Sound – Amplification
With its 30Ohm impedance and 100dB, the HE-R10P for a flagship headphone in theory is very easy to drive, though a really good amplifier absolutely improves its performance even more.
I have mostly used the headphone in balanced mode with the XLR-cable and this with a whole series of amplifiers such as the Solaris, Headonia, Atlas, Hifi-M8 V2 and the Niimbus US4+. Each amplifier brings something different to the table, but they of course don’t change the main characteristics of the R10P as described above.
I doubt anyone will really be using this headphone on the go but it’s actually OK to use it with a good DAP. In this case we just recommend using a highly resolving one which has a good amount of clarity and energy. Something like the SP2000, Hiby R8 and L&P LP6.
I 99% of the time have used the Hifiman HE-R10P in a cabled way, but I have to admit that the wireless quality with the BlueMini module is very good. It’s also the proof that you don’t need a big heavy amp, to thoroughly enjoy the HE-R10P headphone. I do find the HE-R10P to perform even better cabled, with better separation and overall better control.
Sound – Competition
The source and amplifier used for the comparisons are the Flux Atlas and Niimbus US4+.
The XC isn’t as comfortable as the R10P and it’s even heavier in weight. Actually it’s mostly missing vertical clamping force in my case. I’ve always been a fan of the XC’s tuning and it has been my favorite closed headphone in my collection for a long time. While I still love the LCD-XC, the R10P clearly is playing at a higher level and as such it’s now my favorite closed pair of headphones.
Sound-wise the LCD-XC isn’t as wide and spacious sounding, and you get a more intimate experience. The LCD-XC is more energetic however. The clarity level of the LCD-XC is better and it sounds more energetic compared to the softer Hifiman. Vocals in the LCD-XC are sharper and more to the front. The R10P sounds a lot more open and natural but with the XC you get more energy but it does create listening fatigue quicker. Switching between both headphones brings a world of difference, the Audeze being more in your face, while the R10P has a seriously more relaxed approach and balanced delivery. Technically “the win” closely goes to the Hifiman as well, with more pronounced detail rendering, note extension and timbre.
Vs Beyerdynamic DT1770PRO
The DT1770PRO is Beyerdynamic’s closed back flagship headphone and it of course is a dynamic driven one with a Tesla magnet. Sound-wise this headphone is also very far apart from the HE-R10P.
The Beyer is lighter from top to bottom, and it just doesn’t have any of the body the R10P has. Basically the DT1770PRO is a neutral sounding headphone, while the R10P isn’t. If you like the DT1770PRO’s tuning, you probably won’t appreciate the R10P right away. Bass, compared to the DT1770PRO, is much bigger, has more impact and reaches down lower. The Beyer’s bass quality is excellent though. The DT1770PRO’s mids are also much lighter in presence and they push the vocals more forward. The Hifiman’s vocals are more forward but they sound more natural.
The DT1770PRO also sounds like a typical closed headphone, though I do find it to score reasonably well in this regard, but not as good as the Hifiman. The treble extension and energy of the DT1770PRO of course is at a whole other level than that of the R10P. When coming from the Beyer going to the Hifiman, the latter one for a few seconds sounds hollow but that quickly disappears.
Vs HE-R10D
The dynamic driven version of the R10 is easier to drive. It however doesn’t sound as clean as the R10P. Overall it just doesn’t reach the technical level of the Planar version, making it sound rather messy in comparison.
Both headphones have the smoothness and softness in the delivery and they both sound natural. The Planar version is more spacious, airy and open sounding and it has better detail retrieval and extension. The R10D has the more typical closed headphone sound.
If you want more bass (think body, impact and overall presence), then the Dynamic version is the one to go for. While I can appreciate the R10D with bass heavy music, the R10P bests it in about everything else. If I would have to choose between both, the decision would be fast and very easy. The Dynamic version is selling for $1299 USD. Unless you’re on a budget, the choice is very easy.
It’s not that the D is a bad headphone, don’t get me wrong. The Planar version is just so much better in all ways. That being said, we’ll have a full R10D review for you soon.
Conclusion
The Hifiman HE-R10P is a high end headphone with a corresponding price tag but the sound quality you get in return is exceptional for a closed back headphone.
The Audeze LCD-XC has been my favorite closed back headphone for a long time, but the number one spot has now been taken by the HE-R10P.
If you are not on a budget, need the comfort of a closed back headphone and you want it to sound as close as possible to an open back type one, then the Hifiman HE-R10P is the 1st headphone you should look at. An excellent technical performance, a high level of musicality and a lovely design. What’s not to like?
It’s another very easy decision to add the Hifiman HE-R10P to our wall of fame, and as such it’s getting our Recommended Buy award.
Page 1: Hifiman, HE-R10P, Comfort, Design & Isolation, Build Quality & Connections
Page 2: Specifications, Price & Accessories, Sound Intro, Sound General, Sound Classics
Rob
Shame not to see these compared to other totl closed backs like stellia and verite closed. Not sure what to glean from a comparison to to 300 quid beyers and very middling performing audeze
Lieven
Did you mean: “Nice read, thank you. Too bad you don’t have headphones like the Stellia and Verite closed to compare it with, but a great job none the less.”? 😉
Plato
Lot of typos in this review; consider hiring an editor/proofreader?
I also agree with the chap above: you literally only have the DT1770 Pro and Audeze in stock for comparison?
Lieven
Sorry for the typing quality. I’ll reread it tonight and do a triple check but 2 spelling checkers gave no errors.
Regarding the comparisons: First, there’s no point in comparing the HE-R10P to open back headphones as others have done. Second, we have a team of writers from all over the world and not every writer can own all headphones. Third, as said in the review, a lot of companies have not been focusing on high end closed back headphones, so there simply are less in the collection. If I had all headphones in the world, I’d compare them, but it’s not very realistic.
MhtLion
Thanks for the great review! Since you enjoyed Audeze XC, hopefully you can secure the updated Audeze XC and put it through another comparixon review. Personally, I’m very inclined to order the new Audeze XC – or keep it wireless and order Apple Airpod Max, which may or may not get the high resolution update.
Lieven
Let me check with Audeze if they’re interested in that. And thank you
xtvymrdn
Mike reviewed the mdr r10, and he doesn’t like it
Lieven
He did leave the hobby in 2014, so unfortunately ha hasn’t heard many of the great new headphones