Klipsch Heritage HP-3 Headphones Preview

Discussion in 'Headphones' started by purr1n, Sep 15, 2017.

  1. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2015
    Likes Received:
    7,894
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Madison, WI
    I do hope this does not become my fate in the audio industry. I do not want to become harmonized...
     
  2. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2017
    Likes Received:
    8,973
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Denver CO
    Home Page:
    Worse would happen nowadays. You'd be Samsungized.
     
  3. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2015
    Likes Received:
    7,894
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Madison, WI
    Oh no.. I wouldent want that to happen. And I am not even entering the industry for 4 ish years, so there could be worse then.

    I would like to do something for the passion, not the money, like the Moth Audio Empire probably was, but money is kinda needed to survive
     
  4. musiqlovr

    musiqlovr Almost "Made"

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2017
    Likes Received:
    312
    Trophy Points:
    53
    Location:
    NJ USA
    Hello SBAF,


    You guys totally rock!

    The love you guys have shown me is insane and I truly cherish it. THANK YOU!

    Marv-I feel like we are brothers from different asian mothers :)

    On Sept 28th I got a call early in the morning (from my boss-CEO) that there was going to be a reduction in force. We had known that our parent company was looking for us to reduce overhead and spending. I was originally helping with the plan and at some point came off the team helping and I guess was added to the team leaving

    I don't know the exact number of people who were let go, but I managed Product Dev, Program Management, Channel Marketing, Creative Services and Industrial Design, in total from those teams 4 of my team members were also let go

    I don't know and don't want to know all the details, what I was told was that the company wanted to focus more on Passive speakers (Klipsch's core biz) and CI (custom integration).

    When I joined 2 years ago, I was brought in to specifically build Klipsch a Digital, Streaming and Portable product solution. Which I feel our team did, we built some amazing stuff, we had been working on the HP3 design, driver choice, picking the factory we would use for about 10-11 months before I started the original thread on Head-Fi in like Oct...That's how we were able to go to CES with 3 samples (and samples of HP1 and HP2).

    Since the company was kinda going back to its roots, there really wasn't a need for such a big team or really a separate division.

    They did keep Vlad. Vlad is a good guy-as you can tell he isn't nearly as cool as me, he's kinda a dork (haha hope you read this Vladislav) . Just kidding-maybe

    The HP-3 is a Great HP, please don't shy away from it because I am no longer at Klipsch.

    I am actively engaged in new job search and while I am being kinda picky, I believe I should have a new position somewhat soon. There are about 6 companies I am talking to, some are in the HP space, some are not...so we'll see, I feel like I can design or sell anything with audio coming out of it...

    My heart is full from all the kind words...

    Steve
     
  5. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2017
    Likes Received:
    8,973
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Denver CO
    Home Page:
    Best wishes Steve! Don't be a stranger here, regardless of where you land. :)

    Edit: Heard the hp3 at RMAF, BTW... You guys did a great job! Congrats, for what it's worth.
     
  6. Ringingears

    Ringingears Honorary BFF

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,659
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Northern Californium Valley
    Good luck Steve. I think of lot of folks here can relate to your situation. I'm sure you'll land something even better. Their loss. Your gain.
     
  7. Darren G

    Darren G Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2017
    Likes Received:
    589
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Pennsylvania, PA
    @musiqlovr - If software is something you'd be interested in, I'll gladly forward your resume. You have the heart of an amazing product manager.
     
  8. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    7,468
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Winnipeg
  9. TheIceman93

    TheIceman93 El pato-zorro

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2016
    Likes Received:
    1,300
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    SoCal
    After giving SBAF a thank you shout out, Vlad was promptly taken out back and beaten to death with Jude's Audio Precision APX555 analyzer.

     
  10. PacoTaco

    PacoTaco Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2015
    Likes Received:
    1,474
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Oh, don't worry. They compensated him with a HE-6. ;)
     
  11. Ray

    Ray Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    1,302
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    On the range
    Got these yesterday. These are the real deal. I'd still consider they good value at the new 1199.00 asking price. I've heard the Eikon and I'd choose the hp-3 as I think it sounds more accurate. Agree with marv for a semi open can they dont sound like it as soundstage is quite impressive. These are definitely keepers
     
  12. Robert777

    Robert777 Acquaintance

    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2015
    Likes Received:
    64
    Trophy Points:
    28
    All the good impressions just make it even more messed up that they canned the main driving force responsible so they could concentrate on speakers, or something if I am remembering correctly.

    I wonder if these will go the way of the buffalo.

    Get them while you can.
     
  13. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

    Staff Member Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2015
    Likes Received:
    89,778
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Padre Island CC TX
    They are expensive now - but you if ever get a chance to plug the HP-3 into a nice SET amp.... just utterly fantastic and amazing how it scales. I try to keep convincing myself that scaling with better sources is kind of BS, but @PTS was at my place, and he can certainly attest.
     
  14. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2017
    Likes Received:
    8,973
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Denver CO
    Home Page:
    Well now a comparison with the hd660 is in order...
     
  15. Ringingears

    Ringingears Honorary BFF

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,659
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Northern Californium Valley
    Still think I'll save my $1200 towards an Af to use with my HD800's. But wouldn't of course mind a listen. But for me the $1200 price tag is just a no go. Maybe when or if the price comes down.
     
  16. PTS

    PTS Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jan 27, 2016
    Likes Received:
    1,069
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Marvey let me demo the HP-3 through an EC amp, and the sound was top notch. I also got to hear them with a 45 SET amp later that day, and that was almost as impressive. I need to leave HP-3 impressions this evening, as I'll be passing these onto the next loaner participant this weekend.
     
  17. PTS

    PTS Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jan 27, 2016
    Likes Received:
    1,069
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Okay, some stream-of-consciousness impressions. Excuse my unrefined approach, I don't have golden ears or firm grasp on flowery audiophile terminology that some reviewers possess. I'll be shooting out between Denon AH D7000, Audeze LCD2F, and the Klipsch HP3.

    [​IMG]

    My DAC / headamp combo is the Dangerous Music Source with added linear power supply. This is pro audio gear that most hobbyists won't be familiar with it. At $900 I'd place this firmly within the mid-tier camp, but believe it punches well above it's weight. It bested my Woo WA6-SE, Audeze Deckard, and iFi iCan Pro, all which got sold off after picking up the Source. As previously mentioned, the couple of top-tier tube amps I heard previously were better, but this is what I have at home and it creates a level playing field for all three headphones. Be aware that the HP3 scales very well with higher-end gear.

    I should also add that the HP3 are still very new and probably haven't fully broken in. I don't know how many hours Marv's put in, but I haven't added much and imagine it will only get better over time. The Denon and Audeze I've had for years, so they have the break-in advantage.

    The Oscar Peterson Trio - You Look Good To Me.
    Live instrumental jazz from the 60s.

    The beginning of this particular track is a good test for the texture and timbre of acoustic instruments due to the bowed double bass. The Denon sounds deep and rich, bringing the bass to the forefront, while the Audeze renders the bowed texture of the bass a little better. I'd say the Klipsch falls somewhere in-between, the bass not as prominent or rich as the Denon, but presented with good body and detail. Once the band gets into their swing, I start to notice that the Denon is the airiest of the three headphones, which is remarkable since it's a closed design. The Audeze is more laid back and closed in, but "in the room" natural sounding. With the Klipsch everything is in your face forward and feels a little congested sometimes, but the bounce of the piano notes and snappiness of the drum brushes (while being a little bright) are glorious. I suspect the slight congestion and brightness are due to lack of break in.

    Joni Mitchell - Morning Morgantown.
    Folk with female vocals / acoustic guitar / piano accompaniment from the 70s.

    After finishing all of these songs, I realized that I should've picked more female vocal, but Mitchell's voice is clear and strong so should serve us well. The acoustic guitar intro sounds clear and bell-like on the Denon and Klipsch, with the Klipsch being more mid-centric and giving slightly more body and volume to the strings. The Audeze somehow makes a steel strung instrument sound like an aggressively plucked classical guitar (not good). With the vocals the Denon sounds superb, soaked with detail and crystal clear. The Klispch also sounds great, but perhaps a touch veiled (like Mitchell is singing through cloth) and a little peaky somewhere in the mids. The Audeze make the vocals sound further away in the mix and a touch muddier.

    Paul Simon - Graceland.
    Pop/rock with male vocals and full backing band from the 80s.

    This song has a dense arrangement with a lot going on, so the larger soundstage of the Denon again becomes apparent. The bass is big and pumps along authoritatively, while the guitars sweetly jangle in the background. Simon's vocals are a little more scooped compared to the Klispch, and again on the Audeze they have a touch more distance, but definitely more forward than the Joni Mitchell track. The Klipsch brings odd things to the forefront, like the woodblock hits. Of the three, the Klipsch drives the song the hardest. Those of you who like a dynamic, rocking headphones will not be disappointed. It also creates the most balanced image, with everything being equally loud and on one level, which to some could be a little fatiguing in the long run with pop/rock music. Again, this attribute will possibly lessen with adequate break in time. The Audeze are a more relaxed listening experience, with the high end being a little rolled off and the instrumentation presented in an earthier way.

    Depeche Mode - Policy Of Truth.
    Synth pop with male vocals and full backing band from the 90s.

    It's not surprising that the Denon handles electronic music like a champ, but the Klipsch is no slouch with the it's ability to retain all the punchiness and snap of the driving synths and drums, while bringing forward the mid-range a good amount. The one advantage the Denon has is a subwoofer like slam, especially noticeable on the kick drum. The Audeze does a good job rendering the synths with a more organic sound, especially when recreating horn and orchestral stabs. While somewhat lower in the mix, I had similar feelings with the above Paul Simon song in regards to the vocals on all three headphones.

    James Blake - Limit To Your Love.
    Modern soul with male vocals and sparse piano / drums / synth bass backing from the 2000s.

    Straight away it's clear that the Klipsch and Audeze are doing something right with this track. The piano notes are presented in a more accurate way, realistic and full bodied, while due to it's v-shaped nature, the Denon sounds a little odd in comparison. Blake's vocals sound similar across the board, with (as usual) the Klipsch being a little more forward in the mix. What makes this song a good test (aside from the minimalist arrangement) is there's an unbelievably low bass note that comes around the one minute mark that loudly flutters somewhere between 10-20hz. It's during a break-down in the song so it's heard clearly if your headphones can handle it. On the Denon it sounds like a shockwave that would leave you falling around the room, while on the Klipsch it's shallower, but there's no trouble recreating the frequency faithfully. The low note is most enjoyable on the Audeze, where it's deep and rich, without clobbering you over the head. The less bombastic bass parts later in the song are again better controlled with the Klipsch and Audeze, with the Denon sounding a little bloated and wobbly at times.

    Yob - In Our Blood.

    Doom metal with male vocals and full backing band from the 2010s.

    Slow but ultra intense stoner sludge from Oregon's finest. The clean, phasered guitar in the intro sounds bell-like clear on the Denon, while much throatier on the Klipsch and Audeze. The whole band come crashing in and the layers of dirty fuzz guitar are a brutal reminder that a very forward mid range in metal often isn't a welcome thing. The Denon scoop lets everything sit better in the mix. My initial impression of the the Klipsch was the dense heaviness became plain congested with it's already aggressive nature, which led me to believe these might not be ideal for metal, but the more I listened the more used to the sound my ears became. The Audeze prove themselves a surprisingly good fit with this genre, with an increased separation due to it's laid-back signature, rendering the fuzz textures with a primal growl. The vocals sound good across the board, but are always semi-incomprehensible. This says more about the metal approach to recording singers than how resolving these headphones are.

    Summing up.

    A didn't plan on being so wordy, but my lack of editing ability may help SBAFers get a feel for how these compare to other popular headphones. All said, I preferred my Denon headphones on all of the songs, except for James Blake and Yob, with which the Audeze took first prize. All three are not vastly different sounding headphones though, with the Klipsch having a lot of common with the Denon.

    The HP3 is an excellent sounding headphone - resolving, balanced, dynamic, and fun. The trouble is that it's a little too aggressive in it's forwardness, and the soundstage isn't large enough (at least while not broken-in), even compared to the Audeze. For me, these things combined lead to ear fatigue over long periods and trigger my tinnitus (which isn't a problem for most people). I remember having similar negative feelings about the Focal Utopia, which to it's credit has crazy levels of detail retrieval and separation, and many people love those.

    I wanted to prefer the Klipsch over my other headphones, as it's something I was interested in buying. My battered old Denon have seen better days, but as they're what I listen to the most, they've become like comfortable slippers. It may be that the Denon simply have the best synergy in my chain, or they appeal to my particular aural preferences. Also, I may be hitting a lower ceiling with the Source, and with super high-end gear it could be a different story.

    Almost forgot, a quick note on build quality and comfort...

    The Klipsch murder both the Denon and Audeze in terms of build quality and overall aesthetic beauty. My Denon once fell apart on me, and the left driver died with the Audeze within two weeks of buying it. The leather and metal on the Klipsch are high quality and feel like they'd last forever.

    The Denon takes the crown in comfort, they're the most lightweight and fit my oddly shaped head the best. The Klipsch are a little heavier but certainly aren't bad, I could go a few hours before they became uncomfortable. The Audeze are by far the worst, but are made tolerable with the Lohb strap (not pictured here).

    As always, you mileage with vary, but I think some people will undoubtedly find their end game with the Klipsch HP3.
     
    Last edited: Nov 10, 2017
  18. Ringingears

    Ringingears Honorary BFF

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,659
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Northern Californium Valley
    I found your review refined and refreshing. Nice job in my opinion. You seem to have good handle on instrument sounds.
     
  19. DaveB

    DaveB Acquaintance

    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2016
    Likes Received:
    55
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Excellent honest review PTS. Many thanks.
     
  20. cskippy

    cskippy Creamy warmpoo

    Pyrate MZR
    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,999
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Tempe, Arizona
    I heard directly from the horses mouth that these headphones love tubes. Marv & Co have also attested to this.
     

Share This Page