Playing, mixing or experimenting with audio and music can be fun and exciting, and while some simply engage in DJ mixing as a hobby, some people also go further and become an expert in the field of DJ-ing. Whether you’re a neophyte, in the process of learning, or already an expert DJ, using the best DJ headphones should be your priority.
Today, there are lots of products claiming to be the best DJ headphones, and whether you’re an aspiring DJ or already considered as an expert or professional DJ, it’s just logical that you don’t settle for less and get the best set of headphones for your money. Of course, there are best DJ headphones for every price range, which is a good thing for individuals or hobbyists who are on a budget.
Why It’s Important to Use The Best DJ Headphones
HeadphonesTechnically, you can use any headphones but there’s really a big difference when you are using the best DJ headphones. When you use the best DJ headphones, the audios are clearer, giving you a greater chance of becoming better at your chosen craft or hobby and giving the best performances to your target audience.
How To Pick The Best DJ Headphones
Newbie or aspiring DJs may find it a bit difficult to pick the best DJ headphones for them. With all the available headphones in many online shop and markets, many are quick to assume that any set of headphones labeled as “DJ headphones” produces excellent technology and sound quality – which is wrong.
It is worth noting that there are a lot of highly regarded or premium headphones that may really produce amazing audio or sound quality but are not specifically designed for DJs. Hopefully, the product reviews of the best DJ headphones in this article will help guide consumers pick the best headphone model that fits their budget while considering the features, comfort, technology that’s worth their money.
Best DJ Headphones: Audio-Technica ATH-M50X
What We Like:
- studio level headphones
What We Don’t Like:
- not the best choice for live gigs
We’ll be honest – the Audio Technica won’t give users the best experience for live gigs. However, the Audio Technica ATH-M50X is still considered as one of the best dj headphones because they are considered as studio-level headphones that can be very useful in helping DJs mix a set or prepare for a live show.
Just like the other Audio-Technica headphone picks, the tonal profile of the ATH-M50X is more balanced than other available live headphones in comparison. In terms of frequency response, this brand and model of DJ headphone is extended on the low end while the sound isolation is quite impressive thanks to the size of the ear pads and the design. The ear cups can swivel up to 90 degrees, giving the users a lot of options when making multiple mix monitoring approaches.
While we’ve mentioned that this Audio-Technica model may not be the best for live gigs, it can still pull through for DJs who are on a tight budget. Its noise cancellation features are still good enough for audio mixes in small areas.
This is one of the best DJ headphones for beginners or for those who are still in the process of discovering their DJ-ing style or approach. This brand and model is considered to be one of the best DJ headphones because it’s durable without breaking the bank.
Best DJ Headphones: V-Moda Crossfade M-100
What We Like:
- budget friendly
What We Don’t Like:
- not so sleek on aesthetics
Whether your status may be an expert or an amatuer to deejaying, the V-Moda Crossfade M-100 is recommended as one of the best DJ headphones in the market. For those who are on a tight budget and quite selective when it comes to the price of an item, the V-Moda Crossfade M-100 is quite a good purchase.
Heads up though, this V-Moda might not be visually stunning, but when it comes to comfort and bass separation, it can truly stand its ground as one of the best DJ headphones in the market. This contender for the best DJ headphones has a patented dual-diaphragm design but when it comes to noises, the noise isolation feature of this headphone can be considered as situational, greatly depending on the ear size.
Users appreciate the memory foam in the M-100 ear pads and the overall durability of the headphones. Speaking of durability, the M-100 also features Kevlar wire for its cable, making it more resistant to wear and tear.
Best DJ Headphones: Sennheiser HD 25
What We Like
- impressive sound quality
What We Don’t Like
- dynamic frequency spectrum
If you’re looking for the best DJ headphones with impressive sound quality, the Sennheiser HD 25 may just be the perfect headphones for you. Sennheisers are known for their no-frills, no-fuss designs, and this model looks just like most Sennheisers. The headband is quite plain and the level of comfort this gear gives to the users is not that impressive.
In terms of frequency response, the Sennheiser HD 25 has a remarkably low response. However, its bass dynamic is highly-appreciated whether they are used in the studio or during live, on site gigs. The frequency spectrum of this best DJ headphones contender is quite admirable and dynamic, thanks to its aluminum voice coils with high sensitivity.
An expert DJ may not pick Sennheiser for its comfortability, but it’s not surprising if an amateur DJ or newbie picks this model over other best DJ headphones. Why? It’s a very light headphone and it doesn’t exert too much pressure on the head. This is what makes this gear very appealing to newbies who are still getting the hang of deejaying. This best DJ headphone also has the ability to accommodate single-ear mixing but it would be wise not to expect an over-the-top performance for noise cancellation
DJs who are mixing and playing audio in a live audience love the durability and versatility of the Sennheiser HD 25. Another unique feature of the Sennheiser which rightfully puts it in the best DJ headphones list is that its auxiliary cable can be detached, a feature which isn’t really available in most headphones with the same price point.
Best DJ Headphones: Sony MDR7506
What We Like
- impressive sound quality
What We Don’t Like
- long cord not ideal for travelling
Before anything else, we need to note that the Sony MDR7506 wasn’t really designed for DJs. However, thanks to its impressive sound quality, this has been considered as one of the best DJ headphones especially for consumers who want to lay around with audio but don’t want to break the bank.
This oldie but goodie is definitely a strong contender for the best DJ headphones. The mid and high frequencies have an impeccable balanced response and the bass quality is impressively above average.
The Sony MDR7506 may not be the first pick of experts for live gigs, but it can definitely produce quality audio during small, studio mixing sessions. This set of headphones features a durable 9.8 ft cord, which may not be so ideal for DJs who like to travel and mix or listen to music while on the road.
Unlike the Sennheiser HD 25, the padding of the Sony MDR7506 is below average, making the headphones exert more pressure on the head. Moving around while wearing the Sony MDR7506 is not really a pleasant experience which makes this set of headphones ideal only for studio mixing only.
Best DJ Headphones: Pioneer HDJ-X7
What We Like
- durable, comfortable, rugged
What We Don’t Like
- quite pricey
The Pioneer brand is known to produce some of the best DJ headphones in the market. However, they don’t really come cheap and if you’re new to mixing, you might find their prices and specs quite intimidating. Of course, if you’ve got the extra bucks to splurge, this brand is definitely one of the best DJ headphones that your money can buy.
Durable, comfortable and rugged – those are the 3 best words to describe this contender for the best DJ headphones. The ear cups can rotate and swivel with ease so that users can mix in whichever way they want. The headphones, at first glance, may look intimidating, but it’s just perfect for the impeccable low and high frequencies it delivers.
Perhaps the only drawback in the bag of this model is its noise isolation; it doesn’t really have an impressive feature of canceling out background noise. But overall, the Pioneer HDJ-X7 ticks all the boxes when it comes to the best DJ headphones requirements. Its sound quality alone can already make the device worthy of its asking price.
Best Earbuds for Sleeping: Tooks
What We Like
- features 2 in 1 style type
What We Don’t Like
- earbuds are not very flat
Consumers who are interested or have already purchased SleepPhone AcousticSheep may also find Tooks as an alternative for the best earbuds for sleeping. Just like the SleepPhone model, Tooks is also a two-in-one style type that also feature earbuds inside a headband design.
These are the three key takeaways of SleepPhone AcousticSheep and Tooks:
- While Tooks and AcousticSheep are both designed as headbands, the headband of the former can also be used as a sport headband; meaning, users can enjoy a day at the gym or hiking on a trail without needing to change gears.
- The earbuds of Tooks are removable, so users have the option to use the gear with or without sound. This is ideal for individuals who want to engage in physical activities and want to mask noise, listen to music and/or control other audio distractions.
- While the earbuds of AcousticSheep are flat, Tooks’ earbuds are not very flat, so some people may find it a bit annoying or distracting, causing some sort of discomfort while in use. It’s worth noting that the earbuds, though not totally flat, are still designed to be soft and are positioned in a way that doesn’t really dig into the wars of its users.
The overall design and quality of Tooks still puts them in the list of the best earbuds for sleeping at a reasonable price.
Best DJ Headphones: Behringer HPX2000
What We Like
- best entry level choice
- above average tonal profile
What We Don’t Like
- lack of high definition audio
Behringer may seem to be one of the lukewarm or so-so brands when it comes to DJ headphones; it’s not really the best, but it’s not also the worst. Behringer is known to offer a lot of mid-priced, entry level products that cater to different occupations, genres and personal styles.
One of the most popular, best DJ headphones in the entry-level range is from Behringer. The HPX2000 offers so many great features for a very affordable price. Design-wise, the Behringer HPX2000 looks very much like a pro, with a combination of black and silver dominating the gear.
One weakness of the Behringer HPX2000 is it’s lack of high-definition audio and sound clarity. However, it makes up for the void with its above average tonal profile ideal for mixing and highly emphasized low-frequency response.
The Behringer HPX2000 is not really recommended for live performances because the high end of the frequency spectrum does not offer that extra crispiness that other best DJ headphones give. But this isn’t enough reason to take the Behringer HPX2000 from the roster of best DJ headphones.
In fact, for whatever it may lack in live performances, this model perfectly makes up for in studio performance. The comfort level is above average and the noise isolation is impressive considering its price range.
This best DJ headphones can be used in the studio for hours but it cannot accommodate one-ear mixing because it is not equipped with a flexible headband or swiveling ear cups. Nevertheless, price-wise vs features, the Behringer HPX2000 is still a strong contender for the best DJ headphones on the market.
Best DJ Headphones: Status Audio CB-1
What We Like
- flexible and versatile
- easy to store and transport
What We Don’t Like
- mediocre sound profile
Looking for a budget-friendly pair of headphones perfect for mixing? The Status Audio CB-1 is one of the best DJ headphones with closed back. Popular among newbies as entry-level headphones, pros at deejaying also use the Status Audio as spare headphones.
This best DJ headphone contender has its flexibility game strong. With detachable cables (straight, coiled) and a folding design, the Status Audio CB-1 is easy to store and transport. Don’t expect an amazing tonal profile for the Status Audio CB-1 (this may be blamed to its super low price-point) but overall, the sound is acceptably neutral and the low-end frequencies aren’t quite emphasized. Basically, the lack of premium features of the Status Audio CB-1 is an opportunity for aspiring DJs to work extra hard to produce an awesome mix.
Comfort-wise, the ear pads of this best DJ headphones are thick enough to prevent head pressure, ideal for long hours of mixing sessions and marathons. The Status Audio CB-1 headphones are also compatible with users who love to play instruments, thanks to its passive noise isolation feature backed-up by its closed back design. For a headphone in this price range, it offers fairly impressive features that’s worth the money.
Aesthetically speaking, the Status Audio CB-1 looks quite simple but upon examining it closely, the headphones are actually made from decent and durable materials, making it ideally put together for an entry-level headphone.
Best DJ Headphones: Audio Technica ATH-PRO5XWH
What We Like
- ideal for sound marathons
- with passive noise cancellation
This set of best DJ headphones is ideal for the long haul, offering unparalleled comfort for marathons and long, mixing sessions. Equipped with extra-lush ear pads, it effectively eliminates ear pressure and also offers passive noise cancellation. This model is also available in black and white variations. The best part? It’s budget-friendly.
Even if these headphones are extra plush, they are amazingly lightweight, maintaining its goal to reduce head pressure. Bonus, this is one of the best DJ headphones that are super comfy even for big ears!
Two words to describe these best DJ headphones – resilient and powerful. It has a maximum power handling of up to 1,500 mW, giving users a distortion-free audio experience even at the highest volume levels and while listening to tunes with heavy bass. The drivers of the Audio Technica ATH-PRO5XWH are calibrated for low THD and superior bass definition, measuring 40mm in size.
This pair of best DJ headphones gives users a lot of freedom thanks to its detachable cables. Overall, the ATH-PRO5XWH is an awesome mix of bass reproduction, comfort and affordability.
The Verdict: Mixing Quality and Comfort
At the end of the day, there’s really no perfect or best DJ headphones in the market. Why? It’s because of the different needs and preferences of DJs – amateur or professional – that need to be considered.
Some need DJ headphones for creating studio mixes, some need heavy duty DJ headphones for live performances, while some need flexible DJ headphones for mixing marathons. That being said, it doesn’t hurt to own a couple of DJ headphones just to get the needed balance of performance and specs.