EarSonics SM3 Appreciation, Discussion, & Review Thread - Technically Best Universal? (see first post for reviews and info)

[Woody469]

Quote:

  I have a few Shure black/olive tips left over which i am using on the SM3s.  I was wondering if these are the right type of tips to use or are there something better to use.
 
 
 
 

I don't know if others would agree but to me it seems large bore tips sound better.

 

[toidcans]

Quick question on these do the 4 wires go down to the plug? Meaning can they be re-terminated to balanced. (just for grins of course). Thanks to whomever answers in advance.

 

[shigzeo]

re-terminating to balanced ignores some possible issues with the condenser/cross over networks. The trend here seems to be retermination, but I don't think it is alltogether a good idea. I won't be severing any wires in my SM3 to find out.

 

[koonhua90]

Hey shigzeo, regarding your post in the last page, if I want something that offers superior comfort and isolation, while at the same time has a sound quality that rivals or bests the top tier universal IEMs, the wise choice for me is to go custom?

 

[JxK]

Quote:

Hey shigzeo, regarding your post in the last page, if I want something that offers superior comfort and isolation, while at the same time has a sound quality that rivals or bests the top tier universal IEMs, the wise choice for me is to go custom?

I don't think customs are necessarily the most comfortable IEMs. The enclosures are rather large, and will cover a proportionally large area of your outer ear. Not everyone will find that comfortable. In fact, for many headfi-ers I'd bet money that even given time to adjust, and even assuming they preferred the SQ of the custom, they would still find a simple low profile straight barrel IEM (eg. meelelec M11) to be more comfortable. I'm in that camp myself (I think), as I prefer an IEM to have minimal contact with my ears.
 
And customs won't necessarily have the best SQ as well. For instance, dfkt just ranked the fx700 to be superior to the UE11. Which for more budget oriented headfi-ers like myself is great news. Now I can eventually splurge on a high end IEM without breaking the wallet.

 

[average_joe]

 
Quote:

I don't know if others would agree but to me it seems large bore tips sound better.

 
I agree

 
Quote:

Quick question on these do the 4 wires go down to the plug? Meaning can they be re-terminated to balanced. (just for grins of course). Thanks to whomever answers in advance.

Nope, 3 wires go from the Y split down to the plug.
 
And the pic in post 3 was uploaded to this site, so when it doesn't appear, it is a site issue.  I think you can click on the file name and the picture will appear.

 

[shigzeo]

Customs have one distinct sound advantage: fit. Because of the fit, they allow/disallow bad/good vibrations. That alone is much better than any universal. However, price/performance is much worse. Universals are a constant search for the right tip, for the right fit, for the right combination of sound/comfort. Customs allow you to get that all at once. Of course, if you don't like the sound so much, it is rough for you since you are out massively. The SM3 sounds (sounds with nothing else attached) great, but it also changes depending on the tip and that is both a blessing and cruse. 

 

[midoo1990]

so shigzeo,if i upgrade from top universal iem to customs the difference will be incremental?i am selling all my iems and i am going to break my bank account to get jh13 or something in the same price range and i rather not do this if the difference will be like upgrading from $250 to $350 top universal iem.i thought that customs are a league in their own from universal?
i dont have fit issues from my iems i just want to upgrade because of the big jump that i read here.

 

[shigzeo]

Like I said, the major difference (especially if the same drivers are in use) is the vibrations. You won't suddenly get a 100% better experience. For me, it is worth it for fit and sound. I love the minute vibrations (especially in treble) that come with hard acrylic sound tubes (FitEar 333 are large and great for this, EM3Pro too), or the deep, throbbing bass from silicon (ACS T1, Sensaphonics 2X-s).
 
As with anything that is expensive, there is the price that also factors into your understanding of sound. That money will help you enjoy it more simply because it MUST sound better, damnit! But, truthfully, you are getting a more refined sound, but not a sound that is inherently better in every regard.

 

[koonhua90]

Thanks for the great explanation! Now, I think I have derailed the thread quite a bit. I apologize for that.

 

[KLS]

Thanks for your honest opinion @shigzeo.
 
I always thought that entry level IEMs to be a 2, top-tier universal IEMs to be a 5 or 6, and custom IEMs have the full mark of 10.

 

[midoo1990]

 
Quote:

 
 
 That money will help you enjoy it more simply because it MUST sound better, damnit!

haha,you just made my day,i laughed hard wheni read this

. i will put it in my sig.
i will try customs and i am intigrited by ACS T1,your reviews always make me want to jump on anything because of the way you describe sound.
 
EDIT:the new headfi layout screwed my sig.dammit

 

[shigzeo]

You know, (this is derailing really bad), the ACS T1 is - simply phenomenal. All are, but silicon is like chocolate - addictive and smooth. I won't take anything away from the SM3 because if that is all I had, I'd be perfectly happy. I have small, uncomfortable ears that like customs, that thrive on them for bicycle riding, and for forgetting all the noise pollution around here. 
 
The SM3, however, is much easier to drive than the ACS T1, and doesn't change as much with an amp. The EM3Pro is the same thing, and by nature of their flat flat response, they respond pretty well to EQ which is great. 

 

[krismusic]

I hope that this has not been discussed elsewhere in this thread. If so apologies. Do the SM3's stick out of your ears like the TF 10's? Has anyone had fit or comfort issues with the SM3's?

 

[dfkt]

The SM3 fit flush into my ears, they're in a whole other league of comfort than the horrible TF10. Maybe people with smaller ears might have issues with the edges on the housing, but for me the SM3 are very comfortable.
 
In-ear photo: http://anythingbutipod.com/images/forum/dfkt/iems/_MG_0303.jpg