Foo Fighters

The X10's are more detailed, and have a good full bodied bass response. They also have better instrument separation. The S4 have a boomier bass response. They both sound fine coming from your iPod and computer. But if use a good portable headphone amp, you will really take full advantage of what the X10 has to offer. For some reason, I find the S4 seem to have more of a fun factor. Maybe that's because of the heavy boomier bass. I'm not at all a bass head. Plus they're easier to slip into your ears, and they are more durable. The X10/X5 are fragile and defective, and develop cracks in the stress relief over time. Once you're out of warranty, you will be left with damaged headphones. I am going to sell my X10, but I don't know what I'm going to do from that point. I would seriously consider the X5, but the build quality of the stress relief makes me think it will not be a wise investment. The reason I'm not going back to the S4, is because I'm not too fond of the way they sound with acoustic performances.

So far I have spent one full day with the X10. Some people say burn-in is a myth, but I don't think so. Maybe it's my ears adjusting, or maybe it's the earphones diaphragm settling in. I'm not sure how all that works, but I can say I've noticed a difference from first listen to 24 hours later with continuous burn-in. I used the medium tips that are already packaged with it. I tried a variety of them, and the regular medium tips were the most comfortable. The bi-flanges are too uncomfortable in my ear. First Listen My source was my iPhone 3GS with all music formatted in Apple Lossless. I was listening to Rock/Classic Rock/Alternative/Acoustic & Live performances. I wasn't very impressed with them. They reminded me of the Shure SE530. Highs seemed a bit rolled off, and they didn't have that clarity that I like. The soundstage didn't seem that great either. I enjoyed my Image S4's much more. Second Listen My source was my Apple Mac Pro tower playing with all music formatted in Apple Lossless. I was listening to Rock/Classic Rock/Alternative/Acoustic & Live performances. I had the X10 plugged into my Apogee Duet headphone amplifier. WOW, big difference in sound. The apogee duet is extremely bright in nature. So it made the X10's a little too bright, but it increased the width of the sound stage. Almost 24 Hours Later I'm still using the Mac Pro and Apogee Duet combination, and listening as I type this novice review/impression. The soundstage seems to have improved, and detail is more apparent. They are really starting to bloom. I don't find these to be overly bassy at all, but just right. Although, I'm still not getting the crisp clarity I was hoping for. Don't get me wrong, they are still very detailed. The bass does not seem to veil the detail; but the detail seems a bit rolled off. I'm not feeling that click-ity warmish "shrill" vibration when an acoustic guitar is being strum, that gets me that ear-gasim that I get with full sized Grado headphones. To really enjoy the X10 optimally, you need a headphone amp. So far, straight out of the iPhone 3GS, I enjoy the S4i much more. It has a thick boomy bass, but it still perserves a decent amount of clarity in the details. The S4 is not more detailed than the X10, but the clarity is better on the S4 so far. The S4 has a more fun sound. It will get you moving. But the X10 is slowly growing on me. I really want to try the X5, but the fact that the bass is much less than the X10, has me worried, because I find the X10's bass just right. Anything less may seem a bit empty. One more thing to consider. My apogee duet is an extremely bright amp. So it is somewhat ill suited for the X10. It tends to reduce the bass resposne a bit. I can't really give an accurate thorough impression as far the sound with ampage. The apogee duet is supposed to be an amazing dac; but I have been using the built-in headphone amp to get by while I'm deciding on an amp. The combination of comfort and sound quality, I would rank the X10 above the Shure SE530. While I know the sound will improve on the X10, I have a feeling the X5 is my calling. It was recommended to me by almost everyone to get the X5, but I got the X10 unused, for significantly less than what the X5 retails for. I find the S4 /S4i more comfortable and easier to slip in and out of my ear. The sound quality is amazing for the price. You will not find anything better in its class. It is absolultely hands down the best value for your money. And it seems to have a solid build quality to it, as well.

I live in Orlando, Florida, and there does not seem to be one by here. But I looked up their reputation online. They have horrible reviews. Some people even say scam. Google, "Ultimate Electronics" and "scam" and see what comes up. If they had a retail store near me, I would definitely check it out myself. I was considering to call them and asking them to mail me some, but the reviews scared me away. But thanks for the suggestion!

In terms of clarity and bass, I heard the custom-3's are amazing. They seem like they will last much longer. But they are not going to be as comfortable, light, or as easy to get a seal as the X10. The x10's sound great, and are very comfortable. But I can't backup their build quality. If you buy them from an authorized dealer, after the year is up, you will be screwed. So I'm not sure if I'm going to sell them, or keep them. No one from Klipsch has responded to my concern as of yet. Why would someone want to pay the $349 retail price of a pair of headphones that may or may not last a year in which case the warranty will be gone. I'd appreciate it if an employee could address these concerns.

There seems to be a common manufacturers defect in the X5 and X10, in the stress relief that binds the earphone to the cable. Other than giving someone a warranty replacement, what is Klipsch as a company, actively doing to rememdy this problem? There are reports from all over, in the well respected audiophile community, who have only had there X series for 4 months, and have had this issue. Warranty coverage or not, shouldn't this defect be covered? This is happenning to almost everyone I know who owns them. I may be purchasing an X10, second hand, but I'm scared to death of my headphones falling apart. That says something about the build quality of a product, and it's extremely important. If I'm not within warranty or do not qualify for warranty, what will Klipsch charge to repair it? And if they repair it, will they replace the stress relief with a better material that doesn't deteriorate as easily? Not an exaggeration in the slightest, but I have spoken to people who are on their 2nd and 3rd replacements. After the warranty is up, it seems you're screwed. Additionally, what precautions or modifications can I make to insure the stress reliefs do not crack. I know I'm gonig to be dealing with this issue, because I'm using then for jogging as well. To the wonderful Klipsch employees, I mean no disrespect in criticizing the construction of your product, as I know they produce an absolute wonderful sound. But this is a legitimate concern, and many have this exact issue. I can't imagine if I spent $350 on a pair of X10's, knowing they're going to fall apart wthin 4 months to a year. I would hope even if someone was not within warranty, a known defect such as this would be addressed. I would think that Klipsch would pride it self on reputation with their customer service as well.

Thanks guys, I appreciate your swift responses. I found someone who is going to sell me their X10 with the remainder of their warranty for an exceptionally low price. Even much less than the X5 retail. So I figure, I'm getting a bargain, and If I'm unhappy with the sound, I should be able to get a good amount, or trade for an X5. I just hope this guy actually pulls through. If not, the x5 it is.

I appreciate your response Amy (here as well as head-fi.org). In addition to the better separation of frequencies, can you please explain the X5's bass response in comparison to the S4 and the X10. That's what is holding me back from the X5. People say, the X10's bass is much more prominent, but the X5's bass is not lacking. The X5's bass is not lacking, is not a good enough explanation for me, for its bass response. Will I get a nice boomy bass, while still hearing the crisp detail of an acoustic guitar?

I can't decide between the X10 or the X5, and I'm extremely frustrated. I do not have an opportunity to audition them. I bought the S4i last Friday from the Apple Store, and I was so impressed with the comfort and sound combination, that I knew an Image X series is what I'm looking for. Do both the X5 & X10 sound cleaner than the S4? At this point cost is not an issue. I just want the best sound. I want to hear some good boomy bass, while still hearing the clear crisp detail of an acoustic guitar being strum. X10: I'm concerned it may have such great bass that it overshadows some of the rich detail, maybe veil it too much. Maybe the highs/treble is too rolled off? X5: I'm concerned the bass may not be enough. I'm worried while it may have more detail than the X10, that I might feel like something is missing, or the sound is just not full enough. I want to feel the bass in addition to all the great detail. In a nutshell, I'm scared that I might end up with too much bass and not enough detail, or enough detail, but not enough bass. I'm not interested in purchasing a pair, and then returning them if I'm dissatisfied. I want to get it right the first time! Which Image would suit me? I want crisp, clean detail with good bass. I'm not a bass head, but I'd like a good amount of boomy bass as long as it doesn't veil the crisp, clean detail. I don't like rolled off highs, like the Shure SE530's. Bass doesn't have to be boomy, but it needs to be present enough to give more depth and feel to the music, without sacraficing clarity and detail too much. I don't want to hear music, and feel that something is missing. I want a wide and deep soundstage with dimension. These will mainly be used with my iPhone 3GS w/ Apple Lossless, unamped for now. Later on, I may get an amp for them. I may use these with my Mac Pro tower w/ Apple Lossless in my Apogee Duet amp, but we'll see. I mainly listen to Alternative, Rock, Classic Rock, Acoustic and live performances, and Electronic. Please do not suggest the other models. The image series are supremely comfortable and convenient, which are very important factors. I'm a little depressed that I missed the infamous Klipsch Image X5/X10 Sale last year, where everyone got them for half price. Is there another sale coming anytime soon? Does anyone know a good online place where I can get them a good price? (other than ebay).