Relating to excessive finish headphones, there’s a couple of contenders to look out for. Dan Clark, Hifiman, and Focal are massive hitters on this vary. One model that flies beneath the radar is Kennerton, a Russian model specializing in audiophile listening. At present I had the pleasure of listening to the Kennerton Heartland Planar Magnetic headphones, which has rather a lot to supply with its options, aesthetics, and sound.
What Comes In The Field
- Kennerton Heartland Headphones
- 2 Meter Removable Cable (mini XLR to six.35mm plug)
- Gentle Carrying Bag
- Leatherette Semi-Gentle Carrying Case
- Documentation
Aesthetics and Performance
As all the time, we begin with the aesthetics. The easiest way I can describe the look of those is “deceivingly comfy”. I used to be a bit hesitant moving into with these, and I anticipated not liking the texture primarily based on how giant they’re. They appeared cumbersome and like they’d weigh closely on my head, however as soon as I held them, lots of my fears have been dissuaded. Whereas the bulkiness rings true, the burden was extraordinarily gentle and smooth to the contact. The over-ear really feel was fairly comfy and it was simple to put on them even with glasses urgent towards the lambskin leather-based cushions. The massive ear cups weren’t bothersome and I discovered myself in a position to make use of these for a protracted prolonged time period.
By way of performance, these have been simple to drive. At 43 Ω of resistance, you don’t want lots of energy to get these going. Nonetheless, I elected to make use of the iFi xDSD Gryphon as a further piece of apparatus with this setup. The Heartland comes with a 2 meter cable that has a 6.35mm jack. I needed to provide a further adapter to go to three.5mm, however this bigger jack ensures any studio setup is totally accessible out of the field.
Tech Specs
- Driver: 80mm Planar Magnetic
- Frequency Response: 10Hz – 55kHz’
- Impedance: 43 Ω ± 5%
- Sensitivity: 99dB / 1V
- Magnet Sort: NdFeB
- Magnet System: Symmetric Push-Pull
- Circumanual Ear Coupling
Listening Overview
Soundstage
Now onto the listening! The soundstage on the Heartland is large, and it makes listening immersive virtually instantly. The frequencies pan out within the stereo area very effectively, and broaden outwards to provide the vary good depth. There isn’t an excessive amount of peak on these, which makes the profile extra relaxed than different headphones on this worth vary. Nonetheless, the dynamics of those headphones makes for an fascinating pay attention each time, and the treble leaning signature captures element with gorgeous readability. The open-back design doesn’t enable for a lot noise isolation, however with the sound high quality that comes out of the headphones, it’s not one thing that takes you out of the second.
Low Frequencies
This headphone doesn’t overwhelm with the low finish. As a matter of reality, it’s very subdued and really a lot within the background of lots of tracks. It doesn’t drive and rattle your ears for those who take heed to some robust 808s, however as an alternative provides you a heat basis for the remainder of the observe to construct upon. For somebody on the lookout for a robust and impactful low finish, the Heartland would possibly disappoint; nevertheless, there may be distinctive readability and element that comes out of this vary that not many different headphones have. Listening to ROSALÍA’s “MOTOMAMÍ+” album, I used to be glad the tuned 808s and different low post-production results had a wealthy sound that by no means bought muddy or washed out.
Mid-Vary Frequencies
The mid-range was the spotlight of those headphones. The extent of element and precision coming from this vary makes the value tag make sense. I used to be very appreciative of how the mid-range bought a great characteristic with element and coloration, and the sound copy was pure sounding throughout the board. The textures and layers have been all distinct and had their very own second to shine, making my favourite tracks tackle an entire new sound that I bought to fall in love with. This vary sits on the entrance of the signature, and the dynamic sound actually comes out within the crisp snares and clean vocals. Listening to the Beatles was a pleasure with these, because it felt like I used to be within the room with the devices within the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Membership Band.
Excessive Frequencies
The excessive frequencies are available as an exquisite stability to the wealthy low finish. Just like the low finish, it isn’t an excessively highly effective tone; as an alternative, it is extra relaxed and calm. It doesn’t leap out in a shrill approach, nor does it ever get to a piercing high quality. It’s ethereal and vibrant, nonetheless giving loads of coloration to the observe. The excessive devices are given loads of house to dissipate naturally and so they don’t get lower off in an odd approach. Listening to some operatic items made this high quality shine, and acoustic guitar confirmed how the devices may transition into the treble vary and nonetheless have nice readability.
Abstract
At $3470, the Kennerton Heartland headphones are an enormous buy. The extent of element coming from the planar magnetic drivers is spectacular, and the light-weight match and really feel make it preferrred for lengthy listening classes. This headphone was made for the relaxed listener in thoughts, staying calm in its frequency response however nonetheless giving the standard and readability audiophiles are on the lookout for. Whereas the value tag could also be excessive, the sound you get out of them reveals that they are going to be value each penny.
The Kennerton Heartland is obtainable at Audio46.
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