X-Man Shadow 6x6 V3 (Magnetic + Ball-Core + UV)

X-Man Shadow 6x6 V3 Magnetic Ball-Core UV

This is the third generation of the 6x6 from X-Man Design, a brand owned by QiYi. The X-Man Shadow 6x6 V3 comes in a single, fully equipped version: it has magnets in the pieces, a magnetic Ball-Core and a UV coating. The cube measures approx. 63 mm and weighs approx. 149 g, which makes it compact and light for a 6x6. It sits comfortably in the hand, even for people with smaller hands.

How the V3 differs from the V2

• Ball-Core. The corners are magnetically attracted to the core. This is meant to keep the cube steadier during fast turning and give a more controllable feel. The V2 M only had magnets in the pieces.
• Smaller and lighter body. The V2 M was approx. 64 mm and approx. 160 g, while the V3 is 63 mm and 149 g. On a 6x6, you can feel every millimetre and every few grams in your hands.
• UV coating. The plastic is glossy, has a noticeable grip and is more resistant to wear than a plain stickerless surface.

How it turns

The manufacturer lists improved corner cutting, an anti-pop mechanism and pieces designed not to catch on each other. The bright stickerless colour scheme has high contrast, which makes it easier to recognise colours and look ahead. Users describe the turning as smooth and light, with the magnets clearly snapping the layers into place.

That said, opinions are mixed. Cubers with accurate, fluid turning often praise the Shadow V3 and use it as their main. With a more aggressive style, some report popping and less stable behaviour. This is fairly common on bigger cubes, but it's worth knowing before you buy. If you turn hard and imprecisely, you may need more time to get used to it or to adjust the setup, e.g. the lube.

Who is it for?

For anyone looking for a compact 6x6 with magnets in the core who wants all of X-Man Design's features in one cube, without having to choose between versions. It works well for cubers who focus on control and accurate moves rather than maximum TPS. If you want a first 6x6 that simply works without much effort, a cheaper magnetic model without Ball-Core will also do the job.

Specifications

• Type: magnetic 6x6 cube, bright stickerless
• Manufacturer: X-Man Design (QiYi)
• Size: approx. 63 mm
• Weight: approx. 149 g
• Magnets: magnets in the pieces and Ball-Core (corner-to-core magnets)
• Finish: UV coated
• Mechanism: anti-pop, pieces designed to prevent catching