Audio Technica ATH-CK10 - Page 59

Originally Posted by rcmo 

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

Originally Posted by shigzeo 

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.

Originally Posted by SolidSnake3 

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.

Originally Posted by techfreakazoid 

 

So you got the run-around from Comply...nice.  From the AT regional sites, the CK10 is a current model for China, Taiwan, Australia, and parts of Europe.  Comply has business/distribution in these markets and perhaps they're US-centric or don't realize that e-commerce is global.

Thanks SolidSnake3.  From the Monster SuperTips Compatibility list, they also fit the C710 so basically, the cores have the same diameter as the T-400.  The T-400 are definitely loose on the CK10 nozzle, however, their core is made of a hard plastic.  From shigzeo's great review and close-ups, the core is a softer silicon so does it 'stretch' onto the CK10 nozzle like the Sony hybrids?  Don't want any air leakage or slippage with the eartips getting lodged in the ear canal when removing the phones.  Any impact on the highs with the Foam SuperTips?  How do they compare to the Gel SuperTips?  On their site, it says the Gels are "for super-critical audiophile listening."

Originally Posted by SolidSnake3 

I didn't find the foam hybrids to really alter the sound much in any way. They seemed to keep the sound signature pretty much the same as with the Monster single flanges. The gel tips I could never get a good seal with so I have no idea. I found the foam to fit on the nozzle well enough that I wasn't afraid of them falling off or getting "stuck" in my ears at any point. 

 

Originally Posted by AudioDwebe 

I've not found any aftermarket tips to work for me.  They all alter the sound to a degree that takes away from what I consider the strength of the CK10's:  uber-clarity in the upper frequencies without any harshness.  

 

And then I started wondering:  Does AT sell replacement tips for the CK10's, does anyone know?

 

Thanks. 

 

Originally Posted by techfreakazoid 

 

The T-400 are definitely loose on the CK10 nozzle, however, their core is made of a hard plastic.  From shigzeo's great review and close-ups, the core is a softer silicon so does it 'stretch' onto the CK10 nozzle like the Sony hybrids?  Don't want any air leakage or slippage with the eartips getting lodged in the ear canal when removing the phones.  Any impact on the highs with the Foam SuperTips?  How do they compare to the Gel SuperTips?  On their site, it says the Gels are "for super-critical audiophile listening."

Originally Posted by vestaxwax 

based on all the positive reviews (namely |joker|'s), i ordered a pair of CK10s thru accessory jack (great customer service, btw) for $269.98 (shipped) .  

 

once i opened things up i was unimpressed by AT's packaging (who cares), the few accessories (read: tips), but the first listen was all i really cared about.  once i got the IEMs in my ears and hit play on a lossless rip of bon iver's skinny love, i was severely unimpressed.  highs were brash, lows were distant and the mid range was awol.  did i also detect faint distortion?  i couldn't be the only one who hated the CK10s...could i?

 

based on further readings, i assessed the problem HAD to be the AT tips.  so i stretched the hell out of my old e4c foam tips to get them on my CK10s.  FAIL.  the shure foamies didn't work -- the CK10 arm is too short, not allowing the foamies to get into my ear canal to expand/seal.  back to the AT tips.  still not happy.

 

then i remembered i had some triple flanges left over from my shure's.  i fitted them on the CK10s and inserted them DEEP into my canal.  felt invasive, but i could tell (for the first time) the ears were air tight / sealed.  the sound suddenly transformed into a thick, rich, smooth and crystal clear soundstage.  now i get the hype.

 

trimmed the tips on the flanges to shorten them and now i'm good to go, although the flanges do fatigue my ears.  gonna give the sony hybrids and the klipsch tips a go to hopefully find that perfect balance of seal/comfort.  

 

looking fwd to my upcoming job / overseas flight and the stealthy/low profile size/design of the CK10s to keep the skyhags off my back during taxi/takeoff/approach and landing.

 

cheers all for the info (esp. |joker|).

Originally Posted by vestaxwax 

based on all the positive reviews (namely |joker|'s), i ordered a pair of CK10s thru accessory jack (great customer service, btw) for $269.98 (shipped) .  

 

once i opened things up i was unimpressed by AT's packaging (who cares), the few accessories (read: tips), but the first listen was all i really cared about.  once i got the IEMs in my ears and hit play on a lossless rip of bon iver's skinny love, i was severely unimpressed.  highs were brash, lows were distant and the mid range was awol.  did i also detect faint distortion?  i couldn't be the only one who hated the CK10s...could i?

 

based on further readings, i assessed the problem HAD to be the AT tips.  so i stretched the hell out of my old e4c foam tips to get them on my CK10s.  FAIL.  the shure foamies didn't work -- the CK10 arm is too short, not allowing the foamies to get into my ear canal to expand/seal.  back to the AT tips.  still not happy.

 

then i remembered i had some triple flanges left over from my shure's.  i fitted them on the CK10s and inserted them DEEP into my canal.  felt invasive, but i could tell (for the first time) the ears were air tight / sealed.  the sound suddenly transformed into a thick, rich, smooth and crystal clear soundstage.  now i get the hype.

 

trimmed the tips on the flanges to shorten them and now i'm good to go, although the flanges do fatigue my ears.  gonna give the sony hybrids and the klipsch tips a go to hopefully find that perfect balance of seal/comfort.  

 

looking fwd to my upcoming job / overseas flight and the stealthy/low profile size/design of the CK10s to keep the skyhags off my back during taxi/takeoff/approach and landing.

 

cheers all for the info (esp. |joker|).