If you thought the DJ controller market was crowded, what about headphones? Just when you think you’re happy with your faithful old *insert name of German brand here*, a shiny new option appears online or someone like me comes along with another review to set yet another cat among the pigeons!

Thankfully, the HDJ-F10 from AlphaTheta genuinely offers something fresh. This is down to the company’s new SonicLink technology, which promises wireless freedom in the booth by offering ultra-low-latency wireless connection that’s faster than Bluetooth – a tempting idea for any DJ. You can easily imagine technology like SonicLink being used more widely once more DJ setups include transmitters, but for now the HDJ-F10 is a pioneer in this arena. If you’re up for exploring this emerging trend in DJ tech, these could be the next headphones for you.

Beyond the SonicLink headlines, the HDJ-F10s are exactly what you’d expect from quality DJ headphones: sturdy, heavy, and built to last, whilst combining all the needs of a travelling DJ into a single pair. They’re clad in classic black with deep earcups that offer ample isolation, and they’re also padded with memory foam for that all-important comfort you need for longer gigs. If you’re a fan of that chunky, over-ear style, then you won’t be disappointed. Furthermore, thanks to Bluetooth and SonicLink, you’re getting a headset that doubles as your daily headphones while also allowing you to DJ wirelessly. It’s a bold idea, and AlphaTheta has gone all-in to make it happen.

In the HDJ-F10-TX bundle there is a SonicLink transmitter (HP-TX01), two USB-C charging cables, and one long, straight audio cord for backup. Battery life is solid; 60-90 minutes of charging gets you about nine hours of use. I charged my demo pair overnight, then played for around eight hours at high volume and they didn't show any signs of dying. If you do forget to charge your headphones, the audio cord allows for wired use, as there’s a plug for either the SonicLink transmitter or the headphones themselves. A shorter cable might have been nice for a tidier setup, but the system works as it is.

The HDJ-F10 features two modes – SonicLink and Bluetooth – that you switch between using a button on the left earcup.

In SonicLink mode, the headphones will instantly pair with any compatible DJ gear or a HP-TX01 transmitter. As many of you will know, the reason Bluetooth has not been adopted for the DJ market is latency. As DJs, we really need to hear the sound as it’s happening and not after the event. I have always thought wired headphones would be the only way to go, but with SonicLink’s ultra-low latency (just nine milliseconds),
the sound is practically as immediate as a wired connection, and the bass-heavy tuning is perfect for cueing up tracks. This speed is around 20 times faster than the commonly used Bluetooth SEC codec, and I couldn’t hear any delay, even when thumping the cue button trying to catch the system out.

For anyone worried about range, I managed to get 15m from the controller, which was exactly as advertised. Although I did wonder why I was so far away from the decks hearing a cued track – perhaps I need some more time getting used to the whole wireless thing!

Flip over to Bluetooth mode, and the HDJ-F10s perform as solid, full-featured wireless headphones. You can easily pair with your phone, control volume, navigate tracks, and even take calls – all worked without a hitch.

The headphones are also equipped with Noise Cancelling and Transparency modes. In Noise Cancelling mode you can shut out ambient noise, whilst Transparency mode lets in external sounds so you can hear those all-important guest requests (on second thoughts, maybe just keep them on noise cancellation…).
One downside? The noise cancellation could be better. It’s decent, but you won’t get that total isolation of top-tier consumer ANC headphones, though the hefty earcups handle a lot of the noise reduction naturally. There’s also a hint of white noise when SonicLink or Bluetooth noise cancellation is on, but it’s unlikely to bother most DJs in a club or party setting.

Even the little details are well thought out. Turn the headphones on and a British voice announces the power-up (I kind of wish I was given the opportunity for the voice over!). I also wonder if this changes by territory, or perhaps it’s just a little gift for us Brits.
So, the HDJ-F10s are definitely innovative. But how much are you willing to pay for that innovation? They are expensive, and no doubt lots of that value is in the wireless and battery technologies, but I do think there’s a strong case for mobile DJs to make the investment.

While the SonicLink transmitter isn’t yet widely compatible, the future looks promising. These headphones show where AlphaTheta thinks DJing is headed; a world with more wireless setups and fewer cables snaking across the booth. Lighting has seen the same shift, with DMX wirelessly transmitted to devices regardless of brand or price bracket, so there’s no reason why audio won’t go this way too. If you’re willing to be an early adopter, a pair of HDJ-F10s could be worth a shot, especially if you’re already using AlphaTheta equipment.

Overall, the AlphaTheta HDJ-F10s are well-built, bass-boosted, and versatile enough to cover many DJ bases. Whilst they’re not cheap, and the noise cancellation could be improved, they do a great job. With the combination of features, I can easily see myself leaving my airplane headphones, earbuds and DJ headphones at home for long distance gigs, and just grabbing a pair of these instead. After all, I only have one pair of ears…