Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO Review: The Tracking Standard
Buy the DT 770 PRO 80 ohm if you record with a microphone in the room, because closed back isolation is the one thing an open back cannot do and this is the long standing default. Skip it if these will be your only headphones for mixing, since the lifted treble and boosted bass make them a poor single reference.
Closed back isolation is the whole job, and the 80 ohm version is the one that works with an interface.
beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO Studio Headphones, 80 Ohm, Black
~$200
The closed back studio standard, in the 80 ohm version that a normal interface headphone output can drive.
Check price on AmazonSpecifications
| Type | Closed back, circumaural, wired |
|---|---|
| Impedance | 80 ohms |
| Pads | Black velour, replaceable |
| Cable | 3 m straight, with 3.5 mm connector and gold plated 1/4 inch adapter |
| Servicing | Pads, headband and drivers replaceable |
| Manufacture | Handcrafted in Germany |
| Approx. price | Around $200 |
Specifications above come from beyerdynamic's published figures as listed on the Amazon product page. Treat pricing as approximate, since Amazon pricing moves.
What it does well
- Genuine closed back isolation, which keeps the click and the backing out of the microphone and keeps the take usable.
- 80 ohms is the right choice for a home studio: an ordinary interface headphone output drives it properly without a separate amplifier.
- Velour pads are comfortable over long sessions and replaceable when they flatten, which they will.
- Fully serviceable, so pads, headband and even drivers are spare parts rather than a reason to rebuy.
- Long cable, which sounds trivial until you try to reach a microphone position from a desk on a short one.
Where it falls short
- The cable is not detachable. It is the single most common failure point on any headphone and here it is attached for life.
- beyerdynamic's lifted upper treble is detailed and can be tiring, and it flatters cymbals and sibilance in a way that misleads if you mix on them.
- The bass is boosted relative to neutral. Mixing on these tends to produce mixes that come out light on bass elsewhere.
- Closed back designs give a smaller sense of space, which makes reverb and depth harder to judge than on an open back.
- Three impedance versions exist and buying the wrong one is a real risk: 250 ohms will sound quiet and thin on an interface, and 32 ohms is aimed at mobile gear.
What owners report
Published owner reviews have been consistent for many years. Comfort and isolation are the two most praised attributes, and owners regularly report using the same pair through a decade of sessions, replacing pads along the way. The recurring complaint is the fixed cable, and the second recurring complaint is the treble, described as detailed by most and as sharp by a substantial minority.
The other consistent theme is impedance confusion. A meaningful share of negative reports come from buyers who ended up with the 250 ohm version on a laptop or a modest interface and concluded the headphones were quiet and thin. They were, because they were not being driven. For a home studio the 80 ohm version is the one to buy.
Why closed back matters more than the tuning
If a microphone is live in the room, an open back headphone puts your click track into the recording, and that bleed is permanent. That single fact is why closed backs exist and why the DT 770 has been the default for so long. The open back versus closed back comparison covers the tradeoff in full, and ATH-M50x versus DT 770 PRO covers the closest rival at a lower price.
For mixing, these are the wrong tool used alone. The boosted bass and lifted treble mean mixes made on them tend to come out light at both ends. Keep them for tracking and use a flatter open back such as the Sennheiser HD 600 or the DT 900 PRO X for mix decisions, or check against monitors. How to mix on headphones covers the habits that make headphone decisions survive contact with other systems, and monitors versus headphones covers when each one is telling you the truth.
Who it suits
- Anyone tracking vocals or instruments with a live microphone in the room.
- Home studios where one pair has to cover tracking first and everything else second.
- Long sessions, where velour pads and even clamp beat the alternatives.
- Anyone who would rather replace a pad than replace a headphone.
Who should skip it
- Anyone buying one pair primarily for mixing, where a flatter open back is the better reference.
- Buyers who want a detachable cable, since this model does not have one.
- Listeners sensitive to bright treble.
- Anyone about to buy the 250 ohm version to use on an interface or a laptop.
Alternatives worth considering
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones
~$159
Closed back with similar isolation, a detachable cable and a lower price. The tuning is more coloured in the bass, and the removable cable removes the DT 770's single biggest long term weakness.
Check price on Amazonbeyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X Studio Mixing Open Back Headphones
~$320
Open back, 48 ohms and detachable cables, which makes it the mixing half of the pair most home studios end up owning. It cannot be used for tracking, which is exactly why the two are complementary rather than competing.
Check price on AmazonSennheiser HD 600 Open Back Headphones
~$269
The long standing midrange reference for mix decisions, at 300 ohms so it really does want a proper headphone amplifier. Take it as the second pair once tracking is covered by a closed back.
Check price on AmazonKeep reading
- ATH-M50x vs DT 770 PRO
- Open back vs closed back headphones
- Best headphones for tracking
- Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X review
- Sennheiser HD 600 review
- How to record vocals at home
This review draws on published specifications, manufacturer figures and the consensus of verified owner reviews. We have not tested this product ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Frequently asked questions
DT 770 PRO 80 ohm or 250 ohm, which should I buy?
80 ohm for a home studio. An ordinary interface headphone output drives it to a proper level with control over the drivers. The 250 ohm version is designed for high powered studio distribution amplifiers, and on an interface or a laptop it plays quietly and sounds thin, which is where most negative reports about these headphones come from. The 32 ohm version is aimed at mobile devices.
Are the DT 770 PRO good for mixing?
They are good headphones and a poor single reference. The bass is lifted and the upper treble is lifted, so mixes made on them alone tend to come out light at both ends on other systems. They are excellent for tracking, editing and noise hunting. For mix decisions use a flatter open back or monitors, and check against a familiar commercial reference either way.
Can I use the DT 770 PRO for recording vocals?
Yes, and it is the job they are best at. Closed back construction keeps the click track and backing inside the earcups instead of leaking into the microphone, which is the difference between a usable take and one with a faint metronome under it forever. This is the reason to own a closed pair even if your main headphones are open backs.
Is the DT 770 PRO cable replaceable?
Not on this model. The cable is fixed, which is the most common long term criticism, because a cable is the part most likely to fail. beyerdynamic sells the pads, headband and drivers as spare parts, so the rest of the headphone is serviceable. If a detachable cable is a requirement, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x has one and costs less.
Do the DT 770 PRO need an amp?
The 80 ohm version does not. It is designed to work from a normal interface or computer headphone output, and it will reach a proper level with control. A dedicated headphone amplifier still improves headroom and damping slightly, and the difference is small compared with what the same money does elsewhere in a home studio.
Working out your own room and signal chain? The Home Studio Build Planner is the paid version of these pages: 8 printable worksheets you fill in with your own numbers, plus the full PDF, $29.