If there’s one thing Pioneer DJ is known for, it’s high-quality DJ gear and devices. Whether it’s for performing DJs or music producers, you pretty much know you’re getting (and paying for) top-of-the-line quality.
This is true for all of their devices and it is true here with their HDJ series headphones.
Regarded as one of their most expansive selection of DJ headphones, their HDJ has produced some stellar entries, their most recent being the Pioneer DJ HDJ-CX.
This on-ear headphone makes a point of combining both the mixing and monitoring aspects of DJ music, offering you a more complete performing experience.
But is it worth its price?
Are the Pioneer DJ HDJ-CX Headphones Worth Buying?
At around $150, many argue that the cost is well beyond the headphone’s value, while others argue that, for everything you’re getting, it’s a steal of a price.
While it lacks in the design department, the HDJ-CX more than makes up for it with an excellent build structure, durability, and heavy emphasis on the bottom-end Bass frequency.
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Pioneer DJ HDJ-CX: First Impressions
Immediately, upon opening out of the box, we see that the Pioneer DJ HD CX you may feel that the headphones are a bit on the standard plain side.
And while there’s certainly more to it than meets the eye, you wouldn’t be wrong.
The design is a fairly standard headphone look that isn’t going to necessarily stand out in the design department
In this review, we’ll be going over everything about the CX and what it offers, so that you can walk away knowing if this is something worth your time or if you’d be better off checking something else.
Build
Its build, on the other hand, is much more impressive. The Pioneer DJ HDJ-CX headphone has a steel-core headband that makes for some quality construction. Just as well, the ear cups are as soft and comfortable as they are dense and durable.
They feel really easy on the ears without chafing around the sides.
They’re also a snug fit so you have to try if you’re trying to knock them off.
The only downside in terms of their construction is the inclusion of plastic parts. It’s not a huge issue and really comes as more of a nitpick than anything else.
Still, if you want something that has a bit more prestige in its appearance (i.e., an aluminum-based set), you’ll want to consider the plastic appearance.
Let’s Get Technical
On the more technical side, the Pioneer DJ HDJ-CX headphones aren’t too bad overall.
They weigh in at around 136 grams while having a max input power of 2000 mW and a frequency range between 5000 and 30,000 Hz.
The headphones come with a 35mm dynamic driver as well as a 1.6m straight cable and a 1.2mm coiled cable. It also comes with a threaded 6.3mm stereo plug adapter and an additional pair of ear pads.
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Deeper Look
Outside of its physical build, the Pioneer DJ HDJ-CX comes with a few other design features that are worth highlighting.
Sound Levels
In terms of the headphone’s sound levels, the Pioneer DJ HDJ-CX delivers quite soundly on all three fronts.
Lows
Its low-end sound frequencies are a main focus for the Pioneer DJ HDJ-CX, with bass extensions that cut fairly deeply while also asserting themselves before everything else so that it’s the first thing you notice when mixing or playing your tracks.
Still, despite this impactful nature, the bass isn’t volatile, but rather able to put out an incredibly steady resonance, managing to keep any sound bleed to an all-out minimum.
On the other hand, the sub-bass has some serious kick thanks to dense sound timbre, making it clearly known whenever you plan to raise the bass a notch.
The same is true for the mid-bass, which makes a point of offering that extra pump hit that you need to really set the sound off.
Mids
Though not quite amped to the same degree as the low-end bass, the mid-range sound frequencies still retain a fair amount of sound retention, Here, you’ll note some striking sound clarity and detail that can be felt around the rest of the sound spectrum.
This is despite there still being a fair amount of resolution available for both the vocals and the instruments.
Even the upper mid bump offered is an enjoyable and appreciated inclusion, making many of the different sound details pop out.
Highs
Lastly, the CX’s high trebles are the weakest of the three, though still capable in their own right. As with most DJ headphones, they naturally give way to the lows and mids.
That said, here, the highs carry a flat timbre that is both incredibly even while also being quite well communicated.
This results in a strong sense of sound clarity along with a good amount of volume so you can easily hear the highs and everything that they have to offer.
Overall Performance
If you’re expecting a lot of what other soundstage DJ headphones have to offer, you’ll be surprised to see that these closed-back headphones very much do their own thing, often ending up better than many alternatives on the market.
A prime example of this is how other headphones have the problem of fusing around the center of the mix compared to the Pioneer DJ HDJ-CX which ensures these obstruction frequency layers never arise.
The Pioneer DJ HDJ-CX is able to consistently present a linear stereo field while ensuring that the left and right channels are positioned with pristine accuracy.
It may have a slight issue with sounds overlapping, but it more than makes up for it due to its solid reference when things are in the mix.
What We Like
- Has Detachable Cable Wires
- Durable Physical Build
- All EQ Sound Levels (Bass, Mids, & Highs) Are Great
What We Do Not Like:
- Pads Are A Bit Meh Compared To Other Headphone Options
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Pioneer DJ HDJ-CX: The Verdict
While it lacks in the looks department, the Pioneer DJ HDJ-CX more than makes up for it in its quality build structure, durable headphones, and heavy emphasis on its bass.
In terms of what it offers compared to how it’s priced, I can say that the Pioneer DJ HDJ-CX does sit well in the $150 range. It’s not a steal nor is it stealing from you.
If you have the funds and need a quality headphone set that gives a strong bass, the HDJ-CX has a lot of love to give.
