Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO // DT 1990 PRO MK II -- Impressions Thread

[yeboyi]

I cant use either pad without EQ. Then again, I can't use any headphone without EQ. The EQ I use on the balanced pads makes the headphone totally neutral, and removes the mid bass hump.

It really heavily depends on the song. I don't use eq and some songs sounds perfect, some of them have overpowering midbass, some of them really aggressive treble, some of them annoying vocals. Even same artist tune his own voice different for each sound. The Weeknd - Heartless suffers because 8k peak heavily affects the vocals there. EQ can fix that song but it can also make other song sound worse. I played with it a lot.
Edit 2: I guess that's why these are pro studio headphones lol

TBH there is no perfect headphone. We are just nitpicking here. So if anyone looking here for information before buy don't let our nitpicking affect your buy. DT 1990 is beast. Just be ready for aggressive sound, it's the main characteristic of this headphone along with DT 1770. This headphone wants you to don't miss anything so it bombards the music with every detail aggressively. Even chillest songs makes you feel like you are listening high octane rock concert.

Edit: I returned back to my DT 770 for couple of hours and i'm surprised how bad it sounds. It was my favourite headphone lol. I don't have the original earpads of DT 770 so it heavily affects sound but DT 770 compared to DT 1990 sound so bad and unnatural. I feel like this Dekoni elite velour pads designed for open backs so i don't recommend them for closed back DT 770.

 

[393699]

Even with eq analytical pads doesn't match the balanced pads bass due to physics. Analytical pads are soft, airy and leaky. Analytical pads with boosted bass sound boomy instead of punchy.

I am still using the balance pads. With the EQ sets I made to use with each set of pads, the balanced pads still sound better after EQ.

 

[393699]

Don't get me wrong, I love the DT1990. All of us here who own it know that it needs a bit of EQ. There is nothing wrong with that. I gave shindigira my EQ to use with the balanced pads. He said the same thing as several other people. The headphone sounds better with the balanced pad using that EQ set I made. Snare drums just do not sound right with the analytical pads.

I am still waiting to get my brainwavz pads. They are giving me the run around, and the pads are still sitting in Hong Kong. I told them to just give me a refund if they are not shipping. They refused to do so. If they don't ship this week, I am just going to call my credit card company to force a refund.

 

[audiobomber]

Snare drums just do not sound right with the analytical pads.

Can you please explain what you mean exactly? I played snare drum in a Pipe & Drum band for a couple of years, and have had extensive experience listening to and playing drum kits. When I hear someone's audio system, I key on the sound of snare, because a lot of audiophiles get it wrong; too much thump, not enough snap.

I just toured a few pieces in my collection; jazz with brushes, jazz-rock fusion, R&B, big band. The DT 1990 did very well on all, with one exception. On "Cherokee" by Harry James And His Big Band, recorded direct-to-disk and digitized at 24/176, the drum solo features a lot of snare. I often play this piece because it's the most realistic recording of a snare I've ever heard. Done right, you can really hear the wires on the drum skin. That snare's bite is very easy to lose. The DT 1990 didn't quite get it right, the bite was a bit softened. I alternated with my Grado GH4 just to make sure nothing upstream was responsible. The Grado nailed that snare-wire aggression. (Of course the DT 1990 has more richness in the deepest bass, that's why I own both.)

I can't see how the Balanced pads would do better than the Analytical pads on snare. The Balanced pads have the overly warm mid-bass that many audiophiles love, and I consider a flaw, which should result in more thump, less snap, i.e. further in the wrong direction. I am not about to change the Analytical pads for Balanced or Dekoni to confirm, because changing pads on the DT 1990 is head-fi hell, especially since I know I would have to change back again. Been there, done that, too many times.

PS I am not trying to dismiss your opinion, just trying to understand. I think the disagreement we have here is about preference. All audiophiles should know, there's no single path to audiophile nirvana. In the words of Harry Pearson, "we will disagree".

 

[yeboyi]

changing pads on the DT 1990 is head-fi hell

DT 1990 pad change is very easy and convenient though but pads needs some burn in. Dekoni pad especially easier.

However i don't know why but Dekoni pads making DT 1990 sound big and majestic. Added breathing room and soundstage is great as well. I really like them. Haven't decide yet but i guess i'm gonna prefer Dekoni over balanced and analytical pads. Dekoni feels more prone to sibilance but less sharp, aggressive and fatiguing.

 

[audiobomber]

I cannot tolerate sibilance, and that's why my Dekoni pads are in a drawer, not on my headphones.

When I first got the DT 1990, I changed pads quite a few times. In the process, the edges of the plastic rings on one of each set of Beyer pads incurred some damage. As a result, the pads are now difficult to thread, and there's a risk of further damage. Not a problem, I prefer Analytical and will stick with those.

 

[393699]

Can you please explain what you mean exactly? I played snare drum in a Pipe & Drum band for a couple of years, and have had extensive experience listening to and playing drum kits. When I hear someone's audio system, I key on the sound of snare, because a lot of audiophiles get it wrong; too much thump, not enough snap.

I just toured a few pieces in my collection; jazz with brushes, jazz-rock fusion, R&B, big band. The DT 1990 did very well on all, with one exception. On "Cherokee" by Harry James And His Big Band, recorded direct-to-disk and digitized at 24/176, the drum solo features a lot of snare. I often play this piece because it's the most realistic recording of a snare I've ever heard. Done right, you can really hear the wires on the drum skin. That snare's bite is very easy to lose. The DT 1990 didn't quite get it right, the bite was a bit softened. I alternated with my Grado GH4 just to make sure nothing upstream was responsible. The Grado nailed that snare-wire aggression. (Of course the DT 1990 has more richness in the deepest bass, that's why I own both.)

I can't see how the Balanced pads would do better than the Analytical pads on snare. The Balanced pads have the overly warm mid-bass that many audiophiles love, and I consider a flaw, which should result in more thump, less snap, i.e. further in the wrong direction. I am not about to change the Analytical pads for Balanced or Dekoni to confirm, because changing pads on the DT 1990 is head-fi hell, especially since I know I would have to change back again. Been there, done that, too many times.

PS I am not trying to dismiss your opinion, just trying to understand. I think the disagreement we have here is about preference. All audiophiles should know, there's no single path to audiophile nirvana. In the words of Harry Pearson, "we will disagree".

I use EQ on both pads. There is no mid bass hump with my balanced pads, because I EQ it. There is no additional brightness with either pad, because I EQ both. You can look back in the thread a couple pages to see my EQs I use on both sets of pads. On the analytical pads, the snares are a bit hollow and hazy. They are presented with a veil. They are not as clean or crisp sounding. They do not sound natural on this headphone with the analytical pads.

 

[czajunia]

I am sorry if this has been answered before but somehow I couldn't find any information. When browsing through some stuff one ebay I came across these: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Beyerdynamic-DT990-Pro-Studio-Headphones/143449446660
Are they old, discontinued version of the same headphone or simply a of rip-off? If they are indeed genuine do you know what would be a difference between those and the latest version discussed here? Many thanks.

 

[393699]

The headphone you linked is the DT 990. This thread is for the DT 1990. The DT 1990 is a different, and more expensive headphone.

 

[shindigira]

DT 1990 pad change is very easy and convenient though but pads needs some burn in. Dekoni pad especially easier.

However i don't know why but Dekoni pads making DT 1990 sound big and majestic. Added breathing room and soundstage is great as well. I really like them. Haven't decide yet but i guess i'm gonna prefer Dekoni over balanced and analytical pads. Dekoni feels more prone to sibilance but less sharp, aggressive and fatiguing.

I just received and tried the Dekoni Elite Velours. I've also only been using the DT 1990 pro for 2 days and with the Analytical pads.

I am trying to figure out why the Dekoni pads give a "duller" sound than the Analytical pads. For sure, they are more comfortable and less fatiguing though.

Are you using an EQ or filter?

 

[czajunia]

The headphone you linked is the DT 990. This thread is for the DT 1990. The DT 1990 is a different, and more expensive headphone.

<facepalm> Sorry about that. Not sure how I've managed not see that.

 

[Chastity]

I just received and tried the Dekoni Elite Velours. I've also only been using the DT 1990 pro for 2 days and with the Analytical pads.

I am trying to figure out why the Dekoni pads give a "duller" sound than the Analytical pads. For sure, they are more comfortable and less fatiguing though.

Are you using an EQ or filter?

If you compare the Dekoni chart to stock (B-pad), you'll see a lower peak in the 3K-5K and 10K-11K ranges, which is why they will sound "duller" and less sparkly.

 

[yeboyi]

I just received and tried the Dekoni Elite Velours. I've also only been using the DT 1990 pro for 2 days and with the Analytical pads.

I am trying to figure out why the Dekoni pads give a "duller" sound than the Analytical pads. For sure, they are more comfortable and less fatiguing though.

Are you using an EQ or filter?

I don't use eq or filter.
My experience so far: They are definitely less fatiguing and more sweet. ''Dull'' comes from additional foam imo. With Dekoni pads we are simply using 2 foam unless you remove the original one. Analytical pads make you more close to the sound. They are more pure.

Dekoni treble makes a bit echo and sibilance (just slight). Vocals are more laid back. Bass imo better with the Dekoni. It balances the mid bass hump and gives more subbass. Overall i can say less detail, imaging but more soundstage and sweeter sound. Imo Dekoni pads neutralizes the ''studio'' ''pro'' aspect of DT 1990 and makes them more convenient. Dekoni tones down the revealing aspect of the DT 1990. I also noticed Dekoni pads really likes high volume. I feel like sound stabilizes at higher volume with these. Dekoni puts a bit too much blockage for lower volume. You may also feel dullness if you listen at same volume as stock pads. Dekoni requires more volume to be equal to the stock pads and also needs more volume to sound more stable in my opinion.

 

[393699]

Speaking of pads, I would advise everyone here not to buy any brainwavz pads right now. They will take your order and your money, but they won't ship the stuff. After over two weeks of them refusing to ship my pads, I had to open a case against them today through my credit card company to get a refund.

 

[shindigira]

I don't use eq or filter.
My experience so far: They are definitely less fatiguing and more sweet. ''Dull'' comes from additional foam imo. With Dekoni pads we are simply using 2 foam unless you remove the original one. Analytical pads make you more close to the sound. They are more pure.

Dekoni treble makes a bit echo and sibilance (just slight). Vocals are more laid back. Bass imo better with the Dekoni. It balances the mid bass hump and gives more subbass. Overall i can say less detail, imaging but more soundstage and sweeter sound. Imo Dekoni pads neutralizes the ''studio'' ''pro'' aspect of DT 1990 and makes them more convenient. Dekoni tones down the revealing aspect of the DT 1990. I also noticed Dekoni pads really likes high volume. I feel like sound stabilizes at higher volume with these. Dekoni puts a bit too much blockage for lower volume. You may also feel dullness if you listen at same volume as stock pads. Dekoni requires more volume to be equal to the stock pads and also needs more volume to sound more stable in my opinion.

Thanks for that explanation. Is it recommended to remove the DT1990's existing foam when using the Dekoni?

It would be a shame to not use these pads; need to maintain the detail and imaging for gaming usage.