Dry & Reference, but Great Mids
With all that said, the H3 Pro is still not an IEM to have fun, mainly. If having fun is your first priority, the H3 Pro can be disappointing for you. CA’s target wasn’t creating the most enjoyable or fun-sounding monitor with this model.
The sound lacks some excitement, especially if you’re used to these crazy tribrid IEMs in the market that have boosts and dips in the spectrum in one way or another. The H3 Pro strictly stays flat, neutral and in the middle of all things. You can’t pull it to the left or right, it just stays there and gives its honest presentation. The only thing you can do is to attach the grey filters, but even then, you only get a boosted bass for a bit more fun. The rest stays the same.
The special thing about the H3 Pro is its natural presentation, especially with this new dynamic driver for mid-range reproduction. It doesn’t have the classic BA timbre, and it rather gives a lively and silky smooth mid-range. The tonality in that sense is fantastic. It’s not a mid-centric IEM since it has the same distance to every frequency range in terms of staging and imaging, but the mids have been my favourite because of this.
In the treble, the H3 Pro isn’t the most extended and articulated monitor, but it gives a very detailed and well-defined performance with great control. It proves that planar drivers can sound good in the treble range and it’s not all about the EST drivers. It doesn’t have the air and spacious feeling in the treble. But the performance is great once again for being a reference monitor because it’s not too bright whilst being very definitive.
Tips & Filters
The Hybrid 3 Pro is an IEM that can be adjusted in two ways for optimal performance. The tips used are crucial in achieving the desired quality of fit and sound. While the stock tips may not provide the best results, the Final Audio tips are recommended for optimal synergy. This configuration results in a more balanced and cohesive sound with improved bass control and smoother treble. If desired, larger diameter tips can be tried to reduce bass and enhance treble.
Another way of tweaking the sound is the included acoustic filters. Custom Art explains how to attach them with the included QR code in the package. With the yellow filters installed, the bass is reduced to get a more balanced and natural sound, and I quite liked it that way. The grey filters boost the low-end, to get a bit more fun sound with more kick and rumble. Not only it is a good-sounding reference IEM, but it is also an all-rounder in that regard.
Sources
When using FIBAE technology, the sound signature is not greatly affected by the type of source being used. Although differences in sound can still be detected, the signature remains consistent. The Hybrid 3 Pro allows for full reproduction of audio sent from the source. Therefore, the quality of the source directly impacts the performance of the H3 Pro in relation to detail, extension, and dynamism.
I suggest using warm and full-bodied sources that utilize R2R DAC designs. While the H3 Pro is not difficult to pair well with, I have found that it works best with digital audio players that have a warm and full sound. Though FIBAE technology reduces the need for precise source matching, I still recommend finding a compatible and complementary source to achieve the best performance from the in-ear monitors, based on my personal experience.
Comparisons
FIIO’s newest offering, the FX15 is a tribrid consisting of 1 Dynamic Driver + 1 BA + 4 EST drivers. It has a more complete packaging but it’s not as super comfortable in terms of fit. As for sound, the FX15 has much more sub-bass impact, a bit more shouty in the mid-range with great transparency, and a very clear and bright treble performance.
Versus the FX15, the H3 Pro has a leaner, smoother and flatter sound. It sounds smoother with more control in the treble range, with a drier presentation. The FX15’s treble performance is exceptionally good, but it can be fatiguing in long listening sessions. The H3 Pro is the opposite, you can listen to it for a whole day and you’ll be okay.
I personally think the CA offering has a better and more realistic timbre. They’re quite different but good performers in their price range. Their common strength is detail retrieval, which is excellent in both.
The FIBAE 5 of course has an identical package, build, fit and design (except the face plate). It features three different driver types, combining dynamic, balanced armature and planar technologies (1 + 2 + 2).
The F5 has much more bass quantity, even though they seem to have similar dynamic drivers inside. It also has a brighter treble response with recessed mids compared to the H3 Pro. The H3 Pro has a very linear approach as I remarked in the FIIO comparison, so it’s still applicable here. The dynamic driver works great in the H3 Pro for the mid-range, versus the BA mids of the FIBAE 5. They both have good treble performance with planar drivers, but the FIBAE 5 is a bit more extended and defined in that regard.
Conclusion
The new Custom Art Hybrid 3 Pro is a neutral, reference-sounding monitor with an excellent mid-range with its dynamic mid-driver. It delivers a natural, flat presentation with a good low end, smooth mids, detailed but controlled treble. It has good dynamics and stereo image, and that combined with the right amount of body, naturalness and coherency makes it a down-to-earth, realistic and honest-sounding monitor.
With its reference qualities for the price, I think the Custom Art Hybrid 3 Pro deserves a recommendation. In the sub-1000$ price range, this is one of the best choices if you seek a flat-sounding IEM that doesn’t bring any frequency area forward. Off to the Best IEM Recommendations.
Pros:
- Great fit
- Nice build quality
- Excellent coherency
- Great timbre
- Flat response
- Very natural and smooth
Cons:
- The package content isn’t great
- The cable could’ve been more premium
- Might be too dry and flat for some
Page 1: Intro and About the IEM
Page 2: Fit & Sound
