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James, I know I bothered you with too many questions recently, but I have to ask... How would you compare the SM3 to the e-Q5? I love all the aspects of the SM3 except its thick, overpowering, aggressive mids. So I guess I would expect to find such great qualities in my next IEM, which may be e-Q5... So a direct comparison between the two would mean a lot...
Also, I'm using the Sensorcom double flanges with my SM3. The diameter of the second flange is about 1.2 cm, but they are made of silicon and can be pushed easily into the ear canal. From the look of it, I can tell the tip of the e-Q5 is made of some hard material. 9 mm is a bit scary... Could you please compare the materials and the insertion styles of the SM3 and the e-Q5?
The SM3 are highly refined and smooth sounding IEMs with great extension on both ends of the FR-range, excellent resolution and pretty realistic timbre for BA-based phones. They could well be my favourite IEMs, but their overpowering in-your-face mids and their odd all-around-your-head soundstage are deal-brakers in my book. Back in the SM3 thread I wrote that I felt like sitting in the middle of a large concert hall with the IE8, like front row with the e-Q7 and like standing nose-to-nose on stage with the singer whenever I put on the SM3.
The e-Q5 on the other hand are a tad better refined than the e-Q7, but I'd think they'd still fall slightly short of the SM3. Judging from memory, the SM3 have a bit more micro-detail, but at the same time a slight veil that makes them less transparent than the Ortofons. The e-Q5 on the other hand are extremely crisp and clear across the whole frequency range and much more transparent than the SM3 to my ears. They're a bit short of the SM3 in bass extension as they don't do much below 30Hz, but I'd rate them at least equal if not better in bass texture. For timbre I'd also give the nod to the Ortofons, though the SM3 aren't much worse.
Soundstage-wise it's no comparison, I don't care whether the SM3 might be a bit wider or deeper or whatever, I just can't stand instruments playing from behind my head when listening to a live recording. IMO epic fail for the SM3, period.
Regarding fit, the e-Q5 stock tips are very soft silicons, but you're right insertion may be a concern with smaller ears. ClieOS likened the housing shape to an AAA battery and he's right as these are about 9mm in diameter. So if you're unable to insert the top of an AAA battery into your ear canal opening, you may only have a very shallow seal with the Ortofons. I'm able to insert about 10mm and have no problem fitting the e-Q5.
Hope this helps with your decision!