Brief: Third generation of Chinese electronics giant Xiaomi’s hit in-ear
MSRP: 99 RMB (approx. $16) (manufacturer’s page)
Current Price: $16 from geekbuying.com; $15 from gearbest.com
Specs: Driver: Dynamic | Imp: 32Ω | Sens: 98 dB | Freq: 20-20k Hz | Cable: 4.1′ I-plug w/mic & 3-button Android remote
Nozzle Size: 4.5mm | Preferred tips: Stock single-flanges
Wear Style: Straight down
Accessories (3/5) – Single-flange silicone tips (4 sizes); plastic box doubles as storage case with integrated cable wrap
Build Quality (3.5/5) – The Piston 3 uses more plastic in its construction than the Piston 2 but still feels very solid and boasts various small usability improvements such as easier-to-see L/R markings and lower driver flex. The cable is similar to that of the older model – rubbery above the y-split and sheathed in nylon below to provide some resistance to tangling. The new remote is nice-looking but the narrow buttons are actually bit harder to use without looking compared to the previous version’s
Isolation (2.5/5) – Isolation is average thanks to the shallow fit of the earphones
Microphonics (3.5/5) – Audible, but not bothersome when music is playing
Comfort (4.5/5) – The Piston 3 is a large step forward in ergonomics over the older model, moving to a compact angled-nozzle design with strain reliefs that fully clear the outer ear, leading to a very comfortable fit
Sound (8.2/10) – The Xiaomi Piston 2 quickly became one of my favorite budget in-ears thanks to its ability to deliver good clarity, soundstaging, and overall refinement despite its plentiful bass. Combined with an extensive feature set (especially for Android users) and a very low price, this made the previous-gen Piston an unbeatable value.
The jump in sound quality from the original Piston to the Piston 2 was sizable – the first-gen model was bassier and had significantly poorer fidelity. Though the gap in overall sound quality between the 2nd and 3rd-gen Pistons is not as great, the new model maintains the trend toward a more balanced, less consumer-oriented sound. You will notice that aside from the Piston 2, the sets I compare the Piston 3 with are mostly in the $50-100 range – a fact that is itself a testament to the performance of the Xiaomi in-ears.
The bass of the Piston 3, while less enhanced than that of the Piston 2, remains quite punchy. Mid-bass impact is slightly lower than with some of the other not-quite-reference-flat earphones such as the VSonic VSD3S and Ostry KC06, but enhanced compared to flatter-sounding sets like the HiFiMan RE-400 and Etymotic MC5. Bass depth is pretty good as well, though sub-bass reach and presence lag a bit behind the VSD3S and VSonic’s higher-end GR07.
Like the previous model, the 3rd-gen Piston is tuned for a v-shaped sound. However, thanks to the tighter, less bloated bass, its mids are clearer despite not being very forward. With that said, they are still somewhat recessed and a touch muffled compared to higher-end, less v-shaped sets such as the KC06, RE-400, and GR07.
The Piston 3 picks up presence in the upper midrange and lower treble, giving it a cooler tone. It is a little less bright than the KC06, but more so than the RE-400, which tends to be very smooth and laid-back. Harshness and sibilance are generally not a problem – the Piston 3 is not as forgiving as the warmer-sounding models that preceded it, but it’s not as sibilant as any of the popular VSonic earphones, either.
The spaciousness of the Piston 2 is also preserved, though the lower bass quantity and cleaner, brighter sound of the Piston 3 makes its capable and precise presentation less surprising.
Mini Comparisons
The Piston 3 offers a more balanced, less consumer-oriented sound than the model it supersedes. Its bass is significantly less enhanced and much tighter. In comparison, the bass of the Piston 2 is deeper and has more rumble and slam, but also sounds boomier. Cleaner bass with almost no bloat is actually the Piston 3’s biggest asset, though with the loss of bass quantity it also sacrifices some of the Piston 2’s appeal to the average listener.
On the whole, the sound of the Piston 3 is less colored than that of the older model. The upper midrange and treble are smoother. Clarity is better due to the tighter, less bloated bass, though it is still limited by the not-too-forward midrange positioning. The Piston 3 is also less sensitive than the older model, which fits with its less consumer-oriented sound because a non-audiophile listener is more prone to put value in both emphasized bass and the ability reach higher volumes more easily.
Technically, the Piston 3 is the better earphone – it is clearer, tighter, and more neutral. The Piston 2 is warmer and boasts bass that is deeper and more powerful which, admittedly, also helps it sound very dynamic and delivers a “wow” factor. As a result, it’s hard to call the Piston 3 a straight upgrade from the Piston 2 – it’s a more Hi-Fi earphone for sure, but I will still be recommending the Piston 2 in many situations and for certain genres. There are parallels here to the DUNU DN-1000 / DN-2000 situation, albeit with a greater magnitude of difference. There, the older DN-1000 model also provides a bassier sound and in many cases remains recommendable over the more expensive DN-2000.
The Zipbuds PRO are a surprisingly capable consumer-class earphone with a v-shaped sound profile. The main thing they do well is balance high bass quantity and good overall clarity. Indeed, the Piston 3 has significantly less bass but doesn’t gain any clarity over the Zipbuds. Its bass is tighter, however, and its highs are less bright and more smooth, making the Zipbuds appear overly harsh in comparison. On the whole, the Piston 3 is the more balanced and accurate-sounding earphone.
The Flux In-Ear is the closest match I could find for the Piston 3 when balancing sound quality and sound signature. The SteelSeries unit is warmer and has smoother treble and a slightly wider presentation. It’s more sensitive, too. The Piston 3 is a bit more v-shaped and has a cooler, brighter tonal character. It sounds thinner, but also a little clearer. It’s hard to say one outperforms the other, but that in itself is a big win for the Xiaomi – only two years ago the Flux was one of the absolute best in-ears one could get for $50. Now, the Piston 3 offers the same level of performance – albeit with a slightly brighter tonal tilt – for 1/3 of that, with better build quality and a 3-button remote to boot.
The dual-driver B3 Pro I is notable for having an even less consumer-friendly sound signature than the Piston 3, with lower bass impact and much lower sensitivity. The overall sound of the B3 is more balanced compared to the v-shaped Piston 3. The Piston is bassier, but the low end of the B3 is tighter and cleaner. The midrange of the Havi is clearer and more prominent while its upper midrange and treble are a bit more forgiving. The presentation is a bit more well-rounded on the B3 as well. Especially for those in search of balanced sound, the Havi is better than the Piston 3, but its low sensitivity and lack of bass enhancement limit its appeal in the mainstream.
Sennheiser Momentum In-Ear ($100)
The Sennheiser Momentum In-Ear is one the few earphones with 3-button Android remotes on the market besides the Piston line. It is also fairly similar to the Piston in how it fits in the ear, albeit with a slimmer profile and longer nozzles providing slightly better noise isolation. In terms of sound, the Momentum has a more colored, arguably more “fun” tuning than the Piston 3 but isn’t too far ahead in technical ability.
Both earphones have sound signatures on the v-shaped side of “flat” but the Momentum In-Ear unit offers up a warmer tone with better bass. Its bass delivers more depth and resolution while also making the Piston 3 seem a touch boomier in comparison. The mids of the Sennheiser unit are slightly clearer but it is a little more prone to sibilance and less forgiving on the whole. The Momentum’s presentation is slightly wider and more spacious.
Value (10/10) – The latest evolution of Xiaomi’s venerable Piston line once again succeeds in delivering outstanding sound quality with a solid construction and 3-button Android remote, all at a very low price. The biggest improvement this time around is in ergonomics – the new model is significantly more comfortable and unobtrusive than the previous Pistons.
Xiaomi has come a very long way since the original piston in terms of fidelity, too – while not a direct upgrade from the Piston 2 due to how different the tuning of the two earphones is, the Piston 3 provides a clearer, tighter, more balanced audio experience for those willing to trade away some of the previous model’s warmth and bass power. Going forward I can see myself recommending either of the two Piston variants, depending on the situation.
Pros: Very comfortable fit; fantastic sound quality for the price; 3-button Android remote
Cons: Remote is a bit less user-friendly than previous generation; mediocre noise isolation
186 Responses
thanks for reply, n sorry i wanted to write fiio ex1 IEM. But if i like slight base emphasis then also piston 3 will be better? or piston 2
Probably not higher than the Piston 3 to be honest – while the Hybrids have a different sound character and do a few things better, I think that the Piston 3 has better overall fidelity with its tighter, less emphasized bass.
if these piston 3 are 8.3/10 in sound then approximately hw much will be xiaomi hybrid IEMS, i have only hybrids but i find them better than fiio x1 and soundmagic e50s which are more pricier almost double..
thank you so much for the quick replies 🙂
I didn’t think it made sense to add a $15 pack of Comply tips to these from a performance/sound quality standpoint, but if it’s a question of getting them to stay in your ears securely then it definitely would be worth it. If you don’t know the right Comply size I believe it’s the T200 but I can double-check later if needed. The confirmed size is probably also floating around on Head-Fi somewhere.
I recently bought my xiaomi pistons v3 thanks to you 🙂 Do you recommend any comply tips? the ear tips included seem to fall out of my ears easily.
Sorry, I haven’t tried the Ink’d 2.0 and I didn’t really like the City Lights. I should probably go out of my way to try more inexpensive mainstream IEMs, but they’re just so difficult to get excited about. It’s like a 50/50 chance to end up with something that sounds like crap.
Usefull review but i wanted to know out of the priston 3 the skullcandy ink’d 2.0 and iluv city lights which is good,better,best.
Definitely RE-400 over Momentum In-Ear. Momentum is tuned more like the Piston 3 whereas the RE-400 is a lot smoother.
Closest alternatives would be the Brainwavz R3 or something like the Klipsch X10/X11/X12 if you can find one in the price range.
Thanks for reply Joker. I think I explained it poorly, I meant that even Klipsch S4 sound much less bright/harsh than Xiaomi. What would you recommend me for IEM to 100$? I like Sony MH1 sound signature, but I don’t mind of less bass. What I really want is neutral or smooth/rolled of highs. HiFIMan Re-400, Sennheiser Momentum In Ears…? 🙂 (Sony MH1 is unavailable now for me)
The Piston 3 signature is somewhat “v-shaped” overall, much like the S4, so it makes sense that both sound bright coming from the MH1. A balanced signature would be something like a HiFiMan RE-400 or Philips Fidelio S2 – much flatter earphones than both the MH1 and the Piston 3.
If you want a balanced earphone with much smoother highs compared to the Piston 3/Klipsch S4, the RE-400 is pretty much your best bet under $100.
Hi Joker,
my Sony MH1 stopped working in one ear few weeks ago. I bought these Xiaomi Piston 3, but I’m not happy with them. Bass is ok to me, but i find in mid/treble sibilance and harshness. I know that my past Sony MH1 are considered as a ”smooth with rolled off” highs headphone, but still, the Xiaomi are very bright to me. I have also other IEM’s to compare – Klipsch S4 and they still sound bright and unpleasant. Do these Pistons have really ”balanced” sound signature?
Thanks! 🙂
Piston 3 will be much better for what you want – it trades off some of the CX300’s bass quantity/boost for better bass quality.
Hello, I’m some one who’s coming from a cx-300 ii. Turns out the enhanced bass was way too much for me. It (i don’t know) “muddled” the vocals and piano sometimes when the bass is too strong in rock/pop songs. I’m searching for something with bass but not to the extent of ‘enhanced’. How do the bass of the 3 pistons compare to the cx-300 ii? Thanks
I don’t think the Piston 3 lacks highs by any measure, and the Hybrid does have more intrusive bass for sure.
Objectively, the Pistons are all v-shaped earphones. The shape of the “v” just varies between them, depending on the bass-mid-treble balance of each.
Thanks for your reply!
What do you think about highs in Piston 3 and Hybrid?
I read that in Piston 3 highs are very clean but not very pronunced like in Piston 2;
I read also that in Hybrid highs are poor, cause they’re covered by the strong, maybe excessive bass…however Hybrid should be V-shaped!!
In the end, I’ll buy them all because I’m too curious to try them ehehehe.
I still like the Piston 3 better. The Hybrid is better for some things, for example it has more bass overall, slightly better bass depth, and is louder/more efficient. However, the Piston 3 has better bass control/tightness and sounds more clean and coherent to me. That’s more important for my listening, though that may not necessarily be true for you.
After this month, can we say that Xiaomi Hybrid is an allround improved Piston 3 ?
Are there some point where Piston 3 are unbeaten ?
Not familiar with the E80’s sound in any great depth but there are certainly many ways to get more balanced sound (compared to the Piston 3) under $100 – everything from classics like the HiFiMan RE-400, Ultimate Ears 600, Etymotic MC5, to newer models such as the Final Audio Heaven II and Phiaton MS100BA. These will all give you significantly flatter, more neutral sound compared to the Piston 3.
I’ve the Piston 3s and want to upgrade. I prefer an iem with clarity, resolution and flat, neutral response. I’m thinking of about $100 or lower range and have found Soundmagic E80s quite lucrative. What are your suggestions and thoughts?
Answered at https://theheadphonelist.com/headphone_review/brainwavz-s1/#comment-125717
hi ijokerl,
only yday i came to know of this site and i become fan of u, thanks for these reviews..
1)my que is should i go for piston 3, of xaomi hybrid or brainwavz s1? i hv mild preference for base but not much..
2) in ur review u gave piston 3, 8/10 on sound quality and brainwavz s1 7.8/10 does this mean that much cheaper piston is better than brainwvz s1 in terms of sound quality?
3) also i hv seen many pricey ear phones are rated less than 8, does that mean that piston 3 in better than all those
thanks in advance..
The QR code working certainly doesn’t mean much – you can photocopy a QR code and it’ll still scan fine.
However, I bought one of my Xiaomis from gearbest and they’re definitely legit, so I’d say you are safe on that basis rather than the QR code.
Hi joker I bought piston 3 from gearbest while they do seem original but I still want to confirm.I already scanned the QR code attached to the headphones and it shows xiaomis website.Does that mean they are original?
Ok, All considered. Thanks.
Awesome to hear, thanks for reading!
The Xiaomi Pro is good but it’s tuned for a very specific type of sound. If you like v-shaped, bright sound signatures and don’t mind slightly recessed mids, that’s as good as it’s going to get for the price. If you’re looking for something warm and full-bodied like the Piston 2, the Xiaomi Pro is not a great upgrade. Something like the Sony MH1C (if you can find one… and live with its cable) would be better.
The Piston2 is not exactly outdated, so it’s still quite difficult to upgrade from (or even match) without spending a whole lot more.
Hi, Just to state it, I am a long time follower of your reviews, since the Head-Fi days, so believe me I take your reviews very seriously. Now, that is out, I am waiting for a review of Xiaomi Mi Headphone Pro, I would like to know if it is as good as they are saying, I was using Mi Piston 2 and Soundmagic E10 until a week ago when they decided to die, guess it was their time. Anyways, can you just simply state are they as good as Piston 2, I loved them for their sound, although they were a bit uncomfortable on the ears. Also, Would you be kind enough to recommend me a good pair of earphones around 30$. I am cut short on my budget, but I can live with a good enough pair of earphones until summer, when I will be buying better buds.
Thanks in advance.
TX1/TX2 is probably too bright compared to the SHE3590, but they are very clear. You’d have an easier time EQing these to sound like the SHE than you would the Xiaomi Hybrids. But if the TX1/TX2 are harder to get and/or significantly more expensive then it’s not worth the trouble since they’re not the ideal upgrade either.
Most other competitors won’t give you the remote control button, so I guess you might as well try the Hybrids. If you approach them with an open mind and don’t expect them to sound too much like the Philips, it’s very possible you will like them. You will be able to EQ them some as well.
I see. I am a confused now as what to buy. I think I might go higher with the price range if a get better construction (esp cable) and overall same or very similar sound as the 3595. The remote button is a must so this also limits my choices. I also looked around what philips has to offer that is close to these as sound and price. So then I came across your review of the tx1/tx2 on innerfidelity….I kind of rejoicing that finally I found my new babies….but I looked around and they are basically inexistent here in europe(esp where I live)…..which is a shame 🙁 But it seemed like a really close she3590 successor 🙁 Do you agree?
Side note: I do not use any eq on my macbook pro and if possible I am not planning to. Maybe a cheap but good mini dac+amp in the future (to avoid the slight hissing from the macbook headphone out) I just plugged the philips (and senns) straight in and it sounded pretty good always. On my ipod touch 5g I did slightly boosted the lows and the mids (to compensate for the noise when using outside) I also upgraded to sony hybrid tips. It was not a huge “upgrade” because the philips came with good tips anyway but I think the sony tips stay in my ear better.)
Not sure now….maybe I jump and still get one Xiaomi to try it out..I can still give it away to some friend or relative if I dont like it and go back to my ol’ good friend (she3595) 😛 I since read bad stuff about the hybrids. Not sure now. I would love to read a full review from you on them though. I was so hyped about the dual driver thing, the stunning build and design, but to be honest I have absolutely no idea if I would like the sound of them….. Do you think that is possible to eq the xiaomi to sound similar to the philips? Does it responds well to eq-ing? (In the case if I don’t like everything about it’s sound)
Thx for your advice 😉
Not sure I would recommend the Hybrid. I like it fine for what it costs but it’s not a spiritual successor to the Piston 2 – to me it’s more like a Piston 3 with better bass depth. The Piston2 still has a smoother, thicker, more full-bodied sound than both.
The bigger issue is that the Pistons don’t really remind me of the SHE3590, which has a more sub-bass focused low end (the Pistons, especially the Piston2, have more mid-bass) midrange and upper midrange tuning that’s somewhere between the Piston2 and Piston3, and slightly darker highs.
I’m not saying that it’s possible to find a better-sounding IEM that the Xiaomi Hybrid for $25, just that if I was looking for a direct SHE3595 replacement in that price range I’d probably buy another 3595, not a Xiaomi product.
Okay so I need some advice.
My second pair of Phlips she 3595 (legendary series) just broke on me after a year of use. I loved it to bits. Except the pretty bad cable noise and tangle. But overall I was amazed again and again, though I would say sometimes on very complicated (mostly alternative songs) I was feeling that that little thing was loosing it with 10 instruments and 5 vocals….though sometimes I was not sure it was my ears that could not percieve everything or the little buds. What I liked about them was that they were easily driven. Used mainly directly with my macbook pro and ipod touch 5th with sporify extreme. It was enough for me, but still I was looking around what I would get as a little upgrade if these broke….and they just did today.
I was reading your reviews and recommendations many times. The pistons seem what I am looking for. As I read a lot I am leaning towards the newest model the Hybrid. They say it is a better version of the Piston 2 with its plentiful bass. So the philips is the sound that I am looking for…maybe a bit more detail separation with complex tracks. Do you think that the Hybrid is the closest in sound?
(Just a side note. I am amazed how good these little cheapo earbuds can outperform like my old beloved Sennheiser hd 212pro. I used to love that with it’s v shaped “fun” sound signature and amazing bass. But today as I tried them again after only using the Philips. There is no competition. It was like listening to a muffled no fun, no bass, no midrange headphone that is just not fun to listen to. Not sure what this says about my taste or hearing or understanding of good sound and all the words you guys use for it, but it was quite shocking to be honest.)
So would you recommend the xiaomi hybrids for me? 🙂
Can anyone compare these with any of the below mentioned IEMs?
Sony XB30EX ( $25),
Sony XB50AP ($40)
Sennheiser CX180 Street II ($15)
Sennheiser CX275 ($25).
If you want deeper sealing tips the double-flanges and triple-flanges from a meelectronics m6 work. I think you can pick them up as a full set on their website or ebay.
If you have very wide ear canals (largest stock tips aren’t wide enough to seal) then you might have to go with the HiFiMan double-flanges (available on their website with a filter replacement kit)
Hi Joker,
I ordered the piston 3’s and they aren’t bad. They fit a little better than the Piston 2’s but I am still having trouble getting a good seal and insertion seems to be quite shallow with stock tips.
Can you recommend any tips that would fit these?
I love sennheiser tips but they are too big for the nozzle on the P3’s.
Thanks!
I don’t think there’s any intended difference but it’s possible that the quality control is not as tight on the youth model. My unit has some imbalance between the left and right channels. Together with the nicer materials on the regular Piston 3, I’d try to spring the few extra bucks.
Is there any diference in sound between p3 and p3 youth edition?
I can’t wait for your review. A few months ago I got the piston 2 after your review, and I’m expecting this to be my next IEM purchase. (I also got some superlux goods a few months ago)
Thanks for the reply! It seems that the Telo is a bit out of my price range and the others are hard to find and/or come from shady Amazon sellers. I may just get a pair of Sennheiser Momentums since they sound decent and look nice. I think I’ll look further into finding a good, reliable seller and then if I can’t find something that works, I’ll go with the momentums. Once again, thanks so much for the advice.
The closest I’ve seen to this form factor among higher-end IEMs is the Fujisan Telos: http://www.telosacoustics.com/ . Its sound is a little different – more smooth and balanced than a Piston 3, but with a slight warm tilt. Good sound quality overall and a nice-looking design, too. Other earphones that have this form factor tend to be larger – for example the Philips Fidelio S1/S2, Audio-Technica ATH-CKM99, and so on.
Clarity – yes, partly because the Piston is brighter. Bass – depends on what you’re after. The E10 has more linear and balanced bass. The Piston has punchier and more “immediate” bass, but the subbass is less prominent. Neither is really better, just different approaches.
Hey Joker.
So, I really like the design of the Piston 3s, but I want a more premium headphone. Do you know of any IEMs that keep the simple, small, lightweight design of the pistons but is more of a premium product (better sound quality, higher price, better build quality)?
Thanks!
Will piston be an upgrade to soundmagic e10 incterms of clarity and bass?
I’ve already got both. I couldn’t find difference and hence I posted that question to the expert 😉
Anyways, waiting for your Sound Rating for the Hybrid drivers.
Okay, thanks for the reply! : )
EarPods are not real in-ear headphones so they have one huge disadvantage right off the bat – they can’t really reproduce deep bass. That’s going to be the Piston’s biggest advantage – it’s not a bass-heavy earphone by any means but its bass depth is very good. The shift in the bass curve also allows the Piston better slightly clarity and crispness across the rest of the range, and of course it has a slight advantage in imaging over an earbud. In pretty much all other ways the Piston 3 and EarPods are just tuned differently more so than one being better than the other. The EarPods are the opposite of v-shaped as they tend to push the mids forward a bit.
The Piston 3 should be a pretty good choice, especially for <$20 - it's not too v-shaped to the point that it detracts from the overall experience. However, for the sort of thing you're describing I'd try for an Ostry KC06. It's less v-shaped but still bright and has very forward vocals. Just for completeness, the Soundmagic E10 and LG Quadbeat F420 are decent Piston 3 alternatives for what you are describing as well. Not as good as the KC06, but they also cost less.
I think I should replace the term “buzz” with…”rumble”?
Hello ljokerl! Thanks for all these reviews!
Just out of curiosity, how would these compare to the stock Apple Earpods? Would you consider these an upgrade from them? Mny people say these completely kill stock Apple earpods, but I’m a little skeptical about that. It sounds a little over hyped. 😛
Also, what IEM would you recommend that has good clarity and is under 50 dollars? I’ll try to explain what I am looking for, but I am new to the world of audio equipment so I apologize if I can’t find the right words. I enjoy bright sound signatures with good treble, but I can’t stand treble that causes fatigue. i don’t like emphasized bass either. I like good quality bass, but I get annoyed by bass that is simply loud. The best I can explain is how I always hear…a buzzing sound that distracts me from vocals or brighter sounds. V-shaped, “fun” earphones just seem more distracting than fun for me, and I really prefer crisp, clear sound as I listen to piano tracks a lot.
Again, sorry if I’m not using the right terminology. I can’t really express it is that I am searching for and really want some advice. : (
Thanks for reading, and happy holidays!
They sound very similar but I think as part of the more loose quality standards the channel matching in the Youth Edition is less tight – mine has a slight imbalance between left and right. So if you can afford it, just get the regular Piston 3.
Does the piston 3 youth edition sound exactly similarly to the piston 3? In buying guide, you have mentioned it “loses the premium materials and build quality”, so sound is intact?
Appreciate the follow up – glad you’re enjoying the earphones! They are a great value.