ATH-ESW9 Update (with ATH-ES7 Comparison)

I find that I use the ATH-ESW9 more than any of my other headphones. Even though I often listen to music in bed, I'll lay on my back with the ESW9 rather than on my side with the ATH-CK7 as I normally would.

The ESW9 is simply a stunning headphone and it is hard to imagine a classier design. They were a bit clampy when I bought them but the grew more comfortable very quickly. Some people (including me at first) have a hard time justifying the purchase ($275 USD for me) but they sound so much better than any other headphones I've heard in the past that my constantly nagging feeling that I need to upgrade has been quenched. The consensus on head-fi.org seems to be that they are the best closed portable headphone on the market and from my experience I am inclined to agree. Whether they are worth more than twice the price of the ATH-ES7 is a matter of personal opinion. The ESW9 certainly sounds much much better than the ES7 but the ES7 is a competent portable headphone and is waaaay cheaper at about $110 USD. I'll get to sound soon but as a matter of comfort the ESW9 easily beats the ES7 which is much clampier. The ESW9's lambskin earpads are a huge improvement over the pleather pads on the ES7 since they are more plush and less sweat inducing. The ESW9 also looks better on the head than the ES7 since the headband does not stick out at a funny angle. (This can be fixed on the ES7 as can be seen here. (Thanks 3X0) The ES7 also can get scuffed very easily in day-to-day use. They are both very solidly built and can easily stand portable use. They both come with carrying pouches and are both made in Japan. I don't have it yet but I think I'm going to buy this case for my ESW9 so I can toss them into my knapsack.

Alright. I've got to go so I'll save my sound impressions for later. (They are amazing ;) )

Stay tuned!

Audio Technica ATH-CK7 Review

This post is based on a review I did for Amazon a few months ago. I have updated it slightly for the blog.

I have owned the CK7 (which is made in Japan!) for about a year now and I am still blown away each time I use them. I have owned about 20-30 other canalphones and the CK7 is my absolute favorite. The highs are sparkly and beautiful, the midrange presence is fantastic, and the bass has great impact without being "boomy" or overwhelming. The attack is excellent and these are great for rock or metal since they can keep up with a double bass. I also use them to listen to Jazz and classical music. On a high quality recording you can even make out the impact of the piano keys or the fingers strumming the guitar strings. Wind instruments have a fantastic airy quality, usually only found on more expensive headphones or speakers. They do not have a warm sound but are better for it since they are precise and technical.

The CK7 comes in a beautiful titanium housing that looks great and really protects the delicate drivers inside. I take good care of my electronics but they still tend to get tossed around since I use them almost every day. My CK7 has held up extremely well and looks as good as new.

Also of note is that the CK7 has a "Y" shaped cord unlike the "J" cord which is popular with manufacturers these days but generally not with consumers. Included in the package are 3 sizes of tips and a thin leatherette pouch.

All in all anyone looking for an amazing pair of earphones with fantastic sound and decent isolation should check these out. You will not be disappointed.

Just note that directly out of the box the CK7 can sound a bit harsh or shrill. Give them some time. The drivers need to be burned in, and after a few days of use they will really come into their own. You may want to let them play overnight before using them the first time.

Headphone List

Here's a mostly up to date list of headphones I own or have owned. If anyone wants a quick review on any of them just post it in the comments.

Current:
JVC HA-FX33
JVC HA-FX55
JVC HA-FX66
Audio Technica ATH-ESW9
Audio Technica ATH-CK7
Koss KSC75
Accura SR660
Sony MDR-D777lp
Sony MDR-E828
Altec Lansing im716

Past:
Etymotic ER4P
Altec Lansing iM616
Amadana PE-117
Denon AH-D550
Denon AH-D1000
Panasonic RP-HTX7
Panasonic RP-HJE300
Panasonic RP-HJE500
JVC HA-F120
JVC HA-F130
JVC HA-S350
JVC HP-FX77
JVC HP-AL1000
Sony MDR-EX71
Sony E-11 (Knockoff)
Sony MDR-E888 (Knockoff)
Audio Technica ATH-CK5 (Knockoff)
Audio Technina ATH-P9
Audio Technica ATH-ES7
Audio Technica ATH-CK9
Razer m100
Razer m250
Koss KEB/24
Zune Isophones
OVC T25 (Same as Vmoda Vibe)
Futuresonics Xtrememac FS1
Coby CV-E31
Grado SR60
Skullcandy Smokin' Buds
E-Che MYM603-SL
Sennheiser CX300
Shure E2C

Canalphone Comparison

I recently posted this comparison of some popular canalphones on head-fi.org. I figured I'd post it here too. There are a few updates in this version.

Hey everyone. I've been getting some PMs today about my comparison between the new JVC HA-FX66 to the HA-FX33 Marshmallow, HA-FX55, and HP-FX77 so I figured I'd do some listening and write up a mini comparison. I no longer own the FX77 so I will limit myself to a few comments just for reference. I will also include a bit on the Panasonic RP-HJE300. Even though I no longer own them I was pretty impressed so I figure I'll bring them in from memory.

The canalphones in this comparison range in price from $20-$75 but I figured I'd include them all and then anyone interested can choose the best option within their price range.

My test rig is an iRiver H120 with Rockbox. I listened to mostly .flac files but mixed in some 320kbps mp3s. I did not use an amp although if there is any interest I can try specific earphones with my T2. For this review I listened exclusively to Porcupine Tree. I listened to studio albums and the XMII album to mix things up a bit.

Here goes. I'll start with the Marshmallows and work my way from there.

I found the FX33 to be a very comfortable earphone. They are also very solidly built and provide decent isolation. Their downside becomes apparent, however, when you start to listen to them. The first thing you notice is the bass. These little canalphones sure pack a large sound for the money. Unfortunately, while the low end is there in quantity it lacks impact - which detracts from the music. The midrange has decent presence but lacks purity. There is little treble to speak of. The FX33 is a good earphone for use in bed since they are comfortable, strong, and don't stick out of your ear. Plus, even if they break it is not much of a loss. Other than when falling asleep I really don't get much use out of them.

Parallel to the FX33 in JVC's lineup is the FX55. They also cost about $20 and are the polar opposite in terms of sound. The FX55 is the only 'phone in this comparison for which I did not use the stock tips. For anyone who tried these and dismissed them, do yourself a favor and try 'em again with the tips from nearly any other canalphone. (CX300, EX71, etc) The difference is just night and day. The FX55 was my primary earphone for over a year and survived some rough treatment including a trip to China.
Directly out of the package they are not much to look at and don't sound all that great. The treble has a nice airiness but the midrange is recessed and there is very little bass presence or impact. After a fair amount of burn in and a switch away from the stock tips these really open up. The high frequency presentation remains their best aspect but the FX55 also has a very clean midrange sound. While bass is not their strongest suit, it has just enough emphasis and feeling. Of the four JVC earphones in this comparison the FX55 is my definite favorite.

The HA-FX66 falls right between the FX33 and FX55 in terms of sound. They do not have an emphasis on any particular area but are pleasant overall. I personally feel that they lack flavor and fail to involve me in the music since there is a lack of feeling in the treble and bass. They are certainly a decent at about $35 but I feel that a cheap earphone should be a bit more fun. They are very comfortable and the "air cushion" is a big plus. The build quality feels nice and I like the wide variety of tips and the included hard case. Cable length is a bit of an issue since it is a bit too short to use on its own but too long to be perfect for a standard extension when used with a DAP in your pocket.

Next comes the FX77, which I no longer own. I really don't have much to say about these. I found them fatiguing and their sound was really subpar considering that they cost almost double the price of the FX33 or 55. The only possibly decent aspect of their sound is the bass which had a fuller sound than any of JVC's other offerings. Otherwise, I felt they were really nothing special and passed them on after about a week.

I'll keep going with canalphones I no longer own and move on to the Panasonic RP-HJE300. I picked these up on a whim in J&R this summer for $20 and was quite impressed. They reminded me of the FX55 in terms of sound and are a very good value. Their design is more akin to the Sony EX90 and FX66 and I found that they fit comfortably in my ears. They sounded good right out of the box and did not need much burn in. They provide the least isolation of all the canalphones in this writeup and you will have to turn up the volume in noisy areas. They also come with a fuzzy carrying pouch and an extension cord.
My only problem with the HJE300 is that I felt my first pair sounded better than the second pair I bought. (This is probably all just in my head.)

This leads to the Panasonic RP-HJE500 - my second favorite canalphone in this comparison and also second to most expensive at ~$60. The HJE500 takes everything I like about the HJE300 and improves on it. They really have a very similar sound signature but the 500's treble just has more extension and purity. The low end has more "oomph" without becoming overbearing. Overall they just have a more natural sound. The only problems I have with them is a slightly veiled midrange. They are much better sounding than any other canalphone mentioned thus far in this comparison but I am not sure if I feel they are worth the asking price.
The housing is constructed of aluminum and looks really, really nice. I have not put them through any harsh use or bedtime listening but they seem as if they would hold up nicely.

And now - finally - on to the Audio Technica ATH-CK7. These are the most expensive canalphones in this group (~$75) but also my favorites by far. There is just something special about the CK7 and a well burned in pair must be heard to be believed. They excel in areas usually reserved for far more expensive iems such as bass impact, sparkling treble and instrument separation. Listening to rock or metal is a real treat on the CK7 since heavy bass does not detract from the airy treble and vise versa. Guitars also have a nice Grado-like sound and with surprising presence and a forward presentation. The soundstage is nothing special but you can still place instruments very well. The CK7 is often compared to the Etymotic er6i thanks to its purity but in my opinion the CK7 excels above the er6i in every aspect but isolation. The sound just has so much more feeling.
They are the most solid feeling canalphone I have ever tried and the titanium housing is akin to a little tank.

There is really much more to be said about the CK7 but I've already written lots of descriptions all over the forum and I'm getting tired so I'll wrap things up here.

Thanks for listening!

Audio Technica ATH-CK7

Audio Technica ATH-ESW9

Here are some pics of my new ATH-ESW9. A review should be coming soon.

Here are the promised pics of the JVC Victor HP-AL1000.

JVC Victor HP-AL1000

I recently traded for a JVC / Victor HP-AL1000 clip on headphone. When they arrived I was extremely disappointed at the lack of bass or really any sort of aural presence other than piercing highs. I actually had them up for sale last night on head-fi for about twenty minutes.

And then... I tried them with my iBasso T2 amp. I've always kind of liked the T2 but I did not feel that it added much to my Etymotic ER4-P or Audio Technica ATH-CK7. However, with the AL1000 it is a completely different story. Suffice it to say: I now love these headphones. They just have a pure and beautiful sound that is now much more well rounded than it was before. The instrument separation is great, the soundstage is surprisingly wide, the bass has depth and impact, the highs are more restrained, etc. I have never used the T2's "bass mode" before but it fits the AL1000 perfectly .

I also like that these beautiful headphones are made in Taiwan.

All in all, they are prohibitively expensive for clip-ons at $79 from AC but if you like clip on headphones, use an amp, and want a definite step up from the Koss KSC75 these are a great option. If you do not have an amp I would suggest holding off on these since they did not sound very good out of my iRiver H120 or Meizu M6. However, if you do have a headphone amp, consider these highly recommended.

The housing is a fantastic brushed aluminum that looks really nifty. I'll get some of my own pictures up soon. These deserve better pics online than the bland results from google image search.