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Klipsch Reference One Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price in UK: ~£160
Avg. price in US: ~$200
Form factor: on-ear
Connectivity: wired
Battery life: N/A hours
Active noise cancellation (ANC): no

Klipsch Reference One review. Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among headphones and if it is worth buying.

5.1

Good

4.8

Poor

6.5

Good

3.2
Gaming
Score components:
35.0%
0.0
Audio latency
25.0%
0.0
Low-latency game mode
20.0%
10
Can be used as a headset
12.0%
10
Noise-canceling microphone
8.0%
0.0
Battery life
1.6
Travel
Score components:
28.0%
1.0
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
24.0%
0.0
Battery life
18.0%
7.1
Weight
16.0%
0.0
Multipoint support
14.0%
0.0
Ambient sound mode
5.2
Calls
Score components:
28.0%
10
Noise-canceling microphone
24.0%
10
Can be used as a headset
18.0%
0.0
Multipoint support
16.0%
0.0
Battery life
14.0%
0.0
Companion app
5.2
Workout
Score components:
28.0%
7.1
Weight
24.0%
1.0
Water resistance
20.0%
9.0
IP rating
16.0%
0.0
Battery life
12.0%
10
Can be used as a headset

Best prices in UK

£?

Best rankings

#465 in Best Wired Headphones
#1039 in Best Headphones with Mic

Verdict

The Klipsch Reference One is a portable on-ear headphone featuring 40mm dynamic moving coil drivers that deliver a wide frequency response of 16Hz to 23kHz with a sensitivity of 110dB and 32-ohm impedance. Known for its lightweight 138.3-gram design and high-density memory foam earcups, it provides excellent comfort and passive noise isolation for long listening sessions. Its primary characteristics include a sleek black-and-copper aesthetic and a flat, tangle-resistant 3.5mm cable equipped with a three-button remote and 360-degree microphone optimized for Apple devices. Main pros highlight its balanced, high-fidelity sound signature with rich bass and crisp highs, alongside its convenient foldable design and included hard-shell carrying case. Available cons include limited functionality of the inline controls on non-iOS devices, a non-detachable cable that may impact long-term durability, and a price point that some users consider high for the features provided.

Technical Specifications of Klipsch Reference One

Overall score

5.1

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Popularity

What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.

When it matters: When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.

Sound

5.1

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Active noise cancellation (ANC)

What it is: Reduces background noise using active technology

When it matters: When blocking office, travel, or aircraft noise is a priority.

Importance: HIGH

Driver type

What it is: Type of speaker driver technology used

When it matters: When the underlying sound character and driver technology matter to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

dynamic

Driver size

What it is: Diameter of the speaker driver unit

When it matters: When you want extra hardware context behind how the headphones may handle bass weight, scale, or overall presentation.

Importance: MEDIUM

Number of drivers

What it is: Total number of speaker drivers per earcup

When it matters: When multi-driver designs are part of your buying criteria.

Importance: LOW

Lowest frequency

What it is: Lowest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce

When it matters: When deeper bass extension matters for your music or movie listening.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=10 Hz

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Calls & Controls

7.1

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Noise-canceling microphone

What it is: Built-in microphone reduces background noise during calls

When it matters: When you take calls in busy spaces and want your voice to stay clearer.

Importance: MEDIUM

Can be used as a headset

What it is: Shows whether the headphones can handle voice chat and calls in addition to normal audio playback.

When it matters: When one pair needs to cover music, calls, meetings, and gaming chat.

Importance: MEDIUM

Number of microphones

What it is: Total number of built-in microphones

When it matters: When call pickup quality and beamforming support matter to you.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=2

Boom microphone

What it is: Includes detachable boom microphone for voice clarity

When it matters: When you need stronger voice clarity for gaming, streaming, or work calls.

Importance: LOW

Microphone SNR

What it is: Signal-to-noise ratio of the microphone

When it matters: When call clarity matters and you want your voice picked up more cleanly instead of buried in background hiss.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >80 dB

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Connectivity

6.3

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Connectivity

What it is: Available connection methods (wired, wireless, Bluetooth, etc.)

When it matters: When the headphones need to match how you listen across wired and wireless devices.

Importance: HIGH

Bluetooth version

What it is: Version of Bluetooth technology supported

When it matters: When wireless stability, efficiency, and feature support matter more than treating Bluetooth as a box-check spec.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5.0

N/A

Maximum Bluetooth range

What it is: Maximum wireless operating distance from source device

When it matters: When you move around rooms and want fewer dropouts from your source device.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=10 m

N/A

Audio latency

What it is: Delay between audio and video in wireless mode

When it matters: When you watch video or play games and need sound to stay in sync.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <60 ms

N/A

Multipoint support

What it is: Supports simultaneous connections to multiple devices

When it matters: When you switch often between a phone and a laptop during the day.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

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Features

2.7

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Ambient sound mode

What it is: Allows external sounds to pass through for awareness

When it matters: When you need to stay aware of traffic, voices, or announcements.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

EQ support

What it is: Allows customization of sound profile via equalizer

When it matters: When the stock tuning is not enough and you want to shape bass, mids, or treble to match your taste.

Importance: MEDIUM

Companion app

What it is: Dedicated mobile app for customization and updates

When it matters: When software customization, updates, and extra controls matter.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

Adjustable ANC levels

What it is: Allows adjustment of noise cancellation intensity levels

When it matters: When you move between quiet rooms, offices, streets, and public transport and do not want one ANC setting for every situation.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=4

N/A

Voice assistant support

What it is: Compatible with voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant

When it matters: When hands-free control is part of your daily routine.

Importance: LOW

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Battery

1.0

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Battery life

What it is: Playback time on a single charge

When it matters: When you commute, travel, or work long shifts and do not want charging breaks to interrupt listening.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >45 hours

N/A

Battery life with ANC

What it is: Playback time with active noise cancellation enabled

When it matters: When you plan to keep noise cancellation on for most of the day.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >40 hours

N/A

Charging time

What it is: Time required for a full battery charge

When it matters: When you often need the headphones ready again after short breaks.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=2 hours

N/A

Quick charge

What it is: Provides quick playback time with short charging period

When it matters: When a short top-up needs to deliver useful playback before you leave.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

Battery capacity

What it is: Total energy storage of the internal battery

When it matters: When you are estimating how much battery headroom the design may have before relying only on the official runtime claim.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=720 mAh

N/A

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Design

7.2

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Brand name

What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.

When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: MEDIUM

Klipsch

Form factor

What it is: Overall design type of the headphones (over-ear, on-ear, in-ear, etc.)

When it matters: When comfort, portability, and isolation depend on the overall headphone style.

Importance: HIGH

on-ear

Weight

What it is: Total weight of the headphones

When it matters: When long listening sessions make wearing comfort more important.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <150 g

Acoustic design

What it is: Type of acoustic design (open-back, closed-back, semi-open)

When it matters: When you need the right balance of isolation, leakage, and soundstage.

Importance: HIGH

closed-back

Clamp force

What it is: Amount of clamping pressure applied to the head

When it matters: When comfort and fit security matter during long sessions.

Importance: MEDIUM

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Klipsch Reference One vs the average headphone

Why is Klipsch Reference One better than the average headphone?

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Clear call microphone
Klipsch Reference One offers a clear call microphone, while the average headphone does not. 45.6% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
What it is: Built-in microphone reduces background noise during calls
When it matters: When you take calls in busy spaces and want your voice to stay clearer.
Importance: MEDIUM
Klipsch Reference One offers a clear call microphone, while the average headphone does not. 45.6% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Direct 3.5 mm plug
Klipsch Reference One includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average headphone does not. 38.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
What it is: Shows whether the headphones end in a built-in 3.5 mm male plug instead of relying on a separate detachable cable.
When it matters: When direct wired compatibility with older devices or adapters matters.
Importance: MEDIUM
Klipsch Reference One includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average headphone does not. 38.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
8 dB/mW higher sensitivity
Klipsch Reference One has a higher sensitivity than the average headphone (110 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
What it is: Sound pressure output level per unit of input power
When it matters: When you plan to use weaker sources like phones, handhelds, or entry-level dongles and still want enough volume.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: >=106 dB/mW
Klipsch Reference One has a higher sensitivity than the average headphone (110 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.110 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
36.6% lower weight
Klipsch Reference One is lighter than the average headphone (138.3 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
What it is: Total weight of the headphones
When it matters: When long listening sessions make wearing comfort more important.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: <150 g
Klipsch Reference One is lighter than the average headphone (138.3 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.138.3 g vs 218 g
In-line controls
Klipsch Reference One includes in-line controls, the average headphone does not. 36.4% of headphones support in-line controls.
What it is: Controls available on in-line remote of wired cable
When it matters: When your wired setup depends on cable-mounted buttons or call controls.
Importance: LOW
Klipsch Reference One includes in-line controls, the average headphone does not. 36.4% of headphones support in-line controls.
Foldable design
Klipsch Reference One has a foldable design, the average headphone does not. 61% of headphones are foldable.
What it is: Earcups or headband can fold for compact storage
When it matters: When you travel often and want easier storage in a bag.
Importance: LOW
Klipsch Reference One has a foldable design, the average headphone does not. 61% of headphones are foldable.
3,000 Hz higher treble extension
Klipsch Reference One has a higher highest frequency than the average headphone (23,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
What it is: Highest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce
When it matters: When treble extension and overall frequency reach matter to you.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: >=24000 Hz
Klipsch Reference One has a higher highest frequency than the average headphone (23,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.23000 Hz vs 20000 Hz
36.6% lower weight
Klipsch Reference One is lighter than the average headphone (138.3 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
Foldable design
Klipsch Reference One has a foldable design, the average headphone does not. 61% of headphones are foldable.
8 dB/mW higher sensitivity
Klipsch Reference One has a higher sensitivity than the average headphone (110 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
3,000 Hz higher treble extension
Klipsch Reference One has a higher highest frequency than the average headphone (23,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
Direct 3.5 mm plug
Klipsch Reference One includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average headphone does not. 38.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
Clear call microphone
Klipsch Reference One offers a clear call microphone, while the average headphone does not. 45.6% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
In-line controls
Klipsch Reference One includes in-line controls, the average headphone does not. 36.4% of headphones support in-line controls.

Calls & Controls

Why is Klipsch Reference One worse than the average headphone?

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Fixed cable
Klipsch Reference One has a fixed cable, while the average headphone has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
No voice assistant support
Klipsch Reference One does not support voice assistants, the average headphone does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
6 years older release date
Klipsch Reference One was released earlier than the average headphone (2,011 vs 2,017). The average headphones were released in 2,017.
January 2011
No voice assistant support
Klipsch Reference One does not support voice assistants, the average headphone does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
What it is: Compatible with voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant
When it matters: When hands-free control is part of your daily routine.
Importance: LOW
Klipsch Reference One does not support voice assistants, the average headphone does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
Fixed cable
Klipsch Reference One has a fixed cable, while the average headphone has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
What it is: Cable can be removed or replaced
When it matters: When you care about easier cable replacement, simpler storage, or the option to swap to shorter, longer, or upgraded leads.
Importance: MEDIUM
Klipsch Reference One has a fixed cable, while the average headphone has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
23.6% lower user score
Klipsch Reference One has a lower user score than the average headphone (6.47 vs 8.000).
What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters: When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Klipsch Reference One has a lower user score than the average headphone (6.47 vs 8.000).6.47 vs 8
6 years older release date
Klipsch Reference One was released earlier than the average headphone (2,011 vs 2,017). The average headphones were released in 2,017.
January 2011
What it is: Official release or launch date of the model
When it matters: When you want a newer model for fresher features, longer support life, or simply to avoid buying into an older generation.
Importance: LOW
Good value: >=2020
Klipsch Reference One was released earlier than the average headphone (2,011 vs 2,017). The average headphones were released in 2,017.2011 vs 2017
77.8% more expensive
Klipsch Reference One is more expensive than the average headphone (£160 vs £90).
Klipsch Reference One is more expensive than the average headphone (£160 vs £90).£160 vs £90
2.35x less popular
Klipsch Reference One is less popular than the average headphone (1.98 vs 4.646).
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters: When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Klipsch Reference One is less popular than the average headphone (1.98 vs 4.646).1.98 vs 4.65
4.1% worse value for money
Klipsch Reference One has worse value for money than the average headphone (6.47 vs 6.736).
What it is: An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters: When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Klipsch Reference One has worse value for money than the average headphone (6.47 vs 6.736).6.47 vs 6.74

Graphic comparison of Klipsch Reference One and

Attribute category

Attribute

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom

United States

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

What customers like about Klipsch Reference One?

Exceptional long-term comfort with generous leather padding and lightweight design
Rich, powerful audio performance with substantial bass and crisp highs
Tangle-resistant flat cable with a responsive three-button iOS remote and mic
Collapsible, folding design that fits into a high-quality hardshell carrying case
Good passive noise isolation for an on-ear model due to a secure ear cup seal

What customers dislike about Klipsch Reference One?

Non-detachable cable makes replacement impossible if the cord is damaged
Inline remote and microphone features have limited or no functionality on Android devices
Not a true 'flat response' signature; may be too bass-heavy for purists
Some users reported build quality issues, such as hairline fractures in the headband over time
Soundstage is described as narrow or intimate rather than expansive

Expert reviews

pocnetwork.net

30/01/2014

Review: Klipsch Reference ONE Headphones

The Poc Network // Tech review awards the Klipsch Reference ONE Headphones a 7.5 out of 10 stars, finding them to be a highly competitive option for their $99 price point. Visually, the headphones embrace a luxury, 1980s-inspired aesthetic featuring a nice leather band, brownish-gold accent trim, and a clear-jacketed cable that exposes the copper wiring inside. On the performance...Read more

head-fi.org

02/02/2012

Klipsch Reference ONE On-Ear Stereo Headphones - Head-Fi

The Klipsch Reference One on-ear headphones deliver punchy, forward low-end bass that competes with higher-priced alternatives, earning an 8/10 for sound and a 7/10 for a surprisingly spacious soundstage. Designed for portability, they feature a comfortable, premium leather headband, solid construction, and include a rugged hard case and airplane adapter, warranting a high 9/10 for...Read more

connect.de

30/07/2011

Review: Klipsch Image One Headphones - connect

The connect review highlights the Klipsch Image One as a bass-heavy, feature-rich set of on-ear headphones priced at €150. The prominent pro of this model is its powerful, heavily emphasized deep bass performance, which makes it incredibly fun and well-suited for genres like hip-hop and R&B. Additionally, it scores high marks for exceptional wearing comfort thanks to its soft...Read more

hifitest.de

28/03/2012

Klipsch Image One review: Very good Hi-Fi headphones | hifitest.de

The Klipsch Image One is an "Oberklasse" (upper-class) hi-fi headphone from a traditional American manufacturer that retails for around 150 Euros. Designed to mark the upper price limit of its test field, it functions exceptionally well as a daily smartphone companion. Acoustically, the headphone is praised for its crisp, lively, and energetic sound reproduction combined with a high...Read more

on-mag.fr

30/01/2016

Klipsch Reference On-Ear Review: Can Listening Pleasure Save the Rest?

This review summary of the Klipsch Reference On-Ear headphones highlights a product that struggles to justify its high price tag despite solid audio performance. On the positive side, the headphones deliver a comfortable fit thanks to thick memory foam earpads and a well-padded headband. The audio performance is highly satisfying, offering a smooth, punchy sound signature with a...Read more

lesnumeriques.com

11/06/2015

Klipsch Reference On-Ear Review: Simple and Effective

The Klipsch Reference On-EarGo headphones are praised by Les Numériques for their lightweight, foldable design and excellent comfort, featuring a durable, flexible headband that suits on-ear wearers well. Weighing only 200 grams, they come with a convenient travel pouch and a tangle-resistant, flat cable. Key pros include high-quality, balanced audio performance with a strong...Read more

saggiamente.com

17/04/2026

Review: Klipsch Image ONE On-Ear Headphones, Quality and Style at a Low Price

The Saggiamente review highlights the Klipsch Image One On-Ear headphones for delivering premium, comfortable design with rich bass and high-fidelity sound, particularly praising the stylish leather and chrome finish. While praised for comfort, the review notes functional drawbacks, including a non-removable, tangle-prone cable and a headband that does not fully fold for travel.

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