audiosplitz: Klipsch

IT Show 2016 - Portable Music Roundup

March 12, 2016

One of the quarterly consumer tech shows is now in full swing at Suntec Convention Centre from 10 to 13 Mar 2016.

Wait no more!
Check out our roundup of portable audio gizmos at the IT Show 2016 that is going for steal.

Wireless Earphones

Earin
Price: SGD 329 (from SGD 349)
Features - Totally wireless (ie. no cables) / Trend setter / With charging capsule
Location - audiosplitz / Treoo (6571)

Jabra Rox Wireless
Price: SGD 128 (from SGD 168) with Free Magnetic Pouch
Features - Wireless / Dust and water proof
Location - Best (8245) / Harvey Norman (6138) / Nubox (309)

Wireless Headphones

Sennheiser URBANITE XL Wireless
Price: SGD 419 with Free Gift of either OCX 686 Sports or PMX 686 Sports wired earphones (each valued SGD 149)
Features - Over-ears comfort / Wireless or wired / Touch controls / NFC
Location - Sennheiser

Sony MDR-1ABT
Price: SGD 399 (from SGD 499)
Features: Over-ears comfort / Wireless or wired / Touch controls / NFC
Location: Treoo (6571)

Noise Canceling
Bose QuietComfort 20 (QC 20)
Price: SGD 399 (from SGD 499)
Features: Kick-ass noise canceling / Wired / Aware button for toggling ambient sound level
Location: Atlas Warehouse Sale (336)

Sports Earphones (Wired / Wireless)
Bose SoundSport In-Ear
Price: SGD 99 (from SGD 219)
Features: Wired / Great value / Comfortable StayHear tips
Location: Atlas Warehouse Sale (336)

Jaybird X2 Wireless
Price: SGD 229 (from SGD 259)
Features: Wireless / Excellent sound / Great fit / Comply Foam tips
Location: audiosplitz / Treoo (6571)

Sony NWZ-WS413
Price: SGD 149 with Free Casing
Features - Dust and Waterproof (you can swim with it!) / 4GB memory / No external music device needed
Location - Sony (8115)

Wired Earphones
Jays a-JAYS Five
Price: SGD 108 (from $138) for Android / iOS
Price: SGD 69 (from $138) for Windows
Features - Great value / Great bass / Dedicated in-line remote for device type
Location - Treoo (6571)

Wired Headphones
Klipsch Reference R6i On-Ear
Price: SGD 175 (from SGD 199) for 1 pair purchase promo at 10% off
Price: SGD 169 (from SGD 199) for 2 pairs purchase promo at 15% off.
Features - Very lightweight / Great bass / iOS compatible remote
Location - Best (8245) / Challenger (8321) / epiCentre (8101) / Harvey Norman (6138) / Nubox (309)

Speakers
UE BOOM 2
Price: SGD 269 (from SGD 319)
Features - Wireless / 360 degree type / 15h battery life
Location - Best (8245) / EpiCentre (8101) / Nubox (309)

aptX

Klipsch R6 In-Ear Bluetooth - First Glimpse

January 29, 2016

Mid-Dec 2015 saw the launch of the Klipsch R6 In-Ear Bluetooth, a behind-the-ears type of earphones. Klipsch certainly appears to be on a roll after just recently announcing their new generation of X-series in-ears.

What's the Big Deal

1. First Bluetooth In-Ears
While they have produced on-ear Bluetooth headphones like the Image ONE, this unit marks Klipsch's first foray into Bluetooth for in-ears. This unit runs on Bluetooth 4.0, promising better power saving. We expect even more audio manufacturers to enter the Bluetooth fray within the year, possibly in anticipation of the new audio-jackless iPhone 7.

2. Sound Quality
The Klipsch supports the aptX audio codec, promising near CD-quality sound. They boast dual-magnet moving coil drivers that cover a wide frequency range. Combine the above with the patented oval ear-tips and it all gives a very strong hint of a more than adequate level of sound to expect.

3. Battery Life
8 hours is pretty much a good number for a pair of Bluetooth Wireless in-ears. The more sports-oriented in-ears like the Jaybird X2 Wireless (worn behind-the-ears or under-ears) hits that very same level while the Beats Powerbeats2 Wireless (clip-on style) maxes at 6 hours.

4. Wire-Cinch
Similar to the Jabra Sport Coach or the Jaybird X2 Wireless, this nifty cinch allows you to bundle the cables to reduce the cable rustle / microphonics.

5. cVc Microphone
This feature supposedly enhances the voice clarity and reduces the environmental noise. Not sure about the performance, but this no doubt will come in handy when taking calls.

Pricing
The Klipsch R6 In-Ear Bluetooth retails in Singapore for SGD 299. Overseas, the price goes at an MSRP of USD 149.

Availability
Tat Chuan Acoustic, Klipsch's distributor for Singapore announced that the R6 In-Ear Bluetooth is available as of 15 Jan 2016.

We are currently testing out this unit and will update this page with the full product review shortly!

Update (14 Mar 2016)
Check out our full review over here.

Where To Buy
If you like what you have read on the product, do feel free to support me by buying from Amazon via this affiliate link. Prices start from USD 77.

Audio Quality

Klipsch Reference X20i - New In-Ear Flagship

December 19, 2015

The Klipsch Reference X20i was launched in mid-November 2015 along with 3 other in-ear products. This unit now replaces its previous flagship earphones, the X11i, as Klipsch's top-of-the-line unit. Boasting a dual-armature design and retailing at SGD 999, we dive in to review the unit.

Design
Let's take a glimpse at the unboxing. The box is a solidly crafted wooden container with a black sleeve that boldly announces the product.

On sliding off the sleeve, we are greeted with a deboss of the Klipsch logo on the wooden front.

Removing the lid unveils a premium looking leather pouch that contains the X20i in-ear monitor (IEM). A closer inspection of the box reveals there are small magnets at the top and bottom that hold the lid firmly shut, a nice touch that gives assurance that its contents won't fall out very easily.

Once you remove the pouch and underlying user guide, you'll find a tray containing 5 sets of silicon ear tip sizes and a tie bar for clipping to earphones to your shirt.

The full packaging contents are as follows:
- Klipsch Reference X20i
- 6 Super Slim Ear Tips (1 set which is on the earphones)
- Carrying pouch
- Owner's manual

The Klipsch Reference X20i comes in a single color variant - a black finish. At 22g, the chassis is relatively light considering it is forged from 'surgical-grade' stainless steel, promising a certain level of durability. They are designed not to fit perpendicular into your ear hole but to rest at a comfortable incline.

One big plus is the 1.2m cable is tangle-free and it proves to be the case after stashing and taking it out on a few occasions. The cable itself is quite an eye-catcher, with its translucent nature revealing the copper wires concealed within.

The carrying case is made of genuine leather and resembles a coin pouch, complete with a magnetic clasp, with sufficient space to slot the earphones within.

Features
The cables of the Reference X20i are interchangeable. What this means is both the left and right sides come with screw-type coaxial SSMCX connectors to allow for a convenient exchange of cables should the need arise through wear and tear over the years. It's worth noting that the Jays q-JAYS implemented similar connectors but were placed right at the base of the ear piece.

Starting from one end of the cable, you get the 3.5mm straight jack which provides a sturdy connection to your music device.

Moving further up, there's the cylindrical Y-connector with the Klipsch logo printed on it. The in-line remote lies on the left cable and comes with a multi-function button meant for playback (single press), track changing (double or triple press), taking calls and is flanked with 2 volume buttons.

Performance
You really have to test out each pair of silicon ear tips for the best level of comfort. Klipsch emphasizes that these are super-slim oval ear tips that are more elliptical than previous efforts making for a more comfortable experience. Out of the 4 single- and 2 double-flange tips, I found that the Large double-flange suited best and they did just fine when used in excess of an hour.

From the audio quality perspective, I was rather underwhelmed initially as the sound delivery appeared muffled somewhat. I decided to put the earphones through the paces with a (meagre) 50 hours of continuous playback to 'break-in' the X20i.

We took them out for a spin after the break-in period. A listen of In The Dark provided a well balanced delivery of Sarah Cracknell's vocals against a dreamy backdrop of acoustic playback. Joe Hisaishi's One Summer's Day piano buildup is never blindingly crisp but the combined orchestration from the 04:00 mark convinces of the X20i's ability to separate instruments.

I felt that the emphasis was not on the clarity but more on the overall delivery of the sound. While this is a rather flat sounding pair of IEMs, which audiophiles would love, there is a slight hint bass which made the music more engaging and this worked for me.

Noise isolation is quite decent. When tested on a bus (and when fitted nicely), the X20i is able to block off a reasonable level of ambient sound and engine revs.

Overall
The Klipsch Reference X20i is undoubtedly a good pair of in-ears though its price point may cause some concern. If the question is whether other in-ears can deliver a comparable sound, there are definitely cheaper options out there. If the question is whether this is a good IEM to invest in, the well balanced sound, comfortable fit and the nature of the interchangeable cables make this a good choice for the long haul.

Where To Buy

If you like what you have read on the product, do feel free to support me by buying from Amazon via this affiliate link. The price start from USD 439 and is bundled with some additional goodies!

Audio Sources
One Summer's Day (Spirited Away OST) - Joe Hisaishi (Tidal 1411kbps FLAC) on iPhone 6S
In The Dark - Sarah Cracknell (960kbps FLAC) on Sony NW-ZX100 Walkman

Credit to Tat Chuan Acoustic for an evaluation unit.

In-Ears

Klipsch's New Reference X-series

November 21, 2015

Headphones

Klipsch Reference R6i On-Ear - Bang for the Buck

November 12, 2015

Klipsch, the Indianapolis-based company, are a well established audio manufacturer in the in-ear earphones category. Wired on-ear headphones are another matter altogether with a lesser but growing emphasis. Earlier in 2015, we saw the introduction of the Reference On-Ear.

In late September 2015, Klipsch launched the Reference R6i On-Ear (SGD 199), a wired unit targeted at iOS users that builds on the momentum of its predecessor.

Design
Let's look at the unboxing process.

To get the box open, we cut the transparent seals and lift up the flap at the bottom. Sliding out the cardboard interior reveals the headphones proper and that's basically it.

The very straightforward no-frills packaging contents include:
- Headphones
- Carrying pouch
- Quick start guide

On taking out the Reference R6i On-Ear headphones, we can say that they are featherweight. It clocks in at 160g and is way lighter than other wired on-ears like the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 2.0 On-Ear (190g) we are currently testing and the Master & Dynamic MH30 (260g).

To be absolutely frank, I was a little skeptical before taking out these headphones to test as the 'Reference' label is something that audiophiles take quite seriously. The new Reference R6i On-Ear is debatably as good as its predecessor given its price - more style, more comfort and is actually more affordable. As for sound, more on this below.

While the material used is less premium than its predecessor, Klipsch made good use of what was available. The outer ear cups are made of aluminum-like material and the headband is made of a rubberized matte finish.

To store the unit, just swivel the ear cups 90 degrees to compact the headphones before stashing it inside the carrying pouch.

Features
The audio cables hang on both the left and right ear cups and link up at the Y-connector where the in-line remote resides. We're not sure why they chose non-removable cables and why there are two points of cabled contact with the ear cups where usually one is more convenient as it reduces cable tangle. When you move your head around, you may hear the some plastic rustling, which is actually the rather loose cable point of contact with the ear cups.

At the other end of the audio cable, the vertical 3.5mm jack will connect to your audio device. However, the connection feels rather loose and may disconnect intermittently, a rather big niggling point if you are on the move very often.

The in-line remote contains the usual 3 buttons for playback - two for volume adjustment and the center for multi-function purposes. Oh, and they are configured for iOS users (sorry Android folks).

The ear cups are replaceable. However, they are not for sale but if they are defective, they can be exchanged if the unit is still under warranty.

Update (22 Nov 2015)
Tat Chuan Acoustic informed that the ear cups are actually available at SGD 40 for a pair.

Performance
This is probably one of the most comfortable on-ear headphones I've tested. The elliptical shape of the cups provides a decent breathing space for your ears and comes very close to being a full over-ears design. It also helps that the underlying material is made of memory foam.

On to audio quality. John Murphy's signature In the House-In A Heartbeat was delightfully ominous with the bass buildup. On the other hand, Tove Lo's vocals in her angsty Moments were somewhat squeezed out by the power of the underlying bass.

The 'Reference' label may not be so appropriate for this unit as it implies a very neutral sound that neither overemphasizes the treble or the bass. I felt this was a very bass-tuned pair of headphones. The clarity was not at the crystal level of its predecessor, the Reference On-Ear, but the bass delivered a greater depth and punch, providing a pretty satisfying aural experience.

The noise isolation was tested during a bus commute and the result was unexpectedly poor as ambient sounds could easily heard through the music playback.

Overall
The Klipsch Reference R6i On-Ear is a very good pair of headphones at its price point. Looking beyond the potentially loose point of contact with your source device, all its plus points like the comfort level, light weight, bass level and one year warranty (with one-to-one exchange) make this a very enticing proposition for folks on the move.

Audio Sources
In The House-In A Heartbeat (28 Days Later OST) - John Murphy (Spotify 320kbps MP3) on iPad Air
Moments - Tove Lo (Tidal 1411kbps FLAC) on Samsung Galaxy S4

Credit to Tat Chuan Acoustic for a review unit.