The ATH-CKM500..The best CKM earphone yet.

[jasonb]

I had the Sound Magic PL50 for 2 years until a week back when they broke down and are physically damaged , virtually garbage. I am looking for something around the 100 US$ mark, I live in Taiwan and I checked the ATH CKM 500, they retail for nearly a 70US$. If someone could compare these with Klipsch IMAGE S4 and Westone 1. it would be fantastic. I already tried the Shure SE215 and i found them highly uncomfortable and too bass for exaggerated for my taste. Looking at this thread, I believe they are gonna do the job for my taste, plus they offer great value. Any advice on the color to choose? Thanks again.

The klipsch s4's are nothing compared to these. These are multiple times better. The s4's mids are lacking and sound very distant, they highs have a very unnatural sounding peak, and can at times be very sibilant. Sometimes the highs sounded alright, and then other times certain instruments would catch that peak and they would sound very weird and sibilant.

 

[Madhawanm]

Quote:

The klipsch s4's are nothing compared to these. These are multiple times better. The s4's mids are lacking and sound very distant, they highs have a very unnatural sounding peak, and can at times be very sibilant. Sometimes the highs sounded alright, and then other times certain instruments would catch that peak and they would sound very weird and sibilant.

Appreciate your reply. So, It is the ATH-CKM500..Can you give me some idea about the comfort and durability. My sound magic pl50 were downright nearly negligible in weight and very comfortable. Are these comfortable enough?

 

[jasonb]

they seem durable and to me they are very comfortable. 
 
Quote:

Appreciate your reply. So, It is the ATH-CKM500..Can you give me some idea about the comfort and durability. My sound magic pl50 were downright nearly negligible in weight and very comfortable. Are these comfortable enough?

 

[Dsnuts]

@madhawanm.  I can tell you these represent one of the best sounding earphones for under $100 you will have ever heard. I don't own any of the others you mentioned so I can't say these are what compared to them but I will tell you if SQ matters to you these are completely worth a try.
 
I would say most of the guys if not all of them have turned into a fan of these iems for good reason. I recommend these to anyone that is willing to try something new. You should just know these CKM500s represent years of refined house sound from AT. Give them a go... I think out of all the colors the Silvers seem to be the most popular. If you want one that sticks out the gold is all class.. Color choice is all up to you.

 

[LordWormwood]

Thinking of getting these for my brother - birthday present. 
 
Gold?
 
It's for an iPhone user - should I really be looking at the inline mic ones?
 
 
Wormwood

 

[compoopers]

I wasn't a big fan of them when I first got them, but I really like them now.

Incredibly durable design, although the comfort of the tips is not amazing, I'd recommend replacing them with something more comfy like hybrids or complys.

 

[jasonb]

you dont have to get the iphone ones for an iphone, but it's nice to have the mic and the controls. the iphone version is also a single cable, not the weird 2ft + 2ft extension. the one piece cable was actually the real reason i went with the iphone version. 
 
Quote:

Thinking of getting these for my brother - birthday present. 
 
Gold?
 
It's for an iPhone user - should I really be looking at the inline mic ones?
 
 
Wormwood

 

[DannyBai]

Quote:

Appreciate your reply. So, It is the ATH-CKM500..Can you give me some idea about the comfort and durability. My sound magic pl50 were downright nearly negligible in weight and very comfortable. Are these comfortable enough?

I have the Klipsch S5i, which I assume sound the same as S4i and I love them for the deep insertion and work perfect when I am riding my bicycle around but for the sound, the AT really blows them away.  Comparing the comfort with the PL50, I'd say the PL50 is one of the most comfortable, slim and lightweight earphones I've ever tried.  But, the CKM500's being almost double in size, are still very comfortable but will not isolate as well.  Sound wise, it is much more pleasant and engaging to listen to over the PL50.
 
 
Quote:

Thinking of getting these for my brother - birthday present. 
 
Gold?
 
It's for an iPhone user - should I really be looking at the inline mic ones?
 
 
Wormwood

If using an iPhone, there's no question the convenience for me having the one with the volume and play/pause buttons.  

 

[Madhawanm]

Quote:

I have the Klipsch S5i, which I assume sound the same as S4i and I love them for the deep insertion and work perfect when I am riding my bicycle around but for the sound, the AT really blows them away.  Comparing the comfort with the PL50, I'd say the PL50 is one of the most comfortable, slim and lightweight earphones I've ever tried.  But, the CKM500's being almost double in size, are still very comfortable but will not isolate as well.  Sound wise, it is much more pleasant and engaging to listen to over the PL50.
 
 
If using an iPhone, there's no question the convenience for me having the one with the volume and play/pause buttons.  

 


Thanks for the detailed response. Well yes, the comfort of Sound Magic PL50 was the only reason which made me stick to them. So it will be the CKM500's. I looked at the thread and there are another set of earphones ATH CKS77 which retails for like 90 dollars here, so 20$ extra. Are they worth the extra 20$ in any ways? I really didn't investigate much in the market so would rely on your info to help me out. thanks again

 

[DannyBai]

Quote:

 


Thanks for the detailed response. Well yes, the comfort of Sound Magic PL50 was the only reason which made me stick to them. So it will be the CKM500's. I looked at the thread and there are another set of earphones ATH CKS77 which retails for like 90 dollars here, so 20$ extra. Are they worth the extra 20$ in any ways? I really didn't investigate much in the market so would rely on your info to help me out. thanks again

I'm sure others will agree with me when I say that the CKM500 is one of the best bang/buck earphone in the AT line or any other brand for that matter.  I do like the CKS77 but not nearly as much as the CKM500's.  The CKM500's have a better balance across the spectrum while the CKS77's are more bass centric.  

 

[Ghostfit]

Quote:

I might try again to make a set that look a bit smoother, i have plenty of the silicone putty left. This was my best try so far. The first set ive made that didnt tear near the nozzle.

 
LOL,

   ... my wife said that if I did anything like that to any of my headphones, I'll have to sleep in the hall !

 

[Madhawanm]

All right, Thanks everyone for the help. I am gonna get them tonight from my local store and give my first hand on impressions and then review. Any info regarding burn in time or they are good to go straight from the box??
 

 

[Dsnuts]

Burn in is good to do on all earphones. There are some that don't change much with burn in and some that change a lot. These don't change too much but the highs and mids smooth out, bass end tighter with burn in. I would do at least 50 hours. I like to do 100 minimum on all my earphones. Of course listening in between is always fun. The bass end is a bit bigger than the rest of the sound on open box. This evens out with burn in that was the biggest change the highs also settle to a perfect clean sound as well..

 

[jasonb]

Has anybody tried the Meelec bi-flange tips? Like the ones pictured here: http://www.meelec.com/product_p/tipset3-bf50m-mrg-cl.htm

Or these: http://www.meelec.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=TipSet3%2DBF50M%2DMTN%2DGY&CartID=2

 

[victorbrt]

Guys, how the CKM500 perform in hard rock / blues rock? They have an energetic and "vivid" sound for these music?
 
Some examples:
 

 

 

 

 
I bought the CKM500 from CDJapan too, I just can't wait to arrive. My first IEM was the CKM55 and I loved the sound signature of them for this kind of music, I hope the same apply for CKM500.