[size=10pt]SoundMAGIC ES18- Magic Sound, Magic Price[/size]
 
[size=10pt]In this world, there are people who are willing to spend a lot to make sure they enjoy the incredible details and natural vocals drove by their high-end audio equipments. On the other hand, there are also people who just want to listen to music with a decent earphone that cost affordably. No doubt, the SoundMAGIC ES18 falls on this category.[/size]
 
[size=10pt]First of all, I would like to thank Li Yan for providing a sample of SoundMAGIC ES18. It is my 2nd SoundMAGIC IEM since I broke my PL11. If you guys notice, the SoundMAGIC company did a great job on their IEMs; the PL11, PL30 and the PL50, are the big three of SoundMAGIC that won them bunch of awards and recommendation from Audiophiles. And now, they came up with their brand new model, ES18, so let's see if it's standard is up to their 'brothers' one.[/size]
 
 
[size=10pt]Image of the SoundMAGIC ES18[/size]
 
[size=10pt]Descriptions:[/size]
[size=10.5pt]The SoundMAGIC ES18 makes a bold statement about making great sound affordable. Thanks to its upgraded 10mm Neodymium drivers and careful sound chamber tuning, the ES18 has a dynamic and refined sound signature that compares favorably to headphones many times its cost. The ES18 exhibits excellent accuracy and strong bass performance, delivering a deliciously full bodied listening experience.[/size]

[size=10.5pt]The ES18 is well made with a bonded plastic housing, extended flexible strain relief, and tangle-free cord terminated with a right angle gold plated 3.5mm jack. It is available in three exciting colors of red, green, and orange, and comes with a storage pouch and three pairs of silicone ear tips in small, medium and large sizes.[/size]
[size=10pt]Specifications:[/size]
[size=10.5pt]Transducers: Dynamic 10mm Neodymium Driver[/size]
[size=10.5pt]Frequency range: 15Hz[/size][size=10.5pt]～[/size][size=10.5pt]22KHz[/size]
[size=10.5pt]DC resistance: 16Ω (±10%)[/size]
[size=10.5pt]Sensitivity: 100dB/mW @ 1KHz (±2dB)[/size]
[size=10.5pt]Cable length: 1.2m (3.5ft)[/size]
[size=10.5pt]Connector: 3.5mm gold plated plug[/size]
[size=10.5pt]Weight: 11g[/size]
 
[size=10pt]Accessories:[/size]
[size=10pt]After unboxing the small box of ES18 madly (over-excited), I found out that the ES18 came with a rather large (which I believe can insert two RoCoo P and an ES18 at the same time) black synthetic leather pouch with drawstrings. Next it has the silicon eartips of different sizes provided (S/M/L pair). However, I felt that the smallest size fitted me well and isolated most of the outside noise, so I decided to use the smallest pair of Silicon tips throughout this review. (ps. Tips may change the sound you listen). And lastly, I have to always press the IEM into my ear as time passes to make sure it stuck nicely in my ear canal and thus to maximize isolation. My advice, choose a pair of eartip that suit the best of you.[/size]
 
[size=10pt]Build Quality:[/size]
[size=10pt]The first thing that popped out in my mind when I held the ES18 in my hand was the word 'cheap'. The housing is made of plastic and nothing is special about the build quality. Design is just basic and since I got the red/black version, it does look a bit like the Monster Beats Tour if I place it far from me. Well, look is not so important after all, isn't it? However, I guess I have really underestimated it. I used it as my jogging rig and after withstanding all my sweats and impacts, it still serve me well. Loyalty IEM [/size]
 
[size=10pt]Sound Quality:[/size]
[size=10pt]I was shocked when I saw some people claimed that it delivers HI-FI standard sounds. And this was the reason why I was so eager to try them out until a point where I unbox it like a mad person. Initial expression was just so-so. However, after 50 hours of burning in, I do hear some significant improvement in ES18.[/size]
 
[size=10pt]The SoundMAGIC ES18 is actually a dynamic IEM. It delivers sweet and well balanced sound. It is fast, it is smooth, it is detailed. Thus, I believe this IEM will be working great on pop and rock music.[/size]
 
[size=10pt]Lows- [/size][size=10pt]The lows/bass of ES18 is well-controlled though at optimum level. Neither too much nor too shy. It feels as if it will always be there when it is needed to be. However, in some songs, I do notice that the bass covers/affects the vocal, making the whole song muddy.[/size]
 
[size=10pt]Mids-[/size] [size=10pt]The sound signature of ES18 is more to upper-mid in my opinion. Full and smooth.[/size]
 
[size=10pt]High- [/size][size=10pt]Since the ES18 is a low and mid-focused IEM, the high of this IEM tends to be slightly recessed. And this leads to the lack of clarity. The good thing about this is you will not hear any piercing, harshness and maybe slight sparkling from this IEM.  [/size]
 
[size=10pt]Soundstage- [/size][size=10pt]Soundstage is just about average. Separation and positioning is not obvious.[/size]
 
[size=10pt]Conclusion- Do you believe in the quote "You get what you pay for" ? In my opinion, this may be applicable in some cases in ES18. 1. To cut down the cost in order to offer a better price for the casual audiophiles, SoundMAGIC has to sacrifice the build quality and use lower quality cable which produces a lot of unwanted noises when you walk etc. Clip is not provided on ES18. 2. At an asking price of around $15, the ES18 is producing the sound quality of IEMs which are a few times more expensive than it. No doubt, it is following the footstep of the big three of SoundMAGIC. [/size]
 
[size=10pt]So, do you think you get what you pay for, or even more? Your call.[/size]
 

 
Hi there folks! 
This is my first time writing a review, so I hope you guys can bear with me  
Firstly I would like to thank Jack Fu for the amazing Rocoo P DAP. I got it posted to my house 1 week after I order it. If it is not due to the holiday in his country I would have got it earlier. But it is nothing to complain about.
 
The Rocoo P is one of the most powerful DAP in the audiophile market. And when you purchase one of these, music is really the only focus; they have no games, no apps, and not even the basics app like clock or etc; this thing plays music and that is it!
 

Image of the shiny beautiful Hisoundaudio Rocoo P
 
Descriptions:
The Hisoundaudio Rocoo P is one of the most powerful audiophile Digital Audio Player (DAP) in the market. It can work well with a wide range of earphones, from the IEMs to full size headphone. (YES! It really can drives headphones!) With the built-in strong amplifier reted 50mW power output, you can forget about the amp you are having now. 
 
With a slim body, strong power, stylish appearance, wonderful music production and reasonable price, all these merits makes the Hisoundaudio Rocoo P an excellent DAP for the Audiophiles.
 
Specifications:
Earphone amplifier: Hisound's proprietory HIFI amplifier
Frequency response: 10Hz-21kHz
Sensitivity (dB): 105dB
Impedance: 32 Ohm
Power-handling: 80mW peak/ 5mW rated
S/N: 96dB
Memory capacity: 4GB Internal memory + expanding Micro SD card slot
Card compatibility: Micro SD, SDHC
Battery capacity: 600Ma rechargeable Li-ion battery
Battery continually playing time: >10hours (Volume set at 3 degree)
Propriety power saving technology: EMA Technology (Energy management and Admeasurement Technology)
The analog signal output: HDMS circuit design, whic can supply high quality music sources to the external earphone amplifier or home amplifier
Compatible formats: MP3, WMA, WAV, FLAC, OGG, AAC
ScreenL 1 inch OLED
Colors available: Brushed black
UI operation: Mechanical key button operation (one-hand and blind operation capacity)
USB type: mini USB 2.0
Dimension: 81.85mm L x 50mm W x 20.65 (MM)
Weight: 110g
  
Accessories:
So, as I unbox the Rocoo P package, there is a black layer which has the Rocoo P embedded in the middle of it. To pull out the Rocoo P,  you would just need to pull the black ribbon on top of the DAP. Well, you are also going to see a user manual, a VIP card and a warranty card as you remove the black layer. Note that most of them are written in chinese, but you do not need to worry as it is really easy to learn to use them. Pretty simple user interface. Next, you will also see 3 boxes in Rocoo P package. This bottom left one contains the Hisoundaudio PAA-1 earbud, which has a cheap housing and awful looking, but 
at the price of USD20, it sounds pretty good so it is nice to have one as extra. Well I am not going to talk about this earbud now. On the bottom right box, contains the USB adapter , which can be connected with the mini USB cord in the upper box. 
The USB cord helps sync/charge the Rocoo P.
 
Build Quality:
The Rocoo P is best constructed DAP I have ever seen. The outer body of the Rocoo P is made of CNC aluminum, which makes it very sturdy. Design is quite gorgeous, classic and retro, especially under the lights with sides made out of brushed aluminium. Housing is sold enough to withstand any pressure exerted on it. However, as you can see, a housing like it will definitely make you leave your fingerprints everywhere on it. So consistent cleaning should be done to make sure the DAP shines beautifully.
 
Sound Quality:
Okay, the sound is where this thing shines. So, let's see what can this USD179 DAP do? 
Well for me, it sounds marvelous! Some has even said that this performs better than the Zune and Cowon DAPs.
If you look at the EQ, there are a few options (Nature, Rock, Jazz,Classical ,Pop) but I would stick to Nature as it gives the best sound signature, at least for me. 
 
Lows- The lows can make great impacts down to 10Hz (You can feel it), and the mid-bass is also noticeably good. Point of attack, is incredibly strong and punchy. Besides punchy, it can be boomy as well, depending on the track played. Basically they just fulfilling what the track asks for. They are well-controlled and always be there whenever they need to be. 
 
Mids-  Despite of the great bass delivered, the Rocoo P has not fail in providing the crazily clear mids. For this, I would like to give this DAP a two thumbs up!!!  The great  jaw-dropping mids and the extraordinary clarity is the reason behind that makes this DAP a powerful, dangerous and threatening opponent to the Zune and Cowon. Besides, I bet you will get to hear the sound that you have never heard before in your player!
 
High- One word - Energetic.  They sounds real and intimate vocals (females) are well presented.  The highs are very smooth and extended.
 
Soundstage- Soundstage is huge, transparent and airy in this DAP. It feels as if you are listening to live performance, where you can actually estimate the distance between the musicians. Yes, it has fantastic and top-notch instrument separation. And it brings you to the world of music where you can enjoy 3-Dimension music! 
 
 
Battery life:
Nothing is perfect, and same thing goes to this Rocoo P.One thing that I am dissapointed with this Rocoo P is its suprisingly short battery life. As an audiophile player, I was expecting it to be at least 1-day of playback time but guess what? It has only 10 hours of playback time. And charging it fully would take me about 3-4 hours (not sure if it is my Rocoo P, or all the Rocoo P), so I think the Hisoundaudio company should come up with some ways to improve this. 
 
 
Conclusion-  Now, for the price of USD179, in which part of Audiophile market, can you get such a great player ?! Frankly speaking, I would not hesitate to buy even if the price of this is triple of it's price! These are really for Audio nerds who wants to hear every single notes and instruments in every single song they listen. For casual listeners, these can be a fun player too! Great impact but well-controlled bass, clear mids and energetic highs and wide soundstage. Forget about the DAP you are holding now, GET THIS!