Top 10: The Best DJ Headphones

Ah, headphones! The epicenter in which all jams are facilitated from console to ear… Whether you’re rocking the at-home studio and releasing your jams exclusively online or playing live sets around town, no DJ can deny that if you want to produce good music you’ve got to have headphones that deliver high-quality sound. And for those of you who are gigging, noise cancelation is an absolute must.

Over time, there’s no doubt you’ll end up with your own personal preference on what brand you use consistently but with models upon models of headphones available, choosing the pair that is right for you can get overwhelming quickly. If you’re tired of bashing your head against the wall or would like to avoid that from happening altogether (what we suggest), save yourself some time and energy and read on for the specs that are gracing the best DJ headphones out on the market today.

# 10 RCF Iconica

KEY FEATURES

Designed for both DJ monitoring and general use (smartphones, media players, laptop, TV).

Designed by Benny Benassi, professional DJ.

include extended LF response and noise cancellation.

Feature linear frequency response, including extended bass, but without compromising on accuracy.

VERDICT

Coming in hot at #10 on our list of best DJ headphones are the RCF Iconica’s. What makes these bad boys so great is their ability to deliver monster bass without sacrificing quality of sound elsewhere. You can also carry them around with you for your daily listening activities and reap the benefits of their sound canceling technology. These headphones were designed specifically by professional DJ Benny Benassi for DJ’ing, so you can have full confidence that you’re getting a product best-suited to your needs.

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# 9 Pioneer Pro DJ HDJ-1500

KEY FEATURES

Utilizes groundbreaking soundproofing technology.

Urethane memory foam ear pads.

Delivers balanced sound across all frequencies.

Durable magnesium alloy parts that can handle the wear and tear of live sets.

VERDICT

If you’re gigging and need headphones that can take a beating, these might be the ones for you! Aside from being made of durable materials that can handle all your fist-pumping during your set, these headphones deliver high-quality sound and are effective when it comes to noise cancellation. Pioneer is known for receiving complaints about the headbands in their products in general cracking over time but all in all these headphones will give you everything you’re looking for at a great price.

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#8 Sennheiser HD8 DJ

KEY FEATURES

Ambient noise isolating technology for delivering high-quality sound in loud environments.

Critical components are machined from metal.

Ear cups swivel up to 210 degrees.

High SPL capability (115dB).

95-ohm impedance for optimum compatibility with DJ equipment.

VERDICT

Sennheiser creates some of the best DJ headphones available (you’ll find 2 different pairs on this list) but first come the HD8’s. These headphones are a great choice for any DJ that wants high sound-isolation for their live sets. They also have well balanced sound between the highs, mids, and lows. They’re made of extremely durable material and quality technology that will survive years of DJ’ing. Many people who decide to invest in their first pair of Sennheiser headphones end up committing to the brand for life.

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#7 V-Moda Crossfade LP2

KEY FEATURES

50mm dual-diaphragm drivers (inner and outer rings to deliver high-quality bass).

Passive noise isolation.

Powerful clarity without two extra digital-to-analog conversions.

<2dB variance for sound consistency.

Kevlar-reinforced Cable.

VERDICT

The V-Moda Crossfades are the pair of headphones that give the previously mentioned Sennheiser’s a run for their money. If you’re a bass head who likes it loud, you’ll love the dual-diaphragm drivers that are built in to this pair. They are also very effective in canceling noise making them a go-to for the DJ playing in lots of loud clubs. These headphones are known for exceeding expectations, especially for the lower price tag. The sound is of extremely high quality and even the cables are reinforced with Kevlar so you know you’ll be in it for the long-haul.

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#6 Beyerdynamic DT-1350

KEY FEATURES

Ultra-lightweight design.

80 ohm drivers.

Tesla technology with high efficiency and low levels of distortion.

Ambient noise reduction.

Flexible split headband with 90-degree swivelling ear cups.

VERDICT

If you’re wearing your headphones all the time, having a pair that are light in weight may be a make or break for you. A big benefit of investing in the DT-1350’s is that they are some of the lightest headphones on the market delivering high-quality sound for a great price. They’re freakishly flexible and if you’re extra-picky about how the vocals sound in your mixes you’ll want to have access to the crispness these headphones will provide you with as these headphones have more neutral mids. The bass will be tight and clear but not overly “thumpy”. The ear pads are soft and comfortable, however, they don’t isolate sound as effectively as some of the other pairs mentioned on this list.

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#5 Pioneer Pro DJ HDJ-2000

KEY FEATURES

Sound isolation.

Rotatable housing.

Designed for comfort and durability.

Comes with straight and coiled chords.

VERDICT

There’s no denying it- Pioneer makes some seriously good quality, sturdy headphones and the HDJ-2000’s are no exception. Comfy, sturdy, well built… What more could you ask for? The sound quality is great and when it comes to this particular pair, there are fewer complaints of having issues with the headband cracking after a while. They’re lightweight and come with a travel case and 2 chords (straight and coiled) giving you greater versatility during use.

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#4 AIAIAI TMA-2

KEY FEATURES

SO4 speakers.

Built-in amplifier allows for less distortion.

Detailed highs.

Battery lasts up to 16 hours.

VERDICT

The TMA-2’s will survive all types of abuse that come their way. Whether it’s live set after live set, travel, rigorous daily use from producing or even the occasional (or not so occasional) drop, these headphones are made from durable materials and will suit the “less-gentle” DJ well. The battery is a trooper- it will last you days of heavy use without charging and the sound delivered will be highly detailed and extra punchy. There are also lots of configuration options and accessories available for this pair.

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#3 Sennheiser HD25

KEY FEATURES

Designed for use in high-noise environments.

Emphasized bass and lifted treble.

Made with durable materials suited for daily use.

Handles very high sound pressure levels.

VERDICT

Going back to Sennheiser but higher on our list are the HD25’s. Though the construction in this pair of headphones is of a lesser quality than other headphones on this list, the quality of sound is incredible. If you baby your headphones the construction shouldn’t pose a problem for you and some would say that the sound delivered by them is more than worth it. With a rich bass and crispy mids and highs, you’ll be hanging in the sweet spot between low and high range frequencies. You can also crank the volume without worrying about cracking or distortion so if you like it loud- go for it! It’s no surprise these have been the go-to dj headphones for many many years.

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#2 Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

KEY FEATURES

High-resolution sound (45mm true motion drivers).

Multi-layer air dampening from vented aluminum/magnesium housing.

Memory foam ear pads.

Detachable cables for high functionality.

VERDICT

A natural sound performance is exactly what you’ll get when you use these headphones. High frequencies are in check and they handle bass without distorting other aspects of your pieces. They’re also super comfortable when it comes to prolonged listening.

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#1 V-Moda Crossfade M100

KEY FEATURES

Award-winning M-Class sound.

50mm Dual Diaphragm Drivers to separate bass from mids and highs.

Compact design for easy transport.

Sound isolating technology.

VERDICT

The moment we’ve all been waiting for! Number 1 on our list are the M100 Crossfades by V-Moda, and for good reason! Of course, they are comfortable… Of course, they are durable… But what sets these apart from the rest is the award-winning M-class sound. It has dual-drivers that separate the bass from the mids and highs allowing for zero mess or mud in your mixes. If you need to conserve space or prefer to keep them out of the way so no harm comes to them, you’ll really like the fact that they fold up and are easy to take from location to location. The price is definitely right for the DJ with a trained ear who is ready to invest in a serious pair of headphones.

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Check out some more of our content:

Related Resources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sennheiser

https://v-moda.com/

https://pioneer-headphones.com/

https://plus.google.com/communities/114049704129959994412