Review: PEARS SH-3 – Swiss Precision

PEARS SH-3

COMPARISONS

 Here are some small comparisons with other high caliber IEMs out there.

InEarz Nirvana: The Nirvana is the flagship monitor from InEarz and it has a very different approach. It’s much darker and mids are a little laid back, it has more bass and especially midbass when compared. It can be more enjoyable than the SH-3 on a number of occasions, but the SH-3 is simply better in a technical mindset. It has more resolution, better accentuated mids with better transparency. Treble wise both are very good but the SH-3 has better articulation & separation from mids. Bass goes to the Nirvana though.

HYLA CE-5: A rare and one of a kind, CE-5 has an incredible bass response and it’s the best I’ve heard until now. A 3BA monitor can’t get very close with its reference type approach and driver configuration. But it has better timbre and truer tonality than the fun-oriented CE-5 across the mids. Both have very successful mids but the CE-5 has a wider and deeper stage. Other aspects are close and it’s down to the choice between a fun & uncolored sound in the end.

Earsonics S-EM6 V2: This could be the most similar IEM that I can compare to the SH-3 recently. It also has that flat, linear character in its bass but I find the SH-3’s bass on a higher resolution level and its overall quality is better. Mids have a truer tone on the PEARS as well, as the S-EM6 V2 sounds a little thin and the note size is not that great with that brighter tone. Trebles are fantastic with the Earsonics, as well as the SH-3 so there’s a tie there. But it’s a win for the PEARS all in all.

Oriolus MKII: Just like the HYLA, the MKII has much more bass rumble and punch with much more sub bass quantity. The SH-3 remains flat and linear across lows. The MKII has a warmer and fuller character with its own unique cohesiveness, but again it can’t beat the tonality and timbre correctness of the SH-3. The SH-3 has more resolution and detail, especially on micro ones, not to mention a better treble response. The Oriolus is still very enjoyable and vivid on the other hand.

PEARS SH-3

PEARS SH-3

CONCLUSION

A CIEM of this technical level and a reference sound automatically makes its way to our Custom IEM Recommendations list. That list has become quite packed and crowded lately and maybe Lieven will eliminate some of those form the list, but I already told him that we have to put this one in there.

Are you searching for a sound that is exactly like your studio monitors in a custom in ear? Look no further, this is one of your answers in this industry. You can add a little more color into the mix with a nice copper cable as well. This is not a monitor for those who seek a luscious sound with a big bass and vivid mids. You have to have the experience and ear training to appreciate what this monitor marvelously puts on the table.

In my audiophile journey, the IEMs that caused me a “wow” are no more than fingers of one hand. Well, this one has already managed to be on my very special list of very special IEMs, and that should tell something.

PEARS SH-3

PEARS SH-3

4.7/5 - (37 votes)
Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedin

A keen audiophile and hobby photographer, Berkhan is after absolute perfection. Whether it is a full-frame camera or a custom in-ear, his standpoint persists. He tries to keep his photography enthusiasm at the same level as audio. Sometimes photography wins, sometimes his love for music takes over and he puts that camera aside. Simplistic expressions of sound in his reviews are the way to go for him. He enjoys a fine single malt along with his favourite Jazz recordings.

5 Comments

  • Reply September 12, 2019

    Spie

    @Berkhan,

    How do these compare to Westone um pro 30 V2?
    I’m looking to get a custom iem that I use for any music listening. I do however have very small ears and a strong bend in my ear canal. As such I often don’t have the option to go for the higher ba drivers.
    Would this be the absolute best option for a low driver count end game iem? I listen to alot of heavy metal, rock, folk, Jazz, Blues, Acoustic Piano and guitar, singer song writer. Besides that I also spend quite some time with film music and classical pieces. it would also be great to use when practicing on my digital piano at home.

    As for DAP, I use a sp1000m.

    Thanks in advance,

    Kind regards

    • Reply September 13, 2019

      Berkhan

      Hi,

      The UmPro 30 is no match for the SH3, nowhere near.

      Yes, it’s by far the best low driver count IEM I’ve ever listened to.

      Your genres should sound very well with it together with the SP1000M.

  • Reply September 25, 2019

    Spie

    Thanks Berkhan. I will look into the PEARS but from what I’ve gathered these seem to be one of the best if not the absolute best option for me.
    I’m in need of a custom with the best sound qualities and a low BA count.
    I haven’t found a single low BA count custom this well appreciated so might just have to give them a go as my end game IEM 🙂

    • Reply October 8, 2019

      Berkhan

      So, have you pulled the trigger yet? 🙂

  • Reply August 10, 2020

    Spie

    @Berkhan

    Been delaying the purchase for quite a while to see if anything better would pop up.
    As of recent I started looking into it again and it still seems like the best option for a smaller custom IEM I guess.
    I was still debating on whether the A12T would be a better allrounder, especially for no listening fatigue in long sessions with the tube.

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.