Verdict
These earphones provide good - quality , all the way - sound audio for the money , but they ’re not the expert fit for all occasions , though . The microphonic cable and some unusual in - machine driver noise hear during testing evoke they ’re not a cracking scene for physical exertion our crack outdoorsy use .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
The SoundMagic E80D represent the tax return of an old favourite . SoundMagic used to be one of Trusted Reviews ’ consistent testimonial amongbudget earphone .
It has barely had a mention in recent years , though , having not had much encroachment in thetrue wireless market .
The SoundMagic E80D are cabled earphones , but do at least get with the sentence in one sense . They use a USB - C connecter , not a 3.5 millimetre jack .
You ’ll pay £ 39.99 for a hardening of SoundMagic E80D , and get auditory sensation that would not be out of position in a pair of wireless phone in the £ 70 - 80 bracket . There ’s nothing particularly novel or exciting to the SoundMagic E80D , but they are a substantial option if you need to move from the all - wireless dash .
Design
The SoundMagic E80 serial first appeared in 2015 . It was the step - up alternative to theSoundMagic E10 , which bank Reviews was a fan of back in the twenty-four hours . Most people were .
Almost a decade on , it ’s almost rummy how little has changed . The SoundMagic E80D still have the slenderly odd gun barrel shape to the earpieces
As before , they are made of aluminium . And , just as I retrieve with the classic SoundMagic mountain range , the silicone polymer tips have a certain stiffness that I regain makes them a bit more fussy about fit than most .
SoundMagic is also up to its honest-to-goodness tactics of using a braided cable to appear more sophisticated and high - end .
That ’s well and good , but it may be the root word of the one issue I ’ve had with these earpiece . They do n’t seem to get on with a quite a little of gadget movement . I heard a sort of crunching noise at each tone on a few social occasion when wearing them for runs . And at other times I ’ve heard what sounds like unknown encumbrance in one pinna , not related to exercise . This has n’t been heard recently , so it ’s not the terminal bust down .
Minor water system entering in the remote control ? Poor shielding somewhere ? Perhaps , but it means I do n’t urge these highly for exercise .
These headphone have a right-hand angle mariner , one that feels sturdy and has an aluminium enclosing . I ca n’t reduplicate the dissonance event by manually moving or flicking the USB - C , so it ’s distinctly not the case of the socket making a misfortunate connection to the phone .
I can easily replicate the quite potent microphonic dissonance the SoundMagic E80D ’s cable cases , though . This is where the cable hitting your clothing have a kind of rumble audible through the earphones . There ’s a good amount of weight here , thanks metal sheaths around the cable television join and the in - line remove , and the muscle of the cable itself , makes these microphonics all but unavoidable .
None of this is new for SoundMagic phone . But it ’s stuff you do n’t miss after going wireless .
As mention , the SoundMagic E80D have a metal - incarnate in - line of products remote . It ’s the classical three - push type , with a pinhole mic on the back .
This feels like a canonical caparison , and the button are not properly separated , just signified by embossed bits on a rubbery membrane . The SoundMagic E80D have no extra features . There ’s no active haphazardness cancellation , and no indigence for a battery .
Sound Quality
When the SoundMagic E80 were originally introduced , they were a flatter alternative to the massively popular E10 . And by “ bland ” I mean a more neutral and balanced character , with less bonus bass and mid - bass , which you typically get in a super - mainstream headphone . the great unwashed love a little bit of bonus bass saltation .
As such the SoundMagic E80D are unusually indifferent for a headphones of this level .
They sound clean and clear , and have good dynamics than I usually hear for the money . Unlike the distinctive style of a more quintet - shapred key signature , where the basso and treble are more clearly promote , the mids do n’t end up shoved into the background .
Despite that , the SoundMagic E80D ’s bass is n’t thin or lightweight . It ’s just less of a spotlight stealer than you typically get in a pair of £ 40 earphones .
This is a decent concept , right ? A more close earphone you do n’t have to pay through the nose for .
However , my very first take on putting the SoundMagic E80D in my ears was their upper mids are a bit harsh , which can make some mental object sound slightly rough or granular .
The SoundMagic E80D ’s sound field is not notably full or expansive either , and while sea bass is gauge about right , it ’s not the most taut and does n’t have the snappiest decline . Mid - range item and grain is also not anywhere near as present as that in the upper - mids and humbled treble .
None of this is anything but expect in a budget earpiece . But the SoundMagic E80D ’s tuning make these deficiency leisurely to nail .
In other words , there ’s a difference between being electroneutral and “ high - end ” . These are n’t really the latter , but will satisfy those tired of sonant and flabby - sounding low-priced earphones .
Latest deals
Should you buy it?
No more worrying about charging another gimmick , these earphones discharge you from the tyranny of wireless buds ’ barrage fire . And they sound a spot more grown - up than most budget pairs too .
These are n’t SoundMagic ’s most bombastic - sounding earphones , and you may experience some unusual glitchy noise when using them for high - motion exercise .
Final Thoughts
The SoundMagic E80D are earphones from another meter , and I ’m glad they survive . Not have to occupy about another battery to charge is a win , and they are n’t an Identikit picture take on the budget earphone , when such pumped up kinds were the norm rather than rare .
This very approach makes it easier to observe the harder edge to the sound that tell you the SoundMagic E80D are n’t a world - class pair . But do you really gestate that for this sort of money ?
SoundMagic could do with rethink its cabling and terminal design , though , as we had issues with multiple soma of strange noise during examination .
Trusted Score
How we test
We try out every headphones we go over soundly over an extended period of time . We use diligence standard tests to liken features properly . We ’ll always assure you what we find . We never , ever , accept money to review a product .
encounter out more about how we test in ourethics policy .
FAQs
They have no water resistance .
They require a USB - C connexion to employment , or at least a compatible USB arranger .
The SoundMagic E80D are cable earphones only
