HIFIMAN HE-R10 Planar & Dynamic - Quick Impressions

[trellus]

Is this HiFiMan's first closed-back headphone?

If you are not counting the low-end dynamic, over-ear / on-ear Edition S, which could be converted between closed and open by taking the magnetic cup cover on and off -- I think so.

 

[Beagle]

If you are not counting the low-end dynamic, over-ear / on-ear Edition S, which could be converted between closed and open by taking the magnetic cup cover on and off -- I think so.

I forgot about those. I still have them here I think, as they were unsellable because they were unlistenable. So I guess this is their first good closed headphone, assuming it's good.

 

[sennfan83261]

So I guess this is their first good closed headphone, assuming it's good.

That remains to be seen. For their sake, it better be since they're riding on the coattails of such a legendary product. I'm adopting a wait-and-see approach.

 

[Malevolent]

The difference between $5000 and $500 headphones is way more substantial than spending that much more on the Dac/Amp. After listening with R10 (very addictive), rediscovering the favorite tracks to learn what the sound-stage, detail, treble, bass, imaging, and accuracy really mean, all other headphones suddenly sound so poorly. The audiophile industry and technology is still improving. Not discouraging, but encourage people to listen to the true high-end headphones to get that experience.

If you're working for Hifiman, you're setting extremely unrealistic expectations with your customers. We're not fresh-out-of-the-box greenhorns here, you know? I can't speak for everyone, but in general, I'm sure that the majority of us have had varying degrees of experience with high-end gear. In fact, from my own perspective, I've heard (almost) every major closed-back headphone available on the contemporary market, along with its open-back counterparts. I'm not a foremost expert on the audible side of things, but I think that I know enough to distinguish the nuances and the variances between competing products within and across price tiers.

The R10 is either a game-changer, or it's going to be just another overhyped, overpriced headphone. Sadly, based on anecdotal experience, I doubt that it'll fit within the former category. We'll see.

 

[Roderick]

Deleted. Missed a page and answered a question that was allready answered

 

[Beagle]

If you're working for Hifiman, you're setting extremely unrealistic expectations with your customers. We're not fresh-out-of-the-box greenhorns here, you know? I can't speak for everyone, but in general, I'm sure that the majority of us have had varying degrees of experience with high-end gear. In fact, from my own perspective, I've heard (almost) every major closed-back headphone available on the contemporary market, along with its open-back counterparts. I'm not a foremost expert on the audible side of things, but I think that I know enough to distinguish the nuances and the variances between competing products within and across price tiers.

The R10 is either a game-changer, or it's going to be just another overhyped, overpriced headphone. Sadly, based on anecdotal experience, I doubt that it'll fit within the former category. We'll see.

I'm not expecting a game-changer but if it keeps the original R10 'game' going (revives it), then great. But like yourself, I have extreme doubts. I get suspicious with over-hype, feeling that it's another marketing ploy to pry people's money from their pockets before they've been shown the real goods.

 

[trellus]

I forgot about those. I still have them here I think, as they were unsellable because they were unlistenable. So I guess this is their first good closed headphone, assuming it's good.

I thought they sounded better open than closed, and I got them for about $50 used. They’re pretty. But yeah, they’ve been discontinued so far as I can tell, I suppose for a reason.

 

[ciber]

Deleted. Missed a page and answered a question that was allready answered

Additional experience,
Very comfortable, the headphones are very light and fit me quite well.
Flexibility with Bluetooth. Can connect the headphones with balanced cable, or no wires.
Customizable. Wood cup is customizable, head-fiers can explore better or different sound with different cups.

Look and feel luxurious? Quite sure Hifiman are working on it. They have the technology and resource.

 

[Beagle]

Quite sure Hifiman are working on it. They have the technology and resource.

So reassuring..

 

[yolosauce]

What's this?

 

[Fegefeuer]

Punctual Textural Airlift.

This is the weakest spot of the wood. When the driver has maximum flex it creates a black hole at the other side of that spot, releasing excessive air and hiss out of it leading to a very smooth, yet extremelly detailed and extended treble response.

 

[Terriero]

Punctual Textural Airlift.

This is the weakest spot of the wood. When the driver has maximum flex it creates a black hole at the other side of that spot, releasing excessive air and hiss out of it leading to a very smooth, yet extremelly detailed and extended treble response.

That design is something new from Hifiman... not related to Sony's R10.

 

[Beagle]

Punctual Textural Airlift.

This is the weakest spot of the wood. When the driver has maximum flex it creates a black hole at the other side of that spot, releasing excessive air and hiss out of it leading to a very smooth, yet extremelly detailed and extended treble response.

That's it then. I'm convinced. I just ordered mine and will plug up that whole with epoxy and wait for the inevitable explosion. Best break-in you can get.

 

[Fegefeuer]

This also cleans your ear canals and rearranges neurons inside your brain through "ordered grid neural wavetracing", wiring their aural response to the movements of the driver. Naturally you have to do this everytime you put on these headphones but you will sync so well with your music that you might as well use epoxy on your earsides to never have to put these headphones down.

 

[Random Lunatic]

Wait, these are 5000$? Sorry, but they look like a DIY closed version of an HE400i or Deva, which already looked cheap at their respective prices... Hope they at least sound good, and can be modded to look better, more sharp/clean like the original R10 - though at that price...
I always like hifiman's sound, I just wish the build would match.