Kali Audio Highland Park HP-1: DSP-powered ANC headphones
A versatile set of closed-back headphones from Kali Audio.
The Kali Audio Highland Park HP-1 is a new venture for the US speaker manufacturer, a closed-back headphone design with different DSP voicings.
With the company’s most recent projects, Kali Audio has become rather unpredictable. Just when we thought they were settled in the budget end of the studio monitor market, they released the Santa Monica series, and now, the new DSP-powered HP-1 headphones.
Kali Audio Highland Park HP-1
Kali Audio has aimed for the moon with the HP-1 design, creating a set of headphones not only for music production, mixing, and content creation, but music appreciation too. This means that you get all the features common to consumer headphones, like active noise cancelling and wireless communication.
Meanwhile, the most exciting feature is the three DSP voicings: a studio mode with neutral frequency response, a low-end enhanced setting for bass heads, and a consumer voicing comparable to the familiar AirPods Max or WH-1000 sound. Switching between voicings is easy with the touch of a button, and the LED indicator and voice prompt will let you know which setting you’re on.
Meanwhile, the HP-1 will provide up to 40 hours of playback time when fully charged with the included USB-C cable. In addition, the stereo minijack input allows you to work with the HP-1 as you would with conventional wired headphones. Also included with the headphones is a zip-up carry case to protect the HP-1 headphones on your travels.
Overall, the unique combination of features is likely to appeal to a wide range of users, and the ability to quickly switch voicings is particularly useful, as you can flip from work mode to testing out your mix on the consumer setting to get an objective reading of what your fans will hear on their favourite headphones.
Pricing and Availability:
The Kali Audio Highland Park HP-1 will be available soon from participating retailers, priced at $199 / £199 / €199 MSRP.
More about the Kali Audio Highland Park HP-1:
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