[WARNING: RANT AHEAD. READ AT OWN RISK.]

Okay, guys... I need someone who has some experience and an average DJ mixer, and some money and time to use, to try a little experiment...

I believe that there are a lot of good DJ headphones out that JUST came out, but I am mostly going off of theory as for how they compare to each other!!

New DJ headphones that are audiophile as well seem to be coming out like mad these days!

First of all, you have your traditional, old, *coughcrappy* sony standard v700dj's. Now, we *ALL* (or at least, every one of us that's tried something better...) know they suck. So we KNOW that a good set of cans, like any that I recommend for DJ's, will probably sound better. However, we STILL don't *really* know what's best for what.

So, how about this -- could one of you, any of you, perhaps buy a few sets of headphones (maybe 4, 5?) from various places, try them out with your mixer, and compare them, and then *RETURN* the bad ones? Hmmm?? essentially, you'd be paying shipping costs to you and back...

Or just figure out SOME way to compare any of these models...

Sony MDR-V6 (or MDR-7506; they are the same thing)
Sennheiser HD280 Pro
Ultrasone HFI-650
Sennheiser HD25
Beyerdynamic DT250-80

Also, are ANY DJ's interested in some headphones that are bigger than, 'barely fit over your ears'? I am wondering if anyone has a style of wearing headphones that could maybe facilitate some of the bigger headphones out there... like the beyerdynamic dt770 pro's, if your mixer is strong enough for 'em...

Or how about this? Is anyone remotely near Bozeman, Montana??? Cause the people at headroom (www.headphone.com) need a SERIOUS instruction on the ways of DJ headphoneing... these people call themselves the worlds greatest headphone geeks... and they don't have a single section for dj's or anything about side swivel or anything at all... though they mention DJ use in passing for the HD25 and the DT250-80's...

Okay, now, let's see here...

It's cheapest to get the Ultrasone HFI-650's, which I think have a decent chance of being *the* ultimate DJ headphones Period (but I don't know for sure) from www.meier-audio.com. They SEEM like they woudl be nice looking, comfy, high isolation, easy to drive, loud, good bass, etc. etc. etc. DJ headphones -- like the 280's, but better looking and better isolating and easier to drive...

Here is this guy's review:

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?&threadid=16007

Also, the HD280 Pro and the HFI-650 seem to use the exact same headband... that means that THIS COMFORT MOD:

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15429

(scroll down to Magicthyse's post...) should work with both of them!

Anyway, this talk about these new Ultrasone's being all great is, um, based off of the review of the only guy I know that's selling them, Jan Meier of www.meier-audio.com. Granted, he's a hardcore audiophile and a nice guy... but, well, he hates the HD280 Pro's, so how great can he be?!

Anyway, he *is* the cheapest place I know of to get the Senn HD25, the Ultrasone HFI-650, and the Beyerdynamic DT250-80. I also think he CAN get his hands on the HD280 Pro's, but lord knows if he has a bad batch or something... also, there is headphone.com. They, like Jan, are very reliable and EXTREMELY friendly to return policies.. they carry senns and beyerdynamic headphones, but cause Sony was really rude to 'em, they don't carry Sony.

However, a good inexpensive place that is MUCH less personal than either Headroom or Jan is etronics.com, which SEEMS to have good prices on the MDR-V6, MDR-7506, and even the HD280's. I also think they ship internationally too...

Anyway, so, could anyone help compare any of these, or ANYTHING? I really don't like talking by hearsay so much... i mean, it was okay in the past, but enough is enough! I don't like STRETCHING myself so darn much... i need someone reliable to compare, like, everything...

Between Etronics, Meier Audio, and Headroom, it SHOULD be possible to get any of these anywhere in the world...

Last edited by Gluegun on Sep-10-2002 at 05:56

ok, well i've checked out V6s, 280s pro, mdrv-700s so far... and to tell you the truth, the V6s are the best so far for DJing for me personally... the best studio headphones would definately be 280s, but they just don't cut it in the high SPL environment... I think i'll check those ultrasone's though and let you know what i think of those...

Thanks... i hear these ones are pretty heavy, tho. Are you gonna do the headband mod? Why not do that mod for the 280's, if you still have them? What about more traditional dj headphones like the HD25's? Do you know anyone that has those?

well i wouldn't do any mods for the 280s, since i don't use them much outside of the studio... haven't tested 25s though, and dont know anyone that has them... although i was very eager to purchase a pair of those at one point too... i think i'll go with these ultrasones instead... Jan Meier's review is very informative, and i think these ultrasone's are worth checking out... do you know how much they are though? and you said they're easier to drive than 280s? a lot easier or just a bit? and do you have specs on them?

thanks

Oh wait, back up a bit... I don't know if they are easier to drive, or harder, or what..

Lessee here..

The Ultrasone HFI-650...

Impedance 75 ohms
Sound pressure level 94 dB

It seems that Ultrasone's webpage talks about how the HFI-650's are made so you don't have to use these headphones at as high dB SPL as other headphones, cause of some wierd technology they use. I dunno... I especially dont know how they will act in a DJ setup... plus, they dont give any specifications on how they got that spl...

the HD280's, however...

Characteristic SPL 113 dB (at 1 kHz/1Vrms)
Nominal impendance 64 Ohms

But, even though they are lower impedence, some DJ mixers have trouble driving them *when you are EQing*...

Egad, this is complicated...

Bump? will no one reply or try this out?

Like, order...

MDR-7506 and HD280 from etronics
HFI-650, DT250-80 and HD25 from meier-audio

And send back all but one.

Hmm Im in the market for some new cans and the Ultrasone's sound great, but is there anywhere else besides Jan Meier's site to order them? They'd have to come all the way over from Germany...

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NEW MIX [Feb/March 2008]

I don't know of any other places to get them. Also, since Jan is in europe, that is why he is often the cheapest place for many European brands.. not all, but many... also, remember, I don't actually KNOW if they are harder or easier to drive than the 280's...

Hi. I have been djing since 1989. I have used a few different headphones so....

1st were Koss, from my Dad's collection straight out of the 70's
ya they sucked, but they were free and did the job.

2nd Sony MDR-V6.... Sweet phones! I love them. Used them until the padding wore out. The drivers are still perfect! (9 years) Will buy new pads for them one day ($60 CAN for pads tho)

3rd Stanton DJ PRO-2000S ... these suck.One side is blown and the cord is funky - cuts out one channel sometimes & only used them 6 months!

4th Sony V700's ... A gift. These I like as much or more than my old sony's. I looked at the specs and they seem to be the same drivers as the MDR-V6's I have. If not pretty damn close.

I have also used friends Sennheisers, Pioneers, smaller Sony's, as well as some studio cups by ??? (good but unpractical for DJing). Some others I can't remember as well. They were all ok, but not great .Except for the Sennheisers, which I hated.

As for the "Ultimate" DJ headphones.... you will never get every DJ to like the same cups. Different head sizes, different listening styles/preferences....so I recommend the Sony's... v700 or MDR-V6. Good luck!
Or just buy what impresses you.

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dubBrotherDJs
DavidHousehead.com
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Here is a tip:

Beyerdynamic makes headphones that are roughly the same size of the MDR-V6. They are called the "DT250". These headphones have earpads that can be put on the MDR-V6. Go to Beyerdynamic's webpage, and find the phone number for your area (north America, in your case). Call them, with your credit card, and ask for the velour replacement pads for the DT250 headphones. Be sure to specify the VELOUR version. It will cost maybe $22 USD ($17 + $5) to get them shipped to you. Take the pleather pads off of the V6's, and put these nice comfy velour pads on instead. Boom, instant comfort upgrade, and a kickass set of headphones is revitalized!!

Remember: Sony inflates their specs, considerably... the MDR-V6 and the MDR-V700DJ are EXTREMELY different headphones!! Look at them, side by side, actually looking at the headphones themselves. They are NOTHING alike. Also, after replacing the pads, compare them side by side, in comfort, sound, and everything, with various sources. You should be surprised..

Anyway, sennheiser used to have many, many, many crappy headphones (the EH series, the 250's, etc. etc. etc.). Thank god they have COMPLETELY redone their lineup, and there are fewer lemons in their lines. Oh, there are still lemons (HD500 anyone?), but there are just fewer now. Try the HD202's, HD212 Pro, or HD280 Pro, depending on your price range. They shouldn't be too bad...

well if anyone is interested in hd 280s, i'm selling my pair...

http://www.tranceaddict.com/forums/...&threadid=65249

thanx for the Pads tip Gluegun!
beats $60. I'm looking into it
As for comparing the 2 Sony cups, they are the same size, the sound output seems to be the same (to me) they are both 3000 milliwatts, and bass response seems the same(again to me), the 700's I find comfy, but will agree the V6's were more comfortable.
As a side note, both sony's did not distort as early as most of the other phones on any of the mixers I've used (MTX, Numark, Rane, American DJ, Gemini, Biamp...etc.) Although the Pioneers were pretty close.

___________________
(o\ ! /o)
dubBrotherDJs
DavidHousehead.com
myspace