Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X: Studio-Grade Open-Back Headphones Review

Rashaad Hutton

Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X

Beyerdynamic, a well-known name in audio gear, has released the DT 900 Pro X headphones. These open-back studio headphones aim to deliver top-notch sound for mixing and mastering. The DT 900 Pro X features a new STELLAR.45 driver that produces detailed, spacious, and transparent sound.

Made in Germany, these headphones boast high build quality and comfort. They come with a detachable cable, making them easy to use with various devices. The open-back design allows for a wide soundstage, which is key for accurate audio work.

For those in the market for pro-level headphones, the DT 900 Pro X offers a mix of quality and function. They work well for critical listening tasks in studios. But they also suit audiophiles who want clear, balanced sound at home.

FeatureDescription
TypeOpen-back
DriverSTELLAR.45
CableDetachable
UseMixing, mastering, critical listening
OriginMade in Germany

Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X: Open-Back Studio Monitoring

The Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X headphones are a stellar choice for audio professionals and enthusiasts seeking accurate and detailed sound reproduction. These open-back headphones offer a spacious soundstage and exceptional clarity, making them ideal for critical listening, mixing, and mastering.

Sound Quality

  • Neutral and Accurate: The DT 900 Pro X delivers a remarkably neutral and balanced sound signature, making it suitable for analytical listening and studio monitoring.
  • Detailed and Transparent: With a wide frequency response, these headphones reveal subtle nuances and details in the audio, allowing you to hear every instrument and vocal clearly.
  • Spacious Soundstage: The open-back design creates a wider and more natural soundstage, giving the impression that the sound is coming from around you rather than inside your head.

Comfort and Design

  • Lightweight and Comfortable: The DT 900 Pro X is surprisingly lightweight, and the velour earpads provide a comfortable fit for extended listening sessions.
  • Durable Construction: Built with high-quality materials, these headphones are designed to withstand the rigors of studio use.
  • Replaceable Parts: The earpads, headband padding, and even the cable are replaceable, ensuring longevity and easy maintenance.

Key Features

  • STELLAR.45 Drivers: Beyerdynamic’s newly developed drivers offer improved efficiency and impulse response.
  • Open-Back Design: Provides a spacious and natural soundstage.
  • Wide Frequency Response: Reproduces a broad range of frequencies for detailed audio.
  • High Impedance: Suitable for use with professional audio interfaces and headphone amplifiers.
  • Detachable Cable: Includes both a straight and coiled cable for versatility.

Review and Considerations

The Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X has garnered praise for its accurate sound reproduction, comfort, and build quality. It’s an excellent choice for critical listening, mixing, and mastering. However, there are a few points to consider:

  • Open-Back Nature: Sound leakage is inherent to open-back headphones, making them less suitable for noisy environments or situations where privacy is needed.
  • High Impedance: These headphones require a powerful headphone amplifier or audio interface to drive them properly.
  • Neutral Sound: While the neutral sound is ideal for analytical listening, some users might find it lacking in bass impact for casual listening.

Table of Specifications

FeatureSpecification
TypeOpen-back, dynamic
Frequency Response5 – 40,000 Hz
Impedance48 ohms
CableDetachable, 3m straight and 5m coiled
Weight345g (without cable)

Open-Back vs. Closed-Back Headphones

  • Open-Back: Offer a wider soundstage and more natural sound but have sound leakage.
  • Closed-Back: Provide better isolation and privacy but may have a more confined soundstage.

Choose the type that best suits your needs and listening environment.

Design and Build Quality

The Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X headphones blend comfort and durability. They feature an open-back design, plush velour ear pads, and high-quality materials for long-lasting performance.

Open-Back Design

The DT 900 Pro X uses an open-back design that allows air to flow through the ear cups. This creates a more natural and spacious sound. The ear cups have narrow slots that distinguish them as open-back headphones.

Open-back headphones like these typically offer:

  • Wider soundstage
  • More accurate bass response
  • Less pressure buildup in the ears

One drawback is that they leak more sound compared to closed-back models. This makes them less suited for noisy environments or recording sessions.

Velour Ear Pads

The DT 900 Pro X comes with soft velour ear pads. These pads offer several benefits:

  • Increased comfort for long listening sessions
  • Good breathability to reduce heat buildup
  • Gentle on the skin, reducing irritation

The velour material is durable and can be replaced if needed. This extends the life of the headphones and maintains hygiene.

Build Materials

Beyerdynamic uses high-quality materials in the DT 900 Pro X construction. The headband and yokes are made of metal for strength and flexibility. Plastic parts are thick and sturdy.

Key build features include:

  • Detachable cable for easy replacement
  • Adjustable headband for a custom fit
  • Swiveling ear cups for single-ear monitoring
ComponentMaterial
HeadbandMetal
Ear CupsPlastic
Ear PadsVelour

The overall build quality is excellent, with nothing feeling cheap. This robust construction helps the headphones withstand daily studio use.

Technical Specifications

The Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X headphones offer impressive technical features. These specs contribute to their sound quality and overall performance.

Impedance and Frequency Response

The DT 900 Pro X has a 48-ohm impedance. This low impedance makes them easy to drive with various audio sources. Users can enjoy high-quality sound from smartphones, laptops, or professional audio equipment.

The headphones boast a wide frequency response range of 5 Hz to 40 kHz. This broad range allows for detailed reproduction of both low bass and high treble frequencies. The extended range contributes to the headphones’ ability to deliver clear and accurate sound across the audio spectrum.

SpecificationValue
Impedance48 ohms
Frequency Response5 Hz – 40 kHz

Soundstage and Acoustic Properties

The DT 900 Pro X features an open-back design. This design choice enhances the headphones’ soundstage. The open-back structure allows for a more natural and spacious sound presentation.

These headphones aim for a neutral sound signature. This approach helps in accurate audio reproduction, making them suitable for studio work and critical listening. The neutral tuning lets users hear audio as it was intended, without significant coloration.

The DT 900 Pro X offers an immersive passive soundstage. This feature creates a sense of space and depth in the audio. It helps in accurately placing instruments and vocals within the mix.

Usage Scenarios

The Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X headphones excel in various professional audio settings. These versatile studio headphones adapt well to different tasks and equipment setups.

Mixing and Mastering

The DT 900 Pro X shines in mixing and mastering applications. Its neutral sound profile helps audio engineers make accurate decisions. The headphones reveal subtle details in recordings, allowing for precise adjustments.

Key features for mixing:

  • Wide frequency response
  • Open-back design for natural sound
  • Low distortion at high volumes

During long sessions, the lightweight build prevents fatigue. This lets engineers focus on their work without discomfort.

The DT 900 Pro X handles various genres well. It reproduces both delicate acoustic pieces and bass-heavy electronic tracks faithfully.

Professional Studio Work

In professional studios, the DT 900 Pro X proves its worth. It serves multiple roles from recording to final production.

For vocalists and instrumentalists, the headphones offer clear monitoring. Musicians hear themselves accurately, improving performance.

Audio producers appreciate the headphones’ ability to reveal flaws in tracks. This helps catch issues early in the production process.

The durable construction withstands daily studio use. Replaceable parts ensure long-term reliability, a crucial factor for busy studios.

Compatibility with different audio sources makes the DT 900 Pro X versatile. It works well with studio consoles, audio interfaces, and portable recorders.

Compatibility with Audio Interfaces

The DT 900 Pro X integrates smoothly with many audio interfaces. Its 48-ohm impedance suits both professional and consumer equipment.

Connection options:

  • 3.5mm jack (included)
  • 6.35mm adapter (included)
  • XLR adapter (sold separately)

This flexibility lets users connect to laptops, smartphones, and high-end studio gear. The headphones deliver consistent performance across devices.

With most interfaces, the DT 900 Pro X reaches suitable volume levels easily. This eliminates the need for additional amplification in many setups.

The detachable cable design adds convenience. Users can replace cables or switch to custom lengths as needed.

Comparison and Alternatives

The Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X faces stiff competition from other studio headphones. We’ll compare it to its predecessor and look at some alternatives in the market.

Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro

The DT 900 Pro X builds on the popular DT 990 Pro model. It offers improved sound quality and comfort. The new model has a wider frequency response of 5 – 40,000 Hz compared to the DT 990 Pro’s 5 – 35,000 Hz.

The DT 900 Pro X uses new STELLAR.45 drivers. These aim to reduce distortion at high volumes. They also work well with smartphones and laptops without needing an amp.

Comfort-wise, the DT 900 Pro X has softer ear pads and a more flexible headband. This makes it better for long listening sessions.

Competing Studio Headphones

The DT 900 Pro X faces competition from other open-back studio headphones. Here’s how it stacks up:

ModelPriceImpedanceFrequency Response
DT 900 Pro X$26948 ohms5 – 40,000 Hz
Sennheiser HD 600$399300 ohms12 – 40,500 Hz
AKG K701$22062 ohms10 – 39,800 Hz

The DT 900 Pro X offers good value. It has a lower price than some rivals. Its low impedance means it works well with portable devices.

For pure audio quality, some audiophiles prefer the Sennheiser HD 600. But it needs an amp to perform its best. The AKG K701 is another strong option with a similar price to the DT 900 Pro X.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X headphones offer high-quality audio for professional use. These open-back headphones have specific features and specs that set them apart in the market.

What are the specifications of the DT 900 PRO X headphones?

The DT 900 PRO X weighs 345 grams and uses a wired connection. It comes with both 3.5 mm and 6.35 mm connectors for versatility.

The headphones use a STELLAR.45 driver developed in Germany. This driver aims to deliver studio-quality sound even at high volumes.

What are the distinctive features of the DT 900 PRO X in terms of gaming usage?

The DT 900 PRO X offers clear sound that can help gamers hear subtle audio cues. Its open-back design creates a wider soundstage, which can improve spatial awareness in games.

The comfortable fit allows for long gaming sessions without discomfort. The detachable cable also adds convenience for gamers.

How does the frequency response of the DT 900 PRO X compare to other professional headphones?

The DT 900 PRO X provides a balanced frequency response suited for professional audio work. It aims to reproduce sound accurately across the spectrum.

Compared to other models, it may offer a flatter response. This helps in getting a true representation of the audio being mixed or mastered.

What is the release date of the DT 900 PRO X model?

The exact release date of the DT 900 PRO X is not specified in the provided information. However, it is a relatively recent model in Beyerdynamic’s lineup of professional headphones.

What is the price range for the DT 900 PRO X headphones?

The specific price range for the DT 900 PRO X is not mentioned in the given search results. Prices for professional-grade headphones can vary based on region and retailer.

Do the DT 900 PRO X headphones come with a balanced connection option?

The search results do not mention a balanced connection option for the DT 900 PRO X. The headphones come with standard 3.5 mm and 6.35 mm connectors.

FeatureDT 900 PRO XDT 1990 PRO MKII
Weight345 gramsNot specified
DesignOpen-backOpen-back
Connectors3.5 mm, 6.35 mmNot specified
DriverSTELLAR.45Not specified
Build QualitySturdy, high-qualityHigher-quality materials
ComfortGood for long sessionsFontanelle recess for added comfort