Editor’s Choice Award AlphaTheta HDJ-F10 Wireless Headphone and Transmitter Review

Being in the DJ booth without being tethered to the mixer has been a dream of mine and many, many, many DJs for over a decade.

Having to take off your cans to get to your gear constantly, records (I just dated myself), your drink, or tell some moron that you are not going to play “Thriller” for their friend’s birthday has been a pain in the ass since DJs started mixing on two turntables.

So now we are free to roam, not worry about yanking the cord out of the mixer, and move around without worry of a snag. This newfound freedom does take some getting used to, and while testing the headphones, I had several instances of “ghost cord.”

When I moved down to pick up a record (yes, I still use those) and expected a tug on my neck, it didn’t happen, and it was weird in the best possible way. Oh, these headphones’ freedom is phenomenal but also comes with a hefty price tag, so read on to get my thoughts on this new wireless wonder and if it’s right for you.

More info Here | Price for Headphone + Transmitter $499

Editor’s Choice Award

In 2024, we rolled out the Editor’s Choice Awards to highlight some cool gear across our editorial desk that really does reinvent the wheel or at least changes the landscape enough to make us pause, think, and be excited. Because we see about a dozen headphones come across our editorial desks every year, do any of them really do something that’s so far ahead of what’s expected that they’re a no-brainer for you?

Well, we’re only in March of 2025 so maybe something is exciting coming from some of the other legacy brands. Still, for now, it’s safe to say with confidence that AlphaTheta HDJ-F10 Wireless Headphone and Transmitter certainly does bring entirely new qualities and use cases to the table, and that is why it easily takes home an Editor’s Choice Award this year. So let’s dive a bit deeper into why exactly that is…

Comfort and Build Quality

Right out of the box, the HDJ-F10s feel premium. The construction is rock-solid, utilizing rugged materials that inspire confidence they’ll handle the rigors of touring and intense club environments. AlphaTheta proudly mentions they’ve passed the demanding US Military Standard MIL-STD-810H shock tests, a comforting assurance that they’ll survive bumps, drops, and life on the road. Let’s face it: no matter how careful we are with our headphones, they will take some knocks, and the HDJ-F10s can handle it.

The build isn’t just tough; it’s thoughtfully engineered. The headband and earcups provide just the right balance between snugness and comfort. Even after extended DJ sets lasting several hours, I experienced minimal ear fatigue. The large over-ear pads ensure comfort and do an excellent job isolating external noise—essential in noisy DJ booths or busy urban commutes.

Comfort was clearly a priority in the HDJ-F10’s design. The generous over-ear pads completely envelop the ears, providing excellent isolation from external noise, which is particularly beneficial in loud environments. On long DJ sets, these headphones remained comfortable without becoming overly warm or tight. They’re well-balanced, too—despite the robust build, they never felt cumbersome.

The design of the headband material efficiently manages perspiration; although I did not use them in a nightclub, they seemed more than capable of handling sweaty noggins. With the curved band, they are also easy to switch around from using one cup to both to no cups and perching both back earcups in stand-by mode.

Who is this headphone for?

The HDJ-F10s are clearly aimed at professional DJs who want to free themselves from the restrictive nature of wired headphones without compromising sound or timing accuracy. Whether you’re headlining festivals, spinning in clubs, or working in the studio, these headphones provide the kind of versatility and durability professionals need.

Additionally, if you frequently travel and prefer a single, multipurpose pair of headphones, these are a compelling option thanks to their Bluetooth functionality and impressive battery life.

How to Use Them?

Using the HDJ-F10 is straightforward but requires pairing it with AlphaTheta’s HP-TX01 SonicLink wireless transmitter. The setup is quick and once connected, latency becomes imperceptible—far faster and more responsive than typical Bluetooth solutions. I experienced virtually no noticeable lag, which is genuinely impressive. Plug the charged transmitter into the mixer headphone out, hit the transmitter button to pair and ensure your headphones are in SonicLink mode, and off you go. The only issue you might encounter is where to tuck the transmitter so it doesn’t get in your way, which is a minor inconvenience but something you will encounter at clubs.

I mixed with CDJ-2000s and vinyl, with all genres, and had zero issues making smooth mixes and beat matching on time. Even with super tight drum and bass records, I was able to beat match with ease and keep the mix tight for long stretches.

The headphones also feature dual functionality: you can switch effortlessly between the ultra-low latency SonicLink mode and standard Bluetooth mode. In Bluetooth mode, you also gain active noise-canceling capabilities and access to a built-in mic, allowing for voice calls and digital assistants like Siri or Google Assistant.

Sound Quality

AlphaTheta’s proprietary 40mm composite film diaphragm drivers deliver high-resolution audio, bringing clear, punchy sound across the frequency spectrum. On initial listening tests, they excelled—delivering bright highs, decent mids, and strong, distinctive bass. The sound profile is tuned especially for DJs, emphasizing powerful bass that stands out in noisy club environments, aiding precise beatmatching and cueing.

So, while you can still use these as your everyday listening headphones, you will get early onset fatigue, most likely as they are designed for DJ mixing; they still sound good enough to use on planes in a pinch if you don’t want to travel with two pairs of cans. The Active Noise Cancelling is another plus, although it’s not as good as other consumer headphones it works well enough and features full ANS, Transparency and Off mode for you to choose from.

Battery Life / Charging

So yes, the one drawback about these headphones is that you need to charge them before you use them wirelessly. If you biff it and forget to charge them, you can still use them as wired headphones; make sure you have the wire in your bag. The battery life is impressive, boasting 9 hours of continuous use in SonicLink mode, more than enough for even marathon-length DJ sets. The only DJ still around who could run these out is Danny Tenaglia. Switching to Bluetooth mode extends battery life significantly, offering up to 30 hours. When depleted, you can fully recharge the headphones in approximately 2.5 hours. The HP-TX01 transmitter recharges even quicker, requiring just 2 hours to reach full power.

Awards and Recognition

Given their stellar combination of groundbreaking low-latency wireless technology, rugged professional build, superior audio quality, and exceptional versatility, the AlphaTheta HDJ-F10 headphones have earned the Magnetic Magazine Editor’s Choice Award. This accolade recognizes the HDJ-F10 as an outstanding innovation in DJ technology, bridging a previously challenging gap between professional performance needs and wireless convenience.

At this $499 price point, these aren’t cheap. However, if wireless DJ functionality combined with excellent sound quality is crucial for your workflow, it’s a worthwhile investment.

Final Verdict AlphaTheta HDJ-F10 Wireless Headphone

The AlphaTheta HDJ-F10 headphones represent a significant step forward in wireless audio tech for DJs. They’re a compelling option for professionals who want robust, reliable performance without the limitations of traditional cables. While the price might be a barrier for some, the unparalleled wireless convenience, exceptional build quality, and Magnetic Magazine Editor’s Choice Award-winning sound make them a genuinely impressive piece of DJ gear.

Pros:

Wireless freedom is unreal; once you experience it, you will never go back
Comfort and battery life, you can go for hours with these comfortably and confidently
Multipurpose, use them for listening to music as well as mixing

Cons:

Charging takes some getting used to, especially if you are a regularly touring DJ
Price might be an issue for some

What I would love to see next?

Integrated transmitters on Pioneer DJ or AlphaTheta mixers
A smaller, less invasive transmitter with a flip-out plug for easier placement