Ok, so I haven't gotten a ton of input on the SM3 vs. the other phones I was considering, the JH-5s, but I figure since the SM3 is universal might as well give it a try first and then if it's not my cup of tea I can go for the customs.   Soooo... what's the cheapest/least hassle place to...

I don't necessarily prefer universals to customs, I just don't prefer customs to universals in terms of the comfort of them. I was leaning towards the JH5s until the SM3s popped up on the radar...

still curious.

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*edit* for some reason this whole conversation wasn't loading in my browser cache.  So somebody has tried both...  any way you can describe the difference in sound?

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Those points sound very promising!

anybody else?

Two questions:   1. Which is a better sound quality for my buck?  Earsonics SM3 or JH Audio JH5s?  In terms of comfort and fit, I don't prefer customs right now - they don't necessarily feel more comfortable to me than universal, and I don't want to deal with the ordering / fit hassle.  So...

thanks sherwood, sorry if the previous post was rude.

Thanks guys, but when I asked for detailed recommendations, I was hoping more for a detailed description of how certain phones fit what I was looking for. Obviously JH stuff is hot sh** around here right now, and perhaps not without good reason - but having been around other forums like this...

Any other ideas? Is there a universal fit IEM that offers any sort of ambient options? I think I would rather do a universal IEM if I could find this option (or maybe a remolding service could do the job?)

One in one out won't work for me, since I rely on panning to be able to hear the whole band clearly (I also run my guitar in stereo). Ambient ports might be a good option, but another thing I ran across makes me wonder - wouldn't they decrease the bass response? A JH-5 without ports would have...

It's not so much an issue of saving up, it's more an issue of not wanting to spend that much on an IEM. Any more specifics to confirm that the JHs are worth it, or second opinions? I'm also interested in what ears have good ambient options.

Hey all... I've been searching on these forums for a couple of weeks: I have a few different questions, and am wondering what direction to head in the IEM search. Here's the info: 1. I'm a musician - electric guitar player and singer. I play for a major-label christian artist and play / lead...