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Kali Audio HP-1 Studio Headphones

Name: Kali Audio HP-1 Studio Headphones
Brand: Kali Audio
Rating: 3.5 (3 reviews)

Closed-back, Over-ear Headphones with Adjustable Tuning Modes and Onboard Controls

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Item ID: KaliHP1

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Kali Audio HP-1 Studio Headphones

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Modern Headphones for Modern Workflows

Aimed at providing studio professionals, gamers, and hi-fi enjoyers alike with professional contemporary sound, Kali Audio's HP-1 headphones are consistently cited at Sweetwater for their versatility and industry-grade performance. Loaded with dual 40mm driver units, the HP-1 pumps out clean, concise sound with more than enough nuance to pick out the most complex details in any mix. Have a preferred sonic signature in mind? No problem — the HP-1 features three onboard tuning modes to accommodate several workflows. Likewise, onboard Bluetooth compatibility offers seamless wireless use when cables aren't a viable option. That said, a dutiful rechargeable battery supplies up to 40 hours of use on a single charge. When accurate, personalized sound is of utmost importance, make sure you have a pair of Kali Audio HP-1 headphones on standby.

Tailored to your favored listening application

Gaming, music production, high-fidelity playback — no matter your use case, the HP-1's onboard tuning modes ensure your audio remains optimal at all times. The headphones' default Studio tuning mode provides clean, accurate sound for the most authentic representation of your mix. Likewise, the Consumer tuning mode provides a completely balanced signal representative of headphones used with most modern smartphones and tablets. In the mood for some tunes with a kick? The HP-1's Bass-Heavy tuning mode will automatically emphasize your low end for some serious audial thump.

Kali Audio HP-1 Features:

Neutral-response closed-back headphones for music production, mixing, gaming, content creation, hi-fi playback, and more
40mm driver units supply clean and balanced sound for utmost sonic authenticity
Onboard active noise cancellation keeps you locked into your sound with little to no ambient interference
3 built-in tuning modes (Studio, Consumer, and Bass-Heavy) provide the perfect output for any listening application
Easy-to-use playback controls for immediate authority over your tunes
Bluetooth for convenient wireless use
Up to 40 hours of continuous battery life on a single charge

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Tech Specs

Type: Wireless/Wired
Open/Closed: Closed
Fit Style: Circumaural (Over the Ear)
Driver Size: 40mm
Noise Attenuation: Active Noise Cancelling
Frequency Response: 18Hz to 22kHz
Connectivity: Bluetooth (AAC, SBC), 1/8" TRS Plug, 1/4" TRS Adapter, USB-C (charging)
Detachable Cable: Yes
Controls: Play/Pause/Next/Previous
Built-in Mic: Yes
Power: Built-in Li-ion Battery, USB Powered Charging
Battery Life: 40+ Hours
Foldable: Yes
Color: Black
Case/Bag: Softshell Case
Weight: 5.29 oz
Manufacturer Part Number: HP-1

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Reviews

3.7

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I'd like to start this review with some assurance to the reader, that I am not new to evaluating and dissecting audio products including headphones and speakers, whether consumer or studio focused. I am a musician with some recording/mixing/mastering experience, but mainly these days just an avid listener and audiophile.

This is a headphone review so I'll let you know I've tried and evaluated a LOT of headphones over the years, including some quite expensive models from Focal and Audeze, which were subsequently returned due to diminishing returns for the extra cost. I have loved a few models in the past, such as the Neumann NDH20 and NDH30. Those are still quite amazing headphones in my opinion, but more than twice the cost of these Kalis.

I'm not new to Kali products. I own the Kali IN-8 V2 monitors and two Kali WS12 V2 subs ran in stereo with the monitors. I have also tried and evaluated several higher cost monitors and stuck with the Kalis.

Anyway! These headphones are amazing. With the risk of sounding a bit too first-world or privileged, I was initially concerned about the $ price point on these. I thought they seemed too cheap to possibly be as good as I would hope. But don't worry, these perform in a class all their own without any real restrictions of their price point, in my listening opinion.

Play around with their 3 DSP settings. I really like the studio mode and bass heavy mode for different listening situations. All 3 settings are good, valid listening modes. I'll review them in a general sense and not just specific to one of the 3 modes.

The most outstanding listening point of these headphones to me is the clarity and resolution. I thought I had heard it all before but these headphones are revealing new details to me in stuff I listen to all the time. They have a beautifully defined midrange with tons of musicality and detail without sounding too forward or overbearing. You would certainly be able to hear the layers and details in your mixing work and be able to make accurate decisions using these headphones.

As far as tonality, there are obviously 3 different DSP-controlled listening modes, but yeah, these guys are balanced. Never any overbearing harsh sibilance or treble, nor any huge muddy bass covering up the rest of the frequencies. They're quite neutral and full sounding.

The only thing to remember, these are headphones. They're not going to give you full body bass impact or a huge room-filling soundstage. But in headphone form they can definitely give you as wide or as small of a soundstage as your mix dictates. They're very revealing and transparent.

Overall, I think these guys are an absolute WIN, and I am so excited to own a pair so soon after their launch. I can't wait to see what more Kali Audio does in the world of headphones and studio monitors.

P.S Kali Audio, I am absolutely lusting over a pair of SM-8 monitors... I need those in my life sometime soon.

These headphones do exactly as advertised and emulate the different sound profiles well. My only complaint is the build quality, they feel like they will easily snap.

I ended up returning these due to some issues. I'll keep this review short and sweet. TLDR: due to issues in DSP I wasn't confident using these for anything other than casual listening.

Pros:
1. Comfortable headphones. Fit over the ear well and I had no fatigue with wearing them for several hours.
2. Build quality is decent. Not amazing, but decent.
3. Neutral sound profile is good. Sound is clear and balanced, nothing too harsh.
4. Case is nice.
5. Bluetooth is nice to have. However, because these headphones are clear, there is a noticeable quality difference when using bluetooth vs wired.

Cons:
1. Included 1/8" cable is too short (not a big deal).
2. Included adapter was unusable. It did not make a good connection with any 1/8" cable and consistently would drop out (could have been a random defect, and again, not a big deal).
3. Latency caused by internal DSP was noticeable when tracking with guitar. It wasn't terrible, but enough to reduce confidence in tracking fast-paced material.
4. When there was an input signal, there was a quiet, ever-present noise which made these unsuitable for mixing for me. The noise was not present in my IEMs, conventional speakers, or my studio monitors. My guess is this is due to the internal DSP.
5. No good way to see battery level when using wired (since battery is still necessary).
6. Sound profiles other than neutral don't sound good or normal to my ears.

See also: Head Phones, Kali Audio, Kali Audio Headphones