The same class. Maybe better, I do not used GEN3 for a long time. Do not expect dramarical improvement from this upgrade! GEN5 sounds more flat, more muddy, less musical and natural as less dynamic and detailed as Hydra Z. I have electrostatic tract (Flux Lab KGBH SE + Perun Headphones (Much better than all Stax includes 007, 009, SR-Omega!) so difference is very notable.