It’s that time of year again. So here’s our pick of the best audio gadgets available – with something for everyone.

Audeze Mobius

Audeze have created a superb all rounder in the Mobius. Whether music, films or gaming is your thing – the Audeze Mobius does it all extremely well. Inside the housings are planar magnetic drivers, providing sound quality that even the audiophiles out there will appreciate. Then the 3D emulation technology delivers a superb surround sound experience, perfect for watching films or playing Fortnite and thanks to the integrated head tracking – you’ll hear sound effects as if they’re really there.

Bower & Wilkins PX

The B&W PX is the ultimate portable headphone. With the latest aptX HD Bluetooth technology, wireless sound quality is of the highest level. Providing a very well balanced sound with tight bass – bass heads may want to look elsewhere – crystal clear clarity and superb soundstage. The PX also has adaptive noise cancelling and uses six microphones to help block out external sounds – allowing you to focus on the music. Along with the advanced technology – the PX has superb build quality and comfort – making them our go to recommendation for wireless headphones.

SoundMAGIC P22BT

At under £40 – the SoundMAGIC P22BT Bluetooth headphone provides high quality at a low price. The design is sturdy and comfortable, with a lightweight foldable headband which is great for portable use. These headphones are easy to use with controls conveniently placed on the left earcup. The most impressive feature is the sound quality – audio is crisp and punchy with plenty of energy, making them a lot of fun to listen to.

SoundMAGIC E11C

SoundMAGIC seems to have nailed the under £50 earphone. If you’re looking for a wired earphone and want to keep the price down, then we believe that the E11C is the one. SoundMAGIC have gone for a mature design, and used a silver plated copper cable to deliver superb sound quality which will compete with earphones over £100. The E11C has plenty of energy and punch with a dynamic and well detailed sound. There is also a 3 button inline control and mic, which is fully compatible with Apple and Android smartphones.

Flare Audio Flares Jet 2

Now, if you’re looking for an earphone with a more aggressive sound then the Flares Jet 2 could be the one. These earphones go loud, and they provide thumping bass and sharp clarity. The housings are made of aluminium and are built to last. There is also an in line single button remote to take calls and the cable itself is strong and tough. The design of the Jet 2 definitely stands out and the shape makes them very comfortable.

Final E4000

For those that appreciate their music a bit more and are happy to up their budget,  Final’s E4000 is a superb place to start. Final have been in the audio game for a long time, and their E series shows us what they can do. The E4000 is the sweet spot for me – musical and well balanced sound quality that draws you in, great comfort and design and a nicely made replaceable cable – all for just over £100.

Shanling M0

For something so small, the Shanling M0 manages to pack in a load of features. Starting with the design, the M0 looks and feels great. The display is made by LG and is very crisp – and thanks to Shanling’s own MTouch software, the player is extremely easy to use. The sound from the M0 is clear with good bass-weight, punch and fine detail. Thanks to the on board EQ settings, you can add some warmth or sharpness to suit your taste. The M0 can pair with Bluetooth headphones, and the 2-way Bluetooth feature will allow you to connect to your phone to use the player as an external DAC/amp – very clever.

Optoma NuForce BE Sport4

The NuForce BE Sport4 is widely regarded as the go to Bluetooth earphone – and we would agree. At just under £90, they combine good value with superb sound quality – the Graphene coated drivers deliver a crisp and punchy sound with plenty of clarity. The BE Sport4 is IPX5 water resistant and can provide up to 10 hours or battery life. And to top it off, you get 2 hours of charge in just 15 minutes thanks to their Fast Charge feature.

JDS Labs Element DAC

Whether you like to listen to your headphones at home using your computer, laptop or hifi system – the JDS Labs Element will breathe life into your setup. For a long time now, JDS Labs have been making high quality headphone amplifiers and DACs with a simple design and superb value. The Element shows that not only do they have the technical knowhow – they have a great eye for design too. With analogue RCA inputs and digital USB – the Element is extremely versatile and as expected, provides a clean, expressive and powerful sound.

iFi Audio XDSD

Ever wondered if you could have a high quality headphone amplifier connect to your phone or laptop wirelessly? Well wonder no more. The iFi Audio xDSD is the perfect way for you to get the most from your headphones and chosen device – without adding more wires. Use your phone to listen to Spotify, your favourite podcast or play PUBG and let the xDSD wirelessly drive your headphones, giving them all the power they would need to deliver a balanced and dynamic sound.

The post Top 10 Audio Best Buys for 2018 appeared first on HiFiheadphones.

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.

The post SoundMAGIC P22BT Bluetooth Headphone Review appeared first on HiFiheadphones.