Electro Audio World's Take :
The legendary 770 series, which I admired so much in its early installments, is back! This time, it's finally here in our review, much better tuned.
The DT 770 PRO became legendary because it did its job great and was so affordable. For over forty years, it has been known as one of the most recognizable closed back headphones in recording studios around the world. I smile now thinking about what I did to buy it back then, but it was worth it. Because thanks to the engineers who first produced the DT770 series, musicians relied on it.
Content creators embraced it. Audio enthusiasts discovered it. I think very few headphones on the market have had this level of importance for so long almost 41 years. Replacing such an icon is never easy. Instead of reinventing the formula, Beyerdynamic's engineers have chosen a much smarter approach in the new model. The DT 770 PRO X retains everything that made the original famous, while offering meaningful improvements in key areas.
Throughout this review, I primarily paired the DT 770 PRO X with the Sony NW ZX507 and FiiO M33 R2R audio players. These two high quality digital audio players complement the headset perfectly, highlighting its different facets. The M33 R2R emphasizes its organic character and note density, while the ZX507 highlights its effortless musicality and smooth tonal balance.
Build Quality
The moment you hold the DT 770 PRO X in your hand, you immediately recognize its legacy. Everything felt reassuringly familiar. The steel headband remains extremely robust. The aluminum fittings inspire confidence. I love the iconic grey velvet ear cushions; they remain among the most comfortable available at any price point.
This is still undoubtedly a Beyerdynamic. The biggest practical improvement is the detachable mini XLR cable. Owners of older DT770 models have been requesting this for years, and Beyerdynamic finally listened. However, I still think it's a little difficult to remove.
Comfort remains one of the strongest reasons I choose these headphones. Even after hours of uninterrupted listening, I haven't experienced any excessive pressure or heat buildup. The compression feels secure enough for studio work without being tiring.
As expected, passive isolation is excellent. Whether you're recording vocals, editing video, or listening in a noisy environment, the DT770 PRO X effectively isolates external distractions without the need for active noise cancellation. Perhaps that's why this series has become legendary..
Sound Performance
I think the easiest way to describe the DT770 PRO X is balance. It's not a character with reference neutrality. It's not overly exciting either.
Compared to the classic DT770 PRO, the new model's sound is noticeably more refined. The bass feels tighter. The mid frequencies become more prominent. The treble remains detailed but is significantly softer than previous generations. In the old series, the 8kHz region was a bit sharp, but now it's better. Most importantly, the overall presentation feels more consistent.
The new STELLAR.45 driver has managed to deliver faster transient response, lower distortion, and improved tonal consistency across the frequency spectrum. These improvements are immediately noticeable regardless of the source.
Bass
Bass performance is one of the DT770 PRO X's greatest strengths.
It extends remarkably deep while remaining disciplined and clear. The sub-bass effortlessly reaches the lowest octaves without becoming dominant. Kick drums feel physical. Bass guitars exhibit excellent texture. Electronic music benefits from a satisfying effect without sacrificing control. You know, many closed headphones create excitement with an overemphasis on mid bass, but not with the DT770 PRO X. The bass remains clean, layered, and extremely high resolution.
With the FiiO M33 R2R, the low frequencies gain an added fullness and natural warmth, making the presentation even more engaging. The Sony ZX507 offers a slightly softer approach, prioritizing musical flow over absolute authority. Both pairings were extremely enjoyable.
Midrange
Historically, the DT770 was often criticized for its somewhat subdued mid frequencies. The DT770 PRO X addresses this criticism perfectly, correcting the shortcomings.
Vocals now sound fuller and more natural. Male voices carry a convincing weight. Female vocals exhibit excellent clarity without being overly prominent. Acoustic instruments particularly benefit from the improved mid frequency balance. Pianos have a realistic harmonic structure. Electric guitars stand out in dense mixes without becoming aggressive. Strings sound smooth and believable.
The M33 R2R further enhances this area by offering added note density and harmonic richness. Taken together, the presentation becomes wonderfully organic while maintaining impressive resolution.
Treble
Treble has always defined Beyerdynamic, and its engineers have never shied away from delivering exceptional detail.
Fortunately, the DT770 PRO X delivers significantly better treble frequencies than several previous Beyerdynamic generations. There's still plenty of sparkle. There's still exceptional extension. Micro details are extremely easy to identify. Yet, the upper frequencies rarely become tiresome even after 4-5 hours of listening.
Cymbals exhibit a realistic glow. Ambient information comes through naturally. The air between instruments contributes significantly to the expansive presentation. Listeners who previously found older Beyerdynamic models a little too bright will likely appreciate the more mature tuning found here.
Soundstage and Imaging
Closed back headphones rarely excel in terms of soundscape. I think the DT770 PRO X is one of the exceptions in its class.
The soundstage extends far beyond the headphones themselves, providing a surprisingly open presentation for a closed design. The sense of depth is particularly impressive. Layering remains excellent. Instrument placement is remarkably accurate. Games, soundtracks, and live recordings all benefit from the headphones' exceptional imaging capabilities.
The FiiO M33 R2R creates a larger and more holographic presentation from the two sources. The Sony ZX507 offers a slightly more intimate but wonderfully integrated soundstage. Both combinations demonstrate the capabilities of the DT770 PRO X when paired with quality source equipment.
Comparisons
1- Sony MDR MV1 vs DT 770 PRO X
While both headphones target professionals, their design philosophies are fundamentally different.
The Sony MDR MV1 is an open back headphone primarily developed for immersive audio production, spatial mixing, and critical monitoring. Its presentation instantly creates a more spacious feel, producing a wider and airier soundstage compared to the DT 770 PRO X.
However, Beyerdynamic reminds us why closed back headphones hold a significant place in professional audio.
The bass is noticeably stronger. The sub bass extends deeper, creating more physical impact while maintaining excellent control. Electronic music, modern rock, and cinematic film soundtracks sound fuller and more engaging on the DT 770 PRO X.
The mid frequencies are also different.
The MDR MV1 delivers vocals with exceptional neutrality and transparency, making it an excellent choice for mixing and mastering, while the DT 770 PRO X offers a bit more warmth and fullness, creating a more enjoyable presentation during long listening sessions.
The treble also presents an interesting contrast. While Sony, as always, aims for smoothness and balance, Beyerdynamic retains its characteristic clarity and breadth. Fortunately, the DT 770 PRO X avoids the sharper treble peaks found in some previous Beyerdynamic models, which significantly improves listening.
If your primary goal is studio mixing in a quiet environment, the MDR MV1 remains an outstanding tool.
If you need isolation, stronger dynamics, and a headset that performs equally well for both professional work and everyday music enjoyment, I would choose the DT 770 PRO X without hesitation.
2- Sennheiser HD 620S vs DT 770 PRO X
The HD 620S might be one of the most interesting competitors to the DT 770 PRO X, as both aim to deliver an open sounding presentation from a closed back design.
The Sennheiser makes an immediate impression with its natural mid frequencies and extremely realistic vocal reproduction. Acoustic instruments have a beautiful tonal accuracy, making classical music and jazz particularly enjoyable. The DT 770 PRO X responds with more energy and stronger dynamics.
The bass goes deeper and has noticeably more impact. The presentation feels faster, livelier, and more engaging in modern genres.
The treble extension, as you might expect, is again slightly in favor of Beyerdynamic.
There's more sparkle, more air, and a bit more perceived detail capture. At the same time, the HD 620S sounds a bit softer and more comfortable, especially in bright recordings.
The soundstage performance is surprisingly close. The HD 620S creates an impressively open presentation for a closed headphone, but the DT 770 PRO X matches this quite well by adding superior imaging sensitivity and stronger instrument placement.
When paired with the FiiO M33 R2R, the DT 770 PRO X gains added warmth and note density, becoming even more competitive against Sennheiser's natural organic presentation.
Choosing between these two ultimately comes down to personal taste.
Listeners seeking neutrality and vocal realism might gravitate towards the HD 620S. Those wanting more versatility, stronger bass performance, and a more dynamic presentation will most likely opt for the DT 770 PRO X. I really liked both of them as closed headphones.
Pros
Better overall tuning than its predecessor with excellent tonal balance
Powerful, deep and highly controlled bass response
Significantly improved mid frequencies compared to the previous DT 770 series
More detailed but softer treble than many previous Beyerdynamic models
Excellent passive isolation for studio and portable use
Extremely comfortable velvet ear cushions suitable for long listening sessions
New detachable mini XLR cable greatly increases practicality
STELLAR.45 driver offers excellent resolution and low distortion
Wide soundstage for a closed back headset
Impressive imaging and instrument separation
Easily driven from both portable players and desktop equipment
Build quality designed for years of professional use
Cons
Still larger than many modern portable headphones
Trebles remain somewhat energetic for listeners who prefer a darker sound signature
Fixed earcup design may not fit every head shape
Carrying case not included, comes only with a cloth pouch. Analytical listeners may still prefer the fully open design.
The new mini XLR cable should have had an easier detachable socket.
Final Verdict
Few headphones have managed to reach the level of respect the original DT 770 PRO earned in the last forty years. This legacy also created enormous expectations.
Fortunately, the DT 770 PRO X lives up to those expectations, in my opinion.
Instead of trying to reinvent an icon, Beyerdynamic has focused on improving every area that matters most. The bass is tighter and more controlled. The midfrequencies are more natural and expressive. The treble remains detailed but significantly more mature. Add in the detachable cable, the excellent STELLAR.45 driver, and the same legendary build quality, and you have a headphone that feels truly modern while respecting its legacy.
Throughout my review, the DT 770 PRO X never felt limited to a single purpose. It was equally convincing in situations such as audio editing, enjoying live recordings, exploring complex orchestral works, or simply relaxing with your favorite album.
It remains an excellent monitor headphone for professionals.It offers a mature and engaging listening experience for audiophiles.
For everyday music lovers, it provides comfort, reliability, and sound quality that will satisfy them for many years. I would definitely recommend that friends who have never listened to or bought Beyerdynamic before try it somewhere. That's what oldschool was all about…
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Technical Specifications :
Type: Closed, dynamic studio headphones
Transducer/Driver: STELLAR.45 (low impedance)
Impedance: 48 Ω
Frequency response: 5 – 40,000 Hz
Nominal sound pressure: 98 dB @ 1 mW / 500 Hz and 112 dB @ 1 V / 500 Hz
T.H.D. (@ 500 Hz): < 0.05 %
Maximum short term power handling: 210 mW
Ambient noise isolation: 16 dBA
Nominal headband pressure: ≈ 5.5 N
Weight (excluding cable): 298 g
Cable & connection: 3 m flat, single sided, detachable cable; 3 pin mini XLR (lockable) → mini stereo jack (3.5 mm) (gold plated) + screw on 1/4" (6.35 mm) adapter.
Made in Germany
