Gemini Pro Audio HSR-1000 Headphones Review

Gemini’s HSR-1000 headphones are a solid choice for pro or project recording studios, live sound work, DJs or just casual music listening. For $99 MAP, you get a rugged pair of “working man” tools that will hold up to the rigors of the creative music making process without failure or complaint.

I don’t feel like I have to “baby” them too much—being careful not to overdrive them (when the singer wants the headphone mix at “11”) and knowing it’s not the end of them if they get dropped or (hopefully not) thrown across the room—caught up a victim of an artist’s frustration and rage.

I found the HSR-1000s to hold up to these extremes yet provide a stable, great sound that’s tailored to music work. They have a fat lower mid-range-centric sound and are not overly bright-sounding. Low frequencies sound true and the 53-mm drivers with PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) diaphragms keep the bottom end fully extended yet not excessively boomy.

The HSR-1000s are a close-back, circumaural phones that cover your ears to provide sound isolation. In the studio or live sound, this helps you hear what you want to, and in your domicile—it prevents others from hearing when they don’t wanna hear... any sound at all. This is important for late night mixing when everyone else around wants to sleep.

The HSR-1000s come with a gold-plated 1/4-inch stereo all-metal plug and threaded 6.3mm mini-adapter, curly cord and a velour carrying bag. I like the phones’ sturdy metal swing ear brackets, leather headband cushioning and comfortable lightweight fit.

For more information, visit http://geminiproaudio.com.