ATH CK-9s

[JLai]

Has anyone heard anything about these? I'm really interested to see how ATH does with IEMs and how these compare to UE and Shure.

 

[AnGeLiCbOrIs]

I am really tempted to try these. The only thing holding me back is the price. A pair of E4c's, Ety's or similar will cost me about the same amount and these have already been proven to be excellent IEMs. I think I will just have to wait for some more feedback online before I get my own. I love my CK7, but I don't know if the quality there will translate into the CK9 since they are so different.

 

[pedxing]

here was a preview someone made a while back:

http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showt...&highlight=CK9

 

[Esidarap]

I have a pair on the way. We'll see...

 

[Dr. Elephant]

I got the CK9's a couple of days ago. Im a bit noob so I wont be able to provide you with the best discription, and the only reference I have is my Beyer Dt770pro-80's which might not be the most fair thing to compare them with. I must also say that I have not had these headphones very long so my criticisms might be related to things I am just not accustomed to yet. Also I dont think they would have burned in by now *that is if balanced armature type headphones do have burn in!?* I am listening to the CK9's direct out of an Ipod with no amplification. My tracks are all Apple Lossless.

I have to say I disagree with a few points mentioned by theory in his write up. Id be interested to see if anyone agrees/disagrees.

Bass: No disagreement here. Rich and natural sounds like a fair discription. I am quite impressed by the capability of these little suckers in the depth department.

Mid: This is where I disagree the most. The mids, particularly the lower mids are my biggest qualm with these IEM's. Anything in that range I tend to have to strain a bit to hear and find myself constantly adjusting the volume beacuse of this recessed lower mid section. Upper mids are fine, the best way I can describe them is to say they are beautifly detailed and crisp. Not quite sure where Theories warm and creamy is coming from.

Treble: again I have to disagree. The most impressive thing I find about the Ck9's is their clarity and attention to detail. Mind you I am comparing these to full sized cans which are known to be bass heavy. However I find the treble to be one of the Ck9's stronger points, without being overbearing I can hear a lot of detail due to the treble provided by these IEM.

Overall I am reasonably satisfied with these headphones as I was able to get them at quite a good price (in Japan) and they provide me with a refreshingly different *and much more portable* sound to my Beyers. If I had payed a similar price to some E4c's I dont think Id be a very happy guy...

 

[Dr. Elephant]

Just thought Id add that the sound isolation is also not so impressive with the CK9's.. Im not entirely sure about the leakage of other IEM's but part of the reason I wanted IEM's was so that I coud listen to music at night without annoying my girlfriend... she still keeps telling me to turn them down

The thick cable as mentioned in other posts is a negative also in that when you insert them sure style the cable stands up rather than resting on the backs of your ears... I might try to make a little minimod to make them sit behind the ears better... a shirt clip would be nice too. All this being said Im sure I will benefit by the added durability of the cord.

 

[Esidarap]

I just got mine this afternoon. Gonna need some time to pick apart the sound. I think I'm definitely gonna like these though.

I'll write something up in a few days.

 

[derek8555]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Elephant /img/forum/go_quote.gif Just thought Id add that the sound isolation is also not so impressive with the CK9's.. Im not entirely sure about the leakage of other IEM's but part of the reason I wanted IEM's was so that I coud listen to music at night without annoying my girlfriend... she still keeps telling me to turn them down The thick cable as mentioned in other posts is a negative also in that when you insert them sure style the cable stands up rather than resting on the backs of your ears... I might try to make a little minimod to make them sit behind the ears better... a shirt clip would be nice too. All this being said Im sure I will benefit by the added durability of the cord.

Ah... maybe the housing (looks really cheap and thin on the pictures) leaks sound. I'm also a bit skeptical about theory_87's review... he said warmer than UM2, but to my understanding, so far none of the other IEMs I've listened have a warmer sound than UM2, those things are really dark and warm sounding which suit my music taste well. I might try and find them somewhere to demo with, but I doubt I will be able to see those anywhere here in Toronto...

 

[Dr. Elephant]

Having listened to these more ill have to say I was a bit harsh on them in the first place. Like my Beyers, *and im assuming most headphones* they favour some kinds of music over others.

I really enjoy these IEM's for some of my music particularly old recordings. They are nice and detailed and are giving new life to some of my tracks*in the highs*.

My criticisms still stand as before although im curious now as to how they will sound with amplification. Ive got a penguin tin cmoy at home and when I get back in a months time ill see if it makes much of an improvement to the sound.

Still curious to see what other users think. Esidarap... ?

 

[Esidarap]

I had forgotten about this thread.

It definitely doesn't look as cheap as the pictures, I got the black one and it has a nice glossy finish. It's nowhere near as nice as the CK7 in looks or feel. But it doesn't look or feel cheap at all.

They're very comfortable, you can almost forget they're on. I have no problem with the cable. I have a lot of hair though, so maybe my hair is making tame the cable.

The CK9 is alittle on the warm side. Mids and treble are clean, plenty of detail comes through. Though they can't touch the treble of the CK7. I really like these.. till you get to the bass. That's where I don't like them so much. It has bad impact compared to CK7, the bass isn't punchy enough to me. This could be because of the driver design maybe? I had the same problem with the UM1... though these are a lot better than UM1.

It's too expensive IMO. Maybe for $120 it would be great.

Also, I don't really notice much difference amped through total bithead.

 

[d3lta]

just found these for $109 new... good price for the performance?

 

[tylik]

Does anybody know how well CK9's isolate compared to UE Super.fi 3 or Westone UM1 ?

 

[AnGeLiCbOrIs]

They isolate very well compared to the CK7. I still prefer the sound of the CK7 even at the same price point.