With the DT 990 PRO X*, beyerdynamic raises the bar even higher in the tradition of the legendary DT 990 PRO. Having already tested the closed version – the DT 770 PRO X – the open model now has to show what it’s made of. The modern STELLAR.45 driver is at the heart of the renewal: it is designed to raise sound precision to a new level with lower impedance. While the design of the classic has essentially been retained, the technology inside is completely new. In terms of price, the beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO X is currently around €50 more expensive than the classic DT 990 PRO.
Today’s test will find out whether the extra price for the new driver is worth it and how the open version compares to its already tested closed brother.
Technical data
| beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO X | |
| Wearing style | over-ear |
| Acoustic construction | Open-back |
| Nominal compression force | 5,5 N |
| Transmission type | Wired |
| Ear pad material | Velour |
| Headphone impedance | 48 Ohm |
| Transmission range | 5 – 40,000 Hz |
| Weight (without cable) | 292 g |
| Price: | € 199.00* |
Scope of delivery
- A 3 meter long, detachable cable. This uses a 3-pin mini XLR plug on the headphone side and ends in a classic 3.5 mm stereo jack.
- A suitable screw adapter (3.5 mm to 6.35 mm) to ensure connection to audio interfaces or hi-fi amplifiers.
- A black drawstring bag for safe storage of the headphones and cable.
Appearance and workmanship
In terms of appearance, beyerdynamic does not dare to experiment and relies on continuity: The DT 990 PRO X* presents itself in a classic, timeless and simple design that is visually seamlessly oriented towards its legendary predecessors and other models in the PRO series. Instead of focusing on short-lived trends, the manufacturer relies on functional aesthetics that radiate professionalism. In terms of construction, the well-known and proven open design is used consistently, recognizable by the characteristic slats on the ear cups.
In terms of quality, the headphones are of the usual high standard. The workmanship is very good throughout, and the use of high-quality materials ensures a robust feel – there are no visible imperfections or weak points in the manufacturing process.
A decisive advantage that has always characterized the studio headphones from Heilbronn has also been implemented here in an exemplary manner and even improved: the repairability is excellent. Beyerdynamic guarantees a very good availability of spare parts, whereby wearing parts such as the ear and head pads are easy to replace. The detachable cable is also a significant upgrade for longevity. As cable breakage is often the most common cause of failure in headphones, the DT 990 PRO X’s durability is further increased by the pluggable mini XLR connection compared to its predecessor.
Sound
The most important criterion for headphones is often the sound, and this is where the new STELLAR.45 driver shows its strengths. Anyone who was satisfied with the predecessor will find a consistent and successful upgrade here. The technical progress is particularly impressive when compared to older reference models: Compared to a DT 880 Edition (250 Ohm), which I have been using for 12 years, the DT 990 PRO X represents a huge leap in audio quality.
A huge advantage of the new driver technology is the impedance of 48 ohms. While older high-impedance models often required powerful amplifiers, the DT 990 PRO X is extremely low-powered. This means that almost any device – from laptops to smartphones – is able to play the headphones adequately and loudly enough without the need for a dedicated headphone amplifier.
The open design produces a very detailed sound image. Identifying the individual components of a piece of music is effortless and instruments are clearly separated from each other. This precision not only pays off when listening to music, but also when gaming: the wide spatial stage enables excellent localization of sounds in video games, which also makes the headphones interesting for gamers.
With the DT 990 PRO X you get very neutrally tuned headphones. This is a conscious decision for honesty in the sound: the bass is not artificially amplified or “blown up” as is usual with many consumer headphones.
Special design features: Potential buyers should be aware of the consequences of the open design. External noise penetrates audibly and, conversely, sound penetrates to the outside. Anyone looking for strong isolation or expecting a “bass monster” will have to look elsewhere – the DT 990 PRO X deliberately lacks these characteristics.
However, if you are aware of this design, you will find excellent sounding headphones that can be used universally and everywhere thanks to their low impedance.
Wearing comfort
The best sound is useless if the headphones become uncomfortable after a few minutes. Beyerdynamic attempts a balancing act between a secure hold and comfort: at 5.5 N, the DT 990 PRO X has a noticeably higher contact pressure than the old Edition models, for example, but remains within a moderate weight range at 292 grams.
To compensate for the pressure, the manufacturer uses very comfortable padding on the ears and head. The velour ear pads feel soft on the skin and are thick enough to accommodate people who wear glasses. Thanks to the adjustable metal headband, the headphones can also be flexibly adapted to both large and small heads. The combination of fit and contact pressure means that the headphones sit very securely and do not slip even when moving.
Nevertheless, it must be emphasized: Wearing comfort is very individual and cannot be generalized, as every head is shaped differently.For me personally, the DT 990 PRO X unfortunately did not prove to be permanently comfortable in the test. While I can wear my old DT 880 Edition for several hours without any problems, the PRO X became uncomfortable after about half an hour – probably due to the tighter fit of the PRO series.Interestingly, our tester of the closed DT 770 PRO X sister model (which is similar in construction) had no problems of this kind. This difference illustrates how subjective the wearing experience is. A longer listening test is therefore always recommended to find out whether the fit suits your own head.
Conclusion on the beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO X test
The beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO X* is a very good upgrade that successfully brings the virtues of its legendary predecessors into the modern age. Technically, the new STELLAR.45 driver is particularly impressive: not only does it ensure a very good, precise sound, but thanks to the low impedance of 48 ohms, it also enables uncomplicated operation on almost any end device – without the need for a special amplifier.
Added to this are the robust workmanship typical of beyerdynamic as well as the exemplary repairability and availability of spare parts, which make a strong statement in today’s throwaway society.
Anyone looking for an open, neutrally tuned companion for music production, gaming or pure music enjoyment will find an excellent overall package here. However, there is one caveat: as my test showed that the wearing comfort is very individual and the fit of the PRO series is not permanently flattering for every head, it is definitely advisable to try them out for a while before buying. If it fits well, the DT 990 PRO X will be fantastic headphones for many years to come.
- Modern STELLAR.45 driver with 48-ohm impedance
- Detachable mini XLR cable
- Very balanced sound
- Robust workmanship
- Very good repairability and spare parts supply
- Contact pressure too strong for some
beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO X
Processing
Wearing comfort
Sound quality
Price-performance ratio
95/100
The beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO X offers excellent sound with very good workmanship and is therefore a successful further development. As with all headphones, the wearing comfort is individual. Repairability and availability of spare parts should be emphasized!
