We’re fans of the new $199 Klipsch T5 II True Wireless Earphones thanks to their waterproof earpieces, stylish charging case, and bass-forward sound signature. For $30 more, the Klipsch T5 II True Wireless Sport take everything we like about those earphones and add fins to the earpieces for an even more stable fit for exercise. They also come with a waterproof charging case, marking the first time we’ve seen one in the true wireless department. Audio performance between the two pairs is nearly identical, though the added fit stability can also provide a more consistent listening experience. We feel that these upgrades justify the increase in price, especially if you need a watertight charging case.
Fully Waterproof, Down to the Charging Case
Available in black, green, or white models, the T5 II True Wireless Sport Earphones take the somewhat sporty design of the standard model and double down on it. The earpieces add earfins for extra stabilization, and though they look like they’re built like tanks, they’re lightweight and manage a super-secure fit. The outer control panels are emblazoned with large, retro Klipsch logos. As mentioned, not only are the earpieces fully waterproof, with an IP67 rating, so is the exterior of the charging case.
To achieve this, the case is…well, intense. It has a flip-open lid that snaps shut with a latch, creating a watertight seal. The outer shell is translucent plastic, and underneath, there’s a surface with a repeating hexagonal design on it, somewhat reminiscent of an underwater case for a GoPro action cam. The USB-C charging port is on the inside, and even more intriguing, the interior of the lid has a clear covering with perforations, behind which is a desiccant pod full of moisture-absorbing crystals that make the case sound like a tiny maraca when you move it around. The crystals are made from silica gel and thus need to be reactivated periodically by pulling the pod out of the lid and heating it in the microwave for 30 seconds (please refer to the manual and not my cursory instructions to do this). After several uses, the pod will need to be replaced.
Now, the case is only rated IP67 when it is shut and sealed with the latch, with no moisture inside. That may seem obvious, since no case we’ve ever tested has ever been waterproof or even water resistant on the interior. But the presence of the moisture-absorbing pod on the interior lid creates a bit of a gray area. If the pod is there to absorb moisture, does that mean the case can withstand some water? Or is the pod there as a last line of defense, just in case some drops make it inside? Conversations with Klispch—as well as our own testing—prove that the latter is true: You shouldn’t be putting anything wet in the case. The pod will help absorb only very minor amounts of moisture, like residual sweat that may be inside the eartips after you’ve already wiped the earpieces down. Still, this is more assurance against water damage than any other pair of true wireless earphones we’ve tested.
In addition to three pairs of earfins (in S, M, and L), Klipsch includes a generous array of eartips—oval and clear with helpful color marking to denote size, there are six total pairs of silicone eartips included. They provide a secure fit that, unlike many in-ears we test, doesn’t require you to twist the earpieces to create a stronger seal. The Klipsch logo on the outer panel should be more or less horizontal when they’re properly placed in your ear.
Various controls are divided sensibly between the two earpieces. A single tap on the left earpiece enables or disables transparency mode, while a single tap on the right controls playback. During playback, a long press on the left lowers volume or on the right raises volume, while a double press on the left navigates backward a track or skips forward on the right. A single tap on the right ear answers a call while a double tap ends it, and a double tap on the left ear mutes the mic when on a call. When no call is in progress, a double tap summons your mobile device’s voice assistant.
The charging cable is generous in length and stylish, with a sporty black fabric exterior. It terminates in USB-C on both sides, so you can charge via USB-C-only computers, but there is also an adapter for connecting the cable to USB-A ports, which is a nice, uncommon addition.
Internally, 5mm dynamic drivers deliver a frequency response of 10Hz to 19kHz. The earphones are compatible with Bluetooth 5.0, and support AAC, AptX, and SBC Bluetooth codecs. There is no app or EQ, however, so what you hear is what you get.
Klipsch estimates battery life to be roughly eight hours, with 24 extra hours in the case, but your results will vary with your volume levels.
Bass-Forward Audio
On tracks with intense sub-bass content, like The Knife’s “Silent Shout,” the earphones deliver a notable low-frequency thump. At top, unwise listening levels, the bass doesn’t distort, and at more moderate levels, the deep lows are still powerful, and fairly balanced by the sculpted high-mids and highs.
Bill Callahan’s “Drover,” a track with far less deep bass in the mix, gives us a better sense of the T5 II True Wireless Sport’s general sound signature. The drums on this track sound full and round—there’s clearly bass boosting in the lows here, but things don’t get unnaturally thunderous. Callahan’s baritone vocals receive an extra dose of low-mid richness, but the sculpting in the high-mids and highs allows for some crispness and definition, so things always sound relatively clear and balanced despite the added bass depth. The acoustic strums and higher-register percussive hits receive plenty of high-mid/high frequency presence, but ultimately, this is a bass-forward sound signature.
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On Jay-Z and Kanye West’s “No Church in the Wild,” the kick drum loop receives enough high-mid presence for its attack to remain punchy, while the vinyl hiss and crackle take more of a step forward in the mix—the high-mids and highs receive some serious sculpting rather than across-the-range boosting. The drum loop also receives some extra low-frequency thump, while the sub-bass synth hits that punctuate the beat are delivered with impressive depth, yet the subwoofer-like oomph manages not to overpower the mix. The vocals are delivered with solid clarity, so that they sound bright and crisp, but without much added sibilance.
On orchestral tracks, like the opening scene from John Adams’ The Gospel According to the Other Mary, the higher-register brass, strings, and vocals retain their bright, crisp presence in the mix, while the bass-forward sound signature feels more natural here. The lower-register instrumentation takes a slight step forward in the mix, but it’s subtle. This is a bass-forward sound signature with sculpted highs to match and balance things out.
The four-beam-forming mic array offers solid intelligibility. Using the Voice Memos app on an iPhone, we could understand every word we recorded cleanly and clearly. There’s some typical Bluetooth distortion in the mix, but it’s mostly a clear signal, with plenty of high-mids for added clarity.
Ideal for Exercise
The best true wireless earphones over $200 all offer something special. For instance, you get top-notch noise cancellation from the $250 Apple AirPods Pro and $280 Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, or superb audio and best-in-class design and materials form the $350 Bang & Olufsen Beoplay E8 Sport. None of these options are completely waterproof, however. The Klipsch T5 II True Wireless Sport Earphones deliver a similar audio experience to their slightly more affordable sibling, but their extra-secure fit and watertight case are worth the extra money and justify their over-$200 price. If you need a pair of true wireless earphones that are safe from water in or out of a case, these are the ones to get.
