kwang411
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Dec 12, 2008
- Posts
- 294
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- 13
Quote:
here's my take on the two, copied over from the CKM500 thread.
After a week of listening and experimenting with different eartips to find the optimum sound, I think I can finally give my contribution to this thread now
I have to say, I think the CKM500s are actually kinda over-hyped, I don't really think they can compare to $150+ IEMs like some feel.
My normal go to headphones are ES3X customs and HD800, so they are for reference, but I will compare here primarily with the JVC FXT90.
Bass:
I'm quite surprised that they are pretty bassy, especially at the midbass area, so the lower region sound a bit bloated. I actually find the CKM500s too bassy for most of the songs I listen to, especially for Jazz. Also, because the bass is so prominent, it cuts into the vocals (mids) slightly, decreasing the separation between the bass and vocals. However, cello sounds absolutely marvelous with these, so rich and detailed and with such believable weight. FXT90 after some burn-in the bass actually decreased by a lot, even less than CKM500, it feels tighter and faster. I prefer FXT90 in the bass department.
Mids:
CKM500 produces wonderful vocals, sounds beautifully with Elvis, Tony Bennett, Diana Krall, etc. It has the perfect amount of thickness and roundness to the voices. FXT90 in comparison sounds thinner and less present, even though they're still not bad. CKM500 wins hands down.
Trebles:
CKM500 trebles are smoother than FXT90, but FXT90 has more treble energy and more exciting. I feel extension on both are roughly the same. It depends on the type of music I listen to, but coming from HD800s I kinda prefer FXT90's treble just a hair more.
Soundstage:
Soundstage for me is generally determined by how 'congested' the headphones sound, so it's hard to really describe in words, but I'll try my best.
JVC wins here. CKM500 like I said before sound a bit bottom heavy, so it creates a more in your face sound to my ears, and ultimately more congested. The soundstage also feels rather lacking depth. FXT90 is more laid back, my ears are less fatigued during longer listening sessions with these. It also has better timbre for guitar, especially electric. Then I put on the ES3X after not listening to them for half a month, trying to see how much of a big difference customs can make. HOLY COW, I almost forgot how 3 dimensional music can sound out of headphones! I can literally see Elvis on the stage and instruments coming from behind, left, and right of him with pinpoint accuracy. Both CKM500 and JXT90 sound like paper.... Sorry, I kind of got offtrack
Comfort/Ergonomics:
CKM500 have insane microphonics, it's almost unbearable to walk with them (mostly due to the lack of slider after the splitter). The isolation isn't that great either, so I'm hesitant to bring them outside. Comfort is fine, don't really feel them in my ears.
What CKM500 does best, I think are vocal and instrument reproduction. Instruments have a genuine weight and sound to them, and in this regard they even surpasses ES3X and HD800. However, they sound too congested I can't really listen to them for too long without getting tired. For me, having gotten the FXT90s at $99 for 2 pairs, it's a much better deal and I honestly do think they sound better overall for the music I listen to.
CKM500s look damn beautiful though!
here's my take on the two, copied over from the CKM500 thread.
After a week of listening and experimenting with different eartips to find the optimum sound, I think I can finally give my contribution to this thread now
I have to say, I think the CKM500s are actually kinda over-hyped, I don't really think they can compare to $150+ IEMs like some feel.
My normal go to headphones are ES3X customs and HD800, so they are for reference, but I will compare here primarily with the JVC FXT90.
Bass:
I'm quite surprised that they are pretty bassy, especially at the midbass area, so the lower region sound a bit bloated. I actually find the CKM500s too bassy for most of the songs I listen to, especially for Jazz. Also, because the bass is so prominent, it cuts into the vocals (mids) slightly, decreasing the separation between the bass and vocals. However, cello sounds absolutely marvelous with these, so rich and detailed and with such believable weight. FXT90 after some burn-in the bass actually decreased by a lot, even less than CKM500, it feels tighter and faster. I prefer FXT90 in the bass department.
Mids:
CKM500 produces wonderful vocals, sounds beautifully with Elvis, Tony Bennett, Diana Krall, etc. It has the perfect amount of thickness and roundness to the voices. FXT90 in comparison sounds thinner and less present, even though they're still not bad. CKM500 wins hands down.
Trebles:
CKM500 trebles are smoother than FXT90, but FXT90 has more treble energy and more exciting. I feel extension on both are roughly the same. It depends on the type of music I listen to, but coming from HD800s I kinda prefer FXT90's treble just a hair more.
Soundstage:
Soundstage for me is generally determined by how 'congested' the headphones sound, so it's hard to really describe in words, but I'll try my best.
JVC wins here. CKM500 like I said before sound a bit bottom heavy, so it creates a more in your face sound to my ears, and ultimately more congested. The soundstage also feels rather lacking depth. FXT90 is more laid back, my ears are less fatigued during longer listening sessions with these. It also has better timbre for guitar, especially electric. Then I put on the ES3X after not listening to them for half a month, trying to see how much of a big difference customs can make. HOLY COW, I almost forgot how 3 dimensional music can sound out of headphones! I can literally see Elvis on the stage and instruments coming from behind, left, and right of him with pinpoint accuracy. Both CKM500 and JXT90 sound like paper.... Sorry, I kind of got offtrack
Comfort/Ergonomics:
CKM500 have insane microphonics, it's almost unbearable to walk with them (mostly due to the lack of slider after the splitter). The isolation isn't that great either, so I'm hesitant to bring them outside. Comfort is fine, don't really feel them in my ears.
What CKM500 does best, I think are vocal and instrument reproduction. Instruments have a genuine weight and sound to them, and in this regard they even surpasses ES3X and HD800. However, they sound too congested I can't really listen to them for too long without getting tired. For me, having gotten the FXT90s at $99 for 2 pairs, it's a much better deal and I honestly do think they sound better overall for the music I listen to.
CKM500s look damn beautiful though!
