Short answer: the Sony MDR-7506. It ranks #56 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $129.99; the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro ranks #64, rated 4.0/5, and costs $149.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Sony MDR-7506 does well: A preference score of 83 with a deviation of only 1.7 dB from the Harman target in oratory1990’s measurement is excellent for a closed studio headphone. The catch: Presence and treble run about 3.5 dB hot, with a peak of 6 dB near 4.5 kHz, which makes vocals forward and cymbals or sibilance sharp at higher volumes.
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 Sony MDR-7506. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro 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
| Sony MDR-7506 | Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $129.99 | $149.99 |
| Ranked | #56 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #64 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 83 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 82 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.70 dB standard deviation | 2.08 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.64 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.40 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.5 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Closed | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 40mm dynamic | - |
| Sensitivity | 106 dB/mW | 96 dB SPL |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (260 g) | 0.6 lbs (250 g) |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 35kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| Impedance | - | 250 ohms |
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- Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro vs AKG K240 MKII
- Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro vs Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro
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
Sony MDR-7506: $129.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 83 with a deviation of only 1.7 dB from the Harman target in oratory1990’s measurement is excellent for a closed studio headphone. Bass and low mids sit within about 1 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural and uncolored. At 260 g with a 106 dB/mW sensitivity, it plays loud straight from a phone or laptop without an amp.
Cons: Presence and treble run about 3.5 dB hot, with a peak of 6 dB near 4.5 kHz, which makes vocals forward and cymbals or sibilance sharp at higher volumes. Air above 10 kHz is about 2.6 dB low, and the wired-only design has no microphone.
Full Sony MDR-7506 review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.70 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 40mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 83 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Sensitivity | 106 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.5 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.64 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (260 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.8 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 | +10.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 5,435 Hz | -3.8 dB | 0.90 |
| Peak | 847 Hz | +1.9 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 230 Hz | +3.7 dB | 2.08 |
| Peak | 48 Hz | -9.5 dB | 0.52 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +3.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 7,530 Hz | -1.4 dB | 3.26 |
| Peak | 2,916 Hz | -1.9 dB | 5.57 |
| Peak | 3,748 Hz | +2.6 dB | 5.91 |
| Peak | 4,456 Hz | -1.6 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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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