klipsch image v q-jays? especially re durability...

[aBc.CaN]

congratulations asacks! I don't know how many ppl are satisfied with their setup, I know I'm not, but you seem like one of the rare ones! I just bought the ex700 to see what the top tier universal IEMs sound like. Besides that, this damn place has me searching speaker forums now!!! Talk about "sorry about your wallet"

PS. ppl help out if you can and look at the FS1 IEM I have for sale! Thx!

[HeadphoneAddict]

Originally Posted by asacks

So here is my two cents on the Images vs. the Q-Jays (a bit long)--both of which I've recently tested:

About two weeks ago I purchased the Image X10s directly from Klipsch (with the 25% off mastercard discount, a fairly good --looking for an upgrade to my Super.fi 5 pros--mainly for comfort more than anything else (the supers we're also a bit bright for my tastes). After about 10 days of use, I decided the images weren't for me--despite being the most comfortable IEM I've ever used and having the best bass, I was just missing too much detail (especially in direct comparisons with the SFs).

So I returned them (Klipsch, by the way, was GREAT about the return, e-mailed me a fed-ex label, made it really easy, so I would definitely by direct from them again; although I haven't received a refund yet, but I assume I will soon enough and just sent it back a couple days ago so they may not have even received it yet). I purchased the q-jays from soundearphones.com and received them wednesday. I'm very happy with my choice. The q-jays are MUCH more detailed and have significantly improved instrument separation and treble over the X10s. They are not quite as comfortable/easy to get a seal, but still hugely more comfortable than the SFs, and I would say close to the images. The bigger design plus over the images is the ability to wear over the ear to reduce microphonics for running (I used this yesterday, worked perfectly), but still wear straight if you're just sitting around. I also can't believe how small these are; maybe just a TAD larger than X10s, but for dual armature, amazing--so much smaller than the SFs, which makes the comfort difference (no plastic on your ear, just the silicon/foam, since the actual phone is smaller than the plug--I think that's the biggest difference for comfort.

As far as the sound, I would say the q-jays, while losing a bit in bass to the X10s, beat them in every other way. More detailed, more neutral response, but NOT overly analytical (I've also owned the ER-6i, and just found the ety sound not quite to my liking). There is a natural warmth to them, and the bass is still very solid--I prefer the bass to my SFs in the way it's presented, which isn't to say there is "more" but I do think it's more musical--which is I guess how I'd define the overall presentation--musical, not harsh (even the great highs are really never harsh, no matter how loud I turn the volume up). So, just one guy's totally subjective opinion, but I'm, for now, totally in love with the q-jays. Can't understand why anyone would buy the SFs now (except that they can be had a bit cheaper now that the Jays have gone up due to exchange rate issues), especially given how comfortable these are. If you're absolute top concern is bass, I would lean towards the images, but for anyone looking for a more balanced presentation, I would definitely recommend the q-jays (or, better yet, try them both and return the one you don't like.
), and I'm definitely sticking with them personally.

I'm now fairly convinced the only way to get better than these sound wise would be to step up to TFs or SE530s, and even then, while JoyEnergizer has convinced me the TFs are prob. better, and I'm guessing the SE530s are as well (although I doubt either is more comfortable), but for phones below that level I'm extremely pleased with the Q-Jays.

I agree with much of what you have said about the Q-jays. Having heard just about all of them except the Klipsch and Sleek, I am not sure the SE530 will be a big step up from the Q-jays. The first thing I thought when I listened to the Q-jays was how similar to the SE530 they were. I discovered because of this that the Q-jays have less treble the deeper I push them into my ears. If I pull them back a couple of mm I get more balanced sound and more sparkle, without being too bright like the Super.fi (although the Westone ES cable tames the highs and boosts the SF mids). And, the Q-jay bass is pretty good no matter what - better than on my E4c or SE310, and at least as good as my Super.fi 5 Pro and C700 or Livewires.

The comfort is better than the Super.fi or Triple.fi (too big to wear to sleep), and to get better sound than the Q-jays you'd have to go for the Triple.fi or Livewires. The Super.fi fit isn't too bad once I discovered the Complys T400 foam tips, and sometimes the SF can be a tad bit more exciting or fun than the Q-jays at times, but the Q-jays are just so smooth and more laid back. I guess my point being, the Q-jays are really nice universal IEM. When I need a universal with good isolation and comfortable fit, I tend to grab the Q-jays and not the SF (or IM716).