Introduced in 2010, the T1 has a closed-back design and features the world's most powerful headphone magnets. Those ubermagnets dramatically improve efficiency and lower distortion. Every subsequent Tesla model has had a closed-back design until the T90 reviewed here was released in June of 2012. It's the first open-back Tesla model.
The T90 is a full-size, over-the-ear headphone. The center section of the outer ear cups is covered with a textured grayish-brown fabric, which allows the user to hear outside sounds. Like every other open-back design, the T90's sound will be heard by anyone near you, so it won't be a great headphone to use in bed. The understated look is a marked contrast to the more typical high-gloss plastic sheen on Beats and other popular headphones. The T90 is hand-crafted in Beyerdynamic's plant in Germany.
What it offers:
Sure, the Beyerdynamic T90 is pricey, but no other less-expensive headphone can match the T90's combination of comfort, sound, and build quality.
The advantage:
The full-size Beyerdynamic T90 uses advanced Tesla magnetic flux technology to produce remarkably accurate sound and its open-back design creates more spacious stereo imaging. The T90 is also very comfortable to wear for long periods and measures up well against headphones that cost $1,000.
The unfavorable:
It's expensive and definitely not suited to on-the-go use; the open-back design will leak sound.
The price:
$649.00
