SoundMAGIC E80D Digital USB C Headphones
£39.98/$45.99
What We Dig
- Excellent sound quality for the price
- Comfortable and secure fit
- Durable build quality
What To Think About
- Buttons hard to press and don't work will all phones
- Ear tips are plentiful but feel a little flimsy.
SoundMAGIC E80D Review: Forget wireless. These USB-C earphones deliver pure, uninterrupted audio without breaking the bank. Read our full evaluation.
The SoundMAGIC E80D wired earphones are the latest iteration of the company’s popular flagship E80 series. These earphones offer a significant upgrade with a USB-C connection and a built-in digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that supports high-resolution audio playback. Nowadays, most portable devices have a USB-C connector in lieu of a headphone jack, so this is an elegant solution to that problem.
You could also use one of the many wireless earbuds on the market, but the E80D is designed for audio enthusiasts who prefer an old-school wired connection for their portable listening. Many believe that a wireless connection will never have the fidelity of a wired one, and others don’t want to deal with occasional dropouts or charging.
I have mixed feelings about these all-in-one setups because, most of the time, shortcuts are taken with either the electronics or the earphones. Let’s take a look at these new buds from SoundMAGIC and see if they are any different!
SoundMAGIC E80D Review: Build & Design
The E80D features a sleek and durable design with a silver-plated copper cable that resists tangling. The earphones are lightweight and ergonomically shaped, providing a comfortable and secure fit even during extended listening sessions. The included ear tips are a little soft and flimsy for my liking, but they still provide a good seal for decent sound isolation. That’s not a big deal because replacements are plentiful and cheap.
The built-in microphone and three-button controller offer convenient control for music playback, volume control, voice-assistance activation, and taking voice calls while on the go. I did find the minuscule buttons a little difficult to press, but that could be due to my big sausage fingers. Also, keep in mind they may not work with all devices, as they worked great with my Moto phone but didn’t work at all with my Samsung phone.
Additionally, the USB-C connector is installed at a right angle to the termination, which is nice since it doesn’t stick out so far from the bottom of your phone or tablet. The connector also protrudes out far enough not to interfere with a phone case if you decide to use one.
There aren’t many accessories, but you do get a useful hard case for carrying the earphones around and some extra ear tips in different sizes (both regular and double-flanged) for a good fit.
Key Features:
- USB-C connection for compatibility with a wide range of gear, including laptops, newer iPhones, and Android devices.
- Built-in DAC for high-resolution audio playback (up to 24-bit/96kHz)
- 10mm neodymium magnetic moving coil drivers for clear and detailed sound
- Lightweight and ergonomic design for a comfortable fit
- Tangle-resistant silver-plated copper cable
SoundMAGIC E80D Review: Sound Performance
The E80D delivers impressive sound quality at the price. The 10mm dynamic drivers produce a fairly well-balanced sound with clear and detailed highs, smooth mids, and punchy bass. I say fairly well balanced because on some songs with a prominent upper midrange, like Beck’s “The Golden Age”, things can get a little spicy up top, but not to the point of distraction, at least for me. That said, if you are very sensitive to hardness in the upper mids, this could be a little much on some songs.
However, the overall neutral sound signature works well with just about every genre you throw at these earphones, which is good for a pair that ideally would become part of your everyday carry. The dynamics were also good, allowing me to hear the difference between quiet and loud passages with ease.
Additionally, the built-in DAC seems to truly enhance the audio experience, providing greater clarity and detail than the DAC in many dedicated digital audio players, especially when listening to high-resolution audio tracks. Listening to Marvin Gaye’s Trouble Man, the depth and separation were superb for a $50 pair of earphones. The instrumental and vocal placement was remarkable, making me feel like I was listening to a live performance.
Value:
At £39.98/$45.99, the SoundMAGIC E80D offers excellent value for money. It delivers outstanding sound quality, a comfortable fit, and durable build quality, making it a great option for audio enthusiasts on a budget.
SoundMAGIC E80D Review: Conclusion
If you’re looking for a pair of high-quality wired earphones with excellent sound quality and a comfortable fit, the SoundMAGIC E80D is a great option. Despite a couple of quirks and a wired design that may not be for everyone, the benefits of a reliable connection and no battery worries make them a worthwhile consideration for anyone who prioritizes audio quality.
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I’m an audio writer who started as a young audio salesman/consumer electronics professional back in the late 90s. That’s where I discovered the magic of 2-Channel sound. My hunger for great sound has led me on a delightful music quest that continues today.
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