Hello,
I am a newbie here
! I don't know if this question has been asked before, but I need some help. I was looking for some good+cheap earphone on Aliexpress and I found this..........
http://ru.aliexpress.com/item/2015-New-Original-CKR9LTD-13mm-Dual-Driver-Dynamic-Noise-Isolating-Premuim-Solid-Bass-Stereo-Music-Earphone/32372413763.html?spm=2114.10010208.100007.5.YEI1uJ
Is this real Audio Technica product? has anyone tried this before?
Sorry for this odd question.......
I'm pretty sure it's a fake.
First of all, CKR 9 LTD is a "limited edition". That's what the LTD stands for. Second, there weren't that many made (hence being limited edition). In fact, even authorized original sellers like treeo no longer has CKR 9 LTD in stock. That's how limited this model is. So if direct authorized sellers from Audio-Technica no longer has these models in stock... it tells you how many of those same models are in other places.
In fact, for the CKR9 LTD, I would say don't bother taking the risk of buying from non-authorized companies (including even Amazon as it is sold from a third party).
Having said that, aliexpress has a great history of selling fakes almost all the time so yes, it is highly likely that those products are fake considering the fact that aliexpress is infamous for selling counterfeits.
Those with the fakes claim it is just as good as the real. Well, my question is, how do you know?
The CKR9 Ltd being a limited edition is rarely in stock in most earphone shops for listening purposes. In fact, out of all the earphone/headphone shops I visited, only one shop had CKR9 Ltd as a listening model and that was in a japanese airport. So, to have a listening test with a real for the CKR9 Ltd is highly improbable.
Having said that, I am sure the fake still sound loads better than an everyday apple earphone. So yes, in comparison to everyday apple earphones, it might be that the CKR 9Ltd might sound beautiful. However, that do note that this might not mean that it sounds like the original. It just sounds MUCH better than a casual earphone or lower end audiophile quality earphone.
Don't take a bet with fakes. That's my advise to you. Just get a different product if you are in a budget.
If you have don't have much but want to experience a CKR feel (closer to CKR 10 though), go for the Audio Technica e40. It's around that fake's price range but is an authentic product. Having said that, I believe you can get the e40 for around 79.99 if you know where to look. Go browse over head-fi if you don't know how.
But ya, consider the CKR9 Ltd to be no longer sold. It's saddening to know Audio Technica's in-ear flagship (after e70 which costs like 600$ when tax is included) is no longer sold, since the sound quality does indeed rival with other top in-ears.
Having said that, look around at the CKR9 or CKR10 or e40 if you really want a similar sound. Just note the CKR9 Ltd is pretty much no longer sold.
Also, the Sony XBA-A2, Sony XBA-A3 sounded fascinating in my ears recently. You can also check those out if you are willing to pay more.