This, of course, is amazing, but even in our age of long-defeated marketing there are manufacturers ready to take a step back in terms of marketing characteristics in order to get a device of better quality. That's exactly what the developers of Magaosi did, releasing an updated version of their hybrid headphones.
The previous revision of this model, called K3 Pro, used a typical circuit with one dynamic emitter and two reinforcement drivers. In the HD version, the developers left only one radiator with a balanced armature, but they recycled the crossover and changed the driver itself, resulting in a "higher level" sound. What is pleased - the price has not changed much, you can buy Magaosi K3 HD for $ 108 (the price at the time of review).
Specifications
- Emitters: dynamic + with balanced armature
- Impedance: 32Ω
- Frequency range: 20 Hz to 22 kHz
- Sensitivity: 99 dB / mW
- Channel unbalance: ≤2 dB
- Maximum input power: 10 mW
- Cable: interchangeable, 1.2 m with MMCX connectors
- Plug: 3.5 mm TRS
Packing and delivery kit
The box is made absolutely in the best traditions of packing headphones: the main box of black cardboard, the outer "cover" of white color with printing. Inside there are headphones and a good set of accessories:
- Storage pouch
- Oxygen-Free Copper Cable
- Silver-plated copper cable
- Silicone nozzles in two sizes
- Foam nozzles of three sizes
- Replaceable filters for tuning sound
The silicone attachments included in the kit are made from the same "sticky" silicone as the Ostry KC09, which allows them to better hold in the ear and provide better insulation. Such attachments are only just appearing on the market, but I will immediately note that I like them.
Design and comfortable wearing
Headphones are made at a good level. Oval cases pleasantly cool the hand of aluminum, the model is available in gray, orange and blue colors, so that amateurs of self-expression here will find room to turn around. Compared with the K3 Pro, the shape of the outer side of the case has changed slightly, but this change is at the level of small nuances. The build quality is not perfect, but very good, everything is adjusted quite neatly. Created these Magaosi for breezing, and carrying them down is not quite convenient.
The K3 HD cases are medium in size and, thanks to the absence of sharp corners, sit well in the ears, however, owners of small ear shells may face problems. In my rather average ears they sit down without the slightest problems, providing comfortable wearing and soundproofing at a typical average for the form factor.
Filters for tuning sound are made in the form of inserts screwed into the sound ducts, their replacement is quite easy, but requires accurate targeting.
The developers of this model could not stop, simply by making an exchangeable wire, they also put two cables in the kit, and, most surprisingly, they are both without a headset, the difference is only in materials and design. The softer gray cable is made of high-quality copper, it is almost not microphone and is little prone to entanglement. Silver, harder wire is made of "silver" and, according to the developers, is intended to slightly increase the amount of high frequency. In practice, the difference between them in a blind test was not found. In any case, the spare cable in the kit clearly does not hurt. Both wires are made with curved sections forming the earhooks, but there is no memory effect, so they will not be bent under their preferences, however, the option is made quite universally by default.
Sound
The following equipment was used for listening.
- Yulong DA9 and Resonessence Labs Concero HP as DAC and Amplifier
- Apple MacBook Pro Retina 2016 as a source
- Fidelia as a player
- Lotoo PAW Gold, theBit OPUS # 2 and iBasso DX200 and others as portable players
- High Definition Records in Lossless-formats (Dr. Chesky The Ultimate Headphone Demonstration Disc and others)
Before listening to the headphones were warmed for 48 hours, noticeable changes in the sound was not observed.
Magaosi engineers decided that the idea of tuning sound with filters is close to them, but not enough to complete the headphones with a dozen or two pairs of filters. After a sound thought, they decided to stay on two variants of sounding - a slightly V-shaped AFC characteristic for hybrid models and a darker feed with pressed RFs, created for HF fobs. Of course, I decided on a more balanced first version, in which the developers did not fight with the character of the hybrid feed, but, conversely, turned it into a "chip" of this model.
The bass is made quite typical for modern headphones - a moderate accent in the area just below the midbass to give LF weight, a little deeper frequencies (not to climb above), the resolution is not super-high - but quite good. In general, typical hybrid LF, using the best sides of the dynamic driver: weight, density and the consequent effect of realism. There is no dry reinforcement biting, there is no strict separation of plans or perfect transfer of textures, but behind this one should go towards "clean" multi-turn fittings.
In the tuning K3 HD Magaosi successfully corrected, perhaps, the main problem of the previous version of this model, namely dry and sufficiently hollow MF, characteristic for imperfectly tuned fittings. At K3 HD with this case, tangibly better, the MF here have a normal body and do not shove into razor sharpness on any problematic record. Of course, this is still a radiator made with the technology of a balanced anchor, so the middle here sounds in detail and technically, the headphones do not try to add emotions or hide the flaws of the recording, but the K3 HD sound more combined in comparison with its predecessors. Expected there are small problems with coherence, the "junction" of the emitters is noticeable, but it is very small, that for this price category is already an achievement. The imaginary scene is built normally, somewhere medium in width and slightly less than average in depth, but with good separation in both directions.
The upper frequency range in the "high-grade" version has a slight emphasis, giving the headphones effective presentation and airiness. Naturally, we do not have to expect an exemplary attack and damping here, but the rear ones on this parameter K3 HD also do not graze. If you do not like HF, you have a filter with damping that will smooth out all the peaks, although, in my opinion, it does not sound quite natural and does not benefit the imaginary scene.
Comparisons this time will not be, since this price segment is, perhaps, the most active in the IEM market, and the models in it are an unreal quantity. The headphones have a completely distinctive sound, described above, therefore, comparing the reviews, one can understand for themselves the gross difference in pitch, and more subtle differences can be understood only in the course of an independent comparison.
Compatibility
Magaosi very carefully selected the TTX of their headphones, 32Ω impedance and almost 100 dB of sensitivity - this is the golden mean that is needed to use headphones with modern players. On the one hand, the impedance is not very high, so as not to create problems with the build-up, on the other - not very low, so that the output impedance of the player does not greatly affect the frequency response. Sensitivity is also normal - they do not need much power, but noise will be almost inaudible (except, perhaps, in clinical cases). The lack of a headset wire in the kit speaks for itself, and, indeed, these headphones are best suited for players of the initial-average level.
Stylistically, the headphones are versatile enough, although they most liked me on jazz, soul music, electronics, in general, those styles where the "typical hybrid pitch" sounds the best. To the quality of the recording model is moderately sensitive, on a 10-point scale somewhere at 6.
Multiple sample tracks
Symphony X - Evolution of Grand Design . I am recently skeptical about the idea of testing headphones on weight (it's too fashionable to write it badly), but sometimes good near-boot things help to uncover the strengths of the headphones. As, for example, this track, which shows immediately and quite live rhythm parts, and all the variety of interesting finds in the field of MF and HF.
James Horner - The Ludlows . A beautiful soundtrack to an equally wonderful film, light and unobtrusive, but it's not so boring to become a backdrop. Multifaceted orchestration, of course, would sound best with something top, but the K3 HD surprisingly decently copes with this composition, resurrecting the best moments of the film.
Peter Gabriel & Kate Bush - Do not Give Up . One of the best duets in the history of music has given us a beautiful track in its depth that can also perform as a headphone test: maestro Gabriel tried to sate the lyrical melody with interesting moments, but I do not think it's worth talking about the quality of the record. Hybrids from Magaosi, thanks to their engaging pitch, give the track a spectacular, and the penetration of the vocals will make you listen to this track many times.
conclusions
In general, my foray into the territory of "almost unknown Chinese" was successful. Magaosi K3 HD, of course, do not stop all for the belt, but also do not spin at the tail. In their price category they are very competitive and offer pleasant sound with a flavoring color for those who do not like a very fresh and supernumerary giving.
The article is based on materials .
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