[rsbrsvp]

I wrote to ES labs to ask how they feel their R-10 compares to the Sony original.

Response below:

There is still a difference in sound comparing esr10 and the original, mostly due to the cellulose driver we use vs the bacteria-synthesized driver used by Sony. While people usually report a 80-90% similarity between the two which I agree with, I reckon esr10 is the best replica as far as a third party manufacturer can get. They have similar soundstage, tonality, euphony, rich mids, treble smoothness and transparency. And the differences mostly are in the slightly more 3D realism of imaging and treble being more piercing on the original. Also esr10 outperformed mdr-r10 in the bass region in terms of quantity and impact. A lot of non-sponsored users of esr10 have written their review and maybe you can have a look at them on our review article page with the aid of google translate.

 

[Ciggavelli]

I wrote to ES labs to ask how they feel their R-10 compares to the Sony original.

Response below:

There is still a difference in sound comparing esr10 and the original, mostly due to the cellulose driver we use vs the bacteria-synthesized driver used by Sony. While people usually report a 80-90% similarity between the two which I agree with, I reckon esr10 is the best replica as far as a third party manufacturer can get. They have similar soundstage, tonality, euphony, rich mids, treble smoothness and transparency. And the differences mostly are in the slightly more 3D realism of imaging and treble being more piercing on the original. Also esr10 outperformed mdr-r10 in the bass region in terms of quantity and impact. A lot of non-sponsored users of esr10 have written their review and maybe you can have a look at them on our review article page with the aid of google translate.

I wonder if he means slightly more 3D realism of imaging on the ES-R10 or the original R10? I'm glad about the less piercing treble and increased bass performance. I'm starting to get really excited about the ES-R10. He emailed me and said it will ship this week. Then it's 4-7 days to me. So hopefully I'll have it next week

 

[rsbrsvp]

I ordered one to..... I asked why they did not use the the bacteria-synthesized driver used by Sony and instead used the cellulose driver, as that would have made the sound pretty much 100% the same instead of 80%-90% the same, and he said he cant get that material.

 

[kiling92]

Maybe a new thread incoming?

 

[Steve1976]

I read online that the driver of ES-R10 is quite similar to a fostex TH900 in terms of physical properties. Can someone confirm this?

 

[protoss]

Maybe a new thread incoming?

Yea seriously, people will think the Hifiman R10 is hot. In which it is not.

I'll leave it to @omega1990 to make the thread. He should have it soon.

 

[omega1990]

Yea seriously, people will think the Hifiman R10 is hot. In which it is not.

I'll leave it to @omega1990 to make the thread. He should have it soon.

Sooner than I thought!

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/es-...ny-r10-replica-discussion-impressions.962569/

Enjoy,

 

[Sp12er3]

Yeah but what is really and truly special about them? Haven’t heard much talk about them even on YouTube.

Well at least it brings people together to talk about an interesting topic, patent, "homage" talks etc. and here is also where I first heard fo the existence of someone actually trying to replicate the original as ESR10.
Sometimes I just felt the HE-R10 ain't really an actual model in hifiman lineup due to how lacking the coverage of it is. Hell it might even be just a test case for Fang to play around with before he actually make a proper flagship closed back. The whole thing surely ain't in a good taste, and at least how unpopular it is have proven it.
But hey I'm just here enjoying my Z1R while watching the show unfolds so nothing else to contribute to the convo.
Really Thanks to @ufospls2 for the ESR10 tip tho, that one's actually interesting to me.

 

[Halimj7]

I am enjoying my R10P paired with Sony Ta-z1hes. It’s the only planar besides 1266 and LCD4 imo that does bass right - impactful, clean but not overly clinical with just right amount of decay.

 

[TexasBuck]

I've had the R10D's for a couple months and enjoying them. They sound especially good on new releases where the recording is brickwalled. The R10's take the edge off them and makes them much more listenable, while still providing plenty of detail. The R10's give a different listening experience than my other 2 phones (Senn 800S and Audeze XC). I was looking for something with a darker sound and found it here. They don't quite have the planner bass but the bass is more than satisfying. On certain recordings, the vocals are a bit subdued but not usually an issue for me. I don't know if I'd want the R10D's as my only headphone but they have found a nice niche in my rotation of phones. Even though the "new toy" phase is wearing off, they are still getting plenty of use. I'm fueling them with a lot of power (Violectric HPA V181) and a forgiving DAC (Yulong DA9). Not sure if that's making a difference or if my ears are just different than most on this thread.

 

[swedishpat]

Anyone know if the new he-r10p design is any different from the original sound wise? Hifiman told me the new one has stealth magnets but I don’t see that confirmed anywhere online not even on their own hifiman website. And dealers don’t know if any difference either. Really weird there’s so little information about the new design. Any comparison would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Strayngs]

Look at these R10 cups done by John Massaria

 

[Terriero]

Look at these R10 cups done by John Massaria

Incredible cups, do you live near him?

I miss you in the forum , how is going your "speaker journey"? I hope you are well and enjoying your favourite tunes whatever you use for that (that's the most important thing)

 

[Strayngs]

@Terriero I do not live next to him but we are friends and he sent me the pic. Thanks man … I miss the forum too. Things have really progressed with my speaker journey. I moved into my new home and promptly had a music room built in the basement. It is sounding wonderful. Here are a few pics of the new setup.

 

[Terriero]

@Terriero I do not live next to him but we are friends and he sent me the pic. Thanks man … I miss the forum too. Things have really progressed with my speaker journey. I moved into my new home and promptly had a music room built in the basement. It is sounding wonderful. Here are a few pics of the new setup.

Incredible You would miss the forum but I suppose that not your headphones... My house is too little to have a dedicated audio room, just my little corner with a bunch of headphones...