Hi. A seller told me that the R10 does not need a special high-end amplifier to enjoy all the beauty of this Sony headphone. --- Have you notice that ?
@@tenniszen the R10 is not a very power hungry,it can be easily drive trought a dongle,but the R10 can scale seriously well with better gear. From a very very high end headphone it can sound on par with the he 90 (tested mine at London canjam,and liked it much more against sacred beasts like immanis and unveiled)
@@HeadphoneDay , thanks for sharing your experience. I remember now, the seller had a very performant CD player. ***** He told me that the sound of the Human Voice is superior to everything, with the R10. ***** No noise coming from the throat of the human voice. ***** The seller said that the R10 is far better than the Stax Lambda Signature. Best regards.
I remember when they first came out they was very exclusive you had your head measured to make sure that they fit and all for 2.5k back then it was heart stopping and cost more than the Sennhiser electrostatic that came with their own tube amp. Sony used exotic materials, the leather came from the belly of some strange mountain goat from Italy and the wood came from a special tree but alas I never sold any or got to listen to a pair.
It's great to be able to hear the "Apex" of Headphone Audiophilia from 30 years ago. Thing are just so different back then, on the music itself, the source, dac/amp pairings, etc. Would be interesting to hear it really.
Thanks for this great review. Been looking forward for a good review of this headphones. Seems like a bit of bass shelf with EQ could turn them into a perfect closed back.
I didn't have a Fostex or ZMF can on hand to compare with but I've had several closed back woody HP in the past (many with biocellulose drivers). At a high-level I'd say the ES-R10 have a unique fluidity about them and a dynamic high-end that's very special. They are more delicate and subtle in their presentation. Not boring or lacking energy, just different. The VC have a more muscular sound that's forceful and demands your attention.
I have heard some of the Fostex but it's been awhile. From memory I'd say the ES-R10 is smoother, more refined, and has more solving power with a somewhat laidback presentation. The Fostex are more energetic with greater impact and richer bass.
Ah, if only I got to hang onto everything I reviewed. Sadly these moved on a long time ago. I'd love to give them a fresh listen though, my memories are fond for sure.
If you want to know what's really in the recording, these headphones will tell the truth so you'll know how to judge the spectral frequency of a loudspeaker but once you have one that is faithful, you will accomplish something that no headphones on earth can give you and this is the soundstage, the scenario.
I own a pristine MDR-CD3000 headphones. I quit using headphones more than fifteen years ago due to listener fatigue and get to the conclusion that it's more satisfying to listen through speakers.
@@QOTSAPT with the pass of time I've become a hi-fi collector. I can't sell anything. It could be some kind of exquisite hoarding, instead of garbage... I'm OCD.
I own a mdr r10 and it’s simply pure bliss.
Hi. A seller told me that the R10 does not need a special high-end amplifier to enjoy all the beauty of this Sony headphone. --- Have you notice that ?
@@tenniszen the R10 is not a very power hungry,it can be easily drive trought a dongle,but the R10 can scale seriously well with better gear.
From a very very high end headphone it can sound on par with the he 90 (tested mine at London canjam,and liked it much more against sacred beasts like immanis and unveiled)
@@HeadphoneDay , thanks for sharing your experience. I remember now, the seller had a very performant CD player. ***** He told me that the sound of the Human Voice is superior to everything, with the R10. ***** No noise coming from the throat of the human voice. ***** The seller said that the R10 is far better than the Stax Lambda Signature. Best regards.
I remember when they first came out they was very exclusive you had your head measured to make sure that they fit and all for 2.5k back then it was heart stopping and cost more than the Sennhiser electrostatic that came with their own tube amp. Sony used exotic materials, the leather came from the belly of some strange mountain goat from Italy and the wood came from a special tree but alas I never sold any or got to listen to a pair.
It's great to be able to hear the "Apex" of Headphone Audiophilia from 30 years ago. Thing are just so different back then, on the music itself, the source, dac/amp pairings, etc. Would be interesting to hear it really.
Thanks for this great review. Been looking forward for a good review of this headphones.
Seems like a bit of bass shelf with EQ could turn them into a perfect closed back.
Thanks a lot for making a video of this, much appreciated.
Hifiman also released hifiman r9 about $600. Have any plan to that??
I'd really like to try the Hifiman R10 inspired headphones.
How do these complete with headphones like the Verite Closed or other high end closed backs?
I didn't have a Fostex or ZMF can on hand to compare with but I've had several closed back woody HP in the past (many with biocellulose drivers). At a high-level I'd say the ES-R10 have a unique fluidity about them and a dynamic high-end that's very special. They are more delicate and subtle in their presentation. Not boring or lacking energy, just different. The VC have a more muscular sound that's forceful and demands your attention.
Damn, those wooden pieces are nice
Thanks for your review. Have you heard any of the Fostex biocellulose offerings? If so, how do these ES-R10 compare?
I have heard some of the Fostex but it's been awhile. From memory I'd say the ES-R10 is smoother, more refined, and has more solving power with a somewhat laidback presentation. The Fostex are more energetic with greater impact and richer bass.
Could you discuss their build quality. There seems to be a growing discussion on Head-Fi related to this. Sound is still commenting as very good.
I haven't noticed any issues but it is a handmade bespoke product so people should set their expectations appropriately.
The wood looks great.
It's been a while now, would you still say that you're still getting the same level of enjoyment out of these?
Ah, if only I got to hang onto everything I reviewed. Sadly these moved on a long time ago. I'd love to give them a fresh listen though, my memories are fond for sure.
A perfect replica
You got me excited at first glance.....but then oh no, it’s not the R10. Damn....
If you want to know what's really in the recording, these headphones will tell the truth so you'll know how to judge the spectral frequency of a loudspeaker but once you have one that is faithful, you will accomplish something that no headphones on earth can give you and this is the soundstage, the scenario.
13k on eBay (2022)
This is not the greatest headphone in the world, this is just a tribute.
Doesn’t look like many ears will fit in the cups, that gap looks small
The space is not vast but also not terribly constrained compared to other closed back dynamic HPs I've sampled.
I own a pristine MDR-CD3000 headphones. I quit using headphones more than fifteen years ago due to listener fatigue and get to the conclusion that it's more satisfying to listen through speakers.
Sell them then.
@@QOTSAPT with the pass of time I've become a hi-fi collector. I can't sell anything. It could be some kind of exquisite hoarding, instead of garbage... I'm OCD.
Very informative review, but you gotta get rid of that clicking fan noise, it drives my ocd nuts....
I have OCD also BTW.