Audio Technica ATH-CK10 - Page 58

I've read several pages of this thread and am seriously enticed. Since revisiting these forums after a five-year gap, I've already purchased a couple IEMs and am waiting for the RE0 to show up. Apologies if this has been addressed, but would it be crazy to run with these? I've been running with my ER-4S, but it's a serious hassle trying to keep the cords over my ears.

I too, have the ER4S, and I love them, but the CK10 is a better earphone. Etymotic may have a more machine accurate earphone, but the CK10 is easier to listen to and much much easier to use. It is also guaranteed to last for excercise and has the best cable in the business.

Alright, now the temptation is killing me. How does the isolation compare to the ER-4S? I actually listen at a pretty low volume, even when running. I confess I get startled a few times, in the rare event that someone passes me from behind. ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inks 

The Klipsch oval tips also work with these. Anyways, got a chance to listen to these and I have to say that I'm pretty impressed. I was expecting harshness and thinness but I found none of that. It's pretty transparent and maybe treble lenient but It's mostly treble in the highest frequencies which brings in more micro-details without that fatigue, ymmv. 

Thanks Inks for the Klipsch suggestion, however, based on the specs they're silicon-based and not foamies. Do these have a little compression-expansion to ensure a tight seal?  The Klipsch comes in five sizes.  What size would be comparable to the Sony peach-colored/small hybrids?

Quote:

Originally Posted by shigzeo 

I've stretched slightly small mouth Comply tips over the nozzles. To be sure, they bunch up over the sound tube mouth, but to be sure, they sound almost exactly like an earphone version of the ES10, now. I did this several years ago too, but then ran out of Comply. I live near a dealer, so I can get them often enough now, too. Even after the Westone 4, they are my favourite earphones and I don't see that changing, ever.

Thanks shigzeo.  Are the 'small mouth Comply tips' the T-200?  How secure is the fit with the Victor FX500 foamies?  Any significant changes to the sound signature?  Where can these be purchased?

The victor foams are kind of loose unless you add several layers of cell tape. They are comfortable, but don't warm up the sound. The comply tips - I don't remember the model number. I really really had to stretch them to get them on. Thought I'd not make it. I ahve no idea the Comply model as I threw the box away... bugger. Sorry for that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Color Theory 

Alright, now the temptation is killing me. How does the isolation compare to the ER-4S? I actually listen at a pretty low volume, even when running. I confess I get startled a few times, in the rare event that someone passes me from behind. ;)

Have a look at my sig and you might get a good deal on these.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shigzeo 

The victor foams are kind of loose unless you add several layers of cell tape. They are comfortable, but don't warm up the sound. The comply tips - I don't remember the model number. I really really had to stretch them to get them on. Thought I'd not make it. I ahve no idea the Comply model as I threw the box away... bugger. Sorry for that.

Thanks for the clarification.  It sounds like the Victors require some modding to fit securely on the CK10 nozzle.  I wonder why Comply has not come out with foamies for the CK10 given the global following and offering foamies for other AT models.

Any other foam tip options?

Actually, I asked comply why and they didn't have a real answer ready, but I think it comes down to the CK10 being discontinued and not readily available outside Japan. I mean, who wants to pay 400$ for a discontinued model that originally sold in Japan for less than 200$ street? I think that is the reason. Best buy ever, but not if you live abroad.

I have to say I totally agree with Shigzeo in that my CK10's are the best universal IEM's I have ever purchased. I have tried many, many universals and the CK10's always came out on top. My JH5's are the only thing to top them in the portable category that I have heard. The sound and build of the CK10's is what is keeping me from selling them even though I have a portable I find better, I just can't seem to give them up. 

As for tips I found the Monster foam supertips to fit pretty darn well on them. They were not totally tight on the tip but they held on more than well enough. Also, they are very durable, easy to use and gave me a good seal. I normally use the Monster single flange on my CK10's since they provide me an ideal seal with less effort and are even more durable.

I was toying with the idea or buying the CK10 again until I saw the price. It was just under $300 from Accessory Jack and no way I'm paying that amount for it when I originally bought them at $201 shipped.

I don't use universals much any more and basically just have them when I watch a movie or videos on my netbook directly from the netbook sound card.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rawrster 

I was toying with the idea or buying the CK10 again until I saw the price. It was just under $300 from Accessory Jack and no way I'm paying that amount for it when I originally bought them at $201 shipped.

 

I don't use universals much any more and basically just have them when I watch a movie or videos on my netbook directly from the netbook sound card.

I inquired Dimitri from MusicaAcoustics for prices when was deciding between DBA-02 and CK10. New one was about the same price, about $280. But,  Dimitri also offered me open box  Ck10  for  $249US.  If you do not mind an open box unit, his deal was the cheapest for a pair of CK10 outside Japan...
 

Those who own/know well the CK10 please help me here. I just bought a pair of these today. As such I didn't still have the time to make a thorough evaluation but their clarity and definition exactly corresponds to what I was expecting,

However, I noticed that the CK10 can easily start distorting when volume goes high. By high I mean over 3/4 when out of an iphone, ipod classic or when amped through a headsix. Without getting into discussing how high I am listening, the fact is that no other iem that I own (eg. se530, fx500, ie8, ah-c551) has any audible distortion at these volume levels. Distortion can get so large that it seems that the headphones completely saturate and get clogged.

Can you advise? Is it normal with these iem or should I return them?

Thanks!

rcmo

That is not normal for them at all. I would look to get them fixed/replaced. Not sure where to point you in that regards though.

You know, my CK10 does not distort at those volume levels from an iPod touch and stays clean easily from more powerful sources. I don't usually go that high, but when I pull them out and still want to hear, I do. I'll test again once I leave for work. (I don't really want to wake my wife.)

What do the CK-10s sound most similar to?

I have heard the Shure SE-530, Triple Fi's, ER-4P/S, Klipsch S4.

I liked the mids of the SE-530, the sparkle, sound stage of Triple Fi's, the details of the ER-4p, and the comfort of the S4s.

Is the CK-10 for me?

If I had to pick one overall IEM so far, it would be the Triple Fis.  But there is no way that those fit my ears.