Beyerdynamic DT1990 Oratory Pro vs Sennheiser HD 660S: 5 Steps to Unlock Your Best Oratory Performance

Ever feel like you’re just talking to yourself, wondering if what you’re saying is actually coming across right? If you’re serious about your speaking game – whether it’s nailing presentations or getting your voice just right for voiceovers – hearing yourself clearly is super important. That’s where headphones come in, and the Beyerdynamic DT1990 oratory Pro and Sennheiser HD 660S are two big names that often pop up when we’re looking for the best. But which of these audio champs should you actually be putting on your head to get your voice sounding its best?

This isn’t going to be some boring list of specs. We’re gonna break down what really matters for us speakers, so you can figure out which of these headphones is the right tool to make your voice shine.

What Do You Need Your Headphones For? Let’s Get Real

Before we jump into the headphone showdown, let’s think about what “speaking” actually looks like for you. Are you mostly practicing speeches in peace and quiet? Maybe you’re doing online presentations where making sure every word is crisp is key? Or are you a voice coach, needing to hear every little detail when you’re giving feedback?

What you’re doing with your voice really shapes what you need in a pair of headphones. But, there are a few things that are always going to be a big deal:

• Clarity: Can you actually hear your own voice clearly, without it sounding weird or fuzzy?
• Comfort: Are they comfy enough to wear for those long practice sessions?
• Accuracy: Are they giving you a true picture of your voice, so you can actually hear what you sound like?
• Isolation: How much do they block out the noise around you (and stop your sound from leaking out)? It’s easy to forget about this with open-back headphones, but it’s worth thinking about.

Meet the Headphones: Let’s Take a Closer Look

Alright, let’s get up close and personal with these two contenders.

Beyerdynamic DT1990 Oratory Pro: The Detail Detective – Nothing Gets Past These Guys

Think of these headphones like having a super-powered magnifying glass for your ears. The Beyerdynamic DT1990 oratory Pro are super detailed and really good at picking up every little thing. You’ll hear every breath, every tiny change in your tone, every little “um” you didn’t even know you were making. They’ve got a brighter sound that makes everything sound crystal clear, so if you need to really dig into the nitty-gritty of your voice, these are your guys.

Now, for comfort. They’ve got plush, soft earcups that feel great. But, they can clamp onto your head a little tightly, especially when they’re brand new. For shorter bursts of practice, it’s no big deal, but if you’re planning a mega-session, you might feel it after a while. The build quality is seriously impressive – they feel really solid and you can even replace parts, which is something Beyerdynamic’s known for.

To get the most out of the DT1990 oratory Pro, you’ll really want to use a headphone amplifier. They’ll still work without one, but an amp gives them the extra juice to really shine, making everything sound fuller and more controlled – which is key for getting a true picture of your voice. Think about pairing them with a clean-sounding amp to keep that super-detailed sound.

If you need to really pick apart your voice and hear every single detail, the DT 1990 Pro are amazing. They’re perfect for when you’re trying to figure out exactly where you’re stumbling over words or if your tone is a little off. Voiceover folks who need to hear every tiny thing for editing love these too.

Sennheiser HD 660S: The Smooth Operator – Easy on the Ears, Easy to Listen To

If the DT 1990 Pro are like a microscope, the Sennheiser HD 660S are more like a really high-quality monitor. They give you a balanced, smooth, and natural sound. You’ll still hear everything clearly, but it’s not quite as “in your face” as the DT 1990 Pro. It’s more like listening to a really accurate version of your voice, without it feeling too clinical. They’ve got a sound that’s more in the middle, not too bright or too bass-y.

When it comes to comfort, the HD 660S are champions. They’re lighter than the DT 1990 Pro and the earcups are super comfy. They don’t squeeze your head as much, so you can wear them for hours without feeling like your head’s in a vise. The build is solid and reliable, although maybe not quite as “heavy-duty” feeling as the DT 1990 Pro.

While the HD 660S are easier to power than the DT 1990 Pro, they still sound even better with a decent headphone amplifier. An amp will clean up the sound, bring out more detail, and just make everything sound more enjoyable. You might think about pairing them with an amp that adds a little warmth to the sound if that’s what you’re after.

The HD 660S are awesome for those long practice sessions when you just want to be comfortable. They give you great sound without being too intense, which is perfect for general speaking practice.

Beyond the Basics: Things You Might Not Be Thinking About

Okay, we’ve talked about sound and comfort, but let’s look at a couple of other things that matter:

Isolation: Can You Hear Yourself Think?

Both the DT 1990 Pro and the HD 660S are open-back headphones. This usually means the sound is more natural and open, but they don’t block out much outside noise, and sound will leak out. If you’re practicing in a quiet space, that’s usually fine and can even feel more natural. But, if it’s noisy around you or you don’t want to bother anyone else, you might want to think about closed-back headphones. For example, the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro (around $159) are known for blocking out sound well and still sounding clear, or the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x (around $169) are a popular choice too.

Microphones: Making Sure You’re Heard

Most of the time, when you’re using these for speaking, you’ll also have a separate microphone. Good news – both the DT 1990 Pro and HD 660S have standard headphone jacks, so they won’t mess with your microphone setup. Just make sure you have the right cables for both.

Playing with EQ: Getting Your Voice Just Right

Think of an EQ like the sound controls on your stereo. It lets you boost or lower certain sounds. While the DT 1990 Pro and HD 660S both sound great as they are, you could use an EQ to tweak the sound to fit your voice just right. For example, you might boost the middle sounds a little to make your voice sound clearer. You can find EQ settings online that other people use for these headphones as a starting point.

Real-Life Speaking Situations: Which Headphone Wins?

Let’s see how these headphones stack up in different speaking scenarios:

• Getting Ready for a Big Speech: The DT 1990 Pro probably wins here. Being able to hear every little detail is super helpful when you’re prepping for something important.
• Just Practicing Your Voice Regularly: This could go either way. If you want to be comfy, the HD 660S are great. But if you’re really focusing on technique, the detail of the DT 1990 Pro might be better.
• Doing Online Presentations: Isolation is more important here. Since both are open-back, it depends on how noisy your environment is. If it’s loud, you might think about closed-back headphones.
• Giving Voice Coaching or Getting Feedback: Being able to hear every little thing is key, so the DT 1990 Pro’s detail makes them a great tool.

Making Your Choice: What’s Most Important to You?

At the end of the day, the best headphones for you depend on what you need most:

• If You’re All About the Details: If you need to hear every single nuance and pick apart your voice with precision, go for the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro.
• If Comfort is King: If you need headphones you can wear for hours without any issues and you want a natural, balanced sound, the Sennheiser HD 660S are a fantastic choice.
• If You Need a Bit of Both: Think about which way you lean more. Do you usually prioritize comfort, or is getting every detail right more crucial?

Let’s Break it Down Simply:

What the Experts Say:

The folks over at RTINGS.com say the DT1990 oratory Pro are amazing for hearing every little detail and have a wide sound, which is great for really listening closely.

Over on the Head-Fi.org forums, people often talk about how comfy the Sennheiser HD 660S are and how they have a nice, balanced sound, which is perfect for just chilling and listening.

Wrapping Up: Your Voice Deserves Great Sound

Both the Beyerdynamic DT1990 oratory Pro and the Sennheiser HD 660S are awesome headphones that can really help you level up your speaking skills. There’s no single “best” – it’s all about what works best for you. Think about what you need them for, where you’ll be using them, and what kind of sound you prefer, and you’ll be able to pick the perfect pair to make your voice sound its absolute best. Investing in good headphones is like investing in your voice – it’s one of the most powerful tools you’ve got!

Ready to transform your voice? Explore the full comparison now and discover your ideal oratory headphones!