Beyerdynamic DT 990

Design

The DT 990s look like a nice set of headphones. The SR60s look like you’re being ironic.

Beyerdynamic DT 990	Grado Labs SR60

Frequency Response

The SR60s have more issues with frequency response than the DT 990s do. If you’ll look at the SR60s graph, you’ll see the left channel falls a bit below the lower limit at the bottom of the little divot in the high end. This isn’t as big an issue as the divot itself.

Beyerdynamic DT 990	Grado Labs SR60

Distortion

The SR60s have a lot more low-end and high-end distortion.

Beyerdynamic DT 990	Grado Labs SR60

Tracking

Both headphones had a similarly average tracking result. The SR60s fall a bit behind here by being slightly more erratic.

Beyerdynamic DT 990	Grado Labs SR60

Isolation

Though neither set of headphones isolates well at all, the DT 990s do a better job.

Beyerdynamic DT 990	Grado Labs SR60

Comfort

Both headphones are uncomfortable in their own way. The DT 990s feel heavy, making their band feel like it’s a vice grip on your head. The SR60s have foam padding, which is scratchy. The SR60s are technically more comfortable overall, however.

Wear
Beyerdynamic DT 990	Grado Labs SR60

Verdict

This is another issue of budget. The SR60s aren’t bad for their price bracket, and they have Grado branding, so wearing them will net you a bunch of audiophile friends. The Legend of Grado notwithstanding, however, the SR60s aren’t very good. The DT 990s, on the other hand, are.