AKG K3003 High End 3 Way System Headphone

[Jeremypsp]

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According to your profile, you own the W4s, but you've only tested the K3003s and a demo unit of the Merlins. Can I ask how long you tested the AKGs and Merlins for? Which filters did you try on the AKGs? What type of music did you use? Did you try them in a quiet environment? Did you get a good fit? Did you do a direct comparison? According to your profile:

Music Preferences: J-Pop, J-PopRock, J-Rock, basically anything J-music. (Except maybe idol groups and techno).
Favourite artists: Tommy Heavenly6, Tommy February6, The Brilliant Green, Kana Nishino, YUI, Ayumi Hamasaki, Miwa
 
The W4 is a great IEM, and it is, in fact, my favourite universal BA-based IEM. But, to these ears, the K3003s are a clear step up, particularly in the way they render low and high frequencies, dynamic range and timbre.
 
It's perfectly OK if you really prefer the Merlins & W4s over the K3003s, but let me take your two posts above with a HUGE pinch of salt.

Okay, I have said I "preferred" the Westone 4 maybe because they suit my tastes and music genres more, who knows. I was using the normal filters, so yeah. I was told that they were the "normal" filters, so I'm thinking reference. Well, the K3003 ARE better than the Westone 4s technically as in their more detailed and such, but something about the Westone 4s are just able to make me like them more. And I wouldn't say the Merlin(demo) is completely better than the K3003s. The K3003s have certainly better highs. But something about the Merlin's bass is just phenomenal and you really have to try them to experience it. Just my 2 cents. 

 

[randomosity]

Any idea how these would hold against a similarly priced ciem… like lets say, the Spiral Ears 5 way?

 

[faithmore]

AKG just put them in the laughing spot with the Final audio. 

 

[MuppetFace]

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AKG just put them in the laughing spot with the Final audio. 

 
Both the K3003 and upper-tier FADs cater to a niche market that is very real and willing to pay. I doubt either company, AKG or Final, cares about any laughter that might be wafting up from the bowels of Internet anonymity.

 

[Donnyhifi]

Not sure how big FA is(though they are pretty big in Japan) but AKG will sell a ton just from their name. If someone is putting this much money into it its better to go into some top tier customs. Comfort and isolation will be a step up with the custom route and the cables are replaceable/upgradable as well.
 
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AKG just put them in the laughing spot with the Final audio. 

 

 

[james444]

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AKG just put them in the laughing spot with the Final audio. 

Here's what I just posted in another thread:
 
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Of course it's ok to shun the K3003 based on their price tag alone, but let me add my 2c from someone who's actually heard them and uses them on a regular basis. To my ears they sound better overall than everything else, including the PFE232, FI-BA-SS (close call though) and the customs (UERM) and custom demos (UE11, JH13) I've heard. The difference is pretty significant if I listen on low volume and slightly less so at higher levels (which I rarely do).
 
The K3003s cost about the same as most high end customs here in Europe (I actually payed more for my UERMs), so in my book their price/performance ratio isn't out of touch with the real world. They're also easier to use and more convenient than my customs. The only downside to me so far are non-detachable cables that don't inspire all that much confidence for daily use on the move, but at least they're backed by a two year warranty.

 

 

[music_4321]

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[David58117]

Would this be the pair to get for someone who primarily listens to classical music?  
 
Coming from ER4S and AKG K701s
 
After accurate timbre, clarity, speed, instrument separation......something that could play Mahler's "Symphony of a Thousand" without a hiccup and sound as lifelike as possible would be great 

  
 

 

[MuppetFace]

You may want to consider FAD's top tier offerings as well. Namely the FI-BA-SS and 1602s.

 

[music_4321]

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[Jeremypsp]

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I wonder how many more times people will be posting in this thread that for this kind of money customs are a better choice. There are those of us who do NOT want a pair of customs or, like me, who do not want a second set of customs. In my particular case, if I lost my excellent custom ES3X, I would very likely not get another set of ES3X or any other custom for that matter.
 
Those who post on HF are very likely already very aware that customs exist --there are countless customs threads-- most of which cost (a lot) less than the K3003, though depending on several aspects, that may not always be the case. So, to come to this thread and state yet again that customs are a better choice is getting a little repetitive.
 
Also, people have to read the typical wrong claim that customs are more comfortable than universals. Yes, they can be more comfortable, but not necessarily so. My customs are indeed very comfortable and I have a perfect fit (after 3 refits), but they are NOT more comfortable than several universals I've had, including my K3003.
 
Isolation -- yet another wrong claim. It's not true that customs isolate more than universals. Customs do isolate more than most universals, but not all, and depending on the universal IEM design and the type of tips used, several universals can match a pair of customs on the isolation front. That said, a pair of customs will isolate better than the K3003. However, not everyone is looking for the highest level of isolation.
 
Replaceable cables? Yes, I would like it if the K3003 came with removable cables. Still, I made the choice and purchased a set.
 
There are other reasons why a (top-tier) custom IEM may not always be a better choice -- these reasons have nothing to do with recommending/choosing the K3003 or a top-tier FAD IEM instead, but this is not the time or place to discuss them.
 

Well, customs are not necessarily better, but at least you do know you got the best fit possible. Also, only with customs you're able to fit that many drivers into it which many people seem to like. So I would say placebo effect does take a part in this. Also, the K3003 doesn't have a removable cable that many cable freaks seem to like, I have met some people who are obsessed with the sound quality that upgrading cables can give(though I can't comment since I never tried), and almost every customs are able to provide that. 

 

[tomscy2000]

A new challenger appears! The universal fit version of the FitEar MH334 is upon us! It's priced around the same as the K3003 and FI-BA-SS, in Japan at least (~$1240). Removable cables, the custom geek-chic look, and all that jazz. This product is clearly catering toward the professional crowd more than the audiophile, but who knows?

 

[Jeremypsp]

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A new challenger appears! The universal fit version of the FitEar MH334 is upon us! It's priced around the same as the K3003 and FI-BA-SS, in Japan at least (~$1240). Removable cables, the custom geek-chic look, and all that jazz. This product is clearly catering toward the professional crowd more than the audiophile, but who knows?

Are you serious?! FitEar sure looks like an awesome brand! Though their customs are really expensive. I can even re-shell it to make it into a full MH334 custom. Though I will have problems trying to get the money to buy them

 

[music_4321]

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[tomscy2000]

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Yes, nothing, absolutely nothing beats the fit of customs.

You're just jealous all the 80 year-old honeys are talking to me and not you!

 
I must admit, however, that I've yet to experience the K3003. One day, one day...