I’ve been in love with Sennheiser headphones for as long as I can remember. And despite trying tons of other sets, I’ve always found myself returning to my tried and trusted HD 280 Pro. I’ve heard good things about Beyerdynamic’s headphone sets, though, but always shied away because experimenting with new headphones can often lead to buyer’s remorse, especially if the new set you buy isn’t as comfortable as the one that you’re already used to. But now that I’ve tried the DT 900 Pro X and DT 700 Pro X, it looks like my HD 280 Pros might be collecting some dust for a bit.
Keep it Light
One of the most impressive things about the DT 900 Pro X and DT 700 Pro X is the overall feel of the headphones when you’re wearing them. Although they’re a good deal heavier than my HD 280 Pros, the cloth earcups help create a light feeling on your ears, allowing for hours of wear without pain or discomfort. The removable mini-XLR to 3.5mm cables are thick, but don’t feel like they add a lot of additional weight to the design, either. Where a lot of headphones make you deal with whatever length you’re given, being able to choose between a six-foot or 10-foot cable makes it easy to fit the headphones into your setup, no matter how big or small it is. Each set also ships with a 3.5mm to 1/4 adapter, allowing you to easily plug into mixers and other audio equipment for professional monitoring. The sets I received didn’t include cables with a 3.5mm jack, but because I’m used to using headphones like this, I easily could connect it all up with a 1/4 to 3.5mm adapter and plug it directly into a variety of devices. You also get a carrying case with each set, which is excellent for storing and traveling.
Heaven on the Ears
Of course, it doesn’t matter how comfortable a pair of headphones is if the audio quality isn’t up to snuff. Luckily, that isn’t the case here, as Beyerdynamic has delivered two sets of headphones with exceptional quality cans. The new STELLAR.45 drivers sound great, whether you’re listening from your computer, a mobile phone, or even the Nintendo Switch. I did a swath of tests with both pairs and was more than happy with the results of each. The open-backed design of the DT 900 Pro X delivers a great natural sound, but I was more drawn to the delightfully hard-hitting sound of the DT 700 Pro X during my testing. I’ve always loved closed-back headphones, and the DT 700 Pro X are no exception to that rule. Music and other media are boomy with bass, and the more pressurized feeling of the cups around my ear makes for a good feeling sound experience without anything ever reaching levels of distortion. Of course, since these are professional-centric headphones, they aren’t going to offer the same sound style as you’d expect from more consumer-oriented headphones like those from Bose or other manufacturers. Where Bose and others go for more bass and boom, Beyedynamic’s headphones focus more on delivering the authentic sound of the audio you’re listening to. Sure, the bass is there, and it sounds good, but depending on which style of headphones you’re using, those sounds are going to come through a bit differently. This isn’t a bad thing. I’ve become accustomed to using these types of headphones over the past several years. Even if you don’t create music or other media that requires them, professional-centric headphones can bring a lot to the table for delivering great audio quality. If you’re looking for a new pair of headphones and you want to give professional-level headphones a try, then Beyerdynamic’s new DT 900 Pro X and DT 700 Pro X are both great choices.
