The Zomo HD-120 reviewed: a different take on DJ monitoring.
The Zomo HD-120 mono-stick headphone (or “monophone”) is something I reckon you’re either going to love, or hate. Setting aside the colour (there are several variations available), the very idea of DJing with just one ear is bound to polarise people.
I spent some time with it, including using it for a real DJ gig, in order to work out how practical it is and who might be interested in such a device. Today I’ve got a full review and a video talkthrough of the Zomo HD-120 – an unusual headphone indeed.
First impressions
I quite liked it, but my partner said she thought it was awful! As I say, it can polarise people, and that’s even before they’ve used it.
I quite liked it, but my partner said she thought it was awful!
In the hand it feels like a sturdy, well-built thing, with an ergonomic foam grip that has the “Zomo” logo in grey on the back of it, and a smart spot-colour / chrome / matt rubber earcup that has a choice of detachable pads – one velour, one leather effect.
The cable is a standard DJ-style coiled effort, with a right-angle 1/8″ TRS connector for your DJ controller or mixer that comes with the usual 1/4″ adaptor attached. and a chunky XLR connector on the headphones end – a nice touch, that lends a feel of professionalism to the HD-120.
In use
Obviously the way you use this is going to be different to how you use most other headphones.
A chunky XLR on the end gives it a professional feel, a little like a microphone – which at a push, it could double up as (try it)…
DJ monitoring is a personal thing, with some DJs keeping their headphones permanently on their heads (but only one ear), some permanently on both ears, others round their necks, using one or two ears to monitor as they see fit.
So the way you would potentially take to this would likely be wildly different from the next DJ.
Me? I usually DJ holding one earcup of my headphones to my ear with my shoulder, leaving both hands free for mixing, and allowing me to make the music in my ear louder or softer by squeezing harder or releasing the pressure from my shoulder (believe me, it’s only the HD-150 that’s got me thinking about this at all!).
And actually, I found it to be fine for my style of DJing, and quite good fun. It’s loud enough, and while it’s pretty hard to assess sound quality on only one ear (again, something I’ve just found out!), it sounds fine and has the clarity and punch necessary for DJing. It’s also undeniably an attention-grabber.
Conclusion
Ultimately, there’s one reason why this isn’t for me. Turns out that while I do indeed use my normal two-cupped headphones in a way that’s compatible with using one of these, there’s actually a part of my DJing that the HD-120 can’t help me with.
You’ll either like this, or really not want anything to do with it!
When I can’t decide which of two or three tunes to play next, I usually put one of the contenders on in my headphones, put them on both ears, turn them up, close my eyes and let the tune take over. If I’m feeling it, I’ll know fast and I’ll use it, or if not, I’ll decide equally as fast to try something else. And as there’s no way you can do this with a mono-stick style headphone, it’s a no-go in my DJ bag.
But as I said at the start, you’ll either like this, or really not want anything to do with it! If you think this kind of headphone would suit your (there are several colours to choose from. too), the Zomo HD-120 a competent example of the style. It’s well made, there’s a decent DJ lead provided, and it sounds good enough.
So the question is: Are you a monophone-type guy (or girl)?
Video
Summary
We like:
- Unusual, eye-catching design
- Sturdy build
- Chunky, detachable DJ cable
We don’t like:
- Design won’t suit everyone’s DJing
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Product details:
Weight: 0.6lb (0.26kg)
Price: US€89
Buy from: Amazon.com
What do you think?
So do you love or hate this design? Have you sever seen a DJ using a monophone design? Have you ever used one? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
Now go to:
Review & Video: Zomo HD-1200 DJ Headphones
Review & Video: Zomo MC-1000 DJ Midi Controller
How to Choose a Pair of DJ Headphones
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Tags: dj headphones, hd-120, mono-stick, monophone, zomo
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
I use 2 hands when mixing with the effects, EQ’s and volume faders and more…..to loose one of those hands to hold the headphone would kill my mixing style
[ link ]As I state in the white HDJ artical I’m going to get a replacement and 99% sure it’s going to be HDJ 1500 white. I also for the most part only monitor with one ear. But with these kind og headphones you loose one important part of your mixing. One hand so I’ll jump in the boad of no way I’m going to use this
one ear two hands for me. 
[ link ]I have been using a payphone receiver for the last 30 years. Those phones are indestructable and made for loud environments. I would imagine that the sound quality may be a little better with this new device. But, since I only use the headphone for queing…I’ll stick to what I have.
[ link ]I have been using one of these for over 2 years, week in and week out. Whilst I was initially worried that it would not last, it has. It is repairable if need be and ideal for what I do. I work in the old style of mixing with monitor speakers rather than in headphones.
[ link ]I do not use my shoulder even when monitoring with one ear plus there are times, like Phil, that I need to monitor with both of my ears so this, for me, is strictly a no-go.
[ link ]First off, this headphone is part of an esoteric aesthetic.
This headphone is not for everyone. There are pictures and video of New York DJs using this type of headphones since the mid 70′s. This headphone is typically for DJs that use rotary knob mixers.
Google: Tony Humphries, Larry Levan, Nicky Siano and Frankie Knuckles.
If you use a Pioneer mixer or an all-in-one controller, this is not for you. But if you are like me and use deck only controllers (Denon DN-SC2000) with analog rotary knob mixers, then this might be for you. Lastly, as Phil mentioned, if you are trying to figure out what you will play next, then this will not help. You must plan ahead and/or know your music well.
[ link ]I’ve been using a Mono headphone for over 15 years. I just cut one head phone off, It’s mono and sometimes if the song has been cued hard right (I use the left headphone) you’ll miss out a bit. I read the file wave form as well so you know where you have to cue a song without even listening to it. After playing the song many times any dj should be able to cue the song just by looking at it.
I think just buying a heaadphone your comfortable with and cutting one headphone off and going that way is cheaper and just as effective…..
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