Klipsch Custom-3 In-Ear Noise-Isolating Earphones Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)***Note: This review has been updated since originally posted. Please check the "Comments" on this review for further discussion as well!SO, you're shopping for high-end earphones, eh?Let me begin with this: you've found the right products.

This is a review of BOTH the Klipsch Image X-10 earphones and the Klipsch Custom-3 earphones.(Amazon used to group reviews for all Klipsch headphones together for some reason...now they are separated, but here is a review of both earphones anyways.)

I've had a pair of the Klipsch Image earphones for a good year now.(Klipsch has introduced a cheaper version, the Image X-5, and renamed the original Image the Image X-10...so I will refer to mine as the X-10s from here on.)The Image X-10's are a fantastic pair of earphones.They are TINY...really, really small.This makes them extremely portable, light, and comfortable.When I first received the Image X-10's, I simply placed them in my ears and the seal was perfect - on the first try with the standard medium single flange gels!It is EXTREMELY easy to insert and remove these earphones.Instant, perfect seal every time.They are very, very comfortable.I have worn them for hours without my ears hurting or itching...they feel about as natural as can be.The sound quality is great as well, and when you consider their size, it is unbelievable how they designed these earphones.Stock iPod earphones and most every other "upgrade" earphones will pale in comparison to the sound quality and clarity of the Image X-10's.One of the highlights is the soundstage - with the Images, you can visualize & "place" the location of each of the instruments in a song around your head...very distinct.These earphones provide exceptional quality and comfort.Definitely more clarity than the Sennheiser PX100 (open air, on ear supra-aural...very inexpensive, about $30-40 street, yet an incredible warm sound with great bass, the best deal for headphones) and even better detail and reproduction than the AKG K271 Mk II (fairly high-end closed circumaural around ear studio monitor headphones, accurate and crisp detail, about $200 street, my favorite all-around headphones for studio work and mixing).The Images are very adept, with the ability to provide shockingly defined but totally encompassing bass when asked to, much like my Grado SR225s do (and the Grado's have the advantage of an open ear design.)The Images have very good sound isolation with the single flange gels I use, and you can get a little extra isolation with the double flange tips.

I've had the Klipsch Custom-3's for quite a few months now (a few less months than the Image X-10s).When I first put the earphones on, I had some trouble getting the fit/seal right, so I tried moving up to the single flange large ear gel instead of the medium ones that come on the earphones.(On the Image X-10s, I use the medium single flange gel and it works perfectly...kind of weird that I would have to use a large on the Custom-3's to get the seal right when it should be the same as the Images...the gels visually appear identical in both earphones...)After some experimentation, I dropped back down to medium size gels, and just inserted them deeper in my ear canals.This seems to work best, but after about 15-30 minutes, I have to press them back in to maintain the seal (especially if I have been moving around).Losing the seal is quite annoying and is one of the major reasons why I will almost always reach for the Images before the Custom-3's, unless there is some specific situation where I want the flush around-ear design of the Custom-3's.Recently, I have found that using 3rd party foam eartips improves this problem of getting the right fit and maintaining the seal, so I definitely recommend picking some up if you are having trouble with the included silicon tips.(I used the orange ones made by Shure, so I can say with certainty that they will fit properly and work, but I didn't try any other types so I can't give any other specific recommendations here.)The Custom 3's are a bit troublesome and time consuming to put on (even beyond achieving the seal), mostly due to this style of headphones (behind the ear cables -- you have to get the seal right while at the same time properly wrapping the loop around the back of your ear...but it gets easier with practice.)Sound quality on the Custom-3's is unprecedented and exceptional....can't even begin to describe it.Better than the Image X-10's.From what I've heard, it is better than the comparable Shure SE-420s that cost nearly twice as much.I bought the Custom-3's for that extra bit of sound quality, and to use as In Ear Monitors for singing vocals.They are designed perfectly for this use.Great choice for stage musicians and the like.The Images also come with a great compact leather case that securely holds the earphones and stays shut using magnets...very sleek.The Custom-3's do NOT come with this case or anything similar, and believe it or not, this is actually a significant point because the Custom-3's do not have any compact way to safely store them.

The Custom-3's do block out a ton of exterior noise, so in the end, they seem to be built for professionals on stage or hardcore audiophiles who want the best sound quality in a small package.Don't try to talk to people or hear outside noise with these on, let alone with music playing.I wouldn't want to wear these walking around on the street or in public, I'd prefer the Images or some less isolating headphones.Comfort is good, but the Image X-10's are definitely better...since they are so small and light, you don't even know they are in your ear.I almost always prefer the Images when I want to listen to music...only on stage and sometimes while lying in bed do I prefer the Custom-3's.This is because the wire on the Images sticks straight out of the ear, where as the Custom-3's are more flush, so you can sleep on the Custom-3's a bit better (but still, as with nearly all earphones, you will feel some pressure pushing in).

In the end, here's my best advice:

Looking for excellent sound quality, comfort, easy accessibility (on and off), and portability?Go with the Image X-10's.You will NOT be disappointed.What they "lack" in sound quality is more than made up for by their size and comfort.And let me emphasize, these do NOT lack in sound quality...they will blow most every other earphone out of the water.

BUT, if you are looking for the absolute best sound quality, bar none...Maybe you are a professional musician/audiophile/studio mixer/etc...then the Custom-3's might be for you.

I fit both categories, so that's how I ended up with both the Images and the Custom-3's.

In the end, I highly recommend both earphones, even though I feel the Image X-10s are far more versatile and a better option for 95% of people.But, you really need to know your intentions and decide between the two based upon what you plan to use them for.Both are excellent headphones, Klipsch really hit the mark right on.You won't be disappointed with either choice.The tradeoff between the best sound quality and best comfort will be apparent in any other competing earphone, as the laws of physics do limit the size of miniature components.In my opinion, Klipsch has really done an excellent job -- and the Image X-10's and the Custom-3's provide two distinct options for the high-end earphone buyer.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Klipsch Custom-3 In-Ear Noise-Isolating Earphones

Product Description:
Listen like a rock star with Custom-3 noise-isolating professional-quality earphones from Klipsch. Whether it's the spine-tingling riffs of an electric guitar or the incredible boom of a kick drum, you will get the "live on stage" euphoria that Klipsch earphones can provide. Custom-3 earphones utilize dark gray patent-pending Contour Ear Gels that are anatomically designed to accurately fit inside the human ear canal. These soft, oval silicon tips reduce ear fatigue as well as provide an amazing seal for excellent noise isolation and bass response. Custom-3 headphones come with five different washable ear gel sizes: small, medium, and large single flange designs as well as small and large double flange designs. Inside Custom-3 earphones, you'll find over 60 years of audio expertise ready to get the music inside your head. Exclusive KG723 tweeters, KG731 woofers, and patent-pending electro-acoustic crossover systems let your hear performances just as the artists intended-making Custom-3 an excellent choice for musicians and critical listeners. Klipsch has gone to great lengths to ensure the long-lasting durability of Custom-3, up to and including its 50-inch-long cables. Put through extensive "real world" testing, these headphones feature appropriate strain relief at every cable connection point to help prevent wire damage. Plus, underneath the cable's black cloth weaving, a special PVC Wireguard jacket prevents the wires from becoming exposed and frayed.

Want to read more honest consumer review about Klipsch Custom-3 In-Ear Noise-Isolating Earphones now ?