- Aug 3, 2014
- 2,413
- 15
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After months of reluctantly putting up with the rather shoddy sound quality of Apple headphones, I finally decided to invest some hard earned money into upgrading my sound. So I started researching. Weeks of research later I decided on the Audio-Technica Sonic Fuel CKX9is. I was reluctant to do so because of the comparatively high price tag and the fact that for as long as I could remember in-ear buds just did not agree with me.
Now, I couldn't be happier.
Let me explain. The CKX9is ear buds are in-ear sports style buds, built to be secure in your ear no matter what you're doing. Consequently they're rather large, and stick out a bit from your head, but they're are indeed very secure and surprisingly comfortable once you find the right size. They're excellent build quality and even come with an assortment of sizes (including premium foam tips) and a semi-hard travel case. They come in a two tone black/grey or silver/white color scheme. I prefer the black/grey.
And their sound quality...is breath taking. It's by far the best sound you can get for under a hundred dollars. Bass is deep and fun, but doesn't distort accuracy. The CKX9is also have great mid-range and treble, and surprising separation of instruments. In other words, they offer a great, fun sound that still maintains accuracy (their accuracy isn't acceptable for 'professional' listeners but it's still far, far greater than anything you'd find in cheaper headphones and honestly far more expensive headphones). Their closest competitors are ear buds twice as expensive and these surpass their competitors in almost every way. They make the Apple ear buds look like a couple of tin cans as far as sound quality goes. I couldn't be happier with them.
But that's not the only reason they're the perfect headphones for Windows Phones. Unlike many headphones, the CKX9is have an in-line remote that works completely with Windows Phones. It's a one button ordeal with a volume slider on another side and a mic on another. The one button remote works like this: one press=pause/play; two quick presses=skip track; long press=Cortana voice search. When you take a call you just press once to pick up and press again to hang up, and the mic works reasonably well.
Their price? Around $70-$80. Sounds expensive, but when you consider that their sound quality is far better than lets say...Apple Beats...they suddenly seem like better value. And hands down, they're incredible value.
If you want a slightly more professional review, head over to Trusted Reviews and look up Audio-Technica Sonic Fuel CKX9is. You won't be disappointed with these ear buds, especially with their sound quality and Windows Phone support.
Now, I couldn't be happier.
Let me explain. The CKX9is ear buds are in-ear sports style buds, built to be secure in your ear no matter what you're doing. Consequently they're rather large, and stick out a bit from your head, but they're are indeed very secure and surprisingly comfortable once you find the right size. They're excellent build quality and even come with an assortment of sizes (including premium foam tips) and a semi-hard travel case. They come in a two tone black/grey or silver/white color scheme. I prefer the black/grey.
And their sound quality...is breath taking. It's by far the best sound you can get for under a hundred dollars. Bass is deep and fun, but doesn't distort accuracy. The CKX9is also have great mid-range and treble, and surprising separation of instruments. In other words, they offer a great, fun sound that still maintains accuracy (their accuracy isn't acceptable for 'professional' listeners but it's still far, far greater than anything you'd find in cheaper headphones and honestly far more expensive headphones). Their closest competitors are ear buds twice as expensive and these surpass their competitors in almost every way. They make the Apple ear buds look like a couple of tin cans as far as sound quality goes. I couldn't be happier with them.
But that's not the only reason they're the perfect headphones for Windows Phones. Unlike many headphones, the CKX9is have an in-line remote that works completely with Windows Phones. It's a one button ordeal with a volume slider on another side and a mic on another. The one button remote works like this: one press=pause/play; two quick presses=skip track; long press=Cortana voice search. When you take a call you just press once to pick up and press again to hang up, and the mic works reasonably well.
Their price? Around $70-$80. Sounds expensive, but when you consider that their sound quality is far better than lets say...Apple Beats...they suddenly seem like better value. And hands down, they're incredible value.
If you want a slightly more professional review, head over to Trusted Reviews and look up Audio-Technica Sonic Fuel CKX9is. You won't be disappointed with these ear buds, especially with their sound quality and Windows Phone support.
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