Klipsch IMAGE earphone review

[soozieq]

Originally Posted by onlychild

For some reason I find the Denon's to have more bass than the Klipsch, but the Klipsch's soundstage is like nothing I have ever heard.

Do you see the same thing with the bass when comparing the denons and Klipsch.

Maybe its my DAP that's causing me to hear less bass in the Klipsch then the Denon's.

Hi. Maybe it is your dap. I find the Klipsch bass (with the Zune) about twice as forceful than with the Denons + Zune. Not necessarily more bass - but more impactful. It really slams. And the soundstage is as if I'm in a disco, standing between the speakers! It's eerily lifelike.

But if I put the Klipsch with the Sony, the bass isn't as noticeably different as it is with the Klipsch/Zune. I think that's because the Sony is 'warmer' than the Zune anyway, and has more bass - so the sound signature is already similar. In fact, the Klipsch + Sony is how I imagine a Denon C951 would sound (if it existed), weightier bass, bigger soundstage etc.

The Klipsch + Zune is in another audio universe entirely. For my ears - this combo is very satisfying. I liked the Denon + Zune, but despite the Denon bass, I still wanted a touch more (I guess because I'm accustomed to Sony bass!!) and because I can't EQ the Zune, the Klipsch suits it perfectly. Not a single yearning to adjust anything.

By the way, re: the Denon vocals, I agree with HeadphoneAddict. They're very upfront and not muted at all. But the midrange/vocals on the Klipsch is even more forward than the Denons (to my ears) - and it sometimes sounds as if the vocals are really 'shouting' at me if I put the volume up. Mind you, it's only apparent on some albums, not all. I personally prefer the midrange on the Denons, since I don't experience that issue at higher volumes and I just prefer the vocal 'tone' with them.

As far as treble is concerned - so far, I'd say they both have the same amount of detail, but my personal preference is for the Denon treble. I've always loved it and the 'twinkle' I really enjoy is missing from the Klipsch.

But. . . when you're in that soundstage, it's easy to forget all that because it's very very involving, like being in a mini studio. I can't comprehend that these tiny things can deliver that kind of sound. The soundstage itself is just trippy!

Sadly, my enjoyment is being slightly marred by the high price. They're $140 more here in the UK (quite a hike from the US price) and the last time I spent that much on headphones was for the Shure E500, which I bought twice (to give them a second hearing in case I'd been wrong with my first impressions) I ended up selling the Shures after a couple of weeks because I didn't like them enough to justify the high price. The Klipsch sound perfect with the Zune, but I still feel sick that they cost so much!! I'll see how I feel about them in a few weeks

As far as your dap is concerned, I don't know about the technicalities of it at all, but it's very strange that you're hearing more bass from the Denons when I am hearing so much more slam with the Klipsch. Daps really play a part I guess. The 50 ohms is no problem for either of my daps. I was very surprised about that.

Anyway, now I have a Sony + Denon and Zune 80 + Klipsch Image package, and I'm really happy with both of them.

EDIT: Spraggih:

thump.thump.thump - Bass is a powerful drug.

That is some bass!!! It's like mini speakers. I love how it seems to 'bounce' in and out. It's very enjoyable.

[PeterDLai]

Originally Posted by soozieq

As far as treble is concerned - so far, I'd say they both have the same amount of detail, but my personal preference is for the Denon treble. I've always loved it and the 'twinkle' I really enjoy is missing from the Klipsch.
...
Sadly, my enjoyment is being slightly marred by the high price. They're $140 more here in the UK (quite a hike from the US price) and the last time I spent that much on headphones was for the Shure E500, which I bought twice (to give them a second hearing in case I'd been wrong with my first impressions) I ended up selling the Shures after a couple of weeks because I didn't like them enough to justify the high price. The Klipsch sound perfect with the Zune, but I still feel sick that they cost so much!! I'll see how I feel about them in a few weeks

In the brief period of time that I had the Shure E500, I felt that it was lacking detail and treble energy in the top end. How do you feel the Klipsch IMAGE compares to the Shure E500 in this regard?

[soozieq]

Originally Posted by PeterDLai

In the brief period of time that I had the Shure E500, I felt that it was lacking detail and treble energy in the top end. How do you feel the Klipsch IMAGE compares to the Shure E500 in this regard?

I haven't had the E500s for a few months - but I remember being vaguely disappointed with the treble, and I found that eq didn't help enough. I'm not disappointed with the amount of treble the Image outputs at all - it's certainly enough for me - but I do miss the Denon 'twinkle'.

[onlychild]

Soozie and Headphoneaddict,

You were right. Wow!!! What a difference. The issue for me was my DAP. The Sprint Touch just doesn't cut it. I borrowed my friends ipod and spent about 3-4 hours and I now hear the same things Soozie does between the Denons and Klipsch.

I can't believe how much the Sprint Touch sucked compared to the ipod. The Klipsch and Denon both sound like totally new/different headphones.

The Klipsch does have more bass than the c751 and I do prefer the warmer sound of the Klipsch over the C751. For me the C751 are too bright (too much treble) and my ears get tired of listening to them after an hour. This probably is because I have not burned them in (less than 10 hours on them). But the soundstage and bass from the Klipsch is amazing for how frekin' small they are.

Considering I paid list for the Klipsch ($350), the Denon c751 are now going up for sale without a doubt (if anyone is interested $140 shipped to CONUS).

Now the hunt for a good DAP starts, then after that a DAC/amp. My wallet is going to take a beating from all of this.

[anadin]

Could anyone with a klipsch image please post some pics of them actually fitted in the ear, I would like to see what they look like.

I have trawled the whole net and can't find anything.

Many thanks.

[soozieq]

Originally Posted by anadin

Could anyone with a klipsch image please post some pics of them actually fitted in the ear, I would like to see what they look like.

Imagine a piece of wire protruding from your ears. That's it!

[pretzelb]

Originally Posted by anadin

Could anyone with a klipsch image please post some pics of them actually fitted in the ear, I would like to see what they look like.

I have trawled the whole net and can't find anything.

Many thanks.

Isn't the gallery at the Klipsch site good enough? Go here then maybe click on the image of the blond woman with shades. It's not a close up but still.

[onlychild]

Soozieq, Have you tried ordering the Image directly from Klipsh. The list on them is $350.

I am in love with these headphones.

Have you heard them through an amp. If so, does the sound improve a lot when paired with an amp?

[soozieq]

Originally Posted by onlychild

Soozieq, Have you heard them through an amp. If so, does the sound improve a lot when paired with an amp?

No, I have no interest at all (thank God for my pocket!) in amps. But I don't see how the sound could be improved unless the midrange was less aggressive - and I don't think an amp can take care of that. I guess if they're used with a crappy generic player, they might benefit from an amp (didn't you say the bass was not nearly as good on your sprint touch?) - but they don't need amping with the Zune, not to my ears anyway.

[spraggih]

I have tried with my Rudistor RPX-33 (a high end amp) -- and the sound is greater! Perhaps not day and night difference but certainly late breakfast to lunch difference.

Still I could live without an amp because the real reason I bought the phones was for portability. And the sound is still really good.