Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro Studio Headphones Review 250/80 Ohms
Beyerdynamic is around for 91 years. It was founded in Germany in 1924 bye Eugen Beyer and is producing transducers, headphones and microphones and Pro-Audio equipment ever since. Their first dynamic headphone (DT-48) was first mass-produced in 1937 and bveyerdynamic carried it in their portfolio until 2012 – take that for and indication that beyerdynamic is in it for the long haul.
Disclaimer: The DT770 Pro 250 Ohm was loaned from samma3a.com. I personally own the DT770 88 years Limited Edition 32 Ohm and T90 Jubilee Edition.
The DT770 reviewed here is the version that is used in recording studios around the world. Every part of this headphone is easy replaceable and it’s build modular so you can change the headband for example, or the ear pads easily. Even the drivers are connected via sockets so they can be exchanged easily.
This headphone was introduced in the 80s and is still going strong.
Manufacture’s Specifications:
- Type: Over Ear Headphone (Circumaural)
- Drivers Size: 45mm diameter
- Drivers Type: dynamic neodymium
- Frequency Response: 5 – 35,000 Hz
- Sensitivity: 96 dB in 1mW
- Impedance: 250 Ω
- Microphone sensitivity: ??
- Maximum Input: 100 mW
- Weight with cable: 270g
- Connector: 3.5/6.3mm single ended, 3m coiled cable
- MSRP: $200
Design/Materials/Build Quality:
Design:
German utilitarian look. There is nothing pretentious about this headphone. It was designed to be an everyday workhorse for the recording industry, before headphones became a thing one would wear in public. The form follows the function and the modular build makes this headphone the easiest to repair/replace headphone system. If after 10 years time your headband is worn down, beyerdynamic will happily sell you a replacement. It’s absolutely high quality. My 3 year old DT770 looks still like it’s new and it was used heavily.
Style/Look:
As mentioned before form follows function, metal and sturdy plastic make the headphone. The headband it pleather and replaceable, the ear pads are velour and incredibly comfy. This thing can take a beating, or 100. To me, it looks great, it’s large but that makes it so comfy. They feature a single sided non user replaceable cable and sliding ear cups to make them fit any head size.
Comfort:
Only 270 grams. Not many large over ear headphones can manage that. Especially not ones with 45mm drivers and a sound as grand as the DT770. Their large velour ear pads make this headphone very comfortable. I am undecided if I like the HD650 or the DT770 more in regards to comfort. Both “disappear” from your head after some time (and if you set it’s size right). They have the right amount of clamping force, though they might be a bit stiff in the beginning but it will go away after a few hours of use.
Supplied accessories:
The DT770 comes with a 3m coiled cable with a screw-on 3.5-6.33mm adapter.
Sound:
Oomph – this is a diffuse field studio headphone with an “innovative bass reflex system” – if you wonder what that means, you are not alone. However the sound this headphone produces can be described as having a very balanced sound with nice imaging and a pretty large sound stage for closed headphones.
Bass:The bass on this headphone is slightly pronounced. But not boomy, it’s tight, goes down very deep and very clean sounding.
Mid-range: Meds are rendered pleasantly and they might be a tad recessed compared to the treble.
Treble: The treble is definitively a bit boosted. This results in a lot of perceived detail. You can hear fingers hitting the piano and the page turning of the front violinist. This also makes these headphones great for electronic music by the way, as a bit of a V-shape makes it more fun.
Sound Stage and instruments separations: Closed headphones generally have a small soundstage, however these beyers manage to create a quite large one for a closed headphone. Instrument separation is very good.
Pros & Cons:
Pros:
- extraordinary build quality
- everything is replaceable(except the cables)
- build for studio recording engineers
- balanced sound
Cons:
- a lot of treble can be irritating
- limited soundstage
- slightly recessed mids
Conclusion:
I bought this headphone before Samma3a.com was carrying it but in the 32 Ohm version. I like it. It’s a trusted partner that you can rely on and use for many many years. It can sound a bit hot in the treble area but it always has a nice bass provided you drive it with a proper amp. If they are underamped, the bass can sound a bit flabby and uncontrolled, so these really benefit from an amp. It’s really good for bass heavy genres like rock, rap, metal, electronic music etc.
I would recommend an amp with a slightly warmer sound signature as a treble heavy amp could be a bit too much for these headphones.
Other than that, these headphones are a clear recommendation, they are around for such a long time for a reason.
Word from the Beyerdynamic regarding the Impdence:
” Which DT 770 for which source?
DT 770 Pro is available with 32, 80 and 250 ohms transducers, these also differ in application:
the 32 ohms DT 770 Pro works great with computer soundcards, audio interfaces, portable recorders and players (mobile phone, tablet, handheld recording device, etc., units, powered by (rechargeable) batteries or external supplies), also with instruments like digital piano, synthesizer or instrument amplifiers (e. g. for guitar).
DT 770 Pro with 250 ohms is suitable for stationary sources like mains powered studio monitor controllers, hifi-amplifiers, headphone amplifiers, etc.. Both versions, 32 and 250 ohms are based on very low mass, so called: underhang voice coils, which can reproduce enormous details with low distortion. For the lower impedance, we use slightly thicker – and heavier – wire for the coil, therefore, it plays louder with lower supply voltages (from mentioned units) as the 250 ohms version.
80 ohms DT 770 Pro is optimized for very high listening levels in a recording studio, for example musicians, playing an instrument, etc.. You normally can find very high power headphone amplifiers here and achievable level is more important than the last bit of sound quality. This transducer uses an overhang voicecoil, which is longer than the air gap. Its larger surface increases the electrical power handling (better cooling) but its higher mass results in a different distortion behaviour.
finally, DT 770 M is a specialized version of DT 770 Pro 80 ohms for very loud environments: due to its stronger headband, totally closed earcups and special earpads, it gives a far stronger isolation from and to the outside than regular DT 770 Pro phones, but compromises sound quality and (long term-) wearing comfort. ”
