Best DJ Headphones of 2021 That You Must Grab Today
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With a specific bass response, noise isolation, and clarity; DJ headphones are nothing like normal headphones. This is why DJs in a crowded and noisy venue can mix music easily. This clarity is not offered by simple consumer headphones which have no acoustic or sonic information. However, finding the correct pair of DJ headphones have become more difficult than usual with the increasing number of brands and headphone models.
We have listed the 5 best DJ headphones you can find on the market today. With these picks, you cannot go wrong, as they are suitable for both amateurs and professionals.
Best DJ Headphones – Comparative Table:
| Product | Features | Latest Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Pioneer HDJ-1500-K [amazon fields=”B0759GFHN1″ value=”thumb”] |
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[amazon fields=”B0759GFHN1″ value=”button”] |
| 2.Sennheiser HD 25 DJ Headphones [amazon fields=”B01KY9IDKK” value=”thumb”] |
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[amazon fields=”B01KY9IDKK” value=”button”] |
| 3. V-MODA Crossfade M-100 [amazon fields=”B00A39PPI0″ value=”thumb”] |
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[amazon fields=”B00A39PPI0″ value=”button”] |
| 4. Sony MDR-7506 [amazon fields=”B000AJIF4E” value=”thumb”] |
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[amazon fields=”B000AJIF4E” value=”button”] |
| 5.AIAIAI TMA-2 DJ Modular Headphones [amazon fields=”B00UVGCM3Q” value=”thumb”] |
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[amazon fields=”B00UVGCM3Q” value=”button”] |
Our Best DJ Headphones – Reviews and Comparisons:
1. Pioneer HDJ-1500-K
[amazon fields=”B0759GFHN1″ value=”button”]
Product Highlights
In the loudest DJ booth, the Pioneer HDJ-1500-K is just fine. While they can be trumped by more refined and comfortable models for an afternoon’s classical music on the sofa, the HDJ-1500s have it nailed for slamming in the next mix tempo – perfect in a nightclub.
Features
The HDJ-1500s springs no surprises on unboxing, with the usual soft drawstring bag and a detachable, lockable coiled cable (complete with compulsory 1/4″ to 1/8″ stereo converter). And there is a strong first experience of the headphones themselves. They are unmistakably “DJ” phones (solid in the hand, have a reasonable weight, the design is evolutionary rather than revolutionary). But they have an attractive slimline appeal that is modern and new; the hinges are clean and simple with an uncluttered look in particular. The earcups have plenty of metal in them, including a nice brushed silver vertical stripe with a bright embossed “Pioneer” logo along with a polished rim.
Of course, the earpads themselves are leather and quite wide, with a relatively small hole in the middle. However, the leather isn’t the softest, and when used in a hot and sweaty environment, it might get a bit slippery.
Besides, the headband seems to be the same as the HDJ-2000s, with a small leather pad on the inside top and a raised, grey “Pioneer” logo on the outside top, in black rubberized material. The headphones come with a mini TRS (i.e. one below 1/8′′) and a detachable coiled cord connector that twists to lock in place.
Comfort in a pair of headphones is subjective, of course, but we found a good fit for them. They are easy enough to adjust, and without being too tight, the earcups feel snug. The earcups twist forward 90 degrees and up and down 180 degrees. This helps provide all the necessary movements for single-ear monitoring or comfortable dangling around your neck. Moreover, they offer better than average insulation because the ear cups are quite wide, which is great, especially when combined with the volume offered by the headphones. Thus, the slim design does not compromise the headphones’ sound quality.
What We Like About Pioneer HDJ-1500-K
The two places headphones typically break are the hinges and the cable. However, this headphone’s cable is detachable; hence it wouldn’t be a problem to substitute if it were to break. In truth, by their nature, coiled cables are quite difficult to mess up, because they naturally expand when yanked.
Moreover, these headphones have several screws holding the hinge area in place, suggesting parts can be replaced. Suffice to say though, that these hinges look like a marked improvement when compared to other headphones on the market. Overall they seem quite sturdy.
What We Don’t Like About Pioneer HDJ-1500-K
Wearing these headphones for a long duration may not be comfortable.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Brilliant level of comfort
Vivid definition of mids and highs Value for money |
On-ear design can cause a bit of sweating and are susceptible to wear out |
2. Sennheiser HD 25 DJ Headphones
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Product Highlights
The Sennheiser HD25 headphones are an on-ear collection of incredibly reputable DJ headphones. Having top-name DJs rocking this both at small gigs and huge festival stages is not unusual. Besides, the HD 25 provides a rugged, well-crafted pair of headphones with decent sound for DJs. It is also one of the safest choices for noisy workplaces.
Features
The Sennheiser HD 25 headphones sound fantastic. They are well spaced across all frequencies, making them a solid alternative as a hybrid pair of headphones. For DJing and even mixing and mastering, they can be used. This is perfect for DJs needing a quality of sound that is balanced.
Moreover, these are decent on the loudness front. There are louder headphones out there, but these seem to find a balance of convenience. Besides, the passive sound isolation of the HD25 is impressive.
Besides, the concept of the no-frills approach to design stands out in these headphones. It is also kept simple with the split headband style. You’ll love the stripped-back simplicity of these headphones if you want a sleek approach to design. It’s really quite a testament to the design that for over two decades these have been in development and still look fine.
What We Like About Sennheiser HD 25 DJ Headphones
Sennheiser headphones are highly durable and sturdy. The lightweight feel and slimline style make them look like they can quickly crack at first sight. However, without fearing that they will crack, you can chuck them around.
Not only are these pieces easy to find, but it is also very easy to swap out any portion that has been broken. This alone contributes to the importance these headphones have. If anything were to go wrong, you wouldn’t be up for a brand new pair of headphones.
What We Don’t Like About Sennheiser HD 25 DJ Headphones
You might be a little disappointed if you choose to use your headphones as a statement item in your DJ gear. They are all black with no accent colors and rounded ear cups that are plain. Moreover, there are no personalization options available. If this is important to you, you may need to consider other possibilities.
Besides, as a DJ, you will have your headphones on your head and around your neck for long periods. Hence, comfort plays a big part when it comes to headphones. As everyone’s head is different, this is where it can be tricky; when it comes to ears, likewise. It’s not crazy painful with the Sennheiser HD25, but after an hour or two, they get a little tiring on the ears. This could be because of the on-ear configuration.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Outstanding Sound Quality
Impressive Isolation Lightweight Sturdy Construction Replaceable Parts |
Ear Pads might heat up
Not highly aesthetic |
3. V-MODA Crossfade M-100 `1
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Product Highlights
The M-100 has a vibrant, entertaining sound that helps you hear plenty of detail, but never sounds too loud or harsh. The bass is punchy and deep, so it’s the kind of headphones that brings out the best in rock or any bass-heavy music, however, not at the risk of making the ear less desirable to classical or acoustic jazz. The V-Moda Crossfade M-100 is a worthy buy whether you are a reliable audiophile or a DJ that wants a powerful headphone that does not compromise on fidelity.
Features
With a few significant distinctions, the V-Moda M-100 over-ear headphone is similar to the famous M-80 on-ear headphone made by the same company.
Its CliqFold metal hinges allow the M-100s to fold into a small bundle—a feature that the M-80 lacks—and that adds value for audiophiles traveling. The metal shields of the M-100’s ear cups are user-replaceable and can be modified by V-Moda with a laser engraving of your own logo or artwork.
The faux-leather-covered, memory foam ear cushions are all user-replaceable and have a tight, noise-blocking seal. The headphone comes with two Kevlar-reinforced grey cables. Additionally, it comes with a 36-inch cord with a compatible one-button remote and microphone for Apple, Android, and Windows, and a 78-inch ‘plain’ cable. At either end, both cables terminate with an improved 3.5mm connector, and each will connect to either the left or right ear cups.
The sensitivity of the V-Moda Crossfade M-100 Master is marginally greater, 105dB to 103dB than the original. Power parameters are the same: both have an impedance of 32 and can be done by any modern-day handset. You don’t need an amp, in other words. The upgrade is also three grams heavier, presumably due to the more plush cushions accounting for any possible increase in audio quality.
Midrange frequencies are preferred by the headset, ensuring guitars, vocals, and pianos sound fantastic. That said, the headphone reproduces any music genre well, however, you’ll have to EQ the tone if you’re aiming for bold treble notes.
What We Like About V-MODA Crossfade M-100
As with any V-Moda product, the construction quality is superb. Without snapping, the headband will contort in every direction and distribute pressure appropriately around the head, preventing hot spots. As the aramid fiber-reinforced cable is sure to resist any unnecessary fraying or injury, this extends beyond the headset itself.
What We Don’t Like About V-MODA Crossfade M-100
How easily the ear pads heat up is the main con to the excellent isolation. The memory foam covered in leatherette serves as a proper buffer but causes the ears to sweat.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Highly sensitive
Noise blocking Brings out the details of the music Punchy bass |
Earpads heats up
Not comfortable to wear for long periods |
4. Sony MDR-7506
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Product Highlights
The Sony MDR-7506 is an extremely sensitive, closed, insulating headphone, particularly DSLR video, which is perfect for traveling and tracking professional field recordings.
Features
For several decades, the MDR-7506 has become the world’s most common technical headphone, and it’s just a minor cosmetic variation that has been around since the late 1970s on the previous Sony MDR-V6! Since it is lightweight, thin, rough, sounds pretty good, is highly sensitive, moderately priced, it does a good job of isolating outside noise. Additionally, it spills very little sound to the outside, folds for easy holding, can be used with DSLRs, iPods, and portable digital and video recorders.
If you sing in a studio with live musicians, you can also turn over the earpieces to use just one side at a time. This MDR-7506 is excellent for field use to ensure that your audio is clear, that you have no noise or rumble, and that no background noise is audible. The MDR-7506 is the safest and most abuse-proof headphones available to ensure that when you are still recording it, you have good audio. The MDR-7506, especially from iPods and iPads, are ideal for enjoying music, are tough, and are folded for carrying and isolating outside sound. However, they do not have the sound quality of more expensive headphones.
In particular, they have a moderate midrange peak, but without any boom, they have an exceptionally clean, deep, and prolonged bass response. These are well equipped to withstand a pounding, so they are seated on the field for a long time. Besides, stainless steel constitutes the gimbal pivot, and metal is used for the plug.
Moreover, the MDR-7506 is designed to be fixed, and also contains a profusely illustrated list of parts inside the box as a “service manual.” The plug is pure genius, and has been for more than thirty years: it’s a 3.5mm plug, with a 1⁄4″ adapter for use with professional gear. With the adapter screwed-on, it’s as good as a real ¼” metal plug. Also, for the screw-in adapters, the connector is interchangeable.
Besides, the MDR-7506 is highly sensitive. Even with just an iPod, making yourself deaf is easy. With the MDR-7506, you would not want or need any extra amplification. For skilled monitoring, the MDR-7506 is calibrated, which means optimized to help specialists hear what’s wrong with a recording when they can still do something about it.
Compared to any headphones at any price, the MDR-7506 is excellent for letting you hear any noise, clicks, pops, unwanted under-the-breath language, or distortion while you are still on the set. Before you get phone calls, the great deep-bass answer lets you hear some rumble.
The MDR-7506 has pretty decent external sound isolation, allowing almost no sound leakage to the outside. To add clarity to monitoring, the MDR-7506 has a modest amount of mid-range presence boost. The bass response of the MDR-7506 is typically excellent. Without ever being boomy, it is deep, solid, and heavy (except for a tiny bit around 60 Hz). Besides, a fairly tough technical headphone, the MDR-7506s plug, and adapters are all-metal.
Moreover, they fold right up and are much more practical and comfortable than in-ear headphones. Not to mention, the MDR-7506 is fantastic for travel. They are suitable for folding up and jamming into a DSLR case.
Unlike other Beyer headphones that reset themselves back into the headband, the MDR-7506 stays adjusted to your head size when you are off your head. Another reason they are so popular is that the 7506 is much lighter than other around-the-ear headphones.
What We Like About Sony MDR-7506
MDR-7506s are popular for their sound and play loud enough even when plugged into a DSLR or camcorder.
Moreover, with 1 mW of input, their rated sensitivity is 106 dB, around 10 dB more than most headphones.
What We Don’t Like About Sony MDR-7506
It is not the best-looking pair of headphones on our list.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Good Mids and Highs
Extremely powerful drivers Good cord length Highly sensitive |
Lacking in Bass
Outdated Design |
5. AIAIAI TMA-2 DJ Modular Headphones
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Product Highlights
The headband for TMA-2 Ed Banger is made of reinforced nylon. That means it’s versatile and it’s not going to break in two. Since DJs wear and remove headphones repeatedly throughout a gig, placing a strain on the headband, so a tough band is crucial to a quality pair that lasts.
Features
On the AIAIA website, the TMA-2 Configurator is a great tool that allows the user to build their ultimate TMA-2 setup. With slick animations throughout, this super simple tool helps switch between all available bits. Once the components are selected, the headphone specifications are shown. This includes the sound profile, the specifications of the speaker, and the headphones’ weight. The completed headphone is then available at one price to purchase in one simple bundle.
They have soft leatherette ear pads in the ear cups and 40mm drivers that pack a bass-heavy punch. For long periods of time, they are easy to use. The TMA-2 Ed Banger headphones have a reasonable amount of sound isolation, which is perfect for noisy DJ booths and venues. The TMA-2 Ed Banger protects you from external noises, making it ideal for DJing in loud venues, as well as listening to your noisy coworkers during flights, commutes, and tuning out.
The TMA-2 Ed Bangers are DJ headphones, with abundant lows for kick drums and basslines. The midrange, where a large chunk of things such as vocals, lead synths, pads, and guitars are sitting, appears to be sitting further back, and the same goes for the highs. This is possibly due to the high priority given to the reproduction of bass frequencies by the headphones.
On the one hand, even at very low volumes, you can easily hear the low end in bass-heavy genres such as hip-hop, trap, EDM, and house/techno. That means that with these headphones, you don’t have to turn up the music just so you can hear the bottom end, which is nice in the long run for your ears.
What We Like About AIAIAI TMA-2 DJ Modular Headphones
A perfect follow-up successor to the original TMA-1, the new AIAIAI TMA-2 Modular headphones make it possible to have a fully personalized fit and sound signature depending on the various headband, speaker, and ear cup combinations that are selected. In the event of any damages, all parts on the TMA-2 are replaceable, removable, and interchangeable۔ If the consumer wishes to move to different configurations for different monitoring circumstances, then that’s possible too.
What We Don’t Like About AIAIAI TMA-2 DJ Modular Headphones
For genres that need greater equilibrium across the peaks, mids, and lows, a tendency towards reproducing bass frequencies often means that the overall sound maybe a little dull and muddy.
For the one-ear monitoring style, the TMA-2’s do not fold or swivel. Moreover, they do not come with a travel and transportation case or bag.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Well thought out construction
Low bass is audible even in lower volumes Sturdy and versatile body |
The tendency for the sound to get muddy
No travel case |
Final Verdict
Regardless of the venue that you’ll be DJing at, Pioneer HDJ-1500-K remains a top choice and the best DJ headphones on this list. With a sturdy, durable build and the ability for crisp, clear music even in a noisy club, these headphones are loved by DJs.
However, if you’re looking for other options, then we have mentioned 4 more DJ headphone models that have received good feedback from users. So choose one that you like and party on!
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