which leads me to my question...are there substitutable ear gels out there seeming as klipsch is not offering an extra large fit. want to get the best out of these earphones. you're advice is appreciated. thanks.

gdwright07,

Could you please describe the process you are using to insert and check for fit?  You can PM me if you want.  Pictures sometimes are helpful.  Also... How large are your ear canals when measured?  Are they in excess of 8 mm in diameter?

 gdwrite07and Professor Thump:  I also am having this problem.  I was wondering if I simply had disproportionately large ears!  Apparently I do!  :)

How should I go about accurately measuring my ear canal diameter?

 Also, I had a (quick) question about breaking in the S4's.  Is there a recommended protocol for doing so?  And, if there is, wouldn't it be better if this was done at the factory?  :)  But, in any case, I am happy with my recent Image S4 purchase (though I wish I didn't have to wait so long to finally receive it via Amazon).

Thanks!

Professor Thump:

Are they in excess of 8 mm in diameter?

"Diameter?"  I thought they were oval?  So 8 mm being the short dimension?  How does one measure one's ear canal diameter?  I've often wondered if mine aren't overly large?  Guess I'll have to measure 'em.

In the picture above with Andy you can see that the S4 fits quite tight (see arrow).  The tragus (flap of skin to the right of the headphone) is in the way of the headphone chasis, thus this is an uncomfortable fit with the proper ear tip.

In this picture of Sara you can see that the S4 fits quite nicely.  The tragus (flap of skin to the right of the headphone) is not in the way of the headphone chasis, thus this is a good fit with the proper ear tip.

magnumpc:

 gdwrite07and Professor Thump:  I also am having this problem.  I was wondering if I simply had disproportionately large ears!  Apparently I do!  :)

How should I go about accurately measuring my ear canal diameter?

 Also, I had a (quick) question about breaking in the S4's.  Is there a recommended protocol for doing so?  And, if there is, wouldn't it be better if this was done at the factory?  :)  But, in any case, I am happy with my recent Image S4 purchase (though I wish I didn't have to wait so long to finally receive it via Amazon).

Thanks!

 

In the photo above with Andy this is an example of how you measure your ear canal.  You can use a ruler also to get the width of the ear canal.  Your ear tip should be slightly wider than this dimension in the horizontal axis.  

As far as the burn in...Yeah we do that at the factory.  That's the ticket.

Here is a picture of my ear with the wire down mode. 

For my ear the tragus slot is a more undercut shape which allows the headphone to nest comfortably.  You can see this same calculation modeled below in 3D CAD with the cable going over the ear.

To cure Andy's fit issue he can wear the ear phone in the wire up and over the ear which eliminates the problems with the tragus being in the way.   If you are having issues with the body of S4 interfering with your ear try rotating the body 180 degrees by wearing the wire over the ear as in this picture. 

I hope this helps you to enjoy the full wonders of Image S4.

Professor Thump:

In the photo above with Andy this is an example of how you measure your ear canal.  You can use a ruler also to get the width of the ear canal.

I'll have to dig out a ruler and have my wife or one of the girls measure mine....  but a ruler's not quite as cool as that fancy micrometer or whatever that gizmo you're using is called.

 Even am facing the same problem , i got S4 today and none of the eargels are helping me ,

I think mine is between M and L size eargels.

what to do for this. Professor Thump

I have already sent a PM mail to Mark.Blanchard@klipsch.com from raghu135raghavendra@gmail.com . 

I need a big help...................

Indian,

Professor Thump has posted some additional information over in the blogs:   http://forums.klipsch.com/blogs/markb/archive/2009/07/09/getting-the-most-out-of-s4-headphones.aspx?CommentPosted=true#commentmessage a continuation of the pictures posted here earlier.

 Have you tried the double flange gels?  They work better for some people. 

Don't feel bad.  The L size eargels often seem too small to me on Custom 2 and my picky ears just don't like the double flanged models.  

 blsamuel,

I used all the given eargels, but the large suits 90% only to my earsize,

does this earphone produce studio like sound or like normal earphones,

because some hours ago i used my friends creative ep-630 it gave 60% of S4 sound

what is burn in and what changes i can see.

sorry for my poor english

you help will be most apprciated 

INDIAN:

 blsamuel,

I used all the given eargels, but the large suits 90% only to my earsize,

does this earphone produce studio like sound or like normal earphones,

because some hours ago i used my friends creative ep-630 it gave 60% of S4 sound

No worries on the English.  It is much better than my Tammal (spelling?)

Thanks for buying not one but two S4's.  Word of mouth is so important in this business, especially in India where we do not have as much visibility but a lot of potential customers.

Please review the latest blog for S4 fit issues:

http://community.klipsch.com/blogs/markb/default.aspx

If this still does not help there are two choices I can think of.  First you can try ordering large dual flange ear tips if you do not have any.  The small dual's come with the S4.  If this still does not help Hearing Components makes Comply ear tips that are memory foam.  I don't think they are as comfortable but your problem could be corrected with as much as a millimeter or less of change in geometry.  If this still does not work may I suggest you look at X5 as a possibility.  It is more money but an even better product. 

BTW... If you email me pictures of your ear with the canal exposed and then with the S4 loaded I may be able to understand your issue more clearly.

These should be close to studio quality.  The X5 or Custom 3 would be IMHO.

As far as burn in this is a theory that is highly contraversial.  I believe there is not much there but if people think it is an improvement than I am happy for them.  You be the judge...

Good Luck and Thanks Again...

 I read  what is given in

http://community.klipsch.com/blogs/markb/default.aspx

but still not improved , can you please send private mail to raghu135raghavendra@gmail.com

can you please tell me does it creates studio quality sound or same as other earphones do, because am fully confused on this issue

 Professor ,

according to you after using the earphones for a some days or months , does the sound gonna improve, like bass or something

waiting for your reply

Indian,

 Your English is fine.  I can't think of anything more than what Professor Thump posted.  He's the one who's been telling us for months to "Stick It In Your Ear" and we've found we really like it.

Good luck.

I can vouch for the X5.  Though I've only ever tried them for a few minutes - quite a bit more than my S4 audition - they are my favorite.  The Custom 3 sound better but I'm not sure I can tell the difference and the X5 are easier to use.  

The soon to be released S2 while I'm sure not quite as good as the S4 I think come pretty close when I gave them a quick audition - they're quite a bit smaller - more like a chunky X5 but might fit in the ear deeper so a smaller ear gel will work.  

Good luck.

blsamuel:

Indian,

 Your English is fine.  I can't think of anything more than what Professor Thump posted.  He's the one who's been telling us for months to "Stick It In Your Ear" and we've found we really like it.

Good luck.

I can vouch for the X5.  Though I've only ever tried them for a few minutes - quite a bit more than my S4 audition - they are my favorite.  The Custom 3 sound better but I'm not sure I can tell the difference and the X5 are easier to use.  

The soon to be released S2 while I'm sure not quite as good as the S4 I think come pretty close when I gave them a quick audition - they're quite a bit smaller - more like a chunky X5 but might fit in the ear deeper so a smaller ear gel will work.  

Good luck.

Does S4 creates sound like 2.1 speakers or like as ipod earphones but little more detail than ipod earphones,

because i think my earphones may have manufacturing defect ,

i have showed to my friends and all of them told that S4 creates bit more than normal 20 dollar earphones ,

guitar and some tones are sleeping even after getting good ear seal

what to do , need a big help !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 I've only auditioned the S4 a few minutes but they sounded good to me. 

I can't remember any inexpensive earphones sounding as good but I've only tried a few and it's been a long time as I can't stand the way typical earbuds feel in my ears.  In my short audition I thought they sounded much better than any cheap earbuds I'd tried.

If the highs are kind of muffled it's possible you may have the nozzle directed into a wall of your ear canal rather than into the ear canal itself in which case the sound won't be very good.  The nozzle in most people should be aimed in and at a slight upward angle.  Try experimenting with different angles and rotating the earphones a bit.  Sometimes it helps to pull them back out a bit.  I think one or two of the pictures Professor Thump posted in the blog shows that in a model.  I know with my Custom 2 it took quite a while for me to get it right and I did experience really muffled sound a time or two as I had aimed directly into wall of ear canal.  

Also be sure to keep the nozzles clean.  Any small amount of ear wax, dried lotion flakes, etc can mess up the sound.  

Good luck.