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Best Wireless Headphones 2023: On-Ear, ANC, Earbuds, Audiophile,

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We know how important it is to find the best wireless headphones for you; whether they are for your smartphone, music player or computer. For those on a budget, to those who have particular taste / requirements. Below you can see the best of the best wireless headphones and earphones available today. For all budgets and needs, 2023 continues to deliver!

BEST AUDIOPHILE WIRELESS HEADPHONES

1. Final ZE8000 – ANC TWS Earphones £299.00 (Currently on special offer for £199.00!)

Best Wireless Earbuds for Audiophiles. Best Allrounder

Final Ze8000

Final’s flagship TWS earphone is finally here and a cause for celebration by many audio fans out there. The design is like nothing else out there today. The looks and comfort of these earphones are unique and extremely effective. Add to that a fantastic sound quality that challenges some of the finest wired earphones out there as well as all the bells and whistles you expect from a TWS earphone these days and you have quite the package.

READ MORE: Final ZE8000 Review

2. Campfire Orbit TWS Earphones- £199.00

Best Wireless Earbuds for Audiophiles

Considering you can spend the same on Sony, Bose, Sennheiser and Apple – the Orbit provides audio that surpasses what the other popular brands would only dream of. Yes, you don’t get noise cancelling or fancy app tech with 1,000,000 features. What you do get is a product made by one of the best in the audio biz, and sound that you would normally need to pay over £1000 for…

READ MORE: Campfire Orbit Review

BEST WIRELESS HEADPHONES UNDER £100

3. final x Dragon Ball Z – Frieza – £70.00

Best TWS for Audiobooks & TV

Final Audio have collaborated with Dragonball Z to produce 3 iconic and unique models based on main characters. The Frieza model is specifically designed for ASMR content. But it is also perfect for watching movies, animations and videos In general. Absolutely one to consider, if you use your earphones more for Audiobooks/ Movies over music (although they are great at that too!). They are also really small and light, so perfect for those with smaller ears or those who find it difficult to find a pair of buds that are comfortable.

READ MORE: final x Dragon Ball Z – Frieza – Review

4. SoundMAGIC P23BT Portable Wireless Headphones – £49.96

Best Budget Wireless On Ear Headphones

How do they do it? SoundMAGIC have once again made a killer headphone for a super price. The P23BT doubles up as a headset too with the included cable and boom mic (great for home office or even gaming). In addition, the headphone is lightweight and comfortable. Add into the mixer an incredibly impressive battery life and a simple ease of use and you have got yourself a bargain. They sound full and warm yet never bass heavy. They really do sound incredible and for a Wireless on ear headphone what more could you want?

READ MORE: SoundMAGIC P23BT Wireless Headphone Review

5. Lypertek PurePlay Z5 ANC True Wireless Earbuds – £99.00

Best Budget All-rounder under £100

Coming hot off the heels of Lyperteks now world famous PurePlay Z3, The Pureplay Z5 has changed the game completely. This is probably the best overall TWS ANC earphone you can buy for £99. They have ANC, Ambient mode, wireless charging, accompanying PUREPLAY ANC app with LDX Audio, sound customisation profiles and more. Add to that a fanstastc sound quality and brilliant mics and you can instantly see why the Z5 has made the cut.

READ MORE: Lypertek PurePlay Z5 ANC TWS Review

BEST WIRELESS HEADPHONES FOR SPORT

6. Cleer Audio Arc II Sport – Open-Ear True Wireless Sports Earphones- £199

Best Running Headphones

Following the runaway success of the Cleer Audio‘s open ear Arc earphones, the Cleer Arc II SPORT has taken the concept of an open wireless earphone to a whole new level. The new Arc II Sport is superior to its predecessor in every single way. It has a longer battery life, a better, even more secure fit with an improved earhook design and supports wireless hands free and head gesture controls for answering calls and the like. This earphone has been designed from the bottom up for those who want to listen on the move while being simultaneously aware of their surroundings. One of the most stand out changes to the case is the addition of UV-C light that sanitises the earbuds while not in use. How great is that!?

READ MORE: Cleer Audio Arc II Sport – Open-Ear True Wireless Sports Earphones

BEST WIRELESS HEADPHONES UNDER £150

7. final ZE3000 Wireless Earphones – £119

Best Budget Wireless Earphones for Sound Quality

True wireless earphones for the audiophiles and purists out there. The final ZE3000 don’t have many of the bells and whistles. They have no ANC, no ambient mode nor wireless charging. However they were designed from the bottom up for ultimate sound quality and in that they totally succeeded. They also look absolutely fantastic and fit perfectly. What more could you ask for at £119!

READ MORE: final ZE3000 True Wireless Earphones Review

8. final UX3000 ANC Wireless Headphones – £119

Best Budget Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones

final have really worked their magic here. Solid build quality, paired with great sound and effective ANC for under £120 is something rarely heard of. Add to that fantastic mic quality and you have an absolute bargain on offer. The final UX3000 can be recommend to absolutely anyone looking for a portable over-ear headphone and you will only see smiles on their faces.

What Our Customers Say:

These are exactly what I wanted from a pair of headphones – good sound quality, comfortable to wear, nicely made and all at a reasonable price!

Ian M 5* Review www.Hifiheadphones.co.uk

READ MORE: Final UX3000 ANC Wireless Headphones Review

9. Cleer Enduro ANC Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones – £149.00

Best Budget Wireless Headphones for Battery Life

The Cleer Enduro ANC is superb value. These wireless headphones have a fun and engaging sound signature that brings music to life thanks to the impressive levels of clarity and punch. The Enduro ANC is comfortable yet compact, and the sound signature is perfect for everyday use. The ANC is great for commuting with a massive battery life and the ambient noise control is a neat feature too.

READ MORE: Cleer Enduro ANC Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones Review

10. Final x Ultra Seven ZE3000 Ultra Guard TWS – £139.00

Best TWS Brand Merch

Final Audio’s Ultra Seven inspired earphones look and sound the part! They are essentially a re-skinned ZE3000 with a motif of Ultra guard from Ultra Seven. Part of the Ultraman umbrella, this series was first released as a live action television series in 1967! As you can see, the earphone body, charging case, and packaging of these earbuds are designed in the image of the uniform and helmet of the Ultra Guard paying homage and celebrating the 55th anniversary of Ultra Seven. A perfect piece of kit if you are into Japanese culture and want to stand out from the rest of the crowd.

READ MORE: Final x Ultra Seven ZE3000 Ultra Guard

BEST WIRELESS HEADPHONES FOR GAMING

11. Audeze Maxwell Playstation/Xbox Wireless Gaming Headphones – £319.00/£349.00

Best Wireless Gaming Headset. Best Wireless Headphones for Battery Life

The Audeze Maxwell is quite literally a masterpiece. After years of relentless innovation building first class gaming headsets, Audeze has finally released the successor to the Penrose, The Maxwell. This is a serious piece of kit for serious gamers (and us casuals too!). An upgrade to the Penrose in every conceivable way, the Maxwells sound quality, wireless performance & battery life (80 Hours!!!) have all been pushed to the limits of possibility. Easily the best wireless gaming headset out there today.

What Our Customers Say:

I loved my Penrose headset and have had the Maxwell for just over a week. It is an upgrade in every single way. I am so happy I pre-ordered it back in December and it really does live up to the hype. The new chassis is really sturdy and has a premium feel to it. The sound is even better than the Penrose, no issue whatsoever with the wireless connections. I am so chuffed and will be using this for years to come. Great job Audeze

Josh Adams 5* Review www.Hifiheadphones.co.uk

READ MORE: Audeze Maxwell Review

Have We Missed Anything Out?

Please feel free to leave a comment below and let us know…

Best Headphones 2023: Earbuds, Noise Cancelling, Wireless, Premium

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BEST HEADPHONES 2023

We know how important it is to find the best headphones for you; whether they are for your smartphone, music player, laptop, console or hi fi system. Here you can see the best of the best earphones, on ear, full size, Bluetooth, wireless and audiophile headphones to buy right now.

BEST EARPHONES

READ MORE: Best Earphones 2023

1. 64 Audio Volür – £2369.05

What started out as the Nio 2 evolved into a whole new word (and a UIEM) that never existed before. The Volür. The newest Universal must have IEM from 64 Audio. The pulsating heart of this new creation is made up of two new custom 9mm dynamic drivers set in a true isobaric configuration that delivers unprecedented low-frequency capability. The low end of the Volür will simply blow you away, not that the highs or the mids are ignored whatsoever. This new hybrid UIEM from 64 Audio is easily one of the best technical performing earphones that has a “fun” sounding signature in existence today. Those purple abalone faceplates also look fabulous. A must have in 2023.

READ MORE: 64 Audio Volür

More about the 64 Audio Volür
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BEST WIRELESS EARBUDS

READ MORE: Best Wireless Headphones 2022

2. Lypertek PurePlay Z5 ANC True Wireless Earbuds – £99.00

Coming hot off the heels of Lyperteks now world famous PurePlay Z3, The Pureplay Z5 has changed the game completely. This is probably the best TWS ANC earphone you can buy for under £100. They have ANC, Ambient mode, wireless charging, accompanying PUREPLAY ANC app with LDX Audio, sound customisation profiles and more. Add to that a fanstastc sound quality and brilliant mics and you can instantly see why the Z5 has made the cut.

READ MORE: Lypertek PurePlay Z5 ANC TWS Review

More about the Lypertek Pureplay Z5
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BEST WIRELESS HEADPHONES

READ MORE: Best Wireless Headphones 2022

3. final UX3000 ANC Wireless Headphones – £119

Final have really worked their magic here. Solid build quality, paired with great sound and effective ANC for under £120 is something rarely heard of. Add to that fantastic mic quality and you have an absolute bargain on offer. The UX3000 can be recommend to absolutely anyone looking for a portable over-ear headphone and you will only see smiles on their faces.

READ MORE: Final UX3000 ANC Wireless Headphones Review

More about the final UX3000
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BEST ON EAR HEADPHONES

4. SoundMAGIC P23BT Portable Wireless Headphones – £49.99

How do they do it? SoundMAGIC have once again made a killer headphone for a super price. The P23BT doubles up as a headset too with the included cable and boom mic (great for home office or even gaming). In addition, the headphone is lightweight and comfortable. Add into the mixer an incredibly impressive battery life and a simple ease of use and you have got yourself a bargain. They sound full and warm yet never bass heavy. They really do sound incredible and for a Wireless on ear headphone what more could you want?

WATCH VIDEO: SoundMAGIC P23BT Wireless On Ear Headphone Review

More about the SoundMAGIC P23BT
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BEST OVER EAR HEADPHONES

READ MORE: Best Over Ear Headphones 2023

5. Audeze LCD-X Planar Magnetic Full Size Headphones – £1149

The Audeze LCD-X are a real eye-catching headphone. For a retail price that seems crazy at first glance, the bottom line is that the price-performance ratio of this headphones is absolutely fantastic. Not only due to the impeccable manufacture, but also a robust construction, use of high-quality materials and wonderful, detailed sound Loved by Audiophiles and sound engineers alike. If you want to give yourself a birthday or Christmas present, you can safely consider surprising yourself with the Audeze LCD-X.

READ MORE: Audeze LCD-X Planar Magnetic Headphones

More about the Audeze LCD-X
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BEST STUDIO HEADPHONES

READ MORE: Best Over Ear Headphones 2020

6. Audeze MM-500 Planar Magnetic Full Size Studio Headphones – £1699

Audeze MM-500 is designed to suit the requirements of long daily listening sessions under almost any condition. World-class studio monitor? Check. Quick reference on-the-go? No problem. Deep late-night listening? Done. With its ease of drive, comfortable fit and trustworthy sound, you can count on the MM-500 to deliver in every situation. The MM-500’s planar magnetic drivers provide realism that audio professionals like Manny “can’t live without.” With lightning-fast transients, accurate frequency response and trusted mix translation.

READ MORE: Audeze MM-500 Planar Magnetic Studio Headphones

More about the Audeze MM-500
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BEST RUNNING HEADPHONES

READ MORE: Best Wireless Headphones 2023

7. Cleer Audio Arc II Sport – Open-Ear True Wireless Sports Earphones- £199

Following the runaway success of the Cleer Audio‘s open ear Arc earphones, the Cleer Arc II SPORT has taken the concept of an open wireless earphone to a whole new level. The new Arc II Sport is superior to its predecessor in every single way. It has a longer battery life, a better, even more secure fit with an improved earhook design and supports wireless hands free and head gesture controls for answering calls and the like. This earphone has been designed from the bottom up for those who want to listen on the move while being simultaneously aware of their surroundings. One of the most stand out changes to the case is the addition of UV-C light that sanitises the earbuds while not in use. How great is that!?

READ MORE: Cleer Audio ARC II Sport – Open-Ear True Wireless Sports Earphones

More about the Cleer Audio Arc II Sport
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BEST GAMING HEADPHONES

READ MORE: Christmas Gift Guide 2023

8. Audeze Maxwell Ps5/Xbox – £319.00/£349.00

With the advent of the PS5 and Xbox X consoles, gamers will want some headphones to maximise their experience. The Audeze Maxwell is a supercharged, reimagined Penrose. Now with 80hr+ battery life, Ultra-Low Latency Wireless with 3X range of traditional 2.4Ghz. As well as first-in-class Bluetooth 5.3. Including an Improved build with an all-new reinforced chassis from aluminium and steel. As well as The adoption of Audeze’s FILTER™ noise reduction technology for clear communications on top of their Award-winning Audeze 90mm planar magnetic drivers. This is the must have gaming headset of 2023.

More about the Audeze Maxwell
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Have We Missed Anything Out?

Please feel free to leave a comment below and let us know…

CanJam London 2022: News, Sale and Best Headphones Guide

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CanJam London 2022

CanJam London 2022 Update: It’s that time of year again!

We are very excited to be attending CanJam London 2022 on July 30th and 31st at Park Plaza, Westminster Bridge.

We will of course be attending with some of our favourite brands and showcasing some of their amazing products. From new releases to old favourites, it is going to be a blast.

Undoubtably, this will be a CanJam to remember. Due to the Covid pandemic, we have been without the show for the last few years (check out our review/ interviews from the last one in 2019 here). We are absolutely frothing at the bit to get amongst the action again! Indeed, CanJam is the place to try all of the best headphones, earphones, DACs, AMPs, DAPs and IEMs under one roof with likeminded people. Obviously we are all there to discover how best to listen to our favourite recordings.

To celebrate, we are running a sale on our brands that are going to CanJam London 2022! Make sure to check out our sale page over on Hifiheadphones for big discounts for a limited time only:

Hifiheadphones CanJam London 2022 Sale

Not only is this a chance to try out these amazing products. It’s also your chance to meet the people behind your favourite brands. Here is a list of just a few brands attending CanJam London 2022:

Audeze, 64 Audio, Focal, HifiMan, Campfire Audio, final, Rupert Neve, Burson, Westone, Chord, Roon, dCS, Meze, Rosson Audio and many many more.

CanJam Sneak Peek Time with Important Updates

As a matter of fact, the reason for this is to give you an idea of what brands we will be representing at CanJam 2022. Below are also some of the products you can expect to see.

Audeze

Audeze are going big this year. In addition to six tables of goods (SIX!) showcasing lots of favourites, there is also a very special newcomer! On show will be LCD-5. CRBN, LCD-X, LCD-XC, LCD-3, LCD-2 Classic. Euclid, Penrose and the brand new MM-500. All products will be powered by some of the finest equipment from the likes of Chord, Burson, Weiss and Eksonic.

Campfire Audio

This year, Campfire Audio is all about the Trifecta! Don’t worry though. There will be enough for everyone to try this new, completely unique IEM from one of the most interesting audio brands of today. For those that want to try other legendary favourites, we will also have Andromeda, Holocene and Supermoon samples there too.

final / Hifonix

Also, our friends over at Hifonix will be showcasing the brand new final D8000 Pro Limited edition. In all of it’s stunning, goldlike lovlyness, it is going to be a crowd pelaser. Certainly make sure to make your way over to their table to check out this rare, majestic work of headphone art!

64 Audio

You can meet the 64 Audio team this year as well as and try some of their finest IEMs. Absolutely make sure to check out the U6t, DUO, U12t, Tia Fourte, U18s, Nio and even more (these are only the universals) from the worlds best pro and custom IEM specialists.

Burson

Burson will be supplying headphone amps and DACs to a number of our brands this year. So you will not only get the chance to try out their incredible products, they will be paired with some of the best headphones in the world!

Westone Audio

With the recent release of the MACH Series of IEMs. Westone Audio will be showcasing the full range at this years CanJam. This is a rare opportunity to test out all 8 models in this impressive and diverse line-up.

Lastly but not Finally..

To celebrate the return of CanJam London, we will also be having a special CanJam 2022 page setup on Hifiheadphones with exclusive offers on some of the best products showing at this years event. Be sure to check out the CanJam 2022 Special page on Hifiheadphones from 30th July to 1st August to get some amazing deals on the best audio gear out there!

Campfire Audio Andromeda IEM Review

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Campfire Audio create works of art that just so happen to sound very good too. This year they have released an update to the insanely popular Andromeda. There are quite a few changes to the new version, and it looks as though it could be quite an improvement.

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Aesthetics and Build Quality

Campfire Audio’s Andromeda is about as bold as you can get when it comes to its design. The housings are made from machined aluminium, with a deep forest green anodised finish. The finish has been updated in this new version of the Andromeda, with a much smoother coating and a slightly richer shade of green.

The sound tube is made using stainless steel, which I am sure not only benefits the acoustics. It looks very striking too. Overall the Andromeda feels robust and built to last, while managing to stand out with its unique character.

Features and Comfort

Campfire Audio earphones have a very distinctive look, and the Andromeda is their champion. The design is very unusual, with a slightly futuristic shape to them. The shell’s design allows it to catch the light at different angles, which gives off a multitude of different shades of green. That is not the only purpose of this shape, the angled design provides superb comfort. The Andromeda sits perfectly in my ear, and with the included Final silicone eartips – the fit is snug and they seal extremely well which also helps towards isolation.

Another great feature of the Andromeda is the supplied cable. An upgrade on the older version, this time the Andromeda comes with their popular Silver Plated Copper Litz wire covered in a new smoky jacket. The cable is also more flexible than the previous version and uses a lightweight moulded ear hook design instead of memory wire – a definite improvement.

Campfire Audio don’t stop there, the Andromeda comes supplied with a newly designed leather carry pouch, foam and silicone eartips, a cleaning tool and even a fancy Campfire Audio lapel pin.

Sound Quality

The best way I can describe the sound of the Andromeda is organic. Sound comes across effortless, well balanced and with an impressively natural soundstage.

Bass

Bass comes across with authority and punch. It goes low and manages to keep controlled, even with more bass heavy tracks. Bass performs equally well with intricate instrumental, heavy rock and electronic music. This shows that the bass has been tuned to do what is needed, letting the quality of the production do the talking.

Midrange

Thanks to the controlled bass, there is no risk of the midrange getting over shadowed. Mids come across extremely clear with a musical richness – this is a welcome change from the analytical sound that is common amongst high-end earphone models. Vocals have presence and whether male or female, they sound uncoloured, engaging and with emotion.

Treble

Campfire Audio uses their very own Tuned Acoustic Expansion Chamber in the Andromeda, designed to improve treble extension and soundstage. This is very clear and noticable. Thetreble provides just the right amount of definition without going harsh or sibilant. Then, in addition the extension provided by the T.A.E.C. goes on and on, creating width and space with superb separation.

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SoundMAGIC E11C Earphones Review

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Launched in 2018, the SoundMAGIC E11C is still reaping rewards for being a great pair of affordable in-ear headphones, complete with remote and mic. It’s not often that budget consumer goods stand the test of time but the E11C continues to deliver a great sound for an outstanding price.

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Design: 9/10

The E11C Features an updated 10mm dynamic driver from its predecessor, the E10C. It has also been upgraded via a high quality silver plated copper cable. Proof that SoundMAGIC is continuously evolving as a brand. Not only does this improve the sound, but it also gives the earphones a more sophisticated, grown up look. Other than these changes, they essentially look like a typical SoundMAGIC in ear earphone and still feature a 3.5mm jack. They look great. Why change a good looking winning formula?

Fit & Comfort: 9/10

As with previous wired models, the E11C can be worn with cable going over the ears or just straight down. Although this will interfere with the position of the microphone. The angled jack is great for when you have your Phone/ Mp3 Player in your pocket as it prevents any premature cable break (from poor care!). The ergonomically designed housing fits in your ear very well. The posistion of the in-line mic and controls is practical and makes them easy to use. Finally, the tips that are provided add to the comfort and it is easy to get a secure / solid fit. This ensures not only comfort but total sound isolation and the best chance to immerse yourself in the music.

The sound quality is excellent and the E11C is suitable for all genres.

Sound: 10/10

The sound quality is excellent. The E11C is similar in sound to the SoundMAGIC E50 models. But the E11C has a little more mid and upper-bass warmth to it. To sum up, the bass is well controlled, The mids crystal and the treble super smooth. It’s suitable for all genres, but is outstanding when listening to vocals, acoustic recordings and music making use of “real” instruments. (Sorry techno, you still sound great too though!)

Mic & Controls: 9/10

The E11C comes with an in-line control and mic that works with both iOS and Android (for devices that still have a jack). The controls provide volume and stop/start functionality which is great for when you are on the move. In addition to this the mic/controls are durable and unobtrusive. They do not interfere with the cable which means they do not create any background noise. The call quality is good and your voice comes through loud and clear on the other end, too.

The E11C proves that quality does not need to cost an arm and a leg.

Value For Money 10/10

The E11C proves that quality products do not need to cost an arm and a leg. The updates are modest but make the E11C stand out from its predecessors. The sound is more refined and pricepoint of around 50 pounds really hits the nail on the head. Most people will only spend as much as they need to in order to get something that they will be happy to use every day. And guess what? The E11C is it. The in-line mic and controls are a great practical feature and fantastic addition. They are simply a very durable, stylish and versatile earphone to use day in and day out.

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Want to keep in the Loop with all things Sound MAGIC? Check out all News and reviews here.

Final UX3000 ANC Bluetooth Headphones Review

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Hot off the release of the ZE3000, Final have gone one step further and released their first ever wireless headphone, and it comes with ANC. The Final UX3000 ANC offers a universal user friendly sound whilst retaining that Final magic we love.

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Design 10/10:

These Headphones are simply stunning. The Shibo coating provides the UX3000 with a beautifully textured finish that acts as a finger print deterrent. The use of physical buttons over touch controls to play/pause, power on/off control the volume as well as turning the ANC on/off is reassuring and nicely implemented. The included 3.5mm audio cable that allows them to be used as a wired headphone without any battery is a marvel. They also fold up for easy storage and come with a soft carry pouch.

Fit and Comfort: 9/10

These are a very comfortable headphones. The earcups surround my ears with room to spare and the padding is soft yet dense enough to provide really good passive isolation and a very secure fit. The clamping force is moderate at most and the padding does a great job at alleviating any pressure. They  feel very secure when on the move.

Sound: 8/10

The Headphone essentially has two unique sound signatures. ANC on and ANC off. I find the UX3000 with ANC off to be an engaging and fun headphone, that handles most genres with ease. Sure it can be said that the UX3000 lacks a tiny bitof finesse and clarity overall, but for everything else offered its price point, I am not one to argue.

Fun, dynamic, engaging and full sounding

And here comes the ANC: 9/10

Turn the ANC on and the bass gets an extra helping of that sub-bass boost, with more focus on the bass and treble overall. When using these in high noise environments and with the ANC on – the sound is really enjoyable and upbeat.

So with ANC on you have a really fun, dynamic, engaging and full sounding headphone for on the go use. When you want a bit more clarity and detail you can turn ANC off and have a more linear yet fun and enjoyable sounding headphone.

Incredible microphone for an over-ear headphone

Mic: 10/10

The built in mic for taking calls is incredible for an over-ear headphone. The quality of the voice is outstanding. I even tested them out in strong wind and managed to have a full call with no major issues. They do a fantastic job at suppressing noise on your end so the other party can hear you loud and clear, with great tone too. Noise cancelling can also be activated while on calls, which will allow you to hear voices even more clearly without the fear of outside noise creeping in.

These are also perfect for working from home with very accurate and faithful voice reproduction, it doesn’t sound like you are using the mic from the headphones, they are that good.

Notable other Feautures:

  • ANC on its own mode. You can have the ANC turned on but the headphone turned off. Really good for scenarios such as being in a Library and wanting that extra silence.
  • Support AptX, AptX LL, SBC & AAC Codecs which is great for the audio quality side of thing.
  • 35 hour Battery life with ANC off or 25 hours with it on – More than enough for most of us out in the world.
  • Multipoint connection – You can stream music from once device and take calls from another
  • Wired mode – as mentioned above very useful if you run out of battery, or just what to try something different.

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Interested in what else final has to offer? Check out our other reviews and news of their products here.

Top 5 sub £100 Portable Audio Devices

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We often show off high end equipment, but here are our top 5 sub £100 bargains!

Periodic Audio Rhodium – £49

To begin with our top 5 sub £100 bargains we have the Periodic Audio Rhodium. It’s a compact USB-C DAC/Amp perfect for getting better quality audio from your phone. It undeniably increases the clarity and separation. While it has not been designed to drive some of the more demanding over-ear headphones, for earphone users this is an excellent choice to improve your portable setup.

Final E500 – £19.99

The Final E500 show that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get good clarity and a controlled sound. These are not designed to impress you with massive bass, or an exaggerated v-shaped sound. Instead opting for balance and detail. This means that the sound provided is very refined for the price and while these small earphones might not look like much, they sure do kick out a lot for the money.

SoundMAGIC E11c – £52.99

SoundMAGIC are kings at making affordable earphones and headphones. Furthermore, their products consistently win awards and they really do know how to make an excellent sounding product. The E11c is no exception. Originally designed an upgrade to the E10c, it has delivered in every single way. Coupled with more modern looks and a sound that is more controlled yet still punchy and fun: It is a fantastic earphone for everyday use.

Lypertek PurePlay Z3 2.0 – £99

Another fantatic product and the only wireless model in this list, there is simply no better option for under £100. Overall, these earphones offer up a very fun and enjoyable sound. The PurePlay Z3 2.0 has a 70 hour battery life and an extremely stable bluetooth connection. In addtion to this they’re comfortable and look great, without compromising at all on audio quality.

SoundMAGIC P23BT – £49

Finally, it is SoundMAGIC once again that have made a killer headphone for a super price. The P23BT doubles up as a headset too with the included cable. In addition, the headphone is lightweight and comfortable. On top of that it has an incredibly impressive battery life and is super easy to use. The sound is full and warm yet never bass heavy. They really do sound incredible and can easily take on the big brands should they wish to.

Enjoyed our Top 5 Sub £100 list? Check out more from our Best Of Series HERE

Bonus round: Other great products that deserve their own Top 5 Sub £100 list!

Audeze LCD-5 Product Release

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For the past decade, Audeze’s LCD series has set the standard for planar magnetic headphone performance. Starting with the LCD-2 that ushered in a new era of planar technology in 2009, they then introduced the LCD-3 in 2011 and LCD-4 in 2015. With the LCD-5, everything has been improved – drivers, earpads, frame design – to set a new standard for performance and comfort.

The LCD-5 sets a new standard for accuracy. Its drivers are engineered with their award-winning Fluxor magnets and updated Fazor waveguides along with their new Patent-pending Parallel Uniforce™ voice coils, which employ varying width parallel traces to keep the impedance low and provide increased voltage headroom by altering the current density within each trace. The uniform force created by this optimization lowers distortion and provides better control over diaphragm movement, resulting in improved sonic resolution.

Weighing in at only 420 grams, the LCD-5 offers hours of listening pleasure. Every part has been re-engineered, using materials such as magnesium, aluminium and acetate which offer light weight and high rigidity. When you put on a pair of LCD-5s, your head and ears are cradled in materials of the finest quality. Supple premium leather and carbon-fibre pull all the elements together into a package of the finest craftsmanship, which are hand-assembled in their California workshop.

The LCD-5 cable is specially tuned with directional OCC high-purity copper strands that provide a low capacitance and low resistance path for the signal to travel from your amp to the drivers, maintaining unsurpassed clarity and precision.

Available to pre-order now: https://www.hifiheadphones.co.uk/products/audeze-lcd-5-open-back-headphones-with-detachable-cable-leather

SoundMAGIC P23BT Review

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Looking for an affordable, wireless on-ear set of headphones? The SoundMAGIC P23BT might just be perfect for you, with impressive sound quality and easy to use design they are quite the bargain.

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Fit and Comfort

Here we review the new SoundMAGIC P23BT, an on-ear model which are compact in size and lightweight too. They will fit well over a wide range of head sizes due to a good amount of adjustment in the arms and the clamping force is just enough to provide a secure fit without inducing any discomfort.

Comfort is good, with the right amount of clamp to provide a secure yet comfortable fit I had no issues with the P23BT during longer listening sessions. The earpads are soft and provide ample cushioning, the headband has minimal padding but due to their weight this didn’t seem to cause any issues for me.

Features

The P23BT use bluetooth 5.0, a little behind most modern devices that use 5.2 but they do have the benefit of aptX HD / SBC and AAC codec compatibility. They use a 40mm dynamic driver and have an incredible battery life of roughly 54-60hrs of music playback, or 39-45hrs talk time, these are not a headphone you will find yourself needing to charge very often.

They don’t have ANC, instead rely on passive isolation, which is good enough for most daily use. These work wired too and come with a high quality boom mic attached to the analogue cable – this is a brilliant feature that makes them perfect for home office use too. We found that making sure there is no microphone boosting in the windows sound settings worked the best in terms of voice quality – but once set up the quality is excellent for video and voice calls when connected to a PC. These really are very versatile, and the boom mic is not something you see very often when it comes to this kind of product.

Playback controls are really easy to get the hand of, they use a touch pad on the left earcup and a simple double tap will pause the music, swipe up for volume up, down for volume down. Swipe forwards and backwards to skip tracks, you can also answer calls and activate voice assistant too. Call quality over bluetooth is perfectly acceptable in most environments but they are not the best for noisy outdoor calls.

Sound

Bass:

The P23BT is a well balanced headphone with just the right amount of warmth, body and punch down low to keep them engaging and enjoyable without overwhelming the rest of the sound. These are not bassy, they will not appeal to those who want a bass heavy sound, but those who want a daily headphone that works well with a multitude of genres will be happy with their sound and presentation. These do handle EQ well so if you do want a bit more punch, they can deliver, but out of the box they offer up a really enjoyable sound. The 40mm drivers can dig deep when needed, and hit hard too, but they are tuned in such a way that they do all of this with poise and control and never sound muffled or bloated.

Midrange:

Due to the controlled low end, the P23BT actually has a very well presented midrange for a budget, more consumer oriented product. This means that those who enjoy vocal and guitars to sit and and central in the mix will really enjoy the P23BT – these don’t follow the typical v-shaped sound that many consumer models have, this means you get to hear more in your favourite tracks. The bass does a good job at not bleeding into the midrange, which allows the P23BT to sound surprisingly well separated and detailed for the price. .

Treble:

Surprisingly well refined up top, these have a crisp and clean treble presentation but with a smooth transition from the upper midrange into the lower treble they are also not harsh or sibilant. There is a bit of a peak slightly higher up the range, but it’s not really fatiguing and tends to only show up on less well recorded music. There is good detail and extension up top, and the presence is good leaving them with a very pleasing tonal balance overall, never sounding dull. You do have to remember these are only £50, but for that price you get really impressive treble, normally you get muffled and splashy cymbals, instead of crisp and easy to distinguish and place crashes.

Soundstaging and Genres

The P23BT are not masters of soundstaging, but that’s ok, they are on-ears and have quite a direct presentation but instruments are still easy to place within the limited soundstage.

These are a great all rounder, their balanced yet slightly punch sound signature makes rock and pop sound engaging, yet these have enough detail and finesse to render acoustic and jazz brilliantly.

Who are they for?

  • The general listener who wants good sound quality at a modest price
  • Everyday users wanting a feature packed yet quality bluetooth headphone they can use at work and on the go

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Like all things that SoundMAGIC? Take look at more news and reviews here.

Campfire Audio Polaris 2 Review

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Campfire Audio Polaris

Aesthetics and Build Quality:

Much like all other Campfire models, the Polaris are a thing of beauty. The precision CNC’s machined housings look perfect, the blue really does stand out against the black screws and smoky cable. Even the case compliments the colour scheme. Campfire, in my opinion, make some of the best-looking IEM’s out there.

Build quality is another strong point, the metal housings are perfectly finished, and the MMCX sockets are some of the best I have ever come across. The cable is a silver plated litz cable that is twisted, with good strain relief on the 3.5mm angled jack. I can see the anodised finish showing scratches in the long run, but I personally find that adds character to them.

Comfort and Isolation:

The housings may look uncomfortable but the inner sides have softer edges and once you find the right tips the Polaris are incredibly secure and comfortable to use. I found them to fit and sound best with foam tips, but this is down to personal preference. The cable now uses pre-moulded ear-hooks which I find to sit much better than stiff memory wire, it’s great to see more brands using this. My one tiny gripe here is driver flex, which is quite present when you first insert them.

Isolation is very good, perfect for daily use and commuting, even though the housing is vented for the dynamic driver, I don’t find this impacting isolation much.

 

Sound:

Bass: This is the part that is immediately noticeable when you first try the Polaris, and for good reason. These are made to deliver a very full and powerful sound, and they do that without fault. The bass carries real weight and impact, you feel as well as hear the notes. The bass may be the prominent frequency band on these, but they do this without totally masking the rest of the frequency response. They are not a dark, bloated mess, yet they still have a bass-heavy signature which is very impressive and a lot of fun. The sheer weight and power of the low end is quite astonishing, yet it manages to steer clear from masking the mid-range too much, only giving the lower midrange a hint of warmth.

 

Midrange: The midrange is clear and detailed, yet does come across a little behind the bass in terms of absolute presence. The lows do give a little body to the lower midrange, but the upper midrange is quite up front. The transition from the upper midrange to the lower treble is not the smoothest, bringing out a bit of sibilance in the recording. They do not suffer badly from sibilance, but it is there nonetheless, and more present than a few other IEM’s that are a little smoother. The Polaris trade off a little refinement for fun factor, and I honestly am fine with that. They are engaging, the midrange is clear and well defined, especially when you compare it to the bass.

 

Treble: Due to the T.A.E.C technology, the Polaris has an incredibly open and airy top end. The treble extends effortlessly with excellent tonality and presence, however is it not peaky or harsh. The openness of the top end really aids the soundstaging capabilities of the Polaris, offering a really spacious sound that is not congested or closed in. There is plenty of detail up top and the energy is what mainly prevents the Polaris from sounding too dark. I really do enjoy the treble performance of the Polaris, providing the perfect balance between being there and clearly audible, but not bright and overbearing. Campfire don’t need to artificially boost the top end to give a sense of extra detail, because the detail is there and audible.

Conclusion

The Polaris are one hell of an IEM, with a very powerful and engaging sound signature. The bass is there by the bucketload, yet the midrange is detailed and only slightly behind when it comes to presence. The highs are effortlessly extended and packed full of detail, giving them a sense of space and air that really opens the Polaris up. Overall a great buy if you want an engaging and powerful IEM.

 

Sound:  4/5

Comfort: 5/5

Build: 5/5

Value: 5/5

 

What are custom in-ear monitors?

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What are custom in-ear monitors?

Essentially custom in-ear monitors are, as the title suggests, custom made earphones that are moulded to the shape of your ear. Everyone’s ears are different, and to really achieve the most comfortable fit, along with the best isolation, you have to go down the custom route.

 

Where to start?

So, you are thinking about going down the custom route, first up is the usual research and reading of reviews to shortlist some potential models. The custom industry has grown massively in the last few years, and they are no longer reserved for touring musicians, and there are easily as many audiophile models as there are pro-audio models now.

 

A few of the main brands are:

  • 64 Audio
  • JH Audio
  • Ultimate Ears
  • Empire Ears
  • Cosmic Ears
  • Custom Art

 

Once you have shortlisted some, it is worth looking to see if anywhere near you has demo models you can go and try out. As once you have the custom version, you won’t be able to return them.

 

Next you will need to get some ear impressions done, this is one of the most important parts of the process, due to this we would advise you spend a little more and get them done by someone who is highly qualified in taking ear impressions for musicians. Alternatively most brands will have a list of recommended audiologists, the process is not painful, but it is a bit odd if you have never had it done before.

 

First, they will check your ear canals are clean enough to take the impressions, and then they will insert a foam stopper past the 2nd bend of your ear canal. Then a 2-part silicone mixture is mixed and inserted into a syringe. You are usually given a bite block to take an open mouth impression (recommended for custom monitors) and the mixture is then injected into your ear and fully filling the outer part too. The silicone takes about 5-10 minutes to cure, then the impression will be removed and you are done.

 

 

Now you have your impressions, it’s time to design your monitors (or vice versa)

 

To be fair, you can order your monitors and then get ear impressions, either way the end result is the same. It is however best to send the impressions sooner rather than later as they do change if kept in storage, reducing the likelihood of getting a good fit the first time round.

 

You can go on to most manufacturers websites and design your monitors with their online design tools, these are great fun to use and the number of options varies depending on the brand. A lot of them also allow you to upload artwork if you want a specific logo on them. Take your time and make sure you pick a design you love. There are companies like Custom Art that are happy to surprise you if you don’t know what design to go for, they do some incredible pieces.

 

 

Now the wait…..

 

Your customs arrive, you are keen to try them out, but wait, how do they fit in?

 

Most brands include a leaflet to help you, but there is a technique to inserting custom monitors, you have to twist them in until they lock into place. Here is a great guide on the fitment of Custom monitors: https://theheadphonelist.com/custom-in-ear-monitors-fit-guide/

 

Now you have your own unique earphones that with some care will last you years and give you excellent sound quality, along with increased isolation and comfort when compared to universal models. Happy listening!

Headphones Vs Earphones Guide & Video

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Headphones vs Earphones

Hey everyone, John here. This may seem like an obvious topic, but there are a lot of differences between headphones and earphones… some of which are not as obvious as you may think.

Headphones

Starting with the shape and size. Headphones, as the name suggests, fit on your head, and have a headband that sits on top of your head. At either side of the headband, you have the speaker housings or earcups. The earcups hold the speaker drivers, and are designed in one of two ways: on-ear and over-ear. On-ear headphones have the earcups sitting on the ear and tend to be smaller in size, making them ideal for portable use. Over-ear headphones are larger and have the earcups completely surround the ear. Because of this, they tend to be used mainly indoors or where there isn’t much movement needed.

Earphones

Earphones are a lot smaller, and sit in the ear or in the ear canal. There are three main types of earphones:

Earpods / Earbuds

The older earphone design, or newer earpods, rest in the ear without going into the ear canal. This fit means that you are less likely to create a good seal between the earphone and your ear, resulting in an open sound that can tend to be a bit bass light. This fit also means that they will not isolate sound very well, meaning you are more likely to hear what is going on around you and people nearby will be able to listen to your music. Not ideal for public transport, but liked by sports users as it can be useful to hear your surroundings.

In Ear Earphones

In-ear isolating earphones have a deeper fit and will go into the ear canal, they also have eartips installed. This not only helps to keep the earphones in place, they also help create a good seal which improves isolation and sound quality, especially bass performance. In-ear earphones are the most common fit, and there are two ways of wearing them depending on the design. Cable straight down, and cable over the ear. The cable-over-the-ear design tends to provide a more secure fit and deeper insertion into the ear canal. This way, you will benefit from better isolation. Still, a lot of people prefer the cable-straight-down design as they are easier to use.

A quick note on bass performance. It is very important to make sure that you achieve a good seal when using in-ear isolating earphones. If you do not do this, the main effect to the sound will be a loss of bass… and nobody wants that. When this happens, the sound can come across very tinny and flat, so make sure you try all of the supplied eartips to ensure you’re getting the best sound possible from your new earphones.

Custom In Ears

Lastly, you have custom in-ears. These earphones are customised to fit your ear specifically. This is the best way of achieving a perfect seal, which hugely improves isolation and sound quality. This is done by having a mould of your ear taken, and then used to make an earphone that perfectly fits the shape of your ear. This is a more expensive option and is currently only offered by a small number of manufacturers.

Sound

There is also a big difference between how headphones and earphones sound. I wouldn’t say that one is better than the other. The overall experience is different and people will favour one over the other.

Headphones tend to deliver a more natural listening experience. What I mean by this is that with the speakers being away from the ears, sound is delivered in a more natural way. With our ears playing a part in capturing the sound, similar to how we hear day to day. Headphones can also deliver a bigger or wider sound due to the size of the drivers used and them being away from our ears.

With the speakers being so close to the ear, or even inside the ear canal, the experience from earphones is very different and can take a while for some people to get used to. Due to the fit being so close to the ear, and much smaller speakers being used, earphones are capable of delivering a very high amount of clarity and detail. Sometimes this can be overwhelming, especially for those who have never used earphones before. The close fit also means that sound can come across narrower and feel like it is coming from inside the head when compared to a headphone.

Conclusion

Ultimately, it comes down to taste and how you want to listen to your music. Both headphones and earphones can be used in a large number of situations, and whether you prefer using headphones or earphones – there will be a model out there for you.

ER2-SE and ER2-XR Review & Video

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INTRO

Hey everyone, John here. Etymotic is possibly a brand that a lot of you haven’t heard. Don’t be mistaken, though: Etymotic has been in the audio game for over 35 years. They are acoustic research and hearing aid specialists, and this always comes across in their products. The scientists of the world of portable audio, Etymotic strive to create earphones that deliver clean and undistorted audio as well as market leading isolation and hearing protection. Introducing the ER2-SE and ER2-XR earphones.

BUILD

As you may have guessed from my intro, Etymotic are not ones to cut corners. The build quality on the ER2s is superb. The housings are made of anodized metal with a blue finish; this makes them feel good to touch, and I really like the blue finish. The ER2s come with replaceable cables, which connect using MMCX connectors and have obviously been built to last. Both strain reliefs on the connectors and 3.5mm jack are solid, and the cable itself is flexible with a nice smooth finish. The yoke, or y-split, is covered in the same metal as the housings, which adds to the durability and looks pretty good too.

COMFORT

Comfort is an area that will split opinion when it comes to Etymotic earphones. The ER2s are no exception. These earphones are designed to be inserted deep into your ear canal; this is how you will get the most from the 35dB of isolation that can be achieved. The ER2s come supplied with a selection of different ear tips including Etymotic’s own triple flange and foam eartips. For me, the foam tips work the best, but I recommend you try all of them to find the best fit for you. Once your chosen tips are fitted, this is where it can get tricky. And for some… uncomfortable. The ER2s have a long sound tube which is designed to go deep into your ear. With the foam tips, I pinch them so they go as flat as possible, then gently ease them into my ear and follow my ear canal as deep as they can go.  (You’d be surprised how far they can go.) When the foam expands, it creates a perfect seal and along with the built in isolation of the earphones. The ER2 provides the best isolation I have experienced from a universal earphone. The trade-off here is that you have an earphone stuck deep in your ear, which can take a while to get used to.  Even though I am fine with it, I can imagine a lot of people will find it too uncomfortable. Fear not, you can wear these earphones without jamming them far into your ears. Just be aware that you won’t be getting as much isolation and therefore the full potential of the ER2.

SPECS

The ER2 earphones have a fairly low impedance of 15ohms and a sensitivity of 96dB, making them easy enough to drive from a laptop or smartphone. In my experience the ER2 sounded great out of my laptop, but when used with a dedicated portable audio player or headphone amplifier, the extra power and quality provided better soundstage and dynamic range overall. Etymotic has used custom-tuned dynamic drivers for the ER2 models, a change from the balanced armature drivers used in the previous ER3 and ER4 models. This to me suggests that Etymotic are looking to appeal to a wider audience and along with the £170 price tag. I think they have achieved this. The high isolation rating of 35dB means that you don’t need to play your music as loud as some other earphone models. Background noise is greatly reduced, and having such a good seal means that no audio is lost.

 

 SOUND QUALITY

Now onto the sound quality, another thing about the ER2 that will split opinion. Technically, both the ER2-SE and XR are faultless in terms of sound. This isn’t a quality everyone wants, though. The Etymotic signature has always been flat and neutral, and even with the use of a dynamic driver as opposed to a balanced armature used in both the ER3 and ER4 models. There may not be enough boom and sizzle for lots of people out there. For me, the sound is amazing. It comes across extremely effortless allowing you to hear what I can imagine to be as close to what was made in the studio as possible. Both models provide bass when there’s meant to be, and just the right amount. It manages to go very low without being pushed up. The XR version does, however, give a slight boost to the low end, just enough for those that prefer a warmer sound with more bass presence. Because of the low end control, mids ease through the mix, never sounding too harsh or recessed, providing an uncluttered and dynamic listening experience. Then the treble extends endlessly and brings space and definition. Soundstage is also very impressive, and with no particular frequency being pushed; you get a clean, engaging and intricate sound with no distortion.

CONCLUSION

At £170, there isn’t much competition out there for the ER2s in terms of sound quality, and if sound is your priority then I would highly recommend these. Due to their unique design and fit, they won’t be for everyone, and brands like Shure, Final and Flare Audio are making some very good earphones at this price with a more conventional design.

The Etymotic ER2-SE and XR are very much a Marmite earphone: you’ll either love them or hate them. The fit won’t be for everyone and I think that you will need to have a real appreciation of good sound quality to be willing to get used to the unique fit. Saying that, if you do get used to it, you will be one of the lucky ones.

Effect Audio Leonidas II Upgrade Cable Review

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Effect Audio Leonidas II

 

Aesthetics and Build quality:

The Leonidas II is one pretty cable, with a soft outer jacket and silver colouration it looks really amazing in the flesh. The jack has a carbon fibre housing, the y-split is silver and leather, and the 2-pin connectors are just sleek silver. I really do love the look of the cable; it definitely stands out as the silver has quite a unique sparkle in the sunlight.

Build quality is superb, from the PSquared jack to the 2-pin connectors everything is flawless. The braid is consistent and everything just feels really premium and well made.

 

Comfort:

The Leonidas II uses 26awg wires in a soft jacket, along with a consistent braid and moulded earhooks rather than stiff memory wire. All of this makes the Leonidas II an extremely comfortable cable in use, it is also a very quiet cable, with minimal if any cable noise.

Sound:

The Leonidas II is not a cable that brings noticeable changes in the lows/mids/highs, rather it focusses on how the detail and soundstaging effects are portrayed. The Leonidas II places a firm focus on creating a very accurate and wide soundstage, yet it also manages to add an element of increased resolution.

This increase in resolution doesn’t come across as added brightness though, it still remains a smooth a natural sounding cable. The Leonidas II will pair with many different monitors, with a black background and impeccable imaging and soundstaging. This cable never makes you feel like anything has been sacrificed to create the improvements, it keeps all the core elements of the sound of your monitors, but the increase in detail and spaciousness are instantly recognisable.

This is definitely a cable you can hook up and forget about, it doesn’t jump out at you with exciting elements, however it has a very mature and resolving sound that is about pure enjoyment.

Conclusion:

The Leonidas II is a perfectly balanced, highly resolving and all-round excellent cable. It is one that will pair well with most IEM’s, bringing out the best of their technical capabilities without making anything stand out.

Sound:  5/5

Comfort: 5/5

Build: 5/5

Value: 4/5

 

You can find our whole range of Effect Audio cables here

 

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

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