Head to head · for music listening
Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO vs DT 1990 PRO
More people recommend the Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO overall (75 vs 38). None of the 29 comments that name both says outright which one to buy, so read the loves and complaints and decide by taste.
- Comments naming both
- 29
- Say they own both
- 3
- Choose the DT 990 PRO
- 0
- Choose the DT 1990 PRO
- 0
Counted across 18 review videos, harvested Sep 2026. A comment counts as a choice only when it says so in plain words (prefer X over Y, upgraded from Y to X); questions never count. Quotes are whole sentences of 12 words or fewer, linked to where they were said. How we count.
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical price | $200cheaper | $700 |
| Overall rank | #8higher | #17 |
| People who recommend it | 75more | 38 |
| Say they own it | 112more | 51 |
| Mentions | 775more | 470 |
| Type | open-back wired | open-back wired |
| Known for | Open-backBass and trebleBuilt to last | DetailTwo pad setsNeeds amp |
| Best for | Big, spacious sound on a budget for people who like sparkle and do not mind an amp. | Detail-first listeners and home producers who want a headphone that will outlast several amps. |
| Buy | Amazon · $200Direct | Amazon · $700Direct |
#8 overall
Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO (250 ohm)
8 of the 29 comments naming both come from people who say they own this one.
What owners love
- Wide, open soundstage with sharp imaging; owners who came from gaming headsets call it a revelation
- Very comfortable velour pads; owners keep them for 5-7 years
- Built like the DT 770 and repairable: pads, headband and cable are replaceable
The complaints
- The treble: bright to sharp, the most repeated complaint of any Beyer; some EQ it down
- Bass is present but not deep
- 250 ohm version wants an amp; the Pro X or 80 ohm editions are easier to drive
- US service and repair experiences are poor
In their words
“I have had the dt990 for like 10 years and love them”
A commenter under Watch this BEFORE buying DT990 Pro! (The Headphone Show) · Aug 2022
“I love my pair of beyerdynamic DT 990”
A commenter under Best Headphones for Music Production, Mixing, Tracking (Sanjay C) · Oct 2023
“The DT990 pro is my favorite headphone for acoustic music like bluegrass”
A commenter under DT990 Pro vs DT770 Pro - Which one should you get? (Andrew Dandrew) · May 2021
#17 overall
Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO (now sold as MKII)
4 of the 29 comments naming both come from people who say they own this one.
What owners love
- Build quality owners describe as the best in its class; metal, made in Germany, everything replaceable
- Detail and technical precision that producers and mixers pick it for
- Comes with two pad sets (analytical and balanced) that genuinely change the sound
The complaints
- Treble peaks: the reason most people who move on from it give
- Heavy and warm on the head after long sessions; pads flatten over time
- 250 ohm, needs an amp
In their words
“I got the DT-1990 mkiis and I love them”
A commenter under Almost all headphones are inaccurate. Only these are good. (AP Mastering) · Dec 2024
“These DT 1990 are worth every penny”
A commenter under Z Review - Beyer-Dynamic DT1990 [Like a German Porno...] (Z Reviews) · Mar 2017
“I love my DT 1990 Pros :)”
A commenter under Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro Review: Big, Built, but TOO Bright?? (BadSeed Tech) · Oct 2019
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