An AirPods clone for only 24.99 euros? That sounds very daring given the original price of at least 130 euros. Even the best AirPods alternatives in our extensive test are not available for so little money. So what can buyers expect with the cheap product from the relatively unknown manufacturer? We took a closer look at the design, operation and, above all, the sound.
Design and comfort
On the outside, the BIK-3 are strongly modeled on the Apple original, both in the charging case and in the listeners themselves. However, when you take a closer look, there are differences: case and listener are larger with the “Aldi-AirPods”, but also significantly lighter . And otherwise it is not a 1-to-1 copy, since details differ significantly. The folding mechanism of the Maginon case is also stiff in the last third and the low-priced AirPods each have a button on the sides – instead of a touch surface. All in all, you can clearly see that you are holding a cheap product in your hands.
The case of the Maginon BIK-3 (left) is slightly larger than that of the Apple AirPods (right)
Photo: TECHBOOK
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The Maginon BIK-3 are very positive in terms of comfort. The usual problems of toothbrush head design, such as poor grip – especially when lying down – do not occur here. The lightweight earphones feel great in the ear and are rock solid. Here they outdo the original themselves!
Setup fails
There is no app and no other setting options via the smartphone. The charged headphones are removed from the charging case and connected via Bluetooth. It worked very straightforwardly on the first try. But when we put the listeners back in the case and took them out again, the connection no longer worked. After removing from the iPhone device list and pairing again, only the right handset worked. As soon as the listeners were back in the case, you could no longer be connected afterwards without completely deleting them from the device list and reconnecting them. Since then, it has not been possible in the test to play something from both listeners at the same time. Either only the right one or only the left one (depending on which one was selected. The listeners then both appeared in the list, but music only came from one. So something does not seem to work with the master / slave function, according to which one listener connects and the second listens to the main listener. Upon request, customer service sent us a new test sample.
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2. Setup attempt with a new test device
With the new test pattern, the connection to the iPhone now works as intended. It is then immediately clear that there are no sensors on the listeners. If you take the pods out of your ears, the music continues to run, if you put them in the case, we are still amazed that they are still playing. Only shortly after the case is closed, the Bluetooth connection is disconnected and the BIK-3 falls silent. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but at least it is unusual and it shows where, among other things, savings were made. If you take the handset out of the case, it will automatically connect to the smartphone again and work as expected.
Operation very rudimentary
The Maginon BIK-3 are operated using the so-called multifunction buttons. One of them is on each listener. These are assigned fixed functions that cannot be changed. Music tracks can be paused, calls accepted or voice assistants activated by pressing the button for different lengths or repeatedly. However, changing the volume is not possible.
The earphones of the Maginon BIK-3 (left) already differ optically from those of the Apple AirPods (right)
Photo: TECHBOOK
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The lack of an app or setting options and the use of buttons make it clear where manufacturer Maginon has made further savings. But did you save on audio quality too?
Sound fails in the test
The sound of the Maginon BIK-3 is probably the most noticeable price. This is clearly behind the AirPods and the more expensive alternatives. The sound is extremely flat, there are no dynamics between lows, mids and highs. This is mainly due to the fact that bass and treble cannot actually be represented. There is also a kind of veil over the audio that covers the sound with a reverberation. If anything, some shallow audio quality comes across in shallow pop ballads without great excursions in highs or lows.
The weaknesses not only come into play when it comes to music reproduction. Podcasts and phone calls sound tinny and garish. When the volume is too high, the ears literally hurt. The voice quality when calling is also below average. Even in absolutely quiet rooms, really difficult to understand sound arrives at the receiver.
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Conclusion: Only conditionally recommended even for 25 euros
Good true wireless headphones for just under 25 euros (or 30 euros from the manufacturer) are a bit like a new car for 2,000 euros – difficult to imagine. Our test clearly shows that the construction shows glaring weaknesses in the most important points. The connection with the smartphone and the sound initially failed completely, but then worked with another test device. Unfortunately, the sound also disappointed. Here you could certainly still arrange for the low price. However, we are concerned about the failure of a test device and the susceptibility to failures or longevity. We are aware that faulty devices can occur with any manufacturer, but in dozens of headphone tests it has so far only happened to us with this device. After a few days of testing, of course, we cannot say whether the old saying “who buys cheap, buys twice” applies here.
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Thank you,
That was a very helpful review. I recently bought the BIK-3 and immediately experienced the issue around needing to clear the device from my phones bluetooth and re-add it in order to use the headphones. Appreciate your clarity and honesty.