[DodgeTheViper]

The reason i have chosen between these two, is comfort.

Comfort is my first requirement. The Bose because they sit in the bowl on the outside of the ear. The Klipsch because they have very small tips, which would suit my ear canal's better.
Although i have small ear canal's, i have to use the larger of the gel pieces with the Bose.

Yes, i have the Bose already. I ordered them from QVC recently, purely because of their returns policy. I get some time to try them without any loss to me, apart from the returns postage cost.

The Bose do sit reasonably comfortably in my ear, so i can't see that being an issue if i keep them. The other bonus is cable microphonics, or lack of it. They are not noise cancelling in anyway, and Bose are actually up front in telling you this. They are also not the most defined of ear phones, although they could need running in a bit. Their range is not that spectacular either.

Next up, the Klipsch Image S4. Well, i actually havn't got these but their write up's are really good on several points. Although i have found in ear canal phone's quite uncomfortable in the past, but i think that was down to fit. Plus i find cable microphonics and hearing yourself breathing, very irritating. The Klipsch i believe come with particulary small gel tip's, which i think may suit me better.

So, what do i do ? Obviously trying the Klipsch out is very difficult due to returns etc.

Decisions, decisions

[IncredibleMrFox]

if your going for comfort i would stick with the Bose, although as you mentioned the range is quite limited and the sound is weighted more towards the lower end of the frequencies, they will loosen up a bit with a bit of use but i think the klipsch will give you a better sound.
is noise cancelling important to you?

[DodgeTheViper]

After playing about with Bose, i only got them today, i have now switched to the smaller size of the gel tips, and the fit is better again.
I dont mind a boost in lower frequencies, but not at the expense of losing the mid to high's, which these seem to do.

I didn't think noise cancellation was that important to me, until i tried a little experiment today.

While listening to my iPod in one room, i had the TV on in the other. The rooms are open plan, so no door's etc. While listening at a moderate volume i could still hear the TV. I couldn't hear the proper conversation, but i could hear it. I turned the volume up on the iPod and i could still hear it very faintly. All of this was enough to take my attention away from the music. So noise cancellation now figures in my choice. Which reminds me, i'm now considering the Senn CX550 Style II as well, purely because they are meant to sit on the outside of the ear, and not fully inserted as it were.

I'm actually getting these, whichever i get, because while on holiday last year, sunning myself and relaxing in a water park in Orlando, only to be listening to an American person on her mobile phone, some feet away from me might i add, but i could hear blummin everything, and it drove me nut's. I was only using Apple's supplied bud's at the time though, but i thought right, that's it, i've had enough

So, Bose In Ear ..... currently testing and returnable.
Klipsch Image S4 £60 from Amazon
Senn CX550 Style II £40 from Play

[Persian.Prince]

I would also consider the Sony EX series, either the EX500LP or the EX85.

[DodgeTheViper]

Yes the Sony's appear to be very good as well. Although the design of the EX85 appears to want you to push it into your ear a bit further than normal !

[psikey]

For comfort the Sony earphones are the best for me and much more comfy than the Shure SE530's with silicon caps (foams not practical for me). I've then bought some S4i's and they are just as comfy as the Sony's but sound far better (after burn in).

[DodgeTheViper]

Originally Posted by psikey

For comfort the Sony earphones are the best for me and much more comfy than the Shure SE530's with silicon caps (foams not practical for me). I've then bought some S4i's and they are just as comfy as the Sony's but sound far better (after burn in).

It looks like the S4's come with smaller tips as well, is that true ?

Is there a set of 4 sizes, one of which is super small ?

[psikey]

Originally Posted by Kevo330

It looks like the S4's come with smaller tips as well, is that true ?

Is there a set of 4 sizes, one of which is super small ?

With most earphones I use the medium caps but had to use the large with my S4i's. The small ones are tiny more like for childs ears.

The small ones are super small, much smaller than the small ones for Sony or Shure earphones.

If you get some, I'll swap you my small for your large !!

[DodgeTheViper]

Originally Posted by psikey

If you get some, I'll swap you my small for your large !!

If i get them, we'll definately do that

[DodgeTheViper]

So do the S4's sit deep into your ear, or more on the outside ?

[psikey]

Once you get the right size, I'd say they fit very similar to the Sony caps. Not too far in & comfy. I get a very good seal. The S4i's do have a strong bass which some may not like. More bass heavy than the Shure SE530's I had & sightly more tha Sony ones too (doesn't drown out the mids/highs though).

[DodgeTheViper]

I may just have to stop all the deliberation and jump in for them, then test them against the Bose, and probably end up returning the Bose i would guess !

[psikey]

Originally Posted by Kevo330

I may just have to stop all the deliberation and jump in for them, then test them against the Bose, and probably end up returning the Bose i would guess !

Make sure you read this thread before you do Klipsch Image S4i's - Scarily underwhelmed, please help

[DodgeTheViper]

Yeh i read that one, cheers.

I'm not 100% sold yet anyway. The Senn CX550 Style II are very high on my list @ £40 from Play.

The good thing up to now is the fact that the Bose can be returned without question.

[psikey]

Regarding the Sony. I also had a Walkman but the A829 version which came with the same buds. They are good but I found a pair that came with my Walkman phone even better, the HPM-77 which you can pick up now for around £10!! The Klipsch has noticeable clearer mid/highs (not quite to the Shure SE530 level) without loosing bass, but some may find the bass too strong, I know I did at first until they seem to have toned down now.

I have tried the Bose before & wasn't impressed myself.

[Young Spade]

Get the klipsch and stay away from Bose products. All of them. Bose products are highly overpriced and you can get a lot better for your money. Just my 2 cents.