, I recommend the DT 770 Pro for most users, especially those focused on recording and tracking. Here’s why it stands out.

• Superior Sound Isolation: The DT 770 Pro features a closed-back design. This provides powerful isolation from ambient noise, making it ideal for recording vocals or instruments without background sound bleeding into your microphone. In contrast, the DT 990 Pro has an open-back design, which allows sound to pass in and out freely, making it less suitable for tracking in noisy environments.
• Focused Bass Response: The DT 770 Pro delivers a crisp, defined, and powerful bass response. This is crucial for monitoring low-end frequencies accurately during recording. While the DT 990 Pro also has strong bass, the DT 770 Pro’s closed design contains it, offering a punchier feel that many producers prefer for tracking.
• Versatility for Various Environments: Because of its excellent sound isolation, the DT 770 Pro is versatile enough for use in home studios, professional studios, or even for general listening in louder settings. The DT 990 Pro, on the other hand, performs best in quiet, dedicated listening spaces where sound leakage is not a concern.
• Ideal for Tracking and Monitoring: The primary strength of the DT 770 Pro is its performance in control and monitoring applications. Its pure and high-resolution sound reproduction allows you to hear every detail of your recording. In comparison, the DT 990 Pro is geared more towards critical listening, mixing, and mastering, where a wide, spacious soundstage is prioritized over isolation.
• Minimized Sound Leakage: When you are recording, you don’t want the headphone audio to be picked up by the microphone. The closed-back construction of the DT 770 Pro ensures minimal sound leakage, a critical feature for clean vocal takes. Conversely, the DT 990 Pro’s open design intentionally leaks sound, making it unsuitable for this purpose.
• Different Cable Options: The DT 770 Pro 80 Ohm model comes with a 3m straight cable, which is often more manageable in a studio setup than a coiled cable. The DT 990 Pro 250 Ohm version comes with a coiled cable, which can be a matter of personal preference but is sometimes less convenient.

 

Side By Side Comparison Chart (DT 770 Pro vs DT 990 Pro)

Feature	DT 770 Pro	DT 990 Pro
Design	Closed over-ear	Open over-ear
Sound Isolation	Powerful isolation of ambient noise	Ambient noise passes through freely
Sound Signature	Very spacious, transparent, detailed	Strong bass and treble, analytical, very spacious
Primary Use Case	Recording, tracking, monitoring	Mixing, mastering, critical listening
Sound Leakage	Minimal	Significant
Weight	270 g	250 g
Cable Type (80 Ohm)	3m Straight Cable	3m Straight Cable
Cable Type (250 Ohm)	3m Coiled Cable	3m Coiled Cable

 

What Common Features Can DT 770 Pro vs DT 990 Pro Do?

Despite their differences, the DT 770 Pro and DT 990 Pro share many qualities that make them industry standards. Both headphones are hand-crafted in Germany, ensuring a level of workmanship and durability that professionals rely on. They are built to be hard-wearing and robust, ready for years of studio use.

Both models are praised for their exceptional comfort during long sessions. This is largely thanks to the soft, replaceable velour ear pads and the secure-fitting yet comfortable spring steel headband. You can wear either pair for hours without fatigue, which is a major advantage for producers and engineers.

Furthermore, both the DT 770 Pro and DT 990 Pro are designed with replaceable parts. This means that if an earpad wears out or another component needs to be swapped, you can easily do so. This extends the lifespan of the headphones and makes them a sustainable, long-term investment for any studio.

Common Features of DT 770 Pro vs DT 990 Pro

Feature	DT 770 Pro	DT 990 Pro
Brand	beyerdynamic	beyerdynamic
Manufacturing	Made in Germany	Made in Germany
Build Quality	Hard-wearing, robust steel headband	Hard-wearing, robust steel headband
Ear Pads	Soft, replaceable velour ear pads	Soft, replaceable velour ear pads
Replaceable Parts	All parts are replaceable	All parts are replaceable
Frequency Response	5 – 35,000 Hz	5 – 35,000 Hz
Impedance Options	32, 80, 250 Ohm	80, 250 Ohm
Included Accessories	Drawstring bag, 1/4″ adapter	Drawstring bag, 1/4″ adapter

 

A Detailed Comparison Of the DT 770 Pro vs DT 990 Pro

Design and Sound Isolation

The most significant difference lies in their design. The DT 770 Pro is a closed-back headphone, meaning the earcups are fully sealed. This design provides excellent sound isolation, blocking out external noise and preventing the headphone audio from leaking out. This makes it the perfect choice for vocal recording and tracking instruments, where you need to avoid microphone bleed.

In contrast, the DT 990 Pro is an open-back headphone. Its earcups are perforated, allowing air and sound to pass through. This creates a more natural, spacious, and airy soundstage, similar to listening to speakers in a room. However, this also means it offers almost no noise isolation and leaks sound, which can be distracting to others nearby and makes it unsuitable for recording.

Sound Quality and Signature

The sound signature of the DT 770 Pro is known for its pure, high-resolution audio with a strong bass response. The closed-back design contributes to a powerful low-end that is both crisp and defined, making it a reference for bass in many studios. It offers a detailed and analytical sound across the frequency spectrum, which is essential for monitoring.

The DT 990 Pro offers a different sonic experience. Its open-back nature gives it an incredibly wide and three-dimensional soundstage. The sound is often described as more transparent and spacious, with a strong emphasis on both bass and treble. This analytical “V-shaped” sound signature is highly valued for critical listening, mixing, and mastering, as it helps identify details at the extremes of the frequency range.

Comfort and Build

Both headphones are built like tanks and are renowned for their comfort. They feature a rugged spring steel headband and soft, velour ear pads that are circumaural (fitting around the ear). The DT 770 Pro weighs slightly more at 270g compared to the DT 990 Pro’s 250g, but this difference is negligible during use. Both are designed for long studio sessions without causing discomfort.

A practical difference is the cable. The 80 Ohm version of the DT 770 Pro comes with a 3m straight cable, while the 250 Ohm version has a coiled cable. The DT 990 Pro 80 Ohm has a straight cable and the 250 Ohm model comes with a coiled one. Neither has a detachable cable, which some users find to be a drawback, but all other parts are user-replaceable, ensuring longevity.

Impedance and Use Cases

Both headphones are available in different impedance versions (Ohms), which affects how they should be powered. The DT 770 Pro comes in 32, 80, and 250 Ohm variants, while the DT 990 Pro is available in 80 and 250 Ohm. The 80 Ohm versions are versatile and can be driven by most devices, including laptops and audio interfaces. The 250 Ohm versions require a dedicated headphone amplifier to reach their full potential.

Ultimately, the choice comes down to your primary use. For recording, tracking, and listening in noisier environments, the DT 770 Pro is the clear winner due to its isolation. For mixing, mastering, and critical listening in a quiet room, the spacious soundstage of the DT 990 Pro is unparalleled.

 

Conclusion

Both the DT 770 Pro and DT 990 Pro are outstanding headphones that have earned their legendary status. Your choice depends entirely on your needs. For recording and monitoring where isolation is key, the DT 770 Pro is the superior option. Its closed-back design prevents sound leakage and blocks out distractions.

If your focus is on mixing, mastering, or critical listening in a quiet space, the DT 990 Pro‘s open-back design provides an expansive, detailed soundstage that is hard to beat. With over 19,000 positive ratings, it’s a trusted choice for professionals who need analytical sound.

FAQs

1. Which is better for gaming, DT 770 Pro or DT 990 Pro?
   The DT 990 Pro is often preferred for gaming due to its wider soundstage, which helps in pinpointing directional audio cues. However, if you game in a noisy environment or need to avoid disturbing others, the DT 770 Pro’s isolation would be more beneficial.
2. Do I need an amplifier for these headphones?
   For the 250 Ohm versions of both models, a headphone amplifier is highly recommended to provide enough power for optimal performance. The 80 Ohm versions are more versatile and can work well with most computers and audio interfaces, though an amp can still improve the sound.
3. Are the ear pads on the DT 770 Pro and DT 990 Pro replaceable?
   Yes, one of the best features of both models is that almost all parts, including the soft velour ear pads, are easily replaceable. This makes them a durable, long-term investment for your studio.
4. What is the main difference between closed-back and open-back headphones?
   Closed-back headphones, like the DT 770 Pro, have sealed earcups that isolate sound. This is great for recording. Open-back headphones, like the DT 990 Pro, have perforated earcups that let sound pass through, creating a more natural and spacious audio experience.
5. Can I use the DT 990 Pro for recording vocals?
   It is generally not recommended. The open-back design of the DT 990 Pro will leak sound from the headphones, which can be picked up by the microphone and compromise your vocal recording. The DT 770 Pro is the better choice for this task.
6. Which model is more comfortable for long sessions?
   Both are considered extremely comfortable due to their velour ear pads and sturdy headband. The DT 990 Pro is slightly lighter, but the difference is minimal. Comfort is a strong point for both headphones, making either a great choice for extended use.
7. Is the cable detachable on either model?
   No, the standard DT 770 Pro and DT 990 Pro models do not have a detachable cable. This is a common point of criticism, but the cables are built to be very durable. Some newer “X” versions of these models do offer detachable cables.
8. Which headphone has better bass?
   Both have excellent bass response. The DT 770 Pro provides a more contained and punchy bass due to its closed-back design. The DT 990 Pro offers a voluminous and strong bass, but it’s part of a wider, more open soundstage. The preference depends on your taste.