Tipsy Audio has returned with another release: the M3, a hybrid that promises to deliver on the balance between “just enjoy the music” and “I want to hear every flaw in my mix.” The M3 sports a triple-driver hybrid, with a 9.2mm PET titanium-coated dynamic driver and two custom balanced armatures. The M3, which normally sells for $219, now sells for $189 on their website, and it’s clearly an upgrade from their more entry-level options, with their Acoustic-Runway tech, which they describe as dedicated physical tubes for the frequency response.
Tipsy Audio M3 Review
What about an experience like you are in a hall, and the music coming from all around you, yet the vocals stay in the middle! This is exactly the feeling I had the very first time I started to listen to the Tipsy Audio M3. That was a live performance of the Eagles, and the track was ‘Take It Easy.’ It somewhat feels like the holographic soundstage of the Hidizs MP145, but the difference is the vocals. M3’s vocal is a bit more forward in nature than that of the MP145.
Besides the awesome soundstage, the overall sound is really fantastic. Especially the sub-bass is the king here, along with the mid-bass. Though in some bassy tracks, they may disturb you. But it’s one of the most enjoyable points of this IEM for a warm head like me. I tried almost all the DAPs, DACs & Amps I own with this IEM over the last couple of weeks, and find it a very ‘pairing friendly’ set. But you must find out perfect ear tips for a good seal, or else you will lose the punch and also the wide stage.
DISCLAIMER
Tipsy Audio was kind enough to send me the Tipsy Audio M3 to review. I am not affiliated with Tipsy Audio, and of course, I was not asked for any copy-checking before publishing. All opinions shared in this ‘Tipsy Audio M3 review’ are my subjective thoughts.
One thing more: The review is based on my personal experience and what I hear using different sources. Your experience may vary because of personal preference and physical differences like the shape and depth of the ear canal.
For your personal purchase, checkout Tipsy Audio for their fantastic products and promotions (non-affiliated link).
GEAR USED
● DAP: Cowon Planue R2, Cayin N3 Ultra, Hiby RS2, Hiby R4, Snowsky Echo Mini, F.Audio M20.
● DAC/AMP: xDuoo MT-604, Fosi Audio GR40, Hiby FD5, KAEI Design TAP2, ifi Hip DAC 2, xDuoo XD-05 Plus (with MUSES 8820 OP-Amp), Muse M6 Double, Cayin RU6, Cayin RU7, iBasso DC04 Pro, Dunu DTC 480, Fosi Audio DS-1, Celest CD-10, Celest CD-20, Hiby FC05, Hiby FD03, Moondrop Dawn Pro.
● Smart Device: Poco X3, Xiaomi MiPad 5.
● Files: Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, local Hi-Res FLAC & DSD files.
AUDIO TESTING PREFERENCES
I desperately love the music from the 60s to the 90s era. Music was alive then. The genre I love most is ROCK ‘N ROLL. Though Jazz, Blues, Metal, Disco, and Pop are also my favorite genres. I have a collection of albums with high dynamic range recording. Most of the time, I test audio gear with those albums to understand the sonic capability of the specific gear. If you have a Tidal subscription, you may click here to get the playlist.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
● Driver: 9.2mm PET-titanium coated dynamic driver + 2 custom balanced armatures
● Frequency response: 20Hz – 20kHz
● Impedance: 17Ω
● Sensitivity: 105 dB
● Cable: 4 core braided high purity alloy copper
● Pin Type: QDC 2pin, 0.78mm
● Cable Length: 1.2m
● Plug Type: 4.5mm
WHAT’S IN THE BOX
● Tipsy Audio M3 IEMs
● High purity alloy copper cable (4.5mm)
● 3.5mm to 6.45mm plug
● 3 pairs of silicon tips (S/M/L) & 1 pair of foam tips
● Carrying case
● User Manual
UNBOXING EXPERIENCE
Unfortunately, the customs department of my country did a very mischievous thing with this M3. Donno why they kept all the accessories and the cardboard pack also. They just cleared the IEMs, cable, and the carrying pouch. So, we miss the whole unboxing experience. Such a shame!
BUILD & DESIGN
The M1 shells are made out of resin, and Tipsy Audio claims it is ‘skin-friendly resin.’ Aren’t resins skin-friendly already? I donno! Whatever it is, the shell shape has perfect ergonomics and is very comfortable for long listening. The design and look are top! Mine is the green color one, and the textures in the faceplate, which, as per Tipsy Audio, are hand-painted, look like jewelry. But the stock cable is a tangle monster and has some microphonics, which is disturbing. The most disturbing thing is the ear hooks; they are aggressively stiff! And very unluckily, the connectors have no ‘color mark’ for L-R detection. Sad story!!
FIT & COMFORT
Resin made and lightweight, that says it all. Yes, this IEM is very comfortable to wear, and I have no complaints about the shells. Even on a 5-6 hour marathon listening session, it doesn’t feel uncomfortable to me. But as I mentioned earlier about the ear hooks of the stock cable, they are stiff. And that’s the thing that made my session uncomfortable, cause they put some extra pressure on the ear. I used my hair dryer to make some adjustments. Now they are fine. Dear Tipsy Audio, you should take this problem seriously, cause the stock cable of the M1 has the same issue too.
SOUND IMPRESSIONS
Inspired by the acoustics of the Shenzhen Concert Hall, their tuning philosophy is “See the Sound,” and yeah, their effort is not spoiled. As I mentioned at the very beginning, you surely will have the sensation that you are in a concert hall. The bass is deep and punchy, but not to crash your skull. The midrange section is so sweet and melodic that you will get lost, and the treble has very good spark & extension. But in some poorly recorded tracks, it may bite a bit!
Here is the frequency graph :
Let’s dive deep…
SUB-BASS
Does the graph say anything about the depth of the sub-bass? No, right? It’s really so deep and feels like it floats all over without even disturbing any frequency, not even the lower mids. It stays in the backward position and around you like a big circle. That may dishearten bassheads or crazy bass lovers, but for me, the warmth it produces is one of the most enjoyable things about this M1.
Some purists may complain about the speed. Yah, it’s a bit slow; I will call it musical. If you are a metalhead or lover of the progressive rock genre, you may lose your very own enjoyment of super fast bass string notes. They feel a bit muffled up here. But it’s forgiving in my opinion.
MID-BASS
The M1 is just a very good definition of mid-bass punch, believe me! Remember the word ‘slam’? Yes, it will let you feel that word in every track you will listen to. The mid-bass body is thick and authoritative, and it creates a good foundation for the music that I enjoyed the most. It has a very good texture too. You can tell whether the kick, snare, or floor tom’s diaphragms are tight or loose!
Like the sub-bass region, the mid-bass is also a bit slow, and it is audible in some double paddle rolling. Moreover, sometimes it bleeds, not in every track, but in some tracks. Though it stays musical, you may lose the very fine details in the lower registers of a piano or a cello.
VOCALS
This is where it shines like a star! The M3 has the ability to let out the true texture of vocals, both male and female. It even has the shiny spark when you call for it.
MALE
Male vocals are the true strength of this IEM. It is thick and meaty, which shows the company’s ability to tune it right. I don’t love thin or weightless male vocals that some IEMs tend to provide, especially what I find in the Ear Acoustic VSA-Max. But here, the story is somewhat perfect. Whether it’s high notes or low, you will never miss the warmth and the texture. Though for some listeners it will feel a bit recessed, for me it’s just spot on!
FEMALE
The tuning is so fantastic that even with warm male vocals, the female vocals don’t lose their shine and spark. By ‘spark’ I don’t mean the ear-biting analytical type of spark. It is there to let you feel the power of the female vocals, but not to abuse your ears. The timber is natural and enjoyable. No sibilance and no disturbing S, SH, or T consonant-biting type of presentation, except if it’s a poorly recorded one. Female vocals come to life with this M3!
INSTRUMENTS SEPARATION
Tipsy Audio does a very good job in M3 when it comes to instrument separation. You will hear a very well-separated presentation in most of the tracks. Especially the imaging is awesome, in my opinion. You can easily pinpoint the placement of every instrument. Even if you can easily differentiate the low notes played together by the bass and the loose kick drums. But as I said, ‘most of the tracks.’ By that I mean some poorly recorded 60s or 70s rock tracks still sound muffled if they are not remastered.
TREBLE
The treble is smooth, as you expect from any warm musical earphone. But don’t get fooled by the term ‘warm-musical,’ because a lot of reviewers use this term for some dull-sounding IEMs. The M3 is very, very different here. The treble is not muted or not ‘warm.’ It’s somewhat shiny, airy, and extended. The high notes in any string instrument or the hi-hat, crash cymbal sounds just right. No harshness or sibilance that may create fatigue in longer listening sessions. Personally, it sounds so, so sweet to my ears. But some poorly recorded or brightly recorded tracks’ stories may differ!
SOUNDSTAGE
This is the point where the M3 shows its very own strength. I mentioned at the very beginning that it reminds me of the holographic soundstage of the legendary Hidizs MP145! Though the MP145 is an open-back one, the M3 is closed back except for the regular air vent. The soundstage is spacious and will give you the experience of a 3D holographic type environment, as if you are sitting in the middle of any concert hall. It is very evident in any well-mastered live recording sessions like Pink Floyd’s ‘PULSE’ or Nirvana’s ‘MTV Live.’ But you may miss the depth if you are looking for a truly huge stage.
TECHNICALITIES
Dynamics: The dynamic range appears to be wider, with a greater distinction between soft and loud sections of the music, which adds to the drama and emotion of the performance. It comes alive, responding instinctively to the dynamic range of the recording.
Speed: The hybrid technology, particularly the balanced armature drivers, provides a faster transient response. The notes begin and end with greater agility, which adds to the clarity of the music.
Analytics (Detail Retrieval): Detail retrieval is one of the strengths of the M3. It picks up the background elements of the music, the nuances of the vocals, and the breathy atmosphere of the instruments much better than the M1.
SOURCES
The M3 is relatively efficient (17Ω & 105 dB) but often benefits more from a quality source than the M1. A good DAC/amp can tighten its bass further, refine its treble smoothness, and unlock the last degree of soundstage depth. It pairs wonderfully with neutral-to-slightly-warm sources like the Dunu DTC 480, iBasso DC04 Pro, or the Cayin RU6 R2R, which can complement its energy without adding any disturbing harshness. But be careful to pair it with warm sources like the iFi Hip DAC; it will muffle up the lower- to lower-mid frequencies. And if you want a bit of spice in the whole sound signature, an entry-level DAC like the Moondrop Dawn Pro can help you in this regard.
CABLE & TIP ROLLING
As I mentioned earlier, my team didn’t receive the whole package due to a customs problem. We just received the IEMs, cable & the storage box (which I lately realized is of the M5). So, I can’t say anything about the stock ear tips. I personally used the EPro Horn-shaped tips, and they just fit and sound fantastic. You may try your preferred tips in your collection. The stock cable is fine for the IEM, though it has a little tangle problem. In that case, the Dunu Lyra mini can be a good option considering its price.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Currently with a discounted price tag of $189, this can be a good choice for any audiophile seeking a warm-balanced tuned IEM. And with that tune, you will also have a very good to fantastic type of soundstage and a solid technical performance. But keep in mind that it has a bit of laid-back vocals present and a treble that is ‘safer’ in nature. If you love spicy, bright treble and ‘in your face’ type vocals, then you may look elsewhere. And yes, it has a very good and solid bass presentation, but it may not soothe the desire of bassheads.
WHATEVER YOU’RE THINKIN’ OF BUYING—DAC, DAP, IEM, HEADPHONE, AMP, WHATEVER—JUST MAKE SURE YOU GIVE IT A DEMO RUN FIRST. TRY IT OUT, LISTEN TO IT WITH YOUR OWN TRACKS. SERIOUSLY, ONE QUICK AUDITION CAN SAVE YOU A BUNCH OF MONEY AND REGRET LATER ON.
You are welcome to read other reviews by SONIC MANTRA.
