Top-Tier Universal IEM Comparison Chart, Frequency Response Charts, & Discussion - Page 52

Mmm...SM3 sounds pretty promising... I got the IE8 at the moment and love bass.  I did what a review said about getting rid of the mid-hump by turning the bass knob to the max.  It did do away with that hump and like the review said... I do enjoy it more at lower volumes than it being really loud.  That kind of doesn't help when I like to use it at the weight room and hear the speakers playing music I don't want to hear...  I know it says that it has good isolation but, Average Joe or anyone who uses this for the weight room and just walking around.  How well does it sound with the genres such as: hip hop (not rap), electronic, dub-step, trip hop, rock, acoustic music like Jack Johnson, pop, country, and pretty anything thrown at it?  What amps would be good played with it?  I currently have the T3 and D10 iBasso amps.  Please fill me in it would be greatly appreciated.  

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawaiiancerveza 

Mmm...SM3 sounds pretty promising... I got the IE8 at the moment and love bass.  I did what a review said about getting rid of the mid-hump by turning the bass knob to the max.  It did do away with that hump and like the review said... I do enjoy it more at lower volumes than it being really loud.  That kind of doesn't help when I like to use it at the weight room and hear the speakers playing music I don't want to hear...  I know it says that it has good isolation but, Average Joe or anyone who uses this for the weight room and just walking around.  How well does it sound with the genres such as: hip hop (not rap), electronic, dub-step, trip hop, rock, acoustic music like Jack Johnson, pop, country, and pretty anything thrown at it?  What amps would be good played with it?  I currently have the T3 and D10 iBasso amps.  Please fill me in it would be greatly appreciated.  

I think the SM3 would be great for those genres.  I personally found the SM3 just a tad noticeably off the bass I get from my MDs.  Could be the dynamic versus BA thing and not sure how you would hear it compared to the IE8.  The SM3 does have some of the best bass I've ever heard in a BA phone though.  I also think it's one of the few exceptions that benefits little if any from amping so what you have atm is more than adequate.  So ampless for weight room is the way I'd go.  This is coming from someone that amps most of his phones.  Not the SM3, enjoy your portability.  Isolation is quite satisfactory and dependent on tip selection.  The housing isolates better than my DBA if I recall but I use Klipsch flanges on the DBA which I would never use on the SM3.  The bigger question is are you willing to workout w/ $300 IEMs? 

Thank you for your input Anaxilus.  

Yes I am willing to work out with $300 IEM.  I am pretty controlled when I work out.  How is the cord in comparison to the IE8's?  I usually use a Sanza clip with the IE8 unamped in the weight room.  I usually tuck the wire in my shirt to keep it from snagging on anything.  The only thing that would most likely damage it would be my sweat.  

=)  This is very helpful to me in making my decision on getting the SM3.  I am intrigued to hear what it sounds like as I do like the wide sound stage and the bass is just an added bonus to the IE8.  I do enjoy the IE8 very much but the seal would be the deal breaker for me.  Other than that the sound quality sounds like it could be to my taste.  =)
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anaxilus 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawaiiancerveza 

Mmm...SM3 sounds pretty promising... I got the IE8 at the moment and love bass.  I did what a review said about getting rid of the mid-hump by turning the bass knob to the max.  It did do away with that hump and like the review said... I do enjoy it more at lower volumes than it being really loud.  That kind of doesn't help when I like to use it at the weight room and hear the speakers playing music I don't want to hear...  I know it says that it has good isolation but, Average Joe or anyone who uses this for the weight room and just walking around.  How well does it sound with the genres such as: hip hop (not rap), electronic, dub-step, trip hop, rock, acoustic music like Jack Johnson, pop, country, and pretty anything thrown at it?  What amps would be good played with it?  I currently have the T3 and D10 iBasso amps.  Please fill me in it would be greatly appreciated.  

I think the SM3 would be great for those genres.  I personally found the SM3 just a tad noticeably off the bass I get from my MDs.  Could be the dynamic versus BA thing and not sure how you would hear it compared to the IE8.  The SM3 does have some of the best bass I've ever heard in a BA phone though.  I also think it's one of the few exceptions that benefits little if any from amping so what you have atm is more than adequate.  So ampless for weight room is the way I'd go.  This is coming from someone that amps most of his phones.  Not the SM3, enjoy your portability.  Isolation is quite satisfactory and dependent on tip selection.  The housing isolates better than my DBA if I recall but I use Klipsch flanges on the DBA which I would never use on the SM3.  The bigger question is are you willing to workout w/ $300 IEMs? 

Thanks average_joe for the advice.  

I greatly appreciate any information or opinion that can be offered.  The bass is fun but its not the most important part of the music.  I do listen to a lot of genres and bass sometimes is something I don't want all the time. =)  I really like the fact that you said its an upgrade from the IE8 which is why I'd like this IEM.  I do enjoy the IE8 very much but the bass can be fatiguing at times and I do have the Denon d2000 but thats not the most portable HP around.  I tend to play with the bass knob on my IE8 because sometimes I don't feel the bass sounds right with some songs.  I do have a knack for quality and not quantity also.  It all depends on my mood.  But from your review ,the SM3 sounds very promising.  If it isolates better too I would prefer to use it to the gym.  I also wonder how the wire would fair since I know the IE8 cord is pretty tough.  

What other cords are used with the SM3?

In regards to a "colored source" what kind of source would you recommend? I was looking at the HeadstageArrow 12he g3 but, since I got the T3 I didn't think of actually going for the Arrow.

I do enjoy the sound of the iBasso amps.    But sadly since I live in Hawaii we don't get to hear any of the amps or HPs.  I just go off of reading reviews and take my chance.  

Oh...I tried to click on the links you presented for the tips but they kept bringing me back to this page.  I think I did read those discussions too. I tried to use different tips and even de-cored some sure olive tips.  They worked fine bringing the isolation up more.  When I do that I turn the bass knob down to the lowest setting.  When I do that it seems to take away from the airy feeling they offer so I usually go with the silicone tips instead.  I have tried the foam tips in the weight room but hate it when people try to talk to me when I am there just to work out and leave to carry on with my day.  I know it sounds a bit of unsocial of me but I don't go to the weight room to chat with people.  I can do that after Im done.  But back to the subject.  I won't only use the IEM's for working out.  I will use them when ever I need to just chill.  I will listen to calm music such as Keiko Matsui. I do like her piano solos.  Here is some of her music if you haven't heard of her.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzqsWxau_gI

I know it's of low quality but I have been searching for her music, just her piano solos.  

Quote:

Originally Posted by average_joe 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anaxilus 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawaiiancerveza 

Mmm...SM3 sounds pretty promising... I got the IE8 at the moment and love bass.  I did what a review said about getting rid of the mid-hump by turning the bass knob to the max.  It did do away with that hump and like the review said... I do enjoy it more at lower volumes than it being really loud.  That kind of doesn't help when I like to use it at the weight room and hear the speakers playing music I don't want to hear...  I know it says that it has good isolation but, Average Joe or anyone who uses this for the weight room and just walking around.  How well does it sound with the genres such as: hip hop (not rap), electronic, dub-step, trip hop, rock, acoustic music like Jack Johnson, pop, country, and pretty anything thrown at it?  What amps would be good played with it?  I currently have the T3 and D10 iBasso amps.  Please fill me in it would be greatly appreciated.  

I think the SM3 would be great for those genres.  I personally found the SM3 just a tad noticeably off the bass I get from my MDs.  Could be the dynamic versus BA thing and not sure how you would hear it compared to the IE8.  The SM3 does have some of the best bass I've ever heard in a BA phone though.  I also think it's one of the few exceptions that benefits little if any from amping so what you have atm is more than adequate.  So ampless for weight room is the way I'd go.  This is coming from someone that amps most of his phones.  Not the SM3, enjoy your portability.  Isolation is quite satisfactory and dependent on tip selection.  The housing isolates better than my DBA if I recall but I use Clips flanges on the DBA which I would never use on the SM3.  The bigger question is are you willing to workout w/ $300 IEMs? 

 

First, I think the SM3 is a great IEM and a step up from the IE8 pretty much all around, but you will not get the same amount of bass as the IE8 with the knob maxed.  Bass on the SM3 is tip dependent (as for all IEMs) and with the Monster Cable (or equivalent) triple flange tips on the SM3 (spacer made of a foam core is required), the bass for me was up there at near FX700 levels.

 

But, before you buy anything, you can try one of these two tip configurations:

IE8 with better isolating tips

IE8 with tip extenders - the tip extenders tamed the mid-bass somewhat, improving the overall presentation while giving better isolation

 

Back to the SM3, it sounds great will any genre I have thrown at it.  Warmer recordings with a warm source are not the best, though as the SM3 changes with the mastering and source quite a bit.  But then the IE8 does better with a colder source also.

 

If you like bass and want another, easy to drive IEM for the gym (in answer to Anaxilus' question), the C710 might be a good, cheaper choice, at least for bass heavy music at the gym.  But the cable sucks big time.

 

 

Thanks.  Im thinking of selling my IE8 if I upgrade to the SM3.  I love piano and as you've described its good with all genres.  The T3 and the D10 have a big difference.  I am using the D10 more than the T3 because the 2 different gain stitches only change to add more treble or more for the mids.  If I use the T3 I'll use it just to bring out the mids a little more because the treble that the T3 offers sounds a little muddy and to bright for me.  

Hmmm... I might have to sell my T3 and give the Headstage Arrow out.  

If the wire isn't detachable are there any companies such as whiplash or even moonaudio recable this IEM?  

Thanks for the links.  So, the comply's are de-cored and the silicone tips are used to cover them.  Seems interesting.  Im not sure if I'd like to try the 2nd option.  I don't think it would stay in my ear while working out with the tip being that large.  

Quote:

Originally Posted by average_joe 

Here are the links again, not sure why they didn't work the first time.  The tip extenders might help you with better iso and better sound at the same time.  And putting foam (Comply because it is very soft) under silicon will not degrade the sound like foam can do and increase the isolation.

IE8 tip extender

IE8 with better isolation
 

I personally think the SM3 does piano extremely well as well as every genre and you will more than likely happy with the SM3.  The IE8 cable is better than the SM3 cable in my opinion as it is one of the best IEM cables out there, but the SM3 cable is still very nice, but not detachable.  The biggest downfall of the SM3 IMO is build quality, at least with the original batch I had.  The shells came apart, so I used plastic weld epoxy and they have been fine since.  Earsonics did change their process and shell material to fix the issues, so I think durability is better now, but still not perfect.

 

What I mean by colored sources is a warmer presentation, such as the Arrow.  Actually, the Arrow isn't really warm, but does seem to have a little extra deep bass even without bass boost on.  The Pico Slim has a slight treble emphasis.  I think the Fuze/Clip headphone out is slightly warm and a little dark.  I had the T3 and think the Arrow is a large step up, as the T3 didn't help much with many IEMs IMO.  At least not anything like the Arrow, Pico Slim, or Stepdance.  How much difference to you notice between the T3 and D10?

 

And warmer presentations are one thing that give the perception of more air and space, so I could see that turning the bass knob down may reduce the sense of air and space.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawaiiancerveza 

Thanks average_joe for the advice.  

I greatly appreciate any information or opinion that can be offered.  The bass is fun but its not the most important part of the music.  I do listen to a lot of genres and bass sometimes is something I don't want all the time. =)  I really like the fact that you said its an upgrade from the IE8 which is why I'd like this IEM.  I do enjoy the IE8 very much but the bass can be fatiguing at times and I do have the Denon d2000 but thats not the most portable HP around.  I tend to play with the bass knob on my IE8 because sometimes I don't feel the bass sounds right with some songs.  I do have a knack for quality and not quantity also.  It all depends on my mood.  But from your review ,the SM3 sounds very promising.  If it isolates better too I would prefer to use it to the gym.  I also wonder how the wire would fair since I know the IE8 cord is pretty tough.  

What other cords are used with the SM3?

In regards to a "colored source" what kind of source would you recommend? I was looking at the HeadstageArrow 12he g3 but, since I got the T3 I didn't think of actually going for the Arrow.

I do enjoy the sound of the iBasso amps.    But sadly since I live in Hawaii we don't get to hear any of the amps or HPs.  I just go off of reading reviews and take my chance.  

Oh...I tried to click on the links you presented for the tips but they kept bringing me back to this page.  I think I did read those discussions too. I tried to use different tips and even de-cored some sure olive tips.  They worked fine bringing the isolation up more.  When I do that I turn the bass knob down to the lowest setting.  When I do that it seems to take away from the airy feeling they offer so I usually go with the silicone tips instead.  I have tried the foam tips in the weight room but hate it when people try to talk to me when I am there just to work out and leave to carry on with my day.  I know it sounds a bit of unsocial of me but I don't go to the weight room to chat with people.  I can do that after Im done.  But back to the subject.  I won't only use the IEM's for working out.  I will use them when ever I need to just chill.  I will listen to calm music such as Keiko Matsui. I do like her piano solos.  Here is some of her music if you haven't heard of her.  

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzqsWxau_gI

 

I know it's of low quality but I have been searching for her music, just her piano solos.  

Great stuff, average_joe. Being a fan of the Sm3, I'm happy to see so many people rating it so highly and hearing the same things I hear with it. Can't help but beam with a little pride seeing there at the top of the list. Any plans to add other newer IEMs to the list? Eg. W4, Sony EX100?

Have tried out the W4 before buying my Sm3 and somehow I just didnt quite like it. Its a good IEM, yes. But lacking something in the way of excitement for me. But i wouldnt mind picking it up for a song if ever such a deal came by. LOL.

Yes joker's thread is another fine resource and again couldnt help beam with pride at how well he rated the Sm3. DO you think or know if he's planning to add the EX1000 to the list as well?

I hope to move on to customs by next year, hopefully. Whats your favourite or which do you think is simply the best you've heard currently? I am torn between the ACS T1, EM3pro, JH13pro and also considering the ES5.

Quote:

Originally Posted by average_joe 

I somehow missed a bunch of posts, and this is one...sorry for the delayed response.

 

Yes, |joker| will be adding the EX-1000 to his review thread at some point.

 

What is the best I have heard?  SE 5-way Reference if you want the ultimate in detail and resolution and the SA-43 if you want a huge and realistic space with the ability to flip a switch and change the sound to your current preference/music/source.  Both present in such a realistic way it is amazing.  The LS8 is next in line.  I haven't heard the T1, ES5, or JH13, but have heard the JH16.  The EM3 Pro doesn't have the clarity of the other competitors but it does offer a liquid and very rich presentation.

 

But back to universals...the Sony is very good and from what I have read, the Japanese only version has a much better balance across the frequency response.  If I really had to choose between the SM3 and EX1000 I would take the SM3, but now that I have customs that are so much better the SM3 is chopped liver!

No worries, joe. Thanks for responding anyhow.

Oh dear, now you've added more to the list of customs to consider Gah!   hehe. 

What are your impressions of the JH16 so far? I know you've not had them that long yet but how do they compare with SE 5-way. Starkey and Rooth LS8? Oh and just how much less clarity does the Em3pro have vs these others? Crap, i might never get into customs at this rate. There really isnt any hope of me auditioning them and the thought of spending so much money for a custom and then going back to square one like I do with universals, i.e wondering how the others sound, is simply unbearable! Cant afford to keep buying customs. Even universals are expensive.

Chopped liver? Ouch. LOL.  I haven't heard the EX1000 so I am really curious about that one. There is a Japan only version? I thought it was the same all over, just that US version uses the EX600's cable rather than the original ex1000 cable.
 

Sorry for all the questions. Take your time to reply. LOL

Quote:

Originally Posted by music_4321 

 

 

 

That is correct (bolded text). There is no "Japan only" version. All EX1000 earpieces/earphones sold all over the world are made in Japan and are, therefore, identical.

 

The original EX1000 cable you're referring to (RK-EX1000LP) comes with the EX1000 sold in Europe, Japan, Hong Kong (and other Asia Pacific countries) and also includes a shorter cable (RK-EX1000SP).

 

The American version of the EX1000 comes with the cheaper & thinner EX600 cable (RK-EX600LP) and does not include the shorter cable (RK-EX600SP), which comes with the EX600 sold in Europe, Japan, Hong Kong (and other Asia Pacific countries).

 

I've tried both EX600 & EX1000 cables on my EX1000s and I've noticed no difference in SQ whatsoever.

Thanks for clarifying that, music. Much appreciated. What boggles me is why did SOny do such a crappy thing to the US market? On top of a lame 90-day warranty, they give them the cheaper cable? Doesnt make sense. Forget the fact thats there's no diff in SQ, its just insulting to charge a premium price and stiff you on the cable. Sometimes I wonder what really goes on at Sony.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heret1c 

Thanks for clarifying that, music. Much appreciated. What boggles me is why did SOny do such a crappy thing to the US market? On top of a lame 90-day warranty, they give them the cheaper cable? Doesnt make sense. Forget the fact thats there's no diff in SQ, its just insulting to charge a premium price and stiff you on the cable. Sometimes I wonder what really goes on at Sony.

Well, maybe pricing has something to do with it. The US MSRP is $500, in the UK it's £500 ($819), and in the rest of the European Union it's €500 ($714).