beyerdynamic DT 440 Premium Headphones

by beyerdynamic

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4 x 8.5 inches ; 1.8 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000Y04OSU
• Item model number: DT 440
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 27, 2007

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Designed as an introductory model to beyerdynamic's premium headphone line, the open back design of the DT 440 gives a true sense of ambience. Extremely well balanced sound, suitable for any music that requires that extra responsive dynamic punch--whether you are into pop, jazz, soul or dance. The DT 440’s powerful bass end and extended highs make for a lively and detailed audio experience. The 90° swiveling earcups and softer yet sturdy materials for the headband and the ear pads ensure outstanding levels of comfort. The fold-away design makes it easy to store and transport. Thanks to its German engineering, the DT 440 looks as good as it performs.

Ulta-soft, swiveling earcups are ideal for extended periods of wear

Open, On-Ear Design with Swiveling Earcups

The DT 440 features an open-back circumaural (over-the-ear) design for rich audio performance that's designed for critical listening. The open design of the headphones allows increased fidelity to the original recording and a more natural sound stage. The driver design of the DT 440 gives your music full reign, with natural response and crisp linearity. You'll hear every note, every beat, and every detail just as the artist originally intended.

The folding earcup design helps the DT 440 Headphones take up less space while on the move

The ultra-soft earcups are ideal for extended periods of wear, so you can enjoy an entire concert (or two) in complete comfort. An adjustable headband lets you achieve the perfect fit, and the earcups swivel a full 90 degrees for listening and positioning convenience.

Dynamic Transducer for Increased Fidelity and Performance

Without exception, beyerdynamic manufactures the dynamic transducer systems that go into their headphones in-house. From the magnet and diaphragm to the careful wiring and circuitry, beyerdynamic controls quality at all levels of manufacturing, ensuring superior engineering in their headphones down to the smallest detail.

An extremely strong neodymium magnet system offers the DT 440 highly detailed sound reproduction quality, is mechanically very robust, and needs only a small amount of operating voltage which increases efficiency. This increased efficiency also leaves the DT 440 with greater power reserves for dynamic, undistorted sound that especially compensates well for low-spec mobile devices such as portable media players that often can't perform at the same level as dedicated home equipment. The extremely lightweight 32 Ohm voice coil provides transparency and increased impulse fidelity.

Fold-Away Design

The convenient folding earcup design of the DT 440 helps it take up less space while on the move, easily folding into a compact form to carry in your backpack, suitcase, or bag.

	DT 990			DT 880			DT 770			DT 860	DT 660	DT 440
	32	250	600	32	250	600	32	250	600
Application	MP3 and PC	Home Hi-Fi	High End	MP3 and PC	Home Hi-Fi	High End	MP3 and PC	Home Hi-Fi	High End	32 Ohm for MP3 and PC
Sound Characteristics	Strong Bass & Treble			Neutral & Linear			Strong Bass & Treble			Crystal Clear	Powerful	Balanced
Construction	Open			Semi-Open			Closed			Open	Closed	Open
Headband	Spring Steel Headband									Plastic Headband (foldable)

What's in the Box

• The beyerdynamic DT 440 Headphones
• Screwable 6.35 mm / 1/4" adaptor

Technical Specifications

• Transmission Type: Wired
• Impedance: 32 ohms
• Frequency Response: 10 Hz - 35,000 Hz
• Sound Pressure Level: 95 dB
• Construction: Circumaural (over-the-ear)
• Cable & Plug: Straight connecting cable with mini-jack plug (3.5 mm) & 1/4" adapter (6.35 mm)
• Net Weight: 320 g

Product Description

An ideal way to introduce yourself to the world of beyerdynamic premium headphones without spending a fortune, the DT 440 headphones are terrific for music fans of all stripes. The DT 440s feature an open back design that produces a true sense of ambience and extremely well balanced sound. The headphones' powerful bass and extended highs make for a lively and detailed experience whether you're into pop, jazz, soul, dance, or any other music that requires an extra-responsive dynamic punch. In addition, these headphones are extremely comfortable and are equipped with a rugged headband and soft replaceable ear pads for all-day listening. Wearers will love the fold-away design, which makes the headphones easy to store and transport. Other details include 32-ohm impedance, a single-sided 3-meter connecting cable, a gold-plated 1/8-inch stereo jack plug, and a 1/4-inch adapter. The DT 440s, which weigh 11.3 ounces, carry a two-year warranty on parts and labor.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ive tried them all, and these take the prize!, July 1, 2009

By 

christopher mangum - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: beyerdynamic DT 440 Premium Headphones (Electronics)

First of all, let me tell you that I have been through over 15 different headphones before finding these. Let me also state that I have never paid over 100 dollars for any pair. So yes, these are not the same as something costing 600 dollars, but, of all I have tried these are the absolute best.
As to these headphones, The sonic abilities are incredible. I have listened to several songs in the past on the headphones I have owned before and none have come close to the sonic abilities of these units. From the depths of the lows to the hight of the highs, I have not heard any distortion (exept where forced by the artist for effect). They are not the most comfy at first, but lets face it, the sound is the key and here is where these units shine. By the way, this was the first circumaural headphones to actually fit over my ears! I do have big ears and was suprised that they completely covered them without even touching the edges. I mainly use them for an ipod so the sound is a bit hard to get going. But this the first time I have been able to use the bass boost without making every song sound like it was stressed. The spectrum of reproduction is the best I have heard so I can honestly say this is the final pair I will be owning for some time. Especially when it comes to the high end, I found that music I thought was distorted by design was merely distorted by the headphones. I was truly inspired by the fact that many songs I didnt love because I thought the distortion was deliberate, I now find was just the limits of previous headphones. The build of these units is very sturdy with metal outer casing and quality components. Dont love the folding design, but it does make it easier to store. The bass is awesome, I found that they are amazing at true reproduction without sounding over-done or under-driven. I have found that only when listening to these cans can I hear the true development of the artist intentions. I have been amazed and continue to be as I listen to more and more with these units.

Here is a list of those whom did not make the cut against these cans.

Sennheiser HD 515, good quality, great sound, but suffered at the high end with a touch of distortion. Very comfortable and modern finish.

Stanton DJ Pro 1000 MKIIS, OK, these were near the bottom. I was quite dejected by how bad these were. No sonic resonance, just a lot of distortion and a very narrow range. I was suprised as my mother used to work for them and they did, at one time, make a great full range headphone.

AKG K240. OK, these are great headphones, but- not for ipods. With high impedance I was never able to truly test them out. Very comfortable and great sound, but the ipod maxed out at about 50 % of the sound level I am used too. I know, Im going to go deaf one day but I cant help but crank up mudvayne. It just doesnt sound right at low volume.

Sennheiser HD 260. Very comfortable and probably a close second to the HD 515, but just not the isolation and sonic relavance I was looking for.

Sennheiser HD 435. These are superaural which means they sit flush with the ear. Decent sound for the cost, but couldnt get used to them just being against the ear. And of course zero isolation. I live near a busy road so even at night sound bugs me.

Sennheiser HD 202. Good isolation, decent sound and a good overall reproduction quality. A bit flimsy on construction. Im old school and like them not heavy but a sturdy feel and design is key.

In summary, I can tell you that I have spent way too much time, and money, working through many many pairs of headphones but now see that it was all worth it. Although I can honestly say I had never heard of them before, I will never forget the name now. They completely cover my ears, not sound isolation complete but a good balance of sound isolation nad sonic resonance, fairly comfortable (takes some getting used to), and the sound, the sound, the sound. I can honestly say they have been such a pleasure to listen to that I actually look forward to the opportunity to put them on the loose myself in another world as I emerse myself the a sonic dream....

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Headphone, January 28, 2010

By 

agnostic - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: beyerdynamic DT 440 Premium Headphones (Electronics)

These are the best sub-$250 headphones I have ever heard, and a total steal for what they sell for. They fit a little strangely at first, but you quickly get used to them. As for the sound, it is crystal clear in the highs, nice strong lows without being overpowering, and rich mids. The soundstage is phenomenal as well. In other words, I have no complaints about these at all, other than the initially strange fit. I use them from my ipod too, and they sound better than any other headphone I have ever plugged into it. Ie, they do not require amplification in the slightest. They do have a long, thick cord though, so they are not exactly built for that purpose, but I coil the cord up and use them anyway, because nothing has ever sounded so good out of my nano. I also use them amplified on my home system, and they respond very well to that as well. I love them.

12 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beyerdynamic DT440 my review:, May 19, 2008

By 

M. Stolk "Mitch" (NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: beyerdynamic DT 440 Premium Headphones (Electronics)

I have owned these headphones for almost a week and have been working on breaking them in, or burning them in as a lot of people say, and the sound has improved over the course of the last 4 days. I have used them for probably 40 hours now and the sound went from being overly bright to a more natural sound. It took a while for the base to break in to sound more natural.

Pros:

The sound quality for the price you pay for these headphones is excellent. I prefer the sound of the DT440 over the Sennheizer's HD595 for several reasons. Sennheizer headphones have a darker sound which is not bad at all. Note that the Sennheizer HD595 has higher impedance than the DT440's therefore one would expect them to sound differently. These headphones require no amp to drive them; an ipod can drive these headphones. These are a neutral headphone when it comes to the sound in the highs and lows. They have no exaggerated base, and there not too bright after burning them in for a few days.

Note: If you prefer a darker sound and more base in your music, get the HD555 or HD595. Sennheizer makes an excellent product as well.

Cons:

Some people have reported cracking with the headphone bands, however I have not experience this problem and will definitely add a comment about that if and when that happens. These headphones may feel uncomfortable for the first few days of wearing them, however the elastic part of the headphones does begin to loosen up as you break them in by wearing them more. Also, the padding is small, so your ear will touch the padding on the inside of the headphone. If this is an issue it is an easy fix, you can buy different padding from the company that will fit these. I believe the nice velour ear pads that fit the DT770/880/ and 990 series fit the DT440's as well.

Final thoughts:

If you have a $150 budget, then these headphones will deliver excellent sound quality. If you're willing to spend more money and have an amp, then get the DT880's they are better than these headphones. If you're willing to spend more money and do not have an amp, then the DT860/DT770 80 ohm versions are available and are higher quality than these phones. Note: there is a DT770 250 and DT770 80, unless you have an amp the DT770 250 will not sound good. The DT770 80 will work without an amp.

If you want Ultra high quality headphones that are well balanced like Beyerdynamic headphones and have no price limit then shoot for the DENON AH-D5000 or DENON AH-D2000. This is probably the most balanced headphone as far as highs and lows are concerned in frequency response.