These Beyerdynamic headphones will blow you away with clarity, accuracy and comfort

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• The Beyerdynamic DT1990 Pro MKII headphones are available now on Amzon for $599
• These headphones deliver mind-blowing accuracy and detail
• The price might be a turn-off to some but they are worth every penny.

In a world of cheap, overly-processed sound, any opportunity to hear music as its creators intended can elevate the experience in ways many listeners have never known. Beyerdynamic knows this all too well and has a reputation for delivering some of the finest headphones on the market that don’t cost thousands of dollars.  

Such is the case with the DT 1990 Pro MKII open-back headphones. The second you take these headphones out of the case and hold them in your hands, you can feel the quality — and you know you’re in for something special.

That’s exactly how I felt. After opening the box and lifting the DT 1990 Pro headphones out of the case, I couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across my lips. I’ve been reviewing headphones for a long time, and I’ve reached the point where I can tell what I’m in for by holding them in my hands. The heft and materials always tell a story; in the case of the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII headphones, that story is of high quality.

The specs

• Circumaural* headphones for high-end studio use
• 250-ohm, 45-mm dynamic Tesla neodymium driver
• Single-sided, detachable cable with mini-XLR connector
• Replaceable ear pads and headband
• Nominal impedance – 250 ohms
• Frequency response – 5-40,000Hz
• Nominal sound pressure level – 102 dBSPL (1mW/500 Hz)
• Cable and plug – 3-pin XLR plug, 6.35mm (1/4″) stereo jack plug, 3m straight cable & 5m coiled cable
• Price – $599 on Amazon

*Circumaurl headphones are those with ear cups that surround your ears (as opposed to resting on top of them) and are also known as “over-ear headphones.” This type of headphones also have larger drivers, which makes them a bit bulkier than other types, but the results are superior sound quality.

My experience

Instead of jumping directly to my usual “Analog Kid” by Rush, I decided to spin the 40th-anniversary vinyl edition of “Moving Pictures,” which starts with the band’s biggest hit, “Tom Sawyer.”

Wow.

Seriously… wow.

Also: These Beyerdynamic headphones deliver premium and rich sound while undercutting the competition

As the sound washed over my eardrums, I felt as if I were standing in Le Studio as the band was laying down the tracks. I have not heard such clarity and accuracy in a pair of headphones. And the space! The intro to YYZ was magic, with Neil Peart’s triangle jumping from ear to ear. And then there was this fabulous moment — right after the full intro — where it sounded almost as if the music had to take a breath before continuing and the echo of the last phrase continued to rise in the ether.

The moment was special — something I’d never heard before in a song I’ve listened to thousands of times. 

Even without the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII headphones, “YYZ” is a very special piece of music. With these headphones, the song is elevated to a near-studio experience; and that, my friends, is something every music lover should experience.

Also: The best over-ear headphones: Expert tested and reviewed

Every song felt as if it was the first time I’d heard it. These headphones brought out nuances that lesser headphones cannot dig out, and the DT 1990 Pro MKII did it with ease.

As far as comfort is concerned, their substantial (376g) weight was barely noticeable. I’ve worn headphones a quarter of the weight and not nearly as comfortable. These are all-day headphones that deliver all-day joy.

ZDNET’s buying advice

The Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII headphones are pricey at $599, but they’re worth every penny. If you have the extra scratch lying around, and you love the idea of having studio-quality headphones over your ears, I highly recommend this pair. And because these have a low impedance, you won’t need an external amp to drive them. With a USB-C adapter, you can plug these into your phone and hear things from that mobile device in ways you never have. There’s no artificial boosting of lows or highs — they’re just dead-on accurate. You’ll hear reverb accurately, space effectively, and music exactly how it was meant to be heard.

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