Audio-Technica PRO5 ATH-PRO5XBK

Rugged DJ monitors with surprisingly good sound and a nearly useless mic. Buy them for the booth, not the boardroom.

The 40mm neodymium drivers handle up to 1,500 mW of input power, which means you can push these loud without them falling apart. The frequency response stretches from 5Hz to 35kHz, so you're getting deep sub-bass rumble and crisp highs. The sound score puts these in the top third of our database, which surprised us for a DJ-focused headphone at this price. The closed-back design does a decent job isolating sound, but the ANC score is mediocre at best. These are passive isolators, not active noise cancellers. The real letdown is the mic. A 15th percentile score means your voice will sound muffled and distant on calls. These are for mixing, not meetings.

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 and Sony WH-1000XM5 are in a completely different league for comfort, ANC, and wireless features. But they also cost three to four times as much. If you need wireless freedom and top-tier noise cancellation, save up for the Sony. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra is the comfort king, but again, way more expensive. The JLab Epic Lux and QCY H3 are closer in spirit to the PRO5X, budget-friendly options with some compromises. The QCY H3 actually has ANC, but its build quality won't survive a DJ gig. For pure durability and sound at this price, the PRO5X holds its own against all of them.

At USD 87 in the US, these are a solid deal for a durable DJ monitor. Canadian buyers should shop around though. Prices range from CAD 99 to CAD 111 across two listings, so check both vendors before you buy. The cheaper CAD 99 option is the obvious pick. You're getting build quality that competes with headphones twice the price, and sound that punches above its weight class. Just don't expect wireless convenience or call quality.

The Audio-Technica ATH-PRO5X is a DJ monitor that's built like a tank and sounds better than its price suggests. The headline here is the build quality. It sits in the 91st percentile for durability, which is wild for a headphone in this range. These are the cans you toss in a gig bag without a second thought. The sound is solid too, landing well above average with a 72nd percentile score. But don't expect a do-everything headphone. The mic is nearly useless for calls, and comfort is a real weak spot for long sessions.

If you're looking for wireless convenience, active noise cancellation, or a headphone for calls and video meetings, this isn't it. Go get the Sony WH-1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra instead. If comfort is your top priority for all-day listening, the PRO5X will disappoint. These are built for short, intense mixing sessions, not marathon listening.

The ATH-PRO5X is a purpose-built tool. If you're a DJ or someone who needs a rugged, great-sounding wired headphone for mixing and monitoring, this is an easy recommendation. The build quality alone justifies the price. But if you want a daily driver for music, calls, and travel, look elsewhere. The weak mic and mediocre comfort make these a poor choice for all-day office use or video calls. Know what you're buying, and you'll be happy.