Audiophiles/DJs: Looking to buy headphones

LordMaul

Lifer
Nov 16, 2000
15,168
1
0
A friend of mine is a resident DJ spinning hardstyle/euro/house at a Chicago club. Recently, his headphones broke (not sure what they were) and I know he'd like a new pair. I don't think he would want anything ridiculously expensive, as keeping track of and protecting something like that would be more than he'd want to deal with. However, I don't want to get him crap that just looks good and does the job -- I'd say $150ish is a good place to start. If I'm way off base here, let me know.

So, whats the best brand/model I would want to look for in this range and considering the intended use?

edit: I'm also going to want to pick these up locally, considering the time constraints before Monday. I would be able to go to any Best Buy/Circuit City/CompUSA/shopping mall/etc. that might carry something in the brands/model range suggested.
 

Chaotic42

Lifer
Jun 15, 2001
33,932
1,113
126
As with any tools of the trade, it's probably better not to get him headphones as a gift. Don't get me wrong, I think it's a good idea, but asking about this here is like your grandma asking her knitting forum about a computer for you.
 

OREOSpeedwagon

Diamond Member
May 30, 2001
8,485
1
81
The Sony MDR-7506 (or V6, they're the same cans) are pretty widely accepted among DJs (I've seen DJs use them, from small time all the way up to Paul van Dyk). You should be able to find them at a Guitar Center if you have one nearby for ~$100. They're great cans, I love my V6s and they work for just about every genre. They can also take quite a beating, which is also part of the appeal to DJs.

The Pioneer HDJ-1000 seem to be the craze right now though, I think they're available at Guitar Centers as well. I've heard issues with them being pretty delicate, and they're just above your price range at around $160. I'd recommend the Sony 7506/V6 though, they're awesome for the trance I listen to. Plus you can replace the stock pleather earpads with velour pads made for the Beyerdynamic DT250 (search froogle for "Beyerdynamic velour" and they'll be under the DT250/280 pads, you might pass the info to him) and they are soooo comfy. I wore mine for 3 hours while studying for my accounting final and could have gone another 3 hours easily. He won't be disappointed with them :)
 

JSFLY

Golden Member
Mar 24, 2006
1,068
0
0
Originally posted by: Chaotic42
As with any tools of the trade, it's probably better not to get him headphones as a gift. Don't get me wrong, I think it's a good idea, but asking about this here is like your grandma asking her knitting forum about a computer for you.

Get him the exact same brand and model as the one that broke.
 

evident

Lifer
Apr 5, 2005
12,017
626
126
Originally posted by: Chaotic42
As with any tools of the trade, it's probably better not to get him headphones as a gift. Don't get me wrong, I think it's a good idea, but asking about this here is like your grandma asking her knitting forum about a computer for you.

definately agree with you. definately gotta do some research if you want to get him something decent that he will actually use and not replace too. say if you got a killer rig minus one component, what if your SO buys you cheap ram that doesn't OC? you would be in some sort of predicament.

As a poor audiophile, I have sennheiser HD-595s but in a club environment i think a DJ would need closed ear monitors that blocks out alot of noise... don't know where to start with those... sennheiser hd-280s are good closed ear headphones that can be picked up at a local guitar center/sam ash, maybe even worst buy, but DJ quality? not too sure
 

OREOSpeedwagon

Diamond Member
May 30, 2001
8,485
1
81
Originally posted by: evident
Originally posted by: Chaotic42
As with any tools of the trade, it's probably better not to get him headphones as a gift. Don't get me wrong, I think it's a good idea, but asking about this here is like your grandma asking her knitting forum about a computer for you.

definately agree with you. definately gotta do some research if you want to get him something decent that he will actually use and not replace too. say if you got a killer rig minus one component, what if your SO buys you cheap ram that doesn't OC? you would be in some sort of predicament.

As a poor audiophile, I have sennheiser HD-595s but in a club environment i think a DJ would need closed ear monitors that blocks out alot of noise... don't know where to start with those... sennheiser hd-280s are good closed ear headphones that can be picked up at a local guitar center/sam ash, maybe even worst buy, but DJ quality? not too sure

If you're just talking headphones, it's not like buying RAM at all. It's when your SO starts trying to buy you a DAC or an amp without any idea what you want that you should be worried ;)

The HD280s, while a good closed can, are not exactly geared toward DJs.. They're funny looking when worn, the build quality isn't exactly top-notch (there have been issues with the headband cracking, and Sennheiser charging $50 to fix them), and the sound isn't that great for electronica. Locally, your options are very limited, and your choices are probably the Sony MDR-7506 (or V6), HD280, or the Pioneer HDJ-1000. Just whatever you do don't get him Bose Triports, they wouldn't last 15 minutes in a club ;)
 

opticalmace

Golden Member
Oct 22, 2003
1,841
0
0
i personally would abstain from purchasing him headphones as DJs often prefer more expensive ones. he might feel a bit awkward if the ones you give him are not really up to snuff for his job but he doesn't want to offend you.

but i might be totally wrong.
 

imported_bum

Golden Member
Jan 15, 2005
1,402
1
0
Just ask him what model he wants. If you don't know much about headphones and DJing, he might end up not liking or needing what you get him.
 

LordMaul

Lifer
Nov 16, 2000
15,168
1
0
Originally posted by: opticalmace
i personally would abstain from purchasing him headphones as DJs often prefer more expensive ones. he might feel a bit awkward if the ones you give him are not really up to snuff for his job but he doesn't want to offend you.

but i might be totally wrong.

Well, even if he doesn't like them for the club environment, I'm sure he'd appreciate a decent pair for his house studio, 2nd apartment setup or elsewhere. Thanks for the suggestions guys, looks like I've got some planning to do for tomorrow. Any additional suggestions are always welcome, of course. :)

 

indamixx99

Golden Member
Oct 17, 2006
1,955
0
76
I'm guessing your DJ friend had the Sony V700DJ headphones since they were so popular among DJs before the Pioneer and Technics headphones came out. They had crappy hinges and thats the common piece that breaks on them though. I would go with the Technics RP-DH1200 headphones if you can find them - about $150. They're more durable and comfortable than the Sony's. Sound quality is great too.
 

Juice Box

Diamond Member
Nov 7, 2003
9,615
1
0
I have the VDJ700s (Sony) and really like them. I mainly dabble w/ DJing, nothing too serious, but they're good quality and sound very good.
 
Feb 19, 2001
20,155
23
81
Originally posted by: OREOSpeedwagon
Originally posted by: evident
Originally posted by: Chaotic42
As with any tools of the trade, it's probably better not to get him headphones as a gift. Don't get me wrong, I think it's a good idea, but asking about this here is like your grandma asking her knitting forum about a computer for you.

definately agree with you. definately gotta do some research if you want to get him something decent that he will actually use and not replace too. say if you got a killer rig minus one component, what if your SO buys you cheap ram that doesn't OC? you would be in some sort of predicament.

As a poor audiophile, I have sennheiser HD-595s but in a club environment i think a DJ would need closed ear monitors that blocks out alot of noise... don't know where to start with those... sennheiser hd-280s are good closed ear headphones that can be picked up at a local guitar center/sam ash, maybe even worst buy, but DJ quality? not too sure

If you're just talking headphones, it's not like buying RAM at all. It's when your SO starts trying to buy you a DAC or an amp without any idea what you want that you should be worried ;)

The HD280s, while a good closed can, are not exactly geared toward DJs.. They're funny looking when worn, the build quality isn't exactly top-notch (there have been issues with the headband cracking, and Sennheiser charging $50 to fix them), and the sound isn't that great for electronica. Locally, your options are very limited, and your choices are probably the Sony MDR-7506 (or V6), HD280, or the Pioneer HDJ-1000. Just whatever you do don't get him Bose Triports, they wouldn't last 15 minutes in a club ;)

It's the same deal man. It's just like RAM. Let's rewind to 2005 where I'm familiar with the AMD/DDR market. Let's say someone goes out to buy an expensive set of DDR sticks, the ones that hit DDR600. Sure they cost something like $170 for 1GB and they are your top TCCD sticks, and I'm sure most people would take it. Problem is, I ran my CPU at 250 FSB, meaning DDR500. I would've benefitted a lot more from a $170 pair of 1GB BH-5/CH-5 sticks that give me 2-2-2-5 @ DDR500. But both are expensive right? Both are quality RAM. Depending what you need, you could either go top of the line TCCD or top of the line BH/CH sticks.

For such reasons I would not get him headphones at all. I know that if you want to grab a Sennheiser HD-280 or a 555, 595, those are all GREAT, but it might not be what he wants. I feel that a gift card in this case would be far more useful.

This is why I'm happy that people don't try to buy me new cooling for my CPU or computer components and rather buy me things that I woudl use like clothes so that I can save on clothes shopping and buy the things I want with my computer. People know that I'm a freak and I want dual 7200.10s and not the next cheap Fry's HD deal even if it's a 300 GB 7200.9 for say $59 (as opposed to 7200.10s for $89).
 

PaperclipGod

Banned
Apr 7, 2003
2,021
0
0
Originally posted by: Chaotic42
As with any tools of the trade, it's probably better not to get him headphones as a gift. Don't get me wrong, I think it's a good idea, but asking about this here is like your grandma asking her knitting forum about a computer for you.

Best quote ever.