Beyerdynamic DT 990

Design

The ATH-W5000s are classy headphones. The DT 990s are more youthful and ‘fun.’ Since we’re classy people and are currently wearing a monocle and top hat as we write this, we tend to think the ATH-W5000s win the aesthetic contest (also, don’t go to our ATH-W5000 review because we made a bunch of monocle jokes there too and now they won’t have as much punch or pizzaz).

Durability-wise, the headphones are about the same. Both have moving parts, both use metal instead of plastic in a lot of places, and both hav great cord guards. The ATH-W5000s probably scoot ahead of the DT 990s here, too, because they use wooden cups instead of plastic.

Beyerdynamic DT 990	Audio-Technica ATH-W5000

Frequency Response

The DT 990s easily take the ATH-W5000s cake here, then eat it as the ATH-W5000s are left wondering where it all went wrong (warning: actual headphones can’t eat or claim ownership of cake). The DT 990s have a small dip towards the high end, but the ATH-W5000s’ response graph looks like it falls down a hill.

Beyerdynamic DT 990	Audio-Technica ATH-W5000

Distortion

Neither set of headphones have a lot of distortion.

Beyerdynamic DT 990	Audio-Technica ATH-W5000

Tracking

While neither set of headphones have perfect tracking, the ATH-W5000s’ high-end blunders make them less balanced than the DT 990s.

Beyerdynamic DT 990	Audio-Technica ATH-W5000

Isolation

Neither set of headphones have particularly good distortion.

Beyerdynamic DT 990	Audio-Technica ATH-W5000

Comfort

The ATH-W5000s are slightly less uncomfortable. They feel like they’re way too big for your head, whereas the DT 990s’ band makes it feel like you have a weight on top of your skull.

Wear
Beyerdynamic DT 990	Audio-Technica ATH-W5000

Verdict

While the ATH-W5000s certainly provide a better ownership experience in that they’re slightly classier, more comfortable, and worthy of bragging rights, the DT 990s have better audio quality. Also the DT 990s won’t utterly bankrupt you. True audiophiles shouldn’t discount the ATH-W5000s; anyone who balks at the ATH-W5000s’ $1000 price tag should feel free to do so.