Strauss & Wagner Review: Beyerdynamic DT 7/8/990 Earpads

Testing these earpads was a tedious task, as there are a lot of models that these earpads are compatible with. Luckily, since a lot of the DT 770 line has the same shape, it's safe to assume which models will be compatible. Most notably, these earpads were not compatible with the DT 700 Pro X and the DT 900 Pro X. The earpads had a different clipping mechanism as opposed to the thin flap on the rim of the earpad. You'll find the earpads work with the following models: 

• DT 770 Pro, DT 770 Pro X
• DT 880 Pro, DT 880 EDITION
• DT 990 Pro, DT 990 Pro X, DT 990 EDITION

A lot of time and listening went into the sound quality analysis. With so many variations and compatible models, there is a lot of data collection with the listening. After testing the headphones with all the pad variations, there was a noticeable list of trends that showed how the earpads influenced the sound of the headphones. The original pads on most of the Beyerdynamic series make the headphones sound neutral, especially in models like the DT 770 Pro and the Pro X. The DT 880 and 990 Pro have a very natural sound that has a bit more brightness. The original pads on most are a velour material, so when you switch out for the replacement velour earpads, the sound quality is essentially identical to what you'd expect out of the stock earpads. The nice part of the velour earpads was the inclusion of the foam disk, which slightly dampened the sound it less harsh. This was especially helpful in the DT 990 Pro, where the bass got a smoother response, and the treble was reined in. 

The mesh cloth material was one of my favorites. It may be rough and stiff to the touch, but on the ears was a surprisingly comfortable fit. The material was good for preventing overheating during extended use. I felt like I could wear these all day and not get fatigued, even with the addition of glasses being pressed on the sides of my head. In terms of the sound profile, it was not much different than the stock sound, which was good to hear. You got a bit more clarity in the top end and some added brightness to the low end. It was like the mesh cloth just lifted the heavier signature up a bit more to not weigh you down as much during listening. 

Earpads that had comfort above all else were the lambskin and hybrid variations. The lambskin pads were great for comfort, and they didn't shock you with a big sonic change either. The profile got a little added warmth to smooth out the bass, but the overall detail and clarity weren't compromised at all. The bass response was a little faster and had some good drive that the velour pads let fall flat. The hybrid pads were made of protein skin and flannel material, so you had a very soft feeling against your head and something a little more durable on the outside. This variation had a different physical structure, where the back of the pad was a bit wider than the front to create a slant. Because of this, you had a more ergonomic fit that created a better seal on your head during use. You could hear details more precisely, and the bass got a little extra boost because of the good seal.

At the end of the day, you can find a perfect replacement for the Beyerdynamic DT 770 series. Depending on what kind of material and comfort you're looking for, Strauss & Wagner is sure to have you covered. Even aesthetics get an upgrade with the color choice options, available only in the velour and mesh cloth variations. You can rest assured knowing that these earpads won't diminish the sound quality of change it completely; instead, they will improve it and only increase the good that's already in your Beyerdynamic headphones. 

You can get these Strauss & Wagner Beyerdynamic replacement pads at Audio46.

You can check out other earpads by Strauss & Wagner here.