They appeared almost "out of nowhere", they released a brilliant model of headphones, quickly became leaders in their segment. This is a brief history of the company Ostry and their models KC06A, which has long captivated buyers by the price-quality ratio. And while everyone is looking forward to the development of a successful model, the company decided to try it in another form-factor and released "liners" with the index 08.
If we discard very much consumer goods and headphones sold at the same PR, the rare producer managed to achieve such success as Ostry with their KC06A. Contributed to this and a pleasant price, and sound quality, and a good presentation of the model. The company decided to bring all this to an even higher level, took a large 16 mm radiator and made on its base liners, and they are sold even more expensive than sixes. The price of KC08 in stores is about $ 100. By the way, an even more expensive version with a new radiator is being prepared for the output, it has received the KC08T index, its price will reach $ 120.
Specifications
- Emitter: dynamic, 16 mm with copper-copper coil (CCAW)
- Rated Power: 10mW
- Impedance: 32Ω
- Sensitivity: ≥105 dB / mW
- Frequency range: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- Channel imbalance: <1.5 dB @ 1 kHz
- Distortion: <1% @ 102 dB
- Plug: 3.5 mm TRS, gold-plated
- Cable length: 1,3 m
Packing and delivery kit
Ostry decided to surprise right away, starting right from the box. Stylish box with two sliding covers makes it possible to show headphones in a better light. Inside, in a neat pseudo-mantle of pseudobarhat KC08, an unusual cover for them and two pairs of nozzles made of foam rubber, were laid, and a special piece of iron was put in the set for storing each pair. One pair of nozzles is continuous, and the second has cutouts that repeat the slits on the grille of the headphones.
A complete soft-touch plastic case consists of two halves connected by magnets, a coil for coiling is placed between them. We put the headphones inside the coil, wire it up and close it with magnetic covers on both sides. It turns flat "washer", which is easily placed in the bag, protecting the headphones from any adversity.
Design and comfortable wearing
If you look "in general", the KC08 looks quite typical for the inserts: a round case with a long "leg" for cable protection, an ear grill, rubber bezel, it all looks like everyone else. But in Ostry companies decided to demonstrate their maximum capabilities, so the headphones are made very complex externally, they have a futuristic design full of broken lines. Unusually in them everything, from the speaker grille and to the block of branching on the cable. At the same time, everything is done at the highest level and this immediately captivates. The combination of black and silvery colors used in the appearance of this model is also advantageous.
Also, traditionally for the form factor, the wearing comfort depends on the characteristics of your auricle and its size. I managed to achieve a good option with foam guns, which add a headset of reliability. Sound insulation is generally low, but this is also characteristic for liners.
The wire of normal quality, before the splitter, it goes in the fabric braid, and after it in the usual silicone insulation. In the cold it slightly hardens, but not to fragility, the microphone effect is poorly expressed due to the presence of guides.
In general, the durability of headphones is difficult to predict, on the one hand, they are made mainly of metal, on the other - the design is quite complex, with an abundance of small details. At me KC08 have fulfilled already more than 2 months without censures, but all strongly depends on your accuracy.
Sound
The following equipment was used for listening.
- NuPrime DAC-10H and Resonessence Labs Concero HP as DAC and Amplifier
- Apple MacBook Pro Retina 2013 as a source
- Fidelia as a player
- Fiio X7 and Luxury & Precission L5Pro as portable players
- VSonic Gr01, Dunu Titan 1 and Dunu DN-2000J as headphones for comparison
- 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.
With models of this form factor, it is always worth considering that the impression of their sound will depend heavily on the structure of the ear canal of the listener. A certain share of subjectivism is present for the IEM, but for the inserts the result differs even more, so it is worth considering that my opinion about the sound is even more subjective than usual.
For liners, the tight and collected bass is not usually characterized, most of the energy of the low frequency range is dissipated due to loose fit, and, in an attempt to compensate for this, the developers make buzzing headphones in which the number of basses exceeds the quality. KC08 became an exception, the bass of this model is notable for a very good impact, for this you can thank the radiator of large diameter. At the same time, the good quality of the dynamics made it possible to provide the "bottoms" of this model with a very acceptable speed, therefore, where most "tablets" are simply hummed, KC08 produces very powerful low frequencies. Naturally, there is no deep care for the Sabbath, but already with midbass headphones will please fans of massage eardrums, but at the same time, if the track is not particularly low, the headphones do not add it, which is also good. The bottom is normally controlled and does not attempt to crawl on the MF.
Medium frequencies are very good in resolution, but go too far along the way to neutral and monitor sound, because of this the "eight" sound a little drier than we would like. Fans of monitors will have to taste it, but poorly recorded music sounds too fresh. With good tracks this problem is not, the headphones play in detail, passing all the nuances of recording and the emotions of musicians. Due to the form factor, the headphones build an imaginary scene rather well, it is definitely wider than the IEM, although the depth somewhere on the middle level and strongly depends on the landing.
The upper frequencies are perhaps the main stumbling block of this model. The beginning of the HF (or the end of the SC, depending on how you look at it) is given quite uncompromisingly, so for those who do not like HF, this model does not fit at all. In addition, such a pitch of "tops" sometimes gives the sound a light raid of "screaming". The situation is noticeably improved by the nozzles (especially those with slits), but still the traces of the sharp feed in KC08 remain. The rest is normal, their resolution is not prohibitive, but quite good.
You can not do without some comparisons. Immediately make a reservation that I will only compare KC08 with headphones of the same form factor.
VE Monk 1 version. Of course, $ 5 is 20 times less than 100 (thank you, Captain), but Monk sounds much simpler, despite the fact that the "monks" offer a more massive sound, their bass is smeared, the MF is simpler, although the HF is slightly smaller. In general, if you switch to analogy, Monk is a Burger King hamburger, and KC08 is an oyster. Delicately delicious, but clearly not massive.
VE Asura 2. More similar in the filing model with a general emphasis on neutrality, but KC08 is still a step ahead: the bass is deeper and better developed, the MF is even more neutral, the KC08's HF are smoother, but not all are suitable.
Ucotech Grandioso. And then the winner's cup goes to Korea. The Ucotech model features more live MF and more pleasing HF (assuming the use of attachments), although the KC08 lag is not so great.
Celsus Sound Gramo One. Very unusual inserts offering open sound, nice bass, good midrange and almost no RF. Therefore, they are very different from KC08, although they still find their connoisseurs.
Compatibility
In general, these headphones are designed for good players, and choosing a source for them can lead to an exciting adventure, as their character can be compensated in different ways. I, for example, preferred them with the L & P L5Pro and Shanling M2, but this is exclusively my taste preferences.
Headphones are better suited for complex music, requiring a large volume and a wide scene: classics, large jazz orchestras, chamber music with good quality. Thanks to the excellent study of bass, KC08 is also good with electronic music, and different rock / metal with them can be heard, although there is more taste. To the quality of recording headphones are very sensitive, somewhere on 8 points on a 10-point scale.
As usual, a few tracks for an example.
Die Atwoord - Rat Trap 666. That's it for such music KC08 is very good. Powerful strokes, normal working out of the rest of the range is what you need to massage the eardrums.
David Bowie - Starman. Too very good "incoming" music. The volume characteristic of KC08 is good for the composition, and a small brightness on the HF emphasizes the instruments that fall within this range.
Peter Gabriel - Downside UP. And, of course, symphonic things like this, just as good for these headphones, instruments are distributed widely, and this allows you to delve deeper into the track.
conclusions
Of course, KC08 is not the same as the 06 model. They obviously do not pretend to the mass and versatility of the sixes. KC08 is a different, more adult and balanced sound, without trying to decorate or emphasize something. In the form factor of the inserts, this is rare, and usually in the top models. KC08 on their background stand out not only for their incredible design, but also for a more affordable price, which makes them an interesting choice for those who are looking for just such a sound among the earbud headphones.
The article is based on materials .
Comments
Post a Comment