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 Audio-Technica ATH-M50x ranks #89, rated 3.8/5, and costs $158, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
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.
What the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x does well: This closed back has a very smooth response, with a deviation of 2.0 dB and the largest peak only 1.2 dB near 4.3 kHz, so it avoids harshness. The catch: Treble from 6 to 10 kHz is about 1.7 dB low and a 3.5 dB dip near 6.8 kHz softens cymbals and sibilance, while the top octave runs about 2 dB hot, a slightly uneven treble.
Buy the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro | Audio-Technica ATH-M50x | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.99 | $158.00 |
| Ranked | #64 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #89 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 82 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 78 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.08 dB standard deviation | 2.01 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.40 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.75 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.8 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Closed |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Impedance | 250 ohms | 38 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 96 dB SPL | 99 dB/mW |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (250 g) | 0.6 lbs (285 g) |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 35kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 15Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | - | 1 x 45mm dynamic |
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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 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 |
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Audio-Technica ATH-M50x: $158.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: This closed back has a very smooth response, with a deviation of 2.0 dB and the largest peak only 1.2 dB near 4.3 kHz, so it avoids harshness. Sub-bass is on target and bass from 60 to 200 Hz is about 3 dB above, which gives clean, punchy bass, and the preference score is 78. At 38 ohms and 99 dB/mW it is easy to drive from a phone, it weighs 285 g and it isolates from noise.
Cons: Treble from 6 to 10 kHz is about 1.7 dB low and a 3.5 dB dip near 6.8 kHz softens cymbals and sibilance, while the top octave runs about 2 dB hot, a slightly uneven treble. The warm, bass lifted balance is not neutral enough for critical listening. It is a closed back, so bass has less airiness than the open backs in this class.
Full Audio-Technica ATH-M50x review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.01 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 45mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 15Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 78 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 38 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 99 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.75 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (285 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -3.1 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 | +0.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 156 Hz | -5.2 dB | 0.73 |
| Peak | 326 Hz | +5.3 dB | 1.59 |
| Peak | 7,077 Hz | +2.8 dB | 2.22 |
| Peak | 3,483 Hz | +2.1 dB | 5.82 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -4.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 45 Hz | -1.1 dB | 1.90 |
| Peak | 66 Hz | +1.4 dB | 3.59 |
| Peak | 787 Hz | -0.5 dB | 1.79 |
| Peak | 1,640 Hz | +0.9 dB | 3.41 |
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