So I would like to thank my friend Ri-Toast that flowed me his TF10 at his cost for this very interesting Comparo! Yes because out of my own curiosity. How does the much vaunted 3 BA driver TF10 compare to something like a CKM77?. Well we are about to find out.
On this corner!
The UE TF10. These are the closest thing that look like your grandpas old twisted fingers that stick out of your ears. I am lucky as I have normal sized average ears so far I have been lucky with fit on universals. These things are polarizing I think just about every headfier has an opinion on these things. For those that don't know these also happen to be my very first BA type earphones. I had to experience them for myself.
On this corner!
Yes these are my CKM77s. I will get to the CKM99s later but for now these 2 fight off. Why? These have some similarities that I would like to share. It is no secret that I have been telling everyone on this thread what I feel has the best detail of all the CKM earphones.. These are it. Yes even ever so slightly over the CKM99 because these maintain a true balanced sound and is more neutral over the CKM99.
I have been listening to both this morning and I have to say while the TF10 are very capable earphones. They don't best these CKM earphones at all. I think many know that dynamics have much better bass response over BAs.. Not only the bass but I don't find any aspect in the sound that sets these TF10s above these little known CKM77s.
Here is the shocker. In detail department. I have read many a post saying the TF10s have a slight V shape sound.. I don't think so. Not much. A/B in some Earth Wind and Fire. The clarity and detail winner here? The CKM77s. The sound difference between the 2 is the presentation. The TF10 has a bit forward mid section compared to the CKM77s and on the same tunes there is a bit of congestion in the vocals on the TF10s. Which was very surprising. This is not a huge deal breaker as I find the TF10s very capable of clean vocals but compared to the CKM77s it lacks a bit of clarity in the mids. Which again was very surprising to me.
I am hearing highs are extended well on both earphones. I would say about equal actually but it is the bass end that was again surprising. The bass is better on the CKM77 both in quality and a bit more in quantity which I find very surprising as I have heard how the bass was very capable on the TF10s. I don't find the bass to be nothing more but neutral level. The CKM77 bass end is better and overall have more fullness and reaches deeper over the TF10.. Sound staging I think is where the TF10 are nice and is the one area the beats the CKM phones but not by much.
I think the TF10s for the gold box deal during Christmas is a good deal but if I payed the $400 they are asking for these on Logitec web site. I would be pissed.!
This is just my opinion on them. I actually like them for being very capable and clean sounding and they certainly don't do any one thing wrong but I find my dynamic earphones as a better value over these. Some how I was expecting these to be all that and bag of tricks I didn't feel like I was getting a clear upgrade over the earphones I have. Especially in the bass department. No comparison to something like my CKS77 or even the CKM99.
I know there are customs with BAs and a Dynamic for bass. That makes sense to me. This comparo just made me realize how capable the CKM77s truly are.
Winner!=. Both are capable and sound great. If your going for detail in your music I still have nothing that beats the CKM77..Now for guys that are sensitive to brighter sounding earphones I would suggest something like a CKS77 instead.
compare to my iriver e30 and ipod nano (6th). guess I need a portable amp to drive it to make it sound great.
