Short answer: the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro. Both are rated 4.0/5 for sound quality (#44 and #43 of 134 over-ear headphones), and the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro costs $149.99 against $154.99 for the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro, with sound quality a draw, the lower price decides it.
What the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro does well: A preference score of 82 in oratory1990’s measurement reflects a lively closed-back sound with extra low end: sub-bass is about 3.4 dB above target, which adds weight to kick drums and bass lines. Watch for: A 7.8 dB dip near 3.75 kHz pulls back vocal presence, while a 5 dB peak near 8.1 kHz and treble about 2.6 dB above target make cymbals and S sounds sharp.
What the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro does well: 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 Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $5 less than the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro | Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $154.99 | $149.99 |
| Ranked | #43 of 134 in Over-Ear Headphones | #44 of 134 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 82 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 82 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.31 dB standard deviation | 2.08 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.19 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.40 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Closed | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Impedance | 80 ohms | 250 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 96 dB SPL | 96 dB SPL |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 35kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 35kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | - | 0.6 lbs (250 g) |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro compares with other leading options:
- AKG K612 Pro vs Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro
- AKG K612 Pro vs Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro
- Mackie MC-250 vs Sony MDR-ZX310
- Sony MDR-ZX310 vs Yamaha RH5Ma
- AKG K702 vs Audio-Technica ATH-R50x
Prices on this page were last checked October 10, 2026 at 5:37 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 Pro: $154.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 82 in oratory1990’s measurement reflects a lively closed-back sound with extra low end: sub-bass is about 3.4 dB above target, which adds weight to kick drums and bass lines. The closed back isolates well for tracking or noisy rooms. At 80 ohms and 96 dB SPL it works with most interfaces and decent amps.
Cons: A 7.8 dB dip near 3.75 kHz pulls back vocal presence, while a 5 dB peak near 8.1 kHz and treble about 2.6 dB above target make cymbals and S sounds sharp. The deviation of 2.3 dB is the least smooth of the group. The 80 ohm impedance is demanding for a phone alone.
Full Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.31 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 | 80 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 96 dB SPL |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.19 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.1 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 | -3.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 6,430 Hz | -4.2 dB | 0.97 |
| Peak | 3,684 Hz | +6.8 dB | 2.88 |
| Peak | 213 Hz | +3.5 dB | 2.46 |
| Peak | 139 Hz | -3.9 dB | 4.92 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -5.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 93 Hz | +3.5 dB | 3.00 |
| Peak | 9,561 Hz | +2.3 dB | 1.86 |
| Peak | 45 Hz | -1.3 dB | 1.74 |
| Peak | 119 Hz | -2.1 dB | 5.83 |
- 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.
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 |
| 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