As a DJ, you know how important your headphones are to your performance. High-quality headphones make it easy to mix tracks, apply effects, perform scratches and do every other technique used to alter music. Specially designed DJ headphones, though, will have ear cups that swivel to allow you to use one ear to listen to the main audio feed and other features that help you deliver very loud sounds in extremely loud environments.
Top pick the Sony MDR7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphone is the industry standard for audio production and mixing.
What to know before you buy DJ headphones
Sound quality
As dedicated audiophiles who are enthusiastic about high-fidelity sound reproduction, DJs want sound reproduction that emphasizes bass lines and the percussion notes of drums and cymbals. Bigger drivers are specially designed and constructed to produce deeper, richer bass notes. DJ headphone sound quality varies widely, mostly but not always in direct proportion to the cost.
Comfort
Comfort is a key consideration because DJs have to wear headsets for a long time. Look for DJ headphones that are made with lightweight but durable materials. Choose the design that best fits the shape and size of your head and ears.
Most people focus on the comfort of the ear pads and forget about the headband. DJ-quality headbands offer the easy kind of adjustability you need to keep one ear cup secure while you’re monitoring cues and room mixes. Because DJs often drape their headphones around their neck, make sure you choose one with a headband that will not chafe after long hours of use.
DJ headphones are used in loud, high-energy environments, so they need to be durable, too. Avoid cheaply-made headphones and look for a pair made of sturdier materials.
DJ headphone features
Powerful bass
Because of what they play and where they play it, powerful bass is a must for DJs. Even cheap DJ headphones deliver powerful bass audio, but they usually do so by sacrificing audio quality in the middle and high ranges. Choose studio-quality headphones that deliver not only powerful bass notes, but also great sound across the entire audio spectrum.
Earpads
DJ headphone earpads that are mounted on swiveling or rotating arms permit easy one-sided monitoring and positioning. These arms should be sturdily constructed so they last as long as your headphones do.
Better DJ headphones include an extra set of earpads. If your choice doesn’t come with an extra set, make sure you can easily find replacements made to manufacturers’ specifications.
Flexibility
Some DJ headphones can play different tracks in different ears. This feature helps you cue up music by playing the current track in one ear and the next track in the other.
Special connectors allow another headset wearer to tap into yours and hear exactly what you are hearing.
Connectivity
Pick from the set of DJ headphones that connect the way you want to, whether using USB-C, guitar plug, piano jack, 3.5mm jack or wireless Bluetooth. Look for gold-plated plugs that provide better connectivity and truer sound. Oxygen-free copper cables and wires are also a good choice.
You may prefer coiled cables because they’re less prone to tangling and snagging on your other gear. Cables included with DJ headphones are typically 4-12 feet long. Too-short cables can damage your equipment when they get yanked out of their input jacks. Too-long cables snag on things and are easy to trip over, too.
Carrying case
If you’re a DJ going to gigs, you will want to protect your headphones while making them easy to carry back and forth.
DJ headphone cost
Cheaper models may be around $15. Most good-quality DJ headphones cost between $30-$60. Top-end models could cost $100-$400.
DJ headphone FAQ
What is “DJ quality”?
A. DJ headphones are studio-quality headphones that have the highest sound quality, the highest quality noise-canceling abilities and are more durable than most. They are mostly over-ear headphones because they need a higher level of noise isolation than on-ear or in-ear headphones are capable of delivering.
What is the difference between open-back and closed-back headphone designs?
A. Many consumer headphones have open-back designs that allow the wearer to hear ambient sound. Most DJ headphones have closed backs for two reasons: they isolate the DJ from external sound in noisy clubs and produce better bass sounds.
Which DJ headphones should I get?
Best of the best DJ headphones
Sony MDR7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphone: available at Amazon
Our take: An ideal choice for sound monitoring in recording studios, radio, film production, video, electronic news gathering and all applications where high-quality sound is required.
What we like: The comfortable fit allows for extended wear and provides an outstanding reduction of external noises. The 40mm PET diaphragm and neodymium magnet deliver performance that exceeds digital audio source requirements. The secure and highly effective closed-ear design folds up for storage and travel in the soft case provided.
What we dislike: The 10-foot cord is not detachable.
Best bang for your buck DJ headphones
OneOdio Over-Ear Mixing DJ Stereo Headset and Studio Monitor: available at Amazon
Our take: Near-pro quality and powerful bass for a fraction of the price.
What we like: These have massive 50mm drivers with neodymium magnets. They include guitar, piano and phone jacks. The headband is not only adjustable but stretchable, too. Shareport technology allows another headset wearer to tap into yours.
What we dislike: No Bluetooth option.
Honorable mention DJ headphones
Sennheiser HD 25 Pro Audio Professional DJ Microphone, available at Amazon
Our take: This extremely popular DJ headphone is found in DJ booths around the world.
What we like: These handle high sound pressure levels and are very lightweight. They are comfortable to wear for a long time and robust enough to be long-lasting. The rotatable earpiece allows for single-ear listening, and the coiled 10-foot cable doesn’t tangle or kink.
What we dislike: This great product is overdue for a design update.
David Allan Van is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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