ELECTRONICALLY REPRINTED FROM MAY 2008
equipment
iListen
Klipsch Image
[$349]
f you are in the “bigger is better” camp, then
Klipsch’s Image in-ear headphone will come as
I
quite a surprise. The Images, you see, are not
only the firm’s flagship earbuds, but also—by a significant
margin—the smallest in-ear headphones that Klipsch (or
anybody else) currently makes. But spend a few hours
listening to the tiny Images and you may find yourself con-
vinced that in their case less is definitely more.
Accessories: Three sets of oval-
shaped single-flange eartips
(sizes S, M, and L), two sets of
oval-shapped double-flange eartips
(size S and L), ¼” jack adaptor,
airline adaptor, cleaning tool,
small carrying pouch, and a larger
carry case that can hold the Im-
ages plus an iPod.
sonic character
Weight: 10 grams
Although a bit less sensitive than Klipsch’s Custom-3s (also
reviewed in this survey), the Images also sound extremely
pure, transparent, and open-voiced. Two differences, howev-
er, are that the Images provide slightly warmer tonal balance
and offer somewhat more powerful bass. This combina-
tion of virtues may make the Image as close to a “perfectly
voiced” earbud as anyone has yet built (though you could
build a good case for a few others, too). One of the Image’s
greatest strengths is its ability to convey low-level sonic
information in a pure, believable, cohesive way. Harmonics,
overtones, and other small details always sound like natural,
organic extensions of the voices from which they originate.
It’s a subtle quality that quickly becomes addictive.
Sensitivity: 110db/mW
Visit klipsch.com/headphones or call
1-800-KLIPSCH for more information.
Posted with permission from the May 2008 issue of Playback. Copyright 2008, NextScreen, LLC. All rights reserved. Any unauthorized duplication of this article is strictly prohibited.
For more information on reprints or web postings from Playback, contact Wright’s Reprints at 877-652-5295.
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