Klipsch Image S3
The latest addition to the Klipsch Image range, the S3 will be introduced as a stripped down version of the Klipsch S4. Sporting a fabulous Gun Metal Grey finish the S3 will be available from October 2010.
Klipsch Pro Media In-Ear: Gaming Earphone
This cool Black/Red design looks set to be another popular new model from Klipsch, based along the same lines as the S4, but with a MAC/PC compatible VOIP/gaming adaptor. This will be particularly interesting as In-Ear manufacturers have not fully embraced the gaming market with full-size Headphones being the current weapon of choice for gamers, so we await this addition with interest.
Klipsch S5i Rugged
This Earphone from Klipsch has been specifically designed for use whilst playing Sport or any physical activity. Designed to restrict Water, the S5i Rugged also boasts tangle resistant cables, easy to use enlarged Transport Buttons with included 360 degree mic and a very futuristic water resistant carry case. Available November 2010 these look set to be a favourite for anyone looking for high quality audio whilst exercising.
There are also mods and tweaks to the S4/S4i so watch this space for further details.
Klipsch Image One
Then, right out of the blue came this… the first On Ear Headphone from Klipsch. Yes, On Ear! Based on the sound signature of the S4, the new Image One has a sleek/stylish appearance crossed somewhere between Bose On Ear and the B&W P5, and comes complete with three button transport control, microphone and a crush resistant travel case, these foldable on-ears have whipped up a lot of interest. More reviews to follow when we get our hands on these exciting new products.
More Information
For more information on the Klipsch range of products, On Ear Headphones and in ear earphones please visit HiFi Headphones.
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One of the world’s smallest and lightest in-ear headphone designs, using a single wideband balanced armature driver, for comfortable wear and audiophile-quality listening. Although tiny, each machined aluminium and finished in anodized copper ear piece looks stunning. The X10i also includes an advanced mic and 3-button remote (as seen on the Klipsch Image S4i) for taking calls and controlling the music content on your iPod, iPod touch or iPhone 3GS.
The X10i positions its in-line microphone and remote at the yoke—where the two cables meet at chest level—to create a more natural feel when answering calls and controlling music.
Because the microphone is a highly responsive 360° design, you don’t have to talk down into it or hold it close to your mouth. The microphone has also been designed to cancel echo, which keeps it from picking up surrounding noise reflection so your voice always sounds clear as a bell.
Inside the well designed box you get a sleek hardshell carry case, an aeroplane socket adapter, a 3.5mm-to-1/4″ adapter, the X10i, a clothing clip and a variety of single and dual-flanged ear tips.
Just like the Image X10 before it, the Image X10i gives a big warm bottom end which is solid and defined. They cope with vocals beautifully and have a crisp contemporary presentation that will see iPhone owners Dubstepping, Rocking out or relaxing to Acoustic chillout in style. Be aware that the X10i is not for casual listening. If you rip your digital music files using a low bit rate, the high resolution Klipsch Image X10i earphone will uncover the flaws in your content.
Compatibility
While the Image X10i serves as a pair of premium headphones for any device with a 3.5 mm headphone jack, its mic and remote system handles the music and/or voice control of the following Apple products: iPhone 3GS, third generation iPod shuffle, second and third generation iPod touch, fourth and fifth generation iPod nano models and the iPod classic 120GB.
If you have an iPod touch or iPhone and Wi-Fi access, you can also use the Image X10i with VOIP (need an adapter for PC or Mac), Skype and iChat.
More Information
For More information on the X10i and the rest of the Klipsch earphone range please check out the HiFi Headphones web store.
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The Klipsch Image X5 is the new single wideband driver earphone from Klipsch (launched in the UK in Nov 2008). Looking very similar in design to the more expensive Klipsch Image X10, we think this new earphone is set to make waves in the mid-range earphone market.
Linking to the Klipsch Image X5 product page at HiFi Headphones, Claudine Beaumont of the Telegraph newspaper featured the Klipsch X5 earphone in a 12 Best Gadgets roundup.
Claudine’s review offered enthusiastic comments such as, “incredibly comfortable and lightweight”, “providing a rich music-listening experience, with lovely, crisp tones even when listening at low volumes” and “these headphones are pricey, but worth every penny”. It seems Claudine likes the Klipsch X5 very much!
For those outside the UK the Telegraph is a national newspaper with just under 1 million daily readers.
Cheaper Alternative to Klipsch X10
The Klipsch X5 has a recommended retail price of £129.99 and is therefore somewhat cheaper than the superb sounding Klipsch X10 (RRP £179.99). According to Klipsch, the main difference between the X5 and X10 is the size of the earphone casing, which they say reduces their manufacturing costs.
In our tests the X5 does have a slightly less powerful bass response than the X10, but both earphones do have a very similar sound signature. If £180 seems way to much cash to spend on earphones, then the Klipsch X5 may well convince you to give high end in-ear sound isolating earphones a try.
More Information
For more information on the Klipsch Image X5 or Klipsch Image X10 and a full range of in-ear headphones, please visit the HiFi Headphones store.
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This earphone review is based on a long term listening test, involving over a month wearing the Klipsch Image X10 and Sleek Audio SA6 earphones on my walk to/from the office (a journey of half an hour each way).
During the review I listened to a good variety of music, from heavy rock, such as System Of A Down and Queens Of The Stone Age, to electronic beats, such as LCD Sound System and and Underworld, with some more easy going vocal and guitar music, such as Beth Orton and José González.
Earphone fit and comfort
Both the Klipsch Image X10 and Sleek Audio SA6 are far more comfortable than the older dual driver design earphones, such as the Ultimate Ears Super.fi 5 Pro and Shure SE420, due to their much smaller size. The ultra-small single driver designs mean that it’s far less fiddly to get the earphones in your ear and once they are in you can forget about them.
The Klipsch X10 earphone body is particularly miniature and is very unobtrusive once fitted in the ear. The Klipsch earphones are so lightweight and comfortable that I found no discomfort when wearing them for an hour or more listening sessions. I did find the Klipsch silicone ear gels caused a very ‘full’ sensation in the ear that was a little disconcerting at first, but I soon became accustomed to the feel of the earphone in my ear.
The Sleek Audio SA6 has a slightly taller earphone body than the Klipsch X10, but the SA6’s tapered design means that the fit is excellent in my ears and the flanged silicone ear gels provided an excellent seal. The fact that the SA6 ear gels are flanged mean that the SA6 seal in my ears a little more comfortably and securely than the Klipsch Image X10’s.
Both earphones benefited from using Comply Foam ear tips. The Sleek Audio SA6 in particular benefited from an increase in bass response and long term wearing comfort when fitted with Comply Foam ear tips.
Sound Quality
The Klipsch Image X10’s sound amazing when you first try them. The bass response is very strong and accurate and the high trebles are very present. This makes for an overall very pleasing sound that instantly sounds good with most styles of music.
The Klipsch Image X10 does seem to emphasise the bass and high treble notes, leaving the mid trebles quite lacking. The Klipsch sounds great with many rock and electronic music tracks, but strings, guitars and female vocals are especially disappointing. For example, listening to Beth Orton “She Cries Your Name” the strings and guitars were severely lacking in presence. Beth’s voice came through loud and clear (her voice is quite deep), as well as the bassline, but the beautiful drifting strings and delicate acoustic guitar notes were very recessed.
The Sleek Audio SA6 is a very involving and lively earphone with a sound that reminds me in some respects of Grado full size Hi-Fi headphones. The SA6’s sound stage is excellent and it’s very easy to pick out detail in good quality recordings. The fact that the bass and treble can be tuned to suit your equipment and listening tastes is such a great feature. I opted for the bass+ and treble++ tuning, which gives a very big sound.
While the SA6’s bass is not as clearly defined as the Klipsch Image, with the bass+ port fitted to the SA6 and ensuring the earphones were well sealed meant there is plenty of bass to keep me satisfied.
Summary
Choosing between these two earphones is difficult. They both sound superb and fit easily and comfortably. The Klipsch Image X10’s excellent low frequency reproduction makes it a very enjoyable earphone for listening to bass heavy rock and electronic music. The Sleek Audio SA6’s mid-range detail and clarity makes it extremely satisfying to listen to vocals, acoustic guitar and electronica.
Overall the Sleek Audio SA6 has a more balanced and satisfying sound than the Klipsch Image X10. The immediate wow factor of the Klipsch Image bass response soon wears off and over the long term I chose the SA6 more often for daily listening. This combined with the fact that the SA6 can be tuned to suit your listening tastes makes the SA6 a great choice for the portable audio perfectionist.
The in-ear fit is excellent with both the Klipsch Image X10 and Sleek Audio SA6 due to the miniature single driver designs. Both can be worn for long listening sessions without discomfort.
While the Klipsch Image X10 sounds great when you first try them out, the SA6 is the definite winner when you listen for extended periods. The recessed mid trebles of the Klipsch Image X10 become really frustrating when listening to female vocals and acoustic guitar. I love the energetic delivery of the Sleek Audio SA6.
More Information
For more information on the Klipsch Image X10, the Sleek Audio SA6 and many more earphones and headphones visit the HiFi Headphones store.
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