Earsonics SM64: The Impressions and Appreciation Thread - Page 2

Are mids as thick/creamy as SM3 V2? I really disliked SM3 because of this alone. This made them significantly less transparent compared to W4, gr10 and eph-100. If sm64 is better in this regard, I may actually give them a try. Also how is build quality? SM3 was a joke in that regard especially compared to W4.

 

Maybe so, but being able to get quick warranty service for $5 is a little better with the Westone (for people in the US anyway)

Edited by Zalithian - 2/18/13 at 7:53pm

I think you still need to ship it to France. But not 100% sure.

Oh man...I can't decide whether to buy a nice little amp (Arrow or something like that) or if I should wait for the Fiio X3 :(
Would help me a lot if someone could test how the SM64 work with a Fiio e17.

Please, beautiful people of the Head-Fi forums, help me decide!

Edited by Tom Yum Goong - 2/19/13 at 5:05am

Excellent review.

These really are awesome earphones. I should receive the modified version today & I am excited to have them back.

I will post some brief comparisons with the TG334 when they are in my ears.

Just got home...& mine were delivered earlier today (love the free overnight shipping from Sound Earphones)...  I DESPERATELY need different tips.  My ears are kinda weird; largish ear canals.  The supplied silicone b-flanges just aren't big enough, and I despise foam.  My favorite silicone tips are the gray ones made by Phonak-Audeo (NOT bi-flange), but they are for much bigger stems (or whatever term).  Can anyone recommend anything liek the gray Audeos that will fit the skinny stems on the SM64?  I am using the foams right now; seal isn't great, but I can just hear the potential...

 

ETA:  O.K., I just de-cored the small Comply tips & using the cores inside my gray Audeo tips..this will work for now...  My first impressions:  so much potential....  Listening via a Calyx Coffee (USB DAC/amp) plugged into the USB port of my rMBP...using iTunes for now (99.9% of my music is ripped to ALAC).  I have a Meridian Explorer on order from TTVJ, and can't wait to get that...also waiting...and waiting...on my Arrow 4G upgrade to be shipped from Cali by Headstage.

Edited by feverfive - 2/19/13 at 5:16pm

I thought I would post this in the appropriate thread:

 

I decided I do not need to wait a day or 2 to form my opinion of the SM64's. They are flat out awesome and I do not intend on trying out other IEMs at this point.

 

Bass: After owning the JVC FXZ200's I didn't think bass could get better but it does with the SM64s. It's not that the SM64s have more bass but the quality exceeds all other IEMs I have tried. Sub-bass in particular is muscular and appropriate. At times I got the sensation of a subwoofer playing in the room.

 

Mids: The mids are see-thru quality, smooth as hell and extremely life-like. So far I have listened to the Carpenters, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Patricia Barber, Led Zeppelin and Wilson Pickett. I have not heard all of them presented so perfectly natural in a sound stage that is so unlike an IEM. In comparison, the X10, TF10, FXZ200s and IE7s sound so fake and artificial.

 

Highs: This is where I am a bit surprised. I was expecting the SM64s to be a tad bit bright but if anything they sound a bit tame on top until you realize that all the treble details are there. Highs are presented so naturally it initially fools you into thinking they are not very present.

 

Sound stage: Just perfect. I can place instrument locations easily and hear studio wall boundaries when present in the recording. Vocals do not feel like they are squashed inside your brain as they do with the 200's. The SM64s offer a 2nd row perspective.

 

Fit and comfort: I am not used to using over the ear wires with IEMs so it took a bit of practice to get the fit right but once in place they stayed and fit perfectly. The double-flange tips that come already mounted offer great isolation and to my ears fit like a glove.

 

As far as amping is concerned, the volume level coming out of my iPod Classic is just barely enough at the max setting to provide comfortable levels for most music but is not quite enough for all. I think a portable amp is helpful with the SM64s.

 

I think I got very lucky. I found a perfectly balanced IEM that has all the sonic attributes I was looking for and value and has exceeded my expectations on all fronts. The search has ended for me.

 

I also want to get an Arrow 4G and I'm really looking forward to your impressions :)

 

 

Exactly my thoughts! My whole family is mad at me because I forget everything when I plug these IEMs into my ears :P Taking out the trash? Nah, let me just listen through another album...

@zach, was your review was for the 112ohm of 95ohm version?

I just got the modified SM64 back from Earsonics. Indeed the highs are now tamed. The soundstage still seems excellent, even better than the Westone 4. The treble really is excellent but now is less bright. I really like these much better than the Westones (which are excellent). I always felt the Westones were a little dark & lacking in clarity at low volumes.