Crutchfield Staff Reviews : Klipsch

Video: Klipsch Reference Series Speakers

Crutchfield Video — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 14:08:00 GMT

Our new Klipsch® Reference Series Speaker video features Chris and Steve discussing the line. Steve regularly hosts audiophile listening session at his home, and the Klipsch RB-61 speakers were used at a session held just a few days before this video...(read more)

Klipsch in-ear headphones -- upon further listening....

Jim Ralston — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 15:24:00 GMT

Just wanted to share a quick note regarding my recent post comparing Klipsch headphones.

I went several days without listening to my Custom-1s, or any other headphones for that matter. Just this afternoon I fired them up on a track from the album Geogaddi by the trip-hop duo Boards of Canada -- and I was surprised again by how big and punchy everything sounded, including the bass. So ultimately, I think the Custom-1s hold their own nicely. If I hadn't ever compared them directly with the Custom-3s, I probably wouldn't have heard anything missing or lacking at all.

And also, a brief word of advice: with any in-ear headphone, getting the proper fit can have a huge impact on sound quality. Most of these headphones come with an assortment of earbud attachments, and it's worth your time to experiment with them in order to find the ones that create the most comfortable (yet complete) seal inside your ear canal. Otherwise, you may not be experiencing the best sound your 'phones can give you.

Klipsch AW-650 outdoor speakers make a deck magnetic

Chris E — Thu, 29 May 2008 15:30:00 GMT

I love it when my friends buy new gear and we all get to enjoy the benefits. My best friend’s husband just installed a pair of Klipsch® AW-650 outdoor speakers on their back deck, making it the best place to hang out, by far.

When Jeff chose these speakers for Brandy, he also had her daycare kids in mind. Now they can listen to their preschool tunes when they play outside on the deck and beyond. Instead of positioning the speakers downward, to bounce the sound off of the deck, Jeff pointed the speakers straight out towards the swing set and sandbox. You can read more about his setup in my related post on our "Use and Enjoy Your A/V Gear" blog.

One drawback to outdoor sound is that it more easily dissipates into the air. This is where Klipsch’s horn-loaded drivers really work their magic. When you call out to someone from a distance, you cup your hands around your mouth to form a "horn," so you'll be heard. In much the same way, these drivers more accurately and efficiently send sound to Brandy's deck and back yard.

As I stroll from one end of the deck to the other, I hear changes in volume — some spots are a bit "sweeter" than others. This probably has to do with the way Jeff aimed the speakers outward instead of downward. But overall, the sound is spot-on. I hear plenty of crisp bass, even without a subwoofer. The music is full, precise, and lifelike.

These speakers also look nice. Jeff got white ones to match their white vinyl siding, but it’s also possible to paint the grilles. All of the mounting hardware is included, and Jeff achieved a really clean, wires-out-of-the-way installation.

Although it's early to tell how well the speakers will stand up to the elements, they should be fine. They're designed for outdoor use, with rust-proof, UV-resistant enclosures to weather harsh sun, rain, and snow. Jeff positioned them under eaves, which will surely help. I can say that we’ve had some pretty severe storms in the few weeks since they’ve been mounted, and they’re still delivering the same awesome sound.

So Jeff's gift to Brandy was perfect — especially since her daycare kids and all her friends get to enjoy her speakers, too. They definitely beat that old boom box she used to put on the picnic table.

Comparing Klipsch in-ear headphones

Jim Ralston — Fri, 16 May 2008 14:00:00 GMT

I've owned a set of Klipsch Custom-1 in-ear headphones for a couple months now, and I've been putting them to frequent use with my iPod. More recently, my friend DaveB got a set of the higher-end Custom-3s, and he was kind enough to let me borrow them so I could listen to the two models back to back, for comparison's sake.

The more expensive Custom-3s feature two separate "drivers" to produce sound, instead of just one for the Custom-1. I'm using the term "driver" loosely — the moving parts in these Klipsch headphones are actually called "armatures" and aren't shaped like traditional speaker drivers. With the Custom-3, one armature produces low frequencies, and the other produces highs; a crossover network sends the audio frequencies to the correct armature. I knew this difference on paper, but was curious to hear it for myself.

A quick note about the comfort factor
My Custom-1s are easily the most comfortable set of headphones I've ever owned, and the Custom-3s are identical in terms of fit. Both models feature an assortment of interchangeable ear gels. The gels have a slightly oval shape — Klipsch's research found this to be a better match for most people's ear canals than a perfectly round gel. Both pairs also have pliable built-in wire clips that go over your ears to hold the 'phones in place.

Listening comparisons
I used my iPod as the audio source, and just started grabbing random tracks. I encode most of my music as 192 Kbps (kilobits-per-second) AAC files. I feel like this setting gives me considerably better sound than the default 128 Kbps setting in iTunes. Despite the lossy compression of the source, I found that both sets of headphones brought out lots of sonic details.

On a cut from Bill Frisell's The Intercontinentals, the Custom-1s did a great job reproducing the vibrant tone of a Fender telecaster, along with lifelike acoustic strings and crisp hand percussion. Backing up the track and listening again with the Custom-3s, everything sounded a bit livelier and bass was noticeably fuller. The hand percussion wasn't just crisp anymore — it had the unmistakable low-end punch of a djembe.

On Beck's Sea Change album, string and synth arrangements felt big and lush with the Custom-3s. In contrast, the Custom-1s didn't sound as full, but Beck's soft, almost sleepy vocals seemed more prominent, and I found myself noticing more little details like the squeak of an acoustic guitar string.

The bottom line
To sum up the differences I heard: the Custom-3s had fuller bass and more high-frequency shimmer. Instruments had a more visceral, immediate attack across the board. It makes perfect sense, considering their additional cost. However, the Custom-1s presented lots of midrange detail, and on some cuts I found myself actually preferring the way they emphasized certain things, like the timbre of an acoustic instrument or a singer's voice.

Of course, sound is always a matter of personal taste. Have an opinion about these headphones you'd like to share? We'd love to hear it.