Previewing Klipsch Image S4, Image S4i, and Image S4A headphones

By Natt Garun August 15, 2012

Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you prefer in-ear headphones over the giant cans that are often hard to travel with, then you might already know about the Klipsch S4 headphones. They’re one of the most highly rated in-ear pieces for those looking to spend less than $100, and with the new 2012 models, you might want to keep your eyes peeled for an upgrade. At an unveiling event in New York last week, Klipsch gave us a preview of what to expect in the new S4 fall lineup.

The refreshed Image S4 (II) line comes in its classic black or white colors, complete with oval ear tips in four various sizes to best suit your needs. These are your ideal ear pieces if you switch between gadgets a lot, since they are compatible with any portable device. The headphones are available now at $80 a pair. From our experience sampling these pieces, we’re impressed with quality at a modest price level. The preview event as also held on the second level of a concert hall, so for music to be clearly heard through the headphones in such environment is much appreciated, to say the least.

If you are looking for external microphone control to match your smartphone, opt for the S4i or S4A — the “i” representing iOS and “a” for Android, of course. The Klipsch Image S4i allows wearers to not only control the volume and play functions of your music, but also pick up calls and speak directly into its built-in microphone. Similarly, the S4A offers similar features, but comes with an accompanying app to let you customize what you want each button to control. These specialized headphones are also available today at $100.

For those who prefer a more colorful option to match an active lifestyle, additional colors are also optional for the Image S4i “rugged” headphones. Covered in an all-weather rubber, the headphones are well designed for runners or those working out in the gym. The buttons are extra large for those who aren’t looking to fumble when trying to control music so it might not please those who prefer something sleeker. Current color options include red, blue, orange, and yellow atop a black trim, and also cost $100 a pair.

All three styles are available online at Klipsch today. Not bad for a tiny little gadget.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

An avid gadgets and Internet culture enthusiast, Natt Garun spends her days bringing you the funniest, coolest, and strangest…

Audio / Video

Tidal vs. Qobuz: Which hi-res music streaming service is for you?

Tidal app showing on iPhone 15 Pro.

Spotify and Apple Music may be the most popular music streaming services in the world, but services like Tidal and Qobuz offer plenty of great features and a higher level of listening to anyone making a switch. Each offers hi-res audio and is available on desktop and mobile devices. Thanks to a recent switch in Tidal subscriptions, the prices between the two services are now very comparable, although one is slightly cheaper.

Below, we compare Tidal and Qobuz based on price, sound quality, and supported devices to determine which platform is better.
Price
For many years, Tidal has stood out for its hi-res music offerings, a feature long shared with Qobuz. However, the landscape has changed, and now other services like Apple Music and Amazon Music (and soon Spotify, hopefully) have also ventured into the hi-res music space.

Audio / Video

OTC hearing aid sale discounts 15 models, from just $80

Bose SoundControl Hearing Aids

If you need a hearing aid, you’re going to love the OTC hearing aid sale going on at Crutchfield right now. Currently, you can buy a pair for as little as just $80 with up to $500 to be saved on select models. With 15 models in the sale, we recommend you click the button below to see what’s on sale for yourself. But you can also read on while we highlight some of our favorite hearing aid deals. Don’t delay as the deals are unlikely to stick around for long.

What to shop for in the Crutchfield hearing aid sale
With some of the best OTC hearing aids including models from Lexie, go straight for the . It’s currently $799 instead of $849. It has a slim, visually discreet profile with a behind-the-ear fit style. A built-in feedback management system helps reduce high-pitched feedback while there’s a noise reduction circuit which decreases the volume of constant background sounds such as vacuum cleaners or A/C units. It also has level-dependent gain and compression which keeps loud noises from becoming too loud during conversations. The app also provides bass and treble controls along with left/right balance adjustments, and directional focus modes. It’s a really well-rounded hearing aid.

Audio / Video

GoldenEar subwoofers are up to $755 off for a limited time

The GoldenEar SuperSub XXL subwoofer in the living room.

Upgrading your home theater setup's sound output is easily achieved by buying from soundbar deals, but if you want extra bass, you'll want to purchase a subwoofer. If you're thinking about it, you may want to checkout Crutchfield's sale on GoldenEar subwoofers with prices that start at $595. These premium subwoofers will give you all the bass that you need for watching streaming shows, epic movies, sports programs, and any other form of content, but you'll have to hurry with your decision on what to buy because these discounts are only available for a limited time.

What to buy in Crutchfield's GoldenEar subwoofers sale
The cheapest option in Crutchfield's GoldenEar subwoofers sale is still pretty powerful -- the GoldenEar ForceField 3, which is an 8-inch subwoofer with digital signal processing and a built-in 500-watt RMS digital amplifier. You'll also get a front-firing 8-inch long-throw woofer and a 9-inch by 11-inch down-firing passive radiator for , for savings of $55 on its original price of $650. You can also take a step up with the GoldenEar ForceField 30, which offers most of the same features but with an updated design with a curved top and metal grills, for instead of $900 following a $155 discount, or the GoldenEar ForceField 40 with a front-firing 10-inch long-throw woofer and an 11-inch by 13-inch down-firing passive radiator for a , down by $205 from $1,200 originally.