Klispch Image X10 First Impressions & S4 comparison

[Foo Fighters]

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.

[Nhusker]

Nice review.

If I usually listen to my computer and iPod without an amp, do you think I should get the S4, C3, or X10s?

[INDIAN]

Hi Nhusker , i got S4 , for the price its unbelivable , I use this on 5th gen Nano , Sony PSP , MACBOOK

this sounds amazing , if possible go to www.ultimateelectronics.com

http://www.ultimateelectronics.com/search.php?search_text=klipsch+custom+3&x=0&y=0

get custom 3 for 100 USD

http://www.ultimateelectronics.com/search.php?search_text=klipsch+image&x=0&y=0

Image X10 and X5 for less than 130 and 100 USD

[Nhusker]

I was planning on going there

Bought all of my home theater equipment there and live about 20 minutes from their headquarters

[INDIAN]

klipsch company members recommend X5 than their X10 ,

so i say go for X5 and the 100 USD is amazing price

[Nhusker]

The only thing I don't like about them is how big they are

[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.