Thanks for checking out this Pioneer Pro HDJ-2000 MK2 Review.
The Pioneer Pro HDJ-2000MK2-K model stands tall in the Pioneer DJ lineup of headphones because it carries the best features of its predecessors and much more.
The flagship HDJ-2000s were hailed for their excellent sound separation from powerful bass to crisp trebles.
Pioneer did a great job at keeping all that in and taking in DJs feedback to come up with the next generation HDJ-2000MK2s. The company certainly did not compromise on audio quality, enhanced sounds isolation, and comfort. In the HDJ-2000MK2s, you get a great set of headphones that are a perfect choice for any pro-DJ out there.
Their price tag is quite high but definitely worth it – especially compared to similarly-priced headphones.
Available in black and silver, they have low-volume air chambers and airtight stitching to up the noise cancellation and deliver the impeccable sound needed for monitoring in the loudest of environments.
These headphones come in a rather conspicuous box. In it you will find a protective carrying case, a 4 ft coiled cable that extends to 10 ft, a 5.2 ft straight cable and a 1/8″ to 1/4″ adapter. One side of the zippered protective case is netted to store the cables and adapter while the other has a band to hold the folded headphones in place.
Much like its predecessor, the HDJ-2000MK2 model comes in a sleek yet simple design that complements its high quality and performance. It maintains a minimal and classic look while also appearing to be a new age model.
Design
In terms of overall design, the HDJ-2000MK2 headphones were certainly built with comfort in mind.
The soft leather-like ear pads made of urethane memory foam are unapologetically thick to ensure a snug fit and comfort over long periods of time. You could wear these headphones for hours on end and not feel uncomfortable.
The headband, which is made of a strong yet lightweight magnesium alloy, has more of an oblong shape instead of a circular shape. It is also well-padded, enabling it to sit comfortably on your head. The overall design allows you to lock both sides and easily adjust the length of the headband so that it can specifically fit your head size.
These headphones are not very heavy. They weigh 298 grams without the cord. They are predominantly less bulky than other full-sized DJ headphones.
A great feature on the HDJ-2000MK2 is the double-hinging mechanism. With it, the cups can literally move down and out the headband at a 270-degree angle or so. On top of this, the cups swivel a full 90 degrees.
What all this means is that these headphones can create a football-like shape that enables portability and compact storage in between gigs. This also means that the headphones allow all kinds of one-ear listening situations.
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One thing to remember is that the hinges on these headphones are made of metal. This means there is a lot of wear and tear that they can take before any lasting damage happens. Durability was certainly a factor that Pioneer took into account when making the HDJ-2000MK2s.
Another interesting feature about these headphones is the Mono/Stereo switch on the left earcup. It allows for easy monitoring of tracks while DJing.
A further look into the HDJ-2000MK2 model will reveal another great feature. In place of the traditional 3.5mm audio connector, there’s a mini-XLR connector with an L-type mini-jack that prevents accidental disconnection during a performance.
But a major flaw, however, is that the cable connection comes in the form of Pioneer’s weird three-prong connector.
It’s anyone’s guess why Pioneer decided on this three-prong connector instead of the universally accepted 3.5mm connector. Some argue that the audio could have been improved with the 3.5mm cable but that is indeed debatable.
Performance
Pioneer went all out for the HDJ-2000MK2’s sound isolation.
As mentioned earlier, the model’s cups boast of low-volume air chambers and airtight stitching and this enables high-quality sound isolation.
These headphones isolate low and mid frequencies by as much as seven decibels, compared to HDJ-2000s. This means that there is less strain on the ears. And this further means that a lower volume is needed here than on similar headphones.
When testing the HDJ-2000MK2 headphones, they seemed to pass the most important test that any headphones can pass.
The high-volume test.
When the volume was maxed out on these, there was no distortion.
In terms of general sound quality, these headphones passed the test too. With them, you can really pick out the clean highs, detailed mids and plenty of refined bass.
The latter is the most significant feature of these cans. This is thanks to the large 50mm drivers placed in each ear cup. They deliver just the right amount bass – they don’t really overdo it.
Listening to Hip-hop and EDM is a pleasure with these headphones due to the rich bass. Classic songs receive a refined bass too but in a way that doesn’t drown the vocals. In terms of frequencies, the treble and the sub-bass are flawless.
These headphones deliver a pristine crispness across all type of music genres and volume adjustments.
They are made for DJs (as the name suggests) but they are also great for the studio.
Conclusion
The HDJ-2000MK2 model is a great set of headphones for any DJ looking for great sound quality, excellent sound isolation, and comfort. The price ($426), however, is something else – something that can deter a lot of people from making the purchase.
But when looking at the headphones closely, one will realize why they cost that much. They come in a protective casing, they are well-built, they are foldable and they are durable on top of the above-mentioned qualities.
They are also quite versatile. They are not only for DJs. You can use them on your Playstation, to watch TV shows and even movies.
So if you willing to overlook the price tag and get your hands on these cans, you certainly will not regret the decision.
All in all, we highly recommend them. Thanks for reading our full HDJ-2000 MK2 Review.