Pioneer has one more trick up their sleeve for NAMM 2015: a complete update to their top-of-the-line DJ headphones, the HDJ-2000MK2s. The update comes alongside their entry into the studio monitoring headphone world, the HRM-7s. Read on for details on the new cans!
Name: HDJ-2000MK2 DJ headphones
Manufacturer: Pioneer
Available: March 2015
Price: Street price $349
In A Nutshell: A serious upgrade for Pioneer’s top-of-the-line DJ headphones in sound quality, isolation, and comfort/design
Sound Quality + Isolation
Pioneer has taken a serious crack at bridging the gap between DJ headphone and audiophile community with these headphones. They write that the HDJ-2000MK2s:
[… use] large 50 mm drivers that can clearly and efficiently reproduce a wide spectrum of frequencies. The large drivers, combined with copper-clad aluminum wire (CCAW) voice coils, rare-earth magnets and 38?m-thick diaphragms, generate sounds with great accuracy and control with increased output in the lower bass region.
Frequency Range: 5 Hz to 30,000 Hz
Impedance: 32 ?
Max Input: 3,500 mW
Output Sound Level: 107 dB
Driver Unit: ?50 mm domes
At the same time, the company has taken a second look at isolation – which has always left a bit to be desired on Pioneer’s headphones compared to similar offerings from V-Moda and Sennheiser. The new MK2s incorporate..
Pioneer’s innovative sound-isolation chamber as part of its bass reflex port, which isolates low and mid frequencies in the 300 Hz to 1,600 Hz by as much as seven decibels compared to the original model, resulting in more defined mid-bass/mid-range response.
Look and Feel
There’s been a great stylistic update to the HDJ-2000 line with this generation, clearly reflecting a lot of the smoother, more minimal aesthetics that well-designed consumer electronics are incorporating in this decade. The comparison above is pretty clear – the branding has taken a backseat to the sleek form itself.
[… it] incorporates large ultra-comfortable low-resilience urethane memory foam ear pads to create a tight seal around the ears and significantly reduce external sounds. The urethane memory pads are finished in long-lasting protein leather for great feel and extended comfort.
The HDJ-2000MK2 features a flexible headband and hinges made of strong yet lightweight magnesium alloy to withstand the rigors of extended professional use. Each earpiece swivels up to 90 degrees and can be flipped around 180 degrees for one ear listening applications. In addition, the headphones feature a quick connect single-sided cable for ease of use and convenience.
The new models include a curled cord and straight cord, a L-plug connector, a protective carrying case, and come in both Black and Silver colors. They’re expected to be released in March of 2015 for a relatively pricey $349 – we’ll be trying them out during NAMM and see if they’re worth the cash!
More NAMM 2015 news and articles:
- Rane’s TTM57 MKII + MP2015 Rotary Mixer
- Denon DJ Announces DS1 Serato Soundcard, HP2000, and MC4000
- Launchpad Pro is Novation’s Answer to Ableton Push
- Numark announces NS7 III, Mixtrack Pro III, and Mixtrack III
- Arturia’s Audiofuse Audio Interface
- Serato DJ Club Kit = Support for DJM 850/900NXS, Xone:DB2/DB4/K1
- Akai Releases Timbre Wolf and Tom Cat
- Apple Updates Logic Pro to 10.1
- USB Chroma Cables Now Include Purple, Need Your Input
- Korg Puts A Kaoss Pad Into A DJ Controller
- Reloop RP-8000 Straight Turntable, RMX-60 Mixer
- HRM-7: Pioneer Gets In The Studio Headphone Game
- Moog Relaunches Three Modular Synths
- Splice Takes On Audio Plugin/VST Managment
- NAMM 2015 Predicitons for New DJ and Producer Gear
- Bitwig Studio 1.2 Update