Shure V15 Type III vs Type IV: A difference?

[Wolfie62]

I read all the time that there are folks who prefer the III over the IV.

After reading through all the literature on both, I just can’t find a difference between them, other than body aesthetics and styli. On the IV, Shure spends most of its time supporting merits of its new stylus, compared to the III.

Technically, inductance is identical, and there is only a 30 ohm difference in the coils. That’s a 2.1-2.2% difference. Negligible.

The Type III:


The Tpe IV:


So, are those with a preference really just preferring one stylus over another?

 

[NoTransistors]

I have said before that printed specs mean NOTHING.

 

[Wolfie62]

Then printed reviews mean nothing too.

That’s why I stuck to reading the lengthy descriptions provided by Shure when each cart was new. And yes, specs mean a great deal, provided they are accurate and in context.

I don’t believe there is much difference between these cart bodies. There are vast differences in the styli, however. I believe the preferences folks have owe to the styli differences, not the cart bodies.

The Shure literature says as much.

 

[johnjhazel]

Some people state that the V15 III has a flatter response in the treble region. It seems the III is the more popular of the two based on aftermarket needle sales. My Marantz 2220B, Marantz PM5005, and NAD C172 all have standard non adjustable MM phono inputs so I will choose the III. Being able to get one when I get around to it for $20 helps also LOL. .

 

[revox-b77]

Guess I am different, I prefer the IV.

 

[johnjhazel]

Guess I am different, I prefer the IV.

Many people do.

 

[Tucker99]

To those expressing a preference...Were your A, B tests done with identical styli?

I have both carts but not same stylus.

 

[bobins08]

To those expressing a preference...Were your A, B tests done with identical styli?

I have both carts but not same stylus.

The big difference, at least when they came out, was the styli. In fact I believe the stylus are not interchangeable. Compare them on the same arm and with stock stylus on each if you want to know which you prefer.

 

[johnjhazel]

A III stylus will fit a IV as noted here: https://www.thevoiceofmusic.com/cat...Type=MfgNameNeedles&MfgName=Shure&Categories=

 

[Andre Garcia]

Everything is relative.
AG.

 

[NoTransistors]

Actually, it was Albert Einstein.

 

[Doug G.]

Wait a minute. The BIG difference was that the IV was the first Shure cartridge with the "Dynamic Stabilizer" (brush). In advertisements, Shure, themselves, stated that although the III was a wonderful tracker, etc, the IV had superior tracking, especially with warped records, because of the DS, allowing it to track records the III couldn't.

Very few electrical differences between the two.

That being said, I have found very few records my III won't track.

Doug

 

[Andre Garcia]

Actually, it was Albert Einstein.

????? And?

 

[danj]

Wait a minute. The BIG difference was that the IV was the first Shure cartridge with the "Dynamic Stabilizer" (brush). In advertisements, Shure, themselves, stated that although the III was a wonderful tracker, etc, the IV had superior tracking, especially with warped records, because of the DS, allowing it to track records the III couldn't.

Very few electrical differences between the two.

That being said, I have found very few records my III won't track.

Doug

Despite what Shure says, In thirty years I have not found a warped record the III wouldn't track. I don't have any that are wavy but some that are very visibly warped. Years ago I tried a Type IV and like it a lot but not more than the III, which I'm still using, with a JICO stylus.

 

[MRL_Audio]

Can you like both.... yep. Much depends on the stylus being used and where it came from. I have the OEM and two differing Jico's for each. For now the OEM stylus stays.

 

[Wolfie62]

????? And?

You have to know the difference between relative, relativity, reality, and theory. “Everything is relative.”, and Theory of relativity,” are only loosely related, in theory.

 

[Empireman]

I have both the III / IV,MANY different brands/stylus shapes including OEM. I think they are as worthy today,as when produced.

 

[Wolfie62]

Can you like both.... yep. Much depends on the stylus being used and where it came from. I have the OEM and two differing Jico's for each. For now the OEM stylus stays.

You can definitely like both!

It is a preference, I think. To me, the IV has a more neutral, cleaner sound. The III is a little bit “warmer.”

We all know how much difference the stylus makes for a given cart body. To me, that is the big difference between the III and IV. The IV has a much more complicated stylus system, in an effort to tame resonance from various sources.

 

[Imprecise]

Everything is relative.
AG.

Actually, it was Albert Einstein.

Actually it was something like "Always those damn relatives!"

 

[NoTransistors]

And if you think about it, some of those same damn relatives will be preventing us from cracking the speed of light travel nut, FOREVER.
Have any ideas?