These days, Audio Technica has introduced its new headphones, codenamed ATH-CK100; the big news is that we're looking at AT's first triple-driver in-ear headphones, said to boast an increased performance with higher detail and more definition than the usual headphones used to deliver. Now, the idea is quite cool, indeed: having three separate drivers for each ear could offer the listener a very complex sound stage while at the same time providing the possibility to get more from the intricate modern audio effects used in today's production.

Yet, a very interesting question has been asked: are these headphones also noise-canceling or do they provide any isolation from the ambient noise that can be taken seriously?

The answer leans more towards "no" and this leads to another thing: since these headphones do not come with too much of an effective noise canceling technology, is there any certitude that the sound received by the listener's ears will be that good? Audio Technica's new triple-driver technology ensures a dense, very articulated sonic reproduction, with a frequency response that ranges between 20 Hz and 18 kHz and running in a very neat 23 Ohm impedance.

This new driver-array produces as much as 113 dB and this is pretty loud if you think of cranking up the volume. The craftsmanship lives up to the standard Audio Technica has been renowned for for so many years: the ATH-CK100 come with a diminutive size and sport a nifty titanium casing for a lightweight construction with an exceptionally strong make; and with each ear bud weighing in at around 4 grams, these headphones are indeed light. The price, though, isn't that easy on your budget as these new gadgets retail for around $560.

At the same time, Audio Technica has announced the entry-level new models of the ATH-CKM30 series, boasting tiny dimensions and 14-24,000 Hz range, in 16 Ohms and delivering as much as 104 dB sound pressure level, for a dramatically lower price, around $36.


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