Alright, you are thinking - what a tall boast! Anything backing it up? And so, here we are:
If you do not wish to read through the review, although I won't geek out a thousand words, there is a TL;DR version at the bottom. Also, wherever necessary I have added extra notes for explaining jargon - like this: [1], [2] ... - which are accumulated after the review.
First, let's get to the specifications. Please do not think of specs as redundant or useless; in fact, they are helpful in indicating what a headphone is capable of and what are its limitations.
Brand - SoundMagic
Product - E10C
Sound - Stereo
Minimum Frequency Response - 15 Hz (Note: This means on the bass side of things, where 20 Hz [1] is normal for humans, this 15 Hz gives our E10C a decent bass)
Connector Plating - Gold (Note: which is excellent)
Technology - Wired
Impedance - 16 Ohm (Note: at this price point, the impedance [2] is of no consequence, all you need to know is that your laptop or smartphone should be enough to drive [2a] the E10Cs)
Cable Length - 1.2 meters (Note: decent)
Maximum Frequency Response - 22,000 Hz (Note: Standard)
Driver Size - 10 mm (Note: standard [3])
Form - In-ear
Weight - 11 g
Interface - Play/Pause, Skip/Back, Volume (Note: Volume works with 95% of the smartphones; it did not work with mine but that's a non-issue, skip/back are working)
The Japanese company SoundMagic really knows what they are doing. There is solid engineering behind every earphone they come out with, and while some are misses, a lot of them are hits and the E10C is one of the latter. You will not find better sounding earphones in this budget. As you will see on the box and on various audiophile websites, this earphones have been awarded. Yes, awarded. But all this won't mean a thing until you try them on.
Now they come with an array of earbud tips (as pictured), and you can pick out what fits you the best. Put them in. They are light and comfy. Both iOS and Android users can listen through as it has a switch for manually changing between devices. In fact the 'C' in E10C stands for compatibility. It just works. Additionally, the in-line buttons give you volume, track skipping and play/pause controls. The 3.5 mm jack is angled at 60 degrees, which makes life easy. A twisted 1.2 m cable should make it last a long time.
The sound from these earphones is well balanced. You will feel the energy of a metal track without missing a beat. The mids [4] are pleasing, clear, which makes the vocals open and level. As lively as the bass is, the highs are distinct and smooth. This makes for a great overall listen. You will be lost in your music for hours. And your time will be well-spent.
End Notes
[1] Humans can hear from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. Anything under 20 Hz is felt and not heard - which is the bass you guys love so much
[2] Impedance is resistance to the flow of current. At high impedance the manufactures can make even better sounding headphones as the drivers - which are in the earbuds - have less chance of distortions seeping in
[2a] In simple words, a smartphone, a laptop or an amplifier 'drives' - gives power - to your earphones, which means that high impedance headphones are harder to drive. 6 to 40 Ohm is a good range to be driven by smartphones and laptops, but you'll need an amplifier for anything above 60 Ohm
[3] All you need to know is that 10 mm is good enough. The normal range for IEM (in ear monitors) is 8 mm to 15 mm. Loudness or quality is not dependent on the size
[4] I will use very simple language to demystify this most used audiophile jargon - highs: think cymbals, the 'tss' part of ba dum 'tss' on a drum. Or when a singer does an elongated, and high 'aaaaa'. So, does that 'tss', or the 'ting', or the 'aaaaa' sound clear and distinct? Highs are good! Mids: when your voice crackles, or is raspy, or when you whisper sweet nothings to your partner - those are the perfect mids! Here lie most of the vocals and if you can hear the timbre, the tone cleanly, you've got good mids! Now lows everyone knows! Just another way of saying bass. It is better felt than heard. The air moves to the plucking of a bass string, and you hear a 'thrum'. The more popular one though is the 'boom boom' sound.
TL;DR
If you care about how you consumer your music, if you are looking for a gateway to understand how music should sound like, or if you simple want a simple good pair earphones without breaking the bank - you will not be disappointed.
+
Detailed, clear sound
Solid design
Switching between iOS and Android
Sturdy build
Cheap for what they offer
-
None at this price point
| Wireless Communication Technology | 3.5 mm |
|---|---|
| Special Feature | tangle free cord |
| Included Components | Headphones |
| Age Range (Description) | Adult |
| Material | Metal |
| Headphones Jack | 3.5 mm Jack |
| Noise Control | Sound Isolation |
| Ear Placement | In Ear |
| Compatible Devices | Android, iOS, Windows |
| Control Type | Volume Control |
| Cable Feature | Tangle Free |
| Item Weight | 11 Grams |
| Net Quantity | 1 Unit |
| Control Method | Touch |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Is Autographed | No |
| Is Electric | No |
| Manufacturer | SoundMAGIC, Dongguan Nianrui Electronic Technology Co., LTD, The First Industry Road, Miaobianwang Community Shipal Town, Dongguan City, Guangdong, China |
| Model | E10C |
| Model Year | 2016 |
| Product Dimensions | 120 x 1 x 1.5 cm; 11 g |
| Item model number | E10C |
| Hardware Platform | PC, Tablet, Smartphone |
| Hardware Interface | 3.5mm Audio |
| Special Features | tangle free cord |
| Colour Screen | No |
| Microphone format | In-Line |
| Batteries Included | No |
| Batteries Required | No |
| Cable feature | Tangle Free |
| Form Factor | In ear |
| Does it contain liquid? | No |
| Includes Rechargeable Battery | No |
| Includes remote | No |
| Manufacturer | SoundMAGIC |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Imported By | Acro Engineering Company Khasra No 522/1, Village Jonapur, Delhi - 110 030 |
| Item Weight | 11 g |
