The German-based Beyerdynamic continues to supply the world with high-quality headphones. In this review, we check out the new DT 700 Pro X. This latest model offers some tweaks to an already stellar formula. But is it worth the high price? Read on to find out.
Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X
Sound
Comfort
Design
Durability
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.
PROS
- Excellent Audio Quality
- Super Comfortable Ear Pads
- Sleek Modern Design
- Ultra Compatible
CONS
- Expensive
Features
The Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X has a lot to offer. Below, we look deeper to see 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 DT 700 Pro X offers fantastic audio quality.
The highs are precise and clean, and area where some 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 great for longer sessions.
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. There is no overcompensation here which will please purists. But if you like a more colored low end these will not deliver.
The soundstage is decent despite the closed-back design. As expected these are not as airy and spacious as open-back models. But these still sound a lot better than other closed-back headphones I’ve reviewed.
The newly developed STELLAR.45 drivers deliver an excellent sound profile. Equally capable of analytical listening while retaining character for casual listening.
Comfort
This is one area that Beyerdynamic excels in. The new DT 700 Pro X offers one of the most comfortable headphone experiences you’ll likely find.
The improved earpads are an absolute treat. Soft and comfortable without compromising airflow. These pads are thick but they envelop your ears without irritation. If you spend hours in the studio you’ll appreciate the plush feel. The pads are replaceable as well. Sporting the familiar light grey color is both a blessing and a curse. They offer a distinct appearance but also show dirt easily.
The super-soft ear pads are a highlight of the DT 700 Pro X.
The metal headband offers memory foam padding. The padding is reasonably thick and doesn’t dig into your head. The clamping force 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 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. Minimal embellishments with an embossed gloss model name. Restrained use of branding that doesn’t dominate. Professional and classy. No complaints here.
Advanced STELLAR.45 drivers are surrounded by plush padding.
The cable is detachable which 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.
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. Volume level is also high at 100dB. Even more impressive is the excellent isolation. Ambient noise attenuation of 20 dB helps keep outside noise out. 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. 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.
The Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X includes two high-quality cables.
While the DT 700 Pro X is durable it also is not built like a tank. I would not feel comfortable throwing them into a backpack unprotected. The included pouch is good 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
This is probably the weakest feature of the DT 700 Pro X. These headphones are not cheap. There are other options available that sound equally good but at a lower price. Even within the Beyerdynamic range, you could pick up a couple of pairs of headphones for the price of the DT 700 Pro X. These are an investment but there are enough notable improvements here that make them worth it.
The included pouch helps protect your headphones.
The 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.
There is no denying these are on the upper end cost-wise. But they are a good investment if you want a highly capable pair of closed-back studio headphones.
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.
Other Options
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 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 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 DT 700 Pro X is another excellent set of headphones from Beyerdynamic. Combining impressive sound with a fit that is among the most comfortable ever. It is a real standout in the studio. Full, clear, and accurate it is an ideal choice for analytical listening. Despite a high price tag, the DT 700 Pro X is among the best closed-back studio headphones available today.
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