Why Klipsch is in my book as one of the best companies, ever.

[Caligula]

So a little less than 3 years ago I was in the market for some in-ear headphones to take to work with me. After doing a lot of research, I found that I could get a super good bang for the buck deal by buying the Klipsch X5 headphones. They werent as fancy/light/good as its more expensive sibling the X10... however it got you most of the way there for less than half the cost.

Anyway, I ended up getting a paid of X5s for $135 off of Amazon, with free shipping! Skip ahead a year and I found that the rubber stress relief on one of the ear buds was splitting. This didn't hurt performance or functionality, but it irritated me enough to contact Klipsch. They told me to send it in for a warranty evaluation, which I did.

About a week later I get a call from Klipsch telling me that they got my headphones and that they were sorry to inform me that they stopped making the X5, so if it was okay with me (yes, they asked) they would send out a new of their new $350 X10i headphones. I agreed, and they were glorious...

Until a few weeks ago when I noticed that the stress relief on the 3.5mm jack side was starting to do the same thing. So again I contacted Klipsch. They didnt want me to get it evaluated, they just told me to send them back and they will replace them.

Well, I got another call today. Same conversation, except this time they were sorry to inform me that they X10i was discontinued and that they were sending me a new set of $350 X11i headphones.

Fucking winning. Props to them, that is the ideal model that all consumer good companies should strive to match.

 

[lwien]

Fucking winning. Props to them, that is the ideal model that all consumer good companies should strive to match.

Now if they can just make some IEM's that stay together.

I recently got some HiFiman RE-400's. LOVE them, but they too have had some reports of having some issues with the jack as well as the cable connections to the ear phones. So far though, no issues.

 

[Caligula]

Now if they can just make some IEM's that stay together.

Fair enough, however if I had my ideal situation, this needs to happen every hear and a half so I can take advantage of their warranty program. Id hate for these new units to start falling apart 5 years from now when they are no longer covered.

Also I should state that these get daily use @ 4-6 hours per day. Thats quite a bit of stress and strain for any IEM over the course of a year or more. I think so anyway.

Besides, Ive already seen a $535 return on my initial investment! lmao.

 

[lwien]

Also I should state that these get daily use @ 4-6 hours per day. Thats quite a bit of stress and strain for any IEM over the course of a year or more. I think so anyway.

Yeah, that's a lot of use. I think most of the issues that people have with IEM's is when they just throw them in their pocket when not using. I always retire mine to a hard clam shell IEM case. I think that helps to keep them in good shape.

 

[Caligula]

Yeah, that's a lot of use. I think most of the issues that people have with IEM's is when they just throw them in their pocket when not using. I always retire mine to a hard clam shell IEM case. I think that helps to keep them in good shape.

Yup, the units Ive gotten have all come with a very nice leather "box" with a nifty magnetic flap

I always keep my IEMs in there with a 4 finger wrap on the cord. The issue comes when they get caught on my computer chair and what not when Im using them, heh.

I toss those silicone POS ear pieces though and use these instead:

http://www.complyfoam.com/

These are a MUST for most IEMs, IMO. I spend the extra dollar or WTF ever on the units with the wax guard. I've never once had to clean my IEMs. Only downside to the Comply's is that (with my use) they die after about 2 months... but they are meant to be disposable.

 

[next level]

Yeah they are a great company. I have some home speakers and they are excellent for the money. Great warranty as you experienced.

The RE-400s are a great set. Got a good deal on a set a year ago. And I hate iems.

 

[lwien]

The RE-400s are a great set. Got a good deal on a set a year ago. And I hate iems.

Yeah, they're really accurate and balanced. They don't favor one freq over another. And they're REALLY small. Super comfy. Using mine with Comply tips. Love 'em.

They came out in the market Feb this year, eh? Almost a year. Wow..........time flies. Got mine as soon as they became available. Didn't realize it's been that long.

 

[next level]

The RE-400s were released late Janurary or early Feb. I got a review pair from another head-fi member the first week of Janurary. I now use my Denon AH-C700 or RE-600s. My brother basically took the RE-400s hostage.

I have a couple sets from Comply. The comfort plus is the best.

 

[Silver420Surfer]

Great story @Caligula! Thanks for sharing this. I always like to hear about companies that go above and beyond like this.

Kudos to Klipsch!

I'm not in the market for speakers or headphones at the moment, but with CS like that, I know who'll be on the short list to look at when I am.

 

[lwien]

The RE-400s were released late Janurary or early Feb. I got a review pair from another head-fi member the first week of Janurary. I now use my Denon AH-C700 or RE-600s. My brother basically took the RE-400s hostage.

I have a couple sets from Comply. The comfort plus is the best.

I was thinking about the plus's, but I was concerned that it may dampen the highs too much with that wax filter.

Ya got the 600's huh? Expensive. From all the reviews that I've read over at Head-Fi, they seem to say that they sound just like the 400's with a bit more roll-off in the top end. Has this been your experience as well?

 

[next level]

I was thinking about the plus's, but I was concerned that it may dampen the highs too much with that wax filter.

Ya got the 600's huh? Expensive. From all the reviews that I've read over at Head-Fi, they seem to say that they sound just like the 400's with a bit more roll-off in the top end. Has this been your experience as well?

I would like to say we live in a world where Beats are mainstream and accepted as quality units. So its pretty clear we are not all created equal.


The RE-600s are much higher quality. The cable for example has a balanced TRRS connector. The 600s are more efficient. They balance more to the mid-range while the 400s are brighter with more treble. The 600s can be played at a greater volume before sounding harsh.

If you have a nice DAC or amp then the 400s can not compare to the 600s.

Comply used to have a set with all there versions in it. IF available still I suggest its purchase. The plus can help certain iems. I believe they made the 400s deeper.

 

[lwien]

I know Comply has a set that has three sizes in it, but I've never seen one that had different versions in it. I've already tried the T-400 and the TS-400, but never tried any of those with the wax guard. While I wouldn't mind a bit more bottom end, I really don't want to attenuate the high end too much. Will give them a shot though.

But yeah, I understand living in the world of Beats and Bose. I've was in the Consumer Electronics business for over 40 years and spent much of my earlier years trying to convince people that some of the most popular mainstream audio gear couldn't hold a candle to some of the gear that came from much smaller companies.

 

[Caligula]

Hey Bose is fine... if all you listen to is Jazz.

 

[lwien]

Hey Bose is fine... if all you listen to is Jazz.

My take on it is, if a piece of gear is deemed an accurate reproducer of what is being fed into it, it should be accurate with all genre's of music.

Bose has always primarily been a marketing company, first and foremost, and to that end, they have done very well, ever since the days of the 901's.

 

[Caligula]

Oh I know and I agree. I was being sarcastic.

Ive got a couple Bose headsets and they just sit in a closet in a box. If im out I use my Klipsch units and at home I use my Grado cans.

 

[t-dub]

Hey Bose is fine... if all you listen to is Jazz.

Bose has always primarily been a marketing company, first and foremost, and to that end, they have done very well, ever since the days of the 901's.

We used to have a saying at the store . . . "No highs no lows it must be Bose" . . .

 

[next level]

I know Comply has a set that has three sizes in it, but I've never seen one that had different versions in it. I've already tried the T-400 and the TS-400, but never tried any of those with the wax guard. While I wouldn't mind a bit more bottom end, I really don't want to attenuate the high end too much. Will give them a shot though.

But yeah, I understand living in the world of Beats and Bose. I've was in the Consumer Electronics business for over 40 years and spent much of my earlier years trying to convince people that some of the most popular mainstream audio gear couldn't hold a candle to some of the gear that came from much smaller companies.

Yeah couldn't find them anywhere. Must of been a special they offered. Denon and Comfort Plus is bliss. Can not accurately remember them on the 400s. Should improve lows without much loss of highs.

We used to have a saying at the store . . . "No highs no lows it must be Bose" . . .

Ha we said that at Circuit City back in the day. One thing Bose headphones are good is noise canceling. Great on a plane...

 

[SoulCaptivesAreFree]

when i was in the market for new speakers i came close to buying some from klipsch...


luckily i didn't, because i then found nubert speakers... and once you go nubert there is no turning back - ever


they don't do headphones though... for headphones my favorite brand is house of marley - sustainable consumer electronics ftw!