I have been using the GR1 for a bit over two months, and the DT 1990s for only a couple of days, so I havenāt gotten used to them yet. Take my impressions with a grain of salt.
Been using both with Schiit Hel. Note that DT 1990s could potentially scale better with higher end amps.
So, both are built well. DT 1990s feel sturdier but the clamping force is much stronger on them too. Stock pads are more comfortable on GR1s.
Iām not a certified audiophile and donāt really āknowā sound, but Iāve been an avid music listener for decades. My impressions regarding the sound are thus:
Bass is punchier and cleaner on DT 1990, while it is more present and enveloping on GR1. GR1 sounded muddy to me, but not so much anymore after I got used to them. I would say the difference is like being hit with a boxing glove vs being hit with a pillow - pillow is bigger, but softer.
Mids in my opinion are somewhat recessed on GR1 and more forward, clear and detailed on DT 1990 - but not by a huge amount. Vocals arenāt spectacular or particularly bad on either. I feel like DT 1990 wins here due to better clarity.
Highs are present and resonably detailed, but also somewhat veiled and not particularly clear on GR1. DT 1990 on the other hand are famous for being treble cannons even with balanced pads and do have the Beyer peak. If you can tolerate the sharp treble on DT 1990, they win hands down - more present, forward, detailed and clear than on GR1.
Soundstage is somewhat wider on GR1. It might be an error of my perception though, due to GR1 sounding more forward and having more body. DT 1990 sound a tiny bit thinner in comparison.
Imaging is great on both. DT 1990 are better with pinpoint positioning, and GR1 are a bit better for hearing distant sounds in games(Hunt: Showdown in particular)
Overall, despite sounding more enveloping and a bit veiled, the GR1 also sound a bit more forward overall. I cannot explain it properly - I just feel like the sound on them āhugsā me more, while the DT 1990 keep a smidge of distance.
Both headphones will probably take some getting used to. Both have character and both are quite different, while not being too far apart from each other. Iād say GR1 are more suited for relaxed listening and are less offensive, but at the cost of detail, slight veiling and some melding in low to mid range. DT 1990 on the other hand are sharper and less forgiving, much more aggressive. But also cleaner, clearer and more detailed at the cost of being more fatigueing.
I cannot say which one is better. DT 1990 are probably better overall, but not proportionally to the cost increase. I love detail so I prefer them, but purely based on value GR1 win. Accessories are better on 1990 - two cables and two sets of pads vs one of each on GR1. Both come with hard carrying cases. finding replacement cables shouldnāt be difficult for either.
Circling back to bass, again it is good on both, just in different ways.
