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Klipsch s4i harsh?

post #1 of 90
8/20/09 at 10:51am
Thread Starter 
Hi there,

I just stumbled on this site - it's really great. I have an iPhone 3GS and was looking for a nice pair of headphones that also has the iPhone controls, including volume control. That left very few choices.

I decided to pick up the Klipsch s4i's based on a few scant reviews and some favorable reviews on the s4's. Anyway, surprisingly, I was quite pleased with the bass, but the treble is so bright that it is borderline what I would consider harsh! For instance, if the volume is raised to any level above 50%, there are many songs that just make the letter S sound almost like a hiss! Not what I expected from Klipsch.

Just to head off any obvious questions - yes, I know how to place the earbuds in my ear canal correctly (by the way -- the reviews are correct - they are by far the most comfortable earbuds out there). Also, I own both Klipsch multimedia and stereo speakers, so I know that they generally have a bright sound. But, I think there's a big difference between bright and harsh!

Has anybody else who has tried or who owns these had a similar experience? Is it possible that I just have a bad pair? I somewhat doubt that they are broken or anything, since all sounds other than those in the treble range sound fantastic, and there is no crackling or anything like that.

Also, I was wondering if this sort of thing could improve/go away over time? From what I've read IEM's generally don't need burn in or burn in really doesn't apply to IEM's. Thoughts?

Looking forward to any replies...
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post #2 of 90
8/20/09 at 11:27am
Burn'em for at least 50 hours at slightly higher than normal volume levels, then listen. The conventional wisdom of those that believe in burn-in says to burn dynamic drivers, but not balanced armatures.

My S4's (no mic/controls) got awesome after a few days of cooking. They'll calm down...
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post #3 of 90
8/20/09 at 12:19pm
Thread Starter 
Wow, that's a surprising response! I thought I read somewhere that burn in doesn't apply specifically with IEM's. I'm not sure what a dynamic drivers or balanced armatures are, but I'm guessing that since you gave me that advice that the S4i's are the former.

Anyway, thanks for the advice! I hope you are correct. I'll let you know how I make out.

Regards.
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post #4 of 90
8/20/09 at 12:38pm
I also find the treble harsh, and I have had mine on the burn-in PC for 4 days. Starting to think the treble on them is not for me, but since they are for my wife anyway, I will probably keep them. I do like their fit/finish and bass. But the treble just sounds "plasticky" to me, not sibiliant per se, but something off about it. Others do not have that issue, so not sure what's going on. But glad I am not alone on this one.

When I get home from vacation, I am going to give them 2-3 more days burning. Hope they change.
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post #5 of 90
8/20/09 at 2:24pm
Thread Starter 
Yeah, you're definitely not alone. I posted in the Klipsch forums as well, replying to someone else's topic on the very same issue.

By the way, Judge Buff, I forgot to ask if you experienced the harsh treble that we're talking about out of the box. I guess that can be inferred from your response, but I just want to confirm.

Thanks.
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post #6 of 90
8/21/09 at 11:48am
Thread Starter 
Well, I tried breaking them in for several hours over the past couple of days. I think they've gotten slightly better, but they are still what I would consider overly bright.

I compared them with Shure SE102's and I like the bass on the Klipsch better, but the treble on the Shure's blow the Klipsch away! It's really not even close. I also compared them to a pair of cheaper headphones which have practically no bass, but once again, their treble is preferable to the Klipsch's.

I compared the same song using the same source (first the iPhone 3GS, and then a PC with a XFi Soundblaster card) and the results were the same.

I'm hoping that additional burn in is required because I do like everything else about the headphones, but I am doubtful at this point. By the way, I didn't need to burn in the Shure's, which also makes me doubtful.
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post #7 of 90
8/22/09 at 11:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by glheadfi View Post
Well, I tried breaking them in for several hours over the past couple of days. I think they've gotten slightly better, but they are still what I would consider overly bright.

I'm hoping that additional burn in is required because I do like everything else about the headphones, but I am doubtful at this point. By the way, I didn't need to burn in the Shure's, which also makes me doubtful.
For the first two weeks I had them, if I wasn't listening to them I had them plugged-in and cooking. I cooked them at 12 to 15 on my Zune. 10 is a normal volume level for me to listen. "Several hours" needs to be at least 50 and the volume needs to be higher than your listening level. Have no doubts about them needing burn-in.

If you can't keep it playing on your portable, download the generator from this site and set it for pink noise. Leave the S4s hooked up for a couple of days. Check them occasionally to make sure they haven't been stolen. Play with the volume and the rest of the generator settings.

They were very harsh to begin with, but they are just bright now with great detail throughout. The bass and mids are amazing and the treble is crisp.

Your mileage may vary, of course, but mine are incredible phones. I can't wait to compare them to the IE 7s I'm waiting to arrive. Some folks say the IE 7s need 200 hours of burn-in.
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post #8 of 90
8/22/09 at 11:43pm
I had them on all day and then tried them again, and they do seem to have gotten better, and they are at the 40-something mark. So I think maybe 2-3 more days are needed. I also like the other qualities, so I am not going to give up. Plus, they are basically my wife's phones, so I want them to sound good for her, though she's nowhere near as concerned as long as they are not completely harsh.
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post #9 of 90
8/22/09 at 11:55pm
I thought the treble on the S4's was really bright at first also, so I left them plugged into my ipod for 2 entire days, and it made a big difference... the treble is quite nice now.
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post #10 of 90
8/22/09 at 11:56pm
I really do think that you must cook them at a louder level than you normally listen, also. I'm not talking about blowing them out... just higher than normal.
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post #11 of 90
8/23/09 at 12:08am
Will give that a try as well.
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post #12 of 90
8/23/09 at 12:15am
Yes, it's often very important to cook items at higher temperatures than they are served.
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post #13 of 90
8/24/09 at 12:06am
Maybe I am wearing them different (I put the cable over the ear), but I almost find them to be low on treble. Maybe its the music I am listening to. What kind of music are you listening to that make you think they are bright?

They are very comfortable, the only IEM I have ever tried that I can actually use for long periods of time. They isolate pretty well so they are good for travel. I find that the bass is extra strong and over powering some times. Again maybe its because how I wear them. Ill try to wear them the "normal" way.
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post #14 of 90
8/24/09 at 12:10am
All kinds. But my classic sibilance track is Angelique Kidjo's cover of the Stones Gimme Shelter, on her Djin Djin CD. It's the ultimate sibilance test. THe S4s sizzle during the "It's just a shot away" is obvious. I use the large gels, and I can hear it with all genres of music. However, my wife used them all day an no complaints, so if she is happy, so am I. I use Westone UM3X has my main in-ear phones. I got the S4s for her cause they have the tiny gels.
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post #15 of 90
8/24/09 at 12:14am
I use the dual flange (for small/med ears)...
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