Best DJ Headphones Under £200 2024

27 December 2023

DJ Headphones are the essential tool to have in any DJ's arsenal, and choosing the right pair for constant use without hindering a DJ's performance can be overwhelming. Consequently, choosing the best headphones under £200 in 2024 can prove challenging. There is a vast selection of good quality headphones on the market, and sometimes it's difficult to select a pair that fits both your budget and requirements. This article will provide you with all the knowledge to assist you in making an informed decision, ultimately, so you can find the right pair of headphones to suit you and your pocket.

Headphones come in all shapes and sizes. We think it is best to start by explaining a few common points and then breaking them down into pricing brackets. The design of a DJ headphone bases itself on either an on-ear or over-ear concept. On-ear headphones are where the cups sit on top of the outside of the ear. Over-ear headphones are where the cups of the headphones cover the entire ear.

In addition to the design, there is also the basis for noise cancellation. This is where you will find the terms open or closed headphones. Closed headphones prevent outside ambient noise coming in, or any music inside escaping. Open headphones allow the music to escape freely, and outside noise to enter freely.

Other factors which are essential in the decision-making process are:

Sound Quality – The capability to deliver a distortion-free, loud and punchy, yet clear sound in noisy environments.

Comfort & Weight – This is subjective for every DJ; however, some factors do come into the equation, such as the length of sets and frequency of gigs. No DJ wants to be bogged down by a heavy, uncomfortable pair of headphones.

Pivoting Cups – The ability to rotate a cup away from the ear momentarily to check the sound in the club. Some DJs prefer to pivot the earcup away rather than touching the headband and ultimately moving the headphones away from their preferred position.

Durability – The potential to still work well after constant and long-term use. Some DJs have busy and long tour schedules where they need to rely on sturdy headphones that will be up to the task and be safe in the knowledge that they won't need replacing halfway through their sets or tour.

Portability – This is essential for the touring DJ especially if they wish to protect their primary tool. For example, does the pair fold into a nice protected case for long distance travelling and tour use?

Ultimately, we have road tested countless pairs of headphones over the past years, which puts us in good stead to recommend the following DJ Headphones for 2024.

Best DJ Headphones under £200

  1. Pioneer HDJ-X7
  2. Pioneer HDJ-CX
  3. Sennheiser HD 25 Plus
  4. AiAiAi TMA-2 DJ Preset

Pioneer HDJ-X7

 

First on our list is the Pioneer HDJ-X7 Professional DJ Headphones, which are the direct replacement for the popular HDJ-2000MK2. They are over-ear, closed headphones which also feature a swivel mechanism. These are dedicated DJ headphones which have durability and volume at the forefront of the mind. They have a broad frequency range (5Hz to 40kHz), along with a 4-core cable that provides excellent left to right channel separation. The newly developed 50mm Bass Reflex Chamber drivers offer crystal clear, high quality and distortion-free audio at high volumes.

The headphones are extremely durable and have been designed for long term use. They have cleared the rigorous US Military Standard Shock Test to ensure the X7’s handle high demanding touring DJ use, general wear and tear, and to withstand transportation.

Pioneer can provide a two-year warranty, which confidently indicates the longevity and durability the headphones are capable of performing with superiority at high levels of usage. It is worth noting that replacement parts are also available such as cables and earpads. The HDJ-X7’s have a unique sleek design with a metallic finish, resulting from aluminium spin processing and diamond cutting, making them stand out in the club. Pioneer HDJ-X7 Headphones are highly regarded by many top industry artists and are worthy contenders for being the best DJ headphones for under £200.

Pioneer HDJ-CX

Pioneer's latest on-ear DJ headphones, the HDJ-CX, are so superlight that you may forget you're wearing them. The HDJ-CX DJ headphones provide high-quality noise isolation, enduring comfort, tight audio reproduction, and a broad dynamic range, making them ideal for mixing and monitoring music in any setting.

Pioneer HDJ-CX

The HDJ-CX headphones are light enough to use for lengthy periods without being aware of their presence. This exceptional comfort may be attributed to the revolutionary, lightweight, ergonomic design. Everything has been considered, from the cable's wiring, which was simplified to reduce weight, to the curl on the coiled wire, which was positioned closer to the socket to enhance balance. As a consequence of all of this, as well as the adjustable earcups and stainless steel band, it's effortless to get the perfect fit for hours of comfy monitoring.

Perhaps you won't believe how much volume comes from such a compact and light set of headphones. The deep and strong lows are a result of the PEEK-PU-PEEK composite film diaphragm1, while the mids and highs are crystal clear and accurate. The low frequency response is enhanced even further thanks to the sound insulators and bass reflex chambers in the housings, so you can hear every nuance of the music.

Sennheiser HD 25 Plus

 

First released in 1988, Sennheiser's HD 25 headphones have become an industry standard and have become the number one choice for many DJs across the world. The Sennheiser HD 25s are on-ear, closed-backed headphones which have been manufactured to suit challenging and gruelling use from professional DJs who require comfortable, lightweight, and durable headphones. They need to withstand the constant battering of live use at the same time as heavy touring. The HD25 drivers reproduce clear, punchy bass and detailed treble which is ideal for loud environments.

The bonus of the HD25 Plus is the headphone components are replaceable. So, if for example, the earpads have worn out through constant use, a pair of replacement ear pads are available to buy at a fraction of the price it would cost to replace the headphones entirely. The HD-25 Plus is an exact reproduction of the HD 25s with the exception you receive two cables and extra accessories, which include a second pair of earpads and a sturdy protective pouch. The split headband reflects its styling along with its purpose of being light and comfortable, yet tough. The Sennheiser HD 25 Plus is popular among hard-working DJs.

AiAiAi TMA-2 DJ Preset

The TMA-2 series from AIAIAI have gained quite the following from some of the best DJ’s in electronic music. They are on-ear, closed backed headphones and again are made up of replaceable parts. Not only does this provide longevity, but also saves your hard-earned money, as you won’t have to fork out for a brand-new pair! The robust and sturdy design make these headphones ideal for live performance or DJ use. Especially for bass and electronic music in general as these can handle some pretty high sound pressure levels, and high-pressure environments.

The S02 internal speaker unit is designed to make sure your bass and low-end is warm and powerful, yet distortion-free. With this and the isolation, it makes them ideal for use in clubs. So much so, DJs such as Skream, Charlotte De Whitte, Bonobo, RL Grime, and Novelist have all said the TMA-2 remains their headphones of choice.

Best DJ Headphones Under £100


Pioneer HDJ-X5
 



The Pioneer HDJ-X5 is the baby of the HDJ-X series and shares many of the design features of the X7's. They are over-ear, closed backed headphones. The smaller 40mm driver within the speaker unit produces a narrower frequency range (5Hz-30kHz), and is comprised of copper-clad aluminium wire voice coils with a magnetic circuit; this optimises distortion-free listening by noise suppression.

The HDJX5 inherits the same newly designed Bass Reflex Chamber to ensure the best possible audio with rich, warm bass notes and crystal-clear highs. So, when listening to music through them the vocals have a real closeness, and the bass is weighty but not muddy.

The HDJ X5's have a swivel mechanism, and have been built for durability, making them well suited for long term use (and again they have also passed the same US Military Standard Shock Test). This makes the headphones just as robust and long-lasting as the others within the X-series range. The 1.2m coiled cable has a 4-core twisted-structure and offers excellent left to right channel separation. An additional carrying pouch and a 3.5mm to 6.3mm adapter are included, plus replacement parts are available (cables and earpads).

The X5s sleek metallic finish gives the headphones a professional style and good look. They come with a 2-year warranty, which highlights the confidence the brand has behind their durability and quality. We believe they have definitely earned their place on this guide as one of the best pairs of headphones for under £100, ultimately by providing unsurpassed sound quality.

Reloop SHP-8

 

 

The Reloop SHP-8 is one of the most reliable headphones on this list, and their versatility makes them perfect for both DJing and production work. The SHP-8 are over-ear, closed-back headphones, that come with 40mm drivers, and the speaker features bass accentuation technology, to ensure your low-frequencies are pumping. As if that wasn’t enough, the earcups feature a switch below them that boosts bass frequencies by +3 or +6dB. This unique feature ensures that even in loud environments you can hear critical information, such as kicks and snares so that you can beat-match with precision and speed.

DJ headphones need to be versatile with just the correct amount of colouring of frequencies for high-pressure environments. With genres such as drum and bass, jungle, and breakbeat you need to be able to hear mid to high range frequencies, such as breaks and shakers, to ensure you can beat match accurately. Also, the SHP-8's bring you lots of comfort as well as a stylish finish so for peace of mind you can wear these for extended DJ sets, along with looking the part.

Numark Redwave

The Numark Redwave Carbon headphones feature sizeable 50mm neodymium powered drivers ensuring a powerful and clean bass response. They are an over-ear, closed cup design and have added breathable leather on the earcups to provide comfortable and hassle-free use over extended periods. The speaker drivers include high-temperature, high-power voice coils, offering a more refined sound than other similar priced headphones. Some headphone products are designed to have a huge weighty bass sound while sacrificing clarity within the high and mid-range frequencies. Numark has decided against this, and the result is a clean overall sound with the emphasis on sonic clarity. The bass is very deep while the mids are crisp and clear. Furthermore, the highs are accurate and precise.

The Redwave Carbon Professional headphones feature an adjustable metal headband with rotating ear cups complemented by good noise isolation. The headphones include a carrying case, a headphone adapter, and the cable provided ends with a bayonet clip to protect against detachment accidents.

Best DJ Headphones Under £50


Roland RH-5

 

These headphones may be designed for studio and production monitoring; however, they are versatile and well-designed to be used for DJ performances. The low-frequency response and balanced mid-to-high range frequencies are clean and provide you with decent clarity so you can hear vital mix information in a track, such as hi-hats, arpeggiated synth lines, or breakbeats.

RH 5's sturdy construction means you can use these comfortably in certain high-pressure mixing environments, for example, house parties or mobile DJ events; they would even be suitable for use in small scale venues. The connector also features a 3.5mm cable as well as a ¼ jack adaptor, so you can rest assured these will integrate into any professional or home studio.

Hercules HDP DJ45

The Hercules HDP DJ45 are designed to be an excellent choice for individuals looking for a durable and high-performance set of DJ headphones. These include numerous functions that you would expect to see on more costly headphones, making them ideal for DJs on a budget that do not want to compromise on pro features.

Hercules HDP DJ45 Headphones

The plush ear-cushions are noise-cancelling and comfy, allowing you to mix for hours without pain or ear fatigue. You may also rotate one of the earcups to correctly cue songs on any DJ monitors or booth speakers.

The 3.5mm cable also includes a 1/4 jack adaptor, allowing you to connect these affordable DJ headphones to any professional standard DJ mixer. Another fantastic feature of the Hercules HDP 45 Headphones is the spiral cord, which gives you more freedom to roam around your DJ booth or home setup.

On the performance front, the HDP 45s have 1.97" drivers that provide a warm and rich sound that is full of clarity. The frequency response of these headphones is also excellent, ranging from 20Hz to 20,000kHz, making them ideal for DJs seeking an accurate sound impression.

Reloop RH-2500 Headphones

 

It is essential that DJ Headphones represent the frequency spectrum with precision so you can be sure to hear all critical information, which results in mixing with complete accuracy. The RH-2500 headphones do an excellent job of reproducing a clear mid and high-range that most headphones within this price range do not manage. The mid and high range features just the right amount of colouring that will aid your performances in the long run. The accentuated high frequencies are suitable for mixing genres like breakbeat or jungle.

The construction of the headphones is solid, and they feature rotating ear cuffs. This alone is a staple feature of most respected DJ Headphone brands. These are best suited for house parties, mobile DJ events, and even small venues. If anything, else, you could keep these as a pair of backup headphones in case the inevitable happens. They also come with a ¼ jack adaptor so you can integrate these into professional scale setups.

Conclusion

There you have our opinion on the Best DJ Headphones Under £200. We hope this guide helps with you making an informed choice on which pair of DJ Headphones are best for your professional requirements and budget. Don't forget to check out our blogs regularly for more product information.

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