Magaosi K3 HD review - expatinjapan

Magaosi K3 HD review
-expatinjapan

The Magaosi was offered to Head pie for review. 
To quote reviewer Gilly : 'I am in no way affiliated with Penon beyond receiving this sample for review, and have received no compensation for offering my unbiased opinion beyond this review unit.'


The Magaosi K3 HD is quite a deal for cable fiends as you get two cables, also for those who like a bit of tuning there are two sets of filters one can choose from, as well the usually tip rolling with the supplied or aftermarket tips. Quite a number of combinations for an entrance fee of around US$100.

Unboxing and build



One Dynamic Driver and One Balanced Armature are at the heart of the k3 HD.



A few tips, mostly of foam. More tips inside. And a hard carry case.


Two cables! One case! Cable pie heaven.


A bevy of tips to choose from. Foam and Silicone (Spinfits?).


Two cables, what a treat! Which to choose?


Tuning filters. Two sets.





Specifications

Magaosi K3 HD Balanced Armature +  Dynamic Driver Hybrid IEM HiFi Audiophile In Ear Earphone

Specs

Model: K3 HD
Speaker drive mode:Balanced Armature × 1 + Dynamic ×1
Impedance:32 Ω                 
Frequency Response:20Hz---22KHz   
Sensitivity:99db                  
L&R Channel Balance Sensitivity:≤2db
Max Input Power:10mW
Length:120cm - 5cm
Wire Material:TPU
Plug material:3.5mm gold-plated
Earphone Plug:MMCX

Package

K3 HD
Carry bag
MMCX cable (L-shaped plug)
MMCX silver-plated upgrade cable (straight plug)
Tuning tube(silver/gray)
Silicone ear tips(L//S)
Foam ear tips(L/M/S)

Price $110.00 - $120.00


Sound

I did the listening with a variety of sources but based most of my listening around the ipod touch 6G and Opus#1 as these would be closest to what most people would pair it with, smart phones and the like.

I used FLAC 16/44 mostly. App used on the ipod touch 6G is Flacplayer by Dan Leehr.

The tips used are the black silicone as seen in the photos.


I also paired the Magaosi K3 HD with Daps such as the iBasso DX200, Opus#2, Opus#3 and Echobox Explorer X1 to test scalability and check for any major faults that might be less audible in lower end daps.


White cable/silver filter: clear, good clarity, linear, good separation, decent medium sound stage.

Black cable/silver filter: a bit bass and a mids bump, nice cymbals, no real decrease in the treble but more and increase in the lower and middle. Good separation and decent medium sound stage.

Silver cable/gray filter: nice full rich vocals, laid back, good separation, wide soundstage, medium height. Music and vocals are quite balanced, with the vocals slightly forward.

Black cable/gray filter: more laid back, a more sweeter top end, fairly even overall, a slight v shape, forward vocals, full bodied.  A bit more life in the mids. Good at moderate volumes.

I did the listening with a variety of sources but based most of my listening around the ipod touch 6G and Opus#1 as these would be closest to what most people would pair it with, smart phones and the like.

The Magaosi K3 HD

I found I enjoyed the more balanced silver filter to the gray filter which has more extension in the treble, more resolution and detail with lower end models.
And with higher end daps I liked the gray filter with the black cable.





Price

$110 at Penon Audio and a similar price is to found elsewhere around the net.

Very reasonable for what one gets in the package.

*Do be careful as there are several models. This being the 1DD and 1 BA model.


Overall

For many the purchase price of the Magaosi is worth it for a one, two hit as you get two cables included with it. Thats something you don't see everyday.

Also there are two filters which means the user can cable and filter swap for four different combinations.

I was quite surprised by the Magaosi K3 HD and thought it was great value, not only for the two cables and two sets of filters but for the pleasing sound it produced.

Not to mention it also comes with a bevy of tips which also change the sound signature.
The vertical grooves on the filters hold on the tips in place wonderfully.

The silver cable is a bit more stiff due to its rubber coasting/sheath.
The black/brown cable is more supple due to no sheath.
I tried it with the ALO Audio Litz cable and noticed some slight improvements in sound.

The separation between instruments and sound stage varies with the different cable and filter combinations. Sound stage is pleasing overall and varies from medium to medium plus, with more emphasis on width than height.

Although the Magaosi K3 HD is generally a V shaped earphone in design and delivery it isnt as extreme as some other in similar price zones. I find it less fatiguing than other brands.
With cable, filter and tip rolling on can tailor the sound to ones preference.

If interested in getting this particular model do be careful as there are several models. This being the 1DD and 1 BA model.

The Magaosi K3 HD plays well with more upmarket daps. I found it to be pleasing to listen to with high end models such as the DX200 and Opus#2, and mid end daps also.

I found I enjoyed the more balanced silver filter to the gray filter which has more extension in the treble, more resolution and detail with lower end models.
And with higher end daps I liked the gray filter with the black cable.

The Magaosi K3 HD a budget priced earphone, sincerely comfortable and with a wealth of combinations to make it an earphone for all seasons, the ability to tailor ones sonic experience is the jewel in the crown of this earphone.


Thank you to Penon Audio for sending the Magaosi K3 HD to Head pie for review




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