The BOYA Magic is a revolution. Incredibly versatile, comparatively inexpensive and with impressive sound, this wireless microphone makes all the competition look pretty old. Our test reveals more.
Technical data
| Product: | Magic |
| Connection: | USB Type-C; Lightning |
| Sampling rate: | 48 kHz / 24 bit |
| Polar pattern: | Omnidirectional |
| Size: | 35 mm x 15.2 mm x 13 mm (receiver); 141.3 mm x 26.5 mm x 21 mm (charging case) |
| Weight: | 7 grams (receiver); 62.5 grams (charging case) |
| Battery life: | 6 hours (transmitter and receiver); 30 hours total in charging case |
| Range: | 100 meters |
| Special features: | 4-in-1 microphone; Safety Track; Noise canceling function |
| Price: | € 109.00 * |
BOYA Magic Test: This microphone can do it all
- minimalist design
- versatile use
- well thought-out, unique structure
Content creators looking for a wireless microphone have a number of options. From the DJI Mic 2 (our test) and Mic Mini to the Rode Wireless Pro or Micro, the AnkerWork M650 (our test) and many more. They all sound good and absolutely fulfill their purpose as wireless clip-on microphones.
The brand new BOYA Magic, on the other hand, is an incredibly flexible and versatile revolution. Thanks to its clever, unique design, the Magic not only functions as a wireless microphone, but can also be used as a handheld shotgun microphone, camera microphone, desktop mic and clip-on device.
The manufacturer achieves this with an incredibly clever design: Because the BOYA Magic relies on an elongated body that is 141.3 mm long, 26.5 mm wide and 21 mm deep. So a classic, elongated shotgun microphone? Ha, think again!
At the front, the microphone has a hinged opening that contains the two wireless clip-on microphone receivers. At 7 grams each, they are incredibly light and, at 35 mm x 15.2 mm x 13 mm, are even much more compact than most competitors. The shotgun microphone also functions as a charging case for the wireless microphones
In addition to a clip for attaching to clothing, they also have a magnet that can be used to attach them to tops and other materials.
Okay, that’s already pretty cool. What else? Thanks to the 1/4-inch thread on the back of the Shotgun, the Magic can also be attached to a tripod or stand, turning it into a wireless desktop microphone.
This makes the BOYA Magic not only suitable for content creators or journalists who need convincing sound quality in the field, but also cuts an excellent figure for home use.
By the way: A receiver with cold shoe connection is also included in the generous scope of delivery. This means that the microphone can also be used with professional system cameras. This means that the BOYA Magic covers an incredible four scenarios.
Everything included, always ready for use
- gigantic scope of delivery
- USB-C and Lightning receiver
- 100 meter range
The manufacturer has really thought of everything when it comes to the scope of delivery of the BOYA Magic, as it is gigantic. The microphone is supplied in a practical transport case that holds all the accessories as well as the mic itself.
The attractive, compact case is reminiscent of the DJI Mic 2 and is full to bursting. BOYA offers the Magic in various kits. For our test, we took a look at the complete kit, which comes with the following accessories:
- Charging case
- 2 transmitters with magnets
- Foam windscreen for charging case
- Fur windshield for charging case
- 2 fur windshields for transmitter
- USB-C to USB-A cable
- USB-C to USB-C cable
- 3.5 mm TRS to TRS audio cable
- USB-C receiver
- Lightning receiver
- 3.5 mm TRS camera receiver
- Quick guide and paperwork
As you can see, the manufacturer has thought of absolutely everything. However, if you know that you won’t be using the Magic on a system camera and only use USB-C devices anyway, you can also opt for the cheaper USB-C bundle and save some money.
Regardless of this, my enthusiasm for the Magic continues. This applies, for example, to the receivers, which are not only extremely compact, but can also be easily attached to the underside of the charging case when not in use, where they are held in place magnetically. Incredibly smart detail, so the things can’t get lost.
The receivers also offer a wireless range of a whopping 100 meters, so you can move around freely in videos without any sound dropouts or audio problems. Thanks to plug-and-play, the BOYA Magic works extremely reliably and is ready for use immediately after switching on.
Operation and app
- Intuitive operation
- Clear app
One thing that admittedly annoyed me a little about the DJI Mic 2 was the complicated operation. Okay, the whole thing offers a wealth of options thanks to the touchscreen and rotary control, but it was all too much, too complex for me to quickly record a video.
The Magic is completely different, with its simple and intuitive operation. Both the charging case and the TX modules and RX receivers have a status LED that indicates when the device is connected, muted or the noise-canceling function is active.
There is also a single button per device that fulfills exactly two functions:
- Switching on and off
- Use of an additional function
Pressing and holding one of the buttons for two seconds switches the microphone or receiver on and off. A single press of the button activates noise suppression on the TX modules or the Charging Case, and in the case of the RX receiver, the microphone can also be muted with a double tap. It couldn’t be simpler.
The camera receiver also has a volume button that can be used to adjust the volume in three stages.
BOYA Central is used as a companion app on the smartphone, which has a tidy interface and a convincing range of functions. Here you can see the gain of the microphones, adjust the level in three stages, activate noise cancelling, switch between mono and stereo recording, add a safety track, adjust the sound using an equalizer and much more. Simple, clear, intuitive.
Battery life of the BOYA Magic
- 6 hours runtime for the receivers
- 30 hours of use with charging case
Despite the compact size of the transmitters, the battery life of the BOYA Magic is absolutely impressive. The receivers themselves offer a runtime of up to 6 hours – identical to the significantly more expensive DJI Mic 2.
The charging case has an integrated 500 mAh battery, which increases the battery life to an impressive 30 hours. This means that nothing stands in the way of long days of filming.
Practical test and audio quality
- Incredibly flexible and versatile
- reliable magnets
It only took a few minutes for the BOYA Magic to absolutely blow me away with its intuitive design and versatile capabilities. You know those YouTube videos where creators hold a wireless clip-on microphone in their hand instead of clipping it to their clothes as intended? Pretty ridiculous the whole thing.
If you use the Magic as a shotgun microphone, it’s great to hold in your hand. For videos, surveys at trade fairs or on the street or wherever. Or you can simply clip it to your clothes – it works just as well.
The special feature is of course the flexibility, which is absolutely unique in its shape. And thanks to the two windshield variants included, you are also well equipped against strong winds when using it outdoors. The Charging Case is really very comfortable to hold and can be used perfectly.
The magnets of the wireless receivers also sit incredibly firmly and would probably hold receivers that weigh three or four times as much. But enough talk: How does the BOYA Magic sound?
Impressive sound
- 48 kHz / 24 bit
- High dynamic range
- clean, high-resolution sound
Let’s take a look at the specs first and they are absolutely at a professional level: The BOYA Magic records at a sampling rate of 48 kHz at a bit rate of 24 bits. It reproduces a frequency response of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz and delivers an impressive dynamic range of 144 dB, so that quiet and loud passages are reproduced clearly and without distortion. There is also an integrated limiter to ensure that the recorded voice is not overdriven.
If that’s not enough, you can also activate the safety track, whereby the microphone records a second audio track, but this is recorded -12 dB quieter. So if something is too loud in the recording, you still have a second, clean backup track available in post-production.
If you are recording outdoors, unpredictable noises can of course always occur. A passing motorcycle, for example, or other background noises that you don’t want in the recording. This is where the AI-supported noise suppression, which can be set to two levels, comes into play and is excellent. Your own voice remains clearly intelligible, while ambient noise is reliably reduced to a volume of up to 40 dB.
BOYA Magic microphone test recording:
Microphone test recording DJI Mic 2:
As you can already hear, the BOYA Magic offers little cause for criticism from a sound perspective. Compared to the much more expensive DJI Mic 2, the Magic sounds a little more realistic in my opinion and offers more detailed highs and mids, but is also a little more susceptible to ambient noise, although this can be controlled by switching on the noise canceling function.
The AI-supported noise canceling works very reliably without affecting the sound too much. In the high mode for -40dB, the processing can definitely be heard, but the recordings still sound extremely detailed.
BOYA Magic Review: Conclusion
The BOYA Magic lives up to its name and magically transforms itself into four different microphones. This makes it one of the most exciting wireless microphone systems on the market. Its versatility is particularly impressive: whether it’s a shotgun mic, a wireless mini-mic, in the studio or on a system camera, the Magic can be used anywhere.
This would only be half as good if the sound wasn’t also convincing. But it does. Voice reproduction is pleasantly dynamic and rich in detail, and if you like, you can fine-tune the sound in detail using the equalizer.
Combined with a gigantic scope of delivery, a really strong battery life and intuitive operation, the BOYA Magic is an outstanding option for anyone looking for a versatile wireless microphone system. And at an unbeatable price.
VORTEILE
- Four microphone system in one
- Unique flexibility
- Excellent sound
- Strong battery life
- Intuitive operation
- Comparatively inexpensive
NACHTEILE
- Workmanship could be better
- Range slightly lower than the competition
Fazit
Incredibly versatile, outstanding sound, long battery life and intuitive operation: the BOYA Magic is an excellent wireless microphone system.
