Not familiar with the Super-Mario 64, but seems like a 3 BA driver available for about $500. I know you like the AKG 3003s which might be close to the Dunu DN-1000 (which I liked) and the SM64 according to ljokerl:

http://theheadphonelist.com/headphone_review/dunu-dn-1000/

http://theheadphonelist.com/headphone_review/earsonics-sm64/

So I could see those would be right up your alley. That does not mean that ultimate perfection was achieved with any of these cutetips...

Don't think you should have problems so long as you get along and don't go crazy with the crazies.

Thanks for the links! Yes I do like the AKG K3003 and I feel it has many virtues, but the SM64 has become my favourite. I don’t know if it will stay my favourite but time will tell. I think it performs very well overall but there are two (that I can think of right now) features that make it special to me; the first being what I believe EarSonics themselves coined the “Out-of-head” experience. It was present in the EM4 but was IMO much overdone (like listening to small mid forward speakers far away - an exaggeration but to make a point). The SM64 hasn’t perfected it but I feel they’ve come a long, long way. To me the “Out-of-head” experience translates to the “being-in-the-concert-hall-with-the-orchestra-in-front-of-you-and-nothing-funny-going-on-in-the-other-directions” feeling. The other feature that catches my attention and joy is the stereo image. To me the “speakers” are placed on a perfect distance from one another. Left and right never feel disconnected or congested. I believe this is what makes ljokerl conclude his review with the words “the SM64 is much more proficient than most at getting my toes tapping”.

By and large I find ljokerl’s review very accurate. Moreover, the only negative bit (see the next paragraph) mentioned, to me personally is instead a positive, which I base on the fact that I’ve had the Fidelio S2.

ljokerl: “The SM64 still cannot be called neutral, however, and lacks some of upper midrange presence and accuracy compared to earphones such as the Fidelio S2, UE 900, and VC1000, just to name a few.” – Of course, this is what made Rin dub the SM64 “An electroacoustic abomination” and have Inks solidly seal it on HF, but I much more prefer the diplomacy of ljokerl. I hope I’m excused by those applying a strictly scientific approach to sound reproduction.

While on the topic of the “SM64 5 kHz suck out”, this (see the image) is probably what it did to those who use graphs as their primary tool for assessing the performance of a phone. Can’t blame them, really!


BTW, if anyone is interested I summarized my impressions of the HF thread “Earsonics SM64: The Impressions Thread” here http://www.head-fi.org/t/651654/earsonics-sm64-the-impressions-thread/1200#post_10746643.

My god super mario 64 is a godly game, I think yo u made a great decision.  Welcome.

Thank you! 

I didn't like it much.  Though I don't like anything.  Might have mentioned it in the RMAF thread.  Many of us long time IEMers here went down the SM3 path long ago and never returned to the earsonics fold.  That was quite the controversial iem.  The 64 didn't significantly raise the bar compared to it or my current references so never pursued it further.

The SM3 was my very first IEM and I fell in love with it. It was an absolutely magic time in my life. Had it not been for the SM3 I wouldn’t have written this post. I still have it. It is still special to me but mostly for sentimental reasons. Ok, ok, I know pirates aren’t supposed to be emotional and all, but I promise to work on it. I’m also amused by the fact that my “brother-in-arms” - when it comes to the AKG K3003 - music_4321 absolutely hates the SM3 (if I got it right!?)

I've tried to recommend it here before as one of the better IEMs under $500 in the pirates booty thread before it was removed (hidden?) for other reasons. There was some discussion about the SM64, and I believe muppet said that she liked it a lot too but it'd be too euphonic for the general preferences here. I've owned one since release and only sold it a few weeks ago. I feel that the imaging is great, but there are problems with the 4-6khz region in terms of technicalities when used for reference purposes. I sold it after I got the Zero Audio DX200-CT and realized it was just as good as the SM64 and had similar tuning. If you stick around, you'll notice that preferences here tends towards neutral-ish sounding headphones and little to no ringing.

In hindsight, the SM64 can be compared to one of those FAD IEMs that go for a particular sound versus measuring well. There's nothing wrong with that.

So, then I’m grateful I don’t need it for reference purposes too, but just MUSIC! If the ER-4S qualifies as “neutral-ish sounding headphones and little to no ringing” then I’m all for it. The ER-4S sounds sort of “perfect” to me and I just love how very open it sounds like it wouldn’t be isolating at all when in fact it is my most isolating IEM, EarSonics EM6 customs included. But, but, but it just isn’t as engaging to me as the SM64. So, now I need to hear the Zero Audio DX200-CT too. Dang, and thanks at the same time!