Beyerdynamic DX160 iE review

Another pair of strong headphones from Beyerdynamic. If you’re after a smooth, weighty sound, these will do nicely. Tested at £86

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

Another pair of strong headphones from Beyerdynamic. If you’re after a smooth, weighty sound, these will do nicely.

Pros

  • +

    Weighty sound

  • +

    Smooth presentation

  • +

    Plenty of detail

Cons

  • -

    Tough competition

  • -

    Needs more punch and agility

Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.

We expect great things from Beyerdynamic – the company has won countless Awards from us. And now we have the DX 160 iEs. And they’re good.

Performance

Consider the DX160 iEs if you want a full, weighty sound

Consider the DX160 iEs if you want a full, weighty sound

There’s plenty of detail and texture to instruments and vocals alike. The presentation is smooth too – a boon for long-term listening. Tonal balance leans slightly towards the low end for a full, weighty sound. It never gets too much though, and the midrange and treble are never threatened.

The only issue here is the competition, namely the (cheaper) Sony MDR-EX650APs. They don’t have the Beyerdynamics’ weight, but are more agile and punchy.

Build and design

Make sure you have a look through the accessories - there’s a novel Y-shaped splitter that you can attach at chest-height

Make sure you have a look through the accessories - there’s a novel Y-shaped splitter that you can attach at chest-height

These buds are well made and come with a flat cable, which helps minimise tangles. There’s no in-line remote, but a split in the cable lets you add the bundled Y-shaped splitter, so someone else can plug in and share your tunes.

Verdict

We really like the DX 160 iEs – but the competition out there is rather fierce.

What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.

Read more about how we test