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SOUNDMAGIC PL30 Review

Hi Fi Headphones UK

 

The SOUNDMAGIC PL30 is an IEM (In Ear Monitor) style earphone with an over ear cable fit system and innovative bass control switch.  The PL30 is priced to compete directly with earphones like the Sennheiser CX300-II, Denon AH-C351 and Ultimate Ears Metro.fi 220.

Our initial scepticism about the fact SOUNDMAGIC earphones are relatively low cost was soon turned into surprise by the excellent sound and sturdy build quality.  The PL30 was the earphone that got SOUNDMAGIC recognised as a serious contender in the highly competitive in-ear earphone market.  This earphone has been designed entirely by SOUNDMAGIC engineers and is unique to the brand.

This is a review of the some of the attributes of the SOUNDMAGIC PL30 in ear sound isolating earphone.

Comfort and Fit

The PL30 features pro-style over ear cabling (to reduce micro-phonic cable noise and to provide a secure fit.

I found the fit easier with the PL30 than with earphones like Ultimate Ears Super.fi 3/Super.fi 5 Pro.  The PL30’s earphone body is much smaller than these other designs and I found it simple to get the earphone snug in the entrance to the ear after just a couple of attempts.

Comfort is very good with the PL30.  I found the medium sized silicone ear tips worked OK straight out of the box, but the supplied dual flange ear tips gave me a better seal.    Get the seal right with the PL30 and it is unlikely you will be disappointed by the punch of the bass.

Sound Quality

The SOUNDMAGIC PL30 offers a very well balanced sound, with good kick at the bass end, a forward midrange and good clarity in the higher frequencies.  If anything the lower midrange is a little too forward for my liking, but overall the balance is excellent.

Bass punch is superb and nicely defined.  Much better than the bloated and muddy bass, you will find in many entry level earphones.  While this earphone is no bass monster it does represent lower frequency sounds very solidly and I found it very enjoyable listening to tracks with big bass-lines.  

Sound stage and separation is something that is immediately striking about the PL30 - you can easily locate different sounds and instruments in the music, without it being analytical.  The PL30 is a very enjoyable listen and presents sounds in a very musical way.

Sound quality is far better than you might expect from an earphone costing less than £40.

 

Review Summary

For:

• Brilliant sound quality for the price, with excellent clarity and good separation of notes.
• Nearly zero cable micro-phonic noise and secure fit make the PL30 ideal for running or the gym.

•  Well made cabling with good strain relief.

Against:

   * Cabling can get tangled due to rubberized coating.