ES-R10 closed back dynamic headphone Sony R10 Replica Discussion/Impressions

[tholt]

It has been very quiet here for months. I only recently caught up with many of the posts and decided to get my own ES-R10.

It sounds wonderful. I am really happy with the purchase. I will abstain from comparing it to the MDR-R10 for some time, but off the bat it sounds very, very competent. I am impressed at the level of care that went into engineering this to pay true homage to the classic.

I love the level of passion and attention to detail that Benson put in to create the ES-R10. At one point I owned a few pairs, just because I thought they were so cool. And they sounded fabulous. Unfortunately for me and the genres of music I listen to (a lot of electronica) they simply weren't a great fit, and I'd end up reaching for other headphones. But what they do, they do very well indeed. Vocals especially. And so comfortable.

 

[CaptainFantastic]

I really enjoy having this headphone in my rotation. It's such a pleasant surprise every time to have the unique comfort feel after not using it for a couple of days. The self adjusting headband allows those leather earpads to just sliiide into place as you feel the smooth finish of the earcups, and then you know a good listening session is coming. Good time guaranteed.

 

[Dalmonegrig]

ES Lab ES-R10 or HIFIMAN HE-R10 Planar Version-Stealth Magnet?
I'm interested in your opinion on their sound in comparison?
Thank you for your feedback!

 

[CaptainFantastic]

@Dalmonegrig The consensus in this thread is that the ES-R10 sounds around 80 or 90% like a Sony R10 and that the HE-R10 sounds pretty much nothing like it. It's just somewhat of a visual approximation.

I've never heard the HE-R10, but I own the MDR-R10 and the ES-R10 and I agree with the consensus on that.

 

[rsbrsvp]

I owned the ES and the hifiman. ES is way better. IMHO.

 

[tholt]

The self adjusting headband allows those leather earpads to just sliiide into place as you feel the smooth finish of the earcups, and then you know a good listening session is coming. Good time guaranteed.

Absolutely loved the adjusting headband. It's just such a cool, unique feature of the OG and the ES

 

[Dalmonegrig]

@Dalmonegrig The consensus in this thread is that the ES-R10 sounds around 80 or 90% like a Sony R10 and that the HE-R10 sounds pretty much nothing like it. It's just somewhat of a visual approximation.

I've never heard the HE-R10, but I own the MDR-R10 and the ES-R10 and I agree with the consensus on that.

I would like to clarify that we are talking about HIFIMAN HE-R10 Planar Version-Stealth Magnet?

Sometimes there is confusion in this question, as they talk about another model HIFIMAN HE-R10 Planar Version - Non-stealth.

And there is a significant difference in sound between them.

 

[Steven Brittain]

I don't see anywhere online to purchase these.

 

[tholt]

I don't see anywhere online to purchase these.

Easy google
https://www.eslabhk.com/product-page/es-r10-closed-back-dynamic-headphone

 

[Steven Brittain]

Easy google
https://www.eslabhk.com/product-page/es-r10-closed-back-dynamic-headphone

I guess I should have added in the Sorry about that.

 

[Kiats]

I hear that Benson is unveiling some new HPs for ESLabs during CanJam HK. Anyone has any insights into that?

 

[tholt]

I hear that Benson is unveiling some new HPs for ESLabs during CanJam HK. Anyone has any insights into that?

I'm intrigued

 

[Dalmonegrig]

ES-R10 sounds around 80 or 90% like a Sony R10

but I own the MDR-R10 and the ES-R10

I have two questions.
1) To what extent (%) does the Sony MDR-Z1R match the sound signature of the Sony MDR-R10?
2) What do you think needs to be changed (added) in the sound signature of the ES-R10 closed back dynamic headphone to 100% match the sound signature of the Sony MDR-R10?
Thank you!

 

[CaptainFantastic]

I have two questions.
1) To what extent (%) does the Sony MDR-Z1R match the sound signature of the Sony MDR-R10?
2) What do you think needs to be changed (added) in the sound signature of the ES-R10 closed back dynamic headphone to 100% match the sound signature of the Sony MDR-R10?
Thank you!

For #2 see here.

For #1, it doesn't match it. It's a different approach, different sound. It should only be viewed as a descendant of the MDR-R10 in the the build care and quality is similar. It may not be wood, but if you read about its build you will see that it is impressive in its own way. What the MDR-R10 and MDR-Z1R share for me in terms of sound is excellent timbre, even though so much about their sound profile differs.

 

[Kiats]

Enjoying the ES-R10 off the Luxury & Precision EA4 10th Anniversary and P6Pro TI on a rainy Sunday afternoon in Singapore. I look forward to listening to, or owning the original R10 one day. In the meantime, really enjoy this great homage.