I miss my Sennheiser HD 25 – but squint and these DJ on-ears could be them

Danish firm AIAIAI might have a fix for my ageing cheap DJ cans

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Sometimes, a set of headphones is decreed so good for the money it bypasses mere popularity to become a must-own item – a certificate of knowledge or guaranteed access to the audio elite, if you will.

I’m talking about the cans that get passed around music-making circles. These are the headphones you see draped around the necks of the professional and everyday listener alike – see theSony WH-1000XM3(which have nowpassed over to the big gig in the sky),Apple AirPods, theBose QC 35 IIand the model I want to talk about here, my belovedSennheiser HD 25(seen below in a nifty blue option, but sadly only available in India).

The HD 25 were originally released in 1988 and the subsequent Bluetooth-enabled option, the excellentSennheiser HD 250BT, came along in January 2021.

When cutting my teeth as an audio journo several years ago, Sennheiser’s cheap HD 25 on-ears, ubiquitous among disc jockeys, were handed to me so I might at leastlookclued up in the audio game. I wore them everywhere. I managed to nab myself the75th anniversary pairin 2020, while working for TechRadar’s sister publication, What Hi-Fi?

Although they are still working, I’ve put these cheap headphones through hell and high water over the years, and their exposed wiring does mean they could use an update. I would love a new pair of either the wireless HD 250BT or the HD 25. Here in the UK though, that is not so easy, sadly – Sennheiser’s UK website hides the HD 25 away and the 250BT are listed as “phased out”.

What to do? Well, Danish firm AIAIAI has just released a set of similarly priced “headphones aimed at DJs” that could be mistaken for my beloved HD 25 in low lighting – and mixing desks often operate under cover of darkness, don’t they?

So let’s take a gander.

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Opinion: if imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, AIAIAI just wrote a love letter to Sennheiser

The AIAIAI TMA-2 DJ XE headphones (yes, bit of a mouthful) are an expansion of the Danish audio specialist’s TMA-2 DJ headphone line, targeted at DJs. And like my HD 25, the TMA-2 DJ XE on-ears don’t weigh much at 168g (the HD 25 came in at 140g, without cables).

The TMA-2 DJ XE also feature signature bio-diaphragm drivers, on-ear foam cushions covered in PU leather for “enhanced isolation and punchy sound representation” and a “modular headphone system”, which allows for interchangeable ear pads, cables and speaker units.

“The process of making music today is more dynamic than ever,” Frederik Jørgensen, AIAIAI founder, said. “Creators demand to pursue inspiration wherever and whenever it strikes. Our XE line is designed for this – more versatile, cross functional and lightweight – ready for any scenario,” he added.

The TMA-2 DJ headphones retail at$140/£120and are available to pre-order now.

Could they make our way into a roundup containing only thebest cheap headphoneswe’ve tested, or even feature as a budget pick within ourbest wired headphonesbuying guide? It’s possible. The company’sTMA-2 Studio Wireless+didn’t exactly wow us, but theTMA-2 Ninja Tune Editionprove there’s plenty of talent there.

Becky became Audio Editor at TechRadar in 2024, but joined the team in 2022 as Senior Staff Writer, focusing on all things hi-fi. Before this, she spent three years at What Hi-Fi? testing and reviewing everything from wallet-friendly wireless earbuds to huge high-end sound systems. Prior to gaining her MA in Journalism in 2018, Becky freelanced as an arts critic alongside a 22-year career as a professional dancer and aerialist – any love of dance starts with a love of music. Becky has previously contributed to Stuff, FourFourTwo and The Stage. When not writing, she can still be found throwing shapes in a dance studio, these days with varying degrees of success.

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