SoundMagic E50S review

These budget in-ear headphones deliver a lively and upbeat sound, but how do they fare against the very best at this price? Tested at £50

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

Weighty bass, smooth mid and sparse treble offer a lively mix; the closest rival to Klipsch’s Reference R6i

Pros

  • +

    Honest balance

  • +

    Clear vocal

  • +

    Geared towards comfortable fit

Cons

  • -

    Could be a touch more expressive

Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.

Sometimes it’s okay to make assumptions. SoundMAGIC’s E10S were crowned champion of in-ears up to £50 at the 2014 What Hi-Fi? Awards.

Surely, then, it follows that the E50S, ten notes dearer, ought be even better.

Build

Physically, they are not left wanting. The design – available in metallic grey, red or gold – is sleek and practical (the twisted cable stops them tangling and reduces noise).

In case you were wondering, the ‘S’ stands for smartphone, meaning it comes with a canny inline mic that, thanks to an A/B switch, works with both Apple and Android devices.

Understanding that a good fit is fundamental to the performance of an in-ear headphone, SoundMAGIC provides eight options of bud – including a pair made from Comply memory foam, like a mattress for your ears.

MORE: Best in-ear headphones 2015

Sound

There is no sleeping, however. Open with The Roots’ Get Busy and immediately you find the build quality is reflected in the sound.

You almost feel for the drums as the kit pounds through the thick coating of grime laid down by the synths; the E50S capture the deep bass from the kick, the stab and bleed of the snare and crash of the cymbals, stretching the arrangement to make it sound at once full and gaping.

That balance simply lets the aggression in the vocal come through naturally, tracking the sharp attack on each syllable.

Attempt something more texturally and dynamically complex, such as Explosions In The Sky’s The Birth and Death of the Day, and the results are equally impressive.

The opening chords are sparse and beckoning, the ritardando timing perfect, leaving you to anticipate the burst of the opening melody which splits like a chasm. The piece feels alive as it soars, gallops, then softly passes away.

Verdict

There is little to quibble about with the E50S; they are perhaps a little less expressive than Klipsch’s Reference R6i, but not enough to be a let down.

The difference is small, and if that extra fiver overstretches your budget, a fine alternative.

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What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.

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