Tag Archives: soundmagic

Best Headphones for Portable Players

Posted on by
Reply

Listening on the go is becoming more and more popular – especially that now you can store your whole library of lossless audio on to a compact player like the FiiO X3, FiiO X5 or even the Astell&Kern AK120.

With the potential to have the highest quality audio in your pocket you will want to complement that with the headphones you use. This article will cover how to choose a portable headphone and suggest some of our favourites.

When buying headphones or in ear earphones for a portable player there are 3 main qualities you will be looking for:

Compact

As you will be more than likely using the headphones while travelling you will want them to be small enough to fit into a bag or even fold up for easy storage. You will also want them to be a size that won’t get in the way whilst moving from busy train to busy train.

Closed Back / Sound Isolating

As these headphones will probably be used in public, you won’t want the sound of your guilty pleasures spilling out to the rest of the train carriage – nor will you want to hear the loud music being played by the youths at the back of the bus. Closed back or sound isolating headphones are perfect for this, as they reduce the amount of sound leaking and help block out external noise.

Easily Driven

The majority of portable players such as iPod, iPhone, Samsung, Sony etc. can give great sound quality but they don’t have the most powerful headphone amps on them – when this is the case you want a headphone that is easy to drive so you can get a good volume out of them without maxing out your player.

In ear headphones

The ultimate portable solution are in ear isolating earphones as they tick all the above qualities – here are a selection that I would recommend:

SoundMagic E10 (£34.99)

The go to in-ear for under £60.

Final Audio Heaven II (£89), IV (£199) and VI (£599)

Refined sound with great bass and sharp detail.

Shure SE112 (£46), SE215 (£96) and SE315 (£159)

Well balanced sound with superb midrange. Great isolation and secure over the ear fit.

On the ear

SoundMAGIC P30 (£69)

Best budget portable headphone.

Sennheiser Momentum On-Ear (£169.96) and Full Size (£259.99)

Warm, smooth sound and superb build quality.

KEF M500 (£249)

Clear detail with tight bass and crisp mids. Folds up for easy storage.

Full size over the ear

GermanMAESTRO GMP 8.35 D (£160)

Practically indestructible and one of the best for isolation. Great punchy sound.

Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro (£169.96)

Adjustable bass ports for customizable sound. Another great one for isolation.

Beyerdynamic T70p (£438.95)

Neutral sound with crystal clear detail.

Beyerdynamic T5p (£880)

Studio quality sound on the go.

Ultrasone Edition 8 (£1099)

Audiophile quality sound with superb isolation.

Open back

Now if you don’t need complete sound isolation and would prefer an open backed headphone then there a some very good ones to choose from:

Koss Porta Pro (£29.95)

The classic portable headphone.

Grado SR80i (£99.95)

These are very hard to beat for under £100. HiFi quality sound on the go.

SoundMAGIC HP200 (£229)

Smooth and fun sounding with great detail. Very comfortable and good isolation for an open back.

Headphone amplifier

And finally… If you have got your heart set on a headphone that is more difficult to drive then do not fear! Adding a portable headphone amplifier into the chain will solve this issue.

FiiO E12 (£109.99)

Lots of power, bass boost, sturdy build quality and detailed sound.

So hopefully this article has helped you decide on your new headphone – but if you have any questions then do feel free to get in touch and we will be happy to help!

Shure SE112 In-Ear Sound Isolating Earphones Review

Posted on by
Reply

Shure SE112 In-Ear Sound Isolating Earphones

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 Aedle VK-1 Headphones are here!

Posted on by
Reply

The Aedle VK-1 Headphones

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

 

SoundMAGIC ES20 Headphones – Mini Review

Posted on by
Reply

SoundMAGIC ES20 Headphones

SoundMAGIC have pushed the boundaries of what can be expected from an entry level earphone with the SoundMAGIC ES20 Headphones, which makes this model a strong candidate for the title of best budget headphone.  The sound is a quantum leap up from the cheap earbuds supplied with most MP3 players, with warm deep bass and plenty of detail in the trebles.

While you might expect a cheap earphone to be badly made, the ES20 is a part aluminium construction and comes fitted with good quality braided cabling (normally reserved for high end in-ear monitor earphones) with strain relief that is built to last.  The quality of the product is truly commendable. The ES20 is like the baby brother of the award winning SoundMAGIC E10 which adds a full metal body and even higher sound quality – for a little more money.

Supplied with a neat carry pouch that is very usable and three size ear tips to get a good seal, the SoundMAGIC ES20 is a very well thought out package.

HiFi Headphones Verdict

In times past the Sennheiser CX300 was the first choice for entry level in-ear earphones, but the ES20 has just stolen that spot.  Sound quality compares with earphones costing two or three times the price.

Best Sports Headphones – Staff Picks

Posted on by
Reply

Listening to music while being active is very popular, whether it’s running, at the gym or you just want a secure set of earphones. The good news is that there is no need to compromise on sound when shopping for a Sports Headphone. Here is a list of my favourite sports headphones available at hifiheadphones.co.uk:

Philips SHQ3000 ActiveFit Waterproof Clip-On Sports Earphones

If you are looking for a cheap solution to your sports earphone needs then these Philips earphones will certainly do the job. The clip-on design ensures a secure fit, they are also waterproof so you don’t need to worry about sweat damaging them. For the price you really do get a lot for your money.

SoundMAGIC E30 In-Ear Sound Isolating Earphones

These are quite possibly the best sounding earphones for under £50, they are also great for sports due to the over-the-ear cable design – this makes them very secure on the ear. They are very comfortable, especially when paired with Comply foam tips.

Sennheiser CX680 Sports In-Ear Isolating Earphones

The CX680 is a great alternative for those of you who don’t like either clip-on or over-the-ear earphones. These earphones sound great and use their innovative EarFin Holding System for a secure fit. Being sports earphones they are also sweat and water resistant and come with an in-line volume control.

Sennheiser OCX685i Clip-On Sports Earphones

The OCX685i are Sennheiser’s most recent edition to their sports earphone line-up. They have it all – Clip-on design with great isolation, reinforced cable and a great natural sound. They are also sweat and water resistant and come with an in-line microphone and controls for portable Apple devices. Need I say more?

Volume DH-B38 Bluetooth Headphones

Volume have designed a stunning Bluetooth headphone that is a perfect wireless alternative for sports use. They are lightweight, very comfortable and secure on the head. The sound is superb and as long as your audio device has Bluetooth enabled then you can listen to music, control volume and skip tracks from the headset and also take calls without having to hold your phone. They come in a vibrant selection of colour ways and all for only £69.95!

Best Cheap Earphones – Top 5 – Buying Guides

Posted on by
Reply

Getting more and more annoyed with the sound from your earbuds? At HiFi Headphones we talk to plenty of people with this issue so we thought we’d give a hand for those who don’t get to talk to us on the phone. The products below represent excellent value for money, they all punch well above their weight in terms of sound quality and last but not least, they are nice to your wallet as they all cost under £50.

SoundMAGIC E10

Introduction – The E10 is from the second generation of SoundMAGIC headphones, it’s the successor to the excellent (and still available) PL11.

Description – The E10 sounds good, looks great and is beautifully made with metal casing and a high spec braided cable. SoundMAGIC are known for pushing the boundaries of what you can expect for your money, at it’s release you would have definitely had to spend at least twice as much to get the same quality in design and finish.

Anything else? – The E10 is also available as the E10M with a three button iDevice controller and mic.

Describe the sound – Few products capture a What HiFi? 5 Stars review but it’s immediately obvious to hear why the E10 is a twice What HiFi? Award Winner. The E10’s sound signature has a powerful and fun sound with plenty of bass, a great level of control and musical detail. The E10 has slightly elevated bass, which does give a warm and smooth tone, the sound feels like a reasonably accurate interpretation of what is really there, but EQ has been applied in the best possible way. Vocals are also treated gently, soundstage is always short with IEMs but here imaging has natural movement within a very decent sense of space. A nicely designed earphone with sound quality that is sure to impress. Very hard to beat at this price point!

RHA MA350

Introduction – RHA design fantastic audio products at their research and development centre in Glasgow, UK. The MA350 has a lightweight aircraft-grade aluminium build with excellent sound isolating properties and wearing comfort. The cable sports a braided fabric design that not only keeps the cable snag-free and also ensures a longer earphone lifespan. This build quality is rare at this price point.

Description – Unlike traditional earphone designs the RHA MA350 is inspired by the aerophonic design of trumpets, a perfectly shaped chamber channels air and sound efficiently to create a natural and clear sound with full and deep bass response.

Anything else? – The RHA MA450i is a high spec earphone that combines RHA’s renowned sound quality with an inline remote and microphone for seamless control of your music library and calls. The inline remote and mic controls calls, music and volume on your Apple device.

Describe the sound – Another What Hifi 5 Stars product, the MA350 has a natural voice which feels acurate and effortless. Relaxed but not bass prominent they have a decent sparkle to the top end, consequently a great choice for the commutor or regular traveller.

Audiofly AF33M

Introduction – The Audiofly AF33M is an excellent multi-use IEM offering best in class for value-conscious consumers that still want a superior sound experience. For casual listening or taking calls, the Audiofly AF33M deliver amazing sound at an affordable price.

Description – The design of Audiofly products is a joyful blend of vintage music equipment, the latest moulding techniques and incredible colour combinations. With custom eartips, precision engineered alloy parts and serious attention to the sound chambers and nozzle, Audiofly mean business! Four pairs of specifically designed silicone eartips are included for better isolation and improved sound.

Anything else? – Audiofly have split the mic from the multi function button for better voice transmission during conversations, so you only need to say it once to be heard. To have such a great combination of accessories and a mic is almost unheard of at this pricepoint.

Describe the sound -The AF33M is fitted with a custom voiced 9mm dynamic driver for impressive detail in sound reproduction, but this is no bloated bass monster. The sound is refined and accurate, solid but also delicate with a pretty spakle. It’s surprising that you can build such an impressive piece of design with all of these exclusive features and still get it sounding so good for such a low price.

Quarkie

Introduction – Quarkie are probably most notable for their crazy creative designs, British made and designed the Quarkie earphone range delivers fantastic quality sound. The company motto “Quarkie looks and serious sounds.” Pretty much captures the brands identity perfectly. Earphones are available in a number of mad looking form factors, from snakes to rusty bolts, gemstones to reptile eyes.

Description – Despite the novelty looks, build quality and engineering is superb. At the heart of the unit is a 13.5 mm drive unit with a high-tech design that produces balanced sound with sparkling high-frequencies and deep, powerful bass.

Anything else? – Included is a microphone/MFB controller that is compatible with both iPhone and Android. Unique custom-made eartips are included in four sizes giving a perfect ear canal seal for optimum performance.

Describe the sound – Quarkie have given their headphones a reasonably flat frequency response. This gives them impressive tonal balance, Quarkie want you to hear the music just as it was intended to sound. These earphones are more sensitive than average so they can get very decent volume when used with phones or iPods. Neodymium magnets are employed for a wider dynamic range, higher sensitivity, a bigger frequency response and a faster transient response than other systems. The effect is a realistic presentation far beyond what you would expect from a pair of snake heads or chameleon eyes!

SoundMAGIC E30

Introduction – SoundMAGIC E30 are balanced sounding with a professional fit over the ear fit and solid construction – exactly the quality we have come to expect from SoundMAGIC. The E30 in-ear monitors can be and are used in professional audio situations but personal listening rather than stage monitoring is the more usual circumstance to find them in.

Description – Worn over the ears, the professional cabling keeps the E30 firmly in the ears when walking and the cable out of the way at the gym. Included optional earhooks guarantee a secure fit, along with a generous selection of tips. This gives them lower than average microphonic cable noise and great noise isolation.

Anything else? – Cabling is surprisingly high end, a top quality braided audio cable is used to squeeze out the highest quality audio and best durability possible. Strain relief is well thought out and a metal 3.5mm jack plug finishes off the high quality construction.

Describe the sound – SoundMAGIC have configured the drivers of the E30 for a neutral, detailed sound with well defined bass which reaches quite deep. Natural tonally flat reproduction with decent soundstage has been achieved. The in-ear design of the E30 gives high levels of noise isolation ensuring sound is not lost or diluted. The SoundMAGIC E30 is a great headphone for those who enjoy an eclectic mix of music and want an incredibly stable fit to the ear.

SoundMAGIC HP200 – Review

Posted on by
Reply

Summary

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

SoundMAGIC – New Headphones and Earphones for 2011

Posted on by
Reply

SoundMAGIC is a brand that has charmed many headphone users in the last couple of years. Their great sounding and good looking inexpensive earphones, like the SoundMAGIC PL11, have had reviewers compare them to products several times their price. It seems they have definitely not been resting on their laurels, in fact success has spurred them on to greater invention. After the release of their tiny mini amp, the SoundMAGIC A10 earlier this year, there are now three new earphones and surprisingly for the first time an On-Ear Headphone!

Meet the New

SoundMAGIC Earphones

The new range updates some existing models but also adds some completely new ideas, some previously unused materials and more colour choices.

The SoundMAGIC E10 is a beautifully finished in-ear sound isolating earphone made from brushed metal with a choice of four vibrant colours. The E10’s internal acoustic design follows on from the massively popular PL11, but with some serious improvements to the aesthetics and sound. The earphone body is made from metal, features high quality cabling and a robust metal jack plug to give a long life.

The SoundMAGIC E30 is for those who are serious about their portable listening the E30 in-ear monitor features pro-fit over ear cabling and a robust metal jack plug.  Why compromise with audio quality when listening to music on the move, when you can enjoy a high definition audio experience from these pocket sized earphones.

The SoundMAGIC EH11 is a rugged sports headphone designed for serious everyday use by sports men and women.  Made from a lightweight metal frame the EH11 headphone stays in the ear no matter how hard you are training thanks to an over ear design that can be adjusted to fit perfectly.

Finally and possibly most interesting is the SoundMAGIC P30, is a serious portable headphone featuring an on-ear closed back design with soft, comfortable ear pads that also ensure maximum noise isolation.

These new products will appear over the Summer of 2011, expect reviewers to urge you to upgrade your present SoundMAGICs, or if you’re new to the brand, to grab yourself some inexpensive audio treasure!

More Information

More information on the full range of SoundMAGIC products can be found here.

SoundMAGIC PL30 Earphones Review

Posted on by
Reply

SoundMAGIC PL30 Review

The SoundMAGIC PL30 is an IEM (In Ear Monitor) style earphone with an over ear cable fit system and innovative bass control switch.  The PL30 is priced to compete directly with earphones like the Sennheiser CX300-II, Denon AH-C351 and Ultimate Ears Metro.fi 220.

SoundMAGIC earphones are a relatively new addition to the line-up at HiFi Headphones.  We originally took on the brand after trying out some samples sent directly from SoundMAGIC.  Our initial sceptisism about the fact SoundMAGIC earphones are relatively low cost was soon turned into surprise by the excellent sound and sturdy build quality.  Passing the earphones round the office we quickly decided that the PL11 and PL30 models would be the first we would stock.

The PL30 was the earphone that got SoundMAGIC recognised as a serious contender in the highly competitive in-ear earphone market.  This earphone has been designed entirely by SoundMAGIC engineers and is totally unique to the brand.

This is a review of the some of the attributes of the SoundMAGIC PL30 in ear sound isolating earphone.

What You Get

The first nice surprise when opening the SoundMAGIC PL30 is that you get lots of accessories included.  The following items are included:

  • High quality travel case made from high impact fibre material (very similar to Shure supplied earphone cases).
  • Many different types of ear tips, including small/medium/large silicone tips, double flange tips and foam tips (harder than Comply Foam, but worth a try).
  • 1x pair of silicone over the ear cable guides (for keeping the cable on your ear while running)
  • Soft silicone cable wrap for safe storage of the earphone cabling.

It’s great to see a manufacturer really thinking about how the earphones are going to fit in the ear and also considering what is needed to keep earphones safe during every day use.

SoundMAGIC PL30 Package

Comfort and Fit

The PL30 features pro-style over ear cabling (to reduce microphonic cable noise and to provide a secure fit.

Initially the SoundMAGIC PL30’s over ear fit system can take some getting used to if you’v never worn an earphone with this design before.  With the PL30 the cable is designed to run up over the ear and secured at the back of the neck with the sliding cable tensioner.  It sounds complicated, but it’s dead easy with a bit of practice.

I found the fit easier with the PL30 than with earphones like Ultimate Ears Super.fi 3/Super.fi 5 Pro.  The PL30’s earphone body is much smaller than these other designs and I found it simple to get the earphone snug in the entrance to the ear after just a couple of attempts.

Comfort is very good with the PL30.  I found the medium sized silicone ear tips worked OK straight out of the box, but the supplied dual flange ear tips gave me a better seal.  I also tried a pair of Comply Foam T-400 tips that I normally use with my Sennheiser IE8’s and they worked very well with the PL30.  As with all in-ear sound isolating earphones, if you do not get a good seal in the ear then the bass will be seriously lacking.  Get the seal right with the PL30 and it’s unlikely you will be disappointed by the punch of the bass.

Sound Quality

The SoundMAGIC PL30 offers a very well balanced sound, with good kick at the bass end, a forward midrange and good clarity in the higher frequencies.  If anything the lower midrange is a little too forward for my liking, but overall the balance is excellent.

Bass punch is superb and nicely defined.  Much better than the bloated and muddy bass you will find in many entry level earphones.  While this earphone is no bass monster it does represent lower frequency sounds very solidly and I found it very enjoyable listening to tracks with big basslines.  The bass response can be altered by tweaking the bass control rotating switch – I preferred the flat bass setting over the bass boost setting.

Sound stage and separation is something that is immediately striking about the PL30 – you can easily locate different sounds and instruments in the music, without it being analytical.  The PL30 is a very enjoyable listen and presents sounds in a very musical way.

Sound quality is far better than you might expect from an earphone costing less than £40.

Review Summary

For:

  • Brilliant sound quality for the price, with excellent clarity and good separation of notes.
  • Nearly zero cable microphonic noise and secure fit make the PL30 ideal for running or the gym.
  • Well made cabling with good strain relief.

Against:

  • Cabling can get tangled due to rubberized coating.

More Information

For more SoundMAGIC earphones and a selection of other earphones please visit HiFi Headphones.

SoundMAGIC PL50 IEM Earphones Launched

Posted on by
Reply

SoundMAGIC PL50

SoundMAGIC have released the PL50 IEM earphone in Asia this week.  The PL50 is an in-ear sound isolating design and looks like it will be competing with higher end IEMs, such as the Shure and Ultimate Ears range.

This is SoundMAGIC’s first step into a balanced armature technology earphone and we’re really keen to give a proper listen.  We are expecting stock here in the UK within the next couple of weeks.

SoundMAGIC has taken the earphone World by surprise over this last year with a stream of new high quality products, including the highly regarded PL30 and PL11.  The PL30 has had plenty of recognition on the Head-fi.org forums since it’s launch and has been getting some excellent reviews.  The PL11 has also rapidly gained acceptance as an entry level earphone to rival the Sennheiser CX300-II, with excellent bass response and robust build quality.  Stuff Magazine recently reviewed the PL11 and seemed to like it a lot.

SoundMAGIC PL50 Photos

See below for photos of the new SoundMAGIC PL50:

SoundMAGIC PL50 IEM Earphones

SoundMAGIC PL50 in Box

More Information

For the full range of SoundMAGIC earphones and many other high quality earphones and headphones, please visit the HiFi Headphones store.

SoundMAGIC PL11 Earphones – big bass and high end clarity

Posted on by
Reply

SoundMAGIC PL11 Review

The SoundMAGIC PL11 has pushed the boundaries of what can be expected from an entry level in-ear isolating earphone.  For less than the cost of a Playstation game the PL11 offers high end audio clarity, with enough low end power to satisfy the biggest bass-head.

Looking and feeling like an earphone that comes from one of the established brands, the SoundMAGIC PL11 is a newcomer that deserves a second look.

Sceptical At First

Before we received samples of the SoundMAGIC range to try out we were sceptical about the way they would sound and even more doubtful about build quality.

How wrong we were!  Like the rest of the SoundMAGIC range, the PL11 is very well made and sounds like an earphone with a much higher price tag.  Holding the earphones in your hand you would be mistaken for thinking they are manufactured by one of the well established earphone brands.

SoundMAGIC PL11 with included accessories

Built To Last

With cabling and strain relief that has obviously been thought about by someone who understands how earphones are going to be used, the PL11 is built to a similar specification as high quality brands like Sennheiser and Beyerdynamic.

Here at the HiFi Headphones store we have a pretty good idea how well a headphone or earphone is going to last by looking at the strain relief on the cabling.  Over 90% of faulty returns we receive are caused by cabling faults.  In our opinion the PL11 is an earphone we are not going to see returned often.

The SoundMAGIC PL11 has high quality cabling with a rubberized finish for extra durability.  The strain relief is also well thought through, with highly flexible support where the cable enters the earphone body and at the jack plug.

How Do They Sound?

Most importantly, does the SoundMAGIC PL11 sound any good?  Yes, the PL11 sounds superb!  When we first received samples I spent a week listening to the PL11 on my walk to and from the office.   The sound is immediately appealing as there is plenty of warmth at the bottom end and the trebles are well balanced and clear.

The obvious comparison that is going to be made is with the Sennheiser CX300-II.  In many ways the SoundMAGIC PL11 is very similar to the CX300-II, with plenty of bass and a clear high end.  Just like the CX300-II, the PL11 has a slightly recessed midrange, which actually helps reduce long term listening fatigue.

Many headphone brands, including high end headphone manufacturer Grado, are known to drop the midrange frequency response slightly to provide a more enjoyable listening experience.  The reason for this is that the human ear resonates at 2.9Khz, making it particularly sensitive to mid-range treble notes.  If the headphone or earphone is less responsive around this frequency then the ear tires less quickly and you can enjoy your music for longer.

Summary

The SoundMAGIC PL11 is an earphone that is a very enjoyable listen.  Good bass response and a superb degree of resolution at higher freqencies make the PL11 an earphone to be reckoned with.

The sound is similar in some respects to the highly regarded Sennheiser CX300-II and beats the Sennheiser hands down on price.

Good build quality rounds off a well thought out earphone package that we are happy to recommend.

More Information

For the full range of SoundMAGIC Earphones and many other high quality brands please visit the HiFi Headphones store.