IBASSO SR3

Its low modal break-up means that intermodulation is kept low, as SR3’s driver continues to be kept under the control of magnet capable of one tesla. That iron-grip is important given the excursion iBasso’s liquid silicone suspension is capable of.

SR3 is a low-distortion affair always, with its copper-clad aluminium wire voice coil kept thin and light by a 150ohm impedance. Inertia is low and SR3’s driver reacts instantly to the smallest voltage impulses.

Indeed, it’s a 150ohm load that’s simultaneously easy to drive for any partnering amplifier, such that a tube amplifier mates comfortably with suitable damping factor and impedance matching.

iBasso’s flagship headphone comes terminated in 4.4mm also meaning many modern bridge-tied load outputs on music players won’t grind their gears pushing into inordinately low impedances, small power supplies and output stages producing less in the way of distortion and noise as a result.

SR3 will make for a happy result running from iBasso’s own DX170, but high output impedance, imperfect voltage sources from FiiO and Shanling will not be tested untowardly either – music players from the latter both having enough mettle to push SR3 very satisfactorily.

iBasso’s greatest achievement therefore seems to have set up SR3 to perform in virtually any way you ask it. Also check out the rest of iBasso’s sources capable of partnering SR3 here, or view our other headphones