I figured that since this is one of the few times where I have two comparable earphones on hand I should attempt a quick comparison between the two, namely the Audio Technica CK7 and Denon AH-C700.
Based on the overall sound signature, these are two very different earphones. About as different as apples and oranges. The CK7 is a very neutral earphone, with emphasis on the highs, while the C700 has very forward mids and plentiful bass.
The highs on the CK7 are the best I've heard out of a canalphone, and the instrument seperation tops the C700 and pretty much every other canalphone I've listened to. The C700 lacks the treble energy that is present with the CK7, and even sound a bit veiled in comparason.
The mids are hard to judge. On the CK7 they are very neutral, neither forward or laid back, and very detailed. On the C700, they are definitely forward sounding. Switching between the two it sounds like you moved up several rows at a concert. Vocals really do stand out on the C700. I'd say the CK7 is a bit more detailed in the mids, but only barely. It's all about personal preference here, and my preference goes to the C700.
The lows are another area where I'm having a hard time judging. The lows are another area where the CK7 shines in certain respects, and the C700 in others. Bass guitars sound absolutely splendid for the most part on the CK7. Primus for example sounds exceptionally good. Every pluck and thump is present and never gets muddied up. However, it sounds like there is a bit of a roll-off in the lows. Super low bass notes are completely absent. What frequency this happens at exactly I couldn't tell ya, but only because I'm not that hardcore. An example would be in the QOTSA song "Gonna Leave You". At the very beginning of the song, there's a nice low grinding of a bass guitar which is missing while listening with the CK7. Extremely tight, controlled, but lacking a bit of presence and extension would describe the lows of the CK7. The lows of the C700 on the other hand definitely have presence and extension, but lack some of the control that the CK7 holds over them. While the C700 doesn't have the crazy impact that the M5 has, they still have enough bass to satisify most bass heads out there, with a bit more control overall.
Isolation overall goes to the C700, but only after a bit of fiddiling around with the fit. The best results I got were with the tips from the CK7 and wearing them with the cable over my ears. Wearing them that way allows me to get a deeper seal. Comfort is a draw. Both can get a bit uncomfortable after extened listening, but YMMV as always.
Overall I'm still gonna call the CK7 the best sub $100 canalphone, but if you go a bit over $100, then the C700 is worth some serious consideration if you're willing to fight with the fit a bit. As much as I need the money, I think I might end up keeping both, as they have their uses in different situations.
