Audio Technica ATH-CK400i review

These Audio Technica's aren't all bad - we like that microphone positioning, but unfortunately the sound and build belies the budget feel Tested at £35

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

Despite some good points, these buds suffer from being too lightweight

Pros

  • +

    Direct delivery, can sound intimate, good mic placing

Cons

  • -

    Budget feel, thin sound, lightweight bass

Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.

These Audio-Technicas certainly don’t look like the cheapest out there, but the cable and casing reveal their budget materials.

Although it can seem awkward to have the button quite high up the cable, it does mean that the mic is always close enough to clearly pick up your voice and that the unit isn’t obstructed by your clothes.

In action they sound a bit lightweight. It’s very much a midrange delivery, with little in the way of bass.

Surprisingly it’s not the big basslines that really suffer, but vocals. While clear, direct and clean, they lack the body that a bit of bass weight helps to flesh out.

It’s a shame, because the way the vocals are brought forward creates a nicely intimate delivery of low-key acoustic numbers like Adele’s Daydreamer.

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What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.

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