Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the Beyerdynamic DT 860 is the better pick: it ranks #309 of 417 over-ear headphones by sound quality (rated 3.0/5), against #364 (rated 2.6/5) for the Beyerdynamic DT 240. If you want one new, the Dan Clark Audio E3 ranks #1 at $2,299.
The case for the Beyerdynamic DT 240: Bass is lifted about 3.9 dB with extension to 20 Hz, giving kick drums and bass lines extra weight. The tradeoff: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used.
The Beyerdynamic DT 860 is the better-sounding choice. It weighs 0.7 lbs (340 g). The tradeoff: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used.
Buy the Beyerdynamic DT 860 only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, start with the Dan Clark Audio E3 instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Beyerdynamic DT 240 | Beyerdynamic DT 860 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Ranked | #364 of 417 in Over-Ear Headphones | #309 of 417 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Back | Closed | Open |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Impedance | 34 ohms | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 99 dB/mW | 97 dB/mW (500 Hz) |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 35kHz | 5Hz - 35kHz |
| Weight | 0.4 lbs (196 g) | 0.7 lbs (340 g) |
| Harman Preference Score | 50 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 59 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.12 dB standard deviation | 3.28 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.60 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.88 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.7 dB at 30 Hz) | - |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Beyerdynamic DT 860:
- Beyerdynamic DT 860 vs Beyerdynamic DT 880
- Beyerdynamic DT 1350 vs Beyerdynamic DT 860
- Beyerdynamic DT 240 vs Beyerdynamic DT 880
- Beyerdynamic DT 1350 vs Beyerdynamic DT 240
- Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 vs Sennheiser HD 598 CS
Prices on this page were last checked October 13, 2026 at 3:17 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Headphones In Full
Beyerdynamic DT 240 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Bass is lifted about 3.9 dB with extension to 20 Hz, giving kick drums and bass lines extra weight. Lower mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, keeping voices and guitars natural.
Cons: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used. Presence sits about 4.9 dB low with a 9.5 dB dip near 5.1 kHz, so vocals and instruments lose some bite. A Harman score of 50 places it in the lower part of the over-ear rankings.
Full Beyerdynamic DT 240 review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.12 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 35kHz |
| Harman Preference Score | 50 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 34 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 99 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.60 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.4 lbs (196 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.8 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 | +0.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 4,802 Hz | +6.2 dB | 0.63 |
| Peak | 186 Hz | -6.1 dB | 0.42 |
| Peak | 2,534 Hz | -3.5 dB | 1.12 |
| Peak | 382 Hz | +4.4 dB | 0.91 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +1.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 43 Hz | -0.9 dB | 2.12 |
| Peak | 81 Hz | +1.3 dB | 2.24 |
| Peak | 106 Hz | -1.0 dB | 3.77 |
| Peak | 5,013 Hz | +0.5 dB | 5.16 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Beyerdynamic DT 860 Discontinued eBay
Pros: It weighs 340 g.
Cons: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used. A Harman score of 59 places it in the lower part of the over-ear rankings.
Full Beyerdynamic DT 860 review and specifications →
| Back | Open |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.28 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 35kHz |
| Harman Preference Score | 59 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 97 dB/mW (500 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.88 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (340 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.1 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 | +6.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 6,028 Hz | -9.4 dB | 3.57 |
| Peak | 4,692 Hz | +4.8 dB | 4.00 |
| Peak | 8,632 Hz | -2.8 dB | 3.60 |
| Peak | 194 Hz | -0.9 dB | 2.04 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -4.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 497 Hz | +0.7 dB | 1.82 |
| Peak | 3,711 Hz | -1.2 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 1,036 Hz | -0.3 dB | 2.48 |
| Peak | 4,316 Hz | +1.0 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons