Audio Technica Appreciation Thread

[rty]

Thanks Bangdoll & Haonan. I'll take your advice to buy it locally. I am currently using IM70 and love it very much as it suits my type of music (mostly female vocals with accoustics e.g. Lisa Ono, Paula Cole, Stacey Kent, etc) but I was told CKR9 is "way much better" than IM70. So I hope CKR9 doesn't disappoint. Unfortunately, CKR10 is way too expensive for my wallet.

 

[LongBigBronzeElephantFish]

Thanks Bangdoll & Haonan. I'll take your advice to buy it locally. I am currently using IM70 and love it very much as it suits my type of music (mostly female vocals with accoustics e.g. Lisa Ono, Paula Cole, Stacey Kent, etc) but I was told CKR9 is "way much better" than IM70. So I hope CKR9 doesn't disappoint. Unfortunately, CKR10 is way too expensive for my wallet.

Highly recommend that you have an audition at all the models before making a decision. There are many other models that are "different" than the IM70 too, in a good or bad way depending on your tastes.

If you like female vocals, can consider the IM02 and IM03 too apart from the CKR9 and CKR10.

If the CRK10 is out of your budget and if you ended up really liking it, would recommend that you save up $$ and directly get it. Slowly upgrading will eat up more $$ in the long run.

I am looking for CKR9. Has anyone seen them sold at the airport?

Also, Amazon.jp now sells it for 17,040 yen (or S$200). Anyone bought it using Tenso?

Did see some AT models in the airport (after the customs) recently. Didn't hunt all the shops but the price wasn't much different with those selling in our local stores (after discount, our local stores are definitely cheaper).

 

[enenyi]

Hi ATH-IM50/70 users, I bought an IM50 earlier today. But I noticed a problem with my IM50: the 'L' and 'R' labels on the drivers are wrong. If I wear 'correctly' with the 'L' on my left ear and 'R' on my right ear, I can only do front loop (cable goes around front of ear). I tried back loop as per instruction manual, but drivers point outwards instead of pointing inwards into my ear canals. I tried swapping the memory cables around, but I still get the wrong placement ('R' driver on my left ear even when memory cables are correctly placed). Is it normal for the IM50/70 series? Or just mine is wrongly labelled and I shld claim warranty from Audio Technica? Thanks.

 

[LongBigBronzeElephantFish]

Hi ATH-IM50/70 users, I bought an IM50 earlier today. But I noticed a problem with my IM50: the 'L' and 'R' labels on the drivers are wrong. If I wear 'correctly' with the 'L' on my left ear and 'R' on my right ear, I can only do front loop (cable goes around front of ear). I tried back loop as per instruction manual, but drivers point outwards instead of pointing inwards into my ear canals. I tried swapping the memory cables around, but I still get the wrong placement ('R' driver on my left ear even when memory cables are correctly placed). Is it normal for the IM50/70 series? Or just mine is wrongly labelled and I shld claim warranty from Audio Technica? Thanks.

Can't really catch what you are trying to say... Maybe some pictures would help.

The cables are colour coded for the L and R.

 

[enenyi]

Can't really catch what you are trying to say... Maybe some pictures would help.

The cables are colour coded for the L and R.

As you can see, the 'R' cable + driver unit goes into my left ear by virtue of shape. This orientation allows the cable to loop behind my ear. If I were to wear the 'R' cable + driver unit on my right ear, the cable will dangle loosely in front of my ear instead of looping the back of my ear. Is this a design issue with this IEM or just simple mistake in labelling of the driver units?

 

[Taeyeonie]

Spoiler

As you can see, the 'R' cable + driver unit goes into my left ear by virtue of shape. This orientation allows the cable to loop behind my ear. If I were to wear the 'R' cable + driver unit on my right ear, the cable will dangle loosely in front of my ear instead of looping the back of my ear. Is this a design issue with this IEM or just simple mistake in labelling of the driver units?

dude........ It's a memory cable...... Just twist the cable backwards...

 

[weng]

you listen the L and R isn't inverted right? (which may indicate cable connected L to R and R to L). if no problem with sound, then..... bend the ear hook all the way the to the other side so that it hooks over the ear?

 

[enenyi]

dude........ It's a memory cable...... Just twist the cable backwards...

Now I see y it is called memory cable...tried bending it backwards and it solved the problem. Thanks

The problems of a first-time IEM user migrating over from Samsung S3 earbuds...

 

[rty]

Highly recommend that you have an audition at all the models before making a decision. There are many other models that are "different" than the IM70 too, in a good or bad way depending on your tastes.

If you like female vocals, can consider the IM02 and IM03 too apart from the CKR9 and CKR10.

Thank you very much @LongBigBronzeElephantFish. I'll take your advice as well to save up more for CKR10 just in case I like it better than CKR9. Two weeks skipping lunch should do just fine LOL.

Actually I think this IM70 sounds very good already to my ears. Not only it is good for vocals, but the sound of snare drums are so good. The bass is very tight and neat making it so ideal for the type of rock jazz bands I like as well such as Spyro Gyra, Fourplay, Cassiopea, Jeff Lorber, etc. So that's why I am very curious and eager to try other AT bigger brothers like CRK9/10 and IM02/03.

I agree with you that best is to ask for CKR9,CKR10, IM02 and IM03 audition but honestly, me paiseh ler because I am just a nobody, not a big regular customer, so I probably will just ask for CKR9, CKR10 and IM2 audition but I'll see first how friendly the shop is and I'll only go during non-peak hours. By the way, where do you guys usually go for AT audition, Treeo, Stereo, or any other better shop?

 

[LongBigBronzeElephantFish]

Thank you very much @LongBigBronzeElephantFish. I'll take your advice as well to save up more for CKR10 just in case I like it better than CKR9. Two weeks skipping lunch should do just fine LOL.

Actually I think this IM70 sounds very good already to my ears. Not only it is good for vocals, but the sound of snare drums are so good. The bass is very tight and neat making it so ideal for the type of rock jazz bands I like as well such as Spyro Gyra, Fourplay, Cassiopea, Jeff Lorber, etc. So that's why I am very curious and eager to try other AT bigger brothers like CRK9/10 and IM02/03.

I agree with you that best is to ask for CKR9,CKR10, IM02 and IM03 audition but honestly, me paiseh ler because I am just a nobody, not a big regular customer, so I probably will just ask for CKR9, CKR10 and IM2 audition but I'll see first how friendly the shop is and I'll only go during non-peak hours. By the way, where do you guys usually go for AT audition, Treeo, Stereo, or any other better shop?

No Problem.

Apart from the Audio Technicas, you may want to audition a wider range of gears to find the perfect IEM that suits your tastes the most.

Have to say that each shop has their own pros and cons. Personally I like E1 as I can audition my stuff in a comfortable and peaceful environment. They also carry some of the more exotic stuff.

But in my opinion, all our audio shops in Singapore are very very friendly, so you wouldn't have a problem auditioning for extended periods of time and auditioning a wide range of gears.

Don't be worried and just concentrate on finding the right IEM for you.

The gears that each shop carries are really different, so if you really want to audition a lot of gears, you have to visit them all.

I don't think Treeo had audition sets for Audio Technica.
Avoid ConnectIT as their sets are imported, not local sets.
Stereo has quite a wide variety of gear to audition.
Jaben has quite a wide variety of gear to audition. Has some of the more exotic stuff.
E1 Personal Audio has a very nice quiet and cosy environment for you to audition your stuff. Has some of the more exotic stuff.
Have never been to Soundwaves Studios so can't really comment on them much.

Not sure if I missed out on anyone...

 

[TeamStereo]

Listen with a heart.

A project by Audio Technica (S.E.A.) and a joint partnership with Stereo Electronics in support for Children's Cancer Foundation (CCF), let us all help to improve a child's life by giving off any used earphones/ headphones.

You will receive a $10 Audio Technica voucher which you can use for any AT products and they will then match and donate the corresponding amount of vouchers to CCF.

Now is the time to share and listen for a cause so join us in this charity drive from 1st to 31st October 2014 at Stereo@Plaza Singapura and Stereo@ION Orchard.

 

[shroud]

Hello,

I just got a pair of IM02s and I've been picking hissing/electrical noises from them, which are especially prominent when changing tracks. Strangely enough, I did not pick this noise up when auditioning them at the store.

After googling, it seems to be some sort of problem between the output impedance of my phone and the sensitivity of the IM02. Some have suggested getting impedance adapters, but I have no idea where to begin looking, so any help in this area would be appreciated. Googling also suggested the use of amps but my old Fiio E6 did not seem to resolve this issue.

TIA

 

[bangdoll]

What smart phone are you using? And did you audition the demo IM02 with the smart phone? Side track alittle, where did you audition the IM02?

 

[shroud]

What smart phone are you using? And did you audition the demo IM02 with the smart phone? Side track alittle, where did you audition the IM02?

Nexus 4, yes I used the same phone. Never had this problem with my previous Etymotics

 

[bangdoll]

Try another source/smart phone?

Worst case is bring back to shop and try another IM02.
I've owned the IM02, and have not experience this issue apart from slightly noisy portable amps.

 

[Guan22]

Depends actually. My TG334 hisses with my LG G2.
But then, that's the last option, coz i usually have my brick with me.

 

[shroud]

Tried it with a Clip+, no hissing detected so probably due to the phone. Ideally I'd like to bring my phone out only for work but anyways I'll try with some other phones when I have the chance.

 

[yellow_bird_fly]

Hi guys,

Has anyone tried/owns the HDC5 cable with the IM02? If so, how much does it improve the sound over the stock cable? I love my IM02s and has been very interested in the HDC5 cable for a while, but the $98 price is a bit hard to swallow for a cable... If it improves my IM02's sound in a noticeable way then I think I will get it.

Any help appreciated! Thanks in advance!

 

[LongBigBronzeElephantFish]

Hi guys,

Has anyone tried/owns the HDC5 cable with the IM02? If so, how much does it improve the sound over the stock cable? I love my IM02s and has been very interested in the HDC5 cable for a while, but the $98 price is a bit hard to swallow for a cable... If it improves my IM02's sound in a noticeable way then I think I will get it.

Any help appreciated! Thanks in advance!

Why not have an audition yourself and decide? Most of the local shops do have the demos for the HDC5 cable.

They way the cable changes the sound may or may not suit you, so still best to let your own ears decide. But in my opinion, the HDC5 cable pairs the best with the IM70 and IM03.

Frankly speaking, the $98 price tag for the upgrade cable isn't expensive compared to other more pricey upgrade cables.

 

[weng]

Listen with a heart.

A project by Audio Technica (S.E.A.) and a joint partnership with Stereo Electronics in support for Children's Cancer Foundation (CCF), let us all help to improve a child's life by giving off any used earphones/ headphones.

You will receive a $10 Audio Technica voucher which you can use for any AT products and they will then match and donate the corresponding amount of vouchers to CCF.

Now is the time to share and listen for a cause so join us in this charity drive from 1st to 31st October 2014 at Stereo@Plaza Singapura and Stereo@ION Orchard.

This one is $10 voucher per iem/headphone or one-off?