AKG K3003 High End 3 Way System Headphone

[Ling Vu]

Ling,
  So, here would be my perception; worth a grain of salt:

XBA-Z5: Great headphone.  A little more mellow but not dark; the typical Sony sound.  Has a bass emphasis, so they're fun still
K3003i: Great headphone.  Has the filters to tweak sound, and unlike so many others with filters/sound adjusters, the three that AKG give you are actually good sound for whichever you choose.  Great clarity, more than the Z5, IMO.  The bass is great, but by no means overpowering to the point of ruining the balance.
E70: Great headphone.  Of the three, I would say that these strive more for balanced sound.  The other two spent a lot of time getting a great bass sound for the consumers while still maintaining the "audiophile-grade" signature.  E70 is a little more warm than the K3003i, which can make the K3003 deceive you into thinking it has more clarity.  I prefer the highs of the K3003 because i like sparkle up top.  The mids of the E70 though, will one-up K3003; again, IMO.

But note, all three have "great headphone" status.  So, there really isn't a wrong choice here.  The K3003 has a more unique sound, so there are some that don't really go for it as much, but then there are some that its the end-game.  I will add that the FLC8S is a fantastically clear set that i can't speak highly enough about, and one well worth considering if you're leaning toward the K3003i.  I can tell you right now that, whichever one you choose, you're going to be left always thinking about the other two and the what-ifs.  Pick one and try your best to be satisfied.  Otherwise, you can sell either of these three pretty easily, allowing you to switch again and again.

Hope that helps a tiny bit.  Good luck!

OMG how lucky I am to have someone, who actually audtioned all those three, replied. Thank you MadMusicJunkie (sounds freaking funny to call a person) that helped a lot and lot and lot. The reason I am a bit leaning towards the K3003 because of its design and build quality and partially its status and popularity (some consider a legend). However, the recent experience I have by auditioning the XBA H3 was very much a pleasure with the sound being very neutral and clear to my ears (though a bit v shaped), additionally some said the A3 is a significant upgrade from H3 and the Z5 with the same sound signature plus superior clarity and details. That confused me a lot as I have not had a chance to try the K3003 on also the same case with the E70.

Also, the FLC8s look really beautiful and tempting, you have made me even more confused lol, anw will do a little research on those for impressions and deals. Thanks so much again, Ling.

 

[MadMusicJunkie]

I think you'd really like the K3003i out of your original 3. The FLC8S is on par with the K3003, but it's NOT a K3003; not the same feeling of owning them, for sure. But either of those two could be an end game for you.

 

[ebe2000]

I think you'd really like the K3003i out of your original 3. The FLC8S is on par with the K3003, but it's NOT a K3003; not the same feeling of owning them, for sure. But either of those two could be an end game for you.

I would go for the 3003 as well, I am using one since a year and totally happy

 

[Ling Vu]

I think you'd really like the K3003i out of your original 3. The FLC8S is on par with the K3003, but it's NOT a K3003; not the same feeling of owning them, for sure. But either of those two could be an end game for you.

Thanks so much MMJ, I pulled the triggered and bought the K3003i, may take several days to reach me and hopefully I can give some of my own impressions next week

 

[Turrican2]

3 years owning the k3003i, happy as could be. Awesome pieces.

 

[up late]

i've lost track of how long i've had mine but it's a couple of years at least. i've had no desire to look any further.

 

[MadMusicJunkie]

Thanks so much MMJ, I pulled the triggered and bought the K3003i, may take several days to reach me and hopefully I can give some of my own impressions next week

Awesome, Ling.  Even though you felt confused, I could read between the lines that it was what your hearts desire really was .  If you're like me, I would admire the K3003i for many years; wondering what it would sound like, and wishing that I could actually afford it.  To get to a point where you can make that dream a reality, and then change it because you're not sure if it has the "best" sound, would cause you to never be fully satisfied.
Plus, the sound signature you described, to me, sounds like how I feel about the K3003.  I love EACH time I put the phones away in the leather case to this day.

 

[pacman46]

Awesome, Ling.  Even though you felt confused, I could read between the lines that it was what your hearts desire really was .  If you're like me, I would admire the K3003i for many years; wondering what it would sound like, and wishing that I could actually afford it.  To get to a point where you can make that dream a reality, and then change it because you're not sure if it has the "best" sound, would cause you to never be fully satisfied.
Plus, the sound signature you described, to me, sounds like how I feel about the K3003.  I love EACH time I put the phones away in the leather case to this day.

How long have you had yours for? And is that case the square one really good for the cable? I never use cause I heard it's not that good for the cable because of the shape of the case . Thanks

 

[Ling Vu]

  Awesome, Ling.  Even though you felt confused, I could read between the lines that it was what your hearts desire really was .  If you're like me, I would admire the K3003i for many years; wondering what it would sound like, and wishing that I could actually afford it.  To get to a point where you can make that dream a reality, and then change it because you're not sure if it has the "best" sound, would cause you to never be fully satisfied.
Plus, the sound signature you described, to me, sounds like how I feel about the K3003.  I love EACH time I put the phones away in the leather case to this day.

You read my mind mate, I was thrilled from the very first second I saw the video from AKG introducing the K3003i and started dreaming about them. And I remember how jealous I was back when someone in my country made the first hands-on/impression video/article of those, I did not even care what he said lol. Honestly enough, these may or may not sound the way I expect, I will not regret for sure. Thank you, again. 
 
By the way, any suggestion on source/amp/dac stuff?

 

[Turrican2]

You read my mind mate, I was thrilled from the very first second I saw the video from AKG introducing the K3003i and started dreaming about them. And I remember how jealous I was back when someone in my country made the first hands-on/impression video/article of those, I did not even care what he said lol. Honestly enough, these may or may not sound the way I expect, I will not regret for sure. Thank you, again. 

By the way, any suggestion on source/amp/dac stuff?

Mojo.

 

[Ling Vu]

Mojo.

Damn, really want to but not anytime soon cause I just went broke after the K3003i. Where is your place in Bedfordshire? I am in Luton, any chance we can meet up for some coffee talk and I can borrow the Mojo for a minute ? For sure your drink is on me. Thanks, Ling.

 

[Turrican2]

Damn, really want to but not anytime soon cause I just went broke after the K3003i. Where is your place in Bedfordshire? I am in Luton, any chance we can meet up for some coffee talk and I can borrow the Mojo for a minute

? For sure your drink is on me. Thanks, Ling.

 
I assume you'll be coming to the Head-Fi Meet in Milton Keynes (see my sig)...there will be some amazing stuff there....

 

[pacman46]

Hey guys are some of you using the provided case? And if so how long have you been using it and are there and effects to the cable at all? And to some who have had this beautiful sounding earphone for a couple years how are your cables holding up? Thanks happy listening!

 

[Turrican2]

Hey guys are some of you using the provided case? And if so how long have you been using it and are there and effects to the cable at all? And to some who have had this beautiful sounding earphone for a couple years how are your cables holding up? Thanks happy listening!

I use the case, have done for 3 years, cable is perfect in every way. I always have the 4 pole to 3 pole dongle connected, to avoid wear on the jack.

 

[up late]

i don't use the case provided - i found it impractical. i prefer the portable camera hard case with zipper that i bought for the job. the cables are in excellent condition but i've babied my k3003.