Samsung Buds3 Pro vs $5000 Stax Headphones - Sound Quality Review!

Update 8/27/24: Further tweaked eq: 0 | +2 | 0 | +1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
Update 8/18/24: Tweaked the eq as follows: -2 | +1 | 0 | +1 | 0 | +1 | 0 | 0 | 0
TLDR: The Buds3 Pro earphones are THE BEST closed earphones/headphones I've ever heard, regardless of price (I've heard $2000-3000 closed headphones). The Buds3 Pro are also very well built, look great, and comfortable for long wear. HIGHLY Recommended! In a lot of ways, I actually prefer them to my "perfect" full-sized open headphone system. This is VERY surprising.
Full disclosure: I preordered these for $250 and received them on 7/20/24. This video is not sponsored in any way.
Buds3 Pro sound chain: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra -- Equalized in Wearable app -- Amazon Music HD (up to 96khz available)
Stax 007mk1 headphones chain: Topping D90LE DAC (no eq or processing) -- KGSSHV Carbon amplifier

[@longtech]

Hi! Just a small update on the eq after 10 days, I reduced the 2k bar to +1 (was +2 in the video). Enjoy! YMMV

[@carbullzone953]

I'm still waiting for mine to arrive. Great explanation from an audiophile. Thanks for the EQ settings. Subscribed.

[@nolanwilder6098]

I haven't gotten mine yet, I'm glad to have run across your review. I'll have to try out all of your suggestions. Thanks!

[@longtech]

Hi! No problem! I'm still enjoying them a lot. They still surprise and wow me every time I use them :)

[@marcrossen5595]

Just subscribed! Audiophile here as well. KZbin algo worked on suggesting your video. Just got these as well. Haven't tried shutting off the Noise Cancelling. Just A/B bunch of music and yep, the soundstage opens up with NC off. Even the balanced EQ is better. With your EQ it sounds great. When you turn NC On bass goes up and soundstage gets tighter. Great video! Now we just need multiple Custom EQ so we can use when NC Off and when On.

[@burnout7058]

Great video!! Preordered bud3 pro as well but unfortunately they got delay due to recall, can’t wait to A/B test them with my Stax L700mk2 + HGSSHV Carbon setup. They would be so worth the $$ if they sound anywhere near 80% similar.

[@longtech]

Hi! Cool, let me know what you think or if am I just crazy :)

[@CZPC]

Good content. Easy to understand voice and isn't annoyingly peppy.

[@jimmygreer2140]

I had that same experience with the Buds2 Pro and upgrading my library to FLAC. There are some mixes of albums from the 70's that are truly phenomenal. There's some Rolling Stones songs that transport me and place me right into Jagger's shoes on stage. Obviously the vocals are coming from both channels so you're centered right there. Same thing with the drums but it's a little "further back" like they tamed down the percussion to not interfere with the vocals. But then there's the rhythm guitar on the left, the lead guitar on the right, the bass is on the right but feels like it's right in that pocket between the drums & the lead guitar. Then a piano pops in and it's coming from the left like where the keyboardist would be on stage. And it's because the Buds do such a great job giving space for each instrument & makes it easier for me to do that it takes almost no effort....so yeah, I do have those types of experiences I can only imagine what the Buds3 Pros can do. There is that upgrade to full 24 bit 92khz but at that point you're going beyond what the human ear can handle. They also upgraded with a 2nd amp which should provide a cleaner signal.

[@longtech]

Hi! I trust Amazon Music HD the most because it's all FLACs. The 96khz and 24bit stuff is kinda nonsense, and I likely can't tell the difference between 256kbps and FLAC, but Amazon Music just gives me peace of mind that I'm getting the best possible.

[@kerv6386]

Thank you!

[@Electrifize]

Great video, I never say this, but you really deserve more subs. And thanks for showing your EQ

[@CptSquirrelX]

Awesome video bro, new sub :D

[@Joka2122]

Solid review. Subscribed!

[@DeplorableKitty]

This was helpful. Thanks for the video.

[@BretMuckdogs]

Thank you for this video.

[@rolins3279]

To simulate openback headphones 🎧, listen to your music with transparency mode enabled. Regarding the ANC, this is important and very practical, because, instead of having to turn the volume up to 80-100% in noisy environments, you can listen to your music at 30-40% of the maximum volume.

[@alexsmith1207]

I feel better now that what I brought is good earbuds can't wait to get them. ANC is there if you traveling so the bass does increase like any other headset which can be good because the bass gets diminished when traveling, and details in songs get lost anyways. At home use when you don't want to wear headphones you can use these. This review helped a lot.

[@longtech]

@@alexsmith1207 hi! Thanks, I use them mostly at home and rarely during runs, so the anc isn't useful for me. I'm still enjoying them a lot; I'll do an update video after a month. They really blow my mind (for what they are)....

[@mrlang125]

I honestly didn't want to sound like a samsung fan boy but it's pretty much how i felt. I use powerbeats pro for the gym and I tested the buds 3 pro this week and I'm having a hard time going back to the powerbeats.

[@longtech]

@@mrlang125 hi! That's awesome :)

[@shadyabdalazeem9274]

رائع ❤

[@harryrs5273]

Having hybrid driver just wondering how well coherence between dynamic and planar, I mean the crossover between bass and mid/treble in your opinion?

[@longtech]

@@harryrs5273 hi! I don't hear any glaring issues with the spectrum compared to my Stax. Nothing stands out as an annoyance, except it does sound slightly more anemic overall (along with the other descriptions I made in the video).

[@ahmedkhalednew]

Useless sound review. Thanks

[@CptSquirrelX]

@7:59 dynamic not the way? I LOVE DYNAMIC Will definitely test that custom out thou when my buds come in Got em in white 🤍🤍🤍 Thank you!!