Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII vs Sony MDR-7506
Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII (#3) vs Sony MDR-7506 (#5, best budget): in our Over-ear Headphones for Studio scoring the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII totals 8.9/10 and the Sony MDR-7506 7.7/10. At $658 versus $104, the Sony MDR-7506 costs $554 less.
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TopsFive comparison scores
Side by side
| Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII | Sony MDR-7506 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $658 | $104 |
| Driver Size | 45mm TESLA.45 | 40mm neodymium |
| Impedance | 250Ω | 63Ω |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz-40kHz | 10Hz-20kHz |
| Weight | 376g | 227g |
| Design | Open-back | Closed-back, foldable |
| Connector | Mini-XLR (single-sided) | — |
How they differ in real use
Built from our over ear studio scoring, each product's published specifications, and verified owner feedback — not hands-on testing.
Both the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII and the Sony MDR-7506 made our Top 5 Over-ear Headphones for Studio, at #3 and #5 (best budget). Exceptional detail resolution with the MKII's refined TESLA.45 drivers. At 250Ω, it requires a dedicated headphone amp or quality audio interface—but rewards with micro-detail that reveals mix issues. Open-back only: NOT for tracking/recording. The ONLY closed-back headphone on this list—essential for tracking and recording where open-back models leak sound into microphones. Industry standard since 1991, found in virtually every professional studio. At $104, every studio should own a pair regardless of what else they have. Not ideal for critical mixing (use open-back for that), but indispensable for recording sessions.
We score over-ear headphones for studio on Accuracy (40%), Detail Resolution (25%), Comfort (15%), Build Quality (10%) and Value (10%). On that basis the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII totals 8.9 out of 10 and the Sony MDR-7506 7.7. The widest gap is Accuracy, where the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII scores 9 against 7.5 for the Sony MDR-7506 — flat, revealing frequency response. Detail Resolution also separates them: 9.5 for the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII versus 7.5 for the Sony MDR-7506. The Sony MDR-7506 claws back ground on Value.
On paper, the specifications that actually differ: Driver Size — 45mm TESLA.45 on the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII versus 40mm neodymium on the Sony MDR-7506; Impedance — 250Ω on the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII versus 63Ω on the Sony MDR-7506; Frequency Response — 5Hz-40kHz on the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII versus 10Hz-20kHz on the Sony MDR-7506; Weight — 376g on the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII versus 227g on the Sony MDR-7506; Design — Open-back on the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII versus Closed-back, foldable on the Sony MDR-7506.
Pricing as of February 8, 2026: $658 for the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII and $104 for the Sony MDR-7506, a $554 difference in the Sony MDR-7506's favor. Owners praise the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII for exceptional detail resolution and tESLA.45 drivers with tight matching tolerances; the most common complaint is 250Ω impedance—needs a decent headphone amp or audio interface. Owners praise the Sony MDR-7506 for industry standard since 1991 and closed-back design essential for tracking/recording (prevents bleed); the most common complaint is bright, fatiguing for long mixing sessions.
Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII
- Exceptional detail resolution
- TESLA.45 drivers with tight matching tolerances
- Dual ear pad sets (analytical and balanced profiles)
- German manufacturing quality
- 250Ω impedance—needs a decent headphone amp or audio interface
- Still slightly bright for treble-sensitive users
- Heavy at 376g for long sessions
Sony MDR-7506
- Industry standard since 1991
- Closed-back design essential for tracking/recording (prevents bleed)
- Reveals flaws (sibilance, distortion, noise)
- 63Ω drives easily from any interface or laptop
- Bright, fatiguing for long mixing sessions
- Non-replaceable coiled cable
- Ear pads wear out (cheap to replace)
Which should you buy?
The Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII is the better fit for mixing engineers with quality headphone amps and detail-oriented critical listening — it is the higher-scoring pick here, chiefly for Accuracy and Detail Resolution. The Sony MDR-7506 is the better fit for tracking/recording sessions (closed-back prevents bleed) and quality control checks, and the stronger choice if Value matters more to you than the overall score. If the $554 saving matters more than Accuracy, the Sony MDR-7506 is the better value. The Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII is a poor fit for treble-sensitive listeners; the Sony MDR-7506 is a poor fit for critical mixing (open-back is better).
Choose the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII if
- Mixing engineers with quality headphone amps
- Detail-oriented critical listening
- Studios already owning a headphone amp
Skip it if
- Treble-sensitive listeners
- Tracking/recording sessions (open-back)
Choose the Sony MDR-7506 if
- Tracking/recording sessions (closed-back prevents bleed)
- Quality control checks
- Budget studios needing a do-everything headphone
Skip it if
- Critical mixing (open-back is better)
- Comfort prioritizers
Common questions
Is the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII better than the Sony MDR-7506?
In our Over-ear Headphones for Studio ranking the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII scores higher overall, 8.9 to 7.7, with the biggest advantage in Accuracy. The Sony MDR-7506 is stronger on Value, so it is the better pick if that matters most to you.
How much more does the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII cost than the Sony MDR-7506?
$554 more as of February 8, 2026: $658 for the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII against $104 for the Sony MDR-7506. Prices move, so the merchant page shows the current figure. What the extra buys is mostly Accuracy — 9 versus 7.5 in our scoring.
What is the main difference between the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII and the Sony MDR-7506?
The headline spec difference is Driver Size: 45mm TESLA.45 on the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII versus 40mm neodymium on the Sony MDR-7506. In use, the gap that matters most is Accuracy (9 vs 7.5 in our scoring): flat, revealing frequency response.