In this review, I’ll be taking a look at the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro closed-back studio headphones. It’s all very exciting, so try to hold on to your seats.
Final verdict
If you’re looking for a moderately affordable set of good-sounding studio headphones, the DT 770 Pro are a phenomenal choice.
The only thing to knock at here is that they don’t have a detachable cable. Otherwise, I can’t recommend these enough.
What I like
- Detailed midrange.
- Super versatile in the studio.
- Quite comfortable.
- Affordable.
What I don’t like
- Very snug fitting out of the box.
Why you should trust this review
I’ve been producing and engineering for over 15 years.
During that time, I’ve had hands-on experience with a wide array of monitoring setups – from high-end monitors and studio headphones to crappy earbuds and repurposed car speakers.
I know how to stretch a budget, and I know when a piece of gear doesn’t perform up to its asking price.
This experience, along with years of problem-solving in a variety of recording environments, has taught me what gear is worth your investment – and what isn’t.
Sound quality 4.3
The DT 770 Pro are reported to have a frequency response of 5 Hz – 35 kHz. Overall, the performance is nominally flat. Bass response extends down to 10 Hz and is fairly consistent despite a slight dip in the high bass around 200 Hz.
This effect is rather subtle, but nonetheless will have a thinning effect especially when it comes to lead vocals and guitars.
As far as the midrange is concerned, these headphones perform phenomenally well. It’s only until we get to the upper registers starting around 3-4 kHz that we first see a dip in the frequency response, immediately followed by a drastic over-emphasis in the high end.
With a 2 dB increase from 5 Hz and upwards, these headphones are notably bright and will highlight any and all sibilances present in the signal.
This isn’t terrible, however, and the overemphasis can be used to your advantage in critical listening sessions.
Build and design 4.0
As we’ve come to expect from Beyerdynamic thus far, the build quality of the DT 770 Pro is superb.
Just as the DT 990 Pro, the DT 770 Pro model is built with a strong metal frame and dense earcups to help it withstand any accidental drops or mishandlings.
My only gripe is that the earcup enclosures feel notably cheaper than that of the DT 990 or DT 880 Pro.
Comfort 3.9
The padding of the earpads is made of a soft microfiber that is undoubtedly comfortable against the skin, and the cups will fit over any ear. However, these headphones are tight-fitting, with a clamping force of a bit over a pound.
Some prefer the snug fit, but for others this may prove uncomfortable for longer-running sessions. They will loosen up as you break them in, but out of the box, they clamp a bit too hard for my taste.
As is the case with most high-quality studio headphones, these are stable enough to sit on your head in the studio but not stable enough to stay on for a jog.
Best to find another set of cans if you’re looking to do some high intensity workouts or other things of that nature.
Isolation 3.2
In terms of isolation, the DT 770 Pro are decent at best. They have 30 dB of reduction in the high end, 13 dB of reduction in the midrange, and virtually no active isolation when it comes to the low end.
If you plan to use these on your commute, the lower rumbles of cars and trains will be inescapable. When it comes to monitoring applications in the studio, however, these work perfectly well.
Accessories 4.5
After purchasing a pair of the DT 770 Pro, you’ll receive the headphones, a coiled cable, a 1/8 to 1/4-inch adapter, a carrying pouch, and a manual. I do wish the carrying pouch offered a bit more protection, but it isn’t the biggest deal.
Compared to other headphones
These Beyerdynamic cans are, no doubt, some of the best headphones to buy for music production. But here are a handful of alternatives to consider.
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro vs DT 770 Studio
The only noteworthy difference between the DT 770 Pro and Studio is that there is a different name printed on the side of the earcups.
These headphones are constructed identically, and their performance is identical as well from what I can tell.
See Beyerdynamic DT 770 Studio’s current price
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro vs DT 880 Pro
The DT 880 Pro are open-back headphones, so don’t expect to get any isolation from them. However, they’re slightly brighter and the soundstage of the DT 880 Pro is far wider.
They’re both great sets of headphones though, so it’s up to you and what will best suit your needs.
Read the full Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro review
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro vs Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
In terms of performance, I recommend you go for the DT 770 Pro. While the bass response from the M40x has more information in the upper bass, making it punchier, the DT 770 Pro extend far lower and have more separation.
The DT 770 Pro also have a wider soundstage. However, if you’re looking for a more casual and cheaper pair of headphones, the M40x are a great choice.
Read the full Audio-Technica ATH-M40x review
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro vs Sony MDR-7506
In all honesty, the Sony’s sound incredibly boring. They’re often used for mastering and not much else. I recommend going for the Beyerdynamics.
Read the full Sony MDR-7506 review
Who are the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro studio headphones best suited for?
The DT 770 Pro headphones are widely used by both novice producers and seasoned audio engineers for everything from tracking to mixing and mastering.
See current price at: SweetwaterAmazon
