Get insider access
Preferred store
Your browser is not supported or outdated so some features of the site might not be available.
We've recently released our Test Bench 1.6 update for Headphones! Read the Latency R&D Article to learn more.

Klipsch T5 II True Wireless Sport Headphones Review

Tested using Methodology v1.4
Reviewed Nov 24, 2020 at 09:32 am
Latest change: Retest Feb 24, 2021 at 08:47 am
Klipsch T5 II True Wireless Sport Picture
7.1
Mixed Usage
6.7
Neutral Sound
7.7
Commute/Travel
8.0
Sports/Fitness
6.8
Office
5.5
Wireless Gaming
5.4
Wired Gaming
6.3
Phone Calls

The Klipsch T5 II True Wireless Sport are truly wireless in-ears that come with a portable charging case. They have a very stable in-ear fit, so they shouldn't fall out of your ears even at the gym, and they're more comfortable than the previous Klipsch T5 True Wireless. Their warm, somewhat bass-heavy sound profile adds an extra punch to music so you can stay motivated during your toughest workouts. While their control scheme isn't very clicky and may not be comfortable to use, they come with lots of different ear tip sizes to help you find the best possible fit.

Our Verdict

7.1 Mixed Usage

The Klipsch T5 II True Wireless are decent for mixed usage. Their portable design makes it easy to bring them on-the-go, and their stable fit is suitable for intense workouts at the gym. They can passively isolate against most noises found in an office setting, though they don't perform as well with bass-heavy sounds like engines found during your commute. Their warm, bass-heavy sound profile adds a little extra punch to your music, but it may not be ideal for neutral sound. Luckily, their companion app has a graphic EQ and presets so that you can tweak their sound.

Pros
  • Stable in-ear fit.
  • Portable design.
  • Graphic EQ and presets available.
Cons
  • Control scheme isn't the easiest to use.
  • May not isolate against bus or plane engines.
  • Terrible passive soundstage.
6.7 Neutral Sound

The Klipsch T5 II True Wireless are fair for neutral sound. They have a somewhat warm, bass-heavy default sound profile that adds a little extra boom to the mix. Their balanced mid-range is suitable for vocal-centric content though. That said, if you prefer a more neutral sound, their companion app offers a graphic EQ and presets so you can customize their sound to better suit your needs.

Pros
  • Consistent audio delivery.
  • Graphic EQ and presets available.
Cons
  • Control scheme isn't the easiest to use.
  • Terrible passive soundstage.
7.7 Commute/Travel

The Klipsch T5 II True Wireless are very good for commute and travel. Their portable design makes it easy to bring them on-the-go, and they're decently comfortable. Their 9.5-hour continuous battery life may be enough to get you through long international flights. However, they can struggle to isolate against bass-heavy sounds like bus or plane engines.

Pros
  • Good noise isolation.
  • Portable design.
Cons
  • May not isolate against bus or plane engines.
8.0 Sports/Fitness

The Klipsch T5 II True Wireless are impressive for sports and fitness. These truly wireless in-ears are easy to bring on-the-go, and they're stable enough to stay in your ears during your workout. They're even rated IP67 for water resistance, though we don't test for this. They're decently comfortable, but using their controls can push them deeper into your ears.

Pros
  • Stable in-ear fit.
  • Portable design.
Cons
  • Control scheme isn't the easiest to use.
6.8 Office

The Klipsch T5 II True Wireless are adequate for office use. They don't leak a lot of noise, and they can passively isolate against typical office sounds like chatter from nearby coworkers. They're decently comfortable, but their 9.5-hour continuous battery life may not be enough to get you through your workday and your commute without a recharge.

Pros
  • Good noise isolation.
Cons
  • Control scheme isn't the easiest to use.
5.5 Wireless Gaming

The Klipsch T5 II True Wireless are compatible with Bluetooth-enabled PCs, but their latency is likely too high to be suitable for wireless gaming. They aren't compatible with PS4 or Xbox One, either.

5.4 Wired Gaming

The Klipsch T5 II True Wireless can't be used with a wired connection, so they aren't suitable for wired gaming.

6.3 Phone Calls

The Klipsch T5 II True Wireless are acceptable for phone calls. Their integrated microphone makes your voices sound a bit thin and lacking in detail. The mic also struggles to separate your voice from background noises, so they're better suited for making calls from quiet settings. Fortunately, these headphones can passively isolate against background noise so you can focus on your call.

Pros
  • Good noise isolation.
Cons
  • Mediocre microphone recording quality.
  • 7.1 Mixed Usage
  • 6.7 Neutral Sound
  • 7.7 Commute/Travel
  • 8.0 Sports/Fitness
  • 6.8 Office
  • 5.5 Wireless Gaming
  • 5.4 Wired Gaming
  • 6.3 Phone Calls
  1. Updated Feb 24, 2021: Updated text to include the case's wireless charging capabilities.
  2. Updated Feb 23, 2021: We've updated the 'App Support' test to better reflect their compatibility with the Klipsch Connect app.
  3. Updated Nov 24, 2020: Review published.
  4. Updated Nov 18, 2020: Early access published.
  5. Updated Oct 27, 2020: Our testers have started testing this product.
  6. Updated Oct 22, 2020: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
  7. Updated Oct 03, 2020: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

The Klipsch T5 II True Wireless Sport come in three different color variants: 'Black', 'Silver', and 'Green'. We tested the 'Black' model, and you can see the label for the model we tested here. We expect the other color variants to perform similarly.

Klipsch has created three successors to the Klipsch T5 True Wireless: the T5 II, the T5 II Sport, and the T5 II Sport McLaren Edition. All three earbuds have similar features, but the Sport and the McLaren Sport come with additional memory foam ear tips and ear wings for a more stable fit and bigger charging cases. The McLaren edition also comes with a wireless charging pad, and it's available in the racing team's signature black and orange colors.

If you come across another variant, let us know in the discussions.

Compared To Other Headphones

The Klipsch T5 II True Wireless Sport are truly wireless in-ears with a sports-oriented design. They're more comfortable and more stable than their predecessor, the Klipsch T5 True Wireless, and they have a better passive noise isolation performance. They also have a companion app that offers a graphic EQ and presets to help customize their sound to your preferences. If you're looking for more headphones, check out our recommendations for the best wireless earbuds for running and working out, the best wireless earbuds, and the best true wireless earbuds.

Klipsch T5 II True Wireless ANC

The Klipsch T5 II True Wireless Sport are the sports-oriented variant of the Klipsch T5 II True Wireless ANC. The Sport have a more comfortable and stable fit. They're also rated IP67 for dust and water resistance, although we don't currently test for this and can isolate you from more ambient noise passively. However, the ANC are more jam-packed with extra features such as built-in Bragi Moves, which allows you to control the headphones using head movements. They're also better-built and have an ANC system, though it struggles to block out bass-range noise.

Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 2

Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 or the Klipsch T5 II True Wireless Sport. While both headphones have a customizable sound profile via their respective companion app's graphic EQ and presets, the Klipsch are more comfortable, have longer continuous battery life, a better noise isolation performance. However, the Sennheiser are better-built. 

Jaybird Vista Truly Wireless

The Jaybird Vista Truly Wireless are better than the Klipsch T5 II True Wireless Sport. The Jaybird are better-built, and they have a more comfortable and stable fit. Their sound profile is better-balanced, and they even have a parametric EQ and presets for customization. However, the Klipsch have a better noise isolation performance and a longer continuous battery life. Their companion app also offers a graphic EQ and presets, which some users may prefer. 

Klipsch T5 True Wireless

The Klipsch T5 II True Wireless Sport are better than the Klipsch T5 True Wireless. The T5 II are more comfortable and more stable in your ear. They also have a more balanced sound profile, and they can passively isolate against more background noises. They have a companion app, too, and it offers a graphic EQ plus presets to help tweak their sound to your liking. However, the T5 are better built.

Beats Powerbeats Pro Truly Wireless

The Beats Powerbeats Pro Truly Wireless are better headphones than the Klipsch T5 II True Wireless Sport. The Beats are better-built and more comfortable and stable. Their sound profile is also more neutral and balanced. However, the Klipsch have a better noise isolation performance, and they leak less sound. Their companion app also offers a graphic EQ and presets if you like to customize their sound. 

Jabra Elite Active 75t Truly Wireless

The Jabra Elite Active 75t Truly Wireless are better headphones than the Klipsch T5 II True Wireless Sport. The Jabra are better-built and more comfortable. They can be paired with up to two devices at a time and have an auto-off timer to help conserve battery life when not in use. However, the Klipsch have a better noise isolation performance and a longer continuous battery life.

+ Show more

Test Results

perceptual testing image
Design
Design
Style
Type In-ear
Enclosure Closed-Back
Wireless Truly Wireless
Transducer Dynamic

The Klipsch T5 II are simple true wireless in-ears with a similar design to the Klipsch T5 True Wireless. They protrude a bit out of your ears, which some users may not like. They're available in black, silver, and green variants.

7.0
Design
Comfort
Weight 0.03 lbs
Clamping Force
0 lbs

These in-ears are decently comfortable. While they don't sit as deep in your ears as the Klipsch T5 True Wireless, when you use their controls, you may feel a bit of pressure on your ears. However, they come with lots of different sizes of silicone ear tips and stability fins to help you find the best possible fit.

7.4
Design
Controls
OS Compatibility
Not OS specific
Ease Of Use Decent
Feedback Decent
Call/Music Control Yes
Volume Control Yes
Microphone Control Mute/Unmute
Channel Mixing
No
Noise Cancelling Control No
Talk-Through
On/Off
Additional Controls Voice Assistant

These headphones have decent controls. Each earbud controls different functions; however, if you only have one earbud connected, you can still control all of the features. The right earbud controls most of the call-related functions, and you can turn transparency on and off using the left earbud. There's audible feedback for many of the controls, which is nice. However, the buttons don't feel very clicky and seem a bit flimsy, so it's hard to tell when you've clicked.

9.5
Design
Portability
L 1.3"
W 1.2"
H 0.9"
Volume 1.4 in³
Transmitter Required No

These headphones are remarkably portable. Their truly wireless design is very small and can easily fit inside your pocket. They come with a charging case, which should easily fit inside your bag or a pocket.

8.0
Design
Case
Type Hard case
L 3.3"
W 1.6"
H 1.8"
Volume 9.2 in³

Update 02/24/2021: Thanks to user feedback, we updated our review to include that the case offers wireless charging.

The case is impressive. It has hard plastic casing, which feels very solid and durable, and there's even a moisture-removal system inside the case. There's a locking mechanism to keep it securely closed, and it also offers wireless charging. Inside the case, there are three LED light indicators to show the battery level. It's rated IP67 for dust and water resistance, but we don't test for this.

7.0
Design
Build Quality

The Klipsch T5 II have a decent build quality. The earbuds and case are both mostly made of plastic, but the case feels a bit more solid and durable. Both the case and the earbuds are rated IP67 for dust and water resistance, though we don't test for this. However, the buttons on the earbuds feel a bit flimsy and may be a potential weak point. If you're looking for more sturdy wireless in-ears, consider the Jaybird Vista 2 Truly Wireless.

7.5
Design
Stability

These headphones have good stability. Unlike the Klipsch T5 II True Wireless ANC, they come with stability fins, which should help them stay in your ears during casual listening sessions or while working out at the gym.

Design
Headshots 1
Design
Headshots 2
Design
Top
Design
In The Box

  • Klipsch T5 II True Wireless Sport headphones
  • 5x Silicone ear tips
  • 1x Foam ear tips
  • 2x Stability fins
  • Charging case
  • USB-C to USB-C charging cable
  • USB-C to USB-A adapter
  • Manuals

Sound
Sound
Sound Profile
Bass Amount
0.91 dB
Treble Amount
-2.76 dB

The Klipsch T5 II have a somewhat bass-heavy, warm sound profile. There's a little extra boom in the bass range that can please fans of bass-heavy music genres like EDM, and higher frequency sounds are more quiet and subdued. However, they're still neutral enough to be suitable for a wide range of audio content. If you prefer a different sound, their companion app offers a graphic EQ and presets so that you can tweak their sound to your liking.

9.2
Sound
Frequency Response Consistency
Avg. Std. Deviation
0.17 dB

These headphones have superb frequency response consistency. Their audio delivery is very consistent, regardless of their fit, seal, or positioning on your head.

Sound
Raw Frequency Response
8.3
Sound
Bass Accuracy
Std. Err.
2.46 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
10 Hz
Low-Bass
3.18 dB
Mid-Bass
2.13 dB
High-Bass
2.94 dB

These headphones have impressive bass accuracy. The entire range is flat and balanced, but it's a bit overemphasized, so there's an extra boom, thump, and punch to your music.

7.5
Sound
Mid Accuracy
Std. Err.
3.39 dB
Low-Mid
1.93 dB
Mid-Mid
0.25 dB
High-Mid
5.31 dB

These headphones have good mid accuracy. The range is pretty neutral and balanced, but the overemphasis in the high-mids can make vocals and lead instruments a bit honky and harsh.

6.9
Sound
Treble Accuracy
Std. Err.
4.1 dB
Low-Treble
-1.01 dB
Mid-Treble
0.88 dB
High-Treble
-9.54 dB

These headphones have fair treble accuracy. The low-treble is a bit underemphasized, so voices and lead instruments aren't as clear. That said, sibilants like S and T sounds are bright and present.

6.7
Sound
Peaks/Dips
Peaks
2.19 dB
Dips
1.61 dB

The Klipsch T5 II have adequate peaks and dips performance. The slight peak in the high-bass adds a little extra boom to the mix. The dip in the mid-mids pushes voices and lead instruments towards the back of the mix, while the peak in the high-mid can make those same instruments a bit honky and harsh. The dip in the low-treble can hurt the comprehensibility of vocals and lead instruments, too. However, the peak in the mid-treble makes sibilants like cymbals piercing and painful.

9.1
Sound
Imaging
Weighted Group Delay
0.1
Weighted Amplitude Mismatch
0.55
Weighted Frequency Mismatch
1.19
Weighted Phase Mismatch
2.14

The Klipsch T5 II have remarkable imaging. Their group delay falls below the audibility threshold, resulting in tight bass and transparent treble. Their L/R drivers are also well-matched in amplitude, phase, and frequency response. As a result, objects in the stereo image like footsteps and voices are accurately placed. However, these results are only valid for our test unit, so your experience may vary.

0.6
Sound
Passive Soundstage
PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)
N/A
PRTF Size (Avg.)
N/A
PRTF Distance
N/A
Openness
2.3
Acoustic Space Excitation
0.3

These headphones have a terrible passive soundstage. Their in-ear design bypasses the outer ear, which is one of the key factors in creating a wide and open soundstage. Audio seems like it's coming from inside your head, rather than from speakers placed all around you.

0
Sound
Virtual Soundstage
Head Modeling
No
Speaker Modeling
No
Room Ambience
No
Head Tracking
No
Virtual Surround
No

These headphones don't have a virtual soundstage feature.

7.3
Sound
Weighted Harmonic Distortion
WHD @ 90
0.261
WHD @ 100
0.282

These headphones have a decent weighted harmonic distortion performance. There are some peaks in the treble range, but the rest of the range falls within good limits, resulting in mostly clean and pure audio reproduction.

Sound
Test Settings
Firmware
Unknown
Power
On
Connection
Bluetooth 5.0
Codec
aptX, 16-bit, 48kHz
EQ
No EQ
ANC
No ANC
Tip/Pad
Silicone (small)
Microphone
Integrated

These are the settings we used to test these headphones. Our results are only valid when using these settings.

Isolation
7.6
Isolation
Noise Isolation
Isolation Audio
Overall Attenuation
-21.18 dB
Noise Cancelling No
Bass
-11.22 dB
Mid
-17.64 dB
Treble
-35.15 dB

The Klipsch T5 II have good noise isolation. They may struggle to block out bass-heavy noises like bus or plane engines. However, they can passively isolate against higher-frequency noises like voices or the hum or a nearby AC unit.

9.8
Isolation
Leakage
Leakage Audio
Overall Leakage @ 1ft
22.32 dB

These headphones have an outstanding leakage performance. They don't leak a lot of noise, and when audible, it's very thin. You shouldn't bother people working around you in an average office while listening to your music.

Microphone
Microphone
Microphone Style
Integrated
Yes
In-Line
No
Boom
No
Detachable Boom
No
Mic Yes

The Klipsch T5 II have an integrated microphone.

6.2
Microphone
Recording Quality
Recorded Speech
LFE
578.47 Hz
FR Std. Dev.
3.19 dB
HFE
7,240.77 Hz
Weighted THD
0.906
Gain
-8.34 dB

The microphone has a passable recording quality. Your voice is understandable, but it also sounds a bit thin and lacking in detail.

6.0
Microphone
Noise Handling
Speech + Pink Noise
Speech + Subway Noise
SpNR
12.5 dB

The microphone has a mediocre noise handling performance. It struggles to separate your voice from background noises, even if you're calling from a moderately noisy environment.

Active Features
6.4
Active Features
Battery
Battery Type
Rechargable
Continuous Battery Life
9.5 hrs
Additional Charges
3.0
Total Battery Life
38 hrs
Charge Time
1.6 hrs
Power-Saving Feature
No
Audio While Charging
No
Passive Playback
No
Charging Port USB-C

The Klipsch T5 II have an acceptable battery performance. They last about 9.5 hours off of a single charge, which should be enough to get you through your workday. Their portable charging case offers around three extra charges. You can also listen to audio through one earbud while the other charges, which is nice. Unfortunately, however, they don't have any power-saving features to help you conserve battery life.

7.5
Active Features
App Support
App Name Klipsch Connect
iOS Yes
Android Yes
macOS No
Windows No
Equalizer
Graphic + Presets
ANC Control
No
Mic Control No
Room Effects
No
Playback Control
No
Button Mapping No
Surround Support
No

Update 02/23/2021: We originally reported that these headphones didn't have a companion app. However, they're compatible with the Klipsch Connect app and we have updated our review to reflect this change.

The Klipsch Connect app is good. It has a graphic EQ and presets so that you can tweak their sound profile to your liking. You can also view each buds' battery life, name the headphones, update their firmware, and turn on and off 'Transparency Mode' so that you can hear ambient sound around you without pausing your audio. You can adjust this mode's levels between 'Low', 'Medium', and 'High' too.

Connectivity
7.1
Connectivity
Bluetooth
Bluetooth Version
5.0
Multi-Device Pairing
No
NFC Pairing
No
Line Of Sight Range
246 ft
PC Latency (SBC)
355 ms
PC Latency (aptX)
320 ms
PC Latency (aptX HD)
N/A
PC Latency (aptX-LL)
N/A
iOS Latency
11 ms
Android Latency
31 ms

The Klipsch T5 II have decent Bluetooth connectivity. They're compatible with Bluetooth 5.0, but they don't support multi-device or NFC pairing. Their latency on PCs is pretty high, so they may not be ideal for gaming. However, their latency is much lower on iOS and Android devices, so they're better suited for watching videos on your phone. However, some apps compensate for latency, so your real-world experience may vary.

0
Connectivity
Non-Bluetooth Wireless
Non-BT Line Of Sight Range
N/A
Non-BT Latency
N/A

These headphones are Bluetooth-only.

0
Connectivity
Wired
Analog Audio
No
USB Audio
No
Detachable No
Length N/A
Connection No Wired Option
Analog/USB Audio Latency
N/A

The Klipsch T5 II are truly wireless headphones that can't be used with a wired connection. They come with a USB-C to USB-C charging cable, as well as a USB adapter.

Connectivity
PC / PS4 Compatibility
PC/PS4 Analog
No
PC/PS4 Wired USB
No
PC/PS4 Non-BT Wireless
No

You can use these headphones with Bluetooth-enabled PCs; however, they aren't compatible with the PS4.

Connectivity
Xbox One Compatibility
Xbox One Analog
No
Xbox One Wired USB
No
Xbox One Non-BT Wireless
No

These Bluetooth-only headphones aren't compatible with the Xbox One.

2.2
Connectivity
Base/Dock
Type
Charging Case
USB Input
No
Line In
No
Line Out
No
Optical Input
No
RCA Input
No
Dock Charging
Yes
Power Supply
USB-C

The Klipsch T5 II come with a portable charging case, which you can charge using a USB-C connection.