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Today we review the Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X closed-back studio headphones for critical listening, mixing & mastering. We'll also take a look at all the features of the DT 900 PRO X and tell you about the sound quality of this device. For 2021, Beyerdynamic is releasing the updated DT 700 PRO X and DT 900 PRO X professional headphones. The first model is traditionally closed-back, and the second is open-back. Both models are designed for use in and out of the studio. It would not be very reasonable to think that any pair of headphones can replace monitors. However, for a true specialist, the most important thing is good sound and reliability, and headphones will always be used.
In addition, the new STELLAR.45 headphones expand the range of applications considerably due to their low impedance of 48 ohms and high sensitivity. You can connect the headphones anywhere, the volume will be enough without a special powerful amplifier. As a reminder, the classic 770 and 990 models required a very high voltage swing, which is usually only possible with stationary amplifiers. Of course, any headphones will sound much better with a good source, amplifier or audio interface, so it's worth connecting them to good equipment if possible.
Are the new PRO X models suitable for audiophiles? If the high impedance of 250 ohms did not prevent you from using the headphones for any purpose before, it is even more so now. It is worth saying that the excessive professional brutality is gone and the manufacturer is trying to please a large number of users at once. Let's keep things in order and start our Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X review as usual with the headphones' specifications.
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Best Price on Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X
The Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X is a standout device, catering to professionals and audiophiles who value precise, open-back headphones for studio mixing & mastering. |
Classic Package
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Unfortunately, we are not going to go into detail about the package, design, and ergonomics, as we have already covered all of this in detail in our review of the Beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X. Yes, the Beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X and the Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X have the same package, design, and even the same dynamic driver. The only difference is that the DT 900 PRO X are open-back headphones and the DT 700 PRO X are closed-back headphones. The sonic character of the headphones is also slightly different, but we'll talk about that later.
The headphones are now positioned as a high-end product, not a consumer product. That's why they come in a beautifully designed box in the brand's colors. Inside, there is a lot of attention to detail, including a high-quality printed brochure and various branded accessories, as shown in the image above.
The design of the PRO X has become much nicer and more modern, but not to the detriment of the reliability of the construction. There is a fine metal texture on the brackets under the paint and the curves and contours now look much better. The manufacturer is also planning to offer removable ear cushions in other colours, rather than just plain grey. As you can see, this is a courtesy to audiophiles, who are no less likely to buy headphones than professionals.
The ear cushions are soft enough to make them comfortable to wear for long periods, but at the same time, they are dense enough to prevent bass leakage. The removable ear cushions are a big plus, as they are easy to clean if they get dirty and can also be replaced if they wear out after a few years. In front of the diaphragm, you can see the very damping material, which performs two functions at once - both protective and acoustic. The dynamic driver is right in the middle. The grid protects the diaphragm from mechanical damage. A special material is used to acoustically dampen the internal volume of the headphones. This expands the bass register and eliminates muttering.
Traditionally, Beyerdynamic headphones have a wide range of fit adjustments, which is especially important for a large adult head. There is also a small angle of rotation of the ear cups around the vertical axis. Everything about the DT 900 PRO X speaks of attention to detail, high ergonomics, and reliability. The manufacturer has done away with the previous headband design in the new headphones. There is only the Beyerdynamic logo at the top, and the soft padding is attached at the bottom with snaps. The padding is not in question, thanks to the soft foam and leather, the headphones sit comfortably on your head. The plastic parts of the housing have a special texture that hides the scratches that are inevitable in everyday use.
On the DT 900 PRO X, the cable attachment is on one side only, on the left. This keeps the cables out of the way during use, whether you are working professionally or just sitting at your computer. The DT 900 PRO X is easy to connect to everything from smartphones to mixing consoles. The reduced thread diameter is deliberately designed to allow the headphones to fit into the recessed sockets of various portable devices and camcorders.
The mini XLR connector allows you to vary the length and type of cable and change the cable when worn. Two straight cables of different lengths are supplied. The longest, 3 meters, is suitable for situations where the sound source is far from the listener. The shorter 1.8-meter cable is best for personal use with portable equipment. A canvas pouch with straps protects the exterior from scratches during storage and transport.
We connected the headphones to various audio sources, from consumer to professional. Thanks to their high sensitivity, the DT 900 PRO X produced a much louder sound than many mass-market consumer headphones. So it is no longer problematic that Beyerdynamic's PRO series requires a special amplifier. Of course, a good amplifier will improve the sound, but the headphones deliver excellent results without it.
Let's throw a few words about the unique dynamic STELLAR.45 driver, which Beyerdynamic developed especially for the entire PRO X series.
An all-new STELLAR.45 driver has been developed for the entire PRO X Series. A neodymium ring magnet drives a coil of high-tech copper-coated wire, reducing impedance to an impressive 48 ohms without sacrificing sound quality. That means no high-voltage swing or prohibitive amplifier power is required. But even more interesting is the diaphragm. Designed and manufactured in Heilbronn, Germany, it is made of a special material and is damped in a triple-layer construction for natural tonal reproduction. Despite all the innovations, the sound is still characterized by the popular Beyerdynamic signature, with a powerful, driving sound and accents.
The official Beyerdynamic website has an interesting article about the STELLAR.45 driver, which you can read by the link.
Now we come to the most important part/section of our Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X review. Of course, everyone wants to know what the headphones sound like. The sound of the DT 900 PRO X is nothing but positive and meets the expectations of a mid-range model. First and foremost, the sound is cohesive and full-bodied, with a large overdrive margin. The midrange is very smooth, making the timbres of the instruments sound natural and authentic. In general, the sound is an intermediate variant between the 990, with its strong emphasis on bass and treble, and the super-smooth 1990 headphones, with the 900 even winning slightly in terms of dynamics. Compared to Beyerdynamic's more expensive models, the 900's sound is a bit simplistic. But in its price range, it is certainly one of the best headphones available today. The use of new materials and the introduction of new developments have clearly benefited the DT 900 PRO X. At the same time, the Beyerdynamic signature for fans of the brand remains in full force. The new open 900 PRO X is more of an upgrade and a more refined version of the classic 990 PRO.
The most difficult question is: is it worth it to switch from the 990 to the 900? The 990's requirement for a powerful amplifier has forced many people to purchase high-quality fixed equipment, which can easily provide a wide spread for 250 ohms and sensitivity below 90 dB. However, even with such equipment, the 990s fall a bit short of the 900s and have more lift in the bass and treble. So if a user is looking for headphones with a smoother sound and a wider range of sources, including smartphones and tablets, the 900 PRO X makes sense.
The response of the open-back 900 PRO X is even flatter than the closed-back 700 PRO X, and the slight accents at the edges of the range are justified by Harman's target curve, which welcomes a boost in bass and treble as subjectively neutral to the ear. In any case, the choice of headphones is an individual matter. It's better not to look at graphs, but to listen in person.
The new 900 gives a more natural timbre, and the midrange is no longer lost but better heard. Vocals and solo instruments are a bit more delicate. That doesn't make the 990s a bad pair of headphones, and they still make sense because they're significantly cheaper. But this is offset by the power requirements of the amplifier. For professional work, we'd recommend the DT 900 PRO X. For music listening, audiophiles usually have their own opinions, but many will find the novelty more to their liking.
Polar opinions about the classic PRO series headphones can be caused by different generations. This is inevitable when the headphones have been on the market for more than 20 years. The latest batches play much better than copies from a decade ago. The advantage of the new DT 900 PRO X models is that they don't have any generations yet, and what we heard immediately sounded great.
If you were expecting more bass in a closed model and a freer sound in an open model, as is the case when comparing the 770 and 990, this is much less pronounced in the new PRO X family. The 700 and 900 are much more balanced and closer together. There is a difference in the bass, which is more pronounced in the closed DT 700 PRO X. But after a minute of changing headphones, your ears will adapt, so the sound is generally the same. Each model has its own strengths, none of which is inferior to the other. That's a big plus, because you can choose on a principle: if you need 20 dB of external noise attenuation and a bit more bass, go for the DT 700 PRO X. If you don't like closed headphones very much, go for the DT 900 PRO X.
Now that we've reached the end of our Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X review, it's time to summarize the results. Based on our testing of the Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X, we were pleased with the new generation of headphones. The redesigned classics have retained and improved on many of their positive features, including robust construction and comfort. The detachable cable adds variety and makes it easy to replace a broken cable or connector. However, the main changes are in the driver, which has a more versatile 48-ohm impedance and high sensitivity, making it easy to connect to smartphones and other portable devices. In terms of timbre, there is also a shift towards greater neutrality. In addition, the character of the sound has been refined and made even more interesting. The price has also increased, but this is justified by more interesting and thoughtful packaging and an improved appearance.
We hope you enjoyed our review of the Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X headphones. Please feel free to leave your comments, questions, and suggestions in the section below. We will be happy to answer them all as soon as possible. If you already own a DT 900 PRO X and have used it for a while, don't forget to share your impressions and tell us what you liked or disliked about these studio headphones.
Pros
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9.2
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