AKG K3003 High End 3 Way System Headphone

[nogi replicant]

  Hello. I recently got to try the AKG K3003 and I really loved the sound signature. Unfortunately, the fit was too shallow for my ears and the isolation was not very good. The store let me try various tips, but no joy. I don't suppose anybody can recommend an alternative with a similar sound to the K3003, but with a deeper fit and better isolation. Thanks.

When I got my k3003's they were also too shallow. I fixed this very easily by cutting about 2 millimetres off the bore of some other tips and putting it on the k3003 nozzle and then putting my tips on. Essentially extending the nozzle by 2mm's. Fixed.
 
You could also try spin fit tips as they are long but I find they don't give great isolation unless pushed deep in your ears.
 
I think I used Sony Hybrid tips on my k3003's. They give pretty solid isolation.
 
Alas I lost my k3003's. They are amazing iem's so I wouldn't give up on them if I were you. After I got mine I liked them so much I sold my Parterre's and Lab 1's within 2 months.

 

[bosiemoncrieff]

I've only had them a few weeks and already there's the barest hint of static in the right channel. Guess I gotta keep these at home from now on, lest the intermittency worsen.

Just A/B'd the vogliatemi bene from Karajan's Pavarotti/Freni Butterfly with HE-6, and I find K3003i more euphonic. That, or my Mjolnir 2 is distorting on high gain at 2pm.

 

[bosiemoncrieff]

Not to double post, but has anybody else seen this?

 

[Riley Beale]

  Not to double post, but has anybody else seen this?

I don't think these are authentic.  The seller has no feedback and the price is way too low.  It is suspect to say the least.  Very suspect.  Be careful.  I reported this listing to Ebay

 

[ruthieandjohn]

I don't think these are authentic.  The seller has no feedback and the price is way too low.  It is suspect to say the least.  Very suspect.  Be careful.  I reported this listing to Ebay

Ditto. My AKG K3003i has "AKG" engraved on the flat round metal end of each ear piece, as do pictures of the AKG K3003 on the Internet.

These eBay ones have no engraving there.

 

[Riley Beale]

Ditto. My AKG K3003i has "AKG" engraved on the flat round metal end of each ear piece, as do pictures of the AKG K3003 on the Internet.

These eBay ones have no engraving there.

Good to know.  Thanks for confirming.  Happy holidays!

 

[bosiemoncrieff]

Perhaps someone at Shenzhen got the schematics. I'm more concerned about build quality/support than I am about the product sounding virtually identical to an authentic K3003 on first hearing. 

 

[Riley Beale]

Let me just say there is a reason this knock off is so cheap.

 

[Bengkia369]

This iem no longer made in Austria?
I see new stocks all made in China?

 

[Riley Beale]

This iem no longer made in Austria?
I see new stocks all made in China?

Correct. 

 

[Bengkia369]

Correct. 

Thanks still preferred the K3003 sound signature compared to Sennheiser IE800.

 

[Riley Beale]

Thanks still preferred the K3003 sound signature compared to Sennheiser IE800.

From images only I greatly prefer the build quality of the K3003.  I have never seen either in person.  I don't have any good audio stores near me or where I travel.

 

[bosiemoncrieff]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/****-K3003-Steelseries-Ring-Iron-Earphones-Balanced-Armature-Dynamic-Earbuds-/252670485937?hash=item3ad455a5b1:g:WloAAOSw6DtYRtvx
 
I'm not sure if the '****' people are the only ones selling knockoff K3003 at entry-fi prices, but even if the build quality is mediocre, AKG's was nothing to write home about...would be interesting to know how much SQ they can extract from $100.
 
EDIT (12/23): I only have my Bose and my k3003 when I'm traveling, and I'm therefore becoming very familiar with them. The silicone tips are a bit large, but because I got them used they're the only ones I have. After a couple hours they begin to fatigue.

 

[Audioscope]

For anyone interested in another review of the K3003i, I finally wrote an extensive review today here: http://www.head-fi.org/products/akg-k3003/reviews/17656
 
I have had these for over a year and still rank these as my favourite and most enjoyable IEMs.  Yes, these are even better than my JH Roxanne CIEMs (which I ultimately got rid of), and comparable to my HD800 in everything except the sibilance issue on the HD800. 
 
I also had the Shure SE846 at one point and listened to my friend's IE800 alot.  Details in the review.

 

[Gilles De Rais]

Besides the sound, there is one thing for which I am eternally gratefull to the K3003. The packaging is so luxurious that any other iem package I bring into the house looks cheap by comparison! Saved many a tricksy conversation that!

Regards,

Giles