Review the Klipsch Image S4i In-Ear Headset
Overall Rating: 4.0/5.0
Klipsch Image S4i In-Ear Headset
The Klipsch Image S4i In-Ear Headset is a high end earbud headphone. It is one of the more popular sound isolating headphones on the market today. On Amazon, the Klipsch Image S4i In-Ear Headset has 77 reviews with an average star rating of 4.0 out of 5.
This is a earbud not an over the ear or around the ear headset. Some people love that, because wearing a heavy headphone for a long 8 hour airplane flight can be uncomfortable and carrying a headphone around is less convenient then carrying something light. Ultimate Ears are not uncomfortable, and are extermely light at 0.6 ounces. Many users swear that earbuds are much better if you commute on a daily basis.
As a sound isolating earbud, this headset does not have active noise cancellation. Instead it uses sound isolation to block outside noise.
The sound quality is pretty good, better then for many earbuds, but it does not have separate speakers for bass and high frequencies like the Ultimate Ears TripleFi 10. This means the sound quality is a bit better on bass then at high frequencies.
The navigation controls and flexibility of the Klipsch Image S4i is pretty impressive, if you own any Apple iPhone, as you can very easily toggle between listening to music and taking calls. There is also good navigation to pause/play and skip music.
This headphone, of course, by virtue of not having active noise cancellation technology, does not require a battery which is another plus.
Here is one of the reviews on Amazon:
I purchased 3 different in-ear earphones for use with my gixxer 600 sportsbike. I have repeatedly tested them using the same songs on my iPhone 3GS, same helmet and gloves for about 1 week. Here is how I would rate them (considering price):
Klipsch S4i >>> noise isolation C, bass response A, remote A, ear canal comfort B. Cost $99
Etymotic M3 >>> noise isolation A, bass response C, remote B, ear canal comfort C. Cost $99
Eytmotic HF2 >>> noise isolation A, bass response B, remote C, ear canal comfort A. Cost 159
The Etys were best at noise isolation (really blocks out engine and road noises). But there ENDS the similarities between M3 and HF2.
The problem with M3 is its tiny 3-button remote is barely usable unless you have really tiny fingers (it gets worse when I am wearing gloves while riding, it is impossible to “feel” the buttons). The built-in microphone is also of poor quality (my buddies say I sounded thin over the phone). The actual speaker tubes are quite thick (inserting them into my ear canal caused a lot of stress and became uncomfortable after extended period of time). It is also the least sensitive (requiring about 25% more volume dial). Its sound quality very good but not as good as the HF2 or S4i.
The HF2 is hands down the winner in all categories, but it is the most expensive one and lacks 3-button control. Although it uses the same 3-flange eartip as the M3, I found the HF2 very comfortable because its “balanced armature” speaker tubes are really tiny (about the size of a pencil lead, very easy to insert into ear canal). It also offers the highest sensitivity (requires about 25% less volume dial on my iPhone 3GS) and the highest accuracy (as in highs are clear, lows are punchy and none of the frequencies are over-blown). The noise isolation also superb (blocks out 90% of the engine and road noises).
The S4i offers the best bass response. I would say it is about 50% stronger than the Etys. This much bass may or may not suit you, depending on personal taste. I find it great for hip-pop type of music but poor for instrumentals (the pianos sounded a bit distorted). Its microphone is better than HF2. Its 3-button remote is bigger and easier to use than HF2. Its sensitivity and accuracy are very close to the HF2. The only problem I want to point out is that S4i uses oval-shaped eartips that do not seal as well as the Etys. They did not fit my ear canal well and blocked out only half the noise. Comfort wise, it is better than M3 but worse than HF2.
Of all these 3, I would say either go with the Etymotic HF2 for its supreme noise isolation, in-ear comfort and clarity – OR – go with the Klipsch S4i for its stronger bass and better remote. Skip the Etymotic M3 because it is uncomfortable (thick tubes), has tiny remotes (hard to “feel” buttons) and offers the lowest sensitivity (requires highest volume dial).
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