DT 1770 PRO MKII Review: Which Beyerdynamic Closed-Back Headphone Is Right For You?

We've finally completed testing Beyerdynamic's brand new "closed-back flagship" DT 1770 PRO MKII released in late 2024. The video below includes detailed unboxing, feature analysis, measurement curves, and blind listening comparisons.

This video also includes a fun experiment: an "eyeglasses sound leakage" test!

After watching, you'll understand why modern headphones tend to have increasingly more bass...

English Subtitle added, please enable it if needed.

All test curves can be viewed and compared on our squiglink page: https://exound.squig.link/

 

How should you choose a Beyerdynamic closed-back headphone?

Beyerdynamic currently offers four closed-back headphone models.

We've compiled a specifications table for easy comparison.

First, the 770 PRO is the industry standard.

It's the "can't go wrong" choice that even the biggest names in the industry use.

Crucially, this is the most affordable "Made in Germany" headphone we can buy (relative to other models)... If you ever need to sell it secondhand, the 770 PRO holds its value extremely well with minimal depreciation.

The 770 PRO comes in three impedance options: 32Ω (least popular), 80Ω (highest sales), but the 250Ω version holds its value best, with professional musicians and serious audiophiles typically choosing the higher impedance models.

The 770 PRO X is the centennial limited edition.

It has collector value, retains its value well, and uses the Stellar driver.

According to tests from other media outlets, it has slightly less midrange than the 770 PRO, with slightly more bass, making it suitable for bass-preferring audio professionals (rap, electronic, R&B, pop) or audio professionals who wear glasses.

Worth noting: the 770 PRO X has the lowest official sound isolation rating among the four models, so if you're concerned about sound leakage during recording, you might want to choose one of the other three models!

The 700 PRO X has a clean appearance, making it the best-looking of the four.

Beyond that... it doesn't have many standout features... and feels like it might hold its value least among the four models.

The 700 PRO X's original selling points were its new design and Stellar driver. However, the later-released 770 PRO X also features the Stellar driver, costs less, and has centennial commemorative value - when compared side by side, the 770 PRO X is the obvious choice.

Finally, if money isn't an issue...

If you're planning to purchase "ultra-low value-for-money" high-end closed-back headphones, there aren't many choices in the $500 price range:

All four of these headphones represent their manufacturers' labour of love.

But Beyerdynamic differs from the other three in 4 ways:

1. A longer history of headphone manufacturing

Shure started making headphones in 2009, Focal in 2012, and Neumann in 2019...

2. The 1770 MKII has the best sound isolation

As mentioned in the video, at the same sound pressure level, it leaks only half as much sound as the 770 PRO (-6dB), and 3dB less than the SRH1540, eliminating the need for noise reduction in post-production.

3. The 1770 MKII comes with leather pads

Leather pads (compared to velour) provide better sealing, but the SRH1540 comes with two pairs of velour pads, the NDH20 only has one pair of velour pads, and the Focal Lensys only has one pair (fabric pads), while the 1770 comes with both velour and leather pads.

Additionally, among the four headphones, only the NDH20 doesn't include a carrying case, requiring a separate third-party case for transport.

4. "Made in Germany" remains rare

I can understand why Shure isn't manufactured in the USA, but I don't quite understand why the NDH20 isn't made in Germany...

The Focal Lensys is indeed made in France, but in all these years, I've never seen singers wearing Focal headphones during recording - they seem to be more popular in audiophile circles...

Looking for a downside to the 1770 MK2?

As everyone knows, the price of new products tends to be quite "firm"...

If you're determined to get one, wait for the next shopping festival!