Sennheiser HD-8 DJ Headphone Review – DJ and Professional Choice

Perhaps one of the candidates for the most popular headphones of all time could be the Sennheiser HD-25’s which were first released in 1988 and can still be found today, although in a more contemporary design.  Many would claim these to be the most likely runaway winner and, if popularity alone through time is any indication, we would have to agree.

Sennheiser has now released the successor to the HD-25 in the HD-8 DJ and, if you are a media professional who spends hours on end with a set of headphones on your head, these definitely merit a close look.  A word to the wise though, the HD-8 DJs forge new ideas on just what professional headphones should be, no doubt the years of advise provided DJ’s and studio professionals.

Crafted from both metal and plastics in a gun metal look, the HD8 DJ’s are solid, yet very flexible with a headband that can be twisted almost 180 degrees, along with plenty of swivel and earcup movement to fit all.  There is so much flexibility, in fact, that some might think their construction to be secondary, at least until you get these babies in your hands.

Combined with an amazing feel and build quality, there is a perfect blend of metal and highly durable plastics to guarantee these HD8 DJ’s will be around for years to come.  After all, what else could we ask of HD-25 successors?

What other measure of comfort can one provide but for a 200 lb English Mastiff named Diesel who loves the sound of music?  Actually, you will notice perfectly from this picture that these headphones sit completely different from anything you have worn previous.  The band sits forward on your head and there is a swivel that allow the cups to rotate from their closed position, to three sizing positions for a total of 210 degrees.

The only negative we find in this design is the fact that the band rests on that soft spot of the head that we guard so carefully in young children, and can take a bit to adjust properly. The benefit for DJ’s and studio professionals is that one cup can be completely folded behind the ear with the other still in place.

The earpiece is circumaural (or over-ear) with a driver that boasts an incredible frequency response of 8-30,000Hz with 95 Ohm impedance and 115 SPL, all of this with less than 1% THD.  Simply, if you like your music loud, use care with the HD-8 DJ’s.  Included in the case are both leatherette and velour cushions that can be switched off quite easily as they click into place, and they provide the perfect distance from the drivers that are covered by a very attractive blue fabric.