Is the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro worth the upgrade from the Sony WH-1000XM6?
Verdict
Downgrade
The Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro actually scores 25.1 points below the Sony WH-1000XM6, so on aggregate review consensus this is a step backwards. It loses ground on sound (9.0 to 7.5). On paper: driver size 30 mm to 45 mm. Worth checking: active noise cancelling goes Yes to No and transparency mode goes Yes to No. It is at least $198 cheaper, so the lower score comes with a saving. Only worth it if a specific feature above matters more to you than overall quality does.
What actually changes
Sub-scores both products have, on the same 0-10 scale. Bars extend right for a gain, left for a loss.
- Sound9.07.5
- Value8.28.0
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | WH-1000XM6 | DT 990 Pro | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | No | |
| Driver size | 30 mm | 45 mm | |
| Transparency mode | Yes | No | |
| Companion app | Yes | No | |
| Custom EQ | Yes | No | |
| Wear detection | Yes | No | |
| USB-C | Yes | No | |
| Detachable cable | Yes | No | |
| ANC type | adaptive | none | |
| Driver | 30 mm dynamic | 45 mm dynamic |
About this verdict
Direction matters here: this page answers "WH-1000XM6 to DT 990 Pro". The other direction is a separate question with a different answer. Scores blend published review verdicts across over-ear and shift as new reviews land, so a marginal call today may not be one next quarter.