The only pair of neckband earphones I’ve ever owned was a pair meant for working out. I cannot recall who made it because it was years ago, but I do remember regretting my purchase. It just didn’t sit right with me, so when Klipsch unveiled the R5 last month, I can’t say I was particularly excited. Nonetheless, I gave it a go, and after using it religiously for a couple of weeks, I think it’s converted me. If you’re looking for your next pair of affordable earphones, the Klipsch R5 Neckband is a solid contender, and here’s why.
Design
I place a great deal of importance on the design aspect of earphones because frankly, I’d like to look good while I wear them; I’m sure many of you will agree with me about this. The R5 exceeds my expectations in this regard. The neckband is housed in a casing made with genuine leather, so it looks great and feels even better. I’m a sucker for things that age, so this is a big win in my books. Over time, the leather will age and mould itself to your body, making it more comfortable to wear. The controls on either side of the neckband are weighted well so the earphones won’t shift about very much while you wear them. My only qualm about the controls are that they are a bit of an eyesore. They could’ve made it a little less noticeable.
Function
Battery
When it comes to Bluetooth earphones, one of the things I’m most concerned with is battery life. With so many gadgets to charge these days, it’s difficult to keep track of which ones need juicing up. On a full charge, the R5 lasts me a full week’s worth of commuting, so I’d say it’s pretty decent.
Sound
Considering it’s a Klipsch, product I had pretty high expectations for sound quality, and I’m not surprised that the American manufacturers have delivered. The R5 provides a good and balanced range of sound that’ll provide you hours of comfortable listening with little fatigue. I know because I used it for almost a full day at the office. If you prefer something with a little more bass, these aren’t the earphones for you. If you do enjoy something with a crisp sound, get the R5.
Connectivity
With many wireless earphones I’ve tested, connectivity is an issue. When I’m moving about, I slip my mobile phone into my back pocket and this causes my music to cut in and out. I don’t need to tell you how frustrating that is. With the R5 however, I rarely faced this issue. The headphones also offer a wide range of controls compatible with both Android and iOS devices so controlling music and taking calls while your phone is out of reach is really quite simple.
Verdict
Overall, the Klipsch R5 Neckband is a great pair of earphones for every day use. They’re comfortable, stylish, and functional which checks three major boxes I have for deliberating earphones. If you are very picky about the sound you like however, you may want to look elsewhere. Don’t get me wrong, the R5 delivers a great sound, but it may be a little more balanced than some would like. These earphones are great for the casual music lover looking for new cans for the daily commute.
Get yours here for $199