Performance-wise they're quite similar to Shure's SE420s, in that no one part of the audible spectrum gets too much attention. The focus of Klipsch appears to be in solidifying a good mid-range, backed up by just enough bass and just enough treble. The result is an earphone geared up for vocal-driven music.
It truly is a balanced sound, but it exemplifies the Klipsch voice we've heard before, in that the clarity of high-end frequencies isn't great -- cymbals don't sparkle much, steel-stringed guitars sound a little dull and tightly skinned snare drums don't crack with the same cutting quality. If a bright treble is crucial to you, these may not be your earphones.
This lack of high-end presence does of course reduce musical transparency. Music doesn't quite sound as spacious as it should, not quite as open -- you can 'see' into the recording studio, but it's through ever-so-slightly frosted glass.
Where they really shine, as hinted at earlier, is with vocally driven music. Eva Cassidy's beautiful voice was so natural-sounding, the smooth jazz vocals of Jeanne Newhall were just a delight, and the contemporary band behind her was perfectly enjoyable for an earphone at this price -- you're parctically at the smoky jazz club with them.
Conclusion
The Custom-2s are clearly great sub-£100
earphones for jazz, soul and vocal genre lovers. If it's music that can
be performed live without any amplification, electronics or mixing
desks, it's probably suitable for the Custom-2s, making them enjoyable
earphones despite their weaker high-end performance.
An obvious alternative, if you can afford it, are the Custom-3s. They rectify every sonic 'problem' mentioned in this review, and add a whopping bass and treble extension. Also consider the Denon AH-C751s for an almost opposite sound quality, or the Etymotic ER-6is for decent balance without the lack of brightness.
Edited by Nick Hide
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