Comments on: Klipsch Custom-2 Headphones Gear Review

By: Adam

Adam — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 05:30:50 +0000

Garderis, I own a pair of Klipsch Custom-3s, and they are the best sounding headphones I’ve ever used. That being said, I don’t like the cord the Custom’s use. It is a thin cord in a pvc jacket, with a [nylon?] cloth weaving over-top instead of rubber/plastic. It is supposed to be durable, but my cord has frayed and the inner pvc tubing is potruding, after only a month of use. Also, kinks have formed in the wire where it is no longer flexible. Klipsch assured me they would replace the headphones at any time within the one-year warranty, and I requested they change their cord [they use a slightly different cord on the IMAGE headphones that may or may not be better durability-wise, I don't know]. The cloth wrapping of the cord also makes anything the cord hits or scratch against very audible through the headphones while you are wearing them, so I wouldn’t use them while doing anything more than a gentle walk. Honestly, they are great sounding headphones, but I’d advice buy them until they fix the cord they use. I have owned two sets of Shures and never found the cord to be much of a problem with thud and scraping sounds, but both of my Shure cords broke (right after the warranties expired, of course, and their customer service isn’t the nicest). I have also owned Ultimate Ears Super.fi 5 Pros, which have a thicker, entwined (two cords wrapped around one-another, instead of one straight cord) cord, and these had virtually no sound effects while moving around wearing them. They are slightly bulkier, though, and don’t sound as nice as Klipsch (they’re about the same quality as Shure, but with a different signature sound that favors natural soundstage instead of smooth quality in the music playback). Their cord is also a little stiff, as it is a heavier plastic. My pair broke while trying to remove one of the “removable” earphones from the cord to see how it worked, so the construction could be sturdier. Westone makes earphones that look like a cross between Klipsch earphones and UE cords, so that might be the perfect solution, but they are a bit more expensive and only come fitted with Comply Foam tips.

Well, they’re you have it. The decision is yours to make, and I hope i was of at least some help.

By: Garderis

Garderis — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 16:04:35 +0000

I used to own a pair of Shure SE210’s until they got stolen. I was extremely happy with the sound from Shure, but the “microphone” effect off the cord was very irritating when walking. When I was searching for a replacement of my SE210’s I came across the Custom 2’s. Through Klipsch’s advertising I assumed the microphoning effect I experienced with the 210’s would be reduced. Can you or anyone else give me more feedback with this area? Would you say the sound quality of the 210’s and Custom 2’s are close? Would you say the microphoning effect is reduced b/c of the extra technology in Klipsch’s cords?

Thanks!

By: Jim McIntosh

Jim McIntosh — Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:24 +0000

I’m not sure I would recommend these for riding (mt biking or on snow). They are durable with a nice cord but I personally like to hear ambient noise with some backgorund music when I’m on my own or with a buddy in the backcountry. One other element I didn’t mention in the review is that when traveling up or down in elevation the snug fitting gels cause my ears to build up pressure making the ear piece a little uncomfortable.

If your talking about pure audio, they rock.

By: Brig Graff

Brig Graff — Thu, 01 May 2008 02:37:16 +0000

sick headphones… how would they work while riding? shock- or water-resistant?