Beyerdynamic is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2024 and has introduced several new headphone products such as the DT 770 PRO X Studio Headphones, VERIO 200 Wireless Earbuds, and MMX 300 PRO Gaming Headphones. There have been rumours that two of its most popular headphones designed for both home and studio use might receive a significant refresh before the end of the year and we can confirm that to be true. The Beyerdynamic DT 1770 Pro MKII (closed back) and DT 1990 Pro MKII (open-back) studio headphones and are now available for under $600 USD.
Overview
The second generation of the beyerdynamic’s premium studio headphones now include a brand-new TESLA.45 driver, increased comfort and flexibility for modern music production.
With a lower impedance of 30 ohms (versus 250 ohms from predecessors), the new MKII headphones are highly adaptable to a wide range of playback devices—without compromising sound quality. In addition, the company also claims they’ve lowered Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) for a cleaner, more accurate signal.
From Andreas Rapp, CEO of beyerdynamic: “As we continue to see the lines blur between traditional studio setups and at-home production workflows, flexibility and uncompromised audio quality have become key priorities for professionals and enthusiasts alike,…The DT 1770 PRO MKII and DT 1990 PRO MKII exemplify this, offering cleaner sound, improved comfort, and precision for every production in the ultra-premium studio headphones beyerdynamic fans already know and love.”
TESLA.45 Driver
The new TESLA.45 driver was developed and is being manufactured at Beyerdynamic’s headquarters in Heilbronn, Germany. Its advanced diaphragm is designed to cut distortion and deliver a more accurate sounding tonal balance.
An additional goal is to prevent ear fatigue during long sessions and offer clearer sound compared to it predecessor.
The TESLA.45 driver membrane is made of high-performance PEEK polymer that supports the reproduction of deep, precise bass, whilst a lighter aluminum-coated copper wire voice coil refines the treble. Each driver is tested multiple times during production to ensure consistent, high-quality sound.
According to beyerdynamic, both headphones deliver a more balanced treble response without sharp spikes, while still maintaining the company’s sound signature—high detail and clarity across the entire treble range—ensuring precision for critical mixing decisions.
DT 1770 Pro MKII
With its closed-back design, the DT 1770 PRO MKII is ideal for recording, monitoring, and editing, offering a lively sound profile with powerful, deep bass. Compared to the previous model, the frequency response is claimed to be more linear and smoother sounding in the upper midrange and higher frequencies are more balanced, making it a versatile tool for any studio setup.
The closed-back design also effectively suppresses background noise and reduces microphone bleed, making them ideal for focused work.
Pro Tip: The DT 1770 PRO MKII is the successor to the DT 1770 PRO released in 2015.
DT 1990 Pro MKII
Designed for mixing, mastering, and editing, the DT 1990 PRO MKII might be a great choice for discerning users who want to take their tracks to the next level. Its open-back design creates a natural, spacious sounding soundstage with accurate bass response, even in the lowest octaves.
With the DT 1990 PRO MKII, beyerdynamic reduces the emphasis at 8kHz, whilst still maintaining the detailed highs from 10kHz found in the previous model to help prevent users from making critical mixing errors. The treble’s overall presence is said to be slightly reduced from the previous model, providing a more balanced sounding profile.
Pro Tip: The DT 1990 PRO MKII is the successor to the DT 1990 PRO released in 2015.
Design & Comfort
Both the DT 1770 PRO MKII and DT 1990 PRO MKII were designed for optimal comfort during listening sessions in the studio or editing tracks at home. A flexible spring steel headband, made from a combination of memory foam and durable leatherette, features a fontanelle recess to prevent pressure and discomfort from forming at the top of the head.
Both headphones also have replaceable headbands and earpads, making them a better long-term investment for professional editors and mixers who may not have the budget to upgrade every year.
The DT 1770 PRO MKII is equipped with leatherette (ideal for minimizing microphone bleed in the vocal booth) and velour earpads.
The DT 1990 PRO MKII comes with two different types of velour earpads. One is a “Producing Velour” that delivers a fuller, more exciting sound thanks to a slight bass boost. This will help drive the creation process before moving on to mixing. The other is a “Mixing & Mastering Velour,” which offers a more analytical sound for making final mix decisions.
Connections, Cables, and Case
The DT 1770 PRO MKII and DT 1990 PRO MKII come with a 3 meter detachable cable and a 5 meter spiral cable, each equipped with a lockable 3-pin mini-XLR connector.
USB-C cables are available separately for connecting directly to laptops, smartphones, tablets, and more.
Pro Tip: Both headphones also come with a hard case for protection when traveling.
Comparison
| DT 1770 MKII PRO (2024) | DT 1770 PRO (2015) | DT 1990 MKII PRO (2024) | DT 1990 PRO (2015) | |
| Price | $599 | $599 | ||
| Headphone Type | Closed Back | Closed Back | Open Back | Open Back |
| Transducer type | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Wearing type | Circumaural | Circumaural | Circumaural | Circumaural |
| Frequency response | 5 – 40,000 Hz | 5 – 40,000 Hz | 5 – 40,000 Hz | 5 – 40,000 Hz |
| Nominal impedance | 30 Ω | 250 Ω | 30 Ω | 250 Ω |
| Sound Pressure Level (SPL) @ 1 mW/500 Hz | 95 dB | 102 dB | 94 dB | 102 dB |
| Sound Pressure Level (SPL) @ 1 V/500 Hz | 110 dB | N/A | 110 dB | 125 dB |
| Total Harmonic Distortion (T.H.D.) @ 1 mW | 0.20% @ 100 Hz 0.04% @ 500 Hz 0.1% @ 1 kHz | < 0.05% (1 mW / 500 Hz) | 0.20% @ 100 Hz 0.06% @ 500 Hz 0.08% @ 1 kHz | < 0.05% @ 500 Hz) |
| Highest short-term power handling capacity | 100 mW | N/A | 100 mW | N/A |
| Highest nominal power handling capacity (continuous operation) | 30 mW | 200 mW | 30 mW | 200 mW |
| Ambient noise attenuation | 25 dBA | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Nominal headband pressure | 6 ±0.5 N | 7.2 N | 6 ±0.5 N | 6.6 ±0.5 N |
| Weight (without cable) | 377 g | 388 g | 376 g | 370 g |
| Length and type of cable | 3 m / straight cable or 5 m / coiled cable (stretched), each with a 3-pin mini XLR cable connector, detachable, single-sided | 3 m straight cable & 5 m coiled cable | 3 m / straight cable or 5 m / coiled cable (stretched), each with a 3-pin mini XLR cable connector, detachable, single-sided | 3 m / straight cable or5 m / coiled cable (stretched), each detachable with 3-pinmini-XLR cable connector, single-sided |
| Connection | Gold-plated mini stereo jack (3.5 mm) & 1/4″ adapter (6.35 mm) | 3-pin XLR plug, 6.35 mm (1/4″) stereo jack plug | Gold-plated mini stereo jack (3.5 mm) & 1/4″ adapter (6.35 mm) | Gold-plated mini stereo jack 3.5 mm& 1/4″ adapter (6.35 mm) |
The Bottom Line
Beyerdynamic has proven over the past century that they really know how to build both loudspeakers (their original product) and headphones designed for both studio and home use.
Professional musicians and engineers have used their studio headphones for decades in recording studios and audiophiles have also made them extremely popular in the Head-Fi community.
$600 is not a small investment in the world of headphones, and with increased competition in the studio space from their rivals at Audeze who have found success with their MM-500 and MM-100 models, Beyerdynamic needed to offer more than one new option that are priced in-between the two headphones manufactured in California.
Interestingly, Audeze and Beyerdynamic both offer two of the best gaming headsets currently available; Audeze was purchased in 2023 by Sony to solidify its own position in the high-end headphone and gaming categories.
The DT 1990 Pro MKII and DT 1770 Pro MKII offer music listeners and professionals the option of either open-back or closed-back headphones designed for the road, sofa, or studio. If you’re in need of something durable, reliable, and tonally accurate — these might prove to be well worth the investment.
Where to buy the DT 1770 PRO MKII?
The beyerdynamic DT 1770 PRO MKII (closed-back) headphones are coming soon. Check for your nearest Authorized Dealer.
Where to buy the DT 1990 PRO MKII?
The beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO MKII (open-back) headphones will start shipping November 15, 2024.
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