SoundMAGIC E10BT Wireless Earphone Review

For some years now the fine E10 from SoundMAGIC has assaulted our shores and needs no introduction; it has remained a firm favourite everywhere and shows no signs of losing that favour despite being in its 6th year since its release. But given that the SoundMAGIC E10 is now no longer an infant, it’s time to cut the apron strings and allow our little earphone to make its own way in the world, with a knapsack on its back.

So will the SoundMAGIC E10BT become the Mayor of London, or a missing person on milk cartons?

Full video review at the bottom of the page

Pros:

• Now the E10 is wireless!
• Plenty of eartips
• Carry case

Cons:

• Battery takes some getting used to

Design and Appearance

SoundMAGIC has gone to the dark side with the colours here; the E10BT is black all over and even the left/right markers from previous models are black now. The mic/controls are on the right with this one, and a battery pack sits in the middle of the cable.

Accessories are plentiful with various eartip types and sizes, along with a carry case for between uses.

Durability and Build quality

The E10BT seems durable enough, with a rubberised coating on the cable and strain reliefs which are small but seem up to the job. The cable seems a bit thinner than the E10, but this is because the lower section of cable (thicker on the E10) is not present on the bluetooth version of course.

Individual pairings can vary of course, but this reviewer gets a very strong connection with a cheap 4 year old Huawei handset, allowing a fair distance of travel from the source before connection problems arise.

Comfort

This can depend on the manner in which the E10BT is worn, and can require a bit of experimentation. Personally, this reviewer likes to wear the E10 with the cable going over the backs of the ears, with the cable and battery pack hanging loose down at the front like a medallion. Others prefer to clip the battery pack on at the front, or the back of the neck.

With the cable hanging down direct from the ears, the clip is probably required as the battery pack/cable tends to tug a bit more on the earholes.

Suitability for intended application

SoundMAGIC have though about this; with the types of uses the E10BT is likely to be put to, they have included a new type of tip with this model which are vented. These have little notches in them on the outside which allows a certain amount of exterior sound to penetrate, so if you’re out jogging then you’re more aware of the environment.

The battery pack on the SoundMAGIC E10BT sits in the middle of the cable; this can be clipped to a collar if worn at the back of the head, or worn at the front. This reviewer found a good fit with the cable going over the back of the ears, and the battery pack tucked in to clothing at the front. Battery life is good with a 10+ hour playing time which should be alright for a couple of marathons if you’re jogging!

Pairing is easy too; once the earphones are paired with your device initially, the two will connect automatically when turned on. Be aware that this may be tricky if your friend wants to try the E10BT on their own handset – you will have to turn yours off to prevent the automatic pairing from taking place. The connection is strong – at least with my 4 year old Huawei handset

Sound isolation

With the standard supplied silicone tips, isolation is average; exterior sounds are reduced by a few decibels, but of course if music is playing then they can be virtually ignored. Total isolation is not ideal though if you wish to remain aware of your environment, so there are some ‘vented’ eartips included which will reduce the isolation a bit further if needed.

Also, for fans of the previous models, the eartips are the same size so any custom, or aftermarket E10 tips need not be disposed of!

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READ MORE: RHA S500 Earphone Review – Ore Inspiring

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Sound characteristics

So, does the SoundMAGIC E10BT have that classic E10 sound? With a wired E10 in one ear and the E10BT in the other, this reviewer has the same track synched up on his phone and DAP, listening to both at once. It’s hardly scientific, but there are no great departures from the E10 sound but for a slightly warmer-sounding midrange and possibly a smoother treble.

If anything, bass tends to come through more at lower on the E10BT but not by much.

• Bass

There’s a slight emphasis on bass to give some nice added heft to drums and basslines, without going overboard. It goes low too, with a little added sub where called for. It’s a good level for a wide variety of music styles if you like to mix it up!

• Mids

The midrange is clean, clear and relatively crisp; reverb trails can be followed right to their disappearance and little seems to get in the way. Vocals are detailed and backing vocals have a nice breadth. Strings sit nicely in the background; harmonics are fairly easy to pick out which makes for some nice imaging too.

• Treble

The top end is slightly smooth; it’s similar to the E80 model which provides great detail without pushing it at the listener. It’s not a warm or dark-sounding earphone overall, there’s just a little bit of edge taken off which can greatly reduce problems with fatigue over longer listening sessions.

• Soundstage and Separation

Soundstage is about average for an in-ear model, not really creeping out far beyond the confines of the E10BT’s hardware. It makes for an intimate and pleasant presentation but you won’t be swept off your feet.

Separation is pretty good with many instruments vying for attention; pick one out and it’s easy to follow. There’s not much chance of complicated pieces getting cluttered with the E10BT.

Music genres good for and why

As with the original wired E10, the E10BT is a great all-rounder but may be more at home with commercial music such as pop, dance and hip hop. Having said that though, jazz classical and acoustic recordings are still very nice and if you enjoy a wide variety of music genres but just want one earphone, the E10BT is a strong runner.

The post SoundMAGIC E10BT Bluetooth Earphone Review appeared first on HiFiheadphones.

Summary

What can be better than the award winning SoundMAGIC E10 for under £40? The E10S has the same superb build quality and sound signature as the E10 but with the added function of a universal smartphone in-line microphone – need we say more?

Price – £39.99

SoundMAGIC E10S In Ear Isolating Earphones

Pros

• Amazing value for money
• High quality braided cable
• Weighty bass and crisp detail
• Universal smartphone microphone (iPhone and Android)

Cons

• Nothing to fault at this price

Key Features

• Comfortable fit and distinctive design
• Made for all smartphones
• Integrated smart remote and microphone
• Unique, all metal earphone construction
• Powerful bass balanced with superb musical detail
• Robust tangle-free twisted cable design
• Skype/VOIP adaptor included

First Impressions

From the start it is hard to believe that the E10S is under £40. The packaging is smart and of a very high quality – once opened you find plenty of spare ear tips and an attractive hard case. Holding the earphones you can feel how well made they are and the innovative switch on the jack plug will let you set the earphones to work with any smartphone – you would not expect technology like this on such a modestly priced earphone.

Sound Quality

Once you get over the impressive built quality and actually try them out you will not be disappointed. Like the SoundMAGIC E10, The E10S has tight bass with plenty of weight – the mids are well defined and the top end sparkles. These earphones are perfect for listening on the go as the sound is fun and they will sound great with whatever you throw at them. Soundstage is better than what you would expect from an earphone at this price – it’s engaging and natural.

Verdict

If you have £40 to spend on some new earphones then go for the SoundMAGIC E10 – if you need an in-line microphone then go for the E10S. Easy.

The post SoundMAGIC E10 S In Ear Headphone Review appeared first on HiFiheadphones.

World Cup 2014 is on its way and now that FIFA have banned branded headphones, we have come up with a list of headphones to help you keep up with all of the matches. Whether you listen to the radio on the go, stream the games on your iPad or just want to watch the football at home without disturbing anyone.

Here is our pick of headphones that will help you enjoy the World Cup and sound great!

Portable Streaming

Ideal for listening on the go with portable devices. These headphones are small, lightweight, they have good isolation and will reduce the amount of sound leaking out.. You can follow the World Cup in style.

SoundMAGIC E10

Voted best in-ear for under £40 3 years running. The E10 is the go to earphone for great sound and value.

Jaybird BlueBuds X

If you like using in-ears but want something wireless these are perfect! They use Bluetooth so will be able to connect to most mobile phones and modern portable devices.

Beyerdynamic DTX501p

These are great for portable listening. Very comfortable, they fold neatly into the supplied case and they sound great too.

Sennheiser Momentum On-Ear

If you’re after a bit more luxury then the Momentum On-Ear is for you. They are the portable sized version of the popular full sized Momentum. They have a lush sound with great clarity and soundstage. They are also extremely comfortable and they look great too!

Audiofly AF78/M

The AF78 uses hybrid technology, so you get a dynamic driver (for rich bass) and a balanced armature driver (for clarity and detail). This combination gives you great punchy sound with clear detail. The M version comes with a universal in-line microphone and one button control.

Sennheiser MM450-X

To fully immerse yourself you can go for the ultimate portable headphone. The MM450-X not only sounds great, they have noise cancelling – this will help block out background noise so you can listen in peace.

Home Streaming

Full size, comfortable and easily driven. Perfect for private listening at home with any source device.

Grado SR80i

These are open backed headphones so they will leak sound, but very good sound! They are probably the best value for money headphone we do.

Sennheiser HD380

Closed back and extremely comfortable. They have a warm and open sound – great for the price.

Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro

One of the best sub £200 closed back headphones we do. Very good sound isolation and adjustable bass ports lets you customise the sound for your taste. Very comfortable and has a replaceable cable.

SoundMAGIC HP200

Another open backed headphone so sound will leak. These have a surprisingly warm sound for an open back headphone with great bass and natural detail.

Final Audio Pandora Hope IV

This closed back headphone gives you the best of both – a balanced armature driver for crisp top end detail and a dynamic driver for rich, punchy lows. Once burned in these headphones sound amazing – you’ll want to wear them all day long!

Beyerdynamic T70p

The T70p has great clarity and top end detail with tight bass and an overall neutral sound. The P version is designed for portable devices, if you use a headphone amplifier then I would recommend the T70 (non P version).

Watching TV

If you’re going to be watching the games live on TV then you will be doing some late night viewing. These headphones will be able to connect to your TV and get you fully immersed in the World Cup without disturbing anyone else in the house.

Sennheiser RS160 or Sennheiser RS170

The ultimate in TV quiet listening. Both the RS160 and RS170 are closed back and will isolate sound extremely well. The RS160 comes with a portable transmitter which can be powered by batteries whereas the RS170 has a more powerful transmitter that also acts a holder and charging station for the headphones.

The post World Cup 2014 Headphone Guide appeared first on HiFiheadphones.

With the potential to have the highest quality audio in your pocket you will want to complement that with the headphones you use. This article will cover how to choose a portable headphone and suggest some of our favourites.

When buying headphones or in ear earphones for a portable player there are 3 main qualities you will be looking for:

Compact

As you will be more than likely using the headphones while travelling you will want them to be small enough to fit into a bag or even fold up for easy storage. You will also want them to be a size that won’t get in the way whilst moving from busy train to busy train.

Closed Back / Sound Isolating

As these headphones will probably be used in public, you won’t want the sound of your guilty pleasures spilling out to the rest of the train carriage – nor will you want to hear the loud music being played by the youths at the back of the bus. Closed back or sound isolating headphones are perfect for this, as they reduce the amount of sound leaking and help block out external noise.

Easily Driven

The majority of portable players such as iPod, iPhone, Samsung, Sony etc. can give great sound quality but they don’t have the most powerful headphone amps on them – when this is the case you want a headphone that is easy to drive so you can get a good volume out of them without maxing out your player.

In ear headphones

The ultimate portable solution are in ear isolating earphones as they tick all the above qualities – here are a selection that I would recommend:

SoundMagic E10 (£34.99)

The go to in-ear for under £60.

Final Audio Heaven II (£89), IV (£199) and VI (£599)

Refined sound with great bass and sharp detail.

Shure SE112 (£46), SE215 (£96) and SE315 (£159)

Well balanced sound with superb midrange. Great isolation and secure over the ear fit.

On the ear

SoundMAGIC P30 (£69)

Best budget portable headphone.

Sennheiser Momentum On-Ear (£169.96) and Full Size (£259.99)

Warm, smooth sound and superb build quality.

KEF M500 (£249)

Clear detail with tight bass and crisp mids. Folds up for easy storage.

Full size over the ear

GermanMAESTRO GMP 8.35 D (£160)

Practically indestructible and one of the best for isolation. Great punchy sound.

Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro (£169.96)

Adjustable bass ports for customizable sound. Another great one for isolation.

Beyerdynamic T70p (£438.95)

Neutral sound with crystal clear detail.

Beyerdynamic T5p (£880)

Studio quality sound on the go.

Ultrasone Edition 8 (£1099)

Audiophile quality sound with superb isolation.

Open back

Now if you don’t need complete sound isolation and would prefer an open backed headphone then there a some very good ones to choose from:

Koss Porta Pro (£29.95)

The classic portable headphone.

Grado SR80i (£99.95)

These are very hard to beat for under £100. HiFi quality sound on the go.

SoundMAGIC HP200 (£229)

Smooth and fun sounding with great detail. Very comfortable and good isolation for an open back.

Headphone amplifier

And finally… If you have got your heart set on a headphone that is more difficult to drive then do not fear! Adding a portable headphone amplifier into the chain will solve this issue.

FiiO E12 (£109.99)

Lots of power, bass boost, sturdy build quality and detailed sound.

So hopefully this article has helped you decide on your new headphone – but if you have any questions then do feel free to get in touch and we will be happy to help!

The post Best Headphones for Portable Players appeared first on HiFiheadphones.

Hifi Headphones Rating – 9 out of 10

Price – £46

Buy Shure SE112 In-Ear Sound Isolating Earphones here

Pros

• Comfortable
• Nice rounded capsule housing design
• Non-removeable cable – similar in build to that of Shure’s other cables
• Good level of bass and detail
• Can be worn with the cable up or down
• 2 year warranty period

Cons

• Some may find the cable a little ungainly for a budget in-ear
• Capsule housing can stand proud of the ear when worn

Summary

Shure has obviously been looking at how the in-ear market has been developing; the popularity of the sub-£50 in-ear headphone has inspired a new addition to its esteemed lineup in the form of the SE112.

As can be expected, the included accessories are basic and limited in number. There’s 3 pairs of eartips (S,M & L) and a wax loop tool for maintenance. Also there’s a little velour draw-string bag for storage.

Key Features

• Impedance 16 Ohms
• Sensitivity 105 dB
• Dynamic microdriver

The Shure cable features a right-angle jack, much like other higher-value models; strain reliefs are moulded as part of the capsule housings in keeping with the rounded look of the SE112.

First Impressions

Shure has taken a departure from their usual in-ear designs; previous housings have been designed to sit fully in the ears’ conchas. The SE112 is similar in its rounded and shaped style but is appreciably smaller; isolation is not affected however, these really take down the volume of everything around which might compete for the wearer’s attention.

Sound Quality

The SE112 compares favourably to similarly-priced equivalents. They have a warm, smooth bass without being boomy, and have a clear midrange. Higher frequencies are rolled off a little. When compared to the scene-stealing SoundMAGIC E10 of recent years, the SE112 is certainly a contender.

The sound is much like that of the E10 but differs slightly; there’s a little more high-frequency rolloff (but not much), however what appeals to me is the low-mid or upper bass area, there’s a lovely chunky-silky quality to it which I always enjoy when listening to 70s rock and library music.

Verdict

The SE112 is a very likeable earphone for its modest price; the build quality is reminiscent of higher value models and they are very comfortable. The isolation renders me virtually incommunicado.

Shure has stuck with its 2 year warranty which pushes up the value for money aspect somewhat, not that any part of the SE112 is weak or looks vulnerable to accidental damage.

My verdict is that I’m buying them right now!

The post Shure SE112 In-Ear Sound Isolating Earphones Review appeared first on HiFiheadphones.

Meet the New

SoundMAGIC Earphones

The new range updates some existing models but also adds some completely new ideas, some previously unused materials and more colour choices.

The SoundMAGIC E10 is a beautifully finished in-ear sound isolating earphone made from brushed metal with a choice of four vibrant colours. The E10’s internal acoustic design follows on from the massively popular PL11, but with some serious improvements to the aesthetics and sound. The earphone body is made from metal, features high quality cabling and a robust metal jack plug to give a long life.

The SoundMAGIC E30 is for those who are serious about their portable listening the E30 in-ear monitor features pro-fit over ear cabling and a robust metal jack plug.  Why compromise with audio quality when listening to music on the move, when you can enjoy a high definition audio experience from these pocket sized earphones.

The SoundMAGIC EH11 is a rugged sports headphone designed for serious everyday use by sports men and women.  Made from a lightweight metal frame the EH11 headphone stays in the ear no matter how hard you are training thanks to an over ear design that can be adjusted to fit perfectly.

Finally and possibly most interesting is the SoundMAGIC P30, is a serious portable headphone featuring an on-ear closed back design with soft, comfortable ear pads that also ensure maximum noise isolation.

These new products will appear over the Summer of 2011, expect reviewers to urge you to upgrade your present SoundMAGICs, or if you’re new to the brand, to grab yourself some inexpensive audio treasure!

More Information

More information on the full range of SoundMAGIC products can be found here.

The post SoundMAGIC – New Headphones and Earphones for 2011 appeared first on HiFiheadphones.