Klipsch Image S4 -II Black In-Ear Headphones..
GET Klipsch Image S4 -II Black In-Ear Headphones By Klipsch
Most helpful customer reviews
64 of 67 people found the following review helpful.
By John M. Marsden
I've read quite a few reviews of the S4's that complain of poor sound, definition, bass (most of all bass).
I want to first say that these are, by far, for the money, the best sounding IEMs on the market. I tour with a name act regularly with these and use them with a wireless monitoring rig when we play live. I've had custom mold IEMs that cost me more than $750 that don't come close to how good these sound. Now each member of the band has three sets of these each, and we're covered.
Most of these issues found by these critical reviewers are directly due to:
1. Using the wrong size tips (you're given 3 different sizes for a reason...). You've got to get as tight a seal - that's part of what gives such great isolation (in theory you can get up to 26 dB separation - that's a lot).
2. Incorrect insertion into your ear. These are not just slip 'em in your outer ears to hang there kind of IEMs. They need to be properly inserted into your ears. Check the ear buds themselves. They'll tell you which is left/right. You wanna make sure that the correct bud gets to the correct ear. Use a slight twisting motion, and you should feel it settle right into your ear canal. Note the "IN" - this goes into your ear canal. That's where the seal makes the audio sound the best. If you've done it right, things should be MUCH quieter and sound really good.
3. Placement of the cabling. You can't leave these hanging out of your ears - they're not wired & setup to do that. These are meant to be put up over your ears - just like all the MTV stars do. Now the cable is going down your back which makes it convenient to connect to your iPhone/whatever, or your wireless monitoring system...
4. Turn off your EQ settings on your playback device. Listen to the sound of these without any added boom. You may decide to alter your system EQ.
Seriously, these are really great IEMs. I work out in these, check mixes on these, I do gigs with these, and obviously I travel a great deal with these ear buds. It ALWAYS sounds good. And ya, I've got multiple pairs of these spread thru out my life.
115 of 136 people found the following review helpful.
By Hybridness
*Updated 10 January 2014*
(I am particularly critical when it comes to grading a product. A product that receives 5/5 from me means that the item is an outstanding value; it holds a fantastic price/performance ratio compared to its competition and has those small things that just make the product that much better*
The second version of the S4s sound fantastic by all means; I cannot overemphasize the great sound quality. If sound quality is your number one priority and the only priority (above looks, build quality, extras) then go for the S4 version I. There is no reason to buy the generally more expensive S4 version II over version I. Note: These S4 version II wildy vary in price on Amazon. The price of the S4 version I do fluctuate as well, but their price variances are still generally lower than the S4 II.
*Original Review*
I have used the first version of these Klipsch S4 series for YEARS. I have absolutely beaten the heck out of version I through snowboarding, international flights, and gym sessions/cardio workouts. They have endured to this very day, running on for over 5 years now. The first version sound fantastic and the second version does not faulter by any means when compared.
Klipsch S4 version II positives:
+Cable management is better as it is a flat cord that is not prone to getting tangled***
+Sounds just as good as the original version, if not better
+Still has a superb comfort level and a great fit as the first version
Klipsch S4 version II negatives:
-Costs more now for the same exact sound quality
-The carrying case is absolutely cruddy; it went from a nice, hardened metal case to an extremely cheap plastic/sewn soft case. The headphones don't "easily" fit in the case. This is a downgrade for sure compared to the first version
-I hear much more cable noise - THAT much more - when running
***(A big negative for me) The overall weight of the cord lines is much heavier, which is NOT good for me when running
Klipsch S4 version II sound quality/music sources/music types/music genres:
+I am not a bass head; I appreciate balanced-sounding music. I have the Audio Technica M30s, which, IMO, sound fantastic (slightly bright, but definitely acceptable to me). I have a custom-built computer with an Asus M4A77TD and an Antec 300 case combo that pumps music primarily for me. I also have a Galaxy S3 playing while I am at the gym and a Coby video player (the cheapo-depo one) for my cardio. The music I have comes directly from iTunes or ripped @ 320+ bits, which makes a HUGE difference in how good your music actually sound!
+For the same song across those three platforms, music such as AAR's Another Heart Calls, Rise Against's Prayer of the Refugee, a variety of Paramore songs, Psy's Gangnam Style, Slipknot's Sic, and *ALL* of my orchestrated Final Fantasy music, they sound great, period, end of story, just like its previous version. It's strengths are imbedded into its fullness in sound and it's overall great response to the aforementioned types of music that I listen to, especially songs with punchy bass that don't overpower songs like Call Me Maybe.
Overall grade: (even after a year) 3 out of 5 stars. These Klipsch S4 Version IIs are alright for the price, given the quality of sound and the overall comfort for the price. But I DEFINITELY recommend sticking to the first version. The first version is half the price ($40 vs $60), has the same superior sound, ridiculously awesome comfort, lighter overall weight, and a better case; IMO, still not worth the $40 (even $20 now) premium.
39 of 48 people found the following review helpful.
By Anonymous
Although these headphones sound good. The plug breaks in a matter of weeks. I have had 4 pairs of these fail over the past 1.5 years.
