The new wireless earphones from Klipsch McLaren F1 Edition are completely waterproof and ready to use … [+]
Klipsch
Back in July 2020, the venerable and highly regarded US loudspeaker manufacturer Klipsch announced that it was working with the McLaren Formula 1 team to produce a pair of true wireless headphones that had the unmistakable hallmark and colors of the F1 team as well as the classic We all know and love Klipsch sound.
Marketing connections with big brands usually don’t fill me with confidence as they often involve a fair amount of style over substance. However, the fruits of this new partnership have now appeared on my desk in the form of the Klipsch T5 True Wireless Sport McLaren Edition. Let’s see if Klipsch is on the right track.
The Klipsch T5 II True Wireless Sport McLaren Edition features McLaren’s trademark papaya orange and carbon fiber accents. They also come with a special edition book and an authenticated metal card. This is one for the F1 fans and I have to admit that the charging case looks and feels very stylish.
These earbuds are the second generation of the original Klipsch T5 wireless earbuds. This new, sleek edition features earbuds that are around 25% smaller than the original version and more closely mimick the shape of the human ear to make them feel more comfortable.
With waterproof and dustproof to IPX67 and a weatherproof charging case, the Klipsch McLaren F1 … [+]
Klipsch
The earbuds come with a range of McLaren Papaya colored silicone ear tips in an excellent range of sizes to fit most ears. There are also a few memory foam tips for those who prefer to use these. Also includes a USB-C charging cable and adapter for use with old-style USB ports. It’s all beautifully packaged and feels like it has been carefully put together.
The charging case is secured by a large spring-loaded metal clip that opens the top of the case like the panel on an F1 car. The cover of the case has an insert that is filled with moisture-absorbing granules to keep the earphones dry if they are put back into the case while wet. The earphones and the case are both waterproof and dustproof according to the IPX67 standard. This means that thanks to being immersed in water, they can withstand.
The inside of the charging case is molded from papaya-colored plastic and has two recesses that each of the earbuds sit in while charging. A standard charge results in up to eight hours of playing time plus a further 24 hours of reserve power. To ensure that the case is fully waterproof, the USB-C charging port is located inside the case so that water resistance is not compromised. The case can also be charged wirelessly with a standard Qi charging mat. There are no external LEDs to indicate that the case is charging wirelessly. However, open the lid and you will see three white LEDs that indicate how much charge is on board.
Each earbud has touch controls for all common functions. The case can be charged wirelessly or from … [+]
Klipsch
The Bluetooth pairing process works similarly to any other true wireless earbud and only needs to be done once. The earbuds are connected to the host smartphone as soon as they are removed from the charging cradles. Conversely, the earphones detach as soon as they return to their holders and the cover is securely fastened with the clip.
In addition to the Klipsch Comfort earbuds, the T5 II True Wireless Sport McLaren Edition features silicone ear tips that help keep the earbuds in place when inserted into the wearer’s ear. The level of comfort and safety are exceptionally good and the oval earplugs form an excellent acoustic seal. The safety of the ear wings and the shape of the earbuds make these earbuds ideal for exercising, even in the pouring rain.
When it comes to audio performance, the Klipsch T5 II True Wireless Sport McLaren Edition supports SBC, AAC and apt-X audio codecs. This covers most of the bases and makes these earbuds suitable for both iOS and Android users. Each earbud also has two built-in microphones and uses Clear Voice Chat to make calls and give Siri or Google Assistant voice commands. Each earbud has a touchpad for normal volume control, skip and repeat, pause and play, and answer and end phone calls. There is also a transparency mode that can be activated with a single press and lets in a certain amount of ambient noise so that the wearer can be notified when there are travel announcements or when there are hazards such as traffic.
The new wireless earbuds from Klipsch McLaren F1 Edition feel like they were designed by engineers … [+]
Klipsch
As you would expect from Klipsch, these earbuds have a beautifully big and powerful sound. There is a powerful bass response that highlights the lower end of the music without, however, suppressing the rest of the frequencies. The midrange is exceptionally clear and forward in the mix, while the treble reproduction is top notch, with lots of detail that brings the soundstage to life with a sharp focus.
The tone of the Klipsch T5 II True Wireless Sport McLaren Edition is pure Klipsch and works so well with rock music and other genres by adding a layer of sonic finesse that Klipsch does so well. There is an energy from the music that makes the earbuds sound so exciting when you hear them. These are earbuds for people with an energetic and sporty lifestyle, thanks to their exceptionally high rating for both water and dust protection. By the way, the small case that contains the drying granules in the lid of the charging case can easily be removed and placed in a microwave for 30 seconds to reactivate it.
Judgment: The Klipsch T5 II True Wireless Sport McLaren Edition earphones are beautifully finished and will delight all McClaren F1 fans who want to show their loyalty to the brand. The sound is exceptionally good while the battery life is excellent. I like the comfort of the fir-tree on the Klipsch T5 II True Wireless Sport McLaren Edition and the way the earbuds make an excellent acoustic seal. These are great true wireless earbuds, and whether you are a McLaren F1 fan or not, they will make a winning sound. Expensive … but worth it.
Pricing and Availability: £ 259.99 / $ 249.99 /
More info: www.klipsch.com
Technical specifications:
- Style: in-ear monitor
- Driver: Dynamic Moving Coil Micro Speaker
- Driver diameter: 5.0mm
- Microphone: cVc 8.0 quad microphone
- Frequency response: 10Hz-19kHz
- Noise isolation: -22 dB
- Earphone battery: 50 mAh
- Charging case: 360 mAh
- Bluetooth version: Bluetooth 5.0
- Profiles: A2DP 1.3, AVRCP 1.6, HSP 1.2, HFP 1.7
- A2DP codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX
- Range: up to 10 m
- Input: 5 V DC, 1.0 A.
- Battery status: iOS and Android battery status monitor
