Beyerdynamic has always done a fantastic job at delivering a certain level of clarity and what seems like a unique signature that says “this is a BD pair of headphones” when you listen. At least, it seems to be this way every time I blind-listen to a new pair that comes our way. These two headsets are no different.
Someone approached me from behind and carefully set the DT 700 PRO X (Closed-Back) headphones on my head, trying to see if I could guess the manufacturer behind the model. They played one of my favorite Beck songs and within 20 seconds, I was able to guess Beyerdynamic.
Both of these models (DT 700 PRO X Closed-Back and DT 900 PRO X Open-Back) fall right into BD’s signature range of sound and each has its own purpose when it comes to how you are going to use them. First, however, we will go over the design of each.
Design
The DT 700 Pro X (left) is a closed-back style of headphones, whereas the DT 900 Pro X (right) is open-back. This is obvious when looking at the sides of either model. The 700 features a solid enclosure and the 900 features a grill, exposing what’s inside.
This is really the only difference between the two models.
Both models feature comfortable velour padding on the muffs. The material is gray in color and the insides of each muff feature a unique pattern. These cushions are replaceable if they age on you over time.
Both feature the same cushioning under the band that can be swapped out. You can see the tab at the end of the cushion in the above image. This is where you can pop the cushion from the band and replace it with a new one if it begins to get old and tattered.
Both models feature the same aluminum arms that connect each cup to the headband. The aluminum is thick and durable and slides in and out of the band to adjust for head size. The cups swivel partially as well for the same objective.
Both feature a single mini XLR connection for the removable cables. These cables come in two sizes (in the box), including a 1.9 m (6.23 ft) and a 3 m (9.84 ft) option. Each of these cables comes with its own 1/4-inch (6.35 mm) adapter. Allowing you to use the headphones with any device, let it be mobile, amp, or board.
Since the cables can easily be removed, you should be able to easily find replacements. Let it be from BD directly or from other companies. This includes alternative options or lengths as well. Therefore, if you have a 4.4 mm balanced cable that uses mini XLR, you could make use of it.
Performance
Both models feature the same impedance, SPL, and range. That range is 5 Hz to 40 kHz, which is fantastic. They look nearly the same, feel the same on your head, and nearly sound the same (we’ll explain more in the next section).
Range-wise, they do sound the same. Crisp highs, with balanced mids and lows. The lows don’t feel overly exaggerated. They feel natural, so you will be getting accurate lows vs something you’d use for hip hop or anything else that prefers exaggerated low-end frequencies. Hence, why these are good for mixing.
We did find that highs can be a bit exhausting. So if your ears are sensitive to such, it is something to keep in mind. I think this is a part of BD’s signature sound since I find this to be true with a number of models.
Thankfully, there is a very noticeable clarity to those highs, which allows certain tracks to shine through. Especially, anything with brass or strings. The mids and lows also offer a certain level of clarity to them that goes with the name.
I found myself spending a lot of time with artists like Jimi Hendrix, Mumford and Sons, and even Goo Goo Dolls (Iris sounds great). Most of which I leaned toward the DT 900 Pro X model for.
With an impedance of 48 ohms, these headphones can be paired with any device. Even the small phone in your pocket (although the cables do not have any in-line controls or microphones, so you cannot use them to take calls).
You can also pair them with a DAC or tube amp for a little more body and volume. We found that a good tube amp pairs very nicely with these (especially the 900s).
Closed-Back vs Open-Back
This leads me to where there is a difference. Closed-back headphones offer the same headphone experience you get with most over-ear models. Everything is confined into a private space in your ears, allowing you to tune out some of the noise around you since your ears are completely covered (aka, passive isolation). You get noticeably deeper bass levels as well. If you are using closed-back headphones to mix sound, you would want to use these for live performances (concerts). For general listening, they can be used just about anywhere.
Open-back models differ in many ways since you have leakage from the backs of each muff. Therefore you can still hear your environment while wearing them. This also means that those close to you can also hear what you are listening to. So it is wise to make sure you are using them in a controlled environment. A personal listening room at home, or a recording studio if you are mixing music. One of the biggest benefits is that with open-back, you get a much larger sound stage surrounding you. The difference between listening to a band inside of a room (open) vs inside of a box (closed). It just has a more natural sound to the music.
What’s in the box?
These models, as mentioned, come with two cable options. 1.9 m and 3 min length. You also get a soft-shell drawstring pouch to store them in (which many here really liked). Outside of some documentation and a few stickers, that is it.
The box they come in has a bit of a shoebox kind of feel to it, with some modular inserts so that parts of the packaging can be re-used between different models. There is a recycled feel to the box and there are no overly-expressive features to the packaging.
Our Conclusion
Both of these models sound great. Either would be fantastic for mixing sound given you match the right pair to the right environment. The highs are a bit exhausting, which is the only unnatural presentation of the frequency range. However, if you use to them behind something that allows you to adjust the EQ of the media you are listening to, this can be resolved quickly.
If we had to pick between one or the other, the tallied vote from us landed with the DT 900 Pro X headphones. Pairing them with a tube amp led to the best experience (in our opinion). However, we have a quiet environment and hardware to test them against.
If using them in a controlled studio environment (mixing), we could easily see the 900’s being a popular vote for many. For live production, we couldn’t agree on anything (in regards to the 700s) since there is just so much competition to choose from out there. You may find something for $100 less that sounds just as good, with more flat/balanced highs. Everyone’s ears are different though, and every artist or engineer has their own signature style they mix to.
Finally, many times, with Beyerdynamic, you are paying for the name as well. So you may find these to be a tad more expensive than some models from companies like Sennheiser or Audio-Technica.
Beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X Closed-Back Headphones are available via: | | | | Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X Open-Back Headphones are available via: | | | | | |
| Our Rating | Average Price* $299.00 |
*Average price is based on the time this article was published
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Specifications:
- DT 700 Pro X
- Wired / Closed-Back / Over-Ear
- Earpad Material: Velours
- Nominal Impedance: 48 ohms
- Weight (w/o cables): 350 g
- Frequency Response: 5 – 40,000 Hz
- Nominal Sound Pressure Level: 100 dB SPL (1mW/500Hz)
- Cables Included: 3 m and 1.8 m straight cable, detachable, with 3-pin mini XLR & stereo jack (3.5 mm + 6.35 adapter)
- DT 900 Pro X
- Wired / Open-Back / Over-Ear
- Earpad Material: Velours
- Nominal Impedance: 48 ohms
- Weight (w/o cables): 345 g
- Frequency Response: 5 – 40,000 Hz
- Nominal Sound Pressure Level: 100 dB SPL (1mW/500Hz)
- Cables Included: 3 m and 1.8 m straight cable, detachable, with 3-pin mini XLR & stereo jack (3.5 mm + 6.35 adapter)
Are you a manufacturer or distributor that would like us to test something out for review? Contact us and we can let you know where to send the product and we will try it out.
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