[acidtripwow]

I received my Custom 3s a few days ago and here are some brief thoughts about their sound.

I used my IPod Video 60GB with and without an amp (old supermini). I also used my Sony Vaio laptop with a Creative Audigy 2 ZS PCMCIA soundcard. I have the Future Sonics M5 for comparison.

I recently found an old 1974 recording of Steely Dan Live in LA online and downloaded the MP3 files. This isn't an audiophile recording but I don't really listen to audiophile recordings or lossless recordings. I just listen to music I like. If Senn's put you in the 20th row and Grado's put you in the 1st row then the 3's put you right next to the drum kit. Wow, whoever designed these things really liked the sound of cymbals. That's the first thing I noticed about the 3s. They have a very upfront sound. You will hear the high end of the spectrum with these IEMs. The bass does not go as low as the M5s but is very tight. That's another thing I noticed with the 3s they stop on a dime. The M5s seem warmer and more harmonic rich. The 3s seem colder but have more resolution.

I used the standard sized foam tips with these but I have ordered some small foam tips to use with them since the standard foam tips are too long for the IEM. I never really liked any plastic tips with any IEMs I've owned(Shure e3cs and E500PTH).

I will also order another portable amp(Voyager) to try with these this week. We'll see how the pairing goes.