Klipsch X12 DIY Kit (with Extended Range Knowles BA driver)

$75.99$96.99

Product Spec

  • Response Accuracy: 92%
  • Noise Isolation: 35-42 dB
  • Frequency response: 50-10 kHz ± 2 dB; 20-16 kHz ±4 dB
  • Acoustic polarity: + electrical = + acoustic
  • Transducer type: balanced armature
  • 1 kHz sensitivity: 108 dB SPL for a 0.2 V input (102 dB @ 0.1 V; 106 dB @ 1mW)
  • Impedance: 27 Ohms nominal
  • Maximum output: 122 dB SPL
  • Maximum continuous input : 0.75 Vrms

SKU: Klipsch X12 DIY Kit (with Extended Range Knowles BA driver) Category: Tags: , , ,

Description

Introduction

This is a Klipsch X12 DIY Kit with all components. With basic soldering and gluing skill, you can make you own IEM in 1h, which saves 70% budget!

And great news is, we offer upgraded Balanced Armature Driver – Knowles ED29689 in this kit, a truly hi-end driver used in Etymotic Research ER4P/B/X Extended Range in-Ear Monitors, a legend of its kind and 2~3 times expensive than Klipsch X12. 

Knowles ED 29689 Extended Range Balanced Armature Driver

How does this Klipsch X12 kit sound?

Ultra-high resolution!

It outperforms original Klipsch X12 because of the upgraded BA driver – Knowles ED 29689. And literally you can refer to most ER4P/S impressions, because they’re built with exactly same BA driver! (background knowledge: unlike dynamic drivers, balanced armature drivers is fully sealed. So the sound quality is solely determined by the BA driver, the acoustic design has minor impact). Here is a reference from Head-Fi: 

It is analytical and bright, fairly neutral while slightly on the thinner and colder side, tight and impactful bass that isn’t quantitatively large, resolving and fast which are very typical of BA based IEM. … The overall sound signature is analytical, a little on the bright side but not harsh, resolving and fast with slightly upper mid ~ lower treble focus; fairly neutral while still retains a tiny sense of warm. Bass is very tight, impactful but lacks a good body, while instruments separation is good, air and depth reproduction isn’t – thus soundstage is mediocre.

What’re in this DIY KIT? 

The KIT include everything you need to build an X12.

  1. 2 X Knowles ED 29689 balanced armature drivers (newer and better than original drivers)
  2. 1 original Klipsch X12 cable with open end, or 
  3. 5N OFC braided cable which minimize the Stethoscope effect
  4. 1 pair of Klipsch X12 shell – 2 color options gold or silver. 
  5. 2 pairs of Klipsch X12 ear pads 

Note, to offer you the most precise measurement, we have the driver pre-installed in the housing

Braided 5N OCF cable

OK, now how can I build it?

The entire process takes 30min to 1hour in a few simple steps.

Step 0 Take a look at the kit

Klipsch X10/12 DIY Kit
Klipsch X10/12 DIY Kit

Step 1 Wiring 

Pull the wire through the back cover like this: 

Klipsch X10/12 DIY Kit

Step 2 Soldering

Before soldering, make sure you fix it’s position on the vice clamp – hi-end drivers with strong magnet and may stick to your soldering iron!

Klipsch X10/12 DIY Kit

Be very careful when you soldering the wire to it. Over heating in a few seconds may kill this tiny BA driver. And the soldering panel is extremely small and very easily get short-cut. Also notice the polarity of the driver and don’t make mistake.

Klipsch X10/12 DIY Kit

Step 3 Gluing the BA driver into housing 

Apply around the BA driver and carefully position it to the housing. NEVER get glue into the opening of the BA driver – once you did there is no way back…

Klipsch X10/12 DIY Kit
Klipsch X10/12 DIY Kit
Klipsch X10/12 DIY Kit

Step 4 Verify and Gluing shell  

Your build is working now, you can connect it to your cell phone and verify if it sounds properly before you glue the shell up. And glue the front housing (gold or silver) and the back end cover (hard rubber) together, and you finally get this 

Klipsch X10/12 DIY Kit
Klipsch X10/12 DIY Kit

Do I need to fine tune the sound?

No need at all. ED 29689 is with very balanced frequency and no damping or tuning needed

How if I have special requirements?

Please leave your requirements in the ordering note and we’ll handle them accordingly, or contact our service account for any issue. 

 

FAQ

Collected from hundreds DIYers building this kit.

[FAQ 1] How does this kit compared with the IE800 kit? 
A: IE800 is better on ultra-low bass performance, like 5~10Hz which you can feel with you skin. While X12 and most BA drivers can not do that due to the size of its diaphragm. However, X12 kit offers better resolution and fantastic female vocal. So it’s really depends on your flavor. And as both perform super great, the gap is tiny and barely perceptible. 

Additional information

Weight 0.1 kg
Dimensions 15 × 10 × 3 cm
Cable

Original Kilpsch X12 cable (black), Braided 5N OFC cable

Assembling

Assemble the kit for me, No, I want separated kit and DIY

Shell color

Gold, Silver

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