Competition in the wireless headphones market is always bringing prices lower. The £39.99 price of the SoundMAGIC P22BT is certainly attractive but are there any compromises in the design to achieve this suspiciously low price? We’ll take a look..

Pros:

• Light and comfortable
• Low cost
• Decent isolation
• Travel pouch included

Cons:

• Considering the price, nothing!

Design and Appearance

If you’re familiar with similar wired SoundMAGIC models (such as the P21), the P22BT is constructed in much the same way with a light, small headband and foldable earcups. When adjusted, the headband gives a nice clicky feel and maintains its position quite securely. Numbered marks on the steel part within the headband allow the user to easily find the right size before putting the headphones on, if taking out of the travel case.

Durability and Build Quality

This is where some compromises are expected, but the P22BT is actually quite decent. Granted, it doesn’t have the feel of a premium set of bluetooth headphones, but some of those cost ten times the price of course. Build quality is not as spartan as we might expect for the asking price, but care should be taken as they are not indestructible. Don’t put them anywhere where you might accidentally sit on them!

Comfort

The 70mm earpads are soft and do a good job of keeping the ears comfortable; glasses wearers may feel the pinch after a while, but the arms of the glasses can be worn resting on top of the earpads when in position.

Suitability for intended application

The SoundMAGIC P22BT can be worn around the neck when not in use, but those with a Tyson neck might find it a bit tight. No matter, as the included travel pouch will also keep them safe between uses. Isolation with those soft pads is pretty good for an on-ear, so a good option for roving around in town.

Sound Characteristics

Those familiar with previous SoundMAGIC models will not be surprised to hear that the sound is fairly typical of this brand. The P22BT has a warm tilt, with enough bass emphasis to give those basslines a lift without going overboard. As with all on-ear and over-ear headphones, be aware that the position of the drivers over the ears can alter the sound but the P22BT appears to be more fussy than most and bad positioning can affect the sound quite drastically.

• Bass

Bass is full and well-rounded, with a decent amount of sub bass coming through too. There is a little bit of flabbiness where it meets the midrange, but it’s well within the realms of acceptability. Generally however, it’s punchy and with good width.

• Mids

Despite the slight intrusion of the bass into the midrange, the P22BT is really enjoyable! Midrange has an engaging quality about it which gets the listener moving. It’s comfortable, with no piercing qualities when it comes to female vocals for example. Harmonics are good too, bringing out the characters of the instruments nicely.

• Treble

Fine details are perhaps a bit of a stretch for an entry-level priced bluetooth model; however the P22BT gives a decent impression of what’s going on at the top end of the spectrum. Granted, things can get a bit splashy but not to the detriment of the presentation as a whole. Taken with the rest of the sound, the treble gets away with it.

• Soundstage and Separation

There is a nice bit of width and depth going on here; the feeling of immersion is not going to transport anyone to a musical paradise, but it gets close. Separation is decent too, with different elements standing well on their own.

Music genres good for and why

The P22BT is a good all-rounder, but is particularly suited to commercial genres such as pop and rock/ dance music etc.

Summary

The SoundMAGIC P22BT is suspiciously low-priced for a bluetooth model, but exceeds all expectations. Watch out this summer however, as wearing these constantly may affect your suntan.

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Fidue A65 In Ear Headphone Review – A Load of Fun for Half a Ton

These days, you could almost pick a number and it would coincide with the model of a Fidue earphone’s name. But along with quantity there remains quality; something that Fidue is obviously keen to preserve in its lineup. The Fidue A65 is certainly in the midst of the budget price category, but stands tall in terms of sound quality.

Pros:

• Decent cable with mic included

• Well rounded, weighty sound

• Good soundstage

Cons:

• Lack of cinch on cable

Design and Appearance

The A65 has sturdy feeling and attractive metal capsules with a brushed copper texture, which looks like someone’s wound some copper wire tightly around them. Not inappropriate, since the A65 is driven by a copper winding-powered dynamic driver for a decent bass sound which starts low! The button/mic cable and jack is much the same as the higher-priced Fidue A73; a good quality rubber coated affair with decent strain reliefs.

As with most of Fidue’s models, there’s a small mic/button remote on the cable but nothing too intrusive for those who do not require it.

Durability and Build quality

The A65 gives the impression of a long-lasting earphone which will be a solid performer for a good long while. Despite its relatively entry-level pricing, the A65 looks as if it can withstand a fair amount of use and abuse; there’s no exterior plastic to be found other than the rubber-like material making up the strain reliefs, making it pleasing in a tactile way too.

Comfort

Comfort shouldn’t be an issue; the Fidue A65 can be worn with the cable down or over the ears depending on the wearer’s preference, and these particular pearls are light and small enough to nestle well in anyone’s shell-like. The cable does lack a cinch (slidey bit) as do many Fidue IEMs, not a deal breaker but some may miss this feature.

Sound isolation

Isolation is fair, this depends of course on how well they fit the individual but isolation is good enough to take the wearer’s mind off of anything which might spoil the fun.

Sound characteristics

Using the Chord Hugo DAC/Amp standard, the Fidue A65 belies its sub £50 position in terms of sound as well as build. The overall impression is one of a fun sound, but not at the expense of refinement.

• Bass

Bass is great on the A65, and that’s great in the older sense of the word too; the quality is punchy and quantity is perfectly balanced. It starts low and provides a solid foundation, but never loses control.

• Mids

Midrange is slightly laid back, but this is not really noticeable since the bass is so nicely controlled. There’s a very nice impression of space in the presentation. Vocals and harmonics seem larger than life in terms of definition and presence without being forced.

• Treble

There is a certain amount of graininess here in terms of clarity, but this doesn’t mean that there’s any roughness or noise. Things are smoothed off slightly so the Fidue A65’s talents are made the most of whilst still keeping a good balance between bass and treble. The overall impression is of an earphone at at least twice the price which this earphone is offered at.

Soundstage and Separation

Another excellent feature is the depth and width of presentation, with the clarity of the midrange stepping in to do its part. Harmonics and their accompanying instruments/parts take a step forward and vie for attention where the listener may not expect them, and it all feels completely natural.

Music genres good for and why

Rock music is one which should be mentioned first as the exceptional midrange is perfect for guitars and vocals. Pop, dance and hip-hop are also well served, with an expansive bass and good detail without any danger of sibilance to get in the way.

Classical fans may miss a little top-end resolution and detail, but the width and harmonics which come through make up for this.

Summary

Fidue’s no stranger to introductions, and they’re certainly presenting a challenge to this reviewer; there’s only so many ways of stating that something is good. If only it was as easy to trawl the English language for original words as Fidue finds talent and fine sound to put in its earphones!

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