Colorfly CK4 first review - Page 8

Can I be stupid too? I just think it's nice that we have some great sounding alternatives to Ipods and Sansas. Lee has had the standard studio V and the anv 3. He clearly prefers the 3 so it would likely do quite well in that comparison. The added power will definitely help some phones and be of no real benefit to others. Some like it more solid and punchy and others like it smoother. When you're dealing with opinion much comes into play, Having both a RoCoo and Clip+ here, I can say that I don't fully agree with the views stated on that review but that's also only my opinion.

 H2O loves his 4ck+ in the same way as lee does his ANV 3. What could be finer. Nothing is perfect. There's a reason that there are mods for the CK4. Perhaps it ups an ANV 3 before the mods, perhaps after, perhaps never and perhaps it's just different. It's been around for quite some time. Seems odd that it's just now being discovered here.

The forum attached to the French review only topics one brand of player so perhaps theres a bit of bias there as well. http://forum.tupperwav.com/viewforum.php?f=12 That said, I'd love to hear a CK4 and see for myself.

Quote:

Originally Posted by goodvibes 

Can I be stupid too? I just think it's nice that we have some great sounding alternatives to Ipods and Sansas. Lee has had the standard studio V and the anv 3. He clearly prefers the 3 so it would likely do quite well in that comparison. The added power will definitely help some phones and be of no real benefit to others. Some like it more solid and punchy and others like it smoother. When you're dealing with opinion much comes into play, Having both a RoCoo and Clip+ here, I can say that I don't fully agree with the views stated on that review but that's also only my opinion.

 

 H2O loves his 4ck+ in the same way as lee does his ANV 3. What could be finer. Nothing is perfect. There's a reason that there are mods for the CK4. Perhaps it ups an ANV 3 before the mods, perhaps after, perhaps never and perhaps it's just different. It's been around for quite some time. Seems odd that it's just now being discovered here.

 

The forum attached to the French review only topics one brand of player so perhaps theres a bit of bias there as well. http://forum.tupperwav.com/viewforum.php?f=12 That said, I'd love to hear a CK4 and see for myself.

Agreed! I also have to say the Studio V is quite particular on who she wants to play with. She doesn't go well with bright IEMs generally and really excels with dynamic IEMs more so on the darker side as she is super detailed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by H20Fidelity 

I was listening to CK4+ tonight with Sony MDR V6 (the trusty beasts)
As with C3 I was mighty impressed with this pairing. Bass was solid, deep, and almost to much for my standards after H-100 (this is a good thing) Vocals especially melt in your ears, gave me a real taste of what CK4 is about, air, smoothness, richness in the mid range, I do feel the treble is slightly back seated still, It's highly detialed but rather polite compared to C3. But the sound coming out of V6 was the best I've ever heard them so clean, so clear, was pure joy listening. There was a moment I grasp the player in my hand lightly and thought this...this is what you're trying to tell me! A moment of specialness between us.
Power wise I was above 3/4 volume but we're venturing close to rocking out levels, far beyond any volume Lee would submit too without breaking into tears.
Pretty down right impressed with CK4+ right now, I just need to find another IEM that doesn't have problems.
How are you enjoying the player RAFA? Pretty good fun eh?

Hmm, the right IEM. It depends on your taste. For example, what is "a lot of bass" for me and what is "a lot of bass" for you? If we would have similar ears and taste, I would recommend you the IE8 or IE80 (did not hear them, but assume that they are similar). I do not recommend the Ortofon eQ7 for the CK4 as it does not sound good to my ears. Do not get me wrong with this, the eQ7 is excellent with other sources.

As you can see through the recent posts here is that there are many opinions on sound of this and that. IMO source and headphones must correlate good together, to reach a good sound. Believe it or not, it is just electronics in the end. The "bass-roll off" is just the -3dB point set at a higher frequency in the low pass filter. One could try to solve this problem with EQ, but this doesn't work out, since the lowest setting is, I think, at 80Hz. So what now? Luckily the IE8 generally known has a hump in the lower frequency range, which more or less acts like a hardware EQ.

To come to your actual question. Yes I enyoj it very much and I did not even try it with all my headphones. :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by goodvibes 

Can I be stupid too? I just think it's nice that we have some great sounding alternatives to Ipods and Sansas. Lee has had the standard studio V and the anv 3. He clearly prefers the 3 so it would likely do quite well in that comparison. The added power will definitely help some phones and be of no real benefit to others. Some like it more solid and punchy and others like it smoother. When you're dealing with opinion much comes into play, Having both a RoCoo and Clip+ here, I can say that I don't fully agree with the views stated on that review but that's also only my opinion.

 

 H2O loves his 4ck+ in the same way as lee does his ANV 3. What could be finer. Nothing is perfect. There's a reason that there are mods for the CK4. Perhaps it ups an ANV 3 before the mods, perhaps after, perhaps never and perhaps it's just different. It's been around for quite some time. Seems odd that it's just now being discovered here.

 

The forum attached to the French review only topics one brand of player so perhaps theres a bit of bias there as well. http://forum.tupperwav.com/viewforum.php?f=12 That said, I'd love to hear a CK4 and see for myself.

I am not really sure why the ANV 3 is discussed with a player that is only a third of the price. (ANV 3= $450, CK4= ~$150)

Sigmatel was once well known for good sound. I think their speciality was computer or laptop audio. I have the Cube C30 at home, which is a Sigmatel player in combination with a Maxim opamp. This thing sounds pretty damn good. Its only 30$. Probably adding some better components and better layout would make this thing sound even better. The point is that the Studio V can definitely sound better. I will probably never buy it, because of the price. blablabla I lost my point

I was having some experience with HiFiman 601, Teclast T51 (+ modded capacitors), Hisound Rocoo-P and BA, Studio-V, Cube C60 and C30, Teclast X19+. Colorfly CK4+ is the best choice (firstly of sound), Teclast T51 (mod), next goes to Studio, Cube C60, 601, depends of what kind of music do you prefer and what IEMs are you using. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by H20Fidelity 

I am kind of busy right now, so I'll just be brief.
@~ RAFA
I have said similar in my C3 vs CK4 comparison. I feel CK4+ would possibly be better suited to something with a slightly bassy signature, bring up the low end a touch. I have some el' cheapo IEM here which is warmer and performed really well. With something like V6 it was still rather plentiful in the low end though.
@~ GoodVibes.
Which Rocco do you have? Because in that review there's actually an error, the graphs with Rocco BA or incorrect, the actual review and graphing was done with Rocco S. There's small section at the beginning that explains the mix up, but it causes lots of confusion.
@~Lee
CK4+ is similar imo, the signature is a touch bright, if you use a brighter IEM the mid range becomes really potent like drinking straight whisky. Another reason something warmer may suit. It's not overly bright but shows when using a colder IEM than neutral.

I think the difference though from your explanation is the Mid range on the Studio is quite upfront regardless of what IEM you use lol. Even on a darker IEM it will be mid-centric generally. The mid range isn't aggressive at all though. Very detailed and intimate. The treble on the other hand is more so how you describe the mids of the C4. The treble has lots of energy on the Studio V, a tad spicy with some silver dust on it ;).

Quote:

Originally Posted by H20Fidelity 

CK4+ mid range isn't really aggressive, it's rather smooth airy and effortless, the internal amp pushes it through with ease. Treble is slightly back seated though, more so than C3. With H-100 Hybrid it's the clarity between them that over cooks the presentation for me, that's what I find overly potent. With the right tip selection you can tame those area's (Had some Vmoda tips arrive today) mighty impressed with the outcome. Anyway... C3 mids and treble I would call slightly forward for sure, the treble especially has a real slap to it, and the entire sig stays mid-centric CK4. doesn't hold much resemblance in presentation at all.
I'm thinking of selling my Cowon S9, CK4+ is just leagues ahead of the Cowon, the stage is especially what's killing the Cowons presentation now. (mainly the width) really noticeable in how refined CK4+ is as well. Just that mid range is so damn lush it melts in your ears very easily. You can clearly hear the Cowon cannot keep up, the BBE just makes it sound artificial now.
And we know how fond I was of the Cowon.

At least from what I am gathering from your comments H20 the Studio V 3rd ANV has combinations of both your C3 and CK4 player :). Very good clarity across the board, treble and mids are upfront. I still don't see bass taking a back seat as it goes low and has lots of punch. Yet it is lean bass, not bloated. The mids are my favorite part of the unit since it is so intimate and detailed. The treble on the other hand will most likely catch your average joes attention immediately, it really sticks out and is super detailed. You also have a very wide and airy sound stage. A lot more width than depth but depth isn't too bad either.

I did demo a J3 before against my iphone4 and Sflo2. The iphone4 was just as good if not better sounding IMO than the J3. The iphone4 did have eQu which I preferred. But the Sflo2 crushed them both. Just a shame the Sflo2 UI was so horrible and build quality issues atrocious. Is the J3 similar to the S9?

Wait til you hear a DAP where you have 2 full music bubbles going on at the same time ;) lol.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by H20Fidelity 


 I think where the Cowons fall short is they lean away from natural, their enhancements really colour the signal, you''re left with like home brew depending what you've played with in Jet Effects. And flat they sound pretty average all round.
 

At last he admits it!  

Walks with HFM801, only seen them in Google.ru:)