Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO X LIMITED EDITION

I just got a pair of the new DT770 Pro X headphones and here's a quick summary until measurements are done. I purchased this preview version myself, so no conflict of interest if you buy one or not. More photos attached to the post, so it doesn't clutter things up. I've had every Beyerdynamic model for my business, so have a good perspective having had the chance to use over 300 different headphones and IEMs. Lacking test equipment, I'll give lots of comparisons to popular models. In a nutshell, these sound the most like the Truthear Zero Red but with 2db-3db recessed mids around 600hz and a fairly aggressive treble climb up to where snare drums hit and female vocalists go into higher ranges. Vocals and acoustic instruments like violins don't have the same lush/full sound like they do on the Truthear Zero Blue version, Sennheiser HD600/650, or Thieaudio Ghost, which is as nice as the Sennheiser HD650/6XX at a much better price.

To test them, I used:
SMSL DO400
Topping D10b + SMSL Drop HO150x
Moto G Power phone with and without Apple 3.5mm to USB adapter
16 bit 44.1khz FLAC
Destiny 2
I test everything in it since the sounds are so familiar after years of playing, and just keep a solo player clan for getting engrams each week.
Fightmare#2666 Club Engram Clan ID: 6424964

The Moto G Power did get them loud enough at max volume, but they sounded really good as long as you don't need headroom to equalize or party level volumes. With the Apple adapter it was unlimited volume and sounded terrific with FLAC files. On the DO400 and the temporary stack I pulled out they got better, but not night and day better. These really can do well with less power as long as your source files are good (i.e. lossless). I just ran in Windows exclusive mode for each test on the PC. My advice is just get a $9 Apple adapter on these. You won't need more power than that, even if you equalize with a preamp reduction. The main worry is their power handling is 210mw which is 1/5th of it's older brothers, so be really careful not to leave an amplifier in high gain mode or they might go up in a puff of smoke.

Imaging is excellent on these, as good as the Sennheiser IE600, in Destiny 2 I could instantly identify an enemy behind me. If anyone asks for a closed back gaming headphone, this is my new recommendation. Soundstage is on the money, not fake big or too small, just like the DT770 or MMX300. The only downside for gaming is the dip in the male vocal range is where footsteps can happen also, so a 3db boost at 600hz might be needed if you yearn to hear the pitter patter of little enemy feet in all situations.

For music, the bass is present and extends way down, but doesn't bleed into the mids or sound overly boosted. It's there if the song calls for it, but the DT770 250 ohm still pounds with more authority than these do in the bass department. For those bass obsessed, just get the Artti T10 and you'll be bouncing in your chair to hip hop songs. These aren't going to make you vibrate out of your chair like a hovercraft from the bass response.

Mids are a mixed bag. Male vocals are recessed and somewhat distant, with a hollow sound at times, not sure if it's the ear cup resonance or the kind of pre/post ringing in the 32 ohm DT770 with those drivers. It'll take measurements by someone with the equipment to analyze it. On the DT770 250 ohm it's not present though. Female vocals are good except when singers like Ellie Goulding or Sia go into their higher ranges and then it's higher/louder than they usually sound. It's not shouty or sibilant, but on the edge of too bright/thin at times. Amy Lee from Evanescence and Adele weren't as affected. If you value vocals and stringed instruments like violin, cello, etc. you'll be a lot happier with the Thieaudio Ghost for less money, or the Sennheiser HD650/600 for more (or used for the same price).

Treble: It's a Beyerdynamic, but it's not the dread peak like the DT990 600ohm I keep around for testing. It's a little bright, but the sound is the climb from mids to treble seems pretty aggressive. Songs with a lot of snare drums get annoying, I'd bet that where it peaks. The rest is detailed and sounds good, and higher treble isn't absent of air, but its not emphasized either. I think they played it fairly safe with the tuning.

Overall, it's better than the MMX300, DT700 Pro X, and 32 ohm DT770 but not as much fun as the DT900 Pro X. For closed back headphones I'd recommend them for a gamer who likes music and just wants one pair. For music fans, it's really if your library isn't focused on vocals and acoustic instruments. The drivers are fast and for EDM or rock it's very good. These are not going to fit every genre of music though. The Thieaudio Ghost is better for music, just not as good for gaming. I have a Sennheiser HD650 and it's still kingpin for acoustic and vocals along with the HD600.

They fit the same as other models, pads are the same traditional velour from the original DT770. The shells seem a little thinner plastic if you tap on them. They still feel solid with the same slider adjustment but it feels smoother and less clicky. The cable is the 9ft mini XLR, but a shorter one for travel would have been a good idea. These are compatible with the other 3 pin mini XLR cables.

The published specs:
impedance 48 ohms
weight headphones without cable 305 g
Headphone frequency response 5 - 40.000 Hz
STELLAR.45 driver
Sound pressure level @ 1 mW/500 Hz 98 dB
Sound pressure level @ 1 V/500 Hz 112 dB
T.H.D. @ 500 Hz < 0.05 %
Maximum short-term power handling capacity 210 mW
Ambient noise isolation 16 dBA
Length and type of cable 3 m / straight cable detachable, single-sided

I'm going to stick with my Hifiman HE5xx for a daily driver, but it was really nice to have a new favorite closed back pair to recommend to casual or serious gamers. For specific music that's not vocal or acoustic focused it would be fine. The DT177x would be better for most music though if closed back is the requirement. Noise isolation was as good at the DT770, which will block a central AC sound or a computer fan, but not much more like a landscaping crew rolling past. Overall, they're excellent for gaming, but for music they require equalizing, most won't be happy with them out of the box. They have good potential though if you don't mind tuning them with EQ.