SoundMAGIC HP151 Headphone Review

SoundMAGIC needs no introduction for many; this brand has had tremendous success in recent years, not least with its full size offerings such as the HP100, HP150 and the open-back HP200. The SoundMAGIC HP151 promises to be a new and improved version of the HP150, with a few changes here and there.

Pros:

• Nice styling and low-key design
• 2.5m cable more suited to indoor listening
• Great sound

Cons:

• Phones/handsets may struggle without amplification

Design and Appearance

Gone is the ‘tactile’ grey covering on the outside of the earcups, yokes and headband which the HP150 had; now it’s plain black plastic. Also the earcup ‘swivel’ feature of the HP150 is gone; the earcups are now fixed. Perhaps it was a bit tricky for those who aren’t DJs? The rest of us shouldn’t need to swivel too much anyway.

Another difference is the cable; it’s still a straight one but comes in at a longer 2.5m, as opposed to the original 1.5m (you can buy the shorter HP150 cables separately which will fit if needed). The extension lead which the HP150 had is no longer included.

Durability and Build Quality

Construction is from plastic and feels very solid, there are no squeezy or squeaky bits. The cable has decent strain reliefs and is rubber coated and slinky, not sticky.

The supplied case is a semi-rigid affair with a little pocket for keeping the supplied aircraft and 6.35mm adapters if needed, and will protect the headphones between uses. Just don’t sit on it.

Comfort

The SoundMAGIC HP151 is a light and comfortable headphone, thanks to its light construction, generously upholstered headband and earpads.

Suitability for intended application

The HP151 can be used quite successfully when on the move, but many handsets will not have sufficient power so a separate headphone amp may be required, or a dedicated player with a little more power than the average phone.

Otherwise it’s one for at home or in the studio.

Sound characteristics

The SoundMAGIC HP151 is a bit of a crowd pleaser; the overall balance is tilted slightly towards the warm but details are quite appreciable, and tape hiss comes through from those old recordings so there’s little roll-off with the treble. Note: for those interested in a comparison with the HP150, there is no difference other than the earcup and headband design; it’s the same great sound.

• Bass

The big 53mm drivers give a nice thump to the HP151’s low bass; it doesn’t steal the show but gives a nice foundation, bass frequencies are given a bit of heft and authority without giving the impression of a bass-heavy headphone. Control is fairly tight; it’s a breezy, carefree bass with fun on its mind, but always makes it home in time for tea.

• Mids

The midrange is all there with a slight dip in the 1kHz -2KHz area; there’s no noticeable holes or gaps in the frequency response as there may be with other models. It’s a gentle lowering to shun any shrillness and makes for an inviting and clear presentation. With the detail here and the aforementioned bass quality, the harmonics here can really bring instruments to life.

Similarly, vocals are clear and rather enjoyable with subtle details giving a really good representation of any performer’s unique character.

• Treble

There’s plenty of sparkle, shimmer and zing here; it’s certainly a clear triple! It’s not overbearing, and gives just the right amount of presence for full enjoyment of those high frequency details. It’s a great balance between brightness and mellowness.

• Soundstage & Separation

The width reaches out beyond the earcups a little way and gives a nice impression of space; both higher frequency detail and bass are able to jump out and give our ears a little tweak when the music dictates it; very nice. Separation is great too; classical pieces are rendered very nicely with clear harmonics preserving the character and positioning of everything, even with a lot going on.

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READ MORE: Top 5 Best Travel Headphones for 2017

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Music genres good for and why

The HP151 works with everything. Many genres were tried and none failed; bass heavy rap, acoustic, classical, dance; it’s a clear pass for this one.

Summary

If you are looking for a general use headphone with good isolation, look no further. Any and every music type sounds excellent with plenty of space and the feeling that these headphones are enjoying themselves just as much as the listener is!

The post SoundMAGIC HP151 Headphone Review – Going One Better appeared first on HiFiheadphones.

Hifi Headphones Rating – 9 out of 10

Price – £46

Buy Shure SE112 In-Ear Sound Isolating Earphones here

Pros

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

Cons

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

Summary

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

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

Key Features

• Impedance 16 Ohms
• Sensitivity 105 dB
• Dynamic microdriver

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

First Impressions

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

Sound Quality

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

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

Verdict

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

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

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

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

Hifiheadphones is happy to announce that the VK-1,a new Portable On Ear Headphone from Aedle is in stock now.

Price – £299.95

The Aedle VK-1 Valkerie is a closed back, on ear portable headphone with an exciting sound and superb style. The aluminium driver housing and brown leather compliment each other very well, making them very light and comfortable.

Main Features

• Closed Back
• Replaceable Cable
• On Ear
• Easily Driven

The post The Aedle VK-1 Headphones are here! appeared first on HiFiheadphones.

SoundMAGIC’s HP200 headphones give a great sound and are a fantastic addition to any audiophile’s set-up. With natural sound, wide soundstage and excellent detail resolution the HP200 has an engaging sound that will satisfy even the most discerning music lover.

The open design gives the music some breathing space, giving it a natural sound which is warm and balanced, while the low impedance of the HP200 makes them suitable for use with portable players without the need for further amplification.

Generously padded earcups and adjustable headband provide for a comfortable listening experience, even during longer listening sessions. The design and build of the HP200 is very solid, and the earcups swivel so the HP200 can easily be stored in the included hard case.

Along with the HP200’s 1.2m cable there is a 3m extension cable and 6.3mm adaptor included for home listening, while those with the travel bug might take advantage of the flight adaptor, along with the sturdy case.

The HP200 is an open-back model; this headphone type is generally though of as better for natural-sounding music, but if isolation is required (for instance for use while commuting) then I would recommend the SoundMAGIC HP100.

The post SoundMAGIC HP200 Headphones – Video Review appeared first on HiFiheadphones.

Verdict

SoundMAGIC continues to impress with their full size models. The HP200s have great balance between accuracy and musicality making them a safe choice for home listening. They measure up really well against the best headphones in this price range.

Pro’s

Great build quality and adjustability, comfortable pads, easily driven and the price is right.

Con’s

Aesthetically unadventurous.

In-Depth Review

Introduction

The HP200 is SoundMAGICs first full size open backed headphone. It follows on from their very first full size, the excellent HP100 closed back, with very similar looks and build quality. Because open backed headphones allow sound to bounce around and even move away from the ear they give a more realistic sense of space. This means they do not isolate well but the sonic benefits can be spectacular.

Description

The HP200 is nearly entirely metal with some tough PE materials for the smaller mouldings. The large earpads and headband are extremely soft and comfortable, the unit itself beautifully ergonomic and relatively lightweight. The range of movement and adjustment is very well thought out with a higher than average amount of articulation, so they should work for anybody.

Included peripherals

The single-sided cable is replaceable with a simple locking connector on the left earcup. The cable is 120cm in length and terminates in a 3.5 mm threaded plug with a screw-on 6.35 mm adapter. Supplied with a very nice carry case that holds the 120cm cable, a 3m extension cable and an inflight adaptor, it all fits back into the case with ease.

Application

This airy sounding open back is really designed for Hifi listening at home but due to the foldable frame, carry case and low weight it could easily help save the sanity of a music loving business traveler confined to a basic hotel room for the evening.

Describe the sound

SoundMAGICs HP200 features angled 53mm Neodymium Drivers with a composite surface, are low impedance and quite easy to drive (although they will benefit from a dedicated headphone amplifier). The Sound is quick and bright but reaches down nice and low for thumpy bass when needed. The bass is a really interesting part of the sound – bass heavy instruments articulate extremely well, lower strings have real texture which helps the transparent presentation and dark background. The sound is very measured, no one thing is ruling the roost here, SoundMAGIC have not been tempted to make these overly warm but have also stopped them from sounding too analytical, they don’t fizz, the top end sparkles without being aggressive. Accurate but musical is normally the goal with open backs and thanks to well balanced EQ the HP200 achieve this impressively. Instrument separation is superb and these dynamic and exciting headphones are better than their price would suggest. They would definitely suit people who prefer focus on detail to warmth and clean articulation to big bass.

Comparisons

To go brighter look at the Grado 325is, to go darker have a look at the Sennheiser HD650. The Shure SRH940 is a similar sonic experience.

Product Information

Product Type – Open Back Hi-Fi Headphones

Price at the time of review – £219.00

Product Link – Buy SoundMAGIC HP200

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