just joined the Beyer club...

[elysion]

The 600 Ohms would be also my next step in case I'd wish to explore the whole DT 990 series. You can't order the Pro's with 600 Ohm capsules, but you can buy 600 Ohm capsules as replacement parts. The "Editions" are officially available with 32, 250 and 600 Ohm.

Before we spend more money, read on...

I've read a few interesting things in the last 24 hours. You've mentioned that you think the 990's are sounding like speakers (as do the HD650's).

Now, I know why they sound like speakers:

Both the DT 770 Pro's and DT 990 Pro's (and probably most other high-end Beyer's) have diffuse field (loudness) equalisation. The HD650's have also diffuse field (loudness) equalisation.

A few links with detailed information and explanation:

www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/19259/what-is-diffuse-field-equalization

An interesting (German) wikipedia entry:
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diffusfeldentzerrung

What Beyer says about it (you have to click on the "What is diffuse-field equalisation?" gestion):
north-america.beyerdynamic.com/headphones-headsets/faqs.html

A quote from the link above:

What is diffuse-field equalisation?

Have you ever wondered why a frequency response curve is almost never included with headphones? I can let you in on the secret: they look terrible! Such an erratic frequency response graph would hardly encourage customers to make a purchase. What the customer wants in the end is something that is linear. Uncoloured. Solid.

But why do these frequency response curves look so horrible? And why do you not clearly hear these glaring leaps and drop-offs?



How we hear

From childhood on, humans are accustomed to perceiving acoustic events. We grow up with a variety of sound sources and get used to them. The baby rattle, the clatter of dishes from the kitchen, pedestrians on the street, music from loudspeakers, etc. – all of these sound sources have something in common: they are located relatively far from the ear.

Before the sound from these sources reaches our eardrum, it is coloured by the shape of our head and our ear. Depending on the angle, many frequencies are accentuated and others are attenuated. With time, we learn these frequency patterns and are able to do things such as recognise the direction in which the sound source is located. Therefore, we do not hear sound as it was produced at the source, but instead in coloured form.



Loudspeakers and headphones

When we listen to music over loudspeakers with a linear frequency response curve, we are actually hearing a spectrum that is influenced by the distinctive shape of our head. We perceive this as linear.

When listening with headphones, the headphones do not even try to generate any effects on the outer ear, since the sound source is so close to the ear. What comes out of the headphones arrives at the eardrum in relatively uncoloured form. In order for the headphones to still sound natural, the sound must be coloured so that it is as similar as possible to the colourations caused by the shape of the head and ear. In other words, the headphones must have the frequency response set so that it sounds like the sound is coming from a distant source.



Diffuse-field equalisation

In order to adjust headphones to our listening habits, we must first use technical means to measure the colourations caused by our head. For example, an artificial head with microphones in the ears is used. When this artificial head is exposed to sound, you can use the microphones to measure how the sound would be perceived by us instead of the artificial head.

So that the headphones do not have a sound that always seems to come from one direction, but instead can reproduce all sound directions equally, the artificial head must be exposed to sound from many directions and the result averaged. This does not perfectly reproduce any direction perfectly, but no direction is completely suppressed.

At beyerdynamic, there is an echo chamber for this purpose. It is a small, five-sided room with acoustic sails on the ceiling that looks quite bare and empty. The fascinating thing about it is that, although it is the size of child’s room, it sounds like a cathedral! An octahedron loudspeaker that radiates sound in eight directions is in one corner. If you are far enough away from the loudspeaker, the strong echo causes you to no longer be in the direct field, but instead in the diffuse field of the loudspeaker, i.e. the area in which the sound reflected off the walls is louder than the sound that is coming directly from the loudspeaker.

If artificial head measurements are carried out in this chamber, many sound directions overlap due to the echo, allowing us to obtain the required averaging. This averaging (the measurement in the diffuse field) gives diffuse field equalisation its name.

In order to equalise the headphones, they are placed on the artificial head and the frequency response is adjusted so that the measured frequency behaviour corresponds to that of the diffuse field.



Discussion

Since the mechanical and electronic options for changing the frequency response of headphones are limited, the equalisation cannot be carried out perfectly. Different headphones are also adjusted to various tastes. It is by no means the case that all diffuse-field equalised headphones sound the same. In addition, the frequency patterns for directional hearing depend on the shape of the head and ears. For this reason, they are a little different for everyone. Hence, measuring with an artificial head is a pretty arbitrary choice.

Diffuse-field equalisation is therefore an important part of improving localisation with headphones and avoiding “in-head localisation”, but it is not guaranteed to work and is no replacement for extensive test listening.

[Deleted]

That's interesting Christian. So there is a kind of similarity with the HD650 in the way that they work!

They are more 'focused' sounding than the Senns imo. Out of head stuff happens with them as well. If I get the volume right, I sometimes feel as though I can hear sounds in the room or upstairs, when it's actually coming from the headphones.

I also noticed while watching a film how well they give a front to back sound. With this 'depth' and the sound seeming to come from the room, horror films are quite nasty; especially with that healthy bass that they have.

I went back to an AT m50 to compare the bass and the m50 is heavier and more shut in than the DT990. (Being a closed headphone)

The DT990 does a lot of things well and at first it's not obvious. I felt that they were good right away but with time, they've kind of started to show real subtleties in presentation that really help the enjoyment of music.

That really deep bass isn't always there for instance so when listening to orchestral stuff, you could easily be led into thinking that the treble is strong until something thuds down low. Almost like a sub-woofer has started up and then it disappears very quickly.

I was listening to the Rite of Spring which is a difficult listen for many. In the second half, it starts really small and with mostly treble sounds. The DT990 delivers a nice clean treble with no hint of bass. Later, the bass drum and timps go and the orchestra suddenly has a huge weight that you have no inkling of in quiet passages.

I must admit that the DT990 has got me re-listening to stuff basically due to the incredibly nice bass which doesn't push everything else out of the way.

What also surprised me is a British Hi Fi (Not very good) magazine described the DT990 edition as 'there is better for the price'. They seemed really underwhelmed by it.

What is surprising is that they didn't reference it to the pro version which is amazingly good value for money imo.

Mine's done about 100 hours now. (Pink noise and music) My feeling is that they have changed slightly with the mids appearing slightly better and the bass seems to have become cleaner sounding. However, for those who don't believe that headphones change - they were good at the start and have remained so.

I am getting to the point of perhaps preferring the 990 to the K601. Mainly because of the gorgeous bass response.

For me, they are more useful than the HD650 with the clearer treble - that has really surprised me.

There's a kind of 'honesty' in its sound that's really appealing.

Ian

[PinkFloyd]

I must get a pair of these animals (need another pair of 'phones like a hole in the head) as your description intrigues me Ian.... you know I LOVE "realistic" bass (not that airy fairy stuff) but I also like detailed mids and treble so these sound just the ticket without being a "closed" headphone.

Time to go shopping

[Deleted]

They're an interesting headphone, Mike. On first listen, I felt that they were ok with nothing massively standing out except the bass.

I'd suggest listening to the DT770 before you put them on your head and the bass seems more in control.

However, with time, the fact that nothing seems massively bad becomes its strong point. Then you start noticing the good points. It kind of grew on me more and more.

It's like a cross between the DT770 and Senn 600.

It doesn't seem to have a 'focus' volume. Good low down and equally good loud. It just plays honest music and that's probably how I feel about them - they're a good, honest headphone with a healthy bass and treble response with nothing massively emphasised.

The sucked out mids that are mentioned with them is exaggerated imo. It's not as sucked out as people say and I al;so found that the Fiio E11 put more mids back, so this is easily changed with an amp. Gorgeous on the V8. (The bass is great)

Drum sounds are impactful to say the least and good old fashioned prog has true depth that a lot of headphones just don't produce.

£130 is a bargain for them imo. I've gone back to the Bassy side!!!! That's what I missed with the K701. Not enough impact for my tastes.

In fact, the DT990 and the DT770 make a good combo for an open/closed set that kind of relate to each other in terms of sound although the 990 is more open sounding so I prefer it when there's no noise around in the house. (Like the tv)
- all kinds of stuff. Pretty good.

The 990 is a good all rounder. I've tried it with Rock/electronic/orchestral/chamber/speech - anything.

Weakest part - men's speech on the radio. That could be the source at the BBC. Speech just never seems good from the BBC (or any DAB radio) It's shite on the K701 as well so it's not just the headphone.

In studio, they are beautiful so they do a good job imo. They can be easily driven but put them on a strong amp (Panda or in studio) and they lift into something else. (They get cleaner sounding) So they can go loud on a relatively small signal but proper driving needs kick butt power up them!!

Ian

[Deleted]

Listening to PInk Floyd on these and following about 120 hours of pink noise, the bass (I feel) is more controlled.

However, boy, do they go low!! The bass drum on Floyd's albums kicks through but clears very quickly to let other stuff through.

The 990 has three distinct areas that are easy to pull out. Bass, Mid High. I can literally focus on each area and feel that there is plenty going on in each part. Perhaps slightly weaker mids, but it really isn't a lot.

These headphones really focus and so you are able to concentrate on different parts with ease.

Speaker like is an understatement. Also very 'natural' sounding to my ears. Nothing hi fi about them - good, honest music.

It's quite funny that we very often mention the so called strengths of headphones when in fact, we may be pointing out their deficiencies. ie; something that is over-emphasised.

For example the K701 treble....... over-emphasised?
DT770 bass ....... too much?
Sennheiser mids/bass ........ lacking top?

In other words, we're picking out the features that are most forward in the headphone and forget about the rest (for a while) before we move on to another headphone to compensate for what was missing all of the time.

These headphones don't scream at you. There's a slight bass/treble emphasis since the mids are perhaps slightly down, but it's tiny. The result is a really well balanced sound but somehow it sounds so feckin' musical.

Whatever I play on it, it seems to make the most of what's there - even poxy podcasts. 'What Hi Fi' were off their heads. These are good headphones. Their description just isn't correct. I hope it's the edition they were talking about when I read it.

For £130 these are one of the best. I prefer these to the K601. They communicate real music where the K601 is analytical and perhaps flatter. However once you hear the 990, you feel that the k601 is playing the notes and not the music as well as the 990. The Beyer has the edge imo.

I am also convinced that they have altered slightly but in case you want to tell me it's a myth, I'll say OK. They're good from the beginning and I just didn't notice HOW good.

One of the best!!

Ian

[PinkFloyd]

Well well...... guess what?


Yes, I have bought ANOTHER pair of headphones and, yes, a pair of DT-990 Pro.... they are travelling up North on a van and I'm looking forward to listening to them

[Deleted]

The DT990 (the old one with cloth headband) was the first 'serious' headphone I bought, many, many years ago.
It was the only one I could find that sounded 'right' to me at that time and within a certain budget.
After it broke on one channel (fixed it later) I bought HD250-II and later replaced that with HD650.
Still own HD650 and DT990 they are very different sounding to me and are used in different circumstances.
The newer ones sound 'better' than the old version I have b.t.w.
I like them both for what they do and thus keep them.

All 'better' headphones start of as eyeopeners and I like those the most for some time, as one listens and tunes-in / gets used to it's signature.
Only after a prolonged period the (nasty ?) annoyances, however small they may be, become obvious.
Certainly after comparing directly to other 'good' phones.

The DT990 and HD650 both are still used in stock form.
Pads have been replaced on the DT990 but I liked the older (more compressed/softer) pads better t.b.h.

The beyers are very sensitive to output impedance.
Personally I find the DT880 likes high outputresistance (lifts the bass)
DT990 likes low output resistances (Neco) as it 'unsucks' the mids and sounds more forward.
With higher output resistances it becomes more laid back and the bass get's less controled (with my old version at least)

DT990 is quite similar in graphs to the PS1000 (both have lifted lows and highs) which sound really good especially at lower listening levels.
lifted highs and lows = sucked out mids, depending how you look at it.

The fun part for me in the DT990 is everything (even crappier recordings that sound terrible on AKG) sound good/acceptable on DT990

Sold the DT880 (sounded too much like K701, analytic but boring) and DT770 as the resonance in it (lows) killed it for me after some months couldn't live with it anymore, regardless of the damping experiments I did, as did the over-enthusiastic highs b.t.w.
DT990 sounded best to me.
Others may feel the DT880 is the better one (the same HD650 vs K701 discussion, matter of taste and preference).
The DT990 is more 'fun', just like the (modded) HD681 is more 'fun' than HD668B eventhough the HD668B, K701 and DT880 might be the more 'realistic' sounding pair.

It is all about enjoyment of music when listening to it and more analytical is needed in case of producing.

Couldn't detect major audioble differences between the 'pro' and 'edition' HP's except perhaps clamping force a bit ?

[PinkFloyd]

My pair of DT-990 arrived today. The first thing that struck me was the lack of crap in the packaging.... quite simply the headphones in a cardboard box.... I really like this as all the money has been spent on the headphones and not the packaging.... K-701 / HD-600 packaging is an unnecessary wankfest of assorted materials.

The DT-990 are built to Beyer's usual "brick shithouse" standards.... good solid German engineering, built to last and designed to be able to withstand a good few knocks and scrapes.... My DT-770's are ex "studio" and were knocked about a bit but they are still performing admiradbly after MANY years so I expect the DT-990 are in the same league.

I plugged them into a MF V3 in the workshop when they arrived and let them play away on loop for the afternoon.... they sounded pretty tight on the V2 and SUPERB bass delivery, especially for an open headphone.... the bass on these makes the HD-600's bass sound weedy in comparison.

I am now listening to them at the computer (as I type this) and have plugged them into a Panda amp:





Not too sure what has gone down between the workshop and computer but they deffo sounded better via the MF V3..... via the Panda they are a bit thick and muddy, I'll swap the output resitor in the Panda tomorrow to 120 ohm, the 9 ohm O/R resistance is obviously not ideal for the DT-990.

Also, and a very BIG also...... the 'phones are brand new and only have a few hours on them so I won't make any "statements" until they have had a GOOD 500 hours on them..... I will "relax" the drivers on any amp I happen to have plugged in and will plug them into the amp in the workshop when I'm out there.... I'll soon get 500 hours on them!!

I do like the coiled cord for "sitting at the computer" duty.... it's just a perfect length between me and the amp and there is no danger of standing up, going to the toilet, and tripping over a f@ck'n headphone cable..... I didn't think I would like the coiled cord but I MUCH prefer it for "close to amp" duty than 3 metres of wire dangling about my feet!

Ian, I have just switched over from Yello "The Eye" to your Penthouse and Pavement album and things seem to have tightened up again.... maybe the Panda just needed to warm up..... Listening to "let's all make a bomb" right now and there is a lot going on in there.... people blowing whistles, you playing the synths..... lots of echoes, some kind of weird kazoo type sound..... a cornucopia of retro devices all working away in the background with some geezer singing "let's all make a bomb"..... yeh, I like this

Onto the next track now and is that guy singing "hey la who?" in between the other guy singing heat, war, sweat etc? Sounds like "hey la whooyooo" to me? At the height of the fighting "hey la who"..... Indeed. I always let out a loud "hey la who" when I am fighting

I am totally listening to your work Ian.... it passed me by in the 80's but I can HONESTLY say I am starting to enjoy it...... Hell, "Night people" is my reference "pump it up loud" hoovering track at the moment......

BTW who sings the backing on the H17 tracks? Is that you? Nice vocals man Probably the only thing that "dates" the piece is that "80's" clacking drum beat "tsh tsh tsh".....

I can always "date" Anita Ward's "you can ring my bell" just from that "poom poom poom" gadget they used on it..... quite funny really as REAL drums are pretty much timeless All these electronic "beats" and patterns can be pidgeon holed into a "certain place in time" category but a LIVE drummer is pretty much timeless.....

Here's another track playing (P&P) and the beat is like some artificial person clapping all the way through it "clap clap clap clap clap".... it is a very repetitive beat, monotonous, predictable..... there is no progression, it just repeats until it fades out...

Nothing wrong with that BUT you can date the track to the "technology" available at the time....... funny think is, early Pink Floyd STILL sound ahead of their time and they only had their imaginations when they produced those albums

Hell, these DT-990 are Goooood..... I am actually "listening" and "enjoying" the music though them..... very comfortable too, it's a scorching 60F up here tonight and no complaints of a hot head..... no clamping force to speak of and the pads are very nice on the ears.

Ian.... is there no way you remaster P&P WITHOUT that clacking "beat"...... it could be quite far out without that disco clack running through the entire album...... the music and the lyrics are superb but that bloody 80's electro "beat" really pisses me off

Mike.

[Deleted]

BTW who sings the backing on the H17 tracks? Is that you? Nice vocals man

Yes .... anything for money!!

Have you noticed the space in it Mike? The DT990 seems to add more 'space' to the various sounds that are going on and they have more 'air' to breathe.

The Height of the Fighting has detuned synths and they really come across on the Beyers. The high 'twittery' sounds are really focussed on mine. (Mine may be bedded in now though)

The drum sounds are dated. But then so is the recording I suppose. Phil Collins stuff is so defined by the sound of the Roland TR series electric drum as well. It's one of those 'time' things. Same as the Yamaha DX7 period. Everyone went mad for the digital 'clang' of the DX7 additive synthesis. (One wave superimposed on another to create a new sound) All groups had one DX7 at the time - Then all swap over to Korgs. Not to mention those guitar synths!! They all fit into a time and those electric drums are kind of part of that period.

For me, the Beyers brings back the depth and weight that I often feel is missing with headphones, without swamping the rest. With P & P you start to hear the bass line rhythms more.

Listen to the opening mad minute I had on Geisha Boys and you will probably pick up the studio noise quite badly. Hiss and hum. That sound isn't one of yer presets but the hum ....

Try tapping your hands down where you think those chords are when you hear the first verse!! No bass line. An arpeggiator on the synth with double tracked voice and drums.

The missing parts are probably what you may find strange in the sound. Geisha has no bass line.

Let's All Make a Bomb starts with that buzzing synth in the middle, but the synth on the left has a space of its own. (The high sounds)

The Beyers seem to allow the music to breathe, Mike. That's what I find attractive about them. (plus that bass) I think the bass is a little more attractive than the DT770 in that it's more defined and not just sheer weight.

You'll probably find them relaxing with time and it all seems to come right into focus tonally.

My favourites at the moment.

Listen to Ian Dury - Jack S**t. That juicy bass and the fantastic sound of the 'tuned' snare. (The off beat) The bass drum really kicks and when he's singing, the repeated patterns on the guitars are so clear it's unbelieveable. You really feel the rhythms through the clean bass of the DT990.

Glad you like them Mike. They'll improve!!

Ian

[PinkFloyd]

There is a distinct hiss all the way through Fascist Groove Thang, I'm quite happy that my old ears can still pick up on hiss

[Deleted]

Even the Neco with the water towers works really well with the DT990. That surprised me. I normally use easier to drive headphones with it but the new op amps give out some lovely bass.

The Twin Towers work really well Mike.

Ian

[PinkFloyd]

Have you noticed the space in it Mike?

Yes! they definitely have a nice sense of air between instruments.... they are also quite a mellow presentation which I like.... some may call them laid back but I'd rather call them mellow.... they definitely do show up a lot though, all of a sudden I am hearing hiss on some recordings that I haven't really picked up on before so they are reproducing things faithfully.... the mids and treble are very detailed but without any forwardness / brashness.... they are beautifully balanced.

[PinkFloyd]

The Twin Towers work really well Mike

Have you got any amps with a dual chip inside? If so I'll send you a couple of towers on a mono to dual adaptor....

[Deleted]

I've no idea Mike!! I know what they're called. I know what they sound like but never seen their guts.

There is something really pleasant about the sound of those opamps though. Have you tried them with higher voltage?

Ian

[Deleted]

AFAIK Ian has Naim amps in his main system, their preamps used to always be discrete designs, I'm not sure if their later stuff changed (after "Olive" series).

I might buy some off you Mike if they are drop-in compatible with TL072/OPA2134? (missed the ebay jobbies).

[Deleted]

Chris, they are worth a listen. IMO they improve the Neco slightly 'cool' sound with the 8610 or is it 8620. (Can't remember) They may not perhaps measure quite as well as the AD but the sound is more engaging.

If driven with a higher voltage, maybe they'd be even better but I must admit, I feel like a Cheshire cat with the Neco now. I liked it before but no I really do like it!!

Ian

[PinkFloyd]

Jul 19, 2011 12:41:42 GMT @cjarchez said:

AFAIK Ian has Naim amps in his main system, their preamps used to always be discrete designs, I'm not sure if their later stuff changed (after "Olive" series).

I might buy some off you Mike if they are drop-in compatible with TL072/OPA2134? (missed the ebay jobbies).

Hi Chris,

They will be fine drop-in replacements for TL072 / OPA2134.... you will need them on the single to dual adaptors tho'.... I have three, want to keep one for myself, how many would you want (OPA111BM mounted on single to dual adaptor)

Mike.

[PinkFloyd]

Listen to Ian Dury - Jack S**t. That juicy bass and the fantastic sound of the 'tuned' snare. (The off beat) The bass drum really kicks and when he's singing, the repeated patterns on the guitars are so clear it's unbelieveable. You really feel the rhythms through the clean bass of the DT990

Aha! Mr. Love Pants One of the best bands (musically) I have ever seen.... used to see them (regularly) when they were Kilburn and the High roads.... really tight band, fantastic musicians. Did you know the bassist is the brother of the bassist in the Baron Knights?

Anyhoo..... listening to Jack shit George now and, yeh, that bass is positively doing it's own lead... what a band.... sooooo tight! One of the only bands I know that ALL doing their own "leads" at the same time and it just GELS into one musical whole.....

Every time I saw them (either as KATHR ot IDATBH) they blew me away!.... it was always in a spit and sawdust venue too and the "audience" were as pissed and stoned as farts.... great times!! What always amazed me were this bunch of guys all so different but all so TOGETHER.... look at them on stage and they all appear to be doing their own thing but, listen to them and it's amazing how it all comes together as one.

The "Beyer's" aren't recreating those days for me but they are giving me a nice snapshot of those wonderful times I had in London.... I actually lived two stops on the tube from Kilburn (paddy land) and lived and breathed NW London and Kilburn and the High Roads were quite a "crowd" pleaser back in the day

Have a listen to cacka boom Ian.... I just love the bass on that

[PinkFloyd]

Listening to the "breathing" at the end of "Heavy Living" on the sax solo Sounds like he is gasping for air

[PinkFloyd]

By the way..... I'm not even going to "attempt" a comparison between the DT-770 pro and the DT-990 pro yet as the DT-770 is TOTALLY bedded in (thrashed in a studio) and the DT-990 only has just over 30 hours on it....



Hell, the DT-770 has been so well used the paint is starting to come off the lettering.... the pads are pretty much the same shape as my ears..... these have been used HARD by me and (god knows who else when they lived in a studio) and they sound fantastic.

I had a "quick" swapover and the old DT-770 seemed preferable to my ears BUT they are 80 ohm and possibly better tuned to the Panda..... the more I listen to the DT-990 the more I like them BUT, as with anything audio related, it will take MONTHS (possibly even years) to form a conclusion.

There are way too many variables involved and you cannot simulate them or force feed things.... you just have to live with a headphone for a good period of time.... it's the only way you'll get to know them.

I CAN say (at this juncture) that, 30 hours in, they are an absolute STEAL for £130 GBP.... I have had them on my head for 4 hours this evening and have been enjoying the session.... the comfort level is VERY good, they are also cool on the ears and ZERO feelings of "fatigue"....

I can only keep a Grado headphone on my head for 20 minutes, MAX, before ripping it off and breathing a sigh of relief.... I could wear the DT-990 all day with no problems at all, they are superbly comfortable on my particular head (IMO / according to "me" etc. / YMMV / Warning, this product may contain nuts, yada yada).... Top quality build, superb comfort and built to last.

I have a "feeling" that these will get a lot of my "head time" and also have a feeling that I will be listening a LOT less to my Senn HD-600.... the Bass delivery of the DT-990 is just incredible for an open headphone..... the AKG K-701 "etc." type of headphone I refuse to accomodate.... I like, and EXPECT, decent bass reproduction and the open AKG 'phones just don't deliver IMO.....

The German's are definitely the masters when it comes to headphones, no doubt about it (in MY opinion / YMMV / Warning, I may have eaten nuts etc.)..... good, solid engineering..... tried and tested, robust and fit for purpose.

YES..... I like the DT-990 pro a LOT

[mrarroyo]

I am glad you are enjoying the DT990, the older version you have is much better sounding than the latter DT990 which IMO had to much bass and treble with very little mids.

[elysion]

Jul 20, 2011 0:50:09 GMT mrarroyo said:

I am glad you are enjoying the DT990, the older version you have is much better sounding than the latter DT990 which IMO had to much bass and treble with very little mids.

Mike has the newest version of the DT 990 Pro's. I and Ian have the same version. It's still available. The current version is great IMO.

Did you mean the DT 990 Edition 2005's instead, Miguel? I had the chance to listen a pair of Edition's (also with 250 Ohm). Both 'phones have the same drivers (according to Beyer), but I prefer the Pro's. The clamping force of the Edition's is almost too loose for me. The Pro's have a bit more pressure, but they feel more comfortable to me.

[Deleted]

I have the old versions and they do sound different from the newer ones (600 Ohms).
Personally I would have preferred the newer ones but not so much it makes me wanna buy the new version.
The Pro version does look like the old one (except for that stupid felt headband)
I can see why some would prefer the older version though as it is 'flatter' but the newer version is more 'lively'.

Because one of my drivers gave up I bought another one with a defective driver but a newer version.
The drivers were different.
Mine are 600 Ohms the newer ones 250 and sounded different too, besides it being a few dB more efficient.
So I took up the delicate job of repairing the driver, because the coil had broken off at the connection point I was able to fix it (had nothing to loose at it was defective anyway).
The 2nd defective one I bought had the newer construction without the felt headband and transplanted the old cups with the old drivers to the newer headband.

I used the older DT990 housing for housing skytronics drivers and later on for the SFI ones,

The 600 Ohm version had 2 zener diodes (15V) in anti series in parallel to the driver (to limit the voltage against overload) and took those out at while I was at it.
These diodes limit the power to 200mW and if clipping is like squarewaves to 350mW.

I noticed a small difference in clamping force too between pro and edition versions.
The 'editions' tend to shift a little when moving your head.

[PinkFloyd]

www.moon-audio.com/Beyerdynamic_Headphones.htm

[PinkFloyd]