6 days ago
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ZDNET's key takeaways
- The Beyerdynamic DT 1770 Pro headphones are available now on Amazon for $379.
- You'd be hard-pressed to find a smoother, more agile-sounding pair of headphones at this price.
- There's no Bluetooth or wireless connectivity, but that's not a bad thing.
Did you know that speaker and headphone manufacturers that have been around for decades are known to have their own distinctive sound? I've been reviewing and using headphones and speakers long enough that those sounds become distinct and noticeable. Such is the case with Beyerdynamic, which delivers as rich a sound as you'll find in this price range.
Speaking of price, the Beyerdynamic 1770 Pro's will run you $379 on Amazon, which might seem high at first, but when you give these a listen, you understand why the higher price point.
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These aren't your standard Bluetooth headphones you'll toss in a bag and carry with you wherever you go. The 1770 Pro are the headphones you care about and listen to when you want clarity and agility in sound that earbuds and cheaper headphones cannot match.
These are studio-reference headphones geared toward mastering, monitoring, and recording. That doesn't mean you can't connect them to your stereo and crank up your favorite tunes; when you do, a smile will immediately supplant that frown.
The specs
- 250 ohms.
- 45 mm dynamic Tesla neodymium drivers.
- Frequency response - 5 - 40,000 Hz.
- Single-sided, detachable cable with min XLR to ¼" phone cable.
- Nominal sound pressure level of 102 dBSPL (1mW/500Hz).
- Replaceable ear pads (extra pair included).
- Price - Amazon $379.
My experience
First, I want you to re-read the specs, particularly the frequency response. The human ear has a frequency range of 20 - 20,000 Hz, which means the DT 1770 headphones can reach lower and higher than we can hear. You might think that's a waste, but when the frequency range can reach those kinds of depths and heights, you can be sure the only reason you'll miss anything in the music is if your ears are damaged.
When I first connected the 1770 Pro to my Outlaw receiver, I skipped Spotify and went straight for my turntable. With Rush's "Signals" spinning, I cranked up the volume, sat back, and let the sound wash over me.
It was glorious.
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Even without a break-in period (which I often do with more expensive headphones), the sound was brilliant. Remember, these are reference headphones, so what you hear is without artificial enhancements. It's clean, crisp, agile, and has a nice and wide soundstage. There's no artificial bass to get in the way of hearing the low end exactly as it should be and Signals is not only a brilliant album, it's also a great testing ground to hear how much agility a pair of headphones can have.
Trust me when I tell you that the DT 1770 Pro have the agility to spare. Listening to "Analog Kid" took me back to the days when, ironically, everything was analog. There was plenty of warmth and depth to the sound.
The Beyerdynamic pads are about as comfy as you'll find.
I will say this. Those who prefer a more Beats sound (where the bass can be a bit heavy-handed) might not enjoy these headphones. The Beyerdynamic DT 1770 Pro are for those who prefer a much more refined and honest sound. Because of that, you can listen to these headphones all day and not feel the slightest bit of ear fatigue. They're that smooth.
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During my listening session, I was actually surprised at hearing things in "Analog Kid" that I'd not heard before. We're talking very subtle moments that only those who've listened to a particular sound over and over for years can notice. It's that, "This is my favorite song; how have I never heard that before?" These headphones deliver that.
Don't get me wrong, these headphones (especially after a break-in period) can push the bass. In fact, the older sibling, the DT 1770, has been a very popular pair of cans among bassheads for years. I, for one, wouldn't exactly label them as such because the bass might be deep and punchy, but it's still subtle. It's there, and you notice it, but it's not going to overwhelm you.
Remember the mention of Tesla technology? Well, this is the second generation of it, and it's a lot more efficient than the previous iteration. That means the speakers don't require a lot of power to drive them.
The comfort
I've yet to meet a pair of Beyerdynamic headphones that weren't comfortable, but these live up to that standard. You can wear these babies for hours and not feel the slightest discomfort. And if you don't care for the leather pads, there's a pair made of velour. I prefer the velour option because the leather pads tend to make my head and ears get a bit warm.
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The DT 1770 Pro are wired headphones that ship with two different cables -- one straight and one coiled. Both are 3.5mm but include a ¼" adapter. If you don't move away from your source of music much, the coiled cable is the way to go (because it won't get tangled or get in your way). If you move about a lot, go with the straight cable, which has a roughly fifteen-foot reach.
ZDNET's buying advice
If you're tired of listening to your favorite music through sub-standard headphones, it's time to upgrade, and the Beyerdynamic DT 1770 Pro are about as good an upgrade as you're going to get without spending twice the cash. These headphones are beautifully designed and sound like they belong on a sound engineer's head. If you want the most honest, smooth sound you can get for a sub-$400 pair of headphones, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better option.
With the holidays upon us, the Beyerdynamic DT 1770 Pro headphones would be a great gift for music lovers who prefer the real deal found in wired headphones. The last time I heard such a smooth sound from a headphone was the last time I reviewed a pair of Beyerdynamics.
The repeat performance was not a coincidence.
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