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

[Pianist]

Ok, I have a pretty serious issue with the SM3 ergonomics. Why the heck is the part of the cable above the Y split so damn short? The only way I can  wear these comfortably is by running the cable behind my back and I really don't like running the cable behind my back.
 
Regarding sound quality - these sound pretty nice out of the box, but I am really hoping that they will improve with burn in because I am not really blown away by their sound. Yes, they have a nice wide soundstage with excellent depth, dynamics and imaging, but they do not sound coherent and musical enough to my ears, compared to say the e-Q7, RE0 or SE530. I hope burn in will help.

 

[KLS]

@Pianist, I think most adult will suffer from the cable issue ^^;
 
In my humble opinion, when we (owners of SM3) comment on the sound of SM3, better clarify what kind of tips we are using
 
Please do us a favour comparing SM3 to all of your IEMs colloection, after burning in.

 

[soozieq]

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Ok, I have a pretty serious issue with the SM3 ergonomics. Why the heck is the part of the cable above the Y split so damn short? The only way I can  wear these comfortably is by running the cable behind my back and I really don't like running the cable behind my back.

It's short?? I hate that! I found the W3 above the Y-splitter bordering on too short as well, although apparently they were designed to be worn with the cable behind the back. But just having it a couple of inches further down would have made the world of difference, as I like the choice of being able to wear them at the front or the back.
 
Look forward to more impressions once you've had some time to get used to them.

 

[rawrster]

how short is the cable from the split up? It must be really short if it's that much of an issue but then again maybe it was meant to be worn behind your back.

 

[cn11]

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Ok, I have a pretty serious issue with the SM3 ergonomics. Why the heck is the part of the cable above the Y split so damn short? The only way I can  wear these comfortably is by running the cable behind my back and I really don't like running the cable behind my back.
 
Regarding sound quality - these sound pretty nice out of the box, but I am really hoping that they will improve with burn in because I am not really blown away by their sound. Yes, they have a nice wide soundstage with excellent depth, dynamics and imaging, but they do not sound coherent and musical enough to my ears, compared to say the e-Q7, RE0 or SE530. I hope burn in will help.

How are they less musical than the e-Q7's?? I have a little experience with those so I can get a better grasp of your thoughts....

 

[Pianist]

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how short is the cable from the split up? It must be really short if it's that much of an issue but then again maybe it was meant to be worn behind your back.

Approximately 10.5 inches.

 

[Pianist]

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How are they less musical than the e-Q7's?? I have a little experience with those so I can get a better grasp of your thoughts....

 
e-Q7 sounds more coherent I think - it blends sounds together better and gives a better sense of the music as a whole, the atmosphere, the emotions. SM3 seems to have better separation and a full rich sound, but I think the separation is actually too much - the sounds become too disconnected from one another, which seems to take away some atmosphere from the musical experience.

 

[cn11]

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e-Q7 sounds more coherent I think - it blends sounds together better and gives a better sense of the music as a whole, the atmosphere, the emotions. e-Q7 seems to have better separation and a full rich sound, but I think the separation is actually too much - the sounds become too disconnected from one another, which seems to take away some atmosphere from the musical experience.

Very interesting observations... thanks a bunch! 

 

[JxK]

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e-Q7 sounds more coherent I think - it blends sounds together better and gives a better sense of the music as a whole, the atmosphere, the emotions. SM3 seems to have better separation and a full rich sound, but I think the separation is actually too much - the sounds become too disconnected from one another, which seems to take away some atmosphere from the musical experience.

I don't think that's too surprising. Since the SM3 is designed to be a monitor, what you're describing is exactly what the designers likely intended. And is exactly what someone doing mastering would likely want. But as for musicality...yeah...there's a reason I prefer dynamics.
 
But give them a few days. Hopefully with time the SM3 will grow on you.

 

[rawrster]

Well at least you don't need one of those chin sliders since with 10.5 inches it probably barely goes past the chin area. At that length I would be surprised if it wasn't intended to be used behind the back. Hopefully in a couple more days as you get used to them you like them more.

 

[the search never ends]

I thought the short length before the split has been mentioned over and over?  Anyway @pianist, if memory serves, from what I remember, owners say as the cables relax over a short while, it's much easier to wear them in front. Hopefully that's the case for you.

 

[average_joe]

A quick recap of some of the posts from this thread, and I tried to capture thoughts of new owners as well as posts that address some of the questions/comments near the end of this thread.  Think of it like one of those compilation episodes of your favorite TV show.  This will hopefully hope all new owners deal with the What did I just do syndrome.  Looking forward to hearing all new owners thoughts and if need be, help get the maximum enjoyment out of the SM3.
 
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Originally Posted by average_joe /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
And to be honest, at first, I was thinking "what the hell did I just spend $425 on?" Burn in, tips, getting used to the sound sig, who knows. But they sound so much better now, and clearer also.

What am I hearing? This excerpt pretty much sums it up quite well (thanks MayaTlab via KLS)
 
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Originally Posted by MayaTlab /img/forum/go_quote.gif I don't know about the UM3x availability in the USA. For the Earsonics, you'll have to import them from their website : EarSonics ® / Ear Sonics in-ear monitors / custom earphones / in ears / ear monitors / earplugs / earmolds. Don't be afraid because of the translation - yeah, it sucks. Trust me, they're very serious and the customer service is fantastic. Also, their price is 350 WITH TAX, and probably if my mathematical skills aren't that terrible around 290 without - still very expensive in dollars (387 + possible customs taxes). However, I'd wait if I were you, because there are only a handful of head-fi feedbacks about them. The French forums are just raving about them about pretty much everything, but it would be nice to have different points of view. However so far I've read the following comments : - Better details and instrument separation than the UM3x (that must really be something then) - Soundstage as wide as IE8 - Superb imaging and depth - "Spot on" EQ - ie very flat and neutral (though I bet we're talking about the Hi-Fi side of neutrality, that is to say rather warm but not too much) - Very tight and controlled bass (at least tighter than IE8), with thunderous and fast impact. I haven't read anything about its texture. They have less bass quantity than the IE8, but I cannot say in comparison to the UM3x. I bet given my SM2 experience that they'll slide in between the SE530 and UM3x in terms of quantity. - Superb mids (very likely to be the best of the current universals, given Earsonics' pedigree), and super extra ultra "liquid". - Airy and extended treble - Effortlessly dynamic - they sound "big", "powerful" They also have the exact same ergonomics as the UM3x, but there isn't a version with removable cables. On the one hand, that sounds too good to be true (hence my recommendation to wait a bit), but on the other hand, Earsonics has been around for years, is producing a two-way three drivers custom that goes head to head with the JH13 (and was designed more than four years ago) and is a very serious company - so they're totally able to pull this off.

Well, OK, so I stole a post from someone else! At least I cited the source! But seriously, IMHO these are the best in-ear monitors I have heard, bar none (with the exception of possibly the UE11 universal I heard for 20 minutes at Can Jam, but these gave me the same amazed feeling). So, lets see...
- Equal to or better than IE8 soundstage width (my IE8's were lost in the mail, so I can't compare directly)
- Equal to or better space/imaging/instrument separation than the UM3X
- More detail than the dynamics I have heard, and at least as much as the other BA's I have heard (more comparisons need to be done)
- Best of the dynamic IEM like bass impact
- Enough speed for anything I have thrown at them
- Extended treble
- Liquid mids
- e-Q7/GR8 transparency
- Dynamics and excitement when the song calls for it
- Best I have heard balance across the spectrum from bass through the treble

Did I miss anything?

So, because of what I am hearing, my other high priced IEMs are becoming expendable and unused, which means I am probably going to sell many of them, if not all after I finish my comparisons. That is why the SM3 is the "most affordable high priced universal IEM!"

 
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Actually I got them for nearly 2 months...

Out of the box, I was seriously disappointed. When my pair of SM3 arrived, I was having honeymoon with CK10. So, everyone who has CK10 know that transaperency and clarity are some of their strong points. My first impression was (with the supplied comply tips, which goes in deep into the ear), SM3 has no high and veiled in the mids. You know if you have a pair of CK10 on hand and your $400 new purchase saying 'sorry I don't deliver any treble'...

I emailed Franck, asking him whether SM3 needs any burn in. He said no burn in is needed, and he recommended me to use some silicone tips, but not those from Etymotic as they will suck out treble. Franck didn't mention which type of Etymotic's, my guess is the triple flange. Strange thing here is, since Franck is suggesting me to use some silicone tips, why Earsonice doesn't supply silicone tips which come with the products? I asked for a frequency responese chart, twice, and was isgnored twice. My last little hope was to try burn in, even Franck said that they don't need any, because I believe that burn in is the panacea for all the disappoinment in audio equipment

Past 300 hours, as Franck said, nothing change. I brought them with me to a trip, so I didn't have a chance to buy tips and try them with different tips immediately. Then I got some Westones silicone tips (which turn out to be total rubbish), and some Shure yellow foamies. I guessed that deep insertion is the cause of lacking clarity. So I tried the Shure foamies. By the way, I haven't found a solution on the tips yet...

Time passed and now I realised most of the time I am using SM3

I think after a month or so, my brain has adapted to the sound signature. I see people saying W3 is very tip-dependent, so as SM3 in my opinion.

Some thoughts on different tips on SM3:
With the stock long comply tips: A little bit veiled in the mids, treble is laid back, more laid back compared to IE8. Vocal is the most forward compared to what I have now: IE8, CK10, TF10, e-Q7. Soundstage is good! This is what I call wide soundstage for an IEM. Instrument separation and imaging is impressive for a warm sounding phone.

With Shure yellow foamies: Treble becomes more prominent. However, the dynamic is all gone. Mids go several row backwards. 3D presentation is not as good compared to the stock tips.

 
 
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Originally Posted by average_joe /img/forum/go_quote.gif So, do you think the SM3 is a step above the others as I do?

I have read many people saying the jump from a $100 universal IEM to a $300 top tier IEM is not as big as compared to the jump from a top-tier universal IEM to a great custom. In my opinion, to my ears, SM3 has its very own unique sound signature (of all IEMs I own, IE8 is the closest in sound signature, but not the same), and find that your decription on SM3's presentation now make sense to me.

IEMs which are entitled 'top tier' have their own strengths. If I want analytical and very detailed sound I'd go for CK10. Beautiful female vocal, e-Q7 (don't know why, I just love female vocal on e-Q7). IE8 for some emotional moments. TF10, currently in their silver case. SM3, a perfect pair of IEMs for my bedtime listening, and I precious this moment the most

Is SM3 a step up above the others? Hard question for a pair of untrained ears... Again every top tier IEMs has their very own sound signature and strengths, and it just happen to me that I prefer SM3 more and they perform well for my music taste. Not everthing is perfect, imperfection makes part of the beauty too, but SM3 just minimizes those imperfection to a tolerable level compared to other IEMs I have.

Comments based on stock tips

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Originally Posted by average_joe /img/forum/go_quote.gif And I do think there is burn in happening with the SM3, as I had a coworker listen to the SM3 when I first got them, and he didn't like them because they were too warm. Then I had him listen again today with the same tips he used before and he said the sound signature definitely changed and he really liked them. I think it is burn in, as I am back to the triple flange tips and they are working well for me, and the sound is not overly warm like it initially was.

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Originally Posted by MayaTlab /img/forum/go_quote.gif Accordingly I read that balanced armatures don't burn in. So could it be both the cable and crossover ?

I am not sure whether the BA drivers need burn in, or the cable or the crossover, but my thoughts on them now and two months earlier is different, using the same SM3 and with the same stock tips. Perhaps my brain is the one to be blamed

 
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I got a reply from Franck (have his permission to post this reply)

My first question:
I am thinking of making custom earmolds for SM3.
Just wonder in what way will you suggest in making ear impressions? I mean like to use a bite-block? Or a closed-mouth impressions? Or an opened-mouth impressions?

Franck's answer:
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We prefer a little opened- mouth impressions. But if you use bit block, don't tighten the teeth.

My second question:
By the way, is SM3 designed with stage monitoring in mind?

Franck's reply:
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Not really, our politic is to manufacture in-ears who reproduce the source with the maximum of fidelity. What you heard is what have been recorded (the original MIx)So, for us it's as important for stage use as audiophile listening.. sincerely,Franck Lopez.

 
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I'm interested in these two IEMs and I have a few questions to ask. if you plan to do a review soon, don't bother answering them (even though they're quite specific) . 1 - Which one has, to you, the best instrument separation ? 2 - Which one handles reverb / echo / decay effects the most convincingly / realistically ? 3 - Which one is the fastest, especially in the lower mids / upper bass regions ? For example, and even though I rarely listen to it, which one would handle best heavy metal music and their machine gun bass line ? 4 - Which one has the most detailed bass in terms of : a) listening to different notes and melodic lines ? b) texture (which one has the most rumbling bass) ? 5 - Which one has the wettest / crystalline trebles ? 6 - Am I right if I say that the SM3 midrange is warmer and more liquid and that the E-Q7 one is brighter and slightly grainy ? 7 - Which one is the most dynamic (what I mean is difference between loudest and quietest sounds within a track, especially for classical) ? Thanks a lot !

First, the e-Q7 is IMO the 2nd best IEM I have. The e-Q7 has a very natural presentation and the transparency is excellent. While the e-Q7 is excellent, it isn't the most exciting IEM I own. The FX700 is more exciting for example. The bass isn't the most reverberant, and the Copper, FX700, and even the GR8 have more reverberant bass. But the e-Q7 bass is controlled, accurate, and detailed. Imaging of the e-Q7 is also great, but not quite on par with the CK10 IMO.

Enter the SM3...to me the transparency is about the same as the e-Q7, but it offers bass that is IMO more accurate than the FX700 with better imaging than the CK10 due to the larger overall soundstage size.

The e-Q7 and SM3 have different sound signatures…the SM3 is warmer and fuller with better treble extension. Liquid is also a term I would use to describe the SM3, but not the e-Q7.

The majority of the listening has been done one of the following configurations:: HUD-MX1 -> Rx, Modded 5.5g -> Arrow, Modded 5.5g -> Rx, or for a limited time with my iPhone.

1. SM3 due to the larger space.

2. SM3 - the bass reverb of the e-Q7 is very nice, but the SM3 is amazing. It has power the e-Q7 does not. But it is more than that, as the overall large space of the SM3 makes echo/reverb/decay sound so realistic.

3. SM3 is faster across the spectrum than the e-Q7 while listening to fast trance (Infected Mushroom) and and metal (Sevendust).

4. a. SM3 has better detail due to the better 3D space, which makes the instruments sound more life like.
b. While the e-Q7 does have nice bass, the SM3 is in another league, able to slam out bass like a dynamic with great reverb and power. The lower level reverb of the two is similar for some notes, but as the beats get faster, the SM3 keeps it’s composure better.

5. SM3. I am very impressed by the clarity, accuracy, and liquid presentation of the treble of the SM3. It is never harsh, yet ultra detailed. Never overbearing, yet not recessed or lost.

6. Yes, you are right.

7. SM3 has the best dynamics of and IEM I have!

 
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Thanks for the comparsion @average_joe!

To be honest, imaging and instrument separation is adequate/fairly good on e-Q7. I consider SM3 instrument separation and imaging to be on par with, if not better than CK10.

SM3 midrange is definiely smoother and warmer compared to e-Q7. However, I really like female vocals with e-Q7

 
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@ average_joe

I noticed that you are selling almost all your iem's! due to the EarSonics

That is what I call being convinced! Im glad Im not alone in this planet....

 
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^^ earphones of any type will change their sound depending on what tips are supplied. Dynamic earphones move more air and therefore may have more change depending on how much earphone tips block the sound tubes. The SM3 is no different, but on a different scale, more laid back. I need to purchase a few more tips, but I keep going back to the Comply if only for comfort. 

 
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Originally Posted by KLS /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
I think this applies to SM3 too. I tried some EQ, and find that leveling up several dbs in around 2K makes cymbals more prominent, or upfront. However, by EQing, the house sound of EarSonics is gone. The EarSomics sound is something I like.
 
I have yet to hear UM3X, and I am not @average_joe nor @shigzeo, to my ears SM3 is a tad warmer than IE8, and mids is more forward compared to IE8.
 
EDIT: Based on stock tips.

 
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The sound from SM3 is so close to things that I actually hear in real life

 Is this called tonality? While e-Q7 sounds magical with female vocal, I agree with you that the tonal accuracy of midrange on the SM3 is better. With SM3 female vocal is very natural.

 
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I think one of the 'exaggerated bass' items is that dynamics tend to move a lot more air than ba earphones. Even if the bass is pretty linear, they move a lot more. I tend to like both presentations, but for different reasons. Again, the Radius TWF11R is phenomenal. The SM3 is soundwise maybe my new bird - not sure yet. 

 
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Could a phone 'growing' on you be burn in you didn't think existed?  When I first got them I had "what did I just do" thoughts running through my head as I was NOT happy with the warmth and ensuing veil.  Even though Franck from EarSonics said there was no burn in, but something has dramatically changed with mine, taking them from being overly warm to just right.  At first people agreed that they were too warm, now people comment on how realistic the sound is, making other headphones sound like a not so accurate reproduction.  The SM3's accurate reproduction from a realism standpoint is captivating to me and has greatly expanded my appreciation for many many bands.  You have to hear it to believe it, but they grow on you

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This was exactly my experience with the EM3pro's, and the radical change happened around the 200hr mark. And yes! they grow on you!

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Enjoy! Again, the SM3 is ascending the top of my personal Universal ladder...

 
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Simply put, the SM3 has the most true to life, musically accurate presentation of any IEM I have ever heard.

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Second this wholeheartedly

 
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When you didn't post any impressions straight after you received your SM3 and listen to them, I sense that you are having some problem, or in fact is regretting your purchase

You are very faithful to your pair of E2C I have to say.
 
Actually, I don't think that there is a single person to be WOWed by SM3 out of the box (a little bit exagerrated I know). For my case, the disappointment on the first day I put SM3 in my ears last me some 2 to 3 weeks...At that time I thought that even IE8 is far more better than SM3...I was tasting the most regrettable moment in my audio life...(By the way, the regrettable moment ranking number 1 is HiFiMAN, for now)
 
Like others suggested, give them more time and try different tips with them. Do they need physical burn in, I am not sure, but in my opinion at least your brain need some adjustment to the sound signature of SM3.
 
60 over days passed since I got my SM3, and now I have decided to get custom sleeves for them. We are different individuals and we don't hear the same thing, we have different sound signature preferences, so please share more of your thoughts even if you found out that SM3 is just not as good as expected.
 

 
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Got them today... I sure have the same impressions with them right out of the box - they're just muddy, veiled, and lacking all treble. I immediately tried Atrio double flange silicon tips instead of the Complys (which I don't really like in any shape or size, with any phone). The Atrio tips made it a bit better, but not much. Now I'm trying single flange Shure silicon tips with less deep insertion, and they sound better.
 

They sure work well with the Clip+ too. It's usually a somewhat hissy player with those insane-specced phones with high sensitivity, but the SM3 don't hiss much and perform similarly well as on the headphone-out my AudioFire4.

 
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Just received my SM3's today. Outstanding performance, effortless. I will post impressions later. All I can say is: IE8s are off these ears.

 
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Isolation?  With these things in and music playing I'd be lucky to hear a Mack truck bearing down on me. They are extremely powerful iems IMO.
 
                I recently tried the SM3 ampless. I'm used to always using an amp these days because they make most headphones and iems sound better to me. I tried this iem straight out of a Sony NWZ- A818 and was pleasantly surprised. Very clean and clear with lots of impact. (Edit: Samsung P2 HPO also very clean) The sound was very similiar to what I would expect when using a qualty amp. Again, these iems really take advantage of what power is available. They seem to be VERY revealing of the source as well and really make the most of well recorded music. The downside as you may have guessed with an iem this revealing, poor recordings and overly compressed stuff can become unlistenable.
 
          Next I tried the SM3 with the Amp3 Pro2. There seems to be some good synergy there as well. I'm anxious to try these with the S:FLO2 and the Studio if they ever decide to ship the things. But so far the best sound has been out from my computer into a Pico DAC and then into an RSA Predator. Man o man, talked about feeling spoiled. Really wide sound with fantastic bass and detail detail detail. The width and depth of the sound is phenomanel and there is a realism that is new to me in the iem market.
 
            I've been getting pretty much the same great sound from different tips. The biggest difference has been with comfort.
 
           These are some seriously great iems! I'd be curious to know really how much of an improvement customs would be. I already feel like I am  at the point of diminishing return. BTW, the SM3s have had music of some sort playing through them almost non-stop for 3 days although I can't imagine they could get any better.

 
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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.

Franck confirmed this...a balanced connection will change the sound signature.
 
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I find the SE530 a bit more comfortable than the SM3, due to their more rounded shape and more "wiggle room" in my ears. Both are definitely above average comfortable, also for sleeping, IMO. Both have what I consider the optimal form factor for an IEM: flush fitting housing with bent nozzle and over-the-ear cable entry.
 
SM3 has a bit more treble detail and even sparkle (only with the right tips, PFE tips in my case), yet SE530 have more sibilant treble. SM3 have a more (!) forward midrange, SM3 has a small amount less bass quantity - but a bit better distributed towards deeper bass, less midbass than the SE530. SM3 sound more dynamic and punchy than SE530 at equal SPL levels. Soundstage is perceived about the same for me, but that always depends for me on my mood, how much I concentrate, and such (I never found the IE8 to have exceptional soundstage, for example). On the downside, SM3 sound more veiled than SE530 despite them (SM3) having more precision and detail. It's that weird midrange veil I still haven't gotten used to.
 
SM3 also hiss much less with portable players than the SE530. Much less. This is the part I always hated the most about the SE530.

 
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I prefer the sound of the SM3s.  To me they seem a lot more intimate.  As i said i do not have a lot of experience with iems, but i found the sound to be breath taking in places.  When I first used my Shure's i was amazed at how much more of the music i could hear and how much i had been missing.  However, i think the SM3s take this to a new level.  The first track i listened to and always tend to use as a test track was The Verve - Bittersweet Symphony.  The strings sounded so clear and for me the way that the volume increases over the first part of the track as it heads towards the bass mirrors my excitement.  Needless to say i was not let down in anyway.  I have used these for approximately 5 - 10 hours only and as i said have little experience, but i am not disappointed.  I was always going to replace my Shures with new Shures, but living in the UK this was going to be a pain, however, due to a slight bit of luck i ended up with the SM3s and couldn't be happier.

 
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Thanks lucozade for your SM3 thoughts.
 
I agree they are special!

 
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I've just got my hands on the SM3's  and aren't blown away so far, but I've only been listening to them for an hour, so early days.
 
The packaging is very basic and the inclusion of only two sets of tips is pretty feeble in my book, for that price, I'd expect a decent selection, like their main competitors supply.
 
I also went for the Sensorcom Puresound (large) and some curved profile tips, which I thought were Sensorcom, but look generic.   Both sets of tips are too small for my cavernous ear canals, so the only tips that I can use at the moment are some Comply P series and some Shure Olive's and as Average Joe said, these aren't the best for sound quality. Having said that, I'll  give some of my Westone 3 tips a go as well.
 
The sound is very good, but it doesn't sound that much different to the W3's, with the Comply's, but it's early days.
 
It's just a pity I can't find any Sensorcom curved profile tips over here like Joe's, but I've emailed them to enquire.

 
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I've had these IEMs for a few days and I do prefer the sound to my old Etymotic ER-4P/Ss. It's more smooth and fuller. Compared to my full sized cans (somewhat unfair, I know), of course their presentation is completely different. They lack the natural tone of Grado GS1000s, which isn't entirely bad as the GS1000s achieve their natural tone through a fast, arguably brittle, sound signature. They sound more like my HD600s as far as full-sized comparisons go, and the added intimacy of the SM3 is a welcomed characteristic. So while I can tell from the soundstage and 'smoothness' of the sound that I am listening to IEMs rather than speakers or full-sized cans, the sound they produce is very refined and most importantly enjoyable. I haven't heard their direct rivals, so I can't comment in that regard.
 
I'm still waiting to see if physical/mental burn-in will change my appreciation and comparisons 

 
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Yes agreed, I am very impressed with the SM3 Joe, they have hardly been out of my ears since i got them on Friday night and they continue to impress me with each album i play through these

 ,and your right ,there is something very 3 dimensional sounding how they recreate sounds ,especially strings.

 
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Even though I've only been using them for a couple of days, Joe's description sums up the feeling that I got yesterday evening, the tips make a huge difference and the Comply P's come with a lot deeper bass and the RE Bi Flanges reduce the bass a bit, but really open up the treble, not that they are ever recessed in any way.  In both cases, they sound superb, these phones really do give you the best of all worlds to me, so far.
 
I can't wait to try some other tips that I have now, as it's still early days for me, but these phones are starting to make a great impression.

 
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@ average joe, 
 
The longer i have the sm3 in my ears the more i like them, the hole spectrum of sound is very nice but the midrange and treble for me is where these really shine, they are like sweet liquid honey flowing smooth and pure out of an expansive three dimensional soundscape  which is very inticing and addictive indeed

 
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As much as I prefer open headphones, the SM3s pulled off De La Soul - De La Soul is Dead pretty well. The Chopin which came before it was not so natural..
 
That's the best thing I have to say about IEMs at the moment 

 
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The SM3 sound very good with cheesy pop like Chromeo and are very forgiving of over-compressed albums. Another plus 

 
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Currently using stock. I've tried triple flange, shure olives and Etymotic foams. The triple flange were too short to create a seal in my ear, so I added some padding to the SM3s barrel to get them further in. When they did create a seal, the sound was quite bright and lifeless; which may be caused by my extension. The other options were both uncomfortable and muddied the sound. Just my experiences 

 

[lucozade2]

@ average Joe, well yes i am enjoying my SM3s  very much and have no real desire to listen to eny of my other iem's at the moment ,the SM3 just sound amazing and wonderful with my duel flange orto tip mod everything across the hole spectrum sounds fantastic to my ears , i will post some pictures of my tips when i get a new battery for my camera tomorrow if i remember 

 

[Kunlun]

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@ average Joe, well yes i am enjoying my SM3s  very much and have no real desire to listen to eny of my other iem's at the moment ,the SM3 just sound amazing and wonderful with my duel flange orto tip mod everything across the hole spectrum sounds fantastic to my ears , i will post some pictures of my tips when i get a new battery for my camera tomorrow if i remember 

 
Wait, Lucozade2? Who are you and what did you do with the original Lucozade? And what of Lucozade's grey cat?
 

 

[Anaxilus]

Quote:

 
e-Q7 sounds more coherent I think - it blends sounds together better and gives a better sense of the music as a whole, the atmosphere, the emotions. SM3 seems to have better separation and a full rich sound, but I think the separation is actually too much - the sounds become too disconnected from one another, which seems to take away some atmosphere from the musical experience.

Is this really the intent of a 'monitor' or a problem w/ the crossover inadequately handling the multiple drivers??