My review of the SoundMAGIC PL50

[mp3]

SoundMAGIC have a portfolio of very well regarded earphones, and with the PL50 they now break ground on the balanced armature market. The RRP is set to $55.

Packaging and content.
The packaging looks exclusive and is easily accessible. Inside you will find a generous amount of accessories, XS/S/M/L silicone sleeves and S/M/L foam sleeves, earhooks for the cable and a zippered soft case. No cleaning tool, but due to the mesh over the nozzle one isn’t really needed.

Build quality deserves thumbs up.
They look and feel very nice and solid, the plastic used is of high quality and doesn’t squeak when pressed. The cable is 120cm/47in, and has a 90 degree angle on the jack. From the splitter and up to the earphones the cable is thin and soft, from the splitter to the jach it’s rather thick and a bit stiff.

Comfort and fit.
They are very light and small, very easy to fit and they are the most comfortable IEM’s I have stumbled upon to date. They are to be worn over the ear, but rest assured that the PL50’s are very comfortable even if you do not like this way to wear IEM’s. The earhooks can up the comfort for some users, but I find them to be near perfect without and the hooks do make the fitting of them a bit more tricky. Isolation from ambient noise is quite good, but not really among the best isolating IEM’s, even if the foam sleeves do add more isolation than the silicone ones. For much improved isolation you can use Shure grey flex sleeves or triflanges.

Ok, what about the sound?
Impedance is stated as 55.5 ohm, with a sensitivity of 109 dB and frequency range is 15-22,000 Hz.
It seems good on paper, but as a single balanced armature IEM the PL50’s could sound a little thin and lacking in energy. The truth is that the PL50 deliveres. SoundMAGIC has made a full sounding single balanced armature IEM, which in itself is quite something, and considering this is their first effort in this class, it is very impressive. They can not rival higher end dynamic IEM’s or multiple armature setups, but for a single armature they are remarkable, and for $55 they are outstanding. To describe their sound sig, to me they sound like a small dynamic driver, but with the detail of a balanced armature. I can also note that the PL50’s respond very well to EQ, with my Cowon D2 and a little BBE+ applied these really shine.
The fast and controlled bass combined with the overall detailed soundspectrum and a expansive soundstage makes for a very enjoyable listening experience. For the first time, with a single armature IEM, I can ”feel” the music as well as hear it.

To sum up.
What I like most about the PL50’s is the sound, the generous accessory pack, design, build quality, and that they are the most comfortable IEM’s I have ever used.
The only real drawback is the lack of availability in the local shops.

Simply put, the SoundMAGIC PL50’s are my new best choice IEM’s in this price segment. I even dare say that the PL50’s can put some significantly more expensive IEM’s to shame.

[DTKZ]

Perhaps you could mention what other IEMs you use, or compared the PL50s to, so we have some frame of reference for your review?

[ClieOS]

Thanks for the review. I am writing up my own review tomorrow. PL-50 is quite an amazing IEM for its price indeed.

[mp3]

Originally Posted by DTKZ

Perhaps you could mention what other IEMs you use, or compared the PL50s to, so we have some frame of reference for your review?

Comparing to Shure Se102 and 110, since they are in the same price range, and the 102's are said to be the best choice under £70 in UK.

In my opinion the PL50 clearly wins over the SE102.

Heard before, but not able to compare: Crossroads Quattro, Sennheiser cx95, Shure SE310.

[mp3]

Originally Posted by ClieOS

PL-50 is quite an amazing IEM for its price indeed.

Yep, they are

[Stevesebastianb]

Nice write up.

[tstarn06]

Wonder how they compare to the Image X10 and the PFEs, since both of those are single BA phones (the two best in my view), albeit much more expensive IEMs. Just curious. Might have to pick up a pair to see for myself.

[jant71]

Nice write up X2. Those stock tips look like the stock silicone Super.fi 5 tips, thicker and firmer than most. Could be the key to them sound less thin and more full. I notice ClieOS prefers the stock tips on them. The ones on the Super.fi 5 make that phone more full and smooth but quite dull and according to some boring. Good to hear the PL50 seems to sound "dynamic" without being dull.

[koalkoal]

Thanks for the review.

[Laokid18]

nice review

[kjk1281]

Thanks for the review mp3!

Originally Posted by mp3

SoundMAGIC has made a full sounding single balanced armature IEM, which in itself is quite something, and considering this is their first effort in this class, it is very impressive.
.
To describe their sound sig, to me they sound like a small dynamic driver, but with the detail of a balanced armature.
.
The fast and controlled bass combined with the overall detailed soundspectrum and a expansive soundstage makes for a very enjoyable listening experience. For the first time, with a single armature IEM, I can ”feel” the music as well as hear it.

Originally Posted by ClieOS via MP4 Nation Forums

As of now, I think it is safe to say PL-50 is probably the best sounding sub$100 BA I own, or at least very close to the best.

That sounds very promising indeed. Actually how many times have I said that about a recently released IEM? Way too many excellent products coming out almost simultaneously. I fear for my wallet.

[mp3]

Thanks guys.

The stock sleeves are good, even if they do not offer enough isolation for my needs. I use Shure grey flex, and have Sony hybrids on order.