Compact Headphone Comparisons: DT 270 Pro vs M60xa Review

When we think of studio headphones, often we imagine huge over-ear headphones that are a big as your head. They seem heavy and excessive, and it deters you from wanting to get good headphones for your producing work. Fear not! There are a few different options for compact headphones that are ideal for your studio recording use. But which ones are the best?

In this comparison, we look at the new Beyerdynamic DT 270 Pro and the Audio-Technica ATH-M60xa. Both of these are smaller and more lightweight than most other models from their respective companies, and still pack powerful sound. Below, we do an in-depth analysis of both these headphones so you can make the best choice for your next upgrade. 

The Beyerdynamic DT 270 Pro and the Audio-Technica M60xa have one sure thing in common: they are both compact versions of already well-known headphones. In their individual aesthetics, you’ll find that the headphones stick to their brand’s key design. The DT 270 Pro looks like a smaller version of the DT 700 Pro X. It has a black, matte finish and soft, velour eapads that are comfortable to wear for long use. The cable is detachable and can be plugged in on either side, so your listening experience can be as comfortable as you’d like. The build is super lightweight, and while it doesn’t fold, the DT 270 Pro does lie flat on the table or around your neck. 

Similarly, the Audio-Technica M60xa is a compact version of the M50x. The earcups are much smaller and rest on your ear instead of over, but are made of the same fake leather material. The detachable cable has a locking mechanism that keeps it stably in place, like in other Audio-Technica headphones. You get a few different cables in the M60xa box, so you’re able to comfortably listen to a source at any distance. The all black look is sleek and incognito, so it matches any setup with ease. It doesn’t fold at all, so there is the drawback of not making it more compact. 

One important distinction between these headphones is their wearing principle. While the DT 270 Pro is quite small, it is just big enough to go over your ear. The M60xa is meant to sit on your ear. It may be deceiving because the DT 270 Pro looks small enough to go on the ear, but it is, in fact, an over-ear headphone. Still, its compact nature and studio use are what make it a great comparison to the M60xa. 

SOUNDSTAGE & IMAGING

Listening to these headphones side by side revealed many similarities and differences in their sound signatures. For starters, I found both the DT 270 Pro and the M60xa have wider soundstages than I expected. The presentations were on the narrower end, as the closed-back nature of the headphones limited horizontal space, but there was still decent enough space to create a nice stereo image. I found the DT 270 Pro to be wider than the M60xa. It had more space on the horizontal, and it showed more height for better dynamics between the high and low ends. Conversely, the M60xa was flatter with less dynamics between the treble and bass. 

In terms of their signatures, both produce great reference sound that makes it perfect for studio use. The signature of the DT 270 Pro has a little more pronounced bass to it, all while still keeping balance between the mids and highs. On the other hand, the M60xa stays consistent in the entire signature. The mids are pushed a bit forward, so it becomes the most noticeable thing in the sound signature. All in all, the M60xa and the DT 270 Pro prove themselves to be ideal studio companions on an initial listen. 

BASS FREQUENCIES

Focusing now on the bass, you’ll find a lot of differences between the DT 270 Pro and the M60xa. If it’s strong bass you’re after, the DT 270 Pro will deliver what you need. It is tight and punchy and has body to take up a good portion of the low end. The DT 270 Pro builds a solid foundation for other frequencies to rise up from, so everything above it feels connected and cohesive. Beyerdynamic’s bass response has always been full of detail and drive, and the DT 270 Pro is no exception. 

On the other hand, the Audio-Technica M60xa has a tight bass response that stays slightly recessed. It isn’t as powerful as that in the DT 270 Pro, but you still get energy and drive from the M60xa’s low end. It is highly detailed and has a lot of texture, so you won’t miss a single detail in your listening. The M60xa leans more towards an analytical listen as opposed to entertainment, which the DT 270 Pro has. If you prefer a more relaxed bass presence, the M60xa may prove to be a great choice for you.  

MIDRANGE FREQUENCIES

In the midrange, the DT 270 Pro and the M60xa go neck and neck. Their responses are similar because they both highlight the detail and timbre of instruments in this range. Vocals come to the front and have excellent reproduction. It sounds as if vocalists are singing in the same room, front and center, in each headphone. The sound is very natural in the DT 270 Pro and the M60xa, so their reference sound comes out most prominently in this range. 

Their differences are very subtle in the midrange. The DT 270 Pro has a bit more distinct separation between instruments, with emphasis on the lower mids as opposed to the high mids. You can hear this emphasis on snare drums and some lower rhythm guitars. Conversely, the M60xa has a higher emphasis on the higher frequencies in the midrange, which is more beneficial to female vocalists and piano melodies. 

TREBLE FREQUENCIES

Where we start seeing more stark differences again is in the treble frequencies. Where the DT 270 Pro took a more relaxed approach, the M60xa went in for a stronger and detailed reproduction. If you prefer treble responses that are subtler and slightly recessed, the DT 270 is something you may very well enjoy. The Beyerdynamic headphone is great for a more relaxed treble to balance out the bass. The detail cannot be understated, as the treble in the DT 270 doesn’t disappear despite being recessed. You have excellent detail with great color in this treble reproduction. 

Meanwhile, on the M60xa, the treble comes to the front a little more. It is more pronounced and front-facing, so the detail and space in the top end are more pronounced. It is definitely sharper and perhaps even harsher than that of the DT 270 Pro, but it isn’t aggressive enough to make listening fatiguing. The M60xa gives you texture and color that is natural and balances with the energy from the low end. Like the DT 270 Pro, the M60xa has a good balance between frequencies that makes listening easy to do for hours. 

At the end of the day, compact headphones are truly just as good as bigger, over-ear options. Beyerdynamic’s DT 270 Pro and Audio-Technica’s M60xa have given two great options for people looking for better portability in their music, all without ditching the cable or going in-ear. 

The DT 270 Pro is excellent for bass lovers and those who want all-around usability headphones. With the included USB-C adapter and comfortable earpad, the DT 270 Pro appeals to people who want something to go just over the ear without feeling terribly heavy. On the other hand, the M60xa appeals to the on-ear lovers who love detail above all. To decide which one suits you better will be up to your ears and personal preferences. Both are excellent options for reference listening at half the weight of most other headphones.

You can find both the DT 270 Pro and the M60xa at Audio46.