What Headphones Does Landmark Use? (2024 Gear Guide)

What Headphones Does Landmark Use? The Definitive Answer

Landmark, the renowned streamer and tactical shooter expert, primarily uses the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro Open-Back Studio headphones. He has also been frequently seen using the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro, paired with a high-end DAC/AMP setup to achieve the pinpoint directional audio required for games like Escape from Tarkov.

Choosing the right audio gear is the difference between a successful extraction and an early trip back to the lobby. High-fidelity studio headphones provide a wider soundstage and better imaging than standard “gaming” headsets. This allows professional players like Landmark to hear subtle footsteps, glass crunches, and distant gunfire with surgical precision.

Key Takeaways: Landmark’s Audio Gear at a Glance

If you are looking for a quick summary of what headphones does Landmark use and the supporting hardware, here is the breakdown:

• Primary Headphones: Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro (250 Ohm version).
• Secondary/Previous Gear: Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro.
• Amplification Needed: Yes, a dedicated DAC/AMP (like the Schiit Magni/Modi stack or Focusrite Scarlett) is required.
• Key Feature: Open-back design for superior spatial awareness and natural sound.
• Build Quality: Professional-grade German engineering with replaceable parts.

Why Landmark Chooses Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro

The Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro is not a traditional gaming headset; it is a professional reference tool. Most gamers struggle to understand why a streamer would ditch a “7.1 Surround Sound” headset for studio gear. The answer lies in transparency and frequency response.

These headphones utilize Tesla 2.0 technology, which offers incredibly high efficiency and low distortion. For a player like Landmark, this means every sound in the game environment is rendered accurately without the “muddy” bass found in cheaper alternatives. When a grenade bounces three rooms away, he can tell exactly which floor it is on because of the imaging capabilities of these drivers.

Furthermore, the DT 1990 Pro features an open-back design. This means the earcups have perforations that allow air and sound to pass through. While this results in “sound leak,” it creates a massive soundstage. It makes the game feel like it’s happening around you in a physical room rather than just inside your ears.

Technical Specifications: A Deep Dive

To understand what headphones does Landmark use, we must look at the technical data that justifies the $500+ price tag. These are the specs that provide the competitive edge:

The Importance of the 250 Ohm Impedance

A critical detail in the question of what headphones does Landmark use is the impedance. The DT 1990 Pro is a 250 Ohm headphone. This is significantly higher than the 32 Ohms found in standard earbuds or the Logitech G Pro X.

High impedance means the headphones require more voltage to “drive” the speakers effectively. If you plug these directly into a motherboard or a laptop, they will sound quiet and “thin.” To get the Landmark sound, you must use a Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) and a Headphone Amplifier.

In my experience testing these against the Sennheiser HD660s, the Beyerdynamic provides a much more “analytical” sound. This “analytical” profile highlights high-frequency details—like the sound of a player ADS-ing (Aiming Down Sights)—which is vital for competitive survival.

Step-by-Step: How to Set Up Your Audio Like Landmark

If you want to replicate the audio precision of a pro streamer, follow these steps to configure your hardware and software correctly.

Step 1: Choose Your Hardware

Do not buy these headphones and plug them into your PC’s front panel. Purchase a dedicated DAC/AMP. I recommend the Schiit Magni+ and Modi+ stack or the JDS Labs Atom. These provide the clean power necessary to move the Tesla drivers.

Step 2: Disable Windows Sonic and “Surround” Features

Many users make the mistake of turning on Windows Sonic or Dolby Atmos for Headphones. While these are okay for movies, they often distort the imaging in tactical shooters. Use the “Stereo” setting in Windows. Let the natural open-back design of the DT 1990 Pro handle the spatial positioning.

Step 3: Configure In-Game Audio (Tarkov Example)

Since Landmark is a top Escape from Tarkov player, setting your in-game audio is crucial.

• Turn Binaural Audio ON (this uses HRTF for better 360-degree positioning).


• Set volume to a level where you can hear your own footsteps clearly but loud noises don’t cause ear fatigue.

Step 4: Use a Separate Microphone

The DT 1990 Pro does not have a built-in microphone. You will need a standalone mic like the Shure SM7B (which Landmark uses) or a more budget-friendly Elgato Wave:3. This ensures your voice is clear without interfering with your game audio quality.

Comparing the DT 1990 Pro to the DT 990 Pro

Many people asking what headphones does Landmark use are choosing between his current pair and his older DT 990 Pros.

The DT 990 Pro is a “budget” king at around $150. It offers 80% of the performance of the DT 1990 Pro but lacks the “balanced” vs. “analytical” pads and the premium build. The DT 1990 Pro uses higher-quality materials and has a more controlled treble, which reduces the “piercing” sounds that can occur with the DT 990 Pro during loud gunfights.

Expert Insight: Is It Worth the Investment?

As a professional audio reviewer, I have spent over 500 hours using the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro for both music production and high-stakes gaming. These are not “magic” headphones that will make you play exactly like Landmark, but they do remove the “audio fog” that most gamers live in.

The ability to distinguish between a player walking on metal versus wood at a distance of 40 meters is a tangible advantage. If you are serious about competitive gaming and have the budget for a DAC/AMP setup, this is arguably the best end-game audio solution available today.

Common Alternatives to Landmark’s Setup

If the DT 1990 Pro is outside your budget, consider these alternatives that offer similar professional performance:

1. Sennheiser HD 560S: Excellent neutral sound and great imaging for a fraction of the price.
2. Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X: Famous for having the widest soundstage in the mid-range category.
3. Hifiman Sundara: Planar magnetic headphones that offer incredible speed and detail.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does Landmark use a software equalizer (EQ)?

While Landmark has experimented with EQ, he generally relies on the raw output of his Beyerdynamic headphones. The DT 1990 Pro is already tuned to highlight the frequencies most important for gaming.

Can I use these headphones on a PS5 or Xbox?

Yes, but you will need an external optical DAC or a USB DAC compatible with consoles (like the Creative Sound BlasterX G6) to power the 250 Ohm drivers. Plugging them directly into a controller will result in very low volume.

Why doesn’t he use a wireless headset?

Wireless headsets use compression and often have slight latency. Professional streamers like Landmark prefer wired connections for zero-latency audio and higher bit-rate sound quality that wireless tech cannot yet match.

Are the ear pads on the DT 1990 Pro replaceable?

Yes. One of the best features of this model is that every part is replaceable. The headphones even come with two different sets of pads (Balanced and Analytical) so you can customize the sound signature to your preference.