words: MICK WILSON
Head-to-Head
TECH
EARS TO A GOOD NIGHT!
With the pro DJ headphones market more crowded than
ever, we investigate some of the latest and greatest cans
that money can buy…
T
here was once a time when every self- technologies designed to make the listening
respecting DJ would don a pair of the then- experience for the DJ a more precise art, the logic
ubiquitous Sony MDR-V700DJ headphones. being that a good pair of cans will facilitate the
These silver cans sounded great, and as a mixing process.
DJ rocking up to the club meant that you looked the Whilst there have been a few manufacturers that have
real deal behind the decks. But they had one major always supplied good quality headphones, there is
fl aw: they always broke at the joining swivel arm, now a new breed who have stepped into the frame.
where the earpad met the headband. Not good. So we reckon now is the perfect time to put the
Fast-foward to now, and the race to domineer headphones head-to-head...
the headphone market is heating up, with new
SHURE
SRH750DJ
These headphones are the fi rst outing for Shure
into the pro DJ arena. They are sturdy, the build
quality is excellent and they have a pro look
about them. The swivel joints that can so easily be
the fi rst thing to go in a pair of headphones are of
a very good quality, and can be twisted 90 degrees.
Everything feels good on these phones — even
though they are built of plastic, they don’t feel like
it. The switchable ear pads sit comfortably and
snug on the ears.
The most important thing with headphones,
especially in the DJ market, is the sound. The
SRH750DJs are not as loud as some of the
others, but they have a great sound, and are very
detailed, with a good bass response derived from
the 50mm closed back drivers — not too
SKULL CANDY
harsh on the top end when you crank
them up. SK PRO
Another welcome addition is the Now, these phones are most defi nitely for the extrovert DJ.
fact that the cord for these Some might say their garish looks befi t a Marmite moment —
chappies is replaceable. A you either love them or hate them — but putting this aside, are
good plus, as this can be they any good?
another area that fails Build quality isn’t quite as sturdy as others — they do feel and
in headphone design. look plastic — but surprisingly enough they have got a good
Coming in at around sound, which is slightly bass-heavy and very loud.
£149, they are slightly The ear pads fi t nicely and are quite comfortable, a little bit
more expensively bigger than other phones, but the general fi t of the headband
priced than others is quite snug. The swivel joint that connects the ear pads to the
in this spec range. headband seems quite sturdy. When played loud, they can get
Famous jocks that like a little bit uncomfortable, but then, listening to audio through
these phones include headphones at excessive levels can damage your hearing! So
Jazzy Jeff, so that can’t try not to push them to this extreme.
be bad.
shure.com If the colourways leave something to be desired, there is a more
sedate version — the black and green look quite good.
skullcandy.com £99
www.djmag.com
107
DJ481.TECH_head 2 head.indd 107 1/12/09 17:47:35
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