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.
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
Vali Neoteric
reviews
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- Type: Open-back Dynamic
- Driver Type: Dynamic
- Driver Size: 50mm
- Membrane Material: Mylar-graphene composite
- Sensitivity: 121dB/1V
- Impedance: 32Ω ± 5%
- Cable Connection: Dual-sided
- Connectors: 2x miniXLR to 6.3mm jack
- Weight: 490g (without cable)
Description
The updated Vali Neoteric aims to breathe new life into what has become a classic open dynamic headphone from Kennerton Audio. For years, Vali headphones have delighted audiophiles worldwide with their sound. For us, it has always been important to open new horizons of sound to listeners.
Release Timeline
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.
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Select product comparisons
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
$1,001-$2,500
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.
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Brand Page
Our interview with the brand
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Used
Kennerton
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What if you spend more?
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Kennerton
HeartLand
2870
2870
/
5
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.
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Product Strengths
- Excellent build quality with a rustic and classy design, using wood and lambskin materials
- Very comfortable to wear, even for long listening sessions, due to a well-padded suspension headband and soft ear pads
- Impressively wide soundstage
- Thunderous and detailed low-end performance, with great sub-bass and detail retrieval
- Smooth, detailed highs that are not fatiguing
Product Considerations
- The included cable is unbalanced
- Can be considered heavy
- The soundstage depth is not exceptional
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The dynamic version has a different sound delivery than the Kennerton Heartland planar
Takeaway: The Kennerton Heartland is a well-built and comfortable headphone that delivers an exciting and detailed sound, especially in the low end. It's a good choice for those who enjoy a powerful bass response with a smooth overall balance.
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.
Product Page
Product Page
Kennerton
Vinneta
3277
3277
/
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.
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.
Product Page
Product Page
Austrian Audio
The Composer
2699
2699
/
10
Reviews
Austrian Audio, founded by the former AKG Vienna core team, manufactures its own ceramic CKR12 capsules and Hi-X headphone drivers in-house in Vienna. Their capsule consistency is so precise that any two microphones can be used as a stereo pair without matching. The brand's microphones feature unique tech, including dual-output mode for reshaping polar patterns in post-production, and real-time wireless polar pattern control via Bluetooth.
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Product Strengths
- Built with premium, high-quality, sturdy materials with a solid feel
- Very comfortable and relatively lightweight, suitable for long listening sessions
- Easy to drive with low impedance and reasonable sensitivity
- Delivers a reference-grade sense of clarity, balance, and vast soundstage
- Excellent instrument separation and imaging
- Easy to drive with low impedance and reasonable sensitivity
Product Considerations
- Some reviewers found the range of headband adjustment limited, making it potentially unsuitable for those with smaller heads
- The banana plug cable connectors are proprietary, limiting third-party cable options
- The stock cable is acceptable, but not particularly premium feeling
- The bass is a little lightweight and might require EQ adjustment for some listeners
- A dip at 2kHz was noted by some reviewers
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Sennheiser HD800S: The Composer has better bass extension, but the HD800S has better resolution and detail
- Vs HIFIMAN Arya/HE1000 series: The Composer sounds more natural than some HIFIMAN planars, and it may have greater bass depth
- Vs Meze Audio Empyrean II: The Composer goes deeper in the soundstage, with better layering and more sub-bass presence, but the Empyrean II is softer and more relaxed
- Vs ZMF Outure Classic: The Composer has better bass response but is smoother and more tame in the treble
Takeaway: The Austrian Audio Composer is a well-built, comfortable, and easy-to-drive headphone with a balanced, clear, and detailed sound signature. It offers a reference quality that can be great for critical listening and casual enjoyment.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Austrian Audio, founded by the former AKG Vienna core team, manufactures its own ceramic CKR12 capsules and Hi-X headphone drivers in-house in Vienna. Their capsule consistency is so precise that any two microphones can be used as a stereo pair without matching. The brand's microphones feature unique tech, including dual-output mode for reshaping polar patterns in post-production, and real-time wireless polar pattern control via Bluetooth.
Product Page
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Abyss
Diana MR
2995
2995
/
8
Reviews
Abyss is a hifi headphone brand that uses a patented single-sided planar-magnetic driver architecture and machines all-aluminum chassis with foamed-aluminum acoustics in their New York facility, targeting a "speakers-in-room" sound rather than typical headphone presentation. The brand offers granular fit adjustments through magnetic pad systems and interchangeable acoustic pads that allow owners to intentionally shift tonal balance, supported by a 10-year warranty and vertical integration from driver production to final assembly.
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Product Strengths
- Delivers a beautifully smooth and refreshingly beefy tuning compared to previous Diana headphones
- The most comfortable planar magnetic set of cans ever worn
- Build quality is very impressive
- Good mid-range
Product Considerations
- Needs additional padding for optimal scalp comfort
- Treble can become problematic
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Diana MR most remind reviewer of a super version of the HIFIMAN Edition XS
- Spatial presentation is better from the HIFIMAN HE1000SE, and the midrange is better balanced as well
Takeaway: The Diana MR is the most accessible set of high-end open-back planar headphones to date from Abyss. It is a fun and impressive listen.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Abyss is a hifi headphone brand that uses a patented single-sided planar-magnetic driver architecture and machines all-aluminum chassis with foamed-aluminum acoustics in their New York facility, targeting a "speakers-in-room" sound rather than typical headphone presentation. The brand offers granular fit adjustments through magnetic pad systems and interchangeable acoustic pads that allow owners to intentionally shift tonal balance, supported by a 10-year warranty and vertical integration from driver production to final assembly.
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What competes at this price?
Kennerton
Wodan
2222
/
Released
2020
Wodan is a synthesis of technology and natural beauty in everything. The acoustic solutions of Kennerton's flagship models in a portable, striking form factor.
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
- Lightweight for a planar magnetic headphone, enhancing comfort
- Outstanding build quality with premium materials, including real wood cups
- Easy to drive, working well with portable devices
- Wide and natural soundstage
- Detailed and transparent sound
Product Considerations
- Stock cable is stiffer
- Treble might be a bit rolled-off
- Bass is neutral, so not suitable for bass heads
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the Kennerton HP-1, the Wodan has better sub-bass extension and a more refined sound
- Compared to the Kennerton Odin, the Wodan is more analytical and detailed, whereas the Odin is warmer and bassier
- Compared to the Erzetich Phobos, the Wodan has better sub-bass, less grain, and a more controlled treble, though the Phobos has a wider soundstage
- Compared to the Audeze LCD-4, the Wodan delivers very similar midrange performance, but is easier to drive, though the LCD-4 wins in sub-bass performance
- Compared to the Hifiman Arya, the Wodan has a nicer bass and midrange performance, is easier to drive, and offers a more natural soundstage
Takeaway: The Kennerton Wodan is a comfortable, well-built headphone that provides a detailed and transparent sound. It is easy to drive, making it versatile for different listening setups and musical tastes.
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.
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Kennerton
HeartLand Dynamic
1968
/
Released
2023
The new Heartland Dynamic is our powerful response to modern times, where classical patterns in personal sound have become established. We used a new type of driver with a large and ultra-soft PU suspension. The membrane is made of classic bio-cellulose and impregnated with a unique composition. It has an incredible resonant frequency of 50 Hz for headphones.
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.
Product Page
Product Page
HIFIMAN
Arya
1299
/
Released
2020
HIFIMAN’s breakthrough ultra-thin diaphragm—at the nanometer scale—minimizes mass for lightning-fast response and extremely low distortion, delivering natural, highly detailed sound.
An optimized magnetic structure with asymmetrical placement reduces interference, enhancing clarity and overall sonic precision.
A precisely engineered grille design prevents reflections and refractions, expanding the soundstage while improving imaging and detail retrieval.
Angled, user-replaceable 3.5 mm connectors provide ergonomic cable routing and easy replacement.
Crafted from a combination of metal and high-grade plastics, the Arya achieves strength, low resonance, and a refined matte-black aesthetic.
An optimized magnetic structure with asymmetrical placement reduces interference, enhancing clarity and overall sonic precision.
A precisely engineered grille design prevents reflections and refractions, expanding the soundstage while improving imaging and detail retrieval.
Angled, user-replaceable 3.5 mm connectors provide ergonomic cable routing and easy replacement.
Crafted from a combination of metal and high-grade plastics, the Arya achieves strength, low resonance, and a refined matte-black aesthetic.
HIFIMAN is a hifi brand known for its planar magnetic headphones that use extremely thin diaphragms and acoustically transparent "Stealth Magnets" to reduce sound distortion. The company pioneered high-resolution portable audio players and creates electrostatic headphones that bring high-end sound quality to more accessible price points, as well as widely renowned flagship models such as the Susvara.
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Excellent resolution and detail retrieval, making it a clear step up from mid-fi headphones
- Wide and open soundstage with nuanced imaging, as well as excellent instrument separation
- Comfortable design, with well-distributed weight, large earcups, and comfortable earpads
- The Arya Organic is easier to drive than previous Arya versions and sounds better with various equipment, responding well to a decent system
- Balanced and neutral sound signature, though some find the treble slightly bright
Product Considerations
- Noted to lack dynamic weight and bass slam, which might disappoint bass enthusiasts
- Treble response can be fatiguing depending on the music and is somewhat peaky
- The 5kHz hump stretches vocals and make them timbrally thin at times
- Some reviewers express concern about the delicacy of the headphones and caution against dropping them
- The open-back design makes them unsuitable for noisy environments or situations where sound leakage is a concern
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The Arya is sharper, clearer, and better resolved than the HiFiMan Ananda, with a more open soundstage, but the Ananda has more bass grunt
- Both have large soundstages and effortless resolution, but the Arya has a more excited tuning while the Sennheiser HD800S is smoother
- The Arya has a larger soundstage, but the Focal Clear has better punch and slam
Takeaway: The HiFiMan Arya is a technically impressive headphone that provides excellent sound clarity, a wide soundstage, and a comfortable listening experience. If you appreciate a neutral sound with great detail and aren't looking for heavy bass, the Arya could be a good choice.
Video review
Our take on the brand
HIFIMAN is a hifi brand known for its planar magnetic headphones that use extremely thin diaphragms and acoustically transparent "Stealth Magnets" to reduce sound distortion. The company pioneered high-resolution portable audio players and creates electrostatic headphones that bring high-end sound quality to more accessible price points, as well as widely renowned flagship models such as the Susvara.
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ZMF
Atrium
2499
/
Released
2022
The ZMF Atrium is our most open design, which features our patent-pending rear damping system that accentuates stage layering, depth, tactile "feel" with realistically natural timbre. The Atrium expands the range of spatial sound experience first incepted with the auteur (now the "auteur classic"), through its shared biocellulose driver heritage and linear ZMF tuning.
ZMF is a boutique hifi headphone brand that crafts one-of-a-kind wooden headphones from stabilized resin-wood billets, each harvested, processed, and assembled in the USA. Their patented acoustic systems include the Atrium Damping System (ADS) and the Caldera's trapezoidal magnet structure. The brand offers lifetime driver warranties and maintains measurement transparency using professional B&K equipment. They have created a distinct enthusiast culture around their annual "ZMF November" limited-edition sales.
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Stunning aesthetics and high-quality craftsmanship with various wood options and grill designs available
- Creates a wonderful sense of space with a great spherical soundstage and natural depth
- Has an amazing ability to be both smooth and detailed at the same time
- Provides a deep reaching and encompassing bass sound with a punchy and impactful profile
- Natural and lifelike tonal quality with vibrant midrange and textured vocals
Product Considerations
- Not ideal for those seeking maximum detail retrieval or a reference-level sound
- May not be the best choice for music that relies heavily on aggressive, distorted electric guitars due to potential mid-range harshness
- Bass extension may not reach as deep as some planar headphones
- The stock cable has shape memory, and some may prefer aftermarket options
- It's a heavier headphone, so comfort may be a concern for some users
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs ZMF Verite: The Atrium sits alongside it, and is a significant step above the Auteur, in the sense that it is competing absolutely with the Verite, whereas the Auteur doesn't quite reach the heights of the Verite
- Vs Sennheiser HD650: The Atrium overall tuning is very reminiscent of the Sennheiser HD 650, where it is still fairly neutral, but it tends towards a little bit of warmth
- Vs HIFIMAN HE1000 V2: The HE1000 V2 has a bigger soundstage, but the imaging and the separation handle spatial reproduction much better than the Atrium does
Takeaway: The ZMF Atrium offers a beautiful design and a unique sound signature that combines smoothness and detail, making it a very enjoyable listening experience across many genres. Its ability to create a lifelike and engaging soundstage makes it a worthwhile option for those looking for something special.
Video review
Our take on the brand
ZMF is a boutique hifi headphone brand that crafts one-of-a-kind wooden headphones from stabilized resin-wood billets, each harvested, processed, and assembled in the USA. Their patented acoustic systems include the Atrium Damping System (ADS) and the Caldera's trapezoidal magnet structure. The brand offers lifetime driver warranties and maintains measurement transparency using professional B&K equipment. They have created a distinct enthusiast culture around their annual "ZMF November" limited-edition sales.
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Sendy
Peacock
1499
/
Released
2021
Sendy Audio Peacock is an open-back planar magnetic headphone with an 88mm ultra-thin composite diaphragm, designed for natural mids, elastic bass, and extended transparent highs up to 40kHz within a wide soundstage.
Sendy is a hifi headphone brand known for its Quad-Former planar driver architecture that uses four coils to drive the diaphragm, reducing distortion and enhancing transient response across models like Apollo and Peacock.
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- The Peacock uses long-lasting, high-quality materials in its construction, with minimal plastic, and has a handmade feel
- Comfortable to wear for long listening sessions due to its soft leather headband, memory foam earpads, and suspension strap system
- Good left-to-right soundstage and spatial qualities, with precise imaging
- Natural sound, focusing on the bass and midrange regions
- Easy to drive and has high sensitivity (103 dB per milliwatt), meaning it sounds good even with ordinary headphone jacks
Product Considerations
- Some reviewers describe the treble as metallic and unnatural, with an unwanted ringing or resonance that can be fatiguing
- Soundstage depth and imaging are not as impressive as its width, creating a 'tunnel-like vision' or 'b-dimensional' sound
- Detail retrieval and transparency are lacking compared to other headphones in its price range
- Heavy (578-580g), which may be a challenge for some listeners
- Aesthetics may not appeal to everyone due to mismatched design elements, resulting in a lack of cohesion in its appearance
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Audeze LCD-X: Has a wider soundstage, but the LCD-X is more resolving, detailed, and technically proficient
- Vs HIFIMAN Arya Stealth: Has more impactful bass and a fuller midrange, while the Arya has clearer treble and greater detail retrieval
- Vs Audeze LCD-2: Vocals are more emphasized and engaging, but the LCD-2 is clearer and more detailed
- Vs Focal Clear MG: The Clear MG's are warmer with more bass impact, more even and forward mids, and darker, less peaky treble
- Vs Sendy Audio Aiva: Offers better looks, build quality, comfort, clarity, transparency and more details compared to the Aiva
Takeaway: The Peacock is a stylish and comfortable headphone that offers a warm, smooth, and enjoyable listening experience, especially for those who prioritize musicality over technical precision. Its easy-to-drive nature and wide soundstage make it a good option for relaxed listening sessions.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Sendy is a hifi headphone brand known for its Quad-Former planar driver architecture that uses four coils to drive the diaphragm, reducing distortion and enhancing transient response across models like Apollo and Peacock.
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