true wireless audio devices, Klipsch offers a few unique features to differentiate the T5 II ANC from the pack. A wise partnership between Klipsch and Dirac Sound improves your listening experience and puts Klipsch ahead of the game. Let’s check out what the Klipsch T5 II True Wireless ANC excels at and what could use refinement.
Editor’s note: this post was updated on March 22, 2022, to add Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless to Alternatives, update the score with results from our reader poll, and to add FAQs.
Who should get the Klipsch T5 II True Wireless ANC?
Commuters
Audio tinkerers can play with the EQ settings and optional Dirac HD Sound mode for a pleasant custom sound.
Folks interested in brand recognition and retro aesthetics will enjoy the thoughtful design put into the buds and case.
Productivity-minded people will benefit from the good microphone and assignable buttons on the earbuds.
What’s it like to use Klipsch T5 II True Wireless ANC?
The full suite of accessories includes a braided USB-C cable and five color-coded ear tips of varying sizes.
The Klipsch T5 II True Wireless ANC operates much like other true wireless earbuds and has a kind of retro-futurism design. From the hefty case to the chunky, brightly lit earbuds, this headset weds the convenience of true wireless tech with the romanticized design from bygone eras, like the Klipsch logo models. To contrast this, the oversized lights on each bud shine red or blue, reminding me of the 1980s movie Tron and synthesizers of that era. I like it, however, the design language comes off sort of confused.
Start here: What makes a good set of in-ears?
Klipsch provides six differently sized oval-shaped ear tips, so almost anyone should find a size that fits. The medium fits me best and even then it never feels secure enough, and the left earbud is prone to falling from my ear. No matter how much I experiment with testing different ear tips , I surrender to a third-party pair. Even after all this trial and error, issues still crop up, and due to the buds’ chunkier size, things feel weighty after 90 minutes. Since so much of the weight sits outside the ear, this likely contributes to the T5 II ANC’s precarious fit.
Generous in size, the buttons are found on the Klipsch logo.
The IPX4 rating assures you that a bit of sweat will not harm the T5 II True Wireless ANC, but the fit issues aren’t confidence inspiring. True wireless earbuds are too expensive to risk losing or dropping, and you have far better options for working out anyway.
Your new favorite case
If you could buy battery cases separately that worked with other earbuds, I’d want the T5 II ANC battery case. The gunmetal case borrows design elements from the iconic Zippo lighter, with a smooth poly-like coating that resists dings. A rubber mat on the bottom prevents the case from scratching and sliding across various surfaces. Unlike other metal cases (e.g., Master & Dynamic MW08 ), this one continues to look good after continuous use. As evidence, the photos in this article are after three weeks of use—not day one.
Ideally suited for single-handed operation, the case easily opens like a lighter.
The lid flips easily with a flick of the thumb. It snaps shut again with a satisfying magnetic snap . Three square white LEDs indicate the battery life, and a USB-C input rests on the back. It also supports wireless charging for those who own plenty of charging mats.
The case feels a bit heavy, but at least you won’t lose track of it. The mixture of rounded, slightly squared-off corners prevents it from catching on the inside of a pocket. When empty the case continues to stand even with the lid open, so you can replace the buds with one hand.
