The German-based Beyerdynamic continues its outstanding reputation for developing high-quality headphones. In this hands-on review, we check out the new Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X. This latest model offers some tweaks to an already stellar formula and remains one of the leading closed-back options in this price range.
Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X
Pros
- Excellent Audio Quality
- Super Comfortable Ear Pads
- High Build Quality
- Sleek Modern Design
- Impressive Isolation
- Easy To Drive
Cons
- Exposed Wires
RATING SCORECARD
RATING METRIC
OUR RATING
Sound
9
Neutrality
8
Comfort
10
Design
9
Durability
9
Portability
7
Accessories
8
Isolation
9
Value
8
AVERAGE
8.6
The Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X is one of the best closed back audiophile headphones on the market. It boasts studio-grade quality in both sound and build. An exceptional set of headphones that will appeal to both professionals and casual listeners.
Features
The Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X has a lot to offer. Below, we look deeper to see what this set of closed-back cans has to offer and if this new set of headphones should be on your shopping list.
Sound Quality
Beyerdynamic is no stranger to the headphone space. With so many years of experience under their belts, I have high expectations whenever they release a new product. But like so many times before, they have not let me down. The Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X offers fantastic audio quality.
As soon as I put these headphones through my listening tests, I noticed the clean and precise highs, an area where some other headphones struggle. Even some of Beyerdynamic’s other headphones can come across as a little too sharp or bright. That is not the case here. No harshness is present, and clarity is consistent up to its vast 40kHz frequency response in the top end.
The Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X delivers excellent sound quality.
The mids are equally impressive. Warm and inviting and a little boosted in the lower mids. While not ultra-neutral, you won’t have any trouble using these for serious work. There is a nice roundness to the sound, which is excellent for longer studio sessions where ear fatigue can set in.
The lows have enough depth to enjoy punchy kicks and full bass. These do lean towards a more neutral delivery, which is ideal for mixing and mastering, but they also don’t sound hollow and underwhelming like other studio-focused cans. High bass output without any muddiness or overt hyping.
“Exceptionally rich and full-bodied sound that is neutral but never boring.”
The soundstage is decent despite the closed-back design. As expected, these are not as airy and spacious as open-back headphones. But these still sound a lot better than other closed-back headphones I’ve reviewed. All in all, the Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X does an excellent job of offering clean and relatively balanced sound across the frequency response of 5Hz-40kHz.
The newly developed STELLAR.45 drivers deliver an excellent sound profile. Equally capable of critical listening while retaining character for casual listening. I put these headphones through multiple genres and couldn’t fault them. A superb outing from a company that has a long history of knocking it out of the park.
Comfort
This is one area that Beyerdynamic excels in. The new Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X offers one of the most comfortable headphone experiences you’ll likely find, and I absolutely love wearing these for long sessions in the studio or when I am causally listening to music.
The improved earpads are an absolute treat, and the ear cups offer ample room for your ears. Soft and comfortable without compromising airflow. These pads are thick, but the over ears design leads to no irritation. If you spend hours in the studio, you’ll appreciate the plush feel.
The pads on the ear cups are also fully replaceable. Sporting the familiar light grey color is both a blessing and a curse. They offer a distinct appearance but also show dirt easily.
The metal headband offers memory foam headband padding. The padding is reasonably thick and doesn’t dig into your head. The clamping force of the frame and ear cups is a little tight but, once again, not enough to encourage discomfort. Secure yet forgiving.
If you spend several hours in the studio or enjoy long listening sessions, the Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X is a great choice.
Design
Aesthetically, the DT 700 Pro X from Beyerdynamic doesn’t break new ground. If you’ve seen Beyerdynamic headphones before, you’ll instantly recognize the iconic design style. Sleek matte black plastic throughout.
There are minimal embellishments with a debossed gloss model name. I appreciate the restrained use of branding, and something I would like to see more headphones adopt. This approach oozes professionalism and class. No complaints here.
The detachable cable is another excellent choice. But these headphones don’t collapse. They also feature some exposed wires, which always makes me nervous. Beyerdynamic has pushed the portability factor, but these are not as compact as other options.
High-quality materials with a sleek and refined aesthetic design.
The low impedance of 48 ohms makes these a good option for casual listening. Whether you plug these into your smartphone or laptop, you’ll be well covered. You won’t need a headphone amp to get the most out of these headphones. The volume level is also high at 100dB. I always like to push headphones to test sound quality at upper volume levels, and these remained clear and precise even at extreme levels.
Even more impressive is the excellent isolation. Ambient noise attenuation of 20 dB helps keep outside noise out, and it doesn’t leak audio. This allows you to not push these as hard to drown out background noise. A great feature for studio work but also convenient for general listening or DJ sessions.
Durability
The Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X is a capable and durable set of headphones with a sturdy build. Component quality is high, as it should be at this price point. Nearly all the components are replaceable. This is something I always like to see. Buying expensive headphones is an investment. The ability to swap out worn components ends up saving you money in the long run.
While the Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X is durable and feels like a pair of premium-quality headphones, it’s also not built like a tank. I would not feel comfortable throwing them into a backpack unprotected. There is no creaking in the plastic, and the component quality is superb.
The included pouch is also high quality, but a hardshell case would have been preferable. But for the intended purpose of studio use, these will last the distance. Treat them with care, and you shouldn’t have any issues.
Value
I’ll admit the value offering of the Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X presents me with conflicting views. On the one hand, the exceptional build quality and luscious sound easily compete with headphones that are far more expensive. But within the same thought, these are not exactly cheap by any stretch of the imagination.
There are other options available that sound very good but at a lower price. Even within the Beyerdynamic range, there are some enticing alternatives that deliver impressive sound without a high price tag. The DT 700 Pro X is an investment but after having the chance to run this through my thorough testing I can easily attest that it is an investment worth every dollar.
The Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X also comes with two cables. The 3-pin mini XLR connection on both is secure and high quality. You’ll have flexibility with both a short 5.9 ft (1.8 m) and a long 9.8 ft (3 m) on offer. Also included are adapters for both cables. As mentioned, an included carry pouch is also present. A good range of accessories, but there are no replacement ear pads.
Can you buy cheaper cans that will get the job done? Yes. Will you be disappointed if you spend a bit more and pick up the DT 700 Pro X? I highly doubt that to be the case. I can easily see these becoming one of my go-to headphones for both studio and casual use.
Customer Reviews
The Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X is already gathering positive reviews. Lots of praise for the super comfortable fit. Plus plenty of people raving about the impressive sound quality. But some people are wondering if the price tag is a little high.
Keeping Things Isolated
One of the most important features of closed-back headphones is the level of isolation they offer. This is critical for a variety of applications. If you are recording in the studio, you don’t want the sound from your headphones bleeding into your recordings. If you are a DJ, you want to minimize the loud external output from interfering with your ability to prepare your next track.
Consistent loud volume from headphones or performances can damage your hearing.
Strong passive isolation can also protect your ears. Keeping high spikes at bay prevents ear fatigue and injury. I’ve come across too many artists and DJs that have fallen victim to Tinnitus. It isn’t pleasant, and each one has also mentioned they wish they protected their ears more. With good isolation, you don’t need to crank up your headphones to overcome exterior noise.
Whether you are in the studio or performing it is worth investing in headphones that offer excellent isolation.
Alternatives
The headphone market offers an abundance of choices. Closed-back headphones, in particular, dominate the market. Below are some other alternatives worth considering if you want to buy a pair of closed-back cans.
Shure SRH1540 Review
The SRH1540 from Shure is another premium set of studio headphones. It offers an excellent sound profile and spacious soundstage. Great for mixing and mastering.
- A very flat frequency response across the full frequency range.
- Tough build, and it comes with a heap of included accessories.
- Not great for travel or bass lovers.
Audio-Technica ATH-M70x Review
The majority of the ATH-M line from Audio-Technica focuses on a more consumer-friendly sound. But the ATH-M70x is a studio-focused pair of cans with impressive performance.
- Wide frequency response range that is transparent, detailed, and very accurate.
- The three included cables, along with a hardshell case, add lots of value.
- The lackluster bass response may not satisfy fans of the usual Audio-Technica sound.
Audio-Technica ATH-M60x Review
The other studio-focused set of headphones from Audio-Technica is the ATH-M60x. These headphones feature a rich neutral sound that is perfect for a range of studio tasks like music production, mixing, and tracking.
- A loud output that is clear and precise. Good balance across all frequencies.
- Lightweight and very comfortable for a set of on-ear headphones.
- The on-ear design leads to a soundstage that sounds a bit narrow.
Should You Buy?
The Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X is another excellent set of headphones from a legendary company known for making high-quality audio equipment. It combines impressive sound with a fit that is among the most comfortable ever.
The full, clear, and accurate sound profile makes the Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X an ideal choice as a workhorse option in the studio. But I have found myself reaching for these for my casual listening sessions just as much as for studio work.
After putting these headphones through my intensive hands-on testing process, I have nothing but positive things to say about them. Despite a higher price tag, the Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X is easily among the best studio headphones available today.
Got Questions or Comments?
Join the discussion on:
➜ Facebook
➜ Instagram
➜ Twitter