Geek Wold GK3

Geek WOLD GK3 (16 USD)



Purchase Link (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/Geek-Wold-GK3-Headphones-Microphone/dp/B07F6WTBBX/

Purchase Link (Aliexpress): https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32890997832.html

You just have to read the current article to know that I'm not going to be impressed by GK3 by any means, I mean, BGVP manages to somewhat impress me with their upper models, but GK3 fails pretty badly in many ways, yet it manages to do so many things right that it is hard to tell whether it is a good one or not.

In fact, the only part that will decide if it fits well for you, is whether you're looking for its kind of sound or not, as you can sacrifice anything if you like the sound of an IEM, but you won't able to accept an IEM, regardless of how comfortable and well built it is, if you hate the sound.











But let's start with the beginning, GK3 has a really basic package. For 20 USD or 15 USD, I really really can't complain. You get the IEM, a cable, 3 sets of tips, and that is it. No carrying case, no filters, nothing. I have seen more expensive IEMs that were just as basic in their package, but for the 20 USD price tag, DK3 cannot be faulted so badly.

The construction quality is not that great, I mean, the IEM is okay, the plastic feels good, and I've seen IEMs that are much more expensive, like Periodic Audio Be, where the cable feels frail and I fear it may break sometimes. Even so, with GK3, it is a basic cable, feels frail, and I have a feeling I might break it if I pull too hard, or use them for jogging, it is good for their 20 USD price point, but not great otherwise. Also, the cable is not detachable.



The comfort is good, less so than BGVP DMG, but better than Shozy Hibiki MK II. The overall aesthetic is quite interesting, I think that the carbon fiber look is probably going to catch your eye quite fast, as it did mine. The isolation from the outside noise is fairly good, not spectacular, but good enough. About 20 dB of passive noise isolation is about right for portable usage. There is no driver flex, and no serious void, and I think that companies who make much more expensive IEMs could take a bit of advice from Geek Wold.

Geek Wold GK3 seems to scale a bit with the source, so try to not use them with at least a reasonably good source, like a FiiO M6, or an iBasso DX120.

This being said, the sound of GK3 could be described as heavy, thick, rolled off, compressed, and lacking detail. The soundstage is quite narrow, and they lack resolution, and treble extension, so their sound could be good if you wanted a budget bass-heavy IEM, but not so great if you wanted something more versatile and which works for a wider music selection.



The bass of GK3 is heavy, thick, but not necessarily slow, so it doesn't really color the entire sound in an overwhelming boom. Sadly, the bass is what would define GK3 the most, as the midrange starts to roll off and becomes distant, compared to the bass. Despite the midrange being distant and lower in presence, the stage is small and doesn't justify listening to progressive, orchestral, or atmospheric music. The treble is somewhat present in the very low treble, and upper midrange, but rolls off too quickly, and ends up being more of an upper midrange hump.

Furthermore, there is almost no detail, no clarity, no air. Instrument separation is fairly mediocre, and often there is instrument soup as I would call it, rather than a proper separated sound.



Of course, I complained a lot, but the IEMs simply don't do much better than that. If you want something that is good for 20 USD, Geek Wold GK3 is probably the best you can get, but honestly, I would suggest considering increasing your budget. Even within this article, there are options that sound considerably better for just a few dollars better.

Geek Wold is new name to a general HiFi geeks audience but the company that is behind this brand is not new to other market vendors. As far as we know ChengDu FaLanTe Technology company acts as an ODM manufacturer for other brands for a significant amount of time. Their current vision is entering the market of IEMs under their own brand with further plans of releasing new dynamic and hybrid models.



Our review would cover Geek Wold first attempt to appeal to HiFi audio fans with their initial GK3 IEMs — low priced 3 dynamic driver model.

Geek Wold GK3 technical specifications:

• Drivers: 3 dynamic drivers
• Frequency response range: 20Hz-20KHz
• Impendance: 8ohm
• Sensitivity: 102db
• Cable: 1.2m, high quality 4 core 5N oxygen free copper wire
• Plug type: 3.5mm, 90deg angle, 3U gold-plated plug

No additional information about the size of drivers or crossovers that are used. Pretty common situation for a brand at their first attempt and pretty general specifications. The only thing that stands out is the low impendance value — seems that these IEMs would be an easy load even for a regular smartphone and which also means higher background noise. But we’d check that later.

Packaging:



No relevations here either. Strict and simple black carton box with gold brand name, company name inprints and technical information on ugly white sticker — looks like an inevitable legacy of most of OEM|ODM suppliers.



The insides look much better developed — IEMs are placed on a foamy podium in lovely heart shape with additinal openings for exchengeable eartips.



Box contents are minimalistic:

• GK3 IEMs
• 3 pairs of silicone eartips (S|M|L size)
• warranty card

There is no IEMs storage&protection case which we treat as a drawback. Providing such case to prevent excessive dirt and accidental damage is always a good idea.

Build quality, design and materials:



This is the strongest part of GK3 product. Despite being made of plastic, those IEMs have a really appealing look. Geek Wold put much efforts to create an expensive feel that exceeds the price and expectations. Back plate made of curved transparent plastic cover and carbon fiber base with golden brand name engraved. Perfectly aligned with glossy black plastic body — no signs of gaps or movement when squized hard. Y-splitter is also made of aluminum with brand name inprint.



Output nozzles are covered with non removable metallic grils and there is only one compensation opening on the inner part of the body — close to the nozzle.



Cable leaves nothing more to be desired — soft silicone, 4-wire, copper, twisted that ends up with transparent curved heat shrink tubes from one side and 90 degree gold-plated 3.5mm plug from the other. Cable fracture protection — soft rubber caps — seems adequate enough for a long reliable operation. It might have been even better if Geek Wold would make it detachable…, but it is not.

Aesthetics here is not the only advantage! Wearing comfort is on the high level as well. Despite 5.9mm nozzle diameter, S-size eartips fit perfectly and overall GK3 shape and weight sums up to long painless wearing periods. Moreover, the isolation is better than usually provided by bullet-shape IEMs creating the additional effect of intimacy of sound.

Sound quality:

Audio sources used for tests: Hidizs AP80 DAP, AP200 DAP, Sonata DH1000 DAC&AMP, Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 smartphone



Lows:

Despite some lack of texture, low bass has good presence and representaion. We like its depth and reasonable balance with other frequencies. It stays in legible boundaries and doesn’t superimpose over the entire AFR. This is a clear advantage of having 3 separate frequency-dedicated drivers. Decay and overall articulation is fast which aids the dynamics of drum and base saturated tracks.

Midbass is not so prominent here and most of instruments in this section sound more distant and less powerful in comparison to hybrid or armature type of IEMs.



Mids and vocals:

Mids are hanging behind lows and treble section. Not too much but apparently several dbs lower. This doesn’t mean that mid portion instruments or vocals would suffer much from it cause those are still delivered well. Or point is that some music genres would be more appropriate than others. Vocals have a good portion of intimacy and moderate resolution of details. The best part is that that there are not a single sign of sibilances. GK3 could be a salvation after hours of listening to armature drivers in this respect. And again — thank to 3 driver design — mids have a good feel of air in the mix.

Treble:

GK3 deliver a good control over treble with no hisses and sibilances. For this specific model treble is perceived as being in more or less good balance with lows and standing a bit infront of mids and vocals. Good amount and presence. Not much of details resolution, though. Treble lovers would be complaining much about this unless IEMs are used with bright source.

Sound stage and channel separation:



Average experience here. As already mentioned several times — it seems that incorporating 3 drivers leads to good channel separation and instrument contouring. Such approach with the additional technical layering helps to define stage with a good split and positioning of each single sound. On the other hand, in contrary to most of the other IEMs on our tests, GK3 fails to deliver wider vertical and horizontal distribution of instruments on the stage in monaural recordings. Some controversy spotted here. We like GK3 stereo panorama but the stage feels narrow.

Overall sound picture:



In overall GK3 sound signature could be described as warm, intimate, V-shaped with a tendency to dark sounding. The best music genres would be something like jazz, blues and bass-oriented compositions. Keep in mind that GK3 IEMs sound signature, SQ and amount of noise heavily depend on sound source — the better and more powerfull it is — the better is the overall SQ. Moreover, the best AFR balance was reached when paired with brighter source like Hidizs AP80. AP200, which is more neutral, sounded much darker with a constant feel of lack of treble and upper mids.

Compared to KZ ED16:

We understand that comparing budget dynamic to budget hybrid IEMs is almost useless due to the tremendous difference in sound… Still we can conclude that GK3 is a better choice due to much more pleasing listening experience. Piercing sound of KZ ED16 is hard to bear…

Compared to MaGaosi HLSX-808:

HLSX-808 are another V-shaped but much brighter IEMs with lots of additional details in treble and midbass section. Mids have more presence as well. But those could be less attractive if you don’t like excessive crispness of highs toghether with presence of sibilances and if you want more deep bass.

Conclusion:



It is really hard to formulate single and precise conlcusion for Geek Wold GK3 IEMs. Customer satisfaction here would be based on many factors like quality of audio source, personal sound preferences, music genres, etc. What we can definitely state that the advantages are:

• build quality
• fit
• good AF separation
• good bass section
• price

On the other hand, there are some apparent disadvantages:

• distant mids
• dependency of SQ of audio source
• narrow stage
• lack of resolution

Consequently, we would stay away from further conclusion and recommendations — there would be people who’d love and who’d hate this product. In our turn, we tend to leave GK3 aside until we’d need some rest from bright sound of hybrid or armature IEMs.

PS: Geek Wold GK3 were provided by PenonAudio in an exchange for honest review and no payments.
Link to Geek Wold GK3 in PenonAudio store

The Company
Geek Wold recently established their company, their representative told me some brief background about them, “Geek Wold company was a professional manufacturer of high-end HIFI universal model earphones. We have ODM over $800-$2000 HIFI IEMs for other brands. We plan to use our own technology and persistent pursuit of HIFI quality to create more good sound quality earphones for ordinary consumers. our aim is to make HIFI earphones more popular. In the future, we will launch 25-30USD 1BA+3 Dynamic driver earphone, 50-60USD 4BA+2Dynamic driver earphones, Geek Wold focus on audiophile earphones and high technicality earphones, we are not focused on low-cost earphones, we focus on high quality earphones!”. The Geek Wold seems to offer high quality audio gears without sacrificing the price to performance ratio.

The Geek Wold GK3
The GK3 made may jaw drop the moment I unboxed it. It looks manly, clean and premium it is one IEM you can brag around your friends and told them that it is worth 5000 Php (100 USD). The carbon fiber looks legit and is wisely protected by a resin like material. The splitter looks like it is made out of stainless steel with Geek Wold being inprinted on it. The cable is a braided one, we don’t have any idea about the materials used but it looks sturdy and can take your daily beating. The connector is an angled one and lastly the filters are nicely attached to the nozzle making it feels more reliable than other IEMs in this price tier. I’m very impressed with the overall build quality but I still prefer a detachable cables as it is the first thing that breaks based with my previous IEMs. Lastly it has 3 dynamic drivers, each one are designated for bass, mids and treble respectively.

Technical Specification:

• Driver: 3 Dynamic Driver
• Sensitivity: 102dB/mW
• Impedance: 8Ω
• Frequency response range: 20-20000Hz
• Plug diameter: 3.5mm
• Headphone plug type: L-shaped gold-plated

Package
The package of the GK3 is pretty standard, you’ll get the GK3 itself with medium tips being attached out of the box, a warranty card written in chinesse language (not sure about which one) and finally 2 pair of extra tips, 1 L and 1 S. Added pouch would be much better but hey, I don’t have the rights to complaining for their asking price.

Fit and Comfort
A closer look of GK3’s body, the can be seen as well as the thick nozzle.
The fit and comfort of GK3 is just average, it provides moderate isolation and the sound leak is almost absent. I think that the nozzle is not that good as it is too thick and short to fit nicely in my ears. It fits better than bullet type IEMs but again it is not as good as CIEM like shells such as Kinera Idun, Ibasso IT01, Magaosi K5 and QDC Neptune but hey the price is just a fraction of the said IEMs.

Sound
Bass
I’m expecting an overly warm tuning here because it is composed of 3 dynamic drivers but I’m very that it isn’t. The sub bass has moderate quantity and depth for it to be felt in Melanie Martinez’s Carousel The rumbles at the beginning is just enough to please my ears, it is present but never excessive, the texture is quite smooth and is not that detailed. The mid bass shares the same characteristic as the sub bass, it has enough punch to tackle EDM tracks but I don’t think it will please bass lovers out there, you’ll get a smooth, tight and rounded mid bass with nice speed. It never sounded slow at all it decays quite fast as well making it more agile for fast and complex tracks. The overall bass doesn’t sound like a DD but the good thing is that it is tuned balance enough giving it almost a linear bass response.

Mids
Full sounding, it is the best way to define the mids of GK3, it packs good lushness and body without sounding colored at all. For the lower mids it is not recessed nor forward, it is properly positioned making it a nice all rounder. Ahmir’s On Bended Knee Sounds very enjoyable with GK3, it never sounded dry nor hollow, the body is just enough to retain the transparency for male vocals. As for the upper mids, it sounds too thick for me, the body somewhat reduced the sweetness needed to tackle female vocals, the texture remains great but it is placed a step or two behind the lower mids making it less intimate and sweet. Good thing is that sibilant is absent, the mids of GK3 is velvety and full sounding without sounding too colored, it is a bit forward than the bass making it a bit mid-centric IEM, clarity and transprency surprisingly not sacrificed for lush tuning.

Treble
Highs are meant for treble sensitives, it is placed behind the bass and mids giving the listener better depth and airier presentation. TK’s Unravel never sounded aggressive nor piercing, it is not that sparkly like the competition IEMs within the price tier but it is made for longer listening sessions. Despite the lack of sparkle and bite, it is still clear and fast listening to metal and rock songs won’t be a problem at all as it decays pretty quick, the extension is also decent. I love the treble of GK3, it’s like it is tuned for my treble sensitive ears, it is airy and placed slightly recessed without sacrificing the texture and speed.

Sound Stage and Resolution
Sound stage is above average, it has nice depth, width and height i believe that the GK3 sounds quite open especially when listening to live tracks but still does not sound confined when listening to studio recorded tracks. The sound stage nicely expands when it is needed, the 3 drivers also helped giving the GK3 enough prowess for good imaging and layering. The resolution is nice in bass as it passed my Everything’s Not Lost test, mids has average details and same can be observed with the treble, it is actually a detailed IEM under 1000 PHP (20 USD).

Sound Signature and Synergy
The GK3 has warm and smooth to mid-centric sound signature, the bass is a bit recessed with respect to mids and the treble sits behind the two frequencies. The GK3 is one of the least aggressive IEM that I’ve tried.

Aune M1s
Aune M1s x Geek Wold GK3
Aune M1s is a neutral sounding DAP with good body and low noise floor, the GK3 performs well as I pair it with M1s but it is quite odd that I need to put the volume up to 80 at low gain. The GK3 has nice punch and the sub bass is noticeably deeper as compared to the other two sources below. The mids is more full sounding but the transparency increased as well. Treble is still laid back with better texture and better extension. It is nice to pair the GK3 with neutral source as the relaxed tuning will not be disrupted.

Shanling M1
The Shanling M1 sounds warmer and it doesn’t synergize well with the GK3 the bass became slower with more warmth, the mids further gained body with the expense of less clarity and the treble sounded too rolled off. The GK3 won’t sound as nice as it should be with warm sources, the body will become excessive and the treble will further lose its sparkle.

Smart Phone (Huawei Mate 10)
The Huawei Mate 10 is fairly neutra slightly leaning to bright, the sub bass extension was lessen, the mid bass became less impactful, the mids became more transparent and slightly drier and the treble gained some sparkle and became slightly forward. As for the sound stage it is noticeably became narrower, pairing the GK3 with bright sources will make the mids and treble more balance but the bass will suffer.

Conclusion

The GK3 is a nice offering from the recently established company, Geek Wold it might be one of the best IEMs under 1000 PHP (20 USD). The sub bass extends well with moderate quantity and texture while the mid bass has enough punch and is surprisingly fast for a triple dynamic configuration. The mids are tuned forwardly with nice body without losing clarity and details. The treble is airy, relaxed and quick without being rolled off. The sound stage is wide and it has good layering and imaging, it is pretty resolving for the price too. It may sound a bit too thick especially for upper mids, the bass isn’t that textured, and the highs might sound recessed but it is one of the most relaxing IEM that I’ve tried, it is thick without losing its technical performance, I believe it one of my top 3 under 1000 PHP and the build punches way than the price, this IEM is a damn good starting product from Geek Wold.

Geekwold GK3, Retail $19.99, provided by Linsoul Sound, DD Audio.


Amazon Store link: https://www.amazon.com/Geek-Wold-GK3-Headphones-Microphone/dp/B07F6WTBBX/



While awaiting another “burn-in,” I quickly listened to this triple-driver IEM. What some companies can do now, with more is getting pretty amazing. While some delve into fine-tuning single driver IEM’s, others delve into the multi-driver set up. Some do both and do it very well. Some strive to bring multi-driver set ups to the masses and do so affordably. This is where Geekwold comes in. Lillian from Linsound (DD Audio) graciously provided me with a set of the GK3, asking that I provide a timely honest review. I would not have it any other way.

Geek Wold

From their Amazon store:

The GK3 shell is made up of ABS material and it has a smooth surface. Each faceplate has a premium brushed silver metal design with a matte black outer edge. On the inside of each iem side, there is a vent. The nozzle is slightly angled with metal mesh for earwax prevention. The housing is light weight.

The cable has a 4-core braided design. There is a memory wire area section that is enclosed in a transparent heat shrink tube. The jack is 3.5mm gold plated right angled with a black housing.

The GK3 is a bass-oriented IEM that is capable of producing a strong bass reproduction which ensures an impactful performance. The midrange is laid-back and there is decent treble extension.

Description:

Model: GK3
Driver: 3 Dynamic Driver
Frequency: 20Hz-20kHz
Impedance: 8Ω
Sensitivity: 102dB
Cable Length: 1.2M

3 Dynamic Drivers
-1x8mm mid-bass frequency
-1x6mm middle frequency
-1x6mm high frequency

What’s in the box?
-1 Pair of GEEK WOLD GK3 Earphones
-2 Pairs of Replacement Silicone Earplugs
-1 Full Year Warranty


Songs used:

Too bloody many to list all, but you want songs, so there you go:

Coldplay-All I Can think About Is You
Coldplay-A Message
Coldplay-White Shadows
Dona Onete-Sonos de Adolescente
Los Lonely Boys- Heaven (en Espanol)
twenty one pilots-Trees
twenty one pilots-Car Radio
twenty one pilots-Heathens
Damian Marley-Everybody Wants To Be Somebody
Damian Marley-So A Child May Follow
Damian Marley-The Struggle Discontinues
Ziggy Marley-Lighthouse
Ziggy Marely-See Dem Fake Leaders
Mark Knopfler-Laughs And Jokes And Drinks And Smokes
Santana w/ Mana- Corazon Espinado





Comparison equipment:

TinAudio T2
Hypersense HEX02
bboooll BOT1 T1

MacBook Pro through Audirect Beam
Shanling M3s
Questyle QP2R
Aune M1s



Unboxing:

Presented in a simple, small, black box adorned with gold lettering, the GK3 presents itself with minimal fuss. As stated before, I appreciate simplicity as well as good presentation where needed. Here, simplicity is warranted and appreciated.





Initial/Fit/Finish:

As I understand it, the non-Hong Kong version of the GK3 has the black carbon faceplate, while the HK version had a white faceplate. Having seen both, I do welcome the black carbon faceplate more. I am of the side who does not like to draw attention to one’s self, and the black is appreciated. A simple two half plastic housing melds to the nozzle, which does have a screen on the end. Overall the IEM looks polite and unobtrusive. The cable sheath at the IEM end has a bit of memory to it but is among the softer memory tricks of which I have experienced. A nice change from the rigid ones in use on many others.

Comfort is quite good, as is fit, and the softer memory wire aides in overall fit. This is a unit, which could be worn for quite a long time without fatigue. As for the rest of the cable though, even with the tight weave, it does have too much “stiction” for me, resulting in a tangled near-mess or sticking to clothing. Since it is not detachable, you are stuck with it. That said, it does not convey any microphonics at all, so no extra sound comes through the cable. And it is a decent sounding cable, especially when one considers the price of the GK3, overall. Not a bad start.

As previously stated as well, I always at least try the manufacturers included tips, for this is the tuning around which the IEM is produced. I will also openly admit that I do not like silicon’s, at all. At the suggestion of a fellow Headfier with whom I regularly convers, he suggested I try double flange tips before giving up. Not one to give up without trying an alternative before springing my foams on, I indeed did try the double flange. And, as a result the bass completely tightened up, as did the seal while also benefitting the fit within each ear. So, it is with those double flange silicon tips I proceed for the duration of the review. A pleasant sound became much more common, than weak, anemic sound out of the included tips (to me).

The fit of the Geekwold is about as flat as any IEM I have used, which draws even less attention to themselves. Something I do like, as nothing screams Frankenstein like having IEM’s, which stick out further than a side mirror on a pickup towing a 5th wheel trailer.



Again, the fit was still very good with the double flange, and no fatigue was had throughout the entire test. Comfort rules the roost, here. Add in that for a $20 IEM the overall finish is very decent, and the GK3 continued to grow on me. As did the sound. So, to the back of the queue once again as others took precedence; I kept the GK3’s running 24 hours a day for three more days (at least). Upon revisiting the GK3, I can assure you there is a minimum of 50 hours on them, through the Shanling M3s, at reasonable levels.

The GK3 is amongst the more tip-dependent IEM’s of which I have tried lately. As sated above, upon the suggestion of double-flange tips, I have stayed with those for the remainder of the test. And, I can say without uncertainty, the longer I listen the more I am impressed. After 75+hrs, the GK3 has opened up nicely (or if you prefer my ears have accustomed themselves to the sound. And to be honest, I don’t care what you call it, I have come to appreciate their simplicity of sound, and pleasant disposition overall. This is a pretty decent IEM, especially when we consider price.

The longer I go in this field, the more I am amazed at what we as a species can dream up and provide for our pleasures. Just ten short years ago, the sound of which we espouse, would have been unheard of at the $500 level. Yet a short decade later, we are blessed with the proverbial boatload of choices from all over. The Fareast, latching onto the cheap-IEM has made a very nice attempt at grabbing their share, and based upon this, they are doing very well.



So, what of this sound? Well, the bass has a very nice reach, which is tight as well, especially when the music presents itself in that manner, such as Corazon Espinado. Deep when needed, taught when presented that way, the GK3 radiates itself well. While a bit intimate, for certain music that is OK. Think jazz house, Saturday night and you get it. Planet d’Rhonda from Steely Dan seals that jazzy feel, where the mids while not necessarily open and full (or of an airy nature either), do provide a nice foundation on which the sound stage can piggyback. Narrow as I stated, but certainly adequate/pleasant.

One might think that at this price you might get the typical Chi-Fi screeching treble (at least from my experience), but you would be wrong here. Willy Nelson’s Kansas City sung in duet with Susan Tedeschi just oozes soul, without that shouting you often get from a female vocal or raging guitar solo. Again, nicely done. I found myself repeating this song over and over to try and dissect blemishes (and at increasing volume because the song just rocks), but I could nary find one. This is an amiable surprise indeed. Even Willy’s raspy voice comes through somewhat clean and presentable. Snare drums and bass fill in the support down center, highlighting further that intimate feel of sound. Tedeschi’s vocals are sublime in almost any venue and vein, and the GK3 does not disappoint.

Don’t get me wrong, I would never say “giant killer” and GK3 in the same sentence (besides this one), but I would say represents itself admirably and well, holding its own in an ever-crowded market. The longer I listen, the more appreciate the simplicity and cost of this little critter.






Sound analysis (even though I am not of “sound mind”):

The GK3 equates itself nicely with the proper match. I found it works best with the more inexpensive DAP’s of which I own. That should not be mistaken to state that the GK3 does not work well with those of the higher price category; but rather that to appreciate its simplicity and sound, match it with your favorite economical DAP or source. I do have a favorite match, but that will have to wait until nearer the end…

The GK3 provides the listener with a solid sound. You might call it uninspiring or boring, but I would rather you call it competent. It never shouts at you or deceives you. What you hear is what you get. Slightly elevated bass, which can aid the impact, representing a deep reach. This does not have a very deep reach, but it never supposes to, rather it presents a tight, controlled bass. The Geekwold just goes about its business. I do still enjoy this bass quality, with that slightly (to me) elevated mid bass push. You would not be mistaken to think that this has deep rumble, it does not. But when called upon, the bass is present enough to even out the tone.



The mids provide a solid sound, albeit a bit laid back. This in my mind would not be mistaken for a mid-centric-forward sound. It isn’t. Rather the mids to me support the overall sound, providing a slight V-shape. This isn’t a bad thing but might not be the best for commuting purposes where a solid mid-forward might be desirable to drown out the background noise. That said, the double flange tips I used certainly aid in making a solid seal with good isolation. This in fact helps the mids to present themselves to me as present but unobtrusive.

Up top, there is not a hint of sibilance in the notes of treble variety. I am not a good judge of rolled off, but there does seem to be a limit (of course), which aids in that lack of trouble up top. Male vocals, such as Paul McCartney can be a bit grating under this tuning in Let ‘Em In. I do think it is because the “S” sounds come from him being too close to the microphone, a common old Beatles trait. But overall, the cymbal rasp, snare hit, and vocal range is certainly adequate. Again, the GK3 simply goes about its business, without calling too much attention to itself.

Soundstage is an interesting critter in which to deal, as how can one honestly denote how far that sound actually projects. We all do our best, and this can still be a decent judge of that 3D sound shape. Speaking of which, the GK3 is moderately wide, but almost not outside of the realm of one’s head. While not that narrow at all, it is one of the more intimate I have tried lately. Backed up by decent depth and average height you are left with the impression of a somewhat narrow, longish medium-ceilinged room. Not unacceptable, but not one where that width is needed to help separate instrumentation.



That narrowness does indeed hinder the separation of instruments, but not the detail. This may seem odd, but somehow there is enough definition to aid a somewhat detailed sound response. I would call this average detail at best, but that is a certainly an acceptable amount for the GK3. In some cases, though the detail can suffer and be a bit congested, but under the right music that is what you want. For instance, in Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Change It, you WANT that narrow sound. The song is such a down and deep take on despair, that you want to feel almost crushed inside. It allows you to FEEL the music’s heart and soul. But under Classical contextual music, this would not be what one wants, where every detail or nuance is needed. This is more of a blues, rock-n-roll type of tune.

Then a song such as Dave Matthew’s Oh comes along and the GK3 sounds certainly adequate and musical. So, the GK3 comes across as one of the more song-dependent IEM’s of which I have heard lately. Using the double flange tips, there is good isolation, as my colleague came in and started talking to me, without my notice. I can hear me pecking upon the keyboard, though. So, for far sounds, this is pretty decent, near sounds not bad, just not the best. Again, as always, tip dependent. This would be that pair you throw in for commuting “just in case” and it would certainly be adequate to get you there and back. And as stated before, it is nice to have fallback options.



Comparo du jour:

Running multiple sources has its advantages, not the least of which is different sound signatures. Another is scaling…as in how well that certain IEM melds as you move up the food chain so to speak.

Starting with a very adequate pairing, the Shanling M3s, the GK3 mates well. Utilizing the M3s’ warmer signature, the GK3 emanates a slightly deeper reach of bass, with good power. While not my favorite, this pair would fall into that category of “have just in case.” Adding in the excellent Audirect Beam makes a huge difference, as the Beam is simply put, a superb little critter for a budget-minded audiophile (oxymoron? I think not…). Adding detail, and a certain crispness of sound, there is a loss of that bass of which I love in the M3s. I like the detail, but prefer the M3s by itself in this trio, which would thus become a duo.

My favorite pairing came from an unexpected surprise. I was lucky enough to win an Aune M1s, and as a pure music player it is quite good. I liked the first gen M1 very much, and for an “updated” model, Aune heightened the air between notes, and thus the detail. This to me allowed the better parts of the GK3 to shine. With better separation and layering, I was able to more aptly discern the parts of music involved. How much left of center that support guitar was on almost any Los Lonely Boys song. Or how well the female vocals were portrayed when Susan Tedeschi accompanied Willy Nelson. This was a very nice pairing, and one in which I would recommend as a good sub $300 pairings.

The scaling of the GK3 is of course directly proportional to its price. As in there is a limit. So, hooking the GK3 to the QP2R while fun, added little to the quality. What qualities shone through were of course due to the QP2R. Don’t get me wrong, the GK3 is a very fine sub-$30 unit, but it has its limitations. Again, I fell back onto the Aune M1s as my favorite pair. I did find the pairing with my MBP & Beam quite good, but I can attribute that to the Beam. That little DAC is quite extraordinary, and I do have a review coming soon.



When one is presented with a choice, one hopes that it becomes an informed choice. And through this, many times we as reviewers are asked to compare said item to others. We gleefully (really?!, well…YES!) compare A to B, and A to C, etc so that you dear reader can make an informed choice. BUT, and that is a huge BUT…please do the comparing for yourself as well. We hear what we hear. You hear what you hear.

When I popped in an old favorite, the Lypertek Mevi, I was met with how forward the sound was, and how easy the fit. This is definitely a forward sound ding IEM in comparison with the more laid-back nature of the GK3. I still like both, but if one desires a more forward sound (and can live with pretty severe microphonics of cable; then the Mevi would be the choice. Crisper of detail, comes with a case and the ability to use for calls is a definite plus that can be had. That said, the GK3 holds its own overall due to solid fit, good overall sound, and NO microphonics.


The Kinera SEED still remains as one of my top economical choice-favorites. Very nice to look at, good cable (once the issues were solved), and detail belying its price point, the SEED is a worthy contender for top dog in this category. Where the GK3 holds its own though, is in that mellower sound. The SEED is good, and I like it but the GK3 can almost compete with the overall sound.


The Hypertense HEX01 is another favorite of mine in the inexpensive category, and of a trio I received at the same time, quickly set itself above the other two in many categories. Ease of use, top quality fit and finish, and a microphone to boot, what’s not to like? Well, it is too bass shy for my tastes. The bass is present, but the GK3 presents it better. And reaches deeper. The HEX01 is more of an almost “in your face” sound, without being shouty or drawing that much attention to itself. I stated in my review that this would be an easy pair in which to get along or throw in the bag for those days when our better IEM’s are left behind. And, you would not mind too much. Overall sound goes to the GK3, but only slightly and I could see someone owning both for differing purposes.


So…what’s left?

Overall, I find the Geekwold GK3 a very fine addition to the sub-$30 market. I would never call it world beater, but it isn’t meant to be thought of in that regard. It is meant for those who would like to endeavor to heighten their sound experiences away from the included Smartphone “Earbuds,” and in that regard would be an excellent first step towards audiophiledom. Can it compete above its weight? Yes, to a point, but as mentioned above, while it scales well, it will not become that be-all IEM when paired to a mid/hi-level source. Again, it isn’t meant to be and should not be considered in that vein.

This is a very well made, elegant looking IEM, what with the carbon face plate without the garish look of some. I like the look, I like the feel, I like the construction, I like the sound. Include an inexpensive carrying case and this should be worth a consideration for those looking into an upgrade.

I want to thank Lillian at DD Audio for showing the faith needed in reviewers. The links are above, and the GK3 should be looked at for the inexpensive quality sound it does provide.

Greetings!

Today we're checking out a new budget earphone from newcomers to the segment, Geek Wold. Their entry? The GK3.

A few months back the GK3 showed up on Facebook with the promise of being a wallet friendly triple dynamic. Triple dynamic earphones with a braided cable, carbon fiber face plates, and a price of under 20 USD? What could possibly go wrong?

Normally I try to avoid reading anything about a new product prior to writing my review, but once the GK3 praise started flooding in, I broke my rules and took a more in depth look at what people were reporting. To say I was even more excited to give them a listen after reading said reviews would be an understatement. I'm a sucker for budget gear and new brands trying to shake things up and do something different. A triple dynamic for less than 20 bucks definitely plops down steadfastly into that category for me.

The first of my three GK3's (yup... three of 'em) arrived unexpectedly courtesy of DD Audio. Had I known it was on the way, I wouldn't have arranged a sample through Geek Wold directly. Nevertheless, this could only be a good thing right? Give me an early peek at what the GK3 had to offer? Uh... no. Not at all. It sounded terrible, almost as if the treble drivers were hardly functioning. Given this, I held off on dropping first impressions until the sample Geek Wold arranged had arrived and spent some time in my ears.

When those eventually showed up I took a listen and while they were better, they still sounded well below my admittedly lofty expectations. The mid-range was very hollow and flat out unpleasant. Given these two GK3s I had on hand were not performing up to snuff, I reach out to Geek Wold to outline my concerns. They advised that 5-8% of the earliest releases suffered from some QC issues as a result of rushed production to get them out in the wild for some feedback. They promptly arranged a third and final sample from a newer production run to guarantee the next one would be problem free. It arrived soon thereafter and thankfully did not sound anywhere near as messy as the other two, though it too is not without it's own unique sonic quirks. Okay, cool. Now we've got a GK3 that's working as intended. Time to review.


Disclaimer:

The fully functioning sample of the GK3 was arranged through Geek Wold and shipped over by Penon Audio. The thoughts within this review are my own, and are not representative of anyone who assisted with the creation of this review. At the time of this review the GK3 retailed for just under 20 USD. Be sure to follow Geek Wold on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/Geek-Wold-1576618249131605/?fb_dtsg_ag=AdxBmVLBfYjuzlOhdcaa-goYRx-1wXuFM_Q4ZXBoR561Bg:Ady-ohb-tD46fqZEXyjkXGsde1NBKsDTaJ3aHsX5jnMZCg

Source:

For at home use the GK3 was either powered by a TEAC HA-501 desktop amp with my Asus FX53V laptop sourcing music, or straight out of the FX53V. For portable use it was paired with an LG G5, Shanling M1, HiFiMan MegaMini, or HiFi E.T. MA8, all of which easily brought it up to listening volume. The GK3 absolutely doesn't need to be amped, not does it really benefit from it.

Personal Preferences:

I listen primarily to various EDM sub-genres (liquid drum and bass, breakbeat, drumstep, etc.), hip hop, and classic rock. While I enjoy a variety of signatures in my headphones I generally lean towards slightly warm with elevated treble and sub-bass, an even and natural mid-range response, with reduced mid-bass. The HiFiMan RE800, Brainwavz B400, and thinksound On2 offer examples of signatures I enjoy.

Specifications (from manual):

• Driver: Triple dynamic
• Frequency Response: 20-20kHz
• Sensitivity: 102dB
• Impedance: 8ohm

Packaging and Accessories:

Starting with the packaging, as I am apt to do, Geek Wold has done well. The simple matte black box is compact and free of clutter or eye-rollingly, cringtacular marketing mumbo jumbo. All it has on it is Geek Wold tastefully printed in gold foil letting on the front, along with their slogan “Born for extreme audiophile”. Okay, there is a little cringe going on here. Flip to the back and you again see the brand name printed in gold foil, along with their address and a large white sticker containing the GK3's most critical specs;

• Driver: 3 dynamic drivers
• Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
• Impedance: 8ohms
• Sensitivity: 102dB
• Cable length: 1.2m

Inside things are kept similarly delightful and simple. You're initially greeted by the zebra-print warranty card. Weird choice for a background design, as is the wreath, but maybe there's a cultural thing to it that I'm missing. Either way, it's a good looking warranty card and more interesting to look over than a plain, boring old sheet of blank white paper. Under the warranty card is the GK3 nestled tightly within a foam cutout and the extra silicone tips set within their own cutouts in a line above. The medium tips come pre-installed. The cable is wrapped up neatly in a small compartment underneath. And that's it. It's a pleasant little package free of frills. In all you get;

• GK3 earphones
• Warranty card
• Single flange silicone tips (s/m/l)

Build, Comfort, and Isolation:

Breaking the GK3 out of it's foam prison, I was greeted by an attractive, well designed little earphone! One good thing about having multiple examples of a product on hand is that you can check for consistency in construction. It helps when they're not all from the same production run too, as is the case with the GK3s here. While they're plastic, fit and finish is great with no misaligned parts or sharp edges. The carbon fiber faceplate is smoothly integrated, consistent across all examples. The stainless steel nozzle mesh is also neatly applied across each of the three. Overall the shells are exceptionally well-crafted for an earphone in this price range. My only qualm is some driver flex is present on insertion. Not a lot, but it's there.

The cable I'm a little less enthused about. Let's start at the 90 degree angled plug, because that's my favorite part. It's a durable little hunk of rubber with effective strain relief. It's not the leanest plug I've seen, but it should fit in most cell-phone and DAP cases without any issue whatsoever. Protruding from the plug is a quad-strand braided cable with a glossy black sheath. As it exits the y-split which is an unrelieved, steel cylinder with Geek Wold printed on it, it splits into a dual wind as you head up to the pre-formed ear guides. I quite like the way these guides are formed as a tight hook. They do a really good job of keeping the cable behind the ear, but are soft and smooth so they don't irritate the ear. Strain relief leading into the ear piece itself is non-existent as the ear guide run straight into a stiff rubber protrusion. Now, back to the cable itself, the part I'm not enthused about. It looks fantastic and I have zero complaint below the y-split. Above however it is a bit of a nightmare. It's springy, is filled with light bends, tangles like a mo-fo, and is a handful in general. Even being exceptionally careful when winding them up for storage, and when taking them out, they seem to tangle with zero effort and it drives me nuts. You think KZ's new copper braided cable is bad for tangling? It is, you're right. But this is so much worse. No chin cinch either, which would at least help a little in avoiding tangles during storage. Frustrating...

I found the GK3 wonderful to wear. There are no weird shapes or angular areas. It's not a particularly large earphone either, despite housing three dynamic drivers. It's a smooth and simple design which translates into something that I can wear for as long as I want without concern. Not sure what else to say on this since there is nothing great nor terrible that is noteworthy.

Last of all we have isolation. The GK3 contains only one teensy, tiny vent on the inner portion facing your ear, right near the base of the nozzle. As a result, isolation was actually pretty solid. Slightly above average for a dynamic based product. Sitting here typing I could still hear the clacking on my keyboard and cars in the distance through the open window to my right, but they were all dulled to the point where I could enjoy my music at my traditionally low volumes. Sitting down at the local Tim Horton's the GK3 wasn't quite as effect, but the increase in volume to counter all that noise was pretty minimal in the grand scheme of things.


Sound:

Tips: The stock tips didn't provide a consistent seal and weren't particularly comfortable so I stuck with KZ's “Starline” tips for the duration of my testing.

I had very high expectations for the GK3 as a result of all the hyper-positive reviews and comments floating around. Maybe my expectations were too high for a budget earphone, though I don't think so given the majority of gear I opt to listen to in my spare time is still in that sub-50 USD category. Either way, after spending a fair number of hours with each incarnation since the first of the three arrived on July 23rd, 2018, I think it's average sounding at best.

Starting with the treble, the first thing that struck me was just how rolled off it was. Running some frequency sweeps, it seems to take a huge dive after 10k. This presentation gives the GK3's treble a very stilted, brittle, artificial feel. There is very little shimmer to cymbals and not much air either. I don't know about you, but to me it's not particularly pleasant.

The mid-range is much better off, though it does suffer from a tendency to come across slightly hollow at times. Still, the mid-range sticks out avoiding the recessed nature of a lot of products in this price range, especially in the upper mids. Throwing on some spoken word, such as “Introdiction” from Scroobius Pip's Distraction Pieces, shows off the GK3's solid texture and micro detail. Unfortunately it also shows off the somewhat odd timbre that makes vocals and instruments overly light and once again, kind of brittle and fake.

Bass is the best aspect and provides a satisfying experience. Focus is squarely on the mid-bass region but it tapers off smartly in the upper bass preventing bleed into the mids. Extension is good though it falls short of some others in the segment. Overall control is decent too, able to notes notes well and without distortion. On extremely busy tracks the low end will blend notes together as it lacks and articulation the speed to keep up, though it still manages to sound pretty good. Run through Soilwork's album, “The Living Infinite” to see what I mean. Not sure why it works, but it does.

The GK3's sound stage is quite intimate, placing you right inside your music. Imaging is handled well with clean channel transitions. Due to the intimate presentation, sounds simply lack space to move which hinders layering somewhat. Thankfully, where I would have expected there to be issues with separation, that is not the case. Thank you triple drivers!

Overall I find the GK3 a decent sounding product and enjoyable if I'm not focusing too hard, but it is not without some major qualms. The congested staging can be somewhat claustrophobic, and it all sounds quite unnatural. The heavily rolled off treble is the anti-thesis to my personal preferences as well, That said, I know there will be many out there that appreciate Geek Wold's restraint in the upper regions, especially given the recent trend in budget Chinese earphones, i.e. treble cannons.


Select Comparisons (Volumes matched with Dayton Audio iMM-6):

Nabolang F910 (16.90 USD): The F910 has good looking plastic and aluminum shells that, like the GK3, has a fixed cable. Ergonomics are a little odd due to the angle at which the nozzle protrudes and as such I found the GK3 vastly superior in terms of comfort. It also looks like a more premium product than the F910 due to it's understated coloring and carbon fibre accents. The F910's traditional cable isn't anything particularly special, but it's not anywhere near as tangly as the GK3's. It's memory wire works well, but I much prefer the GK3's preformed guides.

In terms of sound, the F910 outputs a more typical-for-the-price v-shaped signature from it's dual-dynamic setup. It's treble is better extended than the GK3's with more air between notes. The GK3's mid-range is more prominent and clear, though it's timbre isn't as accurate. The F910's bass is lower in prominence, feeling a little leaner and quicker. It's similarly textured and lacks the GK3's extension. Sound stage goes to the F910 which is more spacious and airy, setting you back from the music. Imaging isn't quite as good as the GK3's, nor is separation, but it does offer a more layered experience.

Overall I prefer the way the F910 sounds primarily due to it's larger sound stage and more accurate timbre, but that's it. The GK3 looks and feels much nicer and it's ergonomics are leagues ahead making it my preferred earphone of the two.

Auglamour F200 (19.90 USD): The GK3's plastic shells are very well done but feel price appropriate vs. the F200's which feel like they belong on a significantly more expensive product. The GK3's braided cable looks more impressive, but I found it frustratingly tangly compared to the F200's, even when stored and unpacked carefully. Comfort is pretty much a wash with the GK3 getting a slight edge due to a light weight, low profile design that fills the ear nicely. Comparing accessories, the GK3 only comes with three pairs of tips. The stock tips are a poor match that need to be replaced immediately, unlike the F200's. In addition to a high quality tip set, Auglamour also includes a case, shirt clip, and ear hooks. The GK3 is much easier to drive and hits some pretty ridiculous volumes.

In terms of sound, I found the F200 a much more pleasant product. The GK3 has a slightly hollow ring to it's presentation, most prevalent in the mid-range. Vocals take on a slightly shouty aspect compared to the F200 thanks to an especially boosted upper mid-range that also makes the GK3 more fatiguing on vocal heavy albums. Timbre also comes overly light and brittle compared to the F200 which offers some of the most realistic instrument reproduction I've heard at this price range. Treble on the GK3 has a more rebellious presentation in the presence region, but with less control and detail. Running some frequency sweeps, it also seems to take a swan dive after 10k whereas the F200 treble remains audible well after. Bass on the GK3 has more mid-bass presence, lacking tightness and texture compared to the F200. Sub-bass extension is similar, but like the top end, seems to dive off quickly losing out on the visceral feedback the F200 provides. I found the GK3 to have a very intimate and forward presentation versus the F200 which sets you back from the music. Imaging was more precise on the F200, as too were it's layering and separation. These last two were pretty close though, with the GK3's lack of micro-detail holding it back.

The GK3 sounds fine for a 20 USD product, while the F200 sounds outstanding.

KZ ZSA (21.50 USD): The ZSA's metal shells are immaculately built and easily rival much more expensive products in terms of material quality and fit and finish. Another advantage is their removable 2-pin cables in a fairly common .75mm configuration. Where the GK3 stands out in this comparison is comfort. The ZSA is small and has a low profile design similar to the GK3, but the nozzle design makes it fit more like a traditional barrel shaped earphone. This leads to some odd ergonomic issues that aren't present on the GK3.

KZ's hybrids haven't been known for their accurate timbre. The ZSA features a new series of BAs for KZ that make huge strides in this regard, and it's quite evident listening to them back-to-back against the GK3. Instruments simply sound much more realistic. The ZSA's treble extension is significantly better, though they are also a lot more emphasis up there which could be an issue for the treble sensitive. The ZSA's mid-range isn't as forward, but it is much cleaner sounding with vocals bringing more detail to the forefront, and with individual words being more distinct. The ZSA's bass has a better mid-sub-bass balance, but is a little lacking in terms of visceral feedback when compared to the GK3. It is more textured though. When it comes to sound stage the ZSA sounds significantly more open and spacious. Imaging is slightly more accurate on the GK3 but layering and separation fall behind the ZSA.

Overall, the ZSA is more open and spacious, detailed, clear, and to my ears is a much better sounding product. It is also better built, though it's not quite as comfortable due to it's unique ergonomics. I find it hard to believe only a few dollars separates the two.


Final Thoughts:

The GK3 looks lovely with special mention going to the carbon fiber face plates, and is extremely comfortable. The cable is solid too, though it tangles much to easily. Unfortunately, the GK3 was a bit of a let down when it came to sound quality. Improved treble extension and reduced congestion in the sound stage are a must in the next iteration. The artificial qualities of the treble and mid-range also hindered their performance, less so with synthetic and vocal free tracks.

The GK3 is an ambitious product and I respect Geek Wold for trying to bring a triple dynamic to the market at a very affordable price and with decent performance. Despite the GK3's flaws, I think they did an admirable job. I'm looking forward to seeing what they come up with next, as they are clearly on the right track with the GK3.

Thanks to Geek Wold for trusting me to review their product, thanks to you for reading!

- B9Scrambler



Some Test Tunes:

Aesop Rock – The Impossible Kid (Album)
Hail Mary Mallon – Are You Going to Eat That? (Album)
King Crimson – Lark’s Tongues in Aspic (Album)
King Crimson – Starless and Bible Black (Track)
Supertramp – Crime of the Century (Album)
Infected Mushroom – Legend of the Black Shawarma (Album)
Gorillaz – Plastic Beach (Album)
Massive Attack – Mezzanine (Album)
Fleetwood Mac – Rumors (Album)
Run the Jewels – Run the Jewels (Album)
The Prodigy – The Day is My Enemy (Album)
Tobacco – screw*d Up Friends (Album)
Felt – Felt 2 (A Tribute to Lisa Bonet) (Album)
Michael Jackson – Thriller (Album)
The Crystal Method – Grace (feat. LeAnn Rimes) (Track)
Jidenna – Long Live the Chief (Track)
Skrillex – Ragga Bomb (Track)
Big Grams – Run for Your Life (Track)
Funkadelic – Maggot Brain (Track)
Aesop Rock – Fishtales (Track)

Introduction: Geek Wold(Old English for Forest) is a new audio company that has recently hit the market with their first offering the GK3 sporting a novel configuration of 3 dynamic drivers at the reasonable, and entry friendly price of $19.99. Much has been made of the GK3 since it was announced, will it meet the lofty expectations levied upon it as the new king of budget-fi? or will it be another forgotten face in the ever growing list of IEMs? It turns out, as usual that the answer lies somewhere in between.



Disclaimer: I received the GK3 from Geek Wold free of charge in exchange for a free and honest review.



Specifications:

Brand: Geek Wold

Model:GK3

Driver:3 dynamic driver

Frequency response:20H-20Khz

Impedance:8ohm

Sensitivity:102db

Cable :1.2M

Packaging and Accessories: The GK3 arrives in a simple non-descript black box, with gold lettering on the debossed logo giving basic information of the item in the front and some specifications on the back. Opening it reveals some pre-cut black foam housing the IEMs and some generic silicone tips, removing the foam insert reveals a compartment for the warranty card as well as space for the cable to hide. The accessories on the other had is admittedly barebones, all one gets it the different sizes of eartip, and while perfectly adequate given the price, competing products have a far more expansive catalogue of accessories creating an even larger burden on the rest of the facets of the GK3. Overall the packaging is simple the accessories are few, and while nothing is substandard or low quality, it loses a chance to put it over the top of the competition especially in the crowded budget market.





Build: The build quality of the of the GK3 strikes me as completely, but understandably middling. The shell is of some indiscernible hard plastic, that comes in 2 parts, with the nozzle being capped off with a metal perforated disc that works as a screen. The main housing is in glossy black with a pinhole vent that allows the drivers to breathe, while the faceplate is what appears to be carbon fiber set in plastic with the brand name also inlaid in gold. It presents itself with a classic color scheme, with some modern touches that if not for the apparent quality of the material, as something more upscale. The quality of the build itself presents no glaring mistakes or deficiencies outside of one, the word wold on one side of the faceplate is missing, moving past the main shell, the cable is a 4 core affair with shrink wrap to make ear guides, that is non-removable. The cable is mildly springy and tangle prone, which presents itself to be a mild inconvenience. The chin cinch is functional and simple, and the only other adorned piece is the Y split made of a aluminum tube with a plain print of the word "Geek Wold" in white. The build is overall quite good for the price bracket with some improvements that could greatly enhance quality of life for the end user.





Fit: The GK3 shells are a somewhat generic IEM shape, providing a decent fit for most individuals. The size is slightly on the larger size but the IEM is very light providing with minimal problems of it falling out of the ear due to the weight alone. Those with small and shallow ears may find proper wearing somewhat difficult and the IEM will protrude slightly from outside the ear. Isolation provided is average, a change of tips help, but the standard silicone tips are on the stiff side and lend to a difficulty to get proper fit and isolation. However for the majority it should be adequate to fit and average to isolate.



Sound: The GK3 utilizes 3 dynamic drivers, a somewhat novel concept that especially in its price bracket hasn't really been seen before. The overall tonality presents it self to be L shaped with the most defining characteristic of it being bass reproduction. My listening tests were done with an Hiby R6, LG G6, FiiO Q1 Mk II and an ifi xDSD to ensure accurate information across a range of devices.





Bass: The bass is surely the highlight of the GK3, where a dedicated dynamic driver is showing its capability. The subbass extension is deep, with bass drum hits in songs like "Royals" by Lorde have a good "visceral" feel, and the midbass is similarly prominent that bass is likewise high impact. The bass is relatively well textured and isn't something I would describe as muddy. On the other hand this means the bass has a rather slow decay and can somewhat feel lethargic when it gets mixed in with the other frequencies.



Mids: The midrange takes a step back from the bass, while the boosted lowend aids in the thickness of notes especially in the lower midrange, it isn't something that takes the stage for the IEM. It has decent resolution and detail retrieval, but overall serves as an adequate complement to the bass the precedes it. The vocals in "Girls Like You" by Maroon 5 are all generally placed somewhat intimately with an overall warmth no doubt again due to the low end lightly coloring it.



Treble: The high frequencies are overall smooth, and has moderate extension. Though the GK3 does not exhibit much in the way of sibilance which is a plus for those that are sensitive treble. It is relaxed and very much only there as it is called, and the with the smoothness there is a lack of crispness or bite as well as sparkle, overall lending the signature a darker tone. There is some air to it making the overall sound not feel congested, and Trumpet in "Feel So Good" by Chuck Mangione does give a hint at the tonal limitations of the IEM. But while not a con per se, it's just merely something to keep note of for those with a preference.



Presentation: The GK3 staging was has average width, and somewhat below average height, though the width can sometimes surpass the ear on some tracks. This can lead to some congestion on tracks as it can negatively affect the finesse of the layering, though in tracks that aren't busy it shouldn't be overtly problematic or even noticeable. Overall the technical aspects are OK in most applications and is something that while it doesn't excel at, it isn't terrible at it either.



Conclusion: Overall it may seem like I am down on the Geek Wold GK3, but it is wise to remember that it is only a mere $19.99 and when you consider that, it is an amiable performer and something that relative to the cost I would recommend to some people as long as it fit their taste. So if you're interested in a cheap IEM, that has an attractive aesthetic and smooth, if not refined sound, then by all means the GK3 is for you.

Geek Wold GK3 Review: Carbon Fiber Goodness

Geek Wold (not to be confused with Geek World) is a brand-new audio company that exploded onto the social media scene a number of weeks ago. Their maiden product, the GK3, is a budget IEM featuring not one, not two, but three dynamic drivers. But can this fledgling brand compete with the already established Chi-Fi titans? Well, let’s find out.

The GK3 is on sale here, for $20.

About My Preferences: Heads up, I’m a person! As such, these words are my opinion, and they are tinged by my personal preferences. While I try to mitigate this as much as possible during my review process, I’d be lying if I said my biases are completely erased. So for you, my readers, keep this in mind:

• My ideal sound signature would be an extended sub-bass with a leveled, but textured, mid-bass.
• I have a mild treble sensitivity.

Source: The GK3 was powered like so:

HTC U11 -> USB-C adapter -> earphones

or

Hidizs AP100 3.5mm out -> FiiO A5 3.5mm out -> earphones

or

HiFiMAN SuperMini -> earphones

or

PC optical out -> HiFiMe SPDIF 9018 Sabre DAC 3.5mm out -> earphones

All music was served as MP3 @320Kbps or as FLAC. As per the manufacturer’s request, I burned the GK3 in for 50 hours. I did not notice any sonic changes after burn-in.

Tech Specs

• Frequency Response: 20Hz-20Khz
• Impedance: 8 ohms
• Sensitivity: 102 dB
• Cable: 1.2m

Sound Signature
Sonic Overview:

The GK3’s sound signature is warm and energetic. It isn’t concerned with “neutrality” or flatness. Its focus is fun. The midrange is recessed while the lower treble is somewhat emphasized. The upper treble sort of levels off with the lower treble, though it extends fairly far. The mid-bass is prominent and punchy with the sub-bass is slightly less emphasized than it is.

Treble: Songs used: In One Ear, Midnight City, Outlands, Satisfy, Little One, Show Me How To Live (Live at the Quart Festival)

The GK3’s treble is interesting. The lower-treble is fairly notable, imbuing the sound signature with a mild sense of clarity and relative precision. The upper-treble is present as well but doesn’t slope upwards in emphasis like many other traditionally-tuned IEMs would. This is a boon to those who appreciate treble but are sensitive to its emphasis. I found that the GK3 did a fair job of portraying cymbals and high-hats and didn’t struggle too much to resolve the main body of most treble-bound instrumentation. The GK3 also found a way to implement some respectable layering at this price-point given its more fun-centric sound-signature.

Midrange: Songs used: Flagpole Sitta, Jacked Up, I Am The Highway, Dreams, Too Close, Little Black Submarines, In One Ear

The GK3’s midrange recesses towards the 1KHz range but has more heft in the lower-midrange. This gives its overall sound signature a warm, inviting, and relaxing sound signature that’s sure to please listeners looking for a mellow presentation of their music on a budget. Given its price-point, I’m pretty impressed with the GK3’s ability to resolve texturing and layered instrumentation in the midrange. Vocal intelligibility is pretty respectable too. I was able to make out much of the background talking and subtle breathing in the vocals of In One Ear. I actually really enjoy male vocal tonality on the GK3. I was expecting a more messy presentation, but alas, Geek Wold knows their stuff.

Bass: Songs used: Moth, Gold Dust, In For The Kill (Skream Remix), War Pigs (Celldweller Remix)

The most impressive component of the GK3’s sound signature is, in my humble opinion, its bass. The GK3 never struggles to keep up with any of my songs. Even War Pigs, whose bass line is complex, texturally varied, and fast-paced.

The GK3 tows the line between being punchy and overbearing, hardly straying too far from an acceptable balance. It’s a level of restraint that many warmer IEMs at this price-point simply don’t have, and one that I am certainly grateful for.

Packaging / Unboxing

The GK3’s packaging is simple and compact. It gets the job done, no complaints here.

Build
Construction Quality


The GK3’s build is very solid. I wouldn’t have guessed it was a $20 IEM by touch and sight alone. It features an all-plastic shell with a carbon-fiber faceplate. On the carbon fiber, you can find a fine golden ‘geek wold’ logo. It is placed evenly on both the left and right side and there are no visible flaws in the finishing.


The nozzles of the GK3 are below-average in length and have a good lip that prevents any sort of eartip slipping.


Like the rest of the IEM, the GK3’s cable is robust. It features a simple chain-geometry and a tough plastic coating across each strand. The Y-splitter is built out of a thin and light metal and has “Geek Wold’ printed across it. As a very minor aesthetic nitpick, it’d be nice to see the same logo printed on carbon fiber also printed here instead of there just being plain text. The cable is terminated with a 3.5mm jack housed in a tough black plastic. It has plenty of stress relief and doesn’t look to be particularly susceptible to damage or wear.

Comfort

I found the GK3 to be plenty comfortable. In spite of its three dynamic drivers, it has a fairly slim profile and competent ergonomic design. I was able to comfortably wear it for extended periods of time. The ear-guides helped keep the GK3 stable and well-adhered to my head while walking, biking, and jogging.

Accessories

Inside the box you’ll find:

• 2x pairs extra silicone eartips

And honestly, for $20 I don’t expect much more. You already get some very good build-quality and sound characteristics, and that’s got to cost a good amount of money to implement.

Comparisons
1: RevoNext QT2 ($35)

The QT2 is a much more V-shaped IEM than the GK3. Where the GK3 has a warmer midrange, the QT2 has a colder, more neutral one. While the GK3 has phenomenal sub-bass performance and a well-fitted mid-bass, the QT2 has a softer sub-bass and fatter mid-bass. The QT2’s treble is energetic and emphasized while the GK3’s treble is comparatively flat.

2: KZ ZSR ($30)

Compared to the GK3, the ZSR is V-shaped and treble-heavy. It has a much more energetic upper-register and a quicker attack and decay due to its balanced armature driver. The GK3 is comparatively mellow and warm, with a harder and more balanced sub-bass to mid-bass ratio.

Summary
The GK3 is another well-priced option in the budget Chi-Fi arena. Its warm sound signature and solid construction give it a unique character, both in terms of sound and aesthetics. For $20, I can safely say that listeners looking for a no-nonsense, warm IEM will likely find the GK3 suitable for their tastes.

As always, happy listening!

Introduction: Geek Wold is a new Chinese brand that recently came into the audiophile sphere with a fast promotion to production of their first IEM project called the GK3. This shouldn't be surprising as their history includes being an original design manufacturer (ODM) of high end audio ear gear for other companies, which should give them the experience and know-how to easily make their own products now that they've started their own brand with the tagline "born for extreme audiophile".

I would like to thank Geek Wold for providing me with a review sample in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. You can buy the Geek Wold GK3 at Penon or locally if your retailer has them in stock.



Specification:
Driver Configuration: 3 Dynamic Drivers (8mm Lows, 6mm Mids, 6mm Highs)
Sensitivity: 102dB
Impedance: 8Ω
Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20kHz
Cable Length: 1.2m
Plug: 3.5mm

The major eye catching specification on the GK3 is it's 3 dynamic drivers and the idea that each will specifically play only the frequency it's assigned to, leading to a better separated and (ideally) balanced output. Even with 3 dynamic drivers in it, the GK3 is delightfully easy to drive and is very listenable even on my Xperia at 10/15 volume.







Unboxing: The Geek Wold GK3 came in a tightly fitted black cardboard box with minimal branding in gold, and only basic information with no graphics on it. It's a simple yet effective package which doesn't distract you from what you're really after. Inside you'll find a warranty card, the GK3 and 2 silicone ear tips, the 3rd pair is already attached to the GK3 and that's it, on par for the price.



Cable/Build/Design: The Geek Wold GK3 is a simple yet beautiful looking IEM, the 3.5mm plug is gold plated with a standard right angled design, has adequate strain relief, the splitter is a metal tube with the Geek Wold branding, with no chin adjuster. The cable itself is a black TPU coated 4 core wire that feels soft and a bit springy but pretty good and tough. The IEM itself is permanently attached to the cable and it has adequate strain relief and a molded transparent coat to help wrap the cable over the ear. The shell is something more than what you'd expect at $20 usd, the shell is light but does not flex, it has a hole near the inner side for preventing driver flex. The inner side of the shell fits well in my ear even if it has no nubs and bumps to help it stay inside, being light, and with the right tip, the GK3 feels like it floats in my ear be worn easily for long listening sessions. Of course, the main eye candy on the GK3 is the shiny carbon fiber faceplate covered in clear acrylic with the beautifully inscribed brand of Geek Wold in gold.



Sound Analysis: There was considerable hype with the Geek Wold GK3 when news first came out, a rarely done three dynamic driver IEM with an affordable price tag gave hope for those seeking a viable alternative to the more pervasive and popular budget IEMs around. After a brief warm up of the GK3, I felt that it had a warm and upbeat sound with good separation with at least the 3 main frequencies thanks to 3 separate drivers. After 200+ hours of playing music through it, I'm ready to hear any changes and convey to you gentle readers how this budget star performs. The Geek Wold GK3 was tested using the stock tips and several sources.

Bass: The GK3 reaches a good depth with regards to sub-bass and has a lot of it as well. In Way Down Deep, the depth is satisfying and makes you feel the hit and reverberation of each drum beat. Speaking of hits, Cheap Thrills bass beats hit quite strongly and smoothly, something you'd normally expect from a good dynamic driver. The bass decay on the GK3 is a bit below average in speed which helps give music a good and enjoyable rumble which doesn't hinder the overall resolution of a song.

Mids: The lower mid range of the GK3 sounds a little laid-back, with male vocals sounding a little thicker and smoother overall. The upper mid range is a little bit boosted which gives female vocals a more forward position and aids in the level of it's intimacy. There is an average amount of detail and transparency here which contributes to an overall good sounding warm mid range presentation.

Treble: There is a good amount of extension here, giving the GK3 a near natural sounding treble. Silent Lucidity's acoustic guitar plucks sound a little thicker than normal with a hint of crispness to it, but it's free from any harshness and sibilance. There's an average amount of air and detail which helps give an emotive yet uncluttered treble that sounds smooth but also a little exciting.

Soundstage: The horizontal stage on the GK3 sounds average with the music sounding a bit in the ear but can reach a inch or two outward. The vertical depth is rather close, which can cause a bit of congestion on very busy tracks. The overall stage sounds natural if average in terms of capabilities.



Conclusion: The Geek Wold GK3 is, for the price, a very good choice for beginning audiophiles with it's impressive bass, good highs and an overall engaging performance. On a subjective note though, the mids are technically fun sounding but I prefer a neutral to a more forward presentation but the V shaped signature of the GK3 will definitely appeal to budding enthusiasts and those with a tendency to be treble sensitive.



Sound testing was done using a Sony WM1a (Primarily), a Hiby R6 and Zishan Z1(for comparison) and a phone (for checking driveability) volume matched to 90.X db of max volume for safe hearing below 8 hours of use and calibrated using a 1kh tone on a dedicated DB Meter, all sources patched through a switcher. More information will be available on the About Me page on my blog (once I find the time to write it up.)

A few months ago, a new budget tier IEM entered the market and made quite a wave in the SEA region. It went by the name of Geek Wold with their debut IEM product, the GK3. The GK3 uses 3 dynamic drivers which is a feat in itself, so far the only triple dynamic IEM I can think of is the new Unique Melody 3DD-Ti which is priced almost 60 times the GK3, let that sink in. The GK3 also has a 20Hz-20KHz FR and 8ohms impedance which is indeed designed for portable device usage.
The Geek Wold GK3 can be purchased for $19.99 at Penon Audio which I would like to thank as well for lending the review unit in exchange for an honest review.

The Geek Wold GK3 came in a black matte cardboard box which had the Brand and Model printed in gold with the tagline "born for extreme audiophile", interesting though, let's see if it is indeed intended for the GK3 or for Geek Wold's aspirations. Underneath the box is the IEMs specifications and maker.
Upon opening, a warranty card in white with fancy floral prints covers the overall IEM itself. Included are 2 sets of blue-bored silicon tips which upon use is not too soft not too hard yet leans on the more shape retaining form. We will be using stock tips that came with it during this realview. No other accessories are provided and that is expected at the price point it is offered.
The GK3 is made for batman's sidekick, the shell is all in black as well as the 4 core OFC cable and with the carbon fiber finish faceplate, it already looks premium for its price. It also has a metal-finished cylinder Y-split with the Geek Wold brand on it. The cable has no cinch and not that microphonic when used on the go. The typical round braid is used as well and makes the cable curl and tangle a lot when not store properly. The gold-plated 3.5mm plug is in the L orientation and has adequate strain relief. The cable is also fixed and non-removable, not an advantage or disadvantage for me but for those who are thinking of how to fix them in case the cables break, it would be harder than usual. I personally like this orientation specially for the target market the GK3 is made for, being used daily and on the go.

I initially used the GK3 on my Sansa Clip+ playing Adele's He won't go in mp3 and the lows were the most dominant frequency you'd notice even after the song progresses. I continued on through Adele's 21 album which is a vocal oriented album and still GK3's warm tonality is still noticeable. After the "recommneded" 50-hour burn in, I used the Sansa Clip+, Hidizs AP200, Sony ZX1 and Opus 1 playing Adele's 21 album with all in 16/44 flac except the Sansa. The seal and isolation of this IEM is good but since I have a bigger outer ear space, I tend to wiggle them around some more and helps with the overall sound. The GK3 exhibited the warm tonality across all DAPs used.

The lows of the GK3 is its calling card, appreciating the lows of the GK3 is the reason you'd be loving this IEM. The subbass of the GK3 isn't bloated and tubby although it would sound fuller when being powered by the AP200 rather than the Sansa and my OnePlus 3T phone. The impact the subbass creates specially in Foo Fighter's Over and Out is easy to love. Although the bass speed is moderate and its impact sometimes extends further than desired. If your playlist is focused on the lows, you can start smiling if you plan to get the GK3.

The Mids of the GK3 is the aspect where it relaxes. It doesn't provide stellar performance and neither does it disappoint. The vocals are breathy and is presented in a manner that lets the lows still take the attention. Norah Jones's Don't Know Why in 16/44 would show a good level of clarity. Those who adore and put a premium on the Midrange won't be wowed by the GK3 but would't turn their ears away as well. A safe play for the GK3.

The Brilliance area of the GK3 was the aspect where we can find fault in and still at the price point it is offered, finding fault on the Highs of the GK3 is a tough task. Playing Lily Was Here by Candy Dulfer in 16/44 was a fun experience, the instruments are articulate and distinct. The treble isn't peaky and no shrills will be experienced unless we all push the volume up(who would?). I was carefully looking for a time when this GK3 would sound tinny even when knowing the lows aren't weak but still struggled. Finding sparkle and extension on the highs is were we can expect Geek Wold to work on for their next offerings.

Move away, not too far, not too close but sometimes on top of each other. That statement best pictures the imaging this IEM offers. Details sometimes gets hard to pinpoint except for the time that the instruments are being articulate enough which we can attribute on the music itself and not on the GK3. You'd find sometimes that depth is missing. Soundstage leans on the intimate side and never in the wild.

Having identified the GK3's strength and weaknesses, I still went on the pair it with multiple sources and genres. The GK3 paired best with the AP200 which is a balanced sounding player with emphasis on the highs. This might struggle with uber warm players as the Sony ZX1 with GK3 already is my least favorite combination. I also loved how it tackled vocal oriented songs and are great for acoustic listeners and those that love their bass down low are in for a good time.

The Geek Wold GK3 is an easy recommendation and is hard to fault with specially being a debut offering. Make no mistake, this is not "born for extreme audiophile" but I'm glad Geek Wold has the ambition to excel, we are looking forward to their next launch. The build and sound quality is on the safe side so you'd get your money's worth with the GK3. I love using it with Sony Hybrid tips and would have loved to see a cable cinch but overall the Geek Wold GK3 is good buy for all of us.

Introduction

Geek Wold is a new Chinese brand that specializes in iems. Their debut iem is the GK3. I would like to thank Geek Wold for the review unit of GK3. At the moment, you can purchase it on https://penonaudio.com/geek-wold-gk3 . For more information, you can visit Geek Wold official Facebook page.



Specifications

• Driver Configuration: 3 Dynamic Drivers (8mm [Lows], 6mm [Mids], 6mm [Highs])
• Sensitivity: 102dB
• Impedance: 8 Ω
• Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20kHz

Unboxing & Accessories

The GK3 comes in a black package that sports the brand logo. After opening the package, there are the iem, tips and warranty card. The unboxing is simple.



IEM Build & Design

The GK3 shell is made up of ABS material and it has a smooth surface. Each faceplate has a premium brushed silver metal design with a matte black outer edge. There is the brand logo printed on it in gold color. There is good visual appeal. On the inside of each iem side, there is a vent. The nozzle is slightly angled with metal mesh for earwax prevention. The housing is light weight.







Cable Build & Design

The cable has a 4 core braided design and on the strain relief, there are L & R markings on the left and right side respectively so users can differentiate. There is a memory wire area section that is enclosed in a transparent heat shrink tube. Moving down, there is no chin slider. The y-splitter is silver in color and sports the brand name. Lastly, the jack is 3.5mm gold plated right angled with a black housing. There is strain relief.



Sound Analysis

Lows

The GK3 has great sub-bass quantity and it extends to a nice depth. The sub-bass reproduction is impactful and it is capable of producing a strong punch. Bass decay has moderate speed and the bass texture is rendered with smoothness. The rumble is natural and each bass note is articulated with a powerful hit. The mid-bass has moderate quantity. The execution of the slam aids in the overall impact. The bass performance has good engagement level.

Mids

The midrange is presented in a laid-back manner with moderate level of details retrieval. The transparency level is average. The lower mids has sufficient body to tackle male vocals. There are no signs of hollow feeling. It is expressed fairly well. The upper mids has slight boost and the forwardness helps to add intimacy to female vocals. Emotions are conveyed effectively and it complements the laid-back nature. The midrange is fun to listen to and musicality is invoked well.

Highs

The treble is extended decently and it has sufficient body. There is smoothness which helps to ensure a fatigue-free listen. There is no sibilance and harshness. The control on the treble is good and it showcases some finesse. The amount of air rendered is moderate and helps to prevent the overall presentation from sounding dense. Treble articulation has decent definition. There is lack in crisp and sparkle. The presentation is laid-back. The overall treble is relaxing to listen to.

Soundstage

The GK3 has a natural expansion in its stage and the width has a moderate magnitude. Congestion happens at times. It is able to tackle busier tracks to a certain extent. The depth is closed in. The soundstage is fair.



Comparisons

Geek Wold GK3 vs Tin Audio T2

The T2 has less sub-bass quantity than the GK3 but it is able to extend more. The GK3 is more aggressive in its sub-bass reproduction and provides better impact. The T2 has better technicality. The mid-bass on the GK3 has slightly more body than the T2 and it is able to deliver a weighted slam. The T2 has greater bass decay and the agility helps to increase the overall pace. Bass texture on the GK3 is rendered more smoothly. There is additional punch from the GK3. The midrange on the T2 has a higher level of transparency and it is expressed cleanly. The lower mids on the GK3 has more body and male vocals are presented with more thickness. The upper mids on the T2 has extra forwardness which helps to create an intimate female vocals presentation. Moving on to the treble section, the T2 is slightly more extended while the GK3 is able to present the treble with additional smoothness. The amount of air rendered is more on the T2. For soundstage, there is natural expansion for both. The T2 excels in the width magnitude. The GK3 has a more closed in depth.

Geek Wold GK3 vs TFZ Series 2

The GK3 has more sub-bass than the Series 2 and the extension is pretty similar. The GK3 sub-bass reproduction is more capable to deliver punch for an impactful performance. Bass decay on the Series 2 has more pace and the agility helps to contribute to the engagement level. The bass texture on the both is rendered rather smoothly. The mid-bass on the GK3 has more body and it accentuates the slam. Each bass note on the GK3 is articulated with a strong hit. The midrange of the Series 2 has slightly better details retrieval than the GK3. The GK3 is thicker sounding. The lower mids on the GK3 has more body than the Series 2 and male vocals are better expressed. The upper mids on the Series 2 is boosted without being too aggressive and female vocals sound more intimate. The treble on the Series 2 is slightly more extended. There is no sibilance and harshness. The amount of air on the Series 2 is greater. There is a smoother presentation for the GK3. Lastly, in terms of soundstage, the GK3 has a more natural expansion. The width magnitude for the Series 2 is greater while the depth on the GK3 is more closed in.

Geek Wold GK3 vs Kinera SEED

The GK3 has more sub-bass quantity than the SEED but it extends slightly more. The sub-bass reproduction on the GK3 is much fuller. It has the ability to deliver a stronger impact. The rumble on the GK3 is presented more naturally. The bass texture on the GK3 is rendered with additional smoothness. Bass decay on both has similar speed. The mid-bass quantity on the GK3 is slightly more and the slam benefits from it. Each bass note on the GK3 is articulated with a stronger hit. The midrange of the GK3 is lusher than the SEED while the SEED expresses its midrange in a cleaner manner. The lower mids on the GK3 has more body and male vocals are presented well with additional lushness. The upper mids on the GK3 has slightly more forwardness while the definition on both is similar. Female vocals are presented with a higher level of intimacy on the GK3. Next, in the treble department, the SEED is able to render a greater amount of air which helps to provide space at the top end. There is more treble body on the GK3 and it provides a smooth feeling. The extension of the SEED is greater. Lastly, in terms of soundstage, there is a more natural expansion with the GK3. The width magnitude is greater on the SEED while the depth of the GK3 is more closed in.

Conclusion

The GK3 is a bass oriented iem that is capable of producing a strong bass reproduction which ensures an impactful performance. The midrange is laid-back and there is decent treble extension. Moreover, it has a nice design. The Geek Wold GK3 does not disappoint at its price point by delivering a punchy and engaging sound.



For more reviews, visit https://audio123blog.wordpress.com/ .