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

[kman1211]

You can get the Senns to be lively, but you need a good amp to feed them. The balanced out on my Liquid Platinum makes my HD-580 step up in their performance.

True they can, I do enjoy the HD 600 quite a bit on a nice amp for instance. Though the HD 600 is one of those exceptions I mentioned, I actually like more with extended ownership and I don't get sick of them. Haven't heard an HD 580 in years. I could never get all that engaged long-term with the HD 650, 660S, 660S2, 620S, or HD 560S (original version, not sure about it's revision) regardless of amp though. Though I've basically replaced the HD 6xx line with the Focal Hadenys as I like that headphone more.

Curious about impressions of the Hadenys compared to the DT 1990 Pro MKII as they are in a similar price bracket, has a rather neutral tuning, and have a similar impedance.

 

[FritzS]

True they can, I do enjoy the HD 600 quite a bit on a nice amp for instance. Though the HD 600 is one of those exceptions I mentioned, I actually like more with extended ownership and I don't get sick of them. .......

An HD600 arrived a few days ago, ‘in mental confusion’ I couldn't say no at € 315.00 (Thomann).
I'm pleasantly surprised, you just have to give it some time.
I already owned an HD600 several years ago.

 

[headstef]

I think that the hottest comparison of the DT 1990 MKII will be with the similarly priced NDH 30. They are direct competitors for studio applications and the NDH 30 has already proved itself as a headphone of tremendous value for music listening and enjoying, while being super accurate and resolving. I hope the DT 1990 MKII will come close or even surpass it! The latter would be difficult, though.

 

[Kammerat Rebekka]

I’m not sure the NDH-30 is the right comparison. Having read multiple accounts of professional producers not getting on with the Neumann plus my own experience with it, I don’t think the NDH-30 is all that great for studio work (unless you equalise the dip between 1.5-3k).

Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely adore the Neumann’s sound, but it is very relaxed in the uppermids which also can be verified over just about every properly made frequency response of it. Even when you wear it with your ears way front in the cups, there is still a noticeable dip in the uppermids similar to many modern headphones (most Hifiman headphones, The Composer, HI-X65, HD490 Pro, Verité Open etc etc). It sounds awesome and very spacious, but it’s not exactly a neutral/natural sound presentation with the right amount of ear-gain that pros look for when assessing a mix.
Most Beyers though come with perfectly neutral mids…and sadly with a big mountain of treble. I hope the latter has been amended this time around although it doesn’t look like it from the first measurement I’ve seen of it. Here’s hoping

 

[FritzS]

...... They are direct competitors for studio applications and the NDH 30 has already proved itself as a headphone of tremendous value for music listening and enjoying, while being super accurate and resolving. .......

I think NDH 30 and Sennheiser HD 490 Pro (plus) are similar.
The frequency responses are very similar, and the two target audiences are professionals.

 

[headstef]

I’m not sure the NDH-30 is the right comparison. Having read multiple accounts of professional producers not getting on with the Neumann plus my own experience with it, I don’t think the NDH-30 is all that great for studio work (unless you equalise the dip between 1.5-3k).

Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely adore the Neumann’s sound, but it is very relaxed in the uppermids which also can be verified over just about every properly made frequency response of it. Even when you wear it with your ears way front in the cups, there is still a noticeable dip in the uppermids similar to many modern headphones (most Hifiman headphones, The Composer, HI-X65, HD490 Pro, Verité Open etc etc). It sounds awesome and very spacious, but it’s not exactly a neutral/natural sound presentation with the right amount of ear-gain that pros look for when assessing a mix.
Most Beyers though come with perfectly neutral mids…and sadly with a big mountain of treble. I hope the latter has been amended this time around although it doesn’t look like it from the first measurement I’ve seen of it. Here’s hoping

I am not arguing about their (possible or not) similarly in sound but their similarity of purpose, use and price. That's why I think it would be interesting to see a detailed comparison between the DT1990 Pro MKII and the NDH 30 (also the more affordable HD 490 pro). All the more because the NDH 30 is a great success for enjoying music and getting immersed into elaborate musical works.
As for the dip in the 1-3 kHz area, strangely it seems to be a norm for many headphones designed to be linear and accurate. I don't really hear it (nor the 4 kHz peak) during sinus tone sweeps with the NDH 30, though I have measured it myself (early in the NDH 30 thread). I think I only hear the predicted uniform rise in the area of ear gain, plus a generally very natural and neutral tone/balance for voices and acoustic instruments.
If the Dt1990 MKII doesn't exhibit that 1-3 kHz dip I am very interested to hear how this translates for natural sounds (voices and instruments). It might add a new dimension in naturalness or it may be just a little fatiguing? I just hope that the Beyer "mountain of treble" that you aptly mentioned has now become an inoffensive "hill", useful maybe for ears 50+ years old, as mine are.
I hope that we shall soon see comprehensive measurements by @oratory1990 to compare with the above. Of course, individual listening is most important.

 

[michaelgreen]

Anyone has made a frequency response of the MK2 yet?

 

[headstef]

Anyone has made a frequency response of the MK2 yet?

Only this for now:
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/bey...mk-ii-impressions-thread.814629/post-18402958

 

[michaelgreen]

You can get the Senns to be lively, but you need a good amp to feed them. The balanced out on my Liquid Platinum makes my HD-580 step up in their performance.

Balanced is not going to make it sound better unless there's a power difference.

Doesn't matter whether you run them by unbalanced or balanced.

God, companies have nicely brainwashed people into thinking that balanced cables will make their headphones sound better.

Based on the frequency response it still looks like a typical Beyerdynamic for me which is why I'll pass, can't take that treble area.

 

[megabigeye]

God, companies have nicely brainwashed people into thinking that balanced cables will make their headphones sound better.

I mean, to be fair to the amp companies, there weren't that many balanced amps until Head-Fi'ers started demanding and expecting them. I think it's more a case of audiophiles brainwashing themselves and the companies going along with it because they know which side their bread is buttered on.

 

[vtorkalo]

Which power is needed to drive Mk II?
I have bluetooth adapter Astell&kern HB1. Will it be enought to drive mark II with good quality?

 

[blochsidisco]

Managed to snag an MkII that will be arriving today. I loved the OG 1990s but ended up selling them as I found male vocals a little bit coarse and metallic which affected most of the music I listen to. Intrigued to see if this has been fixed.

Will report back.

 

[Bret Halford]

Bye.

 

[Kammerat Rebekka]

Thanks but no thanks Beyer. I thought you were bringing that 8k treble peak down, but instead you wonky up the uppermids and insist on keeping the mount Beyer instact.
…and why would the pro crowd want that upper midrange vs the natural one found over mk1? Puzzling to say the least
The original DT1990 looks much better to me tbh.

Then again there are probably those who will like this newer version more. YMMV, we all hear differently and all that jazz…but personally I’m out.
I was actually really looking forward to this one.

 

[trickyRoadsDummyTOOL]

Quite some thoughts to handle, so far I am content with the old one, still tapping from left to right if I should order the 8K cable filter mentioned above several times. Although I have analytical pads in use since six or eight years ago, I would wish to see a diagram comparing analytical MK one to producing MK two.
I would instantly envision a 1990, as resolving as a T1.2 or more. Never tried the latter. Exactly, shaving off 8K is mandatory. Improving male voices, increasing resolution, the 1990 is a very good basis for that.