[blazer78]

We need more impressions and pictures.  How does it compare to you other iems?

I'll need to go home to do some testing ^^

Some more notes for your taste buds,
isolation is excellent as can be expected for this form factor and also very light and comfortable. Ergonomics of the memory wire around ear is excellent.

 

[nihontoman]

I'll need to go home to do some testing ^^

Some more notes for your taste buds,
isolation is excellent as can be expected for this form factor and also very light and comfortable. Ergonomics of the memory wire around ear is excellent.

Thanks. I might just get impatient and order it right away from cdjapan :|

 

[nihontoman]

I'm still waiting for the impressions

 

[blazer78]

  I'm still waiting for the impressions

 
Ahh.. sorry I should have mentioned that I created a new thread for my impressions of the IM70 http://www.head-fi.org/t/692770/audio-technica-ath-im70-a-bold-new-direction
 
On another note, has anyone received/listened to the IM04 yet?

 

[quartertone]

Finally got the IM50, which reached the country on 23 November but was detained by those wonderful customs people... anyway, very first impressions: damn, so full and clear at the same time! Separation and layering really impressive.

 

[malifact]

   
Ahh.. sorry I should have mentioned that I created a new thread for my impressions of the IM70 http://www.head-fi.org/t/692770/audio-technica-ath-im70-a-bold-new-direction
 
On another note, has anyone received/listened to the IM04 yet?

I may be getting the IM03 when I stop off in Japan next week.  If I do I will post a review or my impressions.  Is there a guide on how reviews should be written on the forum?
 
 

 

[audionewbi]

No fixed guide just post away.

 

[tomscy2000]

Quick Impressions of the new ATH-IM lineup:
 
IM50: The surprise winner! Very balanced across all frequencies, gentle midrange warmth, decent soundstage depth and width --- probably the best "entry-level" ATH in-ear model thus far. I might just get myself a pair! Really!
 
IM70: Too much decay in the bass, thus distracting. Everything else sounds altogether too similar to the IM50. Basically, a bass-boosted IM50. Only comes in red, which accentuates the plastic feel of the lower-end IMs. Would not recommend.
 
IM01: Not bad, has its moments over the IM50, but the IM50 is the better value. Took a look inside, well-made, almost certainly uses the new Knowles (it is not from Sonion or any other company for sure) RAB driver.
 
IM02: It's the CK90PRO MK2 in new clothes.
 
IM03: It's the CK100PRO after it has grown out of its flashy phase. It's a bit less hot-headed and thus is less abrasive (but gives up absolute extension), a little thicker in the bass, but not by much. The CK100PRO will always have a special place in my heart, so the IM03 is a skip for me, but for many, I imagine it's an "improvement" over the CK100PRO. Identical drivers, but most likely increased damper value and slightly modified crossover (just a guess).
 
IM04: Very good. Not your typical ATH sound, honestly, but it's a welcome change. Very solid bass, a few dB north of neutral, but nothing to be worried about, as the bass has good texture and extends low, and midrange clarity isn't sacrificed. Deeper soundstage than the IM03 because of elevated lower midrange presence. Still matches the IM03 in "natural" midrange clarity, transparency, and presence, but doesn't have the harder-edge "etchy" sound of the IM03. Overall, a more mature tuning; a little more stage monitor-like, but overall very nice. A worthy flagship, IMHO. (Again, the CK100PRO has a special place in my heart, so the IM04 doesn't quite displace it as my favorite ATH in-ear, but it's better from a technical and presentational standpoint). From the soundstage presentation and going by the slides displayed in their press conferences, I'm almost certain it uses the Sonion AcuPass drivers with a pair of 3300 to flesh out the detail overall. Has similar timbral traits to the Livezoner41 LZ4 CIEM demo I tried, and that makes sense, because the LZ4 definitely uses the AcuPass/3300 combination, as does the CosmicEars BA4.
 
Like good, calculated businessmen, ATH is catering to an M-shaped society --- the low-end and the highest-end. Both ends are winners, with a mixed bag in the middle. If you were looking for a middle-class, socialist revolution, sorry, better luck next time. This is the age of Abenomics. (These statements actually make little real-world sense; I just wanted to BS stylistically...)

 

[ericp10]

  Quick Impressions of the new ATH-IM lineup:
 
 
 
IM70: Too much decay in the bass, thus distracting. Everything else sounds altogether too similar to the IM50. Basically, a bass-boosted IM50. Only comes in red, which accentuates the plastic feel of the lower-end IMs. Would not recommend.
 
 

 
 
Okay, clearly you're not a basshead (and I think it's just barely hitting basshead level). I totally disagree with that opinion. Great deep bass that doesn't detract from the mids or highs at all. Even better after significant burn-in. If the IM50 is as good as you say (which I have no doubt), this is even better (especially for us bassheads and borderline bassheads). I've always wanted an earphone that gave me great bass without bleeding into the mids at all. This is the one. You're definitely entitled to your opinion, but I just wanted to give a counter opinion. The IM70 is one of the best bargains of the year. 

 

[nihontoman]

sooo, im70 isn't a good value and the im02 sounds like what?

 

[nihontoman]

I'm just intrigued in how the im02 sounds after all that

 

[bonakid]

Hey guys!
 
I've been visiting head-fi for quite a while now but only created an account today so that I could pitch in with whatever info / experience I have particularly on the ATH-IM02.
 
First of all, I am no expert and this is actually my first time buying IEMs so please bear with me if what I'm about to write is not as descriptive or as technical as any decent review is.
 
So two weeks ago, I happen to be in Tokyo and thanks to this site I was able to go to Fujiya Avic in Nakano. I was on the hunt for an IEM that will sound good straight from my Rockboxed iPod Classic. Out of several that I tried, what initially stood out was the KEF M200. I thought it sounded really good; nice powerful bass and an overall detailed sound. I was still undecided though since it was above my budget and it was really tricky to fit. 
 
Then I saw these ATH-IMs 01 to 04. I honestly did not dare touch them at first because they had no price tags. So being the Balanced Armature that they are I figured they probably cost way more than I can afford. But heck, I was already there so might as well try them. So i started with ATH-IM01: It was good and had a balaced sound. Not KEF M200-good but really good enough for me to man up and ask for the price with whatever broken Nihongo that I know. The manager actually told me the price for all 4 of them:
 
IM01: 14XXX Yen (~US$140)
IM02: 17XXX Yen (~US$170)
IM03: 3XXXX Yen (~US$300+)
IM04: 5XXXX Yen (~US$500+)
 
I thought to myself, "Not bad!" So I went on to try IM02. I was in awe of the sound detail and clarity! Bass is not as strong as the KEF M200 but the clarity is what won me over. On to the IM03, I did not notice really much difference from IM02. Same goes for the IM04, not much difference for me. I think it might be the music I was playing (i think it was a Kpop song...dont judge! ) ) and truth be told I really did not spend much time on the IM03 and IM04 because they are way above my budget. So there I happily purchased the IM02. Btw, foreigners get to purchase it tax-free from Fujiya Avic as long as you have your passport with you. In the end I got it for around ~US$160.
 
Here are some pics:
 
Box
 
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a356/bonakidd/IMG_20131202_010604.jpg
 
Earphones
 
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a356/bonakidd/2013-12-11123212.jpg
 
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a356/bonakidd/2013-12-11123131.jpg
 
Case and tips (S,M,L and one M Comply)
 
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a356/bonakidd/2013-12-11123307.jpg
 
 
I hope this helps in any way. Cheers! 

 
 
 

 

[tomscy2000]

  Okay, clearly you're not a basshead (and I think it's just barely hitting basshead level). I totally disagree with that opinion. Great deep bass that doesn't detract from the mids or highs at all. Even better after significant burn-in. If the IM50 is as good as you say (which I have no doubt), this is even better (especially for us bassheads and borderline bassheads). I've always wanted an earphone that gave me great bass without bleeding into the mids at all. This is the one. You're definitely entitled to your opinion, but I just wanted to give a counter opinion. The IM70 is one of the best bargains of the year. 

Indeed I'm not a basshead, but perhaps we have different ways of defining bass. I can appreciate strong bass, but it must be speedy as well, and unfortunately the IM70 didn't quite feel fast. While I may exact fairly high standards for bass speed (think EX1000, 1Plus2 style bass), it's achievable in this price range, like with the JVC FXD80. That is a bassy earphone but with tight, fast, textured bass that hits hard and then harder. Maybe "would not recommend" is a bit strong, but I would hesitate at calling it a bargain.

 

[bonakid]

Hey guys!
 
I've been visiting head-fi for quite a while now but only created an account today so that I could pitch in with whatever info / experience I have particularly on the ATH-IM02.
 
First of all, I am no expert and this is actually my first time buying IEMs so please bear with me if what I'm about to write is not as descriptive or as technical as any decent review is.
 
So two weeks ago, I happen to be in Tokyo and thanks to this site I was able to go to Fujiya Avic in Nakano. I was on the hunt for an IEM that will sound good straight from my Rockboxed iPod Classic. Out of several that I tried, what initially stood out was the KEF M200. I thought it sounded really good; nice powerful bass and an overall detailed sound. I was still undecided though since it was above my budget and it was really tricky to fit. 
 
Then I saw these ATH-IMs 01 to 04. I honestly did not dare touch them at first because they had no price tags. So being the Balanced Armature that they are I figured they probably cost way more than I can afford. But heck, I was already there so might as well try them. So i started with ATH-IM01: It was good and had a balaced sound. Not KEF M200-good but really good enough for me to man up and ask for the price with whatever broken Nihongo that I know. The manager actually told me the price for all 4 of them:
 
IM01: 14XXX Yen (~US$140)
IM02: 17XXX Yen (~US$170)
IM03: 3XXXX Yen (~US$300+)
IM04: 5XXXX Yen (~US$500+)
 
I thought to myself, "Not bad!" So I went on to try IM02. I was in awe of the sound detail and clarity! Bass is not as strong as the KEF M200 but the clarity is what won me over. On to the IM03, I did not notice really much difference from IM02. Same goes for the IM04, not much difference for me. I think it might be the music I was playing (i think it was a Kpop song...dont judge! ) ) and truth be told I really did not spend much time on the IM03 and IM04 because they are way above my budget. So there I happily purchased the IM02. Btw, foreigners get to purchase it tax-free from Fujiya Avic as long as you have your passport with you. In the end I got it for around ~US$160.
 
I'll try to update this later with more on the impressions and with other types of music.
 
I hope this helps in any way
 
(I do have pics to share but I am not yet entitled to post any haha)

 

[tomscy2000]

  I'm just intrigued in how the im02 sounds after all that

Unfortunately, the IM02 is the one model that sounds most like its predecessor, the CK90PRO/MK2. The IM01 does not sound like the CK70PRO (and uses a completely different driver). The IM03 sounds reminiscent of the CK100PRO, but has been re-tuned. The IM02, however, sounds very similar to the CK90PROMK2.