Klipsch Image S4i Review
PrintThe Look of Love
Magnificent headphones can transform everyday listening sessions into mystical experiences: Like a two-way conversation with God—or watching the Lakers lose in the finals. Klipsch has produced some of our favorite speaker systems, but we would never have predicted that any manufacturer’s rookie earbud effort would bring us so close to sonic nirvana.
Klipsch has successfully transferred their expertise building mega speakers into designing earbuds.
Auditioning Klipsch’s Image S4i earbuds was an absolute thrill. They revealed incredibly subtle elements of recordings we’d never picked up before, ranging from crowd comments on live recordings to discovering there are two Pauls and no Johns on certain Beatles choruses. Hearing new details on sessions we’ve heard a million times became an almost every-song occurrence. They’re tremendously clear, and they delivered stunning separation and presence. The S4i’s cord features an in-line mic, too, with a three-button remote for controlling an iPhone or iPod.
What else can one say? These headphones will get you there; they possess that magical X factor that makes you feel as though you’re in the studio with the artists, and they’ll make you fall in love with whatever’s playing.
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Klipsch Image S4i
Casino Royale (2006)
Sublime sound for the price; in-line mic; highly recommended.
Casino Royale (1967)
The buds tended to wiggle out of optimal position when we were on the move.
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Comments
HOYT
June 18, 2010 at 8:13pm
I bought these to try and replace my Triton AX360 gaming headset, i was a little disapointed that i could not use the Mic with my Xfi soundcard it would be nice to use for Ventrlio or Team spaeak..... However these headphones are still like nothing I have ever experienced before. the sound isolation is amazing and footsteps never sounded more clear and directionaly accurate... I have also used these in my wifes Iphone and the sound just blew me away it was like haveing a concert right in my head. now if they can just make a Gameing headset...lol
teardrop3d
June 11, 2010 at 8:35am
The image and the X10s are EXACTLY the same. Klipsch renamed them when they introduced the X5s into their line up. The X10s are also known as Klipsch X10 Image....
Personally I owned the X10s and currently use the S4i (mainly as a my jogging/workout buds - I have expensive tastes!) I think the X10s are brilliant sounding and the comfort is second to none - except for microphonics. However the S4i is a better solution to 90% of people - expecially people who are still using 128kbps music. Also the huge bass boost will satisfy more people. The X10s loses a little boom for more highs. But at the end of the day I got rid of my X10s as I thought they were too fragile and I had other IEMs I preferred
aarongobo
June 10, 2010 at 1:08pm
I really enjoy listening to my S4s, just as I enjoy watching the Lakers win in the finals :P But why no kick-ass award? All headphones without custom fittings will move around with enough movement...
bigsarge72
June 10, 2010 at 1:18am
Klipsch has been making earbuds for a couple of years now, so I don't think these are their "rookie effort". I have a pair of Klipsch Image headphones (http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/headphones/klipsch-image-earphones-review) which are some of the highest rated earbuds made. Yes they are expensive, but I bought mine during a sale for almost 1/2 price. The sound is amazing, and yes, you can tell a difference between their sound and cheaper headphones. They also make a cheaper version of the Image called the Image X10 I think.
dcrail
June 09, 2010 at 8:08pm
An "in-line mac"? I knew apple could build a small pc, but that's crazy.
MrMick
June 10, 2010 at 10:13am
Thanks for bringing the typo to our attention!
Cheers,
Mike
Michael Brown, Reviews Editor
Twitter: brownieshq
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