[heishiro]

Quote:

I was surprised though because I was pretty sure you were gonna pick the Westone 4

[size=10pt]find which one "best" fits my genre of music (mainly trance, progressive, EDM)[/size],
from his music preference no wonder he like more the SM3, i think it is because of the bass.

 

[ClieOS]

When it comes to top-tier, personal preference is the most important part of the game. I for one don't really like SM3 dark signature much, but it is not to say it is not a good sounding IEM in its own right.

 

[KaliKot]

Same here, as they say YMMV. I easily preferred the UM3x over it and will be having my own pair next week 

Quote:

When it comes to top-tier, personal preference is the most important part of the game. I for one don't really like SM3 dark signature much, but it is not to say it is not a good sounding IEM in its own right.

 
Well the Monster IEMs are the best for trance for my ears imo. I must say that I did try the SM3 with some dubstep (Skrillex - Reptile) and was impressed by their "dynamic-like" bass performance but I think the Monster top tiers outperform it when it comes to that genre
 
Quote:

[size=10pt]find which one "best" fits my genre of music (mainly trance, progressive, EDM)[/size],
from his music preference no wonder he like more the SM3, i think it is because of the bass.

 

 

[DaEMoNteNTAcLe]

no suprise here for me. i've heard both, both are superb.
w4 is kinda thin sounding, a bit digital? hmm.. maybe skinny..
it doesnt have the juice in the sound.
since ur able to settle down on sm3, congrats on that.. kinda hoped i also can.. but having gone overboard.. i cant go back. lol.

 

[goodvibes]

Quote:

When it comes to top-tier, personal preference is the most important part of the game. I for one don't really like SM3 dark signature much, but it is not to say it is not a good sounding IEM in its own right.

His source is a bit cold so that may have come into play or maybe not. Congrats on finding his preferred IEM.

 
 

 

[Omnirai]

It's been great following this showdown - I'm a little disappointed that you've found your favorite so fast as I was hoping for more impressions from someone who owns a good number of top-tiers simultaneously

My preference in sound surely deviates significantly from yours as I did not like the SM3s at all despite many listens to try to convince myself it was worth the hype. I'll be keeping my eyes open if you choose to try out some of the more recent additions to the "top-tier" family: the Ortofon twins, Grado GR10, Final Audio Heaven series and dare-I-say-it the FI-BA-SS

 

[CantScareMe]

Yea, well done i2ehan. You've come to your favourite and that's what matters. Don't worry too much about other universal iem's given the amount you've tried. I don't think your missing anything by not trying the grado gr10 for example- as i've had a few that you've auditioned and these aswell. The only thing the grado's do better than all is in my opinion, resolution. For example, I found them to get beaten quite badly on the soundstage front by shure 535's/315's, ck10 and ie8.
 
Nice reads, and very insightful updates throughout the 20 pages of this thread.
 
Thanks a lot
 
Sorry but I can't resist the temptation to mention the mx980 earbuds. For my preferences, these rip the crap out of all the iem's i've come across.

 

[DaBomb77766]

Quote:

Sorry but I can't resist the temptation to mention the mx980 earbuds. For my preferences, these rip the crap out of all the iem's i've come across.

All?  That's a pretty bold statement, especially given their price point.

 

[CantScareMe]

what has price got to do with sq?

 

[music_4321]

Quote:

When it comes to top-tier, personal preference is the most important part of the game. I for one don't really like SM3 dark signature much...

 
 
Quote:

Same here, as they say YMMV. I easily preferred the UM3x over it and will be having my own pair next week 

 

 
 
Quote:

My preference in sound surely deviates significantly from yours as I did not like the SM3s at all despite many listens to try to convince myself it was worth the hype. 

x 4
 
I didn't enjoy the SM3 one bit (with any sort of music) and found the EX1000, W4, UM3X, TF10, CK100, IE8 & UM2 significantly better sounding IEMs. I even preferred the W3 & SE535 over the SM3s. Having said that, if the OP found audio nirvana with the SM3s, good for him.
 
BTW, I could never get the best sound out of any of the IEMs I've tried with any sort of foam tips (Comply, Olives, etc). In my case single-flange silicone tips have always provided the most comfort & best SQ.
 

 

[DaBomb77766]

Quote:

what has price got to do with sq?

Of course not, it's just rather odd to me that Sennheiser would sell a superior product at such a low price, especially given the rather premium price of their IE8s which apparently isolate about as much noise as an earbud anyway.

I've never been too wild about earbuds though, but I may have to give the MX980 a try...they seem to be getting quite a few nice impressions.  Although most say that they're not terribly comfortable/don't fit in their ears at all which is a concern...

 

[natashaful]

I loled quite hard at the MX980mention, Sure there not bad but Their by no means in the same class as any of the IEM's here, And in that price range the RE0 is better.

 

[CantScareMe]

The ie8's isolate way more than earbuds. These earbuds are not for commuting.
 
Their comfort is a mystery though. Compared to all other earbuds out there, they are definitely uncomfortable. But compared to your iem's it's your call. Virtually absolute zero microphonics and word cord down. Fast to put into the ear and take out. For me they are more comfortable than all the iem's i've tried (even creative ep630)- but only when worn rather loosley such that if I can't walk around the house with them on as they'll fall out. If I push them in my ears too much then I can walk around with them on, but the pain caused by the large facade of their body is unbearable. So not portable
 
Not for commuting, low isolation and not portable- people would rather wear their hd650's instead. That's probably among the reasons why they are not that widely recieved here.
 
 
Lastly, I have no reason to be biased for any particular product. I just like to mention understated/underated headphones. What's the point in me going on the ie8 thread and saying 'guess what guys, this has big bass!!!'

 

[CantScareMe]

Quote:

I loled quite hard at the MX980mention, Sure there not bad but Their by no means in the same class as any of the IEM's here, And in that price range the RE0 is better.

Well i've had for many hours re zero, ie8, ck10, shure 535, 315, gr8, gr10, x5.
 
And i have no reason to lie. For example, for me, it beats the ie8 many times over in every possible way I can think of. Perhaps just not in low bass extension.
 
You found the re0 to better (obviously you've properly heard both/ and a few from this thread). And for you the earbud is of a complete lower class? Fair enough- that's your take, mine is different. But anyway last thing on the mx980- I treat this as an alternative to a full size headphone, so use it with a desktop setup.
 

 

[ib1dance]

Quote:

The beauty of sound interpretation being subjective
 


 

The beauty of sound producing objects .That's what music is ! .