The Hercules HDP DJ-Pro M1001 headphones feature the company’s logo on the headband, and may be a good match if you have other Hercules gear such as a controller or their speakers.
Hercules doesn’t only make budget to mid-range DJ controllers and small speaker systems; it also has some headphones in its range, of which today’s review item, the HDP DJ-Pro M1001, is one model.
While there are a glut of mid-priced headphones out there, the truth is that many people, once they buy a controller, look to buy accessories to match – hence, I guess, why manufacturers all feel the need to have their own headphones. But how good are the HDP DJ-Pro M1001s? Let’s find out…
First impressions
They come in a lined, stitched plastic drawstring bag, and on first inspection, they look alright. They’re styled as full-sized headphones, which means big and chunky with deep earcups, thick padding, and a wide, thick headband.
These are trimmed in blue, and one nice touch is that the outer edge of the earcup is styled with the same diagonal lines as used on Hercules’s DJ controller jogwheels.
They are clearly ’DJ headphones’, but the design isn’t especially refined, and there’s lots of plastic.
The company’s catchphrase “digital core analog roots” is written in blue across the top of the headband and also features in white stitching on the padded underside of the headband.
The hinges are of undeterminable strength, as they’re encased in plastic, and the whole hinge area is rather wide, which gives quite a cheap feel as all of this section is simply black plastic.
One nice touch is thast the coiled cable supplied (that has the usual 1/8″ to 1/4″ adaptor on one end) is detatchable, but more than that, you can attach it to either the left or the right-hand earcup, depending on whether you’re left-or right-handed. Depending on which hand you habitually grab your headphones with to remove them, this may make things more comfortable for you, and is something I’ve not seen before.
In use
The headphone exhibit a vice-like grip on your head, which is acceptable, indeed preferable, in DJ headphones, as the harder they’re pushed into your ears, the more they block out external noise.
However in this case I think they are a bit too tight, because they aren’t the most comfortable. I actually found it harder than with most to put them on and take them off, due to the pretty tight headband and its lack of flexibility.
The level of isolation offered by the faux leather padding and earcups was good, but not excellent.
The sound quality was perfectly good for DJ monitoring, with all the frequencies there. I found them overall to be a little tinny and top-heavy, and the level of isolation offered by the faux leather padding and earcups was good, but not excellent.
The earcups have good rotation forward, but not backwards, and also they rotate downwards way past 90 degress, so no complaints there. I did find the very wide couplings to the headband to be a bit clunky and intrusive, though.
Conclusion
These headphones perform pretty well, and the detachable cable, choice of left or right earcup cable attachment, and overall sound quality are commendable for a mid-priced DJ headphone.
Have a look before you buy, because you may find the styling and fit to be more to your taste than I did.
However, when you hit this kind of price bracket, you expect decent design too, and I found these to be overly pasticky and a little ugly. They’re also not the most comfortable to wear, and again, once you hit this price point, real leather rather than plastic would be nice in the earcup.
There’s also a question mark over how strong those hinges are; I may be wrong, but they look completely plastic to me which doesn’t bode well for the abuse headphones invariably get when they’re in nightly use.
In conclusion, if you’re interested you should check them out for yourself, because if you’re trying to match your headphones to other Hercules gear, and you find the sound quality and fit to be to your taste, they’re a reasonsable buy.
This would be especially so if you could get them a little cheaper than the list price, to make up for the underwhelming design and so-so quality of the materials used.
Video
Summary
We like:
- Detachable cable with choice of sides for attaching
- Good rotation in earcups
- Decent sound quality
We don’t like:
- So-so design
- Plasticky
- Possibly weak hinges
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Product details:
Price: US$151
Buy from: Amazon.com
What do you think?
Do you own these headphones? What headphone would you recommend in this price bracket? Do you feel a need to buy headphones that match the style and branding of the rest of your DJ gear? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
Now go to:
Review & Video: Hercules DJ Control Instinct With DJUCED Software
Review & Video: Hercules XPS 2.0 60 DJ Set Speakers
Review: Hercules DJ Control AIR DJ Controller
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Tags: hdp dj-pro m1001 review, hercules headphones
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Looking at the price, the Reloop RHP-20 seem a much better buy. Just a little bit more expensive, but aliminium built and with a mini-xlr.
Plus, the brand Hercules does not really appeal to me. That could be just me of course
[ link ]No, is not just you. Hercules screems out lowbudget!
[ link ]Save up and get a pair of good headphones. I always go for Pioneer, but Sony, A&H and Senheiser are good too.
Well, their controllers are pretty fine, espeacially the RMX 2 and the Dj Console 4MX.
[ link ]I would also add that many of the top brand headphones are made in exactly the same factory, and many just take off one logo and add another. It pays to trust your ears, and consider price etc too, not just to go blindly with the biggest brands necessarily.
[ link ]In my completely honest opinion, the Sennheiser HD-25II’s are the best buy in terms of DJ headphones. Super replaceable, and very sturdy, amazing isolation and sound quality.
I feel like these headphones are really gimmicky by being labeled “DJ Headphones” and definitely lack function in an attempt to look “dj’y”. Anything that is comfortable, has good sound isolation, and great sound reproduction can be used as DJ headphones.
[ link ]I’ve had a pair of these for around 8 months or so now, and the tight headband was only an issue for the first 2 weeks or so. It loosens up pretty nicely, to the point that they now stay on my head perfectly but aren’t uncomfortable or or an issue to take off. Actually I’d say they are probably the comfiest headphones I’ve had (although I haven’t had too many pairs in my time)
And the swivels are still doing fine, still feel good as new
[ link ]Thanks for the long-term feedback!
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