Sound Analysis.

Between Dual-Tone cable and dB-Go module, your MS3 has 4 distinct sound tunings when you switch between silver and copper wires and dial in sub-bass boost.

In my sound analysis I decided to use a silver wire side of the cable with dB-Go module set to full sub-bass boost enabled. I find this combination to yield the most transparent, resolving, and still balanced tonality among 4 sound combination. It’s great to have choices to fine tune the sound to your personal preference. Plus, going with universal version gives you tip rolling option to tighten or to relax the seal which also going to affect the sound. Of course, any sound description is a matter of subjective opinion.

I found MS3 to have a nicely balanced sound signature with a neutral, natural tonality, great transparency without any coloring, and excellent retrieval of details. Thanks to its dual-tone cable and dB-Go module you can tilt that scale toward a more transparent brighter side (w/silver cable) or a fuller body more natural side (w/copper cable). Plus, dB-Go sub-bass boost can shift the perception of sound from balanced (when fully on), to a little more mid-forward (when off). Regardless of ones believe or disbelieve in cables, just think of it as a fine-tuning mechanism where you are in control of tonal micro-adjustment.

The sound has a nice resolution, not exactly on micro-detail level but close to it. It has a mild level of smoothness, taking an edge off and giving the sound a more natural resolution. The coherence of driver tuning along with its balanced signature gives the sound a natural transition from low end, to mids, and through the highs, with all drivers working in a perfect unison.

Soundstage has a wide expansion, above the average for sure. The depth of soundstage is not too close/intimate and not too far out of your head, just think of it as sitting 3-4 rows in-front of the stage. MS3 has a natural oval expansion which gives a good sense of instrument and vocal placement with a relatively accurate positioning of sound, making it easy to pin-point everything. Bottom line, imaging felt natural and not exaggerated.

The layering and separation is pretty good, you can easily distinguish every sound. You do get a good sense of air between the layers and the sound is far from being congested or veil, but in my opinion, it’s still a little reserved due to its natural smoothness.

With the bass, I prefer dB-Go dial always closed to bring up that extra sub-bass rumble which adds a layer of texture with extra weight under the fast punch of mid-bass. With sub-bass off, bass sounds more neutral and more typical of BA performance, while dialing it up gives the bass a more analog dynamic feeling with a little slower attack, while decay is still short and tight. Bass is very articulate and well controlled. Just keep in mind, we are not talking about basshead level boost. So, if you prefer more low-end impact and warmer tonality, MS3 might not be for you.

Lower mids are neutral, but as I mentioned before, you have some level of control when switching between the cables, where to my surprise that’s where I hear the most change, going from more neutral and transparent with silver cable to fuller with more body using copper cable. Upper mids are clear, detailed, revealing but not harsh or analytical. What I find interesting, I typically associate natural with a warmer tonality, while here the tonality is more neutral, yet I still hear the sound as being more natural and realistic, especially when it comes to vocals.

Treble is crisp and well defined, but not with too much crunch or too much airiness. I usually associate more air with extra “padding” in layering and separation, while here it’s just natural, without any exaggeration. MS3 has a very good treble extension, and it sounds very neutral and accurate, not harsh or sibilant, without too much exaggeration considering presence of a slightly elevated 6k peak and a little attenuated 12k peak. One interesting observation, regardless of cable selection or dB-Go dial, treble always remained nearly the same between all these micro adjustments of tonality.

Page 3: Comparison, Pair up, and Conclusion.