beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X

I ordered both 990 and 900 pro x. I mainly listen to edm (literally everything from hardcore to ambient) and some jazz. I will try to compare the two as best I can. Also I am doing a lot of music production and play games from time to time.

Comparison:
Build
DT 900 Pro X - better and more solid build, feels a lot more premium

DT 990 Pro - definitely not cheap, but not on par with 900 pro x

Comfort/features
Note: with both headphones one of my ears touched the inner part of headphone which I didn't find annoying

DT 900 Pro X - just a bit more comfortable on head than 990 and pads are softer, more pillow like, a plus for detachable cable (didn't have any problems with it like some people do)

DT 990 Pro - more open and spacious, but feels a bit "too light" on the head, but it's definitely a good thing for longer sessions, also headband pad feels more premium on this headphone, but not as soft as 900 pro x

Sound:
As this is very subjective part, I will report differences observed between the two models

DT 900 Pro x: overall flatter sound signature - flat bass and better extension, more forward and detailed mids, a bit darker with a spike or two in treble which I didn't even noticed until started to play with EQ, but still could pick up more details than on 990. Sound is slightly closed in than on 990, but imaging and general sense of space is better

DT 990 Pro: more V shaped with emphasis on treble - more bass (less clean), distant/reduced mids, very strong relatively consistent treble, but too harsh for me personally. More songs were too bright than not. These are very open and have bigger soundstage, but also more confusing one (less precise).

Conclusion
I decided to go with 900 Pro x easily, they feel more premium and solid, works "out of the box" for me and don't need any EQ really (maybe just to tame those spikes in treble by a 3 db). Mixes translated a bit better. Tried it on some new mixes, as well as old ones. Do note that I'm a bit treble sensitive and DT 990 Pros are just too bright and mid recessed, so my mixes sounded darker than they should, also mids were too close for my taste.
Definitely recommending DT 900 Pro X

Hope I helped someone,
Cheers :D

Somehow DT has packed in such excellent sound into a product at such a low cost relative to its competition, the comfort is spot on with suitable adjustment.

The cables provided are perfect for travel or longer length for desktop use and comes in a small but handy carry bag.

I have been using the headset for almost a year with little to no issue except unfortunately the head band piece that holds in the foam has come off/the glue seems to have peeled away, however Thomann has thankfully a great repair team who has helped me with a claim for a repair .

Overall the product has exceeded my expectations and is a great product despite my one issue!

Let me tell you about my love-hate relationship with these Beyerdynamic headphones. I've been using them for about three years, and it's been quite the ride.

Let's talk about gaming first because that's where these headphones truly shine. People accuse me of using wall hacks because I hear them through walls and can track them. The sound positioning is that good. But here's the thing: once you step outside gaming, they're just... okay? The music experience is decent, but that treble can be pretty harsh. If you watch anime, be warned - high-pitched voices can be painful.

Now, comfort. Oh boy. Even after three years, I still wrestle with these daily. The clamping force at the beginning is no joke—imagine wearing a gentle vice around your head. I'm adjusting them as I write this review because they're bugging me. If you've used Sennheisers before, you'll feel the difference. The earcups, the weight, and the design never fully clicked with me.

Build quality? They're built like a tank... mostly. The headband on mine finally gave up the ghost, and now I'm facing a fun $40 replacement cost from Thomann (I live in the US).

Here's the thing, though—when I first got these, they were unmatched for competitive gaming. I've tried the fancy HD800s, the HD560s, and even the R70x, but these held their own. But if you're reading this in late 2024, I'd honestly point you toward the HD490. I've seen that it fixes everything I've complained about here.

Bottom line? If you don't want to splurge on the HD490s, these could be your jam if you're into competitive gaming and don't mind some comfort quirks. But for everyone else looking for an all-rounder for cheaper and potentially even better gaming performance, check out IEMS- (Fresh Reviews has good videos on this). However, you are set on headphones in this price range. The DT 900 Pro x gaming performance is stellar, but the comfort issues and so-so music performance make them a bit of a one-trick pony.

Quick hits: What I dig:
God-tier gaming audio (seriously, it's like legal wallhacks)
Built solid (except for that headband...)
Price isn't bad for what you get

What bugs me:
That treble can be rough on the ears
Never fully got comfortable
Replacement parts cost more than they should
Not great for much beyond gaming