FieldingMellish
500+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Mar 13, 2012
- Posts
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- 45
That's the way its always been in Europe. All those government funded freebies aren't really free. Buy your IEM's and proudly pay your Value Added Tax!
Then I guess I'd better buy them from cdjapan, and get the regular airmail shipping, which is only 55-56 euros in total (+ custom fees which may even amount up to 40 euros...)
Not sure where about's in the EU you are (I'm in the UK), but luckily for moi, the last few EMS shipments have not had any dealings with her majesty's customs officials...(shhh!). Mine are on route from cdjapan, so should have here by end of week.
I ordered a red one at least 4or 5 days ago, and I still don't have a shipping notice. However, the status on the site says "In shipping process."
Is CKM500 considered to be the next level of earphones after GR07? If the sound is not much of a difference i would like to pass it.
Would anyone else who own the GR07 like to compare? I ordered different tips for the CKM500, so I'll update again when they arrive. They are pretty different sounding headphones and I don't think mine are defective. The bass on the GR07 really gets out of the way so I can enjoy the music better. The bass on the CKM500, while punchy for some genres, pulls me out of others where it's boosted. It's one of the reasons why I love the GR07 so much - it is all-around flawless and never pulls me out of the music due to peaks or recessions in their balance. I noticed too the GR07 has a blacker background so softer dynamics come through better. The degree of natural timbre and tonality of instruments is simply in another league with the GR07
Did you get shipping notice? What color did you order?
So I just completed a quick A/B session with the CKM500 and the JVC FXT90.
- Clearly deeper and fuller bass in the CKM500.
- Notes are thicker in the CKM500 with more micro-details. Beautiful thickness on the guitar notes.
- Bass seems to be more separated with more air around it in the FXT90. This may be because of the the separate driver for the bass.
- More sparkle and air around the cymbals in the FXT90, but both have great extension.
- Mids are fuller and more lush in the CKM500.
- Vocals are more forward and detailed in the CKM500.
- FXT90 seems to have a bit of a wider soundstage, and the drums have a nice natural timbre leaning more toward the GR07.
- More refined sound in the CKM500.
So, I think the CKM500 wins over the FXT90, but the JVC is much closer to the AT in enjoyment than the GR07. Again, I still think the GR07 (and FXT90 are great earphones), i haven't heard a better IEM under $100 than the CKM500. Each earphone, however, has a little bit of something that it does better than the rest. Another great IEM coming out soon (June?) with great bass, mids and treble with be Audiofly's AF45. It will cost about $60. Good times for those of us in this hobby.