Got my AAW A3hpro customs in and um, wow.
For USD$249. Throw in an extra USD$50 for impressions and shipping those impressions.
Wow.
First things first, great job on AAW for getting the fit right first time for me. I know there are horror stories of having to get customs refitted, so I'm glad I don't have to go through that. The advantages of customs are immediately apparent. Even though it has a sound port because it's a dynamic driver hybrid, the isolation is kinda insane. It's very comfortable, though I feel fine with regular IEMs anyway. One thing that really stood out to me though is the lack of bone conduction, so I don't hear my steps at all. With very little microphonics also I can see this becoming my go to sport headphones for sure.
Overall really great package, and if I have any criticisms it is that the purple is duller and not as red as I thought it would be, but it still looks fine with a nice shimmery effect, and that the cable feels really chintzy and plasticy, but that's mostly in looks and feel. It actually seems to be a pretty good cable generally.
I need to listen to it more to really make a judgement, but on first listen it's great. Great clarity without sounding thin, generally balanced with slightly more emphasis on the bass area. I would characterise it as a warm and smooth sound that still retains excellent detail throughout the midrange.
There is a metallic tinge compared to the harmony (which seems fairly common to hybrid designs from what I recall dynamite ringo saying), which for example results in splashier cymbals compared to the harmony, but then again I always thought the harmony was one of the best headphones I've heard when it comes to resolving the diffusion and decay of percussive instruments. Other than that though I thought the A3hpro's treble is generally fine, though certainly not the most refined treble I've heard.
Imaging is slightly more homogeneous compared to the harmony but again, I feel that it has really good imaging and soundstage for its price without factoring that it's a custom. Bass isn't as visceral impact and my preference would be slightly more sub and lower bass, but then again a lot of people would think this is bassy enough. Bass detail isn't as resolving as the harmony, but then again, I'm comparing it to an IEM which I think has some of the best bass out there. Also an IEM that costs twice as much as the A3Hpro even factoring the cost of getting impressions done and shipping.
So yeah, on sound alone, without factoring the price and the benefits of a custom vs universal, I'd say that the harmony wins. But the A3Hpro isn't really that far off, and considering the price I'd say that it's a pretty great way to introduce yourself to customs.
