Answer this question: What are the best DJ headphones? I expect that there will be a lot of names coming back, but I guarantee that there would be one name that dominates — Sennheiser HD25. And while Pioneer does have an enviable track record with their headphone range, the on-ear HD25 offerings just keep sitting pretty at the top of the headphone food chain. So the new HDJ-C70 DJ headphones appear to be very much in the “if you can’t beat ’em join ’em” vein.
The usual comprehensive words from Pioneer:
Crystal clear: the on-ear HDJ-C70 headphones for pro-DJs deliver pristine sound in every monitoring position
4th September 2014: Pioneer’s range of professional DJ monitoring headphones boasts a new addition with the launch of the on-ear HDJ-C70s. The HDJ-C70s are packed with high-quality audio components to deliver a superb, true sound across the frequencies, even at high volumes.
The lightweight headphones are built for comfort in the booth, and feature a flexible headband and rotatable housings to support every style of monitoring. An innovative sound-isolation chamber, inherited from the HDJ-1500s, eliminates background noise to enable accurate monitoring in even the liveliest of clubs.
The HDJ-C70 monitoring headphones are available from October 2014 at £159 including VAT.
Find out more http://www.pioneer.eu/uk/newsroom/news/HDJ-C70/page.html
Or watch our promo video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0k_FNwwuoP4&feature=youtu.be
KEY FEATURES OF THE HDJ-C70s
- Superb sound design features newly-developed 40mm aperture driver units
The HDJ-C70s are fine-tuned for pro-DJ monitoring. Newly-developed 40mm aperture driver units and neodymium magnets deliver outstanding resolution, accurately reproducing deep bass notes and clear low to medium frequencies. Copper-clad aluminium wire voice coils and a 2,000 mW input capacity eliminate distortion, even with the volume cranked up.
- Exclusive[1] soundproofing component delivers excellent sound isolation
An innovative sound-isolation chamber on the bass reflex port eliminates background noise from inside and outside the booth.Plus, the ear pads use soft leather-type materials for a snug fit to enhance sound insulation.
- Designed for ultimate comfort and to support various monitoring styles
The HDJ-C70s feature a lightweight, flexible polyamide resin headband and snug-fitting, urethane ear pads to ensure comfort even during prolonged use. Both ear cups can be rotated by 90-degrees in either direction and have rubber grips around the outside – so one-ear monitoring is comfortable and easy whether the headphones are on DJ’s head or round their shoulders.
- Replaceable parts and a carry case for excellent durability and portability
All the components of the HDJ-C70s are built with the rigours of frequent use in mind. The headphones come with two detachable, anti-tangle cords (one straight and one curled) and a handy carry pouch. Plus the headband, housing, head cushion and insert-style ear pads can be replaced to extend the headphones’ lifespan when necessary.MAIN SPECIFICATIONS
Form Fully enclosed dynamic stereo headphones Frequency range 7 ~ 32,000 Hz Impedance 40 Ω Output sound pressure level 100 dB Maximum output sound pressure level 120 dB Maximum input 2,000 mW Unit aperture φ 40 mm dynamic type (tentative) Connection cord 1.6 m stereo cable, 1.0 m curled cable (3.0 m when extended) Plug φ 3.5 mm stereo mini plug (tentative) Weight 195 g (not including cord) Accessories φ 6.3 mm stereo adapter plug (screw-type), carry case, screwdriver for cord replacement
The HDJ-C70 — not the HD25 but…
This is most definitely a case of Pioneer DJ’s top headphone boffins sat around a table, and doing a complete teardown of the iconic Sennheisers and saying “we can do better than that”. And glossy pictures aside, these are a solid attempt at emulating and bettering the HD25. Everything appears to be user-serviceable — from the cords to the cups, a good deal of thought was gone into making these as good as the original, but with a Pioneer DJ logo on it, something that always helps.
Pioneer DJ aren’t alone in this crowded HD25 homage club, and I can see the TMA DNA in the HDJ-c7os too. But on face value, these new cans from Pioneer DJ look really good, and when factoring the price, they’re going to do very well from this. Should I start writing my HDJ-C70 white edition story now?
Summing up, the Pioneer DJ HDJ-C70 headphones will cost $239/£159 and be available in October. I would expect to see every single workstation at BPM equipped with these. And I’d also expect to see a few pairs go missing too.
Not that they weren’t trying to already, but Pioneer is SERIOUS about taking over the DJ market. A 1200 replacement and now an HD-25 direct competitor? What’s next? Needles? This should get interesting.
Serious question: what is fantastic about a splitting headband? I’ve never had any cans that feature so I’m not sure what the benefit would be…
i have HD-25s and Im not actually sure if i use mine split or not, must be the drink lol. I’m sure i have them slightly split though as it just feels more supportive, I’m gonna consciously take note of how i use them on Saturday and let you know:)
Maybe I have a weirdly shaped head, but I find it a lot more secure. I know people find one headband fine as most headphones are built that way. I’ve seen a few DJ’s put their headbands on the front of their forehead which makes no sense to me. I guess it’s for style.
Secure? Like they might fall off or something? Maybe its just me but I have had all kinds of headphones over the years (Sony, Technics, Pioneer, etc) and I’ve never thought of them being secure as an issue, never even thought about it actually.
Sometimes I do wear mine toward the front of my head. Its definitely not a style thing though! I always think it looks horrible, but it can be comfortable that way.
awesome! now if the cups are not as loose on the arms as with the hd25…this will be mine!
these do look nice, its almost like DJing is getting cool again, nice products coming out, a slight return to the old vinyl days with this new deck and the music is getting better
I love pioneer is taking over the DJ market im just nervous who bought their DJ line because I don’t want their quality to go down the tubes :/ (attention to profit instead of quality of product)
These would have been perfect if not for the straight jack that always gets in the way especially on Pioneer mixers where it sits right in front of the headphone controls.
I think these look great but I would still buy another pair of 25s if I was in the market for new headphones. I bought my current pair of 25s in 1998 and they are still going strong. I replaced the ear pads a few times and the cable once. I’ve never owned or even used Pioneer equipment so cannot comment on the quality but expect it to be good.
Also, Sennheiser 25s, and no doubt other models, are made in Ireland and I like supporting local manufacturing and jobs.
still think they should have stuck to their own designs like the hd 2000, i mean they look okay but i prefer my nocs ns900 they look good, sound good and are metal, if not its gotta be the hd25s i think its just the pioneer branding that will sell here