Review: Signature PURE vs. Beyerdynamic DT 770?

From time to time in this blog I will introduce products, their history, their goals, and their characteristics.

I would like to begin with our entry-level model: the Ultrasone Signature PURE.

And you will soon see what role the well-known Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro plays in this story.

The Signature PURE was developed from the basic idea of what a successor to the legendary Ultrasone HFI-580 and later the Ultrasone PRO 580i could look like—and where it should be positioned in terms of price.

Historically, the Signature series has always been the “big brother” of the PRO series. After the PRO line—once available starting at €99—was discontinued in 2023, there was suddenly a large gap in the ULTRASONE portfolio below €499. We simply had nothing that could compete with the famous Beyer in terms of price.

Now the Signature PURE fills that gap—and does so impressively.

It competes directly in the same price segment as the Beyer (especially if you include the case with the DT 770). Yet the PURE delivers a more intense sound, is significantly lighter, features a detachable cable with the option to use alternative cables, and—thanks to S-Logic3—does not cause listening fatigue during long sessions, which is often crucial in studio environments.

Why the DT 770 is still sold more frequently remains a mystery to anyone familiar with the Signature PURE. We investigated this and asked professionals in broadcasting stations and recording studios about the advantages and disadvantages.

And indeed, the classic from Heilbronn has one undeniable advantage:
Because of its symmetrical construction with a centrally positioned driver, you can put it on quickly without paying attention to positioning, and it will always sound the same. In broadcasting environments, where time is often limited, that can be important.

The PURE can also be put on quickly—but if you do so, it will not fully demonstrate all of its strengths. The advantages of the PURE—lower sound pressure at the ear, high comfort, excellent spatial imaging and depth layering, and the absence of listening fatigue—really shine when the headphones are worn correctly and precisely.

My opinion on this:

If the PURE sounds just as good as the Beyer when worn casually—and even better when worn properly—what is really speaking against it?

See what others say about it. For example, Leslie Mandoki.