beyerdynamic’s DT 770 PRO and DT 990 PRO are a series of studio headphones. The DT 770 PRO is closed-back and the DT 990 PRO is open-back; in this article we compare the 80 Ω versions of both. In this article we compare the 2 models using only the specifications the manufacturer publishes, and rank them on the same criteria as the other 14 monitor headphones on this site.
Disclosure: This site takes part in affiliate programs. Specifications are as of the date we checked them and can change.
In short: which one to choose
- DT 770 PRO 80Ω (rank A): a pair of closed-back monitor headphones. Strong on low-frequency range, high-frequency range and suitability for recording (sound leakage).
- DT 990 PRO 80Ω (rank B): a pair of open-back monitor headphones. Strong on low-frequency range and high-frequency range.
The highest score among the 2 models is DT 770 PRO 80Ω (rank A, average 4.0). But the model you need depends on how many things you record at once and which features you use. You do not need to choose a higher model for inputs, outputs or features you will not use.
Main features of the beyerdynamic DT PRO series
The closed-back 770 and the open-back 990
The DT 770 PRO is closed-back and blocks about 18 dBA of surrounding sound (80 Ω version), a form that makes it easy to reduce leakage while recording. The DT 990 PRO is open-back, and beyerdynamic positions it for detailed editing and critical listening. The maker itself recommends closed-back for use with a microphone, explaining that open-back can let sound get into the microphone.
You can choose the impedance
Both come in 80 Ω and 250 Ω versions (the 770 also has a 32 Ω version); 80 Ω is positioned for “general studio use” and 250 Ω for “professional equipment”. For use with an audio interface, this site compares the 80 Ω versions.
Sturdy German construction
They use a spring-steel headband and replaceable velour ear pads, and are made in Germany. The DT 770 PRO has a bass-reflex mechanism for producing bass.
Cables and weight
The DT 770 PRO cable is a one-sided cable. The 80 Ω versions both have a 3 m straight cable, with a 3.5 mm plug and a 6.35 mm adapter. The weight on the spec sheet is 340 to 345 g with cable (80 Ω version), and the DT 990 PRO product page lists 250 g without cable.
Where it is useful
- Listening to the backing track while recording vocals (DT 770 PRO)
- Checking fine details in mixing and editing (DT 990 PRO)
- Using headphones for a long time (the ear pads can be replaced)
Differences in specifications (comparison table)
| Model | Rank | Ease of driving | Low-frequency range | High-frequency range | Lightness | Suitability for recording (sound leakage) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DT 770 PRO 80Ω | A (4.0) | 80 Ω (2 points) | 5 Hz (5 points) | 35,000 Hz (4 points) | Not published | closed-back design (5 points) |
| DT 990 PRO 80Ω | B (3.0) | 80 Ω (2 points) | 5 Hz (5 points) | 35,000 Hz (4 points) | 250 g (3 points) | open-back design (1 point) |
How we score (Monitor headphones)
| Criterion | Basis | 5 pt | 4 pt | 3 pt | 2 pt | 1 pt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ease of driving | Impedance (the lower it is, the easier to reach a good volume from a small amplifier) | ≤32 | ≤40 | ≤55 | ≤100 | >100 |
| Low-frequency range | Lower limit of the frequency response | ≤5 | ≤8 | ≤15 | ≤20 | >20 |
| High-frequency range | Upper limit of the frequency response | ≥40000 | ≥30000 | ≥25000 | ≥22000 | <22000 |
| Lightness | Weight (cable excluded) | ≤200 | ≤220 | ≤250 | ≤290 | >290 |
| Suitability for recording (sound leakage) | Closed-back or open-back (closed-back keeps sound out of the microphone while you sing) | Closed-back | — | — | — | Open-back |
Scored only on the body specifications published by the manufacturer. Price and accessories are not part of the score. Ease of driving is compared by impedance (Ω), which every manufacturer publishes. The lower the number, the easier it is to reach a good volume from the headphone jack of an audio interface or a smartphone, so a headphone amplifier is less likely to be needed (sensitivity is shown in the table for reference). "Suitability for recording" scores closed-back headphones higher because the sound is less likely to leak into the microphone while you sing. If you choose open-back headphones for mixing, you can ignore this item.
Rating of each model
DT 770 PRO 80Ω
Score 4.0 / 5 (average of the 20 models compared: 3.6)
- Specs last checked
- 2026/10/19
- Type
- Closed-back
- Impedance
- 80Ω
- Weight
- Not disclosed
- Upper limit
- 35,000Hz
- Price (store, date)
- Not disclosed
- They are closed-back. They leak little sound, so they are also easy to use for recording vocals.
- The impedance is 80 Ω. The impedance is on the low side, so it is relatively easy to reach a good volume even from the headphone jack of an audio interface.
DT 990 PRO 80Ω
Score 3.0 / 5 (average of the 20 models compared: 3.6)
- Specs last checked
- 2026/10/19
- Type
- Open-back
- Impedance
- 80Ω
- Weight
- 250g
- Upper limit
- 35,000Hz
- Price (store, date)
- Not disclosed
- They are open-back. They leak sound easily, so they suit checking a mix better than recording vocals.
- The impedance is 80 Ω. The impedance is on the low side, so it is relatively easy to reach a good volume even from the headphone jack of an audio interface.
Compared with other monitor headphones
Click a heading to sort. On a phone, the table scrolls sideways.
beyerdynamic DT PRO series: connection and getting started
| Connection | 3.5 mm mini plug (with a 6.35 mm adapter). The cable is fixed to the body |
|---|---|
| Other | Versions of 32 Ω (770 only), 80 Ω and 250 Ω are available. This site compares the 80 Ω versions |
Checked on the manufacturer’s official pages on September 27, 2026.
| Product | RankAvg. score | Type | ImpedanceΩ | SensitivitydB/V | Lower limitHz | Upper limitHz | Weightg | Price (store, date) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audio-TechnicaATH-M20x | A 3.4 | Closed-back | 47 | 109.3 | 15 | 20,000 | 190 | Not disclosed |
| Audio-TechnicaATH-M30x | A 3.4 | Closed-back | 47 | 109.3 | 15 | 22,000 | 220 | Not disclosed |
| Audio-TechnicaATH-M40x | A 3.4 | Closed-back | 35 | 112.6 | 15 | 24,000 | 240 | Not disclosed |
| Audio-TechnicaATH-M50x | A 3.4 | Closed-back | 38 | 113.2 | 15 | 28,000 | 285 | Not disclosed |
| Audio-TechnicaATH-M70x | S 4.2 | Closed-back | 35 | 111.6 | 5 | 40,000 | 280 | Not disclosed |
| Audio-TechnicaATH-R70x | B 3.2 | Open-back | 470 | 101.3 | 5 | 40,000 | 210 | Not disclosed |
| SonyMDR-M1 | S 4.4 | Closed-back | 50 | 115 | 5 | 80,000 | 216 | Not disclosed |
| SonyMDR-M1ST | S 4.8 | Closed-back | 24 | 119.2 | 5 | 80,000 | 215 | Not disclosed |
| SonyMDR-CD900ST | S 4.2 | Closed-back | 63 | 118 | 5 | 30,000 | 200 | Not disclosed |
| YamahaHPH-MT8 | B 3.2 | Closed-back | 37 | 116.3 | 15 | 28,000 | 350 | Not disclosed |
| YamahaHPH-MT5 | B 2.8 | Closed-back | 51 | 112.9 | 20 | 20,000 | 245 | Not disclosed |
| beyerdynamicDT 770 PRO 80Ω | A 4.0 | Closed-back | 80 | Not disclosed | 5 | 35,000 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| beyerdynamicDT 990 PRO 80Ω | B 3.0 | Open-back | 80 | Not disclosed | 5 | 35,000 | 250 | Not disclosed |
| SennheiserHD 280 PRO | B 3.2 | Closed-back | 64 | Not disclosed | 8 | 25,000 | 285 | Not disclosed |
| SennheiserHD 25 | B 3.2 | Closed-back | 70 | Not disclosed | 16 | 22,000 | 140 | Not disclosed |
| ShureSRH440A | B 3.2 | Closed-back | 40 | 111 | 10 | 22,000 | 268 | Not disclosed |
| ShureSRH840A | A 3.8 | Closed-back | 40 | 111 | 5 | 25,000 | 273 | Not disclosed |
| AKGK371 | S 4.4 | Closed-back | 32 | 114 | 5 | 40,000 | 255 | Not disclosed |
| beyerdynamicDT 770 PRO X | A 3.8 | Closed-back | 48 | Not disclosed | 5 | 40,000 | 305 | Not disclosed |
| SonyMDR-7506 | B 2.8 | Closed-back | 63 | 118 | 10 | 20,000 | 230 | Not disclosed |
Specifications are the manufacturer's published values (checked October 19, 2026). Sensitivity is written differently by each manufacturer, so it is shown for reference; beyerdynamic and the Sennheiser HD 280 PRO do not publish a sensitivity.
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