Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO vs Sennheiser HD 600

Quick answer

The Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO and the Sennheiser HD 600 are both open-back headphones.

The DT 990 PRO in its 250 ohm version lists 250 ohms. The HD 600 lists an impedance of 300 Ω.

Beyerdynamic calls the DT 990 PRO a studio headphone for critical listening and precise editing. Sennheiser describes the HD 600 padding for extended listening at a hi-fi stack.

Choose Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO if

• You want a coiled cable: Beyerdynamic lists a 3 m coiled cable for the 250 ohm version.
• You edit and check mixes: Beyerdynamic names critical listening and precise editing.
• You want the lower impedance of the two: Beyerdynamic lists 250 ohms for this version, against 300 Ω on the HD 600.

Choose Sennheiser HD 600 if

• You want a detachable cable: Sennheiser says the HD 600 comes with a detachable cable. The DT 990 PRO page does not say whether its cable detaches.
• You want a stated warranty: Sennheiser lists a 2-year manufacturer warranty. The DT 990 PRO page does not state a warranty.
• You listen at home for hours: Sennheiser describes velour padding for extended listening at a hi-fi stack.

By use case

For studio editing, Beyerdynamic names critical listening and precise editing as the job of the DT 990 PRO.

For home listening, Sennheiser describes the HD 600 padding for extended listening at a hi-fi stack.

Both come with a 3.5 mm plug and an adapter to the larger quarter-inch jack.

Try each pair on before a long session.

What the specs do not tell you

• The weights are not given the same way: Beyerdynamic lists 250 g without cable and 375 grams including the cable. Sennheiser lists 260 g and does not say whether that weight covers the cable.
• Beyerdynamic states a power handling capacity of 100 mW. The HD 600 page does not state a max input power.
• Sennheiser names a 42mm driver. The DT 990 PRO page does not state a driver size in mm.
• Spec sheets do not describe comfort or how the earpads wear over time.