Klipsch Image S4?

[Judge Buff]

Quote:

Originally Posted by odigg /img/forum/go_quote.gif The existence of burn-in is not answered by debate and subjective evaluations which can vary greatly by mood, environment, and group think. scott549 idea would be a sound test of burn-in and would demonstrate burn-in. I strongly support the idea of "brain-in" but have zero believe in burn-in, especially the way it's presented on Head-Fi. If nothing else at least demonstrate a change in FR or distortion greater than the changes variations typically seen from changes in head or in ear placement. Burn in for 100 hours? I don't believe it. Here's one reason for why. A brand new car needs, at most, 3000 miles of burn in for the engine. Given that people in the USA typically probably drive 30+ mph on average, even a car needs less than 100 hours of burn in. Somehow a tiny moving diaphragm needs more burn in then a car engine which has so many moving parts that regularly expand and contract? They also rub against bearings and metal surfaces with nothing more for lubricant than a tiny bit of oil.

Try to get that car in your ear and your analogy may make sense...

 

[tstarn06]

X2 on the car analogy. Also, my last two cars have had no burn-in period (it used to be something like 500 miles, then an oil change, if I recall).

In fact, can we spare the ongoing burn-in debate? I only say 100 hours because that's how long I ran it in on my PC without listening. Could have been 72 hrs. No idea. Seems to me, the burn-in debate can be interesting, but really this thread is about the S4, and the "Burn-In: Real, Imaginary or Brain?" is OT.

However, S4 owners can certainly discuss the effect "use" (staying away from the B.I. phrase) might or might now have with THEIR experience owning the phones.

 

[Judge Buff]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cn11 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have a tip tip.... As I continue to listen to them over the initial couple days, it occurred to me that since Klipsch's nozzles seem to be a hair larger than the typical skinny affair, and since the Sony Hybrid silicones seem to be very tight installing on the standard wide nozzle, perhaps they'd fit the Image S4's. Viola. They go right on. They come off somewhat easily, but they don't just come right off in your ears as you remove the earphones. They offer better isolation to my ears than the gels, and also seem to increase the frequency spectrum a bit. I really like them on the S4's.

I used the Sony hybrids for a while when I first got my S4s. I remember the presentation as being very "clean." For me it became a comfort issue. There is just something about that firm core in the hybrids that irritates my ears. The large Klipsch gel conforms to my ears very well and sometimes it doesn't even feel like they are there.

One of these days when I get the notion to tinker a little, I'm going to try to modify a triflange to a bi... I use biflanges on almost all other phones (except my PL50).

 

[tstarn06]

Even better, get some UM56s and end sleeve buying and trynig forever. It's crazy, but the UM56s work with my S4s, UM3X and also with a new pair of Altec-Lansing im616s, which sound amazing with the custom sleeves. But that's for another thread.

 

[Judge Buff]

^ My wallet is bleeding from my recent Mini^3 component purchases, 440 purchase and BB2.02 purchase.

Of course, Christmas is coming...

My lovely wife would have a duck though if she asked, "What are these funny shaped things?" and I answered, "They are $120 custom-fitted earphone tips."

Not only would my wallet be bleeding, but I fear that my ears would be also.

 

[tstarn06]

Now that's comedy.

 

[cn11]

Also, don't forget that if anyone has owned Sleek SA6's, and has their bi-flange tips around, those will work splendidly too. I tried them, but think the large Klipsch gels still sound a tad better (I found the opposite to be true when I had the Image X10, and preferred the Sleek tips with them). Still, they could be an option for someone, and can be ordered cheap from several online retailers in one size, which is a huge plus.

Still, I'm currently loving the Hybrid Sony with these. Funny how some tips work for some people, and are completely opposite for others. I'm glad I have this huge stockpile of tips available now from all the IEM's I've had and returned/sold/etc.

 

[tstarn06]

Wouldn't be a bona fide HF veteran without the requisite sleeve stockpile from buying and trying. I have a CD "bucket" (the lid of a blank CDR holder, 100 count) full of little plastic bags, each filled with tips either purchased or obtained with new IEMs.

 

[soozieq]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cn11 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Also, don't forget that if anyone has owned Sleek SA6's, and has their bi-flange tips around, those will work splendidly too. I tried them, but think the large Klipsch gels still sound a tad better (I found the opposite to be true when I had the Image X10, and preferred the Sleek tips with them). Still, they could be an option for someone, and can be ordered cheap from several online retailers in one size, which is a huge plus. Still, I'm currently loving the Hybrid Sony with these. Funny how some tips work for some people, and are completely opposite for others. I'm glad I have this huge stockpile of tips available now from all the IEM's I've had and returned/sold/etc.

Hey Chris, is the S4 warmer or cooler than the X10? I found the X10 too warm for my tastes. Would be curious to know how these compare since I know we often hear similar sound from the same phones. Can you try them with the X and let me know? Thanks

P.S When are they coming to the UK?????????????????

 

[Rip N' Burn]

I've been listening to the S4 with my sony X and it is a great combo. It responds very well to EQing. Very good bass impact with warm sounding mids but I noticed better separation and detail after burning them in for a while. When I first got them I listened to Megadeth's new album Endgame and it was hard to focus on separate instruments and details as I can with the W3. Now, it has gotten noticeably better but still not as good as the W3.

 

[cn11]

Quote:

Originally Posted by soozieq /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hey Chris, is the S4 warmer or cooler than the X10? I found the X10 too warm for my tastes. Would be curious to know how these compare since I know we often hear similar sound from the same phones. Can you try them with the X and let me know? Thanks P.S When are they coming to the UK?????????????????

Hey Sooz-
Hmmmmm.... it's kinda hard to say but I think they're a touch less warm from what I remember of the X10's. It's hard to be definitive with these statements without having the X10's back to compare directly, but this is the impression I get of the S4's- ever so slightly brighter with similar detail.

I've already listened a little bit with them running out of the X, and with the Sony I think they're a little flatter/more lifeless than I'd like. They have less bass than the C710's, but then again their treble is equally detailed while having that trademark Klipsch smoothness. The Cowon S9 has so many settings/combinations that I'm able to get a sound which is really special. With the Cowon, they have a layered effect not unlike how I recall the TF10's, plus bass which is more in line with how I like it.

I think you may like these from what I'm hearing... but I'll do more listening with the X and let you know. If you're curious to try a pair, I'll pick up a set and ship them to you. I think I read in one of the other threads that they're quite a bit more in the UK.

EDIT- Okay, more close listening here, and I eat my words that they're a bit lifeless out of the Sony. I can still get the bass I like, yet they definitely have a highly detailed, smooth sound out of the X too.... Up above, that was a first impression from a quick listen last night.

 

[soozieq]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cn11 /img/forum/go_quote.gif If you're curious to try a pair, I'll pick up a set and ship them to you. I think I read in one of the other threads that they're quite a bit more in the UK.

Um... no Chris. I meant when are yours coming to the UK!

When are they coming to ME??

 

[cn11]

Quote:

Originally Posted by soozieq /img/forum/go_quote.gif Um... no Chris. I meant when are yours coming to the UK! When are they coming to ME??

Oh yeah, that's what you meant!!!

Hmmmm, well with 75 hours burn in still to go, and shipping time, it's a little ways off!

 

[PrarieD0G]

Been using my S4's a ton lately. They're definitely very comfortable--a lot more comfortable than I thought IEMs would be, this being my first pair. I wore them for like 6 hours yesterday with hardly any discomfort at all. SQ-wise: The treble can come across as very harsh (read: crappy) for some songs, but that's supposed to go away with burn-in (I've actually noticed it getting better the more I use them, so I'm not too worried). Bass is very strong/thump-y which makes some songs sound twice as awesome but can be a bit overwhelming for others. Overall, so far so good. I'm still going to try some RE0's just to see which type of sound I prefer (colored/bass-heavy or neutral/detailed).

 

[dweaver]

OK I was writing off the all the hype about these as FOTM but dang they sounded interesting. Then they put them on sale at London Drugs and finally I couldn't stand it even though I have pretty much switched to headphones as of late.

Having said all that I have to say out of the box I am impressed. They are a bit sibilant right now but over all they kick my Monster Turbines butt BADLY. They have very nice bass, a great midrange, and I think the treble will be really nice once it settles down. The sound stage is actually there in comparison to the TB's but less than my big phones (no surpise considering I listen to ATH AD700/900 headphones which have HUGE soundstages. My initial thought in this regard was yuck but as I listened to them I started to appreciate the sound stage they did have and also started to groove into the fact I could hear small details at low volume my open headphones don't allow due to outside noise. My only real complaint is a bit of microphonics and I believe this is simply because I have gotten used to having none with my open phones.

MAN ARE THESE COMFORTABLE!!! I am using the default gels out of the box and I simply put them in and forget them.

I believe I will be selling my ATH ES7's to partially fund these as I have been getting tired of weird looks at work over not wearing something inconspicous and I think these sound as good or better than the ES7's.

Now how to tell my wife I spent another $120