Overview

The Audio-Technica ATH-CM707 is a traditional earbud released in 2010 as part of the “Earsuit” series, succeeding the discontinued CM700 model. Featuring a newly developed 15.4mm dynamic driver with duct resonance structure and aluminum alloy housing, the ATH-CM707 represents Audio-Technica’s approach to premium earbud design during the early 2010s era.

Scientific Validity

\[\Large \text{0.5}\]

No public laboratory frequency response, THD, or SNR datasets specific to the ATH-CM707 are available. Official specifications list a 15.4 mm dynamic driver, 16 Ω impedance, 104 dB/mW sensitivity, and approx. 6 g housing weight; however, these are not substitutes for objective verification. Because verifiable measurements are unavailable, the scientific validity is set to 0.5, reflecting an unknown-measurement status.

Technology Level

\[\Large \text{0.5}\]

The ATH-CM707 incorporates proprietary 15.4 mm driver design and duct resonance structure, representing technical innovation within the traditional earbud category. The aluminum alloy housing demonstrates quality materials and lightweight design. However, the product relies on traditional analog-only technology without modern digital integration, uses a traditional earbud form factor, and was discontinued, limiting further development. The technology level meets industry average for its category and era.

Cost-Performance

\[\Large \text{0.2}\]

At 103 USD, the ATH-CM707 is markedly undercut by non-inferior, currently sold in-ear monitors with published measurement information. For example, MOONDROP CHU II lists an effective FR (IEC60318-4, ±3 dB) and THD ≤ 0.5% @ 94 dB, at an official price of 22.99 USD, while offering equivalent listening functionality. Against such broadly available and instrumented alternatives, the ATH-CM707’s value proposition is poor.

Reliability & Support

\[\Large \text{0.6}\]

Audio-Technica provides an established global support infrastructure and a U.S. two-year limited end-user warranty. The aluminum alloy housing and simple analog design are favorable for durability. Sound leakage remains inherent to open earbuds, and the extension cable system adds potential failure points.

Rationality of Design Philosophy

\[\Large \text{0.2}\]

Goal clarity & user needs. The product aims for a premium traditional earbud experience with clear mids/highs, but the open-earbud form factor inherently limits isolation and bass extension, reducing suitability for noisy environments.
Evidence & transparency. No public measurements accompany the design claims, so third-party verification of tuning or distortion targets is not possible.
Trade-off management. The design embraces an open structure for comfort/airiness but provides no countermeasures for leakage or bass roll-off (e.g., measured tuning targets or corrective filters).
Design coherence. Premium materials and lightweight construction are coherent; however, the extension cable system introduces extra failure points relative to a fixed-cable design.
Sustainability & lifecycle. The model is discontinued and lacks an evident parts/upgrade pathway, limiting long-term support.

Overall, the philosophy prioritizes materials and traditional form factor over measurable, evidence-backed optimization.

Advice

The ATH-CM707 faces significant challenges in the current market due to weak bass performance, sound leakage, and poor cost-performance at 103 USD. Shoppers prioritizing objective performance and value should consider modern, instrumented alternatives such as MOONDROP CHU II.

References

[1] Audio-Technica Japan. ATH-CM707 (official spec page). https://www.audio-technica.co.jp/product/ATH-CM707
[2] Audio-Technica. US Two-Year Limited End-User Warranty. https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/support/us-two-year-limited-end-user-warranty
[3] MOONDROP. CHU II In-Ear Monitor (official). https://moondroplab.com/en/products/chu-ii
[4] Head-Fi.org. AUDIO TECHNICA ATH-CM707. https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/audio-technica-ath-cm707.14689/

(2025.9.4)