SoundMagic P30S review

Easy-going nature will gain many admirers, but they’re on the pricey side Tested at £70

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

Their smooth, easy-going sound needs more oomph and bass punch to secure a place on our shortlist

Pros

  • +

    Compact and portable

  • +

    Smooth, warm sound

  • +

    Rich, balanced

  • +

    Good detail

Cons

  • -

    Need more attack and dynamic expression

  • -

    A little pricey

  • -

    Look quite cheap

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After headphones that you can slip out of your coat pocket and listen to for hours? Say hello to the pleasantly smooth-sounding Soundmagic P30Ss.

Build

The circular ear cups and pads can be bunched up into a ball to fit snug in the supplied semi-circular case. Their size means they don’t fully isolate you from outside noise, but on the upside they don’t make your ears too stuffy either.

The thin, malleable headband is stronger than it looks, though we would like slightly thicker synthetic leather coating. Even though they’re unsurprisingly lightweight, you feel the band’s burden after a while.

The cable is detachable, but instead of fixing into an ear cup, it joins a short wire that protrudes from the left one, which means it can be replaced.

The ‘smart switch’ on the chunky plastic jack connector makes the in-line remote and microphone compatible with most smartphones.

Silver trims with swirly details add a bit of creative value to the otherwise plain, plastic structure, but it hardly sets our hearts on fire. With the P30Ss, you are investing in portability where the design is concerned.

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Sound

It is hard not to instantly like the Soundmagic’s agreeably clear, balanced and rich sound. In terms of detail and resolution, they fare well.

Play Wishbone Ash’s Wings of Desire and the acoustic strings sound lifelike, each defiant pluck precise, textured and warm, while the folky vocals are forthright and expressive. Its fluent, precise nature holds down rhythms well too.

A bright treble settles down after a good run-in, but bass remains a little on the chunky side, not taut or defined enough to be convincing. While their smooth character is ideal for chilled out Sunday sessions, we find them a little too easygoing.

And we’d like more attack and firepower when we play Eminem’s Hello; claps don’t have the force they should, and the intense vocal delivery loses its familiar hostility.

Verdict

The Soundmagic P30Ss will no doubt find a fan base, but for the money they pull up just short of good value.

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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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