Klipsch x11i review

If you’re serious about getting the most out of your smartphone, you must investigate these Tested at £200

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

If you’re serious about getting the most out of your smartphone, you must investigate these

Pros

  • +

    Superbly insightful

  • +

    Exciting performance

  • +

    Smooth presentation

  • +

    Amazingly comfortable

Cons

  • -

    Nothing of note

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It’s always tough to follow up a hit, but Klipsch has managed it nicely. The banana-shaped X11is, with their comfy silicon tips, are the successors to the Award-winning X10is.

Are they any good? Oh yes. Very, very good.

Performance

Make sure you play with the different ear tips. Fitting is easy, but it still pays to find the right size

Make sure you play with the different ear tips. Fitting is easy, but it still pays to find the right size

We’re amazed by their powers of resolution. The level of insight is seriously impressive and there’s plenty of detail and texture.

Tonally, there’s a good balance: the strong, well-defined bass doesn’t overpower the expressive midrange or crisp treble. It’s a punchy performance; yet smooth enough for long-term listens.

Build and design

The cable is lined with Kevlar – the stuff they put in body armour – so they can stand up to being stuffed in pockets

The cable is lined with Kevlar – the stuff they put in body armour – so they can stand up to being stuffed in pockets

At first glance, you wouldn’t expect such an exceptional performance. The buds are less substantial than most rivals, and that cable looks weedy. But there’s more going on here than you’d think.

The cable is lined with Kevlar - the stuff they put in body armour. While the X11is probably won’t stop bullets, they can take being stuffed into pockets. And the square cable is genuinely tangle-resistant.

Verdict

Great sound and great design: if you’re serious about portables, these in-ears need to be on your shortlist.

What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.

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