Website author headshot
Cameron Oatley
ExtremeHiFi
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi

Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.

What reviewers think

Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.

Product Strengths

  • Good for both music and competitive FPS gaming
  • Very good resolution, wide soundstage, and separation
  • Excellent craftsmanship with a premium feel and comfortable, lightweight design
  • Natural and forward vocals
  • Strong positional audio for gaming

Product Considerations

  • The cable could be better, as it is not as aesthetic as others found on lower-priced IEMs
  • A tiny bit of sibilance can be heard at very high volume levels
  • Bass can be a bit much for bass-sensitive listeners, though this can be managed by using wide-bore tips

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • The M3 is better than the Arete

Takeaway: The Tipsy Audio M3 is a solid product, especially for gaming because of its separation and positional audio, while also providing an enjoyable experience for music listening. This IEM checks all the boxes with good comfort, build quality, sound quality, tuning, and accessories.

All

M3

reviews

[{"title":"Excellent IEM for E-Sports 🔥Tipsy M3 IEM Review 🔥","link":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R25u_zWUH-I","source":"ArtIsWar","datePublished":"2025"},{"title":"Sound Separation at its FINEST | Tipsy M3 Pro Hybrid IEM Review","link":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiZC0OpbTPY","source":"Khen Tech Reviews","datePublished":""}]
An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022

Manufacturer's details

  • Driver Configuration: 9.2 mm PET-Titanium-Coated Dynamic Driver + 2 Custom Balanced Armature Drivers
  • Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
  • Impedance: 17 Ω @ 1 kHz
  • Sensitivity: 105 dB @ 1 mW
  • Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): < 1% Across Full Frequency Range
  • Noise Isolation: –26 dB (Passive)
  • Cable: 0.78 mm 2-Pin Detachable, High-Purity Copper
  • Shell: Skin-Friendly Resin Housing with Light-Reflective Artistic Faceplates and Redesigned Acoustic Chamber
Precision meets innovation with the Tipsy M3. Engineered with a triple-driver hybrid system and reimagined shell design, M3 unlocks wide-frequency clarity and immersive detail. Crafted for performance, built for those who demand more.
Manufacturer Site

Brand highlights

We analyzed reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—and what stands out most is the following:

Every model shares 20 Hz to 20 kHz response and 26 dB of passive isolation, so outside noise fades on any of them. The M3 pairs a dynamic driver with two balanced armatures and offers 3.5 mm or USB-C with a microphone for chat. The Super-5 uses five armatures in a three-way split. The Super-9 adds a graphene dynamic driver to eight armatures. The Super-12 swaps in four electrostatic drivers, and a reviewer called its tonality a reference.

  • Start here. Choose the M3 if you game and listen to music and want positional audio and separation from one pair without a big budget.
  • Sweet spot. The Super-5 suits listeners who want a step up from the M3 into an all-armature design, priced between $1,000 and $2,000, well under the Super-12.
  • All in. The Super-12 is priced well above the Super-9 rather than a small extension of it, and its electrostatic drivers give the clearest reference tonality a reviewer described, with vocals neither too close nor too far.
All products from this brand
Avg. Product Price
$500
Used For Sale
0
 Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
847
 of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
4
Founding Year
2016

Our take on the brand

Tipsy is a maker of in-ear monitors, founded in 2016 by recording engineer Masan Lee. The company aims for studio-quality sound inspired by the Shenzhen Concert Hall, and it says its designs use patented acoustic innovations. Alongside its standard models it has delivered more than 150,000 custom IEMs, and artists across Asia use its earphones in the studio and on stage. The current range has four models, including one made for gaming, and the company lists Call of Duty and Warzone players among its Tipsy Gamers. The M3 is pitched as an everyday all-rounder.

Look inside the brand

Brand Page

Our interview with the brand

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Tipsy

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What if you spend more?

Product image
Bowers & Wilkins
Px8
699
699
/
64
Reviews
Bowers & Wilkins develops many of its own components in pursuit of a speaker that adds nothing to a recording and takes nothing away. The British company, founded in 1966 by John Bowers, pioneered Kevlar cones and developed the Matrix cabinet to cut resonance. The flagship Nautilus, built for dedicated listening rooms, uses tapered damping tubes to lower distortion. The 606 S3 and 603 S3 open the range with a Titanium Dome tweeter, and the 700 Series adds a Carbon Dome tweeter and Continuum cones. The Zeppelin is on our Best Wireless Speakers list.
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Product Strengths

  • Premium build quality and materials with luxurious Nappa leather detailing and a cast aluminum yoke
  • Comfortable for long listening sessions with soft earcups and a headband that provides even pressure distribution
  • Excellent sound quality with 40mm carbon cone drivers delivering ultra-fast response, low distortion, and a clean, smooth sound signature
  • Effective active noise cancellation (ANC) reduces low-frequency sounds and midrange chatter, with the Nappa leather providing a tighter seal
  • Realistic soundstage scale with tight, well-defined imaging, with the sound feeling more live and in front of the listener

Product Considerations

  • Multipoint pairing is not always seamless, and there might be occasional wind noise from the earcup due to software glitches, with wear detection being inconsistent and inaccurate
  • Limited app customization with only bass and treble adjustments, lacking a fully customizable EQ
  • Microphone pickup is good in quiet environments, but can be affected by heavy noise gating in noisy conditions, causing voice fade-in/out
  • Some emphasis on bass response, which may not appeal to everyone
  • There is concern about the Nappa leather being easily scratched

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Compared to the PX7 S2, the PX8 offers better sound quality with greater instrument separation and realism due to the carbon fiber drivers, and also features more premium materials
  • While the PX8 active noise cancelling does well, Sony still has better mic pickup
  • The PX8 provides a good alternative to the Airpods Max
  • The PX8 stacks up among some of the best wireless headphones along with the Focal Bathys

Takeaway: The Px8 is a premium wireless headphone with outstanding build quality and sound performance, which is perfect for audiophiles seeking a luxurious listening experience. It combines comfort, effective noise cancellation, and detailed audio reproduction, making it a worthwhile investment for those prioritizing sound quality and high-end materials.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Bowers & Wilkins develops many of its own components in pursuit of a speaker that adds nothing to a recording and takes nothing away. The British company, founded in 1966 by John Bowers, pioneered Kevlar cones and developed the Matrix cabinet to cut resonance. The flagship Nautilus, built for dedicated listening rooms, uses tapered damping tubes to lower distortion. The 606 S3 and 603 S3 open the range with a Titanium Dome tweeter, and the 700 Series adds a Carbon Dome tweeter and Continuum cones. The Zeppelin is on our Best Wireless Speakers list.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Product image
Mark Levinson
№ 5909
999
999
/
36
Reviews

Lose yourself in your music with the first-ever headphones from Mark Levinson, a pioneer in high-fidelity audio for the past 50 years. Reference-quality sound meets luxurious comfort in a lightweight and durable set of headphones featuring Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) that’s perfect for travel. Reveal the hidden details in your music – at home, on the go, or anywhere you find a moment to listen.

Mark Levinson is an American maker of high-end solid-state amplifiers and preamplifiers. Its preamplifier circuits are fully discrete, direct-coupled and dual-mono, with the two channels kept separate in pursuit of signal purity. Owners can set up and configure many of its models from a web browser as well as through physical controls and an app. Most models carry a number instead of a name, such as the № 5805 and the № 526.
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Expand Details

Product Strengths

  • Excellent sound quality with a balanced and refined signature, detailed mids, and smooth treble
  • Effective active noise cancellation (ANC) and ambient aware mode
  • Premium build quality with high-quality materials such as leather, anodized aluminum, and metallic paint
  • Comfortable for long listening sessions due to soft leather ear cushions and a well-designed headband
  • Comprehensive codec support (LDAC, aptX Adaptive, AAC) for high-resolution wireless audio

Product Considerations

  • High price point, making them inaccessible for many consumers
  • App is lacking in some features, such as fully customizable EQ and customizable ANC modes
  • On-cup controls are described as basic and not very intuitive to use
  • Some reviewers feel the design does not fully convey a sense of luxury for the price
  • Occasional reports of issues with the 'on-head detection' feature—causing connection problems

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Vs Focal Bathys: The Mark Levinson 5909 offers a cleaner and more natural tonality with a smoother, more consistent, and detailed treble response than the Focal Bathys
  • Vs Apple AirPods Max: The Mark Levinson 5909 offers better sound quality, particularly in the bass frequencies, and is more comfortable than the AirPods Max
  • Vs Bowers & Wilkins PX8: The Mark Levinson 5909 measures better in audio quality

Takeaway: The Mark Levinson № 5909 headphones offer excellent sound, comfort, and noise cancellation, making them a top-tier choice for those seeking a premium listening experience. With their high-end sound quality and comprehensive feature set, these headphones are a great option for audiophiles wanting the best wireless experience.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Mark Levinson is an American maker of high-end solid-state amplifiers and preamplifiers. Its preamplifier circuits are fully discrete, direct-coupled and dual-mono, with the two channels kept separate in pursuit of signal purity. Owners can set up and configure many of its models from a web browser as well as through physical controls and an app. Most models carry a number instead of a name, such as the № 5805 and the № 526.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Product image
Focal
Hadenys
754
754
/
13
Reviews
Focal's idea is the inverted dome tweeter, in aluminum and magnesium or, higher up the range, beryllium, shaped for wide dispersion and low distortion. The French company has made speakers since 1979 and builds its top models in Saint-Étienne, with cabinets from its own workshop in Bourbon-Lancy. Many of its mid-bass drivers use light, rigid flax or W composite sandwich cones. The range climbs from Theva through Aria Evo X, Kanta and Sopra to the Utopia line. Listeners who want a studio monitor at home can start with the Shape 65.
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Product Strengths

  • Beautiful design and build quality with premium materials, like a magnesium yoke and genuine leather headband
  • Good comfort with memory foam earpads and breathable cloth, though some find the pads shallow
  • Well-rounded tonal balance with surprisingly strong bass for an open-back headphone
  • Easy to drive and forgiving with different audio sources
  • Clear and spacious sound presentation, with accurate imaging

Product Considerations

  • The price point may be higher than some consumers want to pay
  • The relatively small size might not fit all head shapes comfortably
  • Stock cable is reported to have memory and be unwieldy
  • Sound staging isn't the widest

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Vs Focal Azurys: Some prefer the sound of the Azurys for some songs and use cases
  • Vs Sennheiser HD600: Hadenys has improvements in the bass and treble response, and there's more oomph and weight in the bass
  • Vs Focal Clear MG: Hadenys manages to provide a remarkable amount of Clear MG for a lower price
  • Vs Focal Elex: dynamics are not on par with the Focal Elex
  • Vs Sennheiser HD 660S2: The Focal manages to feel as solid, while looking better, wearing better and sounding better

Takeaway: The Hadenys offers a stylish design, comfortable fit, and well-rounded sound, making it a versatile headphone for enjoying music at home. Its solid construction and easy-to-drive nature make it a worthwhile choice for those seeking a premium listening experience.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Focal's idea is the inverted dome tweeter, in aluminum and magnesium or, higher up the range, beryllium, shaped for wide dispersion and low distortion. The French company has made speakers since 1979 and builds its top models in Saint-Étienne, with cabinets from its own workshop in Bourbon-Lancy. Many of its mid-bass drivers use light, rigid flax or W composite sandwich cones. The range climbs from Theva through Aria Evo X, Kanta and Sopra to the Utopia line. Listeners who want a studio monitor at home can start with the Shape 65.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Product image
DALI
Dali IO-8
900
900
/
13
Reviews

Premium DALI IO-8 wireless Hi-Fi headphones with custom DALI driver technology bring you genuine Hi-Fi performance, while advanced audiophile active noise cancellation technology lets you enjoy the same genuine sound, wherever your are.True Hi-Fi PerformanceDALI IO-8 headphones are designed and engineered using the same sound principles as our full-size loudspeakers – they're true Hi-Fi speakers for your head.Audiophile Active Noise CancellationSilence the outside world with unique active noise cancellation technology tuned carefully by DALI to strip away the distractions without impairing the sound.35-Hour Battery LifeEnjoy up to 35 hours of peerless noise-cancelling playback.Dual Sound ModesTailor the performance to your own style with 'Hi-Fi' and 'Bass' sound modes.

DALI's idea is wide dispersion, with speakers designed to spread sound evenly across the whole listening area. The Danish company, founded in 1983, makes its own drivers in-house, including its wood fiber cones, and uses its patented SMC (Soft Magnetic Compound) material to lower distortion. Many models pair a soft dome with a ribbon tweeter in a hybrid module. The Oberon 1 C is an active wireless speaker that needs no separate amplifier, and the range climbs through Rubikore and Epikore to the Kore flagship.
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Product Strengths

  • Positive, detailed, and convincing sound makes music enjoyable, rather than academic
  • Exceptional build quality with premium materials, including brushed metal and tactile fabric, gives them an understatedly good look and feel
  • Can function as hard-wired passive headphones without battery power, offering flexibility and continuous use
  • Active noise cancellation (ANC) effectively reduces external noise without significantly impacting the sonic characteristics of the headphones
  • Balanced frequency response with smooth transitions and ample detail throughout the range

Product Considerations

  • The lack of a control app limits user customization options
  • The use of real leather in the earpads may not appeal to vegan customers
  • Active noise cancellation (ANC) is decent, but not class-leading compared to brands like Bose
  • The midrange can be a bit too relaxed for some users

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Compared to Bowers & Wilkins PX8, the Dali IO-8 offers distinct sound
  • Compared to Sennheiser Momentum 4, the Dali IO-8 is heavier
  • Compared to Focal Bathys, the Dali IO-8 is lighter

Takeaway: The Dali IO-8 is a premium headphone that delivers high-quality sound with a focus on musicality and build quality. It's a great choice for listeners who value a balanced sound signature, comfortable design, and the flexibility of wired and wireless use.

Video review

Our take on the brand

DALI's idea is wide dispersion, with speakers designed to spread sound evenly across the whole listening area. The Danish company, founded in 1983, makes its own drivers in-house, including its wood fiber cones, and uses its patented SMC (Soft Magnetic Compound) material to lower distortion. Many models pair a soft dome with a ribbon tweeter in a hybrid module. The Oberon 1 C is an active wireless speaker that needs no separate amplifier, and the range climbs through Rubikore and Epikore to the Kore flagship.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page

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