Finding a pair of appropriate studio headphones for a variety of uses can be more taxing than you may at first realize. It isn’t just a matter of finding phones that can be used to monitor close recording situations. It will also come down to the issue of being able to find pro-quality studio phones that won’t put a major dent in your studio budget. After all, you don’t want to blow the whole thing on any one item.
So when we first heard all of the hoopla about the new Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Studio Headphones, we did feel entitled to be a bit skeptical. We have heard a great many claims about similar models that never quite panned out. However, after subjecting this new model to a battery of tests, we have to say that we are quite impressed. If you are looking for state of the art tech at a price you can afford, this may be it.
What Are the Most Notable Features of This Model?
The new Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Studio Headphones come with a variety of features, many of which are well worth a mention in this review. Some of these features will include the following:
The Included Noise Cancelling Feature is Particularly Useful
One of the leading features of the new Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Studio Headphones that will definitely deserve a mention is its noise canceling ability. We hold our studio phones to the highest possible standards in this department and are happy to report that this particular model really did live up to the hype. While using them to mix a sample, we were unaware of any interference coming through from the outside world.
The Design is Completely Lightweight, Compact, and Comfortable
Another feature that will surely find much favor with users is the relative comfort that comes with this model. The phones are padded in a very comfy manner that will hug your ears rather than oppressing them. This is a feature that you are sure to find endearing after spending many hours hunched over the console with loud music blaring in your ears. They are lightweight, compact, and guaranteed not to cause discomfort.
Both the Bass and Treble Levels Have Been Expertly Adjusted
One of the biggest issues with modern studio monitor headphones is the polarization of sounds that they are designed to impart. Many phones favor either the bass or the treble but rarely both. As a result, you have phones built for rock or jazz or phones built for hip hop and other bass-heavy styles. We are glad to report that these new phones seem to be that rare model where bass and treble are equally favored.
Practical Single Sided Cable Makes for Easy Storage
You should also note that this is a very practical single-sided cable model. You get 3 meters (9.8 feet) of cable. This ensures that you can easily store the unit. You can also move around the studio without fear of getting tripped up.
What Are the Leading Advantages of the Beyerdynamic DT 990?
One of the most notable advantages that comes from buying the Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Studio Headphones is the fact that you won’t be spending a ton of money. These new phones are priced extremely reasonably. This is all the more true when you consider the competition. New studio monitor headphones rarely, if ever, sell below a couple hundred dollars as a rule. And yet, these new phones are top quality items that are often available for less.
Another huge advantage that you will get from buying these phones is their almost total universality (at least with modern digital equipment – see below for how well they translate to older analog equipment). If you are looking for a pair of decently priced phones that can be used during the course of recording, mixing, or mastering, this is the model that should definitely catch your eye. Universality is everything.
Are There Any Major Disadvantages You Need to Be Aware of?
There may not be any radical cons to speak of in connection with these new phones. But you should be aware from the start that these phones are definitely not meant for casual listening in conjunction with your iPhone. These phones are a good deal bulkier and more costly than the normal models you would connect to your phone or laptop. For this reason, it’s a good idea to evaluate what you need them for (if you do) before you buy them.
You should also be aware that, even though these phones are meant to be universally applicable to a wide range of modern studio equipment, there are bound to be a few exceptions here and there. Some will be minor while others may be major. You may find yourself having difficulty trying to use these phones in conjunction with dated analog equipment such as Studio consoles from the 1980s and any decade before then.
Are These the Best Pro Studio Headphones for You?
There are plenty of high-quality professional studio headphones on the market for you to take notice of. That being said, the new Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Studio Headphones do fit a high end niche that has not been served quite so ably in a very long time. These phones are jam packed with excellent new features. They are lightweight, compact, comfortable to wear for hours on end, and built to deliver top quality sonic response as a general rule.
While there are a few very minor cons to take note of, the overwhelming impression is of a pair of phones that have been designed to the highest possible modern standards of quality. For this reason, we can also note that these phones have received very little else but praise from some of the most renowned experts in the recording, mixing, and mastering industry. As a result, we highly recommend these new phones.
