OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Headphones Methodology v1.0
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Products in this category are scored under Frontum Headphones Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
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KLH Ultimate One Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£350Form factor:over-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

KLH Ultimate One Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

KLH Ultimate One
5.2/10

Overall score

Score
5.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 94% of models
Score components

80%

4.6

Technical score

20%

7.5

User score

â–¼Worse than 94% of headphones
6.3

Value for money

Value for money
6.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 94% of models
Score components

70%

5.2

Overall score

30%

8.7

Price

â–¼Worse than 94%
4.6

Technical score

Technical score
4.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 99% of models
Score components

52%

4.9

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

5.7

Design

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

3.8

Calls & Controls

â–¼Worse than 99%
7.5

User score

User score
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 73% of models
Score components

70%

8.2

User ratings

30%

5.9

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
â–¼Worse than 73%
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones KLH Ultimate One

Technical score
Technical score
4.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 99% of models
Score components:

52%

4.9

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

5.7

Design

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

3.8

Calls & Controls

4.6
User score
User score
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 73% of models
Score components

70%

8.2

User ratings

30%

5.9

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
7.5
Popularity
Popularity
5.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 50% of models
Popularity:
KLH Ultimate One has a popularity score of 5.9 points, which is higher than that of 49.8% of products in this category.
5.9
Value for money
Value for money
6.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 94% of models
Score components:

70%

5.2

Overall score

30%

8.7

Price

6.3
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
no
This pair of headphones does not support active noise cancellation. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
dynamic
Driver size
50 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 50 mm, larger driver size than 86.3% of headphones and equal to 8.2% of headphones.
Number of drivers
1
Market range: <1 – >4
This pair of headphones uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
18 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 18 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 49.6% of headphones and equal to 3.6% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
no
This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while 15.1% is. 84.9% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
0
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 0 microphones, fewer microphones than 73.2% of headphones and equal to 26.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not include a boom microphone. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
N/A
Show more
Connectivity
wired
This pair of headphones supports wired connectivity, less flexible connectivity than 49.2% of headphones and equal to 50.8% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
N/A
Audio latency
N/A
Multipoint support
no
This pair of headphones does not support multipoint. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
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Ambient sound mode
no
This pair of headphones does not offer ambient sound mode. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
no
This pair of headphones does not support EQ customization. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
no
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
no
This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants. 60.9% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
N/A
Battery life with ANC
N/A
Charging time
N/A
Quick charge
no
This pair of headphones does not support quick charging. 33.1% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
N/A
Show more
Brand name
KLH
Form factor
over-ear
Weight
340 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 340 g, heavier than 89.6% of headphones and equal to 1% of headphones.
Acoustic design
open-back
Clamp force
4.1
Market range: <2.5 – >6.1
This pair of headphones has a clamp force of 4.1, lower clamp force than 50.5% of headphones and equal to 0.5% of headphones.
Show more

KLH Ultimate One vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • 10 mm larger driver size
    This pair of headphones uses a larger driver size than the average pair of headphones (50 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    50 mm vs 40 mm
  • 0.2 % lower distortion
    This pair of headphones has a lower total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (0.1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    0.1 % vs 0.3 %
  • 0.8 m longer cable length
    This pair of headphones offers a more useful cable length than the average pair of headphones (2 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.
    2 m vs 1.2 m
  • Open-back design
    This pair of headphones uses an open-back design, while the average pair of headphones does not. 9.1% of headphones have an open-back design.
  • 2,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (22,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    22,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 0.8 m longer cable length
    This pair of headphones offers a more useful cable length than the average pair of headphones (2 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.
    2 m vs 1.2 m
  • Open-back design
    This pair of headphones uses an open-back design, while the average pair of headphones does not. 9.1% of headphones have an open-back design.
  • 10 mm larger driver size
    This pair of headphones uses a larger driver size than the average pair of headphones (50 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    50 mm vs 40 mm
  • 0.2 % lower distortion
    This pair of headphones has a lower total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (0.1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    0.1 % vs 0.3 %
  • 2,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (22,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    22,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • No passive noise reduction
    This pair of headphones does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average pair of headphones does. 82.6% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
  • 56% higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (340 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    340 g vs 218 g
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • 5 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (97 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    97 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 6 mm tighter earcup height
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup height than the average pair of headphones (54 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    54 mm vs 60 mm
  • 16.1% worse value for money
    KLH Ultimate One has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (6.26 vs 7.3).
    6.26 vs 7.27
  • 16.1% worse value for money
    KLH Ultimate One has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (6.26 vs 7.3).
    6.26 vs 7.27
  • 3.89x more expensive
    KLH Ultimate One is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£350 vs £90).
    £350 vs £90
  • 6.2% lower user score
    User score
    7.5/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
    When it matters
    When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
    Score distribution
    ▼▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    KLH Ultimate One
    the average pair of headphones
    KLH Ultimate One has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (7.53 vs 8).
    7.53 vs 8
  • 56% higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (340 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    340 g vs 218 g
  • 6 mm tighter earcup height
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup height than the average pair of headphones (54 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    54 mm vs 60 mm
  • No passive noise reduction
    This pair of headphones does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average pair of headphones does. 82.6% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
  • 5 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (97 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    97 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 12.1 dB looser channel balance
    This pair of headphones has a higher channel balance tolerance than the average pair of headphones (12.6 dB vs 0.5 dB). The average headphones have channel balance tolerance of 0.5 dB.
    source value ±12.6 dB.
    12.6 dB vs 0.5 dB
  • 98.2% lower input power handling
    This pair of headphones has a lower max input power than the average pair of headphones (1.8 mW vs 100 mW). The average headphones handle max input power of 100 mW.
    1.8 mW vs 100 mW
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

9.5
Woody’s Soundup
≈ estimated
28/01/2022
Hands-on review · sound, comfort and daily use
Verdict
KLH Ultimate One is a great all-round headphone and an easy recommendation for home listening and gaming.
9.5
HiFi Brothers
≈ estimated
01/08/2019
Hands-on review · weeks of use and source tests
Verdict
KLH Ultimate One is the best KLH product so far and a strong recommendation for headphone buyers.
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Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

headmania.org
20/06/2023
Video review · Open-back headphones
Verdict
The KLH Ultimate One is a fun, detailed open-back headphone with a natural tone and lively transients, though its sub-bass sounds slightly bloated.
H
hifiplus.com
23/06/2020
Summary of the review
KLH Ultimate One headphones - Hi-Fi+
theabsolutesound.com
23/06/2020
Hands-on review · Open-back headphones
Verdict
The KLH Ultimate One is a comfortable, musical open-back headphone with a natural, relaxed sound, though it offers little isolation from outside noise.
theshoestringaudiophile.com
13/02/2020
Personal listening review · Open-back headphones
Verdict
The KLH Ultimate One is a comfortable open-back pair with deep, clear bass and strong separation that suits home listening, though it gains a lot from a good amplifier.
soundstagesolo.com
10/02/2019
Hands-on listening test · Open-back headphones
Verdict
The KLH Ultimate One is a conventional-looking open-back pair with prominent bass and a slightly bright top end, best suited to serious listening at home.
hifireport.com
12/05/2025
Detailed listening review · Open-back headphones
Verdict
The KLH Ultimate One is a beryllium-driven open-back pair with a wide, airy soundstage and sharp detail, sounding best from a dedicated player or desktop amp.
architeg-prints.com
29/05/2025
Blog listening test · Open-back headphones
Verdict
The KLH Ultimate One is a bass-heavy open-back pair with rich mids and smooth treble, best for rock, metal and electronic music, though tight on larger ears.
blog.mikemanningaudio.com
02/12/2019
Listening review · Open-back headphones
Verdict
The KLH Ultimate One is a clean, precise open-back pair that layers music spaciously and stays detailed at low volume, outclassing the PSB M4U1s.
lite-magazin.de
17/01/2023
Hands-on test · Open-back headphones
Verdict
The KLH Ultimate One is a comfortable open-back headphone with deep, punchy bass and clear treble, though its ear cups suit smaller ears best.
on-mag.fr
22/03/2021
Hi-Fi test · Open-back headphones
Verdict
The KLH Ultimate One is a musical, expressive open-back headphone with powerful bass and a comfortable fit, though its design resembles cheaper rivals.
O
on-mag.fr
22/03/2021
Summary of the review
KLH Ultimate One: review, opinion, price, specs
(Translated)Show original
V
voir-et-emouvoir.com
14/10/2020
Summary of the review
KLH ULTIMATE ONE HEADPHONES. PURE BERYLLIUM DIAPHRAGM.
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
Reviews last updated: November 2026 · How we calculate this

What customers like about KLH Ultimate One

  • Premium build quality featuring real ebony or zebrawood, cowhide leather, and lambskin
  • Exceptional comfort for long listening sessions due to soft memory foam and lightweight design
  • Impressive V-shaped sound profile with deep, powerful bass and crisp, detailed treble
  • Massive soundstage and precise imaging characteristic of high-quality open-back designs
  • High sensitivity makes them relatively easy to drive with most audio sources
  • Excellent value for the price point compared to other high-end beryllium driver models

What customers don't like about KLH Ultimate One

  • Significant sound leakage due to the open-back design, making them unsuitable for office or public use
  • Recessed midrange can make female vocals sound slightly veiled or unnatural
  • Included 2-meter cable is often cited as being too long for portable use yet too short for home Hi-Fi setups
  • Clamping force can feel a bit tight for users during the initial break-in period
  • Ear pads may be slightly small for users with larger ears, leaning toward an on-ear fit
  • Lack of balanced connection options without internal modifications

Verdict

The KLH Ultimate One is a high-fidelity, open-back over-ear headphone featuring 50mm pure beryllium drivers and an elegant build using real zebrawood or ebony ear cups. It offers a frequency response of 18Hz–22kHz, an impedance of 32 ohms, and a sensitivity of 97dB, supported by premium materials like cowhide leather and perforated lambskin on dual-layer memory foam pads. Its main pros include an exceptionally comfortable, lightweight design (340g), a rich and punchy V-shaped sound signature with deep bass extension, and high-quality accessories like a leather hard case and silver-litz braided cable. However, some users report recessed or slightly unnatural midrange frequencies and a lack of a balanced connection option, with its open design providing minimal noise isolation.

Compare KLH Ultimate One with other products in the Headphones category

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