Introduction

Custom Art is a Polish audio brand that has made a strong name for itself in the enthusiast in-ear monitors (IEMs) community, for both its universal-fit IEMs (UIEMs, which is the default these days) and custom-fit IEMs (CIEMs). We took a detailed look at its current flagship—the all-BA driver FIBAE 7 Unlimited—in CIEM form which was followed by Custom Art's first-ever tribrid set in the form of the FIBAE 5. While the brand may be most known for its CIEMs, it currently sells three IEMs including the two we have covered already. Given the impressive showing thus far, it only makes sense that we take a look at the third, and latest to release, set of IEMs today.


FIBAE stands for Flat Impedance Balanced Armature Earphone and was the world's first such technology, allowing for flat impedance and phase in IEMs that use balanced armature drivers. This helps address the issue of output impedance affecting the tonality of sensitive all-BA IEMs in particular, and having FIBAE in the product name clearly indicates the feature is supported there. Today we examine the Custom Art Hybrid 3 Pro whose name is a departure from the new lineup but is still fairly self-explanatory. It goes for a hybrid driver configuration, meaning there are two types of drivers used inside. The "3" in the name also suggests a total of three drivers per side and one might safely assume this would be a 1 DD/1 BA configuration as is the norm. Custom Art does not abide by the norms though and this time we get a 2 DD/1 planar magnetic driver configuration that is already quite intriguing. The Hybrid 3 Pro also supports a flat impedance curve, in case you were wondering, and is targeting professional musicians, vocalists, and music enthusiasts alike. The filter-based tuning kit we saw in the FIBAE 5 before is also supported here allowing for a customizable bass shelf. Oh, and did I mention this time we go back to checking out the CIEM version, including in a stunning design that I have not seen from anyone else? Thanks to Custom Art for helping with this coverage on TechPowerUp and we begin our examination of the Hybrid 3 Pro with a look at the product specifications in the table below.

Specifications

Packaging and Accessories

I have the CIEM version of the Custom Art Hybrid 3 Pro here and thus the packaging and accessories section will differ slightly with the universal fit version, which will come with ear tips in four different sizes as per the product page. Everything else seen here should be representative of either version, and this begins with a relatively simple product box in the form of a matte blue cardboard sleeve that has the company logo on the front and more information about the company on the back. There is also a sticker here confirming the exact product inside down to the serial number of the unit. The inner cardboard box can be slid out from either direction to reveal a plain white finish with only two branded stickers on the sides that help keep the contents in place during transit. Open the box to reveal more layers including protective packaging over the carry case itself.


As with the other two Custom Art sets we saw before, we get everything packed inside the carry/storage case itself. It's slightly larger than average thus but allows the end user to carry the IEMs along with all relevant accessories in the same box. This is a semi-hard EVA (ethyl vinyl acetate) case that is predominantly blue in color, with a truncated Custom Art logo applique and two sturdy zippers keeping it closed. The case also has a hang tag to allow you to clip it to another bag using carabiners or even key chains.


Opening the case reveals the IEMs with pre-attached cable neatly placed inside individually cut foam compartments, in a thick foam piece for further protection. The various accessories also come separately packed in the top compartment where we see the case is large enough to accommodate a portable DAC/amp or even a small DAP to pair with these IEMs. Custom Art includes a silica gel pack to keep the IEMs dry, a cleaning brush, a card serving as proof of quality assurance and warranty, and then I also got a tuning kit included with this review sample that happens to be an optional extra. Those who have read my FIBAE 5 review will recognize the use of two Knowles damper filters and an extraction + fitment tool that simply grasps onto the lip of the filter for installation as seen above. Given this is a CIEM version of the Hybrid 3 Pro, we do not get ear tips included in the box.


The Hybrid 3 Pro comes with the cable pre-attached to the IEM shells to where you are good to go already with this CIEM version, or simply have to attach ear tips on the UIEM version. For a closer examination of the IEMs and the cable separately, I had to first disconnect the two and a quick look here reveals the use of standard 0.78 mm 2-pin connectors so things are simple enough given this is a friction fit. Carefully dislodge the connectors by holding one of the IEM shells in one hand and applying outward pressure on the cable connector with the other, without wiggling things sideways or up/down. Repeat this with the other side and you are done!