Kennerton Thekk | Head-Fi

ProsThe Hi-End sound qulaity;
Superior technical resolution across the entire range;
Smooth, balanced sound;
The depth, width, holographic soundstage is amazing;
Separation of instruments, natural and lively sound;
Comfortable high frequencies with excellent resolution;
Deep, fast, detailed punch bass;
A light weight;
Convenient headband;
Stunning leather, wood and metal materials;
Special design;
A rich set of components;
Customization options from the manufacturer;
Not hard to drive
ConsPrice can make you think
Stock cable of excellent quality, but with a hard covering
Availability for purchase

Disclaimer: the review is not an advertisement, not initiated by the manufacturer, everything written is the opinion of an ordinary music lover. I am not an expert, I do not have a specialized education and I am not professionally associated with the audio industry. Kennerton Thekk was bought by me, and the review is a fountain of emotions. You may not hear the same sound and disagree with its description, everything described is a subjective impression and is based on the Cayin N6 mk2 source with the A01 motherboard (High Gain / 55-65 volume level on the balance output, on the stereo – 70-80). For the most complete picture, you may need to connect to powerful stationary amplifiers. I also apologize for the grammar, I am not a native speaker of English.

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Previous experience

My music path was started about three years ago, when I bought the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro. Since then, I have listened to myself, my preferences and new devices. Being a basshead, I still think that I have a sense of beauty and sophistication. Therefore, the further path was related with the search for the Grail – the ideal amount and quality of low frequencies woven into the shameful overall sound quality. Onkyo A800Denon AH-D5200Shure SRH1540Campfire Audio CascadeE-MU Teak visited my home at different times. The latter fit best into my tastes, and, as a result, survived the rest. Then came the era of IEM sound. This is a special world of sound – someone loves it, disgusting to others, and I pretty deeply immersed into IEM world. It seemed to me that I would not return to full-size headphones.

Weight taken on second try

The first acquaintance with Thekk (and the rest of the brand’s headphones) was a couple of months ago. The sound was so distinctive and unusual that I even thought: “How can I listen to such a sound?” After the in-ear earphones, you are transported into a world where everything grows in width and depth. Imagine goes to such a depth that you clearly feel like you are in a concert at the stadium. This is not a metaphor (of course, it is a metaphor), the source of the sound is really at a distance and the sound waves come from a respectful distance. When you get used to the fact that everything sounds in your head and goes to the face, then such a transformation of the soundstage may cause confusion. At this point you must leave the comfort zone.

So I went home with nothing (in fact, I bought other devices, but it’s not about them), but, it seems to me, the virus was already inside me. After that, there was a little acquaintance with some of the popular dynamic flagships Sony MDR-Z1R and Fostex TH900. I also paid attention to Hifiman (AnandaEdition X), but there was no way to listen to them in the local store.

I had a persistent feeling that I definitely want a different sound, something special for me personally, and I got ready for the second try. Let’s skip the lyrics, after a long demo session and sorting out the accessories, I decided to buy new emotions.

Complete set and quality of materials

First of all, everything is packed in an amazing leather bag. There are no hints of eco-leather or substandard materials; these are excellent quality leather, with a premium and solid look.

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As far as I know, only one cable (of the new revision) is put in the standard kit, but I got two cables: the previous revision with a 3.5 mm stereo connector, has a more rigid cover, and the second one – the updated revision with 6.3 mm connector and a softened cover. Both cables are oxygen-free copper (OFC with 5N purity) from the JIB manufacturer. Immediately, I note that they sound very worthy and you may use them the first time without any problems. I’ll run a little further, compared it with a balanced custom cable – the difference in volume was up to 10-15 levels (which is not critical), and there is no gap in sound quality, although there is a noticeable upgrade when replacing the stock cable with a custom one. The cover of stock cable is really hard for me, and this also applies to the updated revision. I listen to Thekk from the portable player, so the comfort of cable is important.

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The standard kit also includes only one ear pads. But I was lucky and I got a second pair of black leather ear pads.

By the way, I also got a limited edition of Thekk, and instead of black leather it is used (in the headband and ear pads) the brown skin of a young deer. And here is my respect! I admit, I really feel sorry for deer of all ages and skin color, however, when I touched this most delicate smooth skin, I experienced indescribable delight. It is like the skin of a baby, tactilely incredibly pleasant, with increased presentability and premium design. Here is the checkmate.

Black leather ear pads are denser, there are no questions about quality, all seams look strong, perforation is also neat and clear. It seemed to me during the demo session that the black ear pads produced a slightly more airy and transparent sound. Brown pads seemed to add weight and aggression. Maybe it depends on the density of the materials used.

In the kit you will also find a headphone care material, an envelope with a certificate, a 3-year warranty, a belt for carrying a bag, a metal 6.3-3.5 mm adapter (it looks just as monumental and weighty in the hand).

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The cups are expertly created: I can’t find fault with polishing, joints, or design. As mentioned above, I got a limited edition pair, the differences of which are purely aesthetic, but quite significant for me. This version also features a special cups design. Bog oak, Karelian birch and bubinga create a kind of tricolor and set the tone in a cool design.

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Can you finally talk about the sound?

Ok, let’s go. The first thing I came across when I first met was the depth of the soundstage. “Hello!” – said my test track, “What the hell are you so far?!” – indignant me.

On the one hand, it was as unusual as possible, on the other, it became a decisive factor. If these were another headphones, with even more bass, or a juicier middle, then what would radically change for my usual sound? Absolutely nothing. I do not want to mislead and create an idea of some wild depth and an incredible distance from an imaginary sound source. I describe only my feelings based on personal experience. If you, like me, prefer a close sound, as it is also called “into your face”, then you will easily experience the same strange feelings. The sound no longer sits in your head, you clearly hear it from the side. This gives a sense of space, creates the effect of being present at an open-air concert venue, or in a smaller room, in some kind of jazz club, for example. Even in a smaller imaginary room, when the sound source is closer, you still do not feel it in your head, but you feel the distance. All this creates a 3D and holographic effects.

Test:
Django Reinhardt, Stéphane Grappelli – Stompin’ at Decca (Remastered)

The band plays quite close, warmly, this is definitely not a open-air concert, but a cozy club. The feeling of being at the highest level.

The next thing I noticed how lively sound. The instruments sounded so clear, with natural tonality, I would not confuse this with a synthesized sound. This is not a dry analytical sound, definitely not. Dryness and liveliness here are mutually exclusive characters. This sound is lively, involving.

After that, you dive into a voluminous space where the level of pleasure depends in many respects on the sound engineer. Indeed, space is felt very well and in all directions. Literally every track is interesting to listen to in terms of listening to instrument positioning. If everything is done competently, then you can easily listen to the position of the instrument, vocals, effects. Holography is often so deceiving to the brain that you hear instruments not only on the sides and in front of you, but clearly hear them behind you when the sound comes from the back of the head.

I will emphasize this again. I often listen to music in genres unusual for me only because it is exciting to listen to the work of a sound engineer!

The separation of instruments is excellent, I can focus on one of them and listen to all of his parts. At the same time, the sound is tangible and it seems that it can be touched by fingers.

Test:


Pharoah Sanders – You’ve Got To Have Freedom

Excellent test for speed, separation, detail, working out the upper range. Thekk plays everything without any problems. Each instrument stays in its place and is heard. Highs do not tear your ears and are served in the amount that they played. The saxophone attacks as much as possible and the sound resembles a goose cry, but your hearing will not be affected, and you definitely will not confuse the saxophone with a goose.

Seriously, can you have more specifics about the sound?

Treble

High frequencies have an excellent level of resolution, transmitting the highest octaves without discomfort, frustration, excessive aggression.

Test:

Sunday Service Choir – Count Your Blessings

The choral parts become a challenge of the ears and headphones, climbing to the very top of the range. Since 02:20, the most peak sound begins. Thekk copes by transmitting the correct tonality of voices, the sound does not turn into a sharp spear, but also does not cut off high frequencies. Note: the stock cable in my ear at the highest octaves produces sound vibrations, slightly distorting the voices. Perhaps this is how my ear reacts, but I hear some waviness. Custom cable runs smoothly, naturally, nothing shakes, high ones are transmitted without distortion.

Test:
Pat Metheny – The Sound of Silence

Lower guitar strings sound emotionally and naturally. It is impossible for me to confuse the sound of a guitar string with another instrument or sample. Detail and micronuances are heard effortlessly: touching the string, transitions along the strings, extended metal aftertone.

Midrange

In fact, there will be the same epithets about naturalness, liveliness, involvement. Midrange in its place and sound at the highest level. Like the instruments, the vocal parts sound excellent, bewitching.

Test:

Dead Can Dance – Amnesia

Brendan Perry knows the secret arts, in my opinion, because at some point I go into a trance. Enveloping vocals, timbre, voice transitions, tempo – isn’t that magic? Thekk shows everything voluminously and densely.

Test:
Ane Brun – All Is Soft Inside (From NRK HAIK for Aurora, 2019)

Ane Brun’s vocal sounds very close, intimate, at some point it fills your head and this is a very cool feeling. We pay attention to the nuances, you can clearly hear her breathing, gaining air before the next line. The guitar sounds lively and also pretty intimate.

Lows

At this point, many bassheads can get up and leave. As I said at the beginning, I am a basshead, constantly hungry in massive bass. If you only listened to headphones with dynamic drivers before, like me, then you just need to accept this special bass. This bass is different, detailed, lean, fast, punchy, textural. The big drum will knock naturally and delight with a physical punch. Electronic bass can go deep, and be thunderous. Thekk is a story about a clear midbass rather than an enveloping subbass, about a high-speed kick, rather than a subwoofer in your head. When there are no unnecessary colored effects, you hear all the sounds very clear and crystal. Fast heavy metal does not turn into a mess, and electronic music gives the whole spectrum of emotions from various electro effects and fancy sounds.

Test:


Darkside – Paper Trails

The bass goes very deep, it sounds voluminous, thick, without losing detail and not falling into a rumble. It’s great. The low timbre of the voice also sounds more like another bass instrument, again, the nuances are here, nothing is distorted. At the same time, the guitar remains in its place, does not go into the shade, and is not lost in the bass sound.

Test:
Kilo Kish – SPARK

An example of a physically punch. Thekk concentrates the drums in a fist and beats. This is a literally physically tangible punch, if you increase the volume above average, it becomes extremely uncomfortable, you are simply beaten in the ear. It is not a harsh sound, but focused and gritty.

Test:
T78 – Dragstor

Just surround, deep, rumbling bass. When I write that the bass in Thekk is different, this does not mean that it is any kind of light or weak. It’s just that his nature is different from the dynamic bass, and at the same time it has a punch, both mass and volume.

What about sound customization?

Cable replacement

The cable was made by a professional and a fan of his craft. Again, the cable was bought by me and not provided for review.

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This is a very (very, very) soft, flexible cable of 8 wires of single-crystal copper (OCC / 22 AWG / purity 7N) on rhodium-plated connectors from Furutech. Firstly, it is immediately adds +100 to comfort. Secondly, the cable influenced the nature of the sound. The sound became softer, a little smoother. No, I’m not talking about blunting details or undercutting frequencies, but about warmth. The resolution over the entire sound range is even better developed than on the stock cable. This, for example, can be seen on the choral composition above. The soundstage added a little in depth and width, and more massive lower range. Well, of course, an increase in loud about 10-15 levels.

I think this is an obvious upgrade.

Narrow-perforated Ear Pads

The sound is more biting, it becomes closer, a noticeable increase to the lower range, the spacious narrows, the soundstage becomes more compact, this is clearly for lovers of dark sound.

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The nuances of different leather types have also been described above.

Conclusion

What you immediately notice when Kennerton headphones are in your hands is attention to detail, materials used and quality of production. This is a solidly assembled product with a competent design. There is never a feeling that something is done carelessly. I like it when I buy an expensive thing and it looks at its value. I have many expensive headphones that look $100.

I chose Thekk among the other models of the top line – OdinThridiThrorThekk turned out to be closest to my tastes, having a more significant (comparable to Odin) bass, involving sound, an excellent level of comfort (other models are really heavy).

If someone cares, then these headphones can be used at low volume and they will play perfectly.

In general, the sound of Kennerton Thekk can be described as smooth, balanced, with high technical resolution over the entire range, with air, volume feed, deep, punch bass. The sound is warm.

I never believed in warming up, but I was able to verify that it was necessary in almost a blind test at a demo session when the guys gave me a new pair of Thekk. The sound was a little drier and I had to add 5 volume levels. Therefore, my pair of Thekk can be considered not yet warmed up, and I believe that it will still reveal its potential.

Should you buy them? Buy something that will bring you true pleasure and new emotions. I was lucky with this when I became the owner of Thekk.

written by fullbass

Kennerton Wodan Planar Headphones Made In Russia

Pros: top tier dynamics, transient response is second to none, musical, organic, a rare blend of natural beauty & analytical sound rarely found if at all, comfortable, headband expands and sits perfectly, wood design is unlike any other on market, finish is nothing short of spectacular

Cons: I wish the performance for this tier of headphone were available for less money, but you get exactly what you pay for, head band is same as lower priced Magni and Ghorn and other Kennertons but again that’s a proven comfortable design but some may expect an even better design at this price range, standard cable is a little stiff, ear cups should be customers choice between ECL-02 (more mid-bass and sub-bass and ECL-01 (standard) – I think you can request which one you want when you order but I need to check. Also the ear pads are not stitched as nicely as my Dakoni Elite Hybrid pads which are machine sewn (see pictures) but Kennerton addresses this at end of review (basically the Kennertons are all hand sewn- and Kennerton have superior sonics which is a direct relation to the better leather quality used which enhance sound performance- each ear pad is tested by Kennerton while on headphone for balance- so not a con but a real positive- just the sewing looks hand done vs machine- see bottom of review for more on pads from Kennerton Corporate Office in Russia.

NOTE: CLICK ON ANY PHOTO FOR FULL IMAGE

NOTE: I do not work for Kennerton. I buy gear with my own money and have zero to gain by wasting your time or mine by writing any favorable or non favorable review- I tell the truth… I would be doing my soul an eternal disservice if I were to lie on any review- and a disservice to you the reader. People usually either write about their immense pleasure for something or their complete disgust. (I am from The United States- New York and am just bored with the state of events like COVID-19 and feel like expressing my delight or disdain for things I buy or return which ever applies- with that let’s get ready to rumble…)

KENNERTON WODAN

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(Yes I used my dog for the Kennerton Wodan photo… she just wants to play.
Sort of an lesson for all of us… stop with the gear and get on with the music already!)

Am I an obsessed Kennerton fan? Short answer yes! well… only because their headphones deserve my complete – (choose your word: craze, fixation, passion, fascination, fancy, mania, infatuation) of mine… they EARNED it and opened my world by way of my first purchase of the Magni a few months back. I then latter did the Gjallarhorn GH50- but I was let down in comparison to the Magni performance and HAD to modify my copy of the Gjallarhorn to make it the way I like- and now it is my favorite headphone bar none at any price…my GH50 Modded now offer me a customized bass port(s) and the instruments stop and start lightning fast with the circle dots of fabric mod I made. But that is a dynamic headphone (using a driver like a speaker)… anyone who knows me knows I love my Vandersteen speakers ( first-order type dynamic speakers) and consider their accuracy and pleasing sound the epitome of best for money in a world of speakers- why? I am very very time sensitive to drivers and crossovers since I got into this hobby back when I worked for Crazy Eddie in Syosset NY many many years ago at the age of 14. Latter- I would visit stores all around the Tri-State area – and when I heard the first order crossovers used by Vandersteen – I sold every speaker I owned and bought the Vandersteens when I could afford them. I could never like speakers like B&W since their crossovers were not timed properly mostly because they used 3rd order x-overs and their drivers hit my ear at different times-yes really. Time and phase, in combination with amplitude, determine what we hear. That’s the case with most speakers back then and even today- time alignment problems.

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Sound is comprised of many different frequencies intermingled and combined to form complex waveforms. A speaker is time an phase correct when all the frequencies arrive at the listener’s ears aligned in time and phase so that all the complex waveforms are intact.

The woofer, mid range, and tweeter will all reproduce their portions of the frequencies that make up this waveform. If the speaker is time and phase correct the outputs of the three drivers will add together at the listening position into a very close reproduction of the original waveform.

But if the drivers are not properly aligned, or they are not all connected in positive phase, or if a high-order, steep slope crossover is used, the outputs from the drivers will arrive at the listening position out-of-step from each other and twisted in phase. Do you really want a speaker with flat frequency response that cannot accurately recreate the musical waveforms. This is exactly the case with the vast majority of loudspeakers and it sucks for people who know the difference- your choices are limited in the marketplace. You can’t unsee the truth of wrong sound once you get used to it… it is annoying yet what got me started down this journey of finding great equipment to include cd players, streamers dacs, cables and of course speakers and headphones…

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So, why do most mainstream manufacturers and reviewers focus only on the amplitude (frequency) response of speakers and ignore the critical time and phase? I do not know. Maybe because they want a desired frequency response only… forgetting the order and time.

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(pictured my palisander and maple Wodans and the standard balanced cables included with purchase)

We enjoy music as an emotional experience. We are drawn into good music, exhilarated by exciting music, relaxed by soothing music, and put-off by bad music. In a listening TEST, people put away their emotions and try to use their analytical mind to evaluate a speaker/headphone’s performance. It’s like trying to evaluate the quality of a classic painting by counting how many different colors are in it. The analytical mind focuses only on the surface, the frequency response, and ignores the reason for music; emotion.

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That’s one of the reason I dislike 95% of the multiple driver IEMs that try to jam so many drivers in an ear piece- they forget their messed up timing makes it sound strange and all wrong. Some people just grow used to it- not for me. So long story short- I also fell in love with Magnepan speakers- the 3.6r with adjustable tilt feature by Sound Anchors became my reference system. I still have the Vandersteens in my second system. But the Magnepans are time accurate because they are planar and aligned with their ribbon tweeter the way I position them and the type of crossover used. No I do not use subs- they will not align (keep up) well with Plannars- and if you give the Maggnepans enough power (and are set up correctly) they provide bass in spades. Time- and phase-accurate speakers with flat amplitude response assure that the entire waveform is preserved. When the output waveform is a replica of the input waveform, all amplitude and timing relationships are maintained. When some parts of the reproduced signal are out-of-phase timbre and imaging are altered. I will not get into that too much- suffice to say if you ever heard a properly set up Magnepan- you will know why they always garnish high praise no matter the price.

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Typically planar headphones are the in-between of dynamic drivers and electrostatics- some would claim electrostatic offer the end all nirvana of sound but with that level of ultimate bliss comes a huge physical expense ($$$$$) and inconvenience of specialized expensive amps that can only be used with electrostatic headphones. The other “small” issues of fact with electrostatics – they are extremely prone to catastrophic damage from moisture, hair even dust! let’s not talk about electrical issues of hum and imbalances that can occur more often than not with electrostatic headphones and repairs are near impossible- requiring a complete match driver replacements for both electrostats. They are to be handled like a newly born child – stored in a special place usually wrapped like a baby too and stored in a special box- you can’t just keep your electrostats OUT for all to see- they would literally collect dust and get ruined in a short months- really. Some have attempted to make cheap electrostatics and they failed to be better than dynamic or planar with all the bulk and weight of the specialized amp to electrify the mediocre performance. Planar headphones have so many things going for it to bring you to the very highest levels of nirvana with out the need for specialized electrostatic amplification or the worry of ownership. Planars do like clean current from an amp and some like balanced power to be honest- and that would be the case for the Wodan according to the owner Valentin at Kennerton- “the Wodans will sound best with balanced powered amps.” Okay, I thought- but I do not have any at my home. The Gilmore Lite MK II and the Pass WHAMMY with upgraded dual OPA627 only have single ended (6.3mm or 1.4″) stereo jacks in the front – I asked for adapters from balanced to single ended. Kennerton sent them to me at my request- but I asked am I wasting my time ordering these Wodans if I only have single ended amps – he said no. He said look at the specs- these are easy to drive but they like brute force not volume. Well both my Gilmore and PASS have a Class A amp and beat the pants off lesser or even many more expensive amps (think of my Wyred4sound Intimo review) in the past- I think they will hold their own I thought. They are holding their own- as I type I am listening to Gnossiennes No1 Michel Camilo & Tomatito and OMG so I want to stop typing and just close my eyes and listen to the beautiful notes being played by this Wodan. Music as the pathway to one’s soul. No art form can attain the potency and purity of a sacred Melody; striking each of our memories, gently illuminating hitherto hidden valleys in our hearts; and painting delicate ripples on the glassy lakes of our imagination. UPDATE: I had a Topping A90 for a month and the Wodans sounded better on my single ended PASS Class A. Balanced from that well rated amp (A90) wasn’t needed to bring out the best from the Wodans. They are really truly amazing with just a good sounding amp is my thought- balanced or not-they are keepers.

The driver design of planar results in very low-distortion sound and excellent transient response. Transient response is how fast the driver reacts to changes in the input signal and how quickly it cuts off those frequencies as they’re cut out of the source, which is particularly important for bass notes. Typically one draw back of planar headphones I’ve heard in past is that they do not have the widest of sound stage compared to the widest of dynamic drivers like the open back Sennheiser HD800 for example. Is this true of the Wodan? We will see.

And now lets dig in to the Kennerton Wodan. “A planar headphone that is both musical and accurate” was the claim by Kennerton. Let us just see about that- my first impressions is “wholly crap these are so crystal clear and so dam musical! They sound a little magical in their sound stage- wait. I need to break these in….OMG I can actually hear the drunkenness like slur in his voice (BECK) – I never heard that until now. DAMM”… I thought… ” how much better are these Wodans going to go after break in? Maybe they will be a little more warm? A little more bass after break in?” These Wodan planar headphones I am just beginning to break in seem to have a very clear, accurate sound that comes across as very lifelike with a magic in the sound-stage – and bass is opening up after 24 hours- Nordpol by Oliver Huntemann is a great example of good tight bass being very well reproduced – very satisfying even at low volumes. Interesting.

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Pictured: Upgraded balanced cables by Kennerton and the right side connector up close.

I will emphasize that planar vs dynamic- bass is less impactful on planar headphones typically, but more detailed and much cleaner. There’s simply less bloat, so if that’s what you’re used to hearing, or like that kind of sound- you may think the bass on these Wodans is less… but actually these are more tight and accurate. A bass guitar on the Wodans sounds like a bass guitar; whereas on a dynamic it just sounds like some exaggerated reproduction of bass- its hard to describe. Do I sometimes like fun bass – hell yea! That’s why I have my modded GH50’s . But … and this is huge… The pluck of sting instruments (violin, cello, viola etc) on the Wodans is so much more accurate and right. That’s why vocals sound so good on these as well- vocal cords vibrate like strings (Some fun facts: Vocal folds vibrate when excited by aerodynamic phenomena; they are not plucked like a guitar string. Air pressure from the lungs controls the open phase. The passing air column creates a trailing “Bernoulli effect,” which controls the close phase. )

We will see… for now all I can think is the cheesy saying in Jerry Maguire – “SHOW ME THE MONEY!” no no not that saying…. I am thinking of the ultimate cheesy line but sincere… the part where Tom Cruise says : “We live in a cynical world, a cynical world, and we work in a business of tough competitors. I love youYou complete me.” And the other part of me is thinking of another two movies with Tom Cruise in it… Top Gun “I feel the need, the need for speed!” Jeese are these headphones are lightening fast as anything I ever heard… and the another A Few Good Men, “you can’t handle the truth.” Oh yes, yes I can I always want nothing but the truth. Thanks Kennerton for making my time spent here on earth a little more enjoyable (no I’m not dying but we all will one day… never waste time on poor quality is my motto…life is too short)… and I am still adding to this review as these headphones break in… good gad what is wrong with Kennerton- are they run by some mad genius? a designer who should be well known by all throughout the audio world? I think so… no I know so… what are people missing if they never heard Kennerton… they just will never know until they know…

30 Hours in and the One Kiss (with Dua Lipa) by Calvin Harris is hypnotizing and creates a blissful injection of satisfying sound from the Wodans. Unusually high quality dynamics – these things sound so damm good. I hear each note with authority and non exaggeration- are they bassy like my modded GH50? no. That’s not the point of these headphones. One word. Euphoric. A drug like satisfaction (stay away from drugs kids- get your kicks from music and life instead). Yes these Wodans are everything I expected and more. And mind you I am not playing them loud at all. They don’t need to be played at high volumes to hear the details of the recording. At low volumes and high the balance is perfect from low to high frequencies.

On the song by BSHP I’m Kissing You– I am convinced I made the absolute right decision in obtaining the Wodans. They are simply put lovely- the epitome of gorgeous sounding – revealing and as accurate as my Etymotic ER4p but now enter full transient quickness and a sound-stage that beguiles my mind.

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Woman in Chains by Tears for Fears is playing now on Amazon Prime it may be only 16 bit / 44.1 kHz file but it is so full of high pitched vocals by both the male and female singers- fine for investigating any harshness in the Wodans ability to sound sibilant or if they are distorted- a stress song for any headphone- and I am smiling from ear to ear- these Wodans pass like no other headphone I have ever had. Are they as bassy as my Gjallahorns GH50 modded by me? no. Again- the GH50’s are my favorite headphone for fun listening- they are not the most accurate headphone out there for sure- but the sound signature resonates perfectly with my tastes. The Wodans are more like my Magnepans – showing the entire recording from the lowest to highest frequencies with grace and accurate with out one ounce of fatigue. They are simply musical detailed and an absolute joy.

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I am replaying the Woman in Chains song right now and between the GH50 and Wodans – the Wodans are more musically perfect and not by a small margin. But I do think I prefer the deep penetrating bass of the modded JM Version of the GH50 but they lack the detail of the Wodan. Subtract the bass impact of the GH50 and the Wodans beat the pants off any headphone I have heard- any Sennheiser under $2500 and certainly better than the Meze Empyrean ($3K) (not even close for detail compared to Wodan) which I absolutely loath in many ways because of the hype surrounding them- they are easily bettered by so many headphones in that price range- clear case in point is the Wodan. Period. The bass is very very tight and accurate even at 35hours of break in. The bass keeps getting better with the Wodans and they already beat so many lesser designed headphones. Are the Wodans as pretty as the Empyrean? No way. I’m not blind. The Wodans aren’t ugly but lets face it the Empyrean is one of the most attractive looking headphones ever made. BUT- The Wodans are more beautiful when it comes to details and bass accuracy though and that is what counts… am I right?

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Jump to my torture test for dynamics and imaging separation and chaotic notes from every direction… the ultimate in torture for any speaker amp headphone or dac- the Blade Runner 2049 soundtrack. If you never heard this or tried it on new or old headphones- please stop reading and put it on now… I will wait. Ok. are you playing the tracks?

Very much recommended tracks for any speaker or HEADPHONE USERS– Hans Zimmer Blade Runner 2049: 2049, Sappers Tree, Flight To LAPD, Rain, Wallce, Memory, Mesa, Orphanage, Furnace, Someone Live Like This, Joi, Pilot, Hijack, That’s Why We Believe, Her Eyes were Green, All The Best Memories, Tears In The RainBlade Runner track #23 on the album (a true torture test track for any system), track #24 Almost Human, and the worst torture test of all few systems can play back without major difficulty- track #20 Sea WallSea Wall opens with drums and escalates to a huge amount of disturbing crazy electronic madness that continues up to 30 seconds and further escalates while it continues to 1 min and clams down a bit… then picks up as the drums lead to 1:20 seconds of more craziness- a truly fanatical tune- that pays off at 1:45 with sounds that will raise your endorphins causing an almost drug like high in ecstasy (don’t do drugs do music instead kids). And at 3:17- wow! you will be transported nearly into the fourth dimension almost empowering your third eye – I can tell you I sold off many of my personal amps and many DACS after trying to perfect this track. Your speakers will show you what’s what for sure- junk from keepers. And double down that idea when it comes to headphones. Very very few can hack this track. The Wodan pass with valedictorian pedigree graduating with honors at an Ivy League school. What else high praise can I say? They have a refinement not found in the GH50s or any other I can name. The bass is uncanny in its tautness- accurate so accurate – so freaking balanced. Not like the GH50… this bass is classy and closer to what my friend would say is pitch perfect and harmonically natural- these get it right. (He owns the Perfect 8 Speakers called The Force – a cost no object speaker system of $400K+) – He liked the GH50’s but his main objection was they sound too over the top- which I like – but he said, the Wodans are closer to reality with a slight euphoric sound stage that is addictive and pleasing. He said the Wodan’s are his kind of headphone- dynamic punchy and musical. Sparkle in mid range and upper frequencies are much more accurate than any headphone he has heard sans his Stax set up which costs way over $5K probably close to $8K- and they have many drawbacks (price for one and electrified warm up time could be as long as an hour before they sound right. Electrostatics use a capacitor-driven charged membrane. Capacitors take time to fully charge, hence the need for long warm-up times) while the Wodan is easier to live with especially at the price and amp requirements are much easier… My friend actually wants to buy them from me- the nerve! … I said ‘go get your own’ half jokingly…

I wish everyone used AEA Mics on all their recordings- my favorite mic by AEA is the R44 for vocals but for one mic this is one of the best in the world the AEA R88 stereo ribbon microphone used here and on the Wodans the hairs on my neck stand up and a feeling across all of my neck and head like a woman softly caressing my head/hair a tingling sensation of satisfaction – absolutely rare feeling for me for headphones- this is very much a satisfying kind of bliss I can’t describe more…

and for something truly different… try this with the Wodan for that same kind of tingling satisfaction-
try not to fast forward but I will say picking up around 4 mins into something truly moving
– this is not my usual listening but it sounds so good and organic- moving me emotionally

And this video I made after the Debut of The Last Narc (LINK) on Amazon Prime which

I was a assistant producer on- the song may not be the best recording since it was live and poorly recorded but it has a deep emotion for me…

And testing the Wodans with a video I produced and filmed on location in NYC w/ Hector Berrellez (DEA) – with a soundtrack I know since I put it together myself- the Wodans are most certainly and definitely reference quality beyond my regular ear monitors/headphones – If I had these headphones back then when I made this video I would have made a better mastering copy- you only get one chance to make mastering right- then its out there- wish I had the Wodans back then… but now I do…

Back to the music and more neck tingles with the Wodan – I just want to stop typing and just listen- close my eyes and be transported- the imaging the tight bass oh the lovely vocals- this headphone is so so nice (mind you I am sharing the youtube videos BUT I am using flac hi res files in my tests)

Do I recommend these- an absolute yes. Kennerton also offers a 30 day trial period- so if you want a no regrets purchase you at least have that to lean back on. These are a detailed organic planar design with tight accurate bass wrapped in a hand crafted old world design not seen in many if any headphones these days- craftsmanship not found in mass produced headphones – my conclusion a “yes” as clear as the Wodans. Just make sure the pads are what you want- the bassier sound of the ECL-02 or the standard ECL-01 and understand the stitching is handmade and addressed below by Kennerton.

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Left Side: the three year warranty w/serial number and inspection/testing card certificate and bottom of classy vegan carry case.

Right Side: embossed Kennerton microfiber, laser engraved envelope and bottom of classy case

Internal build… Certainly a custom design for Kennerton… The Wodan internal view of honeycomb custom design (top and bottom of photo) and the Planar design in middle with black aerospace grade aluminum and steel protects the planar design – looks like they might have some Russian honey in there – maybe the real honey is the sound these Wodans have…

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Measurements
A bit of specifications.

Acoustic design: open.

  • Driver type: isodynamic plannar
  • Reproducible frequencies: 10–50,000 Hz.
  • Impedance: 40 Ohms.
  • Sensitivity: 109 dB
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Left to right: Kennerton Gjallahorn GH50 Modded by JM, Wodan, Magni V3

While exploring ear pads- the Kennerton ECL-02 (adds more mid-bass and sub-bass and ECL-01 (standard) and my Dakoni Elite Hybrid ear pads- I noticed stitching issues in Kennerton pads- see pictures. The point being the stitching on the Dekoni is much more even than the ECL-01, or the ECL-02- so this needs to be addressed by Kennerton. I will say I have tried Dakoni ear pads on my Kennertons in past and they never seemed to sound as good as the ones from Kennerton- you can see my reviews on Magni and Ghorn GH50 for my findings about pad swapping and how they all failed to be better than the hand sewn pads from Kennerton.

FROM KENNERTON: Hello John. Yeah, I know about that problem. But unfortunately, I can’t solve it. I’ll try and explain why. All the pads are handmade in our workshop. Sometimes the material (natural leather) behaves unpredictably – there can be creases, maybe irregular thicknesses, maybe it doesn’t look as aesthetically pleasing as you would like, and so on. As an example, it can be seen in the photo (on the right – the pads of our production for Magni). And they aren’t so nice on look. We wanted to solve this problem by ordering the pads from China, in the same factory that makes the pads for Deconi and many other brands (on the left). They are not made by hand, but with automated equipment. They look very good. They’re around twice cheaper for us than if we make them ourselves. But they don’t sound very good! And there’s nothing we can do about it! So, we try to make our pads better, but as much as the simple equipment we have allows. I can’t buy automatic equipment for $200,000 to $300,000. I don’t know why the Chinese pads sound so bad, but I can’t use them. It’s probably because the Chinese aren’t using real leather. Or rather, it’s real, but pressed leather. It’s much prettier than real leather. It’s beautiful sewing. But it’s less durable. And most importantly, it doesn’t “breathe” like natural leather. And, accordingly, it sounds very much like an ordinary faux leather. So, I have no choice. But I can guarantee only one thing – each pair of pads is necessarily tested for lack of imbalance when sounding on headphones. You’ll laugh, but even two completely identical external pads made of different pieces of leather can sound completely different, and the imbalance between the right and left headphones can be very large. Well, another problem is human hands, of course. Unfortunately, not always the same seamstress makes the same quality product in the same way. Although, be sure, over time, the skin becomes softer, the seams are smoothed, and everything gets better. But not perfect.

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OTHER STYLES OF WODAN ARE AVAILABLE SINCE THESE ARE ALL HANDMADE & CUSTOM

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written by John Massaria

Kennerton Wodan

Kennerton (Fischer Audio at that time) headphones introduced me to the world of audiophilia. It was the DBA-02 mkII. Then, when I started to look for my perfect sound, I tried their products a couple of times (they were TBA-04 and Odin), but something just wasn’t right with them, I didn’t like their sounding (it wasn’t awful, it just wasn’t perfect to me).

As the time went on, the company developed, mastered new technologies, improved design and quality. Kennerton headphones have become famous and popular among fans of good sound in different countries around the world. They’re now sold under the brands of some well-known companies. So I was happy to get to know their new model, the Kennerton Wodan.

Build and design

In terms of design, Kennerton are true to themselves: the earcups are made of wood using CNC machine. The headband frame is made of steel. There are plastic caps on earcups and yokes, which is pretty reasonable: when you put the headphones on a flat surface, they only touch that surface with these caps and the edge of the steel frame.

In no way you’ll be able to get a scratch on the lacquered parts of the headphones (nor on any other part), when you put them on the table. You’d better start looking for a new table, if you think about proving it. MythBusters, you’re not welcome here!

Special thanks for the self-adjusting headband. The first Kennerton Odin felt like a birdhouse on my head, tightly squeezing the skull even after adjusting the headband hinges. Wodan sit on the head just by themselves like you were born with them: they don’t press on the top of the head and the lining leather is very soft on your scalp. The ear pads are also made of genuine leather (other than the lining) and have a significant bevel that compensates for the lack of rotating earcups hinges. Moreover, the earpads can be rotated, which also allows you to fit them just a little more comfortable.

The only thing I’d love to be better is the earpads leather. It could be softer, I think. Or the filler could be less dense. Anyway, something has to be done about it.

As always, I don’t have much to say about the design itself – it’s headphones, not a swanky wall tapestry piece. Though the wooden bars make me think more of Hans Giger’s pieces rather than of the Nordic gods, as implied by creators.

By the way, dear Kennerton, if you are reading this: maybe you would consider releasing a limited edition in an expressly similar design? I’d buy it out of principle.

The main thing about these headphones is that they look and feel reliable. When you take them in your hands or put them on your head, it is impossible to accidentally push through any mesh (as in the case of the HD800) or scratch them with your nails.

According to the specifications, the headphones weigh 450 grams (without cable), and according to my scale, it’s 505 grams. To compare with those in the same open-back planar class of about the same cost:

  • Audeze LCD-X – 635 grams;
  • Audeze LCD-2 – 600 grams;
  • HIFIMAN Arya – 404 grams.

That is, the weight is quite acceptable. Due to the comfortable fit and engineered ergonomics, I wore the Wodan for several days for 6-8 hours, and my neck didn’t hurt at all, nor my ears didn’t fall off.

The case is provided. Or, to be more precise, it’s a bag. As you can see, it’s not some useless pretentious box (or even a suitcase, as some other manufacturers provide), but just a functional bag to take your headphones anywhere you go. There are two mesh pockets inside, one for the cable, and the second for the shoulder strap. On the outside of the bag, there are plastic eyelets to attach that strap.

The bag is quite sturdy and thick, so you don’t have to worry about your headphones being safe and sound inside. To be honest, the shoulder strap idea is a bit odd: I can hardly imagine a real scenario, where someone would wear the headphones on the street in this way.

Now to the cable provided.

It’s a black braided cable: 2 meters long, with a 6.3 mm connector. A good one: not too heavy, flexible, and the microphone effect is almost absent.

Measurements

A bit of specifications.

  • Acoustic design: open.
  • Driver type: isodynamic.
  • Reproducible frequencies: 10–50,000 Hz.
  • Impedance: 40 Ohms.
  • Sensitivity: 109 dB.

Of course, with an impedance of 40 Ohms and a sensitivity of 109 dB, the headphones should adapt perfectly to almost any sound source.

Let’s take a look at the measurements:

As we can see, there’s a smooth rise from 20 to 60 Hz, then everything is flat up to 1000 Hz, then there’s a 6 dB dip at 2000 Hz (and that’s okay – there’s a resonance in there due to the physiology of human auditory system), 5000 Hz are raised again, then a smooth decline.

That is, judging by the measurements, the sound should be somewhat saturated with bass and the lower middle range, although, of course, bassheads may leave the chat. Speaking about the neutral setting, then either the bottom is raised by 3-6 dB, or the top is lowered by the same 3-6 dB (it really depends on how you prefer to think about it). However, the tuning is actually pretty close to the neutral and is very comfortable to listen to.

Listening experience

The listening test took place after 48 hours of headphones warming with RME ADI-2 DAC as the sound source. It is worth noting that when switching the acoustic gain from Low to High, there are no changes in the sound dynamics to be noticed (at the same sound volume). The headphones were also connected to the HiBy R3 Pro player with High gain enabled via balanced output (OIDIO Mongrel cable) using XLR-4.4 mm jack adapter. Tell you what: the power of the player was certainly enough for a full-swing sound quality reveal.

The first thing you pay attention to is the number of small ‘actual’ details that the headphones ‘pull’ out of the recording. A couple of examples:

  • Cellar Darling – The Spell — during the verse part (for example, the one from 1:40) you can clearly hear the crackling sound. Just so you know: it’s the rattle of the hurdy gurdy strings.
  • HVOB – Azrael — starting from 1:02, a distortion applied to the rhythmic section can be correctly heard.
  • Michel Camilo and Tomatito — Gnossiennes No 1 — from at least 2:33 there are unnaturally short guitar fades, as they were too abruptly and amateurishly cut. In other words, the recording itself is just poorly mixed.
  • Morphine – Empty Box (from the 1997 album) – I could hear a soft touch of a drumstick at 0:09.

All of the parts remain perceptible even with high timbral saturation of the recording and a quite a number of simultaneously sounding parts. Complex academic orchestral music is also perceptible even when all the participating instruments sound at the same time.

As for the stage, Wodan’s sound is rather spectacularly wide than chamber-precise. The positioning of the instruments is okay, but that’s all. It’s possible to identify who sat where when recording, but the sound delivery here is more about the scale effect, the dimension, rather than about the astonishing sound positioning clarity. Overall, the Wodan tend to slightly ‘inflate’ the virtual sound stage but to blur the imaginary location of the instruments.

Now, to the favorite part, which is bass. I like this bass, just because it’s smoothly lowered within the 60–20 Hz range. There are no ‘flat’ lower frequencies so typical for planar headphones, where these don’t even try to dip around sub-bass range.

I’m so very impressed with this, because such a ‘flat’ low-frequency setting causes too much pressure on the ears, especially when you increase the volume. That is, Wodan headphones don’t produce such an unpleasant effect.

Quantitatively, the bass is slightly elevated relative to the neutral setting, but qualitatively its macrodynamics and texture are still here (almost). Here are some examples:

  • Archive – Nothing Else – from 2:29 onwards, the bass part is fully perceptible from start to finish, and distortion applied also sounds perfectly clearly.
  • Bajka – The Bellman’s Speed – throughout the entire track, the double-bass notes remain distinguishable in their height and aren’t delivered as booming low-frequency thumping.
  • Jeff Beck – Scared For The Children — at 0:15, a low rumble at the right channel is played out quietly but clearly.

Mid-frequency range. The most accurate description would be ‘clear’. Due to the rise within the 500–1000 Hz range, the average frequencies have a quite pleasant weight. There’s something off with the upper section of the mid-frequency range, but it actually sounds unexpectedly bright and with a slight ‘sandy’ hint with a number of recordings. With tracks that are frankly poorly recorded, some sounds may startle you, and you may then want to put on other headphones to check if you actually heard it. Example: Larcimosa – Nach Dem Sturm — at 05:58, there’s an incredibly sharp sound in the left channel (at a frequency of about 3000 Hz), which can’t be masked even by a quantitatively reduced upper part of the middle range. Or listen to the Naïve – Hangman’s Chair: the cymbals sound just as sharp and completely separate from the rest of the musical flow. Fortunately, this kind of effect is only noticeable on a next to zero number of recordings; in the vast majority, Wodan delivers an awesome super-detailed, though comfortable to the hearing mid-frequencies.

Upper-frequency range. It’s set up for you to enjoy your music for a really long time, so the sounding won’t pierce your ears down to the brain (and burn it). To be honest, those ‘ear-piercing frequencies’ look far from the following:

It seems that the pressed down top is a deliberate manufacturer’s decision, since the frequency response of the top Kennerton’s model — the Kennerton Thror — actually looks like this:

However, even with this upper-frequency range setting, the Wodan’s sound feels complete. High-frequency ‘tails’, overhangs and fades are reproduced correctly: with the correct length and without odd ‘metallic’ hints. The thing is that the upper-frequency range is taken to the background. If you listen to the second part of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6 (Allegro con grazia) by Teodor Currentzis’ orchestra, then you’ll hear the absolutely impeccable violins – both the timbre is delivered correctly, and the space of the virtual music hall feels real.

And, by the way, the fourth part (Adagio lamentoso) unlocks the Wodan’s overall dynamics.

Summary

I assume that Kennerton tried to create headphones that will simultaneously give a very high resolution, good macrodynamics and a so to say ‘pleasant’ sound to listen to for a long time. They aimed to create headphones that are extremely versatile and physiologically comfortable and don’t alter the sound quality when connected to both portable and stationary sound sources. A couple of bonuses: minimalistic and reliable design, comfortable fit, excellent bag provided and 3 years manufacturer’s warranty.

The only drawback is that subjectively odd integration of the upper section of the mid-frequency range into the overall sound picture, which you only can notice with an extremely small number of recordings.

As for the overall sound setting, you’ll either like it or not — it’s a matter of taste.

Can we consider these Kennerton headphones as success? Yes, absolutely. Of course, there are far, far better headphones on the market, but their price tag is a lot different too. Tell you what: you’ll be able to hear the difference in sound quality only if the price of that other pair is 3 to 5 times higher than the Wodan’s (don’t forget about the corresponding DAC+amplifier which will cost you accordingly), and if you’re actually able the hear it. It also doesn’t mean that you’ll like the difference.

Do I recommend Wodan for purchase? I do. But, as always, try it yourself first.

Like this post? You can support me on patreon.

Kennerton Thekk. Head-Fi.org

Kennerton Thekk (planar magnetic headphones). Head-Fi.org

Pros: Neutral, accurate sound, superb resolution and treble refinement, tight bass with excellent texture, very comfy due to the light weight, wood cups look very nice, cable doesn’t annoy me like many stock cables

ConsCups don’t swivel, price is high, headband assembly is the same as some other Kennerton models costing 1/3 as much (it still looks and feels great though)

Kennerton Audio is the upscale division of Fischer Audio, which – although perhaps still not so well known in some circles – has been around for quite a while by now. I remember first using the Fischer FA-003 about a decade ago, and that same pair is still going strong after being gifted it to a friend who uses them daily. While I always felt Fischer made high-value gear, Kennerton is significantly more upscale – with pricing to match.

Kennerton is not just throwing together fancy looking headphones and charging a bundle for them. The company is known for their beautiful wood cups which come in a wide variety of finishes, but they also have their own custom-designed 80mm carbon fiber planar magnetic drivers. As far as I can tell, these same drivers are utilized in several headphones in their lineup, with each model using unique tuning, cup designs, and headband assemblies to achieve very different results. Kennerton also has some dynamic models using interesting designs (graphene drivers, horn loading) which fall beyond the scope of this writeup.

The focus of this writeup is their latest model, the Kennerton Thekk. I haven’t spent a ton of time with their other products such as the Odin, Magni, or Vali, and I’ve never heard the Thror or Gjallarhorn, so this review will mainly focus on the Thekk and its place among other headphone models from outside the Kennerton stable.

The Thekk sells for €2,680 which is roughly $3,000 at time of writing (but will fluctuate depending on the exchange rate), and can be purchased directly through their website. I’m told there is not currently a specific North American distributor at this moment, but readers in other countries may have more luck with local dealers.

$3000 is not an insignificant sum for a set of headphones. In terms of pricing alone, that puts Thekk in the same general ballpark as Audeze, Sennheiser, HiFiMAN, Focal, and others, all of whom would like to claim supremacy in the high-end headphone category. So what does Kennerton give us for that money?

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Build and Presentation

Thekk’s packaging and cable both feel appropriate for the price. I’ve seen more luxurious packages but also far more sparse presentations for the money, and Kennerton’s leather storage bag is actually more useful than most headphone boxes. The stock cable is good enough to where I don’t immediately want to replace it, and feels reminiscent of the Fostex TH-900 cable which I’ve always appreciated. But thanks to their choice of mini-XLR connections, Thekk can accept the same cables as Audeze, ZMF, Meze Empyrean, and probably others that I’m forgetting at the moment. I love that, and frankly wish it would just become the standard at this point.

My Thekk has Bubinga cups which are simply gorgeous. There are plenty of other options, all of which look nice from the pictures I’ve seen, so you really can’t go wrong. Being an open design, I doubt the wood choice influences tonality much, but you never know.

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The best part about Thekk is the comfort. The light weight (listed as 390g but I swear it feels like significantly less) plus the well-done self-adjusting headband system makes for an effortless feeling when worn. Clamping force is light enough for extreme comfort but not so light that it feels unsecure on the head. The (real leather) pads are excellent as well, making the whole experience nearly perfect.

My main issue is the fact that the cups do not swivel from front to back. As you can see from the pictures, the headband assembly holds them in place with no swivel mechanism in that direction. The design relies on angled pads to help conform to the human head, which is of course wider behind the ear. This mostly works for me but I could use another few degrees of angle for optimal fit. I’ve messed with trying to bend them slightly – they are somewhat flexible – but the design does not lend itself well to permanent bending in that particular direction. And frankly I don’t feel I should have to resort to that in a $3000 headphone. In the end I do achieve a good fit but I could see how it might be an issue for some people.

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My other (very minor) quibble is the fact that this same headband assembly is used in several of Kennerton’s significantly less expensive models. That feels a bit weird when dealing with a headphone in this price class. I suppose Focal and Audeze do the same thing, but at least they throw in some carbon fiber bits to help differentiate the higher models. Again, I really like the self-adjusting design overall (apart from the non-swivel cup mounts) as it reminds me of one of my favorite old-school designs – the K1000. No, not AKG’s classic ear speaker, but the rare Kenwood KH-K1000 which had a conceptually similar headband design to Thekk (but it actually swiveled). If Kennerton could somehow make Thekk swivel it would be just about perfect for me.

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Sound Signature

The Kennerton Thekk is characterised by its lightning-fast, highly-detailed presentation, which manages to avoid feeling cold or clinical. Low-level detail is fantastic – in the right system, with a good enough recording, it will make the hair on the back of your neck stand up. While that aspect is what initially jumped out at me, I need to clarify that this is not an in-your-face bright headphone. The presentation is generally neutral overall which makes for a versatile experience without any significant flaws.

The treble approaches the most accurate and resolving I’ve heard regardless of driver technology (dynamic, planar, even electrostatic), which was actually something of a surprise for me. The entire Kennerton line, while very nice to look at, has a sort of steampunk vibe to it, in contrast to the more high-tech feel of a Focal Utopia or Sennheiser HD800. So I figured it might have a lovely tuning with only moderately strong technicalities (which is how I would describe some of the older Kennerton models such as the Vali). And yet, when it comes to digging out extreme detail from a great recording, Thekk is right up there with Stax, HE-6, Utopia, etc, all of which I feel outperform the HD800 in treble performance if we consider the total package and not just the initial “wow” factor. HD800 initially might feel superior in resolution but flaws are readily apparent after further listening. Meanwhile Thekk is not overly sharp or peaky, not sibilant (unless it’s in the recording), and does not feel bright when paired with neutral equipment. Seriously – if you love treble clarity, this is a headphone you really need to try out.
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The great part about Thekk is that it isn’t a one-trick pony. That exceptional treble performance is accompanied by engaging midrange and very fast, well textured lows. Tonality is thick enough to keep from being shrill or losing timbral accuracy. Bass speed is phenomenal, and impactful enough to feel believable. There might not be enough slam to satisfy bassheads, but those who like a generally neutral presentation should be pleased. I personally wouldn’t mind a roughly 2dB bump below 80Hz but it’s not a big issue assuming I use the right amplification. Did I mention the bass is fast, tight, and really accurate?

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Listening to double bass virtuoso Larry Grenadier’s recent release The Gleaners is thoroughly impressive, as is pretty much all jazz and folk. Metal is also fantastic – I very much enjoy using Thekk for highly technical metal from Obscura, Meshuggah, Revocation, Fleshgod Apocalypse, etc, as the speed and accuracy make for a nearly perfect match. Grimey underground hip-hop or rumbling drum n bass? Still quite good though perhaps not ideal for this sort of presentation – I tend to go with a warmer/more forgiving headphone in those cases. Still, I’d say Thekk is highly versatile overall, and never sounds completely out of touch with any genre.

Thekk is also very open and layered, which makes it beautiful for all sorts of classical music. While staging is slightly less wide than HD800, depth is clearly superior, which to me is the more impressive achievement. Utopia feels a lot more intimate, and HE-6 can be huge but imprecise, but Thekk feels “just right” to me.

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A Few Comparisons

The last Kennerton I heard was the Vali and that was a fun, somewhat laid back headphone with very punchy bass. Thekk is something different entirely, playing in a significantly higher tier. Unfortunately I haven’t heard their Thror model so I don’t know how Thekk compares – Thror is priced slightly higher but Thekk is newer, and from speaking with the folks at Kennerton I get the impression it may be the more complete sonic package. I have heard Thror described as having lovely detail but lacking a bit in fullness – if that’s true, Thekk solves that issue, but I’m speculating here.

Since using Thekk for the past few months, I haven’t had any desire to reach for an HD800, HD800S, or Utopia. Thekk just scratches my itch for detail whilst retaining “musicality” – that dreaded generic word – more than any of those. HE-6 or Susvara, when driven by herculean amplification, can match or even exceed the Kennerton, but that’s easier said than done… only a select few amps can take us there.

I do hear some similarities to the HiFiMAN HE1000 family. Not necessarily in overall frequency response but rather with the lightness and speed of the sonic portrayal. Thekk fits somewhere in between my particular HE1000 v1, which sounds slightly richer, and HE1000SE which is lighter and more threadbare in tonality. But Thekk avoids the sense of “softness” in the transients that I hear from HE1K (both models, to some degree) so I think it may be the superior headphone in many cases.

Lastly, the Meze Empyrean is an interesting comparison. Both headphones sell for just about the same price, and both are attractive and well built – each in its own way. Empyrean has a beautifully organic, warm, smooth presentation which still does detail retrieval quite well. Conversely, Thekk has more of a focus on treble brilliance, but does not go so far as to become cold or clinical, and it offers very clean, tight bass response despite that aspect not being the focus. It really comes down to whether one prefers a top down (Thekk) or bottom up (Empyrean) approach. I tend to reach for one or the other based on what I’m listening to, as well as the system I have assembled at that moment.

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System Matching

The level of performance I’ve described does require a very nice system to achieve. When used with more modest gear, Thekk takes a few steps back in terms of clarity and fullness. And with a bright or thin setup it does become somewhat unbalanced to my ears. So despite being fairly easy to drive in terms of volume, it ends up being fairly demanding when it comes to system matching.

My reference amplifier for Thekk is the Niimbus US4+. That’s pretty much the ideal amp for getting neutral, fast, highly resolving results from this headphone. I then choose my DAC for a slight flavoring – Resonessence Mirus Pro Signature for supreme resolution, Exogal Comet Plus for a more reserved top end with added midrange oomph, or ModWright Oppo 205 for a focus on textural thickness. Thekk plus Niimbus US4+ very clearly highlights the signature of each source, and is great as a review tool.

Interestingly, the SparkoS Labs Aries comes very, very close to the Niimbus level of performance for significantly less money, so that’s definitely a solid recommendation as well. It’s single-ended only but so is the stock Thekk cable so that’s not a major drawback. Not a ton of info about the Aries around these parts but I highly recommend it – pretty ruthless in terms of demanding a great source, but it really rewards the listener.

The Cayin HA-6A SET amp brings out a bit of midrange bloom and opens up the soundstage even more than the Niimbus. Upper mids and treble still sparkle, but the focus shifts more towards the presence region. Again, an excellent combination, which could be tweaked even further with tube rolling.

Schiit’s Asgard 3 makes for a surprisingly good match considering how affordable it is. It takes a bit of emphasis off the treble but still allows for clarity with reasonable extension. Mids are rich, bass is tight, and the whole thing is really engaging. Apart from some refinement and resolution, the largest sacrifice I hear is soundstage, which feels restricted compared to the above amps.

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All-in-one DAC/amp units offer a great value – assuming both aspects perform to a high enough level. Thekk doesn’t always pair well with these types as it tends to sound best with fairly stout amplification. A lot of the integrated units I tried (Mytek, Benchmark, Chord) left Thekk sounding threadbare, overly soft, or just plain boring.

Wyred4Sound’s intimo is a great match though, and actually proved to be one of the best ways to enjoy this headphone. It gives a large portion of the performance I hear from Wyred’s upscale Anniversary DAC paired with my Pass Labs HPA-1, but for a mere fraction of the cost. $1500 isn’t cheap, but this is among the best “value” propositions I’ve heard from Thekk.

Also sounding excellent is the Violectric V590, which takes the amp stage of their famous V281, upgrades it, and then packs an excellent AKM-based DAC in the same chassis. V590 is in the same sonic ballpark as intimo in terms of signature, but expands on it in both performance and price. I recently had a friend visit who is big into speaker-based audio but totally out of the loop with modern headphones. This is the combo I chose out of all my gear to show him how far the hobby has progressed since the old HeadRoom Desktop/AKG K701 days. He was absolutely floored – and that’s coming from someone who owns some crazy nice Rockport speakers.

Conclusion

Kennerton Audio has always felt a bit mysterious to me. Their wood-clad headphones are consistently beautiful yet have a wide range of sound signatures – I don’t really think they have any persistent “house sound”. That’s actually refreshing as plenty of headphone makers tend to churn out one incrementally different headphone after another.

With Thekk, the company has achieved something very close to my view of neutrality. The focus is squarely on detail and resolution, without compromising listening engagement across the rest of the spectrum, and the presentation is extremely open and layered. Feed it mediocre music on a bright system and you’ll likely find yourself unimpressed, yet Thekk handsomely rewards a quality chain – in that context it performs in an elite field with only a select few competitors.

I still wish the cups swivelled. And – like all high-end headphones these days – I wish it was less expensive. Apart from that I love this headphone. Despite my natural preference for the warmer Empyrean-style sound, I find myself choosing Thekk regularly for all genres of music. Anyone looking for an alternative to Utopia, HD800S, etc may find Thekk to be their ideal match.

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written by project86

Kennerton Magni vs Gjallarhorn

Pros: Excellent tight bass, spacious sound stage for closed backs, unique in every way (Ghorn), No distortion or glare, no sibilant sound, pinpoint reference accuracy (Magni v3), not warm not cold- just right?, Exceptional wood choices and finishes, Old world craftsmanship and attention to detail, real leather used, can be modded for even crazier deeper bass (Ghorn), 30 day money back, comfortable, light on the head, ear pads do not need upgrades at all, comes with eco leather bag, 3 year warranty

Cons: supplied cable is a bit stiff, microphonic headband if touched while wearing, break in 75-100 hours (necessary), you have to bend the metal band to get tight fit for proper sound- not a bad thing and pays off when you do -see review

Like going for a swim – best way is to just jump right in… so here we go… let’s see if I can explain the differences of two closed back headphones – one called the Magni v3 (newest version) and the other the Gjallarhorn GH50- both are hand made by Kennerton- located in Saint Petersburg Russia. Both drivers are made from cellulose and graphene membranes- … the Magni is a traditional closed back and the Gjallarhorn is according to the manufacturer – the world’s first horn-loaded headphone. Both are available in all sorts of crazy beautiful real wood & finished stains- something you would find with top of the line furniture companies and tailor-made wood finishes found in Bentley and Rolls Royce- except these aren’t veneers- these are solid wood- carved from solid blocks (see pic).

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I should note this before we get started – sorry for delay in review but I need to go through this first…

Ok… after letting the Gjallarhorn and Magni break in playing non-stop for a 75hrs+ – I still was unsatisfied with sound. I decided to try something that would transform these headphones into the unbelievable high performers they could be- out of box they both were extremely comfortable (my head is large (62mm)) so I figured they were as they should be… BUT! They were not tight enough I thought- if I press the headphones inward slowly and gently- so not to deform the voice coil or membrane structure – the bass and dynamics would increase tremendously- so I decided to bend the metal band by the left and right indicators on either side evenly (see pic).

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Originally I tired bending on top and that made them tighter but look unsymmetrical and a bit funny- so I reshaped the top back to original oval and bent it by the side burn area instead. Yes it’s extreme but like a suit that was off the rack… I tailored these headphones like a bespoke custom suit- they now not only fit my head better than stock- but add a transformation to the sound and dynamics that is now addicting- I can’t stop listening to the changes this small modification made- and they look completely normal on my head.

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About the strap – The Kennerton logo is elegantly etched by laser on the top of the real leather strap which adjusts by tension softly on your head – I hope they applied for an international patent for that strap idea – so few headphone companies get comfort like these guys in Russia- I’m looking at you Beyerdynamic and AKG. Back to seal and fit- once I bent the metal- the headphones were never vice grip tight- they are still one of the most comfortable headphones I own- even compared to the HD600 with Dekoni custom elite hybrid velour/lambskin memory foam pads. And on that subject of ear pads- I bought the same type Dekoni ear pads to fit the Kennerton’s with velour and sheepskin but they don’t sound as good as the stock Kennerton pads- The Dekoni due to the memory foam – is too dense and don’t compress against the skin like the stock pads do- and the perforated holes inside cup cut dynamics with Dekoni- so you don’t need to waste your money on upgraded pads. Kennerton also includes a nice bag made of vegan leather to store all your rupee in or your headphones or both.

Ok – enough on that for now…Let’s-get to it- but before we do I will try and keep this review interesting- by playing music on each headphone and trying to describe what’s going on with what I hear. The music will be all over the place- to keep it interesting as you read. So I will jump from jazz to electronic, rap, rock, blues, alternative, acoustic wood guitar and anywhere in between.

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Gustavo Santaolalla, a very talented musician I found engaging composed the original score for the video game “The Last of Us”, “Last of Us Vol2” and “Last Of Us Part 2. His instruments – like the acoustic wooden guitar, charango, ronroco, piano, bass, banjo are just a few of the things you will hear played to perfection through the Kennertons. They really do a wonderful job telling you everything you need to know regarding the sound signatures of the MAGNI and the GJALLARHORN headphones. The music on these albums will send you through a myriad of emotion if the sound device is up to the task- and both of these headphones bring you to a place deep in the soul of the composition. Yes there is plenty of bass on these tracks that both headphones exploit as designed – both of these headphones will fill your head with the long + short cords plucked as if Gustavo is playing in your minds eye. The solo album he released called Camino has note worthy songs: Alma at 2:36 run time and Cordon de Plata run 3mins. The Magni‘s play slightly tighter and more accurately between notes- while the Gjallarhorn is more spacious hypnotic in their space while playing these tracks- an amazing feat for closed back headphones for both- a stage wider than any other closed back I have heard to date- so organic and unforced for both… but the Gjallarhorn more spacious due to the horn wooden cup with less effort from the amp.

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Allowed to be Happy (The Last of Us Part 2) at 2:48 will make the hairs on your neck tingle through the Gjallarhorn. The echo of the plucked instruments almost sounds like my solid state PASS Class A amp became a tube- yet very still revealing. All Gone (Seasons) is a trip of emotion again- the bass is tight tuneful and warm – Gjallarhorn (spacious) and Magni just a bit tighter again. Every nuance is present from the recording, no fatigue, no distortions and no bloat- allowing both headphones to transport yourself closer to the maestro like soul that is Gustavo Santaolalla.

Moving on to AC/DC Black and Black and the Gjallarhorn– the bells in the beginning develop lending itself to thunderous drums and echo of the bells lingering just enough to pull you in and then as 1:30 starts where Brian Johnson starts his lyric chant- you know these headphones can rock. Liking the Gjallarhorn to a live performance or concert hall sound- the notes linger ever so slightly longer than the Magni. On AC/DC I think I prefer the Gjallarhorn because of this fun sound characteristic- while in the back of my brain I am thinking – but the Magni sounds so smooth and rock solid too yet more accurate than the Gjallarhorn– there is a more addicting quality for rock with Gjallarhorn not present on any other headphone I know of- did I mention the Gjallarhorn is the first horn type to hit the market according to Kennerton?

On to 2Pac 2 Of Amerikaz – Magni omg I’m smitten. Love the vocals. I just resurrected 2Pac in a way – love the image straight up, very musical. If I slip on the Ghorn bass and mid bass is certainly deeper- vocals smooth – now I sound like I am listening to 2Pac in the studio live. Dang- which is better? How about – next song…

Aaron Copland- London Symphony Orchestra-“Appalachian Spring: 1 Very Slowly”- Ghorn- I’m in the hall – live again- unlike any headphone- strings all sound proper, clarinets and flutes all sound how they should- organic yet lively- the image is not as pin point as Magni. Magni needs a little more power – I can hear hiss in recording a little more w/Magni. There is more detail- placement of harp and oboe and bassoon are crystal clear and I can tell you where they are with ease- the Magnis are very romantic and enjoyable with classical while the Ghron is more playful.

Alexis Cole St. Judy’s Comet sounds better for me on Magni- vocals check! Bass Check. On the Ghorn I feel like I’m listening in distance from stage again- but live.

Alison Krauss “Stay”- Ghorn reveal a slight shimmer in her voice if played too loudly- so turn it down and you will like her voice like the angel she is- at 1:40 she hits a note most speakers and headphones will sound shrill – NOT the Ghorns. The Magni is a little more refined but need more power slightly to hit the dynamics of Ghorn. Alison sounds absolutely gorgeous on Magni. When full band comes in at :56 secs in- you will know the Magni is better than even my Sennheiser HD600’s in many ways- vocals & full bass of band. Timing is spot on- the instruments start and end tightly. These Magnis are a well tuned instrument! The Boy Who Wouldn’t Hoe Corn– a must listen I don’t care if you aren’t into country – really it’s an amazing track for the first 1:58 mins- illustrating the prowess of male vocals in full vocal range- and yes the Magni’s do this very well indeed. The bass player plucking, the violin the banjo oh my! So organic!

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Drake “Non Stop” Scorpion album- Magni vocals spot on articulate and bass is sub levels no distortion even at ear splitting levels- easy to dance and pop your head to- The Gjhallahorn bass much more fun bouncing and vibrating my head more- vocals very clear and pleasant. Win here – Gjhallahorn.

Eminem – “Lucky You” Kamikaze album- The Ghorn doesn’t favor the frequency of Eminem’s voice in this recording as much as Magni. Dam Eminem’s voice sounds real smooth. Bass is tight as heck on Magni. Win here- Magni.

Tyga – “Dip” (feat Nicki Mainaj) Magni makes both Tyga and Nicki sound clear- very good recordings. Timing is great- music starts and stops as it should- no ringing or bloat.

Ariana Grande Be Alright – very tuneful on Magni again- tight and articulate and fun. Do I have to stop listening to the Magni? nope… I own em! The reverb in recording is perfectly represented.

You Don’t Own Me by SAYGRACE, G-Easy- The Ghorn is detailed! More fun here. Bass is crazy awesome.

Eminem- Without Me– Ghorn hands down more fun.

Logic Everyday- Ghorns more fun than Magni.

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YG 2 Chains, Big Sean, Nicki Minaj- Ghorns sound like I am listening to speakers in a room with crazy low end and mid range with articulate vocals. Super fun. YES! Magni a little closed in but still wonderful. My daughter said the Gjhorn has much more deep bass on this track she prefered the less bassy Magni! LOL! Why- must be her 17 year old ears. Too sensative or not seasoned enough to appreciate great bass like Ghorns. After all she uses her iphone with air pod pro normally- they can’t possibly compete with these two headphone giants. But it’s her opinion and I will take it…

The Who – Won’t Get Fooled Again– ok I love my HD600sused with the OTL Bottlehead Crack+Speedball with the this track but they can’t do what the Gjorns do… I’m listening as if I were at the live recording season… even if it was recorded in a studio… next…

Bonnie Raitt ” Baby Mine ” Magni is like absolutely gorgeous sounding on this well done recording- more so than the Ghorn. It’s like they were made for each other. Baby Mine Bonnie Raitt

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The Orb’s Adventures Beyond The Ultraworld – the Gjallarhorn through my PASS Class A amp sound more fun.

L7 “$hit List” – hell yea… this track will get cha pumped with the Ghorns. And you don’t need to turn the dial up since they are horns- oh so many headphones are on my $hit list- not these.

On to TCM or The Crystal Method – The Crystal Method – SMILE all the way and back again- the Ghorn.

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The Crystal Method -nearly every track on each of these albums need to be heard- Tweekend, Vegas and Legion Of Boom- Community Service 1 – oh my NOT ON AMAZON or SPOTIFY SHAME ALERT!!!! anyway- pull out your Ghorn and don’t look back…

The White Stripes- Seven Nation Army – Magni wins me here for its tight drum beats and the hard rocking of the electric guitar- man the purposeful distortion of his guitar sounds soooo good here- no distortion or peaking/over modulation at all in this track- well engineered. All sound just right on Magni.

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Billie Eilish Ocean Eyes– vocals on both sound great – better on Magni. Bass better on Ghorn and they don’t need to be blasting to hear the magic.

Blue Velvet- I Wanna Be Like God – Ghorns

Jaydee Plastic Dreams – Ghorns… I’m at the night club kind of feel…

Nitzer Ebb – Join In The Chant – hummm guess…. ok you probably never heard this track but when you play it which do you think I am going to recommend? If you said Ghorn- you would be right.

Single Gun Theory- Surrender. Ghorn preferred.

Single Gun Theory – From A Million Miles – sorry but Magni sound best- vocals and drum beats do better here.

Killer Inside Me – MC 900 Ft Jesus Ghorn is much more euphoric and fun.

Revolting Cocks- Crackin’ Up– literally was made for Gjorns to strut their stuff… at low volumes or higher if you want to…

WATEVA Ping Pong Party – A real party in your head with the Ghorns by exploiting deep bass taking over separation articulation. The Magni’s are more tuneful here with pin point ping pong ball hitting- tight articulate bass- the back and forth left to right is faster on Magni. Magni much faster than Sennheiser HD600 with super clear pin point accuracy and speed. A very complex progressive back and forth left and right mix that shows up best on Magni and nothing else I own can top that on this track-period. The Magni’s are truly reference material. Bass dominates on Ghorn here for sure…

Billie Eilish When the Party Is Over– delightfully enormous stage and deep on Ghorns.

Regina Spektor – Your Honor -Ghorns made me laugh hard and have fun.

Regina Spektor – “Sampson”. Magni like being in her recording studio while they recorded this- not in the booth but right next to her in the acoustic anechoic chamber like room she recorded this track in- sounds end so quick- these headphones are so quick! The sounds stop on a dime. Very hard to do in a wooden closed back I would think- bravo Kennerton.

Regina Spektor – (Реги́нa Ильи́нична Спе́ктор )- The Old Jacket (Stariy Pidjak) – well her piano playing and vocals are clearly reproduced here and very emotional through the Magni. Thanks my Russian defector- and I could be talking about the headphones here or Regina or both. I won’t say – the KGB is listening probably.

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If you ever want to test the limits of dynamic range while being transported to another world I would strongly recommend you put your system through the torture test of Hans Zimmer’s Blade Runner 2049. Nearly every track listed is a favorite of mine- the complex passages range and will reveal any inadequacies – weather it be your DAC, your amp or of course your speakers or headphones.

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Very much recommended tracks for any speaker or HEADPHONE USERS– Hans Zimmer Blade Runner 2049: 2049, Sappers Tree, Flight To LAPD, Rain, Wallce, Memory, Mesa, Orphanage, Furnace, Someone Live Like This, Joi, Pilot, Hijack, That’s Why We Believe, Her Eyes were Green, All The Best Memories, Tears In The RainBlade Runner track #23 on the album (a true torture test track for any system), track #24 Almost Human, and the worst torture test of all few systems can play back without major difficulty- track #20 Sea WallSea Wall opens with drums and escalates to a huge amount of disturbing crazy electronic madness that continues up to 30 seconds and further escalates while it continues to 1 min and clams down a bit… then picks up as the drums lead to 1:20 seconds of more craziness- a truly fanatical tune- that pays off at 1:45 with sounds that will raise your endorphins causing an almost drug like high in ecstasy (don’t do drugs do music instead kids). And at 3:17- wow! you will be transported nearly into the fourth dimension almost empowering your third eye – I can tell you I sold off many of my personal amps and many DACS after trying to perfect this track. Your speakers will show you what’s what for sure- junk from keepers. And double down that idea when it comes to headphones. Very very few can hack this track. The Magni and The Ghorns pass with valedictorian pedigree here.

(updated 7/21/20: In this review I tested the V3 of the Magni which is the latest version of the Magni in 2020)

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Ok- I think we got to wrap it up. Which one is right for you? I mentioned on one forum thread that the Gjallarhorn and Magni are like two beautiful women. One who is dressed up for elegant dining who is very articulate and gorgeous in every way (the Magni) and her super twin dressed up for a dance club that will make all your fun dreams come true (The Gjallarhorn). See illustration:

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I will say I do not particularly love the cable- plan on buying a new one that is more flexible- ask Kennerton which cable would fit the bill if you felt the need for more flexibility. I cannot however, recommend a better sounding cable at this time- as the included cable that come with the Kennerton is very musical and I see no need to change or alter the sound right now since they sound fine stock. I may play with cables much latter as I get to know these headphones more. I don’t feel I need to since they beat just about everything else I heard as stock.

I will next say the headband is microphonic IF you touch it or play with it while they are on your head- so don’t try to play your headphone band instead play the headphones through your amp and stop touching the metal headband- unless that’s your thing. My wife clinks on it to get my attention – so there is that feature.

Comfort- I can easily wear these for many many hours without any part of my head, neck or ears hurting at all- its balanced and light, easy to wear and comfortable.

You may or may not enjoy wearing these outside or on a plane or bus- but I can almost guarantee you someone will admire them and start talking to you about them- which could be a bad thing since these admirers will keep you from listening. If going portable- you will need an adapter 3.5mm M to 6.35mm F. Kennerton has them available.

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Build is excellent on both- something to be proud of to own and behold. My Magni was finished in Bubinga also known as Guibourtia wood (in a brown red dark stain). On the janka hardness scale for wood it is rated at 2410 Lbf (10,720N (newtons) of force.

The Gjallahorn is made of either Curly Maple (1450Lbf) or Ash (1320Lbf)- you choose your wood. See scale for wood hardness if that’s your thing- it is for me since I love all things real, natural and beautiful-especially all the different types of wood species.

BTW- My Ghorns were finished in natural finish- no stain but they were protected with a clear classy satin finish from Kennerton factory. I stripped the clear away carefully myself and stained them similar to the Magni. See before and after pictures. I voided my finish warranty but I am a wood specialist – so do not try this yourself at all! It took me 3 days and my wife thought I was nuts to try this on a $1100 headphone only a few weeks old- but I took ownership after breaking them in and loving the way the sounded. I celebrated how much I liked them by being careful and making them uniquely mine. I am sure you can request a stain on the maple or ash for Ghorn if you ask Kennerton. These two woods were specially chosen for this horn speaker so other wood speicies arent avilable for Ghorn.

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(My personally stained Ghorns (upper Left), (right side -Ghorn with 3 Year Waranty Card w/Inspection)( lower left- Eco Leather Case)

Lastly- I love love love the Magni they satisfy most every need for a closed back- the Gjallarhorn are something different but similar-more fun but not necessarily better- so I would say- either is a great first purchase to experience Kennerton- you certainly don’t need both- no one needs two, three or even four headphones- but when you desire something different the Ghorns fit that bill- that is the spice of life- both similar but different. If you already have headphones that are boring you and you want some fun- try the Gjallarhorn instead- either one will satisfy – neither bad – they are quality through and through. No sibilant annoyances from either, no weird humps. Nice full body from both. The Magni’s are versatile in most genres of music- female and male vocals, acoustic guitar, blues, jazz, pop, rock, and can do electronic very well. The Gjallarhorn are elevated by expanding the sound-stage through their horn shape- they sound a little more like a lively hall sound- compared to the Magni’s which are more like a recording studio. Both give excellent bass, but the Gjallarhorn a little more mid bass and some more sub bass. The Ghorn is euphoric with electronic music- and look a little more elegant with leather accent + Kennerton logo medallion in center of each cup. The Magni’s have a full realistic sound that satisfies and will not hide poorly recorded music. Neither headphone will annoy you or fatigue you. Let’s face it- closed backs can sound a little boring- if that’s your thought at all then the Ghorn is your logical step to buy. I am in no way saying Magni is boring but rather refined and a reference in every sense of the word. I will go over more in my video review….am I writing a book here or what? sorry about that… go listen to some music. Enjoy life!
Prices-
Kennerton Magni 690 € and up (limited number of units to be produced)
Kennerton Gjallarhorn 1080 €

(NOTE: I am from New York with no affiliation to Kennerton, the KGB or CIA or similar agencies – I made my own purchase here without motivation or compensation. What I say is truthful and sincere)

UPDATE: I have since made major modifications to the Gjallarhorn and discussed with the owner at Kennerton- I will have to re -do my observations and a brand new mod review as EVERYTHING IS OUT OF CONTROL DROP DEAD GORGEOUS SOUNDING now for me- the owner said he never thought to do this slight mod but he is going to do some tests – I will keep you all informed as I go through the next review for now- this is all I can say on how they sound-

7/9/20
The second part follow up on the Ghorn is ready with mods explained:
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/the-kennerton-gjallarhorn-modified-review.24478/

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written by John Massaria