Klipsch Heritage Headphones

Discussion in 'Headphones' started by TheIceman93, Jan 9, 2017.

  1. TheIceman93

    TheIceman93 El pato-zorro

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    Interesting. They certainly look the part. Hopefully reviews roll in soon (Edit: 4th quarter 2017 release so it might be a while). The flagship with a 52mm biocellulose driver costs $1000.



    More Info: http://www.whathifi.com/news/klipsch-shows-handsome-heritage-headphone-range-ces-2017

    I'll be honest though, I'm always slightly nervous when a company not known for headphones suddenly jumps into the premium headphone game. I know the Klipsch name goes way back but is their modern stuff actually any good?

    Anyone know anybody at Klipsch? Maybe we can get a prototype to test and give feedback on.
     
    Last edited: Jan 9, 2017
  2. TheIceman93

    TheIceman93 El pato-zorro

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    A Klipsch representative is seeking feedback for their new premium headphone line. I contacted him via Headfi to see if we can get a prototype in Marvey's hands to help point them in the right direction tuning wise. Hopefully they are actually serious about getting community feedback.

    Headfi thread: http://www.head-fi.org/t/824094/klipsch-high-end-over-ear-your-input-appreciated

    Update from Steve @ Klipsch:

    "So...some details not released at CES:

    The ear pads will potentially be magnetic so you can swap them easily. We will have multiple choices for ear pads, different materials, etc.

    Balanced cables are also part of the plan.

    If we get some excitement, I'm willing to make something special for the Headfi'ers

    - Steve"
     
    Last edited: Jan 9, 2017
  3. deafdoorknob

    deafdoorknob Almost "Made"

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    their headamp is oem'd by fostex, so i can't help but ass-u-me that their headphones will have foster parts, could be promising or at least a somewhat known quantity.
     
  4. TheIceman93

    TheIceman93 El pato-zorro

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    Yes, the amp looks like a rebranded Fostex HPA4BL but the headphone itself looks like its using Sony parts. Is Foster Electronic an OEM for Sony? The headphone cable connections and cup swivels are from the Sony MDR Z1R which is throwing me off. Fostex does seem like a more likely partner though. Both Sony and Fostex have done biocellulose drivers as well.
     
    Last edited: Jan 9, 2017
  5. TheIceman93

    TheIceman93 El pato-zorro

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    Update: It was confirmed on Headfi that Fostex is making the biocellulose drivers for these headphones. They said that they went through 50 different drivers designs before choosing the ones they ultimately went with. I wonder if these are the same biocellulose drivers Zach is using for the Eikon? I hear rumors those are Fostex as well. I don't remember where I read that.

    Also, the guy at Klipsch behind this project was involved in the development of old Denon headphones, back when Denon headphones were good.
     
    Last edited: Jan 10, 2017
  6. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    Reading the HF thread makes me hopeful that these will be good. The guy spearheading the project knows what he's talking about and is being very open so far. Hopefully it doesn't have some bizarro FR or other glaring deficiency when it finally comes to market.
     
  7. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    I tossed in my two cents in that thread regarding pricing blah blah. Hopefully some of it sticks and they don't slap stupid price tags on it just because they can.
     
  8. TheIceman93

    TheIceman93 El pato-zorro

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    Agreed. They said $1K for the flagship. Hopefully they stick to that. I'm not sure where the parts are being made or where the assembly is taking place but they are getting the drivers from Fostex so really, there is no way this should cost more than $1K. Are there any other open headphones using a Fostex biocellulose driver? If not, this is certainly a unique design. Fostex has an open can (it sucks BTW) but it uses the T50 planar driver.
     
  9. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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    The ZMF drivers are 50mm. The Klipsch are 52mm?

    Would be interesting to see if either are by Foster though.
     
  10. TheIceman93

    TheIceman93 El pato-zorro

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    Whathifi said 52mm but the Klipsch rep said 50mm so I'm not sure what the actual size is.
     
  11. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    You know... I wonder if the guy in that thread is even legit? There's really no indicator other than his say-so.
     
  12. GettingBuckets

    GettingBuckets Almost "Made"

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    That's literally the first thing that popped into my head when I read through that thread. The Internet makes me skeptical of everything.
     
  13. TheIceman93

    TheIceman93 El pato-zorro

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    His threads on Headfi are all related to Klipsch so its highly unlikely that he's just faking it. I've been PM'ing him on Headfi, seems like a nice guy, I really doubt he is pretending to be a Klipsch employee. If he was, don't you think Klipsch would ask Jude to ban him? He started that Headfi feedback thread back in October, more than two months before the official CES announcement. How would he have known about the new headphones if he was just some rando?
     
    Last edited: Jan 10, 2017
  14. TheIceman93

    TheIceman93 El pato-zorro

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  15. TheIceman93

    TheIceman93 El pato-zorro

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    Tyll's interview:

     
  16. KILLthemALL

    KILLthemALL New

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    i send pm to Steve with some questions and some suggestions about the tuning, he is a nice guy
     
  17. TheIceman93

    TheIceman93 El pato-zorro

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  18. The Life

    The Life Facebook Friend

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    I like the looks of the HP3. Hopefully they don't just end up sounding like TH900s with the cups off.
     
  19. kittenuwu

    kittenuwu Acquaintance

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    > company's first foray into headphones
    > "heritage series"
     
  20. TheIceman93

    TheIceman93 El pato-zorro

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    Not sure if people here are reading through the Headfi thread but the Klipsch designers are posting pretty detailed updates on the design process of these headphones. Sounds like they are on the right track. Hopefully the hype isn't killed by poor tuning when they hit the market later in the year.
     

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