DJ headphones: It doesn’t matter if you are mashing VCI buttons, flippin’ CDs or spinning vinyl — we all need them. A few months ago, I wrote an article about my quest for good headphones. The response was overwhelming, and shortly thereafter Ean called me up and said “Mike, how would you like to do a full-on headphone review?” Naturally, I jumped at the offer and we requested the most talked about pairs. If you’re in the market for a new set of cans this season, you’ll want to hear what we thought of the best offerings from Allen & Heath, Pioneer, Ultrasone and Shure.
ALLEN & HEATH XONE XD-53
Allen & Heath is a UK company whose Xone series mixers have become a thing of legend; the mixers are so good, many of Europe’s top DJs put riders for them in their contracts and refuse to play on anything else. In recent years, A&H has expanded the Xone line to also include a variety of MIDI controllers and this pair of headphones, the XD-53.
Build:
Material: Plastic, surprisingly durable.
Detachable cord: No.
Swivel: 90 degrees.
Extras: Faux leather pouch.
Performance:
Isolation: Good.
Comfort: Tolerable, but not for long sessions.
Highs: Excellent.
Mids: Average. Slightly muddy.
Lows: Above Average. Punchy but not artificial.
Notes:
The XD-53 headphones are made of a hard plastic, which was surprisingly durable. They are the most durable plastic headphones I’ve ever felt. The padding on the ear cups and headband of the XD-53s was more shallow than normal for DJ headphones, but they still have good isolation qualities.
Bottom Line:
The XD-53s are more durable than most other plastic DJ headphones out there, and produce sound good enough for the booth, but won’t be mistaken for studio monitors any time soon. They will satisfy most DJs’ needs.
Average Street Price: $160 to $190
ULTRASONE DJ1 PRO
As it says right on the top of the box, Ultrasone is the German headphone company. Ultrasone only produces pro-level headphones and is on the cutting edge of headphone technology. It even has proprietary technology that attempts to reduce hearing damage.
Build:
Material: Plastic, not durable at all.
Detachable cord: Yes, comes with 2 cords.
Swivel: 90 degrees.
Extras: Zip-up hard case, extra ear pads and extra cord, demo sound/music CD.
Performance:
Isolation: Average.
Comfort: Very Good.
Highs: Excellent.
Mids: Excellent.
Lows: Excellent. Full and accurate. Not artificial.
The guys over at Ultrasone clearly care about sound, and their products. Ultrasone has gone the extra mile — in an age of corner cutting — to prove they care. The headphone hard case is much better than you would normally find, and Ultrasone are confident enough in the DJ1 Pro’s sound to provide you with a demo CD of sounds and music that is all in AIFF lossless audio format. You also won’t find spare ear pads or 2 detachable cords in any other headphone box. Note that one cord has a stereo/mono switch and volume attenuator.
Bottom Line:
The Ultrasone DJ1 Pro headphones are the best-sounding DJ headphones I’ve ever tested. They could double as studio monitors and are very comfortable as well. However, the build quality prevents me from putting them at the top of my list. If you value sound quality and are very gentle with your headphones, seriously consider these. If you are a road warrior who has already beat up a few pairs, then look elsewhere. If Ultrasone were to come out with a metal build model of the DJ1 Pros, they could easily sweep the industry.
Average Street Price: $235
SHURE SRH750DJ
Shure is a household name in the DJ world, known for top-quality sound from turntable needles, microphones and in-ear monitors. Last month Shure decided to enter the DJ headphone fray with the SRH750DJ.
Build:
Material: Plastic, average durability.
Detachable Cord: Yes.
Swivel: 90 degrees.
Extras: Faux leather pouch, extra ear pads.
Performance:
Isolation: Average.
Comfort: Average.
Highs: Above Average.
Mids: Average.
Lows: Average, feels slightly colored for extra bass.
Notes:
There is a spare pair of ear pads, and the removable cord feels extra durable. The headband is square-ish and looks a little funny to me.
Bottom Line:
These headphones just feel very vanilla to me. Everything about them (the build, the sound, the price) screams average to me. They are on par with the Sony MDR-v700s or the Pioneer HDJ-1000s, except the cord is removable.
Average Street Price: $150
PIONEER HDJ-2000
Pioneer is a company whose “Pro DJ” division has been known for making industry-standard DJ equipment for decades. The DJM series mixers are nothing short of iconic, and the CDJ did something I personally never thought possible: replace the Tech 12 as the main staple of the DJ booth. So when Pioneer released the HDJ-1000 headphones to compete with Sony, people took notice. Unfortunately they were plagued by the same lack of durability and became just another pair of cans in the headphone derby. Then the HDJ-2000s came out a little more than a year ago, and since that time Pioneer has been pushing them… hard. These headphones have been billed as the answer to every DJ’s complaints, with an all-metal construction and studio-quality sound, but do they really live up to the hype?
Build:
Material: All metal, extremely durable.
Detachable Cord: Yes.
Swivel: 90 degrees.
Extras: Suede pouch, stereo/mono switch.
Performance:
Isolation: Average.
Comfort: Excellent.
Highs: Excellent.
Mids: Excellent.
Lows: Above average. Accurate.
Notes:
The HDJ-200s are clearly focused on 2 areas: good sound and durability. They sound well above average for DJ headphones, but what really sets these headphones apart is the build quality. They are made of magnesium and aluminum, making them lightweight and more durable than any other headphones on the market. The real leather and memory foam ear pads are a nice finishing touch. They can also be used as studio monitors in a pinch.
Bottom Line:
Pioneer has listened and responded with exactly what most DJs are looking for. The only flaw of the HDJ-2000 is its price tag, which is hefty, but hey… quality ain’t cheap. It should be noted that while they do cost 1.5 to 2 times as much as other headphones, they will probably last 2 to 3 times as long.
Average Street Price: $270 to $300
FINAL CONCLUSIONS
Each one of these sets of headphones has strengths and drawbacks. Hopefully one of these sets appeals to you. Personally, my choice would be between the XD-53s and the HDJ-2000s. A&H has made a set of headphones that will satisfy your DJ needs, while Pioneer has created a Cadillac model that is more durable and better sounding than anything else out there. Since sound and durability are what I look for in headphones, the Pioneer HDJ-2000s get the Mike Charles stamp of approval. I’d be comfortable paying the premium to know they were built to last, but the price tag may be a bit too much for DJs on a budget.
people can get all kind of DJ Headphones
with our best design and quality stuff . we are expert to provide you High Definition Headphones to increase your warestyle .
This is called the headphone this looks like super awesome with super bass and many other features…
THE HDJ-2000S ARE THE WAY TO GO RADICAL HEADPHONES
WOW they are so amazing and at 270$ it is a must buy. How about using boss rocker?
I Purchased the Pionner HDJ2000 and return it, because I compared with the denon HP10000 and the sound of DENON headphones are extremely superior : high volume, high basses , more great sound ….. No more durables but i prefered another one HP1000 with the guarantee for a better sound
PPl i have Sony Mdr v700,pioneer,technichs,xone and sennhaiser hd 25 2. For me best is Sennhaier
Yeh, what about the HD25s? They seem to be the headphone of choice for a huge number of DJs. I have a pair and can’t recommend them enough.
How about AKG K181 DJ..?
On paper this one sounds better than the HDJ 2000’s…
Any advice ?
I had my Sennheiser hd 25 since 1993. I have replaced the cord twice, one of the sides once and the foam pads twice. They have been abused by countless friends and Djs. Try doing that with some Dr Dre cans.
I recently purchased the HDJ-1000 because they didn not have at the store the HDJ-2000s, anyways, I was impressed with its great sound performance in the low frequencies, above average. Nevertheless I was very disappointed to find out that the sound performance in the high frequencies was unsatisfactory to my taste, merely dull. I returned them immediately. I´m currently using my old Sony MDR-V600 which low frequencies performance is not that great but the quality of the sound is overall better than the HDJ-1000s, in my own experience. I should try the 2000s I was intended to get in the first place, I hope not to get disappointed once again.
I recently purchased the HDJ-1000 because they didn not have at the store the HDJ-2000s, anyways, I was impressed with its great sound performance in the low frequencies, above average. Nevertheless I was very disappointed to find out that the sound performance in the high frequencies was unsatisfactory to my taste, merely dull. I returned them immediately. I´m currently using my old Sony MDR-V600 which low frequencies performance is not that great but the quality of the sound is overall better than the HDJ-1000s, in my own experience. I should try the 2000s I was intended to get in the first place, I hope not to get disappointed once again.
Thanks for the review. Now I can brag that I have the BEST headphones on the market
Sorry for resurrecting this… just came across this…
As ppl have mentioned before, the senny 25 should have been mentioned but i understand why they haven’t…
The XD 53 is just a rebadge of the Audio Technica ATH pro700… and i have owned almost every pair of the headphones ( I am a dj/ have my own record store/ an audiophile) … and the Ultrasones, Audio Technicas and Beyer Dynamics absolutely kill in terms of sound quality. The A&H XD53 is a reninforced version of the ATHpro700 and in my opinion, that just about takes the cake…
The only question that i have is — Did the OP burn in the headphones?? I find that headphones sound better after being suitably burnt in…. The voice coils are looser and Dj Mark Lan’s complaints are easily invalidated after that… Forget Pioneer, give Audio Technicas a try and with their excellent after sales service, it will be the best 200 dollars that you would have ever spent in ur life ( a few customers had their headphones break out of warranty viz. 3/4 years, AT have replaced them within a week, no questions asked — they believe in their product. I challenge Pioneer to do that)
I had the Ultrasone DJ1(still have em), Sony MDR-V700DJ, and I recently just returned the Allen & Heath Xone 53 cans, and now Im using the Shure SRH750dj and let me tell you this set of cans are way better than them. I forgot to mention that I also used to rock the Technics RP-Dj1200, and it was great but heavy and the speakers didnt last lol. I like the way the Shure’s reproduction of sound. There are some details that you can hear while listening to this pair. The DJ1 to me sounded amazing but was lacking at the low ends, but its still an amazing set as well cause of its natural surround sound. The Xone 53 was just too bass heavy and to me it muddied the mids and somehow the highs became an after-thought. The only gripe I have on the Shure’s is that, I got a big head and I have to extend both sides just to fit me, but its very light and very flexible so thats a good thing. Of course this is just my opinion cause everyone perceive sound differently.
So this is how I will rate them. Of course I didnt get to try the HDJ-2000 yet…
1-Shure SRH750Dj
2-Ultrasone Dj1 (not pro)
3-Allen & Heath Xone 53
4-Pioneer HDJ-2000 (havent tried them yet, only felt them on my hands lol)
The only two sets of headphones worth buying are the Sony 7506s and Sennheiser HD25s, I wouldn’t bother looking at anything else.
Agreed, unless you are a mastering engineer… those are the best bang for the buck.
Agreed, unless you are a mastering engineer… those are the best bang for the buck.
Hell yea. I can attest to seinheiser hd25’s… Super sweet and great price.. Awesome for people who don’t care about 9000 degrees of articulation. Been using mine for almost two years now.
The Sony MDR-7506 are studio quality and amazing for DJing as are the little brother MDR-7504. The 7504 are used more by videographers for a reason – all the features of the 7506 only more compact and more comfortable for smaller ears.
The Sony MDR-7506 are studio quality and amazing for DJing as are the little brother MDR-7504. The 7504 are used more by videographers for a reason – all the features of the 7506 only more compact and more comfortable for smaller ears.
Great review and for those guys who don’t know that this review is made by category – DJ headphones and SENNHEISER HD 25 don’t consider as DJ Headphones.
HD 25 made before many years and mainly use for broadcast, many djs back then start using them for djing.
I can easily compare HD 25 with DJ 1 Pro by sounding performance. Even beyerdynamic dt 770 have better sound then HD 25. I’m talking about sound quality and what is safe for you hearing . HD 25 could be very dangerous at hi volume , cause of piercing sound.
I had chance to compare most of headphones at market. Including Xone 53, which are too massive for my head and they overdid it in low frequencies for my taste.
If I’m wrong ,please correct me 🙂
Both my HDJ-1000’s ball joint housing took a shit. I just bought the A&H XONE XD-53,great sound, and really great durability. I imagine the 2K’s would be more durable, but for the price ($200) and overall comfort… A&H for the win.
Had a pair of Sony MDR V700DJs for years and loved their sound but they were always uncomfortable to wear after an hour or 2. Bought the Pioneer HDJ-2000s because of this article and I could not be happier -> they’re super comfortable and sound amazing.
my audio technica’s broke today, i treated them well, but the shitty plastic just cracked right at the swivel joint of the right earpiece. I’m going with the Sennheiser Hd 25’s, I have been wanting better isolation and everyone says such good things about them. Fuck Audio Technica, only got 1 year out of the pair.
thank you everyone for commenting about the Sennheiser’s.
Now this is what I call a headphone review: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJh8B1QfEn0&feature=channel
Oh man Im going to be flamed to death for this…. Stanton DJ2000’s are actually pretty fucking good for the price, if you dont expect a decade of service from them (2-3 years tops Im guessing).
Otherwise I absolutely love the Xone headphones.
70% out of 100. B- (Plays well with others but needs to focus on quality of work)
Are beats by dre good dj headphones??
no!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! not for their price their not
I got a pair of Sony MDR-V700’s and I like them. So far they are durable but I have heard people having issues with them breaking. Sound is good but I haven’t used many other headphones to get a good enough comparison to do a breakdown. They are fairly comfortable but can start hurting in a long session. All in all, great headphones for the price.
[quote comment=”25635″]Anyone know anything bout the Sony MDR-V700DJ headphones? Heard they’re classics, wondering how they stand against these newer headphones.[/quote]
Check This Out:
http://www.djtechtools.com/2009/08/20/my-quest-for-good-dj-headphones/
Anyone know anything bout the Sony MDR-V700DJ headphones? Heard they’re classics, wondering how they stand against these newer headphones.
A&H XD53 headphones are faaaaaar far better than HD25 regarding the sound. Pioneers and Sony’s headphones are crap
yeah, i’m surprised that so few mention sony. i swear by the mdr-v6, had the same pair for 6 years now along with a set of mdr-v700s. they are invincible, the only part that wears out is the padding around the speaker and that can be replaced for ~$10.
incidentally, the mdr-v700 has the same drivers as the v6. i use the v700 for djing and the v6 for everything else.
Ultrasone DJ1 PRO is the way to go…there is no comparison.
pioneer hdj 2000 is great..
been using them for 6 months, no complaints..
senn hd 25 is also great, but maybe reviews that includes new release headphones should do some good..
are there any headphones with magnesium on the market?
I’m too a passionate AKG 181 user and would like to see acomparative review with the rest including the HD25
SH hd-25
the best for me
[quote comment=”25286″]
I personally promise that we will be doing all major reviews like these in our offices to maintain the quality that you rightfully expect from Dj TechTools….
… If its not overkill- perhaps we can do a bigger more comprehensive article next month which includes all the major options..[/quote]
Great to hear that you are personally committed to deliver the highest quality articles, Ean. That’s exactly the reason I check this site every day for any new articles! Looking fwd to the more comprehensive review.
I have recently moved to the Ultrasone DJ 1 Pro’s.. Thery are amazing head phones with great sound.
The build quality is great and as good as any other headphones i’ve used before (Sony / Technics / Pioneer). If you treat any of your kit like shit, its gonna break. But these are way better built than HD25’s and the older Pioneer’s. They also come with a ‘proper’ carry case. So should they fall off your Harley Davidson on the way to a gig, they should still be fine 😉
The way the product is presented aswell is exceptional.. A hard shell carry case, replacement ear pads, various connection cabels etc.
These were a slight bit more expensive than the majority of DJ cans on the market, but a mile cheaper than the new Pioneers, which are a stupid price..
Get the Ultrasones!
[quote comment=”25276″]Hopefully this has been the last time that we will ever read unprofessional and incomplete, “uber” reviews on DJ Techtools.
For the rest I really love your site. It’s by far the most informative online place for the digital dj.[/quote]
I personally promise that we will be doing all major reviews like these in our offices to maintain the quality that you rightfully expect from Dj TechTools. I was not personally involved in this article as its become impossible to manage all the articles each week as we grow. In defense of the writer and editor on this article- They did try to include the Sennheiser HD-25’s in this review but Senheiser did not reply to many emails or calls for a sample.
As someone mentioned above, I do use the Sony MDR-2506’s which did not end up in this review as well. They are an excellent set of headphones that have lasted me for many,many years. If its not overkill- perhaps we can do a bigger more comprehensive article next month which includes all the major options..
After reading all these, mostly negative, comments I can only hope that: Hopefully this has been the last time that we will ever read unprofessional and incomplete, “uber” reviews on DJ Techtools.
For the rest I really love your site. It’s by far the most informative online place for the digital dj.
One more thing: I was re-reading the post that started this, and I have to disagree with the “bring your iPod” tip. Sounds like a good idea to have music you know with you, but iPods are really bad for reproducing the bass-heavy music we normally listen to, so you might misjudge. The only true solution would be to take a CD and have a listen at a place where you know they will be equipped to drive headphones properly.
HD-25 II PRO MY NUMBER ONE !!!
Oh.. btw. I own the the IE8 in-ears as well. In my humble opinion the best natural sounding InEars ever. I prefer them way above the classic ETYmotic and the UE11 (3way)! The bass/mid performance is Excellent, the highs could have a few dB boost. But the competition is doing like I said… well I don’t own my UE11 customs anymore…
Tip: The included earmolds will fit most of you, but if you want to do it right >>> They fit excellent in the moldings of the well known soft custom ear-protection plugs. The ones with the replaceable filters…
Succes.
SENNHEISER HD25 is the one and only true PRO solution!
Durability/Sound (I measured them: They are flat as flat can be: No coloring)/price-value is unmatched.
Tip: I recently fixed an ever returning problem with the HD’s.
My meanwhile 10 years (!) old HD seemed to have cable problems all the time on the red and black plugs on the shells. I replaced the cable every 3 months… I found out the cable wasn’t the problem but the socket you put the plugs in. With a small needle you can bend the clips/pins inside the socket just a bit to the centre. No need to replace cables anymore.
Hope this helps!
Oh how I’m going to get flamed now 😉 j/k
What about following that up with a in-ear-review?
I just got my custom-molded Sennheiser IE7s and cannot get enough of them. They are excellent and combined price is about 225€s.
With the custom molds 🙂
I love the review.
I have to agree with some of the people here though, I’d understand the review better if the HD25’s had been added as a reference. Then I’d know if any of these were great enough that I should upgrade.
Great review, I haven’t heard of a few of the models you reviewed and found it quite useful. Everyone knows about sennheiser, pioneer & technics. Good to see some other brands reviewed IMO. Oh and by the way can someone delete this bloody spam above?!
I have been using the Ultrasone 650pro cans. They have a more sensitive driver and are not originally made for djing,but I wanted a nice set that could also be used in the studio. I have loved them and their nice case should be envied by ALL makers. Their durability is great, I do not feel like I could throw them across the room, or jump-rope with the cable, but I also take good care of my equipment. I have run them quite loudly and never have a problem. Thats my 2 cents.
Whoa, headphone battles are intense! I just wanted to throw my word in here. I searched for years for what I think are the perfect headphones. It came down to the DJ Pro 1s and the HD 25s. I went with the Ultrasones and I have been unbelievably happy with them. Mixing glitchy distorted electro is cake with the Pro 1s because there is so much separation in the sound stage and overall dynamics. They really earned the “pro” label unlike so much DJ equipment. Mine have traveled around the world with me, have been thoroughly thrashed and were finally just straight stolen at 1015 a few weeks ago.
The Pro 1’s come with a hardcase, replaceable ear cups, a spare cord and they don’t make me look like a robot when I DJ. I have already ordered another pair. I miss them :). – Nisus
To the article author:
Since you listed just about every headphone in the review as having “average” isolation, what is a model that you consider to have “excellent” isolation?
I actually like the Nixon Master Blasters. I know that they are dubious, but the headband is durable metal. They’re a little heavy, but they’re loud and strong. A good friend of my has them, so I was able to use them for an hour set.
RE: Sennheiser HD 25
I edited this article, and Sennheiser did not respond to my calls and emails requesting the headphones for inclusion in this review. Sorry, but DJ Tech Tools cannot afford to purchase all the gear it reviews, and it is fairly standard industry practice to review loaned gear rather than purchasing the gear first. Hopefully, the reader demand in response to this article will convince Sennheiser to give up a loaner pair for review. Thanks.
Yes, a review of the AKG 181 DJs + of course the Senns HD 25s would have been nice!
Sorry to be this honest, but this review sucks.
3 headphone models just don’t cut it.
And where are the frequency analysis charts?
I like the subtle, discrete changing of all the pictures into something drastically more professional looking.
Well, this comes in due time, cause I was getting really curious about those new Shures. But I guess I have one little complaint: No AKGs? They currently have 3 DJ-oriented ones (yup, the 81, the 181 and the 518), plus a host of others that would work well for DJing and be better than just about anything in the studio (240/II and 271 come to mind).
Yo, that was a great review, and imma let you finish, but the HD 25 is the best headphone of ALL TIME!
I use Sony MDR-V700s and would have considered them to be the “bog standard” DJ headphone over the Senn’s based on frequency of appearance in venues. They’re light, loud as hell, and reasonably comfortable.
I’ll probably follow the herd over to the Pioneers if my ‘700s ever break.
The Technics RP-DJ1200 and RP-DJ1210’s are also a great pair of cans. Love the HD-25’s and had a pair for years but also really dig the Technics…
I totally agree with Flaekiface.. very good review, but still i’m missing some models..especially the sennheiser hd 25! why isn’t it in the list, although we know they’re state of the art.
Just so you guys know (I was duped as well) Audio Technica makes the Allen & Heath XD-53 for A&H. If you don’t believe me check out this model ATH-PRO700 SV, They are exactly the same minus the graphics and the badge on the cans. The ATs are around $100 less expensive as well.
Just thought I would let you guys know.
I like my MDR-v700s very much – they sound great, fit well – only the painting is a bit weak at some places but otherwise they have proven really durable for about 1 and a half years now. Additionally I haven’t been nice to them sometimes (putting them in a backpack with many other things side by side – not the best idea even when they are in a pouch)…
What ? No HD25, i have mine since 1998 and they have been traveling everywhere with me… still doing great, only replaced the earpads and the cable once.
They are stable, the isolation is great, i’ve been playing with them since then and without a doubt one of the most reliable headphone i ever had.
HD25 all the Way!
14 Years Touring needed only:
– a new driver
– six sets of new ear pads
– two sets of new cables (one is the aftermarket red one)
I used, tried and tested anything else and everytime came back to the HD25.
@13raden:
I’m using the AKG K181 DJ headphones. The sound quality is top notch. These cans can be used both for monitoring and DJing.
In a recent review covering six high-end DJ headphones, they did even beat the Sennheiser HD-25. This review was finally the reason that I chose the AKGs’ and not the Sennheisers’.
Have a look (German site):
http://www.bonedo.de/index.php?id=2027&no_cache=1&bereich=&type=test
I have been doing the clubs since i was 16 and I have had many many headphones, and for the last 5 years I have had HD25’s and use them 24/7 and even at home, best cans i ever had, that does not mean best sounding as I have yet to test the ones on review.
[quote comment=”25093″]Have to agree you should have compared the HD25 in this review.
Also, surprised you did not include the Sony MDR-7506 as we all know Ean uses them.
You can’t really call it an “Uber-review” when you are only comparing 3 headphone models….[/quote]
Yeah missing a lot of the phones that most ppl i know use. Sony’s n senns. Maybe this is part 1?
Wot??? No Skullcandy?
LOL.
While I don’t want to sound like I’m paying out the article here (like some others above) I’d agree that not including the Sennheisers was an odd choice. Maybe if the article was labbeled a mini-roundup of DJ-centric headphones, rather than an Uber-review (I was expecting an entire spectrum). Would look forward to your personal HD 25 review Ean, as I’m in the market for a pair.
Other than that, great article as always.
(wanted to write: soundwise)
i’m using an AKG 518. in comparison to the HD-25 it’s almost the same sundwise, while the AKG is a bit cheaper in price… i’d suggest more people to try out the 518.
common people dont dis the site. i got my hd 25s and i will admit, there pretty bang on, was just wondering about akg cans. the AKG 181, anyone know if these are any good?
I have had the Dj1’s for 4 years now and they get used 16 hours a week, and the only issues I’ve had is the ear cup pads crack.. like most brands do.
I’m looking to pick up the HDJ 2000 soon to replace them. My Beats By Dre Headphones sound great but they don’t swivel and the cord is to short so they are not so good for Djing but the isolation is amazing!
it maybe time for me to get real dj headphones lol, i use my dr dre beats lol. good for hearing the kick!
Hi guys.
I’ve personally reviewed a few of the headphones that have been tested in this review right here on DJTT. Let me tell you, the Allen&Heath is one pair of headphones worth looking at, so are the Sony MDR700’s. These are industry standard in many places around the world from what I gather. They’re both sweet sweet and confortable.
Although I personally looked at replacing my entry-level Sony MDR-300’s a couple of weeks ago. I’ve had two pairs of these babys during a 10 year period. both pairs cracked at the top plastic band after extended use.
Had a pair of MDR-500’s aswell. they cracked at the hinges even faster than the 300’s (conclusion: if in doubt of the two, go for the 300’s. cheaper and easier to drive.)
Although I got to test the MDR700’s a week back. Man they sound like the bomb compared to the other MDR’s! durability is average from what I gather, so if you’ve got the cash in that price range. go for’em guys.
Lastly, I wanted a pair that never die. that stands heavy usage and being smashed to bits. cause that’s what I do with my gear, to be honest. I rock each and every set that I do. My shit needs to be durable.
I got the Sennheiser HD 25 -1 II’s. I’ve never looked back since. These are tanks. Sound great. You’d think you had a dubstep stage in your livingroom with these babys on it’s off the chain.
those are a bit pricey, but they’re what I bought. epic win in my book.
My local club’s looking to buy the Allen&Heath Xone’s, but personally, get a pair of sennheisers, mod the included steel audio cable to extend it and you’ve got something unbeatable.
my five cent’s guys!
/alfa @ BananasAreBeautiful.cjb.net.
Get your House, Electro, Dubstep, B-more and Crunk Bangers over Here! Superhero global mp3-blog. top notch baby.
Google Shopping is getting much better for finding cheap prices. I found a pair of HDJ-2000 for $250. Guitar Center price matches any legit website, and with some finagling they can actually beat the price.
@meeee.
Glad you like your Senn’s. I have had them, but didn’t take to well to the way they fell apart. I preferred the fabric ‘ears’, but couldn’t always get them. They sound ok, but not brilliant. It would be interesting to see how many gigging DJs use Senns…. I’m standing by my Ultrasone’s, because they offer a little protection. I play every Friday and Saturday night, and at 42 years old, and 24 years of DJing, I need to protect my ears. The ‘Sone’s do that, and sound amazing. Build quality has been good so far.
Ultimately, I see the Senns in the same light as Technics 1200 TTs….. A reference point that has been overtaken. If you like them, fine, but if they haven’t got the bottle to allow a review pair against the competition, maybe it’s because they can see the writing on the wall, and are simply happy to trade on the reputation they have built prior.
Next!
I use my DJ Denon DN-HP1000 and I’ve had them for over 2 years and they still work good as the day I bought them. I use them in the studio AND when I mix. For the price of $160 you just can’t beat this. Oh,…..and all you guys pissing and moaning about 1 stinking headphone that didn’t get reviewed need to tone it down a bit….making this forum look like its filled with a bunch of babies instead of actual DJ’s.
TY Ean *****!
HD 25 II for me aswell!
I appreciate the article, and what its focus was. Maybe the article was written on what headphones could be supplied from the manufacturer’s? can you imagine if Ean or the rest of the crew had to go out and spend $200 + for each pair just so they could write the article. i’m sure Ean and the rest of his editors have to see if the companies will supply them these units for review…maybe they just didn’t get the ok from those manufacturers?
anyway, i’ll keep checkin back to see how the other headphones stand up to each other and the ones that have already been written about..
myself, i have had two pairs of Sony MDR-V6 studio monitor headphones for the past DECADE. I use one to mix in the home studio, and one pair that i take out with me to gigs.
I have yet to find a pair of headphones that will sound the same on EVERY mixer i plug them into…they have been durable enough for me all of these years, and i have only had to replace one pair of the pads. i take care of my stuff pretty good, and dont throw them around like i have seen many djs do with their headphones…i like em, and if one of them were to break, i would honestly still go out and look for another pair of them to dj with…
i checked out the 7506 models they had, but they just didn’t have the same feel or clarity, even though they had very similar specs…
anyway…thanks again Ean and all of your editors for producing topics that create such awesome debates!
-Dj Dennis
Selekta Recordings
Philadlephia
[quote comment=”25126″]While I want to thank everyone for pointing out the lack of Senheisers, I think we could tone down the criticism of the writer for not including them. After the last article, where we talked about searching for the perfect pair of headphone, I told Mike to pick the top 4 headphones he was most interested in and compare them. We did not intentionally leave any headphones out- there was a limit in the number of units I wanted to put into one review and he didnt request that pair.
I am going to go ahead and request a pair of the HD 25’s and see how they stand up to the rest and then post my personal impressions in this post a bit later.
thanks for the feedback as usual[/quote]
Thanks for this Ean, and everyone chill and enjoy the knowledge that Mike worked to get to ya.
Appreciated the review. Still wondering whether to go with cans or in-ears though
jajajajaja! HD 25 RULES!
How do you not have the sennheisers reviewed? They are a staple.
I DO HAVE BOTH ULTRASONE & AND SENNHEISER HD25 SENNHEISER HD25 I LOVE IT
THE TECHNICS RP DJ1200 ARE MY FAVES..
THEY SWIVEL ON THE HEAD JUST RIGHT
http://www.panasonic.com/CONSUMER_ELECTRONICS/TECHNICS_DJ/prod_intro_rpdj1200.asp
I know they’re not technically DJ phones, but I’ve been using a pair of Sony MDRV-7506s for 3 years now every day and they’re awesome. They’ve held together great and sound awesome.
While I want to thank everyone for pointing out the lack of Senheisers, I think we could tone down the criticism of the writer for not including them. After the last article, where we talked about searching for the perfect pair of headphone, I told Mike to pick the top 4 headphones he was most interested in and compare them. We did not intentionally leave any headphones out- there was a limit in the number of units I wanted to put into one review and he didnt request that pair.
I am going to go ahead and request a pair of the HD 25’s and see how they stand up to the rest and then post my personal impressions in this post a bit later.
thanks for the feedback as usual
[quote comment=”25104″]Guys, very good discussion and opinions here.
Regarding Sennheiser; I would be happy to review them for the community, as soon as they are will to loan out a review unit.
[/quote]
Agree or not, HD25 is thé reference headphone in the DJ market, like what the CDJ1000 is for cd players and SL1200 for turntables. Any head-to-head dj headphone comparison without the HD25 can not be reffered to as an “uber review”. You people from DJ Techtools should really know this so don’t call it like that!
I feel the majority of stuff on the site are reviews and articles that can be found on other sites. I realize that running the site and starting to design new controllers is a great task, but a little more effort into the posts please.
Mike already did a post about headphones.
As so often mentioned above, a DJ-Headphone-Review without the Senheiser HD-25 (any of them I, II, SE, etc.) is def. not a complete DJ-Headphone-Review!
As for the statement: “You also won’t find spare ear pads or 2 detachable cords in any other headphone box.” – Yes, you will: Numark’s PHX Headphones comes with 3 diff. Cords and 2 Sets of Pads + Bag…but then again I must agree that they don’t compare to the Ultrasones in soundquality!
WHAT??!?! No Techniques??!!
Pioneer is crap..Ultrasone is awsome..shure is good..A&H avarage…….but SENNHEISER HD25 as Tina Turner would say..SIMPLY THE BEST BETTER THEN ALL THE REST!!!!!!
I’ll add to the list of people that are absolutely surprised by the lack of expected headphones (even a reference to them would be nice). Considering your introduction states that you’re response to doing such a review was overwhelming, It’s strange to see not much attention seemed to go towards what headphones people were actually using and which ones people seemed to be most curious about. There are loads of other headphones that should be included (even if they aren’t the newest hype).
Keep up the work, but please do an update to this ‘UBER’ review. As of now there is nothing UBER about it.
@ “Tony Nanton
Quote
Great review shot. Yes, interesting that you left out the Senn’s, but then again I personally wouldn’t buy them. Yes, all parts are replaceable, but that’s because they fall apart so quickly, and those parts aren’t cheap!!!!”
—> then hds are the best yet i think, and @ tony, your statement is wrong, i use my headphones for 6 years now, like new, never replaced anything and i know the headphones from friends who told me to look for them cause they use them over 10 years without replacement….
I just bought the Sony MDR-v700s!! Mhmm
yea, what the other dudes said.
how can you do a second comparison leaving out the HD25 again…
I got quite excited when I saw this post, thought it would very interesting to see how the euro pro standard Sennheiser HD 25 stood up against all the huge chunky lump neck stranglers other company’s produce, I had to check twice when I couldn’t find what Sennheiser HD 25, very un like techtools!
wow.
people are really closed-minded about headphones. why can’t there be another good headphone out there besides senn’s?
i have ultrasones and they’ve been beat up pretty well, still rock solid. sound is better than senns IMHO.
wow.
people are really closed-minded about headphones. why can’t there be another good headphone out there besides senn’s?
i have ultrasones and they’ve been beat up pretty well, still rock solid. sound is better than senns IMHO.
Have owned both the Ultrasone DJ1 Pro and the HDJ-2000. I can say without a doubt that the Ultrasone DJ1 Pro are the best sounding DJ Headphones out there..
I agree they are not that durable, my switch ear pads are falling off after 6 months of usage, the detachable cords have a reputation of getting pulled out from its housing..
But I can use the DJ1 Pros confidently for Studio Monitoring and they have pretty good isolation for club usage.. Their sound stage is fantastic..
The HDJ-2000s on the other hand don’t sound as good as the DJ1 Pros, but they are better than any other DJ Headphone I have tested out there (except for the Sennheiser HD25 which I have yet to try).. The HDJ-2000s have more bass, and you know that these cans can handle very very loud volumes.. For DJ usage the HDJ-2000s are probably the best bet.. very comfortable, and they are awesome for club usage.. Only complaint is that I find their sound isn’t as accurate as the DJ1 Pros. Mid’s are clearly a tiny bit recessed, and bass feels a bit artificial.. It definitely doesn’t fulfill the promise that Pioneer stated – that it can be used as a studio monitoring headphone due to the fact that the hi-hats and bass has been tweaked for DJ usage, and this was clearly said by one of Pioneer’s chief employees..
So my opinion would be HDJ-2000s – DJ usage
Ultrasone DJ1 Pros – DJ and Studio Monitoring (it doesn’t feel as great as the HDJ-2000s when using in a club)..
Sennheiser hd 25 ALL THE WAY!!!!!
ROFL…. Way to loose a little credibility (again!) DJTT…
one word
SENNHEISER
sorry, but you’ve made the same monseter mistake Twice
you’re missing the point. the uber dj headphones are and will always be the Sennheiser hd 25
Just want to add that I’ve been using my Ultrasones for 3+ years, have beat the shit out of them, and they’re still in one piece and looking great. They are plenty durable — making them out of metal would just make them heavier.
Building something using plastic is fine, you just have to design them so they move and bend instead of breaking — which is what the ‘sones do.
Guys, very good discussion and opinions here.
Regarding Sennheiser; I would be happy to review them for the community, as soon as they are will to loan out a review unit.
Regarding Conclusion; My personal choice would be between A&H and Pioneer. Narrowing it down to those two is why Ultrasone was left out of the final paragraph. I probably should have said however that the pioneers sound better than “almost” anything out there. The sound quality well above most other DJ headphones, with the exception of Ultrasone, who are putting out some darn good sound.
Regarding Ultrasone; I’ve been know to be pretty heavy handed, so serious durability is high on my list. I need to travel with them a lot. The need to withstand Airports, Arizona Deserts, 7 mile dirt roads in Maine, and strapping my DJ bag to my Harley. DJs who don’t travel, or are more gentile with their equipment should consider Ultrasone, but for my money, I am in the market for something more durable.
FYI: that last pic is of the Shure Headphones w/ the square-ish headband on my head.
HD25 II all the way!!!
What about the Sennheiser HD280Pro? I love these headphones because they sit around the ear not ON the ear. Very comfortable, and they also keep your ears warm when you have to go out into the cold.
I think the reason for the choice of headphones were because those are what are marketed as “Dj”headphones. The HD25’s are marketed as Dj headphones too, but they try to reach out to engineers and field guys as well, were the other headphones are tarheted at Dj’s. I get where the review was going… good job. It always make’s for a good read. But would to know how they work during a gig.
I personally use my trusty sony mdr7506… I also have a pair of akg240– most comfortable, but low output, use at the house.
Thanks for the follow up from the first review Mike. Looks like this is one of those discussions that will never die between DJs.
Sup all, I agree with the fact that this cannot be called an über review without adding some more headphones in the mix, HD25’s are a given, but there are also a number of studio monitor headphones that are very popular with dj’s, namely ATH-M50’s etc…
i mark audiotechnica and sens the best headphones!
if there is a part to this review could you add a look over monitor headphones? from someone that masters their own tracks?
that would be perfect reading right there! 🙂
good work
-Tom
i love my HD 25! i have them seven years and works perfectly! thanks!
I was really thinking the same thing, shame that the sennheiser is not included, maybe you could revieuw them too and edit the post like you did with that timestretching contest where everyone wanted traktor included?
I’ really curious how the sennheisers quality compares to the ultrasone, and if somebody could tell me what the difference is between the hd25II and the hd25 SE 1II
Have to agree you should have compared the HD25 in this review.
Also, surprised you did not include the Sony MDR-7506 as we all know Ean uses them.
You can’t really call it an “Uber-review” when you are only comparing 3 headphone models….
Well same as the last time.. We miss the all famous Sennheiser hd 25 which in my opinion is the best pair of cannes available on the market!
cheers
what about the audiotechnica’s?
Wow, no HD25s? It’s a shame because I love DJTT reviews normally but this review has been completely invalidated without the Senn’s.
I use Ultrasone DJ 1 PRO since 2005. 5 years of great performance and durability. And my pair didnt come with a case)
I love their sound and the way ppl in Ultrasone think of YOUR ears and health:
S-Logic™ Natural Surround Sound – sweet thing that makes you fell like you are listening to near field monitors.
MU Metal shielding (ULE-technology) – reduces magnetic radiation.
One thing i would try – ??? 2000. But they are TO EXPENSIVE. i dont know any one in Moscow who have bought them realy.
[quote comment=”25074″]Nice review. But how can you make a headphone review without the Sennheiser HD 25???[/quote]
It will be the first time i criticise DjTechTools but a dj headphone review without the HD25 which is one of the most used headphone worldwide is really a BIG mistake…
I have used pioneer and sony and technics and the most durable/best quality/best sound/best isolation is the HD 25, no contest.
I would like to try the HDJ 2000 tho. Even if they look enormous.
[quote comment=”25074″]Nice review. But how can you make a headphone review without the Sennheiser HD 25???[/quote]
It will be the first time i criticise DjTechTools but a dj headphone review without the HD25 which is one of the most used headphone worldwide is really a BIG mistake…
I have used pioneer and sony and technics and the most durable/best quality/best sound/best isolation is the HD 25, no contest.
I would like to try the HDJ 2000 tho. Even if they look enormous.
steve b. i think he was talking about the pioneers.
Seriously, I’m surprised. That’s like doing a turntable review and not including 1210s!
Fwiw I use a set of antique Sennheiser HD200s, good sound quality, a little quiet, *and* the make me look like a stormtrooper.
[quote comment=”25078″]I don’t get it. Your review says the Ultrasone DJ-1 Pros are “the best-sounding DJ headphones I’ve ever tested,” but your conclusion says the A&H is “better-sounding than anything else out there,” and doesn’t even mention the Ultrasones.
The only downside your review finds for the Ultrasones is build quality. I’ve had my Ultrasones for three years and they look as if I bought them yesterday. Several DJTT users have posted the same thing. Your conclusions don’t even support your own findings.[/quote]
i am confusing about this also.
I use the Technics 1200 headphones and have for years. Love em. I would have liked them to be included so I can see them compared to similar models.
Good review but you forgot two other headphones that are really popular. Technics RPDH-1200 and the Sennheiser HD-25. Maybe for a part 2 perhaps? 🙂
[quote comment=”25074″]Nice review. But how can you make a headphone review without the Sennheiser HD 25???[/quote]
I have to agree, the HD25 are a very stable work horse and all the parts are replaceable, I have tried many head phones over the last 9 years, and I concluded that the Sony and Pioneer head bands break all the time, I had the Technic one’s for a couple of years and they were great but parts could not be replaced, and the drives loose clarity after 6 months.
Good shout Steve B!! I didn’t notice that comment. Come on Mike, get it right bro’!!! Hahahahaha!!
Great review shot. Yes, interesting that you left out the Senn’s, but then again I personally wouldn’t buy them. Yes, all parts are replaceable, but that’s because they fall apart so quickly, and those parts aren’t cheap!!!! I use the Ultrasone DJ1, and love them, to the point of not using the booth monitor. I WILL get a pair of Pioneers though, simply because they’re so well made. I’ve already been made aware of the A&H, but didn’t like them on my head, even though they did sound good… Good work fella!!
I don’t get it. Your review says the Ultrasone DJ-1 Pros are “the best-sounding DJ headphones I’ve ever tested,” but your conclusion says the A&H is “better-sounding than anything else out there,” and doesn’t even mention the Ultrasones.
The only downside your review finds for the Ultrasones is build quality. I’ve had my Ultrasones for three years and they look as if I bought them yesterday. Several DJTT users have posted the same thing. Your conclusions don’t even support your own findings.
Heh I just borrow whichever headphones are around haha.
just picked up the HDJ’s, gets my recommendation over and over again.
Nice review. But how can you make a headphone review without the Sennheiser HD 25???