Klipsch IMAGE S4 headphones and road noise cancellation

[tribal]

As my handle may suggest I collect HardRock Cafe stuff but it also is fitting as I usually listen to Hard Rock music when I ride.

Well, after 3 pairs of the highly rated Etymotic ER6i's I decided to try something different.

The main reason I tried something else is that 2 of the 3 pairs of ER6i's broke due to the design of the
cable connector. While they tried to design in a way of protecting the cable where it connects to the
jack it actually increases the pressure and can pull the cable out over time with constant use in high
movement activities like skiing and motorcycling.

The 2nd pair dropped into the rear wheel at speed and were mangled so that was my fault.

I didn't think there was anything that could match the ER6i's for sound price/performance but I was wrong!

The Klipsch IMAGE S4's are about the same price (~$80 Amazon) and are just a notch above the ER6i's in sound quality.

I actually went with the Klipsch IMAGE S4i Premium Noise-Isolating Headset w/3-button Apple
control, ($99.99 Amazon) but didn't read the fine print and most of the extra controls only apply to the
iPhone 3GS and some other Apple products and not the 3G I have.

Also, unfortunately as well, the jack cable connector on the S4i is straight out so we'll see how that holds up to my abuse. It should be angled like on the S4's...

A full review of the Klipsche IMAGE S4i is at http://community.klipsch.com/forums/t/122822.aspx

The next step up puts you in the $200-$300 price range and I can't justify paying that much for headphones
that may only last me a year or two and I'd really have to hear the sound quality difference first as the S4 are
superb...

Jim

 

[CaptainCaeruleus]

I am a big Klipsch fan... Had a pair of Cornwall's for years... Will get the corner Klipsch horns somday - probably after my cats die off so they won't use the speaker fiber as a scratching post. I think you are better off getting molded earplugs to fit your ear with built in speakers... Makes all the difference in the world... I love mine... $300 at the DC International bike show...

Mike..

 

[theBarzeen]

I thought about doing the moulded plugs, but my S-plugs have been doing so well for me that I haven't bothered..... good sound quality and when inserted correctly do a great job of piping music in to my ears over the soft purr that the jardines make without having to crank the volume up at all.....