The Klipsch flagship battle royale - Custom 3 vs. Image X10. The winner is....

[ka-boom]

Pre-review info
I know neither of these are "new" models, but hopefully this can lend some clarity for those still considering purchasing one (or both) of these IEMs. When shopping around for my initial purchase, I never found a clear comparison between the two top Klipsch models.

When I bought my $300 Custom 3’s about three months ago, I was curious how much better the $349 Image X10 sounded, but I wasn’t prepared to shell out an additional 50 bucks to find out. From the reviews online, both sounded good, a lot of people claimed the X10 had more bass but the C3 were more refined, but were they? Read on…

I was fortunate to get a super deal on a used pair of Image X10 from a fellow head-fi member, so I jumped at the chance to get them at a good price and find out for myself how different the sounds are.

On the Custom 3’s
I have touted the praises of the audio quality of the Custom 3’s since I purchased them. You can see my full review of them here. I regularly recommend them here on head-fi with the caveat that the cable is crap. After 3 months of solid, solid listening I still love the sound of these bad boys. Clear, refined, deep, with nice highs. There’s nothing about that sound that I would change.

The cable, after 3 months, is still absolute garbage. I firmly believe Klipsch did NOT do any testing of this cable before release. I think they just wrapped the cable in a nylon mesh, stood back and proclaimed ”Voila! This is different! Let’s market this as a feature!” The bulging at the L-connector hasn’t grown at all, and no other bulges have appeared. The cable is still ridiculously stiff after almost daily wear. This is just unacceptable after 90 days of regular use, the Klipsch engineers deserve egg on their heads for this poor effort.

Comfort wise, they are very comfortable. The Custom 3’s go cleanly over the ear and the memory wire is nice and easy to wear. Many have made the claim that the X10 are more comfortable and you often forget you are wearing them. Could this be true?

On the Image X10
Fit and isolation – Great! Just great. The fit is easy to put in, the medium double flanged tips provide a super fit and isolation for me. There is nothing I would change about the fit on these. The “in ear” part of the IEM is so tiny and fits easily into my ear without sticking out. The cables just come out of my ears and fall down the side of my head. Some people complained the X10 stick out from the side of your hear. Maybe I have deeper canals than most but mine go in far enough without sticking out. Isolation is good, and works as they should.

Cable - Bravo! Klipsch got it right! They came to their collective senses and used a simple rubber/silicone cable. It’s not as thick or seemingly as durable as the Jays cables (see my other reviews), but it’s good. No memory, when you un-coil the cables from the case they hang correctly and do not twirl back up. This is such a relief. Stress relief is nice on both models, but the X10 seemingly has something good going with theirs.

Sound – This is where things get dicey. Doing simple a/b/a/b/ testing between the Custom 3 and the X10 there is an immediate and clear difference between the two. The X10 have plenty of bass, there is no shortage in the low end and it’s a friggin miracle how such deep sounds can come from such a tiny device. The X10’s bass is heavy to me, often too heavy, and very very warm. The entire mid-low end range is warm. The highs are unfortunately recessed, laid back, and not as clearly defined as the Custom 3. The sound isn’t bad, it’s a fun and engaging sound that I can easily listen to every day and be totally happy with. It’s only when I pick apart the differences that it sounds like I am complaining. I’m not, just to be clear. The X10 sound beautiful with whatever I threw at it; Neil Young, Neurosonic, Sheryl Crow, ATB, just not as beautiful as the Custom 3.

Some artists sound better on the C3 while others sound better on the X10. Amy Winehouse, for example, sounds fabulous on the C3. The smooth jazzy sounds and her gravely vocals come across beautifully, while on the X10 it all sort of runs together. Contrarily, bands like O.A.R sound brilliant on the X10 compared to the C3 (maybe it's the male vocals?).

So here’s what it all boils down to (for me)….

Fit and isolation
Advantage: Image X10
While the fit of the Custom 3 is great, the fit of the X10 is excellent. Despite not having an over the ear memory wire the X10 do NOT pop out. I think the C3 are ideal for mountain biking (or anything equally vigorous) because they CAN’T fall out, for everything else the X10 takes the cake. While the C3 slip on/in your ear in about 3 seconds each, the X10 slide in in 1 second. They’re just easier to put in because there is no memory wire to loop over. Isolation is the same on both, with maybe a slight advantage going to the C3.

Cable:
Advantage: Image X10
Custom 3 cable = crap.
Image X10 cable = good

Edit: 6/28/09 After roughly 5 weeks of use on a "like new" pair of second hand X10's, the strain relief on BOTH ear pieces have begun to split. Un-friggin-believable for a $349 pair of IEM's. So buyers beware!

The X10 cable is flexible, does not retain twist, and coils up nicely in the case. If I had one complaint, I wish it were 6 inches longer.

Sound:
Advantage: Klipsch Custom 3
The Custom 3 is still the best sounding thing I have ever heard. The first thing I noticed when comparing the two is how front and present the highs are on the C3 compared to the X10. Crisp, clear, and very distinguishable. The highs are just as good as the lows are on the Custom 3’s. The lows are punchy, accurate, and deep. There is “more” bass with the X10, but it’s not as clear and crisp as the C3. I think the X10 low end often gets lost in the overall warmth sound, if that makes sense.

I can see myself listening to the X10 more than the C3 now strictly because they are so darn comfortable. Considering I do most of my listening at work the X10 are easier to pop in and out of my ear, and easier to wear for an extended amount of time. I also like the little "mini" case that comes with the X10. It's a lot easier to slip that in the pocket than the zipper case they both come with.

In the end, both are incredible pieces of audio equipment but you’ll need to decide which is more important to you – superior sound quality, comfortable fit, and a terrible cable … or ….really good sound quality, superior comfort, and a better cable.

(I can add side by side pictures if anyone wants them later on tonight after I get home from work)

[appophylite]

I'll buy that...I tried the Custom 3 when I was making a decision and loved the sound signature but could not get them to stay in my ear for very long (I must have really small ears). The X10 on the other hand, slipped right in and stayed there. It was clear a clear choice for me based on that...

[gameboy115]

Nice review!!

[Karl H]

Thanks for that, great reading.

IHeadphones (UK) have a bit of a Klipsch sale going on right now. Custom 3's are at £109... seriously tempted.

Edit: Sod it, ordered them.

[ka-boom]

^
Let us know what you think when you get em,

[Karl H]

I will do.

I had read some reviews complaining about the cables on the X10s, funnily enough. Seems that after a while, some are having problems with the cables failing at the junction with the earbuds. Was a little disconcerting.

I was prepared to splash £200 on some IEMs but with the Custom 3s up for £109, it was a no-brainer.

[Karl H]

Well I have to strongly disagree with your views on the cable. I like the design, very robust and considering these IEMs are aimed at being used while active more than sedate, it's a win. With it cinched up and running down your back, you don't even notice it's there. For active users, it's excellent in every way.

Did some gardening then went out to play with the dog. No discomfort, never felt like they were going to fall out. MP3 player in my back pocket, cable cinched behind me running down my back under my tshirt, it was as if I wasn't wearing any audio gear at all. Brilliant.

Isolation is great, fit is very comfortable, sound is pretty much what I expected.

Very pleased with these indeed.

[ka-boom]

Well, now that I've had some long exposure with the X10 after a recent trip across country to Seattle, I am still up in the air on these.

The X10 just fit so damn well and they transport so easily because they coil up nicely in a little case while the C3 are much larger and the cable is kinky. After listening to the X10 for a week straight I came home, put the Custom 3's on, and was reminded what great sounding audio is.

[mark2410]

so in short, the x10 sounds nice and is really convenient. the custom 3 sounds better but is a pain in the arse?

[ka-boom]

Pretty much, although I wouldn't call the C3 a "pain", just less convenient.

[jlbrach]

i own the x10 and love it,in fact no other IEM comes close to the combo of fit,isolation and comfort..and it sounds great as well...I bought the custom 3 to try it out and returned it the same day...too uncomfortable and poor isolation,at least for me...

[tstarn06]

I favor the X10 over the Custom 3 as well, especially now that I moved to the Comply foamies (thanks Duncan). I never took to the C3 sound, but the X10s are nice on all counts. Second favorite IEM after the W3.

[jlbrach]

thats interesting,when i first got the x10 i almost returned them as well because i didnt get good isolation with the supplied tips...just by accident i tried using the small comply tips and it was like magic for me...they are incredibly comfortable ,i barely know they are in my ear...they isolate very well and have a big sound that belies they small size..great IEM's,it is shocking how big the sound is on these tiny IEM's....very impressive

[tstarn06]

Yeah, they never get the same attention as the other $300+ IEMs, but I got them for $175 (during that great half price sale). With a shirt clip, I am also able to keep cable noise at bay. I sort of lost touch with them, for the Westones, and at one point, favored the PFEs over them. But my wife asked me to keep them for the small gels (she loves those for her ears), and so I said why not. I revisited them recently, and now, with the Complys, I really like them, almost as much as the W3s, but not quite.

[jlbrach]

i also have the westones and they are terrific and a different sound signature but for me the x10's compact size,comfort and isolation along with top notch sound make them a favorite