DJ Headphones Reviewed!

[Kraig]

Models reviewed:
1.) Behringer HPX2000
2.) Gemini DJX1/American Audio HPX500
3.) Sennheiser HD280 Pro
4.) Sennheiser HD25
5.) Pioneer SE-DJ5000
6.) Pioneer HDJ-1000
7.) Stanton DJ-3000
8.) Technics RP-DH1200

Full details:
http://www.skratchworx.com/reviews/headphonetest.htm

Review of that article:
Wrap Up

I decided that it would be best to split this up based on the needs of the DJ, as everyone is looking for something different. I really can’t pick the best headphone in the roundup, though I will try to pick the best for you.

Value - Gemini DJX1. While the American Audio headphone’s do have a stronger headband, the Gemini’s have a price of $20 lower, AND include a soft set of ear pads as their “backup” set, which provides a level of customization that the American Audio’s do not provide (though sweatier DJ’s will probably not use the soft set, lol). There has never been a set of earphones that have hit this price at this level of quality, and for that Gemini really gets a hats off.

Studio Use - Sennheiser HD25. One of the sweetest sounding pairs of headphones I have ever encountered while remaining accurate, this one was a no brainer. While the price may put you off, they are worth the money. That said, a good second choice would be the Sennheiser HD280’s.

DJing(under $130) - Stanton DJ-3000. For me the big factor was that while not the best in any area (except maybe comfort), they excel in about any area you can name, and have features like the high/lowpass filters which add a large amount of value. One would be stupid to pick a pair of Sony MDR-700’s over these, and all in all were the biggest surprise of the bunch.

DJing(over $130) - Pioneer HDJ-1000. Loud, comfortable, and with a very clear sound surpassed only by the Sennheiser HD-25, this one was an easy choice. While the Technics may be a bit better in the style department (and I must admit I do prefer the joints on the Technics as well), the HDJ-1000’s trumped the Technics handily in every other department.

[Sykonee]

Yeah, Senns kill pretty much everything out there (though Grado gives good comps). As with so much, you get what you pay for and cans are no different.

It surprises me just how popular the Sony cans are. After making the quality upgrade, they sound like absolute shite. Of course, I'm stupid picky when it comes to sound.

[D]

For club use mixing trance/prog Sony700 or Pioneer1000 are the best. PERIOD.

Throw 'em in the gutter, go buy another :)

[g-RocK]

sony 700's break waaaay to easy, I find the pioneer hdj 1000's great though!

[DJDeeb]

interesting stuff about the Stanton ones. Stronger Sony700 lookalikes.

I'm still considering the pionoeers for my next set of phones though

[Moon]

i have used most those headphones except the pioneer n i'm pretty much indifferent....

for playing out, i have always preferred the sony 700's. they do the job for me. i like how they wrap around my head, the big cups, the volume range and of course the silver flashiness.... i liked the 600's alot as well... very comfortable yet i wish they had the swirl around design like the 500 and 700.

the senns are very nice too... ugly headphones yet they are very comfortable and clean sounding. i like hte cushions alot as well they block out most of the sound which makes the monitoring alot easier.

the statons are surprisingly not bad either... they definetly seem cheaply made but they do the job.

i like the technics dj1200's alot... but not as much for djing in all honesty.... i like the sonys for dj monitoring. i use my pair for listening to music on the computer... they sound BEAUUUTIFUL =)

i currently use the MOS ones..... the one tiesto uses. its got hte swirl around design and it does the job for me... and its about 50 bucks cheaper than the sony 700's....

[stringbeans]

ive used both the senn 280's and the pioneer 1000's and i'd have to say that if the senns didnt crack so easily at the band they'd be a much better value than the pioneers

[omega_image]

Originally Posted by Sykonee

Yeah, Senns kill pretty much everything out there (though Grado gives good comps). As with so much, you get what you pay for and cans are no different.

It surprises me just how popular the Sony cans are. After making the quality upgrade, they sound like absolute shite. Of course, I'm stupid picky when it comes to sound.

lol aren't those sony's in your avatar?

[D]

Originally Posted by k-pryde

i currently use the MOS ones..... the one tiesto uses. its got hte swirl around design and it does the job for me... and its about 50 bucks cheaper than the sony 700's....

Tiesto uses the Stanton :)

[Sykonee]

Originally Posted by omega_image

lol aren't those sony's in your avatar?

They are. When it comes to avatars, I'm stupid unpicky.

[Skyles]

i really like the sound of the Sennheiser HD25, but i'm afraid of breaking them as they don't seem that durable.

ive used the sony mdr-7506's for about 3 years i think?, i used the 700's befoe that and the 600's as well, but after breaking both pairs (700's at the swivvel joint, 600's on the cup connections), I needed something that wasn't built like shit. plus the mdr-7506's sound so much fucking better and double as reference in the studio for me, they are pricey though. Oh yea and whoever stole my old pair at kiss 2004 is a wanker.

cheers,
Kyle

[Niko]

I love my Sennheiser 280s, although they have this weird habit... if I haven't used them for a couple of days, I swear it sounds like the bass response needs to "warm up," as in I need to play them good and loud for like 30 minutes before they actually start giving me the rolling bass sound. After that, it's all damn-near-reference quality gold, with great isolation.

Here's my Q, how much do the Pioneers cost usually? Cuz I can get HD280s for rediculously cheap despite not selling sennheiser, and I DO actually sell pioneer. Are the Pioneers substantially more expensive?