gatordoc
New Head-Fier
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- Oct 23, 2005
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Quote:
You may need to keep looking for a dynamic IEM for your collection. According to Klipsch's website, the X10 is an armature design.
"For Klipsch's Image series PM’s, a premium armature is used; in this case, our proprietary KG926 driver. The KG926 is ultra-compact. Less weight generally results in greater comfort, because there is less force on the ear canal. This model has a proprietary "special sauce"—a unique technology which delivers very full range with delicate highs and smooth, deep bass. The sound is very accurate, due to its lightweight diaphragm. Vocals are silky smooth and drums have a nice snap to them.
Because of its size, a good air seal is required to prevent loss of bass. The micro-small chassis with its thin, aluminum extruded body places the armature closer to the eardrum than any other manufacturer’s headphones, creating a more accurate sound by reducing the volume of air modulated in the ear canal. Precision machining is required to make this model and the design is remarkably intricate, due to its size. The patent-pending Contour Ear Gel also ensures a better seal, since the oval shape—and different sizes—can achieve a fit that’s compatible with the user’s ears. "
| Originally Posted by tstarn06 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I owe Klipsch an apology. Not really, but I am doing a flip-flop on their Image X10 dynamic phones. During my search for a pair of keeper dynamic IEMs for my collection, I tried the IE8 (just not my preference, though very nice IEMs), and now the IE7 (and my thinking was? Not sure. They were less than $200 is all I can say). Why would the IE7 be a better choice than the IE8? Some say they have less bass and more mid-focus, but I still find the bass somewhat overbearing (more on that later). Yesterday, I noticed the poor little X10s, relegated to my Buddha statue turned IEM/cable stand (yes, with arms outstretched), sitting there. Wanting to see why they cost $349 MSRP, I tried something different, new tips. I stuck on the large single flange black tips that came with the now sold Custom 3s (the buyer didn't want them) and wow, they gave me the perfect seal and some very excellent sound on a few test tracks (mainly Hotel California on the Hell Freezes Over and the unreleased version of Paul Simon’s Diamonds on the Souls of Her Shoes from Graceland, an awesome bass track). I had written off the X10s for their microphonics and what I thought was their veiled sound (when compared to the PFEs in particular). But these are $349 phones, (now available for $259 on Amazon)? They had to be better than I gave them credit for, right? I had paid $175 for them during that great Klipsch half-price sale last year, so they were a bargain at that price. Anyway, I threw the music at them on my Zune80 and Sony A818 (no EQ), and the Touch as well. And wow, they sounded fantastic. I had been using the larger bi-flange gel, and maybe that was the problem. Not sure. But these large single flange gels are perfect, great seal/awesome iso, and comfy beyond belief. Not going to go into a lot of review-like details, but I really enjoyed the X10s, and think I may start to use them again in place of the IE7s, which are also a very nice IEM. The X10s right now just offer a more balanced sound (only have burned in the IE7s for 90 hours or so). While the IE7s are on the “for sale” block, I will keep burning them in and try to hit the magic 200-hour mark unless someone buys them. I have 23 days to return them as well. Meantime, I solved the X10 microphonics issue by using the shirt clip AND pushing the under the chin slider almost all the way up. No noises via the cable. I also know they have some cracking issues on the strain relief near the amazingly small drivers, but I believe Klipsch will replace them with a new pair which no longer has the issue. I think. Anyway, wanted to give Klipsch their due. I know the X10s have not gotten a lot of buzz on Head-Fi, but I am glad I gave them a second chance. I am gonna hook them up to the T4 and Minbox and see how they perform with an amp and LOD (on the Touch). Anyway else like them? Dislike them? |
You may need to keep looking for a dynamic IEM for your collection. According to Klipsch's website, the X10 is an armature design.
"For Klipsch's Image series PM’s, a premium armature is used; in this case, our proprietary KG926 driver. The KG926 is ultra-compact. Less weight generally results in greater comfort, because there is less force on the ear canal. This model has a proprietary "special sauce"—a unique technology which delivers very full range with delicate highs and smooth, deep bass. The sound is very accurate, due to its lightweight diaphragm. Vocals are silky smooth and drums have a nice snap to them.
Because of its size, a good air seal is required to prevent loss of bass. The micro-small chassis with its thin, aluminum extruded body places the armature closer to the eardrum than any other manufacturer’s headphones, creating a more accurate sound by reducing the volume of air modulated in the ear canal. Precision machining is required to make this model and the design is remarkably intricate, due to its size. The patent-pending Contour Ear Gel also ensures a better seal, since the oval shape—and different sizes—can achieve a fit that’s compatible with the user’s ears. "
