How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want a rugged, closed-back over-ear monitor built specifically to survive loud, physical DJ work, choose Audio Technica ATH-PRO5XBK; if you need a discreet, isolating in-ear monitor with a braided detachable cable for critical listening and stage use, choose CTM CE110.
• Audio Technica ATH-PRO5XBK — biggest strength: newly developed 40 mm dynamic drivers handling up to 1,500 mW of input power, so the sound stays clean even when you push the volume hard.
• Audio Technica ATH-PRO5XBK — biggest trade-off: it's a wired over-ear with a 250 g build, so it's bulky and tethered compared to a pocketable in-ear.
• CTM CE110 — biggest strength: a 10 mm titanium-coated PEEK dynamic driver paired with a 2-pin detachable, quad-braided oxygen-free copper cable and a full set of foam and silicone tips in three sizes.
• CTM CE110 — biggest trade-off: it's an in-ear, so passive isolation depends on getting the tip seal right, and you'll be swapping tips to find your fit.
• Pick the Audio Technica ATH-PRO5XBK if you're a DJ or studio user who wants over-ear isolation, swappable coiled/straight cables and volume headroom.
• Pick the CTM CE110 if you want a compact, low-impedance in-ear for monitoring on the move, on stage, or just listening closely.
The ATH-PRO5XBK is a purpose-built DJ monitor. Its headline spec is a pair of newly developed 40 mm dynamic drivers rated for a maximum input power of 1,500 mW. In plain terms, that's headroom: the design is intended to reproduce wide-range audio without distortion even at loud volumes, which matters when you're cueing tracks in a noisy room and can't afford the sound to smear. The 34 ohm impedance is a moderate load, so it plays nicely with typical DJ gear and headphone outputs.
The build is aimed at working use. It's a closed-back, over-ear, around-ear design with metal in the enclosure and soft, durable earpads that the spec sheet describes as comfortable enough to wear for hours while providing excellent sound isolation. Two cables ship in the box — a 1.2 m–3.0 m (3.9'–9.8') coiled cable and a 1.2 m (3.9') straight cable — and both are detachable and locking, so the connection stays put during active DJ use. There's a 3.5 mm jack plus a 6.3 mm (1/4") screw-on adapter, so it works with both portable players and pro gear. A 2-year limited end-user warranty backs it, and it weighs 250 g.
Buy it if you want one pair of over-ears that can take a beating, isolate you from a loud room, and stay clean at high volume. Skip it if you need something you can fold into a pocket, want a fully wireless setup, or prefer the deep in-ear seal and tiny footprint of an IEM. It's also overkill if you're a casual listener who never pushes volume or moves gear around.
The CE110 is Clear Tune Monitors' single-driver in-ear. It uses a 10 mm titanium-coated dynamic driver built from PEEK material, which the brand frames as delivering fast, clear reference audio across the full range. The spec sheet lists a frequency response of 20 Hz to 14.5 kHz and an impedance of 32 ohm — a low-ish load, so it's easy to drive from a phone or a small player. Sensitivity is rated at 115 dB-SPL @ 1 mW, meaning it gets loud without demanding much power.
The cable is a big part of the story. It's a 2-pin detachable design using a quad-braided cable made from over 320 strands of 99.99% oxygen-free pure copper. Detachable means you can replace the cable if it fails rather than retiring the whole earphone — a real durability win for a working IEM. You also get a protective CTM storage case and a tip kit: two materials (foam and silicone) in three sizes (small, medium, large), so you can dial in a secure, noise-isolating fit. Passive noise isolation is rated at -26 dB, which is meaningful on a loud stage or a busy commute.
Buy it if you want a compact monitor that disappears into a case, isolates well with the right tip, and lets you swap cables. Skip it if you want over-ear comfort for long mixing sessions, need the volume headroom of a high-power over-ear, or dislike fiddling with tip fit — in-ears live or die by the seal.
• Best for DJ and loud-room work → Audio Technica ATH-PRO5XBK. 1,500 mW max input and over-ear isolation are built for it.
• Best for portability → CTM CE110. An in-ear with a storage case travels far easier than 250 g of over-ear hardware.
• Best for cable flexibility → Audio Technica ATH-PRO5XBK. You get both a coiled and a straight locking cable, plus a 1/4" adapter.
• Best for replaceable cable over the long haul → CTM CE110. Its 2-pin detachable OFC cable can be swapped instead of scrapping the earphones.
• Best for tip-fit customization → CTM CE110. Foam and silicone tips in three sizes let you tune comfort and isolation.
• Best for staying clean at high volume → Audio Technica ATH-PRO5XBK. That power rating exists precisely to avoid distortion when loud.
• Best for easy driving from a phone → CTM CE110. 32 ohm impedance and 115 dB sensitivity mean it needs little power.
• Best for a single do-it-all studio pair → Audio Technica ATH-PRO5XBK. Over-ear isolation and swappable cables suit long sessions.
In my opinion, the Audio Technica ATH-PRO5XBK is the better buy for anyone whose monitoring happens in loud, physical environments — DJ booths, live setups, or long studio sessions where over-ear isolation and volume headroom matter. The dual locking cables and 1,500 mW rating give it a clear working advantage. I'd point you to the CTM CE110 instead if your priority is a discreet, isolating in-ear with a replaceable cable and a tip kit that lets you control the fit. Both are wired, so neither is about convenience — it comes down to over-ear isolation versus in-ear portability. Check the current price on Amazon before you commit.
FAQ
how to check headphones battery
how to check headphones battery on iphone
This doesn't apply here. Because both of these are wired models with no internal battery, an iPhone won't show a battery percentage for them the way it would for wireless earbuds.
how to check headphones mic
Neither product's data sheet lists a microphone, so there's no mic to check on either the ATH-PRO5XBK or the CE110. Both are wired for listening and monitoring, not calls.
how to check headphones
A good way to evaluate these two is by the specs that matter for monitoring: the ATH-PRO5XBK offers 40 mm drivers, 1,500 mW max input and 34 ohm impedance, while the CE110 offers a 10 mm titanium-coated driver, 32 ohm impedance and -26 dB isolation. Match those figures to how and where you'll actually use them.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon or its affiliates. This site is an independent third-party review and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Amazon or the product brands mentioned.
See also: BANIGIPA Headset vs Acer 2.4GHz: Headphones with Mic, Matast Earbuds vs iMangoo USB C Headphones, MWRPCRDN Earbuds vs Generic Earbuds, LexonElec ATTACK SHARK G300 vs WEBDARAZ P47