The All New Earsonics SM3 Appreciation, Discussion and Review Thread!

[dweaver]

The only thing I have found with the SM3 is an ever so slight recession in the upper mids/lower treble, the recession for me is so slight that photfan's 3db adjustment and 2db adjustment makes that ever so slight change I was missing. For me thats pretty darn close to perfection since I have not owned any other IEM that only needed that minimal amount of help to be "right" for my ears. BUT I don't like alot of treble or upper midrange so my perfection is another persons BLAH.
 
I saw nobody slamming some negative comments, the closest was bennyboy teasing a couple other well respected members with the thought of a cheerleader or two showing up on their doorstep

.
 
If the fact that an appreciation thread doesn't have alot of posters glomming onto negative comments and expounding on those posts is a problem then I am not sure how this forum could work. Appreciation threads focus on appreciation thus the name, review and vs. threads are more about a level headed evaluation and consequently have negative plus positive comments equally.

 

[Photofan1986]

I feel the same way about the SM3 as you do, Dweaver!
A little tweak and they sound about perfect to my ears but as you, I'm quite sensitive to aggressive treble.

 

[koonhua90]

I suppose I hear it the same way as Dweaver and Photofan1986 do. But I realized that this is supposed to be a monitor, so that it does not cause listening fatigue after prolonged listening session for musicians and composers. Good thing is, it makes it a smooth, non fatiguing, and somewhat forgiving earphone for my listening.

 

[dweaver]

hmmm koonhua, you might be right about the sound being suppressed in that part of the sonic spectrum deliberately. I really like the slight increase photofan worked out as it makes it that much nicer sounding but also have to say I wouldn't want any more than that because I would find them tiring to listen to. So I can imagine anyone using them for lengthy times would want to be protected from that happening. Food for thought...
 
I guess this is also wny IEM's like this are not used for mixing as they would tend to skew the music production sonically.

 

[Photofan1986]

So I just received my Sensorcom tips (will call them S.tips from here on) for my SM3 (many thanks to you, Benny

) and here are my initial impressions:
 
-no matter what some say, the SM3 are the most tip dependant iem I've heard. It's quite frightening actually. I always rediscover their sound as I try a new tip. And no, it's not placebo effect.
- the S.tips might look like the one that came with the SM3 (the white ones), they do not sound alike, at all. The S.tips are miles ahead.
-the most striking difference with the tips I was using is the change in presentation! I really did not expect that. The S. tips give the SM3 a more "in the head" sound (!) but also more soundstage width. With my homemade tips, the sound is more in front of me instead of on the sides. There is more space, too with my former tips.
-there is more bass, and more treble with the S.tips. Strange. I expected more treble, but not more bass. Maybe it's because I am accustomed to my tips, but the bass is now a bit too much.
-I would say my former tips gave the SM3 a more balanced sound, and also more airy.
 
So that's about it for now. I will post my further impressions later.
 

 

[Bennyboy71]

Oh god, sorry for unleashing that monster on you mate!  It took you so long to get to loving the SM3s and now you have another journey ahead of you....oops.
 
Not quite sure from your comments whether you prefer the sensorcoms or not, but you're right - the difference they make is pretty large.

As you have a Cowon player, try adding some BBE and M3Bass to your existing EQ and turning the Stereo Enhance off.  I think the M3Bass actually tones up the bass nicely rather than overemphasising it (which you would assume from the name).
 
My current choice of EQs is between
1)  4.1mhz band set to 3,  6.9mhz set to 2 ( the rest flat), with Mach3Bass at 3 and BBE at 4.
2) Same band settings but with M3Bass at 3 and SE at 2 - effectively your own settings but with some M3B.
 
Anyway, its worth letting your ears settle into the new sound and seeing how you go.
 
Tips eh? Makes you wonder how many people are walking around with less than ideal sound going into their ears.
 
 
 
 
Quote:

So I just received my Sensorcom tips (will call them S.tips from here on) for my SM3 (many thanks to you, Benny

) and here are my initial impressions:
 
-no matter what some say, the SM3 are the most tip dependant iem I've heard. It's quite frightening actually. I always rediscover their sound as I try a new tip. And no, it's not placebo effect.
- the S.tips might look like the one that came with the SM3 (the white ones), they do not sound alike, at all. The S.tips are miles ahead.
-the most striking difference with the tips I was using is the change in presentation! I really did not expect that. The S. tips give the SM3 a more "in the head" sound (!) but also more soundstage width. With my homemade tips, the sound is more in front of me instead of on the sides. There is more space, too with my former tips.
-there is more bass, and more treble with the S.tips. Strange. I expected more treble, but not more bass. Maybe it's because I am accustomed to my tips, but the bass is now a bit too much.
-I would say my former tips gave the SM3 a more balanced sound, and also more airy.
 
So that's about it for now. I will post my further impressions later.
 

 

[ericp10]

I like the Sensorcom tips on the SM2, but for me, the best tips for the SM3 have remained the smaller diameter large single-flange flex silicon tips by Shure. No recessed treble at all to my ears now, while blending the treble nicely with the mids somewhat, and keeping that solid dynamic driver sound quality bass.

 

[cn11]

eric-
I wish you could get hold of a set of the standard single flange tips which are included with the Monster IEM's. They continue to be heads and shoulders above anything else for my ears. Unfortunately I only have one pair of the mediums, otherwise I'd send a set along for you to try out. I sent an email to Monster CS, since they only have the super tips available on the site for purchase. They want me to call in to inquire....  so I just have to find some time to do it and ask how to order those instead of the super tips. 

 

[ericp10]

Those sound interesting @ cn11, but have you tried these Shures? Let me know buddy if you are able to secure any of the regular Monsters.
Quote:

eric-
I wish you could get hold of a set of the standard single flange tips which are included with the Monster IEM's. They continue to be heads and shoulders above anything else for my ears. Unfortunately I only have one pair of the mediums, otherwise I'd send a set along for you to try out. I sent an email to Monster CS, since they only have the super tips available on the site for purchase. They want me to call in to inquire....  so I just have to find some time to do it and ask how to order those instead of the super tips. 

 

[rawrster]

Quote:

eric-
I wish you could get hold of a set of the standard single flange tips which are included with the Monster IEM's. They continue to be heads and shoulders above anything else for my ears. Unfortunately I only have one pair of the mediums, otherwise I'd send a set along for you to try out. I sent an email to Monster CS, since they only have the super tips available on the site for purchase. They want me to call in to inquire....  so I just have to find some time to do it and ask how to order those instead of the super tips. 

You mean the black ones that come in a set of 3? I have 2 sets of those so could send you one and then you can send the large or small to eric if that's his size but he does have big ears so probably large If you have the triple flanges from Monster still I could use those. PM me if interested.

 

[SolidSnake3]

Quote:

eric-
I wish you could get hold of a set of the standard single flange tips which are included with the Monster IEM's. They continue to be heads and shoulders above anything else for my ears. Unfortunately I only have one pair of the mediums, otherwise I'd send a set along for you to try out. I sent an email to Monster CS, since they only have the super tips available on the site for purchase. They want me to call in to inquire....  so I just have to find some time to do it and ask how to order those instead of the super tips. 

Might have to give this a try as well, really do love the Monster single flange and found them to be the best single flanges I have ever tried hands down. The smallest of the sizes is just perfect for me, great seal every single time with no hassle or fuss at least when I was using them on some ck10's, the MTPC's were another story
 

 

[cn11]

Yeah, give them a try. The only thing is that for the SM3's narrow nozzle, you have to use a core pulled out of either a Shure Olive foam tip, or a Comply. Otherwise they fit too loose. 

 

[Bennyboy71]

Ok, so being a caring, sharing kind of guy, I thought I'd share something amazing with you.
 
It concerns my SM3s, my sensorcom tips and my Cowon J3, and an hour long walk I have just had after work.  Wherein, I discovered an EQ setting on my Cowon that rendered every single piece of music I tried - spanning genres from rock to jazz via country and electronica - utterly, totally and transcendantally beautiful and better than any time I have heard said music before when wearing iems. One of those life-affirming times when the whole universe of noise just clicks into place and time stops and your jaw hits pavement and cartoon lightbulbs explode above your head.
 
So, Cowon, SM3 and sensorcom owners (a niche subset, I grant, but I know Photofan is one of us walking gods), try this:
 
80hz - wide - 0
300hz - wide - 0
780hz - wide - 0
4.1khz - wide - 3
6.9khz - wide - 2
 
And everything else - BBE, MP, M3Bass, SE, 3D, all of those mad scientist knobs - OFF. Nada. Rien. Zip.
 
See what happens and let me know.  All I can say is my heart is still in my mouth and it tastes, well, bloody horrible actually, but the memory of what just happened to me is sweet and honeyfied. As GaryAR (another Sensorcom ab/user) said elsewhere, when he got the fit right the sound just blew him away, almost like he imagined customs to sound. I'll see that comment and raise it another - I don't want to even think about customs if I can save the money and get my music like this.
 
Thanks for putting your eyes over this post.  Message ends,
 
Benny(fan)boy
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

[ericp10]

that's sound like a good deal @ rawrster, if cn11 is interested. of course i'll take the large for my canals. by the way, i should be sending you a surprise shortly. i'll let you know when it definitely goes out. been a little busy. thanks buddy. happy listening!!
 
Quote:

You mean the black ones that come in a set of 3? I have 2 sets of those so could send you one and then you can send the large or small to eric if that's his size but he does have big ears so probably large If you have the triple flanges from Monster still I could use those. PM me if interested.

 

[music_4321]

My SM3s are now up for sale after only 3 days. I was going to give them 2 weeks at least after reports of dramatic changes over time. I remain sceptical - I've noticed no change in SQ after 3 days.
 
If the SM3s haven't been sold by Mon/ Tue I will be doing a direct comparison with the UM3Xs I ordered a few days ago.