Short answer: the Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro X Limited Edition. It ranks #121 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.6/5, at $229.99. The Sony MDR-CD900ST ranks #131, rated 3.5/5, at $193, $36.99 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
What the Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro X Limited Edition does well: Oratory1990’s measurement gives it a preference score of 72, and sub-bass is lifted about 4 dB with a boost of 5 dB at 30 Hz, so electronic and hip hop tracks hit with real rumble. Watch for: An 8.5 dB peak near 6.4 kHz and treble about 4 dB high from 6 to 10 kHz can make sibilance and cymbals sound sharp, while a 5 dB dip near 3 kHz pulls vocals back.
What the Sony MDR-CD900ST does well: The bass and mids are close to target, with bass within 0.3 dB and low mids about 1.8 dB up, and the 63 ohm, 106 dB/mW design is easy to drive. The catch: Sub-bass is about 8.7 dB under target and the highs roll off, with treble 4.5 dB low from 6 to 10 kHz and air 6.8 dB low above 10 kHz.
Buy the Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro X Limited Edition. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $36.99 saving on the Sony MDR-CD900ST is not enough to make up the difference.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro X Limited Edition | Sony MDR-CD900ST | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $229.99 | $193.00 |
| Ranked | #121 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #131 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 72 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 70 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.31 dB standard deviation | 2.59 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.05 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.76 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+5.3 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 50 Hz (-12.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 45mm dynamic | 1 x 40mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 48 ohms | 63 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB SPL/mW | 106 dB/mW |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (305 g) | 0.4 lbs (200 g) |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
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More worthwhile head-to-heads for Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro X Limited Edition:
- Audio-Technica ATH-M60x vs Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro X Limited Edition
- Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro X Limited Edition vs Sennheiser HD 599
- Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro X Limited Edition vs Fairphone Fairbuds XL
- Sony MDR-CD900ST vs Fairphone Fairbuds XL
- Cooler Master MH752 vs Sony MDR-CD900ST
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 DT770 Pro X Limited Edition: $229.99 Audio46 eBay
Pros: Oratory1990’s measurement gives it a preference score of 72, and sub-bass is lifted about 4 dB with a boost of 5 dB at 30 Hz, so electronic and hip hop tracks hit with real rumble. The closed back isolates well for recording or noisy rooms. At 48 ohms and 98 dB/mW it plays loudly enough from most phones and interfaces, and it weighs 305 g.
Cons: An 8.5 dB peak near 6.4 kHz and treble about 4 dB high from 6 to 10 kHz can make sibilance and cymbals sound sharp, while a 5 dB dip near 3 kHz pulls vocals back. The 3.3 dB standard deviation marks it as a less even response, and the AKG K240 MKII is rated higher for less money.
Full Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro X Limited Edition review and specifications →
| Released | Jan 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.31 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 45mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 72 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 48 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB SPL/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+5.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.05 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (305 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.0 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 | -3.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 6,299 Hz | -7.5 dB | 1.45 |
| Peak | 255 Hz | +6.8 dB | 1.74 |
| Peak | 145 Hz | -5.9 dB | 2.39 |
| Peak | 3,454 Hz | +6.3 dB | 2.55 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -4.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 83 Hz | +3.2 dB | 2.91 |
| Peak | 2,268 Hz | -2.1 dB | 4.62 |
| Peak | 46 Hz | -1.0 dB | 1.61 |
| Peak | 112 Hz | -1.9 dB | 3.99 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sony MDR-CD900ST: $193.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: The bass and mids are close to target, with bass within 0.3 dB and low mids about 1.8 dB up, and the 63 ohm, 106 dB/mW design is easy to drive. The lightweight 200 g closed back isolates well, and the neutral midrange has long suited monitoring work. Peaks are small, the biggest being 0.2 dB below target near 3.5 kHz.
Cons: Sub-bass is about 8.7 dB under target and the highs roll off, with treble 4.5 dB low from 6 to 10 kHz and air 6.8 dB low above 10 kHz. That leaves the sound thin at the bottom and dark on top, with little rumble or sparkle. A 5.9 dB dip near 6.2 kHz and a 2.4 dB dip in the upper mids also push vocals back.
Full Sony MDR-CD900ST review and specifications →
| Released | 1989 (37 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.59 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 40mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 70 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 63 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 106 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 50 Hz (-12.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.76 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.4 lbs (200 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.6 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 | +7.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 78 Hz | -3.6 dB | 0.76 |
| Peak | 1,982 Hz | +6.7 dB | 1.54 |
| Peak | 866 Hz | -2.9 dB | 0.18 |
| Peak | 6,984 Hz | +5.3 dB | 1.05 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +5.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 3,934 Hz | -1.1 dB | 2.86 |
| Peak | 7,718 Hz | -2.8 dB | 3.68 |
| Peak | 5,807 Hz | +1.6 dB | 4.16 |
| Peak | 188 Hz | -0.6 dB | 2.64 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons