I too am excited to hear these new phones!  As an owner of at least one pair of Heritage speakers since I was 18, I can't wait to have Klipsch in my ears at the gym too!  I currently use a pair of very inexpensive Koss Spark Plugs that suit my needs, especially at their price point. 

Here's why I'm somewhat reluctant to buy a more expensive ear phone:  I listen to earphones every day while I run and during nearly all outdoor chores around the house. . .about a total of 10 hours per week.  About every 6 months, a channel cuts out and I need a new pair.  I switched to Koss because of their "no questions asked" return policy.  Heck, they even gave me a 2nd pair so I had a backup when the ones I'm using don't work anymore.  I'm guessing the main reason I experience problems after about 250 hours of use has to do with the gauge of wire needed to make these phones.  What is the warranty on the new Klipsch phones?  Is the life expectancy I have with my current phones typical of all ear phones, or just less expensive ones?  My limited research of reviews on Newegg tells me that nearly all earphones, regardless of cost, suffer from a short shelf life.  I want to stress that I store my phones inside my house and the cord doesn't get hung up on anything while they're used. . .I'm trying to say that I take care not to abuse them. 

Anyone else have similar experiences?

tidmack, one of my vendors sent me a pair of Koss Sparkplugs for free last year and granted for $11.88 a pair on their website these little phone do sound better than iPod stock phones I have never liked the uncomfortable fit of the Koss and they are no where in the same ball park with you $100.00 plus IEM's which are miles ahead of the Sparkplugs especially in build quality.

 I have a plethora of IEM's and none of mine have had any channel problems. If you enjoy your Sparkplugs I think you woukld be tickled pink with the new Custom 1's from Klipsch although they might cost you 10 times as much they will be Klipsch quality all the way and with proper care should last a long time trouble free.

For some reason, I thought my $100.00 headphones would sound better than my Cornwalls.

Right up to the ear and all.

Another lesson learned.

Tells me what a good pair of speakers I have!

arfandbark:

For some reason, I thought my $100.00 headphones would sound better than my Cornwalls.

Right up to the ear and all.

Another lesson learned.

Tells me what a good pair of speakers I have!

You won't FEEL the bass, that's for sure. I have heard of folks putting bass shakers on their chairs for when they wear headphones.

Bruce 

colterphoto1:

Thumpowski,

I used the Custom 1 (is that the name for the black ones?) yesterday in the van. Got the correct seal this time. Fit is absolutely crucial to sealing out ambient noise and getting proper bass response. These are wonderful now, not as detailed as the 3 (obviously), but I'm going to spend a few hours with each during this weekend. Will give a full report later. Have my iPod crammed full of misc Jazz, Roy and Mark K's fave's (exquisitely recorded), and some rock- ALL on Lossless format I might add.

Want to share these with some friends- PLEASE send your form to me this am if you read this.

Michael

Rock Star Mike,

Hopefully you got the evaluation form from me.  Let me know if you didn't. 

I look forward to hearing everyones comments.  Rock On!

BTW... The soft end goes in your ear, not the shinny narrow one that measures 1/8".  You will find that you get a better seal if you follow this rule of thumb.  Let me know if you need a diagram. 

Stick it in your ear!!!...... The soft end that is........

I will let Mark handle the questions about our Klipsch products.  However, I will share some experience from using other headphones.  Like you, tidmack, I try to take good care of my headphones.  I try to buy the carrying cases, wrap the cables correctly, etc.

I had some Sony "in-ear" headphones while in college.  These were the ones which had soft tips like in-ear monitors, but they didn't really seal, and they weren't "pro style" (over the ear).  I got about 2 years out of these before I think one of the micro-speakers blew out (lots of distortion, etc).  At that time I paid about $50.  I got a set of Shure E2c's about 2 years ago (for free, it was nice).  Those are $100 retail.  Aside from losing an eartip on a plane, I have had no problem with these.  Like you, I use them to mow the yard, etc.  Now that I travel for work, I have given them even more use.  I'd bet I could get at least 2 years more out of them.

When you compare these two models, the Shure ones use a thicker cable.  I'd say it has about twice the diameter of the Sony ones.  Also, the strain relief on the Shure ones is much improved.  The strain relief (or lack thereof) is probably an important factor to consider as well.  Most cheap ones will use some little rubber piece attached at the end which clamps to the cable.  Since the E2c's are clear, you can actually see they have some strain relief on the cable on the inside of the shell, as well as a higher-quality rubber piece on the outside.  Of course, you would also conclude that Shure would know how to make their headphones though because of all the touring acts that use them.  So, they have a lot of test data to support "rough" use.

There is another component that I cannot speak to.  That would be the fact that I have always owned micro-speaker models (because I'm cheap).  Even the free E2c's are micro-speakers.  The balanced armature drivers in all of the Klipsch products are completely different in operation from a "normal" transducer.  Based on my engineering instincts I would suspect that the armatures don't have to work as hard and would probably last longer than any micro-speaker, including higher-quality ones like the E2c.  However, I reserve the right for Mark to tell me how wrong I am.

So, based on my own observations, craftsmanship (and thus price) does make a difference in durability.

IV Stringer

Thanks for your input, it's appreciated.  Anyone know when these will be ready for production?

Ships in November...

Then you can... Stick it in your Ear!

Professor Thump:

Ships in November...

 

Then you can... Stick it in your Ear!

He Shoots- HE SCORES!!!!  

Congratulations Mark! Looking forward to the product roll-out shindig. (there will be a shindig won't there?) 

Slam Dunk!

Party?  Did I hear party? 

Professor Thump:

Ahhh sure... Can we use your little speakers you got of the 18 wheeler last week?

I"m going to load up the bass bins this weekend.... but need more K43's if anyone has any spares.

M