I own the DT 990 Pros. They're great headphones if you prefer a brighter V shaped sound, which I do. The 1990s have a much flatter frequency curve, which might explain why the midrange sounds muddier on the 990s in your comparisons. It's competing with boosted bass and treble. In my experience, one of the 990s better applications is in listening to vinyl records. Due to how they were made and how they wear, records tend to have rolled off bass and treble. When you combine that with the V shaped frequency curve of the DT990s, they essentially cancel out and you get a nice neutral sound.
Such a solid and thorough review. Currently own the DT 990 Pro (80 Ohm) and was looking to take the next leap up to the DT 1990's. This video was much needed. Thanks!
I have just purchased DT1990, dt990 is far more comfortable than 1990, heat transfer much more better. dt 1990 is like semi-open. however dt1990 is more sensitive than 990 on consumer products like macbook air headphone jack. Volume level maybe 2x better on dt1990. built quality is awesome. it is piece of art.
The mention of hat sizes was awesome, haven’t heard any reviewers use that for reference before. I’m also a 7-1/2 or L/XL and found the 990s to be too clampy, I’d recommend the 990 Premium Edition for people with larger heads as it has the least clamp force and lightest frame
@@5wappy came back just to say that I’ve since auditioned the HD6XX, HD800S, ATH-R70x, K702, and Elex. The DT1990 is by far my favorite overall (comfort, bass, clarity, soundstage, and imaging) for both music and gaming. The initial clamp force was reduced simply by gently stretching the headband slightly and is now a perfect fit after three days. There’s definitely cleaner, punchier bass than the DT990 Edition as well as less sibilance in the highs (I’m thinking 1990 is an upgraded 880). Thanks for the informative update. Feel free to reach out if you’re curious about any of the above mentioned HPs!
@@Jeff-L That is great! I definitely want to try out more. I went the other way and purchased DT 700 pros for work. I needed a closed back so not to interrupt others with my loud music!
@@Jeff-L So far I like them, they have great sound and really good sound isolation, which is good in a work environment. I will probably do a review on them in the next couple months.
I've had the DT990 Pro:s for 3,5 years and starting to think about upgrading them to 1990 Pro:s but I also have a big head and there's really nothing wrong with 990's so this is a hard choice. The 990's have been one of the best buys I've done in the past years. The 990's feel like they're never going to break and the only thing you have to do is replace the pads from time to time. I've done it once this past 3,5 years but probably would be better to do more often.
The 990s are solid and you can't beat the value. They are also way more comfortable than the 1990s for the first few months if you have a large head like me. But once I upgraded I rarely go back to the 990s. The sound quality is much better in the 1990s IMO.
@@5wappy Actually decided to buy the 1990's. After few days they've felt amazing quality, sound and actually even comfort-wise. The replace pads for them are WAY more comfort than the ones they had on by default. Decided to upgrade my DAC to IFI Zen DAC and will get the test results of this tomorrow. But overall 10/10 would recommend. Even tho the 990's are probably more value but these are really good.
Good review. It matches my experience with all of mentioned headphones. Although my head is smaller and I wasn't struggling with 1990's headband. But I must say that both models had surprised me with mediocre build quality in some points. For example, TWO 990 Pro broke in my hands when I was just getting them on my head. There are a small plastic detail which connects a metalic rod protruding from the cup with the headband. It broke on both of 990 Pro I had. First time I returned them to the store, but second time I just ordered a thicker 3D printed alternative from local printing company amd replaced it myself on both sides. I also had some problems with 1990's. One of them was the same plastic detail, but on 1990 it didn't break completely, so I wasn't needed to fix it myself yet. Also one 1990 just started to wheeze and cracke in the left cup out of the box. I returned them and got second pair. It worked nicely for a long time until both cups just started to sound horribly and later one of then broke completely. So here's some strange thing to say. I returned one 990 Pro, fixed myseld another, then returned one 1990 Pro and after less than a year returned another just a couple of days ago. But. I bought 1990 Pro third time 🤷 Because they're just great for working with sound, gaming and music. I hope this time I won't need to return them or repair them myself because the sound is just great.
I absolutely LOVED this review. So well done. I have been debating on the 990s or the 1990s for a while now. Both videos really helped my decision. Going with the 1990s! Thanks a bunch
I have a big head as well, am not a hardcore audiophile, also have the Schiit Magni 3 (and Schiit Modi DAC). A couple of hours ago (before watching this video), I happened to buy the DT 1990 Pro online, to replace a Hifiman HE400s that is mechanically falling apart (too bad, because it still sounds good). The HE400s was my first headphone over like $100. It was supposed to be a $300ish 1-time expense to get something that lasts forever... but it broke at the swivel hinge (and my hair was slowly destroying the fake suede headband and the ear pads). I managed to tape it back together, but it was definitely time for a new one. I went with the DT 1990 Pro because it's a slight upgrade in the frequency response graphs , while supposedly longer lasting, and not overly expensive. As long as it lasts and doesn't feel like a downgrade in sound quality, I'll be happy.
Well, this was an awfully convenient video, I've just started thinking about my upgrade path from my DT 880 250 Ohm. I've really liked my 880's and was wondering what Beyerdynamic's had on offer. I had been eyeing the 990 pros and then saw the 1990 pros and wondered if there was much of a difference. I'll certainly be taking your feedback into consideration when I make my choice. But first I need to upgrade my sound card to a decent DAC. Keep up the good work dude!
@@5wappyNot true! Dt990's are better than the 1990's. The 1990's have a more peaky treble. The 990's smooths out over time, when the the pads worn in. Also the 1990's have a bigger 4k dip, and dosen't have as good 3k cut for wide soundstage. But, they don't roll of the sub bass as much as the 990's! Now, the dt880's are the better headphones if you listening to 75-85db. For moderate volume at 60-70db the dt990's/1990's are better, as these headphones don't have a mud cut and have a 10db bass boost. However if your mixing or listening to music you usually listening at about 80db and than you want a 5db bass boost and a 200hz mudcut.
I know this review is old, you did a fantastic job by the way... in terms of the sound difference one would be foolish going into a head to head battle review of these two expecting the 1990's to not sound better in more areas than one. There's now at least a $350 (US) price difference. Beyerdynamic would have a serious design and quality to control issue if there were not this difference.
@@5wappy I have the 990 Edition for 1 year and the 900 pro x new. The sound is really different. The 900 have more Bass and less harsh high. The 900 are also very comfortable and need less input (990 need DAC, 900 not). But i prefer the 990 because they are more open so i can still hear the doorbell :)
Just ordered some DT 990's and DT 770's both 250 ohms. I have some dekoni elite hybrid pads for both. I have a ifi hip dac, I hope it has enough power to push them.
@@5wappy They sound awesome, The Dt 990's with the Dekoni hybrid pads are actually producing more bass and an overall better sound in my opinion. I thought the 770's would have more bass with the same pads, but I was mistaken. Think I will sell the 770's or give them as a gift. Minus the dekoni pads of course. Next purchase is going to be the1990's.
The 1990 indeed is easier to drive in terms of it's sensitivity and it just clearer soundn and deeper bass I don't know how some people claim there's little difference between them
I’ve just sent my Hifiman Edition XS back because I got headaches. Before I had DT 770 Pro which are essentially the same as 990 Pro, but being a closed-back. 770 Pro are pure comfort, I can have them on for hours, I was hopping 1990 Pro would give me the same comfort, but I might have headaches as I did with Edition XS. Thank you for the warning and the review!
I have DT 770 Pro 80 ohm and they are so cozy I can wear them for 12+ hours no problem. I also got Edition XS recently and although they are comfortable I do find the weight and physical size of the headphones annoying compared to DT 770 which I forget are even on my head. Yes the XS ultimately outperform these headphones for music and sound stage/detail but I do find myself preferring the closed back intimate feel and easier listen. I hate straining to hear "distant" sound, I want the details easy to hear. I am considering sending XS back because $500 is not cheap and the upgrade feels hardly worth it to me. I would rather have a pair of 990 when I want open back.
@@drewmorg. thats funny. Ive tried the 770 pro and my ears started to hurt after 30-60 minutes. The pads are super comfortable but the pressure on the ears is so high. It feels like my ears have shut (because they are closed ones?) and the pads are pressed against my head. Maybe its just because they are New and need to be bend first..
@@Cr4zyClips I think band placement on the head (fore and aft) makes a big difference on those little ear cups. They need to be well supported by the bone on your head and at the right angle otherwise my ear cartilage will touch the driver and hurts after a couple hours. Especially after they wear down. The nice thing about Edition XS is the pads are so huge they're not picky at all about placement on the head.
The balanced pads have higher soundstage (thicker pads=ears farther away), more even treble (less peaks, especially after 12khz), more bass (also slightly deeper) I prefer analytical, it's more vibrant and crispy. And I hate to change the pads, it took me 1 hour at some point. And I'm afraid I will break them or wear and make them useless. Actually I thought about changing them to DT990 because I've seen that measurements show a more extended treble than 1990, but now that you say the resolution is inferior to 1990, then i'm no longer looking for a side grade. I prefer 1990 over my HD800 even if DT1990 have less resolution, just because DT1990 have an intense, closer to the ear type of sound. HD800 have way less often that bite I'm looking for so most of the sounds sound quieter and far away than I wanted. For intense sound i have stax L700, but that's just too intense.
I love the vibrancy fo the analytical, great for music and gaming. Definitely feel you pain changing the ear pads, I think it took me over 30 minutes to swap mine out.
Hey 5wappy. Thanks for your video, Man. Very good comparison. I have the DT 990 Pro 250 holms. I ain't impressed by them. The way you said : how they sound muddy. I agree. They don't sound very focussed. and clear enough. So I am considering upgrading to the DT1990 Pro. Or may be the Neumann NDH30.
Gonna stick with my 990 pros, blows all my other cans out the water. Even my m50x sound bad in comparison, I'm using a sound blaster sound card with a shit magni amp, sounds great but I do agree they mud out under bass loads, got my beats pro for hip hop however
I have just recieved the 1990 but my K5 arrives in a few days! And right off the bat they sound awesome even without any amp. Much better than my previously owned Audeze Mobius which quite frankly had some of if not the worst build quality I've ever seen. I found the treble on the 1990 to be just a little too much (I'm using the balanced pads, haven't tried the anatycal). It makes some frequences that you hear in instruments such as cymbals stick out a little bit more than they should, giving them a "whistly sound". Fortunately this is easily fixable with some EQing, I used oratory1990's preset with my own tweaks to them, and my 1990 simply sound amazing now. They're also super comfortable, these pads feel great around the ears. So yeah, pretty satisfied!
I think the analytical pads might be worse for the highs, will be interesting to hear your thoughts. I prefer the analytical pads to help with pinpointing sounds while playing GPS games, but I've heard it makes the highs stand out more, which haven't bothered me.
I currently have the 900 pro x headset. I'm thinking about buying the 1990 pro mkII's. Do you think I will notice a difference worth the considerable price jump while gaming?
Man, DT1990 is buy of a year or maybe a century for me, Im super happy I did it. When my friend brought his 990s I was seriously perplexed how bad they sound in compare with 1990, the lack of midrange due to v shape sound feels to me like I have a towel thrown onto soundsystem 😂 I even bought dt1990 and 1770 because mostly I read on the forums and reddit that 1770 are better for electronic/bass music, we did a series of blind tests with my wife and 1990 is a clear winner.
Lovely. I got the same experience and own them both as well. If people want a closed headset I would recommend the 770 Pro 250Ω. You need a powerful amp tho if you wanna use them as a gaming headset.
I have a big head too. I have to bend my DT 770 and DT 880 quite a bit to reshape them, so there's less pressure when wearing them. It's a metal band if it's too much pressure then just reshape it.
I don't own the 990 Pro ,instead the 990 Pro Editions and they sound wonderful on a KORG 100 DAC ,Nordost USB cable Heimdall 2 (don't pay attention to the latter these are from my high end system ) I did not listen to the 1990 "yet" ,because there is a new kid on the block the DT 900 pro X they look similar to the 1990 but cost half and the reviews are great . I also own Beyer dynamics from the early 90's like the DT931 and 831 and these sometimes can out preform the newer types . Thank you for a great review ,keep up the good work . Regards Kenneth John The Netherlands (PS. I forgot Sonar works will make your headphones sound sooooo much better )
@@JaiRoccasGaming I really like them. I think the audio quality is great for the price and enjoy the fact it's open back. I had to get an amp so that it could power the 250 ohms properly, but even without it's still decent volume. Great for gaming.
Hey man, thanks for the review. Really enjoyed watching it. Last week, I stepped up from my Razer gaming headset (which I bought for 20 bucks last year). I ordered 990 pro headphones and oh boy it is a huge improvement in quality. Right now I'm thinking about also ordering 1990s and potentially send back the 990s if the additional invested money is worth it. After using the 990s for a couple of days now, I noticed that my left ear is a bit wider than my right ear, actually touching the inner side of the left ear cup. This is still kind of distracting, and so I wanted to ask you: Are the ear pads on the 1990s by chance any deeper, or are they similar in dimension?
I really like the 1990s, and I believe they are worth the extra cost if you listen to high bitrate music. If only used for gaming I recommend the 990s. The cup pads on the 990s are a bit wider than the 1990s, but the 1990s are a bit deeper. But it isn't a straight forward comparison because my 990 pads are pretty worn down. Hope that helps.
Wow, that's really good quality videos, both of them. Thank you. I'm not a professional e-sport player however I'm competitive and I'd like to improve better every day. I had Hyperx Revolver S for a long time and it was its time to get replaced. I bought the hyped headset at that time, SteelSeries Arctis 7. It was wireless without any loss in MS and felt great to be free from wires but I was so amazed by how bad the quality of sound it was producing for the price I paid. Life happened, I couldn't send it back. After using it for some time, I just got fed up, threw it away and switched to my good old iPhone earbuds, the ones that come with the phone. I switched to playing TFT and League and It was also summer so it means no more ear sweat. They get the job done and I didn't buy anything, everything was ok. I recently started playing FPS again. They just can't keep up. The sound is just so flat, I can't separate gun sounds and footsteps easily. And I started researching. A couple of my favourite streamers are using 990 and 1990. Yes, I prefer to go with 1990 but the budget is important for me and if they don't give a reasonable gap between the two, then there's no point in buying the expensive one for myself. What kind of equipment/sound card/amplifier do I need to buy in order to power those 990? Is it better to go with lower (80) ohm or higher (250) ohm? I'll also use Shure SM58 XLR microphone, don't know if it matters. I do not have any sound knowledge so please do not spare any detail. Thank you.
Main difference between the 80 ohm and 250 ohm is that the 80 is more versatile since it uses less power. You could get away without an amp with the 80 as where with the 250 you would want an amp to help power the headphones (usually you can find decent amps around $100). Both would benefit from having an amp but the 250 ohm model you’d basically need one if you want to hear anything. Most modern motherboards have built in DACs but you could also go with an external DAC or one that you can add to a PCIe lane (you can also find them for around $100). Like I said an amp will improve the experience with both headphones so I’d recommend getting an amp regardless of which model you choose
@@Sirsmoothiebunz Would you like to recommend some product? I have absolutely no idea which one to choose. I want to get the job done with the minimum amount of money without sacrificing too much quality.
Thanks for the kind comment. You can't go wrong with the 990s, if you are mainly using them for gaming there isn't a significant difference between the 1990s to warrant the 3x cost. I haven't tried many dac/amps, only a few. I am a fan of Schiit's stuff and can recommend it.
This video was exactly the one I was looking for. I am trying to make the transition to using the GOXLR to power my headset to using an amplifier. I was think about purchasing the amplifier you mentioned in your video, but don’t know how I would connect the two. The back of the schiit amp confuses me with the 2 inputs and 2 outputs. I was wondering if you could explain how you connected your amp to your GOXLR. Thank you!
I haven't tried the 900 pro x's yet, but do have a pair of the closed back 700 pro X's I do really like the sound. I don't wear them for gaming though since they aren't open back. From what I hear the 900s are awesome.
@5wappy thanks for the reply!! Appreciated! Another quick question for you. I have just purchased the 900 pros what dac/amp would you recommend? Mai ly for gaming but so advice from a professional would be appreciated here 😁
Great video! Question... I had to 990s but sent them back bcs I couldnt stand the highs on discord / gaming etc... ear piercing sharp stuff. Do the 1990s do this? Or do you use an EQ. Also, I use an XLRgo as well.... how do you conncect the amp you use to the go XLR? Im a noob ! LOL no idea how to do any of it! Great vid man
I would say the 1990s are similar in the highs than the 990s. I prefer a little focus on the highs for gaming. I used to use GoXLR's line out (single 3.5mm to a left/right RCA cable) into a Schiit Magni amp, it worked very well. Now is use a full Schiit stack.
what i heard from most people is: if you like the way those 140€ dt990s sound, you wont be blown away by the more then twice as expensive dt1990. theyre better yes , but not twice as good because you could say the dt990 have a nice sweetspot when it comes to sound to cost which the dt1990 cant deliver. i know, with audio stuff, theres alot of diminshing returns but after hearing that, iam not really willing to spend more then twice and feeling like: yes, around 20% better to my ears, but not worth the upprice"
There are definitely diminishing returns on this stuff, but also to maximize the difference you have to train your ears to hear it which takes some time.
Huge difference between the different impedances of the 990.......I compared and settled for the 600 ohm version .( way better than the 250 ohm )............I also listen with a 1990........
Thing is if you’re going for 1990 pro .. sennheiser has cheaper and better sounding options .. I really like the 1990 pro but value for money just isn’t there at 3x the price of 990 pro in some cases ..
Thank you for your review. Clearly dt1990 is better but how many times better interms of sound quality? With 500 usd I can buy Shennheiser hd6xx and dt990. Also how is the bass compared to ath-m50?
For music it was night and day and for me worth the cost. For gaming I wouldn't recommend the 3x cost of the 1990s unless you also listen to higher quality music. There is more bass with the ath-m50s due to it's close back nature. But the bass is more clear with the 1990s.
Can you run the 990 pro directly from goxlr or do you still need an amp to get the best quality of the headset. Also, if an amp is needed, can you recommend a good amp to pair with the headset
I play a lot and pay attention to the quality of the sounds first and then to their details so that I can hear the most accurate sounds and footsteps. I have a DT 990 Pro. Do you recommend buying the DT 1990 PRO?
Yo man , good video overall, can you do a dit 1990 pro vs the 900 pro x please ? Cuz i wanna upgrade from my dt 990 pro but I hesitate between the 1990pro or the 900 pro x
I just ordered my 1990 PRO and am switching from Sennheiser GSP 550. I'm curious about the differences. I will connect the headphones to the SoundBlaster Ae-5 sound card in my PC, I hope it will be enough for gaming. Because games will mainly be played on these headphones.
My head for caps is 7 1/2- 7 3/4 depending on brand and i bought a maniqine heads with a thick toque on it to help stetch out every pair of headset i buy so the uncomfortableness is normal to me
Hi. Great review thanks. Would you recommend to upgrade from the DT 880 Pro to the DT 1990 Pro? The reason would be that i miss out on the bass a littlebit with the 880 Pro`s i feel....
I can only compare against the 770 and 990 which are both more V-shaped than the 880. The 1990 definitely has what I’d consider an EQ increase of 1-2db of bass but it’s less muddy and more punchy bass. The treble is also comparatively higher but hits just below what I’d consider sibilant or piercing which creates a great sense of clarity in the presentation.
@@5wappy Ok thanks. I just got a windows EQ it gives me more bass now. As far as i heard a upgrade would not be recommended from the 880 Pro. But i would still like to test listen the 1990`s.
@@Jeff-L Thanks for the explanation. Just added a EQ and i think it solved the problem for the moment. But i would still like to give the 1990`s a test listen when i get the oppotrunity.
@@housevibez8828 you're welcome, try from a place that offers free returns. IMO the 1990s do sound better but not triple-the-price better.That said, they're my daily drivers.
My head is big enough that extra large helmets don't fit me, should I order DT 1990s or it a no go? Already have a DT 990s and looking to upgrade, The 990s are a bit tight but not too bad.
I had a lot of problems with the pressure. I was afraid to bend them too much so I suffered for months before they naturally stretched out. If extra large helmets don't fit you then I think the problem will be worse.
between dt990 and dt1990 the 990 are much more comfortable they weigh less and they have almost no grip complete comfort out of the box and if you buy Dekoni pads as you Should theres just no competition here it's the same for DT770 and DT1770 the 700 Pro X ans 900 Pro X are little more comfortable but still they can't beat the OG Kings 770, 880 and 990 plus you can buy 990 with detachable cable and even Balanced so this is Not an issue and when it comes to sound for games 770, 990 and even 700, 900 Pro X beat the 1770 and 1990
i would say the DT1990 comapre more töthe DT880 than the DT990 although the are open back, but imo they sound way closer to the half open DT880. And with the Dekoni velours elite pads and some EQing they ar€pretty much on the Harman target curve, even more so than my DT880. If you are searching for awesome headphones and the DT1990 are to expensive i would recommend the DT880 over the DT990. they are just better.
HEY, just bought the DT 990 Pro 80 ohms edition. Do I need a amp to run these? Or can I just plug them straight into either my pc or into my elgato wave 3 mic and I’m ready to go ? THANKS !
can you use the 250 Ohm version without having a soundboard or amplifier ? i heard many mainboards can do it but i'm not sure if the quality would suffer to much. I can use the 80 Ohm version but i would like to have better sound for music, because i play more RPG's and listen to a lot of music and audiobooks.
Quick question, with both the DT990 and DT1990 have you noticed the plastic side parts that cover the slider mechanism breaking / chipping? my dt990 plastic side parts keep chipping and breaking and ive had to send them away twice to get repaired. i want the dt1990 but for that price and it looks like its made of the same type of plastic. im not sure.
I've experienced the plastic slider cover break with me in the past also, but I found someone selling a 3d printed plastic replacement. Imho it's a lot better than the original beyerdynamic slider cover and probably won't break.
Hi , I have a SM Pro Audio M-Patch2 passive monitor controlling unit . I curreently run both the reference monitors and my headphones through it. My sound card is RME HDSP 9632 which is an internal model and this is why I use this unit. I just wonder whether the sound card and the controlling unit will be enough the run the headphones 250 ohm and over ( my plan is to purchase DT990 pro for mix and mastering) . And whether the frequency response spec of SM limit the headphone ? This is what I see in SM’s spec sheet ; output Frequency response • 20Hz - 20Hz +/- 0.5dB Maximum output level • 320mW into 32Ω
the 900 pro x sounded pretty much the same to me today as the 1990 DT pro... ... also the 990s are duller than the rest yes,,, the dt 880 were somewhere between them in sound...
I use a PreSonus Revelator io24 and io44 (I have the signal split going into two different PCs). Then on my main PC I use a Beacn mix create for audio mixing and routing.
its a shame you can't get a 990 DT pro with that connector, im on my 4th pair now (period of 10 years) because the cable fails at the connection at the earcup
I've watched several reviews on the 1990's and they all mentioned a huge peak at 8.5K (more than 10dB), and it causes a lot of sibilance and gets very painful after an hour or more. You didn't mention this so I'm guessing you didn't notice it or it didn't bother you?
I kinda wanna go with the 1990's but I would have to save for them, whereas I can buy the 990's now. I have an older creative soundcard(Soundblaster Z) and was thinking of getting the AE-7, hoping that, that is enough xD
I was planning on getting the DT 1990 pro. However, it gets confusing when it comes to choosing a good Audio interface. I will be mainly producing music on them so I'd much rather have a good audio interface that can drive them to their full potential over a DAC/amp combo. Any suggestions would be highly appreciated
There is definitely a learning curve with all this. And incorporating an audio interface brings another aspect to it. I use a GoXLR as my audio interface and it can kinda power my DT 990 and DT 1990s. However after making my first video I got a lot of feedback to get a decent amp. Once I did it really opened up the 1990s. If you are not going the amp route, just make sure the audio interface headphone output has enough juice (ohms) to power it.
i use the ifi zen air DAC with the dt 990 edition 600 ohm, works very well. as far as audio interrface i think the motu m2 is the best choice. i have a scarlett 2i2 1st gen and have sound problems in discord...
@@5wappy thanks for the info. I just picked up the 80ohm 990pros. I wasn't sure I could drive the 250s without buying more stuff. I think all the other videos I've watched show the 250ohm versions with a coiled cable. Hence my question. Thanks again!
I absolutely HATE the 1990s, the clamp was incredible until I really got the shits and bent the head band, the headband still causes me grief, it digs into the top my head. They are so heavy. I used to think sound was the most important thing before I got these but now I realize comfort is king and because these are the worst for that, I will be selling mine.
That clamp force on the 1990s is awful. Sorry to hear that. I still love these headphones, but if there was one thing I could change it would be the clamp force.
you can just order the lower force headband (it is compatibel) from their spare part service and change it yourself. all you need is a screwdriver. dont know why me previous comment got deleted where i explained how.
Why people prefer to get headaches than to bend the headband? That's like the best thing about metal spring headbands - you can bend it to your liking. 10 years later, when they get lose, you bend them the other way and they're like new. I guess you people are just used to crappy, plastic headphones and you're afraid you'll break them. With Beyerdynamic headphones you just grab them by the metal spring and bend it. By the way, that headband is replaceable. Everything is user replaceable, even the drivers, which are socketed. You don't even need a screwdriver to get them out.
I own the DT 990 Pros. They're great headphones if you prefer a brighter V shaped sound, which I do. The 1990s have a much flatter frequency curve, which might explain why the midrange sounds muddier on the 990s in your comparisons. It's competing with boosted bass and treble.
In my experience, one of the 990s better applications is in listening to vinyl records. Due to how they were made and how they wear, records tend to have rolled off bass and treble. When you combine that with the V shaped frequency curve of the DT990s, they essentially cancel out and you get a nice neutral sound.
Thanks, I never knew that about vinyl. It's something I want to get into.
Such a solid and thorough review. Currently own the DT 990 Pro (80 Ohm) and was looking to take the next leap up to the DT 1990's. This video was much needed. Thanks!
Thank you so much! Glad I could help.
ngl I thought I was watching some 100k+ sub youtuber. I have watched both of your videos now. They are really great :)
Thanks for the kind words! I'm just getting started.
Same thing. Indistinguishable from the big dogs.
I have just purchased DT1990, dt990 is far more comfortable than 1990, heat transfer much more better. dt 1990 is like semi-open. however dt1990 is more sensitive than 990 on consumer products like macbook air headphone jack. Volume level maybe 2x better on dt1990. built quality is awesome. it is piece of art.
They are a great set.
My exact situation! Glad you made this -- appreciate the insight!
Thank you!
The mention of hat sizes was awesome, haven’t heard any reviewers use that for reference before. I’m also a 7-1/2 or L/XL and found the 990s to be too clampy, I’d recommend the 990 Premium Edition for people with larger heads as it has the least clamp force and lightest frame
Thanks I thought that was a good reference point. If you think the 990s are clampy don't even try the 1990s, they are much worse.
@@5wappy came back just to say that I’ve since auditioned the HD6XX, HD800S, ATH-R70x, K702, and Elex. The DT1990 is by far my favorite overall (comfort, bass, clarity, soundstage, and imaging) for both music and gaming. The initial clamp force was reduced simply by gently stretching the headband slightly and is now a perfect fit after three days. There’s definitely cleaner, punchier bass than the DT990 Edition as well as less sibilance in the highs (I’m thinking 1990 is an upgraded 880). Thanks for the informative update. Feel free to reach out if you’re curious about any of the above mentioned HPs!
@@Jeff-L That is great! I definitely want to try out more. I went the other way and purchased DT 700 pros for work. I needed a closed back so not to interrupt others with my loud music!
@@5wappy how are the 700's (or is there a review coming)? Did you consider the 1770 or Drop 177X?
@@Jeff-L So far I like them, they have great sound and really good sound isolation, which is good in a work environment. I will probably do a review on them in the next couple months.
I've had the DT990 Pro:s for 3,5 years and starting to think about upgrading them to 1990 Pro:s but I also have a big head and there's really nothing wrong with 990's so this is a hard choice. The 990's have been one of the best buys I've done in the past years. The 990's feel like they're never going to break and the only thing you have to do is replace the pads from time to time. I've done it once this past 3,5 years but probably would be better to do more often.
The 990s are solid and you can't beat the value. They are also way more comfortable than the 1990s for the first few months if you have a large head like me. But once I upgraded I rarely go back to the 990s. The sound quality is much better in the 1990s IMO.
@@5wappy Actually decided to buy the 1990's. After few days they've felt amazing quality, sound and actually even comfort-wise. The replace pads for them are WAY more comfort than the ones they had on by default. Decided to upgrade my DAC to IFI Zen DAC and will get the test results of this tomorrow. But overall 10/10 would recommend. Even tho the 990's are probably more value but these are really good.
@@jolob That's awesome, I'm happy to hear you love them.
@@5wappy DT 900 PRO X vs DT 1990 PRO? :,3
What amp/dac do you plug your 990’s into?
Just ordered the DT 1990 Pros , will be using them for gaming
Awesome! You will love them.
Great review, I'm glad you're not an advanced audiophile, what you described is true and honest, with no elevated opinion. Thanks!
I appreciate that!
Good review. It matches my experience with all of mentioned headphones. Although my head is smaller and I wasn't struggling with 1990's headband.
But I must say that both models had surprised me with mediocre build quality in some points. For example, TWO 990 Pro broke in my hands when I was just getting them on my head. There are a small plastic detail which connects a metalic rod protruding from the cup with the headband. It broke on both of 990 Pro I had. First time I returned them to the store, but second time I just ordered a thicker 3D printed alternative from local printing company amd replaced it myself on both sides. I also had some problems with 1990's. One of them was the same plastic detail, but on 1990 it didn't break completely, so I wasn't needed to fix it myself yet. Also one 1990 just started to wheeze and cracke in the left cup out of the box. I returned them and got second pair. It worked nicely for a long time until both cups just started to sound horribly and later one of then broke completely.
So here's some strange thing to say. I returned one 990 Pro, fixed myseld another, then returned one 1990 Pro and after less than a year returned another just a couple of days ago.
But.
I bought 1990 Pro third time 🤷
Because they're just great for working with sound, gaming and music.
I hope this time I won't need to return them or repair them myself because the sound is just great.
I have the 1990s and couldnt be happier. I've spent a fortune on headphones over the years, but found my favourites eventually.😊
That’s awesome!
I absolutely LOVED this review. So well done. I have been debating on the 990s or the 1990s for a while now. Both videos really helped my decision. Going with the 1990s! Thanks a bunch
Glad I could help!
I have a big head as well, am not a hardcore audiophile, also have the Schiit Magni 3 (and Schiit Modi DAC). A couple of hours ago (before watching this video), I happened to buy the DT 1990 Pro online, to replace a Hifiman HE400s that is mechanically falling apart (too bad, because it still sounds good).
The HE400s was my first headphone over like $100. It was supposed to be a $300ish 1-time expense to get something that lasts forever... but it broke at the swivel hinge (and my hair was slowly destroying the fake suede headband and the ear pads). I managed to tape it back together, but it was definitely time for a new one. I went with the DT 1990 Pro because it's a slight upgrade in the frequency response graphs , while supposedly longer lasting, and not overly expensive. As long as it lasts and doesn't feel like a downgrade in sound quality, I'll be happy.
I wore mine for 1+ year 5-6 days a week for 10-12 hours a day. They still look brand new. The quality is great and should last a long time.
Well, this was an awfully convenient video, I've just started thinking about my upgrade path from my DT 880 250 Ohm. I've really liked my 880's and was wondering what Beyerdynamic's had on offer. I had been eyeing the 990 pros and then saw the 1990 pros and wondered if there was much of a difference. I'll certainly be taking your feedback into consideration when I make my choice. But first I need to upgrade my sound card to a decent DAC. Keep up the good work dude!
Thank you. I'm glad I could help.
@@5wappy so what's better plz ?
@@hamzabagira9623 the 1990s are better than the 990s if you have the money and don't have a big sized head.
@@5wappyNot true! Dt990's are better than the 1990's.
The 1990's have a more peaky treble. The 990's smooths out over time, when the the pads worn in. Also the 1990's have a bigger 4k dip, and dosen't have as good 3k cut for wide soundstage. But, they don't roll of the sub bass as much as the 990's!
Now, the dt880's are the better headphones if you listening to 75-85db. For moderate volume at 60-70db the dt990's/1990's are better, as these headphones don't have a mud cut and have a 10db bass boost. However if your mixing or listening to music you usually listening at about 80db and than you want a 5db bass boost and a 200hz mudcut.
I know this review is old, you did a fantastic job by the way... in terms of the sound difference one would be foolish going into a head to head battle review of these two expecting the 1990's to not sound better in more areas than one. There's now at least a $350 (US) price difference. Beyerdynamic would have a serious design and quality to control issue if there were not this difference.
Would love to see you pick up the new dt 900 prox and compare them with the 1990s and 990s
Either way this review/comparison was extremely helpful
I would love to test the 900 pro x. If I ever do I will definitely do a comparison video.
@@5wappy I have the 990 Edition for 1 year and the 900 pro x new. The sound is really different.
The 900 have more Bass and less harsh high. The 900 are also very comfortable and need less input (990 need DAC, 900 not). But i prefer the 990 because they are more open so i can still hear the doorbell :)
Just ordered some DT 990's and DT 770's both 250 ohms. I have some dekoni elite hybrid pads for both. I have a ifi hip dac, I hope it has enough power to push them.
I haven't tried an ifi hip dac before, but looking at the details it should power them fine. Love to hear how it sounds once you get them.
@@5wappy They sound awesome, The Dt 990's with the Dekoni hybrid pads are actually producing more bass and an overall better sound in my opinion. I thought the 770's would have more bass with the same pads, but I was mistaken. Think I will sell the 770's or give them as a gift. Minus the dekoni pads of course. Next purchase is going to be the1990's.
@@philipstrotherjr8842 That is awesome to hear, I need to pick up some dekoni pads.
@@5wappy Do it, I can vouch for the elite hybrid pads.
For folks looking for a studio mixing / mastering review, this isn’t that.
High quality review, thanks. Your review helped me choose 5wappy.
Glad I could help
The 1990 indeed is easier to drive in terms of it's sensitivity and it just clearer soundn and deeper bass
I don't know how some people claim there's little difference between them
They probably haven’t tried both.
Great, detailed comparison, thank you so much for your work!
My pleasure!
“Extra large hat.. not a huge head..” bro do you hear yourself 😂. Nice video btw.
I do talk in circles sometimes 🤣
good review, getting the 1990's myself from 770's!
Great, you’ll love them.
I’ve just sent my Hifiman Edition XS back because I got headaches. Before I had DT 770 Pro which are essentially the same as 990 Pro, but being a closed-back. 770 Pro are pure comfort, I can have them on for hours, I was hopping 1990 Pro would give me the same comfort, but I might have headaches as I did with Edition XS. Thank you for the warning and the review!
Yeah, the 1990s caused a lot of headaches for a few months.
I have DT 770 Pro 80 ohm and they are so cozy I can wear them for 12+ hours no problem. I also got Edition XS recently and although they are comfortable I do find the weight and physical size of the headphones annoying compared to DT 770 which I forget are even on my head. Yes the XS ultimately outperform these headphones for music and sound stage/detail but I do find myself preferring the closed back intimate feel and easier listen. I hate straining to hear "distant" sound, I want the details easy to hear. I am considering sending XS back because $500 is not cheap and the upgrade feels hardly worth it to me. I would rather have a pair of 990 when I want open back.
@@drewmorg. thats funny. Ive tried the 770 pro and my ears started to hurt after 30-60 minutes. The pads are super comfortable but the pressure on the ears is so high. It feels like my ears have shut (because they are closed ones?) and the pads are pressed against my head.
Maybe its just because they are New and need to be bend first..
@@Cr4zyClips I think band placement on the head (fore and aft) makes a big difference on those little ear cups. They need to be well supported by the bone on your head and at the right angle otherwise my ear cartilage will touch the driver and hurts after a couple hours. Especially after they wear down. The nice thing about Edition XS is the pads are so huge they're not picky at all about placement on the head.
How are 770 pro's for gaming?
I'm looking for headphones that will sound well with TOOL songs, so I'm very pleased you specifically mentioned them.
Tool!!!!
@@5wappy Just got the headphones yesterday. I LOVE them! Thanks for doing this review.
The balanced pads have higher soundstage (thicker pads=ears farther away), more even treble (less peaks, especially after 12khz), more bass (also slightly deeper)
I prefer analytical, it's more vibrant and crispy. And I hate to change the pads, it took me 1 hour at some point. And I'm afraid I will break them or wear and make them useless.
Actually I thought about changing them to DT990 because I've seen that measurements show a more extended treble than 1990, but now that you say the resolution is inferior to 1990, then i'm no longer looking for a side grade.
I prefer 1990 over my HD800 even if DT1990 have less resolution, just because DT1990 have an intense, closer to the ear type of sound. HD800 have way less often that bite I'm looking for so most of the sounds sound quieter and far away than I wanted.
For intense sound i have stax L700, but that's just too intense.
I love the vibrancy fo the analytical, great for music and gaming. Definitely feel you pain changing the ear pads, I think it took me over 30 minutes to swap mine out.
the thing I find difficult to justify is, are the 1990 really almost $400 better in sound or is it just "better enough to notice it"
Really depends one what you use it for. Gaming no...high fidelity music, yes if you have the money.
Exactly what I was looking for. Currently searching a pair of Hifi headphones for my PC as upgrade from my sony wh-1000xm3. 🙂Thx.
Anytime!
Hey 5wappy. Thanks for your video, Man. Very good comparison. I have the DT 990 Pro 250 holms. I ain't impressed by them. The way you said : how they sound muddy. I agree. They don't sound very focussed. and clear enough. So I am considering upgrading to the DT1990 Pro. Or may be the Neumann NDH30.
thanks man, great review
Gonna stick with my 990 pros, blows all my other cans out the water. Even my m50x sound bad in comparison, I'm using a sound blaster sound card with a shit magni amp, sounds great but I do agree they mud out under bass loads, got my beats pro for hip hop however
The 990s are still a solid choice. And so comfortable.
Thank you for the review ! I will drive them through a fiio k5 and hopefully it will work nicely. I need them for both gaming and sound mixing
Awesome! Let me know how they sound.
I have just recieved the 1990 but my K5 arrives in a few days! And right off the bat they sound awesome even without any amp. Much better than my previously owned Audeze Mobius which quite frankly had some of if not the worst build quality I've ever seen.
I found the treble on the 1990 to be just a little too much (I'm using the balanced pads, haven't tried the anatycal). It makes some frequences that you hear in instruments such as cymbals stick out a little bit more than they should, giving them a "whistly sound".
Fortunately this is easily fixable with some EQing, I used oratory1990's preset with my own tweaks to them, and my 1990 simply sound amazing now. They're also super comfortable, these pads feel great around the ears.
So yeah, pretty satisfied!
I think the analytical pads might be worse for the highs, will be interesting to hear your thoughts. I prefer the analytical pads to help with pinpointing sounds while playing GPS games, but I've heard it makes the highs stand out more, which haven't bothered me.
I currently have the 900 pro x headset. I'm thinking about buying the 1990 pro mkII's. Do you think I will notice a difference worth the considerable price jump while gaming?
Man, DT1990 is buy of a year or maybe a century for me, Im super happy I did it. When my friend brought his 990s I was seriously perplexed how bad they sound in compare with 1990, the lack of midrange due to v shape sound feels to me like I have a towel thrown onto soundsystem 😂 I even bought dt1990 and 1770 because mostly I read on the forums and reddit that 1770 are better for electronic/bass music, we did a series of blind tests with my wife and 1990 is a clear winner.
100% agree, huge difference between 990 and 1990.
Lovely. I got the same experience and own them both as well. If people want a closed headset I would recommend the 770 Pro 250Ω. You need a powerful amp tho if you wanna use them as a gaming headset.
I have a big head too. I have to bend my DT 770 and DT 880 quite a bit to reshape them, so there's less pressure when wearing them. It's a metal band if it's too much pressure then just reshape it.
I've was too afraid to bend it to far and snap it.
I don't own the 990 Pro ,instead the 990 Pro Editions and they sound wonderful on a KORG 100 DAC ,Nordost USB cable Heimdall 2 (don't pay attention to the latter these are from my high end system )
I did not listen to the 1990 "yet" ,because there is a new kid on the block the DT 900 pro X they look similar to the 1990 but cost half and the reviews are great .
I also own Beyer dynamics from the early 90's like the DT931 and 831 and these sometimes can out preform the newer types .
Thank you for a great review ,keep up the good work .
Regards Kenneth John The Netherlands (PS. I forgot Sonar works will make your headphones sound sooooo much better )
The DT 900 Pro X's look really good. I need a closed back set for work and might get the DT 700 Pro X.
Thanks for the review. Just bought some DT 990's. Can't wait!
Awesome, you will enjoy them!
Tell me what you think
@@JaiRoccasGaming I really like them. I think the audio quality is great for the price and enjoy the fact it's open back. I had to get an amp so that it could power the 250 ohms properly, but even without it's still decent volume. Great for gaming.
Hey man, thanks for the review. Really enjoyed watching it.
Last week, I stepped up from my Razer gaming headset (which I bought for 20 bucks last year). I ordered 990 pro headphones and oh boy it is a huge improvement in quality. Right now I'm thinking about also ordering 1990s and potentially send back the 990s if the additional invested money is worth it.
After using the 990s for a couple of days now, I noticed that my left ear is a bit wider than my right ear, actually touching the inner side of the left ear cup. This is still kind of distracting, and so I wanted to ask you: Are the ear pads on the 1990s by chance any deeper, or are they similar in dimension?
I really like the 1990s, and I believe they are worth the extra cost if you listen to high bitrate music. If only used for gaming I recommend the 990s. The cup pads on the 990s are a bit wider than the 1990s, but the 1990s are a bit deeper. But it isn't a straight forward comparison because my 990 pads are pretty worn down. Hope that helps.
@@5wappy Thanks, that definitely helped. I think I will try them out for a few days and will decide afterwards.
Wow, that's really good quality videos, both of them. Thank you.
I'm not a professional e-sport player however I'm competitive and I'd like to improve better every day. I had Hyperx Revolver S for a long time and it was its time to get replaced. I bought the hyped headset at that time, SteelSeries Arctis 7. It was wireless without any loss in MS and felt great to be free from wires but I was so amazed by how bad the quality of sound it was producing for the price I paid.
Life happened, I couldn't send it back. After using it for some time, I just got fed up, threw it away and switched to my good old iPhone earbuds, the ones that come with the phone. I switched to playing TFT and League and It was also summer so it means no more ear sweat. They get the job done and I didn't buy anything, everything was ok. I recently started playing FPS again. They just can't keep up. The sound is just so flat, I can't separate gun sounds and footsteps easily. And I started researching.
A couple of my favourite streamers are using 990 and 1990. Yes, I prefer to go with 1990 but the budget is important for me and if they don't give a reasonable gap between the two, then there's no point in buying the expensive one for myself.
What kind of equipment/sound card/amplifier do I need to buy in order to power those 990? Is it better to go with lower (80) ohm or higher (250) ohm? I'll also use Shure SM58 XLR microphone, don't know if it matters. I do not have any sound knowledge so please do not spare any detail. Thank you.
Main difference between the 80 ohm and 250 ohm is that the 80 is more versatile since it uses less power. You could get away without an amp with the 80 as where with the 250 you would want an amp to help power the headphones (usually you can find decent amps around $100). Both would benefit from having an amp but the 250 ohm model you’d basically need one if you want to hear anything. Most modern motherboards have built in DACs but you could also go with an external DAC or one that you can add to a PCIe lane (you can also find them for around $100). Like I said an amp will improve the experience with both headphones so I’d recommend getting an amp regardless of which model you choose
@@Sirsmoothiebunz Would you like to recommend some product? I have absolutely no idea which one to choose. I want to get the job done with the minimum amount of money without sacrificing too much quality.
Thanks for the kind comment. You can't go wrong with the 990s, if you are mainly using them for gaming there isn't a significant difference between the 1990s to warrant the 3x cost. I haven't tried many dac/amps, only a few. I am a fan of Schiit's stuff and can recommend it.
@@volvix4521 how do u like the headphones so far?
@@DK-gl3ih Hey buddy. I didn't end up getting it. Still using earbuds from Apple. :) They're in my wish list tho!
first video i watch from you, and i really enjoyed it! you sound like a great dude, i'll stick around :)
Thanks!
This video was exactly the one I was looking for. I am trying to make the transition to using the GOXLR to power my headset to using an amplifier. I was think about purchasing the amplifier you mentioned in your video, but don’t know how I would connect the two. The back of the schiit amp confuses me with the 2 inputs and 2 outputs. I was wondering if you could explain how you connected your amp to your GOXLR. Thank you!
Hey Omar, you want a 3.5mm to 2RCA Cable. Have 3.5mm cable run out from the line out of the GoXLR into the RCA in of the amp. That's what I did.
Quick question for you dude.. regarding one more headphone. If you were to throw in the dt 900 pro x which of the 3 would you recommend for gaming?
I haven't tried the 900 pro x's yet, but do have a pair of the closed back 700 pro X's I do really like the sound. I don't wear them for gaming though since they aren't open back. From what I hear the 900s are awesome.
@5wappy thanks for the reply!! Appreciated! Another quick question for you. I have just purchased the 900 pros what dac/amp would you recommend? Mai ly for gaming but so advice from a professional would be appreciated here 😁
@@limitlessconnection I currently use the Schiit Modi 3 DAC with Schiit Magni 3 AMP and love them both.
Great video! Question... I had to 990s but sent them back bcs I couldnt stand the highs on discord / gaming etc... ear piercing sharp stuff. Do the 1990s do this? Or do you use an EQ. Also, I use an XLRgo as well.... how do you conncect the amp you use to the go XLR? Im a noob ! LOL no idea how to do any of it! Great vid man
I would say the 1990s are similar in the highs than the 990s. I prefer a little focus on the highs for gaming.
I used to use GoXLR's line out (single 3.5mm to a left/right RCA cable) into a Schiit Magni amp, it worked very well. Now is use a full Schiit stack.
what i heard from most people is: if you like the way those 140€ dt990s sound, you wont be blown away by the more then twice as expensive dt1990. theyre better yes , but not twice as good because you could say the dt990 have a nice sweetspot when it comes to sound to cost which the dt1990 cant deliver. i know, with audio stuff, theres alot of diminshing returns but after hearing that, iam not really willing to spend more then twice and feeling like: yes, around 20% better to my ears, but not worth the upprice"
There are definitely diminishing returns on this stuff, but also to maximize the difference you have to train your ears to hear it which takes some time.
Yes 350 euro difference, you'd expect the 500 euro HP should sound better
It should and does.
Huge difference between the different impedances of the 990.......I compared and settled for the 600 ohm version .( way better than the 250 ohm )............I also listen with a 1990........
Good to know
What camera do u use I rlly like it 😁
Canon RP with 35mm 1.8 lens.
Thing is if you’re going for 1990 pro .. sennheiser has cheaper and better sounding options .. I really like the 1990 pro but value for money just isn’t there at 3x the price of 990 pro in some cases ..
Agree on the value part.
Thank you for your review. Clearly dt1990 is better but how many times better interms of sound quality? With 500 usd I can buy Shennheiser hd6xx and dt990. Also how is the bass compared to ath-m50?
For music it was night and day and for me worth the cost. For gaming I wouldn't recommend the 3x cost of the 1990s unless you also listen to higher quality music.
There is more bass with the ath-m50s due to it's close back nature. But the bass is more clear with the 1990s.
Can you run the 990 pro directly from goxlr or do you still need an amp to get the best quality of the headset. Also, if an amp is needed, can you recommend a good amp to pair with the headset
You can, but it does sound better if you have an amp.
So which is better for gaming?
I play a lot and pay attention to the quality of the sounds first and then to their details so that I can hear the most accurate sounds and footsteps. I have a DT 990 Pro. Do you recommend buying the DT 1990 PRO?
Depends if you are going to listen to high bit rate music mostly.
Small correction: The 1990s are heavier due to a double tesla coil =)
Ah good to know.
Damn did not expect you to make this
I thought my original needed a follow up with more of a review.
Needed This! TY Sir!
You're welcome!
This is super helpful! Thanks!!
Glad it was helpful!
How bad is the leak in audio. My parents always walk into my room and I don’t want my friends flashing words around and my parents able to hear it.
If you are listening loudly people in the room will know what you are listening to
Amazing review ❤
Glad you liked it!!
Would you recommend the IFI Zen Dac V2 for the 1990-990's?
Unfortunately I haven't tried that dac, so can't comment.
I always have the problem with my hair getting uncomfortable underneath my headphones, but now I know what to do. I'm going bald tomorrow :D
You have discovered the secret to superior audio quality.
Yo man , good video overall, can you do a dit 1990 pro vs the 900 pro x please ? Cuz i wanna upgrade from my dt 990 pro but I hesitate between the 1990pro or the 900 pro x
I would love to, but I don't have the 900s to try out, and likely won't be getting a pair anytime soon.
Between the 900 vs 1990 get the 1990 straight! ;)
I just ordered my 1990 PRO and am switching from Sennheiser GSP 550. I'm curious about the differences. I will connect the headphones to the SoundBlaster Ae-5 sound card in my PC, I hope it will be enough for gaming. Because games will mainly be played on these headphones.
You will enjoy them!
My head for caps is 7 1/2- 7 3/4 depending on brand and i bought a maniqine heads with a thick toque on it to help stetch out every pair of headset i buy so the uncomfortableness is normal to me
That is a great idea! Might have to try that.
What do you think about replacement pads for both dt 990 and 1990 for example dekoni velour or seude.
I haven't purchased any, but on my 990s I definitely need some new ones. I've heard from other commenters that there are some great options out there.
Hi. Great review thanks. Would you recommend to upgrade from the DT 880 Pro to the DT 1990 Pro?
The reason would be that i miss out on the bass a littlebit with the 880 Pro`s i feel....
I can only compare against the 770 and 990 which are both more V-shaped than the 880. The 1990 definitely has what I’d consider an EQ increase of 1-2db of bass but it’s less muddy and more punchy bass. The treble is also comparatively higher but hits just below what I’d consider sibilant or piercing which creates a great sense of clarity in the presentation.
I haven't tried the 880, but my current favorite is the 1990.
@@5wappy Ok thanks. I just got a windows EQ it gives me more bass now. As far as i heard a upgrade would not be recommended from the 880 Pro. But i would still like to test listen the 1990`s.
@@Jeff-L Thanks for the explanation. Just added a EQ and i think it solved the problem for the moment. But i would still like to give the 1990`s a test listen when i get the oppotrunity.
@@housevibez8828 you're welcome, try from a place that offers free returns. IMO the 1990s do sound better but not triple-the-price better.That said, they're my daily drivers.
Great review, how do they sound with classical music
That analytical nature of these make classical music sound amazing.
Never wore hats but i measured my head at 24 and a half inches in circumference sooo XXL in hat size. I wanted these to
Sorry man, they or so tight on large heads
Do you know if the 900 X have this comfort issue? I found that with the 770 but not the 880.
My head is big enough that extra large helmets don't fit me, should I order DT 1990s or it a no go? Already have a DT 990s and looking to upgrade, The 990s are a bit tight but not too bad.
I had a lot of problems with the pressure. I was afraid to bend them too much so I suffered for months before they naturally stretched out. If extra large helmets don't fit you then I think the problem will be worse.
between dt990 and dt1990 the 990 are much more comfortable they weigh less and they have almost no grip complete comfort out of the box and if you buy Dekoni pads as you Should theres just no competition here it's the same for DT770 and DT1770 the 700 Pro X ans 900 Pro X are little more comfortable but still they can't beat the OG Kings 770, 880 and 990 plus you can buy 990 with detachable cable and even Balanced so this is Not an issue and when it comes to sound for games 770, 990 and even 700, 900 Pro X beat the 1770 and 1990
Hands down the 990s are more comfortable. I haven't tried the Dekoni pads. I will have to get a pair.
i would say the DT1990 comapre more töthe DT880 than the DT990 although the are open back, but imo they sound way closer to the half open DT880.
And with the Dekoni velours elite pads and some EQing they ar€pretty much on the Harman target curve, even more so than my DT880.
If you are searching for awesome headphones and the DT1990 are to expensive i would recommend the DT880 over the DT990. they are just better.
Good to know, I haven’t tried the DT880s yet.
HEY, just bought the DT 990 Pro 80 ohms edition. Do I need a amp to run these? Or can I just plug them straight into either my pc or into my elgato wave 3 mic and I’m ready to go ? THANKS !
The 80 might be fine but most devices can handle at least 30-50 ohms, so it might be ok.
What is a good amp/dac to plug the 990s and a shure mv7 into without breaking the bank for streaming while gaming?
I used the GoXLR mini for over the year and liked it a lot.
Very good review 👏 have you ever owned a 280 pro seinhesier?
I was thinking of getting the 990 but iam not sure it's better than the 280
Thanks! I haven't owned a Seinhesier yet, would love to get my hands on a pair in the future.
@@5wappy Seinhesier??? It's Sennheiser.
Amazing video, thank you for the info.
You are welcome.
Great review! It helps me decide between the two. I might go with 1990 pro! One question, is your DT 990 Pro 250ohm?
Thanks for the kinds words. Yes, both models I have are the 250ohm version.
Favorite band, Tool, check, and I just subscribed 👍🏼
Great video. Keep up the good work.
Thank you so much!
do you need amp for the big go xlr? or just the goxlr mini? because the big one has external power 12v
Both the mini and full goxlr will work but it's at the top of their power limit. To get the most out of these headphones I recommend an amp.
can you use the 250 Ohm version without having a soundboard or amplifier ? i heard many mainboards can do it but i'm not sure if the quality would suffer to much. I can use the 80 Ohm version but i would like to have better sound for music, because i play more RPG's and listen to a lot of music and audiobooks.
Depends on your motherboard.
On my msi gaming mb no problem with dt 990 pro 250ohm.
Curious of if the SoundBlaster K3+ that is running my microphone will also be able to run either of these without issues/Loss in "quality"?
The Sound Blaster K3+ supports headphones ranging from 32 to 300 Ω impedance. So it should power both no problems.
@@5wappy Yeah, It works fine for the DT 1990, Sounds great!
Quick question, with both the DT990 and DT1990 have you noticed the plastic side parts that cover the slider mechanism breaking / chipping? my dt990 plastic side parts keep chipping and breaking and ive had to send them away twice to get repaired. i want the dt1990 but for that price and it looks like its made of the same type of plastic. im not sure.
I haven't had any issues with the sides. Even the free wires haven't been an issue in over 2 years between the two pairs.
I've experienced the plastic slider cover break with me in the past also, but I found someone selling a 3d printed plastic replacement. Imho it's a lot better than the original beyerdynamic slider cover and probably won't break.
I don't have any problems with this after many years. My head is on the smaller side so that may help I guess.
1990 has better bass extension and soundstage compared to the 990. You should only get the 990 if you're mixing.
The 990s are great for gaming and much cheaper though.
Hi , I have a SM Pro Audio M-Patch2 passive monitor controlling unit . I curreently run both the reference monitors and my headphones through it. My sound card is RME HDSP 9632 which is an internal model and this is why I use this unit. I just wonder whether the sound card and the controlling unit will be enough the run the headphones 250 ohm and over ( my plan is to purchase DT990 pro for mix and mastering) . And whether the frequency response spec of SM limit the headphone ? This is what I see in SM’s spec sheet ; output Frequency response • 20Hz - 20Hz +/- 0.5dB Maximum output level • 320mW into 32Ω
Unfortunately I'm not familiar with that gear to say if it can support the 250ohms.
the 900 pro x sounded pretty much the same to me today as the 1990 DT pro... ... also the 990s are duller than the rest yes,,, the dt 880 were somewhere between them in sound...
I’ve heard good things about the 900 pro.
What mixer do you use for your Sm7b?
I use a PreSonus Revelator io24 and io44 (I have the signal split going into two different PCs). Then on my main PC I use a Beacn mix create for audio mixing and routing.
its a shame you can't get a 990 DT pro with that connector, im on my 4th pair now (period of 10 years) because the cable fails at the connection at the earcup
Yeah that would be nice.
I mean… wouldn’t it just be more cost effective to buy a 1990 if you are already on your 4th pair
I've watched several reviews on the 1990's and they all mentioned a huge peak at 8.5K (more than 10dB), and it causes a lot of sibilance and gets very painful after an hour or more. You didn't mention this so I'm guessing you didn't notice it or it didn't bother you?
I haven't noticed it and were them 10+ hours a day across video calls, gaming, music and watching videos.
@@5wappy Really? Thanks very much for your response, much appreciated :-)
I kinda wanna go with the 1990's but I would have to save for them, whereas I can buy the 990's now.
I have an older creative soundcard(Soundblaster Z) and was thinking of getting the AE-7, hoping that, that is enough xD
You honestly can't go wrong with either. The AE-7 will definitely be able to power it. It can do up to 600 ohms.
@@5wappy I'm gonna do that, go for the AE-7 then save up for the 1990 Pro.
I was planning on getting the DT 1990 pro. However, it gets confusing when it comes to choosing a good Audio interface.
I will be mainly producing music on them so I'd much rather have a good audio interface that can drive them to their full potential over a DAC/amp combo. Any suggestions would be highly appreciated
There is definitely a learning curve with all this. And incorporating an audio interface brings another aspect to it. I use a GoXLR as my audio interface and it can kinda power my DT 990 and DT 1990s. However after making my first video I got a lot of feedback to get a decent amp. Once I did it really opened up the 1990s. If you are not going the amp route, just make sure the audio interface headphone output has enough juice (ohms) to power it.
@@5wappy Thanks a lot for the advice! and if i may ask what was the amp that you ended up getting to get them to run really good?
@@DonVD you might want to look into the objective 2.
i use the ifi zen air DAC with the dt 990 edition 600 ohm, works very well. as far as audio interrface i think the motu m2 is the best choice. i have a scarlett 2i2 1st gen and have sound problems in discord...
look at the sound blaster x7 you can use them for headphones and speakers also a mic plus you can manually adjust your sound add more bass treble ect
900 pro x at 279$ or 1990 pro for 450$ right now on sale? If it helps for someone with an established act but also will game on time to time
I hear a lot of good things about the 900 pro x. I recently purchased the 700 pro x and for a closed back I really like them.
Question for ya, how would you compare the music sound of the 1990's to the Bose H700's?
Unfortunately, I haven't tried the Bose H700s, so I can't compare the two.
An old comment, but the answer is it's not close. It's not even remotely close. 1990's blow the bose out of the water
Which OHM version of these headphones did you use?
Both are 250 ohm.
@@5wappy thanks for the info. I just picked up the 80ohm 990pros. I wasn't sure I could drive the 250s without buying more stuff. I think all the other videos I've watched show the 250ohm versions with a coiled cable. Hence my question.
Thanks again!
Excellent video
Thank you very much!
if you ever get chance try the Hifiman sundara
I will take note to try them when I get a chance.
thanks for update bro
anytime!
Love your Way 👍👍👍
Thank you!
What dac do you recommend?
There are many that will work. I’ve mainly used Schiit audio and really like it.
I absolutely HATE the 1990s, the clamp was incredible until I really got the shits and bent the head band, the headband still causes me grief, it digs into the top my head. They are so heavy. I used to think sound was the most important thing before I got these but now I realize comfort is king and because these are the worst for that, I will be selling mine.
That clamp force on the 1990s is awful. Sorry to hear that. I still love these headphones, but if there was one thing I could change it would be the clamp force.
you can just order the lower force headband (it is compatibel) from their spare part service and change it yourself. all you need is a screwdriver.
dont know why me previous comment got deleted where i explained how.
@@Ginkoman2 wow, I didn't know that was an option. cool!
Why people prefer to get headaches than to bend the headband? That's like the best thing about metal spring headbands - you can bend it to your liking. 10 years later, when they get lose, you bend them the other way and they're like new.
I guess you people are just used to crappy, plastic headphones and you're afraid you'll break them. With Beyerdynamic headphones you just grab them by the metal spring and bend it. By the way, that headband is replaceable. Everything is user replaceable, even the drivers, which are socketed. You don't even need a screwdriver to get them out.
I’m afraid to bend it too far and it will crease.