(Post written on FEB 20)
I probably paid a premium and bought my ATH-CK7s via Amazon.com:
Product Link
As I am sure many of you can remember, I posted like 15 threads trying to pick people's brains here about what to get for around $100 to replace my Sony EX51s (HPM-70). After having decided against the V-Moda Vibes due to their lack of isolation, my decision boiled down to the ATH-CK7s, Etymotic ER6i, and Super.fi 3s.
Well, the CK7s came today, and not only did that happen, I found out that a co-worker had his Etymotic ER6is with him as well! So we both got to do a side-by-side comparison (keeping in mind that my CK7s haven't been broken in). We did the "comparison" on an un-amped 30GB latest-gen iPod. He listened to his ER6is and listened to mine and I did the opposite. Our conclusions were the same:
(HIGHLY UNSCIENTIFIC)
Comfort
The mid-sized tips on the CK7s are simply perfect for me. Again, I am coming from the EX51s. You can tell by looking at them that they are made of more or less the same material, black plastic, but the CK7s are more elongated with a longer taper so-to-speak. Size seems perfect, I can barely tell they are there! In contrast, the ER6is have a clear plastic, bi-fangled tip. I don't know how to describe them but they felt less comfortable to me. But both tips on the ER6is and CK7s felt better than the small tips on the EX51s.
Isolation
Of the three, I felt the CK7s isolate the best. Followed by the ER6is and then EX51s. Not much more to say. The CK7s isolate better than the EX51s. I could hear even less background nose while wearing them.
Sound
EX51: All bass? Not very good at that. Where are the mids and highs? What else can I say?
ER6i: The polar opposite of the EX51. Very good highs and mids, no bass. We both agree they sound "tinny" compared to the CK7s.
CK7: The best of the three. Bass is there like the EX51s, only clear and controlled and defined. Mids are there. Highs are far better than EX51 but not up there with the ER6i but the overall result is more pleasing than the ER6i.
I am not a sound pro, so I am afraid I cannot be more detailed than that without knowing more terminology.
In the end, my ER6i-owning co-worker said I could pat myself on the back for making the better purchase.
Anyone interested in the CK7s can buy them for $75.00 at AUDIOCUBES.
I probably paid a premium and bought my ATH-CK7s via Amazon.com:
Product Link
As I am sure many of you can remember, I posted like 15 threads trying to pick people's brains here about what to get for around $100 to replace my Sony EX51s (HPM-70). After having decided against the V-Moda Vibes due to their lack of isolation, my decision boiled down to the ATH-CK7s, Etymotic ER6i, and Super.fi 3s.
Well, the CK7s came today, and not only did that happen, I found out that a co-worker had his Etymotic ER6is with him as well! So we both got to do a side-by-side comparison (keeping in mind that my CK7s haven't been broken in). We did the "comparison" on an un-amped 30GB latest-gen iPod. He listened to his ER6is and listened to mine and I did the opposite. Our conclusions were the same:
(HIGHLY UNSCIENTIFIC)
Comfort
The mid-sized tips on the CK7s are simply perfect for me. Again, I am coming from the EX51s. You can tell by looking at them that they are made of more or less the same material, black plastic, but the CK7s are more elongated with a longer taper so-to-speak. Size seems perfect, I can barely tell they are there! In contrast, the ER6is have a clear plastic, bi-fangled tip. I don't know how to describe them but they felt less comfortable to me. But both tips on the ER6is and CK7s felt better than the small tips on the EX51s.
Isolation
Of the three, I felt the CK7s isolate the best. Followed by the ER6is and then EX51s. Not much more to say. The CK7s isolate better than the EX51s. I could hear even less background nose while wearing them.
Sound
EX51: All bass? Not very good at that. Where are the mids and highs? What else can I say?
ER6i: The polar opposite of the EX51. Very good highs and mids, no bass. We both agree they sound "tinny" compared to the CK7s.
CK7: The best of the three. Bass is there like the EX51s, only clear and controlled and defined. Mids are there. Highs are far better than EX51 but not up there with the ER6i but the overall result is more pleasing than the ER6i.
I am not a sound pro, so I am afraid I cannot be more detailed than that without knowing more terminology.
In the end, my ER6i-owning co-worker said I could pat myself on the back for making the better purchase.
Anyone interested in the CK7s can buy them for $75.00 at AUDIOCUBES.
