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

[Pianist]

I will probably get the EM3 Pro by the end of the summer. I wanted to get SM3 now, but I am too tempted by a nice local deal on Ultrasone PRO900s.

 

[shigzeo]

Yikes, the Ultrasone Pro900 are a dream phone of mine... 

 

[1audioz]

 
 
Quote:

Treble - I think the treble of the SM3 sounds much better than the e-Q7, and is more extended and liquid, but not smooth. The details are all there, but not etched or rough at all, just presented in a very convincing way. The e-Q7 on the other hand does not convey the realism in the treble that the SM3 conveys.

 
So, in a sense, the treble wouldn't be scratchy and "cutting" like the CK7 which can produce very harsh treble in some songs. How would the SM3 compare to the AD700 cans?

 

[shigzeo]

The AD700 and the SM3 are very hard to compare. One is fully sealed and the other fully open. Then, one is Dynamic and the other balanced armature. 
 
The AD700 (from memory) are brighter, but for the price, pretty killer. The SM3 is expensive, but performs well in the price range. 

 

[KLS]

Hi @1audioz, so you finally came in here

 
I agree with what @shigzeo said, one open dynamic headphones and one BA IEMs. However for sound signature alone, AD700 is bright and SM3 is warm in comparsion.

 

[shigzeo]

I'll still be caught opining the SM3 is mids, mids, mids. I like it a lot and it is way better balanced than the SE530, but there isn't a lot of 'shimmer and shake' up top. It is very, very good though. If it was made as well as the CK10, I'd probably prefer the SM3. 

 

[IanM]

 
Quote:

Originally Posted by shigzeo /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Their house sound, while not exciting, is great. And since last year, they have tweaked their monitors to run very well from pretty much any reasonably well-implemented SoC's and HPO.

Avoiding any sort of harsh sound and compatibility with a variety of sources is pretty high in my list of priorities.
 
I note average_joe describes the fit of the SM3's as over the ear, is this the only way to wear them? or are they actually OK with the cable hanging directly down?

 

[KLS]

I received my e-Q7 around 2 weeks ago, and was fascinated at how good they go with female vocals. However, after much listening with both SM3 and e-Q7, I have to agree with @average_joe that SM3 has a more natural female vocal. Though I still have a feeling that midrange clarity might get better if one found the perfect tips.

 

[SolidVictory]

Just pulled the trigger on the SM3. My wallet is so, so sad ...

 

[KLS]

 
Quote:

 
Avoiding any sort of harsh sound and compatibility with a variety of sources is pretty high in my list of priorities.
 
I note average_joe describes the fit of the SM3's as over the ear, is this the only way to wear them? or are they actually OK with the cable hanging directly down?

 
Perhaps I am a weirdo here to wear IEMs which are meant to wear over the ears, but I have no problem wearing them straight down. I wear them over ears only when I am outdoor.

 

 

[Pianist]

Quote:

Yikes, the Ultrasone Pro900 are a dream phone of mine... 

Why, you can't afford it?

 

[IanM]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KLS /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Perhaps I am a weirdo here to wear IEMs which are meant to wear over the ears, but I have no problem wearing them straight down. I wear them over ears only when I am outdoor.

 
I don't think there's anything wrong with wearing the cable straight down, most of the time I find it more comfortable. The question is whether a particular IEM will stay put if it's upside down - I guess some shapes will just have a tendency to fall out, or be pulled out at the slightest tug on the cable.
 

 

[midoo1990]

hmm,average joe or shigzeo,are they as warm as um3x?honestly my only problem with the um3x is they are pretty warm.the ie8 is much less warm when it fits shalow.also cymbals are the only instrument that are left alone at the back of my head with no sparkle or shimmer.
surprisingly,i love the sound of um3x especially with trance,it makes for a very intimate feel and vocals in trance sound like heaven as you feel that it is only singing for you and you can hear every beat and little details because of that intimate presentation.
Edit:also the cable of um3x is something to behold,easily better than that of ck10 and on par with that of ie8.it seems that the sm3 using the same awesame cable.

 

[KLS]

Quote:

 
I don't think there's anything wrong with wearing the cable straight down, most of the time I find it more comfortable. The question is whether a particular IEM will stay put if it's upside down - I guess some shapes will just have a tendency to fall out, or be pulled out at the slightest tug on the cable.
 

If you are using foam tips, I am pretty sure they will stay well.
 

 

[KLS]

 
Quote:

hmm,average joe or shigzeo,are they as warm as um3x?honestly my only problem with the um3x is they are pretty warm.the ie8 is much less warm when it fits shalow.also cymbals are the only instrument that are left alone at the back of my head with no sparkle or shimmer.
surprisingly,i love the sound of um3x especially with trance,it makes for a very intimate feel and vocals in trance sound like heaven as you feel that it is only singing for you and you can hear every beat and little details because of that intimate presentation.
Edit:also the cable of um3x is something to behold,easily better than that of ck10 and on par with that of ie8.it seems that the sm3 using the same awesame cable.

 
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.