atty101
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2011
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Do you feel the SM3's benefit from an amp. I'm using an iPhone 4S as a source and am considering the purchase of a decent amp. How do you fellows feel about amping these things?
Do you feel the SM3's benefit from an amp. I'm using an iPhone 4S as a source and am considering the purchase of a decent amp. How do you fellows feel about amping these things?
The SM3 does not benefit much from an amp, but from a better source chain it will. The 4S headphone out and line out are fairly close in performance, so an amp won't net much change.
OK my SM3 shells are basically rubble. So I have investigated sending them back to Earsonics but at almost $200 to get them reshelled (price includes all the over-inflated shipping charges to France) for a shell that appears to be hardly better than to original from some accounts in regards to durability. I am considering sending these to Fisher to be made into customs, have many had much luck with this process in regards to the SM3? When I started to look into this I contacted Unique Melody and they suggested I add another driver as this would mean a better quality cross over be put in and that straight reshelled of the SMm3 were not that successful. Is this true or just a saleperson trying to talk into an upgrade?
Well I'd sure love to get the most out of these things. Miraculously I happen to have around $400 disposable. I'd like to use it to improve my portable audio situation. I was leaning towards a TTVJ slim and a decent LOD for my iPhone/SM3 setup. You think I'd be better off using that money for a better source? Any and all advice is appreciated.
[size=11.0pt]Saying the EM4 is an upgrade to the SM3 is an understatement as the EM4 is more dynamic, punchy, clear, and has a larger sound signature. While the mid-focus of the presentation is retained and they are both liquid, the treble is significantly increased as well as the amount of bass. The SM3 sounds fairly dull and lacking life compared with the EM4, not to mention somewhat veiled and on the dark side. The SM3 does nothing better than the EM4, and it really isn't close.[/size]
Here is an excerpt from my upcoming EM4 review comparing with the SM3:
Quote:
[size=11pt]Saying the EM4 is an upgrade to the SM3 is an understatement as the EM4 is more dynamic, punchy, clear, and has a larger sound signature. While the mid-focus of the presentation is retained and they are both liquid, the treble is significantly increased as well as the amount of bass. The SM3 sounds fairly dull and lacking life compared with the EM4, not to mention somewhat veiled and on the dark side. The SM3 does nothing better than the EM4, and it really isn't close.[/size]
LOL that's been crossing my mind as well Joe. The fact is I do miss more bass occasionally but the mids and treble are so very right and I love the Ety clarity. So I may buy a full custom like the ES5 at some point to hopefully address the bass issue (I also am thinking if trying the audio fly AF78 but will wait for some reviews of that one).
But for now I am just going to enjoy my Ety's and use a couple of other bass heavy IEM's I have on hand when the need for bass comes upon me.
I went ahead and pulled the trigger on a TTVJ slim. I plan on pairing it with my iPhone 4S and my SM3's. But I also have a Beyerdynamic DT 1350 and a Sennheiser HD25-1 ii so even if I get no appreciable sound q increase with my SM3's I figure I won't have wasted my money on the Slim since I'll still be able to drive my 2 on ears better.
Thanks again for your help joe.