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Note: The Audio-Technica CKR9-LTD were purchased on eBay for 119$.
The overall value is based on current streetprices (250-300$)
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About myself:
First of all, welcome to my first review on Head-Fi and first proper review ever.
My name is Noel aka. FUYU, I'm 18 years old and a avid lover for everything technical.
While everything subjective, I like to explain in more rational enclosure with graphs and technical prowess. (No graphs available this time, however)
I care about facts and only facts, meaning no fancy 300$ cables and value by price-to perfomance.
Ironicly, today's review surrounds a more butique Earphone, a collectors item. Reminissent of Fireworks, this japanese gem engulfs itself in a shining coat of red and golden colour.
But is it just a nice shell, or can it deliver a sparking performance, worthy of a real japanese hanabi?
Let's find out...
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Specifications:
Type: Dynamic
Driver Diameter: 13 mm x2 (Push-Pull configuration)
Frequency Response: 5-40000Hz
Maximum Input Power: 200 mW
Sensitivity: 110 dB/mW
Impedance: 12 Ohms
Weight: 12 g
Cable: 1.2 m, Y-type
Connector: 3.5 mm gold-plated stereo mini plug, L-shaped
Accessories:
silicone eartips (XS/S/M/L) and protective carrying case
Wearing style: Usually down the ear; Over-ear by inverting L/R
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The Box is rather uninspiring, but pratical in it's own right,
Backside with the spec sheet and some explanation of the Dual-Push-Pull system.
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Build and Accessories:
Taking off the Earphone for the first time, invokes a sense of good craftsmanship. The earpieces look quite remarkable, a bright and vivid red colour featuring a gold Audio-Technica logo look fantastic.
While some prefer the more industrial look of the regular CKR9 and CKR10, no one can deny the beauty of such state of the art products.
The build is almost as equally sophisticated. There are no visible inperfections and the aluminum housing is joint properly.
Even though the earphones have no detachable cables, overall build spawn no future worries about possible degration. (Thanks to a big cable-relief)
The Cable itself terminates into a 3.5mm (1/8 Inch) L-Jack. Solid at first glance, however prone to tangle and with no chin slider can get messy.
Accessories are the weakest part. Provided tips come in 4 sizes (XS, S, M, L), though no other variety (like widebore/double-flange, etc) are included.
As a matter of fact, the included tips themselves are of cheapest grade and utterly unsatasfactory.
In addition a little carrying case is found but equally lackluster in quality.
With all-due respect to Audio-Technica, provided Accessories are sub-par at best. (considering the MSRP)
Looking good, huh?
I heard you like L-Plugs? Me too.
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Isolation + Fit:
Isolation is quite ok, obviously nothing compared to offerings in the likes of SHURE or even CIEMs. For everyday commuting some may have to adjust their volume level.
Luckily aforementioned tips are average in isolation. But using good tips will most likely inprove in that area. As always YMMV.
Fit is quite interesting. Compared to the regular CKR9/10 the nozzle has been slightly angled, which in my case results in a good fit. In addition, the pieces only weight 12g each
and with a comfortable shallow insertion wearing-fatigue is almost non-existant. However doing sports is not recommended, unless you invert L/R and wear them over-ear. Again YMMV.
Pop'em in and enjoy the magical musical fireworks.
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Pairing:
As the spec-sheet indicates the ATH CKR9-LTD are quite easy to drive, wheter you use a dedicated amp or your average smartphone of choice.
However there is a quite audible hiss with my Samsung Galaxy S3 (WM1811), due to it's high sensitivity. A clean source is highly advised.
After pairing it to my Schiit Stack (Modi 2 Uber, Magni 2 Uber) the hiss was gone, though no noticeable improvement in SQ was noted.
Sound:
Well, here we are. The moment of truth. After reading a lot of hype and being someone who prefers a lean/balanced sound, I was....irretated...and relieved.
Bass:
While the (spoiler) overall sound is very balanced, bass is the suprise of the show. Extention is very good with only a minor lift (like 2dB max.) in sub-bass.
Quality is absolutly phenomenal, with the most detail I've heard in the 5-400$ price bracket.
There is absolutly no bleed into the lower mids and thus remains very clean.
Bassheads may be left wanting, but I find the bass to be close to perfect in quantity, being very realistic and impactful when the track calls for it.
Mids:
Mids are in typical Audio-Technica fashion. Ahm, not really. But they are great nontheless!
With no prominent lift in either Male-Vocals nor Female-Vocals mids are non-fatiguing and throughout balanced.
Micro-details are plenty. Excellent.
Treble:
The Treble was quite interesting in a more positive way. As for someone with sensitive hearing, I expected a seemingly bright and overly accentuated lift in the upper-treble.
(Comparable to something like the older CK TOTL, that **** hurt my ears...)
First impressions, phew, no silblence here!
Suprise, Suprise the treble is well extended and quite well at that (to no suprise with the 40kHz bragging rights), but somehow it felt a bit more polite or rather slightly smoothed over. (Imagine IM-02)
Details are good, but not the greatest I've heard. Overall relaxed and enjoyable. Great.
Soundstage:
Soundstage width is above average, it lacks the vastness of let's say, Fidue A83. However it compensates with a good sense of depth creating a more "circular" shaped stage.
Instrument seperation is also very capable, top-notch in this price-bracket
Comparision: CKR9LTD vs. Fidue A83
Bass: The CKR9 wins over the Fidue in quality, while the Fidue trumps it in the quantity thanks to it's slight V-shape.
Mids: This one is quite unfair at first glance, but even though the Fidue has slightly recessed mids, both are similar quality wise.
Treble: Winner A83, but not by much. The CKR9 are less energetic, though slightly metallic sounding. Although the Fidue's are too hard on my ears.
Stage: Width is better on the A83. Depth is better on the CKR9's. Instrument seperation is slightly better on the CKR9's.
It is to be noted that the comparision to the Fidue's is just off the top of my head. (I sold them ~1 month ago)
So, is the Fidue superior? Not to my ears, it is a matter of preference and sound signature. Want a fun, slightly V-Shaped signature? Go Fidue. Want a balanced, lean signature? Go CKR9.
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Conclusion:
At the end of the day, have we a earphone capable of running rampage with it's vivid colours and crazy atmosphere? Not really. What we got here is a earphone drawing you near it's great
balance and detail, letting you observe a vast number of things within the music.
Interesting technology and a unique design may not be without it's flaws, but attracting nontheless.
It is no firework in the traditional sense, but rather like the emotion to look for it endlessly. A well-rounded piece of technology, in both asthetic and performance.