Website author headshot
Cameron Oatley
ExtremeHiFi
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi

Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.

What reviewers think

Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.

Product Strengths

  • Good build quality and finish, with attention to detail and craftsmanship.
  • Natural, organic, and well-balanced sound, with good detail.
  • Spacious soundstage for a closed-back headphone.
  • Very easy to drive and efficient, suitable for portable sources.
  • Very good mid-range, with up-front vocals.

Product Considerations

  • Treble can be a bit recessed or rolled-off.
  • Burn-in time may be required before the sound settles.
  • Can be critical of poor recording quality.

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Tone balance is as good as HiFiMan Aria, but more dynamic and better with female vocals.
  • Wider soundstage than Focal Celesti.
  • Audeze LCD2 is darker.
  • More high mid than beyerdynamic DT1770 Pro.

Takeaway: The Magni headphones are well-built and comfortable, offering a natural and enjoyable sound, with a surprising soundstage for closed-back headphones. It is a great choice for someone who wants a well-rounded headphone without needing a powerful amplifier.

What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.

All

Magni

reviews

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An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022

Manufacturer details

  • Acoustic Design: Closed-back
  • Driver Type: Dynamic
  • Driver Membrane Material: Mylar-graphene composite
  • Driver Diameter: 50mm
  • Sensitivity: 116 dB/1V
  • Impedance: 32 Ohm ± 5%
  • Cable Connection: Dual-sided
  • Connectors: 2 x miniXLR to 6.3mm jack
  • Weight (without cable): 450g
Magni is Kennerton's most popular headphone model, proven by time. Based on 50mm drivers equipped with graphene-coated membranes, they provide balanced, extremely realistic sound.
Manufacturer Site

Brand highlights

Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:

  • The brand employs planar magnetic drivers in many of their headphones, often custom-designed, with a strong emphasis on minimizing internal resonances and maximizing diaphragm control, resulting in detailed and accurate sound reproduction.
  • Kennerton focuses on comfort and ergonomics, with features such as self-adjusting headbands and plush earpads designed for long listening sessions.

Gjallarhorn GH-40 Con Brio  

  • Positioning: The entry-level dynamic headphone aimed at users seeking compact design and ease of use in small spaces.  
  • Description: Offers a robust dynamic driver design with a well-tuned acoustic chamber that provides clear sound for everyday listening. Compared to the other models in the lineup, its simpler engineering and lower price make it attractive for users with modest budgets and basic functionality needs.

Heartland Dynamic  

  • Positioning: A dynamic headphone variant designed for users who need versatility and portability without sacrificing sound quality.  
  • Description: Features an updated dynamic diaphragm that improves clarity and driver response, providing a balanced sound signature that stands apart from planar offerings. When compared with the Gjallarhorn model, it offers enhanced mid-range performance and better portability.

Thekk Novel  

  • Positioning: An entry-level planar magnetic headphone aimed at delivering refined sound quality at an accessible price.  
  • Description: Uses a unique planar magnetic driver to impart precise detail and an even soundstage, setting it apart from the dynamic models in the range.

Heartland (Planar Magnetic)  

  • Positioning: A mid-tier planar magnetic headphone built to offer a refined listening experience with improved linearity and soundstage clarity.  
  • Description: Incorporates planar magnetic technology to deliver a clean, wide sound field that distinguishes it from the dynamic counterparts. In comparison with Thekk Novel and Vinneta, it strikes a balanced compromise between technical innovation and cost.

Vinneta  

  • Positioning: A high-end planar magnetic headphone designed for the most demanding audiophiles who expect top-tier performance.  
  • Description: Integrates planar magnetic innovations that deliver an expansive soundstage and meticulous imaging, marking it as the flagship in the lineup. When set against the other models, its superior build quality and refined performance demonstrate the highest technical sophistication.
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Avg. Product Price
$501-$1,000
Used For Sale
0
 Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
808
 of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
28
Founding Year
2011

Our take on the brand

Kennerton is a hifi headphone brand that pioneered horn-loaded headphones with their Gjallarhorn GH50, which applies loudspeaker-style horn acoustics to a closed-back design for an unusually surround-like soundstage. The brand also develops in-house 80mm planar drivers and uses rare woods like ancient bog oak and stabilized Karelian birch as standard materials rather than limited editions.

Look inside the brand

Brand Page

Our interview with the brand

What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?

What's your approach to customer support?

What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?

What other products pair best with yours?

From our interview with
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Brand Page

Used

Kennerton

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What if you spend more?

Product image
Kennerton
Rognir
1390
1390
/
9
Reviews
Kennerton is a hifi headphone brand that pioneered horn-loaded headphones with their Gjallarhorn GH50, which applies loudspeaker-style horn acoustics to a closed-back design for an unusually surround-like soundstage. The brand also develops in-house 80mm planar drivers and uses rare woods like ancient bog oak and stabilized Karelian birch as standard materials rather than limited editions.
Check Amazon
Expand Details

Product Strengths

  • Wide soundstage, comparable to open-back headphones, is unusual for a closed-back design
  • Clarity and impact with excellent separation of instruments and elements within music
  • High build quality, often using wood in the earcups
  • The mid-range is accentuated and colored, providing a unique sound signature
  • Good isolation

Product Considerations

  • The high-end may be bright for some listeners
  • Relatively large and bulky, it may not be ideal for on-the-go use
  • Shallow ear cups may cause discomfort for people with larger ears
  • Can be source-dependent, performing best with warmer sources
  • May be too intense or aggressive for some listeners or genres of music

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • The Rognir has similar mid-range color and bass handling to the Kennerton Valley or Gjallarhorn, but with more unique coloring and extreme sound separation
  • Sounds similar to the LSA HP2 but better in every way
  • Has less mid-bass weight and punch than the HiFiMan Arya Stealth with stock pads
  • Produces equal or better female vocals than the Kennerton Odin and ZMF Vérité with tapered, non-perforated earpads
  • Offers something even the Meze Empyrean didn't, which is that music can be enjoyed at full volume while someone else is sleeping nearby
  • More fun to listen to than the Audeze LCD-4, while still offering great detail

Takeaway: The Rognir is a unique, high-end headphone that provides a clear and immersive listening experience with a wide soundstage and impressive detail. With good build quality and a comfortable fit, it is a great choice for audiophiles looking for a detailed, enjoyable listening experience.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Kennerton is a hifi headphone brand that pioneered horn-loaded headphones with their Gjallarhorn GH50, which applies loudspeaker-style horn acoustics to a closed-back design for an unusually surround-like soundstage. The brand also develops in-house 80mm planar drivers and uses rare woods like ancient bog oak and stabilized Karelian birch as standard materials rather than limited editions.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Product image
Kennerton
Gjallarhorn GH50 JM Edition
1451
1451
/
3
Reviews
Kennerton is a hifi headphone brand that pioneered horn-loaded headphones with their Gjallarhorn GH50, which applies loudspeaker-style horn acoustics to a closed-back design for an unusually surround-like soundstage. The brand also develops in-house 80mm planar drivers and uses rare woods like ancient bog oak and stabilized Karelian birch as standard materials rather than limited editions.
Check Amazon
Expand Details

Product Strengths

  • Wide soundstage for a closed-back headphone, creating an airy and surround sound-like experience
  • Beefy, boosted bass response that is well-balanced and clean, providing a cinematic feel
  • Comfortable design with plush earpads that don't create unpleasant heat or friction
  • Clear and transparent high end that blends well with the overall sound signature
  • Unique driver design uses Graphene to instill qualities of planar magnetic headphones into a dynamic driver

Product Considerations

  • Recessed high-midrange can make vocals sound more neutral

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Compared to other Kennerton headphones, the GH50 JM Edition has the most bass and a more balanced sound

Takeaway: The Gjallarhorn GH50 JM Edition is a comfortable and interesting headphone. It has a wide soundstage and nice bass, so it is a great choice for someone looking for a different listening experience.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Kennerton is a hifi headphone brand that pioneered horn-loaded headphones with their Gjallarhorn GH50, which applies loudspeaker-style horn acoustics to a closed-back design for an unusually surround-like soundstage. The brand also develops in-house 80mm planar drivers and uses rare woods like ancient bog oak and stabilized Karelian birch as standard materials rather than limited editions.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Product image
Kennerton
Rognir Dynamic
1390
1390
/
2
Reviews
Kennerton is a hifi headphone brand that pioneered horn-loaded headphones with their Gjallarhorn GH50, which applies loudspeaker-style horn acoustics to a closed-back design for an unusually surround-like soundstage. The brand also develops in-house 80mm planar drivers and uses rare woods like ancient bog oak and stabilized Karelian birch as standard materials rather than limited editions.
Check Amazon
Expand Details

Video review

Our take on the brand

Kennerton is a hifi headphone brand that pioneered horn-loaded headphones with their Gjallarhorn GH50, which applies loudspeaker-style horn acoustics to a closed-back design for an unusually surround-like soundstage. The brand also develops in-house 80mm planar drivers and uses rare woods like ancient bog oak and stabilized Karelian birch as standard materials rather than limited editions.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Product image
Kennerton
Rognir Dynamic Valkyrie
1133
1133
/
1
Reviews
Kennerton is a hifi headphone brand that pioneered horn-loaded headphones with their Gjallarhorn GH50, which applies loudspeaker-style horn acoustics to a closed-back design for an unusually surround-like soundstage. The brand also develops in-house 80mm planar drivers and uses rare woods like ancient bog oak and stabilized Karelian birch as standard materials rather than limited editions.
Check Amazon
Expand Details

Video review

Our take on the brand

Kennerton is a hifi headphone brand that pioneered horn-loaded headphones with their Gjallarhorn GH50, which applies loudspeaker-style horn acoustics to a closed-back design for an unusually surround-like soundstage. The brand also develops in-house 80mm planar drivers and uses rare woods like ancient bog oak and stabilized Karelian birch as standard materials rather than limited editions.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page

What competes at this price?

Kennerton
Gjallarhorn GH-40 Con Brio
956
/
Released
The latest version of GH-40 "Con Brio" is distinguished from the previous version by having tangible sub-bass in its sound, and more pronounced holographic musicality and soundstage. The horn creates a fully immersive musical experience, providing an impressively wide range of sound for closed-type headphones with a near-horizontal plane.
Check Amazon
Kennerton is a hifi headphone brand that pioneered horn-loaded headphones with their Gjallarhorn GH50, which applies loudspeaker-style horn acoustics to a closed-back design for an unusually surround-like soundstage. The brand also develops in-house 80mm planar drivers and uses rare woods like ancient bog oak and stabilized Karelian birch as standard materials rather than limited editions.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Great width and natural spatial positioning for a closed-back headphone
  • Mids have good warmth that brings a soothing texture to instruments, with vocals given roomy space in the midrange to properly showcase detail
  • Treble is resolving and smooth, finding a middle ground between brightness and balance, with crisp details in the upper highs
  • Fantastic wooden headphone build
  • Fairly decent as a traveling headphone

Product Considerations

  • Bass has a pretty surface-level appearance
  • Isolation is not the best
  • With the included cable, it's not terminated in a mobile-friendly way
  • Comfort and build are fine, but nothing particularly special
  • Soundstage is not super wide

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Vs Kennerton Gjallarhorn GH50: The GH50 had one of the best soundstages on a closed-back headphone, while the GH40 is still great, the GH50 is more impressive in this range overall
  • Vs ZMF Oturs: The Oturs outperform the GH40 significantly
  • Vs AURALiC: The GH40 has similar difficulty with isolating external sounds, the AURALiC has better bass extension and presence

Takeaway: The Gjallarhorn GH 40 is a beautiful wooden headphone that offers a unique sound experience with a wide soundstage and warm timbre. It could be a worthy contender for those wanting a closed-back headphone that brings something different.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Kennerton is a hifi headphone brand that pioneered horn-loaded headphones with their Gjallarhorn GH50, which applies loudspeaker-style horn acoustics to a closed-back design for an unusually surround-like soundstage. The brand also develops in-house 80mm planar drivers and uses rare woods like ancient bog oak and stabilized Karelian birch as standard materials rather than limited editions.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Kennerton
M12 Titan Meister
635
/
Released
M12 Titan Meister is an updated model of the well-proven Titan headphones, featuring improved sound characteristics. The new neutral tuning provides accurate localization of sound images, allowing listeners to better perceive spatial effects and music details. Engineers added emphasis on low frequencies, making the sound richer and fuller while maintaining clarity and expressiveness.
Check Amazon
Kennerton is a hifi headphone brand that pioneered horn-loaded headphones with their Gjallarhorn GH50, which applies loudspeaker-style horn acoustics to a closed-back design for an unusually surround-like soundstage. The brand also develops in-house 80mm planar drivers and uses rare woods like ancient bog oak and stabilized Karelian birch as standard materials rather than limited editions.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Video review

Our take on the brand

Kennerton is a hifi headphone brand that pioneered horn-loaded headphones with their Gjallarhorn GH50, which applies loudspeaker-style horn acoustics to a closed-back design for an unusually surround-like soundstage. The brand also develops in-house 80mm planar drivers and uses rare woods like ancient bog oak and stabilized Karelian birch as standard materials rather than limited editions.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Bang & Olufsen
Beoplay HX
749
/
Released
2021
Wireless over ear headphones. Listen in comfort whether you're on a call, working from home or taking a moment for yourself.
Check Amazon
Bang & Olufsen is a luxury hifi speaker brand known for its Acoustic Lens Technology, which delivers 180° horizontal sound dispersion—features like the BeoLab 90's 18 individually amplified drivers offer user-selectable beam patterns. The Danish company distinguishes itself through vertically integrated aluminum manufacturing in Struer, a factory-led program that restores and modernizes its classic products, and transparent engineering documentation led by in-house tonmeister Geoff Martin.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Exquisite build quality with premium materials, like anodized aluminum, memory foam, lambskin leather, and high-quality polymer
  • Very comfortable, generously padded with memory foam wrapped in lambskin, and the headband distributes pressure evenly
  • Long battery life, up to 35 hours with ANC on and 40 hours with ANC off
  • Sound quality is rich, refined, spacious, balanced, and impressively detailed
  • Good voice pickup and decent noise suppression in moderately noisy environments
  • Connectivity options are available

Product Considerations

  • Round ear pads may pull down on ear cartilage and rest on ear lobes
  • The HX can only be laid down flat, they are not fully collapsible
  • ANC is good, but not quite at the level of industry leaders
  • Touch panel is awkward to use, and touches are often not registered properly

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Vs Sony 1000XM4/XM5 and Bose 700, ANC on the HX is not quite at the level of these industry leaders
  • Vs the H95, the HX are more sensible, and noticeably cheaper
  • Vs the Sony XM3, the HX looks far more refined
  • Vs the Apple AirPods Max, the HX has up to 15 hours of additional battery life, and are also 100g lighter
  • Vs the Bowers & Wilkins PX7, the HX brings a slightly higher level of refinement, showcasing detail and nuances that are missed

Takeaway: The Beoplay HX are beautifully made headphones that deliver excellent sound quality and are highly comfortable. If the user values aesthetics as much as audio and is willing to pay a premium for quality, then the HX is worth consideration.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Bang & Olufsen is a luxury hifi speaker brand known for its Acoustic Lens Technology, which delivers 180° horizontal sound dispersion—features like the BeoLab 90's 18 individually amplified drivers offer user-selectable beam patterns. The Danish company distinguishes itself through vertically integrated aluminum manufacturing in Struer, a factory-led program that restores and modernizes its classic products, and transparent engineering documentation led by in-house tonmeister Geoff Martin.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Audio-Technica
ATH-WP900
699
/
Released
2020
The ATH-WP900 portable over-ear headphones feature beautiful flame maple housings for high-fidelity on-the-go listening and high aesthetics. Maple is a stiff, dense wood often used to make string instruments such as guitars and violins. Here, we've fused a thin slice of flame-grain maple on top of solid, machined maple to produce housings that ensure clear, natural sound quality. The flame maple finish, provided by Japanese guitar manufacturer Fujigen, brings out the unique grain of each housing for a one-of-a-kind beauty that will deepen with age.
Check Amazon
Audio-Technica is a Japanese hifi brand that stands out with their Direct Power System phono cartridges, which place coils directly above the stylus tip for faster transients; their Pure Digital Drive wireless headphones that bypass internal DACs; and their proprietary A2DC connector system for more secure connections. The brand maintains exceptional in-house manufacturing depth, with hand-assembled wooden headphones crafted from Japanese woods in Tokyo and phono cartridge production at their Fukui plant.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Flame maple housings are crafted with precision and look premium, adding both durability and aesthetic value
  • Delivers exceptional clarity with detailed highs and a balanced mid-range
  • Lightweight and comfortable, making them easy to wear for extended periods
  • Offers a fast, tight, clean, and well-separated sound signature with a colorful and multidimensional soundstage
  • Easy to drive, making them suitable for use with various portable sources

Product Considerations

  • Bass response may feel a little too neutral for some listeners who prefer more emphasis on the low end
  • The low midrange is somewhat recessed, which might rob male vocalists of presence and richness
  • The included soft case may not be sufficient for protecting the headphones

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Compared to Focal Stelia or Sennheiser HD800S, the ATH-WP900 excels in build quality and high-frequency clarity, but those alternatives might be better for bass enthusiasts
  • The WP900 has a natural sense of detail and energy, similar to Grado mids, but unlike a Grado, it delivers a fun, thumping bass line
  • Compared to the Sennheiser HD-660S or the Beyerdynamic DT-1990 Pro, those alternatives offer a bit more warmth and bass presence, albeit with different designs

Takeaway: The ATH-WP900 headphones are a great choice for audiophiles who value clarity and a unique aesthetic design. The build quality and easy portability make them a set of headphones that is fun to use.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Audio-Technica is a Japanese hifi brand that stands out with their Direct Power System phono cartridges, which place coils directly above the stylus tip for faster transients; their Pure Digital Drive wireless headphones that bypass internal DACs; and their proprietary A2DC connector system for more secure connections. The brand maintains exceptional in-house manufacturing depth, with hand-assembled wooden headphones crafted from Japanese woods in Tokyo and phono cartridge production at their Fukui plant.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Neumann
NDH 20
549
/
Released
2019
The Neumann NDH 20 is a closed-back headphone combining excellent isolation with the carefully balanced sound image and outstanding resolution you'd expect from a Neumann product. The NDH 20 is thus ideally suited to monitoring and mixing tasks, even in loud and noisy environments. Circumaural memory foam ear pads offer high long-term comfort.
Check Amazon
Neumann pioneered studio recording technology by creating the first mass-produced condenser microphone in 1928 and introducing then-novel features like remotely switchable polar patterns. The company also manufactured the record-cutting lathes that defined vinyl mastering—a rare dual legacy. The brand offers faithful reissues of historic microphones built from original blueprints and studio monitors with phase linearization DSP, serving professional recording engineers and classical music producers who demand period-correct sonics and precise acoustic control.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Comfortable for extended wear, with reviewers sometimes forgetting they are wearing headphones
  • Sound reproduction is transparent and reliable, providing an accurate monitoring experience
  • Good at isolation, making it easier to identify unwanted sounds in recordings
  • Excellent build quality and handsome design using aluminum
  • Midrange accuracy is a strong point, potentially comparable to the HD600

Product Considerations

  • The bass can be a little bloated
  • Some find the earpads stiff and uncomfortable initially
  • Treble may be a bit too recessed
  • Cable microphonics can be an issue

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Compared to the Focal Allegias, the NDH 20 offers a more neutral tuning
  • Compared to the Sennheiser HD 650, both models convey the midrange accuracy about the same, but the Sennheisers are lighter in the bass and a little brighter in the upper mid/treble area

Takeaway: The NDH 20 offers a combination of comfort, isolation, and accurate sound, making it a solid choice for studio use. It is a well-built and reliable tool for those needing a focused monitoring experience.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Neumann pioneered studio recording technology by creating the first mass-produced condenser microphone in 1928 and introducing then-novel features like remotely switchable polar patterns. The company also manufactured the record-cutting lathes that defined vinyl mastering—a rare dual legacy. The brand offers faithful reissues of historic microphones built from original blueprints and studio monitors with phase linearization DSP, serving professional recording engineers and classical music producers who demand period-correct sonics and precise acoustic control.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page

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