AKG 702s vs Beyerdynamic DT990s - 2020 Review

Thanks for watching- I hope you like the video - let me know if this was helpful!
Relevant Time stamps:
0:00 Hi!
1:27 Build
3:00 Clamp Force- Comfort - Stability
4:09 Sound Frequency Response
5:35 Soundstage
6:50 Key Take Aways
I mentioned a few resources in this video specific at these times:
3:11 - www.rtings.com/headphones/too...
3:52 - • Video
Follow me of social media: @tbhvandame

[@tbhv]

Hey everyone thanks for such an awesome response to this video! Besides increasing the volume (sorry again)- what would like me to review/ talk about next?

[@adamboard5159]

Love the whole ‘please subscribe, it does motivate me and I feel responsible.’ Totally authentic response.

[@tbhv]

thanks! At my level I don't make any money from this so I am just looking to continue making videos and put myself out there. I actually had to take a hard look at why I was making youtube videos in order to figure out why I should ask people to subscribe/ like/ etc and I realized I do feel more accountable and its nice knowing people benefit from what I am doing- thanks again for watching :)

[@adamboard5159]

Great review. Candid and highly informative.

[@cgonzt5636]

Thinking of the same topic, thanks for sharing!

[@michaelhoward4020]

Good honest opinion! Thanks!

[@HomeStudioBasics]

Hey bro I saw the thumbnail and thought you were Bam Margera for a second lmao. :)

[@tbhv]

that's awesome I get that from time to time actually haha

[@Staffy_]

haha same

[@HomeStudioBasics]

@@tbhv And I mean Bam in his prime lol. Not Bam now unfortunately. I haven't checked up on him lately though. Hope he's doing better.

[@metal571]

lol

[@HomeStudioBasics]

@@metal571 Don't you LOL @ ME METAL!!! Heh. Miss you bro!

[@dive4323]

Great video

[@Yurkinz]

Thanks for a video! :)

[@tbhv]

Thanks ! which of these do you think you will go for?

[@rocarius14]

thnks, really good review

[@tbhv]

thanks! which do you think you are leaning towards?

[@rocarius14]

​@@tbhv already have the ATm50, and i'm looking for new one to be opened. Both look great, and before cheking your vid I was to pick the Beyer, but after it... AKG seems to be better! No idea man! have to think bout it!

[@kennybradshaw2122]

Excellent review!

[@tbhv]

thanks so much for watching! I hope that the video is not too quiet- I wish youtube had a way increasing the level while keeping the video up!

[@kennybradshaw2122]

@@tbhv The sound was good! I understand the comments on the Beyerdynamic and totally agree. Do you think the AKG made in China is of longterm quality?

[@tbhv]

@@kennybradshaw2122 Ah thats a relief! Someone commented about it and I did notice its pretty quiet. I was beginning to think I would need to fix it + re-upload but I guess I'll just watch out for that in the future. So I have never actually tried the models made in Austria- but what I can say is that there is a good chance that all the components are sourced from China regardless of where its actually put together. I think in this sense there are only 2 factors to consider; the quality of materials and quality of performance. I would say with my limited opinion that the materials feels legit- the ear cups feel as comfortable as they are durable if that makes sense- like memory foam. The leather band also feels really strong. None of the components I worried about have failed me so far. I would also say the performance of the headphones depends to a degree on the materials used and design. So I stand by my original opinion and would guess the difference in longterm use is negligible :) Assuming that you use these just in the studio and they are stored in a safe place where they don't regularly drop- I imagine they will last a really long time (5 -10 + years). If anything happens though I will definitely update :)

[@ZombieMagnum]

great video!

[@tbhv]

Thank so much! Do you use either of these headphones?

[@GumercindoRunol]

Good video, it sounds a little bit low, turn up de volume!!

[@tbhv]

thanks for letting me know !

[@bluex217]

You will need a DAC + AMP in order to sufficiently power the video

[@cheesun124]

thanks, I was looking for a comparison for these two. Let me know if you're mind has changed since earlier this year.

[@tbhv]

I am so glad you liked it! I am actually still really impressed with the K702s over 3 months later! The soundstage still really gets me and they are still holding together well. I feel like I made the right choice for myself between these two headphones even if its at minimum because the 702s are just more comfortable for me.

[@voilabolognessich423]

Hey sorry for being late to the party. I've had the K701s for a few years for mixing/mastering, general synth tweaking and occasional film/gaming. I just recently put them through the formal correction schemes of Sonarworks and VSX (from painstakingly correcting curves by ear to reference monitors), and must say the bass extension on the K700 series is nothing to sneeze at. It's obviously nothing like a sub system, but I can correct SFX and rumble without any major issues, and the immersion it brings to 3D sound (in games) is something of beauty. None of my other headphones do this. Owing to their unsophisticated design, the cans benefit from several digital corrections, should you desire, like imaging and RIRs. Otherwise they do indeed sound "analytical" and "cold", as has been regurgitated only too many times. I would never use it outside of a studio setting. I've been eyeing the DT990 for some time, and it's only a matter of time before I pull the trigger on the 250Ω. I am very curious about how it stacks up against the corrected K701 in its vanilla state, and how well it takes correction. My hypothesis is that the bass response _is_ indeed more neutral on the Beyerdynamic out-of-the-box. But I suspect the K701 edges out slightly on accuracy and "tightness"; small drivers don't normally push bass that loud unless they have been physically tampered with. I don't think there is much (if any) harmonic distortion, but the DT990 may be ever so slightly more unstable if they wired it specifically for bass neutrality. IN ANY CASE, I do not know as I don't own the DT990, but we may soon find out. Thank you for your review. Much appreciated.

[@tbhv]

Hey! It’s never late to speak to speak your mind! Thanks for watching and your comment. Bass is a tricky one with both these headphones tbh. On one hand there is the “impression” of bass which undoubtedly you will notice more on the 990’s than the 702s/701s. That said I believe *understanding how* your headphones give this impressions is really the more important side of the equation. I think my key points are the build of the 990’s is fantastic (and basically feel more durable) but they are also tighter and get hotter than to 700s as well. I should add since making this my 700’s still work well! My best advice is to try the 990’s - it really is the only way you will find out what you think. Keep me posted if you for them :)

[@voilabolognessich423]

Very valuable insight indeed. We are indebted to your efforts.@@tbhv

[@soulfulfool]

I chose AT ad500x check them out, they r super lite but that wing design is questionable. Sound is very nice

[@matttoomey7901]

Hey Thibaut, thanks for posting! I've been looking at both of these as a monitor when I'm playing drums live. Have you noticed either of them having problems staying in place when you're moving around? I definitely keep the beat with my head.

[@tbhv]

Hey! thanks for watching :) So actually I think you might run into some issues with the akg k702's because they have a somewhat loose clamp force. For me they are perfect because mixing audio is a really stationary activity. I think for any live/ animated performance uses you will probably get a better experience with the dt990s because the clamp force is greater - also the materials are mega strong. Have you considered in ear monitors? also the ath m50s have a nice in-between clamp force between the k702s and dt990s. Hope that helps :)

[@matttoomey7901]

​@@tbhv Yeah, I have a set of Shure SE215s, but I have two problems with them: the first is isolation - when I am isolated from my drums, I can't tell how hard I'm hitting. I always hit harder until it sounds loud enough in my ears, hence why I'm looking at open back headphones. The other is the bass - I figure bigger speakers will do better reproducing bass frequencies than tiny little drivers. The issue with the DT 990s for me is the 250Ω impedance. I'm not going to buy an amp just to use my headphones. Did you try listening to either of those from a phone or an iPad? By the way, I was checking out your music, and I dig it. I would love to set up with you and a bass player and some keys, maybe a tasty electric guitar player too... But I don't expect to be in the London area anytime soon, so hit me up next time you're in Northwestern Illinois!

[@LaHoraMaker]

Maybe you cloud try the Beyerdynamic DT 770 M, closed back variant of the DT990, but specially tailored to noise environments like drumming. They have a firm grip and noise isolation is superb.

[@gregoryisom8333]

Why does AKG build within + or - of each other, like the AKG 702s & the AKG 712s? They make gorgeous headphones Im unconsciously collecting all of there cans I own, like the K240s, K92s, K553s, etc!

[@TheShmrsh]

I bought sr850 and happy

[@TattooMyBones]

k702 vs x2hr for sounstaging?

[@gabrielelijah812]

Hi, I really enjoyed your video! I really want to buy a 702s akg but is there a problem with the "less bass" in the akg? I heard a KZbin sound test of these and indeed there is less bass but the sounds were very natural and clear compared to the dt 990

[@tbhv]

I think the bass sounds natural and not over emphasized- although they don't have a huge bass 'feel' - just some. I'd say the best way to find out would be trying them. I guess it also depends on the music you are working on- I work mostly on folk. But for me the best gauge was listening to double bass to get an idea for low end.

[@tbhv]

I'd also add that by contrast, the DT990's did seem to feel overemphasized - even moreso than most of the other monitoring systems I've used. At the end day it's all about what you prefer and I think 702's just felt like the right choice for me.

[@gabrielelijah812]

@@tbhv Yes i understand i also found a video showing that by putting a very specific EQ shown in the video which equalizes bass and other "issues" AKG can really help in the mix to make all low frequencies precisely at seems to work well by seeing the comments. (I'm not basing my purchase on this, of course, but it's a little extra that I also want to share with you) Thanks for all ! kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3nEapSKYsyUma8

[@tbhv]

@@gabrielelijah812 that's awesome! thanks for watching. I think another thing I try to keep in mind is that every listening environment is flawed in one way or another- even if its perfect. The most valuable thing is to understand your gear- what it lacks and emphasizes e.t.c. so long!

[@michaelfreiberg8057]

@Gabriel Elijah better get the AKG 712 Pro, they have more bass and sound a little bit better overall, providing you use a nice amp to push them

[@ccdani2]

Hi , I am thinking of getting the akg k702 are they good for watching movies? I already have hd660s I am wondering if the k702 would be better due to the soundstage.

[@tbhv]

Hey thanks for commenting and watching! I would recommend the K702s for 2 major reasons - firstly the sound stage is awesome and really wide and secondly they are super comfortable! I think especially when you are trying to relax and enjoy a movie I think it is important to have a pair of headphones that provide a really relaxed feel and I got to say even though I have some great speaker monitors I often grab my k702's because of how wise and comfortable they are. Hope that helps!

[@ccdani2]

@@tbhv Thank you for replying so quickly! I will give them a go thank you!!

[@louisglen1653]

I am surprised that you are talking about audio yet have your recording volume set so low. I would have loved to hear what you were saying, but I can't.

[@tbhv]

Hey thanks for the comment. It's a real bummer because I would change it if I could now but youtube doesn't offer that option without having to re-upload. In any case I feel like the people who can hear what I am saying do see value so I'm just taking it a lesson for future vids and leaving this video up. On the plus side it's better to monitor at lower volume working in audio :)

[@chefgav1]

Turn up your volume and hearing aid

[@louisglen1653]

@@chefgav1 My volume is turn up as loud as it goes. You are at least three perhaps 6 decibels lower than the channels I watch regularly.

[@xojaqx]

do u need an amp for the dt 990?

[@tbhv]

It depends on what system you are listening on. I would say if you don't have an audio interface you could probably benefit from a headphone amp to get some extra headroom. If you are using them for mixing with an interface I think you should be fine. How are you planning on using them?

[@camelCased]

Also it depends on the edition. There are 32 Ohm editions of DT series headphones.

[@user-yz6xx2wl5d]

Buy the K712 Pro, which has a warmer-tuned capsule that is less screaming in the mids, and put the K702 ear pads on them which should decrease extra bass, you should get a fairly balanced sound. Beyers is for sado-maso.

[@camelCased]

I guess you might have liked DT880 better. Those are more "reference-like" than DT990, with no bass boost and less treble (which can be even more reduced by a "toilet paper" mod). For me, K702 seemed a bit more shouty at female vocal frequencies. Sennheiser 600 is usually considered one of the best options for mixing/producing because of their neutrality, but Senns are twice the price of K702 and DT880, DT990. Also, Beyerdynamic DT880 / DT990 naming is confusing. Here's what I found while looking for my next headphones: Pro, regular non-Pro, Edition (Premium), Special Black Edition, Pro Black Edition, Premium Limited-Edition Black (Massdrop), Pro Limited-Edition Black (Massdrop), HZ, and some of those editions have subvariants with 32/250/600 Ohm. So, be careful with your choices :) I myself intend to get DT880, not sure which of their variants - whichever is cheaper, I guess. 250 Ohm is somewhat better for those who have amps or external audio interfaces. 32 Ohm is better for portable and low-power audio interfaces.

[@RazorRoses]

cable on dt 990s if it gets fkd your fkd xD

[@luvdacurvyones]

Speak up! We can’t hear you back here!📣