Beyerdynamic updates its reference studio headphones with mobile-friendly drivers

3 weeks ago 3

Beyerdynamic has announced an update to its DT 1770 Pro and DT 1990 Pro reference-grade studio headphones. The MKII versions use the company’s new Tesla.45 drivers, which have a low, 30-ohm impedance, making them more versatile and easier to use with the low-power amplifiers found on smartphones, tablets, and computers. The previous models used 250-ohm drivers. Both the closed-back DT 1770 Pro MKII and the open-back DT 1990 Pro MKII are available starting October 29 for for $600 at beyerdynamic.com and on Amazon.

“As we continue to see the lines blur between traditional studio setups and at-home production workflows,” said Beyerdynamic CEO Andreas Rapp, “flexibility and uncompromised audio quality have become key priorities for professionals and enthusiasts alike.” Rapp claims the new models exemplify this, offering cleaner sound, improved comfort, and precision.

That cleaner, more precise sound comes from the company’s new Tesla.45 driver, which it developed and manufactures at the company’s headquarters in Heilbronn, Germany. Beyerdynamic says the driver’s diaphragm — made from PEEK polymer — cuts distortion, sharpens response, and delivers deep, precise bass. The driver’s lighter voice coil, made of aluminum-coated copper wire, produces “a more balanced treble response without sharp spikes, while still maintaining beyerdynamic’s sound signature—high detail and clarity across the entire treble range—ensuring precision for critical mixing decisions.”

If you’re familiar with the previous versions of these cans, the construction of the MKII editions will be familiar: a single-sided, detachable cable design that uses a 3-pin mini-XLR connection. Flexible spring steel headbands made from a combination of memory foam and durable leatherette have a fontanelle recess to prevent pressure and discomfort from forming at the top of the head.

The earpads and headbands are both easily replaced. The DT 1770 PRO MKII comes with both leatherette and velour earpads, while the DT 1990 Pro MKII has two different types of velour earpads. One is a “producing velour” that the company says will deliver a fuller, more exciting sound thanks to a slight bass boost. The other is a “mixing & mastering velour,” which offers a more analytical sound for making final mix decisions.

In the box, you’ll find a hard travel case, a 3-meter (9.8 feet) straight cable, and a 5-meter (16.4 feet) spiral cable, each with a lockable 3-pin mini-XLR connector. The cables have 3.5mm source connectors, and a 6.35mm adapter is also included. Beyerdynamic also makes an optional mini-XLR-to-USB-C cable with a built-in 32-bit/384kHz DAC.

Simon Cohen

Simon Cohen is a contributing editor to Digital Trends' Audio/Video section, where he obsesses over the latest wireless…

Beyerdynamic adds noise canceling to its Blue Byrd neckband earbuds

Man wearing Beyerdynamic Blue Byrd ANC neckband earbuds.

While most of the attention these days is on true wireless earbuds, it's easy to forget that some folks much prefer the older neckband style for its simple convenience and longer battery life. Beyerdynamic clearly hasn't forgotten. Despite launching its first true wireless earbuds in 2022 -- the Free Byrd -- the company is continuing to develop its original Blue Byrd neckband-style buds with the introduction of the second-gen Blue Byrd ANC ($149).

As the name suggests, the new earbuds have active noise cancellation (ANC), a feature that remains fairly rare in the neckband earbuds category. You can buy them now from Beyerdynamic or Amazon.

Sony goes open-back with the MDR-MV1 studio monitors designed for spatial audio

Sony MDR-MV1 open-back studio headphones.

Sony's Pro division has just released a new set of wired studio monitors, the $400 MDR-MV1, a set of open-back headphones that Sony says have been designed specifically to aid in the production of spatial audio. They'll be available later in April through Sony's Pro website and authorized Sony dealers.

Sony's professional monitors have been favorites of the music industry for years, and have also found a home among discerning audiophiles. But what makes the MDR-MV1 unusual as far as Sony cans go is their open-back design. With almost no exceptions (save for the discontinued Qualia 010 and MDR-SA5000), Sony heavily favors closed-back designs, which it uses on everything from the you can grab at any Walmart, all the way up to its top noise-canceling WH-1000XM5 and wired units that cost north of $1,000.

Sennheiser HD 660S2: audiophile favorites get improved bass response

Sennheiser HD 660S2 open-back headphones.

Sennheiser has updated its fan-favorite open-back HD 600 series with a new flagship, the $600 HD 660S2, which will be available for pre-order globally from February 7, 2023, and will go on sale February 21, 2023. The company says the HD 660S2 (which replaces the older HD 660S) offer enhanced sub-bass tuning and greater sensitivity across all frequencies.

"Our new Sennheiser HD 660S2 offers listeners what they requested most from the headphones’ predecessor,” Jermo Koehnke, Sennheiser Audiophile Product Manager said in a press release. “With precision and power like no other and new sensitivity across all frequencies, listeners will hear details they’ve never heard before, especially at the lower end of the spectrum.”

Read Entire Article