just a short note to say i've now sent back my second pair of images to the retailer because of faults that developed - first time it was the jack, and second time it was the left bud - sound became intermittent and cut out altogether for long spells.

on both occasions i got the splitting on the strain relief on both buds, which gradually deteriorated.

it's an awesome product but from my perspective i have serious issues with their reliability and durability.          

I have had problems with my second pair now too so I am asking for a refund from the Klipsch representative I bought it from in the UK. I really have to agree with the previous post it's sound quality is exceptional but the build quality just hasn't been good enough, which for me is serious as my Shure SE210 which I purchased for £50 has much better cabling and even my £10 sony ones have been fine although the cable is the same thickness. I am now trying to get a refund after having them for just over a year and having my second one fail. I will report back when I get a reply.

Well, all's well that ends well... albeit expensively well.

I've not had a set of custom moulds made for the X10s from here: http://www.audiorelief.co.uk/shop/product_info.php?cPath=27&products_id=39 

It kind of defeats one of the main purposes of the Images, namely how magnificent the isolation/attenuation is with the sleeves that come with them, and the fact they get inserted so deeply and comfortably in your ear canal... but I'm now on my 3rd set having returned two with cable issues, and with each of the first two sets the strain relief on the buds was in the process of disintegrating because they were being bent back 'against the grain' cos of the shape of my ear.

So it was expensive - another £90 on top of it... and I have to up the volume a notch to get the same effect... but I get complete isolation and the wonderful sound of the X10s now, and if I ever need to get another pair I'll just slot them into the customs and they'll last longer.

I'm hoping this will extend the life span of the earphones because honestly I'm 100% in love with the sound.