DJ Headphones

Hearing Essentials

The right set of headphones can make a difference in the way a DJ monitors his or her show. A well-designed pair will not only provide comfort for the whole duration of the gig but will also let the DJ accurately monitor the music he is spinning and cueing up. Intended as a guide only, this line-up of some popular DJ headphones details in the features and specs that matter when investing in a good pair of headphones.

Allen & Heath XONE XD2-53

With a circumaural design to provide excellent isolation from ambient noise, the Xone XD2-53 is an ideal product for DJ’s works in loud environments. Its 53mm drivers deliver an extremely high performance, with an extended low frequency response and the rotating earpieces with soft earpads allow easy one-ear monitoring and the adjustable, metal reinforced headband ensures excellent wearing comfort.

Main Features include:

• Designed to excel in high noise DJ booth environments
• Touring grade build quality, including metal reinforced headband
• 53mm diameter drivers with high power neodymium magnet design
• Detachable coiled cable with 3.5mm connector and ¼” jack adaptor
• Rotating earpieces for easy one-ear monitoring
• Folding design for portability
• Carry pouch included

Tech Specifications:

• Type: Closed-back Dynamic (circumaural isolation design)
• Driver Diameter: 53mm
• Magnet: Neodymium
• Frequency Response: 5 – 33,000Hz
• Maximum Input Power: 3,500mW
• Sensitivity: 105dB/mW at 1kHz
• Impedance: 36 ohms
• Weight: 350g
• Cable Length: 1.2m (Coiled) / Max 3.0m

Audio-Technica ATH-PRO500MK2

Originally designed for DJs, but easily integrated into any audiophile’s collection, the ATH-PRO500 Mk2 is a highly portable and extremely powerful pair of headphones. With complete isolation, swiveling ear cups, and customizable cable, ATH-PRO500MK2 headphone delivers amazing sonic performance. Its rugged design offers improved strength and smooth rotation of the earpieces.

Main Features include:

• 53mm large-diameter drivers provide accurate sound reproduction for DJ
• High magnetic power delivers powerful sound
• High maximum input of 1,600mW achieves powerful, wide-range frequency response
• One-ear monitoring capability
• Swivelling earpieces (50° / 90°)
• Detachable cable with secure screw-on design
• Two types of detachable cables included (1.2-3.0m coiled cable & 3.0m straight cable)
• Available in black or red

Technical Specification:

• Type: Closed-back Dynamic
• Driver Diameter : 53 mm
• Frequency Response: 10 - 30,000 Hz
• Maximum Input Power: 1,600 mW
• Sensitivity: 106 dB/mW
• Impedance: 58 ohms
• Weight: 290g
• Accessories Included: Detachable coiled 1.2m –3.0m cable, detachable straight 1.2m –3.0m cable, 3.5mm gold plated stereo mini plug, Screw-on 6.3mm adaptor.

V-MODA CROSSFADE M-100

Available in matte black, grey or white, the Crossfade M-100 headphone are the first headphones in the V-Moda range to feature ear cups that collapse inside of the headband. Powered by a 50mm dual diaphragm driver and with a frequency response of 5 – 30 kHz, the M-100s once again place the emphasis on bass.

Main Features include:

• Immersive 3D Soundstage: Live performance experiences
• Clean Deep Bass: Feel and hear precise vibrations of the music without bloated boom or muddy mids
• Ultra Wide Clarity & Vivid Midrange
• 50mm Dual-Diaphragm Driver (Patent Pending): Inner and outer rings separate the bass from bleeding into the mids and highs
• Master Crafted Materials: More expensive driver and components than peer headphones at this price range
• Analog Noise Isolation: Naturally cut out the distractions of jet engines, crying babies and crowd noise
• No Batteries or Artificial Processing: Powerful, pure sound without the pollution of two extra digital-to-analog conversions of battery powered headphones
• Minimal sound leakage: Immersive sound for you without bothering others view details
• Consistent Driver Quality: Quality tested at 6 frequencies to maintain stricter consistency than the competition, often by an order of magnitude
• 4+ Years of Comfort R&D: Ergonomic headband and hexagon shape that minimizes the force on your head, ears and gap
• BLISS Memory Foam Cushions: Naturally forms to your ears to provide supreme comfort and noise isolation

Tech Specifications:

• Headphone Design: Over-Ear Circumaural
• Headphone Style: Closed-Black
• Microphone: 1 Button Mic
• Driver Unit: 50mm
• Frequency Response: 5Hz - 30,000Hz
• Impedance: 32 Ohms
• Cable Type: Kevlar Cable
• Plug Type: 3.5mm L-Shaped Jack
• Weight: 280 grams
• Microphone Sensitivity: -42db @ 1 kHz
• Sensitivity: 103 db @ 1kHz 1mW

Numark HF325

The HF325 Professional DJ Headphones, are perfect for hard working DJs requiring headphones for airtight performances. It packs an incredible amount of sound quality into a compact, noise isolating design that won’t hog all of the space in the gig bag.

The on-ear, noise isolating earcups reduce ambient noise to a minimum, making them ideal for use in loud club environments. The up-front sound signature is like a microscope for the ears. Vocals are intimate, bass is tight and punchy, and the subtle nuances in tracks are exposed with smooth, rich detail.

In addition, it’s compact design and lightweight makes it both easy to carry and listen for extended periods of time.

Main Features include:

• Studio-grade acoustics with stunning detail for DJ use
• On-ear cups provide exceptional noise isolation and portability
• Exceptional handling power for use with pro-grade mixers and controllers
• Rotating earcup provides hands-free, single-ear monitoring
• 40mm driver delivers deep, defined bass for beatmatching
• 20 Hz - 20 kHz frequency response lets you hear every nuance
• Immediate, up-front sound signature gets you closer to the mix
• Aggressive isolation for use in noisy environments
• Leatherette earcups provide a cushy, custom fit
• 32 ohm impedance works well with low-output devices
• 4ft (1.2m) cable with 1/8-inch (3.5mm) stereo plug
• 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch (6.3mm) adapter included

Technical Specification:

• Colour: Black
• Frequency Range: 20Hz - 20KHz
• Impedance: 32
• Driver Unit: 40mm
• Closed/Open Back: Closed Back
• Plug Type: 3.5mm Jack
• Cord Length: 1.2
• Accessories: 3.5mm to 1/4” jack adapter

Pioneer-HDJ-2000-K

The HDJ-2000-K is a high-quality professional DJ headphone with firm and sturdy material. It is extremely flexible and adaptive to strange/awkward positions. It’s 50mm drivers can easily produce high quality, well-defined sound required by DJs while performing on stage or in the club, it can accurately recreate high and low beats. It is designed for maximum comfort and durability and has lightweight bindings on the headband and hanger to reduce the pressure on the head. Their soft, leather-like ear pads with memory foam ensure a snug fit.

Main features:

• Type: Fully-enclosed, dynamic headphones
• Driver Units: 50 mm dome type
• Plug: 3.5 mm stereo mini-jack (gold-plated, 2-way, screw-type)
• Cable: 1.2 m side mount coil cable (3 m extended length)
• Included Accessories: 6.3 mm 3P plug adapter (gold-plated, threaded type), Carrying pouch

Tech Specifications:

• Weight (without cord): 290 g
• Maximum Input Power: 3500 mW
• Output Sound Level: 107 dB
• Frequency Range: 5 - 30000 Hz
• Impedance: 36 Ω

Sennheiser HD 25

The HD 25 is a lightweight and comfortable headphone, even when used for long periods. Considered to be the “Industry Standard” for DJ Headphones, these headphones are often found in DJ Booths, small and large. Due to their low weight and the option of one-ear listening, the HD 25 headphones are indispensable for mobile monitoring also.

Main features include:

• High sensitivity due to lightweight aluminum voice coils
• Capable of handling very high sound pressure levels
• Very lightweight and comfortable, even if used for long periods of time
• Tough, detachable, single-sided cable
• Rotatable capsule for single-ear listening.

Technical Specification:

• Color: Black
• Frequency response (Headphones): 16 - 22000 Hz
• THD, total harmonic distortion: < 0,3 %
• Contact pressure: ~ 2,5 N
• Ear coupling: supraaural
• Jack plug: 3,5/6,3 mm stereo
• Cable length: 1,5 m (HD 25 Plus: 1-3 m)
• Transducer principle: dynamic, closed
• Weight: Without cable, ~ 140 g
• Nominal impedance: 70 Ω
• Load rating: 200 mW
• Max. Sound pressure level (active): 120 dB

Shure SRH750DJ

The SRH750DJ Headphones promises to deliver world-class sound reproduction, comfort, and durability to professional DJ’s in any situation. It has the largest driver in the Shure headphone range, which helps to produce high bass response with extended highs. With a high rated load of 3000 mW this headphone can cope with very high volumes clearly and is distortion-free. The SRH750DJ headphones are suited for use by bass lovers and DJs alike. Also, replaceable cable and included set of replacement ear pads ensure a long product life.

Main Features include:

• 50 mm neodymium dynamic drivers optimised for high-output mixers
• Closed-back, circumaural collapsible design with 90-degree earcup swivel
• Detachable coiled cable
• Includes threaded 3.5 mm gold-plated adapter, carrying bag, replacement ear pads
• Adjustable, collapsible headband
• 90 degree swivel ear cups

Technical Specification:

• Weight: 291 g
• Driver: 50 mm
• Impedance: 32 Ω
• Sensitivity: 106 dB/mW
• Max. Input Power: 3000 mW
• Frequency Range: 5 Hz – 30 kHz
• Cable length: 300 cm
• 90° swivel earcups: Yes
• Cable type: Detachable coiled
• Cable exit: Single-sided
• Plug: Gold-plated 3,5 mm stereo jack
• Design: Closed-Back
• Uses: DJ mixing & personal listening, Live professional DJ mixing and monitoring

AKG K181 DJ UE

The K181 DJ UE is a reference class DJ headphone, developed based on input from professional DJs. These ultimate Edition headphones are built for professional DJ use in any club environment. The K181 DJ UE headphones feature a closed back design and a sturdy 50 mm transducer, delivering enough power to withstand even the strongest PA speakers, especially for pre-fader listening. For loud working conditions, the Bass Boost will help DJs hear low frequencies better, while the headphones’ coiled cable offers freedom to move without stepping on it.

Main Features include:

• Bass Boost switch: To emphasize low frequencies in loud working conditions.
• Detachable coiled cable: Gives freedom to move in the DJ booth.
• Mono/Stereo switch: For optimum single ear monitoring.
• 3D-Axis folding mechanism: For easy transport and storage in record or laptop bags.
• Light weight construction: That enables multiple mixing positions.

Technical Specification:

• General Specifications
 Headphone type: Closed-back
 Max. Input Power: 3500 mW
 Audio frequency bandwidth: 5 - 30000 Hz
 Sensitivity headphones: 112 dB SPL/V
 Rated Impedance: 42 Ohms
 Detachable cable: yes
 Cable Length: coiled 5 m
 Earpads replaceable: yes
 Foldable: yes
• Wearing Style
 On-ear: Yes
• Foldable
 Foldable: Yes
• Dimensions
 Net Weight :280 g
• Audio Interface
 Type: Mini XLR
 Contacts: 3-pin
 Interface finish: Gold