What are the best dj headphones?

If you are in the market for new dj headphones, you’ve come to the right place! I have listed the most popular ones with some user reviews, specs, prices, and pictures. Headphone technology is constantly evolving and things have changed since the last time I shopped for them. Companies are using new materials, new manufactures are born, and new models are created to compete with competitors. The average dj will go through a set of headphones every 12-18 months, hopefully this guide will help you choose the correct headphones for you’re budget and daily needs.

It’s important to note what is good for me, might not be good for you and I would strongly recommend trying them out at your local record store (HMV, Virgin, or electronic store) before purchasing such an important tool.

Technics RP-DJ1210
Rating:
Retail Price:
$149.95
Lowest Price:
$114.59 – amazon.com
Pros: These headphones are tanks and very well priced. I’ve personally used and abused these headphones for 5 years, and only recently have they started to diminish in the functionality and cosmetic departments. The best feature about this headphone is the pivot lock feature. It allows you to move the headphone in different positions and lock em. This is super handy if you like to dj with the headphones resting on your neck vs wearing the actual headphones. They are loud and sound clear at high levels – perfect for club environments. Available in two colours, black and purple or black and silver.
Cons: Small headphone cups – some people like the larger headphones to cover the entire ear (I still found these headphones blocked outside noises very well). Some people don’t like the purple design.

Sony MDR-V700DJ
Rating:
Retail Price:
$149.99
Lowest Price:
$89.88 – buy.com
Pros: The cups fully cover your ears. They do a very good job of blocking out external sounds. On a recent plane ride, the headphones successfully defended us from nearby passenger’s and baby cries without forcing us to crank the volume. This is an industry fav.
Cons: Large cups, they might feel too big and might not feel right for every person. They are known as an industry favorite but these headphones are known to break and crack at the swivel joints making it near impossible to wear them (no longer enough support to hold the headphone in place).

Pioneer HDJ-1000
Rating:
Retail Price: $200.00
Lowest Price: $129.99 – amazon.com
Pros: Pioneer is a well established brand with quality dj products such as the CDJ series and DJM mixer series. They look and sound awesome.
Cons: Lots of people have problems with cracked joints and the headband becoming detached from the earpiece after 1 year of use. These headphones are still my fav to mix with, and I would encourage anyone to go for them, but if you do.. you have to accept that if you use them a fair amount they will have a pretty short lifespan.

Pioneer HDJ-2000
Rating:
Retail Price: 299.00 Euros inc VAT
Lowest Price: $290.66 USD – ebay
Pros: Pioneer is a well established brand, these headphones are the predecessor of the popular HDJ-1000s.
Cons: Price, way way way too expensive. Someone needs to tell Pioneer about the current economy struggle the world is facing. New product, limited reviews and overall uncertainty if product can withhold everyday wear and tear of dj abuse. Not too thrilled about the look, pioneer product usually have a sleek wow finish, something that is lacking here.

Sennheiser HD280s
Rating:
Retail Price: $199.95
Lowest Price: $99.90 – buy.com
Pros: The sound quality is stunning and all the parts are replaceable. Good price.
Cons: Ear cups can get a bit warm with extended use amd the headstrap is weak and cracks after a few months of use, its obvious these are likely the best sounding headphones on the market, but they will break very easily especially if you are careless and throw your headphones about.

AKG 181
Rating:
Retail Price: $279.00
Lowest Price: $159.00 – djdeals.com
Pros: Very comfortable and looks sharp. The mono/stereo option, detachable three-pin cable and (maybe) even the cheesy, left & right earcup “large/small club ambiance” [bass boost] switches might prove useful for some.
Cons: Doesn’t live up to the AKG name. Lackluster and pricey given the middling audio detail resolution, muddy bass response and flat soundstage imaging. Check out the much better-priced and better-sounding AKG K-81 (as seen within this review) if seeking a great sealed-design, portable-application headphone with solid audio performance.

AKG K 81 DJ
Rating:
Retail Price: $99.00
Lowest Price: $69.00 – djdeals.com
Pros: Typical AKG top notch sound quality at an amazing price! The K-81DJ’s mid-sized, supra-aural earcups rest on top of the ears with nicely plushy pleather-covered earpads that rotate 180 degrees, perfect for fast-paced DJ mono mixing with one ear or for just keeping your head on a swivel when you need to remain aware of your surroundings.
Cons: Headphone cables and overall quality would suit this as great headphones for the house or in the studio, but might not be the best option for clubland.

Again, the price and quality depends on the individual user and their requirements. Use this guide as an educational and unbiased reference with reviews from myself, friends, and other djs. The headphones I included within this review are the most popular headphones within the industry. If you feel I’m missing a model or would like to contribute your own person review, add your comments and let me know.