HifiBoy OSV3 review
-expatinjapan
"HiFi BOY OS V3 2 Balanced Armature + 1 Dynamic Driver Hybrid Audiophile 2pin 0.78mm In-ear Earphones
Description
Balanced Armature & Dynamic Hybrid Driver
OSV3 uses 2 Balanced Armature & 1 Dynamic Driver, two-way program, have both vigorous bass and delicate mid & high frequency of dynamic. 7mm composite Dynamic Driver is responsible for the bass and atmosphere, one Balanced Armature is responsible for the mid & high frequency; the other Balanced Armature is responsible for ultra-high frequency, clear sound level, transparent and powerful." -via Penon Audio website
Unboxing and build
Specification
Brand: HiFi BOY
Model: OS V3
Drivers: 2 Balanced Armature & 1 Dynamic Driver (Ultra-high frequency Balanced Armature + high frequency Balanced Armature + 7mm strong magnetic composite diaphragm Dynamic Driver )
Impedance: 19 Ohm
Sensitivity: 109 dB
Frequency response 20Hz-20KHz
Cable Length: 1.2 m
Plug: 3.5mm rhodium-plated
Wire: 5N OFC silver-plated cable
Connector: 2pin 0.78mm
-Specifications via Penon Audio website: https://penonaudio.com/hifi-boy-os-v3.html
Price
US$143 - US$159 on Penon Audio
https://penonaudio.com/hifi-boy-os-v3.html
"Resin cavity
OSV3 is made of resin, using high-end custom headphone technology, pure hand-made to complete, with a beautiful shiny appearance.
Extremely easy to drive
OSV3 is very easy to drive ensures compatibility with more devices, mobile phones and audio players can easily drive.
Fit Ergonomic
OSV3’s shape design referenced a lot of ear type, earphone used streamline, perfectly fit the human ear, superior comfort.
Silver-plated cable
High-spec silver wire with 18K gold-plated 0.78mm pins, make the sound more balanced and enduring." via Penon Audio website
Sound
I had heard many positive things through the various audio grapevines about the Hifi Boy OSV3 and was quite interested in giving them a try.
At US$149.00 they are just above the budget set and slightly below the first threshold of $200-$300.
The shells were of a medium to large size, with a thin nozzle that is tapered so most users can get a good fit, either deep within the ear canal or just on top of it. It is in a universal custom shape.
The cable is pliable and has low micro phonics.
Price is everything and most audio shoppers want the best bang for their buck. Its easy to see the many portable audio set ups and drool over them and want the best that ones money can buy. An endless merry go round of reading forums, impressions and biting on nails enthuses before each purchase. No one wants to make an incorrect purchase and with many TOTL in ears now over US$1000 which can be out of reach for many budding audiophiles the pool of under US$250 is much larger and more prone to mistake purchases. of course the best option is not only reading but to try before one buys. But I do realize that not everyone has that option which is why reviews can play a part in many peoples purchases.
The Hifi Boy OSV3 is a hybrid earphone with 2 BAs and 1 DD. Popular choices for 2017/2018.
Some were done ok, some bad and some good and excellent.
The Hifi Boy OSV3 falls into the good category, which is why I wanted to try it after hearing good reports from friends.
The OSV3 is a fairly smooth IEM, not offensive in the slightest.
I did find that the bass tightened up considerably after some play time, perhaps allowing the DD to get a bit loosened up. It is solid, smooth and deep.
I enjoyed the V shape sound signature of the OSV3 which is unusual as I am not a big V fan. The smoothness and decent clean mids giving it a bit more naturalness and forgiveness.
The highs/treble are not fully extended which again makes that V shape more palatable, but there is still enough extension and sparkle to please.
generally the OSV3 has more depth to the soundstage than width or height but I did notice a slight variation with different daps.
Daps used: iBasso DX200 with amps 6 & 7, DX120, FiiO M9, Shanling M0 and Hidizs AP80.
Overall
The Hifi Boy OSV3
Price is US$149.00
The Hifi Boy OSV3 is an enjoyable V shaped earphone, decent bass that is solid, fast and smooth. Mids that are fairly natural but not so recessed as to turn it into a valley bereft of emotion, there is enough mids there to please and give it life. Treble is clean and and does not extend into annoying sibilance.
Accompanying it with a stylish looking cable, a few accessories and arrangement of varying tips makes it an attractive package.
I would like to have seen a few more thicker silicone tips included myself. The lip on the nozzle is quite small so I kept to the stock tips for the review. No sense trying and having a tip left behind in my ear canal.
The cable is satisfactory, I did try with a few other aftermarket cables and noticed some improvements in larger sound stage, more mids, better control etc depending on which cable was used. But with a US$150 or so earphone and aftermarket cables being the same price or more most will stick with the stock.
The Hifi Boy OSV3 is an earphone that is sure to please most users, although it is in the V shape camp it is not an overly strong representative of that signature sound with enough mids and softer treble taming it somewhat to an acceptable level that can help make listening a pleasurable and non fatiguing series of moments.
enjoy.
Thank you to Penon Audio for sending Head pie the Hifi Boy OSV3 for review
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