When I worked at Audio46, a few young customers walked up to me and asked, “What headphones does John Summit Use?”
At first, I didn’t know who he was, but after a quick research on the internet, I learned that he is a world-renowned DJ and what headphones he uses.
It got me thinking that many of you might have the same question, which is the inspiration behind this article.
What Headphones Does John Summit Use?
John Summit uses Sennheiser HD 25 on-ear headphones and can be seen using them in several of his live concerts and music videos. You can see him using the headphones during his Madison Square Garden concert and live performance in Savaya, Bali.
The Sennheiser HD 25 is popular among famous DJs like Martin Garrix, David Guetta, Calvin Harris, and more.
Owing to the headphones’ popularity, Sennheiser has also launched numerous versions like Sennheiser HD 25 Lite, HD 25 Plus, and HD 25 Special Edition.
Who is John Summit?
John Summit is a world-renowned DJ who had his early career breakthrough with his hit single ‘Deep End’ released in 2020.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, John Summit saw a meteoric rise while amassing close to 8 million monthly listeners on Spotify by September 2023.
John Summit usually plays house & techno genres of dance music. He has been labeled as “the hottest name in dance music” by Rolling Stones magazine.
Apart from being a professional DJ, John Summit is a music producer and remixer who has performed in popular music festivals like Tomorrowland, Coachella, and Lollapalooza.
Why does John Summit Use Sennheiser HD 25?
The Sennheiser HD 25 is built from the ground up as a DJ headphone. It has numerous features that make it super friendly for professional as well as aspiring DJs.
The most important feature is its lightweight design, making it a preferred choice among professional DJs. The Sennheiser HD 25 is incredibly lightweight and weighs less than 140 grams.
Since professional DJs play their set for several hours at once, the low weight considerably reduces neck strain. After the set, the lightweight design makes the headphones easy to carry.
Another feature that makes this DJ headphone a favorite is its form factor. It includes several positive points like:
- On-ear design
- Splittable headband
- Long cable
- Foldable design
- Exposed wiring
- Left ear cup pivots (for single-ear monitoring)
- Replaceable parts
The splittable headband is a unique feature that I’ve not seen in other DJ headphones. The headband has two different pieces with faux leather padding.
Thus, you can keep the headband together to form a thick headband or split them for better comfort.
This design doesn’t ruin a DJ’s hairstyle, but, most importantly, the splittable headband offers better weight distribution.
While 140 grams of on-ear headphones may seem lightweight; however, using them even for an hour can strain your neck. Hence, the headband splits into two parts with a few inches of distance between them, offering improved weight distribution.
Sennheiser HD 25 Sound Quality
For the price, the Sennheiser HD 25 offers a clear and detailed sound signature.
From my experience of using the headphones, the sound isn’t 100% accurate, which a DJ doesn’t need during a live set. But it has a lively yet tight bass and a slightly boosted midrange.
It has excellent noise isolation for an on-ear headphone design. After wearing them, I couldn’t hear the ambient noise as much as other on-ear headphones.
Apart from this, the Sennheiser HD 25 also has a loud sound output, which makes it audible when playing for a large crowd.
Sennheiser HD 25 Pricing
If you’re starting your DJing journey, the Sennheiser HD 25 may seem a bit pricey since it costs around $150.
However, for professional DJs like John Summit, $150 is a small price to pay. It’s because the headphones can break anytime, get lost, or have faster wear and tear. Hence, they’re easier to replace, and he usually buys them in bulk.
As mentioned above, the HD 25 is also available in different versions, such as the HD 25 Lite ($100), HD 25 Plus ($175), and HD 25 Special Edition ($200).
Hence, as a beginner, you can get the Sennheiser HD 25 Lite and save money for other DJing equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can beginner DJs use Sennheiser HD 25 headphones?
Yes, the Sennheiser HD 25 is an excellent choice for beginner DJs. Sure, the headphones are costly for beginner DJs but ideal for indoor and outdoor usage.
Can I use Sennheiser HD 25 for everyday listening?
Yes, the Sennheiser HD 25 is ideal for everyday listening if you prefer a flatter frequency response. However, the headphones aren’t suitable for commuting due to their excessively long cable.
Conclusion
Now that you know which headphones John Summit uses, do you plan to get the same or have better DJ headphones in mind?
The Sennheiser HD 25 is popular among several professional DJs, including John Summit. Even if you’re an aspiring DJ, you can’t go wrong with the Sennheiser HD 25. If you have any questions about Sennheiser HD 25 that I missed covering in this article, please don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments section below.