These are amazing in ears marred by a crappy Bluetooth cable.

The good:

They sound AMAZING. They blow my KEF M100's and the SE215's I tried out of the water. The bass is strong but well controlled. The vocals and highs are crystal clear. The highs were initially a little bright for me but after a few hours settled into a pleasant listening experience.

The foam tip and shell is very comfortable. If it wasn’t for the cable I wouldn’t even notice it in my ears.

The bad:

They cut out. Especially if your phone is in your back pocket. My old lg tone’s and Jaybird bluebuds could figure this out in 2014 and these can’t get a decent connection in 2018?

The loops over the ears aren’t memory wire. Why?

If you sweat, it’s over. The cable will skew to the side and the loops become uncomfortable.

The remote portion is very poorly thought out. There isn’t anything to differentiate the three buttons, so you end up hitting a different button than the one you were looking for all the time.

The magnetic clasp is also fairly weak. It hasn’t opened by itself on me, but I’m always checking to make sure they haven’t fallen off my neck.

————

If these were a pair of wired iem’s, they could charge $100 and people would happily pay it. The sound quality is excellent and the fact that they got that kind of sound out of a Bluetooth connection is astonishing. But the dropouts are intolerable. These are going back, and the search for the perfect Bluetooth iem continues.

Simple Man’s review – Advanced Model 3 (79 USD)
This is called simple man’s review because they are based on the sound of these earphones directly from my mobile phone (HTC 10), using 320 Kbps mp3 tracks. No expensive gears nor lossless tracks,no EQ, and all that hi-fi stuff.

Product Specs :
Driver: Custom tuned Single Dynamic drivers
Impedance: 16 Ohms; Sensitivity: 100dB at 1Khz
Cable: Detachable 1.6 m (5.2') with MMCX connectors + Bluetooth cable 4.1 with aptx support.

Build – 3/5
The earphones housings are made of thin plastic – like the plastic used in cheap lighters. Doesn’t look or feel very durable. Just one step on them they will break. The nozzles are thin and long making it easier to break with any rough handling on tip rolling.
The provided MMCX cables are a bit springy and feel like they can snap easily. Bluetooth cables are better quality. Bluetooth design is convenient albeit funny looking, and not very practical. But they are okay. Detatchable cables is a plus.

Accessories – 4/5
Bluetooth cable is a nice extra accessory. 3 sizes silicon tips and three sizes of memory foam tips (not Comply) are also provided. The foam tips are soft and very practical with a faster rebound compared to comply. I like them better than comply. The provided zipper case is excellent. They feel nice and are big enough for any set of IEMs.

Isolation & Sound leakage – 3.5/5
Fit is very good. Isolation is good too with minimal sound leakage at high volumes. Not the best in the industry.

Fit – 3.5/5
Around the ears only. They seat themselves very comfortably and they stay put. I like them in my ears. I use the stock comply option as i prefer the sound coming through these tips as opposed to the provided silicon tips.

Microphonics – 2.5/5
Present. Not horrible, but definitely present.

Before we get to the sound:
A little background on how I got these earphones. I stumbled upon Advanced when i saw some of their measurements done by Crinacle. I checked their site recently and saw that they have an upcoming model GT3, which look amazing and promises extreme detail retrieval. That’s a real eye-candy (check them out), and i tried to get one of these pre-production units for review. But, since they aren’t out yet, Advanced were happy to give me these instead for an honest review. So, here we are...

Personal taste
And.. you must know that i don’t listen to trance, EDM, or bassy stuff, no metal stuff, so, take my opinion about the extremes of the sound spectrum, and speed,etc., with a grain of salt, as they are just based on the kind of music I listen to- namely Jazz, blues, some progressive rock from the 70s/80s. However, to give a fair review, i include some of my favourite Daft Punk, Tool, NIN, and some Pop songs among my test tracks.

Bluetooth comparison
Advanced BT vs Tennmak BT cable (~20 USD)
Both these MMCX cables use Bluetooth 4.1 with aptX codec support. I use aptx from my Android.



Build and durability is better in Advanced – with better MMCX connectors. When i connect the Advanced cables to the earphones, i hear a very satisfying click and a solid connection is made. Tennmak has no connection problems but i don’t hear that click which screams “Securely fit!”. Around the ear memory loops are also better in Advanced.
Battery is better in Advanced cable with around 4 hours of playtime, whereas we get only 2.5 hours with Tennmak.
Comfort is better with Tennmak since we have a no-nonsense fit. With the Advanced cable, you need to tie the loop around the neck, and wear the earphones from this loop, and so on..
Sound quality is better with Tennmak cables. The music is considerably louder with Tennmak compared to Advanced BT cable. I can also use the Tennmak BT cable to drive tougher IEMs like Pinnacle P1, which sound very tame using Advanced BT cable.

Tip Selection, and a little digression to my beloved Etymotics
Advanced Model 3 sport really thin nozzles, exactly like Etymotic. Model 3 is a warm sounding IEM with a good emphasis on the mid-bass. With the stock silicon tips the Model 3 becomes rather bassy for my tastes, but with the silicon tips the bass is tighter compared to the foams. If they had employed a conventional nozzle which can fit JVC tips, or Sony hybrids, then we could play with tip rolling and settle on a preferred tonality. But using these Ety-like nozzles, none of the tips in my inventory could fit these IEMs. I would have loved to try some wide bored tips to remove a bit of that bass. Anyway, with the stock foam tips, which have a slightly wider opening, the bass has lesser impact and is more to my tastes.



I love my Etys but i hardly use them, actually never except for comparisons, because i’m not the deep-insertion kind of guy when it comes to IEMs. Until the Model 3s came to me.
These silicon tips fit my Etys perfectly, and the bubble tips give a perfect seal with a shallow fit. My etys now sing with perfect coherence and superb bass that these, for the first time, came into my daily rotation. Yay!



I use the Advanced Model 3 with the normal 3.5mm cable with the green stock foamies. The below sound impression and comparisons are based on this setup.

Sound –
The general sound signature would be W shaped, warm sounding with vocals that pop to the front and highs that have good presence as well. It’s a very safe and commercial tuning done well.

Bass:
With the provided green foamies, the IEM still takes it’s bass very seriously. You get decent extension until the sub-bass regions and rumble will be presented in a tasteful manner. The bass will pump good amount of air, and it will provide good excitement. The silicon tips, i guess, would satisfy bassheads as well. Having a good emphasis at the mid-bass cannot help but spill a bit into the mids. It’s not very intrusive except , adding more warmth to the mids, this comes out as natural sounding earphone and plays the musical character. The luscious bass lacks a bit in quality or definition, and may come out as bloated in bass heavy pieces. The extra warmth, although it gives a natural impression, in fact affects the natural timbre of the instruments slightly. If the IEM had a wider nozzle enabling tip-rolling, i repeat, then we could have managed to remedy this bloat in the mid bass. The warmth pervades throughout the frequency range masking micro-details and reducing instrument separation and positioning. I guess if you EQ down this area we would have a very good IEM.

Mids:
The mids do not seem recessed at all. The vocals always pop out and both male and female vocals come through loud and clear – which is really a great achievement considering the quantity of bass that is being delivered. The mids are warm, and the notes carry a good weight. To appreciate the mids, i had to listen to songs without bass or drums. I heard the strings playing intimately and up-front with increased clarity. Vocals came up close and personal. One would be hard-pressed to find any space between instruments. These earphones present the entire song as a whole, and are very musical in that sense.

Treble:
The treble is very well done and is presented very evenly, and due to this is never harsh and shows no sibilance whatsoever. This is the best part about this earphones, IMO. The treble has an airy aspect to them, and they provide a very 3D image to the soundstage with good height and average width. The clarity is really good in the lower and mid treble range. An extra spike near 10K would have been nice, but as-is, the upper treble still has decent presence. There is good detail in cymbals and chimes, and the highs definitely play a great supporting role in the overall signature, making the Model 3 an enjoyable fun-sounding earphone.

Let’s compare the Model 3 with some heavy hitters in the lightweight category.

Model 3 vs JVC FXT90
Why? Similar Price during release. Similar sound signature. The FXT90 is not in production now, but since it is thoroughly reviewed and well known in the audiophile world, this comparison would clearly show where the Model 3 stands.

FXT90 is louder and comparatively easier to drive.
The bass is punchier in the FXT90 compared to Model 3. Mid bass quantity is lesser in FXT90, and sub-bass is greater, so the bass sounds considerably cleaner. Model 3 has meatier bass with more heft in the mid-bass.
Lower mids have better timbre and intelligibility in FXT90.
Vocals, on the other hand, are considerably intimate in Model 3 vs FXT90. Vocals have more details in Model 3. The Sss’s in FXT90 is a bit more sharper, closer to sibilance. Upper mids are slightly forward in FXT90 which presents the details much clearly compared to Model 3 which seems slight pulled back in this region. This also gives better separation in the FXT90s.
Highs are more forward and aggressive in FXT90. Model 3 is easier on the ear and sacrifices micro-details in favour of listening comfort.
FXT90’s come across as cleaner while testing your sibilance tolerance. Model 3 has better vocals with a hefty mid bass. FXT90 is taut and crisp sounding, Model 3 is warm and meaty.
Soundstage is about the same size, with better layering on the FXT90.
If FXT90 is a 8.9 out of 10 in sound, Model 3 would be a 8.

Model 3 vs ZA Duoza
Why? Same price and similar sound signature

Drivability is the same.
The bass is much bigger in quantity with the Duoza, both sub-bass and mid-bass. Bass is boomy in Duoza, more than the Model 3, which works in favour of Model 3. Still the sub-bass is greater than mid-bass in Duoza, whereas there is a mid-bass hump in the Model 3.
Both signature carry a warm tonality, but Duoza more than the Model 3.
Mids are more scooped in the Duoza resulting in considerably recessed vocals. Vocals are up-front in the model 3 and has more character.
The highs are very pronounced in the Duoza, especially the upper treble 10Khz thereabouts which gives greater detailing in the treble frequencies. This presents some details which are not so forward in the Model 3. The highs of Duoza are more exciting and edgy.
Duoza is considerably more V shaped than the Model 3. I prefer the Model 3 here
If Model 3 is 8, i would give Duoza an 7.5.

Model 3 vs ATH LS50
Why? Let’s see how it stacks against ATH’s 50 dollar IEM. These IEMs are more similar than different.

Drivability is about the same.
The bass quantity is about the same in both these earphones. The Model 3 goes deeper than the LS50 and is slightly tighter in delivering the beats. The deeper sub bass gives it a better punch than LS50. I hear a little scoop in LS50’s upper bass which gives it the ATH house colouration. Some areas in the spectrum are hollow sounding, which is apparent when we do a A-B. This scoop is upper bass works in favour of of the LS50s to deliver better instrument separation in the mids. The vocals are equally present with the LS50 sounding more effortless in its delivery. The perception of highs are pretty much the same with slight more extension in favour of Model 3.
I like the ATH colouration personally and for me they stand neck and neck.
Bass and highs are slightly better in Model 3 with a more linear presentation, while the mids are noticeably better in the LS50 with better instrument separation, albeit slightly coloured.
If Model 3 is 8, the LS50 would get an 7.9

Overall Sound rating of Advanced Model 3:
Vocals 4/5
Soundstage 4/5
Instrument Separation 3.5/5
Details 3.5/5
Timbre 3.5/5

Conclusion –
After all these comparisons it’s clear that Advanced has actually created a very decent IEM for 79 dollars. It has a very pleasing signature which sounds right for all the genres of music. Vocals are really good with nice clarity in the highs. It also produces a nice thumping bass to satisfy the masses.
I’m looking forward to their next model GT3, which from the FR curve looks promising, and i can’t wait to hear them.

Introduction –

If you frequent the tech channels on YouTube or any kind of review site on the net, you’ve likely seen Advanced Sound’s Model 3 floating around. As a frequent runner, it’s always intrigued me. I definitely enjoy the freedom afforded by wireless in-ears however, my foray into the category was lukewarm at best; riddled with unreliable fully-wireless options and awkward neckband implementations.

The Model 3 caught so much attention as it is quite the opposite. With ergonomic and immensely stable housings, solid wireless connectivity and, most importantly, a warm but detailed sound, Adv’s wireless in-ear does the form factor justice. And, with a very reasonable $79.99 USD asking price, the Model 3 is attainable for just about everyone. This is an affordable wireless in-ear that finally deserves your time and money.



Disclaimer –

I would like to thank Hannah from Advanced very much for her quick communication and for providing me with the Model 3 for the purpose of review. All words are my own and there is no monetary incentive for a positive review. Despite receiving the earphones free of cost, I will attempt to be as objective as possible in my evaluation.



Accessories –


The model 3 has a pleasing unboxing consistent with Adv’s other products. The front showcases the earphones through punchy print and brandishes their high-res certification.


On the back is the earphone’s frequency response and specifications. Advanced Sound also include basic feature, function and accessory lists.


Inside are the earphones connected to the wireless cable in addition to a standard wired cable. Adv provide a larger zippered hard case that comfortably holds the earphones, accessories and a small mp3 player. The Model 3 includes a nice tip selection with 3 pairs of silicone tips and 3 pairs of memory foam tips. I don’t personally get a solid seal with the stock silicone tips, but at the very least, they’re well-moulded and don’t collapse in the ear.


The foam tips provide a better experience. Previous batches had some issues but Adv quickly responded to provide a more malleable tip that better conforms to the ear. Combined with the Model 3’s sealed design, they provide excellent noise isolation perfect for travel.



Design –

Who says a Bluetooth earphones have to be unwieldy and awkward; that they can’t fit like a high-end wired IEM. Sleek, clean and ergonomic all aptly define the Model 3. Though meagre in asking price, the Model 3’s acrylic housings feel sturdy and well-assembled. Their design is reminiscent of earphones like Westone’s UM Pro line with a pod-shaped housing that is stable and smooth.


The earphones themselves are modestly sized, similar to the UM 30 Pro but smoother and more rounded on their internal face. As such, they are very comfortable, creating no hotspots over time. With an over-ear design and long, slender nozzles forming a deep fit, the Model 3 also produces very high levels of passive noise isolation and great stability in the ear.


Resultantly, they are perfect for commute and activity, easily providing adequate isolation during a recent flight and failing to budge even during a vigorous cardio workout. The Model 3’s transparent housings are also captivating to look at, providing a window to the dynamic micro-drivers inside. They have checkered internal reinforcement that gives them a confident rigidity in the hand.


Up top is one of the M3’s most outstanding feature, a removable MMCX cable system. Not only does this enable users to swap out broken cables in favour of an affordable replacement, it also enables the Model 3 to switch between a wired and wireless connection. The wired cable isn’t anything special, it’s thin and rubbery with minimal strain relief. That said, it isn’t cumbersome and features a well-constructed right-angle 3.5mm plug. In short, perfectly usable should you run out of battery but not ideal.


By contrast, the Bluetooth cable is far more interesting; with a rather unique style of wear and a pleasing construction. The cable is split with sweat resistant rubber wires running to the in-ears and fabric braided cables running from the electronic module to controls. Though the rubber section is a bit tacky, it never comes into contact with clothing and doesn’t present any issues as a result. The Bluetooth cable also features pre-moulded ear guides that were nicely shaped for my ears, producing a stable fit.


And, though none of the terminations are especially well-relieved, the cable looks almost new after a month of heavy use with no hardening or fraying. I’m also a fan of the finish on the module and controls; both are coated in a tactile matte texture as opposed to a rubberised finish that may become tacky over time. The 3-button remote also provides nice feedback with a nice click to each button, however, as they aren’t well separated, it can be difficult to delineate between them. Perhaps the best part of this cable is that it can be used with any MMCX earphone, enabling all of them to benefit from Adv innovative implementation!



Usage –

The Model 3’s wireless implementation may be its most distinct feature. Rather than utilising a bulky module, neckband, or enlarging the earphones themselves to house the electronics, the Model 3 assumes a necklace-like wear style. In particular, a compact 3-button lies at the front with the larger battery and electronics at the rear, resting on the back of the neck. This design keeps the bulk of the electronics central and stable while keeping controls in an easily accessible location, and is by far one of my most preferred wireless implementations for active use. The remote at the front also houses a well-placed microphone that delivered clear audio during my testing.


The Model 3’s controls also proved to be quite practical. As with most Bluetooth in-ears, holding the centre button on the remote powers them on with a longer hold entering pairing mode. Connection status is denoted by an RGD LED indicator within the button. Once paired, the Model 3 promptly auto-connected to my HTC U11 and laptop after every power on without issue. The Model 3 supports Apt-X which enables higher quality streaming and I noticed no interference or cutouts and just a handful of stutters during regular use. Wireless range was also impressive, far better than the vast majority of wireless in-ears I’ve tested. For instance, the Model 3 did not cut-out when my phone was on the other side of my body as some tend to. In fact, I was able to completely leave the room with undisrupted audio.


The power module at the rear has two magnetic halves that separate for easy wear. When separated, one face reveals a micro-usb charging port that is otherwise covered to prevent liquid ingress. Battery life is rated at a modest 5hrs which is middle of the road for a wireless in-ear and respectable given the dimensions of its electronic module. I managed to regularly meet that claim at volume 15/25. Of note, the volume control on the remote does not control the source but cycles through 25 levels on the earphones themselves.


Should battery life not be sufficient, Adv offers a carry case with integrated 800mah micro-usb charger called the Power Pack through which they claim an additional 7 charge cycles. It’s a practical way to keep the earphones topped up and staves some of my nervousness with battery operated devices.



Sound –

As the Model 3 was intended to be used Wireless, all of the following comments will be using the Bluetooth cable paired to my HTC U11 via Apt-x. Through such a connection, the Model 3 sounded dynamic and spacious with very minimal background hiss; when swapping the cable over to a more sensitive in-ear, some hiss was present but this easily remains one if the best wireless implementations I’ve tested. In addition, since I was unable to find a comfortable fit with the included silicone ear tips, I paired the Model 3 with Westone STAR tips. They produced a deeper fit and have a slightly expanded bore producing a cleaner low-end and slightly enhanced treble clarity. I also put the earphones through 150hrs of burn-in to ensure they are performing at their best during evaluation.


Tonality –

The Model 3 assumes a more V-shaped sound typical to consumer earphones. Its sound holds notable mid-bass emphasis with a recessed midrange and slightly more energetic treble presentation. It’s a warm, full and very accessible sound that provides plenty of instant gratification. Of course, this isn’t a perfectly balanced earphone designed for critical listening, but its sound is rich and enjoyable; certainly more tastefully sculpted than models found in retail stores. This is also a presentation that works well in louder environments such as public transport and the gym, where low-frequencies tend to get drowned out. As such, the Model 3’s tuning is well-considered for its intended uses while remaining engaging and balanced enough to be enjoyed at home.



Bass –

With a hearty emphasis, the Model 3’s low-end is very full, delivering round but nicely textured notes. Sub-bass extension is very nice for a micro-driver; they don’t have the guttural slam of a high-end dynamic but do provide solid punch when called for. Mid-bass holds the main focus of the sound, creating a warm tone and a generally full-bodied presentation that stops shy of thick. Resultantly, the Model 3 isn’t especially articulate nor is bass meticulously separated, but the earphones do produce modest amounts of definition and pleasing dynamics.

This is mainly due to the Model 3’s tighter low-end with nice attack and natural decay creating fair pace and rhythm. Accordingly, though their mid-bass emphasis does create apparent bloat, the Model 3 doesn’t become particularly messy during faster tracks and each note remains focussed and easily discerned. So despite their uneven emphasis, the Model 3 remains a well-performing earphone for the price, especially considering that they are being driven by a wireless source.



Mids –

As a result of the Model 3’s larger mid-bass emphasis, mids are bolstered with warmth. That said, slight brightness enhances clarity and definition. And, though not transparent or realistic, the Model 3 delivers a clear and mostly natural midrange presentation despite its fullness. Lower-mids are most notably coloured; male vocals are recessed and somewhat chesty down low but with a slight lift into the middle and upper-midrange that prevents veil. Instrument timbre is also less obviously affected with rich, organic piano and guitar. This tuning does sap their presentation of separation and definition but the Model 3 is tonally pleasing and nowhere near thick or congested.


Upper-mids fair better on an objective level. They are laid-back but present, with slight emphasis relative to the M3’s lower mids preceding a gradual dip before their lower-treble. This produces a smooth, clean and natural presentation that flatters female vocals, avoiding both sibilance and truncation. The Model 3 also produces above average levels of resolution that enable it to discern some finer background details that other wireless in-ears skim over. As a result of the slight dip up top, their upper-midrange and treble aren’t perfectly seamless or integrated, but this doesn’t compromise detail presentation.



Highs –

With a typical V-shaped signature, the Model 3 well balances its warm low-end and more laid-back midrange with elevated treble clarity. This augments their sound with energy and a sense of vividness. Lower-treble is most notably accentuated, producing a slightly more aggressive presentation that benefits treble attack; imbuing guitars, strings and cymbals with a sense of immediacy and crispness. Middle treble is also slightly lifted which aids treble air and separation. They still aren’t a bright earphone in the grand scheme of things, but the Model 3 easily avoids the smoothed off and even dull sound that activity centric wireless in-ears often suffer from.

Still, the Model 3 doesn’t have a hint of harshness and sibilance isn’t emphasized. They also possess great treble extension for a wireless in-ear, producing higher levels of resolution that contributes to their slightly more revealing nature up top. Treble is also quite linear, producing bodied notes with defined texture. Moreover, they effectively avoid sounding overly aggressive and peaky which is very admirable around this price range. Though not absolutely extended and resolving, the Model 3’s crisp but natural high-end is very tasteful and surprisingly technical.



Soundstage, Imaging and Separation –

With a slightly more vivid signature and good treble air and extension, the Model 3 produces a well-sized soundstage. They don’t stretch beyond the head but the Model 3 is hardly an intimate earphone, especially considering its more recessed midrange that can emphasize their sense of space and distance. Imaging is quite good due to their quicker transience and more linear treble. They aren’t pinpoint accurate as they are quite warm and sculpted overall, but directional cues are fairly sharp and vocals well-centred. Separation is mixed, low-end separation is below average due to their bloated mid-bass and some spill into the lower-midrange. However, their top half is quite delineated as it is more linear.



Comparisons –


ADV 747 ($60): The 747 is Adv’s Active Noise Cancelling earphone. It has solid metal housings and a beefy cable though it does not share the wireless functionality of the Model 3. It also isn’t as balanced; being designed to be listened to in very noisy environments at higher volumes, the 747 has an L-shaped sound that avoids any form of fatigue. Bass is huge on the 747 and full on the Model 3, both are more mid-bass emphasised but the Model 3 is tighter and more balanced with greater sub-bass extension.

Mids are similarly recessed though the 747 is thicker and slightly veiled while the Model 3 is slightly brighter with enhanced clarity. The Model 3 is much more detailed within its high-end with slight lower-treble aggression and heightened air. On the contrary, the 747 is very smoothed off within its higher registers with just hints of lower treble crispness preceding considerable roll-off. As such, the Model 3 is clearly the more balanced, engaging earphone, but of course, it lacks the low-frequency noise cancelling ability of the 747.

Audiofly AF100W ($130): The AF100W is similarly a reasonably priced wireless in-ear with a more unobtrusive wireless implementation. It has one module on either side of the cable and a slider that locks them behind the head. Though sleek, the controls can be awkward to access and battery life is similarly mediocre at 5hrs. On the flipside, the earphones themselves feature the impeccable shaping of all Audiofly earphones making them just as comfortable and isolating as the Model 3 if not a little more so. And one thing that the AF100W possesses that the Model 3 lack is IPX4 water resistance making it a more responsible choice for pure active use.

That said, I do prefer the sound of the Model 3 by a fair margin as the AF100W has a strange sound signature that is quite an acquired taste. It’s quite an L-shaped earphone, but one with a strange emphasis on upper-bass. As such, it lacks some depth and impact down low and isn’t as vivid or dynamic as the Model 3. Rather, the AF100W sounds somewhat tubby within its low-end and bass spills a little into lower mids that are dry and warm. They lack the clarity of the Model 3 and a lot of its dynamics. Treble is similarly a bit dry and smoothed off on the AF100W where the Model 3 is more linear and detailed. Though the Af100W does balance out a little more in louder environments, it simply isn’t as tonally pleasing as the cheaper Model 3

Meeaudio Pinnacle P2 ($100): The P2 is one of the most resolving V-shaped earphones around this price. It has a similarly ergonomic and isolating design but can be inverted and worn cable-down too. Though it is not wireless, it has a removable cable that can be swapped with a Bluetooth unit. Its sound signature doesn’t differ substantially from the Model 3 on paper, focusing on mid-bass and lower-treble, but in listening, it is considerably more high-frequency focused and balanced down-low. Bass on the P2 is tighter and more agile but still punchy. It lacks the heft of the model 3, but sounds notably more defined and less bloated. Mids are smoother and more laid-back on the Model 3, they are also more recessed relative to its greater bass emphasis. The P2 has far greater clarity with a brighter upper-midrange.

As such, the P2 is the more revealing earphone, it also has more defined layers but it can sound a little thin and fatiguing over time. The P2 is a notably more aggressive earphone, the Model 3 is actually more linear and balanced within the higher-frequencies. The P2 is a bit more extended and produces a lot more air and bite to treble instruments such as strings and cymbals. That said, like its midrange, the P2 sounds thin and slightly artificial up top where the Model 3 is more natural but also less engaging. The P2 crafts a larger stage due to its airier, brighter composition, it is also more separated throughout. That said, the Model 3 sounds cleaner and a lot smoother, better suiting long listening sessions and higher volumes.



Verdict –

The Model 3 is the Bluetooth in-ear many have been searching for. It has some of the most streamlined wireless circuitry on the market, producing an ergonomic experience and a clean, reliable wireless connection. Furthermore, the earpieces themselves are comfortable and stable in the ear, just as suitable during activity as during daily commute. Passive noise isolation is also terrific and the ability to swap cables imbues confidence in their longevity.


When it comes to listening, the Model 3 continues to impress with its inviting V-shaped sound. It isn’t balanced, their mid-bass emphasis is slightly overzealous for my tastes, but they are engaging, natural and surprisingly technical. The Model 3 isn’t water resistant and battery life is on the shorter side, but this remains the best wireless in-ear I’ve tested south of $200 and the ability to swap its wireless cable to any MMCX in-ear further enhances its value.

Verdict – 9/10, Advanced Sound’s affordable wireless in-ear fits well and sounds great. It has an unobtrusive wireless implementation with high-quality Apt-x support. Look no further for a well-performing V-shaped wireless in-ear at a reasonable price.

The Model 3 can be purchased from Advanced Sound’s website here for $79.99 USD. I am not affiliated with Adv and receive no earnings from purchases through this link.

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed my review, please see my website for more just like it!

REVIEW: ADVANCED Model 3






Specifications

Driver: Single 6mm Dynamic
Impedance:16 Ohm
Sensitivity: 100dB
Frequency Response: 20Hz – 40kHz
Cord length (Wired): 1.2m
Plug (Wired): 3.5mm Gold Plated

Music/Talk time (Wireless): up to 5 hours
Charging Time: 1.5 hours
Bluetooth Version:4.1 + AptX
Connection Distance: 10m
Input Port: MicroUSB, DC 5V/60mA
Working Current: 10-19mA
Voltage: 3.7V

Website: adv-sound.com
Product link here


Price: U$D 80.

Warranty: 3 years.




Accessories

1. 3 pairs of black silicone tips (S/M/L)
2. 3 pairs of green foam tips (S/M/L)
3. 1 MMCX 3.5mm cable with mic.
4. 1 MMCX Bluetooth cable
5. Carrying case
6. MicroUSB charging cable

Like with the M4 model, the accessory pack on the Model 3 is quite complete. The black silicone tips are similar (or identical) to the Shure Flex tips. The green foam tips are a bit longer than the usual foam eartips. Unfortunately, I find them useless as they’re impossible to fit in the ear canal and expand too fast. The silicone tips are fine, though I preferred the SpinFit tips for an easier and more comfortable fit. While not really necessary, It’d had been nice if the Model 3 included a selection of double and triple flange tips.







The Design

The Model 3 takes a whole new design from material to shape. This time the shells are all plastic with an over-ear fit design, which is practically identical to the Westone UM and W models, and very similar to the Shure options, and many other Chinese manufactures that used the same form factor. Coming from the M4 with its all metal housings, the M3 looks rather cheap in comparison, but nothing very different from more expensive options that adopt the same design.
The Model 3 uses the standard MMCX connection. Personally I’m not a fan of these connectors as they usually show some issues after some time. So far, the M3 seems fine, but I would not advise to change the cables too often unless it’s really necessary.

Getting into the cables, the wired one seems fine but nothing special (nor as cool as the twisted cable one on the M4!). It’s a very smooth surface and very low in microphonics. As there’s no memory wire nor earguides included, the cable doesn’t stay in place well around the ears, needing to readjust it from time to time.
For the wireless option, the cable is of better quality. The fixed earguides are a bit stiff, but not uncomfortable and help the earpieces to stay in place. The remote control goes on the front while the charging port falls at the back of the head, forming a necklace which should avoid the earphones from falling. The buttons are very hard to press, and when adjusting the volume it can easily go back or skip to the next track, something that results to be very annoying.
Anyway, the connection on both cables is quite secure for MMCX cables.

As for the fit, the M3 is extremely comfortable, lightweight and very easy to fit (if you’re already used to this form factor). The earpieces simply disappear in the ears and the isolation level is very good even for noisy environments.











Sound

The Model3 has a slightly warm and lively sound in a very wide V-shaped fashion. The overall sound is not very full in any of its frequencies but it’s very good in dynamics and extension at both ends with an above than average soundstage dimensions. It also has a slightly aggressive presentation but not too fatiguing and balances well the low and high ends.

Bass is very well bodied and extended. It surely is a powerful low end in the mid-bass area which carries good depth and rumble through the sub-bass regions for a coherent balanced and detailed overall bass response. Not a bass monster per-se when compared to more dominant and warmer sets like the GT-36, but fares well against the AAW Nebula One. The Model 3 is not the fastest in its bass and the impact it’s not very realistic.

The midrange is slightly warm due the strong low end, but quite dry in texture, to the point of even sounding boring or emotionless at times. The detail retrieval is very good and a strong characteristic of the Model 3, but it’s the presentation that is lacking. From low to upper midrange, it’s placed noticeable distant from the listener, not too recessed, but certainly missing a proper sense of thickness and musicality. There’s a bit of grain at the upper mids, not distracting or annoying but not completely smooth. Instruments are properly separated and take a higher priority over voices which lack a lot in texture, that despite of having a strong level of detail they simply don’t carry the needed emotion and sweetness.

Matching the lively presentation of the lows, the treble on the Model 3 is crispy, sparkly and similarly very well extended with a strong sense of micro detail that is very easy to notice. It is also north of neutral quantity-wise that never feels like missing, but stops right before getting overwhelming for more sensitive ears. Unlike the previous M4, the treble here is much more natural and coherent, not totally smooth but with a better level of refinement.

The presentation is very wide with a good sense of distance and space. Depth is good as well but height is not a strong point; nothing unusual among the affordable in-ear category. While the Model 3 is not to be called analytical, the layering and dynamics are above average. On the other hand, image is lacking next to other IEMs of the competition such as the Auglamour R8 or Vsonic new VSD3S, which offer a more realistic timbre with a more ‘hi-fi air’ in them.







Wired to Wire-less…

For the BT option, I’d only tried a couple of Samsung phone models, a iPhone 4S and a PAW5000, so I can’t comment on the last AptX tech implementation in the M3. Anyway, as SQ goes there’re the usual changes and small lose in quality and a bit less natural and dynamic presentation, but signature is kept unchanged. Paring the earphones is easy as any other BT device and the rated ~5 hrs. seems very accurate. The connection distant range seems fine as well, although I did find a couple of sudden disconnections with the aforementioned devices.



M4 vs Model 3

I already found the previous M4 model to be a good option for the sub $50 bracket. While in terms of sound signature and tuning, both ADVANCED models aren’t very similar, technically speaking the Model 3 is relatively better in its sound quality when comparing each frequency. The Model 3 has a stronger and fuller low-end with much better extension, slightly thicker midrange and smoother and extended treble, giving a wide V-shaped presentation. The M4, on the other hand, has a softer bass impact, a bit thinner midrange, but less recessed, and some extra emphasis in the upper midrange and lower treble region, with more limited stage. The M4 also shows a bit sense of grain and some unevenness in the treble area, whereas the Model seems to have fixed that issue. Micro detail is expectedly better on the Model 3, especially with a more clear source. Even though, I find the M4 much less source dependent and sometimes more enjoyable than the new option when it gets to the midrange area.

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-Introduction-​

The last encounter I had with Advanced Sound was a decent while ago, right around the release of their first IEM, the M4. That was their freshmen release, and for the most part, they did a pretty good job. However, it’s always been part of Advanced Sound’s mission to create products that are, well, advanced. The Model 3, while not perfect, is an impressive product.

You can find the Model 3 here, on Advanced Sound’s official web store.

Disclaimer: This review is based upon a sample unit provided to me by a manufacturer or distributor in exchange for my honest opinion and un-edited words. I do not profit in any way from the writing of the review. I would like to thank Peter at Advanced Sound for sending me this review unit.

Preference and Bias: Before reading a review, it is worth mentioning that there is no way for a reviewer to objectively pass judgment on the enjoy-ability of a product: such a thing is inherently subjective. Therefore, I find it necessary for you to read and understand what I take a natural liking to and how that might affect my rating of a product.

My ideal sound signature would be an extended sub-bass with a leveled, but textured, bass. The mids should be slightly less pronounced than the treble, but still ahead of the bass. I prefer a more bright upper range.

Source: The Model 3 was powered like so:

PC optical out-> HifiMe 9018 SPDIF DAC -> 3.5mm out -> earphones

or

Nexus 6P -> Bluetooth -> earphones

All music was served as MP3 @320Kbps or as FLAC.

Please note that all critical listening is done over a wired connection for consistency and accuracy’s sake.

-Sound Signature-​

Initial Impressions:

Bass. That’s the first thing I noticed, as it’s a big departure from the M4’s sound signature. However, Advanced Sound’s “house sound” has always lain with their very satisfying and detailed treble, which is still present in the same form it took on the M4. Mids and vocals do have a very slightly warm coloration to them. It’s not super subtle, but isn’t too obvious either. Drumb beats are particularly good, with a solid impact and resonance. In fact, the Model 3 is among the best IEMs I’ve tested in terms of drum realism.

Treble: Songs used: White Flag, Midnight City, Outlands

The Model 3, while retaining much of the treble’s overall signature from the M4, does suffer a bit in comparison in terms of resolution. This is what naturally occurs when there are more frequencies at play at higher volumes. For example, in White Flag, some of the guitar strumming that was clear on the M4 is a little more pushed into the background on the Model 3.

Midnight City’s treble-bound synths were placed roughly in the middle of the mix, but remained surprisingly clear and dynamic.

From the moment that I fired up Outlands, I knew I was in for a ride. The M4 excelled at creating a convincing level of air and separation in the treble, and the Model 3 is no different. Tonality and timbre of the violins is good, and is on the level of some higher-end IEMs, something I give Advanced Sound props for.

Mids: Songs used: Flagpole Sitta, Jacked Up, I Am The Highway, Good Life

Anyone who’s heard Flagpole Sitta will understand that the song is quite energetic. However, it’s easy for the song to get a little too bleak and washed out. Thankfully, the Model 3 does a great job balancing the lower-mids with the rest of the song, and doesn’t compromise general transparency for for a meatier sound.

Jacked Up’s pianos had a decent hardness to them, indicating that the Model 3 has good speed of attack and decay in the mids. The guitar’s electric distortion came through very well, and meshed well with the song. In fact, the mids’ harmony made it feel more like I was attending a jam session than listening to a song on my earphones.

The vocals, as I mentioned earlier, have a slight warm coloration to them. Additionally, the vocals are placed pretty close to the rest of the mids, but still manage to stay in control, without feeling disconnected from the rest of the music.

Bass: Songs used: Lights, Gold Dust, 99 Problems (Hugo Cover), Leave Me

This was one of the categories I was most excited for, as I hadn’t yet heard what Advanced Sound was really capable of in the bass department. Needless to say, they delivered. While the bass is a little too strong for my tastes, it’s obvious how it could appeal to other, more bass-friendly, listeners.

The kick-drums of Lights and 99 problems were very lifelike, more so than most other IEM’s I’ve personally heard. But it doesn’t stop there. Be it a Green Day album, a Muse album, or a Alabama Shakes album, the Model 3 consistently delivers very satisfying drum beats.

“But wait! How does it do in electronic music? I’m all about that bass, you know”. Well, why didn’t you ask earlier hypothetical audience member? The Model 3 definitely has you covered. With a strong amount of both mid and sub-bass, you can be sure that the new underground EDM artist you found on Soundcloud will sound good through the Model 3. Taska Black’s “Leave Me” was a trip, and notably wetter than on my other preferred bass earphone, the Auglamour R8 (but in a good way). The same can be said for Gold Dust. That being said, the bass can become a little too boomy for me in some of my Rock and Alternative songs.

Clarity: Songs used: Throne, Map of The Problimatique, I’m Not Alright

Unfortunately, Throne didn’t perform too well on the Model 3. The vocal harmonies didn’t come through too well, and had some smudging. The upper register of the song was similarly tamed.

I’m Not Alright fared better, but still had some smudging issues during the very busy chorus. The background trumpets and violins did have some difficulty cutting through the mix as well, though still audible in the back of the mix.

-Packaging / Unboxing-​

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-Build-​

Construction Quality

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[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)] I was impressed with build quality once I picked up the Model 3 — not because it exudes the premium qualities of a more expensive product, but because Advanced Sound managed to keep the build quality overall pretty good despite the aggressively low pricing of the Model 3. Let me elaborate.

The driver housings of the Model 3 are build from a hard transparent plastic. It’s textured, making it easy to grip. The nozzles are also solid.

The wired cable is made from a simple plastic, and is thinner than your average cable. This, however, does not make it feel cheaper or more frail, which is a plus.

The Bluetooth cable is where the build of the Model 3 really begins to shine. Since the Model 3 is designed to work with both the wired and Bluetooth MMCX cable, Advanced couldn’t really but all the components necessary for a wireless earphone where most other companies would but them: inside the driver housing. This lead them to design the Model 3’s Bluetooth cable so that it looks like it does. While confusing to use at first, taking a second look reveals, in my opinion, quite good judgement of the Model 3’s designers’ part. You are supposed to wear the Model 3 with the control unit hanging in front of you like a necklace, while the magnetically clasping charging port / battery container goes behind your neck. It’s pretty nice once you get used to it, as it feels more secure than you standard Bluetooth earphones.



The inline controls are also interesting. The housing is made of a matte soft-touch black plastic, while the actual buttons are made from a translucent black plastic with a glossy finish. Underneath the buttons are a couple LEDs that illuminate when the device is at low battery, charging, etc.

The actual cabling is decent as well. The cable from the battery to the controls is covered in a cloth, while the cable the battery to the driver housings is made from a grey rubberized material.

Connectivity / Batter Life

Advanced quotes some decent battery life specs. With a charge time of 1.5 hours and playback time of up to 5 hours, the Model 3 is certainly no slouch. The Model 3 charges over Micro-USB, so chances are, if you forget or loose your included cable, someone else will have one for you to borrow.

Interestingly enough, the Model 3 comes with both a wired MMCX cable, and a Bluetooth 4.1, aptX enabled MMCX cable. This versatility is quite freeing once you get used to it. I can quickly and easily switch from a wired connection for my critical listening, to a Bluetooth one for my workouts.

I am a little worried though. Switching between cables frequently accelerates what is an already notable speed of deterioration of the MMCX ports on the driver housings. However, Advanced has got us covered. They offer a 3 year limited warranty for the U.S.

My only issue so far has been that after initially pairing the Model 3 to my Nexus 6P, there is a good amount of stuttering before my music can actually start playing. After that, however, I have no playback problems.

Controls

There’s a lot of functionality built in to the controls of the Model 3. Here are the functions:

1. Skip Track
2. Previous Track
3. Play / Pause
4. Answer Call / Hang Up
5. Increase / Decrease Volume
6. Call last known number

Additionally, when you get a call, the controls will read off the number of the incoming caller.

Comfort

The Model 3 is made to be worn over-the-ear style, Advanced Sound included an ear-guide to help secure the driver housings when you are moving around. The driver housings are small, so this keeps it securely in place, even during my rock-climbing and BMX sessions. Do bear in mind though, the Model 3 is not sweat or water resistant, so exercise with it at your own risk.

I’ve yet to have any comfort or seal issues with the Model 3 given the generous amount of memory foam included with the Model 3.

-Accessories-​

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[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)] Advanced really didn’t skimp out on the accessories. Included in the packaging are:

1. 3 pairs of memory foam eartips (small, medium, large)
2. 3 pairs of silicone eartips (small, medium, large)
3. Bluetooth 4.0 MMCX cable
4. 3.5mm MMCX cable
5. Micro-USB cable
6. Semi-hard carrying case

The case is pretty good too. It’s spacious enough to store literally every single accessory included with the Model 3, but is still reasonably sized for on-the-go use. It feels pretty tough as well.

-Summary-​

For $80, the Model 3 is a solid choice for someone looking for the best of both the wired, and the Bluetooth worlds, so long as they don’t mind a bassy sonic presentation. While a version of the Model 3 with a little bit less bass and an updated Bluetooth chipset certainly couldn’t hurt, I think that in it’s current state the Model 3 won’t disappoint.

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Above is my video review of the earphones, including how they are worn: Like, Subscribe and Comment!
 
I know what most are probably thinking… They look a lot like a the Shure SE215. In many ways they are! I’d like to think of them as a Bluetooth Se215, which can be very desirable in today’s “headphone-jackless” world (I’m looking at you, IPhone 7). 
However, they also come with the standard “wired” cable, that we are all familiar with. As you probably guessed, the Model 3 has detachable cables (catering to both the “old school” wired and the “modern day” wireless listener).
Disclaimer- I was provided with the Model 3 earphones from Advanced for review.
 
Accessories and Features:

1. Hard-shell carrying case
2. 3 sets of silicone eartip (only S and M)
3. 3 sets of foam eartips (overly fast expanding foam)
4. 1 wired mmcx cable with a 1 button remote/mic
5. 1 mmcx Bluetooth cable with a neck-charging dongle – with range up to 10m and a battery life of 5 hours (connecting via magnet)
6. Green micro USB cable (Amazingly made cable, supple, and well relieved)

Accessories: 7/10 (I would like a bit more variety (double/triple and different shapes) (and sizing) for the eartips
*note for this review I used the westone star tips (I was able to get a much better seal with them, then what came in the box)
Features- 9/10 (can easily go wired or wireless in a (mmcx) snap) pun intended
 

 
 
Design:
The Model 3 was “modeled” (pun) after the generations of ergo-fit stage monitor style that’s popularized after customs, the Model 3 turned to a cross hatched, transparent earpieces. (I’m very lukewarm with the cross hatched design, but the transparent housing allowed for viewing the inside the earpieces was very interesting!)
Overall: 7/10
 
    
 
 
Build Quality:
The earpieces are made of entirely plastic, however my concern lies mostly on the long and thin nozzle, require a bit of care when removing them from the ear (or when changing eartips).
The detachable  (universal) mmcx cable sockets feel nicely made, sturdy and solid. I never had any issues with the (a shoddy) connection with either of the provided or my previously owned mmcx cables.
The Bluetooth cable is long and beefy (with a fixed memory shape). The cable is very thick and the buttons have nice click to them.
I have a few criticisms towards the Bluetooth cable that include:

1. Improving the tactility between the buttons, (maybe with a raised top and bottom button? Or including big tactile bump to prevent “misclicking” the wrong button)
2. Another criticism is that I felt the earguide section connecting the earpieces to the Bluetooth receiver is a few inches too long (the cable tends to flop around when turning  the head).
3. Maybe also replace the current fixed earguides with more flexible ones (to easily mold them according to the user’s preference).

While, the stock/wired cable very nicely reinforced at the headphone termination, the majority of cable itself while lightweight (carrying no cable noise) is quite thin.  (I would have liked a slightly thicker cable).
Overall: 8/10
    
 
 
 
Comfort:
Ridiculously comfortable! They felt the closest, (I would imagine) to custom- in ears. They slip into my ears easily and I could easily lie on my side with them. I can definitely see myself using them on stage (if I was a performer), simply because they can be used for hours on end because of their smooth and seamless fit.
Overall: 10/10
 
  
 
 
Isolation:
Scarily good! Dangerously good (with the right tips), I used the westone star tips (the foam tips included expanded too quick), and I was in between the sizes for the included silicone ones. Hence, why  I used the westone star tips
The completely enclosed earpieces, fend off outside noises with ease.  (with the added Bluetooth conveniences, I easily used during commutes).  
Overall: 10/10
         
 
 
 
 
Sound Quality:
Advanced has clearly designed and tuned the Model 3 to be a good wired earphone first, that just happens to have a “Bluetooth or a wireless” functionality. To that I they have succeed!
The Model 3 sounds very rich and work well for jazz and vocal centric music.
 
Bass:
The bass is full with a chunky mid bass, with solid extension down low.
 
Midrange:
The warm midrange sounds bit veiled but voices have great body, that sounds very smooth and soothing. Sometime, the Model 3 can be a bit too smooth, especially restricting female vocals from “soaring” in a sense, thus sounding a bit restrained.
 
Treble:
The treble is very laid back, and can sound dark and somewhat lacking shimmer. However, I would be hesitant to call them completely rolled off, maybe just conservatively so. I would imagine this tuning to be favored when performing on stage (where they would be used at higher volumes for music play back and monitoring, thus the listener would not be bombarded with aggressive and sharp treble after a long extended concert).
 
An admirable trait for Model 3, is that I felt Advanced did a wonderful job matching the “Bluetooth” with its “wired” configuration.  The Model 3 sonically bested my very popular Bluetooth set, the ($169-200) Jaybird Freedoms, easily twice the price.
Quick comparison to the Sennheiser Momentum In Ear ($99)
The Momentums while boasting more clarity doesn’t sound as full and natural as the Model 3. The bass appears to be better extended on the Momentums, with less mid-bass bloat. Piano keys seem to jump out a bit more on the Momentums, where as the Model 3 is a bit more reserved, and sound more closed.
Overall: 8/10
 
    
 
 
 
Conclusion:
As the world continues going more and more wireless, audio companies have to keep up. However, its nice to see that Advanced still has considerations for the “old school purists” out there, by designing the Model 3 to easily swap between its Bluetooth and it’s wired configurations.  A versatile product that would make for a great holiday gift!
 
Possible feedback:
A shorter upper half (silver section) connecting the earpieces the charging dongle (maybe 1-1.5 inches shorter). --> and maybe forgoing the  ear guides entirely
Changing the layout of the Bluetooth controls  (for better tactility, raising the bottom and top button considerably, or adding a large bump to each button). Preventing incorrectly using controls.
This can probably be changed via the firmware- but instead of long pressing to increase/decrease the volume, changing it to a short press. Therefore, swapping it out with the media controls (fast- forward,rewind  by long pressing). (I’m not sure why Advanced chose to do this differently from the rest of the industry.)
 
 
            

Welcome to the review of  wireless + Wired High resolution in ear monitors Advanced Model 3.
 
Disclaimer:
This headphones were a sample provided by Advanced team for my review. I am not affiliated with M4 in anyway or getting any financial assistance from Advanced team for my review.
 
About me:
I am an electronics engineer and a Product analyst (Software Industry) by profession. My undying love for music and hunt for new headphones in market has lead to own below 
Fiio X1 player
Fiio A3 Amp
Shure SE215 in ear
audio technica ath-m40x
Harman Kardon IENC in ear
Harman Kardon AE in ear
JBL TMG81BL Tim McGraw Artist Series On Ear Headphones
Knowledge Zenith (KZ) ED9 in ear
AKG K451 on ear
Velodyne vleve
Klipsch R6
Samson Professional SR950 Closed Back Headphones
KZ ATE Copper Driver Ear Hook HiFi in Ear Earphone Sport Headphones for Running with Foam Eartips with Microphone
Advanced M4
+ Advanced Model M3
 
About Advanced https://www.adv-sound.com/ 
 

Some real Life pictures 

Packing

What it contains

Accessories

1. 1 MMCX Bluetooth cable (wireless)
2. 1 MMCX 3.5mm cable (wired)
3. 3 pairs of green memory foam tips
4. 3 pairs of black silicone tips
5. 1 premium carrying pouch
6. 1 microUSB charging cable

Technical Specifications

 

Driver Unit	Custom Tuned Single Dynamic Drivers
Impedance	16 Ohm+/-15%
Sensitivity	100dB+/-3dB at 1kHz
Frequency Response	Super Wideband 20Hz – 40kHz
Music/talk Time (Wireless)	up to 5 hours
Charging Time	1.5 hours
Bluetooth Version	4.1 + aptX®
Connection Distance	10m (33ft)
Input Port	MicroUSB, DC 5V/60mA
Working Current	10-19mA
Voltage	3.7V
Cord length (Wired)	1.2M
Plug (Wired)	3.5mm Gold Plated

 

Build Quality

M4 was the first model launched by Advanced team and they have set a new benchmark in build quality of in ear monitors and in Model 3 the tradition continues. They offer 3 year warranty(I am not sure, which else electronics product has been offered a 3 year warranty, I am an electronics engineer and surely I will not offer that kind of warranty ) on their products, including Model 3 and once anyone feel the headphones in their hand,  they will understand why. 
It is solidly built. None of the components look or feel cheap. Transparent housings which can be switched between Wireless and Wired cable easily. Both wireless and Wired cables feels good in hand. 
Rock solid Carry case. Color co-ordinated Charging cable and Memory foam tips. I really could not find any compromise in the build quality.
 
Score: 5/5
 

Accessories

1. 1 MMCX Bluetooth cable (wireless)
2. 1 MMCX 3.5mm cable (wired)
3. 3 pairs of green memory foam tips
4. 3 pairs of black silicone tips
5. 1 premium carrying pouch
6. 1 microUSB charging cable

Really??? When it comes to accessories, Advanced team is really generous, You are getting a pair of Wired and Wireless MMCX cables, 3 pairs of memory ear foam tips (S, M and L), 3 pair of Silicone tips (S, M and L), 1 Premium carrying pouch (they really mean that premium word), 1 Micro USB charging cable.
 
(Rough Math - 3 pair of Memory foam tips (10-15$), MMCX wired cable with Microphone (25-30$), Carry case (20$ for sure).. Even with Minimum pricing the accessories easily add 50$. I am a business/Product Analyst and most of my analysis are based on ROI (return on Investment), fellas you already got your money back, they currently offering it for 79$)
 
Score 5/5

Comfort and Design

If I am not wrong, the design team is putting extra hours at Advanced office. To make sure, it does not pop out while running or exercising these guys have added an extra tube to the end of wireless cable. Clever ha!

The housings are very light and you don't feel it while wearing it and memory foam tips are always there to offer the comfort.
The volume control and Mike unit is designed like a pendant and looks cool when you wearing bright colored T-shirts. 
 
Detachable housings

 
 
Score: 5/5
 
The important Part.

Sound

For testing Purpose I played close to 4.5 hours of Soft Rock from Spotify on my iphone 6s+ in wireless mode and 7 hours Lossless music (Flac) from Fiio X1 (Best audiophile voice collection from 1993 to 2011) in wired mode. 
 
Wireless Mode:
I have used Jay Bird X2, Rambotech S5, Rambotech X1, LG Tone Pro and Moto Surround. Wireless earphones offer portability but the compromise is loss in sound detail (There will always be loss in transmission in wireless mode). I was expecting similar experience with Model 3 in wireless mode. I was quite surprised while listening to Soft Rock.
Model M3 offers a lot of detail. Soft Rock was a pleasure playing it from Spotify, This baby got plenty of Juice. You will love the experience.
 
When you read Model 3 features on advanced audio site, you can notice,
Hi-Res Audio Certified  |  What does it mean?
Advanced Model 3 in-ear monitors are certified by the prestigious Japan Audio Society (JAS) to produce frequency over 40,000Hz making it an essential part of high resolution audio (96kHz/24-bit) listening experience.
 
Unless you have a  right source (Flac Music files) and a High Resolution player (Tried and Tested Fiio X1 in my case), Human ear can hardly differentiate between high resolution and MP3 sounds (Sometimes you do notice the muffles).
 
When Paired with Fiio X1 and Flac Files, Model 3 you will realize it truly is high resolution earphones. The Bass is tight and Controlled, Mid range is smooth and beautiful (If you like female vocals then you are here for a treat), Highs are easy on the ears (M4 I could notice some distortion at highs). The Sound stage is spacious and points out the placement of instruments. Out of all the in ear headphones I have experienced none can match the sound this pair reproduces. 
 
Score 4.5/5

Isolation

The memory foams offer good isolation. There are no sound leaks unless you are in heavily crowded area.
 
Score 4/5
 

Battery 

I have received 4 hours 47 minutes and 4 hours 56 minutes of battery life in my first 2 wireless mode use. The specs mention a battery life of 5 hours.
 
Score 5/5
 

Mic

I have made calls during cycling and have taken couple of conference calls in wired mode. The other side parties could hear me clearly. No one really have complained.
 
Score 4.5/5
 

[size=20.007px]Conclusion[/size]

I am amazed at the Sound and build quality Model 3 offers, and to make the deal sweet you have plenty of accessories supplied with. There is no reason to dislike this. You ran out of battery, there is an option to change it to wired mode (The cable is free). You get more than you ask for. If you can see the score, Model 3 has passed with flying colors in all departments. 
 
You have a solidly built, beautifully sounding wireless/Wired in ear monitors for 79$. If anyone ask me for a good in ear monitors my suggestion will be Model 3. You will not be disappointed. 
https://www.adv-sound.com/collections/all-collection/products/model-3
 
Score 4.5/5
 

Competition

I can think of only Jay Bird X2. Couple of my colleague use X2 at office and borrowed Model 3 to check the performance. I could see the disappointment in their face for spending 100+ bucks..

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Preamble:

No, the “Model 3” isn’t a new car coming from Tesla Motors but an in-ear from ADVANCED, a New York based audio company that was formerly known as “ADV.SOUND”. Their first product, the M4 (, which I reviewed here), already managed to positively surprised me, and now the team is back with a new product, the ergonomically shaped Model 3 (https://www.adv-sound.com/collections/all-collection/products/model-3), which caught my interest because despite its quite competitive price, it features removable MMCX cables, with one of them being a Bluetooth module (that even supports aptX), so you are getting both the freedom of wireless audio as well as the reliability of a wired connection from the same in-ear, which I find an interesting idea.

But what you all are probably more interested in is how the in-ears sound, aren’t you? So let’s move on.


Before I go on though, I want to thank ADVANCED for sending me a sample of the Model 3 free of charge for the purpose of an honest and unbiased evaluation.


Technical Specifications:

Price: $79.99
Driver Unit: Custom Tuned Single Dynamic Drivers
Impedance: 16 Ohm+/-15%
Sensitivity: 100dB+/-3dB at 1kHz
Frequency Response: 20Hz – 40kHz
Music/talk Time (Wireless): up to 5 hours
Charging Time: 1.5 hours
Bluetooth Version: 4.1 + aptX®
Connection Distance: 10m (33ft)
Input Port: MicroUSB, DC 5V/60mA
Working Current: 10-19mA
Voltage: 3.7V
Cord length (Wired): 1.2 m
Plug (Wired): 3.5mm Gold Plated


Delivery Content:

The Model 3 arrives in a nicely designed outer package (with nice pictures, an exploded view on the in-ear as well as its parts and an uncompensated frequency response chart) that contains a black inner package with magnetically closed lid. Inside, one will find the in-ear, two cables (one wireless module and one regular cable), a charging cable, three pairs of green foam tips (three sizes), three pairs of silicone tips (two sizes), a manual and last but not least a large and ADVANCED-branded carrying case that offers enough room for the in-ears as well as both cables and the charging cable.
 

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Looks, Feels, Build Quality:

The in-ear shells are transparent and resemble the ergonomic shape known from Westone and Shure models. The outer side is flat and has got a transparent mesh-pattern that looks nice and is unobtrusive.
Build quality is great and the in-ears feel really sturdy.
 

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The standard cable for wired connection is a regular thin cable with a single-button remote control and excellent strain relief near the 3.5 mm connector, however none directly at the in-ears or the y-split. It also doesn’t have a chin-slider. Personally, I would have preferred if a cable similar to the one used for the ADV.SOUND M4 was used, but as the in-ears have adopted standard MMCX sockets, any cable with the matching counterpart can be used.
 

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The cable with the wireless module is kind of a necklace cable with a remote control on the bottom and two “arms” that are the cables that lead to the ear pieces which have ear guides, however no memory wire. The clasp is magnetically closed and contains the charging port.
Build quality and appearance of the module are definitely not bad, however I am not a fan of the nylon-coated necklace as it will fray over time and soak sweat.


Comfort, Isolation:

The in-ear shape is, just as written above, very ergonomic and resembles Shure’s and Westone’s models, though with a somewhat different angle.
Shure in-ears are among the most comfortable for me and the Model 3 comes very close though I have to turn it a little to get the best seal.
Using the cable with the wireless module, I don’t get a good fit and no consistent seal because the lack of memory wire in the ear guides leads to the in-ears being pulled out after some time. With the regular cable though, this doesn’t happen and the seal is consistent.

The included silicone tips are quite sticky and manage to give you a good seal.
Talking about seal and isolation, the Model 3 doesn’t seem to be vented, at least I couldn’t spot any vent upon close inspection. Isolation is therefore high although a bit lower than with Shure’s or Westone’s models.


Operation (Bluetooth Module & iPhone 4):

The module contains three buttons – the centre one acts as power on/off respectively pairing and play/pause button while the other two skip tracks with a short click and change the volume with a long one. Double-clicking the centre button, the last called number is re-dialled.
During operation, a small multi-coloured LED behind the button is also blinking, indicating that the module is active.
Volume is rather on the higher side even with the lowest settings – personally, I really wouldn’t mind if the module’s lowest possible volume setting was lower.
 

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Sound:

The following detailed impressions are based on listening in wired mode. After them, you will find a shorter impression of the sound with the Bluetooth cable attached.

For listening, I mainly used the iBasso DX80 as well as Luxury & Precision L3 Pro in wired mode.

The largest included silicone tips were used for listening.

Tonality:

The Model 3 is a bassy in-ear with a strong midbass and a full and also warm root. The sub-bass isn’t really less present, however it doesn’t appear as forceful and is also softer. Lower vocals are on the mellower and warmer side but overall neither overly warm nor overly coloured and aren’t overshadowed by the strong bass while it does bleed somewhat into them.
The treble is overall really inconspicuous and more on the neutral side with probably just a small bump in the middle (5 kHz) and upper (10 kHz) highs.
The bottom end is quite obviously tailored for a full mainstream signature, however the realism and evenness in the mids and highs is something that definitely not every in-ear in this price range has – here, the Model 3 does definitely have an advantage over a good amount of other in-ears (in its price range). It does definitely sound more coherent and authentic than many in-ears below $100 and even below $200. However, personally, I would have wished the bass to bleed less into the root and to only become present when it really extends low.

Listening to sine sweeps, what I am hearing is the lows to start climbing from 700 Hz down to 120 Hz where the climax is reached in my ears. It then stays like this down into the sub-bass but as the lowest notes don’t appear to move as much air, the focus is a little more on the midbass and the full and warm root. Compared to a flat in-ear like the Etymotic ER-4S, the bass is almost 15 dB more present which is not just a little.
Between 1 and 3 kHz, I can hear a moderate dip that makes trumpets sound a little compressed, but the rest of the treble sounds very cohesive, natural and authentic. Above, the highs are pretty neutral and probably just show a slight and broad-banded elevation around 5 and 10 kHz. Above 14 kHz, the highs are losing quantity.

Resolution:

Resolution is pretty darn good for the price and very initially, I even thought it was (much) better because as mentioned earlier, this in-ear has got one advantage over many other models in its price range: its treble sounds really natural and even, wherefore notes are rendered more realistically which leads to the impression of higher resolution at first.
While resolution is really high for the price, upon closer inspection and direct comparisons with in-ears in the $150 to 200 range, it is revealed that the Model 3 sounds a little less detailed in the mids than them, but when compared to some of the better in-ears in the sub $100 range, it is definitely among the better/best of them and outperforms the average performers.
Honestly speaking, mainly because of the high authenticity, the Model 3 is already a really good deal at its selling price in my opinion, and even more so if considered that a Bluetooth module and regular cable come included as well. Though, one shouldn’t expect the fastest and cleanest bass which is no wonder though because of its quantity, but even toned down using an equalizer, there are quicker and more arid in-ears around.

Bass – the lows are the only weaker part of this in-ear when it comes to sound. Control is about average, but they are somewhat more on the softer and mellower side except for the upper bass that is relatively quick and firm. Fortunately though, decay isn’t too slow so the bass doesn’t sound smeary. I wouldn’t mind if the resolution of low notes was a little higher either because it is good but not as good as the treble’s and mids’ resolution.
Mids – speech intelligibility is good and vocals are revealed well and only slightly less detailed than with the SoundMAGIC E80. Layering in the midrange is rather impressive for the price and really surprised me the first time I put the in-ears into my ears.
Highs – a really strong part of the Model 3. Quick attack and release, good separation. Also quite natural and realistically presented. Cymbals decay a little quickly and trumpets appear a bit compressed due to the moderate dip in the presence range between 1 and 3 kHz, but that was it. Other comparable in-ears have more flaws in the highs. Compared to the SoundMAGIC E80, the Model 3 sounds noticeably more realistic and also somewhat more detailed in the highs. As I said, definitely one of the strongest points of this in-ear.

Soundstage:

The soundstage is quite remarkable in my ears – not only is it somewhat wider and deeper than average, but also precise, with very clear spatial cues. Spotting the exact position of single instruments in the imaginary room is quite easy and instrument separation is good, too.
Next to the high naturalness and authenticity in the mids and treble, this is definitely another really strong point of this in-ear.


Sound (wireless Bluetooth connection):

For the Bluetooth cable, I used my iPhone 4 which sends a clean, wireless AAC Bluetooth codec signal to the in-ears. The Hidizs AP60 with a really clean aptX Bluetooth transmission was used, too.

I’ve got to be honest, I didn’t really use the Bluetooth cable long at all (less than one and a half hour in total) because the use of memory-wire-less ear guides on the wireless module didn’t allow for a long lasting seal in my ears. What I would say is that sound quality is relatively close to the wired connection, however cymbal transients probably tended to sound minimally distorted/”spread” and the soundstage was a bit less precise. The product description also mentions that the wireless module contains custom DSP technology, and what I heard with it was indeed a brighter (however less realistic) treble and probably a bit less bloom in the fundamental range, but this might also be caused by a different angle in my ears (just as mentioned, because of the lack of memory wire in the ear guides, the in-ears didn’t stay in my ears very well with the wireless module), because no equalizer is used with this DSP as it seems but it is rather used to keep the distortion low at high volumes and to minimise hiss, at least that is what I was told upon request.

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In Comparison with other In-Ears:

The comparisons were made using a wired connection.
 

 

ADV.SOUND M4:
Tonally, both are quite the opposite – the M4 is bright sounding without a strong bass and the Model 3 has got a prominent and warm bottom-end with a more neutral treble response. Where the M4 has got the advantage is the cable which is just phenomenal.
The M4 has got the much brighter and leaner treble as well as the leaner mids with a tamed-down bass. When it comes to realism in the mids and treble, the Model 3 is the winner.
In the mids and treble, the Model 3 is the more detailed in-ear. In the bass though, while both are more on the softer side (the M4 probably a bit less due to its lesser quantity), the M4 sounds slightly more resolving in the lows.
The Model 3 has got the somewhat larger as well as audibly deeper soundstage and has got the more precise spatial cues, making it easier to spot the exact position of single instruments (in comparison, the M4’s soundstage appears a little smeared).

SoundMAGIC E80 (stock wide bore tips):
The E80 has got considerably less bass, about identically warm mids with less quantity in the lower root and a steeper, brighter upper treble (~ 8 kHz) because here it has a peak. In the middle highs around 5 kHz, it has a dip, making it a v-shaped in-ear but without an exaggerated bass.
The midrange of the E80 is just very slightly more detailed with direct comparison, however in the highs, the Model 3 has got the higher resolution and also sounds more even, realistic and authentic.
When it comes to bass (midbass and sub-bass), the E80’s is a little less soft and also a little more detailed, but it’s a close match. Surprisingly, the Model 3 is a bit faster in the upper bass.
In terms of soundstage, both have about comparable width with the Model 3 having more depth though and slightly more width, too. The Model 3 is the winner though when it comes to spatial cues, layering, instrument separation and placement.

TTPod T1 (non-E):
The TTPod has got considerably less bass and warmth and the brighter and leaner midrange as well as treble, making it more comparable with the ADV.SOUND M4.
The T1 has got the somewhat quicker bass attack and better control in the lows while both are similarly resolving down low. In the mids and treble, the Model 3 is the more detailed, harmonic and realistic in-ear.
The TTPod’s soundstage is just slightly wider with a little less spatial depth. The ADVANCED has got the more precise spatial reproduction with superior instrument placement, separation and more air around instruments.

SoundMAGIC E10 (stock wide bore tips):
The E10 has got less bass quantity but is the darker and warmer sounding in-ear with the darker and thicker mids.
Detail retrieval in the mids and treble is audibly better with the Model 3 which is also the somewhat higher resolving in-ear in the lows although both are comparably soft down low. With fast music though, the SoundMAGIC is giving in more and sounds blurry whereas the Model 3 lets you still hear single bass notes.
The E10’s soundstage is smaller and appears quite blurry and imprecise in comparison, without any real separation.

DUNU Titan 1:
The DUNU has got less bass quantity and is the brighter and leaner in-ear out of the two.
The Titan 1 has got the quicker bass attack and better control in the lows. In the midrange and treble, the DUNU is a little more detailed but it is surprisingly not that much. The difference between the two is however that the Model 3 is the more natural and even sounding in-ear in the treble, making it sound more authentic.
The Titan’s soundstage is somewhat larger in both directions. Instrument placement is comparably precise with both while separation goes to the DUNU when comparing both directly.

The E10 is a famous and quite good/solid contender in the $50 range and so the E80 is in the ~ $80 range, wherefore the Model 3 shows that it sets itself apart from that lower price range of the E10, aiming more for models in the range around/above $80-100+.


Conclusion:

Even without the Bluetooth module, the value would have been really good and is even better with it. Of course, because of the price, there just has to be a compromise between accessories and sound, however the main focus is definitely on the sound, making the ADVANCED Model 3 an in-ear with a good price-performance ratio with a powerful bass slam and a (considering the price range) detailed and especially really cohesive and natural midrange and treble, coupled with an airy and precise soundstage reproduction. The removable cables as well as the Bluetooth module are the cherry on the cake.
The disadvantage is however that the regular cable is not of the most impressive quality and that some things about the Bluetooth module could be more premium. At the price point, I don’t complain much though.


With my usual 70% sound for the price (87/100)/price-performance-ratio (93/100) to 30% accessories/build quality (76/100) weighting, I come to a conclusion of 4.29 out of 5 stars.

Greetings Head-fi!
 
Today we are going to be looking at the newest earphone from ADVANCED, the Model 3.
 
ADVANCED first appeared on the scene with the M4, a $39.99, crowdfunded, micro-driver earphone that delivers crystal clear sound, excellent build quality, and a whole lot of bang for the buck. It showed that this new startup knew what they were doing and could deliver a strong product in a competitive price range. Their next product was the 993 wireless speaker system. While I haven't had the chance to hear them, their reception has been unanimously positive.
 
With their third new model, ADVANCED took aspects of both of their previous products and combined them to bring us one heck of an earphone; the Model 3. It features a low profile design similar to those from Shure and Westone, a 6mm driver akin to the M4, and comes with two removable MMCX cables. The first cable is a standard 3.5mm audio cable. The second cable is where the fun comes in; Bluetooth 4.1, aptX, AAC codec support for Apple products, and 5 hours of play time following 1.5 hours of charging. Just looking at the stats the Model 3 seems like an excellent value when you take into consideration it only costs 79.99 USD. How does it perform in the real world? Let's find out.
 
Disclaimer:
 
I would like to thanks ADVANCED's co-founder Peter for providing the Model 3 in exchange for a fair and impartial review. I am not receiving any financial compensation for this review and all comments and views within are my honest opinions. They are not representative of ADVANCED or any other entity.
 
The Model 3 can be purchased here on their website; https://www.adv-sound.com/collections/all-collection/products/model-3
 
Additional Note:
 
ADVANCED reached out to reviewers to note that the ADV silkscreen and L/R markings on the inside of the housing were found to wipe off easily. They have halted sales of the Model 3 and have already started remaking the shells of remaining batches. Shipments are expected to resume on October 14th.
 
To be honest, seeing an email about this defect came as a surprise. Not because it is a big problem, but precisely because it isn't. I have numerous earphones that have been on sale for years with printed logos and L/R indicators that have worn off within the first week of use, and in some cases the first time I rubbed my finger against them pulling the product from my ear. Seeing ADVANCED take such an aggressive stand to address this, going so far as to halt sales for two weeks, says a lot to me about their values and integrity.
 
 

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Packaging and Accessories:
 
While the M4 was packaged nicely, it didn't do much to really stand out. The Model 3 kicks things up a notch and gives you a notably more premium unboxing experience.
 
The outer sheath does a stellar job of outlining what you should expect to find inside. The front panel is adorned with a high quality, glossy image of the Model 3 dangling mid-air. Since these meet the necessary requirements, you will find Japan Audio Society's (JAS) all-important 'Hi-Res Audio' logo proudly displayed in the bottom left hand corner. The left panel contains a more complete image of the Model 3 with the Bluetooth cable attached. The right panel contains the opening lines of ADVANCED's story;
 
"It was for the love of music. It was the respect for all musicians of the past, present and future. It was for the struggling instrumental buried under the heavy bass line. It was for the audiophiles craving that crystal clear and mind-blowing detail."
 
Normally I find statements like this nothing but marketing fluff, but based on my experiences with the M4 and Model 3, it is clear ADVANCED has taken this to heart and truly believes in their message.
 
The rear of the package overloads you with information; package contents with associated images, a blown up image of the Model 3 and the components that make it up, a description of what Hi-Res Audio certification means, vital stats, and a frequency chart. Despite there being a ton of information, it's laid out smartly and is easy to follow, however the writing is very small. If your eye sight is in need of improvement, this could prove to be an issue.
 
Removing the outer sheath reveals a simple matte black box with nothing printed on it except ADVANCED's new logo. Lifting the magnetically sealed flap from the right side and opening the box as you would a hardcover book, you are greeted by the Model 3 and the components of the Bluetooth cable pressed into a cleanly cut piece of dense foam. Below is ADVANCED's new hard shell carrying case, also adorned with their logo. To the left printed on the inner sleeve you just folded back are the words 'Break Free'. I'll do just that, thank you very much.
 
Lifting out the carrying case you find all the accessories are contained within, those being the wired 3.5mm MMCX cable, three pairs of green foam tips and three pairs of black silicone tips all in s/m/l sizes, and a microUSB charging cable. Also included is a compact instruction leaflet, similar to that provided with the M4. It contains all the information needed to understand the Model 3 and what it is capable of.
 
All of the accessories are of high quality, with a possible exception being the 3.5mm audio cable. It has some great qualities such as a very compact and well-relieved 90 degree angled jack, a complete lack of memory, and minimal microphonics. At the same time it is quite thin and delicate. Coming from the M4 and the hefty guage selected for the Bluetooth cable, it's pretty underwhelming. That said, this is still a minor concern given the Model 3 is intended to be used as a wireless earphone first, and a wired earphone second. As a backup cable, it works just fine. ADVANCED was also nice enough to ensure an inline mic was included, so you won't have to give up call control if the batteries run out on the Bluetooth cable.
 
Overall the Model 3's unboxing experience is outstanding. The materials look and feel like they belong on a more expensive product, the earphones are presented clearly and professionally, and it all feels very honest and open. The Model 3 isn't presented to you with promises that it can't deliver on.
 

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Build, Design, and Comfort:
 
When it comes to products nearing 100 USD, mediocre build and material quality are far more difficult to forgive than at lower price tiers. The Model 3 finds itself in a good place, using quality materials throughout.
 
The housings are all plastic but are quite thick and confidence inspiring. Inside the housing is a diamond-like texture which gives the Model 3 a nice aesthetic. Given they use clear plastic, this design motif is very subtle until inspected up close. The v-shaped ridge protruding from the outer facing portion of the housing perfectly nestles the tip of your finger allowing for easy insertion into your ear. With other low profile earphones, such as the Brainwavz XF-200, QKZ W1 Pro, Rhapsodio Clipper, etc. I spend a lot of time fiddling around trying to find the perfect seal. The Model 3's design and tip selection just works, and I've experienced no complications or hassles getting them to fit quickly and comfortably.
 
The only concern I have about the housings is the nozzle. They're made of fairly thin plastic in the style of Shure's SE215, and I worry that they might become brittle over time and snap off when changing tips. Time will tell if this is truly an area of concern, but it will be something to watch for.
 
The cables ADVANCED provided range from passable to great. Since I covered the quality of the 3.5mm cable in the previous section, we will look only at the Bluetooth one here. The Bluetooth cable is thick all the way through. The top portion is similar to the cables VSonic uses on the VSD3 and AN16, but is much heavier all while retaining excellent flexibility and low memory. It's almost as beefy as the KZ ZN1's cable, lovingly nicknamed the 'Fire Hose'. There is also a built in ear guide that works exceptionally well at keeping the cable in place behind your ear. Normally I find these annoying and unnecessary, but it's applied well on the Model 3. The lower portion of the cable is fabric covered. It retains the same heavy gauge as above, is tightly wound, and does not transmit much noise. I was pleased to see that it has not started to fray anywhere, something I've noticed happens pretty early on with most cloth cables.
 
The battery/electronics housing resides where you would normally find a standard y-split. It is slightly curved so it rests comfortably against your neck and is finished with a smooth, matte black coating. This portion splits into two pieces, the smaller of which houses the input for your microUSB cable. The two halves are held together via a reasonably powerful magnet. Where you would normally find a jack resides the mic and remote. The buttons are a shiny, piano black while the rest of the unit shares the same matte finish as the y-split. I wish the buttons depressed with a more tactile and noticeable click. They're a little spongy as-is, especially the centre play/pause button.
 
The Model 3 is one of the most comfortable earphones of this type I've come across. The housings completely fill my outer ear, and nestle in very securely. No amount of wild head shaking can unseat them. I truly hope ADVANCED comes out with an exercise focused version of the Model 3 that is sweat resistant. The extremely stable fit means these would be stellar for some intense workouts. They should still be fine for exercising as-is, especially when using the included small bore silicone tips, but added moisture resistance would be welcome. For those that like to sleep with earphones in, I found the housing too thick to be comfortable. That said your mileage may vary here especially if they fit more flush with your head than they do with mine.
 

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Call Quality:
 
The Model 3 handles phone calls pretty well. The centre button on the remote does exactly what it should, that being answer and end calls. A neat little feature that I wasn't expecting the first time I received a call was for it to read out the number. If only I bothered to memorize phone numbers nowadays...
 
Overall call quality was good though. My callers said I sounded fine without any intrusive background noise, it just sounded like I was in a confined space such as an elevator. I had no issues hearing those on the other end. Tapping on the cable produced a small bumping sounded on my callers end, but nothing too intrusive.
 
Battery Performance:
 
One aspect of wireless devices that drives me up the wall is the need to constantly recharge them or change batteries consistently. There is a reason why I went out of my way to find a wired XBox 360 controller and refuse to use a wireless mouse. Yeah, I'm a little old fashioned sometimes.
 
While the Model 3 doesn't have the greatest battery life at around 5 hours, that number is competitive. It's charge time is pretty quick at only 1.5 hours. I managed to run through the Model 3's battery three times since they arrived (including the initial charge out of the box). ADVANCED's claimed run and charge times seem to be spot on.
 
While I would like to see 6 to 7 hours of use before having to charge, the time the Model 3 runs has been good enough to get me through my day before the battery needs to be topped up.
 

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Connection Quality:
 
A Bluetooth headset that fails to connect consistently and hold that connection can be pretty annoying. If the drops are spaced far enough apart or occur only for the first few minutes, that's aggravating but livable. I tried three different phones with the Model 3; an HTC One M8, Motorola Moto G (1st Gen), and my trusty old Samsung Nexus S.
 
Pairing was easy, consisting of simply holding the centre button on the control module for a few seconds to turn the Bluetooth cable on, then a few more to start the pairing process. After starting the 'search device' process on my cell phone, all I had to do was select the Model 3 to connect. This process was entirely painless, except with my HTC One M8.
 
For whatever reason, over the last two weeks it has been running into some pretty serious Bluetooth issues. When the Model 3 connects properly, all is hunky dory. Luckily, this was an issue only present with the HTC and it did not affect the quality of sound. Motorola and Samsung's phones worked as expected. The connection was stable on all three phones with only minor millisecond hiccups once or twice an hour. Range was also pretty good, allowing me to stroll around my apartment at will without any connection issues. Once once I left my apartment and took a walk down to my neighbors door did the connection start to break.
 
Minus the occasional, almost unnoticeable connection drops, the Model 3 performs very admirably.
 

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Before the next section, let me preface my comments with the following. ADVANCED did not test this cable with competing products and cannot verify compatibility, nor do they necessarily recommend using it with anything but the Model 3. I tested this cable with three other earphones understanding that I was risking damage to the earphones and/or the Bluetooth cable. If you decide to try this cable with other products, YOU ARE DOING SO AT YOUR OWN RISK.
 
Cable Compatibility:
 
MMCX Bluetooth headphone cables seem to be gathering steam as of late and I totally get why. In theory you can take any audiophile grade MMCX compatible earphone and make it wireless. Admittedly, this is one of the reasons I was so interested in the Model 3 when I received a sneak peek a while back. For many of you reading this review, this cable might very well be the reason this earphone is on your radar. I had the opportunity to test it out with three different products; a 4-way hybrid that is not Head-fi friendly so details end there, a DIY earphone using Shure's SE215 housing and a 6mm driver, and the Rhapsodio Clipper.
 
I am pleased to confirm the cable worked fine with the Clipper and DIY. I didn't experience any issues with either. Both the Clipper and DIY sounded slightly warmer and smoother than when run with a 3.5mm cable, but otherwise sounded just as good as I expected. To my pleasant surprise the Clipper retained it's hilariously massive bass and could be driven to blisteringly uncomfortable volumes with ease.
 
The 4-way hybrid on the other hand didn't fare so well. While the dynamic driver did what it does without any interference, I noticed the balanced armature drivers struggling. They sounded very off, with noticeable popping and sound artifacts. I cut this listening session short for fear of damaging them. There have been no lasting negative effects from what I can tell.
 
So, there you go. My limited test with three different MMCX earphones had a 66.7% success rate. Do what you will with that information. Now, onto the most important part (finally!).
 

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Sound Quality:
 
Tips: While I really like the quality of the included foam tips they suffer from a flaw that made them unusable; expanding too quickly. I don't know how someone is expected to insert them when the moment you release your grip they're already nearly fully expanded. You'll have to look to another review for how the Model 3 sounds with them. Sorry ADVANCED. Apparently this has been looked into. Future releases will include tips that are less dense and should be more manageable. My comments on the included foam tips will be most relevant to early releases of the Model 3.
 
On the other hand, the included silicone tips are awesome and more than made up for the disappointing foam tips. The material is comfortable, sticky, and they seal amazingly well. I preferred to use the Model 3 with the standard mediums for 90% of my listening because they sounded great and isolated well. The remainder was done with the medium foam tips that came with the DIY SE215. These reduced bass and somehow made the treble even smoother. They would be my pick for exercising because they have a built in filter to keep out wax and water and isolated even better than the silicone tips.
 
Amping: I really didn't find any benefit other than making the Model 3 reach louder volumes than I could ever want, something the HTC One M8 and XDuoo X3 could already do without breaking a sweat.
 
So far the Model 3 has failed to disappoint. How do they sound? Outstanding of course, and that comment applies regardless of whether you are using them wired or wireless.
 
The Model 3 takes a bit of a departure from the M4. If you were expecting a similar sound, wired use will be more up your alley. I found the M4 to edge towards a more more cold, analytic sound focusing primarily on treble and midrange with bass that rolled off before getting into the fun stuff, i.e. those thundering subbass regions. With dialed down bass that puts focus on their clear, detailed sound, the M4 does a good job of giving you that "Hi-Fi" sound on a budget. The Model 3 is just as technically impressive as the M4, if not more so, it just has more fun in the process. Since bass presentation is the biggest departure from ADVANCED's previous earphone, let's start there.
 
I was hoping the Model 3 would bring more low end to the party than the M4. Ho boy, do they ever deliver. While they don't offer up silly levels of bass like the aforementioned Rhapsodio Clipper, the Model 3's bass is undeniably boosted. That said, the balance is quite nice and works well with a wide variety of music, though it does occasionally come across a bit overwhelming on tracks that don't need the low end. Despite being silky smooth, it can still give you lots of detail and texture if that's what the song dictates. You're not losing out on the finer nuances.
 
The Model 3's driver is also pretty speedy, able to handle some quick transitions and complicated drum pieces with relative ease, not unexpected given they're using a 6mm micro driver. Decay and timbre are also spot on, and to me better even JVC's HA-FXT90 which are well-known for these qualities.
 
The Model 3 is a warm sounding earphone and I feel this does nothing but benefit the midrange, especially with female vocals, wind instruments, and pianos. They all sound so natural and infectious. Males vocals don't fall far behind either. Give Pink Floyd's 'Us and Them' a go. My favorite Supertramp track 'Rudy' sounds so good through the Model 3 I spent nearly half an hour listening to the same ~7 minutes on repeat. In fact, this earphone breaths a lot of life back into many prog rock classics.
 
I'm somewhat picky about my treble in that I like like it tight and precise. The Model 3 achieves this while continuing the trend of being effortless and tranquil. It never comes across harsh, fatiguing, or sibilant, despite having pretty good extension. It also has a bit more body to it than many micro-drivers, yet it still manages to maintain a light and airy feel.
 
They even have a pretty good soundstage, though they excel most in depth over width and height. They're one of the few earphones that make me take them out every once in a while thinking something is happening behind me, or I was being called upon by my wife when in actuality it's just the song. It doesn't happen as often as with earphones like the Havi B3 Pro 1, Accutone Taurus, or Dunu Titan 1, but this is a Bluetooth headphone. I was expecting something a little more confined. This larger than average soundstage also permits some good imaging and instrument placement giving you the impression that you're getting up close and personal with the band.
 
Detail and clarity is also pretty darn good, improved upon when used with the 3.5mm cable. The Bluetooth cable softens the Model 3's edges and boosts bass slightly. Running them wired, their sound falls more in line with the M4. Treble takes on a greater presence, they sound sharper and more precise, bass is reduced, and their overall presentation is a touch thinner. That said, they're still unbelievably lush making the M4 sound somewhat grainy and unrefined when listening to the two back-to-back.
 
Overall the Model 3 surprised me with how good they sound. While they have a warm, bassy signature, I feel they play in the same league as Dunu's Titan, JVC's FXT90 and FXH30, Havi's B3 Pro 1, and other like heavy-hitters. What impresses most is that they are intended to be used primarily as a Bluetooth earphones and the above comparisons are still apt.
 
Final Thoughts:
 
I went into the Model 3 with what I felt were unrealistically high expectations. I wanted amazing build quality, sound that would compete with 100 USD earphones, and a flawless Bluetooth connection. For the most part, my lofty expectations were met.
 
I have reservations about the nozzle thickness, wish the wireless connection wouldn't cut out for a brief and negligible millisecond every hour, and detest the included foam tips because they expand too quickly, but that's about it. The secondary cable is just that meaning it's easy to look past the thinness and potential fragility because it's not meant to be used all the time.
 
If Apple's past history is any indication the deletion of the 3.5mm jack from the iPhone 7 is likely to spread to competing products. ADVANCED is setting themselves up to take full advantage of this with the Model 3. The unboxing experience is great, the earphones themselves are attractive, they have some great features, quality accessories, are well built, and the sound quality is outstanding. Their pricing is aggressively low and they're being released right before the holiday season kicks into full gear. Do you see where I'm going with this?
 
I think ADVANCED has a winner on their hands.
 
Thanks for reading!
 
- B9Scrambler
 
 
Test Albums/Tracks
 
BT - This Binary Universe
Gramatik - The Age of Reason
Hail Mary Mallon - Are You Going to Eat That?
Infected Mushroom - The Legend of the Black Shawarma
Daft Punk - Random Access Memories
Skindred - Roots Rock Riot
Massive Attack - Mezzanine
The Crystal Method - Tweekend
Aesop Rock - None Shall Pass
The Prodigy - The Day is My Enemy
Gorillaz - Plastic Beach
Grand Funk Railroad - Inside Looking Out

Advanced Model 3 - Bluetooth, Bass, Go

Advanced Model 3 is a bluetooth IEM from Advanced, a rather large and consumer-friendly company with a slightly fun name. They have produced good stuff in the past, so we're eager to hear how a pocket-friendly model like Model 3 sounds like.







Introduction

Advanced is a friendly and reliable company from USA, experimented in producing IEMs and Headphones. They have more recent and more expensive models out there, but for now we're taking a look at their Model 3, a really interesting headphone just released, that should prove to be pretty fun. With Bluetooth and a very portable fit, they promise to bring some fun to their users. Advanced, as a company, is trustable and very supportive to their customers, at least this is what we'd say from our interaction with them so far.

It should be noted that I have absolutely no affiliation with Advanced, I am not receiving any incentive for this review or to sweeten things out. This review is not sponsored nor has been paid for by Advanced or anyone else. I'd like to thank Advanced for providing the sample for this review. The sample was provided along with Advanced's request for an honest and unbiased review. This review will be as objective as it is humanly possible, and it reflects my personal experience with Advanced Model3. Every opinion expressed is mine and I stand by it, the purpose of this review is to help those interested in Advanced Model3 find their next music companion.



About me

https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.ro/p/about.html



Packaging

First things first, let's get the packaging out of the way:







The package is fairly consistent and provides good support and protection for Model3. Contrary to most budget-oriented IEMs and Headphones we reviewed lately, Model 3 comes with quite a few accessories in the box.

For beginners, they are a Bluetooth IEM, so they have a Bluetooth Module included in the package. They also have two sets of cables, detachable cables via MMCX connections, and a USB cable for charging the Bluetooth Module.





Of course, there is also a normal cable, single ended, 3.5mm, which works with virtually anything. This cable is very nice because it has good quality and seems to be free of microphonic noise.

The Bluetooth module is pretty useful and trendy, it locks behind the neck, so all its weight rests on the neck instead of resting in one point and dragging your IEMs.

There are tips, both silicone and foam tips, in the same package. The foam tips are green in color, a bright green, while the silicone tips are black. They are no Comply and no Spinfit tips, but they are really good in quality, and much better than most budget IEMs come with.

It is hard to give Model 3 any rating but golden for their package, it feels really well-thought and all-inclusive, and it has a very pocket-friendly price.



What to look in when purchasing an entry-level In-Ear Monitor

https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.ro/p/what-to-lookl.html



Technical Specifications

Driver unit - Custom-tuned single dynamic driver
Impedance - 16ohm+/-15%
Sensitivity - 100dB+/-3dB at 1kHz
Frequency response - Super Wideband 20Hz – 40kHz
Music/talk time (Wireless) - Up to 5 hours
Charging time - 1.5 hours
BT version - 4.1 + aptX®
Connection distance - 10m (33ft)
Input port - MicroUSB, DC 5V/60mA
Working current - 10-19mA
Voltage - 3.7V
Cord length (Wired) - 1.2M
Plug (Wired) - 3.5mm Gold Plated



Build Quality/Aesthetics/Fit/Comfort

The main IEM body is made out of plastic, with a plastic shell and it is mostly plastic all-around. In fact, it is hard to say that it has anything that isn't plastic, except for the drivers and the connectors, which are metallic. This is nothing bad, since the plastic is transparent and looks pretty modern, along with looking a bit geeky. The outer shell has a model on it, but it still lets you see inside the IEM, although the drivers do sound much more impressive than they look like.









Let's start with the Aesthetics, Model 3 looks like a geeky - trendy piece of equipment made of transparent plastic, which would sit well with all audiences, be it metalheads, rappers or even those who might consider themselves hipsters. The aesthetics simply fit well with everything because the design is simple, yet cool and effective.

The IEM shell is connected to a cable via an MMCX cable, and you get two cables, one that is based on a Bluetooth Module, and one that is Single Ended, which connects to virtually anything that has a 3.5mm output.

The build quality is quite good, the MMCX connectors are neither too tight nor too loose, the IEM shell is impossible to scratch or break (at least with normal usage), the cables are thick enough to feel trustworthy, they are neither too springy nor too loose, they both have good lengths for their intended usages, there are no microphonic noises, and the earphones work well.

When it comes to fit, Model 3 is an earphone that can be worn only over-the-ear, thing which means that you get the increased noise isolation and comfort that comes with this wearing style. In fact, those are as good as Shure Top-Of-The-Line IEMs when it comes to their comfort and fit, they have a deep ift that feels incredibly comfortable, and if you don't like silicone tips, you can always use the foam tips included in the package. The foam tips are soft, but have good build quality, and they seem to be able to last you even more than Comply tips usually last a user (which is on average a few weeks).The main downside to comfort can be the driver flex, which happens sometimes when using Model 3. It doesn't happen after they have been inserted, and all companies whose IEMs had driver flex in the past have stated that it does not damage the IEM, but it should be taken into account.

The comfort is complimented by the noise isolation, which is also excellent, you are cut off from the outside world, and exploring the suburban areas near Bucharest feel like fun as you're surrounded by music and no distractions.



Sound Quality

The title gives this one away, but Model 3 is a basshead's IEM. The highlight of this little IEM is the bass. The bass is also the shadow, and everything in between. There's so much bass that the bass gets super bass-tastic!



On a more serious note, since it is a IEM that doesn't look quite that imposing, we weren't exactly expecting it to be so bassy. The good part though, is that it isn't just a little bassy, it explodes. The whole sound is quite dynamic, has excellent detail, and overall, it is extremely enjoyable.

Let's start with the bass. The bass is deep, it is natural-to-slow, and it is very very impressive. The quantity of the bass is higher than the quantity of the midrange and the treble, but somehow it manages to not darken the midrange too much, and one can most certainly say that the midrange is clear, although less in amount, but it stays free of bass's influence. One thing that does happen though, is that the whole sound is pretty thick. The bass is also rather thick, so its decay is natural to slightly slow, bass notes feel long-lasting, they feel deep, and they feel impressive. The bass extension goes as deep as one can imagine and want, and overall, it is a clean and high-quality bass. Its resolution is also in line with other IEMs priced similarly.

The mirange, is thick, clear, detailed and pretty vivid. The dynamics are really good, mostly thanks to the bass, but the midrange tonality is not spot-on, it tends to be slightly thick in nature, so some female vocals feel a bit underexposed, especially compared to thicker and lower male vocals. This seems to be true for most upper midrange instruments and voices, piano and violins also being slightly less in volume, than a guitar is for example. While this is not a very big issue for most music, and most people might actually prefer this type of presentation since it lets one ramp up the volume pretty high, and listen quite loud, this can be an issue if you prefer to listen to overly emotional tracks, especially if you prefer sad music.

The treble is pretty smooth and recessed, slowly rolls continuously, until the highest cymbal crashes and splashes end up being smooth and calm rather than energetic and explosive. This also translates to a wonderful experience for those who prefer to listen to smooth music, and for those who don't want a bright signature, as Model 3 is pretty opposed to what we'd call bright, it is a smooth, dark sounding IEM with a lot of bass and a tasty midrange, and with a very well-mannered treble.

The other thing you should notice about it is that it works really really well with almost anything you throw at it. Model 3 simply sounds pretty interesting with a wide variety of music, and as long as the song isn't sad, almost anything goes for them. The thick bass helps quite a bit with this, as it makes most music impactful.



Soundstage

The soundstage of Model 3 is fairly good. It extends well and doesn't feel constrained, or in-your-head, but it doesn't go quite that much out of it either. To put it simply, it sounds fair and natural.

The good part about this is that the instrument separation is fairly good. In fact, it is so good that we'd be happy to listen to them for long periods of time without complaining that instruments cross each other, they basically separate well. The smoother top end limits the width expansion on the soundstage size, but the instrument separation, especially when it comes to bass notes and the midrange based instruments, is really good.

While not as shocking as Dragon2+ was, because we expected less from it, Advanced Model 3 has a good soundstage that is quite enjoyable. It can be named larger than IEMs focusing on separation more than soundstage width, thing which should work well with a varied music selection.



ADSR / PRaT

The ADSR and PRaT (Texturization) is slow to natural, meaning that textures are generally rendered smooth and songs like those of Mindless Self Indulgence have their textures rendered generally natural with the micro-textures being extremely smooth, and the macro-textures being easier to notice, but still pretty smooth. This works very well with music like hip-hop, and it helps with instruments where textures can sound a bit hard, like trumpets for example, making jazz liquid and soft, but with music like metal, it can make certain guitars a bit too smooth, and especially rough and aggressive metal can feel friendly.



Portable Usage

The portable usage is excellent.

Not only there is nothing to complain about Model3, they are actually some of the best IEMs in the world when it comes to their portable usage.







Starting with their shape, they are deep-fit IEMs with an excellent overall comfort, they have a very ergonomic shape, they are small enough to fit well in most ears, and they come with good cables.

The cables are two in number, and one of them is even Bluetooth! This feature alone makes Model 3 a pretty amazing purchase, you can run, and you can to strength training with those IEMs, without ever having to worry that they'll fall out of your ears or that they might break or scratch. They simply sit there without an issue, and the bluetooth cable is pretty well designed, it can lock around your neck, providing a good method for keeping it in check, via a small magnet.

Neither cable has any kind of microphonic noise, and both cables are good in their build quality. The cable connectors are both MMCX-based, which means that you shouldn't experience any issue when changing cables.

The IEMs themselves isolate well to very well from the outside noise, providing an excellent experience while outside, even in the noisiest places in Bucharest.

The battery life for the BT module is in line with other similar products, around 5 hours, give or take, and given the really tiny size of it, we're quite happy to say that we're pretty satisfied.

The other thing you might need to consider when using Model 3 is that it actually has APT-X. This is unbelievably good for a product that costs as little as Model 3, which is around 80 USD, so we're very impressed with it. With APT-X, music sounds much better, and all on an ultra-portable device.

Advanced Model 3 is not very picky with its source, so you can safely use it with your smartphone and get an excellent experience, it has good synergy with almost anything, unless that thing is extremely warm or smooth, situation in which its smooth and warm character together with the source might become too much.



Comparisons

We only reviewed a few IEMs with similar price and abilities as Advanced Model 3, so we'll try to compare it to relevant IEMs.



Advanced Model 3 vs Westone WX - This is probably a decision most people will have to make when it comes to it, as Westone WX has a very similar build quality, psychology, bluetooth, and even fit type, but not price, WX being almost twice the price of Model 3 at the moment of writing this review. Starting with their packages, both are similar, both come with a good amount of accessories, but Model 3 comes with a better carrying case for protecting the IEMs. When it comes to their bluetooth modules, where most of the differences are, WX has a more compact bluetooth module, which connects in a different way, both have APT-X, and both are really well made. Both have similar bluetooth working ranges, and both react similarly, but Model 3 tends to have a battery life closer to 5 hours, while WX tends to have a battery life closer to eight hours, so almost double. The sonic performance is quite similar, with WX having a bit more definition for each musical note, and a slightly quicker driver, resulting in a cleaner sound, but as we said, it has the same baseline tuning, the main differences between WX and Model 3 being that Model 3 has a slightly better sonic performance and a considerably better battery life. Westone WX has a smaller IEM body, so it may provide better comfort, especially for those with smaller ears and looking for a slight better fit, but both IEMs are champs in comfort.

Advanced Model 3 vs Kinera Seed - From the start, those two IEMs are fairly different. Kinera Seed is a wired IEM, with a V-Shaped sonic signature, while Advanced Model 3 is a Bluetooth IEM with a bassy and smooth signature. The package is better on Advanced Model 3, having a larger number of tips, and a bluetooth cable. The comfort is quite similar, although Model 3 has a smaller IEM body, so it provides better comfort in the long run. The build quality is better on Model 3 because they have a particular cable made for them, while Kinera Seed's cable is an OEM that doesn't fit entirely with the IEM shell. Other than those differences, both IEMs sound similar in detail and soundstage, but Kinera Seed has more treble, and its midrange is pushed back, while Model 3 is bassier and has more bass, mid-bass, and midrange presence. Both IEMs have good overall clarity and both have similar transient response. In all fairness, both are great choices for someone looking for a fun experience, and both are good value, but Kinera Seed is actuall 30 USD cheaper than Model 3, being roughly 50 USD at the moment of writing this review.

Advanced Model 3 vs Shozy Hibiki - While Kinera Seed was 50 USD, Shozy Hibiki is around 60 USD. Shozy Hibiki is actually very different when compared to Model 3 in terms of sound, but let's start with the build quality and the package. In package, Hibiki doesn't come with any carrying solution, and has very few tips included in the package, but happily, the tips that are included are pretty good in quality. Hibiki has a good build quality, and it is comparable to Model 3, everything fits in perfectly, and they look great. Hibiki is larger in size and might not be as comfortable for small ears, but other than that, neither IEM doesn't have microphonics, and while Hibiki doesn't driver flex, Advanced Model 3 has some. The sonic performance is similar in quality, but Hibiki has a slightly wider soundstage, with Model 3 having slightly more instrument separation. The largest difference comes from the way each presents music, Hibiki being a pretty mid-centric IEM, where Model 3 is a pretty bassy IEM. This means that Hibiki will sound like the bass and treble are less in amount when compared to the midrange, leading to a more forward and aggressive sound, while Model 3 will sound thicker, with a more prominent bass, with a clear taste for making music thick and lush. Each is a great option, and here, the choice will depend on more factors than on the inclusion or exclusion of the Bluetooth module, as those two IEMs are quite different in sound as well.



Recommended Pairings

Advnced Model 3 is very independent when it comes to its sound, it doesn't scale very much with different sources, and generally, it will sound great with a lower end source, without much gain being possible with higher end sources. Especially if you're using Bluetooth, it is possible to just pick the most inexpensive solution that can play APT-X codecs, as it should provide very similar results to other sources when it comes to Bluetooth.





Advanced Model 3 + Cayin N5ii - N5ii is actually a great source to combine with Advanced Model 3. N5ii has all the bells and whistles one can wish for, including bluetooth, and it can help you stream your music, it has two microSD slots, and its sonic signature works great with Model 3. With N5ii, regardless whether you want to use the bluetooth module, or if you want to use Model 3 in wired mode, you're still getting an excellent experience. The only downside is that N5ii does not support APT-X, but in return this means that the connection is more reliable, as APT-X's wider bandwidth sometimes result in a more fraily connection that is easier to break.

Advanced Model 3 + FiiO M7 - FiiO M7 does actually support APT-X. And APT-X HD. And a few other very exotic bluetooth modes that we still don't know very much about, as they are not very present in products on the market at this moment. M7 has a single microSD slot, and it doesn't allow for installation of third party apps, but it is a great device through and through, and its more neutral signature helps even out Model3's bassy sound.

Advanced Model 3 + Shanling M2s - While Shanling M2s is slowly being replaced by its successor, and by M0, it still makes a compelling purchase to use with an ultra-portable listening rig, especially now that it will be going on sale. M2s has APT-X, and it is very inexpensive, providing an excellent overall listening solution for those curious to enjoy a little IEM with a little DAP. With a single microSD slot, no streaming, but with a fluid UI, especially if you don't require a touchscreen, M2s is a favorite ultra-portable, especially as it can make a really neat jogging and running setup together with Advanced Model3.



Value and Conclusion

Advanced Model 3 has been slowly growing on us, and for a really inexpensive Bluetooth in-ear monitor, it has a good reason to. Priced at roughly 80USD at the moment of writing this review, it is clearly aimed at the budget-conscious consumer who wants to make the best with the lowest budget.



In this aspect, Advanced Model 3 delivers very well. For such a tiny package, and for a really affordable price, it comes with multiple tips, with a custom Bluetooth cable, with a single ended cable, and with a charging cable. They rely on MMCX connectors, which should do a pretty good job at keeping the IEMs safe, and they provide an excellent amount of fun to the user, by having APT-X Bluetooth abilities, along with a fair battery life of 5 hours.

If you have a smartphone, you can take advantage of Model3's amazing sound right away, by using their bluetooth cable, and since they don't scale quite that much with sources, you don't need an ultimate DAP before you can consider that you squeezed the last drop of performance form them.

The truth is, at this price, we didn't expect them to be build this well and to be so rich in contents, but here they are, with Advanced deliver very nicely on their product.



If you're looking for a warm, thick and bassy IEM, with a clear midrange, and with a smooth treble, which will work with a wide variety of music, and if you're looking for that experience on-the-go, with Bluetooth, and even foam tips, then you should check out Advanced Model 3, a really well-priced IEM with a lot going on for it, and with a really nice fit and comfort.


I hope my review is helpful to you!

Stay safe and remember to always have fun while listening to music!



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Bluetooth best I've ever used

Cables best I've had at this price

Sound quality was very good and
scaled very well when introduced
to better sources of amplification

The Advance Model 3, has a great warranty
backed by Peter Yoon a terrific team at
Advance

Advance is developing new products
I will purchase again