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Author Topic: Kennerton Magister  (Read 3616 times)

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ultrabike

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Kennerton Magister
« on: April 11, 2015, 07:15:33 AM »

A friend dropped these for a listen. They came in a custom, tasteful and practical case with foam cut to the shape of the cans. Inside is a 1/4" adapter, a "Limited Warranty Statement" (3 year), and a letter which I did not dare open since I don't own these cans.

Looking into the Kennerton's website, there is a brief about the technology behind these phones (http://www.kennerton.com/magister.htm). Basically a 42 mm mylar driver coated with titanium. The cup internals seem to be shaped to perform some sort of anechoic duties. They are made with >2040 year old bog oak wood. Cushions are made of lamb skin. In person they look legit. Indeed, some lambs and tree parts seemed to have ended up in these cans. The construction of these coconuts is top notch.



The cable is detachable and fat. Not very maneuverable, but definitively feels pretty sturdy. I would recommend a different mechanism to secure the detachable cable (to avoid it from getting loose).

Given construction, these are on the heavier side of things. But not bad. Most planars in general are heavier going by memory. One thing about these cans is that they are face hugging tight. That may or may not be a problem for some. There is ample ear space inside the coconuts.

Sound wise these are IMO pretty resolving in the bass area, but not that much in the mids to treble area relative to the HD600s. This may be an unfair comparison given the HD600 are open cans. Relative to other closed cans (say M50s or CAL!) these may be a little more resolving overall. I would say these are neither bass nor treble monsters and the mids are decent. Listening to Daft Punk "Get Lucky" for the hundredth time was not offensive. Bass indeed sounded detailed, but plankton might have been sacrificed (EDIT: in other frequency ranges and relative to reference level open cans).

Overall these are not bad sounding, but not necessarily spectacular. They are about $900, and IMO one is paying for the craftsmanship which seems impeccable. These also did not seem to require tons of power to drive.

So measurements...

Frequency Response



Distortion Right



Distortion Left



CSD Right



CSD Left



Comparo with CAL!



Comparo with Ultrasone 880

« Last Edit: April 11, 2015, 10:55:01 PM by ultrabike »
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Sorrodje

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Re: Kennerton Magister
« Reply #1 on: April 11, 2015, 12:43:25 PM »

Thks.

It seems this Magister is a luxury version of the FA-003TI :



and with Wood cups :



Would be very interesting to see if there's any difference in SQ.  :money:

kothganesh

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Re: Kennerton Magister
« Reply #2 on: April 11, 2015, 02:41:18 PM »

Ultra, any comparison to the Slants or Enigmas?
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Re: Kennerton Magister
« Reply #3 on: April 11, 2015, 06:11:35 PM »

All things considered those are reasonably clean CSDs, though the right looks a bit rougher.
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stratocaster

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Re: Kennerton Magister
« Reply #4 on: April 11, 2015, 06:27:37 PM »

Don't like that ridge at 3.5kHz ...
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ultrabike

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Re: Kennerton Magister
« Reply #5 on: April 11, 2015, 07:02:49 PM »

Ultra, any comparison to the Slants or Enigmas?

Sure. Slants might be a bit darker and less edgy, also much more comfy. Enigmas are closer sounding going by memory. Here are some frequency response comparos:

Vs Enigmas



Vs Slants

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ultrabike

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Re: Kennerton Magister
« Reply #6 on: April 11, 2015, 07:38:39 PM »

Properly aligned at 1kHz for CAL! and Ultrasone comparos in first post.

Thks.

It seems this Magister is a luxury version of the FA-003TI.

Would be very interesting to see if there's any difference in SQ.  :money:

Indeed. The carrying bag is also very similar. $200 too!

http://www.amazon.com/Fischer-Audio-FA-003Ti-Isloation-Headphones/dp/B00DS8RQK8
« Last Edit: April 11, 2015, 09:25:06 PM by ultrabike »
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LFF

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Re: Kennerton Magister
« Reply #7 on: April 11, 2015, 10:01:44 PM »

I spent a few days listening to a Magister and found them to sound differently to the FA-002W which I own.


While both share certain similarities, the Magister does have a unique mylar dynamic driver which contributes to the difference in sound.


If you're questioning the nearly $1000 price tag - well - you need to feel these in your hands and see them. The money is definitely being spent on the premium build quality. These things ooze pure luxury. Not everyone will have the pleasure to listen or own one of these so you're essentially paying for the luxury and bragging rights.


That said - soundwise, I'd give these a 9/10. Very nice sounding to me with very dynamic and detailed bass.

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ultrabike

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Re: Kennerton Magister
« Reply #8 on: April 11, 2015, 10:35:42 PM »

Yes. Build quality of these is quite high. Sort of a luxury item.

Agree that bass is also top notch in terms of resolution and dynamics.
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Sorrodje

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Re: Kennerton Magister
« Reply #9 on: April 12, 2015, 01:56:56 PM »

Good to know this Magister is not poo.

But if the FA003 TI gives the same sound for a much lower price ...  :wheel:
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