Kennerton Odin (listening impressions)

eric65 · Apr 27, 2017

I open this thread in this "High-end" topic, for bring together in a single summary page all listening impressions already carried out on this headphone high-end planar (that can be read on multiple thread different french but also Head-Fi under the more general heading "New Kennerton (headphones) ODIN, MAGISTER and VALI -https://www.head-fi.org/f/threads/new-kennerton-odin-planar-magnetic-magister-vali-headphones-cables-amps-from-fischer-at-ifa.732814/ ) .

Until now, there was not specific thread about the headphone Odin on Head-Fi, just a general thread speaking latest headphones Kennerton whose prototypes were presented at the IFA in Berlin in August 2014, and of course the all new headphone planar, high-end, K. Odin.

I think that it is now high time that K Odin has its own thread, in this High end Head-Fi topic, since it is undoubtedly a High end headphone, whose the priced and especially the sound quality are approaching that of the best high end headphones currently in production: HE-6; HE-1000, LCD-X, LCD3F, LCD4, JPS Abyss, SR-009 etc..., and the list is not comprehensive.

Being (a big) fan of the brand Kennerton and the Odin headphone in particulary, I own, I already much talked about this headphone on these different threads, by relating my listening impressions; now that this headphone (K. Odin) is marketed worldwide since now several months, it is high time of leaving the speech to other users, in the world, about the K. Odin, wishing to report their impressions of listening to this headphone, if possible in the English language (or with giving a link to their own reviews of listening, translatable with a translator).

Since several months, already, many reviews of listening to the Odin were been made; others, just as interesting, will come out within days, or weeks or months to come (in particular Odin Vs HE-1000 and HE-X (by dub) and then Odin Vs LCD4 ... (to follow soon).

Here, is presented in chronological order, the list of the reviews of listening to the Odin versus other headphones, with links (from head-fi or from French fora), that are gathered in a single page (summary) (+ some photos the Odin and amplifiers associated with this headphone), pending other reviews and tests while also rewarding. Good read

Sonic Guild · Feb 21, 2016 at 10:16 PM

All in french!
I don't speak this language.
I am really interested and want to know how it is compared to the HE1000.

eric65 · Apr 27, 2017

sonic guild said:
All in french!
I don't speak this language.
I am really interested and want to know how it is compared to the HE1000.

See this post: http://www.head-fi.org/t/732814/new...les-amps-from-fischer-at-ifa/90#post_11802452

Otherwise, Dub said in his review : HE-1000 vs Odin, on HCFR (translation of an extract):

" In short, the HE1000 "beautifies" things, there where the Odin"Let nothing pass"......

2) Jeff "Tain" Watts: Sigmund Groid, album Detained At The Blue Note
With Odin, from the beginning of the song when you hear the bass come, you think 'woah! "- or so it is that you do not like jazz... ... The Odin is a" woah-headphone " : as such it enters a fairly sparse category, where I keep for myself 4 or 5 headphoness, no more. And the same again for the entry of percussion, both tense and soft; same thing, finally, to the entrance of the sax: perfectly bright and hot, with a wealth of timbres that drags the entire song. In 30 seconds everything is in place!
Let's move HE1000: direct comparison is immediately much less full and it makes you want to mount the volume (I checked yet with my little noise beach we were well in the same volume). Moreover, even by mounting the volume, it "plays" stronger, of course, but without the same impact. Said like that, the judgment is negative on the Hifiman. However, positively, the HE1000 provides a smoother listening, with less emphasis on the brilliant sax (slightly down in the upper midrange / treble, but without "loss" strictly speaking). Lovers of relaxing plays will find the friendliest HE1000. I personally think he embellishes things, which in this case is not necessarily the taste of everyone. . So we love or we do not love, according to his own temperament. "
Read more at http://www.homecinema-fr.com/forum/...e-1000-t30059691-285.html#gM25IdT2UzkroV6C.99

Otherwise, according from what I have read, K. Odin has a sound stage as wide as the LCD-X and Dharma D1000, but not as wide as that of the Abyss and to a lesser extent than the HE-1000; however, according to dub, sound stage of the HE-1000 goes more behind the ears, while that of Odin, more precise and detailed, goes straight between the ears. Otherwise, the HE-1000 beautifies artificially the sound (coloration), while that the sound of Odin, more precise, but also more dynamic and incisive, let nothing pass for imperfections of recordings, without, however, being analytical or unpleasant to hear, because of the frequency response curve slightly descending in the treble.

eric65 · Apr 27, 2017

Sixteenth testimony, by ostinato : K. Odin against other heavyweights headphones (in particular the headphones JPS Abyss)
Original link, in french: http://www.homecinema-fr.com/forum/post178829837.html#p178829837
and translation in english, on Head-Fi : http://www.head-fi.org/t/732814/new...es-amps-from-fischer-at-ifa/495#post_12420306

Otherwise, soon a direct comparison of the LCD4 with best orthodynamic headphones of the market (JPS-Abyss, K. Odin, HE-1000...) on the best amplifiers of the moment (Viva Egoista 845 and 2A3; Fostex HP-V8 (300B)...
Links:
http://www.homecinema-fr.com/forum/casques-sedentaires-f1483/audeze-lcd-4-t30063463-60.html
http://www.homecinema-fr.com/forum/...a-egoista-best-of-the-best-t30060926-675.html
http://www.homecinema-fr.com/forum/...n-nouveau-monstre-fostex-hp-v8-t30067797.html

And some photos, for the pleasure of the eyes:

earfonia · Oct 19, 2016 at 3:25 AM

FYI, just posted my review for Kennerton Odin here:
http://www.head-fi.org/products/kennerton-odin/reviews/17108

Love it! Really musical sounding headphone!

eric65 · Apr 27, 2017

earfonia said:
FYI, just posted my review for Kennerton Odin here:
http://www.head-fi.org/products/kennerton-odin/reviews/17108

Love it! Really musical sounding headphone!

Extraordinary review.

Thanks!

To follow, also, on the Kennerton thread: http://www.head-fi.org/t/732814/new...es-amps-from-fischer-at-ifa/795#post_12946697

and the french thread : http://www.homecinema-fr.com/forum/post179029652.html#p179029652

and the russian thread : http://player.ru/showthread.php?t=142284&page=79&p=2019226&viewfull=1#post2019226

eric65 · Nov 8, 2016 at 8:31 AM

Hi All,

To read ; by another connoisseur of Hi-Fi (on HCFR): Agnostic1er,

here, an interesting review of the K. Odin (its choice)

(post in French): http://www.homecinema-fr.com/forum/post179046351.html#p179046351

PS: for help you for the translation:

CR = review
le grave = bass
le médium = mids
l'aigu = treble

eric65 · Nov 12, 2016 at 3:58 AM

Hi all.

This is a try of translation, french to english, of the Odin's review written by Agnostic1er, on the french forum HCFR.

original post: http://www.homecinema-fr.com/forum/post179046351.html#p179046351

Agnostic1er is a DIYer of first order (see this link: http://www.head-fi.org/t/732814/new-kennerton-odin-planar-magnetic-magister-vali-headphones-cables-amps-from-fischer-at-ifa/885#post_12995213), he's also one of the administrators of the french forum HCFR (section DIY) with almost 8000 messages. In short, he knows very well the Hifi (loudspeakers and headphones).

May God (and Agnostic1er) forgive me, for my translation inaccuracies ...

ODIN, the why of a choice.

The 3 and 4/11 were the 2 days spent in Nimes at Pierre Paya, partly with Claude17 which I welcome him by the way, for the purposes of choosing a headphone that satisfies me, for some time in any case.. After switching from the HE500 to the HD 800, after changing the latter to an S alike, I bought a beautiful LCD2F about a month ago. The latter went in the desired direction but unfortunately was too dark for my tastes. After flying over almost all of the HDG headphones presented by Pierre Paya, the Odin was the last remaining in contention. This headphone is not "the best in the world"... But none are, huh.

My choice was relatively fast for two main reasons:

1) the Odin offers a tone very balanced across all his band frequency, tonal balance being the first of the criteria essential to my ears; the only complaints I would have against him are:
-a slight character of duskiness , but which is audible on some recordings in which the high-mid/low-treble is not very pronounced
- treble which is not as refined that on a Utopia for example (IMHO the current reference on this frequency range)
- bass slightly forward, but, surprisingly, never boomy
- finally, the sweetness is not his thing, and for good reason ...
2) the Odin has no competitors, and by very far, in terms of impact and generosity controlled... and of resolution, Yes, Yes!
These unique features, never found at the same time found on other headphones in for me, bring what is missing in all the others headphones, to my ears anyway: on most of the recordings it is closer to the heart of music, of these sound waves that make you flow a small tear, which make you erect hairs, which make you the beat with arms head, feet or any other part of the body, it increases the pleasure of listening, simply. And if sometimes it does too much, it is that often listening level is simply too important.
-80% of the music and the voice, is it the medium (mids). And the medium of the Odin is a marvel; Apart from the quality of transients in this register, it is of exemplary linearity. These two features give a wealth of extraordinary timbre to the voices; the slightest inflection, the most tenuous of the explosive consonants are transcribed with a realistic and natural to fall character. Strikes all forms of percussion or instruments with struck strings, the breath of the winds are so strong, such a high density, and tonal colors with such a wealth, that it's like comparing an English monitor loudspeaker to a big high-efficiency system. The reverberations: I am very sensitive, on the Odin, they are so perfectly transcribed throughout their weakening what they become obvious! they fit in the message so perfectly that the place of registration takes realistic proportions at will. I sometimes read a somewhat "shooty" mids: it's not wrong, but that's often because the listening level is too important... An instrument listened to too much (too strong) and it becomes aggressive or disproportionate, no?
-bass? It's simple: explain what it is that the bass to a quidam: he does not understand? Place an Odin (or an Abyss) on his head: no need to say anything: level, texture, matter, everything is there! Even the sub-bass is at the level of the Abyss, except that it is slightly shortened on the Odin. I have a disc of electronic music that gives a modulated sub-bass, passing from strong to weak in a short time; well this is the 1st time I hear this modulation; on my previous headphones it was not there, or rather I had never heard it. The bass never overflows on the low-mids, never. But it is true that sometimes it is slightly too forward... but it's funny, only on some tracks where... the bass is too present, LOL.
-the treble? sparkling, full of life, never aggressive; but as said above, it does not however have the refinement of some electrodynamic tenors (ie Focal Utopia); but it is not far to have the finesse of an electrostatic...
-Image and sound plans: aeration and density combined, it gives what you think: well Yes, the "presence", the "detour" of the notes, without any ethereal character. Remarkable. Then of course, sound plans is not equal to that of an Abyss or an HD800... but it's not that far away in the end. If the sound comes from 20 meters on the latter two, he comes from 15 meters on the Odin, it's not a difference huge isn't it?
-Finally, dynamics, or attacks, or transient, call it what you like; well again it is simple: the rising edge is a fundamental frequency; If it is not present, not "to attack"; However the damping it is what makes their quality; and the damping is top notch! So the notion of "speed" for me there is no. I always say: Beware of an element (of a chain Hi-Fi) that offers you a dynamic exacerbated (not the real one felt), one time or another you will suffer the consequences, it's "fake".

Here I end my impressions here and still thank Pierre Paya for his kindness, his sense of hospitality, professionalism; in this last regard, I saw him at work with Claude17: came with enough anchored intend to go with a Utopia, he's effectively gone with... but only after Pierre insisted he make listened to other headphones, including some cheaper, that's saying... For my part I went with the Odin of demonstration of Pierre...

Goddammit! Guys at Kennerton are true rascals, they really know a lot about conveying recorded MUSIC ! (note: Ребята из Кеннертона все таки достаточно сообразительные, они поняли много вещей для воспроизведения музыки, in russia)

NB: headphones listened mainly on my transistor DIY amp and sometimes on two monsters at Viva (Egoista 2A3 and 845).

zeloutre · Apr 30, 2017

Hi all,

Just wanted to post some quick impressions regarding the Odin.

I heard of this Russian cans receiving some kind of cult following in France but being virtually unknown anywhere else. Living in Paris I was lucky enough to have my local dealer stocking it up, and upon seeing it I felt in love with the Zebrano version. The Audeze design inspiration is evident but the unit has a bulky yet confy feeling that makes you just want to try it on. I impulse bought them and went back home to try them right away, fueled by curiosity. I have since been listening to them for the better part of the last 24 hours, save for sleep. So these are early impressions of a brand new unit.

My first surprise was to discover that the Odin is the first of my headphones to clearly show me the limitations of the Woo Audio WA7tp in terms of resolution, because it sounds much more precise on my other daily amp, the Burson Conductor. Until then I had thought my two amps were equivalent in this field, since all of my other cans didn't show any real difference in terms of resolution. Sure, each headphone sounded different on the Woo and the Burson, and I have my favorite pairings, but no cans had really showed me the superior detail capabilities of the Conductor. The Odin is clearly a step up compared to anything I have heard, including stats (though I have only heard Lambdas), in terms of resolution and detail retrieval.

But at the same time the Odin does not sound analytical at all. It is on the contrary a very musical headphone, whose sound signature makes me think of the Meze 99 Classics on uber steroïds. It is relaxed and engaging at the same time, and Meze's tagline "Perfect, natural sound" has never been so true for me than with the Odin.

Without entering into a lengthy sound analysis of an unburned unit, I can just say that on the Conductor, at this stage the Odin is already phenomenal, perhaps a level above the rest of my inventory (I will update this as the dust settles). Bass has an articulation that manages to startle me sometimes. On some rock tracks the shake of the bass cords feels so physical that it is uncanny. Bass punch is also incredible, although I suspect it could go lower. The texture of the bass (and of anything else honestly) is just so palpable, a real caramel treat. Highs extension is also magnificent and shows particularly when comparing the Odin to the LCD-3, being a couple of notches more open and sparkly on the Russian cans. Mediums are...very close to perfect? I don't know, it simply sounds natural to me, natural timbre, natural presence... Everything can be heard in the most natural manner, it really feels like a window to the music. Those are clearly the less veiled cans I have ever heard. Even the soundstages feels natural, like I could be larger, maybe...but who really cares? It is all so open, so holographic, every instrument has plenty of space to express itself, nothing collides or bleeds on anything else, it's just perfect. Or at least it feels like it, which is the next big thing I guess.

I will update these impressions as the unit matures but at this stage the Odin is to me the new reference in terms of resolution, "hear-through factor" as well as presence, "physicality" while sounding at the same time perfectly natural. It's a really enjoyable, non-fatiguing headphone, neither bright nor dark, that manages to sound not like drivers but like music. A pure joy.

On non-sound: the unit is magnificent up close, the woodwork really shows. However it's heavy, like LCD-XC heavy. And on confort...these cans can be confortable, but they're a pain to configure correctly with the medieval screw system. Do not expect to be exchanging them with your friends during collective listening sessions, except if you're all twins.

Some "Cold War 2.0" pics of the setup :wink:

Greg02 · Jul 15, 2017 at 1:14 PM

Bar none my favorite headphone that I heard today at CanJam London. Blew everything from the Susavara to the Stax SR-009 out of the water. I tend to prefer more analytical headphones with relatively flat signatures; the Odins managed to impart a 'musicality' on the sound without sacrificing accuracy at all. Absolutely incredible headphones; I have a suspicion that I'm going to be saving for them sooner rather than later.

Orang_sabar · Jul 5, 2018 at 1:19 AM

Have anyone try Odin with Hugo 2, wa6se and cayin ha-1a mk2?
Which one the best for Odin, in term of musicality and soundstage?

etnt · Jul 9, 2018 at 1:38 AM

Orang_sabar said:
Have anyone try Odin with Hugo 2, wa6se and cayin ha-1a mk2?
Which one the best for Odin, in term of musicality and soundstage?

My wife is using hers with the H2 and love it, but it can scale up further.

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