Short answer: the Beyerdynamic DT 770 M, though neither ranks well in its class. It ranks #205 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 2.0/5, at $199.99. The Audio-Technica ATH-G1 ranks #214, rated 1.0/5, at $189, $10.99 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 216 over-ear headphones, so if sound quality matters, consider the Sennheiser HD 550 instead, ranked #6 at $199.95.
The Beyerdynamic DT 770 M is the better-sounding choice. A closed back design that blocks outside noise better than an open back, with an 80 ohm load and 105 dB sensitivity that a phone or laptop can drive. The tradeoff: A deep 15.6 dB dip near 3.6 kHz and a presence band about 7 dB low push vocals and guitars back and make the sound muffled.
The case for the Audio-Technica ATH-G1: It is a closed-back gaming headset with a built-in microphone, so it isolates from room noise and handles voice chat without a separate mic. Watch for: A preference score of just 7 in crinacle’s measurement is among the furthest from the preferred target of any over-ear, so music sounds heavily colored without EQ.
Buy the Beyerdynamic DT 770 M. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $10.99 saving on the Audio-Technica ATH-G1 is not enough to make up the difference.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Beyerdynamic DT 770 M | Audio-Technica ATH-G1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.99 | $189.00 |
| Ranked | #205 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #214 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 37 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 7 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 4.83 dB standard deviation | 5.13 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.08 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -2.76 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 75 Hz (-9.3 dB at 30 Hz) | - |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Impedance | 80 ohms | 45 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 105 dB | 101 dB/mW |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (300 g) | 0.6 lbs (250 g) |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Drivers | - | 1 x 45mm dynamic |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More top alternatives to Beyerdynamic DT 770 M:
- Audio-Technica ATH-AD900X vs Beyerdynamic DT 770 M
- AKG K271 MKII vs Beyerdynamic DT 770 M
- Beyerdynamic DT 770 M vs Audio-Technica ATH-A990Z
- Beyerdynamic DT 770 M vs Sennheiser HD 569
- Beyerdynamic DT 770 M vs iBasso SR1
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
Beyerdynamic DT 770 M: $199.99 B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: A closed back design that blocks outside noise better than an open back, with an 80 ohm load and 105 dB sensitivity that a phone or laptop can drive. The bass from 60 to 200 Hz and the low mids sit slightly above target, which suits listeners who like a warm tone. It is rated higher than the Audio-Technica ATH-A990Z and Meze 99 Classics.
Cons: A deep 15.6 dB dip near 3.6 kHz and a presence band about 7 dB low push vocals and guitars back and make the sound muffled. Sub-bass falls 6 dB below target at 75 Hz, so the deepest synth bass and kick drum rumble fade out. The AKG K271 MKII is rated higher for similar money.
Full Beyerdynamic DT 770 M review and specifications →
| Released | Dec 2003 (22 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 4.83 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 37 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 80 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 105 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 75 Hz (-9.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.08 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (300 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.5 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 | +7.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 91 Hz | -14.9 dB | 0.66 |
| Peak | 4,980 Hz | +5.4 dB | 0.84 |
| Peak | 75 Hz | +7.3 dB | 2.66 |
| Peak | 60 Hz | +6.8 dB | 0.94 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -0.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 2,666 Hz | -2.5 dB | 0.42 |
| Peak | 3,533 Hz | +4.7 dB | 2.91 |
| Peak | 8,793 Hz | +2.4 dB | 2.64 |
| Peak | 1,011 Hz | +1.5 dB | 1.03 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Audio-Technica ATH-G1: $189.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: It is a closed-back gaming headset with a built-in microphone, so it isolates from room noise and handles voice chat without a separate mic. At 250 g it is light for an over-ear, and 45 ohms with 101 dB/mW lets it run from a controller, phone or laptop jack.
Cons: A preference score of just 7 in crinacle’s measurement is among the furthest from the preferred target of any over-ear, so music sounds heavily colored without EQ. The AKG K271 MKII costs about the same and is rated well above it.
Full Audio-Technica ATH-G1 review and specifications →
| Released | Jul 2019 (7 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 5.13 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 45mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 7 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 45 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 101 dB/mW |
| Tonal Tilt | -2.76 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (250 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.4 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 | -2.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 198 Hz | -10.5 dB | 0.58 |
| Peak | 2,422 Hz | +6.0 dB | 0.26 |
| Peak | 345 Hz | +9.7 dB | 1.99 |
| Peak | 979 Hz | -5.9 dB | 0.84 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -3.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 2,653 Hz | +2.2 dB | 1.83 |
| Peak | 3,939 Hz | -4.0 dB | 4.17 |
| Peak | 7,114 Hz | +3.2 dB | 5.38 |
| Peak | 1,563 Hz | -1.4 dB | 3.22 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons