Disclaimer: The Klipsch HP-3 headphone from the Heritage series was sent to us by BELHiFi after I contacted Klipsch in the USA. This unit will be returned to BELHiFi after this review. Klipsch is not in any way related to Headfonia.
Klipsch
Of course we all know Klipsch as a speaker company but Klipsch actually has their own line-up of ear- and headphones. Recently however Klipsch decided to launch a new headphone and desktop DAC/AMP aimed at the high end personal audio market: the Heritage series. In this review we’ll be looking at the Heritage HP-3 reference headphone.
We are the Keepers of the Sound®
In 1946 Paul W. Klipsch, inventor, acoustics pioneer and maverick, founded Klipsch Audio with the sole purpose of bringing the power, detail and emotion of the live music experience into his living room. Through the use of highly efficient speaker designs, handcrafted cabinetry and a thirst for real engineering breakthroughs – Klipsch, the great American loudspeaker company, was born in Hope, AR. Today, our diverse range of quality audio products includes speakers and headphones for almost any consumer and professional application – including cinema, whole-house, wireless, home theater and portable offerings. Honoring our founder’s legacy, Klipsch continues to be the legendary high-performance brand of choice for audiophiles and aficionados around the world.
Klipsch HP-3
Klipsch HP3
The new HP-3 headphone is part of Klipsch’ latest Heritage series, together with a series of speakers and the before mentioned DAC/Amp unit. You can find out all about the Klipsch HP-3 headphone on the Klipsch website here: http://www.klipsch.com/products/hp-3-headphones.
When I first saw the HP-3 on the world wide web, I just had to get it for review. The headphone just draws your attention to it with its gorgeous design and eye for detail. Then after checking out the technical specs and philosophy behind it, my mind was made up. If you don’t feel like reading then you can find out all about the Heritage HP-3 headphone in the following movie made by Klipsch:
In short, the HP-3 is a triple vented, semi open back full sized over-ear headphone. It’s driven by a pair of 52mm biodynamic drivers with more than one tesla of magnetic flux density. The HP-3 decreases distortion and provides superb dynamic range. Using a proprietary mixture of bio-cellulose and inorganic fiber, the bio-dynamic drivers achieve incredible levels of balance and control throughout the full frequency spectrum. Additionally, the urethane rubber surrounds create a driver that stays solid and rigid, moving like a piston instead of rocking and tilting like typical headphone drivers. This free-edge design further reduces tonal coloration and improves clarity.
Proper acoustic venting drives the powerful and smooth delivery of the Heritage HP-3. Back-vented to the outside world as well as through the front baffle, the drivers can breathe and allow ambient noise to fuse seamlessly with the rhythm of your music, creating a natural presentation. Precisely vented between the front of the driver and directly behind the ear pad through a vortex guide, the Heritage HP-3 reduces pressure in your ears, and creates a consistent performance for any head or ear shape.
Quick link to Page 2 HERE
Features
Free-Edge 52mm Bio Dynamic Drivers
Triple-vented semi-open design
Solid-wood ear cups
Genuine cowhide headband
1.37m and 2.0m removable cables
Custom 1/4” adapter
Custom solid-steel stand
Magnetic removable sheepskin ear cushions
Specifications
Style: Semi-Open Over-Ear
Driver Design: Free-Edge Biodynamic
Driver Components: Full Range KG-520
Driver Diameter: 52 mm
Frequency Response: 5Hz-45kHz
Sensitivity: (1MW) 98 dB
Power Handling: 1,800 mW
Impedance: 25 Ohms
Input Connections: 3.5mm
Product Dimensions: 7.87” (200mm) H x 10.24” (260mm) W x 1.97” (50mm) D
Boxed Dimensions: 12.2” (310mm) H x 14.65 (372mm) W x 5.28” (134mm) D
Product Weight: 0.97 lbs. (440g)
Boxed Weight: 10.58 lbs (4.8kg)
The review continues on Page Two, after the click HERE or by using the jump below
M Girvan
Nice review, qualified well and allows me to get an idea what the HP-3 is all about. It sounds like I would very much like it, but would prefer better control and bass layering ability. I would like to suggest that you consider reviewing the Pioneer SE Monitor 5. I would be really interested in knowing how you hear it. Based on your take of the HP-3 I would predict that you would find in as much as a closed headphone can, that the Monitor 5 moves much closer to neutrality while still being a crafted signature with some pretty solid bass chops.
Lieven
Thanks. The problem is you just can’t get Pioneer review samples :/
Mark
Simply the VERY BEST headphone around.
Not an headphone for the useless surgical audiophile but for the REAL Music lover!
Thank you 🙂
March
I’ve had these for a while, and while I question your assessment about the bass (not that it’s a bit overblown, but that it’s got poor texture), I generally agree with your impressions. As someone who listens to a lot of different genres I feel I’d be hard-pressed to use these as my sole HPs, but what the Klipsch does it does very well. My only regret is that there’s a tad too much energy in the treble for my liking, but I expect to become less treble sensitive in about a decade or so— I could consider these an investment until then.
plouplou
Merci beaucoup pour ce test. Il m’a été d’une grande utilité pour me décider à acheter ce casque dont je suis pleinement satisfait. Néanmoins, j’ai une question.
En effet, je suis à la recherche d’un ampli casque pour l’associé (budget 600 euros). J’utilise mon HP3 en ce moment avec un fiio Q1 ii avec un résultat très satisfaisant pour le prix.
J’ai essayé le casque avec l’ampli klipsch de la même gamme, j’ai été très déçu du résultat. L’ampli était relié à un mac par usb audio. Je ne suis pas le seul à être déçu de ce branchement usb audio.
Pour vous, y a-t-il une différence de qualité entre un branchement en usb audio et un branchement en RCA ou optique concernant l’ampli Klispch ? L’ampli Klipsch Heritage mérite-t-il que je le réessaye avec d’autres types de branchement?
Merci d’avance,
Lieven
I always seem to prefer coaxial over USB, but in this case I don’t think it will make much difference…
plouplou
Je vais réessayer l’ampli Klipsch une dernière fois. Auriez-vous des suggestions concernant un ampli qui se marierait bien avec le HP3 dans cette gamme de prix (600 euros)? J’aime beaucoup la signature sonore en V.
Merci pour votre travail.
Mike I
Ampli seul ou ampli-DAC ?
plouplou
I come back to you because I received the dedicated Heritage amp that I could try a lot this weekend. I do not regret my choice. I had the impression to clamp my HP3 headset in use with the Fiio Q1 ii even if it does not go wrong. The advantage is that I could feel the difference from Q1 to Klipsch amp, having been used to the first.
And there is nothing to say. If there are sedentary amps is that it serves something: more power, width of scene, simply. In the end, after being seen as budget helmets, this association is the one that gave me the most pleasure. Not to mention the aesthetics and the quality of the materials used.
Shane D
Nice review. It sounds like I would like these ‘phones. I prefer Fun over Neutral. I am not wowed by Audeze and I bought and then sold Senn HD6XX.
There is a dealer that has a demo pair on sale…still at the high end of my budget. Especially when you can’t hear them first. I use the Sony NW-ZX300.
What to do, what to do…????
andrew ganley
Good review,i recently purchased the Focal Clear and while loving the sound and build,not overly pleased with the finish.
I first came across these HP3s online at YouTube and fell for the drop dead gorgeous look and box!
Wether they are better sounding then my Focal’s is some thing for me to audition
but if looks can kill these maybe for me!
Seppo Seppä
Thank you for this review. It gave a good picture of what to expect, as was confirmed when I had the chance to try these in a store. I listen to a wide variety of genres. Since I love some organ music, and am quite picky and critical, I tried Jean Guillou´s version of Pictures at an exhibition (Dorian). The recording has incredible SQ and soundstage, reproducing the beautiful sound of the great organ at Tonhalle, Zürich in a way I have not heard before.
With VERY deep bass in pedal subcontra region.
I was quite confused noticing that this HP:s could not reproduce the basses without disturbing inner resonances. I do not hear these with my Sennheiser HD650 or AKG712 HP:s,at home but, surprisingly, they were present again with the Sennheiser HD800s:s at the store.
Now I am wondering, can this be a result of abuse of the demo pair, or is it possible that the bass of these HP:s is achieved by such long throw of the elements that simply cannot handle it without the cones touching something? If so, could it really happen in the HD800s also, though its bass is much lighter and in spite of its big elements, not needing that much throw?
I am used to listening with reasonable sound pressures, and was not pushing the HP:s.
Still, it is possible that, in the somewhat noisier surroundings, I used bigger volume that at home with my own Sennheisers and AKG:s
In short: Is it possible that TOTL headphones are built so that they reproduce too much sub-bass to handle it, even at reasonable listening levels?