BGVP ArtMagic VG4 Review
BGVP ArtMagic VG4 IEM Review
Introduction:
BGVP is a Chinese brand founded in 2015 and is the subordinate brand of Dongguan Nengjiang technology limited company. BGVP mainly produces and customizes various high-end HIFI earbuds, earphones and other electronic products. BGVP has also introduced new products such like TWS earphones and Electrostatic IEM’s this year.
The BGVP ArtMagic VG4 features 4 Balanced Armature Drivers 2x Knowles (1x ED-26989 + 1x RAF-33518) and 2x SONION (2x 33AJ007). The ArtMagic VG4 adopts also an electronic four-way crossover design and offers also a sound tuning option using a Triple Tuning Switch System.
- Website: http://www.bgvp-hifi.com/
Disclaimer:
I would like to thank BGVP for providing me this sample for review purposes. I am not affiliated with BGVP beyond this review and all these words reflect my true and unaltered opinions about the product.
Price:
The actual price for the for the BGVP ArtMagic VG4 is about 247,00 USD and can be purchased under the link bellow:
- Purchase Link: http://en.bgvp-hifi.com/product/info/11
Package and Accessories:
The BGVP ArtMagic VG4 came in a white box with an illustration of the IEM on the top along with some brandings.
This box is including the following contents:
- 1 pair x BGVP ArtMagic VG4 IEM’s
- 1 piece x Detachable Cable with MMCX Connector
- 3 pairs x Vocal Eartips (size S/M/L)
- 3 pairs x Bass Eartips (size S/M/L)
- 3 pairs x Standard Eartips (size S/M/L)
- 1 pair x Foam Eartip (size M)
- 1 piece x Cleaning Tool/Sound Switching Tool
- 1 piece x Zipper Case
- 1 piece x User Manual/Quick Start Guide
Monitor Design, Cable & Overall Build Quality:
BGVP offers with the ArtMagic VG4 a pair of nice looking In-Ear Monitor with a very comfortable semi-custom monitor shell. The monitor shell is made of PMMA acrylic fiber which is a skin-friendly material that was made with EnvisionTEC 3D printing technology.
The monitor is available in many different color options such like transparent black, transparent clear, red black, etc. My review unit came in the transparent clear variant which looks very nice with all the internals that are visible under the monitor shell.
The overall build quality of the BGVP ArtMagic VG4 is very good for an IEM at this price category.
On the front of the each IEM shell is the so called faceplate where you can find the BGVP brand logo in metallic silver color.
At the rear side of each monitor are 3 (three) tiny switches that have markings to guide you while tuning the sound. You have the option to switch between up to 8 possible tunings, which is a great feature.
The inner part that fits to your ear concha is the slightly angled sound nozzle which is a bit short and has two sound bores/holes on the top. The holes/bores don’t have any filters on the top that means you need to clean them carefully with the cleaning tool that came with the VG4.
On the top of each monitor shell is a MMCX (Micro Miniature Coaxial) female connector to connect it with the detachable cable.
The BGVP ArtMagic VG4 came with an 8 core 6N high-purity copper foil wire + silver foil wire hybrid cable which has a braded design. The cable features soft insulation with very low mircrophonic effect.
Each of the MMCX male connectors do have a metal housing in black color with red (right) and blue (left) ring indicators.
The cable sports on both sides near the MMCX connectors heat-shrink ear guides for extra comfort while wearing the ArtMagic VG4 over the ears.
This cable features also a metal Y-Splitter in black color and a plastic chin slider in black color that sport the BGVP brand logo.
The 3.5mm TRS (unbalanced) headphone jack has a straight profiled metal housing with a plastic strain relief for extra protection.
Technical Specifications:
- Driver Type : 1x Knowles ED29689 + 1x Knowles RAF33518 + 2x Sonion 33AJ07
- Frequency range : 10Hz-40 kHz
- Features : 4-way crossover 2 tubes
- Impedance : 12ohm
- Sensitivity : 110dB
- THD : 0.5% (1 kHz)
- Rated Power : 8 mW
- Channel Imbalance : ≤ 1dB
- Connector : MMCX (Micro Miniature Coaxial) Connector
- Cable Length : 120cm +/- %5
Drivability:
The BGVP ArtMagic VG4Pro is a very efficient In-Ear Monitor with a low impedance of 12Ω and a sensitivity of 110dB. This makes the ArtMagic VG4 to a highly compatible and easy to drive IEM for Smartphone’s, Tablet’s, etc.
Equipment’s used for this review:
- IEM’s : BGVP ArtMagic VG4, Tansio Mirai TSMR-3 Pro, Final Audio B2
- DAP&DAC’s : FiiO M11 Pro, NextDrive Spectra X, HiBy R3 Pro Saber
Albums & tracks used for this review:
- First Aid Kit – My Silver Lining (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- London Grammar – Interlude (Live) (Flac 24bit/88kHz)
- Aretha Franklin – I Say a Little Prayer (Wav 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Diana Krall – So Wonderful (DSF)
- Laura Pergolizzi – Lost On You “Live at Harvard and Stone” (Wav 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Elton John – Your Song (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
- David Bowie – Black Star (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Dave Gahan – Kingdom (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Eric Clapton – Wonderful Tonight (Live) (Spotify)
- B.B. King – Riding With The King (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Rush’s – Leave That Thing Alone (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Gogo Penguin – Raven (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
- Photek – Hidden Camera (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Otto Liebert& Luna Negra – The River (DSF) – Binaural Recording
- Vivaldi – Le QuarttroStagioni “The Four Season” (Wav 24bit/88kHz)
- Chopin – Nocturn No. 20 In C-Sharp Minor (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Fazıl Say – Nazım Oratoryosu (Live) (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Armin Van Buuren – Vini Vici (Spotify)
- Lorde – Royal (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
- Tom Player – Resonace Theory (16bit/44.1kHz)
- Massive Attack – Angel (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
- Portishead – The Hidden Camera (MP3 320kbps)
- Liquid Tension Experiment 2 – Acid Rain (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Opeth – Damnation (Wav 16bit/44kHz)
- Metallica – Sad but True (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Megadeth – Sweating Bullets (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Slayer – Angel of Death (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
Short Explanation of the Triple Tuning Switch System:
The BGVP ArtMagic VG4 is an In-Ear Monitor with a so called “Triple Tuning Switch System” that gives you the ability to fine tune the sound signature in a fairly noticeable way.
1-0-0: This sound mode will increase the upper midrange and lower treble response of the ArtMagic VG4. This mode does also increase the detail retrieval of female vocals and instruments such like violins, cymbals or flutes and makes the overall presentation more crisp and airy.
0-2-0: This mode will increase the lower midrange & midrange response of the ArtMagic VG4 and offers also a more mid-forward and intimate presentation.
0-0-3: If you set the switch system to this mode, it will boost the midbass and subbass response of the ArtMagic VG4 which is a good option if you want listen to genres such like EDM, Pop or Trance music, without to affect the overall clarity and detail retrieval.
0-0-0: This mode is in short the reference tuning of the ArtMagic VG4 with a more linear and closer to neutral presentation, with less coloration compared to all other modes that I have explained above.
All other combination/variations does chance the general presentation in a small margin.
The Sound:
PS: The review below will be mainly based on the reference mode with all switches set to OFF (0-0-0).
The BGVP ArtMagic VG4 is an In-Ear Monitor with a tad warmer than neutral tonality which offers a pretty linear and close to neutral bass response, transparent and very detailed midrange and a treble tuning that has a nice level of sparkle and extension.
Bass:
The BGVP ArtMagic VG4 in reference mode offers a linear bass response with moderate subbass depth and extension that is pretty controlled and detailed in its presentation. The midbass is thigh and shows moderate impact with good level of control and clarity.
If you switch to mode 0-0-3 the subbass shows immediately more rumble and depth, while the midbass gets more weight and a higher level of slam effect. The bass remains controlled and detailed without to affect the overall clarity.
The bass is on booth reference (0-0-0) and bass enhance mode (0-0-3) pretty fast while you should prefer the bass enhancement mode if you want to listen to modern genres like Pop, EDM or Trance music, while the reference mode offers enough bass intensity, extension and depth for genres like metal or jazz music.
Midrange:
The BGVP ArtMagic VG4 shows in general a very crisp, lively and transparent midrange tonality with a fairly upfront vocal presentation. The ArtMagic VG4 in reference mode offers a detailed clear and pretty musical character with good upper midrange extension, while the lower midrange shows an average depth and fullness.
When you switch the ArtMagic VG4 to the combination 0-2-0 you will notice a fuller more intimate and mid-forward presentation. This mode offers a more emotional vocal and instruments presentation without to lose the typical clarity and detail of the general midrange character. Male vocals do show more depth and fullness while instruments like acoustic guitars and violas are very pleasant to listen to.
If you switch combination 1-0-0 you will hear a more highlighted upper midrange response with additional extension and brightness compared to the reference mode (0-0-0). Female vocals and instruments such like violins and pianos do sound livelier and do have a better level of extension, but are also at the same time more prone to sibilance compared to the other two modes.
Treble:
The treble range of the BGVP ArtMagic VG4, if switched to the reference mode shows a fairly bright tonality with above average clarity and definition. The transitions from the upper midrange to the lower treble region are more controlled compared to the 1-0-0 combination, but shows a slightly shorter extension.
The treble brightness and detail retrieval of the ArtMagic VG4 is pretty good for an In-Ear Monitor at this price range especially if you switch it to the 1-0-0 combination which offers additional clarity, airiness and sparkle compared to the reference mode.
The treble extension, detail and speed of the BGVP ArtMagic VG4 is successful while listen to instruments such like hi-hats, crash and ride cymbals with the 1-0-0 combination. Crash cymbals have a good intensity and sharpness, while the hits are in general fairly controlled.
If you are a treble head, I do highly recommend you to use the ArtMagic VG4 with the 1-0-0 combination, but if you prefer a more relaxed and fatigue free presentation the ArtMagic VG4 in reference mode can do offers such a presentation.
Soundstage & Imaging:
The BGVP ArtMagic VG4 offers a soundstage presentation with a pretty good level of separation and positioning instruments and vocals. The soundstage shows a good level wideness while the depth is on a moderate level.
The ArtMagic VG4 shows a nice sense of separation between the right and the left channels and shows also a fairly smooth progression which makes it to a successful IEM at this price category when it comes to close to natural imaging.
Some Short Comparisons:
BGVP ArtMagic VG4 (Reference Mode) vs Tansio Mirai TSMR-3 Pro (Balanced Mode)
Both IEM’s do offers a similar Triple Tuning Switch System, while I will compare them in reference mode for the ArtMagic VG4 and balanced mode for the TSMR-3 Pro.
The ArtMagic VG4 has slightly more subbass depth and extension and offers also a tad more rumble. The midbass region of the TSMR-3 Pro is a bit more linear compared to those of the ArtMagic VG4 that has the upper hand in terms of impact and layering.
The midrange of the BGVP ArtMagic VG4 shows a higher level of clarity and detail retrieval especially in the lower midrange area, while the upper midrange of the TSMR-3 Pro is slightly more highlighted compared to those of the ArtMagic VG4 which has a more natural timbre.
The treble range of both IEM’s is quite successful in terms of detail retrieval and extension. The ArtMagic VG4 sounds a bit more natural with instruments such like flutes and violins.
The soundstage of the TSMR-3 Pro has better depth, while the ArtMagic VG4 sounds more open/airy and shows also a slightly better sense of wideness.
BGVP ArtMagic VG4 (Reference Mode) vs Final Audio B2:
The Final Audio B2 has in general a warmer tonality compared to those of the BGVP ArtMagic VG4. The bass of the Final Audio B2 shows a more linear character compared to the ArtMagic and is inferior in terms of layering and speed. The BGVP ArtMagic VG4 has the upper hand in terms of subbass depth and extension and offers also more impact and clarity in the midbass area.
The midrange of the Final Audio B2 is more forward and emotional compared to the BGVP ArtMagic VG4, while the ArtMagic VG4 is superior in terms of transparency and detail retrieval. The lower midrange of the BGVP ArtMagic VG4 is more natural and detailed than those of the Final Audio B2.
Upper midrange and treble region of the ArtMagic VG4 is superior in terms extension, intensity and airiness and offers also more detail.
The soundstage of the ArtMagic VG4 is more expansive and airy than those of the Final B2 which shows also slightly less depth.
Conclusion:
Pros & Cons:
- + Bass Speed & Control
- + Transparent and Detailed Midrange
- + Good Treble Clarity and Definition
- + Sound Tuning Switches
- + Very Good Stock Cable
- – Short Sound Nozzle
- – Sound Tuning Switches are a bit small
How does it compare to the L4? Thank you!
Hi Gordon, I will compare and share my impression today. Cheers!
The Legacy 4 has the upper hand in default mode in terms of bass decay speed and extension. Both IEM’s are successful when it comes to the clarity and detail retrieval of the midrange when I do listen to vocals and instrument, while the VG4 had a brighter tonality. However, the L4 is more successful with male vocals and instruments like acoustic guitars, drums and violas, while the VG4 has the slightly edge with female vocals and instrument such like a Piano or Violin. The treble range of the VG4 is brighter and slightly more energetic, while the L4 is a bit more relaxed and controlled. Cheese!
Thanks for your detailed comparison, much appreciated!!
You are welcome!