I purchased Custom 1 earphones about 3.5 months ago and really enjoyed them. This weekend, I came back from a short trip and realised I was missing an ear tip on one of my earphones. When I came home after work today, I retrieved the spare ear tips that came with the earphone only to discover that I am missing part of the plastic tube, not jut the ear tip. I snapped a pic. Here it is: http://gallery.me.com/pascalcouture#100086/Photo-20109&bgcolor=black I contacted the dealer (London Drugs in Edmonton, AB Canada) and they told me there's nothing they can do on their end to help me as this may be the result of abuse. I use these earphones an average of 30 minutes a day, never doing any sort of intense activity like exercise (I have cheap earphones for that purpose). Is this even something that can be fixed by Klipsch? Is it not covered under warranty? What a major disappointment. I thought given the price, these would stand up to normal use a lot better than that.

Sorry you had problems with the headphone. Please contact customer service. They will be happy to replace your headphones with a new pair.

 WOW... now that is taking care of the customer! I'm in!

I puchased a in canal set from another manufacturer (that is what brought me back here) and it sounds OK, but nor great. it lacked the full range and nice deep clear base. I purchased them because they are sweat/waterp proof and had some decent reviews.

When I played with them a bit i foundthey delivered great performance when I manually positioned them to the driver was aimed forward. My conclusion was that it was the design of the headphones and they way the "aimed" the sound. My stethoscope goes in my ears aimed forward (and down slightly) for best sound, why not these headphones?

Is this a true assessment of the competitive headphones Thump? I notice the Klipsch are forward aiming, is that part of the "proper" design, like my stethoscope? How about the Image series, will the "aim" in the canal properly if that is the issue with the others?

 

Thanks

Steve

Actually most peoples ear canals bend forward and up.  Here is a picture of S4 in a very small adult left ear.  This was aquired by taking an ear impression and digitizing it for CAD software. The slit at the bottom is the tragis slot.  The ear lobe would be below this.  The face would be to the left of the ear. See how the nozzle or eartip travels forward and the later bend is up?  The chassis is sitting in the concha.  The ear concha and ear canal are the only areas shown.

Here is a CAD model of my left ear canal.  It may be hard to picture this, but you are looking at a view of the side, top and rear.  It does not model the flex of the ear tip but you can imagine this occuring.  Notice if the IEM was inserted slightly farther how the sound could be cut off by the ear canal wall.  Also this simulation is using the ear phone in the "wire up" position.  Notice how the body of the design fit in the ear concha instead of perpendicular as the previous picture with the "wire down".

This view may be easier to see with the resolution.

Same file in a JPG...

For those of you still having problems picturing this complex for of the human ear, here is representitive Pina next to the CAD simulation of my ear impression.

Same picture as a jpg...

 

Very interesting. Thanks for posting the images. I had a demo of the headphone line. I like the smallest ones the best. Very comfortable. They are so much better than my POS stock apple headphones.

 Thump,

 

I am really interested in Klipsch headphones (already a Klipsch home theatre owner/fan), but with Custom (3,2,1), Image (X10, X5),  and now the S (4, 2)...I am a little confused which one to order. I wish retailers carried these so I could try and buy. I trust they will all provide great sound, so my primary criteria (after the competitive disapointment) will be:

 

1) Secure fit Exercising (Primarily running) w/moderate to heavy sweat

1) Comfort fit during extended use (ie. 5-8+ hour flights)

2) Proper design for full frequency reception

3) Audio Quality (Realizing most Klipsch will acheive this)

 

Any suggestions?

OnMedic:

 Thump,

 

I am really interested in Klipsch headphones (already a Klipsch home theatre owner/fan), but with Custom (3,2,1), Image (X10, X5),  and now the S (4, 2)...I am a little confused which one to order. I wish retailers carried these so I could try and buy. I trust they will all provide great sound, so my primary criteria (after the competitive disapointment) will be:

 

1) Secure fit Exercising (Primarily running) w/moderate to heavy sweat

1) Comfort fit during extended use (ie. 5-8+ hour flights)

2) Proper design for full frequency reception

3) Audio Quality (Realizing most Klipsch will acheive this)

 

Any suggestions?

OnMedic,

Good questions:

 

1) Secure fit Exercising (Primarily running) w/moderate to heavy sweat - Custom series is better for a secure fit, due to the over ear wire, but to be honest I can jog with any of the models and don't have issues with the IEM's falling out as long as the cable is secured behind the my body under my shirt.

2) Comfort fit during extended use (ie. 5-8+ hour flights) Image X10 is probably most comfortable since the body is so small.  If Custom fit you as it does me it is just as comfortable.

3) Proper design for full frequency reception - C3 or X5 are best.

4) Audio Quality (Realizing most Klipsch will acheive this) C3 for sure.  But some would say X5.

 

Hope this helps...

 hey Thump... It certainly does(n't)... LOL

 So my best choices are.... C3, or X10 or X5.... oh the delema!

 Maybe I will start w/C1's and if they fit well gift them and graduate to C3. If not, return them and move on to X5/1.

 

Thanks Thump!!!

IMO sonically the C3's are fantastic.  There is an issue with the cable kinking pretty badly but so far it has not affected the sound at all.  I would recommend these in a heartbeat.  The fit is a little tricky to achieve at first but once you do get it you will love the way they sound and image. 

I am looking at doing the opposite of what is typically recommended for exercise and that is getting a set of X5’s simply because you do not have to futz as much with the fit, just stick em in your ears.  But my exercise is typically indoors on an elliptical machine or small resistance machine.  The only other exercise I get is outside with my dogs and I do not listen to music when I exercise them, they need my full attention.