Beyerdynamic - DT 1990 PRO MKII

That’s a good point. I’ve been pleased with them, just not the borderline “wall hacks” like some people have claimed

I’ve been incredibly pleased with them for music. I can definitely notice a difference there. It’s mainly just the gaming piece. I don’t feel like I have “wall hacks” like some claim. But I’ll definitely try an amp

Yeah I may have jumped on the bandwagon for beyer just because I see a lot of gamers pushing them. I still need to get an amp to push them to their potential. I also still use a ps5 a good bit alongside PC so I wanted something that could be driven just from a controller

Volume is more than enough for the mkii in my experience so far at least

It’s the mk2 yeah. Debating on whether to get an amp just to see if it’d put out even better sound

The more I use them the more I like them. Incredible for music

I was originally going for that category with the Dt 990 pro, but I bit the bullet and treated myself on the 1990s. The more I use them the more I can tell differences, still better than turtle beach for sure

1990 MK2 is great, 990 Pro X treble is HORRIBLE for games. join the HD 490 gang.

Lots of people hate Beyer Treble. The only Beyers I can handle are the 1990 mk2 and the 1770 mk2

Get him some DT 1990 Pro Mk II and a standalone mic. I prefer the Sennheiser HD 490 pros. They’re pretty affordable.

Love my DT 770 Pro and DT 1990 Pro MKIIs. 1990s are unbelievably good.

I hear IEMs are something but I’ve never tried. I have the Beyerdynamics DT 1990 Mkii. They are 700$. And are worth every penny. These are the most immersive headphones my ears have ever heard

1. The DAC/Amp. I wouldn't spend more than $300 on an DAC/Amp. The Topping Dx5 ii has everything one could need. 6.4W output (more than enough for every Headphones, measures flat, has Bluetooth and has built in peq. 2. There are so many Headphones out there, to buy the perfect one is not the easiest thing to do. My go to recommendation for a high-end pair of Headphones is the Hifiman Arya stealth (as refurb on hifiman webstore for $480 with the coupon) as it delivers a rather big soundstage, with a lot of details and overall good tuning (as long as you have no issues with a bit more treble but you've tested the Beyer's, therefore the Arya shouldn't be an issue) and with a basshelf (which you can add on the DAC/amp with the built in PEQ feature filter: lsq 130hz, 5db q 0.71) it sounds great. * Sennheiser HD 820 (Closed-Back) ($2,199.95 + $500-2,000 DAC/Amp = $4,199.95) (6-48,000 Hz) Not worth it at that price tag especially as you have to fix a couple of issues with EQ) * Sennheiser HD 800 S (Open-Back) ($1,999.95 + $500-2,000 DAC/Amp = $3,999.95) (4-51,000 Hz) Not worth it imo at that price range. There are better and cheaper options. I had the hd800. * Audio-Technica ADX5000 (Open-Back) ($2,199 + $300-1,000 DAC/Amp = $3,199) (5-50,000 Hz) No idea * Sony MDR-Z1R (Closed-Back) (~~$2,099.99~~ $1,899.99 + $200-500 DAC/Amp = ~~$2,599.99~~ $2,399.99) (4-120,000 Hz) Sounds great but the price is too high) * Beyerdynamic T1 (Open-Back) ($999.99 + $500-1,500 DAC/Amp = $2,499.99) (5-50,000 Hz) Not worth it * Audio-Technica ADX3000 (Open-Back) ($1,099 + $200-500 DAC/Amp = $1,599) (5-45,000 Hz) No idea * Beyerdynamic T5 (Closed-Back) ($999.99 + $150-300 DAC/Amp = $1,299.99) (5-50,000 Hz) No worth it * Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO MKII (Open-Back) ($699.99 + $200-500 DAC/Amp = $1,199.99) (5-40,000 Hz) Good Headphone, does a lot of things right but it's not a big upgrade compared to the mk1. Quite comfortable and well built. * Beyerdynamic DT 1770 PRO MKII (Closed-Back) (~~$699.99~~ $599.99 + $200-500 DAC/Amp = ~~$1,199.99~~ $1,099.99) (5-40,000 Hz) Do not like this Headphone. * Sennheiser HD 660S2 (Open-Back) (~~$679.95~~ $479.95 + $200-500 DAC/Amp = ~~$1,179.95~~ $979.95) (8-41,500 Hz) Not worth it. It's not a substantial upgrade over the og 600 series even though they ask 2-3x more. Get the 6xx over the 660s2 and add a bit of bass) * Audio-Technica ATH-R70xa (Open-Back) ($379 + $300-800 DAC/Amp = $1,179) (5-40,000 Hz) Haven't listened to it. * Sennheiser HD 650 (Open-Back) (~~$579.95~~ $349.95 + $200-500 DAC/Amp = ~~$1,079.95~~ $849.95) (10-39,500 Hz) (Artist Favorite) Warmer 6xx. * Sennheiser HD 600 (Open-Back) (~~$499.95~~ $299.95 + $200-500 DAC/Amp = ~~$999.95~~ $799.95) (12-39,500 Hz) Good Natural sounding Headphone but not exciting. Not for me. * Beyerdynamic DT 880 PRO (Semi-Open-Back) (~~$219.99~~ $209.99 + $200-500 DAC/Amp = ~~$719.99~~ $709.99) (5-35,000 Hz) The best Beyer out of the 700,800 and 900 series imo. The most balanced and still fun * Sennheiser HD 620S (Closed-Back) ($399.95 + $100-300 DAC/Amp = $699.95) (6-30,000 Hz) Decent closedback HP. In many ways better than the hd820 but not as resolving. * Audio-Technica ATH-WP900 (Closed-Back) ($699) (5-50,000 Hz) No idea * Sennheiser HD 490 PRO (Open-Back) ($399 + $100-200 DAC/Amp = $599) (5-36,000 Hz) The best Sennheiser Headphone at the moment. Great comfort and well tuned. Good Allrounder. * Sennheiser HD 560S (Open-Back) ($279.95 + $100-300 DAC/Amp = $579.95) (6-38,000 Hz) As refurbished available for $130 on their outlet. Good value. Does a lot of things right. Not the most comfortable (the 490 pro is a straight upgrade) but really good at that price tag. * Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO X (Open-Back) ($229.99 + $100-200 DAC/Amp = $429.99) (5-40,000 Hz) Not great. I would pick the 900 pro x over the 990 pro x. * Sony MDR-MV1 (Open-Back) ($419.99) (5-80,000 Hz) Haven't listened to it. * Sennheiser HD 505 Copper (Open-Back) ($329.95) (12-38,500 Hz) Seems to be liked by a lot of people but havent listenes to it. * Audio-Technica ATH-M70x (Closed-Back) ($329) (5-40,000 Hz) No idea * Beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X (Closed-Back) ($319.99) (5-40,000 Hz) Great comfort, not that well tuned. Better than the 770 though. * Sony MDR-M1 (Closed-Back) ($269.99) (5-80,000 Hz) Haven't listened to them * Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X (Open-Back) (~~$319.99~~ $239) (5-40,000 Hz) Second best 700,800,900 tuned Headphone imo. * Sennheiser HD 599 (Open-Back) ($239.95) (12-38,500 Hz) Not good at that price tag. For und 100 it's okay. * Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO X (Closed-Back) ($229.99) (5-40,000 Hz) (Descendent of Artist Favorite DT 770) Terrible imo. Especially the og. Didn't like it. * Sennheiser HD 300 PRO (Closed-Back) ($199.95) (6-25,000 Hz) No idea * Sennheiser HD 569 (Closed-Back) ($179.95) (10-45,000 Hz) Not worth it * Audio-Technica ATH-R50x (Open-Back) ($169) (5-40,000 Hz) Haven't listened to it. * Audio-Technica ATH-M50x (Closed-Back) ($159) (15-28,000 Hz) (Artist Favorite) It's meh. * Audio-Technica ATH-M40x (Closed-Back) ($109) (15-24,000 Hz) It's meh Some other Headphones you can look in to Sub $300: Aune ar5000, fiio ft1 (pro) and Sennheiser HD6xx Sub $600: Hifiman Arya stealth, Hifiman Ananda unveiled, Hifiman XV and DCA aoen x closed, Audeze ls20 Sub $1000: Hifiman He600, Arya organic, Meze 109 Pro and Hifiman Stealth He1000Se I wouldn't recommend spending more than 1k on a Headphone. That my opinion.

They are at the top top of your budget but you may be able to afford Beyerdynamics DT 1770 or 1990 pro. Good build, detachable cable, better than the 770 or 990. I would check the frequency response of the headphones, my 770 have a big dip in mids and that is not suited to the type of music I listen to. I had the occasion to directly compare my 770 to a 1990 mk2 this week, the 1990 is objectively better but not by a huge margin, so you would be fine with a 770 or 990. There are "pro x" versions of these headphones that are different mostly by the cable being dettachable, which is really nice

They are at the top top of your budget but you may be able to afford Beyerdynamics DT 1770 or 1990 pro. Good build, detachable cable, better than the 770 or 990. I would check the frequency response of the headphones, my 770 have a big dip in mids and that is not suited to the type of music I listen to. I had the occasion to directly compare my 770 to a 1990 mk2 this week, the 1990 is objectively better but not by a huge margin, so you would be fine with a 770 or 990. There are "pro x" versions of these headphones that are different mostly by the cable being dettachable, which is really nice

If you planning to get dt1990pro mk2 or dt990 pro x versions -- then answer is yes, you can directly plug them into your pc, they are very easy to drive. For older versions it would depend on your integrated audio, some high-end motherboards have decent chips and can drive power hungry headphones. Regarding your questions about the best.. well, everybody who is deep into audiophilia-hobby are lurking for that BEST EVER thing, and let me tell you what -- there are not one definitive answer to that. When it comes to TOTL headphones it is all about personal preference. Latest versions of Dt990/dt1990 are very decent cans, they have low distortion levels and can take EQ very well, they are also well built and have a nice Beyers support, where you can buy every part of headphones separately. You would not be disappointed with them. As an alternatives to them you can look into: ATH r50x/r70x (beware if you have big ears, because they are for middle to small ones), Fiio FT1 Pro, Hifiman HE400se/Ananda/Sundara Open/Edition XS, Sennheiser hd6xx.

Depends how loud your keyboard is tbh. Closed backs for gaming are a lot better on PC. I had 1770 Pros for gaming/mixing before but there was a huge discount on 1990 Pros and the 1770 Pros had way too much bass for mastering I so went for those and gave the 1770 pros to my wife. I had to buy new keyboard because I had MX blues and gaming was horrible on open backs and loud switches. I still kinda prefer the 1770 for gaming tbh as they isolate better. For mixing and mastering the 1990 pros are perfect and for gaming as well after getting silent switches. But for budget I would go with DT 770 Pro 250Ohm and pair them with ifi zen dac v2. I made testing with 1770 Pros and 770 Pros on ifi zen dac V2 and the difference wasnt that huge I was expecting (the 770 were decade old lol). https://youtu.be/5nQ4Za2Qd6U?si=xCDnnywE-Gdw9lgS When it comes to gaming they are really good. I used to play a lot of competitive fps before (OW1, Cod, CS) and all games I played I reached top 1% so no complaining.

There is no best, it's subjective. Though I would generally prefer open-backs over closed backs, especially when you're just using them in your chair and not a noisy environment. "Audiophile grade" is also not a clearly defined term. There are a lot of good options available for under 1000$, I would recommend ordering a few different pairs and comparing them. Like, as far as open-backs are concerned, get a Hifiman Arya, Sennheiser HD 6XX and maybe a Beyerdynamic DT1990 (note that there's two versions, you can get some great deals on the older MK1 but it has a very spicy treble). If you really need/want something closed, your options will be more limited, you could try a Senny HD620 and Beyer DT1770. Personally, I think the AKG K702 (open) for 180 USD is an incredible deal, but some don't like the mid-heavy sound. And there's no doubt there are better headphones to be had for three or four times the price, but they won't really sound three of four times better, and whether it's worth it spending so much is up to you.

1990 pros have been serving me well for the past 5 years