Beyerdynamic is a German brand renowned amongst audiophiles and audio professionals. Priced at Rs. 7,499 (available for around Rs 6,999 online), the Beyerdynamic DT 240 Pro is a pair of professional studio monitors built with musicians, filmmakers, producers, and podcasters in mind. It competes head-on with Audio Technica's ATH-M40X and ATH-M50X, which are also professional-grade headphones with a similar frequency response range.
Studio monitors are also popular with mainstream buyers looking for a flat sound signature. With a heavy-duty detachable cable, generously padded earcups, a metal headband, and the promise of studio-grade sound reproduction, the DT240 Pro looks very promising on paper. Let's see if this pair of headphones is worth its asking price.
Unboxing the DT 240 Pro is a very straightforward and no-nonsense affair. The box is very simple and classy, and contains the headphones, a soft pouch for storage, and a 6.3mm stereo pin adapter which is required for professional audio equipment.
The device itself is finished in matte black, and looks very sober. There's no inline remote or mic, no flashy colours, and no design flair as such to speak of. These are professional grade headphones that mean business.
The DT 240 Pro is predominantly made of plastic, but the headband is reinforced with metal and the yokes are made out of aluminium. The build quality is top-notch, with soft leatherette ear pads, stress relievers on both ends of the single detachable cable, and generous padding on the headband. Even after putting the headphones through unrealistic levels of stress, we found no cracks or popped seams.
The partially coiled removable 3.5mm to 2.5mm cable can be extended up to 10 feet and is of very high quality. One really unique aspect of the DT 240 Pro is the fact that both earpieces have a 2.5mm input, which allows you to connect the cord to either side. The DT 240 Pro is great at sound isolation but leaks a considerable amount of sound at moderate to high volume levels.
The DT 240 Pro folds flat for storage and is extremely comfortable, even for extended listening sessions, thanks to its low weight and generously padded earpieces. Those with larger ears may find it difficult to get a good fit with the DT 240 Pro, as the earcups are on the smaller side. As with all on-ear headphones with generous padding, the DT 240 Pro can make your ears feel a bit hot and sweaty after extended periods of use in warm environments.
We tested the DT 240 Pro using a Fiio X1 high-res digital audio player and a Moto Z2 Force. With both sources, the headphones delivered crisp and detailed audio. Unlike many pairs of headphones in this price range, the DT 240 is quite sensitive and does not require an amplifier - any regular smartphone drives it just fine.
The DT 240 has a very flat and accurate sound signature. The headphones are built to reproduce audio exactly as it was recorded. It is perfectly capable of reproducing any deep and rumbling lows in the sound mix, but will not boost the bass like many commercial pairs of headphones will.
The level of clarity on offer is outstanding, and the highs are sparkly and clear. Even at deafening volume levels, the sound does not distort, and detail and clarity are maintained. There is a modicum of sibilance but the treble never sounds overtly bright or harsh. Mids are forward and expressive and are never buried in the sound mix. The only disappointment is the soundstage, which could have been a touch wider.
In tracks such as Slow Dancing In a Burning Room (Live), John Mayer's guitars benefit from the ideal amount of high-mid and high frequency response and his vocals are reproduced with the just the right amount of expression and clarity. Even on bass-heavy EDM tracks such as The Chainsmokers' Roses, the lows are delivered with punch and do not drown out the vocals or highs in the slightest.
Verdict
The Beyerdynamic DT 240 Pro is a well-built and comfortable pair of headphones that delivers extremely crisp, accurate and detailed sound at a relatively reasonable price. It's great for both professional use as well as for folks looking for headphones that honour all frequencies equally.
Mainstream consumers used to headphones with V-shaped sound signatures that skew towards the bass and treble might find the DT 240 Pro's absolutely flat sound signature a bit hard to digest. Bassheads in particular should steer clear of these headphones and look towards options such as the Sony MDRXB950AP, which have a deliberately bass-heavy sound signature.
Price: Rs. 7,499 (MRP)
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