Okay, so finally I’ve burned-in the
HLSX-BK35 and
HLSX-BK50 for over 100 hours and I am more than confident that much of its’ sound signature won’t probably change from this point.
First, I would like to thank
MaGaosi for sending these well-made in-ear earphones in return for a thorough review.
Before I start, I would like to say that I have no affiliation and have any business relationship other than the current in-ear earphones he sent me for keeps for an honest review and help our head-fi community to have a clear picture whether they will benefit from the purchase of this product or not from several levels and insights including the sound quality and the quality therein.
The review will consist of
HLSX-BK35 and the
HLSX-BK50 with other comparisons that include the
HLSX-808 and the
HLSX-8, as well.
On my review, we’re going to focus on two hybrids. Both are housed mostly in wood, but carry totally different sound signatures for the offering. In the end, one might please you, while the other might somewhat disappoint you. But, it’s all about preference, right? We’re talking about the
HLSX-BK35 (with default tips) and the
HLSX-BK50 (with small AUVIO silicone tips with the red inner bore).
The
Frequency Response is based according to the SPECS on the boxed package:
LEFT:
HLSX-BK35: Sensitivity: 100dB +/- 1 dB, Impedance: 32Ω, Frequency Range: 20-20000Hz, Microphone: YES
RIGHT:
HLSX-BK50: Sensitivity: 101dB/mW, Impedance: 32Ω, Frequency Range: 20-20000Hz, Microphone: YES
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Before we start, the way the HLSX-BK50’s are made with larger than usual housings and longer than average nozzles, the average user would be best going
“one-size-smaller” on the silicone/comply tips for a better fit! That’s why for the perfect fit, I decided to go with the
“small AUVIO silicone tips with the red inner bore”. .....
Don't say I didn't warn you!
Which is the better buy for you? You decide.
HLSX-BK35 VS
HLSX-BK50
BASS:
The bass on the BK35 can be considered balanced at most, but nothing fancy or detailed, though it constantly sounds detached and distant (to my ears) the bass overall does perform well with all genres. With the BK50, the bass is sweet and detailed with plenty of sub-bass when called for. Some may consider the Bass dominate, but the vocals over shine that possibility with a sense of openness and clarity both musically and harmonically.
MIDRANGE:
Though I was expecting the BK35’s to do great in this area, they actually did fare well, but at a cost! It lacks the details needed to sound more realistic at most sounding splashy now and then. In the other hand, the BK50 sounds realistic and refreshing and can really entertain our ears to a full vocal type concert with breathe taking accuracy.
TREBLE:
With the details, or even micro-details this is where the BK35 struggles the most! After burning them in for over 100 hours they still can’t perform to their price bracket. They tend to still sound splashy every now and then and more artificial than realistic, at most. While with the BK50, they truly shined after the burn-in process and besides brilliant details I can even pick-up micro-details while still having a smooth and open atmosphere with a hi-end crisp sound signature to them that’s really hard to stop listening to.
SOUNDSTAGE:
The BK50 has a very wide soundstage with precision, accuracy and plenty of details. They are well balanced with a slight emphasis in sub-bass and vocals giving you great resolution throughout the whole spectrum. They can put on smile on any one that’s interested in their signature and style and even the most enthusiast audio junkie, for that matter. Unfortunately, with the BK35 the distraction of a distant-like bass signature, combined with a splashy-like midrange, and artificial sounding highs tends to widen the soundstage
-“believe it, or not”, but overall sounds sloppy and distasteful, the least to say.
FINAL ANALYSIS:
What worries me most of the BK35 is that they seem to have “a disconnect” between the coherency of the bass and midrange that really makes it hard for me to enjoy…..adding to that, the artificial sounding details on top sounds more as if your hearing a portable transistor radio from past-time when I was much younger. But, with the BK50 (as long as QC is not a factor) you’re getting a lot of bang for the buck! I mean, these bad boys are warm, lively, clear, and easy to pin-point the details from one end to the other. In the end, the vocals are open and spacious with plenty of musicality to go around.
UPDATE ON HLSX-808 and
HLSX-8:
By far, I’ve enjoyed the HLSX-808 for quite some time and whether playing them directly out of a DAP or a headphone amp they have been the epitome of great sound for such a low costing price for a hybrid. The HLSX-8 faired “just OK” for a hybrid and are capable of producing good bass, but the overall sound signature is dominated by the same dynamic driver producing such BIG bass making it just a fair product to buy for the asking price, while in the end the 808 reigned supreme over them for their clarity and crisp signature.
CONCLUSION:
In this latest review, this is how it currently stands for me with the BK50 being my current favorite slightly over the 808's.....
FROM FAVORITE TO LEAST:
HLSX-BK50 (with aftermarket small AUVIO silicone tips with red inner bore)
HLSX-808 (default tips) (right behind the BK50, but with more bass presence)
HLSX-8 (default tips) (Bass dominate sound signature)
HLSX-BK35 (default tips)
Hope this review was beneficial for those interested on the current HLSX series by MaGaosi.
-1clearhead