[chucky2]

My mom has got my brother a Cowon S9 for Christmas, so I figured I'd get him a nice pair of IEM's to go along with it. Without trying to tip him off, I've got feedback that he wants an IEM w/o the wrap around type stuff, just goes in the ear and hangs straight down. He does have a long torso (6'7") so very short corded IEM's are out.

Done a bit if research here (the information is overwhelming) and was narrowing down on Klipsch S4's or RE0's, then figured why not splurge a little, and "move up" a level.

What I'm concerned about is not if the X5's are very good IEM's - it sounds like they are - but rather, it seems that much of the feedback is when they were substantially less than the $250 they're selling at now at authorized resellers.

Which brings up the thread title question: Are these really in the $250 range class of IEM or should I be looking at other offerings that are known to be better?

Chuck

P.S. I'd really rather not go past $250 unless there's a clear reason...it's not that I can't, I'd just rather not. Thanks for any advice/info you can give!

 

[Gothamm]

I bought mine during the klipsch half-off sale last year. I'd say they are worth around $120....wouldn't put them above that.

Great IEM's, but not worth $250.

If you can find them for $150 or less, i'd say go for it. Make sure they are bought via an authorized reseller. My X5's had the infamous frail cord issue that afflicted its bigger brother, the x10. Got klipsch to replace it NQA since i bought from them.

Honestly, I'd say go for the s4.

 

[chucky2]

Gothamm, thanks for the response!

That's sort of what I feared from reading all the feedback...I started to realize that all/the vast majority of the folks that provided feedback on these did not buy them at the $250 price point they're at now.

I'm ultimately trying to figure out to go with the S4's or RE0's, but before I started checking price points - for today's prices - I was going to get a set of these.

Chuck

 

[Scott549]

It's strange how the prices fluctuate. I got a set of X5's a few months ago, to replace a set I lost, for $150 from B&H Photo Video.

If you like bass you will like the X5 much better than the RE0. If you don't care much about bass you can feel, and your top priority is clarity, then you will like the RE0. I am guessing that the S4 has less clarity but a sound signature more similar to the X5 than the RE0.

 

[Helmore]

What kind of music does your brother listen to? If the music needs bass to shine (i.e. music styles like hip hop and rap) then the RE0 might not be what you're after.

 

[gameboy115]

It does not worth 250.............

So as X10, I remember x10 cost 160 around last year, now it surges to 260around.............

 

[david1978jp]

It is a gift, so give him a quality Name brand. They are at your budget.
Amazon.com: Etymotic ER-4P Portable In-Ear Earphones: Electronics
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Amazon.com: Sony Mdr-Ex700Lp Earbud Style Headphones (Black): Electronics

 

[Azathoth]

They're not worth the $250 SRP IMO, but a good deal at their $160 retail price in my country. I actually preferred its sound signature and comfort/fit over the Image X10 (which felt like it would go all the way into my brain).

 

[Gothamm]

Quote:

Originally Posted by chucky2 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Gothamm, thanks for the response! That's sort of what I feared from reading all the feedback...I started to realize that all/the vast majority of the folks that provided feedback on these did not buy them at the $250 price point they're at now. I'm ultimately trying to figure out to go with the S4's or RE0's, but before I started checking price points - for today's prices - I was going to get a set of these. Chuck

you could always get a pair of triplefis off ebay from 120-150ish due to that infamous amazon clearance sale. The triplefis do not have to wrap around the ear...although you could.

 

[chucky2]

Thank you all for the replies...what you're all saying is very much what I suspected: A very competitive IEM at the $140-$170 pricepoint, but not at the $250 Klipsch has moved them up to now.

All suggestions are under active consideration...I've got to weigh them - at the current prices - and make a decision in the next couple of days.

Thanks you All for your opinions!

Chuck