Over the past few weeks, I've been experimenting with the A3 and have found that insertion do change the sound of the A3 "ALOT"(I can't stress it enough). This is actually the first time I'm experiencing this with IEMs. My theory is that when there's more airflow in between the ear canal, sound escapes through, which can/may change the sound signature completely. Difference differ from sounding dark/bright, Tight/Muddy-Bass, Open-sounding/closed-sounding, Higher freq vs lower freq.
Based on 2 Factors
• How sounds actually travel into the ears (Angle, Distance, Rebound)
- The Angle in which is positioned to close off the distance, which affects the speed and how fast it takes for the sound to travel into the ears.
- If we see the ear canals as a maze, I think it would be easier to understand that when there's wall, sound rebounds creating echos, which creates a deeper field of sound perception. Creating an illusion of deeper depths/field and imaging.
• Gaps between ear canals (Airflow, Isolation)
- When there's airflow, the first thing is that a more opening-sound is being created. We understand that from open-headphones or semi open headphone/IEM.
- The more/deeper Isolation, the more difficult it is for the sound to escape, which results in higher bass quantity. Cleaner sound as there's place for the sound to go except the ears which doesn't necessarily means it will be clear. In my experience, and opinion, when there's more sound escape, you're perceiving two channels, sound going in along with sound traveling out which may result in messier sound(sorry for the bad description).
For now, I usually listen to them at a "90° angle respect to the ear (perpendicular)" which I believe to produced the best amount of bass quantity, Vocals, and Depths.
Settings: Comfort 7.5/10, Tight isolation, no airflow in between ear canals
Result: Dark Sounding, Bassy, Full Bodied Sound, Clean highs, Deeper Depth(feels), Warm/Fun-Sounding.
Pointed at a higher angle 45° forward insertion.
Settings: Comfort 8.5/10, Tight isolation, believe to have a little airflow in the ear canals
Result: Bright sounding, Not-Bassy(may be perceived to have tigher bass), Open-sounding, Brighter highs, Cold/analytical sounding.
The reason why I did this is that I've read that people have very difference experience with these Sony IEMs when auditioning/reviewing and the reports really differs from each other. I believe the reason being for the change is due to the weight/ergonomic of these IEM. Making the fit experience very different from one another. I highly suggest people trying out difference ear-tips and insertion to get the best or desired sound from these IEM.
It would great to get some feedback/experience with the above settings.(I think it would be kinda interesting haha). Do feel free to voice out your opinion, if there's a huge change in sound etc or experienced/tested it out.
![20170728_025736[1].jpg](https://cdn.head-fi.org/a/9979598.jpg)
The muc cable would require a proper Over-the-ear guide tho for perfect comfort. It's not that bad actually, they don't look bad or anything. At least what I tell myself is that they don't look as huge as wearing a headphone/on-ear. Plus the comfort + big sound covers for everything else
