Today we are reviewing the second generation of Beyerdynamic’s flagship full-size monitor headphones: Beyerdynamic DT 1770 PRO MK II closed and Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO MK II open. They are equipped with advanced TESLA.45 dynamic drivers with an impedance of only 30 ohms, which has a positive impact on their sound quality. As well as many technical solutions that make them one of the best monitors in their price segment.
Pluses:
sound (detail, scale, saturation, ambience), monitor sound, ergonomics, packaging, design, relatively easy to rock
Minuses:
permanent headband
Content
Packaging and equipment
The headphones come in large cardboard packages in dark colors. Both models have the same set inside. The set is complete and without frills:
- protective case;
- 3 m twisted wire to 3.5 mm jack with adapter to 6.3 mm jack;
- 5 m straight wire to 3.5 mm jack with adapter to 6.3 mm jack;
- additional ear cushions.
The protective case accommodates not only the headphones, but also all the accessories: there is a separate place for the ear cushions, and the wires are hidden in a compartment attached to the case lid. The case feels quite reliable and sturdy — it will definitely protect against drops and moderate pressure during transportation.
The wires are of high quality and pleasant to use. The mini-XLR connector holds well and is securely fixed in the headphone cup. The weight of the twisted cable does not interfere with everyday use, but it can get in the way of a table due to its size.
Design and ergonomics
Visually, the Beyerdynamic DT 1770 PRO MK II and Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO MK II are very similar to their predecessors: a restrained design in dark colors and a minimum of decorative elements. Everything is practical and without unnecessary details, the only decoration is the logo and model name on the bowls.
Below is a comparison of the design of the previous generation and the new products.
The headband is covered with artificial leather with a soft material inside. The headband coating is unchanged from the younger models, but the build quality and materials are higher, so theoretically the DT 1770 MK II and DT 1990 MK II should last longer.
Ergonomically, these are one of the best full-size headphones on the market, especially in this price segment. Only Sennheiser 600-series, Sennheiser HD 490 PRO, and legendary studio headphones such as Beyerdynamic DT 770 or Sony MDR-7506 can compete in terms of comfort
Both models are very comfortable, do not put pressure on the head, fit well, and do not interfere with the working day at all. The only thing that is a bit inconvenient is the thick-twisted wire, but this is just nitpicking, because the cable itself is of excellent quality.
Since the DT 1770 and Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO MK II are structurally very similar to the very reliable DT 770 and DT 990. There is reason to expect that the more expensive model will serve its owner no less and will easily survive aggressive treatment. Of course, within reason.
The ear cushions are quite easy to change, although not very intuitive. However, there is a special groove on the cups into which the ear pad is inserted. After that, it’s enough to twist it so that the soft fastener continues to fall into the gap, just like putting keys through a ring. It’s not as convenient as the snap-on closures of, for example, the Sennheiser HD 490 PRO, but it’s better than not having replaceable ear cushions at all.
Specifications and features
Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO MK II
| Type of wearing | Full invoices |
| Construction | Open |
| Connection type | Leading |
| Nominal impedance of the headphones | 30 ohms |
| Weight of headphones without cable | 376 г |
| Frequency range of the headphones | 5-40,000 Hz |
| Rated sound pressure level | 94 dB SPL (1 mW/500 Hz) |
| Type of sound connection to the ear | Encompassing (around the ear) |
Beyerdynamic DT 1770 PRO MK II
| Type of wearing | Around the ear |
| Construction | Closed |
| Connection type | Leading |
| Nominal impedance of the headphones | 30 ohms |
| Weight of headphones without cable | 377 г |
| Frequency range of the headphones | 5-40,000 Hz |
| Rated sound pressure level | 95 dB SPL (1 mW/500 Hz) |
| Type of sound connection to the ear | Encompassing (around the ear) |
Reference for professionals
The open design of the DT 1990 PRO MKIIs delivers a natural, spatial sound, making them the perfect choice for mixing, mastering, and editing.
While the closed DT 1770 PRO MKII offers a high level of sound isolation. The headphones are suitable for recording, monitoring and editing, showing excellent performance as a reference model in everyday studio work or in loud live performance environments. The dynamic sound profile is characterized by powerful bass, natural midrange and detailed treble.
New generation of TESLA.45 emitters
The DT 1770 PRO MKI and DT 1990 PRO MKII are equipped with the latest TESLA.45 driver technology. The completely revamped 45 mm driver system is said to provide high resolution, minimal distortion and excellent dynamic response. TESLA.45 provides signal accuracy even at high-volume levels — engineers have achieved studio-quality sound thanks to weight-optimized materials.
The sound of the new Beyerdynamic DT 1770 PRO MK II and Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO MK II is large, detailed and rich. They are similar in character to their younger versions, so users will find DT 770 і DT 990 can roughly imagine how they work, but the flagships are many times more informative.
The genre headphones are absolutely versatile and also easy to roll out, which is a pleasant surprise, especially after actively using the DT770 with 250 ohms. The secret lies in the use of TESLA.45 drivers with a resistance of only 30 ohms. Of course, the source, and amplifier capabilities are still very important, but even an average audio card should be able to reveal their sound well.
This is a rare case of pleasant monitors: usually top-of-the-line monitor models are not very pleasant to listen to unless you own a very high quality media library and, more importantly, your favorite albums must be well recorded and mixed. The Beyerdynamic DT 1770 PRO MK II and DT 1990 PRO MK II are not so picky about recordings, but you can hear every detail. They’re great for working with sound at very high levels, but to work at the maximum level, you need maximum headphones, like the Audeze LCD-X, which will make it possible to hear absolutely all the shortcomings of the recording.
In general, Beyerdynamic sounds smooth and informative — you can both record or mix sound in them and enjoy listening to music, but it is not the maximum monitor capability, which will be a plus for the author and many people.
The main testing was carried out using a DAC Chord Mojo 2, DAC Chord Hugo 2 and audio interface RME Babyface Pro FS.
Comparison
Beyerdynamic DT 1770 PRO MK II sound a little bit more tight than open DT 1990 PRO MK II, which is understandable and absolutely normal for a closed form factor. The difference is noticeable, but not so significant that you should neglect the closed DT 1770 PRO MK II because of it. If you need sound insulation, both external and internal, you can safely take DT 1770 MK II. If it is not so important, you should pay attention to the open DT 1990 MK II. Especially if the user does not work with sound.
The DT 1770 PRO MK II is suitable for recording and monitoring, while the DT 1990 PRO MK II is optimal for mixing and post-processing.
Compared to the previous generation of DT 1770 PRO and DT 1990 PRO, the new generation sounds much more interesting: the detail, ambient handling, midrange information and bass volume have increased.
Price and competitors
Cost Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO MK II and Beyerdynamic DT 1770 PRO MK II is the same and amounts to UAH 28,728.
The previous generation (Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO іBeyerdynamic DT 1770 PRO) will cost about UAH 27,972I think that the difference in sound is not worth saving. However, some people may like the sound of the previous generation better, so it is recommended to compare all versions before buying.
Among open models, the closest competitors are Neumann NDH 30 for UAH 31,229, Sennheiser HD 660S2 for UAH 27,549, Sennheiser HD 490 PRO Plus for UAH 22,029 and Audeze MM-100 for UAH 21,000. These models lose in terms of detail and scale of sound, but they also differ in sound character.
Among closed monitors, the only competitors are Audeze LCD-2 Closedbut the cost of this model is already UAH 48 130.
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