Filip Brož The smallest high-end headphones in the world. A definition that can be found on the website of the American manufacturer of audio products Klipsch. Founded in 1946 by audio engineer Paul W. Klipsch, the company is one of the oldest speaker manufacturers in the United States. The Klipsch company focuses on technology for all audiophiles, so their offer includes various types of headphones, speakers, home theaters and professional sound systems for festivals and other large events.
When I discovered that the company offers the world's smallest in-ear headphones, I thought I had to try them. I did not believe that headphones weighing an incredible ten grams could provide quality sound. I was anxiously waiting for the Klipsch X11i in black to arrive for testing. However, I am slightly disillusioned with their use and it took me a very long time to really test them properly and put them into my imaginary boxes and categories.
Really miniature
The Klipsch X11i Black miniature headphones are very light indeed. When I put it on for the first time, I wondered if I even had any headphones in my ears. When using it, you hardly feel anything, you just hear the music flowing into your ear. Compared to other headphones, it's an incredible feeling, and it's definitely one of the biggest advantages of these headphones. The very precise processing, in which first-class ceramics were used, certainly has its share in this.
From a design point of view, it is a unique piece. The headphones are typical thanks to the transition elbow. In practice, the headphones fit perfectly and stay in the ears. Of course, there is also a wide range of silicone earrings of various sizes and shapes. You will find them in the package pinned to an elegant stand, so there is no risk of them rolling away or getting lost over time.
Each user will surely find the desired size that will fit into their ear canal. In addition, the silicone itself, from which the earcups are made, is also specific, because Klipsch opted for pressure points inside the ear, instead of the traditional circular shaped tips. However, all ear cups are very easily removable.
When using the Klipsch X11i headphones, you will also appreciate the oval cable, which is very durable and at the same time does not tend to get dirty all the time, which is a traditional problem with most headphones. On the cable you will also find a controller with three buttons, which is adapted especially for Apple devices. It can be used to control calls, volume and playback of songs. The cable ends with a classic 3,5 mm jack, and if you would like to connect the headphones to professional Hi-Fi systems, you will also find a reducer in the package.
Sound for audiophiles
The design, control or the chosen ear-buds can be the best, but for every music fan, the sound is what matters most. For how small the Klipsch X11i are, they play more than well, but I still encountered a few flaws while listening. In the end, I decided that such small headphones as offered by Klipsch are not intended for the masses.
The Klipsch X11i are really high-end headphones designed for audiophiles who are not satisfied with just consumer and pop songs. During longer testing, I found that the headphones play very differently for different genres of music. As for the mids and highs, the sound flowing into your ears is very balanced. However, the bass, especially at higher volumes, is significantly worse. As soon as I let the X11i go full throttle, they stopped chasing and there was even a hiss.
However, if you listen at medium volume, the sound is perfectly clear, smooth and exactly what you would expect. I ended up listening best to classical music, soundtracks, singer-songwriters, folk or jazz with the Klipsch X11i. If you then connect the headphones to high-quality equipment with its own sound card, you will receive a great musical experience that will please every audiophile.
On the contrary, if you play some rap, hip-hop, pop, techno, dance music or rock on your headphones, you probably won't be that satisfied with the result. At the same time, most young people like to listen to music as loud as possible and, despite possible hearing damage, want to enjoy as much bass and treble as possible. In this case, however, the Klipsch X11i headphones falter. Of course, the quality of the music and equipment also plays its role.
For example, I enjoyed a great musical experience listening to songs by maestro Ennio Morricone, singer-songwriter Beck, indie rock by Raury, Band of Horses and the excellent Adele. On the contrary, with the harder The Prodigy, Chase & Status or the group Rammstein, I heard occasional hesitation, too loud mids and indistinct depths.
At the same time, the sound is reproduced by the KG 926 full-band converter, which can work with a sensitivity of up to 110 decibels and a nominal impedance of 50 ohms, which is more than decent for mobile and such small headphones.
Although the Klipsch X11i are the smallest in the world, in their price category they perform several times better than many larger headphones, which can also be bought for more than 6 thousand crowns. Nevertheless, with its smallest product, Klipsch is definitely not targeting the masses, but rather passionate audiophiles who have experience with rich and powerful devices.
A big advantage, which can be quite important for many, is the weight and dimensions of the headphones. You can hardly feel the Klipsch X11i in your ears, so if you've had a negative experience with in-ear headphones, these tiny Klipschs could be the answer. On the other hand, you should certainly consider whether you are willing to invest in such headphones 6 crowns, for which Alza.cz offers them, because at that moment they become primarily headphones for true music enthusiasts.
