If you are an audiophile looking for a decent set of headphones with superior sound delivery, perhaps you should try Beyerdynamic headphones. Not only do they come in a wide variety of options, but they are also quite durable and definitely deliver value for your money. In this comparison review, we shall look at the DT 880 and DT 990 and determine which is the better headset for gaming.
When buying headphones, many people rely on older companies to provide them with the quality they want. Beyerdynamic is one of those old companies with years of experience in manufacturing a wide variety of high-quality and affordable headphones. Among their impressive products, the DT 880 and DT 990 are two popular and high-quality cans that will give you a run for your money. Without further ado, let us delve into this comparison review and determine the differences and similarities between DT 880 and DT 990.
What are the differences between DT 880 and DT 990?
[wpdatatable id=15]DT 880 vs. DT 990 – How do they compare?
Design/look:
The DT 880 comes with a sleek semi-open back design with large ear cups, a matte chrome finish on the back, and a matte black finish on the metal band and forks. Available in black and silver, these headphones have a traditional design and come with no microphone.
On the other hand, the DT 990 features an open-back and over-ear design, which is very comfortable as it prevents heat buildup when playing for extended periods. It is available in black and gray and also does not come with a microphone.
The DT 880 has a better look than the DT 990.
Build quality:
Given that these headsets are from the same parent company, the DT 880 and DT 990 have the same build quality with the same amount of plastic and aluminum metal parts. As a result, they are compact and lightweight with a similar mass weight of 0.64 pounds.
These headphones come with a thick and plush pleather padding covering the headband and large ear cups with ear cushions with velour padding. Additionally, each of these headsets come with a heavily padded zip-up carrying pouch in its packaging.
Both the DT 880 and DT 990 have the same build quality.
Performance/sound quality:
The Beyerdynamic DT 880 has a varied impedance of 32, 250, and 600 ohms, implying it has fantastic bass performance as well as relatively transparent and clear mids and highs. With its semi-open back design, this headset features low attenuance on ambient noise, meaning it has better noise-canceling capabilities than a headset with an open-back design. It also has a frequency response range of 5Hz-24 kHz, which offers enough detail for a fantastic listening experience.
Thanks to its open-back design, the DT 990 delivers a present and detailed soundstage. It reproduces crisp and clear mids and highs, ideal for listening to acoustic music. When playing Warframe, it provided a more powerful and intense audio quality than the DT 880, ensuring a fully immersive gaming experience. Its sound was well-balanced, and I could hear everything clearly, including when the enemy was approaching. Furthermore, this headphone has a frequency response range of 5Hz-35 kHz and a varied impedance of 32, 80, 250, and 600 Ohms.
The DT 990 performs better than the DT 880 when playing online games.
Microphone sound quality:
Both the DT 880 and DT 990 gaming headsets do not come with a microphone. However, you can attach a noise-canceling Modmic Uni, which is available at an extra cost. As a result, users can turn these headphones into the ultimate headset as the ModMic Uni delivers the clearest analog sound and has noise-canceling and uni-directional functionality.
Comfort:
Generally, Beyerdynamic headphones are very comfortable as they are lightweight, and their ear pads consist of very soft material and skin-friendly velour, which is exceptionally breathable to accommodate extended use.
However, there is a slight difference in the design of the ear cups, resulting in different comfort levels when wearing these headsets. The DT880 comes with curved foam inside its ear cups, while the DT 990 has flat foam in its earphones. As a result, users with medium to large ears will experience a slight irritation when wearing the DT 880 compared to those wearing the DT990.
The DT990 is more comfortable than theDT880.
DT880 vs. DT990 – A comparison review
DT880 review:
Due to its affordability, impeccable comfort, and solid construction, the Beyerdynamic DT880 is one of the most popular semi-open back and over-ear headphones. Available in black, gray, and silver, these headphones have a metal headband wrapped in leather padding, an attached 3m coiled cable on its left ear cup, and large and soft ear cup with ample cushioning.
With a frequency response range of 5Hz-35 kHz, the DT880 is available in different versions with a varying impedance of 32, 250, 600 Ohms. Regardless, its sound quality is crisp, clear, and well-balanced with full-sounding and accurate low-frequency depth. However, its semi-open design allows sound leakage through the ear cups’ outer panel when listening at moderate to high volume levels.
In conclusion, these headphones are perfect for musicians and sound engineers looking to get the most out of their stereo systems or mixes.
- Comfortable fit
- Astounding sound accuracy and plenty of bass response
- A semi-open back design offers ample space
- Attractive design
- Sound leakage at moderate to high volume levels
- It comes with a hardwired cable
DT 990 Review:
Audio producers and music lovers consider the Beyerdynamic DT990 as classic cans, and it is not hard to see why. These comfortable headsets consist of almost entirely high-quality plastic except for the metal headband that suspends the ear cups. The ear cups are fluffy and plush, thanks to their memory foam padding covered with velour. It also comes with a 1m coiled cable attached to its left ear cups, which may prove cumbersome if you intend to use them with a portable music player or your mobile phone.
Available in 32, 80, 250, and 600ohms versions, it offers versatile performance as its 32ohms version is ideal for use on mobile devices. Its 250 sibling requires an amp to function with mobile devices to deliver loud audio.
The Beyerdynamic DT 990 features impeccable audio quality with a precise balance of mids, highs, treble, and bass. When playing Fortnite, it delivered a natural and rich sound presence that felt like I was right in the actual game. Thanks to its driver’s range and open design, it reproduced a sharp and tight low-frequency response when listening to bass tracks, like The Knife’s ‘Silent Shout.’
- Superb audio performance with detailed mids and highs and plenty of basses.
- Compact and lightweight
- Affordable
- Comfortable
- Sleek design
- It comes with a hardwired coiled cable
- Primarily consists of plastic.
Final verdict: So, which is better, DT880 or DT990?
After careful consideration and testing, the Beyerdynamic DT990 is a better gaming headset than the Beyerdynamic DT880 as it is very comfortable, relatively durable, and delivers better sound quality with an impactful bass. The DT880 is an ideal option for those looking for headphones to mix, master, and monitor audio tracks.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Are the DT880 ideal for use when video editing or gaming?
No. They are semi-open and high resistance headphones that require a strong amplifier to deliver their crisp, clear, and powerful signature sound.
Does the DT990 come with a removable cable?
No. the cable is hardwired to this unit.