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Kotomine
26
Feb 11, 2019
Since people are asking, I will list who these are best suited for. These are best suited: - for those who are new to IEMs - as a present for those who are interested in IEMs - for those on a limited budget - for those considering the T2/T2 Pro (as the cable is much more sturdy) - for those who are looking for an alternative pair to their more expensive pair - for those who enjoy a bright sound These will not beat the Shure SE-215, Sennheiser Momentum In Ear, RHA ma750, etc. or those that are more expensive in general with high reviews. They are not for bassheads, are not suited for those who want the top quality sound that IEMs can offer and are not for those who want wireless options. If you don't like bright IEMs, these will not change your mind and stay clear. That being said, if you wanted a copy that would be an extra to your current ones then these are a good deal.
(Edited)
generick
15
Feb 12, 2019
KotomineNice post but from my personal experience the t2 crushed the overly bassy/thin treble sound of the momentum in ears and the shure 215 while a little more refined with less harshness sounded, didn't have the same excitement and clarity for me.
KotomineI'm curious as to how you're able to draw such definitive conclusions when these are yet to be released. Granted that some people have been sent review pieces but I'm curious as to whether you have been sent a pair?
Scrimgali
44
Feb 12, 2019
genericki would take my t2 and t2 Pro over my Shure 215 and my 315 any day of the week, and I expect the t3 to be better than any of them. Other people, like yourself, would take the Shures. I just don’t think you can make such a blanket statement like that.
Technopriest
83
Feb 12, 2019
KotomineI have 2 of the 3 iem that you mention there (the Shure and the 750). In my opinion, neither is worth the price if we just take into account the sound (the Shure especially). They are well built, but sonically I would place them in the $40 region, they are after all for mass consumption. The T2 is NOT a giant killer, but what it does sonically it does well, and I definitely prefer its tuning to the other 2. It is also very well built (the cable is another story, it's horrendous and should be replaced immediately, the one drawback with that iem), but if we are taking sound alone, the T2 is better than the Shure (which is incredibly dark), so if the T3 is better than the T2 it should easily surpass it.
(Edited)
jaydunndiddit
3262
Feb 12, 2019
ScrimgaliFor Me, the T2/pro were just too bright sounding and lack that oomph and fullness like the 215. They could get tizzy and sibilant fast where that's an issue you'd never get from the 215. The 215 does have mediocre/uneven (at best) extension in the highs but is above average elsewhere and has good imaging, channel balance, good THD, very good FR consistency, and good ergonomics. Of course, most find them "dark" but I would think they're a better compliment to something like the T3. They're damn near opposites when you look at their FR. I've had my pair for 7 years and I can't say that I've owned any other ear/headphone that long which I think is a testament to their durability. I don't listen to them as much as I used to but they take a good amount of abuse when I'm biking, mowing the lawn, etc. and still produce a fun, punchy competent sound. Guess it just boils down to use case and SQ preferences.
Technopriest
83
Feb 12, 2019
jaydunndidditThe issue is not whether the 215 are good or not, I think that comes down to preference, I find them serviceable, but in the years since their release a lot of product have come in the $50 to $100 range, and I really don't think that they have aged that well sonically (I still have them though, the especial edition version, and they are nice to take on trips and airplanes). The issue here is that they were compared by the OP to the T2, and they do not sound alike at all. A simple look at their FR graph will reveal that, so saying that you really don't need them if you have the 215 already seems weird to me. I think the real value of a product like the 215 is in their built and isolation combined with their sound, as a product for mass consumption is good (although I find a lot of products in the $50 to $100 range to just be better sound wise).
(Edited)
jaydunndiddit
3262
Feb 12, 2019
TechnopriestI agree with most of what you said. I wasn't really saying one was better but different flavors. The T2 are bright IEMs and lacking in the lows. The 215 are the total opposite. Your 215 special edition is also tunes differently than the old 215. Not to mention all the fakes out there. Lots of folks have been scammed at that's they thought were really 215s that turned out to fakes. It's pretty well documented but I digress. I do think Tim addressed issues with the previous models so thankfully they're listening and learning. However for me, the FR for the T3 still looks too bright for my personal taste. Hell, I thought the Andromeda was too bright also (S version as well) and they're raved about to the heavens. Not trying to shit on the T3 as I haven't heard them but I think my OG version has aged well sonically. They're by no means balanced/neutral/etc but are fun and never harsh while still having other good technicalities. Again, I still think they'd be a good compliment to something brighter like the T3 as they cover the weak spots in the other. Just my . 02 cents.
Technopriest
83
Feb 12, 2019
jaydunndidditYeah, I agree with you. I wasn't complaining about the 215 or the special edition (I actually also owned the regular 215, that's the one I was comparing the T2 to since that's the one the OP mentioned), only that I don't think it makes sense to tell people they don't need the T2 if they already own the Shures, as they are nothing alike. To me both the 215 and the RHA 750 are tuned for mass consumption, they are not really the most balanced of headphones and there's nothing wrong with that, they are trying to reach a mass target audience and they are good at that (I am including both build quality and sound here) just that I don't find that taking the sound alone they are particularly top of their price bracket, and also that a lot of products that have come after to me have better sonic qualities. The T2 was not perfect either, the cable on the original was horrendous and cheap, and the tuning is most definitely not for everyone, especially bassheads. Hopefully most issues have neen resolved, and the T3 truly is a worthy update.
(Edited)
nubnub
36
Feb 12, 2019
KotomineUnfortunately, the SE215s were great like 15 years ago when no other options existed. They don't stack up today. The T2s and T3s and lots of other "ChiFi" IEMs simply outclass it. The SE215s are just a bassy, bloated mess. They're only widely used because of they're comfy, fairly durable, and have great isolation for stage use.
jaydunndiddit
3262
Feb 12, 2019
nubnubI know you're exaggerating on the 215s timeline but they launched in Jan 2011. While I think the T3 is in a better spot to "outclass" the 215, it's still on the neutral-bright side with their FR. The T2 was sibilant as hell for me with S and T sounds and for some tracks it could get pretty harsh. And the Pro didn't do enough to address that either and they both lacked in the lows (hence the vent mod to increase their bass). Many others feel that way about them too and other love all that extra treble energy. Different strokes for different folks. With the 215s, I have never experienced any sibilance despite them not having the best extension. That counts for something, personally. Again, I think the 215's would compliment something like the T3 well due to them being more fun and laid back. I've not once stated the 215s are better by any means, just a different flavor.
nubnub
36
Feb 12, 2019
jaydunndidditI was mostly addressing Kotomine who was stating the T3s cannot beat the SE215s (or the MHA750s and Momentum). Even disregarding sound signature, the SE215s do not hold their ground in technicalities either. The only time I thought the SE215s sounded good was when I didn't have a good seal on them. As soon as I did, the bass bloat just overtook everything. Personally, I'd rather take the KZ BA10 or AS10 over the SE215s if you want a bassy sound signature that does not have any sibilance.
zhubajie
29
Feb 12, 2019
KotomineOh, these beat the Shure SE-215 easily! The T2's do that already. I have both and there's no doubt about that. Price says exactly nothing about quality. Just about greedyness of the maker/seller and created hype.
Kotomine
26
Feb 12, 2019
TechnopriestTo be fair, I am basing my reviews because I already did my research on the T3 checking all of the reviews available (including the graphs) and I have had the T2/T2 pros for quite a while. I don't buy them on here as it is usually cheaper to get them off Amazon (in Canada) but I do enjoy seeing people getting hyped over it. For me to recommend something over another, it has to show a clear difference and something that would justify doing so. As sound is subjective, it is my own opinion of which I can make a referral or not based on blind tests (as far too many reviewers are biased to a product in my opinion because of the price, for low or high). As I have several headphones in the high end, I know what a big difference sounds like and for those who have IEMs that is good enough, I would recommend just saving their money (like if they had the T3 instead of the above or vice versa). The exception is for those who want an extra IEM (as I listed above) and are not believing the hype that it will blow their current set up away as I have seen on here from fanboys (which is just setting them up for disappointment and is irresponsible) in which I do recommend it. Going into specifics about sibilance, sound signature, soundstage, detailed comparisons between two models and the like on a quick list when there are many professional reviews (with more credibility than fans on a product page) is silly as I trust that they can do their own research. I have been more than generous so I don't see why people are complaining about that. Anyways, I like the T series (obviously) for being cheap decent IEMs but I am just trying to make sure that people understand what they are getting before they pick one up.
(Edited)
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