Custom-3 announcements and impressions

[cn11]

Originally Posted by PeterDLai

My biggest gripe (which is not really the fault of the Custom-3's) is the sound signature. I just find that I'm not the warm, "musical", smooth, relaxed, mellow, dark, and so on type of guy.

Wow, I find them bordering on bright! I guess I'm a really dark, mellow fellow! They defninitely make my Atrios seem dark to my ears. The Denons are pretty close clarity and detail, but I find the C3's a little more treble & mids pronounced.

[PeterDLai]

Originally Posted by HiFlight

I received my C3s today, after much anticipation. Unfortunately, I have not been able to get and keep a seal, regardless of the tip I use. It just seems as though the stem is a bit short for my ears.

For whatever little bit of extra audio performance that the C3 provides over my Images, it does not seem to be worth the loss of comfort and the hassle with trying to get a seal.

Mine will be returned, I am sure.

Just wondering, just how much brighter are the Etymotics that you have over the Klipsch Custom-3? I sense that it's a good deal brighter, but I have never heard any Etymotics phones so I would not know.

Thanks!

[pretzelb]

Originally Posted by HiFlight

I received my C3s today, after much anticipation. Unfortunately, I have not been able to get and keep a seal, regardless of the tip I use. It just seems as though the stem is a bit short for my ears.

For whatever little bit of extra audio performance that the C3 provides over my Images, it does not seem to be worth the loss of comfort and the hassle with trying to get a seal.

Mine will be returned, I am sure.

I think if you do get a good seal you won't be so sure.

I'm still using the giant caps which still seems wrong to me because my ear isn't that big. But with the giant caps it fills the gap without having to be shoved into the ear. It could be that I'd get a better seal with a smaller cap but like you it seems to me that the stem is too short for this to happen. I tried the flanges but once they were in the rest of the unit couldn't really go anywhere.

The other nice thing about the giant tips is that it's not so bad for putting them on/off. It's even easier than it was with my Shure E2C that wrapped around the ear. It's not as easy as the Image because you still need to wrap around the ear, but it's no different than any other that wraps around the ear.

With a decent if not good seal the sound is definitely improved over the Image. More details and more oomphh imo.

What I need to determine is if they're comfortable enough. I could wear the Image all day without feeling it after. I can't see being able to do that with any over the ear IEM. It would be like saying you could wear glasses without feeling something on the ear or nose - there's always going to be some sensation imo.

[pretzelb]

Originally Posted by PeterDLai

I'm starting to think I need to listen to a pair of Grado's. It sounds like it would suit me, yet I've never found any reason to own a pair (I'm looking for portable and closed, I use speakers when I'm at home).

Closed Grado? Does such a thing exist? I always found my cheap SR60 to be flat out "fun" - not sure how else to explain it. When I shop I keep thinking that I should go with another Grado because of that but I'd like more closed options so I can cart them to work if I feel like it.

[Lifter59]

Well, I just ordered a pair of the C3' last night from the Klipsch website. Before I ordered I did a little surfing for a coupon code and found a GREAT one. If you enter the code "Mastercard" during checkout you get a 25% ($74.75) discount. The only catch is that you MUST use a Mastercard at checkout to pay.

Can't wait to get them....

[gdpeck]

Originally Posted by PeterDLai

Interestingly enough, I'm not really having seal issues, though it seems like the seal is inconsistent (like sometimes awesome and sometimes only pretty good, never bad though with the Shure black foam sleeves), but it doesn't seem as bad as everyone else's experiences.

My biggest gripe (which is not really the fault of the Custom-3's) is the sound signature. I just find that I'm not the warm, "musical", smooth, relaxed, mellow, dark, and so on type of guy.

I'm starting to think I need to listen to a pair of Grado's. It sounds like it would suit me, yet I've never found any reason to own a pair (I'm looking for portable and closed, I use speakers when I'm at home).

Funny you should mention that. Just last night I decided to compare the Custom-3s to my Alessandro MS-1s, which are similar to Grados, but maybe not as bright (from reading, not experience). Anyway I found the Custom-3s and MS-1s to be very similar sounding. The Custom-3s extend into the bass range a little more, but other than that they really sound close.

[antonyfirst]

Originally Posted by Lifter59

Well, I just ordered a pair of the C3' last night from the Klipsch website. Before I ordered I did a little surfing for a coupon code and found a GREAT one. If you enter the code "Mastercard" during checkout you get a 25% ($74.75) discount. The only catch is that you MUST use a Mastercard at checkout to pay.

Can't wait to get them....

I would be very interested in your impressions vs Ultimate Ears 11.

[Lifter59]

Originally Posted by antonyfirst

I would be very interested in your impressions vs Ultimate Ears 11.

Well - as soon as I get the C3's and I get my UE-11's back from UE (in for repairs - one of the crossovers came loose in the earshell) I will post my impressions.....

JL

[Manny Calavera]

Have any canucks here bought them and where did you get them.I have spent the morning,and some of my afternoon trying to track them down.

And I have learned that most that sell Klipsch in Canada have never heard of the term 'IEM',or even know that they are making a full line of high end iem's... Either that or they tell me they will only sell speakers,no special orders,no nada ! The few hi fi shops in town are a brick wall.They want me to buy Shure or Senn's(what they have in stock),of which I have a few or many of both brands,and have zero interest in buying any more.

Especially Shure,after my most recent expiriience with them.

[Lifter59]

Originally Posted by Manny Calavera

Have any canucks here bought them and where did you get them.I have spent the morning,and some of my afternoon trying to track them down.

And I have learned that most that sell Klipsch in Canada have never heard of the term 'IEM',or even know that they are making a full line of high end iem's... Either that or they tell me they will only sell speakers,no special orders,no nada ! The few hi fi shops in town are a brick wall.They want me to buy Shure or Senn's(what they have in stock),of which I have a few or many of both brands,and have zero interest in buying any more.

Especially Shure,after my most recent expiriience with them.

I would go to the Klipsch website and call their Customer Service number and ask them directly where to track them down. They probably have a web reseller you could use.

[Amy]

We're looking into this!

[tnmike1]

Originally Posted by PeterDLai

Just wondering, just how much brighter are the Etymotics that you have over the Klipsch Custom-3? I sense that it's a good deal brighter, but I have never heard any Etymotics phones so I would not know.

Thanks!

Not to answer for ron--HiFlight--but I find the Custom 3s to be very very comfortable in fit in virtually all the gels. And it isn't a question of being "brighter" as it is musicians have more "presence". Like Keith Jarrett's Koln Concert CD--a solo performance of piano work. With the Ety, I get soundstage. With the Customs, I get soundstage plus depth--as if the concert were miked down the length of the piano and his treble lines are more in the front of my head than the ranges below mid-C on the piano. Or Mahler's 5th symphony with the Etys I hear the kettle drums where they should be, in the back of the orchestera. With the Customs, they are in the back of my head and a little to the right. Yeah, there's the standard "brightness"--or lack of coloration--tht Klipsch is known for in its larger speakers. But regarding the music there's more "there" there.

I still love my Etys. But now I love the Customs just a bit more.

O as for sources: Portaphile maxxed, Imod 5.5 with ALO Imod cabling

[pretzelb]

Originally Posted by tnmike1

Not to answer for ron--HiFlight--but I find the Custom 3s to be very very comfortable in fit in virtually all the gels.

I'm using the large gels still and so far I haven't found any major discomfort. I'm surprised because I expected it. I'm not sure my seal is perfect but the sound is good. If the comfort remains good then I'm not sure what to say about the Image.

[onlychild]

Hello, I will post a better review later, but going from the Denon C751 to Klipsch Image to Klipsch C3s to SE530s (having all with me at the same time), I have decided to keep the Klipsch Image. My reason for keeping them over the others might me something that is not important to you, but very important to me.

I kept the Image for the work, gym, train, plane, etc. The ease to put them on and take them off is frekin' incredible. The sound is very similar to the SE530s (warm with bass impact) with about 80% of the SQ of the 530s but with better highs and WAY more comfort. Isolation is pretty similar to the SE530s.

I never could get the C3s to fit properly, even with the Shure fomaies, so I can't comment on their sound quality.

For outdoor/work use I wanted something I could take off right away if someone came up to talk to me and put right back into my ear with the same fit I had the first time. The SE530s and C3s proved to be a lot harder to put on and take off and TO ME, was not worth the improvement in SQ over the Image. The Image have great SQ and Soundstage to begin with and they are the most portable IEMs available and will be part of my portable rig. I plan on getting the HD600 or ESW9 and an Ibasso D2 for my home rig.

[pretzelb]

Originally Posted by onlychild

The ease to put them on and take them off is frekin' incredible.

For outdoor/work use I wanted something I could take off right away if someone came up to talk to me and put right back into my ear with the same fit I had the first time.

We disagree on the Custom 3 but I would totally agree with you on ease of use for the Image, it is really amazing. If anyone else placing a high value on comfort and ease of use I'd say it's worth checking out the Image.