Beyerdynamic T90 Open Back Headphones - Finely Balanced Quality

Open Up

As far as headphones go, Beyerdynamic has a hefty reputation. Their products seek to prioritize quality audio and the company is well known for their high-end headphones. The Beyerdynamic T90 is a relatively new introduction to their lineup. Seeing that the product sports an open back design, you can instantly come to the conclusion that the device is meant for audiophiles who want to get down to some serious, private listening. Let’s have a look at the overall build of the T90 and see if it is fully equipped for its intended purpose.

Design and Features

We’ll start off by reviewing the aesthetics of the T90, which is actually quite poised and elegant in this day and age of over-the-top, flashy, garish cans. The matte silver finish is classic and the ear-cup supports have a touch of brushed aluminum finish. The defining characteristic of the product however is the fine, chocolate brown grill providing the open ear feature for the product. The color palette definitely lends the headphones a sepia treated quality. Open back design also means that the device is intended for private listening indoors. Though there is nothing stopping you from using the headphones in different situations, the sound bleeding out due to the open design might not be to the liking of those around you.

In shape and size, the Beyerdynamic T90 is similar to older models such as the DT990, which we have had a fair bit of experience with. The more sedate looks as compared to the vented slats of the latter are evident. In fact the T90 looks like a more 'grown up, job holding, tax paying' version that the punk-ish DT990 grew up to be. The two headphones share one prominent feature, which is the thick, soft velvet cushioning on the ear-cups. On the whole, we prefer the natural feel of velvet as opposed to synthetic leather and we will definitely be testing the headphones for comfort as well as audio performance on the next page. In addition, the headband of the headphones is also cushioned to reduce the fatigue which naturally sets in after long listening sessions.

The ear-cups are provided with approximately 30 degrees of swivel on the vertical plane, which should allow them to adapt to the contours of every user’s head. The headband length can also be altered to further assist on a getting a good fit. Though the T90 has a solid build, there were a few odd and unnerving sounds emitted when we extended the headband, but that's the extent of its 'annoyance'. Driver size within the ear-cups is 45mm each, which is slightly larger than the standard 40mm size most competitors normally use. Beyerdynamic's Tesla technology has also been included as a feature for the T90. Basically, Tesla technology is the name given to the extra-strong magnets Beyerdynamic employs to keep total harmonic distortion low while ensuring good highs and trebles.

Users can interface with the T90 with the help of a 3.5mm connector (or a 6.35mm connector, which can be easily screwed on or off). Speaking about connectivity, the Beyerdynamic T90 has a nominal impedance of 250 Ohms. Amplification units in portable devices such as the iPod Classic 160GB and everyday smartphones do not have enough power to fully realize the potential of these headphones. Though the headphones will still provide audio, sound will seem like it has had the volume dialed down and we do not recommend the T90 to be used without sufficient amplification as it will significantly reduce its performance levels in the long run.

Like most Beyerdynamic headphones, this product also comes with a premium leather bag which can be used to house the headphones when they are not in use.

Judging Sound

As the Beyerdynamic T90 is an open back headphone intended for private listening sessions we will be looking for fidelity to neutral tone and sound, along with a wide soundstage and balanced mix of the different sound frequencies during our testing process. Our previous experience with the Beyerdynamic DT990 made us hopeful for the T90’s showing. Seeing that the T90 is supposed to be a newer, higher level product it should theoretically be able to perhaps surpass the standards set by the older model.

Comfort Levels

But before we shed light on the audio performance, we would like to discuss the comfort levels offered by the Beyerdynamic T90. The cushioning is soft and plush, as can be expected when velvet is used, and also seems to be a bit thicker than the average headphone’s offering. A loose and comfortable fit was experienced, with the padding on the headphone really making sure that the weight of the product is not felt. In addition, we experienced almost no over-heating even after keeping the headphones on from 9am to 7pm. Out of the multitude of headphones we have reviewed, the T90 comes close to being the most comfortable of the lot. We would just prefer if it didn’t make noises that sounded like the headband was snapping to pieces every time we adjusted the fit.

MP3 Testing

Though we tested the T90 with a variety of tracks, including lossless versions of our standard test suite, we will be presenting the findings from our MP3 listening for the sake of continuity. Usage of our staple MP3 tracks also ensures that comparison between different headphones from various manufacturers is also possible.

Our usual starting point for our MP3 tests is Adele’s Melt My Heart To Stone which is a deceptively difficult song to handle. Fortunately for the T90, it came roaring out of the blocks and got right to work. The soul filled track was rendered with warmth and the melody was reproduced brilliantly. At the same time the highs were clear and bright to boot. As you can expect from open back headphones, the soundstage was expansive and roomy. The reverb effects used on the guitars for the track were wonderfully ambient and helped increase the enjoyment of the overall track. This was a near perfect start for the Beyerdynamic headphones.

While the Adele song is a great way to test treble performance for an audio product, the presence of lower frequencies is very limited. To fully test out the bass performance of the headphones we tried it out with Tiesto’s Elements Of Life. The T90 already had an advantage due to its open back design assisting soundstage. Providing a great roomy atmosphere, these headphones place themselves a cut above the rest of the competitors we have reviewed in the past. Add in great attention to detail and all the disparate elements of the song came together in a beautiful, balanced mix. The fidelity to the overall rendering of the track helped increase the enjoyment immensely. The only fault, so to speak, was that bass could have had a slight smidgen extra impact.

Representing the hard rock genre, we played Sail On Soothsayer by Buckethead next. The fidelity to every individual instrument of sound we experienced previously came to the forefront on this instrumental piece. The biting highs of Buckethead’s lead guitar were exquisitely juxtaposed against the heavy, distortion rhythm track. Neither part of the melody overpowered the other, lending credibility to the T90’s status as a product for the serious audiophile. This balancing feat is quite difficult to accomplish as it requires the headphones to be stellar across the entire spectrum of audio frequencies. Up till this point, color us extremely impressed with the T90's performance.

The last stop on our formal test suite is almost always the live, acoustic rendering of Hotel California by The Eagles. The song has it all, acoustic guitars, alternate percussions, intricate melodies and harmonies which are meant to be delivered as one potent mix of heady, old school, classic rock and roll. After its prior performances, the Beyerdynamic T90 manfully sets to task. The headphone’s previously mentioned attention to detail and great transient response ensured that the alternate percussions sound crisp and lifelike. An excellent soundstage ensures that the live, hall atmosphere was fully captured. And excellent highs ensure that all the beautiful guitar-work and singing is delivered in its full glory.

It looks like this device has delivered on all counts. Its open back design gives it a soundstage which is wide, spacious and accurately renders the directionality of sound. We would characterize the tone of the T90 as being extremely balanced and vibrant. Some audio products take their quest to deliver a completely neutral tone too far and forget to remember that neutrality in itself is not the final goal, but delivering an enjoyable listening experience is. This Beyerdynamic T90 ensures that neutrality is used as a tool to ensuring you get maximum pleasure from you audio playback experience.

A Niche Product?

We come now to pass judgment on the Beyerdynamic T90 on the whole as a product. And before we proceed there is one last piece of the information puzzle you need, which is the cost. The T90 headphones have a price tag of S$899. To put it in context with a similar amount you could probably go to a shop and walk away with the latest smartphone, tablet or even an extremely decent, well equipped notebook. The question now becomes, is it worth your while to spend that amount on this device instead?

The performance track record for the T90 is almost faultless and for the price it commands, it had to be. Overall characteristics of the headphones can be classified as being balanced and vibrant. All the different bands of frequencies from the spectrum of sound are beautifully rendered and the sum of their impact is relayed with great fidelity. We were wowed by the way the product delivered warm yet bright highs on Adele’s Melt My Heart To Stone. Attention to detail and good transient response, along with an excellent soundstage, made us feel like we were sitting in the hall for live Hotel California track. Had the T90 delivered just the slightest smidgen of extra bass impact, it might just have walked away with the perfect audio performance score.

But the application of the Beyerdynamic T90 is somewhat limited. The open back design, which helps give the headphones their excellent soundstage, also meant that you cannot use them anywhere you please. Bleeding out of sound is part and parcel of open back designs and will result in everyone being able to hear the music you are playing. We would advise against using the headphones in public spaces such as in a train ride or your office work environment just to ensure you do not offend anyone within earshot of your listening activities. In addition the 250 Ohms impedance of the T90 is a bit on the high side. While the headphones will function with portable music players such as the iPod and smartphones, these kind of devices do not have the amplification necessary to make the headphones perform at full capacity. When we tried the T90 with our iPod Classic, we experienced a definite drop in performance quality with the overall sound being muted.

The Beyerdynamic T90 is best suited for private listening, preferably with a good amplification unit thrown into the mix for a good measure. Its specifications and application make it crystal clear that the product is targeted at audiophiles and music lovers. But in today’s hectic, fast-paced day and age how many people actually have the time to sit down and enjoy music peacefully? The current trend of storing all your music on your smartphone or the cloud and consuming it on the go, with which the T90 is definitely not compatible, make the product a throwback to an older era. Casual listeners definitely do not need to invest in the T90 as it would be ill-suited to their needs. But if you are looking for cultured, sophisticated and impeccable sound, this Beyerdynamic headset should be right up your alley.

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