Although it’s hard to say for certain that they can persevere through anything without months of experimentation – they seem durable. Compared to previous products like the HDJ-2000MK2 which acted as inspiration for the HDJ-X10s, there are some things you might miss from the older products. The slimmer form factor of the 2000MK2 DJ headphones will be more appealing to some. The HDJ-X10s are the world's first DJ headphones to produce high-resolution sound ranging from 5 Hz to 40 kHz, allowing you to hear frequencies other DJ headphones can't reproduce.

Today, Pioneer DJ fans can access everything from state-of-the-art controllers to turntables and even headphones. The carrying case is resilient but compact, making it a great choice when you need something to slip into your kit bag. Older products in the HDJ line were more likely to feature bulky cases.Second, the biggest change in the HDJ-X10, which is quite obvious even for users of other DJ headphones, is the ultra-wide soundstage. The left channel sounds like it was pushed way out left, and ditto for the right channel. I would go so far as to say that the stereo field sounds exagerrated, with the impression that you’re “inside” a piece of music as opposed to listening to it “in front” of you. This is not necessarily a bad thing, nor is it a good thing, but this is the signature characteristic of the HDJ-X10, and something that you will either love or hate. I didn’t like it at first, but it grew on me the longer I used it – humans are great at adapting, for better or worse.

More so than in the studio, you’re likely to move around while DJing and – depending on your style of mixing – move your headphones on and off your ears as you mix. This is where durability and flexibility comes in. Comfort is important too though; no one needs an awkward set of headphones uncomfortably squeezing their head several hours into a marathon DJ set. Keep your headphones looking fresh for longer. The polyurethane leather ear pads and headband cushion on the HDJ-X10 headphones are resistant to deterioration thanks to the use of nano coating, a world first for DJ headphones, so you can easily wipe off sweat and dirt.

Tech spec

The HDJ-X10 headphones are equipped with our new 50-mm high definition driver, making them the world's first DJ headphones to reproduce high-resolution sound from 5 Hz to 40 kHz. The direct drive structure, with a newly developed diaphragm shape and voice coil, delivers high quality sound without loss of quality due to mechanic loss. The Crossfade range has recently hit its third iteration. Changes include a variety of new colour options and a slightly punchier sound. The headline feature of Crossfade 3, however, is the improved wireless battery life, quoted as up-to 30 hours from a single charge.

The polyurethane leather ear pads and headband cushion are resistant to deterioration thanks to the use of nano coating, so you can easily wipe off sweat and dirt.The comfortable fit and noise isolation would even make this a good choice as a pair of headphones to use in an office where you don’t want anyone bothering you while you work. Hi-Res audio Hi-Res audio files could make a slight difference in sound quality, but you’re going to need to play on a top notch sound system in a properly tuned room, such as in Ministry Of Sound’s The Box, to fully maximise its aural advantages. Designed for comfort through periods of extended use, the Pioneer DJ HDJ-X10 headphones are great for people who will be spending several hours in action. Pioneer recommends items like the CDJ-2000NXS2 for this, but you can look around to find out what works best for your kit.