In the late 1980s, Sony engineers went all-out to make a statement headphone, the MDR-R10. Too bad you'll probably never get to hear it. Production started in 1989, and at $2,500 a pair at that time, it was the most expensive headphone in the world. Unfortunately, SONY stop manufacturing this masterpiece 30 years ago. This is a huge loss for the entire headphones industry and head-fi community.
Sony did make a few other headphones -- MDR-CD3000, 1991, MDR-E888 in 1995, MDR-CD1700 in 1996, and the MDR-CD2000 in 2000 -- but those headphones never attained the stature of the MDR-R10. No, it's never just one thing that makes the great ones great, it's the whole design.
Until now, Fang, inspired by R10 design, brought this world-class audiophile headphone back to new life again with Hifiman Susvara Diaphragm and Bluetooth capability.
He intends for the HE-R10 to surpass the Sony R10. It's fair to assume the HE-R10 was created to surpass the original. Fang is staking his ENTIRE reputation on this, it's fair to expect he will deliver on his intention for his HE-R10 to surpass the Sony.