Introducing Kali Audio's New Mixing Headphones – The HP-1 Model
Kali Audio, a renowned name in the audio industry, has unveiled its first over-ear, DSP-powered headphone designed specifically for mixing – the HP-1. This versatile headphone offers a unique blend of studio-grade features and wireless convenience, catering to both professional mixing use and casual listening.
Key Features and Specifications
The HP-1 comes equipped with DSP technology, offering three selectable reference tunings: Studio mode for accurate mixing, Bass Heavy mode to emulate headphones favoured by hip-hop and EDM creators, and Consumer mode that mimics the sound signature of popular consumer headphones like AirPods Max or WH-1000 series. Users can easily switch between these modes with a single button press, accompanied by LED and voice prompts for added convenience.
The HP-1 sports 40mm drivers and boasts a frequency response of 18 Hz to 22 kHz. Its DSP latency is 17 ms, which, while not bypassable, ensures minimal delay in sound reproduction.
Construction and Comfort
The HP-1 is a closed-back, circumaural (around the ear) design, ensuring excellent noise isolation. It features a foldable and adjustable headband, making it easy to carry around and comfortable for extended use. The headphone is lightweight at just 0.4 lbs (150 g), and both the headband and ear pads are made from vegan leather for comfort and durability. The package includes a carrying case for added portability.
Connectivity and Controls
The HP-1 supports wireless Bluetooth connectivity with AAC and SBC codecs, as well as wired connectivity via a 3.5mm stereo plug and an included 3.5mm to ¼-inch adapter. It also features button controls for playback, call management, and mode switching, as well as a built-in microphone for calls and voice prompts.
Noise Attenuation and Battery
The HP-1 includes active noise cancelling (ANC) for effective noise reduction, and its rechargeable Li-Ion battery offers over 40 hours of playback per charge. A USB-C cable is included for charging purposes.
Additional Features
The DSP in the HP-1 is not bypassable, ensuring that the sound always passes through the processing modes. Reference tunings for popular headphones are built in, aiding mixing engineers in anticipating translation to other devices.
Pricing and Availability
The Kali Audio HP-1 is available globally now at kaliaudio.com, priced around $199–$200. This makes it an affordable yet powerful choice for both professionals and enthusiasts alike.
The Kali Audio HP-1, designed for mixing and equipped with DSP technology, offers selectable reference tunings for studio use, bass-heavy genres, or consumer headphones like AirPods Max or WH-1000 series. Additionally, this versatile headphone features noise-cancelling capabilities, boasts support for both wireless Bluetooth and wired connections, and provides around 40 hours of battery life on a single charge.
