Best Headphones

Head to head · for music listening

Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO vs HIFIMAN HE400se

More people recommend the Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO overall (75 vs 15). None of the 11 comments that name both says outright which one to buy, so read the loves and complaints and decide by taste.

Comments naming both
11
Say they own both
1
Choose the DT 990 PRO
0
Choose the HE400se
0

Counted across 8 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.

At a glance the better number on each row is highlighted
Beyerdynamic DT 990 PROHIFIMAN HE400se
Typical price$200$109cheaper
Overall rank#8higher#27
People who recommend it75more15
Say they own it112more13
Mentions775more187
Typeopen-back wiredopen-back planar wired
Known forOpen-backBass and trebleBuilt to lastPlanarBudgetAmp helps
Best forBig, spacious sound on a budget for people who like sparkle and do not mind an amp.Entry ticket to planar sound for just over $100.
BuyAmazon · $200DirectAmazon · $109

#8 overall

Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO (250 ohm)

1 of the 11 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

#27 overall

HIFIMAN HE400se

1 of the 11 comments naming both come from people who say they own this one.

What owners love

  • Cheapest planar-magnetic headphone people take seriously; called hands-down the best budget headphone by one owner
  • Open, fast sound well above its price
  • Open-box units direct from HIFIMAN keep the full warranty

The complaints

  • Needs more power than a phone gives
  • Same HIFIMAN quality-control worries as the Sundara
  • Basic comfort and build

In their words

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