Beyerdynamic

P
lenty of brands –
Shure, Røde, Roland
to name just a few
– have been quick to
create product lines
that feature less
expensive, more
user–friendly versions of their pro gear
for use by pros and newbies alike in
the new “content creator“ age.
Now, it’s Beyerdynamic’s turn to
buck the trend with its brand new Pro
X range. Currently, it comprises two
mics and a couple of headphones,
the open-back DT Pro 900 X and the
ones we’re looking at here, the
closed-back DT Pro 700 X.
I’ll be honest, this set of cans has
made me re-evaluate my prejudices
against this area of the market. Darn,
these things are good.
Beyerdynamic already has a Pro
range that includes products like the
iconic DT 1770 Pro, which is about
twice as expensive as the DT Pro 700
X, and the very popular DT 770 Pro,
which is about half as cheap.
In the hand, these headphones
look and feel superb. From the top,
inside the softly cushioned headband
is a steel-sprung core that
Beyerdynamic says is tuned to give
exactly the right amount of clamping
force, regardless of your headsize.
Moving down, the metal yokes
feature a series of tiny indents that
locate securely as you adjust them for
reach, making it easy to keep the
perfect fi t.
The earcup casings are generous
in size, easily large enough to swallow
the grandest wing nuts, and the pads
are gorgeous – thick squidgy memory
foam enveloped in the softest grey
velour. Both pads and headband are
removeable for cleaning or replacing.
At the heart of the DT Pro 700 X
is Beyerdynamic’s brand new
STELLAR.45 sound transducer, and
it’s this that enables these cans to
sound pro, while retaining their
mid-market pricing. It features a high
grade neodymian magnet and a
three-layer diaphragm with a coil
wound from extremely lightweight,
copper-clad wire. A wide frequency
response of 5 to 40,000 Hz provides
signifi cant headroom.
Beyerdynamic’s claims that there
is an excellent trade-off between the
electrical conductivity and the density
of the wire used, which enables the
coil to be extremely responsive whilst
boasting a relatively low impedance
fi gure of 48 ohms.
unnaturally so. As closed-back cans,
they’re designed for recording,
tracking and so on, but if you need
something more airy for mastering
and mixing, the similar open-back DT
900 Pro Xs are an option.
Listening to our reference tracks,
I’m struck by the accuracy of the DT
700 Pro X. They’re not forthright in
any particular area (bass can be a
problem in a closed-back design)
instead dishing up a nice balance.
If that sounds dull, it’s not. The
resulting sound is highly detailed,
every element rendered distinctly.
Whether you’re at home, or in a
high-end studio, the DT 700 Pro X
will give you all the precision you’ll
need. A joy to use.
As the wire is fi ner, a longer
length can be wound, allowing for an
overhang coil design that’s sensitive
to the full range of magnetic fl ux.
This gives the coil the oomph to push
the diaphragm further, which results
in a higher maximum SPL level
before distortion is noticeable.
In a nutshell, all this clever techy
stuff gives the DT Pro 700 X plenty of
headroom, together with an accurate,
detailed response and very high SPL
levels with low harmonic distortion.
That impedance fi gure is
important and, when you consider
who these headphones are aimed at,
it’s clearly not been arrived at by
chance. Pro headphones usually have
high impedance ratings, perhaps 200
Ohms, to make them compatible with
powerful headphone amps and
high-end studio gear. The problem is,
when you plug your expensive pro
headphones into a phone or any other
lowly piece of consumer electronics,
the impedance mismatch will be so
great that they will sound feeble.
However, a rating of 48 ohms will
work well across the board.
Putting them on feels great, if a
bit weighty at 350g. Fit is excellent,
with the pads sealing securely around
the ears, blocking all but the loudest
external sounds and preventing leaks.
The soundstage is focussed, but not
THE PROS & CONS
+
Accurate, detailed
listening experience
with low distortion
Very comfy design
with great isolation
Extremely versatile.
The moderate 48
ohms impedance
rating means they
won’t require a
headphone amp
-
Weighty
FM VERDICT
8.9
S uperb for studio duties
where isolation is required.
They’re also versatile enough
for location sound or even
just listening to music
Shure, Røde, Roland
– have been quick to
user–friendly versions of their pro gear
buck the trend with its brand new Pro
the open-back DT Pro 900 X and the
I’ll be honest, this set of cans has
I’ll be honest, this set of cans has
against this area of the market. Darn,
range that includes products like the
twice as expensive as the DT Pro 700
Shure, Røde, Roland
– have been quick to
user–friendly versions of their pro gear
buck the trend with its brand new Pro
twice as expensive as the DT Pro 700
Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X | Reviews
77
FMU380.rev_beyerdynamic.indd 77FMU380.rev_beyerdynamic.indd 77 24/01/2022 17:1024/01/2022 17:10