Current testing methodology is v1.2
15 June 2023
80 g
12.5 x 8.5 x 3.9 cm
The Lafitear LM3 is an IEM from the Chi-fi brand, Lafitear. I’ve had numerous units from this brand and some were nice while some weren’t that good.
I don’t know what made me buy this IEM without reading reviews from other customers first. It could be the unique faceplate design or its affordability.
Regardless, I decided to try this IEM to give my most honest sentiment. Let’s find out in this detailed review how well the Lafitear LM3 performs and if it’s worth the money.
Lafitear LM3
Stunning looks, solid build, disappointing sound.
TL:DR;
The Lafitear LM3 is a single dynamic driver IEM. At first listen, its dark-sounding signature is immediately noticeable. It isn’t the best IEM that the Lafitear released, but it’ll be a good unit for beginner audiophiles due to its very safe tuning that doesn’t go aggressive.
It has a nice bass but lacks the depth most listeners want, a midrange that gives average clarity, and a treble that hints no sibilance at all.
All in all, the Lafitear LM3 is a great pair if you just want to enjoy music without being anxious about how your gear will provide the musical details. However, some audiophiles may not favor this IEM.
The Specs
- Driver: Single Dynamic Driver
- Cable: 3.5mm Line Type
- Cable Length: 1.2m
- Frequency: 20 – 20,000Hz
- Impedance: 20Ω
- Sensitivity: 115dB
What’s in the Box?
- Lafitear LM3 Earphones
- 3 pairs of silicone ear tips
- 2-pin detachable cable
Stuff I like
- Unique faceplate design
- Fatigue-free
- Boomy bass
- Decent midrange
- Affordability
Stuff I like less
- Poorly designed ear tips and stiff cable
- Lack of inclusions
- Recessed lows and highs
- Unpredictable sound profile
Where to get it
Comparable products to consider
The SGOR Venus is an IEM with a V-shaped and Harman tuning priced under $20. It features a semi-open faceplate that looks unique yet minimalistic.
The KZ EDA comes in a 3-in-1 package containing 3 pairs of IEMs with different tunings: Heavy Bass, Balanced, and High-Resolution. Don’t worry; you can also get them separately.
Review Metrics
First Impressions
While I was placing my order, I was impressed by the different available variants of the Lafitear LM3. It comes in three variants: Starry Sky, Fog, and Mica – each with a different colorway.
All these choices intrigued me but I ultimately went with the Mica variant, with its faceplate decorated in different shades of green.
When I got the package, I noticed it came in a large rectangular box that was bigger than that of other brands. The front of the box has a catchphrase that says, “Music Time Let The World Belong To You”, which I find cheesy.
The large box made me hope that the Lafitear LM3 come with a heck lot of inclusions, but I was wrong.
It only came with a cable, three pairs of ear tips, and the earphones themselves. I was disappointed, but I think it’s acceptable given its price. But, you know, I was kinda expecting a free pouch.
Build Quality
I can’t complain about how the Lafitear LM3 was built. Its shell and faceplate are made of plastic but it looks tough enough to survive some falls.
The outer shroud is also transparent, featuring the drivers and wirings inside the shell. Its transparent faceplate also exposes the unique artwork, which is one of the main selling points of this unit.
The included ear tips felt generic and baggy, making it hard for my ears to find a perfect seal. I changed them to my preferred ear tips, which helped me overcome this issue.
Its cable is the main downside of the overall build quality. I find it stiff and resistant to any malleability. The cable is oxygen-free copper-plated cable, making it sturdy and still useable in the long run. It has a transparent wire splitter, a silver-coated mic interface, and an L-shaped plug.
Fit and Comfort
I found no significant issues with the Lafitear LM3’s fit and comfort apart from the issue I encountered with the included ear tips. I replaced the ear tips with my preferred ones to never reencounter the tips’ sealing issue.
The earbuds are in perfect size and shape, which makes them suitable for most ear sizes. Its nozzle also coordinated perfectly with the LM3’s architecture contributing to the general fit.
The pre-made ear hooks were perfect for my ears as they didn’t feel too loose or tight. It just hangs there like no weight was put above my ears.
However, it’s worth noting that overall fit and comfort may still depend on the users’ ear size and shape.
Sound Quality
In my observation, the Lafitear LM3 falls into the category of being a dark-sounding earphone.
It sounds average and can be lacking in some sound quality aspects. However, I can’t complain much about an IEM in this price range. I also tested this IEM with tracks from different genres, and I’d say that this would best fit users who prefer a more vocal-focused listening experience.
I find the bass pretty decent as it has a good rumble that you’ll feel kicking in your chest. The midrange is okay as it provides a fair amount of clarity but with a bit of recession on the vocals.
The treble isn’t that powerful, which is great for those with ear-fatigue issues. It’s not totally at the back but it definitely feels like it’s left out in the mix.
The soundstage is below average for me as it lacks width and depth, which is typical for budget-priced sets. It led me to the point where I couldn’t tell where the instruments are coming from as it feels like they were all focused in the center.
Overall, LM3’s sound quality is slightly below average. But for the price, it kinda does well than what I expected. But if we’re going to talk about its technicalities, this isn’t the one.
Bass
Let’s discuss the Lafitear LM3’s bass. It’s bassy but on the slower side.
As I’ve stated earlier, the lows focus more on the power than the details. It’s boomy but needs more depth, which most bass heads will prefer adding to their arsenal. Also, the slow bass response makes the LM3 struggle with fast-paced tracks.
The good thing is that the bass provides a bit of note weight that makes the bass an unpredictable aspect of the LM3. The mid-bass is where the LM3 gave its best. It has sufficient attacks that contribute to the lower region’s feeling of fullness.
Midrange
For the midrange, this is where I might say that Lafitear gave its full attention, like the youngest sibling in a family. It may not be the best mids compared to other IEMs but coming from a cheap earphone, you’ll be surprised.
The Lafitear LM3 has a clear midrange but with a bit of recession, especially with the vocals. Maybe the reason is the slight bleeding of the mid-bass into the mids.
Even though the vocals are a bit recessed, it doesn’t feel congested at all, which also adds up to the mystery of this IEM. To sum it all up, this unit’s midrange section contributes a lot to the dark profile of the LM3.
Treble
For me, the Lafitear LM3 is at its lowest point in the treble. The treble isn’t well-extended and doesn’t feel it has any air. Details of instruments also aren’t well-heard and can feel unnatural sometimes.
On the brighter side, sibilance doesn’t occur, which may be a nice perk for treble-sensitive listeners. But in my personal opinion, having no sibilance due to the mentioned reason isn’t really an advantage.
Another thing I’d like to add is that the moment the track I’m listening to gets busy or complex, the treble just feels like it scatters to the rest of the mix, making my listening session sound muddy. This shows that the treble joins the midrange in contributing to the LM3’s dark sound.
Final Thoughts
The Lafitear LM3 gave all of its best, presenting a sound that would satisfy my ears but sadly, it failed, not severely, though. Sure, it has a smooth presentation but the lack of details in every region threw me off. And the point that the cons overshadow the cons is already a letdown.
There are a lot of IEMs in this price range that can do better than the Lafitear LM3 but it stands out because of its design and unique faceplate.
So, is it worth buying? Yes, if you just want an IEM with a unique appearance. But if you’re an in-depth listener, I’d recommend that you look elsewhere.
I’m confident that Lafitear will release better IEMs in the future because the audio market is continuously growing, and users aren’t showing any hints of stopping to look for better IEMs.
Shaik, a college student, part-time musician, and proud fur parent. Currently pursuing his degree in architecture.
As a part-time musician, Shaik enjoys expressing his self creatively through music. Whether it's writing original songs or performing covers, music is a significant part of Shaik's life
This post was last updated on 2024-11-06 / Some images from Amazon Product API & some links may be affiliate links which may earn us a commission from purchases.