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Member Reviews: EarSonics SM3 Universal Fit IEM

average_joe

My Thoughts and Comparisons

Posted
By average_joe

Pros: Accurate reproduction of the recording with the ability to recreate the space, dynamics, bass, and everything else originally present like no other!

Cons: None

Remember those essays you had to write in grade school? Well I do even if you don't. In honor of that memory, I am going to write: What does the EarSonics SM3 mean to me? Back in March I was going to order the EarSonics SM3 based off the few things I have read about them, even though it wasn't much. But then something stopped me. Could they really be that good, and the shipping cost was as expensive as my gateway IEM! I was not sure what exactly to expect, but did have some insider info from shigzeo, which was all positive. But were they going to be UM3X like and lacking they dynamics and excitement I want, especially for the price? Well, a month went by and search reminded me of the SM3,...
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SolidVictory

Balanced and transparent, with a punchy bass that's not shy.

Posted
By SolidVictory

Pros: Resolution, sound reproduction without any additions, transparency, bass detail and texture, soundstage, realism, speed, liquid, comfortable.

Cons: Price, might not impress at first due to neutral signature.

    I’ve had the EarSonics SM3 for about two weeks now, and I think it’s time to give them a review (pictures can be found at the end).   Packaging   The EarSonics SM3 comes packaged in a rather small box (I was surprised to find the size of the box to be much smaller than the huge oval-shaped-unopenable-treasure-chest that my Shure SCL4’s came in). The box is about 1/3 of the Sennheiser IE8 box. Regardless, I found the small packaging to be rather neat because it made me even more curious as to how these sounded.   Inside the box, one finds the most minimalistic of included accessories and tips. The EarSonics SM3 comes with one pair of Comply Foam tips attached to...
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cn11

A new standard for Balanced Armature Universals

Posted
By cn11

Pros: Great bass, smooth yet extended treble, mids, and an amazingly wide soundstage

Cons: perhaps build quality, and the short length to Y-split

I can't add much to the above reviews. They are some amazing universals. I can't understand any comments that the treble is lacking. To me, that comes from the 'trebleheads' who think the end all be all of audio is just how much extension we can eek out of the top end. Puh-leeze. There is so much more to these earphones, from the wonderfully tight and deep bass, to the natural clean mids, to the awesome detail and layering to their particular top end while remaining so supremely smooth without any hint of harshness or sibilance. The result is such a level of cohesive sound that it's addicting.    Get 'em.    But be sure to have access to some extra brands of tips beyond what is...
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hma101

SM3 V2 Review

Posted
By hma101

Pros: Speed Speed Speed

Cons: Feels a little clostrophobic at times

I've been reading a lot about the sm3 having low bass output. These are monitor headphones, designed give a flat response. If you want more bass, simply turn up the bass levels on your equalizer and you will get mindblowing bass.   After a few minutes of fiddling with the equalizer you will realize that it's perfect the way it is.   I really do beleive there is ACTUAL burn-in. Hearing bass-heavy tracks out of the box and comparing it with bass-heavy phones (Panasonic Zirconias with shure triple flange tips), it sounded a little anemic at first. In fact I hated the way they sounded. A month later I did the same comparison and found them to be much better in bass in...
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Aero Dynamik

As close to live sound as I have ever come

Posted
By Aero Dynamik

Pros: Sound that puts me into bliss

Cons: Tips tend to come loose when pulled out of my ears

This is the first review I've ever written about anything, and although there are already many good reviews out there, these IEMs are so special to me that I feel I owe it to the head-fi community to write my own review. I should warn you that this isn’t an audiophile’s review, but rather about what I feel the EarSonics SM3s bring to my musical experience.   Before getting to the core of this short review, I'd like to give you some background on my way of thinking. I love great music. But what is great music? The answer, of course, depends on who you are. To me, great music is sound waves that give me an emotion so strong it often creates a physical reaction. If it makes me...
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nickie

SM3 moving from UM2

Posted
By nickie
I previously owned the UM2 for more than 3 years and had a lot of fun with it until i gave it away last year. I heard a lot about the SM3 but i never expect it to be this good. The bass, detail and soundstage surpasses the UM2 in almost every way. The bass is as much or even more than the UM2 but much faster and more controlled, smooth mids and almost no hiss. The soundstage is huge and amazing. Seriously I´d take these over everything i currently own when it comes to music listening including my Razer Mako, K701 + Heed Canamp + V-Dac.   + Controlled, punchy bass + Huge soundstage, make me feel like standing right on the dance floor + Sound great with all kind of music +...
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Hawaiiancerveza

SM3 heaven

Posted
By Hawaiiancerveza

Pros: tight and deep bass, nice highs and mids, warm and clear =) the isolation is great too!

Cons: None

All I can say it this IE reminds me of my car sound system... Im lovin this...  Drake
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knubbe

Simply The Best Universal IEM

Posted
By knubbe

Pros: Balance, transparency, bass impact

Cons: none, really

My IEM journey started with the Phonak PFEs, then to the Sennheiser IE8s, Monster Miles Davis, Ortofon EQ7, and now these. In my opinion, there is no area in which the previous phones surpass these beautiful phones. Bass is there when you need it, and doesn't intrude when not. Those who think Balanced Armatures can't do bass have never heard these. Mids are liquid and extremely enjoyable, and treble is smooth and extended. I am fairly sensitive to sibilance, and have yet to come across anything that bothered me yet. The main thing is that these do not impose a sound signature on the music, and really let you hear how your source performs. Those seeking a more "exciting" sound can adjust...
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Techno Kid

One of the best

Posted
By Techno Kid

Pros: SQ, 3D imaging, cohesive soundstage, isolation

Cons: fit could be bad for people with small ears

I'm not going to go into a long review on here (thats for my blog) but I have to say the SM3 V2 (which is the same thing but with a better housing and removable cable) is easily one of the best universals you can get.  From the punch bass, crisp yet never harsh highs, those wonderful forward detailed mids to the above average soundstage and the amazing 3D imaging there's nothing I can find wrong about how they sound.  I love the warm smooth mids that have as much detail in them as an IEM I've heard, even as much as the very resolving Heir 3.Ai.  The one thing that may be a problem for some would be the new housing on the V2 because it is quite large and it just fits on...
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Benjerry

Best sounding universals I own

Posted
By Benjerry

Pros: Superb SQ & Isolation (Captivating sound quality), Marvelous mids, most realistic piano keystrokes I have heard

Cons: Needs to adjust nozzle angle to get more impactful bass, uncomfortable fit, SM3 Version 1 looks better

Best sounding iems- SM3 deserves it's top tier status; they easily beat lesser iems and even sound more impressive than other top tiers I own. (I was blown away on first A/B attempt with my ie8; they make the IE8 sound boring) They performed admirably in all genres of music, however I prefer my ie8's soundstage presentation a bit more. Nevertheless, I was so impressed by the sound quality these that I bought them as an upgrade to my IE8. (was demo-ing westone 4, Ortofon e-Q5 at the same time against my IE8) However, they are slightly uncomfortable for to wear over the ears and the short Y connector hugs your neck. Can be painful and annoying to wear for prolonged...
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Where to Buy It

Amazon.comEarSonics - SM3 - In-Ear Headphones - Black at Amazon.com$329.00See It »
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