The Kygo Xenon headphones are an enchancment over the Kygo A11/800, providing extra measured audio and stable noise-cancelling efficiency. Whereas there are better-sounding headphones obtainable for the same value, for these after a combo of fashion, consolation and first rate audio, the Xenon are price a glance
Execs
- Strong audio efficiency
- First rate noise-cancelling
- Comfy to put on
Cons
- Button structure may very well be higher
- Higher-sounding headphones on the market
Key Specs
- Evaluate Worth: £199
- 40mm drivers
- Weight: 320g
- Hybrid noise-cancelling
- 24hrs’ battery life
The Kygo Xenon over-ears are noise-cancelling headphones providing 24 hours of battery.
The names of headphones are sometimes a barrage of seemingly meaningless numbers and phrases. So it’s with some curiosity that we ponder what Xenon in Kygo Xenon means.
A search brings up outcomes that embody a colourless, odourless fuel (Xe); a tyrant from historic Greek; and the codename for the Xbox 360.
Maybe it’s a reference to the 1970’s Xenon nightclub in New York, which, in line with its Wikipedia entry, was the one nightclub standard sufficient to compete with the well-known Studio 54. It’d make sense, contemplating Kygo himself is a DJ of some renown.
Perhaps we’re studying an excessive amount of into it. Perhaps they simply thought it was a cool title.
Kygo Xenon value and availability
The Kygo Xenon went on sale in late 2019 for £199/$199/€199. They’re nonetheless obtainable for buy (March 2021), and might be discovered on-line for a lot lower than their RRP at on-line UK retailers.
Kygo Xenon design – Strong construct and good consolation ranges
- Aesthetically stands out from the group
- Very snug to put on
- Button placement may very well be higher
Kygo’s vary of headphones received’t go away you wanting in the case of distinctive design. Sure, whereas the Xenon’s primary design is like every other over-ear mannequin – a set of ear cups connected by a scarf – they do stand out from the group in the case of aesthetics.
There’s much less of a Scandi really feel right here than with different pairs within the lineup, however they’re no much less distinctive. Energy them up and the “X” on the ends of every ear cup mild up.
The Xenon headphones are available three finishes – black, white and gray/silver (reviewed) – though Amazon lists burgundy and blue choices too. Regardless of the preponderance of plastic, the Xenon aren’t half dangerous to have a look at and really feel sturdy sufficient. Additionally they include a compact carry case for journey, if wanted.
With regards to consolation, the Kygo vary completely will get this proper. The scarf presents the correct quantity of cushion on your head, whereas the reminiscence foam earpads really feel gentle across the ear. These cans can develop into a bit of heat at instances, however outdoors of the Sony WH-1000XM3 and Bose NC 700, the Xenons are one of many extra snug headphones I’ve worn not too long ago.
The clamping drive is effectively measured, so that you might be relaxation assured that they’ll keep put in your head. Nor will they develop into uncomfortable over extended intervals of use.
The buttons are positioned on the proper ear cup with the ANC change at high (I initially thought this was the facility button), playback/quantity buttons both aspect of a multi-function button (which is the facility button), adopted by a USB-C connection and three.5mm jack.
Use of those buttons may very well be higher, since figuring out which button is which as you slide over your finger is tougher than it want be. If the multi-function button was barely raised/depressed, it’ would make it simpler and faster to find.
Kygo Xenon options – A extra centered characteristic set, with stable noise-cancelling efficiency
- Fairly mild when it comes to options
- First rate noise cancelling for the asking value
- 24 hour battery life
There’s an air of consolidation concerning the Xenon’s characteristic set. It’s much less complete than the Kygo A11/800, which is a welcome reduction contemplating the inconsistent nature of these headphones.
There’s no put on sensor know-how, no Ambient mode, no contact panel; and the headphones don’t seem appropriate with the Kygo Sound app, so that you don’t get the (slightly pointless) customisation choices both.
There’s a purity in that strategy meaning the Xenon knuckle down with minimal fuss. ANC efficiency is stable, with the headphones’ match offering an excellent seal for rock-solid noise isolation and hybrid ANC suppressing what’s round you. The sound can seem barely processed as vehicles whoosh previous, however the noise cancelling cleans up effectively sufficient with out distorting the audio.
Battery life registers at 24 hours, which is 5 extra hours than the A11/800, and charging time from empty to full is an identical at two hours.
Elsewhere, the Xenon headphones supply Bluetooth 5.0 for connectivity and assist SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX-LL, the latter for improved audio synchronisation with video content material. Voice instructions are supported through the built-in microphones for Google or Siri.
Xenon over-ears efficiency – A extra measured sound
- Massive sound
- Higher readability over the A11/800
- So-so when it comes to dynamics
Each the A11/800 and E7/1000 sounded okay, however there was actually room for enchancment. The Xenon show the same character to the A11/800, however are much less brash and extra distinguished tonally.
This doesn’t imply that some points haven’t carried over. The Xenons are one other large-sounding pair of headphones with a large soundstage, however the setting they describe isn’t probably the most vivid in comparison with the main efforts at this value.
They’re a step ahead when it comes to readability over the A11/800, although, with John Williams’ The Rise up is Reborn from The Final Jedi not sounding like a barrage of sound; these headphones are in a position to describe the orchestra with a greater sense of element and organisation. It’s sufficient element to interact the listener within the sweeping and delicate nature of the tune, offering a good sense of timing and rhythm.
Dynamically, the Xenon are a bit so-so, however an enchancment over the A11 nonetheless. Kygo lists the Xenon’s frequency vary as 20Hz-22KHz, which is extra palatable than the A11/800’s 15Hz-22KHz.
In a straight shootout between the 2 the Xenon sound much less vibrant, however much less overcooked and fewer susceptible to the harshness that crept into the A11/800’s efficiency. They hold the graceful, big-sounding character of the Kygo vary whereas making use of a extra mature and balanced strategy.
Sure, it’s doable to seek out fashions that supply deeper bass and a extra detailed mid-range elsewhere, however I discovered the Xenon to be a stable pair of cans. The variations between it and the A11/800 are small, however they add as much as make the Xenon the best-sounding pair of headphones within the Kygo vary thus far.
You can purchase the Kygo Xenon if…
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You want carrying a snug pair of cans
Like all of the headphones we’ve examined from the Kygo, the Xenon is a snug pair of headphones to put on.
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You need one of the best sound from the Kygo line-up
Of the present crop of Kygo headphones we’ve reviewed, the Xenon are the best-sounding pair of cans thus far. Evaluating them to the A11/800, when it comes to audio efficiency alone, the Xenon are the headphones to go for.
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First rate noise cancelling
Maybe your price range received’t allow you to go for the premium headphones. Wherein case the Kygo are a good different.
You shouldn’t purchase the Kygo Xenon if…
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You’ll be able to price range for a greater headphone
Noise cancellation at this value level might be hit or miss, however you’re not in need of better-sounding choices when you go a bit increased.
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You need extra options
Understandably, given how effectively the A11/800 carried out, the Xenon strips a couple of options from its specs. That does imply if you’d like fancy smarts, you’ll must look elsewhere.
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You hate odd button layouts
One factor we’re not enamoured by is the button structure. The Xenon make a easy facet of headphone use unnecessarily unwieldy.
