Aful MagicOne
Intro
Hello, today I am reviewing one of Aful Audio‘s latest iems, the Aful MagicOne ($139). Folks I am very pleased to be able to present this set of earphones to you and I do hope it helps you in making a purchasing decision. I’d like to first thank the good people of HiFiGo for providing this set-in exchange for a feature at Mobileaudiophile.com. You can find the Aful MagicOne HERE, or at the links below. So, thank you very much Hifigo and thank you even more for only demanding that I speak my truth on this or any other set. Anyways, Aful has been doing special things friends and it really shows with their three releases to date. I am so intrigued by this company folks and I think I’m slowly converting into a low-key fan boy. Okay, let’s pretend I didn’t say that.
Aful
Aful was not a name that we in the west were very familiar with. Well at least I certainly hadn’t heard of them. Not until the Aful Performer 5 (Mahir’s Review) was released to the public anyways. Shortly after Aful also released the Aful Performer 8 (Review coming soon) (Pavan’s Review) and I gotta tell you folks, both of those sets are very well tuned and hold a nice spot in their respected price points. Aful actually began their journey back in 2018 when they quickly began setting up their lab and by 2020, they had procured three patents! That’s saying something folks! By 2022 the Performer series was off the ground with the release of the Performer 5, followed shortly thereafter by the Performer 8, which brings us to the set I am reviewing today, the MagicOne. Talk about a startup. This company went from complete obscurity to one of the big players very quickly.
MagicOne
I am such a huge fan of this hobby. I don’t proclaim to be the most knowledgeable or most understanding of the inner workings of some of these sets. However, I could not help but be just ridiculously impressed and curious about this set. Any fan of the hobby should be at least mildly curious. I would think anyway. My hats go off to the people who had the craftiness and know-how to engineer a set like the MagicOne. This is not just a niche set, because it covers the whole mix and does so well. To the point that the MagicOne is an actual contender in the price point. Obviously, it has some issues that other driver configurations may be able to handle a bit better but at the end of the day this one BA set sounds very nice. However, I didn’t always feel this way.
Wild Ride
I’ve been on sort of a “wild ride” getting to know MagicOne over the course of the last week or two. I went from dissatisfied and disappointed to overly joyous, and everything in between. Of course, this was my fault, the MagicOne didn’t change. However, here I am, and I have a lot to say about this set which consists of one Balanced Armature Driver which covers the whole of the frequency. Also, it does it well. To be completely honest, I’ve only ever heard a couple one BA iems and I’ve never been impressed. I would have also told you that there’s no way only a single BA can cover the entire mix satisfactorily. No chance! Well, based on what I’ve heard over the course of about a week, I’d say I’m pretty much floored about how well Aful was able to make this set sound. Now I know that you can actually do a lot with a single BA. So long as good ole’ school ingenuity and a willingness to create something special are the top priority. With that, the Aful MagicOne…
Purchase Links:
MagicOne Pros
-Beautiful Shell Design
-Built very well
-Unboxing
-The cable is very nice
-Ergonomically friendly fit & comfortable
-Organic sounding, neutrality with a splash of warmth & completely musical
-Note weight across the mix is wonderful
-Great bass for a single BA, truly special (also a con)
-Warm/Neutral engaging mids, vocals are exquisite!
-Detailed and vibrant treble
-Great tone & timbre
-Non-fatiguing sound
-Imaging
-Soundstage surprised me, it is rather large
MagicOne Cons
-Not DD bass
-Extension into the sub-bass is merely adequate
-This one wants output power
-Those who want a crisp and airy sound won’t exactly find that here
-Extension into the upper-highs is not that great
Gear used for testing
–iBasso DX240 with Amp8 MK2
Packaging / Accessories
Unboxing
Finally, here we are at the onset of my review, and I have to report that I thought Aful gives out a great first impression. The MagicOne comes packaged in a small rectangular black box with a picture of the MagicOne on the front and some specs on back. As per usual. Open the box and you’ll see the gorgeous MagicOne earphones lookin’ all pretty staring back at you. Next to the earphones is the hockey Puck style case that we’ve seen before. Inside the case you’ll find the cable and you’ll also see the six pairs of eartips. Honestly, for $139 I feel the unboxing was decent. Not crazy luxurious but also, who really cares. They give out some quality accessories and cable so I’m more than happy.
Eartips
Okay, the eartips that Aful provides are six pairs in total or two sets of three (S, M, L). I find that they are quality type tips. You get three pairs of the dark gray tips that are colored red (right side) and blue (left side). These tips are more of a narrow bore, pretty firm flange, decently long. We’ve seen these tips for quite a while, and they are great tips for when you need them. The next pair are darn near identical to the last pair in feel, structure, bore size except they are all white. Now, I went instead with my two of my favorite tips, the KBear 07 large sized tips and the TRN Clarion tips. Both help in slightly the same ways with a semi-wide bore and firmer stem. I feel they help just a little with the bringing out the upper-mids and add a bit of punch to the mid-bass. To be quite honest, I’m sure the provided tips would be just fine.
Carrying Case
The case that Aful gives out is the same hockey Puck style case that we’ve seen in previous Aful iems. Perfectly usable, great to throw in a pocket, it’ll keep your iems from getting trashed and is a decently attractive case. Granted, I never use cases but I could see myself using this one just because it is not fat and so it’ll fit in a front pocket easily. Now, you probably won’t get anything else in the case besides the earphones and cable but a good size, nonetheless. I usually carry my iems in a slightly larger case and throw them into a bag with me. I already have a set or two of tws as well with my pockets pretty much filled so adding this guy to my pockets just won’t usually happen. Nice case though, nothing to complain about.
Cable
The included cable is a beautiful wire that is a high purity oxygen free copper and oxygen free copper that is silver plated braided cable that is really nice and beefy. I love it. This is a Litz type-4 style with a coaxial shielded structure. The cable can be ordered with either a 3.5 single ended jack or a 4.4 balanced jack. I think this cable is great because it fits the colorway of the MagicOne perfectly too. Just a gorgeous add on to this set. Thankfully Aful understands how important it is to get the cable right. Also, thankfully they understand how important the cable is to the entire experience.
Now I did swap out the cable for balanced sources being that I was provided the 3.5 single ended jack and I do think that the MagicOne scales with more output power. My devices all have a bunch more power under the balanced configuration and so I went with the KBear Chord 4.4 for these purposes. I think it is a nice and aesthetically pleasing cable as well and looks great attached.
Build / Design / Internals / Fit
Build Quality
Aful provides a solid build in the MagicOne with a chassis built entirely of resin by way of 3D printing. I especially like the feel of this set when in hand. It is very solid and almost has the feel of glass. Nothing even remotely cheap about the MagicOne. The MagicOne is an average sized iem and built in a very ergonomic way. I found the protrusion (wing) on the outside of the shell helps tremendously to seat in my ear perfectly. The nozzles are also pretty much average. If I were to guess without trying to find my micrometer, I would say the nozzles are roughly 5-6 mm and are medium length. About average. This bodes well for folks who simply wants a set that will provide comfort. This is your set friends. So, the build is very solid and perfectly warranted at the $139 price point.
Design
This is where the MagicOne “may” or “may not” lose some people. The look is beautiful, let’s just get that out of the way. Gorgeous. To me anyways. The MagicOne are completely transparent (as you can see from my pics) and you can easily see the inner workings inside the shell. You can see the long and curly tubes, the tech, the driver and it is all so neatly laid out. It just looks so cool folks. Now the divisive part comes from the faceplates. I don’t know if everyone will dig the snowflake design theme. At any rate, the faceplates have a snowflake type design with silver outlining the snowflake contours in a nice pattern. Under this patterned snowflake design you’ll notice what looks like foam, which also sort-of resembles snow. So, the theme is nice. I have zero issues with it. However, I’m sure there are those folks who may think it isn’t manly enough for them. Again, I think it is so inventive, creative and even artsy and I applaud the design team who envisioned this set.
Solid Sound & Outstanding Looks: –
Aful Promotional
Not only does the MagicOne offer exceptional sound, but it also boasts an outstanding visual design. The pair features a stunning clear white finish, inspired by the beauty of falling snowflakes. The Face Covers are artistically designed with the theme of “纷雪” (Snowflakes Fall) in Chinese. We are confident that you will love the look and feel of the MagicOne. Additionally, the pair is ergonomically designed for maximum comfort during longer listening sessions.
Internals
This is the nitty gritty of this review. The entire mystique or novelty of this set is centered around the fact that Aful chose to use a single “Balanced Armature Driver” to craft this set. It’s a bold choice folks! Aful actually went with a customized balanced armature driver that sits right under the nozzle but a bit back with a wide tube running from the driver to the nozzle. Aful uses what they refer to as “SE-Math Electro-Acoustic Intermodulation, Nautilus Acoustic Maze”. Basically, this is the windy tube behind the armature driver. The theory behind this tech is fascinating folks. I will not go into crazy detail, but I will share a link to a video from Akros (with whom I greatly respect) to further explain much better than I can write it exactly how this tech works. His video is HERE. Thank you Antonio! I hope you don’t mind my share.
Technology: –
Aful Promotional
AFUL has developed a core technology called “SE-Math”, this tech allows better extensions at the high-frequency region by compensating the difference between the driver and the pure sound through RLC electro-acoustic network and complex acoustic structure. It basically improves the high-frequency response and makes the MagicOne sound clearer and crispier than the initial response.
Enhanced Bass Response: –
To further enhance the bass response, AFUL has equipped the MagicOne with a uniquely designed rear-cavity structure. This structure includes a specially designed long and ultra-thin acoustic tube, inspired by the design of Nautilus. This complex tube design enables the balanced armature driver to deliver precise, powerful, and accurate lower-end responses.
Fit / Isolation
I’ve already partially covered how the MagicOne fits me but let me reiterate just how nice this set seats in my ears. Perfectly! I’m not joking, I think this set was made to my exact ear anatomy. It sits perfectly. I have no idea how it will fit you but I’m assuming the MagicOne will fit more than most people very well. Passive Isolation is wonderful too. The MagicOne provides a silent environment where only the faintest of sounds squeak through. Sound leakage is also not a problem so you can listen right next to anyone else and not bother them.
Drivability
Mobile Listening
The Aful MagicOne is rated at an impedance of 38 ohms and a sensitivity of 103 db’s which by all measures should be easy to drive. However, I found this to not exactly be the case. Listening with something like the IFi Go Blu sounds nice but I had to be using the 4.4 port for the MagicOne to really come out of its shell. It just likes more juice folks. In fact, all mobile listening that really sounded great was done using the 4.4 port. The same was true for my dongle-dacs like the Moondrop Dawn 4.4 and the Hidizs S9 Pro Plus. So long as I gave it good and strong power the MagicOne would open up and sound beautiful. Of my dongle-dacs I definitely liked the pairing of the Moondrop Dawn 4.4 the best. They just created a nice synergy that was satisfying for me. Perhaps the slight warmth of the MagicOne reacted well to the more neutral Dawn 4.4.
Daps
I used both the iBasso DX240 as well as the Shanling M6 Ultra for much of my listening. I also made sure to set my gain on both devices to medium and high gain. Each device gets up close to 1 watt of power and I think I was rewarded for using the most of it. I enjoyed both daps as they both have their own flavor to the sound. The DX240 is a bit closer to neutral and the M6 Ultra is a bit more velvet and warm. Both sound fantastic and impressed me a lot. I couldn’t tell you which I like better.
In the end
At the end of the day just make sure you have a good and strong dongle-dac at least. Something with some good output and you will like what you hear. Without that added juice the sound is pretty unspectacular and closer to flat for me. Dynamics increased substantially and the sound seemed to open up. The bass tightens and is rewarded with some additional oomph.
Sound Impressions
One thing I wasn’t expecting was such a full sound to come from a one-BA set but alas, this is what I’m hearing. However, when I first put this set in my ears I was not impressed. I felt the sound was dull, bland, not exciting and simply didn’t come across as very energetic. So, as I do, I went away for about an hour and then came back and added a bit more juice, and the sound spruced up a bit. Still, I would say that I wasn’t really high on this set. I even made a Facebook post describing as much. However, I could kick myself because the very next morning it was like the skies parting friends. I’m telling you that it was like I was hearing this for the first time, and it was truly a different experience. This just goes to show you that so many things can affect how we hear our music. I had to share that little experience because it really threw me for a loop!
Between the 20’s
Anyways, the sound comes across as neutral with shades of warmth in the low-end which helps to add a nice sense of note weight to my library of music. The sound is what I would call a U-shaped sound with a forward and prominent low-end but not very robust as a dynamic driver comes across. The midrange is also relatively forward with a hint of warmth to hug the neutrality of the tonal coloration. The treble has just enough emphasis to lift up the spectrum and comes across smooth and coherent to the rest of the mix and nicely detailed.
Everything just sounds so smooth and so musical to my ears. I hear great macro-dynamic fullness and expression with very lithe and supple micro-dynamic movement for lower volume sounds and undertones. It’s limber, it catches the tiny intonations of a track and keeps control. It doesn’t get sloppy…ever. Imaging is fantastic and so is the layering I’m getting from this single BA. Friends I’m truly at a loss, and I’m having to rewrite my understanding of what a single BA can do. The soundstage is above average and good in all directions making my music feel alive and realistic and nicely detailed. However, perhaps the most awesome is the timbre. Again, I’m dumbfounded folks. Truly a great sound.
Nice work Aful!
If this passage is the furthest you read just know that the sound is great, but it does have its slight subjective quirks. I will try to outline those issues in the next few sections of this review when I go through the Bass, Mids, and Treble. Nothing is perfect in “all ways” and nothing will ever be, but I find the pluses outweigh and tower over the negatives by a monumental degree. Nice work Aful!
Bass Region
The low-end definitely has some well-defined prominence in the mix. It isn’t the type of bass that will provide anything close to a big DD rumble but… There’s definitely a rumble. It’s concise, accurate, and it’s clean too. I hear a more natural and well-defined bass that keeps some tight reigns on the lower half of the mix. I’d also say that between the sub & mid-bass they operate on almost equal parts to my ears. Possibly a bit more skewed towards the sub-bass. However, the extension in the lowest of lows isn’t very great. It isn’t that bad either. Great for a single-BA and I’m not really missing much here. In fact, just because this bass is not ultra boomy doesn’t mean it isn’t robust. There is a fullness to the bass amongst the tighter delivery. This isn’t a thin and anemic BA Bass. It just isn’t!
Good BA Bass
I hear a mostly neutral bass with a splash of engrossing warmth. Transients are perceptively pretty quick with a very astute and nimble note agility down low. I find this bass to be very precise in its undulations and modulations within a bassline, bass drop, drumline etc. with sufficient quantity. Not enough for even slight Bass-Bois but plenty for fans of good bass. Very nice for a single-BA bass in my opinion. Perhaps I need to rewrite my expectations going forward. I truly didn’t think you’d get as much body as you can on this set.
I find the quantity to be good for many genres and even good for maneuvering around complicated passages of music in the low-end. It’s a nimble bass. Of course, so many folks only want to know, “Does it BANG?” and the answer is, sort of, I guess. My question would be “How much BANG is good for you?” I’d also say it can, but more-so in a naturally occurring way. I’d usually say it rises to the occasion and I think I’d be right with that assessment on the MagicOne. It can handle a fairly deep reverberant rumble and decent slam that sounds great to me. Will it be great for you?
Sub-bass
The sub-bass has a somewhat limited extension due to the make-up and driver configuration or the limitations of the BA driver. But that doesn’t tell the whole story. The sub-bass still has some grumble & growl when needed. “Cadillac” by Victoria Monet is a song which reaches low and the MagicOne is able to reciprocate with a natural but also pretty damn sonorous vibration. There’s some haptic and palpable texture and tactility to the sub-bass too. Also, it can get fairly resonant and deep but please keep your expectations in check. Most certainly not even hinting at basshead levels, but very good. This is quality, it’s clean, it’s dexterous and yet it can still get pretty guttural too. I’m impressed. This was actually the first area that I wanted to pay attention to and I’m not disappointed. It’s much rumblier than I would’ve thought or better said… than what I prepared myself for.
Sub-bass cont…
Another track is “2040” by Lil Durk and Lil Baby. In this song it literally begins with a thundering bass drop. Now, just about any set can sound at least moderately bulbous & bangin’ here, but the MagicOne’s single BA actually hits with decent haptics. There’s some reverberant vibrational energy folks. Obviously, this is not anything like some real and raw DD sets. In fact, straight up… this is not a DD bass, so please remember my position on this. I don’t want DM’s of any of you complaining that I told you it’s the same. For a single BA I am quite happy. The sub-bass is one area where we weren’t supposed to have those rumbly feels with a single-BA while still being able to cover the rest of the mix, or so I thought. The best part of the sub-bass though, to me, is the fact that it’s quick enough for faster bass tracks and equally impressive is the punch at attack. It’s a compact and concrete note edge at attack/decay that isn’t softened, hollow, or pillowy at all to my ears. This all carries over into the mid-bass…
Mid-bass
The enjoyment I get from the mid-bass is not because I’m overjoyed by the visceral power behind the bodacious slam and boom. No sir. I enjoy this mid-bass because it comes across naturally punchy. To my ears it has the right amount of weight afforded stuff like bass guitars, kick drums and has the right kind of elasticity and ductility. What do I mean by ductility you ask? The sound is ductile, it’s malleable, flexible, it keeps a tight rein on the note outline and is almost rubbery in its ability to maneuver around complicated bass tracks. There’s some bounce to the sound. It isn’t the type that booms like a typical DD. To my ears anyways. The MagicOne’s tuning isn’t meant to rumble, but it’s the type that’s meant to replicate what a track actually is. It’s natural and organic. The resonant harmonics don’t have that long ambient decay, but they do have some lingering presence and atmosphere to them on some tracks.
Got some meat to it
Take this next track, one I always use for review purposes, “Billie Jean” by Weezer (Michael Jackson cover). The song starts with booming successive kick drums which will very quickly tell you a ton about the sound of any set in the low-end. With the MagicOne I hear a very clean bass hit. The sound is hollow right after attack, with almost a slightly scaled down boom with a nicely tacky edge to it. It’s a natural sounding kick-drum. You can also hear the bounce to the kick drum. The note edge is a clean hit and isn’t caked in softness like so many sets. It doesn’t sound like a hammer blow wrapped in a sock. It sounds like a hammer. Concrete, rigid, defined, mildly resonant and unsullied. But it isn’t super boomy to please bass heads. Listening to “911” by Teddy Swims is another track that has a deep and heavy bass drop in which the MagicOne really comes alive to. It’s got some meat to it folks. It simply isn’t overly and overtly colored and isn’t super meaty.
Bass guitar sounds nice as well. I feel there is enough presence in the mid-bass and plumpness to give gravelly fullness to most bass guitar tracks. Now I don’t know if it will fulfill everyone’s standards as it’s a more neutral and controlled mid-bass. “Feelin’ the Miles” by The Wilder Blue simply jams with the MagicOne. I can’t get over how authentic to life this set makes this track sound. The snares simply pang so nicely, and I can feel or hear the rebound to it. The bass guitar has some drone to it too. Is it perfect? C’mon…Nothing is perfect. But it does so much to satisfy.
Bass/Baritone
Bass singers like Avi Kaplan in “First Place I Go“. His voice is so crisp, but bodied-up. There’s a knife edge to his voice at the crest of attack when he sings. It isn’t the deepest and sonorously low-pitched sound, and a hair more warmth would’ve been more natural to me. But it’s really nice folks. His voice should pierce through everything like butter with his resonant groan. Possibly a bit restrained on the MagicOne but completely satisfying. Other deep bass singers like Josh Turner have the same exact affect. Look at the track “Would You Go with Me“. Again, his voice could use a deeper tone, but it’s so well composed and has such a nice weight to it.
My thoughts
I find the bass region to be a highlight. I’m positive that there will be folks who will disagree with that statement. However, I love the natural feel to the sound. The natural depth to any track is great; it’s layered, textured, and isn’t even close to one-noted or muddy.
Downsides to the Bass Region
Of course, this bass is not even close to basshead levels. That’ll be a huge con right away for many people I know. To be honest I don’t even know why any bassheads would be reading this. It’s a one-BA iem for crying out loud! This is about quality friends. Still, it has its shortcomings to a slight degree. It doesn’t get that deep pitched resonant growl that many DD sets can get. Yes, it’s natural and more organic but I do still favor Dynamic Drivers. Always will. Still, that doesn’t take away from what Aful has done. Also, extension down low is not something to write home about. Again, it still extends deeper than what I was imagining a single-BA would be able to do. The bass is well detailed and very agile with enough oomph for most any genre and is very satisfying as it makes up for its lack of beef with dexterity and good timbre.
Midrange
Oh, the midrange. I promise, this is the area that hooked me in and ultimately hasn’t let me go. I find the midrange to be sensational, in the way that it’s holographic and with fantastic musicality. It has good body and note weight across the midrange. The MagicOne has a clean and clear and fully emotional midrange. I really do enjoy what this set can do. It’s this neutral-ish sound that grabs warmth when it needs it, and it’s a region that seems “put on a pedestal” against the other frequencies between the 20’s. It’s smooth in body with silk overtones. Yet, this set can also manage to be crisp enough when a track asks it to. The mids are very lissome… graceful even. The timbre is great, like… Really Great! There’s a more organic approach (my definition of organic) and an altogether wholesome sound. But the vocals… The vocals hit me in the heart friends. Such a seductive and honeyed sound. It’s a forward, euphoric, and smoothly pronounced sound. Pardon the descriptors as I can get pretty cheesy, but I cannot help but lavish some respect to this tuning and to the midrange vocals as well. Perhaps they are the best vocals of any within the price point for me. Maybe I’m a “prisoner of the moment” but I think it ranks right up there. To this reviewer anyways. I find the midrange to be well balanced in the mix and occupies a great place in the setup for the staging. Layering is great, Imaging is spot on, and I hear a nicely detailed midrange as well.
Lower-midrange
Males’ vocals come across with a nicely authoritative sound that is backed by a lean-lush note weight and comes basking in some shades of warmth. Listening to “Sand in My Boots” by Morgan Wallen is very nice with the MagicOne. His voice is not sharp like on other sets, yet it isn’t veiled like other sets too. Instead, it is kind of edgy and syrupy at the same time. There is such a nice presence. It has just enough note weight, but yet it presents some crispness on this track as well. Underlying everything is this pervasive and utterly smooth sound that permeates the whole of the midrange. I enjoy the fact that when his voice climbs in register that the MagicOne is not phased and keeps its control without turning artificial or too edged in grain. The MagicOne stays clean, transparent and refined.
I could also point to Zach Bryan in “I Remember Everything“. His voice is raspy, breathy at times, even bold too. Zach is all emotions as the MagicOne props up his voice without going overboard and doesn’t lose any of the emotions. The instruments surrounding him are clean and separated with easily discernible layers. I find his voice to come across really nice.
Upper-Midrange
Females with the MagicOne “generally” hang around the upper-mids. Females are forward in presence with a neutral vibrance, they’re also sweet and prominent. They’re everything from softly subtle, velvet and sweet, to resounding and ballad raising, and yet, I never hear them lose control. Never peaky, never glaring, never sibilant and not harsh. Caitlyn Smith in “High” is a perfect example of this as her voice actually does go from softly velvet and sweet in the song’s buildup to powerful in her inflections during the chorus. Her voice is natural in its tone & timbre with the MagicOne while staying resolute and transparent with crystalline note definition. I feel the slight warmth against the neutrality and vibrance of the upper midrange causes a very lifelike sound. Depending on the recording of course. However, I feel the MagicOne simply comes across how “Organic” should be. The only thing missing is a slightly longer decay on some instruments, but I am utterly impressed by what Aful is offering at $139.
More females
Another track is “More Hearts Than Mine” by Ingrid Andress. She has a voice that goes from slightly raspy, to soft and edgy, to epic and ballad-like. What I love about the MagicOne is how it doesn’t double down on the sharp edge to her voice and sound even more digital or metallic. The MagicOne keeps its composure folks. This single BA is very well able to render her voice forward, clean and separated while not sounding papery and dry. At the same time this single BA is able to render instruments like the muted drums, the strumming guitar, or even the slight tambourine at the back end of each beat very well on this track. I enjoy that they all sound distinct and still fun and musical. Please understand, there are plenty of other sets which can do such a thing. For the most part, I say all of this because I’m blown away, and I’ll keep harping the fact that the MagicOne is a single BA. However, I go further with it because not only does this single BA do it all… It also sounds better than most other sets too, from my perspective anyways.
Instruments
I love piano while listening with the MagicOne as there is this smooth and tuneful sound from a piano key with great resulting harmonics. It sounds pitch-perfect to me. Acoustic guitar has that sharpness on attack and has enough good bite as well with nice details shining through. Guitars in general can have that tangy and textured sound which is realistic and enjoyable. In fact, all strings seem to sound good depending on the track. Percussion isn’t too softened or attenuated but instead has an energetic snap, pang, chisk, and pap, emphasized by the upper portions of the frequency with sprightliness and charm. Violin is so melodic on many tracks with a good body and what I would call an unalloyed and genuine sound. I won’t go down a long list of instruments giving you simple and broad descriptions though. Just know, most instruments sound close to correct and have nice energy. I haven’t heard anything that disproves this.
Downsides to the Midrange
If I were to collect some issues with this midrange and lay them on a platter, I would have a close to empty platter folks. I mean, possibly those who want a drier and more detailed, analytical and nimble midrange would maybe not prefer what the MagicOne can do. Also, maybe, ultra warm and dark lovers may feel the tone & timbre doesn’t work for them. Eh, who am I kidding, this midrange is wonderful folks. It really is. The forward vocals are so enticing and there is such great depth to every element of the stage. There is an all-encompassing and engaging quality to the sound with the perfect emphasis of vocals in the sound field while at the same time coming across organic, manicured, and distinct. It’s just nice!
Treble Region
When thinking of the highs on the MagicOne I think of it like a natural glide through the upper regions. Naturally progressing and naturally extending. You won’t hear any undue over saturation or forced resolution up top. However, the treble still remains relatively airy, without being ultra “airy” per se. The treble is one that strays from any ear-piercing fatigue or shout and issues its treble with just the right amount of brilliance, to sound balanced with the rest of the mix. Surely, it’s enough to lift up female vocals, percussion, etc. and basically lift up the whole of the mix for that matter. There’s a good level of detail retrieval that I find fairly easy to pick up on without much issue. Especially for a single BA set. The treble is pretty nuanced and has a penchant for transparency. It’s a good supporting actor. A good part to a great whole.
It’s smooth up top
However, the best quality of the treble in my opinion is its smoothness. No artificial jagged edges (for the most part), no real grain, no obvious sibilance, no odd peaks, no weird timbre moments. It’s not metallic or splashy either. It’s a smooth, glass lined, “ride the wave” type of softer treble. I don’t hear the coarseness that so many upper regions have these days. I say all that but I will also state that the MagicOne still has a small amount of bite. A lil pepper on the steak. There’s also some shimmer and shine helping to accentuate by adding some ebullient buoyancy to my music, and simply makes the MagicOne more engaging and even… fun. However, it’s like I’ve tried to get across, nothing is so one sided or over saturated that the balance tilts off-kilter. Everything fits! And the same is true up top… this treble simply fits!
Listening to the Old Crow Medicine Show track, “Keel Over and Die” there is an onslaught of breakneck speed treble activity. There’s a bunch of guitars, ukulele, mandolin, and piano all mishmashed to form a melody. Folks, the MagicOne has absolutely no issues keeping up. This group is praised for their instrumentation and many of their tracks follow this same style. The MagicOne creates space while making distinct, definite & compartmentalized separation between the instruments in this track. Now, there may be sets that can perform this better near the price point. However, those sets also aren’t the most smooth and musical either. The MagicOne is a nice blend of both attributes (technical / musical) in my humble opinion.
Downsides to the treble region
I could see treble heads or those who really enjoy sprightly and vibrant treble not liking the emphasis that Aful has tuned this set with. The MagicOne is not the most open sounding, and you don’t have that blatant airyness of some iems. Also, details are good (especially for a single BA) but the MagicOne is not a detail monster. I feel the MagicOne’s treble is “smooth & musical over crisp & technical” and so those who enjoy a drier performance may not be a fan. I could also say that extension into the highest of highs isn’t the best I’ve heard. However, at the end of the day it is very hard for me to complain about any one frequency, let alone a very nice treble region. Friends, this set has no sibilance, none. There’s no peaky areas of shout and treble sheen either. I hear a smooth treble that seeks not to offend and suits the rest of the mix and the overall balance beautifully.
Technicalities
Soundstage
The stage size is an area that gave me a good surprise. I really wasn’t expecting such a technically savvy soundstage. It isn’t just the grandeur of the stage size. It’s also the layering, depth of field, and the realistic experience the MagicOne affords the listener. I find width to be above average, it’s outside my ears and stretches the psycho-acoustic stage. The crazy part is I don’t hear super amazing extensions either way in the frequency. I mean there is decent extension but nothing super deep down low or super airy up top. It still fills the soundscape very well. This stage is one of those that relies on the fullness and macro-dynamic swelling of the stage. The mids are closer to the listener but the sound field stretches out wide. It’s a fuller stage. Not at all congested or cramped. The height is fantastic and so is the depth I’m hearing which gives way to great layering of sounds. Did I mention this is a single BA?
Separation / Imaging
I can quite easily hear very distinct and separated instruments and vocalists. Honestly, I am very impressed by the MagicOne’s ability to parse out space to each element of the stage. There is a caveat though; on ridiculously congested tracks with a million instruments fighting for prominence, things may slightly mash together. Or in really poorly recorded tracks. Of course, those tracks will likely sound horrible on most any set so, really this is not much of a caveat. For the most part the MagicOne impresses. The same goes for the tremendous imaging capabilities of the MagicOne. It is so easy to place every instrument in my mind space whether it be left to right or even forward and backward.
Detail Retrieval
Another surprise is the nice detail retrieval that the MagicOne has. It is much better than I would have thought. That said, folks, I don’t want to lead you astray, the detail retrieval is good, especially for what the MagicOne is, but it isn’t a detail monster. No doubt it is very good and I’m missing nothing in my music. Still, the MagicOne is not a dry, thin, and analytical style earphone that’s built for detail retrieval and analytical listening. Listen, this set is a warmer, a slightly lusher earphone and as good as it is… it works off of one BA. So, expectations!
It’s good though…
I just wanted to say that so that I can say this… the MagicOne is pretty nice in this department… for what it is. I would think the MagicOne would struggle in the details arena. The sound is tinted warm, organic, and it’s smooth, which doesn’t bode well for details all the time. But it’s also resolute and transparent. Friends, I’m really not missing anything as far as details are concerned. Is there better out there in the Audioverse? Yes, there is. But how much better? And also, what are those sets lacking that the MagicOne doesn’t lack? It’s still very musical folks! It’s melodious to the core! Each area of the spectrum is represented well. You have all this and still have a refined sound and good details. C’mon friends! As far as what type of details; you’ll hear great secondary harmonics, even for a BA. You’ll hear the finger slides, the plucks, the breath in mics, the cough from the drummer in your favorite live track. You’ll hear the little nuances in your music. So long as the track isn’t ultra-crazy congested that is. Everything has a caveat or two. This is a special set.
Comparisons
Note: I will keep these comparisons brief folks. Basically, I will give a very quick take on some differences and that’s about it. I am already running long in this review. However, these comparisons are not meant to crown one set over the other. These are meant to highlight differences so that you may get a better understanding of the iem I’m reviewing. I’ll speak in general terms and won’t go too deep into them.
Letshuoer X-Gizaudio Galileo ($109)
What a nicely done iem the Galileo is. The Galileo is actually a collaboration with Letshuoer and Gizaudio and more pointedly “Timmy Vangtan” of Gizaudio. This set is a Hybrid 1+1 DD & BA iem with a 10mm Liquid Silicone Dynamic Driver and a Sonion Balanced Armature. Truly a fantastic set at its price. Built decently but absolutely gorgeous shells & faceplates. I would’ve loved to review it but it simply didn’t pan out and so I use the Galileo for many comparisons in the price point. This one seemed to make sense to me. Just a wonderfully neutral sound that is pleasant across the board and also has a smoother replay. Every area of the mix is accounted for.
Differences
The differences begin with the build quality. The MagicOne is much better built with more sturdy resin, it just feels more durable. Both sets look really striking and are very artsy in their design language. Design is a draw for me, but I’d have to give the edge to the Aful MagicOne because it is just a bit more creative and unique. As far as accessories, the MagicOne is more premium as far as the cable, case, tips are concerned. The MagicOne certainly feels more upscale, and I say that not to take anything away from the Galileo. The Galileo is a little bit larger and the MagicOne is probably the better fit, “generally” but neither set is a drawback in this area. The Galileo is around $109 depending on if they are having a sale or not. I’ve seen it as low as $87. The MagicOne is almost $140 and so there is a price difference to take into account.
Sound Differences
Now to the sound and the reason I chose the Galileo to compare. I compared because both of these sets have prominent and focused vocal ranges that come off very nice. The Galileo is a bit closer to neutral and a pinch brighter whereas the MagicOne has that warmth with a spritz of neutrality. Transient attack & decay are tidier on the MagicOne with a better technical display almost across the board. Note weight is a bit lusher on the MagicOne and note definition sounds a pinch more resolute. Between the two the MagicOne is definitely harder to drive, and in my opinion requires much more output from your source. So, there’s that. Something to consider.
Bass Region
The bass region on the Galileo provides more thump and slam, especially in the mid-bass. The sub-bass also shows more rumble and deep pitched growl on the Galileo too. However, I find the MagicOne certainly has a cleaner, more precise, nimbler low-end while still owning enough low-end oomph. The MagicOne’s bass has better textures and details. The Galileo is not really emphasized all that much more; it’s simply the difference in drivers I think (BA against a DD).
Midrange
Both sets involved have a more forward sounding midrange. Beginning in the low-mids, the MagicOne has just a hair less body to notes while the Galileo has more spill over from the low-end into the midrange giving slightly warmer vocals for males. Still, the MagicOne has this speckless delivery that still has nice weight and fullness but also it sounds cleaner here. Females are more shimmery on the Galileo as well as a touch brighter. The MagicOne on the other hand is very enriched in this region with forward females that sound slightly less uplifted but smoother and butterier with better detail retrieval.
Treble Region
These two both have very similar treble responses. They really do. However, I still find the Galileo has less in note weight and doesn’t have the MagicOne’s tangible treble punch and contoured control. Now, the Galileo does have an airier and leaner treble region to the MagicOne’s more musical treble. I find the MagicOne to better illuminate details up top and with better note density.
Technicalities
The stage size is very similar in the width and height department, but the MagicOne has much better depth and a more holographic sounding stage. For the most part anyways. Imaging is also good on both sets, but the MagicOne simply do so in a more precise and definitive way. Separation too. The MagicOne is truly a special iem and it’s in these areas that it shines next to a great set in the Galileo. Detail retrieval is simply better on the MagicOne. Perhaps in less complicated tracks both sets run parallel but once things get a bit more congested the MagicOne will step out in front.
My thoughts
Folks, I truly adore the Galileo and feel it is a fantastic iem at the price it’s being sold for. However, for me, I cannot get over the 3d richness of the MagicOne and those creamy yet precise vocals. The Galileo is nice, with its nicely tight and textured bass region, silky mids and airy treble (to a degree). However, the MagicOne is simply that “Unicorn” wonder of an iem that I’ve grown to adore. I think these are both two titans at the price, but the only one that should cost more is… the MagicOne. Still, at the end of the day of these two are sitting in front of you and your wallet you’ll have to decide if you want fantastic vocals with a bit more energy and an airier presentation or a rich, more detailed, precise, and more musical sound. It’s a question of preference folks and I love them both.
Tanchjim Hana 21′ ($169)
This is one set that somehow went under almost all radars. I mean, it had its moment of fanfare but that quickly fell off and what was left was one of the best Harman tuned sets under $200. Also, it still sits pretty at this price. Just a wonderfully musical iem folks. The Hana 21 uses an LCP single Dynamic Driver with absolutely beautiful stainless-steel shells that look more like jewelry than they do earphones. I still stare at this set, and I’ve had them forever. The baby sibling to the Tanchjim Oxygen is darn near on the same scale as the Oxygen for over half the price and would be a steal for anyone who could find it for cheaper than MSRP.
Differences
The first glaring difference is the build. The Hana is made entirely of stainless steel while the MagicOne is all resin. Both well built. The Hana is a gorgeous gold color with one of the best contrasting colors I’ve ever seen. It has very nice white faceplates with their logo on one and the name Hana on the other. The MagicOne is also simply gorgeous too. Both are designed in a premium way. The Hana is much smaller and is great for those with smaller ears whereas the MagicOne isn’t exactly huge but there’s more real estate there. I find the Hana accessorized a bit more luxurious, but the MagicOne has the better cable, like… a lot better. Obviously, the Hana will require a few more dollars to own but both are well worth the price tag.
Sound Differences
To start, the Hana has a slightly warmer sound, especially down low, coming across leaner up top with a very nice Harman signature that toes that Harman line almost perfectly. The MagicOne has better resolution and tighter transients with a more clinical sound that produces a higher level of detail retrieval and honestly better technicalities throughout. The Hana is much easier to drive and better for lower powered sources.
Bass Region
The Hana has a much deeper and more guttural sub-bass which sounds more weighted and truer. Yes, it’s more emphasized, but it’s also less astute, precise, separated, and the Hana is less equipped to tackle quicker bass passages. Don’t get me wrong, the Hana’s bass can rumble very well and sounds very nice within the mix. So, if you are after a little bit more authentic boom and organically textured bass than the Hana will be the one to go with. The Hana cannot replicate the bass speed and technical chops of the MagicOne though. The MagicOne seems to take anything you throw at it with a smile, like a good BA Bass. While the softer and weightier Hana has the more atmospheric DD type bass.
Midrange
Starting off with the Hana. It sounds more recessed for male vocals with a more subdued note definition. The MagicOne sounds more contoured, more crystalline and just as weighty in note body. I feel both sets have very nice male vocals but for my money I’d take the MagicOne folks. Females sound thinner in the Harman tuned Hana with a bit more emphasized upper-mids and less wetted than the lusher MagicOne. The MagicOne has no chance of shout or glare whereas the Hana can get a bit hot on the right tracks. All in all, I think this is another preference thing. The Hana has a bit more air to the sound whereas the MagicOne prefers a more controlled but also richer environment. I hate comparing sets I love and no doubt my words can be skewed by prisoner of the moment listening. However, I just find the MagicOne far too “Magical” and I would go with it any day of the week for straight up vocal sessions.
Treble Region
Both sets offer a nice treble replay, but the Hana is a bit sharper at note peaks, yet not to the point of shout or sibilance. Just a bit crisper. It’s also less bodied, slightly more open sounding, but less punchy. The Hana has a bit more bite while the MagicOne is better separated and has better detail retrieval. I find extension is a bit better on the Hana up top too. Despite this, the MagicOne has a more realistic note structure and better cadence. It handles the more complicated stuff better and does so with a fuller sound.
Technicalities
When looking at the stage of both sets, I hear nothing that jumps out at me as bad. Both have great stage sizes. Both are wide, though the MagicOne has more macro-dynamic expression which sounds fuller and fills the sound scape better. Also, the MagicOne certainly has a more 3D presentation with better depth. Both sets are good for spot-on imaging, and both sets offer good separation of elements within a stage. Detail retrieval goes to the MagicOne between the two.
My thoughts
What can I say folks, I once again love both of these iems. Both offer up a different sound signature for my music. The audio game is one of hairline differences but these two are different enough from each other to warrant a preference battle. They actually contrast each other very well. Honestly, I do think more people would enjoy the Hana 21′ more. I would think. The MagicOne is more of a niche earphone while the Hana toes that Harman line like I stated earlier. The Hana stays true to a sound that works while the MagicOne is simply “engaging” to the fullest extent of that word’s meaning. Both are fine sets for any collection folks.
Is it worth the asking price?
Always the most important question to ask is if a product is even worth what the company is asking. I don’t even want to dignify this question with a response. My word, yes, the MagicOne is worth the asking price. Heck, I’m wondering how it doesn’t cost more. Folks, this set will very likely not be like any other that you have in your collection. This is such a unique set in so many ways. Now, I’m not 100% sure that everyone will love the sound. This will not be for everyone, though I feel everyone should have at least some time alone with it trying to figure that out. It’s a set everyone should at least try, if the opportunity arises. It’s a set to chill with and just… soak in. I told you all that I went on a slight roller coaster getting to know the MagicOne and I’m quite positive that there will be others that endure the same progressive roller coaster ride that I did. However, at the end of the day, there’s no way this set isn’t worth the $139 asking price.
The Why
To begin, this is a single BA set that is very rare and a huge gamble on the part of Aful. You have to be overly confident that this setup will pay off. People see “single BA” and run for the hills. However, I think their marketing paid off. Like a dangling fruit in front of the hobby masses. The lone full frequency BA housed within the acoustic cavity is truly wonderful. Also, this set is built extremely well with a beautiful design that’s also rather unique as well. It has nice accessories with a good unboxing (to some that means something). It’s all about the sound though. This sound is so engulfing, musical, technical, clean, and rich with a holographic display of the stage which adds such a nice realistic flare to my library of music. The reason why the MagicOne is worth the $139 is because it is simply one of the best sets within the price point.
Ratings (0-10)
Note: all ratings are based upon my subjective judgment. These ratings are garnered against either similarly priced sets or with similar driver implementations or styles with the unique parameters of my choosing. In the case of the Aful MagicOne ratings below, that would be $100-$150 iems of any driver configuration. Please remember that “ratings” don’t tell the whole story. This leaves out nuance and a number of other qualities which make an iem what it is. A “5” is exactly average and please take into consideration the “lot” of iems these ratings are gathered against. $100-$150 US is a decent sized scope of iems and so seeing a 9 should probably be pretty special. My ratings are never the same and each set of ratings tells a different story. Each time you read one of my ratings it will be unique to that review. Basically, I create a Rating that makes sense to me.
Aesthetic
-Build Quality: 9.3 Built very well.
-Look: 9.3 This set looks dope!
-Accessories: 9.4 It’s hard to beat these accessories at this price
–Overall: 9.3
Sound Rating
-Timbre: 9.1 The timbre and tonality are very good.
-Bass: 9.0 Mature bass that is quality over quantity.
-Midrange: 9.9 The mids are exceptionally good on this set.
-Treble: 9.2 The treble has good body & has great control
-Technicalities: 9.4 Nicely technical set
–Overall: 9.4🔥🔥🔥
Ratings Summary:
Okay, some of these ratings will be a hard sell to some folks. I guess. Anywhoo, I gave the MagicOne a “9.0” in “Bass”, which honestly… could go either way. It’s a mature, clean, and controlled low-end, with just enough oomph down low to not feel as though I’m missing all that much. It’s a “quality over quantity” bass for me. Others may wholly disagree, and I’d get it. Bass is a black or white subject most of the time. Either good or… Not. I am a little more nuanced in my appreciation for different tunings but, I’m not you.
Timbre is another area that I could get some flack. However, I simply find the timbre to be organically tuneful with all the intangibles that help the overall sound to come across relatively naturally and altogether sublime to my ears. I really feel a lofty “9.1” is warranted, but I could see some folks either adding some points or subtracting some too.
The last questionable rating is the “Treble”. You’d think that a “9.2” in this area would make this set a treble heads paradise. Ya, I don’t think it’s that. I do think it’s such a well rendered and more physical treble keeping a good balance with the rest of the mix. It also does everything it does so very well. It isn’t the most energized treble but it’s concise, has good note body, and has decent physical feedback while not skimping on the finer stuff (details).
Conclusion
To conclude my full review of the Aful MagicOne I want to thank the good people of HiFiGo for providing the MagicOne in exchange for a full review. I must say that I received no compensation and was not asked to skew my words in any way. I simply want transparency with you all. So, thank you HiFiGo! I also want to thank you, the reader for taking the time to read any words that I write, and my hope is that it helps you with a purchasing decision.
Please take in some other thoughts about the MagicOne as we all have different ideas about what “Good” or “Bad” is. We are all different, each and every one of us and so it makes complete sense that you don’t simply read my words and hit the “buy now” button. Check out other perspectives. It’ll help you to make an educated decision. What I think is great I can promise there will be folks who think I’m nuts and don’t think that same thing is great. Turns out we are all unique and wonderfully made. With that, please take good care and stay as safe as you can my friends, and always God Bless!
