When choosing a few DJ headphones There are some aspects that are non-negotiable, such as comfort, a lightweight design and good sound quality. But there are others that are also a plus when working with them on the dance floor, such as having rotating cups.
So to make your search easier, we have created this list in which we are going to tell you about the best DJ headphones for their quality-price ratio. We will tell you which ones they are!
Related: Best DJ software
10. Numark Red Wave Carbon
If you are looking for affordable DJ headphones that don't compromise on sound quality, you can go for these. Although they are not too small, they are light and comfortable, and Their cups are rotatingIts design is striking and even reminds us of the gaming style.
They are made up of some 50mm drivers which give you the ability to enjoy strong, deep bass. Overall, we can say that they sound much better than most DJ headphones that are priced similarly.
9. Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
For a really interesting price these headphones offer excellent sound, with very good noise insulation and a structure that, although not made of the best materials, is not bad either.
They are very easy to handle and include a carrying bag in which they can be conveniently stored once the session is over. In addition Its pads are rotatable, which is why they can be placed around the neck without any discomfort, or used comfortably with just one earphone.
8. Sony MDR-7506
The sound quality of these headphones is certainly up to what is expected from Sony, with a great clarity across the entire frequency rangeThey also come equipped with 49 mm neodymium drivers that deliver impressive bass. Their bass and low-end response is also sensational, and the mids are perceived as very clear.
Its design perhaps reminds us of other times, which is not surprising because they have been on the market for two decades and have maintained their minimalist look. With a synthetic leather padding Both the bands and the cups ensure comfort for hours of use.
7. Pioneer HDJ-X5
Although these headphones are priced quite cheaply, their audio quality certainly does not suffer. They sound very good, with power and a very well-adapted frequency response to emphasize bass and midrange, with a range of 300 to 1600 Hz.
In addition, other features should be highlighted, such as a rather light weight, an elegant and minimalist design, and that Their helmets are rotatable. The latter makes working with them very comfortable.
6. Pioneer DJ HDJ-S7-W
In this case we have headphones with a Powerful bass response, and pretty good mids and highsIts 40 mm transducers work with a wide frequency range from 5 to 40 hKZ.
Although they are rather small headphones, they can reproduce even the most extreme tones well. And their size does not prevent them from being quite comfortable either, as they offer a Compact and lightweight design, as well as being very eye-catching, in white. Its cups are rotatable and are made of resistant metal. In general we can say that these headphones have excellent quality at a much more affordable price than others.
5. Pioneer DJ HDJ-X7
Among the highlights of these headphones we find their acoustic spatiality, with a wide stereo sound. They offer sensational bass, good mids and clear highs, although it is in these notes where they suffer slightly. Overall we can talk about a really good sound quality, where all the details can be perceived very well.
As far as its design is concerned, these are headphones made with resistant materials: hard plastic and metal reinforcements in the most delicate parts. Its cups can rotate up to 180 degrees, something that any DJ would greatly appreciate.
4. Sennheiser HD 25
In these headphones we find practically everything a DJ would need in his work: Outstanding sound, comfort, lightness and a modern design. All this at a very interesting price, by the way, which is quite different from the others on this list.
They apply enough pressure to not slide down your head, but they don't become uncomfortable. Also isolate from ambient noise and offer excellent sound quality with clear bass and power in the other notes.
3. V-Moda Crossfade LP2
The strong point of these headphones is in their specially emphasized bassThey integrate two sound profiles: the M-Class, designed for listening to music; and the LP-Class, ideal for mixing live music.
Its construction quality is very resistant, even in the plastic parts. And their cups are rotatable, although not as much as in other models, but about 30 degrees. But in general they are comfortable headphones that can be used for hours without any problem.
2. V-MODA M-200
We are looking at headphones precisely designed for professionals in the music world such as DJs, and in fact their quality is superior to that of many headphones of the same type. With their closed design they allow great concentration, and their response in both bass, midrange and treble is spectacular.
As far as comfort is concerned, they have improved on the previous version, the M-100, for example because they have a wider headband. Their ear cushions are a good size and The outer plate of the cups can be customized with various patterns and shades.
1. Pioneer Hdj-X10
One of the distinguishing features of these DJ headphones, which are our favorites, is that they are ideal for mixing those musical genres in which the bass is especially powerful. Its frequency response is 5-40,000 Hz, and in the bass it reaches up to 200-300 Hz. They also return very clear mid tones and emphasize the highs from 12 Hz, although mid tones are not their strong point.
They are also especially comfortable, something that is much appreciated by a DJ facing a long session. Its padded headband adjusts but without putting pressure on it. And since they are flexible, they can be placed on the neck without any problem.
How to choose the right DJ headphones?
He A DJ's job depends on the equipment he works withIn the case of headphones, you need them to pre-listen to the next track, since you have to anticipate the track with the next song and adjust the beat and BPM, in such a way that you will have to make a suitable mix between the song that is playing at that moment and the one that will play right after.
Here is our first indispensable feature: good insulation. All DJ headphones will incorporate external noise cancellation, meaning that just by putting them on they will mitigate external noise, even without having music on.
It is usually quite hot in clubs and DJs are usually always putting on and taking off their headphones, leaving one on their ear, putting another on, etc. That is why, when buying headphones for DJing, we have to pay close attention to the pad materialThey need to be comfortable and durable, and have replacement pads.
The most normal thing is that the on-ear DJ headphones (that is to say, over-ear or circumaural) because they are the most comfortable and adjustable to our heads, as well as offering good insulation. The only drawback is that over time they wear out and lose the tension and rigidity they had at the beginning.
Although you can choose them without cables, for our taste, we recommend that they have:
- Smooth cable: It can have different lengths and will have a normal weight.
- Curly cable (extendable or spiral): It is a little heavier than the smooth cable, but it avoids problems with pulling and tangling.
The connection is usually a standard minijack, with adapter to jackThe fact that it also includes a screw-on adapter is usually what makes the difference with a headset that will not be of quality.
The drivers The parts of a headset are the parts that vibrate and generate the sound we hear. This part is the most resistant of the entire headset, but it will always depend on the use we give it (volume, signal peaks, etc.).
Generally, DJ headphones tend to have enhancements in the lower frequencies, which allows for greater isolation from the outside. However, it would also be interesting if they had a sound faithful to the originalFor all this we have to take into account that:
- The sound should be of quality and support an adequate volume without distortion.
- As we have already said, isolation is one of the most important factors, since we need to hear what comes out of our headphones without interference from what is playing at that moment on the track.
- It is also important for the DJ to find headphones that are as comfortable as possible, since they may spend hours DJing.
- Finally, they need to be strong so that they don't break easily and last as long as possible. For this reason, we recommend that they are not foldable. Although foldable headphones are easier to carry, they are less rigid.
Features to consider when purchasing professional DJ headphones
Nowadays, we find many models on the market. Many of them are sold as "DJ headphones", but not all of them really are. Therefore, in the next section we are going to talk about the True features that DJ headphones have to have so that the user himself can buy them without being deceived:
1. The frequency range. It is calculated in Hz (hertz). Basically, it is the audio spectrum that the human ear perceives. It is known for a fact that the human ear can hear between 20 Hz and 20,000 Hz. Anything above or below these values, we do not hear. Good DJ headphonesThey should offer low frequencies very close to 20Hz and high frequencies very close to 20,000 Hz in order to be able to hear in detail..
2. The impedanceIt is the resistance that opposes the circuit to the flow of electricity. It is measured in Ohms (Ω). How much lower be the value impedance, the better the quality and power of what we are listening to.
3. Sensitivity. It is measured in decibels (dB) and consists of how loud or high the sound can sound in your ears. It is a fundamental factor to be able to pre-listen to the music in the headphones and not to the music that is playing on the dance floor at that moment. Therefore, we can say that professional DJs They need headphones that offer a lot of decibels to be able to pre-listen and synchronize the BMP's, apply EQ and effects to the mix, and check how it sounds before the audience in the venue hears it.
4. ErgonomicsAs we have already mentioned, headphones have to be very comfortable. To achieve this, both the headband and the ear cushions have to be well padded.
5. Construction and duration. DJs usually use their headphones a lot, so it is very important, in addition to taking care of them as much as possible, to design them so that they last a long time. Normally, the elements that suffer the most are the ear cushions and we may have to take them to the technical service at some point to have them replaced. Quality headphones will have a technical service that takes care of this.
6. The cable and its connection. The cable is very important. No professional wireless headset sounds as good and smooth as a wired one. The cable should only be connected to the headphones on one side to prevent it from tangling or even breaking. It is recommended that the cable length be less than one meter. The plug, again, has to be mini-jack (or 3.5mm jack) but it also needs to incorporate a jack adapter. It is recommended that the connector be gold plated because it is one of the metals that best conducts the audio signal.