Klipsch T5 II True Wireless
The Klipsch T5 II look great, but how do they sound?
The Klipsch T5 II were released last year, and cost$329 – the same price as their predecessors. That’s slightly cheaper than the Apple AirPods Pro, and a little more expensive than the best true wireless earbuds of 2021, the Sony WF-1000XM3. The Klipsch T5 II True Wireless are the latest earbuds from the heritage audio brand, bringing an updated design, new drivers, and improved connectivity to the original T5 earphones.
Despite their high price, these true wireless earbuds lack the active noise cancellation that features in models such as the Apple AirPods Pro or the Sony WF-1000XM3. However, they do retain the excellent build quality of their predecessors, reprising the Zippo lighter-esque design of the charging case.
The earbuds themselves have been upgraded, too, sporting a smaller, lighter build, alongside an IP67 water- and dust-resistance rating. We found the earbuds comfortable in use, with the six different-sized ear tips in the box a welcome addition of which other manufacturers should take note.
We weren’t fans of the buttons that sit on the outer housing of each earbud, since using them can cause the buds to be pushed further into your ear canal. However, we appreciate that touch controls can be equally finicky, and that how you feel about them will come down to personal preference.
When it comes to audio performance, the Klipsch T5 II excel in some areas, but disappoint in others. They offer a great bass extension with tightly controlled low frequencies, but suffer from sibilance and a lack of sparkle in the trebles. In addition, while they provide a good level of clarity and comprehensive codec support, they’re let down by their relatively narrow soundstage and lack of dynamism.
In general, connectivity is very good as a result of Bluetooth 5 support. We didn’t experience any pairing issues while using the Klipsch T5 II. We also liked the fact that you can adjust the EQ settings via the Klipsch Connect app.
Battery life is also decent, if not class-leading, coming in at 32 hours in total.
And that pretty much sums up our overall opinion of the Klipsch T5 II: they’re pretty good, but not class-leading. Sure, these wireless earbuds sound good enough for casual listening, and build quality is impressive, too – but for the price, we expect more.
That ‘more’ would be through the inclusion of active noise cancellation, a truly flawless audio performance, or even a battery life that beats the competition. Sure, they’re an improvement upon their predecessors in terms of connectivity and design, but without these extra features, the Klipsch T5 II are relegated to the world of good, but not great, true wireless earbuds.
The Klipsch T5 II True Wireless offer the same excellent build quality as their predecessors, alongside a great bass response that’s ideal for electronic and pop music. However, sibilance in the trebles and the lack of noise cancellation means they can’t beat the likes of the Apple AirPods Pro and the Sony WF-1000XM3, particularly at this price.