Review: Beyerdynamic DJ 300 Pro X

Beyerdynamic DJ 300 Pro X is a pair of wired closed-back headphones that, as the name suggests, are intended specifically for DJ environments. It quickly becomes apparent that certain aspects are more prominent than others, such as robustness, foldability, a smart cable, and a transport bag. Sound-wise, we aren’t entirely impressed, even though there is plenty of power. The DJ 300 Pro X has a special trick: it can easily be transformed from a pair of over-ear headphones to a pair of on-ear headphones. This also serves a clear purpose, along with a few other details that make the Beyerdynamic DJ 300 Pro X an interesting pair of headphones.

Fit and Build Quality

When we tested the Beyerdynamic Aventho 100, which is also a pair of on-ear headphones, the fit was a specific problem. They were too small for large heads, which affected the soundstage and made them outright uncomfortable over time. The DJ 300 Pro X does not suffer from similar limitations; it offers plenty of room for all head sizes. It is possible that Beyerdynamic actually considered that a head covering might need to fit underneath them. As mentioned in the introduction, these headphones are robust; they feel durable and purpose-oriented.

Regarding the included cable, Beyerdynamic has really put some thought into it. To begin with, you can easily switch the connection from left to right so the cable isn’t in the way, depending on where your signal source is located. The cable is 1.5 meters long but includes a coiled section that is cleverly placed closer to the audio source than the headphones themselves. This provides reach while minimizing the risk of tangling near the headphones. At the end of the cable, you get the almost mandatory 6.35 mm adapter on top of a traditional 3.5 mm male plug.

On-ear/Over-ear

The idea of having both options in the same pair of headphones is clever. With the over-ear pads, you get good isolation, which is a must in most DJ environments. However, this isn’t necessary in every scenario, and anyone who has worn over-ear headphones for an extended period in a warm environment while being active knows that the temperature inevitably rises. Therefore, it is quite useful to switch to on-ear for those instances where you know the DJ gig won’t consistently involve extremely high volume levels (compare a club to a wedding, for example). The isolation with the on-ear option on the DJ 300 Pro X remains relatively high, but it is significantly cooler and more comfortable. Additionally, it is easier to tuck one cup behind your ear when you need to hear your surroundings.

 Sound quality is unfortunately neglected

When we test wired headphones, we make sure to provide them with the right conditions. In this test, we tried them with the streaming service Qobuz via a FiiO K5 Pro and from a phone via a Moondrop Echo-A. Unfortunately, we weren’t particularly impressed. The sound is delivered by a pair of 45mm dynamic drivers, so there is power, but the soundstage is unbalanced and changes depending on which ear pads you have mounted. There is more bass with on-ear and more spaciousness with over-ear. However, throughout the experience, we lacked clarity and treble. Despite about 24 hours of burn-in, the sound feels dull, and you find yourself wanting to adjust the EQ to get some crispness. Other technical specifications include an impedance of just 48 ohms, meaning you can drive them with almost anything. The frequency range is 5 – 35,000 Hz, which is sufficient but doesn’t stand out.

As mentioned, there is good punch in them, and we deliberately tested them with more music in the EDM and trance genres. With tracks like Ferry Corsten – Force of Gravity, Armin van Buuren – This is what it feels like, or Sander van Doorn – Rage, the DJ 300 Pro X feels at home. You hear everything, and as a tool, they are perfect. But at the same time, many of these songs are extremely well-produced with high quality, where stereo effects are mixed with crisp and “larger than life” sounds. And that part doesn’t come through. If we switch to other genres like Alan Jackson – Drive, Rob Zombie – Feel So Numb, or Apparat – Goodbye, things don’t get any better. The details are there, but it never sparkles, so for everyday use, there are more suitable headphones.

Another part of the soundstage that we can’t get over is that the upper midrange is overemphasized to the point where you periodically want to lower the volume. It’s possible that this specific part of the soundstage is extra important in DJ contexts, but in other situations, it becomes a burden.

The Bottom Line – Beyerdynamic DJ 300 Pro X

Let’s start with the price. You have to pay about 2,200 SEK for the DJ 300 Pro X, which in our eyes is quite a lot. The headphones have their specialties, but in terms of sound, they should cost less. Especially when compared to, for example, the acclaimed and ever-present Audio Technica ATH-M50X , which you can get for about 1,700 SEK. They have a softer fit (which could partly be due to use and age), but above all, they have a significantly clearer and more distinct soundstage throughout. But sure, you can’t convert them into a pair of on-ear headphones, which has its clear advantages as described above.

Beyerdynamic doesn’t quite go all the way with the DJ 300 Pro X, but we like the concept and the possibilities.

Beyerdynamic sent a test product for this review. The sender of the material has no editorial influence on our tests.