Klipsch Image S4i Rugged Earphone Review

This is a review for the Klipsch Image S4i rugged which are the sport addition of the S4i. Following the success of the S4, Klipsch decided to introduce a durable and a sweat proof model with a sporty and colorful design.

Klipsch Image S4i Rugged Earphone – Manufacture’s Specifications:

• Type: In ear Headphones (sound isolation earphones)
• Drivers Size: NA
• Drivers Type: Full range KG 24A
• Frequency Response: 10Hz-19kHz
• Sensitivity: 110dB
• Impedance: 18Ω
• Microphone sensitivity: NA
• Maximum Input: NA
• Weight with cable:  14.7 g
• Connecter: 3.5 mm straight
• MSRP: $100

Klipsch Image S4i Rugged Earphone – Design

The S4i rugged are sound isolation in ear headphones, inspired from Klipsch successful S4i model, Image S4i rugged basically have the exact same design, with a more durable and colorful build.

Klipsch Image S4i Rugged Earphone – Out of the box

Straight out the nice and compact box you find the earphones nicely packed along with a durable fabric carrying case with various sizes/types of ear-tips, and a small clothing clip to attach the built-in remote control to your T-shirt, to keep in place so it wont bother you while working out or moving around.

The earphones pieces are made from strong plastic, and coated with a very rugged rubberized material that gives this a nice and sporty feel. The oval design of the ear-tips is a patented to Klipsch and I found it better-to-fit inside the ears than the normal circular ones that comes with other brands of earphones.

 The built-in remote is a bit large in size for my taste, it’s true that the big sized buttons makes it easier to use while running in the Gym but as the same time -since it keeps jumping around- it pulls the earphones out form your ears if you didn’t use the clip.

Klipsch Image S4i Rugged Earphone – Style

They come in 4 different color options Blue, Orange, Red and Yellow with a very nice sporty style, which suits the colorful outdoor activities clothing. The cable color is matching with the  ear piece color along with the large 3 buttons on the built in remote.

Klipsch Image S4i Rugged Earphone – Build Quality

The rugged rubberized coating give the image S4i rugged a sturdy and durable build, I liked the smooth feel of the cables that helps them not to stick to your cloths while moving so they wont get pulled out. Personally I prefer if the cable was a little more stronger, the kevlar reinforced rubber would have given them a better durability and feel. The included carry case is made from durable fabric and does a fair job protecting the earphones.

Klipsch Image S4i Rugged Earphone – Comfort

The compact size of the earphones and the oval ear-tips gives the S4i a comfortable and secure fit inside my ears, I could easily forget I had them on, they are very light weight.

The large size remote control and it’s big colorful buttons has it’s pros and cons, in one hand it’s easy to control and reach the buttons while working out, but on the other hand I found that the big remote a bit annoying since it keeps jumping up and down while running on the treadmill, so better use the included clothing clip even though I didn’t find it much useful.

I have also found another issue with the remote, It is located far from the mouth so that makes it tough for people on the other end of the line to hear your voice while making calls.

Klipsch Image S4i Rugged Earphone – Supplied accessories:

• Carry case
• 4 pair of different sized ear tips
• Clothing clip

Klipsch Image S4i Rugged Earphone – Sound

I was quite surprised when I first listened to these earphones, because they can easily compete with many more expensive earphones in their sound quality.

The sound of the rugged image S4i is rich and dynamic with great deal of details with almost no noticeable distortions on relatively high volume.

These are not audiophile headphones so you shouldn’t expect a flawless performance but as for “affordable activity in ear headphones” I can say they do their job excellently.

The oval ear-tips provide a very good seal in the ears which result and great noise isolation and a remarkable improvement with bass response, that’s why I recommend trying the different sizes of the included ear tip until you find the perfect ones for your ears.

 They are quite easy to drive from almost any media player I’ve tried with them, didn’t really feel the need for an AMP, but I would highly recommend to use a good source for music and try always playing high quality audio files.

 I would recommend listening to Michael Jackson’ Man In The Mirror to hear the details these small earpieces can produce. The bass in Symphonica by Nicky Romero will have you shaking your head while working out in the Gym.

Armin Van Buuren’s Save My Night pushed the drivers to their limit and I was quite impressed how the S4i handled the track on high volume with almost no noticeable distortion.

Bass: Good, firm and punchy bass with a dynamic deep extent, very suitable for fast paced music, like the tracks you might listen to while working out.

Mid-range: Vocals are clear and accurate but it is slightly dominated by the bass and treble, I think this was Klipsch’s intention while setting up the Image S4i rugged to suit the type of music people listen to while exercising.

Read Also: Klipsche Launches Heritage AMP

Treble: High notes are a little more emphasized than other frequencies which give the sound a dynamic character that kept me energized while running. Treble is sharp and has a nice extent to it without any sturdiness or harsh sounds.

Sound Stage and Instruments Separations: Considering the price point of the Image S4i Rugged, they are able to provide an impressive dynamic and wide sound stage, with fast and precise instrument separation that can easily compare to much more expensive earphones

Klipsch Image S4i Rugged Earphone – Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Colorful eye catching design
• Rigid durable build
• Weather/sweat Proof build great training
• Balanced good quality sound
• Good sound isolation

Cons:

• Remote control is slightly big
• Microphone in the built-in remote is far from mouth.

Klipsch Image S4i Rugged Earphone – Conclusion

The Image S4i rugged are very good candidate for exercise headphones below 100$, they are great Gym companion and given their sound quality, good sound isolation and nice design they are a good option for commuting and home use as well.