Short answer: the Audio-Technica ATH-R50x. It ranks #52 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $169. The Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro ranks #64, rated 4.0/5, at $149.99, $19.01 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
What the Audio-Technica ATH-R50x does well: A preference score of 83 and the smoothest deviation in this group at 1.67 dB make for a very even response, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz and low mids within 0.6 dB of target. The tradeoff: Sub-bass is about 6 dB low under 60 Hz, so deep rumble is lacking.
Why pick the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro: A preference score of 82 comes from a lively, bass-forward tuning, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz about 2.4 dB above target for punch and drive. The tradeoff: Treble runs about 5 dB above target and air above 10 kHz is nearly 9 dB hot, with a peak near 10.9 dB at 11.9 kHz, so cymbals and sibilance can sound harsh, especially at high volume.
Buy the Audio-Technica ATH-R50x. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $19.01 saving on the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro is not enough to make up the difference.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audio-Technica ATH-R50x | Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $169.00 | $149.99 |
| Ranked | #52 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #64 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 83 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 82 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.67 dB standard deviation | 2.08 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.64 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.40 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 30 Hz (-6.4 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 45mm dynamic | - |
| Impedance | 50 ohms | 250 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 93.3 dB/mW | 96 dB SPL |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (207 g) | 0.6 lbs (250 g) |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 35kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How Audio-Technica ATH-R50x compares with other leading options:
- Beyerdynamic DT 880 vs Audio-Technica ATH-R50x
- Beyerdynamic TYGR 300 R vs Audio-Technica ATH-R50x
- AKG K371 vs Audio-Technica ATH-R50x
- AKG K702 vs Audio-Technica ATH-R50x
- Audio-Technica ATH-R50x vs HIFIMAN Sundara
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Audio-Technica ATH-R50x: $169.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 83 and the smoothest deviation in this group at 1.67 dB make for a very even response, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz and low mids within 0.6 dB of target. At 50 ohms and 93.3 dB/mW sensitivity it can be driven by most portable sources, and at 207 g it is light. It costs less than the AKG K701 and AKG K702 while holding the same rating.
Cons: Sub-bass is about 6 dB low under 60 Hz, so deep rumble is lacking. Treble is slightly forward, with presence about 2 dB high, 6 to 10 kHz about 2.6 dB high and a 4.8 dB peak near 6.3 kHz, which can make vocals and cymbals bright. Its tilt of 0.64 leans bright, and the open back leaks sound.
Full Audio-Technica ATH-R50x review and specifications →
| Released | Jan 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.67 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 45mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 83 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 50 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 93.3 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 30 Hz (-6.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.64 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (207 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.2 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +7.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 482 Hz | +2.4 dB | 0.92 |
| Peak | 60 Hz | -4.8 dB | 0.60 |
| Peak | 6,204 Hz | -3.3 dB | 1.70 |
| Peak | 38 Hz | +2.3 dB | 1.60 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -2.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,497 Hz | -1.4 dB | 3.40 |
| Peak | 851 Hz | +0.5 dB | 2.04 |
| Peak | 4,628 Hz | +1.6 dB | 4.12 |
| Peak | 3,874 Hz | -2.5 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro: $149.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 82 comes from a lively, bass-forward tuning, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz about 2.4 dB above target for punch and drive. The open back gives a spacious, airy soundstage, and the presence and treble lift adds a sense of detail on bright recordings.
Cons: Treble runs about 5 dB above target and air above 10 kHz is nearly 9 dB hot, with a peak near 10.9 dB at 11.9 kHz, so cymbals and sibilance can sound harsh, especially at high volume. Sub-bass is about 2.5 dB low. The 250 ohm impedance needs a headphone amp, and the open back leaks sound. See headphone amps and DACs with enough power to drive it.
Full Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro review and specifications →
| Back | Open |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.08 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 35kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 82 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 250 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 96 dB SPL |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.40 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (250 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.7 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +10.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 541 Hz | +3.1 dB | 0.52 |
| Peak | 64 Hz | -7.4 dB | 0.38 |
| Peak | 7,731 Hz | -4.6 dB | 1.06 |
| Peak | 640 Hz | +0.6 dB | 2.47 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -9.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 7,136 Hz | +3.1 dB | 2.08 |
| Peak | 5,897 Hz | -4.8 dB | 5.30 |
| Peak | 4,193 Hz | +1.1 dB | 1.51 |
| Peak | 9,436 Hz | +2.7 dB | 3.53 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons