Klipsch Image S4 -II Black In-Ear Headphones

Klipsch Image S4 -II Black In-Ear Headphones..

GET Klipsch Image S4 -II Black In-Ear Headphones By Klipsch

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64 of 67 people found the following review helpful.
It's all about correct insertion into your ear
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.
Nothing unique from an S4-I user's perspective (updated 2 April 13)
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.
Poor quality jack
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.

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Powerbeats by Dr. Dre In-Ear Headphone (Black)

Powerbeats by Dr. Dre In-Ear Headphone (Black)..

Grab Now Powerbeats by Dr. Dre In-Ear Headphone (Black) By Beats

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481 of 511 people found the following review helpful.
Please read before you buy!
By Chris Ace
I received these back in 10/26 so it's been almost 2 months. I watched many reviews on YouTube before making this purchase and I was lucky to be one of the first people to pick these up.

Packaging: 5 stars
Can't go wrong here, Monster does a great job on packaging (and I'm a sucker for good packaging). I love the box, and plastic zipper case.

Sound: 3.5 stars
It's good, not great. I expected more. I owned my fair share of head phones. From the Bang and Olufson A8, the V-Moda Vibe, Klipsch S4, and the Apple In-Ear headphones. I'd say it hits all levels at a decent range. There wasn't as much bass as I'd hoped (and I tried all 3 fittings). There is bass if you jam it up in your ear, but it will slip out with some running. Even at it's best, the bass still isn't that great. Does it sound as crisp as the Bang and Olufsen? No, does it have better bass than the V-Moda Vibe, No. Does it have a good mid range like the Klipsch S4? No. Does it suck? No. it's a fairly okay headphones that should be prices at about $100, not $150.

Application: 3 stars
It definitely stays on once its on. I've been running with these and they don't come off. They are fairly comfortable but it can strain your ears after about 2-3 hours. (everyone's ears are different)
I really, really wanted to like these headphones (this is my first pair of Dr. Dre anything). The cord is nice, it doesn't tangle that much and the extension cord is a plus. So here's the bad, I ride a motorcycle and I usually wear headphones and listen to music. Over the ear headphones just don't work with helmets (at least mine didn't) It was easy to put on the helmet but removing it was the problem. Another thing I noticed while working out at the gym, the buttons on the control talk are so easy to press. They are a little too sensitive. You can be jogging moderately and all of a sudden, your music stops. The distance from the left ear phone to the control talk is about 6 inches. So this means the control talk rests somewhere around your neck area. While doing heavy weight lifting, like squats or decline press, your neck caves in and presses the control talk button on accident. It would be nice if the control talk was a little lower (maybe 2 more inches). It would be nice if the head jack had an elbow application, I can already foresee that the wires will stretch and bend-- and it will be only a matter of time before it rips. So...Awesome that it stays on, but crappy that the control talk buttons get pressed so easily.

Build Quality: 1 star
It's been about 2 months and I use these about 4 times a week at the gym and just today, the control talk just broke. It completely split into 3 pieces while walking to the gym! You'd think after spending $150 you'd have a pretty good build quality, I guess not. Like I said, I REALLY wanted to like these things, and for the most part, I did. It's just til now that it broke.

Customer Service: 0 stars
I will follow up with this review once I contact customer service later on today. They better replace my headphones-- this is ridiculous.

Update** 12/14/10 11:20AM PST
I've attempted to contact customer service for the 5th time only to be hung up on or placed on hold again. Monster has the WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE. I've already filed a complaint with BBB. Hope that your headphones don't break or are defective so you don't have to deal with what I just did. Everytime I call, I am placed on hold for half an hour when someone picks up, doesn't say anything and either hangs up, or places me back on hold. What kind of business is this??! Who does that?!? I lowered my rating of the product from 3 stars to 1 stars because of this horrible customer service.

Either hire qualified CSR or terminate the existing ones who don't want to work!

Update*** 1/4/11
Finally received a replacement from Monster after formally submitting a complaint through BBB. Hopefully these headphones won't fall apart again.

101 of 111 people found the following review helpful.
Excellent option for active people.
By L. Mastrangelo
If you want the typical "sound isolation" ear seal you get with the other Beats Buds- these are not for you. These will not seal in your ear; they're not supposed to. Anyone who does high to medium impact athletics knows that a sealed ear bud is going to thump in your ear with every step. I never hear anyone talk about that but that drives me crazy.

So that is one reason I really like these. You still get a great sound but they rest on your ear canals, not in them. If you are running you can still hear something coming up behind you or a horn honk but otherwise you can get lost in your music. For running, these are replacing my Bose ear buds with microphone for my iPhone. The overall sound is a bit better from the perspective that I get a clearer distinction between highs and lows. On the Bose I get a lot of bass but a muffled effect on everything else. These Beats are much crisper to me. They remind me of the Bang and Olufsen earphones.

The earhooks have a bendable wire in them so they can be adjusted for comfort and fit. There are three sets of rubber "buds" that come with them (S, M, L). I think this is far less important as like I said, they rest "on" your ear canal. The medium rubber buds came on them and I've tried these and the larger ones. The larger ones cover more of the entrance to your ear canal so they let in less ambient noise. I have the noise isolating "Beats Tour" as well and there is one thing on them I wish these had: the flat rubber wires. They don't tangle at all. These come with standard wires or cables but with a slightly thicker casing than normal wires so they are stronger than normal for accidental yanks or pulls during workouts. There is also a common clip you can affix on the wire/cable to attach it to your clothing to keep it from pulling on your ears. They seem to hold up well during sweaty workouts and stay well placed in my ears.

These also have what Dr. Dre and Monster call "Control Talk". I believe this was specifically designed for iPhone as it has a microphone for voice calls, and a controller off the left side for up and down volume, start and stop, and song advancement. It works well. I have heard some hiss during voice calls but I'm not 100% sure that it is tied to this headset.

It comes with a really nice case molded specifically for these earphones that zip around a protective shell. (See the pictures I uploaded) There is also a cable extension for when you need more room.

74 of 83 people found the following review helpful.
The Perfect Workout Headphones
By LilMommy227
I have no idea why there are low ratings for this product. If you are looking for an in-ear bud that will stay put while you run, lift, do jumping jacks, etc these are perfect. If you are also looking for a pair that plays your music at high musical quality (as Beats is known for) these are perfect. In addition, if you are looking for a control switch that allows you to adjust volume and change or pause the track on your playlist without having to stop your workout and pull out your MP3 player, these are perfect. The cord is durable, the ear cuffs are adjustable and in my opinion, they're the best pair of workout headphones I've ever had. It confuses me why someone would want such noise-canceling sound while working out. These do a great job for that to a degree, but when I am at the gym or alone in the house, I'd rather be able to be aware of my surroundings; so I think Powerbeats is a great medium. These are my workout headphones, and that is their only purpose. I invested in a pair of Beats Studio headphones which give the professional studio quality, noise-canceling sound that people are searching for. In my opinion, you will not find a 'one pair-fits all situation' type headphones in any brand or design. I wouldn't want to wear my sweaty workout pair when i'm just relaxing to music anyway. I've had these since December 2012 and I workout 5-7times a week and have had no issues thus far. Hope this helps someone, because I almost didn't buy these because of the things others were saying, but I'm glad I did!

UPDATE: It is now nearing the end of February 2014 and I still use the same exact pair of Powerbeats as workout headphones that I spoke of in this review. To this day, I have still experienced no issues and am honestly completely satisfied with my purchase. As an athlete, in the past I just became accustomed to replacing headphones every 6-8months for their lack of quality & longevity. I still maintain a 5-7 day/week workout regimen, that includes 3-mile high intensity interval sprints which can really jar around any electronic devices hanging off your body, but my headphones stay put. I also didn't realize back then that I like the mic feature on these headphones. Unfortunately, my iPod has died and I am currently using my iPhone as my MP3 player, so I do get the occasional interruption during my workout. But the positive is, that I don't have to pull out my phone to answer or talk to my caller, I can just hit the control switch to answer and hang up when I'm finished, and the music will resume afterward. On the other hand, I still have to pull out my phone if I am screening calls and would rather ignore someone than stop my workout. But, c'mon, can we really ask a pair of headphones to screen our calls for us too? Hope this review has helped at least one person.

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Sennheiser CX 685 Adidas Sports In-Ear Headphones

Sennheiser CX 685 Adidas Sports In-Ear Headphones..

Buy Sennheiser CX 685 Adidas Sports In-Ear Headphones By Sennheiser

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111 of 123 people found the following review helpful.
Better Fins: An Improvement on the CX 680s - UPDATE
By Alex Hills
I had previously owned the Sennheiser CX 680 Earfin Sports Earbuds. I wrote a lengthy review of these earbuds, which is the "Most Helpful" review of this product on Amazon.com. I used my CX 680s several times a week at the gym and they performed well; they had a good run (so to speak). After about two years the plastic piece that connected one of the earbuds to its wire came loose, but it was easily fixed with superglue. About six months later, however, the sound gave out in one earbud, forcing me to trash them.

In hindsight, and in light of my recent purchase of the CX 685s, I would give the CX 680s 3 stars. The thing that bothered me the most about them was that with a lot of movement and sweating (e.g., running) the earfins sometimes became squishy and dislodged from my ear, thereby causing the earbud to come out. This was annoying and kind of defeated the purpose of these types of earbuds. By comparison, I will say that the PMX 70s (also reviewed) stayed in much better than the CX 680s during exercise. The downside to them for me was that they were the neckband type and were not noise-isolating. Those things and the sound starting to cut out due to issue with the wiring within several months of use (I just sent them to Sennheiser hoping they will repair or replace them) forced me to look for new earbuds.

Again I spent many hours searching for and reading reviews about earbuds designed to be noise-isolating and stay in place during activities like running. I narrowed my search to Monster iSport LIVESTRONG In-Ear Headphones - Yellow and Bose SIE2 Sport Headphones - Green. All had comparable features and reviews (actually the Bose may be slightly higher rated), but I decided the SIEs were too pricey for me. The Monsters and Sennheisers were at the same price point. Between the iSports and CX 685s, I chose the latter b/c of Sennheiser's 2-year warranty vs. Monster's 1-yr warranty (always make sure you buy Sennheisers from an authorized dealer...Amazon is but some sellers on Amazon are not) and my experience with the CX 680s. I paid $58 which I thought was reasonable and was comparable to what I paid for the CX 680s 3 years ago.

I have used the CX 685 several times this past week for up to an hour of working up a sweaty lather while pounding the treadmill. The earbuds don't budge, are comfortable, and are unobtrusive. Obviously, for me, the ability of earbuds to stay in place while running and sweating is my #1 priority. Fit and comfort are #2 (these deliver in this category, too). Sound is #3 and I would say that these are as good as the CX 680s (which I thought were good, not great), but definitely not audiophile material. They block out surrounding noise very well but seem kind of lacking in the bass department. The change of the earfin design from a flexible fin to firmer, but still flexible, hook was a great improvement. Time will tell if they continue to stay in place over longer, even sweatier workouts (hence only the 4, maybe 4 1/2, stars instead of 5), but for now I'm very satisfied.

For those interested in such things, the packaging is minimal/no frills but nice. Along with the earbuds (fitted with the medium earbud covers) are small and large earbud covers, a pouch with velcro seal (I love these pouches: they are just the right size and are very durable), a quick guide and a safety guide, a cleaning tool (I never used this with my CX 680s), and a clip. I would highly recommend using this last item to clip the wires to your clothing to reduce slack and avoid having the wires rub against your clothing and transfer sound. I do not know if either the CX 685 or CX 680 are prone to this b/c I always use the clip. The wire is 48", symmetrical, and the perfect length for me at 5'8". I use an iPod shuffle clipped to my waistband or shorts pocket and clip the wires to the back of my shirt collar. I miss having the option for a shorter wire (clipping iPod to - usually cut-off - shirt sleeve is my preferred setup) as with the CX 680, but I do not miss the clunky volume control on the extension. If there were one thing they could improve on the CX 685 it would be to provide a volume control like they have on the OCX, PMX, and PX 685i. It's a mystery to me why they would put this feature on some of the models but not on others.

Overall, better fins make this a better product than its predecessor and a recommended buy for those looking for sweat/water resistant/proof noise-isolating in-ear earbuds with decent sound that will stay in your ears while performing strenuous activity.

Update 12/25/13: I should have updated this months ago. As I alluded to in my reply to a question, with repeated, sweaty use, these started slipping from my ears. I tried all combos of earbuds and positions of the (adjustable) hook, but still had problems. Finally, I found a solution that helped: Use 2 clips to attach each of the wires to the collar of my shirt to balance/lessen the tension on the wires. For running this does help, and I find I usually only have to push them back in place a few times. Definitely not a perfect earbud, but overall OK.

33 of 36 people found the following review helpful.
Great headphones
By Dan
Just got these headphones and am very satisfied. A few years ago I bought some sennheiser headphones (twist to fit, orange. Model no longer being made) and was very happy with the sound quality and fit during workout. The wire recently wore out after 3 + years of 3-4 times/week usage. The sound quality was great and they fit very well, never slipped during a workout (moving and slipping during workout was my main complaint before buying them). I had bought the CX 680 recently but sent it back, as the earfins did not hold them securely in my ear(plastic not hard enough to keep them in ear w sweat and moving).
These headphones have excellent sound quality across all music, from oldies to led zeppelin to new R&B(great bass). They fit well in the ear and stay there, as the plastic is firmer. The 3 size adjustments are also nice. They are in-ear models, so have a slightly different feel from most others that have foam-like padding on the headphones that sits outside the ear canal. These almost feel like having small earplugs in, which can be good or bad depending on your needs. They definitely block out more outside noise, so you don't hear the music at the gym that you don't want to. However, if you plan on using them to workout with a partner(or anywhere you want to have conversation while working out), you may have to take them out to hear somebody else talk. My old ones I could just pause my music and keep the headphones in, but these block out much more sound. This may also be dangerous if you use them jogging in an urban environment where you can't hear cars or people yelling. These are also water proof so you can rinse w water after your workout to keep them from getting buildup.
Overall, I think they're a great buy. I am loyal to this brand after my previous purchase, and will hopefully get good use out of these.

25 of 30 people found the following review helpful.
Awesome
By Dom
These are probably the best workout headphones I have ever used. I've used Nixon Whip, Koss PortaPro, Skullcandy FMJs and a few others and these are hands down the best. They fit nicely in your ear and have a cool extension and the tip that lightly presses against the inside of your ear to keep them in place. Very good sound cancellation and fit. You might want to take them out every 1/2 hour or so if you like to wear them tightly. There is no mic or in-line control which doesn't bother me and the cord is very light. These don't have much booming bass but the sound is great and these can get really loud without any distortion. I highly recommend them.

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