Review: beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO Studio Headphones

Three Versions

When you buy the beyerdynamic 770 DT Pro headphones, you will need to choose between the 32, 80 or 250 ohm version. There is no switchable version, so it’s good to understand what to buy based on your usage scenario.

The 32 ohm version is ideal for people using these to listen to music from smartphones, laptops, tablets and other smaller devices that don’t have a headphone amp built in. This version is going to give you the least powerful sound, however, so keep that in mind.

The 80 ohm version is designed for studio usage where at least a basic headphone amplifier is available. This version will have more strength in the bass and highs but is not overpowering.

The 250 ohm version is designed for use with high-end amplifiers and mixing gear, and is the best option for those who want the best sound with no compromise. You will get even deeper and stronger bass and stronger highs. Keep in mind you need to have gear that can work properly with a 250 ohm headset to get the amazing sound from them.

For electronic drumming purposes I would recommend the 32 ohm version, unless you have a separate headphone amp. I tried the 80 ohm version with electronic drums, without a headphone amp, and had to turn the volume up all the way to the max on the drum module to get loud enough in the headphones.

Sound Quality

Sound quality is one of the best features of these headphones. They are designed to have a fairly flat frequency response without much extra emphasis on any particular part of the spectrum. They are more present in the highs and lows than in the mids. Clarity-wise, they deliver very clear highs and mids as well as well-defined bass. This makes them very useful for mixing reference and studio environments.

The analysis shows us a fairly flat frequency range and there are some visible boosts in the high end, with the biggest peak at around 6k. In my experience the sound is in line with what is shown here.

Some listeners have noticed some sibilance in the highs, nothing overly bad but it is still there for those that can hear it. Some listeners have also said that while the lows and highs sound pronounced, the mids sometimes feel subdued.

In my experience, the highs are certainly very present and forward with these headphones. I use them for mixing since I can get a lot of detail and hear what’s going on more in the high end than with some other headphones.

The mids don’t sound very subdued to me, they sound very present. I think they can sound subdued more due to the brilliance in the highs. When I’m listening to something that has very bright high end presence, the mids do take a little bit of a back seat.

The low end is nice and clear, and while not being overly powerful it represents the lower frequencies well. I like how the low end has a lot of clarity, which makes these good for analyzing mixes in the lower frequency ranges.

I find the clarity to be excellent throughout the entire frequency range. I can hear a lot of detail in whatever I’m listening to, even with more dense mixes or rough around the edges heavy metal mixes.

They have a very nice sound stage and decent spaciousness for a set of closed back headphones as well. This is very noticeable with electronic drums where you can hear the pieces of the kit from left to right.

When I have these plugged into an electronic drum module they sound very bright and clear. Cymbals especially sound like they are coming to life when used with a module with modern, high quality drum samples. Hi-hats sound like a real hi-hat and it sound like it’s sitting right next to me. The snare has a lot of snap and comes through as very bright. Toms have a nice punch to them, and kick drums sound clear and punchy, although not overly boomy.

The sound quality can vary depending on which version of these headphones you go for. If you are using these for casual listening and get the 32 ohm version, you can expect very nice sound but it won’t be as powerful as the 80 or 250 ohm version. I would recommend the 32 ohm for electronic drumming as well unless you have a separate headphone amp or know for sure that you’re module can push 80 ohm or higher headphones. If you are using these in the studio, you will want to get at least the 80 ohm version, and if your gear supports it why not go for the 250 ohm version? They all cost pretty much the same.

Closed Ear Design

The over ear, closed back design of these headphones will help with noise attenuation and blocking out environmental noises. This is great for electronic drumming so you can focus more on the drum module sounds rather than the sounds of sticks on the pads.

The ear cups feel a little larger than other comparable headphones, which I like. They fit comfortable over my ears. When these headphones are brand new the ear cups can feel slightly stiff. Once they break in a little bit though the noise attenuation feels even a little better, probably due to the ability to create a better seal around your ears.

Comfort

Comfort is one of the strongest advantages of these headphones over their competitors in the same price range. They feel like some serious audio gear when you have them on your head, but they also manage to be very comfortable. The soft, comfortable velour ear pads stand out visually and feel extremely good during use. I really like how these ear pads feel on my head, especially once they break in a little.

These headphones fit snugly, but not overly tight. I can wear these headphones for a long time and not feel any discomfort, even when wearing a hat or glasses. If you want the most comfortable headphones in this price range, these should be a top pick.

Build Quality

The build quality of these headphones is as good as anything else in this price range, if not better. beyerdynamic is know for their high-quality products and attention to detail in design and overall quality. These headphones will stand up well to normal usage scenarios as long as you don’t abuse them.

I like how solid they feel in-hand and they feel like serious audio equipment. The metal used in the headband and yoke feels very durable and sturdy. Even the parts that are plastic feel solid.

Due to their non-collapsible design it’s recommended to care properly for them when transporting, as they can get crushed in a backpack just as easily as anything else.

The Cable

Depending on which version of these you buy, the cable will be different, yet appropriate for the use intentions for each version. The cable is non-detachable, which is a negative at this price range, but not a deal breaker by any means.

On the 32 ohm version you will get a 1.6 meter cable, which is ideal for casual use such as walking around listening to music on a smartphone. If you get this version to use with electronic drums, you’ll probably also want a headphone extension cable.

On the 80 ohm version you get a 3 meter straight cable, which is more ideal for studio applications and connecting to gear you may not be sitting immediately next to.

On the 250 ohm version you will get a 3 meter coiled cable, which is nice for more high-end environments and usage.

All versions of the cable have a 3.5mm jack and an additional 1/4″ jack adapter.

Technical Specifications

The Verdict

The beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro headphones are definitely a good pick for studio mixing purposes, electronic drumming or hi-fi casual listening.

They provide a fairly flat response at the 32 ohm level and the higher ohm versions add more power to the bass/treble ranges as you go up. These headphones will give you a very clear, accurate sound without as much coloration or emphasis on the lows as some others in this price range. They are also very comfortable and you will be able to wear them for long periods of time. Overall, you really can’t go wrong with these headphones.