If you've always considered yourself to be something of an entertainer, you may be planning some parties for family and friends during the upcoming holiday season. You've noticed how easy it is (in relative terms) to become a computer DJ and understand the basics involved in "mixing" different tracks together, so your next move is to buy a decent set of headphones. What type do you need?
There are a large variety of headphone options on the market and it can be challenging to pick the right one. To start off with, you should analyse the different styles available and determine which would fit you best, in your particular circumstances.
Circum-Aural
At the top end of the "heavyweight" market are circum-aural headphones, which completely encompass the ears. In doing so, they create an absolute seal so that you won't hear any outside noise. Bear in mind, that due to this construction they can be rather heavy and you need to look carefully at the design of the headband as well, to make sure that you don't get very tired wearing them.
Supra-Aural
The supra-aural headphones are a little easier to wear as they sit on top of the ears, rather than going around them. As they are lighter and smaller than the preceding option, you may not get tired wearing them, but you will be aware of outside noise in a busy environment.
Sealed or Open?
As a DJ, look for earphones that have a sealed back, as they can block out ambient noise more effectively. However, some musicians prefer the open-backed version nonetheless, as it gives a better sensation of being distant from the monitor speaker, for mixing purposes.
Earbud
Of course, if you don't want to be quite as professional, you can choose earphones or earbuds that sit inside the outer ear. They are very convenient, but they're not quite as comfortable and are prone to falling out at the most inopportune moment. You're going to have an issue with ambient noise in a rowdy party environment, however and may try and turn up the volume too high in order to compensate for this.
Canal Phone
Some manufacturers have developed a hybrid which fits inside the ear canal and is sometimes known as a canal phone. Don't underestimate these as a potential choice, as they can be quite effective at blocking out environmental noise.
Determine how serious your DJ career is likely to be and the type of environment you will be playing in most often. This will allow you to narrow down your choice. Talk to a professional at businesses like Tivoli Hi-Fi Pty Ltd for further guidance.
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