Kali Audio has announced the HP-1, a closed-back, over-ear headphone designed for mixing, quality control, and everyday use. Priced at $199, the HP-1 is built around a DSP-driven platform that lets you hear your work in three different voicings: Studio, Consumer, and Bass-Heavy. This feature allows producers to move between a neutral reference and the sound profiles that listeners actually use, making it a practical tool for getting mixes ready to translate outside of the studio.
The HP-1 is available now at kaliaudio.com and includes wired and Bluetooth connectivity, active noise cancelling, and a carrying case for travel.
Designed for Producers Who Need Translation
The biggest challenge in mixing is knowing how a track will sound once it leaves your studio. Kali’s three selectable voicings solve that problem without extra plugins or guesswork.
- Studio Mode offers an accurate, transparent sound tailored for critical mixing.
- Bass-Heavy Mode simulates the response of headphones used by hip-hop and EDM listeners.
- Consumer Mode replicates the tonal balance of popular everyday headphones that ship with phones and computers.
Switching voicings is handled directly on the headphones with a single button. An LED indicator on the right earcup changes color for each mode, and a voice prompt confirms your selection. This means you can A/B your mix across different listening profiles without leaving your seat.
For producers who have struggled to match low-end translation across systems, this feature alone makes the HP-1 stand out. Combine that with 40mm drivers, a frequency response of 18 Hz – 22 kHz, and 17 ms of DSP latency, and you get a headphone that can double as a portable reference tool or a mainstay in your studio workflow.
Built for the Studio, Ready for Everyday Use
While the HP-1 was developed with mixing and QC in mind, its feature set makes it easy to bring along when you step out of the studio. With 40+ hours of battery life, USB-C charging, and Bluetooth compatibility (supporting AAC and SBC), these headphones can move from wired studio work to wireless listening without friction.
Active noise cancelling and foldable construction make them suitable for mobile production sessions, while physical playback controls and a built-in mic allow for quick calls or travel use. The headphones also ship in a zippered carrying case, making them a solid option for producers who split time between different environments.
At 0.4 lbs (150g), the HP-1 is light enough for long sessions, and the replaceable earpads extend their life well past the initial purchase.
For $199, the Kali Audio HP-1 is not trying to be another pair of everyday headphones with a studio label slapped on. It is a reference tool with real-world listening modes built in—a combination that could save producers hours of second-guessing mixes and bouncing between systems.
You can learn more and order the HP-1 at kaliaudio.com.
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