When the HIFIMAN HE-R9 launched in early 2022, the wired version itself sold for $599 with the wireless version going for $749 meaning the cost of adding the Bluemini R2R adapter and the associated USB cable + manual was $150. It wasn't long before the wired version went on sale for $369 although the wireless version was still at $749 for a long time meaning you could actually purchase the wired HE-R9 AND the HIFIMAN Deva Pro—an open-back set that comes with the Bluemini R2R adapter—for less than the cost of the wireless HE-R9. Clearly it was a weird time and HIFIMAN acknowledged as much after a price cut to both that is reflected above. At $249, the HE-R9 in its wired configuration is a far more compelling solution to bassheads than it was at launch. I'd still recommend saving for the wireless version given the flexibility it offers—you can technically use the Bluemini R2R with any set of headphones with adapter cables between the two—although I am not that happy to see the $150 increment from before has gone up to $190 now! At $440, the wireless version of the HE-R9 competes against the other mainstream Bluetooth headphones from the likes of Apple, Sony, and Sennheiser without having the technology features or even managing to look reasonable in public. The primary reason to go with the Bluemini R2R is to simply have the HE-R9 on your head while lounging on a chair or couch, and it does help tone things down in the bass to an extent even if you do get a net further loss of detail thanks to Bluetooth compression.

The HE-R9 at its best is not a set of analytical listening. It's tuned in a manner that will appeal more to bass-lovers and gives a new twist to the V-shaped tuning in going for a far more mid-bass emphasized and warmed tonality. I found the treble response to be the strongest region although there are certainly other music genres the HE-R9 works fine with. It's ultimately a divisive set that needed the price cut to be in discussions and any recommendations for people looking at closed-back headphones—especially since EQ doesn't really seem to do a whole lot here and it's ultimately not my cup of tea. Whether it is my own lack of context with others in the price range the HE-R9 operates in or not, I do see people purchasing it even if they don't have any interest in wireless playback. It is comfortable and there's still something of a guilty pleasure in having all that bass and treble. The MDR-R10 homage design also makes for an interesting ear cup design which is mod-friendly owing to the available room to try out your own dampening filters, or simply go with the likes of pre-modded versions from the likes ofJM Audio if you want a more balanced sound out of the box. I've certainly covered headphones that cost more and offer far less and I do see the HE-R9 as one of the big leaps taken by HIFIMAN in getting a grip on its closed-back headphones design—it's certainly better than the HE-R10 dynamic version that costs far more. I look forward to seeing where HIFIMAN takes this design concept next as well as to see what other headphones get native compatibility with the exciting Bluemini R2R wireless adapter.