FYLegend
1000+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2013
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The M50x is somewhat notorious for being congested and closed in but I disagree. I just think the SHE3590 has a bit more reverb/decay that deepens the soundstage. It's not a huge difference but in terms of soundstage I prefer the 3590.
Yes I had the IM70 before and I still think it has the sound signature I most greatly enjoyed, something of a W-shape - you can't really compare these with the 3900 which have a more typical v-shape. Unfortunately my pair broke and now I have to wait until I go back to Taiwan to get another one... (I tried buying one online but it had driver flex so I returned it).
I think both the 3590 and 3900 outdo the more recently released SHE8100 (a budget IEM with aluminum housings) in terms of sound. Although the 8100 has a bit more detail and transparency while not being too sibilant, the midrange is deeply recessed. Also it requires quite a bit more volume to be driven at the same level. Soundstage is about as wide as the 3900 but there is considerably more depth.A commenter on my review for that suggested that the SHE9720 might be a better but reviewers on kakaku seem very disappointed about it.
I'd take them over the Piston 3 as well. The Piston's highs and mids are somewhat veiled and not well-defined, so even though the soundstage is wide, things sound congested and hazy. They also have more mid-bass and more punchy overall, but the bass doesn't sound as deep as the Philips.
My concern is Philips is heading downhill in their budget department (not the 3900 but the 8100 and 9720), while Chinese OEMs continue to push for higher standards at the same price point.
Yes I had the IM70 before and I still think it has the sound signature I most greatly enjoyed, something of a W-shape - you can't really compare these with the 3900 which have a more typical v-shape. Unfortunately my pair broke and now I have to wait until I go back to Taiwan to get another one... (I tried buying one online but it had driver flex so I returned it).
I think both the 3590 and 3900 outdo the more recently released SHE8100 (a budget IEM with aluminum housings) in terms of sound. Although the 8100 has a bit more detail and transparency while not being too sibilant, the midrange is deeply recessed. Also it requires quite a bit more volume to be driven at the same level. Soundstage is about as wide as the 3900 but there is considerably more depth.A commenter on my review for that suggested that the SHE9720 might be a better but reviewers on kakaku seem very disappointed about it.
I'd take them over the Piston 3 as well. The Piston's highs and mids are somewhat veiled and not well-defined, so even though the soundstage is wide, things sound congested and hazy. They also have more mid-bass and more punchy overall, but the bass doesn't sound as deep as the Philips.
My concern is Philips is heading downhill in their budget department (not the 3900 but the 8100 and 9720), while Chinese OEMs continue to push for higher standards at the same price point.