Originally Posted by SactoMan101
The Denon AH-C700 demonstrates this valid fact: they spent the money to properly engineer the design of the dynamic driver and driver case for maximum performance. As a result, the AH-C700 compares itself very well against balanced armature driver IEM's costing far more than what the AH-C700 costs. It's comparable to what Futursonics did with the Atrio M5/M8 IEM.
That's a very interesting point, and one that I believe to be true.
Now, I have finally come to doing a decent level of comparisons between the C700s, M5s and PK1s.
This afternoon, I walked to and home from the dentist (about 30 mins. both ways), and funny, but yesterday I sort of quoted Bono in saying I finally found what I was looking for (in the Denons). As I walked east on Arch St. here in Philadelphia, I noticed some TV trucks massing near the National Constitution Center, and remembered that the man himself (Bono, that is) will be on stage there at 7 p.m. to receive something called the Liberty Medal. Check it out...
http://www.constitutioncenter.org/libertymedal/
But I digress...
I listened to the Denons on the street in both directions, and they are extremely fine canal phones (maybe the best in that category). To my ears, a little bit better (brighter?) than the Atrios, as I suspected in my brief listening session last night when they arrived. I guess I find myself somewhere between cn11 and epithetless, in that while I favor the Denon SQ overall (cn11), I still really like the warm, non-fatiguing sound of the Atrios (epithetless). I just did a half hour of AB testing, and I just can't decide. I guess I can call it a draw. Both are keepers, and will have a role in my listening habits going forward. As Soozieq also notes, I can always eq the highs a bit on the Denons (actually, the Classical setting on the ZVM EQ menu does it fine).
Now, as for the PK1s, I am listening to them right now, and I have to say, the sound signature they deliver is the best of the three, especially in the area of detail. This is comparing the PK1s and Denons through my Microshar amp. The Denons, as also noted in other posts, require a lot less power to reach max sound levels (it's amazing how much more volume you need to hear the PK1s via the amp), but with volumes equalized, I find the PK1 sound richer, and the highs more in tune with my ears. The Denon highs and mids are a little too forward when heard through the amp when compared to the PK1s.
So ends my little review. Mostly, I agree with Warrior in an earlier post on ths thread ... the Denons are slightly preferable over the Atrios due to the better mids, but like him, I am keeping my Atrios for specific listening situations. Next time I take a subway, train or plane, I will bring them both along and do a comparison for serious isolation (I know some here say the Denons are fine for blocking out most sound). That's one situation where the Atrios may be my choice.
As for the PK1s, if I can use an amp, they'll be my first choice. They really respond to what an amp brings to the table. My guess is the folks at Yuin designed them that way for a reason. I know some on Head-Fi also really like the PK1s, and I understand why. Also, since ear buds fit my ears well, the Yuins are by far the most comfortable of the three - nothing sticking in my ears. I know some people have problems with ear buds, in terms of pain with long-term use. Luckily, that's not a problem for me. And with the right volume through an amp, the Yuins can withstand street noise, but probably not trains, planes and other loud environments.
So do I have the best three earphones for the money? I think I do. The total cost=About $380. Is there a single earphone that can deliver what they all do in one? Probably. But I'd rather have three choices than one, just in case any of the three crash and burn, are stolen, or otherwise cease to exist.
Hope this helps.