Beyerdynamic DT 270 Pro review
The Beyerdynamic DT 270 Pro headphones have seriously changed the way I listen to music and practice guitar. Headphones that are comfortable and great at their job are pretty hard to come by, but these studio cans tick all of my boxes.
As studio headphones, the Beyerdynamic DT 270 Pro are specifically designed for detailed listening and production. They are great for music listening too, as the balanced sound profile complements pretty much every genre. Lightweight but sturdy, they’re perfect for taking with you anywhere and creating a portable setup.
Beyerdynamic DT 270 Pro review: Cheat sheet
- What is it? Compact studio headphones for detailed listening
- Who is it for? Semi-professional musicians who want to hear every detail in their music
- What does it cost? The Beyerdynamic DT 270 Pro headphones are available for $159/£89
- What do we like? They are comfortable to wear for longer periods, and are lightweight and compact for travel. They provide detailed sound that suits a wide variety of genres, making them ideal for musicians.
- What don’t we like? Virtually nothing.
Beyerdynamic DT 270 Pro review: Specs
Beyerdynamic DT 270 Pro review: Price & availability
The Beyerdynamics DT 270 Pro headphones are available in the U.S. from Beyerdynamic direct for $159. In the U.K., they can be purchased on Amazon for £89. Since these are studio headphones, they can’t be compared to typical consumer headphones.
Other studio headphones include the Rode NTH-50s, which cost $109/£99 — a little cheaper in the U.S. than in the U.K. However, in my opinion, these don’t look as good as the Beyerdynamics, which are also far more comfortable as they have an over-ear instead of an on-ear design.
Sony MDR-7506 are beloved studio cans in the audio world and are a little cheaper at $109, but they’re not designed to be taken with you on the go like the DT 270s. The Sennheiser HD25 headphones are well-suited to metal if that’s your bag, but will cost you a little more at $199.
These headphones are a part of the compact collection from Beyerdynamic, making them pretty basic. But if you’re looking to splurge, for $199 you could get the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro headphones, which might be better for you if you have a fixed professional setup. They still feature a closed back design, but these headphones are a pretty big step up from the 270 Pros as they offer a far more durable build, and a fixed aux input.
Beyerdynamic DT 270 Pro review: Design & features
- Comfortable to wear for long periods
- Lightweight and compact
- Wired adapters included
Beyerdynamic is known for its studio headphones, and the DT 270 Pro headphones are a compact version of the DT 240 Pros. They are professional headphones for anyone who needs a space-saving solution for on-the-go, detailed listening. They are super lightweight at only 6.8 ounces, so you can take them with you wherever you go.
The all-black design with gray velour ear cups makes them look very sleek while remaining minimal. The padding on the headband makes them incredibly comfortable, and the headband slides to make them bigger or smaller, depending on your desired fit.
They are over-ear headphones, but only just. What does that mean? While they entirely encapsulate my ear, it’s a snug fit. So if you have bigger ears, you may find the cups sit on top of them slightly. This is all in the interest of staying compact. We’ve got an upgrade from the Beyerdynamic DT 240 Pro headphones, then, which had smaller earpads. The extra padding means extra comfort in the DT 270 Pros.
This is a welcome change from other studio headphones we’ve tested at Tom’s Guide, like the Rode NTH-50s. When my colleague Erin was testing the Rode NTH-50 headphones, I got to try them on and listen to a couple of songs. One thing that struck me about them was how uncomfortable they were, but they are on-ear headphones. Because of the ultra-padded over-ear cups, the DT 270 Pro headphones are a total no-brainer when it comes to comfort.
Another perk is that these headphones are a lot lighter than the Beyerdynamic DT 770, which are more robust and designed to be left in the studio, rather than taken with you anywhere. Both sets of headphones are closed back, which means that the sealed design will provide great noise isolation, but for more serious studio time, the DT 770s are the better option.
The DT 270 Pros are analog headphones and come with a 3.5mm coiled cable, which I found useful when using the headphones with instruments, as I was able to position the cable out of the way easily. But if you’re looking for Bluetooth, wireless, rechargeable cans, these aren’t for you. But you could look at something like the Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 headphones, which come with epic battery life and impressive ANC capabilities.
On top of the 3.5mm coiled cable, the DT 270 Pro headphones ship with a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter and a 1/4″ jack included with the headphones. The USB-C adapter allows me to plug into my computer or phone, and I can use the 1/4″ jack to plug into my amplifier and listen to my guitar through the headphones. Everything stores away neatly in the included drawstring bag, and the earcups fold in for a better fit when storing them.
Beyerdynamic DT 270 Pro review: Audio quality
- Incredible detail
- Can cope with a variety of genres
- Great for instrument practice
Getting to test the Beyerdynamic DT 270 Pro headphones has been so much fun, and I would recommend them to any music geeks who want something for detailed listening.
Whether I was just listening to my regular playlist or plugged into my amp or piano, the DT270 headphones gave me accurate and faithful sound replication. These headphones are designed with recording and monitoring in mind, but the balanced sound profile allowed me to hear all of the details in my regular music listening.
To test out the headphones with music, I listened to a variety of genres with different tempos to see how much detail I could hear in the songs. I tested using 24-bit/192KHz tracks on Qobuz, our recommended best streaming service for audiophiles, so I was hearing the least compressed version of the track possible. The headphones showed off how much detail they can really capture.
I started by listening to Delete Ya by Djo, a song that blurs the lines between psychedelic punk and synth pop. There was far more detail in the song with the Beyerdynamics (which comes as a shock to nobody) than my Beats Studio3, which are my go-to consumer headphones for daily listening while I commute. The drums sounded far more detailed and accentuated sibilant, high-frequency sounds on the hi-hats. The pronunciation of the vocals in the mids also sounded enhanced, and I could hear every breath taken by the singer; the treble was well-balanced. The bassline was also prominent — no aspect of the song was left behind.
Next, I listened to Boogie Wonderland by Earth, Wind & Fire (with The Emotions). This is a classic, but the powerful disco funk can sometimes be a lot for headphones since there is so much going on and a lot of layers to digest. After a little boogie-ing of my own, it was clear that despite the challenge, the DT 270 Pros presented every instrument perfectly with impressive instrument separation. I could hear the frequency of the wind instruments clearly, along with the vocal harmonies and prominent bassline.
Finally, I listened to In My Room by Julia Wolf. This is one of my favorite songs as it starts very melodic and calm before bursting into a gothic explosion from acoustic to electric guitar. These headphones make this song shine, thanks to their excellent sound separation. In the delicate finger-picked acoustic guitar at the start, I felt I could hear every string clearly. Even when it dipped into distortion-heavy electric guitar and powerful drums, there was no issue with balance, and I could still hear Julia’s vocals prominently above the fuzz.
So, in short, these headphones can do it all. They can cope with the delicate whistles of wind instruments stacked up with heavy drums, all the while separating vocals to give the best detailed listening experience.
I also tested the Beyerdynamic DT 270 Pros with my music gear. I plugged the headphones into my amplifier using the jack adapter and connected them to the amp up to my guitar. I ended up trying the headphones out with four of my guitars and was totally impressed by their ability to replicate the timbre of each instrument. Each note I played was clear and sonorous, and I could hear every dynamic movement. They’re a great choice for anyone who wants to get detailed feedback when practicing with an instrument.
Beyerdynamic DT 270 Pro review: Verdict
The Beyerdynamic DT 270 Pro headphones are virtually perfect. They do exactly what they are designed for and do it well. Since they are compact and lightweight, they’re the perfect addition for any musicians or audiophiles who need a solution for detailed listening on the go.
They offer detailed sound and allow me to hear every layer of the songs I listen to. This is perfect for my eclectic taste, as they work well with pretty much any genre because of the incredible instrument separation. The cherry on top is how comfortable they are to wear all day long, so they’re great for intense production sessions. These headphones are a must-have for anyone who wants detailed listening on the go.
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