Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Portable Headphones, Earphones and In-Ear Monitors › Earsonics SM3 Appreciation Thread - Third Time is a Charm?
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Earsonics SM3 Appreciation Thread - Third Time is a Charm? - Page 104

post #1546 of 1658
2/6/13 at 8:35pm

YES +10000000 for Infected and the SM3. I think I've actually said that same thing, either in the EDM thread of this one tongue.gif Shpongle, Younger Brother, Celtic Cross (all 3 of these are Simon Posford collaborations), Juno Reactor, and Astral Projection all play on a similar if not quite the same level.

 

If you like double flanges, maybe try a reversed sony hybrid + medium or large Sennheiser double flange tips. I used this combo for a while with the SM3; like the hybrids, its not as deep a seal as the stock tips, but seals fully and very consistently for me.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Shevanel View Post

Does anyone have recommendations for some different tips for the sm3v2? 

 

The stock bi-flange work well, but They are just a TAD too small for my ears, and getting a good seal is rather difficult. I think the sound is great with the stock bi-flanges but I need something with a little bit of a tighter fit, any ideas that won't sacrifice sound quality? I'm not too into foam tips, I messed around with them for awhile but kept coming back to silicon.

 

Regards

 

 

EDIT: On a side note, completely unrelated, but if anyone wants to truly experience the capabilities of the sm3 just turn on some Infected Mushroom...shows the true speed/accuracy/power of this IEM.

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Techno Kid View Post

If you have some new Sony Hybrids that aren't stretched out they work great, that's what I'm using right now.  A brand new set will fit but if you've used them on an IEM like the TF10 or even the GR07 were it stretches them out then they wont fit.


Edited by Gilly87 - 2/6/13 at 8:37pm
Reply

Gear mentioned in this thread:

post #1547 of 1658
2/6/13 at 10:48pm

I put the dual-flange stock tips back on because they really do work the best for where I can get a good seal and they sound the best to me as well.

Reply
post #1548 of 1658
2/6/13 at 11:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Techno Kid View Post

I put the dual-flange stock tips back on because they really do work the best for where I can get a good seal and they sound the best to me as well.

The SM3's stock bi-flanges also work well with the BA200. For me, the BA200 sounds closest to the SM3 with these tips on...

In all honestly, I find the BA200 cleaner, faster but leaner than the SM3, but the SM3 is fuller (Thicker), more impactful with the filters on...

Should I take the filters out? Decisions, decisions...
Reply
post #1549 of 1658
2/6/13 at 11:41pm

If you get that amp you want think the BA200's faster, I didn't think it was faster even without an amp but yes its leaner and doesn't have that full sound of the SM3 and its not as dynamic either.  With the C&C BH amp it makes the SM3 sound very clean with much better clarity, I've been listening to them for hours now because I just can't seem to take the SM3's out yet.

Reply
post #1550 of 1658
2/6/13 at 11:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Annafrancesca View Post


The SM3's stock bi-flanges also work well with the BA200. For me, the BA200 sounds closest to the SM3 with these tips on...

In all honestly, I find the BA200 cleaner, faster but leaner than the SM3, but the SM3 is fuller (Thicker), more impactful with the filters on...

Should I take the filters out? Decisions, decisions...

 

About the filters... I never had the chance to listen to them without the filters. Was unable to see them in order to remove them and also did not have the adequated tools. What difference does it make with the filters removed?
Reply
post #1551 of 1658
2/7/13 at 12:09am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Techno Kid View Post

If you get that amp you want think the BA200's faster, I didn't think it was faster even without an amp but yes its leaner and doesn't have that full sound of the SM3 and its not as dynamic either.  With the C&C BH amp it makes the SM3 sound very clean with much better clarity, I've been listening to them for hours now because I just can't seem to take the SM3's out yet.

Techno Kid, My ears may agree with you in a lot of ways, but my wallet does not. smily_headphones1.gif

Quote:
Originally Posted by Atilio View Post

About the filters... I never had the chance to listen to them without the filters. Was unable to see them in order to remove them and also did not have the adequated tools. What difference does it make with the filters removed?

I can say the details do come out, the bass takes about 1/2 step back, soundstage gets a little smaller - But hardly noticeable unless you have memorized the song and know it by heart for years. Imaging gets better at the expense of losing a bit of that SM3 magic (wrap-arund your head sound)

There are people, like myself and Gilly87, who prefer them unfiltered. My only problem now is, I too do not have the tools. My old pair was brutally dissected to get the filters out but with no hopes of reversal, and I don't want to do that to my brand new pair. So I am torn because the Ety tools are only available online and shipping would be 6X more expensive than the actual item. frown.gif

Good thing is, Techno Kid found another way to squeeze out more detail by amping with C&C BH. SO, I may just join that wagon once I get enough resources (And excuses) smily_headphones1.gif
Edited by Annafrancesca - 2/7/13 at 12:12am
Reply
post #1552 of 1658
2/7/13 at 12:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Techno Kid View Post

 

I just got the C&C BH portable headphone amp to day which is $99.99 on ebay and it makes the SM3 sound amazing, it sounds like a true audiophile IEM now.  The highs are crisp and even bright at time but never harsh, the mids have more clarity and don't sound as dark anymore and the bass is very clean and has better sub-bass rumble now along with the soundstage that is even more spacious now.  Its an amazing little amp and for $100 well, well worth it, I think it can compete with amp's that are much more expensive.  One thing the amp does to the SM3 is actually give them more detail which is something I was not expecting.

 

If you get the SM3 I think you should invest in the C&C BH amp because it does make the SM3 sound like a true audiophile IEM but that's not to say the SM3 doesn't sound great without, it just sounds that much better with the BH.


Thanks for the comments, but I already own an amp.  I am looking to the SM3 as an option for pairing on the go unamped with my AK100.  I am often in a rush and don't have time to assemble a stack.

 

I have a set of gr10s that sound overly bright, and flat and rough on the bass.   It has been suggested that this was caused by the output impedance of the AK, which is 22 ohms, and this can adversely affect the sound of balanced armature headphones like the gr10 and maybe the SM3.  I was hoping someone had already tried the SM3 with the AK100 to determine if the sound is distorted or not due to the high output impedance.  I don't want to have another set of expense IEMs that I can't use with my unamped AK.

Reply
post #1553 of 1658
2/7/13 at 1:00am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Annafrancesca View Post


Techno Kid, My ears may agree with you in a lot of ways, but my wallet does not. smily_headphones1.gif
I can say the details do come out, the bass takes about 1/2 step back, soundstage gets a little smaller - But hardly noticeable unless you have memorized the song and know it by heart for years. Imaging gets better at the expense of losing a bit of that SM3 magic (wrap-arund your head sound)

There are people, like myself and Gilly87, who prefer them unfiltered. My only problem now is, I too do not have the tools. My old pair was brutally dissected to get the filters out but with no hopes of reversal, and I don't want to do that to my brand new pair. So I am torn because the Ety tools are only available online and shipping would be 6X more expensive than the actual item. frown.gif

Good thing is, Techno Kid found another way to squeeze out more detail by amping with C&C BH. SO, I may just join that wagon once I get enough resources (And excuses) smily_headphones1.gif

 

I see , thanks :) So it loses a bit of bass, right?
Reply
post #1554 of 1658
2/7/13 at 2:58am

Hey all,

 

I have tried to look through this thread but found it difficult to find an answer to the question --> What replacement filters work in the SM3 v2? Please don't tell me that I need to get Earsonic to sort it out. Hoping that something else will fit and suffice.


Cheers,

Beenz

Reply
post #1555 of 1658
2/7/13 at 4:00am
Quote:
Originally Posted by refried beanz View Post

Hey all,

 

I have tried to look through this thread but found it difficult to find an answer to the question --> What replacement filters work in the SM3 v2? Please don't tell me that I need to get Earsonic to sort it out. Hoping that something else will fit and suffice.


Cheers,

Beenz

 

I don't know of any that you can use as replacement filters, I turly think you have to go through Earsonics.

Reply
post #1556 of 1658
2/7/13 at 7:55am

I believe they are Knoweles Acoustic Dampers but have yet to get confirmation on this.

Quote:
Originally Posted by refried beanz View Post

Hey all,

 

I have tried to look through this thread but found it difficult to find an answer to the question --> What replacement filters work in the SM3 v2? Please don't tell me that I need to get Earsonic to sort it out. Hoping that something else will fit and suffice.


Cheers,

Beenz

Reply
post #1557 of 1658
2/7/13 at 7:59am

Yeah I've tried tons of tips, combos and weird mods, but in the end, stock biflanges remain king.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Techno Kid View Post

I put the dual-flange stock tips back on because they really do work the best for where I can get a good seal and they sound the best to me as well.

Reply
post #1558 of 1658
2/7/13 at 8:01am

I personally found that the bass is lessened tonally, but impact is actually punchier. The stage does get a little smaller, but the imaging - holy crap. The sound is just so textured and immediate. 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Annafrancesca View Post


Techno Kid, My ears may agree with you in a lot of ways, but my wallet does not. smily_headphones1.gif
I can say the details do come out, the bass takes about 1/2 step back, soundstage gets a little smaller - But hardly noticeable unless you have memorized the song and know it by heart for years. Imaging gets better at the expense of losing a bit of that SM3 magic (wrap-arund your head sound)

There are people, like myself and Gilly87, who prefer them unfiltered. My only problem now is, I too do not have the tools. My old pair was brutally dissected to get the filters out but with no hopes of reversal, and I don't want to do that to my brand new pair. So I am torn because the Ety tools are only available online and shipping would be 6X more expensive than the actual item. frown.gif

Good thing is, Techno Kid found another way to squeeze out more detail by amping with C&C BH. SO, I may just join that wagon once I get enough resources (And excuses) smily_headphones1.gif
Reply
post #1559 of 1658
2/7/13 at 10:42pm
^^ beerchug.gif
Reply
post #1560 of 1658
2/8/13 at 9:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Techno Kid View Post

If you have some new Sony Hybrids that aren't stretched out they work great, that's what I'm using right now.  A brand new set will fit but if you've used them on an IEM like the TF10 or even the GR07 were it stretches them out then they wont fit.

Thanks, I'll be looking into these they're only a couple bucks and seem promising.

Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home

Gear mentioned in this thread:

Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Portable Headphones, Earphones and In-Ear Monitors › Earsonics SM3 Appreciation Thread - Third Time is a Charm?