iBasso SR3 Review

 

Introduction:

The iBasso SR3 is the company’s third-generation open-back headphone. It incorporates a unique combination of advanced technologies, including silicone suspension drivers, Tesla magnetic flux technology, and a bio-cellulose dome diaphragm. The SR3’s silicone suspension drivers offer exceptional elasticity and precision, while the Tesla magnetic flux provides robust performance. The bio-cellulose dome diaphragm enhances the overall sonic performance of the headphones.

The SR3 features a comfortable and ergonomic design and includes two sets of soft earpads with different shapes for customization of the sound, as well as a detachable cable with a 4.4mm balanced termination, ensuring versatility and compatibility with various audio sources.

Let’s take a deeper look at the design, features, and the sonic performance of the SR3 headphone.

 

Disclaimer:

I would like to thank iBasso for providing me the SR3 open-back headphone as review sample. I am not affiliated with iBasso beyond this review and these words reflect my true and unaltered opinions about the product!

  

Price & Availability:

You can usually buy the iBasso SR3 for $599, but keep an eye out for online deals. Overall, given its exceptional sound quality, comfortable design, and premium build, the SR3 is a worthy investment for audio enthusiasts seeking a truly exceptional listening experience. Its price reflects the high-quality components and engineering that contribute to its superior performance.

 

Package & Accessories:

The iBasso SR3 arrives in a rectangular-shaped box with a smooth, matte finish. The front of the box features the model name in bold lettering and a brief description of the headphones. The overall design is minimalist and understated, with a focus on clean lines and aesthetics.

Inside the box are the following items/accessories:

• 1 piece x iBasso SR2 Open-Back Headphone
• 1 piece x Detachable cable with 3.5mm sockets and 4.4mm Balanced Headphone Plug
• 1 piece x 3.5mm to 6.35mm low profile cable adapter
• 1 pair x Balanced Earpads
• 1 pair x Bass Earpads
• 1 piece x Storage Case
• 1 piece x Quick Start Guide (Manual)
• 1 piece x Warranty Card

 

Design, Build Quality & Comfort:

The iBasso SR3 presents a captivating aesthetic that combines traditional headphone design elements with contemporary materials. The ear cups, crafted from an aluminum alloy, boast a sleek silver finish that exudes a premium quality. The outer grills, headband frame, and yokes are constructed from a durable, black-painted metal, enhancing the overall sturdiness of the headphones. What I really like about the design is that it is not very large in size, and it looks quite elegant when worn, and doesn’t make you look like a Frankenstein like some models on the market. The total weight is also pretty decent at approximately 395 (without cable).

The SR3 is equipped with a dynamic driver unit that features a combination of advanced technologies, including silicone suspension drivers, Tesla magnetic flux technology, and a bio-cellulose dome diaphragm. The silicone suspension drivers provide exceptional elasticity and precision, ensuring accurate sound reproduction. The Tesla magnetic flux technology delivers offers a more powerful and dynamic performance, while the bio-cellulose dome diaphragm enhances the overall sonic clarity and detail.

One of the visible design elements of the SR3 is the perforated metal mesh on the ear cups, which is an integral part of the headphone’s open-back design. This design allows for improved airflow and reduces distortion, contributing to the headphone’s sonic performance. The earcups metal mesh has a pretty large diameter and has a black finish.

Near the mesh is the “High Definition Headphone SR3” branding that is displayed on the ear cups inner surface.

Each earcup features a 3.5mm female connector located at the bottom that offers a tight and secure connection with the detachable cable.

The headband, constructed with a rigid metal wire structure, is adorned with a leather band bearing the iBasso Audio branding.

Instead of a stepped locking rail system for adjusting the headband, a slightly tight sliding system has been used. This system, which does not pose any problems in terms of use, works quite effectively. My only criticism is that the distances are not marked with lines, so adjustments have to be made by eye.

The SR3 has a moderate clamping force, providing a comfortable wearing experience for my moderately sized head shape during extended listening sessions.

The inner surface of the headband mechanism is clearly marked with “L” and “R” indicators for easy identification.

The SR3 features a 180-degree swivel ear cup bracket mechanism for added flexibility and comfort.

The SR3 comes with two different types of user-replaceable soft earpads that do offer two different sound tuning options that I will explain later.

Each ear pad has a different shape while both do have a perforated surface and very soft foam padding. A small complaint I have is the difficulty of replacing the earpads, which requires a bit of a learning curve and careful handling.

Overall, the iBasso SR3 showcases a design that is both visually appealing and functional. The combination of metal and soft materials creates a headphone that is both sturdy and comfortable.

Detachable Cable:

The iBasso SR3 comes with a decent 4-strand cable that complements its premium design and sonic performance. The cable is 1.6 meters long, detachable for easy replacement or customization, and constructed from silver-plated single crystal copper alloy material. This grade of wire material is known for its excellent conductivity, ensuring optimal signal transmission.

The cable has a twisted profile and features a soft PVC isolation with very low microphonic effect.

The cable is equipped with 3.5mm connectors for both channels and features a metal housing with L (blue) / R (red) color indicators.

The cable terminates in a 4.4mm balanced headphone plug, which is compatible with balanced audio sources for enhanced stereo separation and dynamic range. Additionally, iBasso thoughtfully includes a 4.4mm to 6.3mm balanced to single-ended adapter in the form of a short-profile cable, allowing for compatibility with a wider range of audio devices.

 

Passive Isolation:

The iBasso SR3 is a headphone with an open back design, which allows for increased airflow and a more spacious soundstage. This design also means that there is some degree of sound leakage both into and out of the headphones. However, the damping material behind the mesh appears to be quite effective in minimizing external noise leakage and preventing the music from escaping to the surroundings.

 

Pairing:

Despite its impedance of 150Ω, thanks to its sensitivity of 108dB SPL/1mW, the iBasso SR3 is a relatively easy-to-handle full-sized open-back headphone that can be driven with DAPs (DX180) or portable DAC/Amplifiers (iBasso DP16 Taipan) and even USB dongles (DC07 Pro). However, as with many headphones, a full-sized desktop (HiFiMAN EF600, Soncoz QXA1) device reveals the true potential that the SR3 can offer.

 

 

Technical Specifications:

• Driver Type                            : Dynamic Driver with Silicone Suspension & Tesla Flux Design
• Diaphragm Material               : Bio-cellulose Dome Diaphragm
• Operating Principal                : Open-Back
• Frequency Response             : 3 Hz-40 KHz
• Sensitivity                               : 106dB @ 1 KHz
• Impedance                             : 150Ω
• Rated Power                          : 50mW
• THD                                        : <1% (@ 1 KHz / 1mW)
• Plug Size                                : 4.4mm Balanced
• Connector Size                      : 3.5mm Socket
• Cable Length                          : 160 cm
• Weight                                    : 395g (without the cable)

 

Equipment’s used for this review:

• Headphones  : iBasso SR3, SIVGA P2 Pro, FiiO FT5
• Sources         : iBasso DP16 Taipan, iBasso DX180, HiFiMAN EF600, Soncoz QXA1, iBasso DC07 Pro

 

Albums & tracks used for this review:

• Norah Jones – Come Away With Me (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Adele – My Little Love (Deezer HiFi)
• Sarah McLachlan – Angel (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Sertap Erener – Aşk (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Edith Piaf – Non Je Ne Regrette Rien (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Diana Krall – So Wonderful (DSF)
• Aretha Franklin – I Say A Little Payer (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Michael Jackson – Billie Jean (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• George Michael – Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• David Bowie – Heroes (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Elton John – Rocket Man ((Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Barry White – Just The Way You Are (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Isaac Hayes – Walk On By (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Sting – Englishman in New York – (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Eric Clapton – Wonderful Tonight (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Dave Gahan – Kingdom (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• Radiohead – Live in Berlin “ Album” (Deezer HiFi)
• U2 – Sunday Bloody Sunday (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Muse – Hysteria (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Red Hot Chili Peppers – Nobody Weird Like Me (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Michael Jackson – Billie Jean (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Bear McCreary’s – Valkyries (Deezer HiFi)
• Bro Safari, UFO! – Drama (Deezer HiFi)
• Armin Van Buuren – Vini Vici (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Daft Punk – Doin’ it Right (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Lorde – Royals (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Massive Attack – Angel (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Toutant – Rebirth (Deezer HiFi)
• Gogo Penguin – Raven (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Gogo Penguin – Murmuration (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Portishead – It Could Be Sweet (Spotify)
• Max Richter – On the Nature of Daylight (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Charly Antolini – Duwadjuwandadu (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Tchaikovsky – Symphony No. 5 (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Ferit Odman – Look, Stop & Listen (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Chopin – Nocturn No. 20 In C-Sharp Minor (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Clair de Lune – Claude Debussy (Spotify)
• Fazıl Say – Nazım Oratoryosu (Live) (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Vivaldi – Le QuarttroStagioni “The Four Season” (Deezer HiFi)
• Otto Liebert& Luna Negra – The River (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Lunatic Soul – The Passage (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Deftones – My Own Summer (Shove it) (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Metallica – Dyers Eve (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Metallica – Sad but True (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Opeth – Windowpane (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Megadeth – Sweating Bullets (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• Rush’s – Tom Sawyer (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Slayer – Angel of Death (Spotify)
• Liquid Tension Experiment 2 – Acid Rain (Spotify)
• Yosi Horikawa – Bubbles (Spotify)

 

The Sound:

The iBasso SR3 delivers a well-balanced sound profile with a strong emphasis on detail and clarity. Its bass performance is characterized by its depth, impact, and control, while the midrange is clear and detailed with excellent vocal reproduction. The treble is airy and extends smoothly, providing a sense of openness. The SR3 also boasts a wide and deep soundstage, creating a sense of immersion and precise instrument placement. The SR3 comes with two different types of user-replaceable soft earpads that do offer two different sound tuning options that I will now explain.

Stock Ear Pads:

The stock ear pads that came installed on the iBasso SR3 offer a slightly more bass-focused sound signature. They provide a noticeable boost to the low-end frequencies, delivering a more powerful and impactful listening experience. The bass is well-controlled and avoids any excessive bloat or muddiness.

Key Characteristics:

• Enhanced bass response
• Well-controlled bass
• Suitable for genres with prominent bass
• Slightly reduce clarity in the midrange and treble

 

Spare Ear Pads:

The spare ear pads on the iBasso SR3 offer a well-rounded and neutral sound signature. They provide a balanced emphasis across all frequencies, resulting in a clear and detailed soundstage. Vocals are slightly forward, providing a sense of intimacy and clarity. Instruments are well-defined and positioned accurately within the soundstage.

Key Characteristics:

• Balanced sound profile
• Slightly forward midrange
• Clear and detailed soundstage
• Suitable for a wide range of genres

 

  

Bass / Midrange / Treble Soundstage and Imaging:

PS: This review has been written after a burn-in period of approximately 120 hours. The sound impressions below are primarily based on my experiences with sources such as the iBasso DP16 Taipan (Portable DAC/AMP), iBasso DX180 (DAP), iBasso DC07 Pro (USB DAC dongle), HiFiMAN EF600 (Desktop DAC/Amplifier), and Soncoz QXA1 (Desktop Amplifier).

 

Bass:

The SR3’s bass performance is characterized by its depth, impact, and control. The subbass extends deep, providing a satisfying foundation for bass-heavy tracks. The great thing is that it doesn’t overwhelming the midrange. The bass decay is controlled, preventing any lingering or muddy aftertaste. The mid-bass is subtly emphasized, adding body and impact to instruments like kick drums and electric bass. The SR3’s bass response is particularly impressive in genres like electronic music and hip-hop, where deep and powerful bass is essential, especially with the stock ear pads that emphasize the low-end frequencies, delivering a more powerful and impactful sound.

The SR3’s bass is well-integrated with the overall sound signature, avoiding any sense of boominess or excess. The bass quality is particularly noticeable in tracks with complex bass lines, where the SR3 can effortlessly resolve individual notes and create a sense of texture and depth. The SR3’s bass performance is also impressive in terms of its dynamic range, capable of handling both subtle nuances and powerful transients with ease.

 

Midrange:

The SR3’s midrange is clear and detailed, with excellent vocal reproduction. Vocals are slightly forward, providing a sense of intimacy. Instruments in the midrange exhibit good texture and realism. The upper midrange is well-defined, allowing for clear differentiation between instruments like guitars and pianos. The SR3’s midrange performance is particularly impressive in genres like jazz and folk, where subtle nuances and instrumental interplay are crucial, especially with the balanced ear pads. The balanced ear pads offer a more neutral sound signature with a slightly forward midrange.

The SR3’s midrange is well-balanced, especially when used with the spare ear pads included in the package. This well-adjusted midrange tuning avoids any sense of brightness or harshness. The midrange is also well-integrated with the overall sound signature, creating a cohesive and coherent listening experience. The midrange performance is particularly impressive in terms of its detail retrieval, capable of resolving fine nuances and instrumental textures with ease.

 

Treble:

The iBasso SR3 shows a treble profile that is airy and extends smoothly, providing a sense of openness. The treble control is excellent, avoiding any harshness or sibilance. The SR3 excels at capturing fine details in the treble, revealing subtle nuances in instruments like cymbals and violins. The SR3’s treble performance is particularly impressive in genres like classical music and acoustic music, where accurate reproduction of high frequencies is essential. The balanced ear pads provide a clearer and more detailed soundstage presentation, making vocals and instruments stand out.

The spare ear pads included with the SR3 enhance the treble experience by providing a slightly more balanced sound profile. This helps to further reduce any sense of brightness or harshness, resulting in a smoother and more refined treble presentation. Additionally, the spare ear pads offer a clear and detailed soundstage, allowing for greater appreciation of the treble’s nuances and intricacies. The stock ear pads that came installed on the iBasso SR3, on the other hand, offers a smoother yet less extended upper treble response.

 

Soundstage & Imaging:

The iBasso SR3 has a pretty wide and deep soundstage atmosphere, creating a nice sense of immersion. Instruments are well-imaged, with precise placement in the soundstage. The SR3 can handle complex recordings with ease, separating instruments and vocals effectively. The layering is excellent, allowing for a clear distinction between different elements in the music. The SR3’s soundstage performance is quite impressive with a wide variety of genres, especially with orchestral music and surround sound recordings, where a spacious and immersive listening experience is important.

 

Comparisons:

iBasso SR3 versus SIVGA P2 Pro:

Both the SIVGA P2 Pro and iBasso SR3 offer impressive bass performance, each with its unique characteristics. The P2 Pro delivers a deep, rich, and textured bass response, providing a satisfyingly warm and immersive listening experience. It is a bit faster in terms of response, while the decay is a bit too quick. The SR3’s bass, while slightly less emphasized, offers exceptional clarity and definition, ensuring that each note is heard with precision. Its tight and controlled bass response also contributes to a more dynamic and impactful sound, especially when used with the stock ear pads.

The midrange is where both headphones shine, but with subtle differences. The P2 Pro presents a warm and engaging midrange, with vocals and instruments taking center stage. It’s a great choice for those who enjoy a more intimate and emotional listening experience. The SR3, on the other hand, offers a more realistic and balanced midrange profile that sound more realistic compared to the P2 Pro, which shows has a typical planar timbre that is not as natural like the dynamic driver on the SR3. The SR3 also has a slight edge when it comes to clarity and micro-detail retrieval, without sounding too analytical.

Both headphones deliver a controlled and enjoyable treble performance. The P2 Pro offers a smooth and refined treble presentation. The SR3, on the other hand, extends its treble response slightly higher, creating a more spacious and immersive listening experience. This extended treble contributes to a wider soundstage, allowing instruments and vocals to breathe and feel more natural.

Both headphones offer a respectable soundstage, but with distinct characteristics. The P2 Pro creates a slightly more intimate and enveloping soundstage depside its fully open-back design. The SR3, on the other hand, presents a slightly wider and deeper soundstage, with instruments being more precisely positioned. This gives the impression of a larger and more expansive listening experience.

 

iBasso SR3 (stock pads) versus FiiO FT5 (stock pads):

The FiiO FT5 and iBasso SR3 both offer commendable bass performance, each with unique characteristics. The FT5 delivers deep, impactful bass with a satisfying punch extending into the sub-bass region, ideal for those who enjoy a visceral and energetic bass. The SR3, on the other hand, offers controlled and articulate bass, focusing on precision and clarity, providing a balanced and nuanced listening experience.

Both headphones excel in midrange performance but with distinct traits. The FT5 presents a balanced and engaging midrange with clear and detailed vocals and instruments. Its slightly warm character adds richness, though its planar driver timbre may not appeal to everyone, especially those who prefer the more natural presentation of a dynamic driver, where the SR3 excels. The SR3 on the other hand offers a more intimate and detailed midrange, with well-resolved vocals and excellent clarity. Its dynamic driver provides a natural and organic sound, preferred by those sensitive to the planar timbre of the FT5.

In treble performance, the FT5 leans towards a smoother tuning, making it comfortable for extended listening. Its balanced presentation avoids excessive brightness while providing sufficient detail, appealing to those who prefer a less aggressive sound. The SR3 offers a more detailed and precise treble response, with a slightly brighter and more analytical sound, while also avoiding harshness or sibilance, which makes it ideal for those who value detail and precision in this area.

The FT5 features a wide and spacious soundstage with precise imaging, versatile for different music genres but lacking some depth. The SR3 offers a more three-dimensional soundstage, providing a natural and expansive listening experience, excelling with live recordings and orchestral music. Both deliver strong soundstage performance, but the SR3 stands out with its depth and immersive quality.

 

Conclusion:

The iBasso SR3 is a well-rounded headphone that offers a balanced sound profile with a strong emphasis on detail and clarity. Its advanced technological features, including silicone suspension drivers, Tesla magnetic flux technology, and a bio-cellulose dome diaphragm, contribute to its impressive sonic performance. The SR3’s design is both visually appealing and comfortable, with a solid build quality and customizable features such as interchangeable ear pads with sound tuning function and a premium 4.4mm Balanced detachable cable.

In terms of sound quality, the SR3 excels in delivering a well-balanced sound profile with a strong emphasis on detail and clarity. Its bass is deep, impactful, and well-controlled, while the midrange is clear and detailed with excellent vocal reproduction. The treble is airy and extends smoothly, providing a sense of openness without being harsh or sibilant. The SR3’s soundstage is wide and deep, creating a sense of immersion and precise instrument placement. All in all, the SR3 offers a decent value for the price, considering its excellent sound quality, comfortable design, and premium 4.4mm balanced stock cable.

 

Pros & Cons:

• + Well-rounded Versatile Sound Profile
• + Impressive overall Clarity & Resolution
• + Excellent Technical Performance (Soundstage & Imaging)
• + Sound Tuning Options via Earpads
• + Built Quality and Aesthetic Design
• + Comfort during longer Listening Periods
• + Great 4.4mm Balanced Stock Cable
• + Premium Storage Case

 

• – Replacing the earpads could be bit easier
• – Missing a 4.4mm Balanced to 3.5mm Single-Ended Adapter

 

Thank you for the Read!