Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro

"Uncompromising benchmark-setting studio headphones for sophisticated listening, mixing and mastering."

The 1990s have phenomenal imaging and their analytical tuning makes details apparent, very important for mixing and mastering, but 'uncompromising' for listening might be a stretch given the harshness of the treble. The analytical tuning is quite fatiguing during casual listening.

"Brilliant highs, a richly detailed midrange and precise bass combine to ensure a sublime sound quality it is second to none."

The mids are definitely detailed, and the bass is tight and controlled, but those brilliant highs get a little too sharp—decent with some EQ, but not quite 'second to none' for everyone. 

"High-tech textiles and ear pads make the headphones exceptionally comfortable."

The velour pads are quality, the headphones are overall comfortable, but these are professional, studio headphones and the clamp force can feel tight out of the box if you aren't used to pro headphones.

"The open, circumaural design offers a natural and extremely spatial sound."

The soundstage is solid for an open-back. Not as wide as some competitors like the AKG K712 or Hifiman Edition XS, but the imaging more than makes up for it.

"The DT 1990 PRO are handcrafted in Germany. From the smart headband through to the aluminium end pieces, the new professional headphones are real head-turners due to their exceptionally meticulous craftsmanship with a real focus on quality and durability."

100%, absolutely agree—these things are built like a tank and look the part too.

When I first put these on, I was struck by just how solid they feel. The build is outstanding, with metal components that scream durability and velour ear pads that are incredibly comfortable, even during marathon gaming sessions. The clamp force is a bit tight at first, these are professional studio headphones where a tight clamp is desired, but it loosened up enough with time.

As for the sound, the DT 1990 Pro is all about noticing details. The imaging and directional audio are razor-sharp, making it easy to pick out every element in a track or pinpoint sounds in a game, hear the crunch of glass. The soundstage is good but not mind-blowing—roomy enough to feel spacious, but not as wide as something like the AKG K712. The bass is tight and punchy, especially for an open-back design, though it’s not for bassheads—this is more about precision than thump. The mids are clear and detailed, making vocals and instruments really shine. 

The treble is where things get interesting—and polarizing. Back when the DT 1990 first hit the scene, people praised its analytical tuning and insane detail retrieval. It was the gamers achievable end-game, with the 800 S being a distant dream. Lately, though, its vogue and trendy to hate on the DT 1990. It went from a consistent A-tier on people's lists to D. A big part of that is when you can get newer, and many would argue better, headphones like the Edition XS (released 2021) for quite a bit cheaper, it's a lot harder to recommend the 1990 today. There’s no denying it’s bright and peaky. It's a double-edged sword that makes these a dream for analytical listening and competitive gaming, where having sound cues stand out is ideal. However, in casual listening it is fatiguing and harsh. It’s like the headphones are constantly shouting, “Did you notice that! Isn't it peculiar?”—which gets exhausting if you’re not in the mood for it or listening to music with less than perfect mastering.

That said, the treble is reasonably fixable. A quick EQ tweak and pad swap can smooth the brightness and make these much more forgiving for everyday listening. I personally used Dekoni's perforated leather pads, trading some of the detail for greater comfort. It’s a shame the treble has overshadowed what the DT 1990 does so well because these are still one of my personal favourites.

For some, and at the right price.

For critical listening, mixing, or gaming, the DT 1990 Pro still stands its ground in my opinion. It’s not the most forgiving headphone out there, its not good value, it has problems, anyone sensitive to treble will suffer... But, if you value precision and clarity, these deliver in spades.