My brother-in-law who is stationed in Japan came home last night for 2 weeks. He always gets the latest gadgets while he's there.
He couldn't wait to show me his new toys. Surprise, the AT EM-7's. He was surprised to learn I'd already heard of them and that there was a bit of a buzz in the U.S., at least on this site, about them. I asked how much they cost and how did he like them. He said they were about the equivalent of $30 U.S. The sound he said was OK, about the same as the buds that came with his Sony PCDP player (yikes, not a good sign). He bought them mainly for the looks. He asked me if I wanted to check them out. SURE! At one time, I was seriously thinking of buying these, but was kind of put off by the mixed reviews and the price hike. But, thinking a mile a minute, I thought "Here's my big chance, if they sound good I'll offer to buy them from him since he seems luke warm about them. He probably doesn't know what good sound is anyway." I got my Panasonic 570 and a disc I really like and is great for audiditioning phones becasue of the wide variety of instruments used (Allison Moorer) and sat down to listen.

I've gotta tell you, I was MAJORLY disappointed. His quote about sounding about the same as the freebies is pretty accurate. Based on comments made here, I didn't expect great bass, but these roll off BIG-TIME early. I've always thought the Koss 60-ohm phones had too much bass, so I thought I might like the bass on the EM-7's. But the bass rolls off very quickly. There is no low bass and very limited mid-bass. I would estimate that they're flat only to about 80 hz. This makes for a very bright overall presentation. I wan't that thrilled with the top-end either. There seems to be a peak in the low to mid-treble and them a roll-off above that. Some of the upper mid-range to low treble range can get pretty shrill (female volcals, violins, some piano), but the very top end (high-hat cymbals, shakers) is pretty weak. So they seem bright but also lack air at the same time. I guess the overall sense I got from them was "compressed".

Were they broken-in? I don't know, he said he had listened to them most of the way on the trip from Japan and a few times before that, so maybe not completely. But I only had to listen for a few songs before I knew they weren't for me. In fact, after about 30 minutes, I had really had enough. Would another 40 hours make a big change? I don't know, but it would have to be a BIG change.

They do look cool, small and light. I would be worried about how long they'll look good though. Aluminum is always easy to scratch, and the aluminum is very thin, I think they could dent pretty easily. On the plus side, they were pretty easy to put on and they are very comfortable. They also look pretty good when worn, unlike a lot of phones, since they are small and flat.

Despite their cool looks, these were a major disppointment to me, especially considering their price. My bro-in-law asked me what I thought and I just said they were OK, but not as good as I had hoped. But he said he likes them, they sound good enough, and they are comfortable and look good. So I didn't make him an offer, since I didn't like them and he seems satisifed enough.

After trying them at a recent meet (in a very un-scientific, brief manner), I found pretty much the same thing. After that I decided to keep my Koss' that have been bashed in all the hype of these AT's. Especially with a little resistor in the chain, the Koss' are far more satisfying.

For $30 they are passable, but for $70 plus, not for me.

dinosauract
HI: I use the EM7 for a week really trying to like them and did like them till one day after the week was up I put my koss-35s on and was amazed at what I was missing. The EM7 Were clear and I liked the highs but I found that the 35 also had highs and mids but they also had bass. Over all the koss were more musical and just better experience to listen to.
PS
I have holes cut in my 35 pads to let the mids and highs out and tame the bass.

Compared the EM7's to the baby Stax today. Different horses, maybe a bit unfair, but who cares.

The EM7's remind me of earbuds and how they would sound, only greatly magnified. Awesome detail and soundstage, but almost no bottom level and the bass is articulate. A good sound which accentuates the high's well, and a very comfortable fit. No leakage, all in all a good sound if your into the highs and treble extension.

The Stax SR001 MK2 walk all over them as far as the bass and bottom level. a constant bottom level is present throughout, not just when it's spotlighted, ala EM7's. The highs are not as prevelent with the Stax and greatly come back to the pack, but it's a good sound, as is the bass. The bass is just that, more of a natural sound rather than the result of an instrument.

Take it for what you will.