Let's be real for a second. If you’ve spent more than five minutes on Twitch or YouTube over the last decade, you’ve seen the blue hair, the neon lights, and the unmistakable headband. Tyler "Ninja" Blevins basically wrote the blueprint for what a modern professional streamer looks like. But for all the flashy branding, people always get hung up on one specific detail: that pair of silver-and-black headphones he’s been wearing forever.
You’ve probably seen the "gaming" market flooded with headsets that have more RGB lights than a Christmas tree. Ninja doesn't use those. Honestly, he hasn't for a long time.
What Headphones Does Ninja Use Right Now?
If you check a live stream today, Ninja is almost certainly rocking the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro.
These aren't your typical Best Buy impulse purchase. They are open-back, studio-grade reference headphones. While most of his fans grew up seeing him in the legendary (and much cheaper) DT 990 Pro, he eventually graduated to the 1990s. It’s a subtle shift if you aren't an audiophile, but the performance jump is massive.
He didn't just pick these because they look cool on camera—though the industrial metal grill does look pretty sleek. He uses them because in a high-stakes game of Fortnite or whatever competitive shooter he’s grinding, sound is literally a wallhack. If you can't hear a footprint through a wooden floor three buildings away, you're dead.
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Why the DT 1990 Pro?
Basically, these headphones are built like a tank. Unlike plastic gaming headsets that creak when you move your head, these are made of solid aluminum and spring steel. They are heavy, sure, but the velour ear pads make them feel like you’ve got two clouds strapped to your ears.
One thing people often miss: these are open-back.
That means the back of the earcups is perforated. Air and sound move freely. This creates a "soundstage" that feels wide. Instead of the sound feeling like it’s inside your brain, it feels like it’s happening in the room around you. For gaming, this is everything. It makes "imaging"—the ability to pinpoint exactly where a sound is coming from—way more precise.
The Evolution of the Ninja Headset
It's worth looking back because Ninja's gear journey tells you a lot about how he treats his career. Back in the early Halo days and the peak 2018 Fortnite era, the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro (250 Ohm) was his signature look.
He single-handedly made that specific model a best-seller.
- The DT 990 Pro era: 2017–2022. These were the affordable entry point into high-end audio.
- The DT 1990 Pro transition: Roughly 2023 to present. A more refined, detailed, and expensive upgrade.
Why the switch? The 1990 Pro uses "Tesla" drivers. It’s a fancy marketing term, but it basically means the magnets are stronger and the sound is faster and cleaner. When you’re playing at the highest level for 10 hours a day, that extra 10% of clarity matters.
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You Can't Just Plug These In
Here is where most people get it wrong. You can't just buy the headphones Ninja uses, plug them into your laptop's headphone jack, and expect it to sound like a $1,000 setup. It won't. It'll actually sound quiet and thin.
Ninja uses the 250 Ohm versions. This refers to impedance. Basically, these headphones are "power hungry." They need an external amplifier to actually move the drivers properly.
Ninja has used a few different setups over the years to drive his audio:
- Creative Sound Blaster X7: This was his go-to for a long time. It’s a massive DAC/Amp combo that looks like a little pyramid.
- GoXLR / Roland Bridge Cast: As his streaming needs got more complex, he shifted toward specialized streaming mixers. These allow him to control his mic, game sound, and music independently while still giving the headphones enough juice to scream.
The Open-Back Tradeoff
There is a downside. Because they are open-back, they leak sound. If someone is sitting next to you, they will hear your game. If your room is noisy, you will hear the air conditioner.
Ninja streams from a sound-treated room. He doesn't have to worry about a mom vacuuming in the background or a loud sibling. If you’re gaming in a noisy dorm or a shared living room, the headphones Ninja uses might actually be a terrible choice for you. You might be better off with a "closed-back" pair like the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro or the newer DT 700 Pro X.
Does He Ever Use Earbuds?
Occasionally, you'll see him with IEMs (In-Ear Monitors), especially if he's doing a sponsored segment or traveling. But for the "home base" setup, it's almost always the over-ear cans.
There was a brief period where he was spotted with the Bose QuietComfort 20 earbuds—a favorite among pro players for LAN events because the noise cancellation is insane. But for the daily grind? It’s the Beyers. Every time.
Quick Breakdown of the Current Tech
- Model: Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro
- Type: Open-back Studio Reference
- Price Point: Usually around $500–$600
- Primary Benefit: Incredible spatial awareness (imaging)
- The "Catch": Requires a dedicated Amp/DAC to sound good
Why Not a "Gaming" Brand?
People always ask why he doesn't use Razer, SteelSeries, or Logitech headsets. He uses their mice and keyboards!
The truth is, high-end audio companies like Beyerdynamic or Sennheiser have been making headphones for 80+ years. Gaming brands focus on features: wireless, RGB, flip-to-mute mics, and 7.1 "virtual" surround sound.
Ninja doesn't need virtual surround sound. It’s actually bad for competitive gaming because it adds "mush" to the audio. He wants raw, stereo, high-fidelity sound. He uses a separate professional microphone (Shure MV7 or SM7B), so he doesn't need a mic attached to his head.
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By splitting the headphones and the microphone, he gets the best of both worlds.
How to Get the "Ninja Sound" on a Budget
If you want the same vibe but don't want to drop $600 on headphones and another $300 on an amp, start with the DT 990 Pro (80 Ohm version). The 80 Ohm version is much easier to drive, meaning it will sound decent even if you just plug it into your motherboard.
It gets you 90% of the way to Ninja’s audio quality without the professional price tag.
If you are serious about following in those footsteps, your next step is to look at your audio interface. Look into something like the Focusrite Scarlett Solo or a Fiio K5 Pro. These devices act as the bridge between your PC and your high-end headphones, ensuring you actually get the detail you paid for. Don't skip the amp; it's the engine that makes the headphones go.
Actionable Insight: If you're looking to upgrade your setup based on Ninja's gear, prioritize the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro first. It’s the most cost-effective way to get pro-level imaging. Just make sure your PC's on-board audio can handle 80 Ohms, or be prepared to buy a basic DAC/Amp.