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

[KLS]

I thought shigzeo gets most of his stuff for free?! $150 for SM3 is an incredible deal
 
Take care shigzeo.

 

[Anaxilus]

Quote:

I thought shigzeo gets most of his stuff for free?! 

Don't think that is the case.  

 

[airwax]

@shigzeo,
 
If I only knew that selling your SM3s is one of your giveaways, I would have asked for that. Anyway, thanks for the generosity again.

 

[Photofan1986]

Ladies and gentlemen, mesdames et messieurs,
 
I made an edifying discovery today!
Let me tell you...
 
The SM3 were sitting on my desk and I was doing some paperwork that require concentration, so I couldn't listen to them while working.
Then, I lost concentration and began to look at the Earsonics. And I realized something I should have realized way before: the green filter in the nozzle is used to tailor the sound, and from my experience (with my former SF3), I noticed that the filter tends to tame the 4-6khz frequency range.
I immediately decided to give it a try an remove those filters. Of course, my beloved SM3 had to survive, so I found a solution to make the mod reversible. I used a small (and short) screw that has the same diameter as the filter (well, somewhat smaller, actually), so that the the screw fits in the filter easily. Then, I screwed the screw with a screwdriver (screw it!). To be done with care, so that the filter is not damaged (if the screw is too long, you'll make a hole in the filter, rendering it useless). Finally, I used my nails to pull on the screw, holding the nozzle with my fingers. And voilà, the filter is out! Now just unscrew the screw (I hate repeating those words!

) and put the filter in a small plastic bag, for further use (or not

). I did the same for the other phone, but had to use pliers to extract the filter.
 
Haaaa! Now, you're holding your breath!!
Before you read on, you have to know that I'm discovering the sound while I'm typing.
Soooo, ...how does is sound?! Well, different!
 
First thing I notice: hiss. There was no hiss to be found on them before (using my D2+), but now, they hiss. Not terrible, but noticeable.
And as I expected, the higher mids and trebles are brought forward, by quite a margin actually! They now sound as forward as the RE-252 but with more bass (and they do many other things better, too).
While on the subject, let's speak of the bass: as the filter tamed the whole freq range, but particularly the higher mids, the whole volume is louder. So actually, the bass seems tamed compared to the rest. It's still much more prominent than the RE-252 bass, but they are definitely less loud than on stock SM3. Is it more balanced? Well, maybe, but try it for yourself, it's the best way to know

 
Comes the most interesting part: the SM3 had a supposedly veiled midrange, at least that's how some felt it. Let me say that those thing are now CRYSTAL CLEAR! RE-252 seems dull in comparison! Not to mention IE8, which sounds like I'm listening to AM radio

And gosh, the details! They made a huge jump. Hum, no actually, I think they were always there, just hidden behind this slight "veil". Now, it's all in your face!
 
Wow, I must say that I'm amazed at the differences I hear.
The good point is that I'm not hearing any sibilance either, which I feared.
 
More impressions to come, but people, DO TRY IT, it's reversible 

and.... you don't like it? Just put the filters back. But believe me, you want to hear that, even if it's just for a trial

 
one pic of the filter and the screw I used

 

[Bennyboy71]

Ah man, I so want to try it, but I'm left handed, blonde and unable to even walk near things without them falling apart.  It's a recipe for disaster. 
 
Quote:

Ladies and gentlemen, mesdames et messieurs,
 
I made an edifying discovery today!
Let me tell you...
 
The SM3 were sitting on my desk and I was doing some paperwork that require concentration, so I couldn't listen to them while working.
Then, I lost concentration and began to look at the Earsonics. And I realized something I should have realized way before: the green filter in the nozzle is used to tailor the sound, and from my experience (with my former SF3), I noticed that the filter tends to tame the 4-6khz frequency range.
I immediately decided to give it a try an remove those filters. Of course, my beloved SM3 had to survive, so I found a solution to make the mod reversible. I used a small (and short) screw that has the same diameter as the filter (well, somewhat smaller, actually), so that the the screw fits in the filter easily. Then, I screwed the screw with a screwdriver (screw it!). To be done with care, so that the filter is not damaged (if the screw is too long, you'll make a hole in the filter, rendering it useless). Finally, I used my nails to pull on the screw, holding the nozzle with my fingers. And voilà, the filter is out! Now just unscrew the screw (I hate repeating those words!

) and put the filter in a small plastic bag, for further use (or not

). I did the same for the other phone, but had to use pliers to extract the filter.
 
Haaaa! Now, you're holding your breath!!
Before you read on, you have to know that I'm discovering the sound while I'm typing.
Soooo, ...how does is sound?! Well, different!
 
First thing I notice: hiss. There was no hiss to be found on them before (using my D2+), but now, they hiss. Not terrible, but noticeable.
And as I expected, the higher mids and trebles are brought forward, by quite a margin actually! They now sound as forward as the RE-252 but with more bass (and they do many other things better, too).
While on the subject, let's speak of the bass: as the filter tamed the whole freq range, but particularly the higher mids, the whole volume is louder. So actually, the bass seems tamed compared to the rest. It's still much more prominent than the RE-252 bass, but they are definitely less loud than on stock SM3. Is it more balanced? Well, maybe, but try it for yourself, it's the best way to know

 
Comes the most interesting part: the SM3 had a supposedly veiled midrange, at least that's how some felt it. Let me say that those thing are now CRYSTAL CLEAR! RE-252 seems dull in comparison! Not to mention IE8, which sounds like I'm listening to AM radio

And gosh, the details! They made a huge jump. Hum, no actually, I think they were always there, just hidden behind this slight "veil". Now, it's all in your face!
 
Wow, I must say that I'm amazed at the differences I hear.
The good point is that I'm not hearing any sibilance either, which I feared.
 
More impressions to come, but people, DO TRY IT, it's reversible 

and.... you don't like it? Just put the filters back. But believe me, you want to hear that, even if it's just for a trial

 
one pic of the filter and the screw I used

 

[Photofan1986]

Ah, Benny, I hear you ! With this kind of stuff, you have to remain calm and cool, and take your time. Never force anything, be patient and again, take your time. Normally, if you follow those simple rules, you should have no problem.
But of course, I cannot be held responsible for any damage blah blah

 
Jesus, the IE8 sounds like sonic poop compared to this

The SM3 were superior even before, but now the difference is simply incredible!

 

[Bennyboy71]

Well, I just used an unbent paperclip and managed to get the filters out easily enough, so thats a big 'phew!' from me....
 
Um, hate to say this but I can't agree with you - there's waaay too much treble harshness without them, for my liking leastways. Everything's too strident, less liquid than before, and I much prefer them with the filters. 
 
Interesting experiment, but not me for. Still, if its floating your earcanal boats, run with it.....  
 
Quote:

Ah, Benny, I hear you ! With this kind of stuff, you have to remain calm and cool, and take your time. Never force anything, be patient and again, take your time. Normally, if you follow those simple rules, you should have no problem.
But of course, I cannot be held responsible for any damage blah blah

 
Jesus, the IE8 sounds like sonic poop compared to this

The SM3 were superior even before, but now the difference is simply incredible!

 

[Photofan1986]

Phew, happy to hear you managed to remove them without breaking anything

Concerning the sound, I did not say it's better or worse, just that it's different. I still don't know whether I like it or not, but I agree with you: they are too bright now. I could do with a filter in between.
I'm amazed to hear the difference a simple filter can do.
And those who like their SM3 with the filter probably won't like the sound without, but those who complained about the veil or the recessed highs should give it a try. I'm thinking of slaters, music_4321...
 

 

[rawrster]

Well most filters like that have some sort of change on the sound

 

[Photofan1986]

Sure, but I did not expect such a change.
Update: I tried to put a Head Direct filter (the foam one) in the Sensorcom tip, and the bright highs are now tamed. It lies somewhere between the stock filters and the no-filter sound.
More to come.

 

[ericp10]

LMAO @ Bennyboy. I'm the same (san the blonde thing). I wonder, however, if the tool used to pull the filters out of the Etymotic HF5 would work on the SM3? Hmmmm? Then I wonder if I even have that extra tool hiding somewhere in my house?
Quote:

Ah man, I so want to try it, but I'm left handed, blonde and unable to even walk near things without them falling apart.  It's a recipe for disaster. 
 

 

 

[Bennyboy71]

yep, the HF5 filter tool works perfectly - just tried it.
 
Quote:

LMAO @ Bennyboy. I'm the same (san the blonde thing). I wonder, however, if the tool used to pull the filters out of the Etymotic HF5 would work on the SM3? Hmmmm? Then I wonder if I even have that extra tool hiding somewhere in my house?

 

 

[Photofan1986]

Ok, I found an excellent middle way, with the Head Direct foams (but I guess it should work fine with cotton as well) pushed in the Sensorcom tips (could work with any other tips, as long as it stays in the way of the sound).
The phone seems to retain most of his sound sig, but with better clarity and without harshness. Have to test it out, though.

 

[cn11]

Almost four months with the SM3's and I haven't been struck by the upgrade bug for IEM's. This is very rare for me, I must say! I'm happy as a clam still.   

 

[ericp10]

Thanks for the info Bennyboy
 
Thank you too @ Photofan
Quote:

yep, the HF5 filter tool works perfectly - just tried it.