Audio-Technica ATH-CKX9iS SonicFuel
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I’ve come to the conclusion recently that it is time to start investing in higher quality audio products that last longer and sound better. First on the list is a good pair of in-ear headphones that I can use in a variety of settings – mostly at home on my laptop, communting or at the gym.
I listen to a lot of music, but I’m in no way an audiophile and usually get a bit befuddled with all the different makes and models of headphones out there.
I settled on Audio-Technica’s new range of headphones, and went for the ATH-CKX9iS in-ear headphones as they promised a good deal of comfort and adaptability, or as they put it:
SonicFuel™ headphones are specifically designed for active, daily use, to power you forward by delivering extraordinary comfort, style and an immersive listening experience that never sounds artificial, processed or filtered. Just pure sonic goodness for the high-octane tempo of your life.
All of that for £75.00 sounded about right to me!
First impressions
The first thing I was impressed with on receiving the earphones was the fact they come with Comply tips, which is not always an ‘as-standard’ feature.
The C-tip design is also pretty cool and distinctive, and the choice of eartip and C-tip sizes means you can customise the fit and comfort to your own ears rather than rely on the default ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach.
Here’s what you get:
After a bit of trial and error I found my perfect size and was delighted to finally have a pair of quality earphones that fit snugly in the ear.
How do they sound?
THe ATH-CKX9iS SonicFuel earphones boast 13.5mm performance enhanced drivers which provide a deep and rich bass to the sound. I’ve tested just about every genre of music with these earphones and have to say everything sounds great. With them being very bassy the obvious high points come when listening to hip-hop, dubstep etc… but I would recommend them for all music fans really.
What else?
They come with a smart carry case, which is always welcome, and also feature a simple but effective in-line control mic for answering/ending calls and controlling the playback. I had a few problems with the volume control moving too freely when underneath my jacket, but that is quickly rectified and not really a major issue.
Verdict
If you’re looking to take a step-up and get hold of some high quality and reliable earphones that don’t break the £100 mark then I would strongly recommend the Audio-Technica ATH-CKX9iS earphones as a great first move into the premium audio market.
