Wow, FINALLY a review of the dt990 pro headphones that I can make use of as a STUDIO ENGINEER. Thank you! 😀👍 This is exactly the information that I have been failing to find in other reviews out there. My use requirements of these is for studio recording and mixing, and it is very helpful to finally see another studio engineer analyze these cans from our perspective. 😎👍👍
Glad to hear you found my approach useful! When I started doing headphone (and other) reviews my idea was to provide as much objective info as possible for the studio applications we have. Of course you can never hear exactly what headphones sound like online without the impact of your own monitors/cans, but if I can provide an opportunity for you to hear and see measured differences they impart vs a reference track I can at least get you part way there… Cheers! 👍
This channel is amazing, thanks for making this kind of videos with accurate, unbiased & detailed information! You do what most reviewers don't with all the graph analysis. Already subbed :)
Well I'll be.. Todd, it's amazing effort You're putting in those detailed and, and most importantly, useful reviews! As I'm forced to change my T7V's to headphones, Your channel comes as blessing. Looking forward for DT900 Pro X review. Thank You and cheers!
Changing our monitoring options always takes time to get used to, especially monitors to headphones or vice versa... I glad you find the review info useful...900 pro x coming soon... Cheers!
Great and detailed review. Bought them myself before even watching this review. Totally agree with your thoughts. I love the added punch in the upper bass area. I can understand if the treble is too harsh for some people. But I can live with the boost. Its not annoying. And something that could be fixed with a little EQ (Shelf or Notch). Wide sound stage and detailed. A joy to hear music, watch movies or play games.
I have the DT 990 Pro and i hear every detail especially at high frequencies (also air frequencies - above 16KHz) - the bad is you need decrease 4KHz and 9KHz to have a flat audio.
That is how I hear them as well...I look at it as you can tame the overemphasized frequencies, but you cannot add detail where it does not exist. Detail is why these headphones are an effective choice for critical listening and why they continue to be so popular imo.
Have it as well as the 770 pro. I prefer the 990 unless there is a lot of unwanted noise in the room. The 990 is easier on the ears especially on low frequencies (less air on the ear drums).
I have a bit of a unique question if you wouldn't mind. I have sensitive ears when it comes to sound in general and I like listening to things on a lower volume because then it doesn't (I have no way other to put this other than that if I listen to a loud sound or something for too long my ears feel sore and tired if that makes sense at all). Sorry for a bit of a word salad I just can't articulate the feeling. I do have 2 fans on in my bedroom because where I live ... it's necessity, so my question is - with the knowledge that I have background noise of between 32 dB and 36 dB with a peak of 38 dB, what would you suggest for my situation ? Is there bleeding from the 990s or is it minimal ( this is not a major concern, it's just more for I would like to know) because I have never owned open headphones before.
Glad you enjoyed it! Yes, the 900 Pro X are definitely on my review list. I have already tested them out, but I want a few more hours on them before I complete a review.
Thanks, I had one fill light down (power supply) for a few videos including this one...the lighting is very flat. Lighting is starting to get better...work in progress. Cheers!
Glad you enjoyed the review. I would say the K240 (after burn-in) are more neutral sounding vs the 990. The boost in the upper frequencies makes the 990 sound as if it has more upper range detail and it does deliver more performance in bass and sub-bass frequencies vs the K240. The K240 really don’t come across as pushing anything but for that reason they can sound flat…which is what they are intended to do. Both are very competent headphones that are suitable for critical listening. In the end, it comes down to which profile helps you hear the detail you are looking for.
Hello, I recently bought the dt 990 pro but the expectation and the reality is not the same They are sounding very harsh to me Also I have a set of consumer grade headphones ( Boat Rockerz 550 ) I'm using Arturia Minifuse 2 When I listen with the dt 990 ( for example Ed Sheeran songs ) they sound really harsh , I'm sure they mix engineers on Ed Sheeran songs are not done the mix harsh on purpose And when I'm listening through that consumer grade headphones ( with aux and 1/4 inch jack ) they sounded lesa harsh but the instrument separation is nearly same. But I found that the bass is more clean and not amplified on the dt Also the consumer headphones has better mid range in my opinion What do you think I'm making any mistakes? Should I return the dt 990 pro? Or should I get used to the harsh sound and keep using them as they are "studio grade headphones" I know they are not flat and I can use eq or sonarwoks for that But Can I mix on consumer grade headphones, do they make any major difference? Please suggest your thoughts
There have been many users reporting the 990 as harsh, but others find them bright but not harsh. The physics of our ears dictates that headphones (and speakers) do not sound exactly the same to all of us. If you find them harsh, you may want to consider returning them as you will likely find them fatiguing for mixing. The key to using headphones for mixing is being able to hear details for tone, imaging, and positioning of thy various instruments and vocals . This means that some headphones be they consumer or studio do not reproduce enough detail to be used for critical listening. The good news is that once you find a set whose characteristics fit your ears, you can then learn what a well balanced mix “sounds like” on them by listening to other mixes as references. Some headphones I recommend for users whose ears are sensitive to upper mid and high frequencies include the AKH K702, Sennheiser HD600 / HD400 / HD560S, and in a more affordable price range, the OneOdio Monitor 80. Some users that are very sensitive to high frequencies use Sennheiser HD280 pro which are closed back. Some users find the 280 to lack upper frequencies and sound dull, but those sensitive to upper frequencies find them balanced and comfortable for long sessions. I hope this helps out!
@@askdrtk Thank you for your reply I'm definitely going to return the 990 pros, Also I find the referencing point quite helpful 🙏🏻 I compared the consumer one and the dt 990 pros just by my ear and I found that the only advantage of the dt 990 pros is the enormous wideness I can also hear every little detail on the consumer ones wideness is acceptable The difference between that consumer and dt headphones are mostly down to price and high end Even with the consumer headphones I can hear better upper mids , For example there's a little guitar counter melody on the second verse of Ed Sheeran's Shivers which can't hear properly with the dt 990 pro as my ear is constantly considering the high end boost 😭 Maybe I'll consider the dt 990 pros or dt 1990 pro when I'm a bit older and till then I'll consider one of your other headphones suggestion Thank you ❤️😀
I find the 400s to be more natural sounding vs the 990s, with the 990s producing more bass and sub bass. The choice depends a bit on genre as I would say the 990s have an edge for EDM and HH as long as you don’t find the upper frequency boost fatiguing. Both deliver sufficient detail to make good mix decisions. At first, the 990s seem to produce greater detail in the mids, but after careful listening I would say it is a placebo effect of the boosted highs. Hope this helps out!
the dt990 change in sound as the pads flatten, they don't keep that insane amount of treble and when it smooths out all that sharpness is gone and then you can turn it up more to hear more bass, to me they sound perfect, but the sound changed drastically
@@askdrtk also the simgot em6l ear buds are just as quality as the dt990, they actually suprised me, if you like dt990 you might even find the sound to be better
Thanks for a nice review. I like the sounds of this headphones. I hope my Mac n iPhone can drive 250ohm headphones😊. Do you think the sounds of dt990 pro is different than the dt990 Edition with 32 ohm giving that I play from iPhone with dongle Dac or a Mac ? Thank u.
Glad to help out! The 250 ohm version will work with your phone and Mac, however you may not get good dynamic performance, particularly if you like o listen at higher volumes. For exclusive use with phones and computers I generally recommend the 32 ohm version of the 990. The difference in sound between the two is relatively small and taking into consideration transient response, you will likely prefer the sound of the 32 ohm in your application imo.
@@askdrtkThank u very much for nice explanation. I’m a noob and I am interested to try so called good wired headphones. From tons of reviews n sounds test. I like dt990 pro the most. May be I like crisp clear sounds and not so much for warm n dark sounds. If you don’t mind, I would like to ask if I can use an apple usb C to 3.5 as a dac from my computer(Mac) and i plug to the external amp and then to the headphone, would it work that way too? Or I should buy a amp/Dac combo is better? The one I have an eye of is Fiio K5 pro ESS. Sorry if my question is silly. Hehehehe thank u for your time ! 😇 Aw and please feel free to suggest me. It’s my first mid-fi set up!
No silly questions here… The usb c to 3.5mm will work, but the 250 ohm version of the headphones will take advantage of the amplifier in the K5 pro (it will open things up and improve transient response). The ESS chip is found in a number of pro-grade converters and will also contribute to improved detail and dynamic range. If you can swing it, the DT990 250 ohm with the K5 pro is a very capable rig.
I have a bit of a unique question if you wouldn't mind. I have sensitive ears when it comes to sound in general and I like listening to things on a lower volume because then it doesn't (I have no way other to put this other than that if I listen to a loud sound or something for too long my ears feel sore and tired if that makes sense at all). Sorry for a bit of a word salad I just can't articulate the feeling. I do have 2 fans on in my bedroom because where I live ... it's necessity, so my question is - with the knowledge that I have background noise of between 32 dB and 36 dB with a peak of 38 dB, what would you suggest for my situation ? Is there bleeding from the 990s or is it minimal ( this is not a major concern, it's just more for I would like to know) because I have never owned open back headphones before. (sorry for reposting under main comments I am just hoping for both of your opinions and standpoint). And if you would suggest any headphone amp for the dt 770s (250ohm) and dt 990 (250 ohm) that is not super overkill what would you recommend ? What an amazing channel you have, I'm super appreciative of the technicality you go into to show its performance and where its flaws might lie because it gives us the oppurtunity to interpret it for our own specific situation.
Both the DT770 and 990 would not be my first recommendation for those with sensitive ears. The 770 as with all closed-back headphones creates for sound pressure and fluctuating air pressure on the eardrums which can be fatiguing and in some cases painful. Open-back headphones have the advantage in the air pressure fluctuations are reduced and I would say that your background sound level is not a deal breaker. There will of course be some sound bleed from the headphones, but it is not excessive unless you get to very loud listening levels which I suspect you will not. The 990 would likely be more comfortable for your ears, but it to has some upper frequencies that some find fatiguing. I just posted a review of the AKG K702 open-back headphones and I would say they are among the least fatiguing headphones I have used and they may be a good option for you. The DT 990 has a slight advantage in bass response, but it should not be an issue except perhaps for EDM. I hope this helps out. Cheers!
I love my DT990's. However, I need to replace mine after a couple years due to the padding on the ears getting warn down. The padding becomes flat and makes my ears press against the instead of the headphones which becomes very uncomfortable. Otherwise very good headphones.
Assuming everything else in in good shape a pad change is a good option. Different pads will change the sound profile of the headphones, so I generally recommend replacing with the original manufacturer pads where possible. If the foam in yours have compressed significantly you will likely notice a sonic change anyways though...
Maybe too late here but be sure to get the correct pads & not 770's as they have different padding. Custom Cans yt channel did a pad comparison if you're interested in experimenting.
WIERD THAT THIS CHANNEL ISN'T MORE RECOGNIZED. A HELL OF A REVIEW. PODCASTAGE LEVEL.
Thanks, RUclips takes time... I also enjoy Bandrew's reviews and I'm glad you enjoyed my look at the 990s. Cheers!
Wow, FINALLY a review of the dt990 pro headphones that I can make use of as a STUDIO ENGINEER.
Thank you! 😀👍
This is exactly the information that I have been failing to find in other reviews out there.
My use requirements of these is for studio recording and mixing, and it is very helpful to finally see another studio engineer analyze these cans from our perspective.
😎👍👍
Glad to hear you found my approach useful! When I started doing headphone (and other) reviews my idea was to provide as much objective info as possible for the studio applications we have. Of course you can never hear exactly what headphones sound like online without the impact of your own monitors/cans, but if I can provide an opportunity for you to hear and see measured differences they impart vs a reference track I can at least get you part way there… Cheers! 👍
This channel is amazing, thanks for making this kind of videos with accurate, unbiased & detailed information! You do what most reviewers don't with all the graph analysis. Already subbed :)
Well I'll be.. Todd, it's amazing effort You're putting in those detailed and, and most importantly, useful reviews! As I'm forced to change my T7V's to headphones, Your channel comes as blessing. Looking forward for DT900 Pro X review. Thank You and cheers!
Changing our monitoring options always takes time to get used to, especially monitors to headphones or vice versa... I glad you find the review info useful...900 pro x coming soon... Cheers!
Dude you're a legend, you deserve infinitely more subs for how high-quality these reviews are! Keep it up for everyone!
I just found your channel and I would say there is just as much effort in this as in a gamer's nexus vid. Dude thank you for all of the work.
Great and detailed review. Bought them myself before even watching this review. Totally agree with your thoughts.
I love the added punch in the upper bass area. I can understand if the treble is too harsh for some people. But I can live with the boost. Its not annoying.
And something that could be fixed with a little EQ (Shelf or Notch).
Wide sound stage and detailed. A joy to hear music, watch movies or play games.
Thanks! I'm glad you're enjoying your 990s...they are legendary for a reason. Cheers!
I have the DT 990 Pro and i hear every detail especially at high frequencies (also air frequencies - above 16KHz) - the bad is you need decrease 4KHz and 9KHz to have a flat audio.
That is how I hear them as well...I look at it as you can tame the overemphasized frequencies, but you cannot add detail where it does not exist. Detail is why these headphones are an effective choice for critical listening and why they continue to be so popular imo.
Have it as well as the 770 pro. I prefer the 990 unless there is a lot of unwanted noise in the room. The 990 is easier on the ears especially on low frequencies (less air on the ear drums).
Agreed, I use open-backs when I can, easier on the ears, especially for longer sessions. Cheers!
wait so the 990's have less bass?
I have a bit of a unique question if you wouldn't mind. I have sensitive ears when it comes to sound in general and I like listening to things on a lower volume because then it doesn't (I have no way other to put this other than that if I listen to a loud sound or something for too long my ears feel sore and tired if that makes sense at all). Sorry for a bit of a word salad I just can't articulate the feeling. I do have 2 fans on in my bedroom because where I live ... it's necessity, so my question is - with the knowledge that I have background noise of between 32 dB and 36 dB with a peak of 38 dB, what would you suggest for my situation ? Is there bleeding from the 990s or is it minimal ( this is not a major concern, it's just more for I would like to know) because I have never owned open headphones before.
This review is gold
Great content ! 👍
Fantastic review!
good informative video thank you
My pleasure to help out. Cheers!
Nice review!
Will you be checking out the DT900 Pro X?
Glad you enjoyed it! Yes, the 900 Pro X are definitely on my review list. I have already tested them out, but I want a few more hours on them before I complete a review.
thanks for the video. I think you could still improve your lighting, add some contrast and layers. cheers!
Thanks, I had one fill light down (power supply) for a few videos including this one...the lighting is very flat. Lighting is starting to get better...work in progress. Cheers!
Thanks again for a great review. As far as a neutral sounding open back headphone, where would the AKG K240 rank on your list now?
Glad you enjoyed the review. I would say the K240 (after burn-in) are more neutral sounding vs the 990. The boost in the upper frequencies makes the 990 sound as if it has more upper range detail and it does deliver more performance in bass and sub-bass frequencies vs the K240. The K240 really don’t come across as pushing anything but for that reason they can sound flat…which is what they are intended to do. Both are very competent headphones that are suitable for critical listening. In the end, it comes down to which profile helps you hear the detail you are looking for.
Hello, I recently bought the dt 990 pro but the expectation and the reality is not the same
They are sounding very harsh to me
Also I have a set of consumer grade headphones ( Boat Rockerz 550 )
I'm using Arturia Minifuse 2
When I listen with the dt 990 ( for example Ed Sheeran songs ) they sound really harsh , I'm sure they mix engineers on Ed Sheeran songs are not done the mix harsh on purpose
And when I'm listening through that consumer grade headphones ( with aux and 1/4 inch jack ) they sounded lesa harsh but the instrument separation is nearly same.
But I found that the bass is more clean and not amplified on the dt
Also the consumer headphones has better mid range in my opinion
What do you think I'm making any mistakes?
Should I return the dt 990 pro?
Or should I get used to the harsh sound and keep using them as they are "studio grade headphones"
I know they are not flat and I can use eq or sonarwoks for that
But Can I mix on consumer grade headphones, do they make any major difference?
Please suggest your thoughts
There have been many users reporting the 990 as harsh, but others find them bright but not harsh. The physics of our ears dictates that headphones (and speakers) do not sound exactly the same to all of us. If you find them harsh, you may want to consider returning them as you will likely find them fatiguing for mixing.
The key to using headphones for mixing is being able to hear details for tone, imaging, and positioning of thy various instruments and vocals . This means that some headphones be they consumer or studio do not reproduce enough detail to be used for critical listening. The good news is that once you find a set whose characteristics fit your ears, you can then learn what a well balanced mix “sounds like” on them by listening to other mixes as references.
Some headphones I recommend for users whose ears are sensitive to upper mid and high frequencies include the AKH K702, Sennheiser HD600 / HD400 / HD560S, and in a more affordable price range, the OneOdio Monitor 80. Some users that are very sensitive to high frequencies use Sennheiser HD280 pro which are closed back. Some users find the 280 to lack upper frequencies and sound dull, but those sensitive to upper frequencies find them balanced and comfortable for long sessions. I hope this helps out!
@@askdrtk Thank you for your reply I'm definitely going to return the 990 pros,
Also I find the referencing point quite helpful 🙏🏻
I compared the consumer one and the dt 990 pros just by my ear and I found that the only advantage of the dt 990 pros is the enormous wideness
I can also hear every little detail on the consumer ones wideness is acceptable
The difference between that consumer and dt headphones are mostly down to price and high end
Even with the consumer headphones I can hear better upper mids , For example there's a little guitar counter melody on the second verse of Ed Sheeran's Shivers which can't hear properly with the dt 990 pro as my ear is constantly considering the high end boost 😭
Maybe I'll consider the dt 990 pros or dt 1990 pro when I'm a bit older and till then I'll consider one of your other headphones suggestion
Thank you ❤️😀
Hey mannn do you recommend this headphone over Sennheiser hd 400 pros ????
Which one will be good for mixing for bedroom producer's like us ????
I find the 400s to be more natural sounding vs the 990s, with the 990s producing more bass and sub bass. The choice depends a bit on genre as I would say the 990s have an edge for EDM and HH as long as you don’t find the upper frequency boost fatiguing. Both deliver sufficient detail to make good mix decisions. At first, the 990s seem to produce greater detail in the mids, but after careful listening I would say it is a placebo effect of the boosted highs. Hope this helps out!
the dt990 change in sound as the pads flatten, they don't keep that insane amount of treble and when it smooths out all that sharpness is gone and then you can turn it up more to hear more bass, to me they sound perfect, but the sound changed drastically
Glad to hear the 990s are working out well after break-in!
@@askdrtk also the simgot em6l ear buds are just as quality as the dt990, they actually suprised me, if you like dt990 you might even find the sound to be better
I use these as an alternative to the DT 880 Pros.
I find it helpful to reference some material through both 880 and 990 Pros (among others). Great to have both available imo…Cheers!
I have them now, but the audio is LOW... any idea?
Thanks for a nice review. I like the sounds of this headphones. I hope my Mac n iPhone can drive 250ohm headphones😊. Do you think the sounds of dt990 pro is different than the dt990 Edition with 32 ohm giving that I play from iPhone with dongle Dac or a Mac ? Thank u.
Glad to help out! The 250 ohm version will work with your phone and Mac, however you may not get good dynamic performance, particularly if you like o listen at higher volumes. For exclusive use with phones and computers I generally recommend the 32 ohm version of the 990. The difference in sound between the two is relatively small and taking into consideration transient response, you will likely prefer the sound of the 32 ohm in your application imo.
@@askdrtkThank u very much for nice explanation. I’m a noob and I am interested to try so called good wired headphones. From tons of reviews n sounds test. I like dt990 pro the most. May be I like crisp clear sounds and not so much for warm n dark sounds. If you don’t mind, I would like to ask if I can use an apple usb C to 3.5 as a dac from my computer(Mac) and i plug to the external amp and then to the headphone, would it work that way too? Or I should buy a amp/Dac combo is better? The one I have an eye of is Fiio K5 pro ESS. Sorry if my question is silly. Hehehehe thank u for your time ! 😇 Aw and please feel free to suggest me. It’s my first mid-fi set up!
No silly questions here… The usb c to 3.5mm will work, but the 250 ohm version of the headphones will take advantage of the amplifier in the K5 pro (it will open things up and improve transient response). The ESS chip is found in a number of pro-grade converters and will also contribute to improved detail and dynamic range. If you can swing it, the DT990 250 ohm with the K5 pro is a very capable rig.
@@askdrtk thank you very much for your time n reply. I think I will go with this combo 😄. Pretty excited
I have a bit of a unique question if you wouldn't mind. I have sensitive ears when it comes to sound in general and I like listening to things on a lower volume because then it doesn't (I have no way other to put this other than that if I listen to a loud sound or something for too long my ears feel sore and tired if that makes sense at all). Sorry for a bit of a word salad I just can't articulate the feeling. I do have 2 fans on in my bedroom because where I live ... it's necessity, so my question is - with the knowledge that I have background noise of between 32 dB and 36 dB with a peak of 38 dB, what would you suggest for my situation ? Is there bleeding from the 990s or is it minimal ( this is not a major concern, it's just more for I would like to know) because I have never owned open back headphones before. (sorry for reposting under main comments I am just hoping for both of your opinions and standpoint). And if you would suggest any headphone amp for the dt 770s (250ohm) and dt 990 (250 ohm) that is not super overkill what would you recommend ? What an amazing channel you have, I'm super appreciative of the technicality you go into to show its performance and where its flaws might lie because it gives us the oppurtunity to interpret it for our own specific situation.
Both the DT770 and 990 would not be my first recommendation for those with sensitive ears. The 770 as with all closed-back headphones creates for sound pressure and fluctuating air pressure on the eardrums which can be fatiguing and in some cases painful. Open-back headphones have the advantage in the air pressure fluctuations are reduced and I would say that your background sound level is not a deal breaker. There will of course be some sound bleed from the headphones, but it is not excessive unless you get to very loud listening levels which I suspect you will not. The 990 would likely be more comfortable for your ears, but it to has some upper frequencies that some find fatiguing. I just posted a review of the AKG K702 open-back headphones and I would say they are among the least fatiguing headphones I have used and they may be a good option for you. The DT 990 has a slight advantage in bass response, but it should not be an issue except perhaps for EDM. I hope this helps out. Cheers!
I love my DT990's. However, I need to replace mine after a couple years due to the padding on the ears getting warn down. The padding becomes flat and makes my ears press against the instead of the headphones which becomes very uncomfortable. Otherwise very good headphones.
You can just buy pads. Alot of the parts are replaceable.
Assuming everything else in in good shape a pad change is a good option. Different pads will change the sound profile of the headphones, so I generally recommend replacing with the original manufacturer pads where possible. If the foam in yours have compressed significantly you will likely notice a sonic change anyways though...
Maybe too late here but be sure to get the correct pads & not 770's as they have different padding. Custom Cans yt channel did a pad comparison if you're interested in experimenting.
Please try the Samson SR580
On my list…Cheers!