The world is getting smaller:  thinner phones, thinner celebrities, and teacup bulldogs.  Going against that grain, the Klipsch R6i On-Ear is a larger rendition of the smaller R6i In-Ear.  And in typical Klipsch fashion, it reminds me just how good a good on-ear headphone can sound.

Klipsch R6i On-Ear Review

The Klipsch R6i On-Ear is a simple enough headphone.  It follows a very basic on-the-ear design, with just enough earcup to deliver the best sound while staying lightweight, portable, and convenient.  Isolation is still top notch – maybe not completely on par with its in-ear sibling, but damn close.

The cups swivel so that the headphone lays flat for easy stowing and transporting.  The cable isn’t removable, but there is a nice mic and remote there (made for iphone, of course).  There’s just enough padding on the headband and cups to give you a modicum of comfort without being too bulky.

In all, it’s a lightweight headphone with some decent, travel-friendly design.

But it’s nowhere near the level of suck that most on-ear headphones seem to aspire to.  Instead, the Klipsch is a winner right out of the gate, the minute you put it on your ears.

The sound hinges on a fairly standard 20-20,000 hertz frequency range, a low impedance of 32 ohms, and a custom-tuned driver that Klipsch slipped in there for good measure.  It all comes together to form an articulate and accurate sound with a tincture of bass – enough to make me feel the tunes, but not so much that I had to rip the headphones from my ears.

While there are obviously cheaper options out there for on-ear headphones, as well as more expensive ones, the Klipsch R6i On-Ear stradles that line perfectly, offering you an inexpensive $99 on-ear that sounds like it should cost twice as much.

Reasons to avoid the R6i On-Ear?  If you’re into bass, this one may not be for you.  I found it more than suitable for rock and roll and some electronica, but bass just doesn’t seem as powerful as it could be.  If mobile compatibility and portability aren’t top priority, you may also be able to find other models that would offer a slightly more intense experience, like the Audio Technica M40x.

Get some at the Klipsch Store at Audio46!