As a musician and mixing/mastering engineer on the go, I was excited to be able to get my hands on the newly released compact Beyerdynamic DT 270 PRO studio headphones—but I must admit, I haven’t been the biggest fan of Beyerdynamic’s sound profile. Don’t get me wrong, they’re well-built, carefully engineered listening devices with incredible spatial imaging and separation but the notorious “Beyer Peak” is both a divisive preference and a useful tool.
The typical Beyerdynamic sound profile is bright and detailed with sparkling highs and rolled-off sub frequencies, which for some reveals subtle profundity, but for others induces a brutal harshness making extended listening unbearable. Unfortunately, I am in the latter camp, although they are objectively fantastic when mixing, perfect for revealing problematic frequencies in the 6 kHz-10 kHz range (a sort of Yamaha NS10 effect).
But this is exactly why I was chomping at the bit to review these headphones. To the delight of some and the chagrin of others, the DT 270 PRO headphones are the ambassadors of a recent and notable departure from Beyerdynamic’s treble-centric brightness, taming the emblematic sparkle and indulging in the lush thickness of rich low-mid and sub-bass frequencies.
So, are the DT 270 PROs able to redefine the Beyerdynamic sound while maintaining their reputation for crisp highs and superior separation? Well, after being paid to watch movies, listen to music, mix audio, and play video games until my eyes started to bleed, I can confidently say I have authority on the subject.
Beyerdynamic DT 270 PRO Headphones: Are These Little Guys Studio Worthy?
Beyerdynamic’s new offering looks like a baby next to its cousins, cutting the weight and size of their standard headphone models to cater to creators and listeners that require lightweight mobility for podcasting and home studio monitoring. But what sacrifices, if any, have the DT 270 PROs made to achieve their impressively small form factor?
First Impressions
Beyerdynamic is known for making larger headphones, focusing on sound quality, comfort, and stability. The DT 270 PROs are a notable departure from the norm with a Lilliputian frame that can fold flat and only weighs 194g (6.8 oz). The build is largely made of plastic with a cushioned headband and soft velour earpads. The earcups are smaller, so those with larger ears or who enjoy the wraparound comfort of Beyerdynamic’s standard models may struggle to feel a proper fit. Personally, I’ve always enjoyed a snug feel but if you’re used to larger headphones, try them on before you buy.
Despite the smaller fit, I found no fatigue or pain after wearing the DT270s for multiple hours of mixing and gaming sessions. Its 1.3m detachable coiled cable comes with a ¼” adapter and connects to either earcup, which made it easy to reach whatever audio source I needed to. The build quality is what I expect from Beyerdynamic—high-quality, no-nonsense performance at a reasonable price. But how do they perform?
Output and Specs
The Beyerdynamic DT270 PROs are closed back headphones that use dynamic transducers, clocking in with a frequency response of 5 Hz-24 kHz, an impedance of 45 ohms, and a sensitivity of 96 dB at 1mW. You’ll have no trouble getting loud and full-range sound from these headphones when using a smartphone or computer without an amp. They sounded great when connected with a Schiit Midas headphone amp, which my brain interpreted as sounding a bit crisper and more defined in the mid-highs with more power in the bass.
I felt that the included coiled cable was a bit cumbersome to use when moving around, but I never had any issues with disconnections. The included USB-C to 3.5mm adapter was higher quality than those I’ve seen included in other products, introducing zero noise or crackling in my weeks of testing.
How Do the DT 270 PROs Sound?
The sound is, of course, what we’re most interested in. Beyerdynamic hasn’t released a headphone in this size, so I wanted to see if they pulled off delivering the same signature sound profile the DT270’s bulkier cousins are known for. I’m pleased to say that these stay true to the Beyerdynamic level of sound quality!
As I had mentioned before with the Beyer Peak, the DT 270 PROs refined and tamed the high-end response without losing the fine detail necessary for studio-centric headphones, and they seem to be the flag bearer for the next evolution of the Beyerdynamic sound profile.
The DT 270 PRO’s low-end is punchy and dynamic without overtaking the rest of the frequency spectrum. The emphasis on bass is solid as heck, reproducing quick transients that give power and edge to loud and fast genres while mellowing out the low-mids in slower and more demure compositions. They seemed able to mold the bass response to whatever genre I threw at it. The midrange offered excellent clarity while still sounding cohesive and well rounded, making for an immersive and convincing but somewhat narrow soundstage compared to its cousins. And finally, the tamed highs were still emblematic of Beyerdynamic’s quality while avoiding emphasis on any glass shattering frequencies. It was airy, clean, and distinct, cutting through the thickness of the lows while avoiding the fatigue that high-frequency emphasis often produces.
The DT 270 PROs have narrower soundstage and significantly less height than some of its more pricy cousins, but were often comparable to the DT 700 Pro X in terms of frequency response and spatial reproduction—a bit less definition here and there, and an overall flatter (some may say “less exciting”) sound profile, but with the major reduction in both form factor and price, that’s an easy trade to make!
Conclusion
If you want to know how I really feel about these headphones, I’ll have you know that I immediately went ahead and bought the Beyerdynamic DT 270 Pros at full price—even if Beyerdynamic lets us keep the pair we received for review, I had to have my own.
For those like me who previously weren’t into the sound of Beyerdynamic headphones, the DT270 Pros are absolutely something you owe yourself to check out. They’re not perfect for every situation nor are they really fashion-oriented accessories. But, Beyerdynamic has figured something out here. The DT 270 PROs deserve their spot in the mid-fi audio space, offering a level of quality that’s difficult to find in such a small and affordable package.
While these headphones aren’t going to blow your mind, I’ve owned dozens of headphones in the $150-$300 range in my lifetime and these hit the mark in every way I needed them to: professional-level sound, a high-quality build, and excellent portability with solid isolation.
