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

[GaryAR]

I'm absolutely loving the SM3 + sensorcom combo. Now that I've gotten the hang of putting them in and have become used to the vacuum seal they're actually really comfortable and the isolation is great. I'm listening to music any chance I get, which I haven't been so excited to do for a long, long time. Right now Contra by Vampire Weekend is in and is sounding amazing... lots of subtleties and background instruments/vocals that I never noticed. I'm amazed that these things can render that level of detail while delivering the punchiest bass & drums I've ever heard from an IEM and still not being the least bit fatiguing. 
 
gary

 

[MKang25]

Quote:

I'm absolutely loving the SM3 + sensorcom combo. Now that I've gotten the hang of putting them in and have become used to the vacuum seal they're actually really comfortable and the isolation is great. I'm listening to music any chance I get, which I haven't been so excited to do for a long, long time. Right now Contra by Vampire Weekend is in and is sounding amazing... lots of subtleties and background instruments/vocals that I never noticed. I'm amazed that these things can render that level of detail while delivering the punchiest bass & drums I've ever heard from an IEM and still not being the least bit fatiguing. 
 
gary

 
LOL I was listening to Horchata while I was reading this testing out both the 535s and SM3s
 

 

[shane55]

Quote:

@shane  ,maybe you will he better results with these tips on your SM3, looking forward to your findings.
 

As Einstein said, doing the same thing over and again, expecting different results is the definition of insanity.
I am obviously insane.
 
First, and again I want to thank Bennyboy71. Second, I want to state the oft stated obvious; that there are multiple tips because there are millions of different ears out there.
 
So I tell myself that I really must try something because so many are just raving about it. So I do... and I always will. This is also why I bought the 535, SM3, DBA-02, etc. I want to experience what the fuss is all about for myself, so that I can make up my own mind and know... well, yes, or no. Without trying, one is never sure. Without listening to something one can never know if they like it or not. Reading reviews can only go so far... but we know this. Don't we, choir members?
 
I keep trying different bi-and tri-flange tips because they are different, or I try them differently, but it's always the same. I will never be able to tolerate flange tips. Never. They do something so weird inside my ear canals and head that it's like having my ears filled with water. Ugh.. it's just gawdawful.
 
You were all correct on two counts:
1) The Sensorcom bi-flange tips are by far the absolute best bi-flange tips I've ever worn or listened to. They are by far the most comfortable (less torturous than any other!!) b-flange tips I've tried. I tried multiple methods of insertion... wet, dry... pull the ear, etc.
 
2) They completely transformed the sound. I really had to check to make sure that I was listening to the SM3, because it sounded differently than I had ever heard them. Not with the bi-flange tips they came with, Olives, comply's, Monster hybrids, you name it... They changed the sound so radically that I had to put the Olives back on them just to make sure something else hadn't happened to them.
 
So in what way did it change the sound?
1) Killed the bass. Dead. No bass
2) Brought up the mids in the same way the MarkL mods brings up the mids in the LA2000.
3) Produced an amazingly bright, and much clearer overall presentation.
4) Opened the soundstage (or headspace or soundspace, whatever).
5) Un-muffled the overall sound.
6) Produced a somewhat cupped-hand character (related to #2).
 
Thoughts:
It's late.
I never hear as well in the evening as I do during the day. I will try these again, but it may have to wait until the weekend. I will endure the 'torture' of wearing these just to make sure of my sonic observations. I do not want to rush to judgement. But that's what I have so far. Take it for what it's worth. My mileage has varied. 

 
Good night.
 
shane
 
 
 

 

[lucozade]

@shane , very interesting observations and a great post , so the way the sensercorm tips changed the sound for you, is that a good thing or a bad thing ?

 

[music_4321]

Quote:

 
...So in what way did it change the sound?
 
1) Killed the bass. Dead. No bass
2) Brought up the mids in the same way the MarkL mods brings up the mids in the LA2000.
3) Produced an amazingly bright, and much clearer overall presentation.
4) Opened the soundstage (or headspace or soundspace, whatever).
5) Un-muffled the overall sound.
6) Produced a somewhat cupped-hand character (related to #2).
...

 
Will find out soon as I'll be getting home within the next few hours where my SM3s and Sensorcom tips (courtesy of http://www.bennyboy71.co.uk/sleeves/guaranteed_audio_nirvana/born_again_audiophile/index.htm) have been sitting all alone for a few days.

 

[Hero Kid]

^ Anyone else fall for that link?

 

[Photofan1986]

^ yep...

 

[music_4321]

I now have the SM3 and will be giving my first impressions later as well as making some comparisons which will include both the 535s & ES3X. Here's a photo of all three. Both SM3 & 535 have the soft grey silicone tips (from Westone) on them, medium sized for the former, large ones for the latter.
 

 

[rayk]

Do Sensorcom tips come in one size?
 
Might give them a whirl, though I've really been enjoying the SM3s with stock for a while now. Don't feel them at all !

 

[Bennyboy71]

One size only, yes.
 
Quote:

Do Sensorcom tips come in one size?
 
Might give them a whirl, though I've really been enjoying the SM3s with stock for a while now. Don't feel them at all !

 

[GaryAR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shane55 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
So in what way did it change the sound?
1) Killed the bass. Dead. No bass
2) Brought up the mids in the same way the MarkL mods brings up the mids in the LA2000.
3) Produced an amazingly bright, and much clearer overall presentation.
4) Opened the soundstage (or headspace or soundspace, whatever).
5) Un-muffled the overall sound.
6) Produced a somewhat cupped-hand character (related to #2).

That's pretty much exactly what I get without a "vacuum" seal. Once it becomes air tight, the bass snaps into place like a camera coming into focus and all is good in the world. Hopefully you'll be able to get that fit by experimenting with them, it does take some practice, although it's possible that the flanges might be too small for your ears. For me they barely close off, and I definitely wish they made some a little bigger in diameter. 
 
gary

 

[kwkarth]

Quote:

That's pretty much exactly what I get without a "vacuum" seal. Once it becomes air tight, the bass snaps into place like a camera coming into focus and all is good in the world. Hopefully you'll be able to get that fit by experimenting with them, it does take some practice, although it's possible that the flanges might be too small for your ears. For me they barely close off, and I definitely wish they made some a little bigger in diameter. 
 
gary

Yes, Shane's experience has "no seal" written all over it.

 

[Donnyhifi]

I've jumped on the SM3 wagon now too!

 
I found the stock silicon tips to sound ok but wanted to try something different since these were too dark and after reading Shayne's observations, picked up the Shure Olives and I'm really liking the sound, alot!!!

 
The SM3 blows every other IEM's I have listened to out of the water including the ATH-CK100. The sound is fantastic! From the in your face but detailed bass, to the layers and layers of music that become visible especially in the mids, to the very good treble extension and detail!
 
I can see where the treble lovers are coming from, my Triple.fi have a greater quantity of treble but it wasn't nearly as clean as the SM3. If someone is coming from a brighter pair of cans they will find the SM3 treble somewhat recessed and may need greater time for their ears to adjust accordingly.
 
With the SM3 things just sound right! Vocals, musical instruments with the right timbre(a feeling I never really got with any BA IEM before) , I am really liking the Earsonics sound signature.
 
Finally a pair of Universal IEM that sound right! I'll be keeping these for a long time

 
I'm thinking of picking up a pair of EM3 pro customs now

 

[shane55]

Quote:

That's pretty much exactly what I get without a "vacuum" seal. Once it becomes air tight, the bass snaps into place like a camera coming into focus and all is good in the world. Hopefully you'll be able to get that fit by experimenting with them, it does take some practice, although it's possible that the flanges might be too small for your ears. For me they barely close off, and I definitely wish they made some a little bigger in diameter. 
 
gary

Right... I'm sure you are correct.
As I wrote, I tried several different techniques trying to get these things to seal properly. But obviously was unsuscessful.
 
One of two things is going to happen this evening when I attempt this again.
1) I'll find the perfect technique and they'll snap-to-it and seal and seat properly (and I'll have the most amazing sonic experience).

2) It'll be the same failure as last night, and I'll sell them with my next IEM offering to the FS gods.

 
Place your bets now.
 
shane
 

 

[shane55]

Quote:

@shane , very interesting observations and a great post , so the way the sensercorm tips changed the sound for you, is that a good thing or a bad thing ?

Yes. Both.
Good that it shows promise. The sound really opened-up. It was like a different IEM altogether... in a good way.
Bad in that it had no bass and sounded like it was coming through a tube (which it is, of course, but you get my point...).
 
So... mixed bag. If I can get the seal correct tonight, maybe both negatives will be removed to leave only the good!

 
I gots me some weird ears I tell ya....
 
shane