Review: Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO Studio Open Reference Headphones

We recently covered an entry-level pair of studio monitors from beyerdynamic, the DT 240 Pro headphones, which did decently well for what they were. However, although “decently well” works for some (especially simple one-off live performances), others may need a lot more detail for the ears to accomplish what they’re looking for. This is usually the case when it comes to indoor recording studios. These situations require something like beyerdynamic’s higher end models, like the BT 1990 Pro Studio Open Reference headphones. These headphones are dedicated to those with a bigger budget, looking for quality that far surpasses that of the DT 240 Pro, and once again, we had the opportunity to give them a good listen.

More comparable to beyerdynamic’s Aventho headphones (at first–and we’ll get into what I mean in a moment)) than the DT 240 Pro, when it comes range, these headphones really can come through if you need them to. They offer a mixed response based on user preference of the pads, and are capable of delivering a solid flat response if you choose.

They are an open-back pair of studio reference headphones, which means they provide an expanded sound stage for your ears, allowing for a more open experience. Open-back also means that you will easily be able to hear some of the noises around you, as well as those (people) around you, will be able to hear sound coming from the headphones. There is little to no outside noise isolation when it comes to this design of headphone, which is why they are best in a quiet environment where you can relax without nearby audible distractions (like a recording studio).

Design

The design of these headphones include mostly aluminum with some plastic elements. The metal band that runs through the head cushion, reaches out on both ends to grab each muff. The muff cushions are replaceable and you have two variations available to you in the box.

The headband cushioning features a leather (or pleather) wrap, with a decent layer of foam inside. Foam in both the headband and the muffs seems to be a regular (vs memory) but soft selection of foam that feels great on the head and mostly great on the ears. This helps to combat discomfort during long periods of use, however the muffs could use a little more plush to them to be absolutely perfect.

The open grill on the back of each muff features a two-layer design with black aluminum on top and a layer of silver aluminum mesh underneath. There is a solid modern design to these that could easily distract some attention away from those sitting or standing near you. They both look and free about as “pro” as they sound.

For the cable connection, beyerdynamic choose to go with a mini XLR connector straight to the headphones, giving a solid snapped into place connection. They provide you with two different cables depending on your need for the headphones (or user preference), including a coiled design, and a straight design. Both cables feature a 3.5mm (aux) connection on the other end, with a 1/4″ adapter screwed onto it. Both cables feature decent insulation, with the coiled one seeming just a tad more girthy/durable.

Performance

These headphones sound quite superb. They are truly dedicated to mixing/recording when it comes to their best delivery, and do just fine just about everywhere else (general music listening, gaming, movies, etc). At first, we tested them against a number of media sources, including smartphones, tablets and general PC use. We took them for a spin with both local and streamed content, and it all sounded great.

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Of course things got better when we added a DAC/amp into the mix, which really helped to bring the life into what we were listening to. From USB/solid state solutions to analog, these headphones ate it all up proudly. Taking a step further, we brought in all of our favorite DSD and FLAC music, which added to it all the more.

Finally, there is no true test of these unless we plug them into a audio console. We tried both a basic Soundcraft digital console, as well as a DiGiCo SD5 to really give them a spin with. We had to make a few phone calls to find someone we can meet up with briefly for the DiGiCo since it isn’t something we simply had sitting around here at the office. Thankfully, one of the local tours that came through had one with them, and we got so play with it during their rehearsal (sure helps to know people).

The highs offer a crisp natural sound that isn’t overpowering/exhausting, that bring out a lot of detail in what you are listening for. Perfect for mixing a band, you have all the accuracy you need for an award-winning production or recording. Vocal tracks sound amazing, and your instruments and brass sound equally impressive.

Mids sound nearly just as good as the highs, offering rich detail to both vocals and instruments, with a wide spread of natural sounding frequencies. The lows deliver all the same. Although these are open-back, you don’t realize a lot of loss in the low end like you can find in certain models, although this does change a little depending on your selection of cushions.

This is where I said they are quite comparable to beyerdynamic’s Aventhos, which are a closed-back design (“at first”). As mentioned, the headphones come with two pairs of cushions. At first, you think that they were nice enough to provide you with an extra pair in case you wear the original ones out through time (we even had this first impression when we shot our unboxing video). However, the cushions are different from each other, where one is for “balanced” listening, and the other “analytical”. Out of the box, it comes with the “balanced” pair already installed on the headphones. These provide a lift in your lower frequencies, allowing the content to sound slightly more bassy). This is where they sound a bit like the Aventhos. However, if you swap them out for the “analytical” pads, it will result in a more natural/flat response.

What’s in the box?

Besides the two cable options (coiled and straight) and two pad options, you will find simple documentation about the headphones, and a really nice case to store them in. These headphones do not fold into themselves or anything, so they need a bulkier case solution to protect them in. The case they come with does exactly this with a hard-foam design and a zipper that seals to two halves together. The inside of the case features a nice leather pouch to store your cables with, and headphones sit directly into a foam impression. Bulky, but quite effective.

Our Conclusion

These headphones are a great solution for most mixing situations. Best for indoor noise isolated environments (like a recording studio), they really bring a natural and wide soundstage to your ears. You can also use these with any 3.5mm device as well, especially if you have a USB or analog DAC/amp to add in-line. Great in these situations for both music and movies alike. Beyerdynamic has once again delivered an amazing pair of headphones into their lineup that (mostly) fit well within their price range. This is the kind of model that can strike fear in their competition.

*Average price is based on the time this article was published

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