Intro:
First thing first. If you have source with warm neutral or analog type of sound signature, then AFUL MagicOne is truly for you. People with bright or analytical sound sources might find a lots of nail pocking in the ear!
In photo: Someone with bright source 
Context:
I was a bit curious to test this IEM since it’s announcement as it is with a single BA, which is not in my comfort zone. But their advertisement and some reviews made me super curious to give it a try. In my first audition, I was blown away by its clarity and detailed sound reproduction. Surfed through my classic country collection and oh man, MagicOne did its magic and I took it home for longer & in-depth listening. After 4 months or so, the BA drivers are burnt well and become smooth like butter.
All of my listening I’ve done with Cowon Planue R2, ifi Hip Dac 2, Moondrop Dawn Pro & Hiby R3 (occasionally) using silver mix copper cable & pure copper cable. I find a very good synergy with Hip DAC 2 as this DAC is well known for its’ warm sound signature with draatic ‘X-Bass’ function. Planue R2 also get the job done so very well. And with Dawn Pro, I find the mids are bit fuller are open wide. Sound stage & instrument separation become precious with the price of a bit less bass warmth (but it’s OK!).
In my listening experience, pure copper cable makes the sound comparatively a bit thicker, so it’s my go-to preference as I personally love warm and thicker sound. I used Spinfit 100+, W1, Omni, Divinus Velvel, Pinon Liqueur Orange with the IEM and find that W1 is a perfect tip to choose from for its seal & comfort.
I will explain a bit more on this later.
Disclaimer:
I bought this IEM with my own money and for my personal interest. This is not a review unit nor any monitory understanding/ transaction between me and the respective company. The whole review is my unbiased experience and honest opinion with the sound I listened to.
[Grab you copy from
Geek Mart if you are in Bangladesh.
For international buying, you can grab it from
Hifigo]
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Technical Specification:
Driver: Aful’s self-developed wide frequency response Single BA Driver
Frequency response: 5Hz – 25kHZ
Impedance: 32Ω
Sensitivity: 103dB
Pin Type: 0.78mm 2-pin
Cable Length: 1.2m
Plug Type: 3.5mm/ 4.4mm
What’s in the box:
Aful Magic One IEMs
6 pairs of silicon tips (almost non-usable)
Very nicely braided high purity OF Copper & OF Copper Silver plated cable
IEM storage box with AFUL branding
Some official papers
Unboxing Experience:
Unboxing the MagicOne is a fuss-free affair. Everything you need to get started is neatly packed and easy to find. The braided cable feels sturdy and connects to the IEMs with a satisfying snap. Though my experience is, you should swap cables if you have any pure copper cable with you, which I do have. You will find a selection of ear tips which you may or may not use (I personally don’t think they are usable).
Build Quality:
Crafted from a lightweight resin, these IEMs feel well-built and sturdy without being bulky. They're comfortable to hold and inspire confidence that they can handle everyday wear and tear. The included braided cable feels reassuringly secure with a satisfying snap when connecting to the two-pin connectors. While not the most luxurious materials, the finish is impressive for the price.
Fit & Comfort:
The Aful Magic One shines in terms of fit and comfort. Their lightweight design with the perfect choice of ear tips (to me, it’s Spinfit W1) ensures a secure and comfortable fit for even the longest listening sessions. Though the fit of this IEM seems to be a bit of a double-edged sword in the audiophile community. While some users praise the snug, secure fit (thanks to the protruding wing) and deepish insertion, others find it uncomfortable or even irritating for extended listening sessions. This could be due to ear shape variations, and non-proper selection of ear tips might not offer a perfect seal for everyone.
Another thing is, it creates air pressure due to lack of ‘breath hole’ to prevent any air leak from the acoustic chamber. Some may feel it uncomfortable, but to me, this seal makes me disconnected from outside and let me enjoy my music with ease. And for your kind information, I don’t use any IEM while I walk on a busy road or while driving.
Sound impressions:
Before explaining a single thing about the sound, lets state the official statement about their patented 3D printed acoustic tube structure, which plays the vital role in sonic performance of this IEM. As per AFUL “This technology uses physical frequency division to adjust the sound frequency response of MagicOne. This helps in having a physical crossover on the set. MagicOne has a long and ultra-thin acoustic design in a 77mmX0.91mm compact resonator tube that helps the pair produce a deep-hitting, thick lower-end response.” And they named the invention as “Special-shaped Sound Channel Physical Frequency Division Structure of an Earphone.”
Patented acoustic tube design -
Clear view of AFUL's "ZWX-BA-100" Driver-
Now let’s dive deep into the sound details to see what MAGIC that acoustic chamber can bring throughout the frequency range from low to high.
Sub-Bass:
Sub-bass presence is somewhat of a debated affair on the Aful MagicOne, given that it sports a single BA driver unit. Those who love their bass, having gotten used to eardrum-pummeling lows, may well find it a touch lean. There's some sub-bass there, for certain, but it's a bit more subtle in its approach. Think of this as a tight kick drum foundation rather than booming explosion. On the other hand, genres which rely very heavily on the subbass, such as EDM or hip-hop, may lack that visceral kick when compared directly. In the case of "Bass Canon" by Matoma, the very low frequencies are not as in-your-face as some more bassheavy IEMs can produce. In the genres of, say, rock, where a tight kick drum is desired, such as in "Here I go again" by White Snake or in "Hysteria" by Def Lappered, the MagicOne gives a satisfying kick without bleeding into the guitar work or the vocals. Ultimately, how much sub-bass there is available is a matter of personal preference.
If you're into the deepest of lows, then perhaps the MagicOne isn't for you. For the majority of listeners who like a neutral sound with a decently placed sub-bass presentation, the Aful MagicOne does the business.
Mid-Bass:
The Aful MagicOne really shines in the mid-bass department, delivering a tight and punchy performance that really lifts genres such as rock and pop. It is by no means loose, boomy bass; rather, it's actually a very tight response that adds great kick to drums and bass guitars without muddling up the mix. Just think about the difference between a punchy kick drum and a loose, sluggish one on a track like "Basket Case" by Green Day. The MagicOne does indeed deliver on the former, letting the drums retain much of their attack and energy. Works great with the bass guitar lines, too. On "Under Pressure" from Queen, the most recognizable bassline cuts through with clarity and definition, giving the song a forceful foundation without overpowering the vocals and guitars.
Whereas some audiophiles might wish to have a bit of a warmer mid-bass, the overall response here is rather tight and controlled-and just right for the listener who relishes a clear and dynamic listen.
Male vocal:
The Aful MagicOne performs excellent reproductions of voices, especially male ones, with great clarity and a touch of natural warmth. Every nuance, from the subtle inflections to the power behind the notes, is truthfully presented. During the playback of "Soldier of fortune" by Deep Purple, MagicOne allowed the voice of David Coverdale to sound rich and deep, to resonate with a smooth presence which filled the soundstage and conveyed every ounce of emotion. And the nuanced presentation also goes to more powerful vocals. Take, for instance, the unique voice of David Draiman in Disturbed's "The Sound of Silence." The MagicOne captures both the raw power and the more subtle emotional shifts in his delivery, and that makes listening to it purely captivating. It does not even miss the textures in vocals, such as Mark Knopfler, Bruce Springsteen, or Rod Stewart.
Overall, the handling of male vocals was a strong point of the Aful MagicOne: clear, subtle, and emotionally engaging. It lets you feel the emotional ups and downs of the male artist's voice so well that you clearly feel it, not just hear it.
Female vocal:
Expect to be blown away by female vocals on the Aful MagicOne. It's truly a dream for any singer fan, as their voices shine bright with sparkle and a touch of sweetness in the upper mids. That makes you relish the airiness and subtle detail of a singer's voice without being sharp. Cinéad O Connor's "Nothing compares to you" – The MagicOne does a great job of capturing that breathy quality and delicate inflection in her voice. The upper midrange emphasis imparts a bit of shimmer and makes her vocals sound clear and captivating. This translates well to powerhouse female vocalists as well. Take, for instance, the magical Whitney Houston performance "I will always love you," Laura Branigan's "The power of love," or even Mariah Carey's "Without you." You get to hear the full power and subtlety of their voices. You can feel all the finetuned control and emotion that make each note special.
Generally speaking, female vocals tend to be a pretty easy win with the Aful MagicOne: lending them in great detail, airiness, and an emotionally engaging performance.
Instruments:
The Aful MagicOne comes into its own when reproducing a clear, well-separated soundscape for everything from violins through to heavy synthesized leads. Guitars come across really well, satisfyingly full-bodied with good insight into picking and strumming techniques. Take the opening riff on Dire Straits' "Sultans of Swing"-here the MagicOne reproduces the distinctive twang and bite of the guitar with accuracy. The presentation is just as clear for the violins and cymbals, too. In fact, the violins shimmer with a hint of sparkle on their lines, à la many versatile and sensational violin lines in Mozart's "Violin Concerto No. 3," while the cymbals deliver crisp crashes sans any harshness, such as in the powerfully resonating cymbal work of Hans Zimmer's "Time" in the original soundtrack to Inception. But with live arrangements, including those of Pink Floyd's ground-breaking concert "PULSE", where different instruments are playing in different tunes, this IEM will let you hear everything clearly and soulfully from the deepest bass stroke to soft piano notes.
This clean separation of instruments makes for an engaging, detailed listen; you can easily follow individual musical lines within complex arrangements.
Treble:
Aful MagicOne walks the tightrope with its treble performance, where it has to find a perfect balance between detail and fatigue. It's more well-rounded treble that adds just a bit of detail and sparkle to your music without being overly harsh or sibilant. It lets high notes of instruments such as flutes and piccolos shine through, but never piercing nor artificially bright. While listening to Mozart's "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik," the delicate melody of the flute is reproduced, displaying a crunchy and airy presence. Cymbals retain a natural character, with an appropriate avoidance of the overharsh s-sound. Cymbal crashes are clear and defined while I'm hearing energetic drumming in Rush's "Tom Sawyer" without fatiguing the listener.
Treble is overall well tuned on the Aful MagicOne, adding a touch of brilliance to the sound without sacrificing comfort.
Soundstage & Instruments separation:
With IEM soundstages, expectations need to be managed, and the Aful MagicOne is no different. It is not going to provide an open back level of spaciousness, but for a single BA driver IEM, it surprisingly holds a pretty decent soundstage. Here, the focus is more on clarity and separation over vast width. The instruments are well-defined in their respective space, and it's easily possible to follow individual lines within complex arrangements. A good case is "Comfortably Numb" by Pink Floyd: the immediately apparent placement of Gilmour's guitar on the left and Wright's keyboard on the right enforces the appreciation of the interplay among the instruments.That separation goes right down to the tiny details, too. For example, in Phil Collins' "One more night," the little bits of the backing vocal and percussion are entirely in focus within the general mix.
While the soundstage might not be wide, the Aful MagicOne focuses on precision and separation, hence creating an all-wide different aspect: engaging and detailed in listening.
Cable & Tip:
I’m a huge fan of cable swapping & tip rolling and fortunately, I have good collection of those. This IEM can deliver a good sound with the stock cable, which they clarify as “high purity OF Copper & OF Copper Silver plated cable”. And it is OK to use this. But if you have some copper cables in your collection, you may swap it to experience some thicker note all over the frequency. I always love to swap cables and with AFUL MagicOne, I settled with a hand braided pure copper cable.
Now about tip rolling. As I mention earlier, I tried Spinfit 100+, W1, Omni, Divinus Velvel, Pinon Liqueur Orange with this IEM and find that W1 is perfect. It seals well and give you the ultimate sonic experience of Aful MagicOne. Unfortunately, Pinon didn’t give me the comfort but it boosted the bass a bit extra. Omni is also good in delivering sound, specially it opens up mids a little bit. But the same problem here as Pinon, the comfort was not that good as W1. I’m a marathoner and to me, comfort comes first. So,
Spinfit W1 is a clear winner here.
Tracks used:
Offcourse a lodas of Pink Floyed, Deep Purple, Led Zepelin, Queen, Eagles, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Rush, Rainbow, White Snake, Guns N’ Roses, Green Day, BB King, Mark Knopfler, Brian Adams, Richard Marks, Bruce Springsteen, Ros Stewart, Phill Collins, Alan Jackson, John Denver, Randi Travis, George Jones, Whitney Houston, Barbara Streisand, Laura Branigan, Gloria Estefan etc.
Conclusion:
Their focus gives Aful MagicOne room to breathe within the budget IEM market. With a single BA driver, the tunes coming out of it are unexpectedly so well-detailed and lucid, being above expectation with this price point. They are touted to be highly comfortable and ideal for everyday listening. Male and female vocals take center stage with exceptional clarity, while instruments are well-separated and defined within a clear, albeit not expansive, soundstage. Sure, bass lovers like me might crave a stronger low-end presence.
And a good quality source is recommended to unlock their full potential. But for audiophiles seeking a neutral, accurate listening experience with a slight touch of warmth, the Aful MagicOne delivers exceptional value. If you prioritize detail, clarity, and a comfortable fit at a budget-friendly price, the Aful MagicOne is definitely worth an audition.
Who Should Get the Aful MagicOne?
The Aful MagicOne caters to a specific set of audiophiles, making them a great choice for:
1) Budget-Minded Audiophiles
2) Vocal Enthusiasts
3) Comfort Seekers
3) Those with Good Source
Who Might Want to Look Elsewhere?
1) Bass Heads
2) Wide Soundstage Seekers
3) Luxury Material Enthusiasts
4) Bright Sound source Owners
