dr dougie
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2008
- Posts
- 132
- Likes
- 10
I feel bad posting a negative when there is a lot to like about the IMAGE so here's a more full opinion from me.
The usual high end stuff is included such as a nice case and airplane dual prong adapter. Have to say I still use my Sony MDR EX71 felt bag because it's just big enough for my Zen and buds and fits in a pocket easier. Construction seems first rate. The wires are a bit stiffer than those with the super-soft rubber coating but I suspect this means it will last.
All that computer analysis of silicone ear canal molds paid off and Klipsch nailed the eargonomics at least for me. They are very easy to put in and get a good seal with using the standard oval gel tips and they stay in well enough so you can even take them to the gym, ride a bike etc. if you can keep the wires under control so they don't tug.
They're small and very comfortable and I quickly forget I'm wearing them. Maybe the only thing I have to watch is actually putting them in a bit too far as a holdover from struggling with other IEMs, so I'm careful to wiggle and tug a little as a last step but otherwise it's as easy as pop them in and pop them out. You can fool with the sq some by messing with the seal.
On to the sound. My first impression that has stayed with me is - wow what nice bass. This was the last thing I expected from the little guys but it's deep, smooth and articulate with maybe the Klipsch mid-bass hump in there somewhere. My favorite kind of music to listen to with these has wound up being heavier rock like Breaking Benjamin and Disturbed and enjoying some power bass like never before.
Detail is superb. I would say these are very fast IEMs but I would love to hear what other people think. I can just about count how many snares a snare drum has with these. Echos abound, bass drum echoes like you've probably never heard before. Seperation and dynamic range are great as you'd expect.
Isolation is what you'd expect with the single flange oval buds. Maybe 10-12db or so?
Soundstage. Here is another small detraction. Soundstage is immediate but curiously closed as another poster mentioned. I have a bunch of true binaural recordings (made with two microphones the same distance apart as your ears) and most headsets place you right into the middle of the sound so you can hear glasses clinking behind you for example. I'm not getting a great soundstage of these recordings with the IMAGES. Again as the other reviewer noted it's definitely not a 360 degree sound, but it's ok and not really a problem.
Treble. As I noted the treble seems a little harsh to me. I first noticed it as again another poster pointed out, some vocals are bright and centered and just get into your head too much. A CD I like to use as a female vocal standard is Sarah McLachlan's Fumbling Towards Ecstasy where you can listen for how natural and distinct the intertwined two vocal and lead guitar parts are (example: Good Enough). Distinct with the IMAGEs yes, natural - not quite. The vocal treble can be improved a little with eq (+1k and -2k) and making sure your seal is good but I'm looking forward to hearing if Shure tips or others can soften it some more.
So that's where I am with the IMAGEs. I'm having my little problems with them but also loving the comfort, portability and overall great sound and they're definitely staying in my ears.
The usual high end stuff is included such as a nice case and airplane dual prong adapter. Have to say I still use my Sony MDR EX71 felt bag because it's just big enough for my Zen and buds and fits in a pocket easier. Construction seems first rate. The wires are a bit stiffer than those with the super-soft rubber coating but I suspect this means it will last.
All that computer analysis of silicone ear canal molds paid off and Klipsch nailed the eargonomics at least for me. They are very easy to put in and get a good seal with using the standard oval gel tips and they stay in well enough so you can even take them to the gym, ride a bike etc. if you can keep the wires under control so they don't tug.
They're small and very comfortable and I quickly forget I'm wearing them. Maybe the only thing I have to watch is actually putting them in a bit too far as a holdover from struggling with other IEMs, so I'm careful to wiggle and tug a little as a last step but otherwise it's as easy as pop them in and pop them out. You can fool with the sq some by messing with the seal.
On to the sound. My first impression that has stayed with me is - wow what nice bass. This was the last thing I expected from the little guys but it's deep, smooth and articulate with maybe the Klipsch mid-bass hump in there somewhere. My favorite kind of music to listen to with these has wound up being heavier rock like Breaking Benjamin and Disturbed and enjoying some power bass like never before.
Detail is superb. I would say these are very fast IEMs but I would love to hear what other people think. I can just about count how many snares a snare drum has with these. Echos abound, bass drum echoes like you've probably never heard before. Seperation and dynamic range are great as you'd expect.
Isolation is what you'd expect with the single flange oval buds. Maybe 10-12db or so?
Soundstage. Here is another small detraction. Soundstage is immediate but curiously closed as another poster mentioned. I have a bunch of true binaural recordings (made with two microphones the same distance apart as your ears) and most headsets place you right into the middle of the sound so you can hear glasses clinking behind you for example. I'm not getting a great soundstage of these recordings with the IMAGES. Again as the other reviewer noted it's definitely not a 360 degree sound, but it's ok and not really a problem.
Treble. As I noted the treble seems a little harsh to me. I first noticed it as again another poster pointed out, some vocals are bright and centered and just get into your head too much. A CD I like to use as a female vocal standard is Sarah McLachlan's Fumbling Towards Ecstasy where you can listen for how natural and distinct the intertwined two vocal and lead guitar parts are (example: Good Enough). Distinct with the IMAGEs yes, natural - not quite. The vocal treble can be improved a little with eq (+1k and -2k) and making sure your seal is good but I'm looking forward to hearing if Shure tips or others can soften it some more.
So that's where I am with the IMAGEs. I'm having my little problems with them but also loving the comfort, portability and overall great sound and they're definitely staying in my ears.
