Review of DJ headphones [I've owned and used over the years]

[Jason Cerna]

A DJ Forum community project.
*Please add your headphones if they are not on the list.*
*Your review can be as long or as short as you want.*

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Use a similar format as shown below, feel free to add categories to personalize your review:
Sound:
Sound Isolation:
Durability:
Comfort:
Size:
Would I buy this again if it broke?
Overall value:
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Quick review of DJ headphones [I've owned and used over the years].
I started my journey into the DJ world in 2003. The first set of headphones I bought, I still use today. So, I will mention that set first.

Sony MDR-V700

Specs:

• Driver Unit : 50mm
• Frequency Response : 5Hz - 30,000Hz
• Impedance : 24 ohms
• Sensitivity (db) : 107dB/mW

Sound: 3/5, Not the best sounding headphones I've used, but they are suitable enough for DJ work. Plenty of low end.
Sound Isolation: 3/5, Since the earcups are not over the ear, the isolation will not be as good as headphones that are over the ear.
Durability: 4/5, I've gotten plenty of use since 2003. Some DJs have brought up the weakness of the swivel on the earcups, this weakness has led to cracks and the earcup eventually broke off. Mine do have small cracks in that same area, but I've filled them with a small layer of epoxy. I also don't fold my headphones, something that seems to contribute to the earcup swivel stress. *I did replace the phono connector because the original one was damaged in an accident a few months ago.
Comfort: 2/5, I have a small head and these can be worn for short periods with no discomfort. But, since the earcups are not over the ear, wearing these on both ears for extended periods will cause discomfort due to the direct pressure on the earlobes. When I DJ, I only use one earcup so this doesn't really apply to me. But, if you tend to wear your headphones all the way, this may be an issue for you.
Size: 4/5, The overall size is pretty small. When you wear them, they don't feel terribly large on your head. For DJs like me, I don't want to feel like I'm wearing a huge set of 1970s headphone monitors on my head.

Would I buy this again if it broke? No. With the DJ headphone choices available in this price range, I would not buy this set again. Overall value: 3/5

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Next up is a set I've owned and used since 2004: Sennheiser's HD280

Specs:

• Driver Unit : not listed on Sennheiser's site
• Frequency Response : 8 - 25,000 Hz
• Impedance : 64 ohms
• Sensitivity (db) : 102dB/mW

Sound:4/5, Close to flat(note I said close), but can be bright at times. Not a ton of low end. Still suitable for DJing. Works well for production, especially if you can't blast music at your residence - what I mainly use them for.
Sound Isolation:5/5, Since these are over the ear headphones, sound isolation is excellent.
Durability:4/5, The leather(pleather) on the earcups has not worn or shown tearing. The earcup foam has a break-in period and they will feel softer over time. The leather(pleather) on the headband padding ended up wearing out after a few years and started tearing off in little black bits. I put tape over it. Problem solved. The frame and earcup swivels are well manufactured and show no signs of cracking.
Comfort:5/5, Feels like little pillows over my ears. I can wear these for hours and feel no discomfort.
Size:3/5, Large because of larger earcups. They still don't feel terribly large on your head which is good.

Would I buy this again if it broke? Yes. For the price, these are an excellent value. You get a solid package with good sound. Overall value: 4/5

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Next, is a set I bought around late 2004/early 2005 as a basic backup headphone.

Audio Technica Pro5MSA

Specs:

• Driver Unit : 40mm
• Frequency Response : 15 - 28,000 Hz
• Impedance : 40 ohms
• Sensitivity (db) : 103dB/mW

Sound:2/5, Feels a bit muddy. They do get loud. But, the sound quality is not great.
Sound Isolation:2/5, these are not over the ear headphones. The foam+pleather earcups don't do a great job of blocking external noise.
Durability:3/5, The pleather on the foam earcups cracked years ago, so I had to just clean those up. The physical design is similar to Sony's MDR V-6 headphones. The ear cups don't swivel out but, they do have a few degrees of movement. No cracks to speak of and it held up to being disassembed for repainting.
Comfort:2/5, I must say, these are not a joy to be wearing for more than 20 minutes on both ears. One cup monitoring isn't really possible since the earcups do not swivel all the way out.
Size:4/5, Really the only plus for these headphones, they are small in terms of feel.

Would I buy this again if it broke? No. I don't recommend these for DJing. If I were to buy an Audio Technica headphone now, it would be the ATH-PRO700MK2. Overall value: 2/5

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Next, is a combo review since I bought and sold the headphones in 2005.

Ultrasone DJ1 and DJ1 Pro

Specs for DJ1:

• Driver Unit : 50mm
• Frequency Response : 10 - 22.000 Hz
• Impedance : 32 ohms
• Sensitivity (db) : 104dB/mW

Specs for DJ1 Pro:

• Driver Unit : 50mm
• Frequency Response : 10 - 22.000 Hz
• Impedance : 64 ohms
• Sensitivity (db) : 102dB/mW

Sound:5/5, Both headphones sound amazing. Sound is crystal clear with no noticeable distortion at higher volume. Low end isn't really beefy, but the quality makes up for it.
Sound Isolation:5/5, Both are over the ear and use leather in the earcups. The pro does a slightly better job since the earcups are larger.
Durability:5/5, From the few months I had them, I had no issues to report. For the price of each, the build quality is solid. The Pro model features a detachable cord.
Comfort:5/5, Pillow for my ears. Both can easily be worn for hours. The leather earcups can get a bit uncomfortable if you sweat. By that time, you'll probably want to take them off and air out your ears.
Size:4/5, The DJ1 feels similar in size to the Sennheiser HD280s. The Pro definitely feels large on your head. Neither feel heavy in weight. But, you can definitely tell you're wearing them.

Would I buy these headphones again? Yes. Overall value: 5/5

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Finally, headphones owned by other DJs that I have used:

Pioneer hdj-1000

• Driver Unit : 50mm
• Frequency Response : 5Hz - 30,000Hz
• Impedance : 40 ohms
• Sensitivity (db) : 107dB/mW

Sound:5/5, Awesome for DJing. Low end is very beefy and you will destroy your ears before you get these to distort.
Sound Isolation:4/5, These are on the ear headphones. Isolation is pretty solid though.
Durability:1/5, The pairs I've run into have all broken at the headband swivel area. DIY repairs were done
Comfort:4/5, Easy to wear for extended periods.
Size:5/5, Feels like nothing on your head.

Would I buy this today? No. Overall value 3/5. Sound, fit and feel are great. But, the durability is questionable.

Technics RP-DH1200

• Driver Unit : 50mm
• Frequency Response : 5Hz - 30kHz
• Impedance : not listed
• Sensitivity: listed as input power of 3500mW, which puts it well over 100dB

Sound:5/5, Awesome for DJing. Low end is very beefy. Mids and highs are clear.
Sound Isolation:5/5, These are over the ear headphones. Isolation is excellent.
Durability:5/5, The set that I occasionally use is owned by my crewmate, John Gaskins. He's had these for a couple of years and they are just as solid as the day he bought them.
Comfort:5/5, The earcups feel amazing. Easy to wear with both ears or for single ear monitoring.
Size:4/5, Feels like you're wearing a set of solid headphones.

Would I buy this today? Yes. Overall value 5/5. Great headphone for the price.

*Images courtesy of Jason dela Cerna © 2012