Somehow in itself has developed so that in the initial segment of a full-size headphone reigns Supreme and not the best sounding model. Ambitious, news that can please lovers of it audio, are lost against everything else. Therefore, any good sounding model here weight in gold, and about it we will talk today. Meet Sound Warrior SW-HP10s.
Despite the rather pretentious and grandiose name, the company’s products Shiroshita refers to the very affordable segment, and is not intended to impress pretentious packaging or glamorous stars in advertising. Because at a very modest price tag of about $ 160 headphones quite sound.
Specifications
- Acoustic design: closed
- Emitter: dynamic
- Frequency range: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
- Sensitivity: 103 dB
- Maximum power: 300 mW
- Impedance: 40Ω
- Cable: not removable, 2.5 m
- Plug: 3.5 mm TRS
- Weight: 280 g
Packing and delivery
Here everything is totally simple. Box made of yellow cardboard with minimal printing, inside in the bag are the headphones and… well, that’s all. You buy headphones? Well, here they are!
Design and comfortable wearing
Appearance also as simple and utilitarian, made SW-HP10s entirely of simple, slightly rough black plastic, no inserts rare wood or, say, fine Alcantara. The developers decided to go the way of maximum simplicity and functionality — all done simply, but securely, headphones do not creak, no backlash and is not loose. This model is very compact and is lightweight, which makes it a good candidate for street portable.
Headband and ear pads made from very nice soft leather. If the upper arc of the headphones are pretty standard, here is the ear pads is more interesting — they are an intermediate option between the covering and patch modifications. Their ears touched, but the outer part fully covers the ear. At first, it causes an unusual feeling, but it’s very addictive and discomfort is almost never deliver, however, it is better to try them personally to assess whether you fit this option. One of the advantages of such solution it is possible to note better than overhead models, sound insulation.
Like any closed headphones, after a couple of hours in SW-HP10s ears overheat, so it’s best to take short breaks (they are hearing would be helpful).
The wire is not replaceable, but it is quite thick and doubt in its reliability does not cause, it is connected to one ear Cup, the connector is protected with a rubber insert.
In General, judging by the design, Shiroshita created this model primarily as a street portable, in this role they are good, but in the office or at home they will also be quite appropriate.
Sound
To listen following equipment was used.
- NuPrime DAC-10H and Resonessence Labs Concero HP in the role of DAC and amplifier
- Apple MacBook Pro Retina 2016 as the source
- Fidelia in the role of player
- Lotoo PAW Gold, theBit OPUS#2 and iBasso DX200 in the role of portable players
- Recording high-resolution Lossless-formats (Dr. Chesky have The Ultimate Headphone Demonstration Disc and others)
Before listening headphones were heated for 48 hours, little change in sound was only the beginning of the warm-up.
If you take into account the price — SW-HP10s sound just fine, nice bass, vivid midrange, free of tension, treble… of Course, the comparison with more expensive models will show “who is who”, but it is silly to expect otherwise when the price difference several times. So I will not compare the incomparable.
Bass are good in resolution, although there is a slight smoothness — it does not merge into a monotonous hum. Bass is well controlled and does not muffle the mid-range, staying in his place even in rich bass compositions. Also pleased with the bass and depth, however the deep layers I want to add more control. Study of textures — normal, earphone confidently build the Foundation of the rhythm section.
Midrange served without bias in the analytic, the resolution is good for its price. SW-HP10s virtually no ad-libbing, so don’t expect them to expect some “color” to the mid-range, you will hear exactly what is inherent in the recording. An imaginary scene more than the average for closed models in width and about average in depth, headphones are trying to artificially create the effect of volume.
Treble overall pleased with the resolution, but their attacks are slightly smoothed to create a more comfortable sound, sharpness, and excessive emphasis on the region of sibilants there really is not observed. Of course, SW-10s deprived “of luksofori” that is specific to models price times the commercials in 3 above, but they don’t have to — after all it is rather everyday street model.
Compatibility
Headphones may well be used with simple sources like tablets and smartphones (except for very weak models), but they have growth potential, so the player is elementary-middle level will be their good companion.
Headphones quite versatile stylistically (of course, adjusted for price segment), to the quality of the recording they are tolerant, on a 10 point scale I would rate them 5 points.
Traditionally, a few tracks as examples
Kongos — Hey I Don’t Know. Do not fail the land of South African talent. Let Knogos live and work in the U.S., but, unlike their more famous countrymen from Die Antwoord, they play great alternative rock — driving and pulling into a dance. With headphones, which is the subject of this review, this music sounds very lively and exciting — juicy midrange and bass music — exactly what you need.
Alestorm — Drink. Suppose that for brutal styles of metal HP10s not be the best choice (for this genre generally have a very long time to pick up a very expensive tract) but for a rollicking things a La this hymn pirate alcoholism (not only Korpiklaani is about to sing) these headphones are quite suitable: drive, power and fun provided.
Ultra Vomit — Pink Pantera. This collection overall was quite brutal, not because the HP-10s is just perfect for such styles, I just could not miss this epic release. Any connoisseur of metal simply must get acquainted with the works of the French data. 22 short track smart and very funny parody of the recognized “pillars of the genre”, but also qualitatively recorded (Sound Warrior make sure) — that else is necessary for happiness?
Insights
A very interesting model in its price category that differs in the sound from most of its direct competitors. Of course, this is not a killer of giants, the same SW-HP20, being the big brother of this model, offer a more adult sound, but the price tag is there twice, and SW-HP10s — still the entry model segment, and is a successful model.
Review headphone Sound Warrior SW-HP10s — warriors of the budget segment
Pavel Dmitriev