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SoundMAGIC E11BT Wireless Earphone Review

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SoundMAGIC E11BT Earphone Review

SoundMAGIC are on a roll right now with their releases. First the E11 and E11C – already gaining numerous 5 star reviews. Then the E11D – their first USB-C dedicated earphone; and now the E11BT Bluetooth earphones. How do they hold up against the rest of the range?

Aesthetics and Build Quality:

The packaging is pretty standard for SoundMAGIC, with the addition of a front window flap – showing off the earphones along with a nice close up picture of the housing. Inside you get a selection of silicone eartips, USB charging cable and a carry pouch.

SoundMAGIC has gone for a neckband design with the E11BT. The design is neat and feels very well built. The batteries are placed either side of the neckband and there is an inline 3 button control and microphone for playing music and taking calls. The cables are the right length so they don’t flap around, and call quality is also very good as the microphone height is ideal.

soundmagic e11bt

SoundMAGIC E11BT

Features and Comfort:

The specs for the E11BT are pretty impressive. You get the latest Bluetooth 5 technology which helps towards the sound quality, a transmission distance of up to 13 meters and improved battery life. The SoundMAGIC E11BT will give you up to around 20 hours of continuous talk time. I have also found out that with general use, battery life lasts and lasts. The manual states that you can expect between 48 and 60 hours of continuous playback and from my experience with the E11BT – this seems to be pretty accurate.

These earphones are AAC compatible which is great news for both Apple and Android users. There is no aptX compatibility. However, like aptX – the AAC codec will transmit your music in CD-like 16bit audio quality.

Connecting the earphones is easy. Once powered on, the E11BT automatically goes into pairing mode, with red and blue lights flashing. Then when the model appears on your device you can connect. I really like the battery level that’s shown on the home screen of my phone – very handy. When you’re not using them, the magnetic housings hang nicely around your neck.

Good news for sporty users. The E11BT has a high water resistance rating of IPX4 – this means that they will be able to withstand water splashes from any direction.

The E11BT is very comfortable to wear. The neckband has a smooth finish and is flexible, sitting nicely behind the neck, and the housings are a good size so no-one should have an issue with fit.

SoundMAGIC E11BT

Sound:

Unlike other earphones at this price point – instrument separation is superb. Every sound comes through clearly and crisp.

  • Bass: There is bass weight and punch coming from the low end – enough to keep the bassheads happy while keeping it controlled so it doesn’t bleed into the higher frequencies.

 

  • Midrange: Mids pop, and cut through effortlessly with an engaging tone. There is a real crispness that is not what you’d normally expect from a lower priced Bluetooth earphone.

 

  • Treble: The treble provides space and clarity and the soundstage is huge. You get a real sense of depth and width from the E11BT.

SoundMAGIC E11BT

Conclusion:

Overall, I can confidently say that these are the best Bluetooth earphones going at this price and possibly even under £100. Their sound quality, technology, design and comfort are normally associated with more expensive models – the SoundMAGIC E11BT should be top of your list when looking for a new Bluetooth earphone.

Sound:  5/5

Features: 5/5

Comfort: 4/5

Build: 4/5

Value: 5/5

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless Review

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Momentum True Wireless

Aesthetics and Build Quality:

The Momentum True Wireless look great, with a matte black body and textured aluminium faceplates. A lot of the lower end true wireless models look very generic and cheap, whereas Sennheiser have made sure these have a modern and simplistic look to them.

The build quality feels excellent too, with a sturdy body and great case there is nothing to go wrong. Providing you don’t drop them too often; I have a feeling these will last you a while.

Features and Comfort:

The little case they come with is really compact and charges them securely, with magnets holding the earphones in. It takes a while to get used to how the touch features work, but the manual explains it all and once you have used them for a bit, they become quite easy to use. The main thing is that the connection is stable, I haven’t had any drop-outs when in use unless I am a long way away from the transmitting device.

Comfort is great once you find the right ear tips, they stay securely in my ears and are very comfortable due to the rounded edges of the housing.

Sound:

Bass: The Momentum TW has quite impressive bass response, with a nice dose of added body which gives the sound a pleasant warmth. The bass is not necessarily the tightest out there, but it does a respectable job of keeping up with more complex tracks, along with having enough extension and impact to keep most people happy. The added body these have is great as when you use them in noisy environments you will still be able to hear every beat.

 

Midrange: The midrange is a little bit recessed, but there is enough presence to stop them from sounding overly V-shaped. Guitars have great tonality to them; however, vocals don’t quite grab your attention, lacking a bit of clarity. The midrange doesn’t really do anything overly wrong, but they do lack detail and come across a little muffled at times.

 

Treble: The treble comes across with good clarity but in a polite manner, never becoming overwhelming. They have quite good presence without any nasty peaks, there is a smooth and controlled nature to the treble that is very easy to listen to. They have just enough bite to prevent them from sounding overly dark, and they do extend with relative ease but this is hindered by Bluetooth codecs somewhat.

 

Conclusion:

The Momentum true wireless are the best true wireless headphones I have tested so far, with stable connectivity and good sound quality. Wired earphones at this price do still offer better sound, but at the cost of convenience. With a full-bodied sound that still offers a good level of detail, the Momentum True Wireless are actually quite impressive considering all that goes in to them.

Sound:  4/5

Features: 5/5

Comfort: 5/5

Build: 4/5

Value: 4/5

SoundMAGIC ST80 Bluetooth Sports Earphone Review

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SoundMAGIC ST80 Bluetooth Earphone Review

The SoundMAGIC ST80 is the perfect companion for sports enthusiasts, with a big helping of bass, yet crisp and detailed mids and non-fatiguing highs they are sure to keep you motivated on the move.

Pros:

  • Overall sound quality
  • Fit
  • Build quality

Cons:

  • Possibly a bit too much bass for some

Aesthetics, Build Quality and Accessories

The SoundMAGIC ST80 looks like most other earhook sports headphones, with a rotation behind the ear hook to securely hold them in place, and a small housing that goes into your ear. There is a battery pack on the cable, with a clip to clip it to your clothing, and a small remote. I think they look great for a sports headphone and do not stick out too much, I also like the black and red cable linking the headphones to the battery pack.

 

The build quality feels sturdy and these should hold up fine to daily sports activities very well, the cabling feels good, the headphones themselves are a mixture of metal and plastic. There is good strain relief on the connections and being Bluetooth means less cabling to fail, the cable is detachable though (screw on) and also included is a regular audio cable with controls.

Accessory wise you are spoilt for choice, with a nice clamshell carry case, 2 cables (one Bluetooth, one regular with mic and controls), an adaptor that splits the audio and microphone cable for use with computers, USB charging cable, phono adaptor that changes the pinout for apple/android, cable clip, S/M/L Comply foam tips, XS/S/M/L sports silicone tips, S/M/L regular silicone tips and also a pair of bi-flange tips. This amount of accessories and tips means you are guaranteed to find a secure fit, but also have something to store them in when not in use.

 

Comfort, Isolation, Cable noise and Ease of use:

The ST80 take a while to get used to fitting, once you get the hook behind your hear it is quite easy to get a good fit. The fit is nice and secure due to the earhooks keeping them in place, but the earhooks are soft enough to not cause discomfort. I find them to be very comfortable once you get a good fit and would not have problems wearing them for extended periods of time.

Isolation is good, not as good as fuly sealed units, but enough to block out most of the world around you when you are out jogging, just be careful when crossing the road or are around cycle paths. The good isolation also means they won’t leak sound outwards and annoy people near you.

Cable noise is very low on these, which is important for a sports headphone.

 

I found the ST80 paired over Bluetooth quickly and easily, I had no transmission issues and the remote was easy to use, if you long hold the volume up it changes track, instead of the usual double tap of the middle button. Something you will need to get used to, but nothing problematic; They charge easily via a microUSB port on the battery pack.

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READ MORE: SoundMAGIC E10BT Bluetooth Earphone Review

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Sound

  • Bass

The low end is slightly boosted on the ST80, keeping an upbeat and always present bass line keeping you motivated when out at the gym. Luckily the bass is not a bloated mess, it can extend low and you can feel it as well as hear it, but it does not veil the mid range too much. I find the impact of kick drums to be very impressive, and bass guitars are also very articulate, the only thing they don’t do so well is fast paced heavy metal.

  • Mids

The mids are slightly behind the bass in overall quantity, but they are still easily heard, female vocals sound a little better than male vocals. Overall though, the crunch from guitars is aggressive when called for, and there is a good amount of crisp detail. What is very good in the mid-range is the spacial cues and separation, being quite open and expansive.

  • Treble

The treble is very well reproduced here, again it takes a slight back seat in the overall sound but it still retains good clarity and air. It does not sound up front, leaning towards a darker, bassier sound. These won’t be for those who want the clearest sound, but for those looking for a fun sound whilst out and about they are perfect.

The soundstage is intimate, but the separation is good.

 

Conclusion

The SoundMAGIC ST80 can compete with the big boys, like the Sennheiser HD1 in-ear wireless, the ST80 have a bass oriented sound signature but with good clarity overall. The bass is the driving force behind these, but the mids cut though the mix very well offering excellent detail retrieval. The highs are slightly dull which leads to an easier listening experience but not the best overall balance.

The design lends itself to sports use, and the sound for that use is perfect, a nice big bass beat to keep you motivated, but without masking the rest of the sound.

Master & Dynamic MW60 Headphone Review – Bluetooth Beauties

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Master & Dynamic MW60 Bluetooth Headphone Review

Since coming on the scene recently, Master & Dynamic has certainly made an impact with their simple designs and solid build quality. The Master & Dynamic MW60 fits right in then, being as nice to hold as it is to look at. But how nice is it to listen to? Being Bluetooth, the MW60 will be subject to the same limitations and design challenges as its competitors’ offerings, but how have Master & Dynamic coped with these?

Pros:

  • Stunning looks
  • Bulletproof build quality
  • Intuitive controls

Cons:

  • Bass a little out of place depending on genre
  • Earpads can be dislodged
  • Relatively hard to power in passive mode
  • Non-removable internal battery

Design and Appearance

As mentioned in a previous review*, Master & Dynamic products have some lovely styling and have quite a theme running through their range. They’ve taken design cues from the first half of the 20th century and with the incorporated 21st century Bluetooth technology, we have the best of both worlds. Flash Gordon would have used these headphones.

If I was to mention that the Master & Dynamic MW60 is over engineered, I don’t mean that it’s heavy or clunky. Next to a lot of the competition though, it feels as though a lot has gone into this model in terms of the feel of it. It’s like the interior of a new Jaguar car. Plush upholstery contrasts with distinct metal features, making a strong impression of palatial swankiness.

Durability and Build Quality

It’s worth noting that when even the USB charge cable has a braided fabric covering, the standard is quite high! Similarly, there’s a cable for use with the MW60 when the battery is empty (or we just want to save power) with the same covering.

This reviewer tries to imagine what a year or two’s wear and tear is likely to do, but with the MW60 it’s tempting to imagine these after more like 50 years. The paint on the corners may rub off a bit and the earpads might bit a bit more shiny, but apart from any accidental damage, the build quality of the MW60 makes it easy to see them lasting forever.

Given that there’s a non-removeable battery however, it’s unlikely that the full wireless capability will last this long without servicing.

The earpads are firm and well upholstered; they are kept in place by magnets so care is needed when handling the headphones. They won’t fall off without help though!

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READ MORE: Meze Neo 99 Headphone Review

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Comfort

The earpads of the Master & Dynamic MW60 are excellent. Firm yet yielding, they give a great seal and there’s no hint of discomfort whilst wearing glasses either. The headband is quite narrow though; whilst it is padded, the padding could have done with being a bit thicker.

Sound Characteristics

The sound of the MW60 is fairly neutral for a wireless model; there’s a bit of a bass bump but not too much. It’s leaner than a majority of similar designs out there but the MW60 not bass light by any means. The overall tuning is warmish, but with enough presence up top to please sparkle junkies too. With the power off and the cable used instead, the Master & Dynamic MW60 is a little bit subdued but just fine if you’re in a low-power pinch. Some handsets may not have the power to get the MW60 to a decent volume level whilst in this passive mode however, especially if listening to classical music or acoustic genres with less dynamic compression than commercially produced tracks.

  • Bass

There’s plenty of rumble and thump going on here; on certain tracks there can be a bit more presence here than intended though. Double bass gets picked up quite strongly for instance, and kick drums go low with power enough to give a feeling of pressure changes on the ears. With most modern genres this works very well and drives things along very nicely.

  • Mids

The midrange on the MW60 is clear and maybe a little emphasised here and there; vocals appear quite prominent but there’s no obvious problem with sibilance. Depending on the genre, vocals can sound quite intimate and backing vocals have an impressive width.

  • Treble

There’s a limit to the amount of detail which is possible through a wireless Bluetooth connection, so there is a bit of graininess here but the MW60 does a good job of it. Cymbals and hi-hats are there alright, and fit in with the rest of the sound but don’t expect a great amount of shimmer or airiness here.

  • Soundstage and Separation

While there is a nice amount of width on display with bass and midrange frequencies, it’s tempting to think that some of it is due to an internal DSP (digital signal processing) function rather than the design of the headphones themselves. This is borne out by using the cable with the MW60 turned off; there is still a bit of width here but noticeably less. Separation is pretty good but sometimes there can be a bit of midrange congestion with a lot going on. Where treble is concerned, we aren’t in any doubt that these are closed-back headphones but they’re designed to be wireless so this is pretty standard stuff.

Music genres good for and why…

Whether in wireless or passive mode, the MW60 really works best with commercial genres such as rap, dance and pop etc. Acoustic genres and classical can be affected with bass frequencies being picked up a bit too much, and these quieter music types tend not to be very loud in passive mode with the cable.

Summary

If you want wireless but not tasteless, then the Master & Dynamic MW60 is a contender. Its build and styling belongs to another era, but it has 21st century technology under the hood and will please those who want classic good looks and no gimmicks.

Pioneer SE-MS7BT Bluetooth Headphone Review

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Pioneer SE-MS7BT Wireless Headphone Review

READ MORE: Best Headphones Buying Guide

The Pioneer SE-MS7BT are a great performer for the price, they offer an engaging, upfront sound that is sure to please fans of rock music.

Pros:

  • Balanced sound
  • Great separation
  • Fast and energetic

Cons:

  • May be lacking bass for some

Design and Appearance

The Pioneer SE-MS7BT have an understated, simplistic design with an all black colour scheme, metal faceplates and a simple headband. They use an over the ear, closed back design and will blend in seamlessly with your daily routine.

Durability and Build Quality

The SE-MS7BT feel sturdy; the headband is metal, the cups are plastic and they feel like they will last with some care. All the sockets and buttons feel great, the arms that hold the cups on are a little on the thin side however.

Easy of use

Pairing these is easy, and there were no transmission issues, however they do use a long press to change the volume and short press to change track. This does mean it is not as easy to fine tune the volume level but is something that you get used to.

Comfort

The earpads offer plenty of room which leads to evenly distributed pressure, along with a well padded headband makes these a very comfortable headphone and perfect for long commutes.

Sound Isolation

The closed back nature of these headphones means they effectively block outside noise, they do not have any noise cancelling feature, but they do a good job of drowning out the world around you.

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READ MORE: Best Sports Headphones and Earphones – Wired and Wireless

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Sound

Now with a name like Pioneer, you would expect a dark, bass oriented headphone, yet the SE-MS7BT lean towards a more neutral and balanced sound.

  • Bass

The bass is tight and fast, hitting hard when called for but always under good control. The bass can keep up with heavy metalcore, yet is equally at home providing a base for modern pop recordings. These are not for those who like big pounding bass, but are great for those who appreciate quality over quantity. Kick drums do however have a slightly flat feel, and could use a bit more punch.

  • Mids

Due to the well controlled bass, the mids on these cut straight through the mix with excellent clarity and presence, there is a slight hint of sibilance in the upper regions but it is not problematic. The mids have good detail retrieval, and impressive separation, there is very little to fault in the mids for the price.

  • Treble

The treble is well presented with good presence and definition, yes they lack the refinement of more expensive models, but for the price it is refreshing to hear a pair that does not lack treble energy. They are not piercing, but the treble is always audible and with good positioning.

  • Soundstage and Separation

The soundstage is wider than average, not huge but some out of head moments to be had when listening to these.

Separation is very good, even during the fastest tracks you can still easily separate the different instruments. The layering in the mids is excellent, and the overall placement of instruments is very precise.

Genres good for and why

The SE-MS7BT is at home with all genres, but tends to lend its hand to rock best, with a fairly aggressive and up front sound it really helps bring out the best during faster, more complex tracks.

Sennheiser PXC550 Bluetooth Headphone Review – Welcome to the Fold

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Sennheiser PXC550 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphone Review

Sennheiser has certainly established itself within the wireless and noise cancellation markets in recent years with it’s ‘MM’ series and earlier models in the ‘PXC’ line, but the Sennheiser PXC550 promises to make things a little more swish with its swipeable control.

Since so many executives are zipping from airport to airport without even the chance to shave, the easy and intuitive operation of the PXC550 gives control of volume and a track skip feature too, freeing up time for more champers and hampers at 30,000 feet. So will Sennheiser eclipse the success of Bose and their popular models such as the QC35 in this field? The evidence is plane.

Pros:

  • Great build quality
  • Effective noise cancellation
  • Fully featured ‘swipeable’ controls
  • Cable included for wired/passive listening

Cons:

  • Cannot be used when turned off (unless battery is empty)
  • User needs to remember to fold down earcups to turn off
  • Wearing around the neck is not that comfortable

Design and Appearance

The Sennheiser PXC550 is quite smart looking but not too flashy though; the PXC 550 means decorum, not decoration. This reviewer can be a little self-conscious when sporting such things in public, but the PXC 550 should feel right on any shrinking violet’s bonce. Bowers & Wilkins has had great success with its portable range such as with the P5 and the wireless P7, and the PXC 550 is similar in looks with its black and silver motif.

They’ve done away with the power button and the simple act of unfolding the earcups turns the PXC 550 on. Fold them down again to turn it off. It may be possible to wear the headphones around the neck between uses, but blood flow to the head may be restricted. If you’re in the habit of just removing headphones and putting them down, you’ll have a few flat battery moments until you lose that habit.

Functions are announced by a British female voice; Sennheiser has settled on one that’s not too prissy, but you get the feeling she won’t stand for too much nonsense so don’t press too many of the wrong buttons.

Durability and Build quality

The PXC550 is mainly constructed of high quality plastic with a metal-reinforced headband and some other brushed metal flourishes; the construction is what’s to be expected from Sennheiser at this price point. It’s very nice indeed. There is a cable for use with the headphones when the battery is empty but this could have been better implemented (we’ll come back to this).

Comfort

The Sennheiser PXC 550 sits nicely on the head and there’s no problem with fit, although the earcups are quite snug. Those with large ears may find an issue with this. They may be fine for mooching around in airport lounges and the like, but anything too active may lead to a bit of sweat being shed. This is a problem with any closed-back isolating model of course.

Suitability for intended application

The PXC 550 is a fully featured model; the manual runs to 50 pages and there’s all sorts of little things Sennheiser has thought of. For instance, the PA systems on flights may cut in if you’re listening to the aeroplane’s audio and sometimes this PA audio is a lot louder. The Sennheiser PXC550 knows about this and reduces the volume.

However, given the ‘fold-out’ method of turning the headphones on, there is no clear way of using the cable in order to conserve battery life. If you’re wearing the headphones, then they’re turned on.

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READ MORE: Bowers&Wilkins P7 Wireless Headphone Review

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Sound characteristics

Impressions are of the PXC550 in ‘active’ mode; a decent listen in passive mode will require the battery to be drained fully.

Overall, we have the typical Sennheiser sound but with perhaps a little more upper midrange presence; not a problem but vocals and some instruments can be a bit shouty at times.

The effect of the noise cancellation feature does mute the detail just a little bit when compared to when this feature is turned off, but it has its own benefits of course. The noise cancellation is actually very good indeed and should be quite adequate in many situations.

  • Bass

Bass starts nice and low; it gives a very deep and wide sense of space if called upon, but stays out of the picture with genres which don’t need it so much. It’s well controlled and stays put; there’s good definition where it meets the midrange and these higher frequencies are unaffected by any bass bleed.

  • Mids

Mids are slightly recessed against the bass, but again this is of no concern as the midrange is clear and uncluttered. However there is a little more presence in the high-mid area, which may give fricatives such as ‘s’ sounds a little more energetic when compared to some of Sennheiser’s wired models.

Vocals are clear and textured, with backing vocals being very good too; there’s a sense of a few singers spaced out nicely during parts with backing vocals.

  • Treble

The Sennheiser PXC550 is not an especially airy or crisp-sounding model; but for a wireless closed-back headphone it does OK.

Treble stays faithful to the Sennheiser tradition; it doesn’t draw undue attention to itself but instead appears as an extension of the midrange. There is a seamless transition between the two making quite a neutral sound within the upper part of the PXC 550’s frequency range.

If you like to listen to saxophones but prefer not to hear every bit of spittle within the mouthpiece, then the PXC 550 may be for you.

  • Soundstage and Separation

The sound of the Sennheiser PXC550 is good and wide from the rumble of certain bass notes right up to the lustre of hi-hats. It surrounds the listener very well. Instruments and voices are very clear and can be pictured within a 3D space quite plainly; this is one of those things that is affected by the noise cancellation however, but it’s par for the course.

Music genres good for and why

While all types of music will be acceptable the PXC550, it probably suits genres such as pop, rock, r&b; the commercial genres generally.

Summary

The Sennheiser PXC550 is excellent at noise cancellation; watch out Bose! Also the build quality is what we’d expect of a premium Sennheiser product; it’s light but solid. If you can get past the ‘fold-down’ means of turning the unit off, the PXC 550 is definitely a player in the contest for the ultimate wireless/noise cancellation model. It’s a great companion for long and short flights, and certainly beats solo air travel.