Whether you’re first starting out your journey as a DJ, or you’re a seasoned pro looking to upgrade your gear – we’re here to help you choose the perfect DJ headphones. Check out our top picks below and be sure to follow us on social for more tips and tricks all month long this National DJ month.

How to Choose DJ Headphones

When it comes to purchasing headphones, there are a few key points to keep in mind:

Budget:

When choosing a headphone, consider where you’re at in your journey. This will dictate how much you invest, if you are looking for beginner headphones or a higher-priced headphone to last 5-10 years.

Comfort and Protection:

Whether you're in the studio or at a live DJ set, the headphones you choose need to be comfortable, especially if you’re wearing them for long periods of time, in a variety of positions. Although comfort is a huge factor, they also need to be built strongly with a durable construction to protect your ears. A few tips to consider:

• Are you wearing them on one ear, both ears, or rotating in between?
• Do you wear glasses? If so, how does the headband tension feel?
• Is it comfortable around your neck?

Audio Clarity and Quality:

There’s nothing worse than terrible audio quality. DJ headphones need to be able to block out background noise, produce a variety of sounds, and clear highs without sounding too distorted, especially at a high-level volume. 

Why DJs and Producers Choose M-Series Headphones

Photo credit: Nash Overstreet

The M-Series line has been praised by audio professionals around the world, including DJs. Take it from Nash Overstreet, DJ, singer, and music producer, who uses Audio-Technica’s ATH-M50x headphones during live DJ sets. These wired, over-ear headphones are the #1 best selling headphones in the U.S* and are a top-pick for DJs for studio tracking, mixing, and monitoring.

• Cutting edge engineering and a robust construction
• Incredibly accurate sound monitoring across the entire frequency range (15 - 28,000 Hz)
• 90° swiveling, professional-grade earcups for easy, one-ear monitoring
• 45mm large aperture drivers delivering an unmatched experience and collapsable design easy for travel
• Detachable cables (includes 1.2 m - 3.0 m coiled cable, 3.0 m straight cable and 1.2 m straight cable)

The ATH-M40x is another, budget-friendly option! With similar features to the ATH-M50x, these over-ear headphones feature: 

• 40mm drivers
• Detachable cable (includes 1.2 m - 3.0 m coiled cable and 3.0 m straight cable)

*#1 best-selling Wired Around the Ear Stereo Headphone in the U.S. for 2023 Source: Circana, Retail Tracking Service, U.S., based on dollar and unit sales, 12 months ending December 2023.