[Sweden]

One big problem with some of these cheaper in-ears and some more expensive from Audio Technica is that they have forgot to put any attention on the cable.
CKS77 was perhaps the worse cable ever in regards to microphonics, CKM500 better but still bad and CKN70 also really cheap and microphonic.
What the hell are they thinking about releasing this crap?
Avoiding cable noise should be as big a priority as ergonomics when designing an in-ear.

 

[kahaluu]

I totally agree.

 

[EvoSpider]

Could anyone do a comparison of the CKM500i, CKS55i, CK313i ? 

 

[iemguy66]

cks55 and ck313 is old models, which are replaced by CKS55X and CK323. CKM500 is easily the best. For $45 shipped CKM500 is bargain. But i recomend CKN50 for $37, many say, that they are little better than ckm500. I strongly suggest CKX5. They cost the same as CKM500, sound the same, but they have chin slider and are designed for sport use.

 

[EvoSpider]

cks55 and ck313 is old models, which are replaced by CKS55X and CK323. CKM500 is easily the best. For $45 shipped CKM500 is bargain. But i recomend CKN50 for $37, many say, that they are little better than ckm500. I strongly suggest CKX5. They cost the same as CKM500, sound the same, but they have chin slider and are designed for sport use.

Thanks! How about the ANC23 or GR02 BE or A151P?

 

[iemguy66]

Thanks! How about the ANC23 or GR02 BE or A151P?

Havent heard ANC23, but GR02 BE and especcially A151 is inferior to ckn50.

 

[pakram]

any iem recommendation if want to upgrade from this? 

 

[kahaluu]

If you want to stick with Audio Technica IEM's, an upgrade IMO would be the CKN50's or the CKN70's.  

 

[pakram]

  If you want to stick with Audio Technica IEM's, an upgrade IMO would be the CKN50's or the CKN70's.  

which 1 better?

 

[kahaluu]

Definitely the CKN70 IMO.

 

[Zelda]

  Definitely the CKN70 IMO.

agree. unless you can spend more

 

[DieselTech]

After reading this forum, I just had to get my hands on the CKM500.  I haven't burned it in yet, but I am pretty disappointed with this ear phone.  The high notes sound very harsh and artificial.  It's like they forcibly increase the volume on the high notes.  I really prefer my CKM55 over the CKM500, but I will give it a couple of weeks and see if they improve with burn in.

 

[Smugsie]

  After reading this forum, I just had to get my hands on the CKM500.  I haven't burned it in yet, but I am pretty disappointed with this ear phone.  The high notes sound very harsh and artificial.  It's like they forcibly increase the volume on the high notes.  I really prefer my CKM55 over the CKM500, but I will give it a couple of weeks and see if they improve with burn in.

I've had these for a while now as well, they didn't suit me at all due to the highs as you've mentionned. It has pretty nice bass and mids, but the highs are very forwarded and offensive to everything else... Making it hard to enjoy most genres except for some punkrock and techno.

 

[DieselTech]

I am listening to these CKM500 at work.  The music sounds very low.  Is anyone else experiencing the same?  Or am I going deaf?  I have my original earphones that came with the iPhone 5 and they sound much louder than these CKM500.  I hope plugging it into the Meridian Explorer didn't ruin these earphones... but I am wondering now... I just got the Meridian Explorer by the way, and they make my ATH-A900 sound amazingly good.  I can finally listen to music on the MacBook Pro without fatiguing my ears and put the Sony Vaio away... for good?
 
I'd give the Meridian Explorer an 8.5
Sony Vaio CW Series 8.0
MacBook Pro Retina 6.5
 
It's quite terrible how Steve Jobs really loved music, but his own MacBook Pro have terrible analog out.

 

[Smugsie]

  I am listening to these CKM500 at work.  The music sounds very low.  Is anyone else experiencing the same?  Or am I going deaf?  I have my original earphones that came with the iPhone 5 and they sound much louder than these CKM500.  I hope plugging it into the Meridian Explorer didn't ruin these earphones... but I am wondering now... I just got the Meridian Explorer by the way, and they make my ATH-A900 sound amazingly good.  I can finally listen to music on the MacBook Pro without fatiguing my ears and put the Sony Vaio away... for good?
 
I'd give the Meridian Explorer an 8.5
Sony Vaio CW Series 8.0
MacBook Pro Retina 6.5
 
It's quite terrible how Steve Jobs really loved music, but his own MacBook Pro have terrible analog out.

The CKM500's have a neutral presentation in the mids in my opinion. The bass and treble is elevated over the mids,
Shown here:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/478568/lightbox/post/9404736/id/838787

The ipod earbuds don't have a very present treble and bass range, which makes the mids sound clearer.

http://www.head-fi.org/t/478568/lightbox/post/9404736/id/838787

Congratulations on your Meridian Explorer though