Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro X

Insightful, balanced and comfortable open-backs

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Beyerdynamic’s wired headphone pedigree is impressive. In fact, to some, the 100-year-old German brand is synonymous with wired performance, a reputation it has earned thanks to mighty chart-toppers such as the premium Beyerdynamic T1 (3rd Generation) (currently £899) and the formerly Award-winning Beyerdynamic Amiron (tested at £545).

The weight of expectation sits heavily upon the metaphorical shoulders of the DT990 ProX open-backed can, then - not least as they are the follow up to the five-star DT 900 Pro X.

The Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro X cost £189, a lower initial price than the £219 launch cost of the DT 900 Pro X.

That makes them something of a mid-range proposition in wired headphones terms. If you want to step up to something more expensive and stick with an open-back design, the Award-winning Grado SR325x are available for around £330.

Alternatively, you could seek out the closed-back excellence of the cheaper Røde NTH-100 (roughly £109) or Austrian Audio Hi-X20 (£120). Beyerdynamic itself offers a closed-back alternative at the same price, the DT 770 Pro X.

Superbly comfortable

Whether you're huddled in a sweaty studio trying to get all of the pieces of a tricky mix to come together, or you're happy just to sit at home enjoying your favourite tunes, the DT 990 Pro X are superbly comfortable and well made. We said the same thing about the Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X: yes, these are billed as 'studio' headphones, but there's very little stopping you from enjoying them in a nonprofessional setting.

The newer cans barely deviate from their older counterparts in terms of design, sporting the same circular earcups and accommodating headband as their more established siblings, even if they add a few small embellishments such as visible fastening on the headband's exterior and contrasting grey lettering for their logo.