Tag Archives: soundmagic p55

SoundMAGIC Vento P55 v3.0 Review & Video

Posted on by
Reply

SoundMAGIC P55 V3.0

The SoundMAGIC P55 v3.0 are helping SoundMAGIC blaze a trail in the world of portable on-ear headphones, looking to build on their success from the award winning E10 and E11 range of in-ears.

BUILD

The P55 v3.0, as the name suggests, is the third update to this model. The build and design have stayed the same, the big change is to the drivers used. SoundMAGIC has developed a brand new dynamic driver for the P55 v3 – using improved materials to increase performance. Starting with the build quality, SoundMAGIC has done a great job here. The steel headband is tough, and is finished in a way to match the look of the brushed aluminum earcups – materials not normally associated with headphones costing under £100. These headphones can fold flat, which is not only useful for storage – it also makes them comfortable to hang around the neck while not in use… if that’s your thing. Plastic is used around the earcups and on the underside of the headband – the matt black finish adds to the high-quality feel.

COMFORT

To provide comfort, there is soft padding used on the headband and the earcups – all covered with a leatherette finish. The soft foam makes the P55 v3 very comfortable to wear and along with the gentle clamping force on the head – these can be worn for long periods without the risk of fatigue.

FEATURES

Like most portable headphones, these are on-ear – so they’ll sit on the ear as opposed to enclosing the ears completely. Isolation is decent and sound leakage is very low, so others nearby won’t be judging you on your choice of music. The headphones are supplied with two replaceable cables, one standard audio cable and one with inline 3 button controls and microphone – compatible with both Apple and Android devices. Both cables are 1.2m and you also get a hard carry case to keep them safe.

Vento P55 On Case

SPECS

These headphones are designed for portable use, with a low impedance of 35ohms and fairly high sensitivity of 110dB. This makes them well suited to devices with less power output such as phones, laptops and tablets. Saying that – plug them into a high-quality portable player or headphone amp and hear the headphones really come alive.

SOUND QUALITY

  • Bass response
  • Midrange (instrumental/vocals)
  • Treble (extension)
  • Soundstage
  • Imaging (L/R)
  • Microphone

Now for the sound quality, and for me this is where the P55 v3 really shines. Bass is not what you’d normally expect from a sub £100 portable headphone. There’s a maturity here which delivers weight and punch without any boomyness – bass is tight and doesn’t bleed into the midrange. The midrange is superb on the P55 v3. It’s extremely clear and engaging, and thanks to the controlled bass – it doesn’t get lost in the mix. Thanks to the midrange, male and female vocals both shine and the P55 v3 can also handle intricate instrumental music. The treble provides a good amount of space and gives the whole experience a crispness without sibilance or fatigue that can normally come across. Imaging is very impressive, with a very clear sense of left and right with good width. Soundstage is good, instruments all have their place with well-defined separation.

CONCLUSION

  • Alternatives
  • Best uses
  • Recommendation

At £90 there is a fair bit of competition out there, especially from the likes of Sennheiser, AKG and Sony – with a lot of brands offering Bluetooth at this price point. With the P55 v3.0, SoundMAGIC are doing something different to the ret of them. This headphone provides a high-end experience at a very competitive price, something SoundMAGIC has become very well-known and respected for. Suited to those not wanting to sacrifice sound quality for Bluetooth, who appreciate fine build quality and a hi-fi listening experience without breaking the bank. For me, SoundMAGIC have nailed it, and I would recommend these headphones for anyone looking for a new set of wired portable cans.

SoundMAGIC P55 V3.0 Review

Posted on by
Reply

SoundMAGIC P55 V3.0

 

Aesthetics, Build Quality and Accessories:

The new P55 V3.0 have quite a mature and sophisticated look that is sleek and understated. The design is similar to a lot of on-ear headphones, they are not flashy but they have a fairly high end feel to them.

 

The build quality is top notch, with a mainly metal frame and detachable 3.5mm cable these are perfect for your daily commute. The cable uses a standard 3.5mm jack, so replacements will be easy to come by, along with the P55 V3.0 coming with 2 cables in the box anyway. These are a really solid on-ear headphone, especially for the price.

 

The P55 V.30 come with a carry case to keep them safe in your bag along with 2 cables, one with a mic and controls, one that is audio only. Also included is a Skype adapter for using them with a PC that has separate mic and headphone sockets.

 

Comfort:

These are not light due to the metal construction, but they are also not what I would call heavy. The clamping force strikes the right balance between providing a secure fit and not being tight and uncomfortable. The earpads are plus, and the headband doesn’t dig into the top of your head. These are not the kind of headphones you sit back for hours in a comfy chair with, but they are excellent for general use and I can easily wear them for a couple of hours.

 

Sound:

Bass: The bass on the P55 V3.0 is really punchy and has excellent body to it. It really does an excellent job of allowing you to hear and focus on the bass line of tracks, without masking details. Yes, the bass is slightly emphasised, but for on the go use this is an advantage, and the fact they never sound bloated is a huge bonus. The don’t just punch hard, they also dig deep into the sub-bass with ease. These are about fun, and they deliver on that promise, with a dynamic and engaging sound.

 

Midrange: The midrange sits slightly behind the bass in absolute presence, but it is far from being recessed. Vocals cut through the mix with great clarity, guitars have good tonality and everything is quite well presented. There is a little bleed from the bass which does affect the lower midrange a tiny bit but this is easily overlooked when the overall sound is this good. Female vocals do have a slight edge, due to a slight uplift in the upper midrange, but the transition into the treble region is fairly smooth with only a hint of sibilance.

 

Treble: The treble has not been forced to take a backseat on these, giving them a good sense of balance overall. The great thing about the treble on these is the way they are not boosted in the lower treble. There is not a focus on bringing out the initial impact, but more on bringing out air and extension in music. Every cymbal tap and crash is well defined, without sounding sharp.

 

The P55 V3.0 manage to handle everything you throw at them, they do not have a massive soundstage but the separation and spatial imaging makes up for this.

Conclusion:

SoundMAGIC have created a rugged, stylish and great sounding on-ear headphone for less than £100. The sound is full, fun and engaging. There is a bit of emphasis on the bass, but there is enough detail in the midrange, and presence up top to make them well balanced overall. These could be the best sub £100 on-ear headphone out at the moment.

SoundMAGIC Vento P55 Closed Back Headphones – Review

Posted on by
Reply

SoundMAGIC Vento P55 On Ear Headphones – Review

 

Intro:

SoundMAGIC has been on the scene for 10 years now, and it’s remarkable how much the headphones market has changed in that time; possibly pushed along by SoundMAGIC’s esteemed offerings. The way that headphones are used (and their popularity) has really come on, and they are often seen in pretty much everywhere now, when both indoors and out.

SoundMAGIC’s new Vento P55 is designed to address the need for a good looking, versatile and sturdy on-ear model for any scenario, so how does it measure up?

Design and appearance:

At first glances, the Vento P55 has a certain prosaic chic about it; attention is not demanded and so the wearer may not feel as self-conscious as with other, more showy models. The Vento P55 is a nice functional piece of design and has a well-heeled and restrained look about it. There are two 1.2m cables; these are removable and the socket of the Vento P55 will accept any 3.5mm jack – there is no special recessed socket which requires a specific cable replacement.

 

Durability & build quality (e.g. cabling, connectors, materials):

The Vento P55 headphones are certainly sturdy, with a stainless steel headband and aluminium earcups which lend an air of something military grade, but without the weight! Cables are what might be expected for a portable design; thick enough to bear the stresses and strains of an itinerant life on the road but thin and supple enough to not get cumbersome. SoundMAGIC’s new angled jack design (which its recent earphones have adopted) has been included, to reduce any stress on the jack when players or phones are placed in pockets when users are on the move.

Comfort:

Despite being an on-ear portable, the gentle grip of the Vento P55 puts them on the right side of tight, but they have a firm hold and they are quite comfortable during longer periods of use. The earpads are soft and yielding and offer no problems, even when worn over glasses.

Suitability for intended application:

As alluded to above, the demure and reserved character of the Vento P55’s design allows it to fit in anywhere without drawing any undue attention. Along with the comfortable fit, the Vento P55 is a perfect tool for commuting or casual use when out and about.

Sound isolation (if applicable):

Isolation is fair but the wearer is not rendered incommunicado; it is still possible to aware of your surroundings which may be no bad thing if the Vento P55 is put to more portable uses. Of course, with music playing the effect of isolation is more marked.

Portability:

Included is a light but rigid carry case which will protect the Vento well if taken with you unused, and the headphones can be worn around the neck without restricting movement too much.

 

Sound characteristics:

Overall the Vento P55 has a detailed yet warm sound, with plenty of room between bass and treble for harmonics and vocal performances to make a good impression. These headphones were tested with a Fiio X3 using a Chord Hugo as DAC/amp.

Bass (e.g. punch, low extension):

Bass is reserved and restrained in contrast to many similar models on the market. The Vento P55 is not bass light however; it starts low and provides authority to a track without taking over, allowing the midrange to make its mark.

Mids (e.g. vocals, acoustic instruments):

Midrange is very present for a non-neutral headphone; it makes a sense of space more pronounced, and harmonics stand out. This has a good effect on imaging and the attention is easily grabbed by certain instruments.

Treble (e.g. high hats):

Treble is rolled off slightly but still stands up to be counted; it’s there just enough to give details and add definition but backs off well before there’s any danger of sibilance.

Soundstage & Separation:

Soundstage is fair for a closed-back portable; the head is well enveloped within the sound. Separation is helped along by the clear and distinct midrange, and is very good. Again, the midrange helps this along and brings out most instruments and voices in clear relief.

Music genres good for and why:

The SoundMAGIC Vento P55 excels at dance music, funk and Hip Hop, while its strong midrange suits genres such as classical and jazz particularly well.

Pros:

Strong, light metal construction
Removable cables, one with mic/controls
Sturdy carry case
Adaptor for greater compaitiblity with handsets
Adaptor for use with computers

Cons:

Some may prefer more recessed midrange

Summary:

The SoundMAGIC Vento P55 is a good strong design for taking out and about, with decent isolation once music is playing. The removable stereo cable can be swapped for a control/microphone cable for skipping tracks and taking calls on the go. Its steely good looks will not draw attention from anyone but the user, who will be treated to some great comfort and engaging sounds.