Klipsch r6? Help!

[DroidArmy]

Or you could just get them replaced like I did. No problems with the replacement (warranty replaced)

 

[PinkyPowers]

What is "driver flex" exactly?
 
I brought a pair of R6ms early in January. I loved them, but had a steep learning curve. At first, I was using them in the wrong ears, because the L and R were so small I overlooked them. Then I had fun trying out different bud sizes and shapes. I'd use one for a few days, thinking I'd found the perfect setup, only to switch them out again. Eventually I settled on the Large, single flange. Yet still, I was having real problems keeping them in and sealed properly.
 
At some point I realized there were markings on the tips and the phone, and if you lined them up, you'd have the best fit. This helped. But it was not perfect. I was still reseating them constantly, as the seal between the phones and my ear canal kept breaking. When this happens, the bass goes right out the window. As does much of the mids.
 
A month after owning them, my tax return posted, and I had some money to play with. Over countless hours with these R6s, I'd grown accustomed to their strengths, and weaknesses. The reviews have it right; mid-level frequencies are a bit drowned out by the bass. And for me, tracks that are naturally bass-heavy are sometimes overpowering on these IEMs.
 
The Klipsch Image X7i are meant to be a much more neutral phone. So I picked up a white pair for $110.99 off Amazon.
 
I've now had them for nearly a month. I prefer them for most music listening, as they are just a bit more detailed, a bit larger soundstage, and the mids are very clear. The issue with the earbud tips continued to be a problem. Klipsch sent me their fabled XL tips, and that sorted me right up.
 
I also tried Comply Isolation Plus, and their medium size worked perfectly. I prefer the silicone Klipsch tips, as they are more comfortable and the sound laid back. The sound isolation is better with the Comply foam, and it gives a tighter bass response, I feel.
 
Anyways, back to the headphones...
 
At work, I use the X7i: Galaxy S4>UAPP>AudioQuest DragonFly 1.2>Klipsch X7i
 
At home, I use the R6 for my PC time. Movie watching, Youtube. Downloaded shows etc...
 
I love them both, to be honest. I gladly recommend the R6 to anyone looking for a high-quality, bass-heavy IEM. They are quite superb.

 

[billybob_jcv]

"Driver flex" occurs because with a tight seal, there is air trapped in your ear canal. As you move the IEM into your ear, you pressurize the trapped air. Sometime you can hear this as a crinkling sound as you insert the IEM. This is the driver flexing due to the pressure in front of the driver pushing the driver back. Once the music starts, the driver needs to move, and this further increases the pressure. The louder it is, the higher the pressure (hence the term "sound pressure level" or SPL). If the pressure is high enough, or the driver is too flexible, then the pressure in front of the driver can interfere with the drivers ability to move as required by the music signal. Reverberations of the sound waves back against the driver might even cause it to "flex" against the music signal. This can cause muffled sound, distortion and/or a lack of definition/clarity.

 

[PinkyPowers]

Thanks for that info.
 
I think I've experienced this with the R6 on my left side, when I pushed them in rather deep. I always assumed it was some kind of bubble in my ear. Because every time I got them in that far, and heard the crackle, the sound opened up in a big way.
 
So I thought I had an earwax problem, even though my hearing didn't sound especially blocked. But if it was, there was nothing clogging the canal. That was clean. So I purchased some ear drops to flush me out more thoroughly.
 
I never was satisfied by the results of this experiment and I came to no definite conclusions.

 

[billybob_jcv]

One of the tricks is to give the IEM a twist as you are inserting it to help let the trapped air escape.

 

[shadow82x]

Just got my R6 replaced because the Klipsch logo text started fading after only a month of use. Kind of annoying...

 

[PinkyPowers]

Just got my R6 replaced because the Klipsch logo text started fading after only a month of use. Kind of annoying...

Tell me you didn't really do that.

 

[DroidArmy]

Thanks for that info.
 
I think I've experienced this with the R6 on my left side, when I pushed them in rather deep. I always assumed it was some kind of bubble in my ear. Because every time I got them in that far, and heard the crackle, the sound opened up in a big way.
 
So I thought I had an earwax problem, even though my hearing didn't sound especially blocked. But if it was, there was nothing clogging the canal. That was clean. So I purchased some ear drops to flush me out more thoroughly.
 
I never was satisfied by the results of this experiment and I came to no definite conclusions.

Yep, you have the same issue I did. Did you get one of the earlier models (within the first 1 or 2 months of release)? It seems that Klipsch have made some slight manufacturing changes to solve this issue. The new pair they sent me doesn't have this issue, and I can see where they made some slight changes in the design. I'd call Klipsch and set up a warranty replacement. It took me about a month to get a new pair, so be prepared for that.

 

[PinkyPowers]

I just don't jam them in so deep. With a good-fitting ear tip, you don't have to.

 

[bloode]

I'm new to the forum and pretty new to exploring quality headphones. I've been enjoying my JVC HA-S400 over ear cans which have received pretty glowing reviews by several Head-fiers for their price range. I was waiting to put a chunk of change into Sennheiser HD-598's which I have sat and compared recently to several similarly-priced models at a local HiFi audio outlet. But the truth is, practically I could use something to take into public when I go see a bar show on my own and don't want to spend too much time talking to my beer
 
I just bought the R6 phones and had also ordered a pair of JVC HA-FXD80-Z to compare, but just hours after sitting with the R6 in my ears, I have to say I am extremely happy with them and cancelled the order on the other pair. As far as being very bassy - I think this depends on your choice of earbuds. I use the smalls because I have small canals I guess. It seems to be this way with any in-ear model I've used. The small buds limit the bass without eliminating it. The biggest buds gave the most bass representation and I thought that it muddied the mid-range. The middle-sized buds - I guess they're middle sized because they were packaged in the middle, but have the two layer design with a smaller piece placed on top a larger piece - is that clear? Anyway, those completely eliminated the bass and were hard to keep in ear. A waste of space. I'd rather have another pair of the smalls to go with the two pair of large buds (those that came already on the earpiece and the extras.)
 
The point is that I think you all need to clarify which buds your using when identifying bass response.
 
As for my tastes, they range from jazz to metal. It all sounds quite good, although some bassier music actually sounds better in my over-ear cans. Is that typical? Otherwise, I'm not usually a fan of in-ear headphones, but these have flipped me.

 

[PinkyPowers]

What you're describing, Bloode, is the difference between a good seal and a bad one. Everybody's ears are uniquely shaped. Which size tips deliver the best base is going to be different for everybody. When you're wearing the wrong sized tips for your individual ears, you won't have a proper seal between your ear canal and the tips, which leads to a loss of sound quality, starting with the bass.
 
You like the small tips, because the bass is not so large. That tells me you are actually using the wrong size for your ears.
 
But hey, if you are happy with the sound, that is really all that matters. Glad you like the R6 phones. They are pretty great.

 

[bloode]

I like the small tips because they fit in my ears and don't fall out. I couldn't get the medium ones to stay in, but the sound was awful anyway.
 
I think that the large ones sound alright - but they constantly fall out. So, isn't the correct 'seal' the size that stays in your ears and also gives you good overall sound representation? I mean, I actually might like a little more bass, but I'm not feeling like I'm being cheated. And the smalls simply allow me to plug in the buds and keep them there especially when I move my head around as I like to do listening to Jonelle Monae or Helmet. Different head motions of course, but fundamental to my listening happiness.
 
I appreciate your thoughts on this PP!
 
Edit: I have now gone back and looked more closely at the bud sizes and there are four sizes. The large, medium, small, and the two-tiered ones I describe above which I had thought were 'mediums.' These each have a tiny cone mounted on a slightly larger one. These are the worst. I'm now retrying the 'medium' ones to see if I can get them to stay in better. It's a journey!

 

[PinkyPowers]

Finding the right tips can be troublesome. Yes, you do want them to stay in, but that doesn't necessarily mean you are getting a proper seal.
 
On Klipsch's website, they have more sizes than what is provided with the R6s. The two-tier, which are called double flange, can be found in every size.
 
Upon special request, you can also get Klipsch to send you their Extra Large, which is not for sale. You must ask for them.
 
I can't tell you which type or size will work best. But I would play around with what you have and really try and figure out what you might need.
 
Also, you might want to abandon Klipsch tips altogether and go with Comply, or someone else.
 
I had a hell of time finding the right tips for both my Klipsch phones, but when you do, it makes the trouble worth it.

 

[bloode]

Great Stuff, Pinky. Today, I will attempt to take over the World (of tips)!!
 
EDIT: I'm posting the results of my efforts for others struggling with proper in-ear headphone tip placement. I'm ordering the Comply variety pack designed to fit with my Klipsch phones because it is worth the investment to check against what I've got.
 
Until then, I actually found that I have to use two different sizes for each ear! My right ear takes the medium single-flange tip while my left ear takes the small single-flange tip. Each ear now gets outstanding bass presence that doesn't interfere with the representation of mid to high frequencies. I've hardly taken out my 'phones since embracing this solution. I'm so glad I piped up about my experience here on the boards.
 
FINAL RESOLUTION: I received my Comply variety pack (mediums) today. The isolation tips fit comfortably and the sound is great. Thanks again to PinkyPowers and the others on this thread!

 

[Rein]

  Wow this is literally the only thread with information on these. I'm going to best buy tomorrow to replace my broken s4's and I'm having trouble chooses between the s4 ii's and the new r6's. Which has more bass?
 
Apparently the r6's are made of metal, and must be heavier? How's the comfort compared to the s4? The s4's were really light and you could barely feel them.
 
Do you think theyre worth $85 vs $50 for the s4ii's? I'm sure the price will drop to around $60 or something since both retail for $79, but the r6's are newer..
 
edit: Are these any more/less bulky than the s4's? I imagine more because of the flat cable but other than that is the plug still slim and the y splitter?
 
If anyone can compare them to the Shure se215's that be great, they're in the same price range but the se215's apparently have better sound(?) but are definitely more bulky and over ear only.

If you are choosing between S4ii or R6, my opinion is S4ii. Shure SE215 is more bass compared to S4ii