I recall DMS himself admitted in a video that he regretted selling ATH-R70X.
I haven’t watched the video but others here comment it was likely said as a joke.
Audio-Technica are not bad IMO. They’ve made good and bad, expensive and cheap models. Some where successful, some weren’t. Each audio product is a compromise. I see no reason not to audition any ATH model when looking for new headphones.
generic set of headphones with “normal” everything
That would be K371 for me and they’re my favorite closed back.
Personally I don’t find K371 to have any significant drawbacks and it sounds “normal”. Not too bassy, not lean, not dark in the treble but not over-emphasizing treble detail at the same time.
Soundstage is good if that’s how the track was mixed with soundstage in mind (my favorite Solar Fields tracks sound wide and almost “holographic”, while poorly mastered music sounds narrow).
I feel that my Samsung Galaxy Buds2 also don’t have significant drawbacks. They’re not shouty in the upper treble and on my head, I don’t get the 8 kHz peak that measurements show, bass is not overblown etc. They’re a little too treble-happy to be considered neutral, so it’s not a reference headphone like the K371. But not bad in any way for me.
Maybe try using EQ to the DT1990 before buying a new headphone?
You’ve paid serious money for this one and if you like their look and feel, why not try to make them sound pleasing?
Here are suggested setting for Analytic Earpads and Balanced Earpads.
If you’re new to the concept of parametric equalization or Harman Target, look it up. It’s really worth it.