Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro Review – Exquisitely Detailed Sound

If you are considering picking up a pair of studio headphones, Beyerdynamic is a brand that should be high on your list of options. Their sensational line-up of cans is highly regarded, and it’s not hard to see why. In this review, we look at perhaps one of their most popular choices, the DT 770 Pro. 

The Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro is a stunning pair of closed-back headphones, and they are ideally suited to serious studio work while maintaining an approachable price. Below are the highlights but read on for a more detailed breakdown.

Features

The DT 770 Pro from Beyerdynamic has a lot to offer. Intelligent and thoughtful features with a keen focus on providing a pair of cans that professionals can trust. They are some of the best headphones for recording music. Let’s check it out in more detail.

Sound Quality 

Instantly the thing that jumps out the most with the DT 770 Pro is the extraordinary level of accuracy these headphones offer. These are a serious set of cans that you can rely on.

With a frequency range of 5Hz-35kHz, these hit nice and low while retaining plenty of scope in the top end for crystal clear delivery.

The lows offer a rich and dynamic representation that doesn’t stray far from the baseline. Highly accurate and dependable, you’ll be able to make informed decisions about the low-end in your productions easily. 

The mid-range is exceptionally impressive. Vibrant and full of life, it brings the mid-range to the forefront without clouding the rest of the frequency spectrum. Once again, accuracy is paramount and executed perfectly.

Fantastic range and detailed sound.

Moving into the top-end, there is a healthy dose of clarity and sparkle. If anything, potentially a little too bright. But this will come down to source material and your tolerance level of higher frequencies. But at no point is it in your face and distracting.

As a combination, the DT 770 Pro offers a balanced, neutral, and pleasant listening experience. Distortion is near non-existent, and they deliver plenty of headroom with a nominal SPL of 96dB. Not as loud as some other options on the market, but more than enough for most studio work.

Soundstage and imaging are also very good. No, they won’t reach the scope and breadth of a pair of open-back cans. But for a set of closed-back headphones, they perform a lot better than much of the competition.

For those long sessions in the studio, you need a pair of transparent and reliable cans. And these are up to the task, whether for music production, editing, recording sessions, or tracking. A jack-of-all-trades that won’t disappoint.

Comfort 

I’ll be the first to admit that I love the padding that Beyerdynamic uses across its range of headphones. If you have read any of my other Beyerdynamic headphone reviews, you’ll already be familiar with my gushing over the padding. But I stand by all of it. These are among the most comfortable earpads on the market.

The velour earpads offer a plush and inviting fit that makes them melt away when spending hours in the studio. If anything, my only complaint is that they can get a bit dirty and are not the easiest to clean. But replacement pads are readily available. Plus, if you take good care of them, you’ll get a substantial amount of time up your sleeve before you’ll even need to consider doing that.

Exceptionally comfortable padding.

The high level of comfort extends to the padding on the headband too. Weight distribution is finely balanced, and you won’t experience pressure points on your scalp or around your ears. At 0.6 lbs. (272 grams), they are not overly heavy but have a little heft that inspires confidence.

Heat build-up is inevitable with closed-back headphones, and the issue is present here. But there is enough breathability in the ear pads that it never creeps to the surface to distract you. The clamping force is not overly tight but firm enough to ensure these won’t slide about at the slightest movement.

If you spend hours in the studio, you’ll appreciate Beyerdynamic’s efforts to ensure a comfortable fit. And as someone who spends most of the day with headphones on, I can vouch for these without thinking twice.

Design 

Appearance is highly subjective, and everyone has their own bias toward what they consider stylish. One look at a Hollywood red carpet will show you the length and breadth of what is considered fashionable at a given moment.

Some may consider the DT 770 Pro a little on the bland side, but I would posit a different point of view. Sometimes simplicity is the key to timeless longevity. There is a reason why the little black dress has remained a fashion staple for generations. And that is what I feel the DT 770 Pro represents. Clean aesthetics that age well despite whatever the current trends might be.

The heavy use of black is not uncommon among headphones, and it’s on full display here. The grey padding does an excellent job of breaking up the sea of black and provides some character. Branding is also kept to a minimum which I appreciate.

Slick and timeless design.

Looking past the physical appearance, the DT 770 Pro does have some other design decisions worth detailing. Notably, these are very high impedance headphones at 250 ohms; it takes a bit to drive them and get the most out of them. A headphone amp of some kind is close to mandatory. A lower impedance version is available, but even that model needs some love from a headphone amp.

Another significant issue is the lack of a detachable cable. The connection point is secure. And the 9.8 ft. (3 m) coiled cable is high quality and robust. But I always prefer having the option to switch to an alternate cable, whether that is a straight one or just a shorter cable.

One final gripe I have is the exposed wires. It isn’t a huge deal, but they stick out a fair way, and I could see these wires getting caught on objects leading to the potential for damage.

These headphones also offer a decent level of passive noise isolation. With 18dB of noise attenuation, they do a decent job of keeping external noise out. There are headphones out there with better isolation but often at the expense of comfort due to the higher clamping forces involved. Leakage is minimal and should not bleed into recordings.

Durability 

Beyerdynamic has an exceptionally long history in the audio space. Over that time, they have cemented a reputation for high-quality products that are up to the rigors of frequent professional use, and the DT 770 Pro is a fine example of that.

Durable and dependable headphones.

These headphones are tough and durable. The spring steel headband is superb, with plenty of flex. The plastic is solid and scratch resistant. The plastic doesn’t feel cheap in the slightest way despite initial impressions. I’ve handled a vast array of plastic-focused headphones, and these are among the best. 

I’ve already covered the padding, but it is worth repeating that the padding is equally as comfortable as it is durable. The execution across the board is precise and reliable. These are workhorse cans that won’t let you down.

Value 

Studio gear runs the full spectrum of price points. There are some expensive headphones out there. And this is not a dig at them, but there is a noticeable rate of diminishing returns as you move up the price scale.

The Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro offers an approachable price point that is more than reasonable. The level of engineering quality and superb sound make these a fantastic investment. Yes, you can go cheaper, but you’d be hard-pressed to find anything that can match the DT 770 Pro’s performance.

The included bag is average at best.

It is worth noting that since the DT 770 Pro is a hardwired set of cans, naturally, there are no additional cables. Likewise, you won’t find a spare set of pads in the box. All you will find is a gold-plated adapter (I swear I have dozens of these lying around!) and a lackluster pouch.

Despite this lack of accessories, the DT 770 Pro is still fantastic value for money. These are rugged headphones that you can use day in and day out for years to come. And at this price among the best on the market.

Customer Reviews

The Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro is an extremely popular pair of headphones. Both among professional reviewers and customers. Endless amounts of 4 and 5-star reviews highlight the excellent sound quality and the dependable nature of these studio cans.

Is Neutral Response That Important?

When assessing audio gear, you’ll likely frequently come across the term neutral response. But how critical is it to have neutral-sounding headphones or studio monitors? The answer to this depends on what you intend to use them for.

First, the term neutral essentially defines a state where no frequency is hyped or exaggerated. This is a common characteristic of Hi-Fi gear where the bass is boosted along with the highs to form a v-shaped curve.

It’s satisfying to listen to, but you need to avoid this type of sound at all costs when it comes to studio work. A neutral response will present the source material in its purest form, allowing you to make correct decisions when creating your latest masterpiece.

Neutral headphones are critical for accurate mixing and mastering.

For example, if you listen to your work through Hi-Fi style speakers, you may believe that your bass frequencies are just right. But in reality, they will likely be undercooked and sound soft or underwhelming. It’s the speakers doing the heavy lifting for you.

To achieve the maximum level of success, you want your productions to sound good on all playback devices. Getting your mix right in a neutral setting gives you the best chance of achieving this.

You can go for a more consumer-friendly sound if you are not a professional. But a neutral response is still a good choice for casual listening, you’ll be surprised how different some of your favorite music will sound.

Other Options

While the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro is a sensational pair of headphones, plenty of alternatives are available. Below is a small sampling of some other choices if you are looking for a pair of closed-back headphones.

AKG K271 MKII Review

The K271 MKII from AKG is another popular pair of studio cans. These headphones offer a rich sound profile and are an excellent choice for recording sessions.

• Highly refined mid-range that provides ample detail.
• Offer better isolation than the DT 770 Pro.
• Build quality is not as premium in comparison.

PreSonus HD9 Review

If you want a cheaper pair of headphones, the HD9 from PreSonus is worth considering. Perhaps not the best option for studio work but a capable set of cans nevertheless.

• Punchy sound profile with a rich low-end thump that is satisfying.
• The low price point makes it an appealing choice for budget-conscious buyers.
• These are not as neutral as the DT 770 Pro.

Sennheiser HD 300 Pro Review

Sennheiser is another titan of the audio industry. The HD 300 Pro is a common sight in many studios and is frequently used in TV production work.

• Super loud headphones that don’t distort and maintain good balance.
• Excellent passive isolation to block exterior sound and prevent leakage.
• The clamping force is relatively tight, which might be uncomfortable for some people.

Should You Buy?

The Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro is another superb set of cans from the legendary German manufacturer. There is plenty of love here. From the super plush padding to the robust build quality.

But the true highlight is how great they sound. These headphones are ultra-accurate and perfect for professionals or hobby producers. While I lament the lack of detachable cables, it is a minor blemish on an otherwise near-perfect package. And at this price point a fantastic deal.

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