Ds, I'm already on it. Been using the Sony Hybrids with my CKN70s and the sound is definitely better. Now, get ready for a long post guys. It's time to compare the CKN70s with my Sony XBA-30s.
Now I know why I thought the CKN70s could be my new favorite IEMs. They sound a lot like my current fave XBA-30s. Both have a similar balanced presentation and complement each other well. The Sonys show their armature side and sound like a relaxed, cleaner, and smoother version of the ATs.
The bass on the XBA-30s is flawless. It is as complete a bass I could ever ask for. Body, texture, impact, fullness, they have it all and excel at every aspect of bass. However, the CKN70s have managed to blow my mind with the same level of bass quality. The CKN70s are dynamics with armature-like speed and control to the bass. The XBA-30s are armatures with dynamic-like fullness and decay. Both have bass that reminds me of moving armatures like the e-Q5, which combines the best qualities of dynamics and BA in its tech and sounds effortless. Ultimately though, neither one strays too far from its tech roots, and they edge each other out in the areas they should. The bass on the ATs has slightly bigger punch and decay, while the Sonys bass is more surgically precise and defined.
The mids on the XBA-30s are sweet and full like the CKN70s with a touch more clarity and liquid smoothness. Vocals are isolated nice and clear and sound sublime. I feel like I'm in the same room with the singer, it is that clear. The Sonys are absolutely perfect with music that focuses on the mids. Strings sound amazing on both. The CKN70s are slightly drier and more upfront. I do enjoy rock with the AT's a little more. Their extra punch and decay beefs up the drums, and guitars have more presence on the stage, with bigger crunch and stronger distortion.
The biggest difference between the two is in the highs. The XBA-30s have a lighter note and are more delicate sounding. Their highs will never steal your focus from the mids or bass, and just perfectly complements them in the music. Sibilance and fatigue is nonexistent. Don't think for a second that the Sonys are recessed or laid back, though. The highs are in line with the rest of the music, they just exhibit incredible control and smoothness. The extension and detail is all there and can be easily found, if you bother looking. On the other hand, the highs on the CKN70s are forward with great energy and crispness. Notes have an effortless snap to them, and cymbals sound fantastic, airy and shimmering. The ATs are in your face and exciting, a nice change to the Sonys.
The stage on the XBA-30s is wide and spacious, with great height and depth. However, the CKN70s sound even larger. I think AT added a new air chamber at the back of the aluminum body. These have a sound that is even wider and deeper than my Sonys. The ATs have this amazingly real airy outdoor sound with live music. Both have pinpoint imaging that gives a holographic feel to the sound. The background is darker on my XBA-30s, making things a bit clearer and more precise.
Both of these IEMs are incredible and it's hard for me to say which one is better. My general preferences are more in line with the Sonys, but the ATs sound impeccable and I prefer them for some genres and live music. I'm just lucky and glad to make both these my final IEMs.
