The 6 Best DJ Headphones - Summer 2019
Reviews

Every DJ needs a good pair of headphones; something portable yet durable enough to quickly stash in a bag without having to worry that they'll break. You most likely also want a headphone that sounds good, with rich, deep bass and a sufficiently neutral mid and treble range to reproduce instruments and vocals accurately. The best DJ headphones are comfortable to wear for long sets and have rotating cups for you to easily monitor the party for the right time to drop the bass. A wired design also helps, since you don't want any delay or latency while mixing.

While we have yet to review some of the more popular and iconic DJ headphones from brands like Pioneer and Cymantics, we've tested more than 224 over-ear and on-ear headphones and below are our top recommendations for the best DJ headphones that we've reviewed so far. See also our recommendations for the best studio headphones, the best headphones for music, the best wired headphones, and the best audiophile headphones.

1. Best DJ Headphones: Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

   

   Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.2

   7.9

   Critical Listening
   Type : Over-ear

   Enclosure : Closed-Back

   Wireless : No

   Noise-Cancelling : No

   Mic : No

   Transducer : Dynamic

   The best DJ headphones that we’ve tested so far are the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x. They’re well-built headphones with a durable, sturdy design that’s ready to handle multiple gigs in a row. They’re comfortable enough to wear during long sets and feature cups that swivel in both directions, which make it easy to keep one ear on the pulse of the party while still monitoring your performance.

   These over-ear headphones sound impressive and are the best closed-back audiophile headphones that we’ve reviewed to date. They have a great, neutral frequency response that packs outstanding bass while still sounding neutral enough to hear the finer details in your mix. They come with three different cable options, one of which is coiled for a greater reach around the stage, and a 1/4" audio adapter for compatibility with various set-ups.

   Although they do fold into a slightly more compact format, they are still quite bulky. They come with a decent soft carrying pouch that will help protect them on-the-go, but they take up quite a bit of space in your bag, especially with their coiled cable. That said, they still provide excellent value for their price and are very easy to recommend for new DJs and old pros alike.

   See our review

2. Better-Built Alternative: Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO

   

   Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com

   Type : Over-ear

   Enclosure : Closed-Back

   Wireless : No

   Noise-Cancelling : No

   Mic : No

   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you’re looking for the best in build quality and don't mind the lack of rotating ear cups, then consider the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro instead. They don’t have a foldable design, so they’re less portable than the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, but they have a sturdier metal frame that feels built to last. Their bass isn’t as pronounced as some of the other recommendations on this list, but still sounds exciting and is great for mixing and remixing tracks. In addition, their mid-range is excellent, so instruments and vocals remain will sound balanced regardless of the track.

   Though their metal build feels durable, they are fairly rigid headphones and don’t have any swiveling hinges, so their cups don’t rotate. This means you might have to wear them at a slightly awkward angle when you need to be able to hear the crowd. They also don’t have a detachable cable, like the ATH-M50x. That said, what they lack in convenience, they more than make up for with their great sound quality, comfortable fit, and sturdy build that should last you a long portion of your career.

   See our review

3. Most Portable Over-Ear DJ Headphones: Sony MDR-7506

   

   Sony MDR-7506

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.2

   7.4

   Critical Listening
   Type : Over-ear

   Enclosure : Closed-Back

   Wireless : No

   Noise-Cancelling : No

   Mic : No

   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you’re drawn to the iconic look of the Sony MDR line and want the most portable over-ear headphones that perform well for DJs, then get the Sony MDR-7506. They have a foldable design with swiveling earcups like the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, but are much lighter. They do feel a little cheap, and they aren’t as comfortable as the Audio-Technica, but they’re a great lower-cost pick for DJs looking for a simple, timeless design.

   These headphones slightly emphasize both the bass and treble ranges: the result is an exciting sound that may feel overhyped to some, but just right to others. Though they have a less neutral sound profile than the Audio-Technica or the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO, they’re good headphones for a dynamic set that features a mix of bass-heavy music with more vocal-centric songs.

   Unfortunately, these headphones don’t feel as well-built as some of the other recommendations on this list. Although they come with a nice long coiled cable, the cable isn’t detachable, which increases the risk of damage to these headphones. Fortunately, they’re not super expensive, so replacing them if they do get worn down shouldn’t be too much of a hassle. Overall, they’re a good choice for DJs looking for lightweight, portable headphones that deliver versatile sound.

   See our review

4. More Comfortable Alternative: Shure SRH 440

   

   Shure SRH 440

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com

   Type : Over-ear

   Enclosure : Closed-Back

   Wireless : No

   Noise-Cancelling : No

   Mic : No

   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you like the portable design of the Sony MDR-7506 but need something more comfortable for your longer gigs, consider the Shure SRH 440. Although they’re a bit heavier than the Sony, their ear cups are larger and are covered in faux leather that feels more pleasing on the skin. They also come with a detachable cable and come with a carrying pouch, which is nice to have at this price point.

   Although these headphones tend to sound good overall, they have sub-par frequency response consistency in the bass range, which means that different people may not experience their bass the same way. Some people may find it too deep and thumpy, and others may find them lacking in bass. If you’re the only person wearing them and you like the way they sound, this shouldn’t be a problem, but if you pass them to someone else, that person may not hear your mix the same way you do.

   See our review

5. Best-Designed DJ Headphones: V-MODA Crossfade M-100

   

   V-MODA Crossfade M-100

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.2

   7.3

   Critical Listening
   Type : Over-ear

   Enclosure : Closed-Back

   Wireless : No

   Noise-Cancelling : No

   Mic : Yes

   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you want better-designed headphones that have a lot more flair and style than the other recommendations on this list, then get the V-MODA Crossfade M-100. They don’t sound quite as balanced as the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, but they look and feel a lot more high-end, premium, and fashion-forward than the Audio-Technica or the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO. They have a flexible, sturdy headband and look great whether you're in front of an audience or just walking down the street.

   These headphones have a simple wired design that looks cool, feels well-made, and stands out in a crowd. They’re sturdy yet compact headphones. They come with a great hard carrying case, which makes them easy to carry around from set to set. They sound decent overall and have good bass. They also have customizable backplates for the ear cups that you can engrave with your logo to add a bit more personality to your headset or to further push your brand.

   Unfortunately, they’re not the most comfortable headphones to wear, especially over longer periods of time. Their ear cups are a bit shallow and their headband tends to feel rather tight. They’re well-padded in general, so this may not be an issue for shorter sets, but they may cause some discomfort if you’re planning a longer performance. That said, they’re a good option for the more fashion-oriented DJ interested in creating a memorable visual identity.

   See our review

6. Best On-Ear DJ Headphones: Beats EP

   

   Beats EP

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.2

   7.5

   Critical Listening
   Type : On-ear

   Enclosure : Closed-Back

   Wireless : No

   Noise-Cancelling : No

   Mic : Yes

   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you’re not a fan of the bulkier design of over-ear headphones and prefer more compact on-ears, then get the Beats EP; they’re the best on-ear DJ headphones that we’ve tested so far. They have a simple, lightweight design that’s more breathable than the over-ear options on this list, and their audio cable also features an in-line microphone, which is great if you need to call clients in-between sets.

   These headphones are a great choice for more bass-heavy sets thanks to their excellent bass response. They pack a bit more punch than the other headphones on this list, while still sounding balanced enough to be suitable for music of various genres.

   Unfortunately, they don’t feel as well-built as other on-ear headphones we’ve reviewed, like the Marshall MID ANC. They also don’t have a detachable cable, and theirs is a bit on the short side. You may need to purchase an audio cable extension if you want to use these headphones comfortably while performing. That said, they are still a decent option for DJs who prefer on-ears, thanks to their good sound quality and straightforward design.

   See our review