To the OP, the level of interest and praise for the SM3 reminds me very much of the reaction to the UM3X when it was released. It was the first three-way crossover balanced armature universal earphone and it garnered high praise for its detail retrieval, instrument separation and neutral but slightly warm presentation.
I eventually bought one having already owned the SE530 and the IE8. I found that the UM3X did not live up to the hype and I quickly offloaded it. I bought the TF10 almost on the rebound and it is still my favourite earphone to date. Someone here, I think it might have been Pianist, described the TF10 as coloured but I can't agree with his assessment. That's just not how I hear it. Yet I know that he rates the SE530 very highly, however I regard it as too mid-centric and therefore not balanced in its presentation. It also has a slight roll-off in the higher frequencies, which in my opinion is a notable flaw in its sound signature. Having said that, I'd take the SE530 over the UM3X any day. So there's two examples of the subjective nature of the opinions that you are seeking and receiving here.
Unless you're in a hurry, I suggest that you take the time to do some research into the phones that interest you. However, the only way that you can really know which phone is right for you is by auditioning it and as someone else here has already said, that often isn't possible. You usually have to buy before you try and that makes this exercise an audio lottery of sorts. But as someone else here said, when you are considering purchasing any of the high-end earphones that you have listed, it really is a matter of personal preference rather than which, is best. There is no best, just a different sonic flavour.
Like you, I originally came here looking for one high-end earphone that would do it all and I don't think that my search has ended. I wish you luck with yours.
EDIT: Oops, I just realised that you have already ordered the SM3's. I hope your search has ended as quickly as it begun.
