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

[Anaxilus]

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I think itsunfair to say these brake easily - people are rightly going to post when they are broke, but there are maybe 000's that haven't and we obviously won't hear from them
 
They are made from plastic but there aren't many that aren't
 
I have had for a month nearly, and not had any concerns over the build quality.
 

 
I don't see it that way at all.  The nature of its design it is more damage prone.  Of all the phones I've tried it is the only one I have ever been so worried about changing tips on.  That nozzle is begging to get snapped.  The housing is okay, better than I expected.  The only other one would be the Shure 530 w/ Olives seized on the nozzle.
 

 

[music_4321]

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...Also GaryARs post is quite extreme in my opinion. "Really need to be EQ'd" is not a statement I have ever seen in relation to the SM3 before. Sure a slight tweek to the upper treble (I'm talking +~2db) is preferred by some, but many love the sound of their SM3 without any EQing. I personally add 2db to the 6Khz band and am loving it. Nothing else I have ever heard compares...
 

I stated in this thread that only through heavily EQ'ing the SM3s did I get 'decent' SQ out of them.

 

[DaeO]

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I stated in this thread that only through heavily EQ'ing the SM3s did I get 'decent' SQ out of them.

You're entitled to your opinion music but 'decent' is a bit harsh IMO

 

[DaeO]

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I don't see it that way at all.  The nature of its design it is more damage prone.  Of all the phones I've tried it is the only one I have ever been so worried about changing tips on.  That nozzle is begging to get snapped.  The housing is okay, better than I expected.  The only other one would be the Shure 530 w/ Olives seized on the nozzle.
 

I can see where you're coming from regarding the nozzle, maybe due to the clear casing on the front (exposing the case joints?) but I have been switching different tips several times a day for the past month (I struggle to get a good fit) and not experienced any concern yet.

 

[GaryAR]

I agree that 'decent' is too harsh, but after you listen to them with the filters out it is immediately and undeniably apparent what you are missing in the highs. IMO they either need a 1 to 2 dB boost in the upper mids & treble or they need an optimized filter installed. They do a lot of things amazingly well right out of the box with sensorcom tips, but they come up short if you're looking for clarity, transparency and air. 
 
gary

 

[asphyxiation]

Talk about olives. I swear I'm never putting olives back on my SM3's again, they had to be clawed out from the nozzles I thought they'd snap. The build quality of the SM3's seems fine, but the nozzles are really in a precarious position I'd say. 
 
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I don't see it that way at all.  The nature of its design it is more damage prone.  Of all the phones I've tried it is the only one I have ever been so worried about changing tips on.  That nozzle is begging to get snapped.  The housing is okay, better than I expected.  The only other one would be the Shure 530 w/ Olives seized on the nozzle.
 

 

[violinvirtuoso]

Though the look delicate, in my experience they have never broken. They sound great (especially with Sensorcom biflanges) and the cable is as good as non-detachable comes (never tried Audio Technica cables). One the things I love about the SM3 is the sense of being almost being there. If you want crystal clear music, look into Etymotic, Audio Technica, and Fischer Audio.
 

 

[dweaver]

I think being honest about an IEM's physical characteristics is not being harsh or disloyal it just ensures people know what they are getting in to.



In regards to my SM3 I think I will talk to Fisher Audio about what filters they use in their custom shells. If possible I will get them to use one that allows more treble for the one tube and one with the same properties as the current filter for the other tube.

 

[Bennyboy71]

Yiu nail it in those 2 sentences.  What I loved about the SM3 was that sense of immersion, whereas what I love about the Ety sound is its crystal clarity.  If the 2 could be somehow welded together, now that would be something. 
 
I propose Earsonics and Etymotic have sex!

 
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One the things I love about the SM3 is the sense of being almost being there. If you want crystal clear music, look into Etymotic, Audio Technica, and Fischer Audio.
 

 

[violinvirtuoso]

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I think being honest about an IEM's physical characteristics is not being harsh or disloyal it just ensures people know what they are getting in to.



In regards to my SM3 I think I will talk to Fisher Audio about what filters they use in their custom shells. If possible I will get them to use one that allows more treble for the one tube and one with the same properties as the current filter for the other tube.

No offense meant, it is important that everyone report their findings here (good and bad).
 
This filter thing is an interesting concept. It sounds like the Kramer Mod comes to SM3. I am very interested in what treble filters Fischer Audio uses. If we could somehow meld Fischer Audio's sound signature with Earsonics, that would be one heck of an IEM.

 

[dweaver]

Thanks violinvirtuoso I am certainly in love with the sound of the SM3 and do recommend it for that reason. The over all durability is not the best but isn't completely bad either, it just deserves to be mentioned when recommedning the SM3 in case this is a big issue for someone looking to buy the SM3.
 
Hey Bennyboy I understand your feelings completely as well. I am going to have a discussion with Fisher for sure. I think if they can use a different filter for the treble bore to allow the treble more clarity and the same type of filter for the midrange/bass bore that they use now, this could be the subtle tweak needed to give the SM3 for clarity and immersion. If they say they can do this I will take the plunge into the custom world with Fisher. I will then post my findings here as I go forward.

 

[rawrster]

Well it's pretty rare for such an earphone to have so many cases of the nozzle being broken unless there was an issue with the build which seems to be the case here.
 

 

[Juiced]

lately i feel like my sm3 lost balance, i feel the the left piece is a little bit stronger
did you experience the same problem?
 
my sm3 passed +/- 80 hours of burn in

 

[Wildcard30]

might be a little bit of wax in the filter.
 
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lately i feel like my sm3 lost balance, i feel the the left piece is a little bit stronger
did you experience the same problem?
 
my sm3 passed +/- 80 hours of burn in

 

[violinvirtuoso]

Or you might not be getting a good seal, or you might have a bad recording.