- My 2c on this: I’ll try to be a bit more specific (if I can).
ATH-CM7ti: I have mixed feelings about these ear-buds that range b/w contentment, sadness
and anger.
I find them as portable ideal: on the bus, train, walking down the road, etc. – nice. They don’t isolate as canal phones, but somehow the music is not effect by the environment much as a pair of Grado would, even at moderate volume.
There’s a certain quality in the way the sound in the music is produced that you know where you put your money. The speed, dynamics, soundstage and balance, all sound pretty good to me. If I had to describe these buds in a word, the word that comes to mind is “neat”. They’re not as forward or in your face as the Grado, which is not a bad thing sometimes, making them less fatiguing and kind of relaxing yet involving (definitely not laid back). I particularly like how the vocals sound, and the piano and guitar instruments – I often have just to refrain myself from singing along in public.
However, I’m also sad because there is a notable deficiency in the bass region, spoiling what could otherwise be an excellent ear-phone. I really enjoy them, but will probably not keep them very long due to the bass. See there is a difference b/w lack of and anemic to the point I’m trying to make here: they don’t lack bass. The bass is good – not boomy or bloated and not for bassheads but plenty. But, with certain songs the bass is very anemic making the music sound not as it should (c*** basically). Example: listen to Money – Pink Floyd, and you’d think they even bass-y - listen to the last record of Stereofonics (can’t remember the title) and you’d think: What where’s the bass in that part of the song. It’s a pity: if wasn’t for the bass these buds could kick some serious as**s
Also a bit angry because I feel like cheated; there is a
clear deficiency with these phones, and don’t know what to think of ATH for releasing a product that is clearly deficient. The engineer (or whatever the name of the profession of making ear-phones is) that approved the product should be named and shamed, fired, sued, fined, and kicked in the nuts - hard! MORE BASS!! Damn it! (ah, feel better now
). But after all, they’re ear-buds and maybe you can’t squeeze blood from a turnip - I don’t really know.
Sony MDR E888SP: sorry, never heard them; don’t even know what they look like. Someone who had them both commented that he/she found the CM7ti to have better bass than the E888, which to me means the sonys have some serious anemic bass - Are they worth twice as much as the sony? Well, it depends how much is twice as much for you. Probably not… but for me the little extra quality and clarity etc. that make all the difference is worth every cents.
hope it helps a bit -
The decision is yours... for me, the quest continues
ok - I'm off... have a nice evening
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