beyerdynamic DT-770 M

Looking for affordable monitoring headphones ("cans") for studio tracking, I compared Superlux HD660, Superlux HD665, t.bone HD 990D, Vic Firth SiH2 and Beyerdynamic DT-770M to each other and to my DT-770 pro 80. I know, not a really fair reference, but my idea was to seek for a series of cans that would not cost more, indeed preferably less than my DT-770 and still would have proper, useful sound quality. From the models selected, you can guess that acoustic isolation was also a desirable feature, to prevent the sound from the cans bleeding into e.g. a singer's mic and thus saving me time cleaning up tracks from this bleed. That is why I also searched among headphones dedicated to drummers. I will review all of the models mentioned, each in their own product page. Here we go for the DT-770M

Although a little more expensive than the DT-770 pro, I felt I had to incorporate the "M" into my comparison, as it is recommended as headphones for drummers with high acoustic isolation - remember my desire for bleeding prevention. From Beyerdynamic I expect quality construction and high comfort of wearing - and that is both what you get from the "M", too. From an earlier comparison I did a few years ago in store at Thomann's in Treppendorf (great experience by the way!), I already knew that the "M" sounds dull compared to its "pro" counterpart (see their specs also), so that was no surprise for me, but also compared to the HD665 that I tested this time together with the "M" and other models mentioned. Although its claimed isolation of 35dBA was the highest I could find in the specs of the models tested (or actually any model), in real life I found the "M" to be it just a little bit quieter than the DT-770 and other models tested, and by far not as quiet as the HD665. Add to that its higher price and you can guess that I consider the "M" not suitable for my purpose.

The only pair of headphones you’ll ever need!
So comfortable! - Even comfortable for long periods of time, I don’t noice I’m wearing them. I am a glasses wearer so having headphones that are comfortable to wear with my glasses on is an necessity, and these headphones are so comfortable for wearing with glasses!
So clear and crisp audio - with no fake base like you get with lower end products!
The noise cancelling is amazing - even one there no plugged into my headphone, The are like ear defenders, I can’t hear a thing which is brilliant!
The in line volume control is a great feature which work exceptionally!
Would recommend them to anyone as the only headphones you should get!

Love these headphones so much!

Ich habe neue Kopfhörer für Live/FOH gesucht. Idealerweise sollte das neue Paar auch zum Abhören bei Aufnahmen verwendet werden, insbesondere bei relativ feinen Signalen bei lautem Abhören (z. B. Stimmen auf Musik).

Meine klangliche Referenz waren HD 650. Der Vergleich ist etwas Äpfel zu Birnen, da HD 650 von offener Bauart sind, aber zu irgendwas muss sich ja relativ eingeordnet werden.

Hier ein paar schnelle Eindrücke zum DT-770 M 80 Ω: Mittenlastig, sehr pappig, klingen fast phasig. Klanglich für mich nicht hinnehmbar. Sehr gute Isolation in Höhen. Ohrkissen hart, dadurch sehr schnell durchlässig mit Brille. Isolation links gefühlt weniger als rechts (vielleicht wegen des Kabeldurchlasses?).

I used to play the acoustic drums so I know the value of a great isolating pair of headphones. These certainly do isolate very well for the most part, but sadly they're lacking in low end isolation, which is a real disappointment. I think if I was using these in a practice or live scenario with a loud bass amp I would have to use earplugs as well to dampen down those lower frequencies. As far as taking these out day to day to listen to music, they certainly do a good job on that front. Being 80 ohms, they're just about loud enough to listen to music on my phone at full volume and block out all the sounds, except again the bass frequencies. I was on a turboprop flight behind a 2-year-old and while it mercifully blocked out any trace of toddler sound, there was no protection against the drone of the propellers, and no option to add earplugs because of the lack of volume. As far as the sound goes, these have a nice balance. Being closed back, they're always going to put pressure on your eardrums, but that's the price you have to pay for the isolation. But again there is a lack of the low end frequencies, which does exacerbate that lack of bass isolation. These are great quality headphones that feel really well put together, and they're very comfortable to wear for hours at a time. It's just a shame that they don't give that full-spectrum isolation I was looking for.