From the brand new Klipsch Heritage amp you get a light version of the V281 sound, with less body and amplitude. The Klipsch sounds fast and tight but you don’t get the layering and rich ness you get from the Violectric. From the Cayin HA-1A MK2 the Odin sounds extremely musical. Great bass, incredibly rich mids and voices to die for. This is the only amp that succeeds in making the Odin sound more open and spacious. The bass is also exemplary even though it could be “too much” for some of you. I fully understand though why Cayin uses the Odin to showcase their amp, as they have great synergy. For me it even is my favorite headphone with the Cayin amp.
In balanced mode (Headonia, Klipsch, Solaris and V281) you get a more relaxed, rich, spacious and wider sound, with really excellent layering and timbre. The amount of body in bass and mids is a bit less and you get less impact but it makes up for it in richness and pure sound quality. I would advise listening to the Odin balanced configuration if you can. I really like the Odin in balanced mode (I like balanced most of the time with all my head- and earphones) but you might prefer it in Single Ended mode.
Comparisons
The original LCD-2, which got the planar magnetic hype really started imho, has the same characteristics the Odin does: a pitch dark background, that typical planar bass, smooth voices, a darker presentation and softer highs. The LCD-2 is no sound stage king either but I do feel the LCD-2 is the most spacious sounding one of both. The Odin’s bass on the other hand has more impact than the LCD-2.1 and its separation might be a bit better.
The Hifiman HE-1000 V2 is much lighter, yet bigger but more comfortable. To me the HE-1000V2 is playing in a higher league as it has more detail, a more spacious presentation, a wider sound stage and more extension on both ends. Bass body and impact is lighter and the overall tuning is more to the neutral sound. The Odin and Hifiman are very different sounding headphones and while the HE-1000V2 is the best technically, I’m sure a lot of people will prefer the more impactful, heavier bass tuned Odin.
That other Hifiman, the Edition-X V2 is an extraordinary headphone, which also won one of are awards. Where the HE-1000V2 is the “audiophile tuned” one, the Edition-X V2 is the more fun and musical tuned one. It has a warmer presentation than the Odin and it’s smoother as well. The X V2 is incredible easy and relaxed to listen to with its spacious sound, and very open presentation. Its sound stage is wider and deeper than the Odin’s but the Odin’s bass is more punchy, tighter and a tad thicker in body. The X lets you chill in your couch with a scotch while the Odin makes you want to jump up and down with a beer. That’s how I’d put it. Again, but both genres have their fans.
Conclusion
The Kennerton Odin is a top of the line headphone. It has excellent build quality and it’s made with the finest materials only. The Odin undeniably is heavy in weight but despite that it is fairly comfortable.
Sound wise this headphone impresses as well. It has the typical orthodynamic sound with great bass and a pitch black background. The bass is impressive and addictive but to me the Odin really shines in the mids. Treble is soft but lively and the overall signature is musical and a tad darker. The Odin reminds me most of the Audeze LCD-2.1.
Amplification wise I do recommend using a full sized tube or solid state desktop amp as the Odin sounds best that way. The areas for improvement are the extension of both highs and lows, the spaciousness and the speed. I have listened to a new Kennerton headphone at shows though, and this upcoming version addresses these points. I have to say I like it very much.
Price-wise the Odin doesn’t come cheap but you get nothing but the best materials and a 3-year warranty in return. With really strong contenders such as Hifiman, Mr. Speakers and Audeze it is a tough market but I do think the Kennerton Odin has enough character to be different from the rest.
I do look forward to the new Kennerton headphone though, as it’s very good. I hope to get it for review so that we can compare both versions more closely.
dale thorn
Is this made in Russia? I don’t remember seeing the origin in any of the 4 pages.
Alfy
From Page 1 (at the top of the specs):
“The Odin drivers are solely designed and produced in Russia, which involves a facility that also works for the aerospace and military industries, which ensures the highest quality and durability of their headphones.”
dale thorn
My FA011 10th Anniversary headphone was entirely Russian, so I was asking why the lengthy review here did not even mention Russia.
Lieven
But we did mention it ????
Barun C
Imaging and highs are two areas modern day Planars can’t excel at regardless of price.
Julien
Did you get the chance to try with a bakoon amp?
Thanks
Ega
How about odin with wa6se? Is it better than ha-1a mk2?
Lieven
Have not tried it, sorry
Ega
Hi Lieven,
Based on this article, I purchase HA-1A MK2 for My Odin. I use Mojo as DAC.
But I don’t feel HA-1A MK2 really special for Odin. Would you share your setting for HA-1A MK2? Do you have replace any tube?
Thanks ????
Ricky
Hey Lieven thanks for the review and mentioning how you would like a vegan option for materials. I agree! Just FYI… Audeze cans are not Vegan as they use eggshell protein leather.
YW
I owned the Odin for few months now. Love the sound but unfortunately it is too heavy and uncomfortable for long use. Three issues I have: 1. Too heavy 2. The rotating adjustment is limited and I can never find a comfortable fit. 3. The leather in the head band is too long, it actually almost reaching the band. I have to push the adjustment to the end to fit my small sized head (still not enough to fit me properly) . Too bad that Thror is also using the same arrangement (except it is lighter).