Many of you may be wondering whether the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pros or the Sony MDR 7506s are the better pair of studio headphones. The short answer is: it depends. Which pair is best for you really comes down to what exactly you're looking for from your new pair of headphones.
In this guide, I compared the Beyerdynamic DT 770 vs Sony MDR 7506 studio headphones to help you decide which option is best for you.
Beyerdynamic DT 770 vs Sony MDR 7506: Which Headphones are Better?
For music production and/or mixing and mastering purposes, we believe the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pros are the better option overall. However, which pair is better really comes down to your specific needs, your budget, and what you're looking for from your headphones, so continue reading to dive deeper into what each of these headphones has to offer.
In this guide, we'll go over the strengths and weaknesses of each pair of headphones so you can make the most informed purchase decision possible.
After you’re done reading, don’t forget to check out our Bedroom Producer Essentials guide where you'll learn about all the necessary gear you need to get started on your music production journey.
With all that said, let's get into our comparison of the Beyerdynamic DT 770 vs Sony MDR 7506.
Price: $149.00
Type: Closed Back
The Beyerdynamic DT 770s are some of the most popular mixing headphones among bedroom producers and professional engineers alike. The accurate and flat sound quality combined with the superior comfort of the plush ear pads make these an amazing value at $149, although it also makes them the more expensive option when comparing against the $99 Sony MDR 7506s.
The DT 770s are closed back headphones, meaning they provide more sound isolation and less audio leakage compared to open back headphones. The MDR 7506s are also closed back. The DT 770s are known for their flat sound, which is surprisingly comparable to the flat sound of the Sony MDR 7506s. However, the level of detail the DT 770s provide is not really comparable to the MDR 7506s, which make your mix sound a bit too jumbled at times.
The comfort of the DT 770s is one of the biggest selling points, as the plush ear pads make long mixing sessions more tolerable on your ears. However, if you live in a warmer climate, they do get a little hot on your head if you wear them for hours at a time.
The DT 770s are offered at 3 different OHM levels: 32 OHM, 80 OHM, and 250 OHM. The 32 OHM headphones require the least amount of power from the device you're plugging them into, while the 250 OHM headphones require the most power. Not all audio interfaces have the power necessary to drive the 250 OHM version, so if you want to be safe, the 80 OHM version is your best bet if you're using a normal USB-connected audio interface.
All-in-all, the DT 770s are arguably the best mixing/mastering headphones between $100-$200 and are a great choice if you want the clearest, most accurate read on your mix in order to make the most informed mixing and mastering decisions possible at this price range.
Price: $99.99
Type: Closed Back
The Sony MDR 7506s are another super popular option that can be found in music studios all around the world. At $99, they're one of the best options out there under $100 and are perfect if you're on a tight budget. However, while these headphones are great for the price range, there are a few reasons why they're so affordable.
The MDR 7506s provide an extremely balanced sound and make your mix sound very cohesive. However, one of the downsides is that they're a bit too flat, meaning it's hard to pick up all the tiny details from the different frequency ranges in your mix. The stiff leather ear pads also feel a bit cheap and aren't the most comfortable during long mixing sessions compared to the DT 770s.
These are closed back headphones, meaning there is more sound isolation and less audio leakage compared to open back headphones. In general, closed back headphones provide a more sealed-off, isolated audio experience, so these might be preferred if you want to hear every last detail of your mix. They're also typically better for recording, since you definitely don't want any audio leakage from your headphones picked up on the microphone. The DT 770s are also closed back headphones.
All-in-all, the Sony MDR 7506s are an amazing option for the price range, however they do come with a few shortcomings such as audio detail, comfort, and build quality. That said, they're still really solid headphones for those on a tight budget and for producers/engineers who are just starting out on their musical journey.
Final Thoughts
Both of these headphones have their own unique strengths and weaknesses, but at the end of the day they're both really solid headphones within the $99-$149 price range. If you're looking for the best audio quality and comfort between the 2, we'd recommend the Beyerdynamic DT 770s. If you're looking for good but not great quality at a more reasonable price, we'd recommend the Sony MDR 7506s. If you're still unsure, we have a full guide comparing various studio headphone options, so go check that out if you still need some guidance.
I hope this comparison has helped you understand the similarities and differences between these 2 headphones! If you have any lingering questions, feel free to leave them down below in the comments.
Enjoyed this guide? Make sure to check out our Bedroom Producer Essentials Guide or some of our reviews/buyer's guides.
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