Short answer: the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro. It ranks #64 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $149.99; the AKG K240 MKII ranks #108, rated 3.7/5, at $149. Close enough in price that the sound-quality gap is the deciding factor.
The case for 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. Watch for: 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.
The case for the AKG K240 MKII: In oratory1990’s measurement it earns a preference score of 75, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz within 1 dB of the Harman target, so bass guitar and male vocals sound full without boom. The tradeoff: Sub-bass falls 6 dB below target by 63 Hz and sits more than 14 dB down at 30 Hz, so kick drums, synth bass and film rumble lose their weight.
Buy the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $0.99 with the AKG K240 MKII does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro | AKG K240 MKII | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.99 | $149.00 |
| Ranked | #64 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #108 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 82 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 75 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.08 dB standard deviation | 2.93 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.40 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.16 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.8 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 63 Hz (-14.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Semi-open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Impedance | 250 ohms | 55 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 96 dB SPL | 104 dB SPL/V |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (250 g) | 0.5 lbs (240 g) |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 35kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 15Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | - | 1 x 30mm dynamic |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
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How Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro compares with other leading options:
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- Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro vs Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro
- AKG K612 Pro vs Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro
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The Two Headphones In Full
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
AKG K240 MKII: $149.00 B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: In oratory1990’s measurement it earns a preference score of 75, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz within 1 dB of the Harman target, so bass guitar and male vocals sound full without boom. A gentle 2.8 dB lift in the low mids gives voices and acoustic instruments a warm body, and the treble from 6 to 16 kHz stays within about 1 dB of target. At 240 g with a semi-open back, it suits warm and neutral listeners who want an airy presentation.
Cons: Sub-bass falls 6 dB below target by 63 Hz and sits more than 14 dB down at 30 Hz, so kick drums, synth bass and film rumble lose their weight. A 4.2 dB dip near 4.4 kHz followed by a 4.3 dB peak near 7 kHz makes the upper treble a little uneven, and the semi-open back leaks sound and blocks little outside noise. The Thinksound ov21 is rated higher and costs less.
Full AKG K240 MKII review and specifications →
| Released | 2008 (18 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Semi-open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.93 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 30mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 15Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 75 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 55 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 104 dB SPL/V |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 63 Hz (-14.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.16 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (240 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 | +6.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 180 Hz | -4.0 dB | 0.56 |
| Peak | 4,180 Hz | +5.6 dB | 3.17 |
| Peak | 1,605 Hz | +4.7 dB | 3.06 |
| Peak | 56 Hz | +1.5 dB | 1.88 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +1.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 2,807 Hz | -2.7 dB | 3.81 |
| Peak | 6,678 Hz | -2.4 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 3,488 Hz | +2.5 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 558 Hz | +1.5 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons