ATH-CKW1000ANV Quick Review

ATH-CKW1000ANV Quick Review

Thanks to SwimSonny for the loan.

Brief:  Audio Technica had an Anniversary

Price: Circa £456 on ebay before HMRC has a go at them

Specification:  Driver Diameter 14 mm, Frequency Response 5 - 30,000 Hz Maximum Input Power 200 mW, Sensitivity 103 dB/mW, Impedance 17 ohms, Weight 11 g without cable Cable 0.6 m, Y-type, Connector 3.5 mm (1/8") mini stereo, gold-plated,

Accessories:  Leather case; interchangeable earpieces (XS, S, M, L); 0.6 m extension cord; polishing cloth

Build Quality:  The thing is wood and Titanium, AT do some of the best build quality in the world.

Isolation:  Meh, very little.  These are really open and maybe that works for you but I wouldn’t use these out and about.

Comfort/Fit:  Rather nice.  They sit super shallow but were very comfortable and easy to stick in.

Aesthetics:  For something that wood and Titanium they look nothing special.  Tbh I didn’t realise they had wood on them until I saw it in their description and then I looked.  They are just dark and uneventful visually.

Sound: Meh.  These don’t sound especially good at all and never mind their price.  They aren’t terrible but their bass is really rolled off due to not being well sealed.  It not especially quick, it fairly quick and has a bit of punch to it but then I remember the price and I am underwhelmed.  The mids again are so so.  In fact they really come very close to being sibilant and I can’t say I’m wildly enjoying them at all.  It’s never a good a sign when I start turning down the volume and they are just not making me enjoy them.  The highs, meh.  They exist but are muted and lack extension.  I realise I’m not being overly technical but I don’t see a point.  These where limited edition so never freely available and now out of production so if you don’t have a set you probably won’t be getting one.  You won’t after this anyway.  They don’t sound terrible but with the standard you can get for £100 today I can think of no reason at all to buy these unless you want them for their rarity.

Value:  Terrible, insanely expensive for nothing but meh’ness.

Pro’s:  Good name, nice build quality

Con’s:  Terrible price to sound ratio