beyerdynamic HEADPHONE LAB
YOUR STUDIO IN YOUR HEADPHONES
beyerdynamic HEADPHONE LAB takes your DT studio headphones to the next level and delivers the sound of a high-end studio for better mixes wherever you produce. It provides a professional studio setup without the need for an expensive, acoustically treated room and is free, easy to use, and ready to go with no subscription required.
BENEFITS:
• Natural loudspeaker-style stereo imaging on headphones through precise crossfeed
• Confident mix decisions based on a scientifically developed studio sound profile
• Maximum sound accuracy through individual FACTORY CALIBRATION
• Optional room simulation for realistic room acoustics
• Compatible with any DAW (VST3, AU and AAX for Windows & macOS)
Mix like on studio monitors
Many producers work in acoustically challenging environments such as bedrooms, rented flats or inadequately treated home studios. A professional setup with studio monitors, subwoofers and optimised room acoustics is often expensive, space-consuming and not feasible everywhere.
beyerdynamic HEADPHONE LAB makes precise work possible nonetheless: the free plug-in transforms your beyerdynamic PRO headphones into a reliable tool for accurate mixing. It simulates the sonic characteristics of a high-end recording studio – without costly investments. This gives you a professional, virtual studio environment in reference quality – directly through your beyerdynamic PRO headphones.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
MONITORING: LOUDSPEAKERS VS. HEADPHONES
When listening on loudspeakers, each ear receives portions of both channels — shaped by reflections, interaural time differences (ITD), and level differences (ILD). Headphones, on the other hand, deliver an isolated signal to each ear, which can result in an unnaturally wide stereo image that is difficult to judge accurately.
THE CROSSFEED MODEL BY HEADPHONE LAB
The software accounts for frequency dependent time and level differences, using industry leading HRTFs (Head Related Transfer Functions) to achieve precise spatial imaging. Additionally, it incorporates an innovative approach that enables excellent bass reproduction — completely free of artifacts or phase issues.
NATURAL STEREO - CONFIDENT MIX DECISIONS
A clearly centered, natural sound image with realistic stereo representation, depth perception, and accurate panorama assessment - ideal for mixing, mastering, positioning, and critical evaluation.
STUDIO-OPTIMISED SOUND BALANCE
DEVELOPED THROUGH YEARS OF RESEARCH
HEADPHONE LAB optimises your headphones for precise and reliable mix decisions across all playback systems. The sonic identity of your headphone model is preserved and transformed into a mix ready balance. The foundation is a scientifically developed studio sound profile based on years of research, measurements, and collaboration with professional studios.
To adapt to this studio sound profile, two optimisation levels are available — from precise to ‘as precise as it gets’.
THE NEW STUDIO SOUND SIGNATURE
THE BEYERDYNAMIC STUDIO TARGET
To optimise spatial localisation individually, HEADPHONE LAB offers an additional feature: Since differences in head shape and ear spacing influence how loudspeaker sound is perceived, these values can be entered manually in the plug in. This compensates for time of arrival differences — resulting in a more realistic and precise loudspeaker representation.
Additionally, the loudspeaker position can be set to 40°, 60°, or 80° to adapt the spatial image to different listening scenarios. An optional room simulation expands the perceived room component continuously and creates a reliable reference space — with one clear goal: better mixes.
OPTIMISE YOUR SOUND
FROM PRECISE TO ‘AS PRECISE AS IT GETS’
A golden sample exists for every headphone model as a defined reference. HEADPHONE LAB uses this model standard to precisely and consistently align your headphones with the studio sound profile.
For even greater accuracy, FACTORY CALIBRATION is available. It is based on the original production measurement data of your individual unit and compensates for even the finest material and manufacturing nuances. Available with DT 700 PRO X, DT 900 PRO X, DT 1770 PRO MKII and DT 1990 PRO MKII.
COMPATIBLE HEADPHONES
Simply download, select your headphones, and get started right away. More models will follow in future updates. Selection takes place directly within the plug in. HEADPHONE LAB is free for Windows & macOS — no subscription, no license fees.
- DT 270 PRO
- DT 770 PRO - 32, 80 and 250 Ohm
- DT 770 PRO Black Edition - 80 and 250 Ohm
- DT 880 PRO
- DT 990 PRO - 80 and 250 Ohm
- DT 990 PRO Black Edition - 80 and 250 Ohm
- DT 770 PRO X
- DT 770 PRO X Limited Edition
- DT 990 PRO X
- DT 700 PRO X (FACTORY CALIBRATION is available)
- DT 900 PRO X (FACTORY CALIBRATION is available)
- DT 1770 PRO MK II (FACTORY CALIBRATION is available)
- DT 1990 PRO MK II (FACTORY CALIBRATION is available)
- DT In-Ear Series - DT 70 IE, DT 71 IE, DT 72 IE and DT 73 IE