[iFi audio]

So! I went ahead and got a pair. Paid £650 for mine.
I do not regret my purchase at all, they're the best headphones I've heard in a long time, the only thing I think that could compare is the meze empyreans but I am not that rich yet.

They've got that nice full sound I was looking for, good and bassy without it being overwhelming, and few to no peaks in the highs that upset me.

Congrats, those are lovely cans, enjoy the heck out of them!

 

[PrincessLeliana]

Congrats, those are lovely cans, enjoy the heck out of them!

I am, they seem pretty perfect for me. Absolutely loving them so far.

 

[iFi audio]

I am, they seem pretty perfect for me. Absolutely loving them so far.

If I may ask, what's your amp and DAC of choice for them?

 

[PrincessLeliana]

If I may ask, what's your amp and DAC of choice for them?

I am currently using an SPL Phonitor X, which is both amp and dac. Another bit of kit that I absolutely love

 

[iFi audio]

I am currently using an SPL Phonitor X, which is both amp and dac. Another bit of kit that I absolutely love

Thanks! That SPL is a great piece of kit and I'm sure that it works wonders with your HP-3s. Enjoy

 

[PrincessLeliana]

Thanks! That SPL is a great piece of kit and I'm sure that it works wonders with your HP-3s. Enjoy

It really does, like a match made in heaven

 

[iFi audio]

It really does, like a match made in heaven

Sure, I can imagine! Also, SPL's orange meters look excellent among matte black surroundings. Cool stuff!

 

[PrincessLeliana]

Sure, I can imagine! Also, SPL's orange meters look excellent among matte black surroundings. Cool stuff!

I like watching them bounce back and forth while I jam~

 

[ThinLizzyDireStraits]

Anyone on this thread have a Klipsch Heritage Amp they are looking to sell? Nothing on the classifieds

 

[WildPhydeaux]

Probably pointless to post my impressions of these headphones but I will anyway, if only to write my thoughts were I can refresh my memory from in the future.

I find the build quality and presentation to be stupendous. Compared to much more expensive ZMF headphones the industrial, old world build quality and attention to detail at half the price is surprising. Not taking away from ZMF quality, but these are in a different league. I will say the case, while impressive, is mostly press board and the corners reveal all when its been bumped a few times. The securement straps inside are not leather as has been reported. Meaningless in my mind, I'm just pointing it out. Also, getting those straps realigned and engaged again, if you're the type that likes to return the headphones to their case after listening, is a pain in backside.

But for those who care about sound more than form or accessories these are a real kick in the senses. Although I get why people called them V shaped, I don't entirely agree or disagree. I don't find the mids recessed at all and this would be classic V shaped to my mind. The HP3 do have a very slightly elevated top end, well, lower top end. But smooth and detailed with no edge or harshness I could identify. They have a more than slightly enhanced bass/mid-bass punch but only to the level of adding some excitement and immediacy to the sound. And it's this that gets noticed fairly quickly by what I find is the true source of their sound - their incredible dynamic performance. These phones have huge "jump factor". They are exciting and fun. While I don't always want that and need them to jump up and down shouting "listen to me, listen to ME!" they never really grew fatiguing as such as I eventually would feel, ok, let's calm things down notch or two and switch to a more calm, matter of fact headphone.

I wouldn't be without these headphones but they would always require a second pair of headphones to be the Ying to their Yang.

Cheers,
Robert

 

[iFi audio]

Probably pointless to post my impressions of these headphones but I will anyway,

Very good, the more the merrier! Thanks!

 

[Abdizzle]

I really want to buy a pair of these but the only thing holding me back is access to replacement pads. I'm really not interested in paying $150+ for a set of pads that may or may not be available in the coming years directly from Klipsch. Have there been any aftermarket options available?

 

[theangelboy]

I really want to buy a pair of these but the only thing holding me back is access to replacement pads. I'm really not interested in paying $150+ for a set of pads that may or may not be available in the coming years directly from Klipsch. Have there been any aftermarket options available?

I haven't seen any. One of the main problems is the magnetic mounting mechanism with magnets built into the pads. If they had a removable mounting ring or lip fit like most pads you might be able to custom order some from a place like Vesper, but that would probably be +$100, so that doesn't really solve your problem. And even if you could find some 3rd party pads, they would probably change the sound, at least a little.

The good thing about the pads on the HP-3, however, is that they are very thick/stiff, genuine leather. That, coupled with the low clamp force and dense foam, they should last for many years (maybe even outlive the drivers), if properly taken care of. Real leather doesn't just flake with age like protein leather unless really abused, and even then there are ways to restore old leather that work surprisingly well.

 

[Abdizzle]

I haven't seen any. One of the main problems is the magnetic mounting mechanism with magnets built into the pads. If they had a removable mounting ring or lip fit like most pads you might be able to custom order some from a place like Vesper, but that would probably be +$100, so that doesn't really solve your problem. And even if you could find some 3rd party pads, they would probably change the sound, at least a little.

The good thing about the pads on the HP-3, however, is that they are very thick/stiff, genuine leather. That, coupled with the low clamp force and dense foam, they should last for many years (maybe even outlive the drivers), if properly taken care of. Real leather doesn't just flake with age like protein leather unless really abused, and even then there are ways to restore old leather that work surprisingly well.

That's a good point. Thanks for the info.

 

[iFi audio]

The good thing about the pads on the HP-3, however, is that they are very thick/stiff, genuine leather.

Yup, stock pads on HP-3 felt super-solid when I had the chance to take a closer look at these cans, so personally I wouldn't worry about them