Who is Klipsch?

Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, Klipsch Audio Technologies was set up in 1946 by Paul W. Klipsch. Its parent company is Voxx International. The company is focuses on producing loudspeaker drivers and enclosures, as well as complete loudspeakers for high end, high fidelity sound systems and headphones.

Packaging & Unpacking experience

Every now and then, a new development happens in the world of audio technique that changes things dramatically. A few years ago, Bluetooth did just that. The technology has taken over our homes and now, it is fast becoming the standard for headphones as well. Most on-ear/over-ear brands have already implemented it but only just recently did the technology develop to allow for the development of true wireless devices. This new generation of in-ear headphones does not have any cable linking them, without compromising ease of use or sound quality. This week I’ve been able to try out one of the current leading products on the market, the Klipsch T5 True Wireless.

Klipsch is a company based in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. The company is focuses on producing loudspeaker drivers and enclosures, as well as complete loudspeakers for high end, high fidelity sound systems and headphones.  At around €170, their version of bluetooth in-ear head phones has a lot to live up to. So lets cut to the chase; are they worth it?

What do you get?

The ear-pods comes in a stylish box with the following accessories:

• 3 sizes of (proprietary) snap-on ear pieces for an optimised fit
• A USB-C charging cable
• A USB to USB-C converter
• A brushed aluminium charging case
• The product manual (of course)

Build quality

What strikes me as soon as I open the box is that the quality of the charging case is exceptional, especially in the brushed aluminium version I was given to review. It is reminiscent of a zippo lighter and its weight also contributes to the overall feeling of quality. The in-ear headphones also look very high-end with the Klipsch bronze logo layed out elegantly on the black of the earphones.

The headphones are already charged and ready to go, and once turned on (by pressing both of them for 3 seconds) my phone pairs with them within a few moments.

On the down side, the case is relatively bulky, meaning it will not fit comfortably in your pant pocket. At close to 96.9gms it is also considerably heavier than that of most of its competitors. Personally, I do not have an issue with it since I carry it in my jacket or backpack when on the move. The issue I face is that the case‘s brushed finish make it easy to scratch.

Comfort & Features

The in-ear headphones have a very comfortable and snug fit thanks to Klipsch‘s patented oval click-on slilicon ear-pieces. I have always had issues with in-ear buds falling out all the time, but these stay in place remarkably well. They also seal you off quite effectively from the outside world, providing great noise isolation without blocking it out entirely. These are not noise-cancelling headphones but they come close.

The central buttons on each unit perform all the important functions you could need, such as pausing a track, connecting to your voice assistant and call-handling, making the T5s very intuitive to use.

There are only one downside I could identify with regards to comfort. Namely, that Klipsch does not offer any app to allowing you to adjust the sound. Their website states that an app will soon be available so we’ll have to wait for a bit to be able to test these headphones‘ full audio range. Pity.

Sound quality

Music

Sound quality is a must for me, and I consider myself to be very picky. This is why I usually stick to wearing over-ear ones as they tend to deliver the best experience. In this case however, the T5 True Wireless are truly impressive and I would describe them as having exceeded my expectations. The headphones deliver clear highs and powerful bass bt where they really shine is in the mids.  Even when listening to them at high volume there is barely any distortion. And when I say high volume, these headphones can get really, REALLY loud!

From audiobooks, to classical music, to reggae, hip-hop, electronic music or even death metal, these headphones didn‘t skip a beat, delivering an excellent performance at every turn.

Calls

When it comes to making or receiving calls, the units contain 4 mics and are very efficient for hand free calls in or outdoors. Picking up and hanging up is done at a push of a button on the right ear piece and those I talked to while wearing the headphones could hear me clearly. Job well done!

Practicality

A few users of these headphones mentioned difficulties pairing with the device but I did not experience any such issue. As soon as I take the earphones out of their case, they automatically turn on and pair to my phone, picking up the music where I left off. With its bluetooth 5.0, the connection was always stable and I noticed no lag in sound when watching videos on my devices.

The T5 True Wireless have excellent battery life. At 8 hours of autonomy, these are top of the class. This is especially true with the case, which holds an additional three full charges, so add another 24hrs of use to that.

The earphones automatically turn off when you put them in the case, and a set of three small lights on the charging case give you an indication of the amount of battery left in them. They automatically charge when in the case so they’re always ready to go!

Downsides are few in this category but there are two worth mentioning. First off, the buttons. I noticed that when using them, the headphones are pushed deeper into my ear unless I use a specific technique: holding the ear-piece with thumb and middle finger while using my index to press the button. This is not a deal-breaker by any means, but most competing products around this price-point have more subtle touch controls. The second point is that is despite being water and sweat-resistant, these headphones are not suited for use during sports. If engaging in physical activity, they will eventually fall out. So, if you are looking for headphones to train with, you’ll need to look elsewhere.

Conclusion

I really enjoy these headphones and they have become my go-to heaphones when heading out. Klipsch’s T5 true wireless earphones deliver great in style, sound and comfort. Despite a few minor points in design and practicality, these headphones should definitely be on your list of candidates when consiering true wireless in-ear head phones. At this price range, they can definitely hold their own against its (more expensive) competitors, including Apple‘s AirPods Pro (€279), Sony’s WF-1000XM3 (€239) and even the current True Wireless champion, Sennheiser’s Momentum True Wireless (€269).

Well done Klipsch!

TECH SHEET

Style: In-Ear Monitor

Price: €119.99 (Bol.com)

Driver: 5mm

Frequency response: 10Hz-19kHz

Bluetooth version 5.0 aptX

Up to 10m range

Weight of the charging case: 96.9g

Weight of the earphone: 5.5g

Charger: USB-C

PROs

Premium look and feel

Excellent sound quality

Comfort

Long battery life

Ease of use

CONs

Button controls are slightly impractical

Not suited to use during sports

No app (yet)

Rating: 4.5/5