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Beyerdynamic Custom Game is a gaming headset from the Custom product line and just might be a secret gem among the vast range of Beyerdynamic headphones. The “Custom” means, that the user can customize the appearance of the cup backplate and adjust the bass response using a built-in slider. These features are present in all the “Custom” product line models. The Custom Game headphone model also features a mic.
- Replaceable parts
- Adjustable bass response
Pros list with SoundID Reference calibration
- Clear high frequency response
- Deep, narrow dip in the high frequencies without the calibration
- The attached mic sometimes can get in the way
This is a gaming headset and is meant to be driven from a laptop or console headphone output so no additional power is required to get the most of them.
The Custom Game follows the Beyerdynamic design language and basically looks like a pair of DT series Beyerdynamic headphones. The build seems to be solid and durable. A new design addition is the customizable earcup backplate and the bass slider on each cup. The cable is detachable and other parts such as the headband cover and ear pads can be replaced as well.
The sound is the main aspect where these headphones excel and differ from the other seemingly similar Beyer headphones. Most of the popular Beyerdynamic models share the same trend of hyped top end but the Custom Game falls out of this group and the high frequencies on these headphones are a lot more tame and not so sharp. A huge dip right before 5kHz might take away some clarity but in the overall context, it is not that noticeable and with the calibration applied this pair stacks up very well even against some semi-open headphones such as DT 880s. If there is a need for more low end thump, adjusting the bass sliders will slightly increase the low end response. These just might be one of the best sounding closed-back Beyerdynamic headphones blowing the DT 770 Pro out of the sky both with and without the calibration.
Channel balance has always proven to be good in Beyerdynamic headphones and it is almost the case with the Custom Game as well. The only disbalance that this model shows is in the low end (below 500hz) but it is not substantial enough to notice.
The Custom Game is a pair of really comfortable headphones. the cup size fits just around the pinna and does not put any pressure on the ear. The headband isn’t loose and offers a tight fit on the head without getting exhausting. Leatherette ear pads are soft but might overheat the ears after extended usage.
These headphones offer great value for the price. They are cheaper than Beyerdynamic DT series models and competitor closed-back headphones such as ATH-M50X. They have a solid build quality and good channel balance. For closed-back headphones, you really get a bang for your buck with these ones.
These headphones show a big THD spike on the low end, which might leave the bass a bit blurry, but in the overall context of things, it is not that noticeable by ear. This could pose a problem if the bass response switches on the headphones are adjusted to add more low end.
Overall these headphones stay pretty consistent among different users.
How much do they differ pair to pair in terms of frequency response?The pairs show good consistency among them with only some bigger differences in the low end of about +/-4 dB.
Rating
Sound rating is a weighted average of Frequency Response, Adaptiveness, Harmonic Distortion and Channel Balance scores, with Frequency Response and Adaptiveness having the greatest influence.
The flatter the frequency response – the higher the score. When evaluating the frequency response score with the Average calibration profile, the pair to pair consistency of the given model is taken into account – if we have measured a considerable frequency response inconsistency among multiple pairs of the given model, the score drops, as the profile loses accuracy. Individual calibration will grant perfectly flat frequency response.
7.5Adaptiveness shows how capable these headphones are at delivering the same perceived frequency response to any listener. Headphones with high score will sound nearly identical to everyone.
9Harmonic distortion – the lower the Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) figure, the higher the score. Headphones with prominent 3rd harmonic distortion above 100 Hz will score lower.
Channel balance – the closer to identical the frequency response of both channels, the higher the score. Individual calibration delivers perfect channel balance.
8Comfort – shows if headphones can be used for long listening sessions comfortably. Every model is tested by at least a few individuals.
8Build – evaluates how well the headphones are put together, the materials used and indicates the expected longevity. Easily replaceable (and easily available) parts will boost the score. We don’t do any stress tests and very few models are used for longer than a couple of days, so this is a fairly subjective score.
8Value – indicates the price-performance ratio of the given headphones and how they stack up against the competition. High score means that you won’t find more neutral sounding alternatives for the price.
Conclusion
The Beyerdynamic Custom Game might be less popular than the classic Beyer models but they deliver on the same level! The build quality is solid and they show good sonic qualities as well. They fall below the average pro closed-back headphone price and are really bang for the buck!
Final Rating
Calibration Enabled
Calibration
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