Audio-Technica QuietPoint ATH-CK7 Earphone
Binaural

I shopped around for quite a while before buy these, and in the end could not resist the price at buy.com for high quality audio technica. These are a great value, and I was very happy with the purchase. They fit great, stay in my ear, and don't cause any pain. The sound is good on the low end, a bit scratchy on the high end, but overall a good listen. The bag/pouch it comes with is a joke however, and I suggest getting better storage for them!
 
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I was having trouble keeping my V-Moda Vibe's in my ears during intense workouts. I bought the Audio Technicas hoping they would fit my ears better and maybe be better sounding too. They do fit better and stay in better even though they are heavier than the V-Moda. But the real benefit is that the AT's really bring out the music. They are not artificially warm and boomy like V-Moda. They are neutral, clean and airy. The sound field is more open, natural. The timbre, texture and emotion of instruments is more apparent. For me, this is what earbuds are all about. Really hear the music. I sometimes wear at home instead of using my speakers, just to enjoy the music. The only negative is that they are less bass than some rock songs want. It is a small and worthwhile tradeoff.
 
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<p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p>
 
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Lately, I use headphones mostly with my Creative Zen Plus mp3 player. Compared to the Sony MDR-NC11A active noise reducing in-ear headphones (which recently suffered a left channel failure) and the ear buds that came with the Zen Plus, the ATH-CK7 have a wonderful sound! Cleaner, crisper sound, with more bass than either of the other two. With the Sony's, I had found that 90% or better of the noise reduction was from the ear plugs themselves. The active portion (when turned on) of the noise reduction seemed to be largely due to a rather annoying white noise hiss but a hiss that did tend to drown out some of the outside sounds. The only time that I hear hiss with these is when playing something recorded from a very old recording where the original master has hiss. They sound so good that, whatever outside sounds do get in are easier to ignore while listening to the wonderful sound! The AT's are in a different class than the other two. I can hardly wait to hear all of my music new again!
 
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