Magaosi K3Pro 2.0
The bang for The buck!

Introduction:

Magaosi is a brand of HiLisening Co. that is located in Guangdong - China. The Magaosi product line is covering products series marked with M, BK, K, DT and B. The M series have mainly a metallic housing with Balance Armature and /or Hybrid Drivers. The BK series have wood housing with Balance Armature and/or Dynamic Hybrid drivers.

The K3Pro 2.0 is the updated version of the original K3Pro with additional upgrade cable, which belongs to the top of the line product category with 2 (BA) +1 (DD) Hybrid driver configuration.





Disclaimer:

Magaosi K3Pro 2.0 was provided to me by Magaosi via Penon Audio for free of charge as a review sample. I am not affiliated with Magaosi or Penon Audio beyond this review and these words reflect my true, unaltered, opinions about the product.



The Price:

The Magaosi K3Pro 2.0 is available on Penon Audio for 109,90 USD.

Purchase link: https://penonaudio.com/magaosi-k3-pro.html



Package and Accessories:

The Magaosi K3.Pro 2.0 comes in a black cardboard box with the Magaosi Logo, which is printed in gold color. This box has a transparent plastic (pvc) window, where you can see the Magaosi K3Pro 2.0

This box containing the following items/accessories;

• 1 pair x K3Pro 2.0
• 1 x MMCX cable with L-shaped plug
• 1 x MMCX cable with Mic and straight plug
• 1 x MMCX Bluetooth cable
• 1 pair x Silver & Gray tuning filters
• 1 pair x L and S sized silicone eartips
• 1 pair x L/M/S sized foam eartips
• 1 x USB cable for charging of the Bluetooth cable
• 1 x Cary Case

The carry bag that comes with the Magaosi K3Pro 2.0 is made of a faux leather coating, which is well made and quite useful with its dimensions.

The foam and semi transparent (white) silicone ear tips are quite comfortable.

There are also 2 different types of sound tuning filters. The black one came preinstalled, which boost the treble range by a small but noticeable margin. The silver sounds more balanced and is my favorite filter, which I will also use during this review.



I would advice you to be carefully while replacing the filters, because these filters are very small and there is no backup included to the package.





Cables:

The Magaosi K3Pro 2.0 comes with 3 different cables that are included to the package.

The first cable comes with a microphone that was compatible with my Samsung Galaxy S8+ with Android OS.



The cable is in black and has a straight plug that is made of metal.



The MMCX connectors are also made of metal and have Left and Right markings. The ear guides are a bit stiff but without any discomfort.



The second cable is the upgrade cable, which has a stylish appearance with a transparent coating and thick, braided cable wire that sports also a Y splitter, which is made of metal and a plastic chin slider.



The MMCX connectors and the headphone plug have a housing that is made of metal. These MMCX connectors are marked in red for right and blue the left channel.



The 3.5mm headphone jack (TRRS) has an angled connector housing that looks quite stylish with its design.



The third and cable, which comes with the Magaosi K3Pro 2.0 is a Bluetooth cable with build in DAC and amplifier with build a build in battery, which is in my opinion a very nice addition.



This Bluetooth cable is lightweight and made of plastic material. There are 3 buttons and one mic for phone conversations. The sound is not bad at all for a free accessory, while the battery life is approx. 2.5 hours.



Design and Build Quality:

The Magaosi K3Pro 2.0 is an In-Ear Monitor with a pretty small size and ergonomic design, which is made of a all metal aluminum alloy that looks and feels quite solid in its appearance.



The Magaosi K3Pro 2.0 is available in 3 different colors; those are gray, silver and blue. My review unit came gray color that looks pretty nice.



I have read that some units at the first batch of the original K3Pro have had connector issues, which has been solved according to Magaosi. The MMCX (Micro Miniature Coaxial) connectors of my Magaosi K3Pro 2.0 review units have had no interruption issues during this review.

The nozzle is slightly angled (around 45 degrees) and has a detachable sound filter for fine-tuning of the sound.





Fit, Comfort and Isolation:

The Magaosi K3Pro 2.0 is an In-Ear Monitor (IEM) with a small and ergonomic design. I didn’t have had any discomfort issues due this review and could wear it for many ours without any noticeable fatigue my ears. The noise isolation of the K3Pro 2.0 is above average and good enough to use it in quite noise public environments, but not ideal for the stage.





Some Technical Specifications:

• Driver Configuration : 2x Balanced Armature + 1x Dynamic Driver (Hybrid Configuration)
• Impedance : 16 Ω
• Frequency Response : 20Hz - 30 KHz
• Sensitivity : 120db
• Connector Type : MMCX
• Interface : 3.5mm (single ended)
• Cable length : 1.2m±5cm
• Weight : 30g

Drivability (Impedance):

The Magaosi K3Pro 2.0 is a sensitive IEM, which is easy to drive from almost any source. The nominal impedance that is 16 Ohm makes it suitable for the use with portable devices like Smartphones, Tablet’s or DAP’s without the need of any amplifier.



Sources:

a) In Ear Monitor : Magaosi K3Pro, MEE audio Pinnacle P1,

b) DAP/DAC : Hidizs HD1000, Cayin N5II, Chord Mojo, Ipad Air2







c) Albums & tracks used for this review:

• Sertab Erener – Aşk (Spotify)
• Jehan Barbur – Yollar (Spotify)
• Minor Empire – Bulbulum Altin Kafeste (Spotify)
• London Grammar – Interlud (Live) (Flac 24bit/44kHz)
• Morbid Angel – Drum Check (Spotify)
• Liquid Tension Experiment 2 – Acid Rain (Spotify)
• Metallica – Sad But True (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Opeth – Damnation (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• Megadeth – Sweating Bullets (Flac 16bit/44kHz)
• The Glitch Mob – Mind of A Beast (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Lorde – Team (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Tom Player – Resonace Theory “Album” (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• Deeperise feat. Jabbar – Move On (Spotify)
• Dire Straits – Money for Nothing (DSD 64)
• Steve Srauss – Mr. Bones (Flac 16bit/44kHz)
• Gothart – Jovano, Jovanke (Spotify)
• Casey Abrams – Robot Lover (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• Otto Liebert & Luna Negra – The River (DSF) – Binaural Recording
• GoGo Penguin – Fanfares (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• Charly Antolini’s – Duwadjuwandadu (Tidal Hi-Fi)

Sound Analysis and Comparisons:

Please note that this review is written after a burn-in process of more than 120 hours. I have use the semi transparent silicone eartips, the silver filter and the upgrade cable that are included to the package.

Please note that this is an entry level mid-fi IEM and all my comments about the sound quality are in consideration of this price range.



Sound Signature and Tonality:

The Magaosi K3Pro 2.0 has a slightly V shaped sound signature with a warmer than neutral tonality that is adding some musicality to the overall presentation.



Bass:

The Magasoi K3Pro is a solid performer in the bass department, which is focused on the mid-bass area.

The sub-bass is there but not in the foreground or better say the highlight of this IEM. It is reachs to a pretty low register, but is missing a bit of rumble and weight, which offers otherwise great control and texture.

The bass, especially the mid-bass area sounds quite controlled and has good speed characteristics. The K3Pro have had a very good performance with Morbid Angel’s – Drum Check, which is my new reference song regarding to speed and control, which has show me how good a Chi-fi IEM in this price category can perform.

The mid-bass are a real highlight of this IEM. It extends well, has good texture and nice slam when it called for. There is a nice transition between bass and the midrange, where I didn’t hear any remarkable bleed of the mid-bass to the midrange.

Some instruments like drums, bass guitars etc. sounding quite natural and are exiting.


Midrange:

The midrange sounds clean and transparent, with velvet like presentation. It doesn’t sounds thin or very full and has a nice balanced presentation. There is a nice amount of warmth that comes fro the lower midrange, which is avoiding a dry and too analytical presentation and is adding musicality to the overall presentation.

Vocals are one step behind of instruments and sounding in a quite natural way. Here is also a nice sense of space and where you can find enough air between instruments. Both, male and female vocals are represented in quite realistic way and have enough emotion to bring you in to the middle of the stage. The midrange shares also some nice definition, with pretty good detail retrieval at this price range, where string instruments like violin, guitar etc. have a nice presentation.

The upper midrange of the Magaosi K3Pro 2.0 sounds dynamic and fairly controlled, without to be overly harsh or ear piercing. People who are sensitive in this regarding will like the tuning of the K3Pro 2.0.


Treble:

The Magaosi K3Pro 2.0 has a quite balanced treble presentation that doesn’t sounds too bright or harsh and the overall control in this area is pretty good for an IEM in the mid-fi category.

The clarity level and definition is pretty good and the general treble presentation is at the natural and relaxing side of IEM’s with a V Shaped sound signature.

There is also a nice rendering of air that opens space for instruments, which is especially good for songs with many instruments like Charly Antolini's - Duwadjuwandadu. The treble extension has an above average performance, with no significant sibilance thanks to the fairly balanced tuning in the higher frequency region of the Magaosi K3Pro 2.0.

The upper treble region has a fairly good level of resolution, together with a crisp and airy presentation, which is a great ability especially in this price category.



Soundstage:

The soundstage of the Magaosi K3Pro 2.0 is quite expansive with its wideness, while the depth is in a moderate level. Instruments are placed in a horizontal direction where the vocal is in the middle of the stage.





Some Comparisons:

Vs. iBasso IT01

The iBasso IT01 is a very capable IEM with a very energetic and crisp presentation.

When I compare the iBasso IT01 with the Magaosi K3Pro 2.0, one of the first noticeable differences is in the treble response. The treble range of the IT01 is more energetic and crisp than those of the K3Pro 2.0, which has less presence, especially in the upper treble range. The Magaosi IEM maybe doesn’t sounds as energetic as the IT01 in this department, but offers better balance and has also slightly more control.

Instruments and vocals are slightly more upfront with the iBasso IT01, while the Magaosi K3Pro 2.0 has a touch warmer and darker presentation. The difference is very low, but the K3Pro 2.0 offers additional detail level and slightly better separation of instruments. The upper midrange of the iBasso IT01 sounds a bit more lifelike.

The iBasso IT01 has more bass impact and rumble, which makes the overall presentation more dynamic. The Magaosi K3Pro 2.0 on the other hand has slightly better extension. The bass speed of booth IEM is nearly identical maybe a touch faster with the IT01, while the K3Pro 2.0 sounds a bit more controlled.

The soundstage of the Magaosi K3Pro 2.0 is slightly deeper then those of the iBasso IT01 while both are nearly identical for wideness.



Vs. MEE audio Pinnacle P2

The MEE audio Pinnacle P2 and Magaosi K3Pro 2.0 have similarities for tonality; both are on the warmer side of neutral, while the Pinnacle P2 has slightly more bass emphasis a bit more roll-off of at the treble range.

The Magaosi K3Pro 2.0 sound a bit brighter and has a smooth and fairly controlled treble tuning. The Pinnacle P2 on the other hand sounds darker and has a noticeable roll-off in treble range. The Magaosi K3Pro 2.0 is the more capable IEM, due the better extension and more authority in the treble range. The Magaosi K3Pro 2.0 is also slightly faster, especially with music genres like metal music, for which are both not very suitable.

The midrange of the Pinncale P2 sounds a bit veiled and grainy compared to the more transparent tuning of the K3Pro 2.0. The Pinnacle P2 sounds engaging but a bit too thin and dry, especially while listening to male vocals. The Magaosi IEM sounds also a bit more detail and has the better instrument separation. I can also confirm that the upper midrange of the Pinnacle P2 is slightly more forward and has a bit more definition, while K3Pro 2.0 offers better control.

The iBasso IT01 has more bass impact and rumble, which makes the overall presentation more dynamic. The Magaosi K3Pro 2.0 on the other hand has the slightly better extension, while the speed of both IEM's is nearly identical maybe a touch faster with the IT01.

The soundstage of the Magaosi K3Pro 2.0 is slightly deeper then those of the iBasso IT01 while both are nearly identical for wideness.



Conclusion:

I can easily say that the Magaosi K3Pro 2.0 is a real bang for the buck. It has a good sound, a solid metal housing (no plastic used) and lots of accessories, which makes it to one of the best options in this price category.



Pros and Cons:

• + High price to performance ratio
• + Good detail and clarity
• + Nice and solid metal housing
• + Many cables (great to see a free Bluetooth cable)

• - No backup for the small sound filters
• - Missing of some dynamism of the sound
• - Only two pairs of silicone eartips, but lots of foam tips

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This review was originally posted on "Moonstar Reviews" :
https://moonstarreviews.net
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Introduction –

If you’re a Head-fi frequent, you’ve probably observed the buzz surrounding these earphones. If not, the K3 Pro should still make your shortlist as perhaps one of the most impressive sub $100 earphones on the market. With a gorgeous full-metal construction augmented with a removable cable, the K3 Pro’s make a strong first impression from audio newcomer Magaosi. And behind that lavish facade beats a comprehensive triple hybrid driver setup complete with two proprietary balanced armature drivers mated to a graphene dynamic. And while competition is as fierce as ever, the K3 Pro immediately stands out both internally and externally. Let’s see if the K3 Pro can live up to the hype and realise the promises of their advance internal acoustics.



Disclaimer –

I would like to thank Chi Kong Hui from Penonaudio very much for providing me with the K3 Pro for the purpose of review. There is no monetary incentive for a positive article nor do I allow any manufacturers or resellers to edit my writing. Despite receiving the earphones free of cost, I will attempt to be as objective as possible in my evaluation.


Accessories –

The packaging of the K3 Pro is quite refined and well-presenting though the print quality and renders don’t flatter the buyer like the Oriveti Basic for instance. Of note, the packaging still states K3 even for the updated K3 Pro model.



Sliding off the top cover reveals a very nice textured box with metallic embossing denoting the Magaosi brand and model number, again with absence of the updated pro moniker. Inside, the earphones are showcased within foam with a section underneath containing the carrying case.



The case is very large though excessive padding means internal space is surprisingly limited. It’s another well-presenting but impractical offering that really offers minimal benefit in daily use.



The case contains the two MMCX cables, one with a remote/mic for smartphone usage and one pure audio cable of higher quality. In addition, Magaosi include 2 pairs of silicone tips in addition to 3 pairs of elongated foams that provide improved isolation for travel. The K3 Pro also has an interesting filter system that provides some basic tune-ability. Two filters are included from factory, a transparent filter and a filter that attenuates high frequencies. It’s definitely one of the best-implemented solutions I have come across, they simply screw into place, locking into place via a small rubber o-ring.



Design –

The K3 Pro is a stunning earphone, especially considering its more modest asking price. Among earphones from TFZ, Simgot and more household brands like Shure and Westone, the K3 Pro is undoubtedly one of my favourites. The all-aluminium construction is impeccably finished, ergonomically styled and feels nothing but rigid in the hand. The K3 Pro’s are available in two colours, silver and grey as pictured in this review. Both are striking though the grey model is arguably more distinct. A few users have mentioned QC issues though I did not notice anything like that, rather, the K3 Pro has one of the nicest constructions I’ve seen around this price.



Utilising the typical monitor style housings, the K3 Pro is reminiscent in shape to earphones from Shure and Westone as opposed the more atypical TFZ King, Simgot En700 and Oriveti Basic. But manufacturers adopt this design for a reason and through this tried and tested form factor, the K3 Pro achieves fantastic ergonomics that put their rather awkward competition to shame. Considering the triple driver configuration housed within, the earphones are compact, smaller than the SE215 for instance, and their low-profile fit and replaceable cable makes them ideal for sleeping. As such, they sit deeper in the ear and avoided forming hotspots during my usage. The inner face is absolutely smooth with a perfectly angled nozzle integrated into the metal housings. The nozzles are quite long enabling a deep fit, and are of wider bore; CP100 Spinfits just fit with some stretching though wider tips like the JVC Spiral Dots are more suitable.



With an over-ear fit, the K3 Pro’s proved to be very stable during use, easily staying put during exercise and general daily commute. Due to the presence of two small vents on the outer face, they aren’t the most isolating earphones, though they suffice for public transport. Foam tips do improve isolation and they may be just adequate for air travel with noticeable volume increase. Long term comfort is also good, the earphones are well shaped and will suit those with smaller ears. They aren’t quite as comfortable as the exemplary Oriveti Basic’s with mild discomfort forming at the back of my ears during extended use. Still, they are one of the most ergonomic earphones I’ve used around this price.



The K3 Pro has a removable cable using the traditional MMCX connector allowing for countless aftermarket options should the stock cables be unsatisfactory. One thing to note is that the K3 Pro has very loose MMCX connectors. While sound never became intermittent and the cables never accidentally detached during my usage, the earphones may be more prone to these issues later down the road.



Two cables are included from factory, a remote cable and audio only cable. The remote cable is honestly pretty cheap feeling, very plasticky with far too much memory for my liking. Though it will do in a pinch, this is obviously not how the K3 Pros were designed to be experienced. Luckily, the audio-only cable is far more pleasing, perhaps not as much as the braided cables on the King and En700 though those units are non-removable in return. Instantly, the silvery audio cable is more catching with a lustrous internal braid. All connectors are beefy with great strain-relief that puts many more expensive earphones to shame. The actual wire is reasonably ergonomic with a smooth texture and a decently supple feel. The cable conforms to the user with well-shaped heat-shrink ear guides that are easily more favourable than memory wire. The right angle plug is low-profile, easily fitting within my phone case. Acoustically, the silvery cable has a drier midrange and more sub-bass snap, high frequencies are a little unrefined. Cable swapping is not an economical way to adjust the K3 Pro’s sound though those with a few MMCX earphones may want to give cable swapping a go as they response reasonably well.


Sound –

It’s been said countless times before that the driver array really amounts to nothing, more marketing than meaning. Because without tuning of each and every acoustic element, the housings, filters, tips, etc, a multi-driver earphone can very easily sound worse than single driver equivalent. So of course, I was hesitant of the K3 Pro’s meagre asking price, postulating that a triple driver could not possibly be refined enough to compete with stunning single dynamic driver earphones like King, En700 Bass and Basic. Thankfully, any doubts were very quickly dispelled upon first listen of the K3 Pro; even fresh from the box, they were delightfully engaging and simply well done. They aren’t the first to pull of the hybrid driver format at this price, those accolades go to the notorious 1More Triple Driver, though the K3 Pro holds numerous advantages over that model in both sound and design. But though the K3 Pro performs better than I had hoped at this price, the earphone is still bested by other triple driver setups like the Dunu DN-2000 and Oriveti New Primacy, of course, both are around triple the price. Ultimately, the K3 Pro embodies value as others embrace diminishing returns, Magaosi have done their homework with proprietary drivers producing a sound that is similarly unique and desirable.


Tonality –



The K3 Pro’s are tonally excellent without being particularly tonally accurate. Balance is adjustable though the two included filters, and while each has its own distinct sound, the changes are merely tonal with the underlying characteristics remaining untouched. The stock grey filter provides the unaltered sound in all of its revealing glory. With this setup, the K3 Pro is delightfully clear but also quite piercing in the high frequencies and I’m not usually one to shy away from treble. Switching in the silver filters provides a more agreeable listen with just the right amount of attenuation and they are definitely more tonally correct to my ear in this configuration. Highs are still sparkly and just as extended but never become sharp and grating. Mids are granted more presence, or rather are less recessed and bass retains its full, organic character. With my preferred silver filters attached, the K3 Pro sounds mildly v-shape, vivid and engaging. All comments will be with the stock large silicone tips and silver filters



Soundstage, Imaging and Separation –

The K3 Pro also has a really nice if not well-rounded soundstage with special mention going to width. With a very ovular presentation, tracks with encoded soundstage details just reach out of the head width with substantially more intimate depth. Height is mostly non-existent though most earphones don’t tend to reproduce this axis well anyway. As such, the earphones do sound spacious while retaining a very strong centre image. This comes at the cost of imaging where details tend to be pushed to the sides with some absences at the front besides the very centre. In listening, the earphones actually sound very nice though the aforementioned weakness with imaging is easily noticeable in comparison to most other earphones. When listening to a live recording of Eric Clapton’s “Layla”, vocals were very well centred though the instruments and audience were pushed to the side, missing out on some details and accuracy. In addition, the K3 Pro’s are one of the more separated earphones I have heard around this price though treble can get a bit busy. By comparison, the Simgot EN700 Bass, another fantastic earphone at this price, was more rounded with better instrument placement and a similarly strong centre image though its more forward midrange and smaller stage compromised separation. So while the K3 Pro shows some minor faults, its performance is hardly mediocre overall, they avoid sounding either congested or claustrophobic.


Drivability –

The K3 Pro’s are of average sensitivity (99dB) with a higher 32ohm impedance. While that may sound like a negative, I’m actually quite happy they aren’t ridiculously sensitive and their higher impedance lends them well to higher output impedance portable sources, sounding quite consistent across devices. The K3 Pro can struggle slightly with low power sources, sounding a little flat from my iPod Nano 7G, but they quickly scale up with even modest smartphones like my HTC 10 and Galaxy S6 Edge. From my Chord Mojo, the K3 Pro didn’t noticeably improve beyond some additional soundstage space, separation and detail as expected. They are notably less sensitive than the Oriveti Basics, Simgot EN700’s and TFZ King, all of which are all quite sensitive, but in return, the K3 Pro is much less sensitive to hiss; they sounded almost silent from my Fiio X5 III while the TFZ King revealed a very distracting amount of hiss. I think this approach is better suited towards buyers around this price range who don’t want to spend an obscene amount of money on a dedicated source, the K3 Pro is neither source sensitive nor is it especially difficult to drive unless you’re using something like an iPod Shuffle as your daily source.



Bass –

Bass has a modest boost, adding a little extra deep bass and more mid-bass fullness to the overall sound. I would characterise the entire low-end of the earphone as slightly warm though among $100 earphones, they are one of the most balanced in the low-end; the Simgot EN700 Bass, TFZ King and especially Oriveti Basic all provide increased bass emphasis for listeners looking for more low-end. Sub-bass extension is decent but not fantastic regardless of tip choice. Mid-bass has extra punch, leading into a warmer upper-bass response and lower midrange that well avoids spill and any tubbiness or bloat to bass notes. When listening to Bruno Mar’s “Locked out of Heaven”, the K3 Pro’s were lacking a bit of slam to bass drums but bass notes had nice decay and texture. Compared to the Oriveti Basics, the K3 Pros were the immediately more balanced earphone though the Basics held an advantage with sub-bass extension and slam with a similarly tight mid-bass response. The Basics are also the cleaner sounding earphone with greater separation between bass and midrange though the more linear K3 Pro has more consistent texturing and detail to bass notes. Bass resolution on the K3 Pro’s is also a little hazier than I am accustomed to, and though they are no worse than the EN700 Bass, earphones like the Basic and TFZ King do portray clearer delineation between tones and complex passages. So the bass response on the K3 Pro is well judged in tuning, has impressive texturing and imparts a great sense of rhythm into the earphone’s sound without becoming bloated or excessive. Despite this, the earphones are still a long way off from other, admittedly pricier, triple driver hybrids that splice through complex passages that the K3 Pro tends to mince.



Mids –

The first thing that stood out to me on first listen was the clarity of the K3 Pro’s midrange. Both male and female vocals have great clarity, albeit at the cost of sounding somewhat unnatural. Instruments are similarly hyper clear, making for an incredibly satisfying listen that enhances a lot of source material. After some adjustment, the midrange never sounds off or unpleasing, vocals are simply slightly thinner and raspier than usual. Resolution is also good and the K3 Pro’s technical shortcomings are well masked by the boosted clarity; niggles such as vaguer layering and a loss of micro-detail are less apparent than more laid-back earphones. Otherwise, the midrange is again, well-tuned, with a slightly darker balance that places a little extra emphasis on male vocals. Mids do retain pleasing balance but can sound somewhat recessed on already vocally recessed tracks such as Billy Joel’s “Piano Man”. Similarly, female vocals can sound a little distant, for example, when listening to Egoist’s “Departures”, the forward female vocals sounded slightly strained and thin if pleasingly clear. And this character really persists with most material, detailing is really nice amongst the competition and the K3 Pro continually trades transparency for engagement. That being said, they still sound more balanced to me than the L-shaped, laid-back Oriveti Basic and the super aggressive TFZ King though buyers looking for a balanced sound will still want to look into the Vsonic GR07 and Hifiman RE-400/600. For everyone else, the K3 Pro will sound immensely impressive with glossy vocals, aggressive but not fatiguing detail and enough technicality to maintain glimpses of micro detail and atmospheric effects that a lot of earphones around this price skip over entirely.


Highs –

Unsurprisingly, highs tell a very similar story as the more vivid the tuning, the more polarising the earphone. Treble is reasonably forward even with the more attenuating silver filters and high notes do tend to sound splashy and a bit thin on most material. But this presentation also comes with great detail retrieval and a fantastic sense of air and sparkle up top. So the K3 Pro isn’t at all a bad performer when compared to the rest of the competition; they extend really well, further than Oriveti Basics and EN700 Bass while still sounding a little more even than the TFZ King. They actually remind me of the 1More Quad Drivers in their treble presentation, albeit, they are markedly less refined. When listening to Radiohead’s “Creep”, cymbals were quite realistic, just slightly thin and tizzy but texturing was among the better $100 earphones. High-hats were especially well reproduced with nice timbre and sparkle without coming off as strident. Still, treble does get busy as aforementioned in the soundstage section. While the midrange sounds very separated, the bass and treble responses can get a little congested with some material, Creep being a perfect example. The EN700 Bass might just be my favourite performer around this price, it has really spot-on body and texture, and perhaps most importantly, it is vastly less peaky than the K3 Pro. And while the K3 Pro is very detailed and extended up-top with copious sparkle and air, they can get fatiguing after an hour or so of listening, some middle treble notes can sound overly forward when listening to genres such as rock and metal though this boost does impart the sound with very aggressive detailing and crispness. So for everything else, the K3 Pro provides such a vivid sound that it becomes hard not to enjoy their response despite their shortcomings.



Verdict –

When an earphone hits the forum with immediate applause and appraisal, I’m often quite apprehensive. Because a lot of those immediately impressive earphones can be overly sculpted and unrefined though haste for an early impression forgoes these shortcomings in favour of that initial wow. And that’s not to the discredit of other reviewers, everyone has their own preferences and no one is exempt from subjectivity. There’s also no doubt that the K3 Pro is a fantastic earphone but they still aren’t the earphone that a lot of users have set them up to be; they didn’t immediately outclass other earphones I’ve heard around this price nor modern earphones at higher prices. And that was hard for me to admit because I really like the K3 Pro, they have my ideal sound signature and form factor all at an attainable price. But ultimately everyone has their own definition of perfection and the K3 Pro, for all of its strengths, does suffer from some fallbacks which I haven’t heard echoed nearly as much as their strengths.



But despite lacking realism, linearity and even transparency, the K3 Pro doesn’t sound bad at all, rather, they sound very nice. And I think the K3 Pro’s cult success illustrates the underlying notion within the audio hobby that individual preference will continue to triumph over technicality. The K3 Pro isn’t a natural or outstandingly technical proficient earphone, but they are one that are incredibly vivid and engaging. And my guilty enjoyment of the K3 Pros idealised sound stems from the unending yearning to be moved as listeners. When we start to analyse sound, we tether our music to reality and the hobby can very quickly become a chore. And that’s because music wasn’t invented to mimic reality, but to enhance it, and it’s in this regard that the K3 Pro excels.

Overall – 9/10, The Magaosi K3 Pros are the perfect definition of idealism over realism, the complete opposite of the Hifiman RE-600S V2 that I just reviewed. But what separates the K3 Pro from consumer models that similarly colour the sound is their very tasteful balance between lows, mids and highs all built atop a solid technical foundation. Their hot treble may not be for everyone, but few will find issue with their textured, organic bass and super sweet midrange. The K3 Pro is a fantastic sounding, great looking and solid feeling earphone that glorifies your music.

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed my review, please have a look at my website for more just like it:
https://everydaylisteningblog.wordpress.com/2017/06/03/magaosi-k3-pro-review/

I have been an enthusiastic headphone user for many years now. I have multiple pairs of headphones including full sized, earbud, in ear monitors and bluetooth wireless - each have their uses. For critical listening though I tend to always go with in ear monitors. I have definitely developed a preference for balanced armatures since owning a pair of Etymotic ER4P headphones and I now have a couple of pairs which also feature conventional drivers for improved and deeper bass response.

I have the following headphones in my collection:-

V-Moda Crossfade Wireless
Audio Technica ATH M50x
Ultimate Ears Triple Fi 10
1More Triple Driver IEM’s
Apple Earpods (wired)

Along with many pairs of assorted bluetooth earbuds which I tend to use when walking the dog and at work.The reason why I wanted to list these headphones is to demonstrate that I know what to listen for regarding good sound quality and know what good headphones sound like.



One thing that immediately stuck me about the K3 Pro’s was their build quality which is truly excellent. Made from metal rather than plastic, they are of a smooth construction and look far more expensive than what they actually are. The K3’s come supplied with an additional cable which features a Play/Pause/Answer/Hang Up button and a microphone. This additional cable is made from a different material and also has a straight jack plug - I personally prefer the angled jack plug so I haven’t bothered to test this.





The K3 Pro’s are designed to wrap the cable around the back of your ears rather than hanging straight down. I personally prefer this style of in ear monitor as they tend to stay in place better when you’re moving around and this results in a more stable sound quality. Unfortunately they also feature MMCX connectors on the headphones which, although offering the advantage of easy cable change, do tend to unplug far too easily which can be somewhat frustrating. This problem is made even more annoying as I tend to have them unplug on me just about every time I put the headphones on. The good news is that they can be plugged back in easily enough but I’m sure the resulting wear and tear on the plugs and sockets will cause problems in the future - I suppose only time will tell.



I previously owned the excellent Shure E500 in ear monitors and the K3 Pro follows the same basic design but with a couple of exceptions. Firstly the K3’s are considerably smaller and secondly the K3’s sound one hell of a lot better. The Shure’s sounded nice and full with wonderful mids but the top end was significantly recessed and this did spoil the sound somewhat. What I did really like though was the way the headphones fitted and I have been looking for a pair of high quality in ear monitors which use a similar form factor - I was hoping that the K3 Pro’s would fit the bill.

One thing that’s immediately apparent though is that the K3’s are considerably smaller than the old Shure E500’s and this creates a bit of a problem for me because I have to fiddle about with them quite a bit in order to get them to fit in my ears which in turn tends to loosen the connections. After more than a few attempts though I have come up with a ‘routine’ which seems to work quite well and the cables tend to stay put now - well for most of the time. I still have a problem regarding fit though as the insertion depth on the K3’s is somewhat shallow when compared to to original Shure’s for example. The end result is that the headphones don’t offer the same degree of isolation from the outside world. This is something that takes some getting used to. After much experimentation I think I’ve found a pair of tips in my rather extensive collection that offer the best combination of fit, isolation and easy insertion. Perhaps I just have crazy-shaped inner ears.




Sound Quality

As far as I’m concerned, it’s all about the sound quality. I can tolerate a degree of minor discomfort if the sound’s good enough. The good news is that, as long as you get a reasonable seal, the K3 Pro’s are bloody outstanding!

The first thing that you really take in when trying these out for the first time is the sheer bandwidth these things kick out. They offer an outstanding degree of detail and it’s so easy to decide which instrument you want to listen to and then effortlessly follow it all through the song. Chorus or massive crescendos no longer mask micro details and it’s easy to pick out individual voices if you wish. The headphones are pretty efficient - being easily driven from your mobile phone or any regular portable electronics. I got some truly excellent results pairing them up with the AgpTEK H01 and Benjie S5 MP3 players. I wouldn’t want to listen to these headphones on any more than about 50 - 60% on either of these players though - it would be just too loud. I pretty much got good results with anything I plugged them in to including the Acer Chromebook, Moto G4 and Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5.

Initially I was tempted to class the K3’s as ‘slightly bass heavy’ but the more I listen to them the more I feel that it’s just the additional bandwidth being beamed into your ears. They’re pretty flat - right across the board - it’s just that the board is longer than most - does that make sense? There’s an incredible amount of detail being presented with these headphones and as I have recently been focussing on bluetooth headphones (with all of their limitations) and as a result, the K3 Pro’s sheer degree of detail has come as a bit of a shock to me.

I know it’s a cliche but these headphones show new details to familiar tracks. Whilst this can sometimes be overwhelming, it’s also surprisingly relaxing. What I mean is that it takes so little mental effort to immerse yourself into the soundstage and follow whatever element of the track you like, it’s really quite a revelation.

Comparisons:

K3 Pro vs Ultimate Ears Triple Fi 10
I shall always like the Triple Fi’s - they’re my first experience of truly excellent in ear monitors but are perhaps now showing their age somewhat. Whilst good quality sound never goes out of fashion, they don’t have the excellent analytical details that the K3’s have. Insertion depth and external noise reduction is definitely better with the Triple Fi’s but the K3’s appear to have more ‘bandwidth’ and dynamic range.

K3 Pro vs 1More Triple Driver IEM
I do like the 1More’s. The cables hang down from your ears rather than wrap around which results in a less secure fit. Like the K3’s, the 1More’s tend to let a fair amount of external sound and again, like the K3’s appear to have a nicely extended bass. The treble is very nicely controlled on the 1More’s and they are certainly nicely detailed but I think the K3’s offer just a little bit more top end detail and also a greater sense of depth in the soundfield.

K3 Pro vs V-Moda Crossfade Wireless
It’s fair to say that in many ways these two headphones are chalk and cheese. Their differences far outweigh their similarities. Strangely though they do share a similar deep bass with ‘slam’. One thing I really like about the Crossfade Wireless headphones is their ability to project music with a real sense of power - both when used wired or wirelessly. The K3’s also possess this drive but also offer far more detail to the mids and top end. All said and done though I still like the Crossfade Wireless a lot.

Conclusion

The K3 Pro is an outstanding in ear monitor. I still feel that the perfect tip for them is out there somewhere and I strongly suspect I will continue to look for some time to come. I personally would have preferred a deeper insertion and better noise isolation from the outside world (or better seal perhaps). The sound quality is truly first class and very highly recommended - especially for their price. They’re very easy to drive and sound like they tend to make the most out of any player you can throw at it. I found that they paired really well with the tiny Benjie S5 MP3 player and offered some of the best sound I’ve ever heard from a portable system.

Due to their shallow fit, I personally wouldn’t want to use these headphones outside. I suppose if you’re paranoid about being able to hear traffic then they may be a good idea but I can’t help thinking that all that external noise would spoil the listening experience. This is where a more bass-heavy headphone like the V-Moda Crossfade Wireless is more appropriate in my opinion. Sat at home with your favourite music player by your side, this remarkable little IEM really is an excellent choice. Very highly recommended.

Update:

After trying out a wide assortment of different eartips I think I just might have found the combination which works best - the largest foams (supplied with the headphones) but with a couple of rubber rings scavenged (cut up) from another set of tips slipped onto the stems first to push the tips out a little more which, in turn, enables the tips to go slightly deeper into my ears. Comfortable and, more importantly, creates an acceptable seal which has improved the bass and consistency of sound. I’ve also learned to put them in my ears a different way which makes less strain on the cables and stops them from disconnecting. I still prefer to use the K3’s whilst stationary as their super sound quality is wasted when outdoors.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06X1FHH9N?th=1 from amazon.uk
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06X415QTR from amazon.com

[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Magaosi K3 Pro Review: Triple Threat[/color]

[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Magaosi is another Chinese IEM maker to burst onto the Chi-Fi scene. While its IEM portfolio is shallow, it is not without quality. Their new triple-driver IEM has been making waves in the audiophile community, and in some instances, has become a sub-community favorite. However, is the K3 Pro deserving of the praise or is this simply another instance of a hype-train going off the rails?[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Find the Magaosi K3 Pro for sale here on Penon Audio for $135.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Disclaimer: This unit was provided to me free of charge for review purposes. I am not affiliated with Magaosi or Penon Audio beyond this review. These words reflect my true, unaltered, opinion about the product.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Preference and Bias: Before reading a review, it is worth mentioning that there is no way for a reviewer to objectively pass judgment on the enjoy-ability of a product: such a thing is inherently subjective. Therefore, I find it necessary for you to read and understand what I take a natural liking to and how that might affect my rating of a product.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]My ideal sound signature would be an extended sub-bass with a leveled, but textured, mid-bass. The mids should be slightly less pronounced than the treble, but still ahead of the bass. I prefer a more bright upper range.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Source: The K3 Pro was powered like so:[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Nexus 6P -> earphones[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]or[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Hidizs AP100 3.5mm out -> FiiO A5 3.5mm out -> earphones[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]or[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]HiFiMAN SuperMini -> earphones[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]or[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]PC optical out -> HiFiMe SPDIF 9018 Sabre DAC 3.5mm out -> earphones[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]All music was served as MP3 @320Kbps or as FLAC.[/color]

[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Sound Signature[/color]

[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Initial Impressions:[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]The K3 Pro, like Magaosi claims, is well balanced. It takes on a roughly v-shaped signature with a reasonable emphasis on treble. It’s not quite at treble-cannon levels, but in the upper-treble it does approach it. The mids are clean and clear. The bass is noticeable and has a nice emphasis to it, and sits right next to the lower-mids.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Treble: Songs used: In One Ear, Midnight City, Outlands, Satisfy[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Treble sounds very detailed, but the boosted treble has a cost, as it can sound slightly overblown. This is most noticeable in songs with a lot of cymbals and high-hats like In One Ear.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Electric synths perform really, really well. Midnight City sounded great, and I found essentially every audio cue I was looking for throughout the entire song. The K3 Pro is particularly cohesive, something I don't generally expect from a triple-driver IEM. The mixing of decays of dynamic and balanced armature drivers isn't easy, so kudos to Magaosi for pulling it off so well.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Satisfy was an interesting listen. While it didn’t quite hurt my ears, there was definitely a hint of sibilance. I’m not surprised, as I use this song a measuring stick due to its really poor production. The K3 Pro doesn’t ruin songs, but at the same time any poorly recorded ones will definitely sound as such.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Mids: Songs used: Flagpole Sitta, Jacked Up, I Am The Highway, Dreams[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Mids are pretty darned good. In Flagpole Sitta there’s a ton of detail and near perfect weighting. Drums are precise and well separated. Electric guitars have a great crunch, and acoustic guitars can be heard strumming gently in the background. No complaints here.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Jacked Up’s pianos also sounded good. They had good hardnesses, indicating that the K3 Pro has some very good attack and decay speeds. I was also able to hear the creak in the beginning of the song, meaning that the K3 Pro also has some very good detail retrieval. It's not often that I find an earphone that can show me such subtle things, and the K3 Pro is among the seven that have so far.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Vocals sound good as well, and are always a pleasure to listen to through the K3 Pro. Intelligibility above average for this price point, but doesn’t exactly blow my socks off (not that I’m wearing any. Too hot where I live). Male vocals such as those from Audioslave and Harvey Danger are especially good-sounding. Female vocals also sound good, and have a certain sweetness to them.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]What really gets me is the instrumental separation and sense of air the K3 brings to the table. I’m impressed really, as the K3 Pro is the first Chi-Fi IEM that really made me think “wow” in this category. While I don't really comment too often about sound-stage, as it is incredibly difficult to accurately quantify and compare, I think that the K3 Pro does whatever "sound-stage" is very well.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Bass: Songs used: Moth, Gold Dust, In For The Kill (Skream Remix), Leave Me[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Bass guitars are well toned and well shaped. I had no trouble distinguishing them in Moth, nor any of the other songs that I listened to through the K3 Pro, though I do wish there was a little more hardness to them.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Bass wetness is good, though I wish that the mid-bass packed a little more of a punch. The calm nature of the bass was likely a tuning decision, as the K3 Pro has been marketed as a jack of all trades. Mid and sub-bass synergy is exceptional. The blending of the 50Hz-350Hz band gives the K3 Pro a satisfying bass signature.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]While the K3 doesn’t have the sub-woofer tonality to it, it does sound good. Sub-bass emphasis and extension are both adequate, and will do right by anyone who has a couple bassy songs in their library. Bass-heads will find themselves craving more, however.[/color]

[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Packaging / Unboxing[/color]

 
 
 

[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Build[/color]

[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Construction Quality[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]The Magaosi K3 Pro (that’s a mouthful after a while) is built quite well. The driver housings are made from a smooth metal and are precisely-machined with no evidence of poor craftsmanship anywhere. The housings are made from two pieces of metal that appear to be sealed together by a mixture of friction and adhesive. Good luck getting this thing apart, it’s not budging at all to my probes.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Interestingly, there are two [/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]separate [/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]bass ports on the K3 Pro. While I can’t say I’m surprised given the thin nature of housings and the fact that somehow Magaosi got three drivers in there; it’s simply not something you see too often. I’m glad that they didn’t take the lazy way out and put the bass port on the inside face of the housing, as that usually tends to make it difficult for people like me to get consistent bass response due to our weird ear-shapes.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]There are two included MMCX cables, each of which appears to be made of the same materials, though actual construction varies a bit. The first one is made from a four-core wire and is coated in a clear smooth plastic. Above the Y-splitter the cable takes on a slightly-textured feel due to the twined nature of the cable. It has plastic ear-guides and terminates in a rubber-housed, right-angled, 3.5mm jack.[/color]
 
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]The second cable is similar; it is made from a four-core wire as well, but is coated in a much more friction-prone plastic that is a translucent-gray color. It has no texture above the Y-splitter other than its frictiony-ness and also has plastic ear-guides. Unlike the first cable, this one’s Y-splitter and 3.5mm jack housings are made from a polished metal. It has a straight termination rather than a right-angled one.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Comfort[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]The K3 Pro is quite comfortable, and the included tips are pretty good. Insertion depth is about average, which is fine for me. I could actually use the included silicones, which was a nice change. The ear-guides are pretty decent, and are not intrusive at all. I had no comfort issues during my extended listening sessions.[/color]

[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Accessories[/color]

[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]The K3 comes with a better set of accessories than I was anticipating.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Inside the box you will find:[/color]

1. 2x pairs of foam eartips
2. 1x extra pairs of foam eartips
3. 1x alternate tuning filter (extra bass)
4. 2x MMCX cables
5. 1x carrying case

[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]The tips are all pretty good, though none of them helped me mitigate the sibilance I was getting.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]The carrying case is also very good, and is appropriately sized. I can store both cables, the tuning filters, the extra eartips, and the IEMs inside it with no trouble. It is well made and appears to be relatively protective, so it gets full marks from me.[/color]

[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Summary[/color]

[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]The K3 Pro does, to a certain degree, live up to the hype. I found that while treble was pretty good, in sometimes resulted in a song becoming unpleasantly harsh and sibilant, regardless of the tips I used. Listeners looking for a slightly elevated bass will find great solace with the K3 Pro, and I can safely recommend this IEM to you if you want a relatively balanced sound signature and don’t mind the occasional sibilance.[/color]

 
Introduction
 
Having owned the earphone for more than 2 months, this pair of earphones have been thoroughly burned in for over 100+ hours and used on my commute to work as well as while i study. This review is kinda late as the K3 Pros have been released. Nevertheless, i would share my thoughts about this IEM and my likes and dislikes about it.
 
Magaosi has been on the Chi-fi scene for awhile now, offering the BK-50’s and the K1 hybrid IEMs. The K1’s has been quite a hit, but faced with qc issues and subsequently losing its popularity. With the introduction of the new K3s, Magaosi is hoping it would be a weapon to fight with the ever popular LZ-A4. The LZ-A4 has been the “king” of chi-fi hybrids since its release with its customizable filters but with a higher price tag, it may be too much for some. With a lower price of about $135usd, the K3’s may be the trump card that both Magaosi and the audio community is looking for.
 

 
The K3’s come packaged with the usual bunch of accessories with nothing to shout about. 2 pairs of silicon tips, 2 pairs of foam tips and a carrying case. I found the carrying case to be rather small and use a different case to store my K3’s in the end.
 

 
Something aside from the smooth gun-metal finish that i really like, something refreshing was the pre-moulded ear hooks on the MMCX cables. I was used to memory cables, non-memory cables, but i must say i really enjoyed these pre-moulded ones. Having used the **** UES before this, the satisfying click of the MMCX cables gives me a strong impression that the cables and the IEM is much more well made and assuring me that it's a quality product. The **** ones previously were loose and did not have the nice “click” sound.
 

 
Regarding fit, these fit like magic. Low profiled, they sit flush in my ear and i had no problem with these on my flight to Taiwan (4 hours) and they have been a joy to use even while i sleep. With the silicon tips, these sit well in my ear but does not give very good isolation.
For the technical bit, these IEMs are a triple hybrid of twin Knowles 30017 Balanced Armature drivers and dynamic driver to punch the bass. There are two bass ports on the lateral side of the shell that catches wind when the wind is really strong. Which happens to be a problem for me sometimes. The MMCX cable is is twisted and wrapped with a plastic sheath. The Y splitter is well made with substantial amounts of strain relief and looks like it will last a long time. The cable is then terminated with a L-shaped plug which may not be the preference for some. Personally, L-plug or not, it doesn't really bug me, but i prefer the straight plug.
 

 
Let's get down to the most important bit! THE SOUND!
 
 
Source and Sound Preferences
Iphone 7 plus on Spotify Premium Extreme setting. I have a bias for slightly warm sounding earphones and i have the tendency to be allergic to sibilance or strong highs, I like my bass strong with good sub-bass extension so as to feel the “rumble”.
 
Before i get flak with using my source, i’m using Spotify due to the extensive library and the ease of downloading and organising my music. Previously i used Flac converted to ALAC on my ipod touch and i really dread the hassle of putting new music into my player.
 
Sound
 
The sound of these blew me away and i thought the UES was good already. Immediately, i felt the mids were nice and forward, the spaciousness was incredible and the bass was kickin’! So i kept on listening. IMO, this iem have a rather balanced signature, without being too warm or bright. They sound pretty much similar to the KZ ZSTs but with better representation, clarity and spaciousness. The representation of strings on this IEM was amazing, giving it a very precise reproduction of how it should sound like. Mids were sweet and did not seem too “shouty’, female vocalists like IU and Birdy were really enjoyable. Male led bands like Imagine Dragons and Kodaline were pleasant to listen too.
 
The highs were just nice, with most songs hitting the spot, no sharp treble spikes either. However some Kodaline songs such as ‘High Hopes” and “The One”, i experienced some sibilance and it got me slightly annoyed but no matter as they were still a joy to listen to. The details were incredible and i could really enjoy my music in another way, listening to my old songs again with the K3’s.
 
The bass extension is a marvel, not bleeding into the mids and still giving me the nice rumble that i was looking for. Definitely not too overpowering, certainly not for bassheads.
 
In all, the earphones sound spacious enough to me go “mmhm, this is good”, which meant the soundstage was wide and imaging precise. I could say this has the widest soundstage of earphones that i ever had.
 
* The K3 pro’s have interchangeable nozzles so that should allow you to customize the sound to your taste a bit more!
 

 
Conclusion
Conclusion, this has easily become my daily driver and my favourite earphones to listen to. They are easy to drive and sounds great with whatever source i paired them with, be it my macbook pro or my desktop with my Creative external sound card. I certainly think that Magaosi have a winner on their hands and with the K3pro’s they should be able to grab a substantial amount of the market share. I have personally not tried the LZ A4’s but it would be very interesting to see how they compare!
 
Disclaimer: This unit has been provided as a review sample, however the above comments are true to my personal beliefs and are not biased in anyway as i am not affiliated nor paid for this review.
 
The Product can be found on their taobao shop below:
 
https://520cecilia.world.taobao.com/shop/view_shop.htm?spm=a1z0k.6846577.0.0.BvuZkU&shop_id=65248274
 
 

 https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Newest-MaGaosi-Hybrid-In-Ear-Earphone-2BA-with-1DD-HIFI-Bass-Metal-In-Ear-Headset-With/119089_32737134982.html?spm=2114.12010615.0.0.qDUD2h
 
 
 
Disclaimer:
I am a hobbyist only. I am NOT affiliated with any sellers or manufacturers for items that may be used in my review, nor at this time am I provided with any samples for endorsement or reviews. I purchase all of my own gear. I do However, post links to the particular individual seller from whom I have made my purchase of the item under review. These reviews reflect my personal opinions of the performance and general information about the item, and should not be used as a basis for any purchase. As I am a Tad sensitive to higher frequencies, your impressions may also vary from my own. I will try to offer comparisons as long as I have something similar both in price and construction to compare. If however at any time I am provided a sample for review, I will disclose this fact immediately on an additional disclaimer.
 
 
 
 Preamble and additional Disclaimer:
While anxiously waiting for some Upgrade to the Magaosi K1, which is quite impressive in its own right, (but unfortunately suffered from some quality control issues), I was contacted by July the owner of AK Audio upon the arrival of the “new” K3.  I was offered a sample at a reduced cost in return for an in-depth review.  (Unfortunately it was upgraded with interchangeable nozzles as the K3 Pro shortly after I received my pair)
 
 
A Few Stock Photos:

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
This is what You Get:

 
 
Here are my Pair, showing the Upgrade cable attached.
 

 
 
 
Just Elegant The earphones. Not the Desk.

 
 
 
 
 
Specifications:  They are available from the Seller’s Link above
 
 
 
Construction: 
Nicely finished Satin Black. Kind of “Oval” shaped, but very ergonomic in-ear fit all metal body that is rather elegant looking. MCXX connectors incorporated with quite visible L/R markings on each.  Fixed wide diameter nozzles, (On this Original Version review), with 2 Tiny Ports on the outer half of the body shell. All being said once fitted in the ear they simply disappear they are so comfortable. Inside they feature a PERFECTLY tuned Knowles 30017 Twin B/A and a Dynamic driver of Indeterminate Spec, I am Guessing at Least 9mm most likely provided by Sanhoo as their predecessor K1's were so equipped.  The CABLE looks to be silver plated soft wire with brushed Chrome and Black MCXX connectors traveling down the rather robust feeling wire to an odd looking chrome barreled with rubber flex boot on the “Y” splitter that coincidentally matches the Body on the 3.5 Plug. It has Clear Memory Sleeves on the MCXX ends that I personally find QUITE annoying, so I opted to use my Solid Silver upgrade cables. But as it goes one of the nicer OEM Cables I have seen on Asian IEMs.
 
 
 
 
Source Details: 
For this particular review I used my Shanling M5 coupled with an Aune B1 portable amp and also a Rockboxed Xduoo X3 coupled to a Fiio E12 Mont Blanc amp. My Files are all at Least 320kbps to 96khz high resolution files. I used these sources in all comparisons.  The Shanling combo provides a somewhat smoother darker sound than the Xduoo which tends to be much brighter without as much resolution. Note I have added a Solid Silver MCXX cable to the IEMs in lieu of the Stock.
 
 
 
Source Material:
The following is a list of songs that I used in this review. Some I use all the time, some less frequently. They all contain some type of frequency, Detail, or EQ that make them suitable for reference.
 
Christina Novelli -- Concrete Angel (Long Version)
Ai Takekawa – Beyond the Moon ( Long Version)
John Bryson --- Let the Pipes play (full pipe organ album 1^st Cut)
Vivaldi – Four Seasons
Dire Straits --- Sultans of Swing
SOAK --- Immigrant Song
Infected Mushroom --- Pink Nightmares
Robert Cray --- Strong Persuader (various Cuts)
 
 
 
 
General Sound Quality:
 
 
WOW. Even without a Huge Battery of interchangeable nozzles this IEM keeps up with the best of them. In this reviewers opinion quite possibly the best implementation of the Knowles 30017 Balanced armature yet. I would say these IEMs are borderline midcentric with that focus on the Vocal Range, particularly female. I absolutely LOVE this. This seems to be the Magaosi “house sound” as the K1 and M3 also display this insanely good vocal presentation abilities. NOT that the other frequencies have been neglected either. A rich full Deep Bass with Great Sub Extension that is authoritative, tight, well controlled and bleedless. The treble is exactly where it should be. Not Overdone, sibilant, or shouty and rolls off before it becomes offensive even with a bright Player and an upgraded Silver Cable that tends to accentuate brightness in IEMs. Let’s get to the sound stage: Wide and Deep in all dimensions with superb Clarity, Layering and Placement within. I really can’t fault it at all, and believe me I tried, being a devout LZ A4 fanboy. I’m most likely gonna catch some Flack here, BUT….
if I were given a desert island Choice of the LZ A4 or the Magaosi K3, hands down it is the K3.
 
 
 
Bass:
The sub-bass extension hits some pretty low depths, and handles them flawlessly with no Bloating or distortion whatsoever, it also has an excellent quality with a dynamic combination of punch and low end rumble without a trace of Bleed over that I can detect. Same applies for the Mid Bass. Over all the Bass frequencies are well-mannered and unobtrusive but they certainly let you know there is some serious Bass on tap here.
 
 
 
Mids:
In short They are to die for. Sweet, precise, no sibilance of Vocals, Cymbals or other mid range Instruments or effects that I can ascertain. They have these balanced armatures tuned VERY well. I really can’t say enough about the sweetness of the Mids. Magaosi got THIS frequency down to a science
 
 
 
Treble:
The Treble is… well,   in a very good place.  NOT harsh, piercing or intrusive in any way. I find them with a certain rolled off quality just barely before the onset of brightness which lends them to a quite listenable, but not actually a dark quality. Certainly not as etched as many IEMs with B/A’s can often be. Despite this it has excellent detail and clarity with an airiness and very natural Quality. Once again a triumph for the 30017 B/A implementation in this IEM.
 
 
 
 
Comparisons:
VS.  Magaosi K1 (maybe even a little LZ A4)
 
 
 
Well now….  It’s another rare occasion to be able to compare 2 earphones by the same manufacturer with the same driver configuration. The last one was the LZ A2 Pro vs The LZ A4. A rather Apples to Oranges comparison in terms of construction and over all sound quality.
But here we have 2 similar shaped IEMs from the Same Manufacturer that simply beg for a Comparison. OK , Think Upgrade. The K3 is simply a More Refined version of an already Great earphone the K1. The K1 is coarser and may have a Tad more Bass But the K3 simply kills it for overall sound and Clarity. In fact it has even surpassed the LZ A4 as my go to earphone both in Fit and on A/B comparison sound as well. Some will probably not agree, but remember a review IS ONLY someone’s personal opinion, and this is mine and I stand by it.
 
 
 
 
 
Conclusion:
Price point, Construction, refinement of sound particularly in the B/A armature presentation, comfort, This new Magaosi K3 has it ALL.
Not much Flash and Gore here, but this IEM does what an IEM is supposed to do. I HIGHLY Recommend the K3, if something were to ever happen to it I would immediately replace it. A rather bold statement for a not exactly inexpensive IEM. If there is ever a survey, so far this one has my nomination for best New IEM of 2017. I  LOVE it. Now If I can only get my hands on the Upgrade Version K3 Pro….
 
 
Thank You July @ AK Audio for providing this fine Earphone for my Review.