Ahhh, the fated mid-range tier of studio equipment, one of the most highly competitive tiers of gear in the music production and mixing space. Every year, more and more products are introduced that are targeted at users who are either a few years into their journey and looking for an upgrade from the entry-level stuff they got for the holidays or for the working professional who needs pro-level gear but doesn’t have a thousand-dollar budget to blow on a single thing.
beyerdynamic is a brand that has been around for almost a century (by the time you read this, they might have been), and they know this game better than man. They are constantly adapting and innovating to find new and fresh ways to make their mid-range level products the best on the market. So when they sent us a pair of DT 700 Pro X headphones to try, we jumped at the chance to find out how they measured up against the myriad other options sitting at a similar $300 price point. After using them in the studio and the wild, we found much to like about these headphones but concluded that they aren’t for everyone.
So let’s dive into our comprehensive review of the beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X headphones to conclude whether they’re right for you, your wallet, and your setup.
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What Are The beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro Xs?
The beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X is a closed-back studio mixing headphones designed with today’s producers in mind. Manufactured by beyerdynamic, a company founded in 1924, it is an offspring of a long-standing tradition of audio expertise. beyerdynamic has produced what is believed to be the first commercially available dynamic headphones. The DT 700 Pro X is dedicated to recording and monitoring sessions and is designed to deliver high-resolution audio with punchy bass in noisy environments or crowded places. The headphones feature newly developed STELLAR.45 drivers that are designed to reproduce highly detailed audio. Compared to their predecessor, the DT770 Pro, they have upgraded earpads for enhanced comfort during long listening sessions.
In terms of build and design, the beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X is a robust headset weighing 0.77 lbs. They boast a frequency response of 5Hz-40kHz and an impedance of 48 ohms. The headphones are equipped with a detachable cable, available in lengths of 9.8 ft. and 5.9 ft., and offer connectivity options, including a 1/8″ plug and a 1/4″ adapter. The closed-back design is known for its noise isolation, ideal for blocking out external distractions. The headphones are fitted with velour earpads and a memory foam headband for comfort. They are primarily black and have a manufacturer part number of 737704.
Another notable aspect of the DT 700 Pro X is its commitment to sustainability. Many components of the headphones can be replaced or repaired, in line with beyerdynamic effort to reduce waste. The closed-back design and studio-oriented features also ensure accurate audio reproduction, making them especially suited for audio producers and recording musicians who require precision, isolation, and high-quality sound.
What We Liked Most About the beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro Xs
They’re Comfy!
We will preface this section by saying that the velour material is a personal favorite of all the producers on our team, and while we know this stuff isn’t for everyone – and we’ll get to that in a second – for us, it completely hits the spot. They are warm and cozy on your head and are perfect for long mixing sessions.
Another somewhat subjective thing we loved about these headphones that aided their comfort level is their weight. We’ve read other reviews on countless headphones where the reviewer harps on the weight of headphones, but for us, the density and weight on top of our heads are centering in their way. In the same way that some people say that weighted blankets help them focus and sleep, the weight of these headphones is just enough to remind you that they’re there and that you’re here to work.
In a time when many other manufacturers are prioritizing feather-light builds, even when corners are cut on more critical aspects of the product, it’s nice to have a weighty option for those looking for a more tactile feel on their cans.
They Have A Unique Sound Profile
The DT 700 Pro Xs pride themselves on having crystal clear and audible upper mids and high frequencies, and on this endeavor, they knock it out of the park. Hearing artifacts and details in lead synths and vocals is easier than ever, and even noticing the subtle hiss and fizzle when mixing the air-upper brightness in hats, shakers, cymbals, and white noise effects is made far more straightforward than when even mixing on my studio monitors.
And while the sound profile seems to dip around the 250hZ mark and offers an almost entirely flat bass response that makes it hard to recommend for full spectrum mixing, these headphones shine when it comes to mixing all of the elements you want your listener to be heard on all systems (laptop speakers, consumer speakers, AirPods, and more).
So, if you’re looking for closed-back headphones as a second set of reference headphones or for a dedicated set for mixing podcasts and vocal work, these are easy recommendations. If you lean more towards open-backed headphones for this exact purpose, beyerdynamic has you just as covered with the DT 900 Pro model as well.
They’re Decent At Noise Canceling!
While these headphones don’t completely remove all noise around you like some dedicated consumer headphones and earbuds, we were pleasantly impressed by how much noise they dampen.
While we did most of the mixing and reviewing of these headphones in the studio, we took our laptop to the local coffee shop to mess around in Ableton. We were surprised at how much of the local commotion, dings, calls, and conversations were muffled enough to allow us to focus on our work without being distracted or hindered by the hustle and bustle of life.
This, coupled with the comfort of the velour mentioned above, made us feel like we were in our little world even when we were getting creative in crowded spaces. What more could you ask for?!
What We Weren’t Crazy About
The Sound Profile Won’t Be For Everyone
The boost to the upper mids and highs makes these headphones excellent for mixing specific channels and instruments, but therein lies the biggest flaw: they aren’t workhorse headphones for everyone. They serve a specific function (or more so a range of functions) in the studio, and anything outside of that and you may find that the sound profile becomes a bit fatiguing. You need to know what you’re getting into and what you can get out of these headphones, and we are sure you will be pleasantly surprised.
But cheaper and better alternatives are likely out there if you’re looking for headphones to mix heavy 808s and churning, sub-destroying D7B music.
You Gotta Like Velour
The texture of the ear pads is not for everyone, and while they were a really big selling point for us, we know there are large swaths of the producer and mixing communities that prefer standard faux leather and other materials.
If I had been working on writing this review a decade ago when I was interning at a studio, I would have added a remark about how velour ear pads get pretty damn gross after years of use. The image of my studio boss’ dark and weathered velour cans hanging on the wall will be forever imprinted on my mind…
But luckily, times have changed and beyerdynamic offers replacement pads that are incredibly affordable and completely negate the grossness that seems to happen overnight after you’ve used these headphones for a few years.
Who Are These For?
Podcasters
If you’ve gotten this far in the article, it should go without saying that these headphones are a fantastic choice for podcasters. Not only does the decent amount of noise canceling allow you to stay locked in on your guests, but the brightness they introduce to the signal makes mixing the vocals in post-production much easier.
And in a world where so many of your would-be guests will likely be calling in from Zoom calls, laptop microphones, and other recording devices affect the signal, that little boost to the high end will help compensate for that dampness and make hearing them at the moment just a little bit easier – which sometimes is all it takes to keep you in the zone and not throw off your groove of lengthy conversations.
Specific Types Of Producers
We joked earlier that these headphones aren’t for 808-heavy music or dubstep, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t for every producer.
If you’re producing more even-keeled genres like cinematic music or scoring that doesn’t need a massive rumbling sub, these headphones will be perfect for your actions. Doubly so for smaller studios and film sound people who often handle the scoring and the post-production audio work!
Anyone Who Needs A Second Reference Point!
If you’re looking for the first pair of headphones for your music production and mixing setup, you should consider all the pros and cons of these headphones to decide whether they’re right for you. But if you already have a set of studio monitors or even a primary set of headphones and are looking for an extra set to serve a specific purpose or just for reference, these are an ideal compliment!
Few other headphones offer this type of sound profile, and having these in your back pocket solely to reference and mix vocals can save you a ton of time when dialing in just how much volume, presence, bite, and color a vocal needs to pop out of the mix in a wide breadth of listening environments.
Final Thoughts
beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X headphones have etched their presence as a notable contender in the mid-range tier. With its lineage rooted in a century-old audio legacy, beyerdynamic has masterfully crafted a product tailor-made for specific audio industry niches. The headphones’ unique sound profile caters exceptionally well to the needs of podcasters and producers venturing into non-bass-heavy genres like cinematic music, providing them with a sound clarity that highlights nuances often overlooked on other devices. Furthermore, the DT 700 Pro X is a testament to beyerdynamic’s commitment to quality and sustainability. The combination of the comfortable velour earpads, the weighted feel that anchors the user to the task at hand, and the impeccable noise dampening makes these headphones an enticing proposition for those needing a secondary reference or those just venturing into the professional audio realm.
However, it’s crucial to approach the DT 700 Pro X with an understanding of its targeted use case. While they shine in certain areas, they might not be the all-round workhorse some might seek. While excellent for discerning specific instruments and vocals, the boosted upper mids and highs may not suit those looking to produce bass-rich music.
Moreover, the velour pads, although comfortable, may not align with everyone’s preference. Still, with affordable replacement pads and a specific sound profile, these headphones carve out a unique space in the market. Ultimately, whether you’re an upcoming audio professional, an established podcaster, or someone looking for a secondary reference point, the beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X offers a compelling blend of history, innovation, and specialized utility.
Snag Yourself A Pair While Supporting Our Small Team Of Writers Through Our Affiliate Partnership With Sweetwater Here
Will Vance is a professional music producer who has been involved in the industry for the better part of a decade and has been the managing editor at Magnetic Magazine since mid-2022. In that time period, he has published thousands of articles on music production, industry think pieces and educational articles about the music industry. Over the last decade as a professional music producer, Will Vance has also ran multiple successful and highly respected record labels in the industry, including Where The Heart Is Records as well as having launched a new label with a focus on community through Magnetic Magazine. When not running these labels or producing his own music, Vance is likely writing for other top industry sites like Waves or the Hyperbits Masterclass or working on his upcoming book on mindfulness in music production. On the rare chance he's not thinking about music production, he's probably running a game of Dungeons and Dragons with his friends which he has been the dungeon master for for many years.
