Beyerdynamic DT 990 PremiumFrom real comments

Name: Beyerdynamic DT 990 Premium
Rating: 3 (14 reviews)

Verdict distilled from 14 mentions across 10 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment50%

PROS 50%

CONS 50%

Rank based on 14 mentions across 10 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

You have a powerful amp/DAC to unlock the sound after break-in
You want bass-heavy sound with crystal clear treble
Comfort for long listening sessions is a top priority

What users love

Exceptional comfort0 mentions

Strongly positive

Practical cable and easy-to-clean ear pads0 mentions

Widely praised

Improves dramatically with break-in and proper amping0 mentions

Widely praised

Punchy, pronounced bass0 mentions

Widely praised

Clear, detailed treble (with the right amp)0 mentions

Widely praised

Skip this if...

You're sensitive to bright or occasionally painful treble
You expect a fully driver-rattle-free unit out of the box
You want forward, non-recessed mids

What users complain about

Recessed mid-range0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Harsh or painfully bright treble on some setups0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Bass loses cohesion at very low frequencies0 mentions

Generally negative

Driver rattle ('death rattle') on bass-boosted music0 mentions

Frequently criticized

High impedance requires extra investment to drive properly0 mentions

Generally negative

Compare in seconds

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3Premium

Sennheiser HD 490 Pro

Exceptional comfortStrong for gaming and imagingImprovement over HD 650/6XXIrritating L/R lettering inside padsBuild/pad quality issues reportedHigh price relative to alternatives

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Build/pad quality issues reported

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4Mid

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Exceptional durabilityBalanced, quality soundFully repairable/modularCable-to-driver cutout issuesStrong clamping forceUnconventional cable entry side

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5Mid

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6Premium

Denon AH-D9200

Smooth, detailed treble and clarityStrong perceived value and end-game satisfactionTight, deep bassHigh price pointSibilant or fatiguing treble for sensitive earsTight fit for larger ears

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7Premium

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8Premium

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Sound highly dependent on seal and source

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You are here

31Premium

Beyerdynamic DT 990 Premium

Exceptional comfortPractical cable and easy-to-clean ear padsClear, detailed treble (with the right amp)Harsh or painfully bright treble on some setupsRecessed mid-rangeBass loses cohesion at very low frequencies

Beyerdynamic DT 990 Premium

Exceptional comfort

Practical cable and easy-to-clean ear pads

Clear, detailed treble (with the right amp)

Harsh or painfully bright treble on some setups

Recessed mid-range

Bass loses cohesion at very low frequencies

Comfort
1. Sennheiser HD 490 Proarrow_upward11
2. Apple EarPodsarrow_upward10
3. Shure SRH1540arrow_upward8
Sound quality
1. Apple EarPodsarrow_upward12
2. Apple AirPods Pro 2arrow_upward8
3. Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700arrow_upward2
Build quality
1. Shure SRH1540arrow_upward6
2. Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700arrow_downward3
3. Sennheiser HD 490 Proarrow_downward3
Noise cancellation
1. Apple AirPods Pro 2arrow_upward8
2. Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700arrow_upward7
Wide soundstage
1. Philips SHP9500arrow_upward9
2. Denon AH-D9200arrow_upward4
Durability
1. Apple EarPodsarrow_upward6
2. Apple AirPods Pro 2arrow_downward4

Overall Impression

Needs power and patience to sound its best. Commenters note the 600 Ohm version demands a strong amp/DAC and a real break-in period, improving immensely over time compared to the weaker 32 Ohm variant. One listener specifically sought this headphone out to put a powerful amp/DAC to the test, suggesting the 600 Ohm model rewards serious desktop setups rather than casual portable use.

Bass-forward sound with a treble that splits opinion. Users describe it as a 'bass head' headphone with crystal clear treble, though the mid-range is consistently called recessed. Treble reactions vary sharply: some find it painfully bright and unlistenable on certain tracks, while others driving it with a Schiit Magni/Modi stack report no such harshness, pointing to amp pairing as a major factor in perceived brightness.

Comfortable but plagued by a recurring driver rattle. Multiple users praise the DT 990 Premium as among the most comfortable headphones available, with easily cleanable ear pads, though the inner sponge loses volume after many years. However, more than one owner reports a 'death rattle' on the left driver during bass-boosted music, affecting both 250 Ohm and 600 Ohm black editions, a recurring quality issue despite continued brand loyalty.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?

sentiment_satisfiedExceptional comfort

2 mentions

Strongly positive

Multiple commenters single out the DT 990 Premium as extremely comfortable, with one calling it among the best and most comfortable headphones out there. This is echoed by another user weighing comfort as a differentiator versus the Pro line.

@papahuge

Without going overboard, these are the best, most comfortable headphones out there.

smart_display

May 19, 2016

@SaschaB2B

would you consider the pro line here? The dt 990 pro? Or aren't they so comfortable as the premium line?

smart_display

November 24, 2014

cablePractical cable and easy-to-clean ear pads

2 mentions

Widely praised

A user appreciated the cable tie for managing the long 3m cable to avoid tangling, and liked the ribbed silver finish. Another notes ear pads can be cleaned very easily.

@jamesorbinson1386

I kept the cable tie for excess cable length to prevent the tangly mess of 3m of cable. The black edition is also really nice, but I like the ribbed silver on the cans. Cool review, i'd love to see what you think of the Planck keyboard it's quite unique and it is on massdrop right now

smart_display

March 13, 2017

@arncj18

the ear pads can be cleaned, and very easily also, don't talk jiberish :), it's just the inner sponge that loses it's \"volume\" a bit, after many many years.

smart_display

December 14, 2014

battery_charging_fullImproves dramatically with break-in and proper amping

1 mentions

Widely praised

Users note the 600 Ohm version needs a serious amp/DAC and a break-in period, after which it improves immensely, unlike the weaker-sounding 32 Ohm variant. This rewards listeners with high-end amplification setups.

@hazardousjazzgasm129

Too many people are being turned off by the very high impedence and the subsequent break in period. They may get an initial satisfaction from the 32 ohm version but I have a very powerful amp/DAC that I want to really test out, so a weak headphone won't cut it for me at all. It's good to hear this pair of cans will actually improve immensely over time, which 32ohm cans don't really fair well at at all.

smart_display

December 22, 2017

graphic_eqPunchy, pronounced bass

1 mentions

Widely praised

Described as a 'bass head' headphone with a pronounced low end, delivering strong impact that fans of bass-forward sound enjoy. Treble is called crystal clear alongside this bass presence.

@BluartStack

Dope bass heads headphones. The mid-range is a bit recessed but that's to be expected with a pronounced low end and crystal clear treble.

smart_display

January 8, 2017

equalizerClear, detailed treble (with the right amp)

1 mentions

Widely praised

One user driving the headphones with a Schiit Magni/Modi stack reports no issues with harsh highs, describing the treble as fine and enjoyable, contrasting with other reports of brightness.

@Rank277

Hey, I've got these headphones and I'm wondering, what are you using to drive yours?\nI ask this because you say the highs are too bright, but in my experience with mine and a Schiit stack (Magni/Modi), I have no problems with the highs.

smart_display

July 5, 2014

trending_downRecessed mid-range

2 mentions

Frequently criticized

Several commenters independently note the mids are noticeably recessed, a common critique alongside the pronounced bass and treble emphasis.

@DKH83

Unfortunately the high is painfully high on some music (unlistenable), the mid is too recess for me. The bass is there but unable to hold together when it is very low. It sound loss. Sound stage is just adequate. I have sold my set.

smart_display

January 20, 2018

@BluartStack

Dope bass heads headphones. The mid-range is a bit recessed but that's to be expected with a pronounced low end and crystal clear treble.

smart_display

January 8, 2017

warningHarsh or painfully bright treble on some setups

2 mentions

Frequently criticized

One user found the high end painfully bright and unlistenable on certain music, ultimately selling the headphones, while another questioned if their gear was causing perceived treble brightness.

@DKH83

smart_display

January 20, 2018

@Rank277

smart_display

July 5, 2014

speakerBass loses cohesion at very low frequencies

1 mentions

Generally negative

A user reported that while bass is present, it is unable to hold together at very low frequencies, resulting in a loss of sound quality and an only adequate soundstage.

@DKH83

smart_display

January 20, 2018

report_problemDriver rattle ('death rattle') on bass-boosted music

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

Multiple units, including both 250 Ohm and 600 Ohm black editions, reportedly developed a rattle on the left driver during bass-boosted tracks, a recurring quality issue also seen on the related DT 770 Pro.

@no2thenwo737

Both my DT 990 250 ohm black editions and my DT 990 600 ohm editions have developed the death rattle on the left drivers on bass boosted music. This doesn't happen on the DT 1990's, finger crossed. I'm disappointed with Beyerdynamic because my DT 770 Pro's also have the right driver rattle at 40mhz also. They are all genuine cans. I only continue to buy them only because I love the Beyer sound.

smart_display

August 13, 2023

powerHigh impedance requires extra investment to drive properly

1 mentions

Generally negative

The high impedance of the 600 Ohm version is cited as a barrier that turns some buyers off, requiring a capable amp/DAC and patience through break-in to get good results.

@hazardousjazzgasm129

smart_display

December 22, 2017

Beyerdynamic DT 990 Premiumchat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

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What users lovefavorite_border

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What users complain aboutheart_broken

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Who wins on what

Comfort

Sound quality

Build quality

Noise cancellation

Wide soundstage

Durability

auto_awesomeOverall Impression

Beyerdynamic DT 990 PremiumFrom real comments

Buy this if...

What users love

Skip this if...

What users complain about

Overall Impression