PreSonus Eris HD10BT Review – Great Choice For Work And Play

Finding wireless headphones equally capable in the studio as they are for day-to-day use is not an easy task. In this review, we check out the PreSonus Eris HD10BT. Do these headphones finally bridge the gap, or do they fall short? In this review, we find out. 

The PreSonus Eris HD10BT is a solid pair of closed-back wireless headphones. But as with many wireless options, there are a few issues when it comes to studio use.

Features

There is a lot to like about these discreet and functional headphones. Below we take a deeper look at what the PreSonus Eris HD10BT offers.

Sound Quality 

PreSonus claims that these headphones offer studio-quality sound. Considering both the approachable price and wireless functionality, it is a bold claim to make. Wireless headphones inherently possess some drawbacks over traditional headphones.

First, we will cover how these sound when directly plugged in using the included short straight cable. The mid-range instantly impressed. It’s rich and lively with a high degree of warmth and accuracy. If you work on mid-range focused audio, these are more than capable.

The Eris HD10BT features capable sound in a small package.

The top-end also offers plenty of clarity and precision. It doesn’t lean too aggressively, which is a common problem with many consumer-grade headphones. In this regard, PreSonus has done well to deliver a smooth top end that isn’t harsh.

The low-end is decent but certainly lacks a certain oomph. The kicks are clean, and sub-bass is present, but it doesn’t hit with punch and pizzaz. It’s a little lifeless and lacking in character. If you listen to or work with a lot of bass-heavy music, these might not be the best choice.

There is a significant boost to the low end when the Active Noise Cancellation is active. But it lacks precision and comes across as a little boomy. Not ideal for making accurate decisions in the studio.

As you would expect, things drop off further when using these wirelessly. It’s a problem that most Bluetooth headphones suffer from.

So are these a worthy addition to your studio? Yes and No. For ultra-detailed work, these fall short. But they are also far superior to many wireless headphones out there. There is enough neutrality here for sketching out your ideas. But you can’t rely on them for polishing up your productions.

PreSonus has put in an admirable effort to give us the best of both worlds. Adequate sound for studio use and the flexibility and freedom that wireless connectivity provides. And while these are not perfect, they are still among the best wireless options available. And at such a low price point, it is hard to be too critical.

Comfort 

If you plan to use these headphones for long commutes, you’ll already know how important comfort is. And in this area, the PreSonus Eris HD10BT delivers.

The clamping force is tight but not overly forceful. They offer a secure fit that is great for when you are on the move. But they also won’t exact a punishing vice-like grip that some other headphones do.

The earcup padding is soft and comfortable.

The padding on the headband is generous and offers plenty of cushioning. It combines well with the clamping force to give a comfortable fit for long listening sessions.

Earcup padding is also impressive for headphones in this price range. The imitation leather is squishy enough to adapt to your head shape. The room within is also sufficient to fit all but the most prominent ears. The earcups also offer some swivel. Just enough to mold and conform to your head. 

There will be heat buildup over longer sessions, as with most closed-back headphones. It’s an unavoidable trait of closed-back cans, and it is present here as well.

If you want comfortable headphones for commuting or for working in the studio, these are a good choice. 

Design 

The styling of the PreSonus Eris HD10BT leans on the plain and simple side. These are discreet headphones that don’t aim to make a statement.

The abundance of black is common among studio headphones. But if you do like your headphones to have more character, you’ll need to look elsewhere.

I like the refined and restrained approach. It blends seamlessly into a studio environment. Likewise, you won’t have people gawking at you when traveling.

The PreSonus Eris HD10BT is not a bulky pair of headphones.

Beyond appearance, there are several other design features worth highlighting.

These headphones feature Active Noise Cancelling. And it is very effective at blocking out exterior noise. 18dB of isolation is enough for most day-to-day situations. When activated, the bass boosts to help prevent intrusive low-end frequencies from finding their way to your ears.

It also does a reasonable job at keeping mid-range and high-frequencies at bay. When combined with the firm seal, these are impressive. A good choice for recording in the studio but equally up to the demands of traveling in noisy environments.

Bluetooth pairing is simple and effective. The connection is stable and dependable within a decent range of about 25 ft. (8 m). For a studio setting, this is more than enough. Likewise, if you are traveling and have these connected to your smartphone.

The battery life is also long and charges from flat to full quickly. Depending on how you are using these, they offer up to 16hrs of battery life. So even under demanding circumstances, these should last you the entire day. They also sit at around 3hrs to reach a full charge via the USB cable.

Built-in controls are also essential for Bluetooth headphones. The large buttons on the earcup are easy to use. The built-in microphone is decent, but you will sound distant when on calls. Hard to avoid when you don’t have a microphone directly in front of your mouth.

Last but certainly not least, these fold up into a compact form factor. Perfect for taking them on the road. The included hardshell case completes the portability package.

With restrained styling and good features, the PreSonus Eris HD10BT is an excellent pair of wireless headphones. 

Durability 

This is another area where I am happy to report that PreSonus has delivered. The HD10BT offers excellent build quality. And it is pretty remarkable considering the price point of these headphones.

Typically headphones in this price range offer an abundance of plastic. But the HD10BT features plenty of metal components. This does mean that they are a little on the heavier side at 0.75 lbs. (341 grams). But the slim profile and intelligent weight balance ensure that they don’t feel bulky and cumbersome.

The PreSonus Eris HD10BT features robust and dependable construction.

The padding is equally durable and will stand the test of time. This is one area where I see many headphones fall short. Especially headphones that lean towards consumer-grade. Flaky coverings that end up looking like trash are quite common. But that isn’t the case here.

It also highlights that these are a fantastic choice for travel. Robust and dependable, these headphones can take a knock or two without crumbling. All the hinges and connection points are also reliable adding to the appeal.

Combine this with the hardshell case, and you have a solid pair of headphones that will go the distance.

Value 

I’ve already mentioned a few times that the PreSonus Eris HD10BT offers an approachable price. And it is worth repeating. These are not ultra-budget cans but when you factor in the features, these punch well above their price point. 

The hardshell case is a perfect travel companion.

PreSonus offers a wide range of affordable studio gear. Their monitors are well respected as budget options for a beginner studio setup. Equally, their range of PA systems has made it to our list of recommendations. They consistently produce products that are well made but don’t sport a high price point.

With this much functionality at such a low price, there is no denying that the HD20BT headphones offer exceptional value.

Customer Reviews

These headphones have gathered plenty of positive reviews. Both from customers and industry experts. The combination of build quality and features is often highlighted in reviews. And for most people, the sound quality is more than adequate.

Bluetooth Sound Quality

Bluetooth is an amazing bit of technology that has found its way into a staggering amount of modern devices. It is a simple and effective wireless connection that has evolved over the years. But it is often associated with lower quality sound. Is there any truth to this? Yes and No.

Bluetooth does use compression to transit data. Much the same way that an MP3 file utilizes compression to reduce the file size. In that process, there is a loss of data. The result is a less defined sound profile.

Bluetooth is one of the world’s most popular wireless technologies.

But as Bluetooth has evolved, so has the quality of the compression and the codecs available. However, not all devices will offer the same features. Some headphones like the HD10BT don’t support high-resolution audio. This means you will experience some loss of fidelity when using Bluetooth.

It is also worth considering the source material as well. If you are already primarily listening to MP3 files, you may not hear much difference. But if you are an audiophile that acquires the highest quality audio files, it will be more noticeable.

Whether the lower audio quality is a dealbreaker will come down to your needs. But for everything beyond detailed studio work, Bluetooth offers a lot of flexibility that is hard to resist.

Other Options

Below we take a look at some other options available today. From wireless headphones to more studio-orientated gear, these are all worth considering.

Shure AONIC 50 Gen 2 Review

The Shure AONIC 50 Gen 2 is another excellent pair of wireless headphones with ANC. They are more expensive than the HD10BT but offer better sound quality.

• Rich sound profile that is clear and quite accurate. Suitable for light studio work.
• Long 45-hour battery life plus adjustable active noise cancellation.
• These don’t fold fully into themselves like the HD10BT.

Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT Review

If you want a pair of Bluetooth headphones that are a little cheaper the ATH-M20xBT is worth considering. It features superb Bluetooth functionality and an inviting sound profile.

• Impressive sound quality for a pair of headphones in this price bracket.
• Super long battery life. Up to 60hrs from a single charge. Plus rapid charge for extra convenience.
• Exposed wires and an average plastic frame.

Rode NTH-100 Review

For those that don’t necessarily need Bluetooth connectivity, the Rode NTH-100 is an enticing option. The slick design combines with impressive sound quality.

• More than capable sound with clear highs and mids that retain neutrality.
• Super comfortable fit that also prevents heat build-up thanks to CoolTech gel in the padding.
• The bass response isn’t as precise at the mids and highs.

Should You Buy?

The Eris HD10BT is another excellent entry into the PreSonus lineup of products. It strikes an ideal balance between features and price. The sound quality is better than most at this price point. Likewise, the build quality is impressive.

These are well suited to the traveling musician that wants to work on productions on the go. While not as precise as some may need, it is hard to find a better wireless set of headphones in this price range. A value-orientated choice that is worth every dollar.