Hi Curt,
They are in different environments, so the comparison is more apples to oranges.
I'd say generally, the 3's are more lush, creamy smooth and probably a bit deeper.
The Fives, more forward in the mids & highs, though not in your face. Both have great sound stage.
This is not to say the 3's are not excellent in the mids & highs as well, just a tad less forward, if you can even say that about the "east Coast" sound. You can listen to them both all day long at volume and there's no fatigue at all. I'd say the Fives are closer sounding to the 3a than the 3.
At some point I want to compare them in the same room the Fives are in now.
If I could get another pair of either, I'd get the 3's though, no question, even over the 3a's.
The Fives are excellent as well and I love them both.
Hope this helps!
Glenn
They are in different environments, so the comparison is more apples to oranges.
I'd say generally, the 3's are more lush, creamy smooth and probably a bit deeper.
The Fives, more forward in the mids & highs, though not in your face. Both have great sound stage.
This is not to say the 3's are not excellent in the mids & highs as well, just a tad less forward, if you can even say that about the "east Coast" sound. You can listen to them both all day long at volume and there's no fatigue at all. I'd say the Fives are closer sounding to the 3a than the 3.
At some point I want to compare them in the same room the Fives are in now.
If I could get another pair of either, I'd get the 3's though, no question, even over the 3a's.
The Fives are excellent as well and I love them both.
Hope this helps!
Glenn