Review: Beyerdynamic DT1770PRO – The Upgrade

Disclaimer: The Beyerdynamic DT1770PRO was sent to us directly from Beyerdynamic in Germany. Beyerdynamic is not a site advertiser and the pictures in this review are from Beyerdynamic, except those with the HFN watermark.

Beyerdynamic

The German Beyerdynamic recently has been renewing their existing line-up with a rev 2 of their existing best-sellers like the T1.2. Most of these “new” headphones feature a removable cable and that makes me and a whole lot of other “audiophiles” very happy.

A couple of months ago the PRO branch of Beyerdynamic released a new PRO headphone with the DT1770PRO, a closed reference studio monitoring headphones for mixing, mastering, monitoring and recording. Everyone of course knows the classic DT770PRO which has been around like forever and so Beyerdynamic decided it was time to let the DT770PRO evolve. The DT1770PRO is the first PROfessional closed headphone using the Beyerdynamic Tesla 2.0 technology. A few weeks later at IFA 2016, Beyerdynamic launched the open version of this headphone, called the DT1990PRO which we reviewed a few weeks ago already. I have spent several weeks listening to both of these headphones at the office for over 7 hours a day. I like both but they both have their own characteristics.

dt1990pro_dt1770pro

DT1770PRO

For decades now, users all around the world have been putting their trust in the DT770PRO studio headphones. They are the number one choice for music producers, sound technicians, broadcast users and even us audio fans. The DT770PRO simply is an established piece of equipment in studios, offices and living rooms worldwide. Beyerdynamic felt it was time to update their masterpiece using the latest technologies and so they created the DT1770PRO, the first professional headphone with their already famous Tesla 2.0 technology.  Beyerdynamic describes the circumaural (over ear) DT1770PRO as a closed studio reference headphones for mixing, mastering, monitoring and recording and it is the evolution of a studio legend. The DT1770PRO is rated at 250 Ohms and uses the 45 mm dynamic Tesla neodymium driver.

Like the DT1990PRO the DT1770PRO features a new headband compared to the “old” DT770PRO. It feels better on your head, it’s softer and the used materials are a whole lot nicer. The cable entry is single-sided (left side) and as mentioned the cable now is detachable. Beyerdynamic uses a single mini XLR, just like Audeze and AKG do. The headband structure with the typical Beyerdynamic yokes of course still is the same but with the new headband and the new replaceable velour ear pads, the DT1770PRO has even become more comfortable. Weighing 388gr, the DT1770PRO’s weight is very normal even though the original DT770PRO only weighs 270gr. The headband spreads the weight evenly over the top of your head and the pads have just the right amount of pressure on the side of your head, it’s comfortable for longer periods of time. The cable at the source’s end is terminated in a gold-plated mini stereo jack plug (3.5 mm) & 1/4″ adapter (6.35 mm). Fans of “balanced” headphones/sound will have to do some extensive rewiring to get there.

The DT1770PRO comes delivered in a great new style portable semi hard protective case, which holds the extra pair of leatherette pads and both of the straight and coiled cables.  I myself prefer using the straight cable as it allows me to easier roll my chair in different directions without the DT1770PRO trying to fly from my head. Overall the DT1770PRO has great build quality – as usual – but the quality of the materials used in the new DT1770PRO just is level up, giving it a higher level finish. The unit simply oozes luxury and comfort where the DT770PRO looked more like a work horse. Don’t get me wrong as I really like the robust look of the DT770PRO but the DT1770PRO just has a better, higher-end finish. Beyerdynamic puts it this way: “Compared to the more basic DT770, the DT 1770 PRO features a more modern and classy design with discrete elegance. All components are replaceable and ensure a long lifetime of the headphone for which Beyerdynamic is known for.”

pic_dt1990pro_16-05_close-up-mini-xlr-connector_

The Classic DT770PRO is still available and the market price is somewhere around $139/€125 which is why we love it so much: the price/quality ratio simply is huge. Because of this low price a lot of audiophiles are saying the new DT1770PRO which is officially priced at €599/$599 is too expensive but they’re forgetting the new DT1770PRO is using the new Tesla technology together with better finished top quality components and a luxurious carrying case that wasn’t there before. And of course there’s the increase in sound quality. To me the €/$599 is fully justified, keep reading.

 

Technical Specs

Transducer type                                                             Dynamic

Operating principle                                                       Closed

Frequency response                                                    5 – 40,000 Hz

Nominal impedance                                                     250 Ω

Nominal SPL                                                                     102 dB SPL (1 mW / 500 Hz)

Max. SPL                                                                            125 dB SPL (200 mW / 500 Hz)

T.H.D.                                                                                  < 0.05% (1 mW / 500 Hz)

Nominal power handling capacity                           200 mW

Sound coupling to the ear                                          Circumaural

Ambient noise attenuation                                       Velours: approx. 18 dBA Leatherette: approx. 21 dBA

Nominal headband pressure                                    Approx. 7.2 N

Weight (without cable)                                                               388 g

Length and type of cable                                                            3 m / straight cable or 5 m / coiled cable (stretched), each detachable with 3-pin mini XLR cable connector, single-sided

Connection                                                                                      Gold-plated mini stereo jack (3.5 mm) & 1/4″ adapter (6.35 mm)

 

Sound

According to Beyer the DT1770PRO has brilliant highs and a warm bass that give you a perfect sound profile unmatched by any other headphones of their kind. They’re right about the bass and treble.

“Due to its closed design with a high ambient noise attenuation and an enormous maximum sound pressure level, the DT 1770 PRO is ideal for musicians, sound engineers and producers for professional studio or monitoring applications. The efficient Tesla 2.0 drivers ensure a perfect sound with an excellent resolution, spaciousness and high output level. Perfect for mixing and mastering in the studio. Their extremely high level of efficiency is useful for users in loud environments such as sound engineers when listening to PA systems or musicians.”

Beyerdynamic has a point. For a closed PRO/monitor headphone the DT1770PRO performs really well: excellent resolution (just like the DT1990), great precision, detail and dynamics. The DT1770PRO delivers a precise and rich sound with great layering. For a closed headphone the sound stage and separation is really good and it gives the impression of a spacious sound (yet not so much as in the open version of course). If you’re used to listening to open headphones like the HD800 in example, than this DT1770 will still sound more concentrated, but it actually sounds fairly spacious for a closed headphone.

Sound continues on Page TWO after the jump HERE or below

4/5 - (44 votes)
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Lieven is living in Europe and he's the leader of the gang. He's running Headfonia as a side project next to his full time day job in Digital Marketing & Consultancy. He's a big fan of tube amps and custom inear monitors and has published hundreds of product reviews over the years.

25 Comments

  • Reply October 11, 2016

    Barun C

    Great read. Long time coming, since the 1770 Pro was released quite a while back. One thing, Lieven, the 2nd last paragraph before the Specification table states, “1170 Pro”instead of 1770 Pro.

    • Reply October 11, 2016

      Lieven

      thanks and thanks for spotting that. I wanted to get the DT1990PRO out sooner as we were one of the few to have it 🙂

  • Reply October 11, 2016

    Beyerman

    The DT1350 was the first professional beyer with Tesla drivers

    • Reply October 11, 2016

      Lieven

      Tell Beyer that 😀

      “A legendary basis, pioneering technological work and nothing less than the determination to achieve the perfect sound have led to a new milestone being set: the DT 1770 PRO – the evolution of a studio legend.

      As the first professional headphones with Tesla 2.0 technology, it has already made its mark in the company’s history. The DT 1770 PRO has won over sound engineers and studio users with its impressive sound quality and workmanship. Brilliant highs and a warm bass give you a perfect sound profile unmatched by any other headphones of their kind.”

    • Reply October 12, 2016

      dale thorn

      Umm, no – the T1 and others came first, but the DT1350, like the T50p, were the first small portable Teslas I think.

      • Reply October 12, 2016

        Barun C

        Correct. T1 was the first headphone to come out with the Tesla driver technology in early 2010, followed by T50P in the 3rd quarter of 2010, which was not received positively due to issues related to ear pads the design mechanism and then DT1350 came out in 2011, which became probably the best portable on ears for at least a couple of years.

      • Reply October 12, 2016

        Lieven

        Do note we’re talking Tesla 2.0 here and PRO headphones, not consumer

        • Reply October 12, 2016

          Barun C

          If you are talking Pro only then DT 1350 was the first PRO Tesla headphone, yes.

          • Reply October 12, 2016

            Lieven

            Tesla 2.0?

          • Reply October 12, 2016

            dale thorn

            You’re saying the ‘DT’ series are pro, because most of those are ‘studio’ headphones, which kind-of makes sense. However, note that (for example) the DT770 Pro uses the ‘Pro’ and the DT1350 does not. I did get the idea that the 1350 was originally conceived to be used in certain limited studio applications, but that fizzled quickly because of the sound, and now it’s relegated to be an audiometric headphone, where the DT48 died a few years ago.

  • Reply October 12, 2016

    Barun C

    I think the 1770 PRO was the first product of Tesla 2.0

    • Reply October 12, 2016

      Lieven

      I (and Beyer) rest my case 😀

  • Reply October 14, 2016

    nishelo

    “The CypherLabs Picollo … (although I really like the CLD-2 on it)” I guess you mean LCD-2, right?

  • Reply October 21, 2016

    Powertrip

    Has anyone tried the Beyerdynamic Custom Studio?
    http://north-america.beyerdynamic.com/shop/custom-studio.html
    For whom we are not able to pay the DT1770 price, could be a good option? Worth the extra money (not too much) to the COP?

    • Reply October 21, 2016

      dale thorn

      Having owned several Custom One Pros, Custom Street, and most other Beyer headphones, the Custom Studio should be far below the quality of the 1770/1990 and other similar editions. The Custom One Pro and Custom Street are very uneven in response, and I expect the Custom Studio to be more of the same, at any of the 4 settings. The biggest advantage I see to the 1770 for example, is not the Tesla drivers or the heavy-duty build, it’s the much smoother response due to the better materials and acoustic tuning.

  • Reply November 8, 2016

    Steffen

    I bought the DT1770 Pro after reading your Article (Thank you for that) and i really like them, do you think they pair well with the JDS Labs Element ?

  • Reply November 8, 2016

    Lieven

    Thank you! I haven’t tried that combo yet but the Element is a really good amp 🙂

    • Reply November 8, 2016

      Steffen

      Ok, i´ll try it and get back to you with my totally unqualified meaning about it, Thank you.

  • Reply November 20, 2016

    Eric

    I would like to see these closer to the $349-399 mark the DT770’s, 880’s and 990’s started at back in the day. For this price I can see a lot of people still recommending the 770’s or M50’s.

    • Reply November 20, 2016

      dale thorn

      The 1770 pro (which I have) is very competitive at $600, when I compare every thing about it to the T90, T1, and the lower priced headphones. It’s also very competitive with many other $600 headphones, and then some. Tesla 2.0, very high quality build, etc. Beyer actually made a more expensive headphone with the 1770 pro, and priced it aggressively at $600. There may be a perception that it’s an incremental upgrade over the 770 pro, but it’s a huge difference.

  • Reply December 22, 2016

    Fredrik Parapat

    On 2013, i purchase DT770 AE. Honestly because it got good review from Headfonia. And i enjoy its sound very well. Good bass, clear treble, all rounder headphone for me, except for some rock music. Anyway, i want to upgrade my gadget, do you think DT1770 is good upgrade for DT770 AE ? I plan to combine it with Chord Mojo, cause i read your review for Mojo and says it will be great combo.

    • Reply December 22, 2016

      Lieven

      you absolutely want a closed headphone in that price range?

      • Reply December 22, 2016

        Fredrik Parapat

        absolutely no, actually i want to try open headphone also. but i am afraid don’t have ideal room for open headphone either in work or home. but i will listening if there is any better idea on that price range.

  • Reply August 27, 2018

    Dimitris Kantsioulis

    What’s your recommendation for a portable 32bit/384khz dac/amp for dt 1770’s?

  • Reply March 5, 2024

    PAwel

    Outstanding headphones. I have no need to look for something else. The sound is very fast and resolving, natural. I have many problems with choosing a stereo system with loudspeakers, but when it comes to headphones, I am completely satisfied with them – the 1770 are my reference when looking for sound for a home stereo system. If anyone can recommend loudspeakers that sound in this style, I will be grateful.

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