Today we’re checking out Custom Art’s new hybrid: The Custom Art Hybrid 3 Pro IEM. It’s priced at €700.
Disclaimer: The Custom Art Hybrid Pro 3 was sent to us free of charge in exchange for our honest opinion in this review. The monitor is a universal one and doesn’t need to be returned.
About Custom Art
If you’re new to custom in-ear monitors, let us introduce you to Custom Art. It was founded in May 2012 by Piotr Granicki, who was a reviewer at the time. With his experience, he was convinced he could create great-sounding monitors and set out to do just that.
Originally known for its flagship model “Harmony 8.2,” Custom Art gained popularity with their FIBAE series and successful Massdrop IEM. We’ve covered several of their products, including the original Harmony Pro, Harmony 8.2, and FIBAE IEMs. While they initially only made custom in-ear models, they now offer both universals and customs. You can have a look at our Custom-Art reviews here.
Hybrid 3 Pro
The Custom Art H3 Pro is a triple-driver hybrid IEM by Custom Art, featuring two dynamic drivers (single low and single mid) and a single Planar driver. It is tuned for reference and neutrality and incorporates the latest technologies and developments by the Polish brand.
CA doesn’t call this new model FIBAE as previous releases, although it features the Flat Impedance technology in its crossover design. Not sure if this is a sign that CA would drop the FIBAE name in its monitors, but that is the name of the new model regardless.
Speaking of FIBAE or ”Flat Impedance Balanced Armature Earphone”, you can check what it is in our previous reviews, like the FIBAE 7 Unlimited just below:
The Hybrid 3 Pro is available in both a universal and a custom version, the former being like our review sample. The Hybrid Pro 3’s dedicated web page can be found here.
Here’s the page for the custom version: Hybrid 3 Pro – Custom Art (thecustomart.com)
CA’s Hybrid 3 Pro combines dynamic and planar technologies to achieve a neutral and reference sound. It has a 10mm PEEK+PU composite diaphragm dynamic driver for low frequencies, a 6mm graphene diaphragm dynamic driver for midrange, and a small planar driver for high frequencies. Additionally, it comes with a Pressure Optimizing Design (P.O.D.) and a tunable vent for bass control. To ensure a stable sound signature, it has a 3D-printed waveguide and a 3-way crossover with Flat Impedance.
Packaging
The brand new Hybrid Pro 3 comes in a small cardboard box with the name of the brand CA wrapped around it. Upon opening the box, you’ll find a large carrying case with a zipper that’s perfect for storing and packing your monitors neatly.
In addition to the IEMs and the cable, the package includes a wax pick tool and ear tips in five different sizes. While the tips are of good quality, I prefer using my tips most of the time. I believe CA could improve its tips by collaborating with different brands. Overall, the packaging is decent, but it could have been better.
There are also bass filters with an installation tool included. These filters can be used to adjust the sound, which I will explain in the sound section.
Design & Build Quality
The H3 Pro is essentially the same as the FIBAE 5 and 7U in the universal versions that came before it. All of Custom Art’s models seem to be quite small, and the same can be said for the Hybrid 3 Pro. The build quality is excellent, with well-made canals and a soft, rounded chassis. The face plate closing is flawless, and there are no visible imperfections.
The 2-pin connector sits flush with the body, although some may find it too flush. The faceplates have a green & silver/gold colour scheme, which may be a matter of personal preference, but I think it adds to the model’s ”natural” vibe. Overall, I quite liked the Hybrid 3 Pro, but the faceplate of the FIBAE 5 & 7 were more impressive.
In terms of cables, the Hybrid 3 Pro includes a Null Audio cable that appears to be quite standard and doesn’t have any noticeable distinguishing feature. However, the build quality appears to be good. The Y-splitter, chin lock, 2-pin connectors, and 3.5mm plug on the cable are all of good enough quality.
