Review: Sennheiser HD8 DJ Headphones

Looking for a new pair of high-quality DJ headphones? Sennheiser's HD8 DJ could be for you. With their modern design and heavy hitting sound, Sara Simms tries them on for size.  
HD8 DJ Headphones

The HD8 DJ Headphones.

I was happy when the new Sennheiser HD8 DJ headphones arrived at my doorstep. As a longtime fan of Sennheiser products, I was eager to try out their new DJ headphones. The HD8 DJ headphones sound every bit as good as they look and are able to accurately reproduce the sounds of today's heavy hitting dance music. Sennheiser has done an excellent job achieving a balance between headphones that sound great, look modern and are well-made.

Sonic Image

One of the most important aspects of any pair of headphones is the way they sound. In all frequency spectrums, the Sennheiser HD8 DJ headphones sound great without coloring the original audio. They produce a powerful sound; the bass sounds deep without being distorted, the mids are clear and the highs are bright without being overly crisp. The headphones play back music at a volume that is loud enough to be heard in club environments, a factor which is very important for professional DJs. 

Design

The HD8 DJ headphones have a design that is both stylish and durable. Their slick dark gray design looks futuristic and will appeal to most disc jocks. The headband is adjustable, fairly thick and well padded on the underside. The HD8 DJ ear cups can be clicked forwards or backwards to fit correctly. This is a useful feature, as it means the ear cups can be worn behind the ears when DJing. The ear cup lining is made of black leather, which give the headphones a luxurious look and feel. 

While the ear cups are a little smaller than most DJ headphones, they are still large enough to fit around ears and deliver the sound DJs require to put on a good performance. The headphones are successful at blocking out outside sounds, allowing DJs to hear the sounds that are being sent into their ears. The only real downside to the design is that the headband can feel uncomfortable when worn for long periods of time.

Thoughtful Features

Sennheiser has put some thought into creating special features that make the HD8 DJ headphones appealing to DJs. The headphones come with two removable cables, one coiled and one straight. Either pair of cables can be inserted into either side of the headphones, making the headphones more user-friendly. For those who don't like to use leather ear cups, the headphones ship with an extra pair of ear cups made of a felt material. The headphones can be neatly folded up and stored in the rugged black carrying case, which is large enough to store the extra set of ear cups and one of the cables. I'm a big fan of any products that include a case, especially one like this roadworthy, sturdy Sennheiser case.

In Summary

I was impressed with the quality of the Sennheiser HD8 DJ headphones, in both playback and design. The headphones deliver great quality sound and I like the minimal, dark gray design. I particularly liked the fact that the cable can be inserted on either side of the headphones, giving the DJ the choice about which ear cup they would prefer to use for their dominant ear. The headband can be a little uncomfortable to wear for long DJ sets, though some DJs may prefer the snug feeling of the headband. I would recommend that DJs try these headphones out for themselves and make their own judgements.

All in all, a well-designed pair of headphones with great sound and a few unique features that I'm sure DJs will appreciate. 

Pros:

  • Sturdy and Stylish Design.
  • Accurate sound reproduction.
  • The extra goodies: Carrying Case, Extra Cable & Ear Cups.

Cons:

  • A higher price tag than most DJ headphones.
  • Headband Can Feel Uncomfortable after long periods of use.

Price: 389.95$ US / 429.99$ CND

Web: http://en-us.sennheiser.com/on-ear-headphones-stereo-hd8-dj


Sara Simms captivates the world as an innovative musician, DJ, turntablist and electronic music producer. She's a multi-instrumentalist who's known for her love of music technology. Sara makes her mark in the music community by crafting diverse sets with styles ranging from pulsating techno to house. She balances technical skills wi... Read More

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