Klipsch Image X5 earphones
Manufacturer: Klipsch Group, Inc. Part number: X5
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The Klipsch Image X5 earphones are a bit of an investment, but they're worth it if you demand excellent audio quality and have had trouble with earbud fit in the past.
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CNET editors' review
Klipsch Image X5 earphones price range: $249.00 - $249.99
- Reviewed by: Jasmine France
- Reviewed on: 10/10/2008
- Released on: 08/01/2008
The good: The Klipsch Image X5 earphones are ultracompact, lightweight, and comfortable, and they offer great sound quality. The contoured eartips offer a secure fit with exceptional sound isolation, and the plug is uniquely designed for durability. Includes a nifty travel pouch, an airplane adapter, and a cleaning tool.
The bad: The Klipsch Image X5 earphones have a thin, tangle-prone wire that raises some concern for durability, and they're pricey. Shorter warranty period than competition from Shure.
The bottom line: The Klipsch Image X5 earphones are a bit of an investment, but they're worth it if you demand excellent audio quality and have had trouble with earbud fit in the past.
When it comes to portable devices, audio quality depends just as much on the headphones as it does on the audio specs of the player. So it shouldn't come as much of a surprise that many people spend more on their headphones than they do on their MP3 players. In fact, a good pair of earphones could carry you through several rounds of devices, which is why we're so enamored with the Klipsch Image X5 earphones, despite their $250 price tag. This ultraportable pair offers solid sound and an exceptional fit, but we're a bit wary of the extrathin cable.
Other than the cable, which is tangle-prone and doesn't seem very durable, we're taken with the Klipsch Image X5's design. The ear pieces are among the smallest we've ever seen. They measure about an inch and a half long, but are very narrow, and taper toward the wire. This, combined with the contoured silicone eartips--which are oval rather than round to better fit the ear canal--makes the X5s some of the most secure and comfortable earbuds we've ever stuck in our ears. They're an ideal option for those with small canals, as the smallest tips are truly tiny. That said, these 'phones may not be the best for those with larger ears: although Klipsch includes five sets of tips--three sizes of standard-oval fittings and two double-flanged numbers--even the largest size is not super big.
Descending from the earbuds, which are encased in aluminum and feature silver accenting, is a black Y-cable that has a slider to help prevent some tangling. The cord measures 50 inches long and terminates in a modified L-plug. The plug is flexible, to help reduce the stress on the wires if you tend to wrap your headphones around your player. Klipsch also includes a semi-hard travel/storage pouch, as well as an airplane adapter and an earwax cleaning tool.
Thanks to the well-designed eartips, the Klipsch Image X5 earphones offer great sound isolation--always a good thing in our book, because it lets you listen to your music at lower volumes and preserve your hearing. Since the sleeves aren't round like most, it may take a bit of twisting to get the best fit; if you're having trouble getting a seal, try inserting the 'buds then tugging them out a bit. Once you get a good fit, you'll be rewarded with great overall sound quality. Music sounds exceptionally clear, balanced, and enveloping, with warm mids and tight bass. High-end detail is also good, though we think it could stand to be a bit more sparkly. In general, we found the X5 earphones to be on a par with the Shure SE310s, which are in the same price range.
User reviews
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Well worth the price! Glad I took a chance.
by jbjtkbw00--2008 on May 20, 2009
Pros: Great feel. Lighter. Sound is awesome. Love the accessories. Very thoughtful to include a cleaning tool and an airplane adapter.
Cons: Not really a con but could use a little more bass. And the jury is still out on the cord. No issues with it so far, but yes, they do feel a bit flimsy.
Summary: I fly regularly. A while back, I received the BoseŽ in-ear headphones. I could never get them to fit properly on my ears for one. I suffered through them for ...
Summary: I fly regularly. A while back, I received the BoseŽ in-ear headphones. I could never get them to fit properly on my ears for one. I suffered through them for 3 years. Always falling out and I could never get a good sound. Plus I always had to have my iPod or my Blackberry Storm turned all the way up to hear my music at a decent volume. So, while in the airport, I went over to the electronics stand and decided to try some different earphones. I've tried the Shure products before, but wanted to give the Klipsch a go since I have a Klipsch 5.1 system on my computer that rocks. Talk about never looking back.....
I didn't hesitate and even received 20% off the price. My flight to and from LA from Orlando was perfect. All I heard was the sweet sound of my music and this was from my Blackberry. Sounds even better on the iPod. I listen to lots of electronic, hip hop, dance, classic rock and lots of old school stuff (dance, rap, 80's, metal) and let me tell you these did not disappoint. I heard vocals that I never heard through headphones before. Listening to the Lord of the Rings soundtrack, it was like watching the dvd in surround. I was stunned. Thanks to these headphones, I listen to my portable music even more now.
Bottom line, much like the CNET review says, a good pair of headphones will carry you for a while. Do it once and you're set for years to come. Sure, you can find some lesser priced earphones for less that sound ok, but if you want great sound, spend the money and dive into these headphones.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Excellent sound reproduction and comfort
by Tertullus on December 17, 2009
Pros: The bass is remarkably clear and lifelike, not boomy or muddy. The middle range is good and the highs are excellent. These buds are very comfortable.
Cons: A tad pricy.
Summary: Did you save a lot of mp3's at a high bitrate? With these earphones you *will* be able to hear why you did that. These earphones give tight, detailed ...
Summary: Did you save a lot of mp3's at a high bitrate? With these earphones you *will* be able to hear why you did that. These earphones give tight, detailed sound. Each instrument can be clearly identified without blending into a muddy background. You will hear your favorite music as never before.
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You'll never have to buy earphones again! Amazing!
by mchou8 on July 19, 2009
Pros: Excellent sound. Light. Nice cleaning tool. Perfect bass.
Cons: No cons so far.
Summary: I love this product and though they are $250 (which is a little pricey and I would never pay that much for earphones), you can get them for cheaper, hint: ...
Summary: I love this product and though they are $250 (which is a little pricey and I would never pay that much for earphones), you can get them for cheaper, hint: Amazon. I got them for about $160 and yes they are worth it! I think Klipsch should sell them for $200. But the sound experience is phenomenal! With the highs, lows, and bass are perfect. I could not ask for more. Great job on Klipsch! I am very impressed and satisfied. I won't be buying another pair of earphones for a LONG time. Only probably when I lose these. Seriously though, when I close my eyes and really listen, I feel like I am in front of the artist playing for me. Yes! It sounds that good! Best earphones ever!
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Klipsch Group, Inc.
- Part number: X5
- Description: Not only are Image headphones the world's smallest and lightest full-range in-ear headphone designs, the Image X5 fuses lifestyle, technology, and fashion to offer your customers a personalized fit and deliver a precision-tuned acoustic experience. All of the Image earphones feature patent-pending Contour Ear Gels that are designed to fit comfortably inside the human ear canal. These soft, oval silicon tips reduce ear fatigue and provide an amazing seal for excellent noise isolation and increased bass response. Image X5 earphones feature silver gray aluminum bodies and sleek, streamlined black "tails. " These flexible "tails" not only look good, they reduce cable stress and serve as an acoustic dampener to minimize cable noise. Klipsch has gone to great lengths to ensure the long-lasting durability of Image X5, including its 50-inch-long vinyl cables. Put through extensive "real world" testing, these headphones feature strain relief at every cable connection point to help prevent wire damage.
General
- Product Type Headphones
- Weight 0.4 oz
- Color Anodized aluminum
- Compatible Mobile Devices Apple iPhone
Headphones
- Headphones Type Headphones - Binaural
- Headphones Form Factor In-ear ear-bud
- Headphones Technology Dynamic
- Connectivity Technology Wired
- Sound Output Mode Stereo
- Sensitivity 110 dB
- Impedance 50 Ohm
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x Headphones ( Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm )
Miscellaneous
- Cables Included Headphones cable - 4.3 ft
- Included Accessories Ear-buds, Carrying pouch
- iPod Compatibility iPod
Manufacturer info
- Klipsch Group, Inc.
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Klipsch Group, Inc. products on Shopper.com
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- Website: http://www.klipsch.com/
- Address:
3502 Woodview Trace, Indianapolis, IN 46268 - Phone: 1-800-554-7724
- Fax: 317-860-9195
