noob on a budget ques: ATH-CM3 vs ATH-CM5

[lypk]

Hi, i'm thinking of buying a earphone that's within my budget, and so far, i have 2 choices in mind: ATH-CM3 and ATH-CM5. I just need to know besides the obvious price/colour difference, are there really any difference between these two earphones? Thanks for your reply

 

[lypk]

*bump*

Anyone please?

 

[jrosenth]

I'm interested in this too if anyone has any insight.

Also, is there any place to buy the CM5 aside from bluetin (can't find them at audicubes; can only locate Creative's rebadge)?

Thanks.

 

[t10]

I've got CM5's, but never heard CM3's.

Anyhoo, if you like BASS stay the hell away.

Also the part where the bud joins the stem is hard rubber and not solid compared to CM7. Which I kinda dislike purely for aesthetic reasons.

 

[Bolt San]

They're the same earphones, I presume. They're both taken from this one Cresyn earphone, and Audio-Technica doesn't actually make them.

With that said, they were better when they were being sold for $40, I don't think they're worth 50-60 or whatever they're going for now.

 

[Jahn]

my wife has the CM3 and yes they have NO bass lol. but the mids are nice and the highs are clean but don't extend too far.

 

[jrosenth]

Jahn,

I was thinking about buying the CM3 for my wife as a gift; aside from the bass issue how does your better half like them?

Thanks.

Edit:

Thanks for the pm - I think I'll pick up a pair.

 

[Mrs-Unhappy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bolt San They're the same earphones, I presume. They're both taken from this one Cresyn earphone, and Audio-Technica doesn't actually make them. With that said, they were better when they were being sold for $40, I don't think they're worth 50-60 or whatever they're going for now.

Received my ATH-CM3s last week! I got them from warehouse123.com for $39, and they are worth the buck. Not only do they look stylish, they provide enough sound quality in the price range. I'm very happy with my purchase! ..

 

[SunByrne]

I have the CM5s, never heard the CM3s. Good mids and highs for an earbud, no bass. I prefer the E888s.

 

[Jahn]

My wife has used them for half a year with no complaints so far. I guess she doesn't mind having no bass lol.

 

[apnk]

I use to have the cm5's (might buy another pair) and yes they had no bass, until i did the Redshifter (i think it was him) mod. Also they are kinda big, so i took off the rubber ring and i got a better fit so more bass also.

 

[jrosenth]

Ended up picking up the Creative EP-880 (re-badged ATH-CM5) from a local shop for $40. My wife needed ear buds, something small that blocks some sound but lets her hear others. Almost every earbud I've ever heard has bass issues, but if you are after this design then these work really well. Good highs, great mids - black cord so she doesn't get mugged

. I think that it would be incredibly difficult to find a better sounding earbud for that price.

My ATH-CM7ti have much better resosultion and highs but the EP-880/CM5 give them a real run on the mids.

Both the CM5 and CM7ti sound much, much better with an impedence adapter (e.g. Xin's $25 dongle) and they really blossom with an amp. With an altered impedence they respond very well to a bit of a bass bump via EQ or amp - I'm not a real fan of bass boost but it makes a huge difference with these things. I've been using one of Xin's Superdual amps (about the size of a matchbook) with switches for impedence and bass boost. With those two issues addressed, these things absolutely rock.

 

[Connie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunByrne I have the CM5s, never heard the CM3s. Good mids and highs for an earbud, no bass. I prefer the E888s.

I read couple reviews in head-fi saying that the bass performance of CM5 will suddently improve after using them for months. So I will try to keep using my CM3, and see what will happen next.