Also is the shell for SMABAT M2S Pro the same as SMABAT M2 Pro?
The drivers appear to be the same....
Yes actually the M2S Pro and M2 (non S) Pro appear to have the same shell externally. The vent location appears to be at the same location too.
The left earbud is the Non S (original M2 Pro). Right earbud with silverish cable is the M2S Pro.
Just that the Non S version is the very first pioneer of the modular swappable earbud driver idea. But unfortunately, the Non S version necessitated soldering skills, it didn't use the lego lock like design of the M0 and M2S Pro.
Interestingly, their drivers on paper appear to be similar (40 ohm impedance, FR 10 Hz - 22 kHz), but I think the damping inside is different, or perhaps the Non S uses one of the aftermarket dampers on sale. I tried setting the Non S version in the bassy config to mimick the subbass boost of the M2S Pro stock, and even so the Non S version is much easier to drive, and the Non S isn't as good in technicalities, with some midbass bleed.
Well unless you are very hands on, and have great soldering skills, I think if you wanna switch drivers on the fly, the M2S Pro is much more convenient to lock a new driver in than the Non S version. Plus the improved technicalities and better bass tightness makes the M2S Pro an improvement over the predecessor.
I’m sure shells make a difference, but how much between the 2 different driver in the cheaper shell and then the more expensive one: the one that comes with the M0 and the one that comes with the M2s pro. There’s a show in America called some like ‘Wife Swap’. I want to know how things get along in a driver swap.
Hmm for this query we will need to get the SMABAT ST10S driver and put it in both to compare. I will try to buy the ST10S driver at the next sale, for the sake of science!
The questions from me are how does it compare to the ST10S and how does it sound with the 150Ω driver from ST10S Black Gold?
Ok I just did a brief A/B comparison. As expected, the ST10S Black Gold (150 ohm) is harder to drive than the stock M2S Pro. ST10S Black Gold when properly powered, has deeper subbass extension and a tinge more midbass quantity (M2S Pro is no slouch in subbass extension for a earbud still). The increased midbass amounts in the Black Gold adds warmth to the lower mids and gives a thicker sound than the M2S Pro. In terms of technicalities of the mids/treble, I think the M2S Pro shades it slightly, assuming both are fed enough power.
I'll call them sidegrades, ST10S Black Gold is more suited for bassheads (if u have an amp). But M2S Pro is cheaper, and is easier to drive, and has customizable driver/damper options.