Padsmith IEM VS Dunu SA3

IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side

Home Reviewer Smirk Audio Simgot Supermix 4 Compare IEMs

Padsmith IEM and Dunu SA3 use 1DD+1Planar and 3BA driver setups respectively. Padsmith IEM costs $120 while Dunu SA3 costs $140. Dunu SA3 is $20 more expensive. Padsmith IEM holds a decisive 4-point edge in reviewer scores (7 vs 3). Padsmith IEM has significantly better mids with a 3-point edge, Padsmith IEM has significantly better treble with a 2-point edge and Padsmith IEM has significantly better dynamics with a 4-point edge.

Insights

Metric Padsmith IEM Dunu SA3
Bass 7 2
Mids 5 2
Treble 4 2
Details 7 2
Soundstage 7 3
Imaging 7 2
Dynamics 6 2
Tonality 6.7 2
Technicalities 6 2
Take these comparisons with a grain of salt—we don't have enough Dunu SA3 reviews saved yet to provide an unbiased result.

Padsmith IEM Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Fresh Reviews
Z-Reviews Jaytiss
Kois Archive
Audio Amigo

Average Reviewer Score:

7

Generally Favorable

Dunu SA3 Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Precogvision
Super* Review

Average Reviewer Score:

3

Very Poor

Reviews Comparison

Padsmith IEM (more reviews)

Padsmith IEM reviewed by Audio Amigo

Audio Amigo 8 * score rescaled + normalized
An EM6L, but with toned down top end. Gorgeous shells. Microplanar instead of Balanced Armature. Great Details and Imaging. Acessories are a little barebones

Audio Amigo original ranking

Audio Amigo Youtube Channel
YouTube video thumbnail

Padsmith IEM reviewed by Kois Archive

Kois Archive 7 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
A+ Tech
Rating: A- | Value: ⭐ | Gaming: 🎮 | Comfort: 9 nice planar micro details midbass a little much

Kois Archive original ranking

Kois Archive Youtube Channel
YouTube video thumbnail

Padsmith IEM reviewed by Z-Reviews

Z-Reviews 6.8 * score rescaled + normalized
check links for more info:

Z-Reviews original ranking

Z-Reviews Youtube Channel
YouTube video thumbnail

Padsmith IEM reviewed by Jaytiss

Jaytiss 6.3 Reviewer Score
C+ Tuning
C- Tech
Packaged like theiaudio iem... lol this hobby.

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Mids: C+ Treble: C- Dynamics: B Soundstage: A-
YouTube video thumbnail

Padsmith IEM reviewed by Fresh Reviews

Fresh Reviews 5* * The score of this reviewer influences only the Gaming Score
Better in COD

Fresh Reviews original ranking

Fresh Reviews Youtube Channel
YouTube video thumbnail

Dunu SA3 (more reviews)

Dunu SA3 reviewed by Super* Review

Super* Review 4* * score rescaled + normalized
check links for more info:

Super* Review original ranking

Super* Review Youtube Channel

Dunu SA3 reviewed by Precogvision

Precogvision 2 Reviewer Score
E+ Tuning
E+ Tech
A mess in the tuning department. Literally not sure what I heard.

Precogvision original ranking

Precogvision Youtube Channel
Bass: E+ Mids: E+ Treble: E+ Dynamics: E+ Details: E+ Imaging: E+

Padsmith IEM User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Dunu SA3 User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

No user reviews yet. Be the first one who writes a review!

Padsmith IEM Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

5.7

Gaming Grade

B-

Dunu SA3 Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

2

Gaming Grade

E+

Padsmith IEM Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

B+
  • The tuning leans easygoing, yet occasional unevenness nudges it away from greatness. A bit of EQ polish can smooth things nicely.

Average Technical Grade

B
  • An honest, middle-of-the-road performance preserves structure without chasing micro-detail. It's respectable for everyday listening sessions.
Mids C+
The mids are solid and dependable, though not especially remarkable. Vocals stay reasonably grounded in the mix.
Treble C-
Treble performance is average, audible but short on refinement. There's acceptable presence but limited finesse.
Dynamics B
Expect energetic dynamics that bring music to life without harshness. It injects enthusiasm into fast music.
Soundstage A-
Immersion steps up dramatically as width, depth, and height integrate into a cohesive hologram. Everything sounds naturally spaced.
Gaming B-
Moderate spatial presentation conveys general directionality. Suitable for casual play where precision isn't critical.

Dunu SA3 Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

E+
  • Balance is severely off, producing a harsh, unpleasant listen regardless of genre. Long sessions quickly become exhausting.

Average Technical Grade

E+
  • A foggy, one-dimensional presentation wipes out layering and obscures the finer points of a mix. Spatial cues barely register at all.
Bass E+
Bass lines feel skeletal, robbing tracks of their intended foundation. Genres relying on sub-bass struggle.
Mids E+
Midrange sounds thin and brittle, robbing vocals of weight. Voices lack weight and emotion.
Treble E+
The upper end is cloaked, leaving cymbals lacking shimmer and air. Overtones hide behind the midrange.
Dynamics E+
Subtle shifts disappear, with transients lacking bite or urgency. Drum hits arrive without conviction.
Details E+
Secondary lines struggle to stand apart because resolution can't parse their subtleties. Textures feel monotone and dull.
Imaging E+
Center focus slips in and out, eroding confidence in where sounds originate. There's no consistent center image.
Gaming E+
Compromised imaging significantly impacts gameplay awareness. Directional cues often lack accuracy or consistency.

Padsmith IEM User Reviews

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Dunu SA3 User Reviews

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