The DUNU DN-12 Trident is the entry level in-ear headphone from this exciting brand. DUNU is making waves in the headphone world and I can see why – if they put this amount of work into their low priced headphones then I can only imagine what their high end models are like!
I had to keep reminding myself that these in-ears were under £50. The packaging is nicely finished and when you get inside you find a good quality leatherette bag, plenty of different eartips, a cable clip and even a carabina. The headphones themselves are extremely well built. The driver housing is made from titanium which feels great and has a good amount of weight. The cable feels tough and isn’t flimsy, this ends in a smartly designed angled jack connection – you even get a cable tidy designed by DUNU included.
DUNU have thought about even the finest details with their entry level earphone so you are totally impressed before you even listen to them!
Sound Quality
When I first listened to the DN-12’s I felt that there was a fair amount of bass and that there could be more treble… Then I remembered that they are £35!
Compared to other earphones in their price range they sound more refined with a good amount of bass that doesn’t bleed into the rest of the mix, the mids come through nicely with enough crack and the highs give a great sense of space. The soundstage is very impressive as you feel that you are right in the mix with a wide presentation. I really can’t think of anything negative to say about these great little in-ears!
HifiHeadphones Verdict
Not long ago I would have said that the SoundMAGIC E10 was easily the best in ear for under £40 – now they certainly have stiff competition! The DUNU DN-12 may not have as much weight in the low end as the E10, but for me this is for the best. These earphones feel and sound like something that should be worth somewhere in the £50 region, as not only can they compete with some higher priced models, they have put a lot of effort in the finer details – this for me helps put them at the top of their game
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?
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 P21S version with Mic and MFB might be better if you’re chatty
Summary
The SoundMAGIC P21 is a new lightweight on ear headphone from the multi-award winning SoundMAGIC brand. It’s a small foldable unit with a 3.5mm connector, a perfect companion to a Dab radio, Smartphone or Tablet computer.
A foldable headband and soft carry pouch make these portable gems a must for travelling music andfilm lovers.
First Impressions
Featuring super soft pads and a non tangle cable, this is a simple product with everything you need included. Comfy on the head, there isn’t much pressure applied by the light frame but the generous ear pads keep the P21 in place even whilst walking around. You forget you’re wearing them right away and Isolation is impressive too.
Sound Quality
Famed for creating products which perform sonic feats unexpected at their price, SoundMAGIC have done it again with this budget beauty. These practical cans have sparkling mids, impressive soundstage with both detail and bass depth. Realistic instrument separation gives an accomplished musical feel.
Because SoundMAGIC have not been tempted to make the bass huge, the P21 really work across most genres. There is plenty of impact and rhythm for Dance and Rock lovers, but the top end sparkle will make classical fans equally happy. The sense of space and solidity will shame much higher priced portables!
Verdict
SoundMAGIC takes a lot of beating in this price category. Ideal for travel and holidays, these will fit right in to any bag or backpack when stored in their low profile travel case.
Even having tried much more serious and high value portables, I’m still really impressed while listening to this little SoundMAGIC on-ear. If you would rather have a budget headphone than an earphone, the P21 is probably what you’re looking for.
Engaging and fun-sounding, the SoundMAGIC P21 will make the absolute most of the output from any portable player.
Please take a look at our video review of the SoundMAGIC P21S below for more details.
SoundMAGIC have made a fantastic name for themselves within the budget in-ear market, no wonder they get on the list of top 10 best headphones under £50. The E18 is a great example of just how they do it – designing products which offer exceptional sound quality for the prices asked.
The ES18 has bass which is warm but not overblown, mids which are fluid and engaging, and highs which are slightly recessed. Suitable for those who find percussion and cymbals generally strident and fatiguing.
The DN-12 is a sturdily built IEM with solid metallic housings and a good solid sound also.
Bass is deep and punchy without being boomy, midrange is slightly recessed with high frequencies well balanced; there’s a slight roll-off for those who like a warmer sound signature; normal for IEMs of this price.
A very well put together earphone with a sound signature that is sure to please.
Hifiheadphones verdict:
A great IEM for the price, the DN-12 gives great weight to music and will suit those who like a fun sound.
Another entrant in the IEM market is FIDUE, and their range starts with the fantastic FIDUE 31 – the capsules are tiny and the sound is big!
Good warm bass and good mid-range detail – there is a slight roll off in the treble region for those who like a warmer presentation.
The earphones are lightweight and tough, perfect for running or in the gym. Ear tips are designed to keep the earphones in the ear and cables can be worn over the ear for a more secure fit.
Also fitted with a lightweight microphone in case you need to take calls.
Hifiheadphones verdict:
A great budget choice – narrower nozzles may make this a good choice for those with fit issues with other IEMs. Perfect for sports use.
The entry-level AF33 from Audiofly gives a fantastic sound, and the AF33M version gives added functionality with smartphones, offering an answer button for those calls.
Good bass which is tight and well controlled, midrange with a slight recess and treble which has liveliness and sparkle without being fatiguing. When we first tried these we thought that there was a mistake – these sound like IEMs which cost more than £50.
A very capable earphone with a grown up sound signature without the boom, boom of some other budget earphones. Very musical.
Hifiheadphones verdict:
Many are getting a kick out of Australian firm Audiofly’s range in more than one way. The engaging and involving sound of these IEMs will certainly get you waltzing.
Sennheiser’s entry-level full size, the HD201, is incredibly cheap for what you get – anyone looking for a good sound without wanting to part with much cash must be tempted by the HD201.
Good but not bloaty bass, a clear midrange and a slightly forward treble make these superb all rounders. Fantastic for detail, you might hear things with these which are missed on pricier headphones.
This are a ideal everyday headphone that won’t break the bank.
Hifiheadphones verdict:
Probably the best full-size headphone you’ll find for under £20, hands down.
The Koss Porta Pro may not be an obvious choice for the top 10 best portable headphones, it is likely older than most of its current users; introduced in the early 1980s, it pre-dates most other lightweight designs and has a real retro charm.
The sound is still very current however, as the PortaPro’s sound signature suits dance music, rap and anything the user can throw at them.
A good level of bass and midrange gives a good grunt with realistic body. The highs are a little rolled off but not to the point where it’s a problem, indeed the roll-off makes them less likely to fatigue the wearer if dance music is played.
Hifiheadphones verdict:
For the money this is amazing value – get yourself a design classic which has stood the test of time.
This portable is certainly a fun-sounding headphone – it also looks fun and feels it too!
They are very light and are a perfect travelling companion when folded into the semi-rigid case.Bass is present but not overblown, midrange is clear and involving, and highs are revealing but not overbearing.The flat cable does not tangle and the 90 degree jack is perfect for placing your music source in a pocket or bag.
Grado are well known for their trademark wide open and airy sound, and the iGrado follows in this theme. Designed to sit over the ear with a neckband keeping things in place, the iGrado gives a wonderfully natural sound.
They are wide open in design, meaning that there is no isolation. Others will hear your music, and you will be aware of the environment around you. This makes the sound much more realistic in terms of soundstage and imaging, but you may get some odd looks if these are worn on the train, for example.
Hifiheadphones verdict:
The iGrado is very popular with joggers and those who prefer to be aware of the sounds around them, also they are a great low-cost upgrade for anyone wanting a headphone specifically for use in the home.
Another of Grado’s great value headphones, the SR60i is much like its elder sibling the SR80i, but may be more appropriate for enjoying older recordings or music with less than perfect sound quality. As the SR60i is not as bright sounding as the SR80i, they may be better or you if you find that you get fatigued after listening for a while.
The SR60 has been around for 20 years, which in the fast-moving world of electronic gadgets seems like a lifetime. Apart from the odd tweak, why change something which works so well?
Hifiheadphones verdict:
The look, feel and quality of the SR60i is magnificent for the asking price; why not get yourself a slice of a headphone legend? If you like details and a more forward or bright presentation, consider the SR80i.
This is a question that comes up a lot at HiFi Headphones, so here is our easy guide on setting up TV wireless headphones.
Before you go and buy your wireless headphones it is important to find out what audio outputs
your TV has. This is the best starting point as it will determine which wireless headphones are
compatible and if you need any extra devices, such as a DAC.
Based on the type of outputs, there are two types of TV’s:
TVs with analogue output:
Headphone Output/Jack
This is the most commonly known type of audio output, but not necessarily the best. Using the headphone output on your TV will cut the sound from the built in speakers so only you (or anyone else connected to the wireless system) will be able to listen to the TV.
The majority of TV wireless headphones come with a mini jack cable so there won’t be any problems connecting them via the headphone socket.
RCA Phono
This output is generally located at the back of the TV and has two circular sockets, one red and one white. This provides a pure line out signal and therefore won’t interfere with the built in speakers. This is probably the best option as the majority of wireless headphones out there use analogue inputs, and most of them will include appropriate adapters to connect to the RCA phono output.
Even though there will always be a way of connecting TV wireless headphones to the RCA phono socket, some models come with their own adapter to make this easier. Here are a few that I would recommend:
A lot of modern TVs now only have digital audio outputs, this is either as optical or coaxial. If your wireless headphone transmitter only accepts analogue audio then it’s not the end of the world, you can buy a device called a DAC (Digital to Analogue Converter). This device will sit in the chain between your TV and wireless headphone transmitter. You will need a digital cable to go from the TV to the DAC, this will be either optical or coaxial depending on the output. Then from the DAC you will need an RCA phono cable to feed into the transmitter.
With digital outputs becoming more and more popular, there are now headphones that can take a digital signal and convert it to analogue with their own built in DAC. This way you get a much higher quality of sound. Here are a couple that I would recommend:
With such a wide range of TV wireless headphones and accessories on the market at the moment, it doesn’t matter what TV you have; there will be a wireless headphone out there for your set up.
Open back on-ear headphones. Retro design. Excellent sound with brilliant detail and clarity. SR325is has won many awards. Very efficient headphone voice coils (low impedance) means it can be driven by pretty much any device (even the humble iPod) and does not need a dedicated headphone amplifier. Hi-Fi speakers of similar quality would cost thousands. Hand made by Grado in Brooklyn New York. Grado has been in business since 1953, making turntable cartridges.
Open back over ear headphones. Very comfortable over ear design perfect for long listening sessions. Midrange and high end treble clarity is exceptional. Japanese brand with pro-audio pedigree (also make studio headphones and microphones).
Closed back over ear headphones. Very powerful bass response (ideal for gaming and movies). Replaceable parts (cable and ear pads) make it possible to service the headphone. Beyerdynamic headphones are used throughout the BBC (look at photos on Radio 1 website). Made in Germany.
Closed back over ear headphones. Closed back design ensures good isolation from noise and also means you don’t annoy people sitting nearby. Good bass response and high degree of accuracy. Coiled, detachable cable (can be replaced). Shure is a pro-audio manufacturer of monitoring earphones and microphones.
If you travel often by aeroplane or long distance train and you have a passion for music it’s likely you’ve considered (or maybe already own) a pair of active noise cancelling headphones. The clever electronics in these headphones does an excellent job of removing the low frequency boom of aircraft engines, train air conditioning and any other consistent rumbling noises. While some feel the addition of this electronics interferes with the quality of audio reproduction, there is no doubt that the technology is impressive and very effective at reducing low frequency noise.
The obvious choice for many when it comes to noise cancelling headphones is the Bose range. The Bose Quiet Comfort noise cancelling headphones have long been regarded as the standard by which other noise cancelling headphones should be measured. This domination of the market has meant that Bose has been able to justify a hefty price tag for their superior technology.
In recent years manufacturers such as Sennheiser, Panasonic and others have to some degree caught up with Bose, but many feel Bose still have the upper hand with their noise cancelling technology..
Upon opening the box the ANC7’s are immediately impressive, with excellent build quality and a comfortable fit on most ears. The headphone ear cups have a rather handy pivoting link to the headband that means they can be folded 90 degrees for convenient storage of the headset. Also included with the headphones is a useful airline connection adapter, the single AAA battery needed to power the active electronics and a practical carry case to protect your headphones.
Audio-Technica’s ATH-ANC7 Quietpoint noise cancelling headphones come in a full size headset package with sealed (or closed) ear cups to help reduce high frequency noise from leaking in, while the active electronics handle the suppression of low frequency noise. The ear cups do not completely enclose the ears, but instead rest on the outer ear with soft pads that mould to fit comfortably on most ears.
Clever Cable Design
The headphone connection cable design of the ANC7’s is worth a mention. The convenient 1.6 metre cable is terminated with a full size 6.35mm (1/4”) jack at the source end and a 3.5mm (1/8”) mini jack at the headphone end. While the length is perfect for using with a portable music player on the move, the use of standard connectors means the cable can be easily replaced with a longer item for other applications such as home or office listening. The ANC7’s can also be used without the cable attached to just perform noise cancelling duties – handy if you are looking to get some sleep on a long flight.
How Do They Sound?
The quality of audio reproduction is excellent. The sealed ear cup headphone design means there is very little bass leakage and the lower frequency response is very strong. Moving through the mid-range and high frequencies the sound is pure and crisp and very accurate.
The closed back design does give the sound an enclosed character, which owners of good quality open back headphones may find immediately noticeable. The difference between open and closed back headphones can be compared to listening to a band in a large open concert hall and then hearing the same band playing a small intimate venue – it’s just different. There is no doubt that the ANC7’s close back design does change the character of the sound, but without the sealed ear cups the listener would be disturbed by high frequency external noise.
Shure have a long heritage of designing microphones and earphones for the professional audio industry. Shure’s build quality is normally excellent, you get good value for money and their headphones come with a reassuring 2 year Shure warranty. Shure’s previous range of ear canal headphones (EC2 and EC3) were generally very well regarded and the SE range is the evolutionary next step.
So let’s see what they have to offer…
Shure SE110 and SE210 – entry level
Currently the entry level in-ear headphone is the Shure SE110 sound isolating earphone. The SE110 is a very worthwhile upgrade from standard iPod headphones. You will be able to hear detail in your music that you simply could not hear before. Saying that the SE110 does lack the bass punch that many listeners expect when upgrading to a more ‘expensive’ pair of headphones.
Shure SE110
The Shure SE210 earphone adds another layer of definition and a small amount more bass response than the SE110. For the modest difference in price it really is worth upgrading to the SE210’s.
Shure SE210
Both the SE110 and SE210 earphones are very sensitive and you may find that you have to watch the volume levels. For example when listening to an iPod Nano I found that anywhere over half volume is too much for extended periods. With the standard iPod headphones I regularly listened upto 75% volume. This is partly due to the fact that they are sound isolating and your music is not competing with the sounds around you, but is also due to the sensitivity of the headphones. It’s unlikely you will want a headphone amp with either the Shure SE110’s or SE210 headphones.
Shure SE310 – midrange
The Shure SE310 earphone is still just a single armature driver design, but the sonic clarity is absolutely spot on. The single speaker design gives the SE310 the advantage that it’s smaller than it’s bigger brothers (the SE420 and SE530). This mid-range offering from Shure has quite a bit of competition, including the Ultimate Ears Super.fi 5 Pro, but holds it’s own with the best of them.
Shure SE310
While the SE range are ideal iPod headphones you will only really get the best from your headphones when listening to uncompressed (e.g. AAC and FLAC) digital music. If you try listening to poor quality, low bitrate MP3’s you may be disappointed by all the sonic artefacts you can hear in your music, e.g. normally resulting in a ‘crunchy’ sound. If uncompressed audio is not possible then 192Kbps is really a minimum when listening with good quality in ear sound isolating headphones.
Shure SE420 – audiophile quality with twin micro-speakers
This is the first in Shure’s range to introduce the idea of more than one driver within the earphone, much like a multi-way speaker. The Shure SE420 earphone utilizes a dual armature driver, with the lows driven by one driver and the high frequencies driven by another dedicated speaker. The result is an extra clean punch to the bass and a slightly more accurate response across the board than the single driver SE310. Compared to the Ultimate Ears Super.fi 5 Pro the SE420’s bass response is stronger and overall slightly warmer sounding. If your preference is for clean and accurate response then you may prefer the UE 5 Pro.
Shure SE420
Shure SE530 – top of the range
The flagship in-ear-monitor from Shure is currently the spectacular Shure SE530 earphone. Whilst not cheap, this headphone really is the pinnacle of consumer ear canal headphone technology. The earphone utilizes three tiny micro-drivers, just like a three way HiFi speaker. The end result is an extremely accurate, dynamic earphone with deep, powerful bass response.
The fact that the Shure SE530 headphone contains three speakers does increase the size a little, but the earphone is very comfortable to wear for long periods and is as easy to fit as the other Shure models.
Shure SE530
The bottom line is that the SE530 is one of the best in-ear headphones you will find. The SE530’s sound absolutely stunning, with accurate response across the full frequency range and when called for a deep powerful bass response.
We get to try out more headphones than most, so this article is where we at Hifiheadphones share some of that experience with you. In a simple World you could buy a set of ‘known brand’ headphones at a certain price point and expect to receive a product that you can be happy with. In other words, you may think that spending a certain amount on headphones will guarantee that you get a product you will like. Unfortunately with headphones it can be a little more complex. In this headphone buying guide is a quick summary of some of the major factors when purchasing a pair of new headphones or earphones.
Audio Quality
The first question asked by many people when buying headphones and earphones is “Do they sound good?”. It’s also often the most difficult question to answer. We human beings are very subjective creatures. What is described by one person as “precise and detailed” will be “lacking in bass and clinical” by another. What one listener likes another will find irritating.
The best advice we can give is to do plenty of research and try to understand what you are purchasing. Search the Internet for reviews of the headphones you like the look of – we have plenty of product reviews in our Blog as well as on our Youtube Channel. Ask for advice on forums where people discuss headphones such as Head-Fi or the AVForums. You will likely find plenty of information and opinions, often from different points of view. If you make your headphone or earphone purchase with good knowledge of what to expect it’s less likely you will be disappointed.
Design and Aesthetics
High up the list for many people is the looks and aesthetics of the headphones. After all you will have to be wearing the headphones you choose on your head for all to see! Unless you plan to use your new headphones alone at home then it’s likely you will be interested in how they look. Of course the quality of sound is also near the top of most lists, but with such a wide selection of good headphones to choose from it’s also likely that you will want your headphones to reflect your style.
Manufacturers such as SoundMAGIC have really gone to town with the styling of their headphones. While not to everyone’s taste SoundMAGIC have a unique look with a wide selection of vibrant colours.
If you are looking for headphones that look a little more sophisticated and refined then OPPO’s range of headphones are a good choice. While only relatively new to the consumer market in the UK, it’s not without reason that OPPO are quickly becoming market leaders. OPPO’s selection of headphones look stunning and perform equally well. The OPPO PM-3 headphones are a highly recommended set of stylish portable headphones with a rich, clear sound.
Ease of Portability
If you are going to be travelling or moving around with your headphones or earphones then the size, weight and ability to pack away (fold or collapse) may be important to you.
Many travellers and commuters like the in-ear earphone type as they can easily be wound up and put into a pouch or pocket. Sound isolating earphones have the added benefit that they can cut down outside noise by -20dB, which can be a godsend when travelling on a train, bus or underground. The Shure range of sound isolating earphones is a good place to start. Also worthy of mention Fidue, RHA and DUNU who all have a good range of the in ear sound isolating variety.
You will also find a good selection of headband headphones that collapse or fold for stowing away when needed. The Sennheiser PX200-II or SoundMAGIC P21 headphones are an example of good quality lightweight travelling headphones that fold away for transporting.
Sound Isolation
When listening to your headphones will you need to block out external noise, or do you need to prevent your music from annoying others around you. Ask yourself where, when and how you will be using your headphones.
If you will be listening to your headphones in an office or on public transport you will probably want to keep your music to yourself. In this case you will want to avoid open-back ear cup designs. Although open back headphones are often sonicly superior to closed back headphones the sound leaks out and people around you will be listening to a tinny version of what you are listening to – very annoying indeed.
If you travel on buses, trains or planes you might be thinking about noise cancelling headphones, but you may also want to consider in-ear sound isolating earphones instead as they are often able to reproduce a clearer more accurate sound. The extra electronics between your audio source and your ears means that noise cancelling headphones often colour the sound and reduce the clarity.
DJs and studio engineers also have a unique set of requirements when it comes to selecting headphones. A good set of DJ headphones should normally provide maximum isolation from outside sounds, so that you can concentrate on the mix you are putting together. Whereas a studio engineer may be more interested in being able to reproduce a good stereo sound image with sonic clarity and may not be so interested in sound isolation.
Summary
When it comes to purchasing headphones there are so many options and possibilities, but at the end of the day your choice will be down to a few key factors. Factors such as budget, design and whether or not you want sound isolation may be more significant than trying to find headphones with the best audio quality possible.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions on 01903 768 910 or you can email us on support@hifiheadphones.co.uk
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