[Review] CK100PRO Unboxing & Impressions (+ a retrospective journey with Audio-technica and... - Page 6

Quote:

Originally Posted by audionewbi 

CK100pro is both brighter, detailed and transparent than the TF10 (and I can safely say the same applies to UE900) but I think it might be too detailed, transparent and bright. 
In terms of detail it is the most detailed IEM I had, ( I own ER4S, ACS T15, XBA-4 and had the TF10). CK100pro is analytical and it has nice PRaT. However it can sound bright depending on your source and recording. Meaning you have be selective on what you want to listen to when you are using the CK100pro. 

 

That's great to know. Thanks audionewbi! I've always craved for more detail in my music and the CK100pro seems perfect for that. I have no problems with it being bright, if it gets too bright I can EQ down the treble.

By the way, does it sound good out of a Clip+ or Clip Zip? I will mostly be using it with my Zip.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lalala6 

That's great to know. Thanks audionewbi! I've always craved for more detail in my music and the CK100pro seems perfect for that. I have no problems with it being bright, if it gets too bright I can EQ down the treble.

 

By the way, does it sound good out of a Clip+ or Clip Zip? I will mostly be using it with my Zip.

Sansa clip+ is more than enough for them. Mind you there is a faint of background noise but it is only audible when no music is playing. I find the synergy more than adequate with the CK100pro. Love the form factor, simply cant go wrong. 
 

Note: My sansa clip+ was factory refurbished so it might be the fault of my unit. Hope you like your CK100pro. Before buying I advice you to wait a while, there are a number if exciting new dynamic and hybrid IEM are due this year. For example the hifiman RE-600, cardas in ear speakers (which are both dynamic) or he vsonic GR08. 

Just don't listen to J-Pop or any other poorly recorded music and you will be very happy with the ck100pro.

Quote:

Originally Posted by audionewbi 

Sansa clip+ is more than enough for them. Mind you there is a faint of background noise but it is only audible when no music is playing. I find the synergy more than adequate with the CK100pro. Love the form factor, simply cant go wrong. 
 

Note: My sansa clip+ was factory refurbished so it might be the fault of my unit. Hope you like your CK100pro. Before buying I advice you to wait a while, there are a number if exciting new dynamic and hybrid IEM are due this year. For example the hifiman RE-600, cardas in ear speakers (which are both dynamic) or he vsonic GR08. 

OK, advice noted. Thanks a lot! :)

I received a pair of CK100pro today. I must admit right out of the pocket that I'm extremely impressed with its clarity, transparency, very unique!

I thought that the RE272 was going to be my final IEM, at least for a while and that I would stick with since I was going in a different direction and only needed one IEM, but I wanted to give the CK100pro a final shot to maybe change my mind or add a second IEM.

I have used the CK100pro amplified by a Headstage Arrow 4G and I haven't noticed any negative issues and the CK100pro is actually very easy to drive without an amp, but my Arrow is just permanently connected to my iPod Classic and I did experience that the slightly smoother sound of the Arrow amp seems to benefit the CK100pro and certainly not degrade anything. 

It is certainly not an IEM that will suit everyone, basshead's, please forget about the existence of the CK100pro and just move on, but for those who appreciate the all around balanced sound of the RE272 or maybe the sound of the many BA IEM's that uses TWFK dual drivers, then the CK100Pro is IMHO based on a very brief experience a considerable upgrade  Okay, all relative. I'm aware of that.. still very impressed...

Unfortunately, it is damn expensive but it is the best universal IEM I have experienced so far..

Just a quick question, my right ear cable swells with not easily, however the left one swells with ease (meaning no force is needed). Is that normal? Should I be worry about possible future loss connection. It is still under warranty, I can send it back for replacement. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by audionewbi 

Just a quick question, my right ear cable swells with not easily, however the left one swells with ease (meaning no force is needed). Is that normal? Should I be worry about possible future loss connection. It is still under warranty, I can send it back for replacement. 

I'm not quite sure that I understand the issue that you're encountering. Swelling of cable.. Are the sound cutting out on one side? I have noticed that the placement of driver/nozzle in my ears are much more sensitive than other IEM's and can/may affect a cut out of sound, but the cable swelling issue I'm not sure I follow.

Disconnect the cable, clean attachment on both sides very thoroughly and make sure the cable is completely secured with a slight push force and see how this works out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jupiterknight 

 

I'm not quite sure that I understand the issue that you're encountering. Swelling of cable.. Are the sound cutting out on one side? I have noticed that the placement of driver/nozzle in my ears are much more sensitive than other IEM's and can/may affect a cut out of sound, but the cable swelling issue I'm not sure I follow.

 

Disconnect the cable, clean attachment on both sides very thoroughly and make sure the cable is completely secured with a slight push force and see how this works out.

No their is no audio cut, it is that from the first day I bought the right ear is more stiff than the left, it was only strange to me as why arent they both have the same stiffness.

Can I ask what kind of tip do you for your one? I was thinking of getting custom tip but it would stick out more than what it is now. 

You mean the move able arms connecting the cable to the housing. Yes, one side may seem a bit more stiff than the other one. I changed the cable to an aftermarked one and it solved this issue and gave me a better fit, but there was a price to pay..

The stock tip or the Sony hybrids works very well for me, Meelectronics dual flangers gives a more distant sound but maybe a more secure fit. Otherwise, I don't find that different tips really affects their sound very much. Did you try the comply's that came with the CK100pro?

I think he means "swivel". Left side cable has a hard time swivelling.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThatNzGuy 

I think he means "swivel". Left side cable has a hard time swivelling.

This makes much more sense. Yes, one side seems to be slightly less flexible/swivelling than the other side. I have encountered this as well, maybe it is a batch problem or an overall issue, no clue.

I just didn't place any or much importance into this issue since I believed it was just an individual issue. Also in my experience I didn't noticed that it affected the sound quality in any way or cut out the sound.

Again, I'm now using a different cable than the stock one and have encountered no issues

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThatNzGuy 

I think he means "swivel". Left side cable has a hard time swivelling.

Yes I meant swivel, I do just to the english language

Quote:.

Originally Posted by Jupiterknight 

You mean the move able arms connecting the cable to the housing. Yes, one side may seem a bit more stiff than the other one. I changed the cable to an aftermarked one and it solved this issue and gave me a better fit, but there was a price to pay..

 

The stock tip or the Sony hybrids works very well for me, Meelectronics dual flangers gives a more distant sound but maybe a more secure fit. Otherwise, I don't find that different tips really affects their sound very much. Did you try the comply's that came with the CK100pro?

I tried the comply tip I feel the seal is not perfect. I will try the sony hybrid, I got a dozen of them here. Thanks

Hey Haonan, 

Just read your review and I must say I'm really tempted to try now. A few questions for you;

Do you think this is an upgrade or sidegrade for someone coming from W3 ?

At about SGD900 did you consider joining the custom camp instead of getting another universal ? If you did what made you change your decision ?

My W3's braided cables are starting to become loose at some area. Kinda tired messing around with different tips but your recommendation of using triple flange was awesome. To be honest having owned W3 for about 4 years I have not tried on the triple flange because they just look too intimidating at first. lol. So I was thinking of going custom in the near future as sort of a solution to end all purchases. 

-AaronZzZ 

Haonan,

Thanks for the review, impressions, and comparisons! Mine arrived the other day and everything you said is true, which makes me glad I bought into the CK100PRO! I bought CK10 second-hand from another head-fier that I will get to compare against sometime soon.

@gEEkzz: I just stored the W3 for a little while I familiarize myself with these CK100PROs. The sound signatures are quite different. The CK100PRO definitely has more detail retrieval and a crisp balanced sound while the W3 have a good amount of detail retrieval while being warm, fun (imo) headphones. I'm going to decide which I like more over the next few weeks, but I think I'll keep both around to switch flavors every now and then.