Pioneer’s HDJ-1000 can be considered as one of the best headphones from Pioneer. But how do you improve something that’s already great from start? Well, they throw in some new shades to the dated design. Gold cups aren’t really my taste, but perhaps some people will love it. The headphone is getting a extrovert gold number above and an understated all-black look. Pioneer hasn’t left the innards completely untouched, however, as it has nipped and tucked a few bits to allow better low-range reproduction and a more comfortable fit overall. I’m not sure those golden stuff justify the $209 that they’re asking now.

“Much like our players and mixers, Pioneer headphones are designed for both style and performance. We have a versatile line-up of headphones that are sure to complement many DJ levels. The new HDJ-1000s will not only catch your eye, but also please your ears,” said David Arevalo, senior marketing manager, Professional Sound and Visual Division for Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc.

Many DJs are as critical of the look of their gear as they are with its audio performance. The HDJ-1000 headphones provide the high-quality sound that DJs expect as well as choices of colors and styles that make a fashion statement. The HDJ-1000 headphones come in two new colors, black and gold, in addition to the original chrome model. The black version resonates with a more sophisticated look, while the gold version provides a more glitzy style.

To obtain the best audio reproduction possible, the drivers in the HDJ-1000 headphones were tuned to deliver more impact in the lower bass frequencies of music. Its thick 38 micrometers diaphragm and 1.5 mm voice coil are more efficient in generating the critical midrange and mid-bass frequencies in music and produce a more linear response even at high volume levels.

Furthermore, the mono/stereo selector circuit was modified to obtain clearer playback, especially in the midrange frequencies. With this change, the headphones deliver sounds such as bass drums, snare drums and cymbals with more impact.

For maximum comfort, the headphones use low rebound urethane for the ear pads providing a better fit and increased comfort when used for long DJ sessions. Along with the urethane pads, the design of the headphones wrap around the ears to achieve excellent sound insulation, making monitoring effortless even in the noisiest environments.