We were quite curious to try the HE-R10D headphones produced by Hifiman because, unlike the other products of the Chinese-American company—well known for specializing in planar magnetic headphones (as well as producing excellent headphone amplifiers)—this is a dynamic driver model. We are talking about a very particular pair of headphones, with earcups covered by a wooden shell in the shape already used by Hifiman in other closed-back models such as the HE-R9, and with the option, for those who can’t do without Bluetooth, to switch from wired to wireless mode by adding a Bluemini BT module from the company (similar to what can be done with the Deva Pro). As has increasingly happened in recent years, their price has dropped since launch, and today they can be found at the affordable price of 260 euros.
Note: it is also possible to find these headphones referred to simply as HE-R10. To be precise, the planar magnetic model should be indicated as HE-R10P, while the dynamic driver version is HE-R10D; if the final letter is missing, we recommend checking the product description to be sure which version it is.
Prodotti consigliati
Overview
The HE-R10D model first entered the market in 2020 and features 50mm dynamic drivers, all—as you can see from the photos—enclosed between the typical soft earcups used in many other headphones from the brand and the wooden shell with its distinctive shape, designed to provide enough space for the powerful driver and achieve specific effects in terms of perceived soundstage and more.
But let’s take a step back. The HE-R10D are sold in the classic Hifiman cardboard boxes, with a foam insert in which the headphones are housed, along with a good-quality 3.5mm cable and a 6.35mm adapter. The design will certainly look familiar to fans of the brand: we find a padded, soft, and durable semicircular headband already used in other models such as the Deva Pro and HE400SE, connected to a metal frame that supports the earcups and allows height adjustment through small steps. As mentioned, the earcup shape is similar to that of the HE-R9, but here the shells are made of wood. Overall, we can say that the headphones are very comfortable when worn, even for extended listening sessions.
Features
This is a relatively bulky model, and two aspects are worth highlighting: it is lighter than other Hifiman headphones (355 grams), thanks to the use of dynamic drivers instead of planar magnetic ones (which are heavier), and it provides significant isolation from the outside.
Being closed-back headphones, they are generally recommended for those who want strong isolation (both incoming, from external noise, and outgoing, so as not to disturb others), and their most natural use is for listening in an armchair or at a desk. However, unlike other heavier and strictly wired Hifiman closed-back headphones, the HE-R10D are more suitable for a “smart” use, thanks to their lighter weight and the possibility of attaching a Bluemini module for Bluetooth connectivity.
The headphones use the well-known Topology diaphragm that Hifiman has been widely employing for years.
Technical specifications in brief:
- Frequency response: 15–35kHz
- Impedance: 60 ohms
- Sensitivity: 103 dB
- Weight: 360 grams
- Input: 3.5mm
How the HE-R10D sound
We can view the sonic performance of this model as a successful attempt to combine characteristics typical of open-back headphones with those of closed-back ones, or to smooth out some of the typical shortcomings of closed designs. As we have also experienced with higher-end models such as the Audivina, Hifiman is capable of doing this. We tested the R10D with Hifiman amplifiers from different ranges (EF499, EF400, EF600).
The overall tonal balance leans slightly warm, with a certain fullness especially noticeable in the bass and midrange, along with a certain roundness, unlike models that aim for maximum sharpness where instruments and notes sound drier.
The soundstage is very convincing and is one of the aspects where the intention to offer a “modern” closed-back experience is most evident: while it is not particularly wide, deep, or expansive, it is not restricted either. The impression is of listening in a medium-small room: intimate but not overly close to the source, with well-separated instruments properly distributed across the stage, giving a sense of three-dimensionality. Considering the price range of the HE-R10D, all this is very good, and with higher-end amplification this characteristic improves further in every respect.
The bass is present and full-bodied, slightly warm, with good impact and depth, but not so emphasized as to dominate the scene: it plays an important role in the overall sound, as expected from closed-back headphones, but is balanced enough not to overshadow other frequencies.
The midrange appears rich and full, especially in the lower mids, while the upper mids are less robust and seem to gradually lose that slight warmth coming from the bass. Vocals are well handled here, with good detail and presence, benefiting from the soundstage qualities already mentioned, which are particularly noticeable in this range.
The treble integrates into the overall picture as fairly bright but never sibilant or unpleasantly sharp. Despite providing a noticeable contrast with the full and impactful bass, it contributes to an overall reproduction that is very enjoyable. This brings us back to the idea of mitigating certain imbalances typical of many closed-back headphones: overall, the sound is musical, pleasing, and satisfying.
As for pairings, although improvements with higher-level amplification and decoding are noticeable, considering the now very affordable price range of the HE-R10D, a good match within the Hifiman lineup is the EF499, a device capable of sounding surprisingly good even with higher-end headphones (and thus a good investment for future upgrades). However, the EF499 currently costs around 350 euros, so enthusiasts who do not want to spend as much on amplification and DACs can consider more affordable solutions such as the iFi Zen DAC v3, the FiiO K7, or the even cheaper FiiO K11 (currently priced between 165 and 180 euros).
Conclusions
The HE-R10D offers a fantastic quality/price ratio, now that its cost has dropped to around 260 euros. These are closed-back headphones aimed primarily at those who prefer this type of product, delivering very convincing sound performance with strong bass but also great attention to overall listening enjoyment, featuring excellent musicality and a surprisingly good soundstage.
Voi cosa ne pensate?