Could Soundmagic’s E11BTs be our new favourite budget Bluetooth headphones?

By Becky Roberts
published

The new neckband buds are out to challenge the class-leading Beyerdynamic Byron BTs...

SoundMagic has launched the E11BT in-ear headphones, Bluetooth versions of the wired E11C we recently awarded a five-star review to. 

The new £70 neckband-style headphones expand the E11 family further, joining the E11C, E11 (no three-button mic) and E11D (digital USB-C) variants.

The E11BTs use the latest Bluetooth 5.0 connection (although they aren't aptX), boast a 20-hour battery life, and feature an in-line, three-button control and microphone. 

The speaker and acoustic chamber has been upgraded over the one found in the E10 family, and SoundMagic says their aluminium housings and 'flexible' neckband have been built to last.

SoundMagic has become a household name in the affordable in-ear headphone market over the years, winning several What Hi-Fi? Awards for its E10 models. So with that, and the E11C’s success, in mind, we wouldn’t be surprised if the E11BTs became our new favourite budget Bluetooth buds. 

That said, they’ll have to surpass the quality of their four-star predecessors, the E10BT, as well as the five-star Beyerdynamic Byron BTs (£80/$76) that currently set the benchmark below £100.

We look forward to hearing how they fare very soon...

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Becky Roberts
Becky Roberts

Becky is the managing editor of What Hi-Fi? and, since her recent move to Melbourne, also the editor of Australian Hi-Fi magazine. During her 10 years in the hi-fi industry, she has been fortunate enough to travel the world to report on the biggest and most exciting brands in hi-fi and consumer tech (and has had the jetlag and hangovers to remember them by). In her spare time, Becky can often be found running, watching Liverpool FC and horror movies, and hunting for gluten-free cake.