Just curious, where did you get that info on the HP-2 has “40mm Drivers”? I believe they are identical to the Gjallarhorn drivers: 50mms just a question… 
Cheers
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It used to state that on the LSA web page, it’s probably been corrected at this point.
While they probably do have the same driver, FWIW they are not identical to the GH50’s, several people have compared them at this point. coopting their feedback.
OG GH50 has significantly more Bass
JM Edition is more Neutral
and the LSA is in the middle tonally at least
There are also differences in build quality with both Kennertons being considered better built form the people I’ve seen compare them.
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The HP-2’s are much more neutral than I expected with no bass emphasis, like the Kennerton 'phones are reputed to have.
And the Kennertons do look much more posh.
However, I am enjoying these so far. I was kind of looking for a counter to my Cascades, but not bass light. I would be very happy with Elex/HE6se type of bass.
I realize there are no free rides in life. If you are paying less, then you are likely getting less. Just have to figure out if it works for you personally.
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Sounds good, thank you for your response. I believe you’re spot in with the more neutral signature, thanks again.
Cheers
After 10 years with my beloved Hifiman HE500, I wanted more punch and details.
I replaced my Little Dot Dac II and Hifiman EF5 amp (which never added much to the lone DAC) by a Xduoo XA-10 and bought balanced custom cables. I was also using Boom3D which is a very nice software EQ.
That was better but I still had the itch for a new fun punchy headphone.
After much research, this thread of discussion convinced me to buy a LSA HP2.
I received it 2 days ago. I also bought some, supposely $300 balanced cable form Walter (LSA) at half price but he sent me the wrong connectors. I’m expecting to receive the 3.5mm ones monday.
So my first impressions were really good. It sounded like the big brother to the HE500. More detailed, more energy, the sound stage is nice too. Everything is tight. Very clean.
But on some tracks, I miss the warmth of the Hifiman, the trebbles are more aggressive.
But my wife (a rocker) tried it and immediately said it had no bass and all trebbles. I have to admit that with Guns’ Roses it sounds thin. So it gave me doubts.
I haven’t finished the burnin yet, and I still haven’t received the balanced cables. But reading that the original Kennerton might be thicker sounding, I might have buyer remorse (even though I’m not a bass head). I was expecting more of a wow effect in terms of slam.
Intially I was about the to buy the Ultrasone edition 11 but the lack of reviews and the price (an hefty 1000€) had me decide in favor of the LSA HP2.
I mostly listen to new folk, shoegazing or Dire Straits but I feel a bit cheated if they are not exact copies of the Kennerton. Walter says they are the same sonically…
What do you guys think I should do?
I’m not sure the burnin will make much of a différence. They already have close to 40 hours.
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I think you should bend in the frame. The light fit has been a source of bass issues. Do you and your wife have small heads?
The gjallarhorn likely have more sonic bass, but if the reason you aren’t getting bass on these is fit, they likely won’t fix that.
They also are not hugely sonic bass, but they should rumble and slam. They also EQ really well.
I would experiment a bit.
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Yes we have rather small head. Where should I bend the metal, right above each cup or at the middle (top of the headband)?
Typically just above the cups. Also, do you both wear glasses? If so, take them off and try again.
Like you, I expected more bass. I got mine Monday afternoon and have had them running 8 to 10 hours every day since. Most on my head, some off.
My initial reaction was: no bass at all. I have been bending the frame like crazy and it is now a very snug fit (pic attached). I am aware of the bass now, but it is not emphasized at all. Brain burn-in a funny thing and I think it is trying to convince me there is enough bass and maybe there is.
After all I am a HUGE fan of my Grado GH2’s, which are definitely bass light.
I will keep playing all weekend and then on Sunday or Monday I will run them against my Focal Elex’s and HiFiman HE6se V2’s. I am not looking for Cascade type bass as I already have that. I just want a full sound with good bass like the Elex’s and HE6se’s.
These are NOT bassy headphones or even bass leaning headphones. I must admit that I am regetting not getting the Magni’s at this point. But I won’t make a final decision until next week, after some head to head comparisons.
They are crystal clear though.
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This is interesting to me. These rip the he6se to shreds on the bass front to my ears. I would have called the he6se bass light on a 100 watt speaker amp by comparison.
But my desire is rumble and slam, not sonic. When I play pentatonix, these almost cross a line in boomy vocal sonic bass.
Interesting.
When comparing those two I will have to strip the bass boost off of both and then see where I am at. I love bass boost on both, but that only works at home.
What I have been looking for, for a long time, is a closed back Elex. I am hoping these might come close. I will find out in the days ahead.
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I believe the recommended break-in across the board time has been about 100 hours. Mine are not bass heavy but the the bass is still there. Others have stated and I tend to agree, they seem to be more on the neutral side. But, the bass is in good quantity, well defined, and I have to say that the bass is more than just present on to my ears and goes deep without distortion. As others have stated, these are pretty much anything you want them to be as they eq very well. I’d give them more time for them to settle in more. And if needed, follow the advice of bending the frames a bit, seems on some a seal issued is present. I am fortunate that no seal issues affect me. Then again, the crystal clear sound without sibilance or distortion is what I was looking for as I gave up in the “V”-signature… The bass is just a bonus for me. Just my 2 cent$…Bty, last night I just received my balanced cable and made mine open up even more. Kept me up till 1am, lovin these even more for their accuracy and even more bass.
It’s all what you want your sound to be and nest wishes in that search, we all do that, at least I do… Enjoy
Cheers
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What I don’t understand is that the Gjallahorn is supposed to be the big brother to the Magni, which was supposed to be bass heavy. And having the famous horn, it was supposed to be superior with more slam.
Soundnews kept gushing about it (but he seems to be over exctatic with all headphones). I even bought my class A amp (Xduoo XA-10) because of Soundnews’s high praises.
And now people say:
- it’s not a bass heavy headphone
- and it’s not a real Kennerton so less powerful
I mostly listen to femal vocal and shoegazing but I wanted something with cojones (don’t ask me why). Like having a corvette to pick up your kids at school, but still you’re in a corvette.
On another topic, anyone knows how to remove the pad? I might give the JM mod a try, but I also found out that we just have the crapy single venting hole (like on the magni) instead of the nice reachable 2 slots venting system of the real Gjallahorn.
So if I’m correct, we cannot do the full JM mod but just stick the little pads around the driver?
I didn’t have the budget for a real Kennerton, but next time I might buy a B stock…
Concerning the bending, it’s pretty hard to do it. I keep trying 'gently". I’m scared of bending too hard with my fingers. Do you insert a rod behind and slowly push the headband onto the rod?
Like someone said if I listen while pushing the cup against my skull, I don’t notice any difference.
But it’s true that EQ works pretty good. If anyone could share his settings, that would be nice.
Overall I like this can, very detailed and dynamic compared to my HE500, a big upgrade but no big slammy sound. It’s more slap than slam.
I’d say give it some more time. I usually listen w/o eq, but do occasionally lift the lower ranges (31, 62, 125, 250, & 500 is increased by about 2-2.5 depending upon the song/album/band and the rest on zero…
I didn’t see your source, maybe that might be having an effect on the bass lines too. A ss, or more neutral source may not pair well with your tastes…I’m not an expert, but love music… And a note about not. Real Kennerton: I agree in name, but the Kennerton group still makes these in St. Petersburg (same factory) and the drivers are advertised as the same, I am not sure though. Mentioning the mods, not sure how to do that and the most effective part is the pads according to the originator. And I believe he has done the mods on request. But, all in all you need to happy, and I too wold love to be able to afford a JM version (which actually makes it more neutral I believe) but more bass is present and do a comparison with My ears…I’m just saying give it more time and enjoy the Music! Cheers
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Thank you Lostnamerica. I think I just had too big expectations, and/or my wife stomped on my cake and made me doubt everything.
My source is spotify. I did try Tidal HIFI, I couldn’t hear any difference at all (I’m almost 50 year old, that could explain).
I’ll try your EQ suggestions.
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I completely understand on all points. I’m 65, and pretty sure my impressions won’t match many. But for me the sound is not the issue, but still getting used to the weight. Albeit comfortable for sure. I also have a headband cover on the way to eliminate the microphonic sounds from just looking cross eyed at them lol. I’ll post pics when that arrives. Best to you and your journey, remember, you’re not alone in the pursuit of excellence…
Cheers
Holy crap, you’re older than me! 
They must have an overwhelming appeal for seniors. I would say that you have to take a minimum of week and more like a month to get a real feel for any headphone. That is why I always have to resell vs just returning them.
They do EQ well. I have the EQ option with all my amps, but I do want to see how they make out on their own.
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That thread had been awesome to me, I re read it many times to confirm my decision to buy the HP2.
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Differentiating Sonics and impact/slam. No, they aren’t a sonic massive bassy headphone. The gjallarhorn should be more here. But they shouldn’t be quite as flat as say an ananda or other hifiman.
What you should feel is impact and slam. If you put on dillard 0742 and turn up the volume to a loudish level for you, it should rumble and slam at you. Quite a bit. If you aren’t feeling it, I suspect there is a fit issue and lack of seal. If you are feeling it, then I suspect you simply want more sonic bass, just EQ them up.
For reference, I use the Qudelix 5k to drive them and they are brilliant on it.
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