Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro Black
Score: 70/100
Philips SHP9600
Score: 81/100Rankings
The Philips SHP9600 are open-back, over-ear wired studio headphones offering a spacious soundstage and excellent comfort at a low price. Their open design causes sound leakage and they miss modern wireless features. Ideal for home audiophiles and casual studio monitoring.
The Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro 80 Ω is an open-back, over-ear studio monitor headphone delivering a spacious soundstage and high comfort for critical listening. Its main drawbacks are the need for a strong amplifier, non-detachable cable, and lack of isolation, making it best suited for studio environments where amp power and quiet surroundings are available.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
— | 50 mmbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 340 g | 330 gbest |
80 Ωbest | 32 Ω | |
96 dB SPL | 101 dB SPLbest |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Audio(2) | ||
Impedance (Ω) | 80 Ω | 32 Ω |
Sensitivity (dB SPL) | 96 dB SPL | 101 dB SPL |
Build & Design(3) | ||
Weight (g) | 340 g | 330 g |
Dimensions (H×W×D) (mm) | 231 x 119 x 221 mm mm | 201×172×100 mm mm |
Ear Cushion Material | velour | breathable fabric/polyurethane |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers consistently praise the DT 990 Pro for its reduced diaphragm mass that yields an exceptional impulse response, a wide soundstage and precise imaging that are ideal for critical mixing and mastering, and a rugged, replaceable-part construction. They also note the bright, V-shaped tuning and the necessity of a high-gain amplifier, while the open-back design is flagged as a limitation for isolation.
Everyday users love the comfort, solid build, and expansive soundstage that make long gaming or listening sessions enjoyable, but they frequently lament the need for a dedicated amp, the non-detachable cable on older models, and the bright treble that can become fatiguing. The open-back leakage is also a recurring point of dissatisfaction in noisy environments.
“Exceptional comfort with plush velour ear pads and lightweight build (≈250 g) suitable for long listening sessions.”
“High 250 Ω impedance requires a powerful headphone amplifier; not easily driven by portable devices.”
“superb for hours of listening”
Professional reviewers commend the SHP9600 for its exceptional comfort, easy driveability, and neutral, spacious sound signature, emphasizing the 50 mm drivers and low impedance as strengths. However, they criticize the open-back design for sound leakage, the modest bass response, and the lack of premium build materials and modern wireless features, positioning the headphones as a value-driven option for critical listening rather than a high-end flagship.
Everyday users consistently praise the headphones for their comfort and wide, detailed soundstage, describing them as superb for long home listening sessions. Common complaints revolve around sound leakage, modest bass, and occasional cable durability issues, with many noting the product is best suited for stationary use rather than on-the-go scenarios.
