Despite being named like a gaming headset, the Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X is not. They seem terrible for the job on paper. They do not have a team chat mic, there are no controls on the ear cups, and they connect using a standard-only-in-the-audio-industry mini XLR port.
The DT 700 Pro X headphones are not designed to be used for watching movies or listening to music for long periods of time. The studio headphones are meant to reveal the truth about what is happening in sound.
Audio professionals mixing music, editing soundtracks, and recording live. People who care less about cranking up the bass just because it sounds cool and more about making the bass sound good overall. I loved using them for my own media consumption despite their flaws.
The studio headphones are re-purposed.
Unlike most headsets that add some extra layers of processing to make the signal they receive sound, studio headphones are designed to do as little post-processing or tweaking as possible. Rather than exaggerating bass tones so explosions sound bigger or strings sound shinier, they deliver highly accurate sound reproduction, so what you hear is what the people who made the media you are playing intended.
I found them great for more leisurely tasks, like gaming. The ear cups on the DT 700 Pro X are comfortable and lightweight, so I can wear them for a long time. They aren't as heavy as they could be since they aren't designed to have extras like wireless transmitters, batteries, microphones, etc.
The metal core of the headband is a little tighter than I would prefer, which can cause an uncomfortable head squeezing feeling when using the headset for a long period of time. In my experience, this was not a problem for shorter work sessions. It reminded me to get up from the desk or couch once in a while, like the pros do.
Even as studio headphones go, the DT 700 Pro X are fairly expensive at $280. The industry-standard Sony MDR7506 is typically around $90, and Audio-Technica's ATH-M50X retails for $170.
The premium and modern feel of the headset is what sets it apart. Even though the Sony MDR7506 is substantially cheaper, I still remember how cheap they felt. The kind of headset you would want by your side for a long time is what the DT 700 Pro X feels like.
Hearing with new ears.
Professionals use headphones like these. I felt like I was hearing something for the first time when I tried out the DT 700 Pro X, which I initially got to test for more professional video editing purposes. I've played Death Stranding many times and I am familiar with the soundtrack.
The way the wind blew and the way the fabric flaps on my suit changed over time. The sound was not more rich or vivid. At times it was the opposite. It felt more real.
Teams of people are obsessed with every little audio detail in big games. On dirt, pavement, snow, and in water, footsteps sound different. Someone working with the best audio equipment had to design it. They probably weren't trying to make every step of my boots sound exaggerated.
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