SoundMAGIC T60BT True Wireless Earbuds
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Introduction
Who doesn't know SoundMAGIC? Clear, a brand that was founded in 2005 by acoustic design engineer Tony Xu and has won several awards and recommendations in multiple magazines and organisations, with its famous IEMS E10. No less recommended were the HP150s, which I own, one of the classic closed-back headphones best rated by enthusiasts. But what now? It's true that the HP151 and the HP1000 have been released in headphones. And in IEMS they have followed the path of the E10, with several similarly shaped IEMS... But the market has become very tough in both directions and I think there are many brands that currently seem to have more models in their catalogue, as well as superior dynamism than SoundMAGIC. This does not imply that their products are better or worse. But, to give an example, it is not normal that they don't have an IEMS model with a detachable cable. However, they do have many IEMS with volume control, microphone, even USB connection. And, of course, they also have wireless models. So it looks like SoundMAGIC's path is clearing... towards TWS. As is currently the case, this time I'm going to review a product from this segment. This is the T60BT, a Bluetooth 5.2 IEMS, compatible with Apt-X, SBC, ACC, thanks to the Qualcomm QCC3040 chip. Inside, they use a 5.8mm Neodymium dynamic driver and a DC5V60mA battery. Of course, they come with a carrying and charging case, whose battery is DC5V500mA. The model can be chosen in two colours, black and white. And the rest of the considerations will be unfolded in the following review.
Disclaimer
SoundMAGIC, offered me this model, in exchange for writing an honest review. I want to make it clear that all my opinions written in this review have not been conditioned by this fact, nor will I ever write anything that I do not really think or feel here. I will only write about my personal opinion in relation to the revised product.
Specifications
Packaging
The T60BTs come in a small, almost square box, almost completely white in colour, whose dimensions are 133x133x46mm. On the main side you can see a real picture of the product: the open box containing one capsule and the other one floating. In the upper left corner is the brand logo. At the bottom is the name of the model, a description and icons explaining the special features of the model. On the back side you can read the specifications, in Chinese and English. The contents of the package are also listed, along with the company's contact details and the certifications it complies with. This outer part is a cardboard wrapper that can be slid up or down. What remains is an all-white box with the brand logo in black in the centre of the box. Inside you can find the following components and accessories:
There is little to comment on this section. It is a sober presentation, with a compact box and the minimum required content. As usual, the tips are just a set, and in many TWS these silicones are usually of a special shape and size for TWS, so they can be difficult to replace. Actually, this does not seem to be the case with this model, as the tips look quite normal.
Construction and Design
Almost the entire product has a pearly white colour and is made of plastic, except for the hinge of the charging box, the nozzles and the buttons. Starting with the case, it has a blue LED on the inside of its main face. Underneath this spot you can read SoundMAGIC. On the bottom is the brand logo, the model name, the voltage and power consumption of the box, the brand, where it was manufactured and some logos of the certifications it complies with. On the back is the USB Type-C charging port. After opening the lid, you can read the model name near the edge. This case has an extremely simple design, with a rectangular shape, rounded corners and edges. Nothing else.
The capsules have the same colour and seem to be made of the same plastic material. I must say that it does not look very robust, but it is very light. The shape of the capsules is oval, separated into two halves. The outer face is slightly recessed and on it is a circular, disc-like, metal button with concentric rings and indentations. In the centre of the oval is a hole. Underneath the buttons are two red and blue LEDs which serve to indicate the status of the TWS. The inner side is also oval and parallel to the outer side. At the opposite end to the buttons are the nozzles. The nozzles are located on an oblique cylinder and are made of metal. They are protected by a grid of the same material. In the centre of the inner face is the name of the brand and the letter marking the channel. On the edge there are two copper moles, these are the capsule charging connections.
The design doesn't look anything special, as I say, the plastic construction doesn't look very tough. But I think that a simple design like this has a number of advantages. In principle, I don't find any ergonomic problems, the button, although not tactile, works perfectly. It's clear that it won't get a 10 for design, but it will get a good score for simplicity and more austere functionality. Sometimes it pays to be practical rather than pretty, and this is where the T60BTs excel.
Finally, it's worth noting that they are IPX6.0 compliant and waterproof.
Adjustment and Ergonomics
When a design is simple and functional, the ergonomics are usually good. And this is the case with the T60BT. It seems incredible that a simple, oval shape, with slanted nozzles, without any special shape, could be so comfortable and fit so well. The nozzles are very similar to those of any traditional IEM, which makes changing tips very easy and ensures greater compatibility with any other nozzle, something that is not at all common in other TWS. The low weight of the tips means that they are hardly felt in the ears, and the smooth surface contributes to the comfort. The SoundMAGIC T60BTs are excellent in this respect.
Also worth mentioning is the passive isolation of these TWS, as the nozzles are quite similar to a wired IEMS, the combination of this shape with suitable tips achieves a remarkable level of occlusion. Hence, the level of sound insulation achieved is clearly noticeable.
Operation and Connection
The operation of the TWS is the traditional one, as soon as they are removed from the charging box, they enter pairing mode. And this operation is simple, fast, uncomplicated and effective. It uses Bluetooth version 5.2.
The T60BTs have several modes of operation. They can be used in the traditional binaural mode, also in monaural mode, and finally they can also be used in shared mode.
The large physical buttons make the task easier and their response is quick and precise, thanks to their distinguishable click.
The T60BTs feature the CVC8.0 call noise reduction system and have a low latency specially designed for gaming, with a particular mode for this type of situation, which can be entered by pressing any of the buttons 4 times.
The transmission range is extended to 13m, with a battery life in continuous music playback mode of 4 to 5h. In talk mode they reach up to 4h and in standby mode they reach 240h.
The operation of the buttons is as follows:
In actual operation, I found its remote use performance to be very good, as well as its pairing and re-pairing, which is very fast. The sound during calls is very good and natural. The microphone performance is average, it does not stand out from other TWS.
Sound
Profile
The profile of the T60BTs is a W with more emphasis on the sub-bass area, as usual. This time there is a gain in the mid-high and first highs, which then drops off in the mid-high and first highs transition. The clear accent in the sub-bass gives it depth and a clean transition into the mids. The pinna gain increases the point of clarity and closeness, but the roll-off in the first highs makes the sound a bit sparse and concrete. The following highlights provide some sparkle, though not in a very homogeneous way.
Bass
The bass tuning has a traditional point, in line with the TWS. It is a bass that starts very high from the sub-bass area, which has a rapid and deep descent towards 1kHz. It is clear that there is a strong, overt presence coming from the LFOs, which overlaps in intensity with vocals and other mid-bass elements. Although the transition into the adjacent range is relatively clean, as far as it can go, due to the slope it possesses. The speed of the TWS bass is usually not very fast and any complex bass line is often muddied by the rubberiness of its over-presence. In this case, the tuning helps, because it tries to avoid an emphasis on the mid-bass, something that would have resulted in superior muddiness. That's why this rapid descent into the mids benefits the development of the lower range. It is still not an agile or fast decaying bass, but it tries to minimise the flooding effect of a zone that is always difficult to resolve in this range of TWS. The timbre feels slightly coloured, despite the depth. Less audible tones jump to higher frequencies, detracting from the sensory perception of the bass and making it more listenable. But, admittedly, this sensation is not too negative and its sonority still retains an acceptable, even pleasant, degree of naturalness.
Despite all the above, the T60BTs have been one of the TWSs that have stood up best to the reproduction of complex bass, with many flat, even distorted, sounds. They have achieved a realistic sonority to a more than acceptable degree, staying at the limit of control and drawing lines more or less adjusted to the difficulty of the passages. This is something I feel it is necessary to point out, as well as the fact that it is inevitable to have to control the volume, in order not to reach distortion.
Mids
The mids feel somewhat polarised. On the one hand, there is a clear roll-off, which forms a valley between 800Hz. On the other hand, the pinna gain is around 2.5kHz. Between these two points there is a good handful of dB difference. This means a first half with a relatively thin midrange, without much body. The second half, extended, feels a bit dry, parsimonious, even if emancipated. Fortunately, the tuning doesn't feel as strange as the LZ A2 PROs I reviewed a few months ago. This time around, the treble has a punch of sparkle, whereas those possessed a much more nuanced high end tuning. This is an advantage that brings the T60BTs to life. However, I still find the mids to be concrete, simple, without much extension, overly defined in their exposure. This is the reason for the dryness. For conversations it is a very suitable tuning, because the voices sound strong and clear, as if isolated. For the music there is not a hint of sibilance, but a little more brightness would have given a more realistic, less concise timbre. Overall, the representation of the voices feels mid-distance, with an average size between width, depth and distance. The definition is adequate and there is no smearing or blurring of the instruments. Despite the lack of sparkle, the level of clarity is good, with an adequate level of transparency being observed, even though the background is not dark. As is usual in this range of TWS, the tuning tends to be musical rather than analytical. The T60BTs do not escape this issue and this characteristic influences the continuity of the musical flow, which motivates a sweeter and more pleasant sound, but also limits the level of resolution, texture and descriptiveness of the music. The result is coherent, without being too dark, despite being concrete. But it is neither too juicy nor too meaty, but rather, rather rather analogue, warm even. And that is due to the treble characteristics. Despite all this, it is easy to get used to the sound and to get used to it quickly, becoming pleasant and fun, without too many pretensions, but with a certain attractiveness.
Treble
The beginning of the range is distant. Normally, in V-headphones, there is usually an initial peak, more or less sustained. On this occasion, the curve is the other way around, which implies an over-control in the high end. The result is a nuanced, somewhat bland, almost insipid sound. This initial lack of sparkle narrows the middle notes and, even more so, the high notes, making them less perceptible. The high notes sound with little extension, somewhat unsettled, even flat, with a slightly off-kilter timbre. They do not sound unnatural, but it is clear that there is a brightness cut that is not very flattering, neither to the range, nor to the rest of the range. The next point is a somewhat sudden increase, an attempt to regain liveliness. It tends to work at times, and at other times it's a little too loud. A more equal distribution would have been more beneficial. From here everything is more normal and similar to the performance of many dynamic drivers, with a fair representation of air.
Ultimately, the treble limits rather than helps. I think that with a more traditional tuning, the whole would have been better.
Soundstage, Separation
That the sound is concrete and concise, without stretching, gives a sense of greater distance between elements, something that provides space to detect hidden details between notes, something that is really surprising for a TWS. The musical exposition has a simple tendency, which does not stretch the ornaments. Thus, there is no overexposure of superfluous notes sounding at the same time. The dryness that is generated also favours that sense of air and distance, helping in the separation of these small elements. Not all nuances are revealed, due to its tuning, but in the mid-range there are little hidden surprises that jump out at the ears.
All of this benefits the recreation of a more spaced out scene, with greater width, even giving the music some welcome three-dimensionality, something that allows these TWS to be valued above others at their price point.
The scene is never unreal, with good depth, width and average height. But with the help of that level of separation, its presentation is more oval, with a distinctly clean and attractive ethereal feel. One of the best of the set.
Comparisons
Tronsmart Onyx Prime
The Onyx Prime have been one of the last TWS I have reviewed. With a very similar price, but with a very different shape and a construction that seems superior to me, even though they are bigger. The T60BTs are lighter and smaller, less bulky, with better ergonomics, at least for my personal taste.
In terms of operability, the Tronsmart are very efficient and have a very long battery life (40 hours compared to 4 hours for the T60BT), although they take 2 hours to charge. Actually, 40 hours is a long time and I have not been able to check if they really have that battery life. But in my tests with both, it turned out that the Onyx Prime lasts clearly longer, because while the T60BTs were reporting a battery drain, the Onyx Prime has barely decreased.
Conversationally, I think the Onyx Prime microphone performs better than the T60BT.
In terms of transmission distance, the T60BTs are slightly superior and more stable at far distances.
The Onyx Prime has a slightly higher volume performance and its drivers seem more robust against distortion when the volume is high.
In terms of sound, both start from a very similar profile up to the mids. The difference is in the upper mids and treble. There is a clear gain of upper bell in the T60BTs, which gives a clearer sense of clarity, as well as a hint of greater transparency. It is also noticeable that the T60BTs have an advantage in midrange detail, which is more perceptible than in the Onyx Prime, despite the BA driver. The result is the SoundMAGICs' more complete and closer vocals. On the other hand, despite the similarity, the bass presence in the Onyx Prime is slightly more forceful, although their sonority and characteristics are very similar. Just that feeling of power and the greater performance capacity of its driver, makes the perception of bass superior, with more control, punch, and even seems to have a darker and more sensory tone, less coloured. Then, in terms of technical properties, the two are very much on a par, demonstrating similar behaviour in speed, agility and decay. Although, very subtly, the T60BTs seem faster.
Turning to the mids and vocals, there is a difference in the exposure of the vocals in the two TWSs. The Onyx Prime has a greater density and more nuance, as opposed to the dryness of the T60BT and its less ornamental, simpler exposure. But, as I said, there seems to be a greater exposure of minute detail in the T60BTs, with a slightly greater sense of clarity, separation and ethereal feel to them. Admittedly, there are other kinds of sharper nuances, as well as the harmonics that complete the sound, which provide a point of greater naturalness and realism to the Onyx Prime. Again, the key to the sound lies in the difference between the gain of the two TWSs. In some songs where clarity is needed because the music is centred in this midrange, the T60BTs excel in clarity, with the Onyx Prime sounding more opaque. In electronic styles and with more bass presence, the more robust and less distortion-sensitive driver of the Tronsmart prevails in punch and power, as opposed to the more delicate T60BTs in this regard. If less polarised, more linear and slightly more extended treble is desired, the Onyx Prime wins the day. The high end is more normalised to more standard canons. While the treble tuning of the T60BTs is a bit counter-current.
Scene-wise I have already commented that the greater sense of separation and three-dimensionality is enhanced in the T60BTs. Their greater perception of separation, clarity and transparency in the mids benefits in this general aspect, offering a larger, more oval, less congested and darker image than the Onyx Prime.
In conclusion, both TWS have superior aspects over the others, with the Tronsmart having an APP that allows EQ selection and is more versatile in the operational aspect. They also have much better battery life, a more robust construction and better microphone performance. In terms of sound, their bass is more powerful and deeper, thanks to their more resistant driver at high volume. Also their treble is more in line with more normal tuning, sounding more natural.
On the other hand, the SoundMAGICs are smaller, slightly more ergonomic, lighter and less bulky in the ears. The mid-range is clearer and its details stand out. The soundstage is also better, with more transparency, three-dimensionality, an ethereal feel and separation.
In short, it is difficult to decide between the two, but the differences are well explained for those who are clear about what they are looking for.
Conclusion
The SoundMAGIC T60BT is a TWS with a simple, straightforward appearance, very light and ergonomic, but with a remarkable sound quality. Their operation is efficient, thanks to their large, physical buttons. They have a long transmission range, free of dropouts. Their Bluetooth specification complies with the latest version 5.2 and uses the Apt-X Codec. They are easy to move and have a very clear conversational sound. Going into details about their musical quality, it is clear that they are not a model to be used only for calls, but have a clear Hi-Fi vocation. The stage, the separation, the level of detail in the mid-range and the three-dimensional feel are their strong points. But there are always some weaker aspects, such as battery life, a certain imbalance in the mid-range and a rather soft, not very extended high end. Admittedly, I'm being very critical of them, given the price level. And neither has the competition that I know of in this range, created superior models. So the T60BTs are obvious stiff competition in this segment.
Sources Used During the Analysis
Ratings
Purchase Link
https://es.aliexpress.com/item/1005003116965150.html
You can read the full review in Spanish here:
https://hiendportable.com/2022/01/23/soundmagic-t60bt-review/
Who doesn't know SoundMAGIC? Clear, a brand that was founded in 2005 by acoustic design engineer Tony Xu and has won several awards and recommendations in multiple magazines and organisations, with its famous IEMS E10. No less recommended were the HP150s, which I own, one of the classic closed-back headphones best rated by enthusiasts. But what now? It's true that the HP151 and the HP1000 have been released in headphones. And in IEMS they have followed the path of the E10, with several similarly shaped IEMS... But the market has become very tough in both directions and I think there are many brands that currently seem to have more models in their catalogue, as well as superior dynamism than SoundMAGIC. This does not imply that their products are better or worse. But, to give an example, it is not normal that they don't have an IEMS model with a detachable cable. However, they do have many IEMS with volume control, microphone, even USB connection. And, of course, they also have wireless models. So it looks like SoundMAGIC's path is clearing... towards TWS. As is currently the case, this time I'm going to review a product from this segment. This is the T60BT, a Bluetooth 5.2 IEMS, compatible with Apt-X, SBC, ACC, thanks to the Qualcomm QCC3040 chip. Inside, they use a 5.8mm Neodymium dynamic driver and a DC5V60mA battery. Of course, they come with a carrying and charging case, whose battery is DC5V500mA. The model can be chosen in two colours, black and white. And the rest of the considerations will be unfolded in the following review.
Disclaimer
SoundMAGIC, offered me this model, in exchange for writing an honest review. I want to make it clear that all my opinions written in this review have not been conditioned by this fact, nor will I ever write anything that I do not really think or feel here. I will only write about my personal opinion in relation to the revised product.
Specifications
- Driver type: 5.8mm neodymium dynamic.
- Impedance: 14±10%Ω
- Bluetooth: v5.2
- Audio Codecs: Apt-X, SBC, ACC.
- Chip: Qualcomm QCC3040
- Microphone sensitivity: -42±3dB
- Battery life in continuous playback mode: 4-5 hours
- Battery life in continuous talk mode: 3-4 hours
- Battery life in standby mode: 240h.
- Transmission range: 12-15m
- Weight of the headphones: 10g
- Charging time 0.5h
- Battery of the earphones: DC5V60mA
- Charging box battery: DC5V500mA
- Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz.
Packaging
The T60BTs come in a small, almost square box, almost completely white in colour, whose dimensions are 133x133x46mm. On the main side you can see a real picture of the product: the open box containing one capsule and the other one floating. In the upper left corner is the brand logo. At the bottom is the name of the model, a description and icons explaining the special features of the model. On the back side you can read the specifications, in Chinese and English. The contents of the package are also listed, along with the company's contact details and the certifications it complies with. This outer part is a cardboard wrapper that can be slid up or down. What remains is an all-white box with the brand logo in black in the centre of the box. Inside you can find the following components and accessories:
- The 2 TWS SoundMAGIC T60BT capsules.
- Charging box.
- One charging cable.
- One set of white silicone tips, sizes SxMxL. The medium size comes with the TWS.
- Instruction manual.
There is little to comment on this section. It is a sober presentation, with a compact box and the minimum required content. As usual, the tips are just a set, and in many TWS these silicones are usually of a special shape and size for TWS, so they can be difficult to replace. Actually, this does not seem to be the case with this model, as the tips look quite normal.
Construction and Design
Almost the entire product has a pearly white colour and is made of plastic, except for the hinge of the charging box, the nozzles and the buttons. Starting with the case, it has a blue LED on the inside of its main face. Underneath this spot you can read SoundMAGIC. On the bottom is the brand logo, the model name, the voltage and power consumption of the box, the brand, where it was manufactured and some logos of the certifications it complies with. On the back is the USB Type-C charging port. After opening the lid, you can read the model name near the edge. This case has an extremely simple design, with a rectangular shape, rounded corners and edges. Nothing else.
The capsules have the same colour and seem to be made of the same plastic material. I must say that it does not look very robust, but it is very light. The shape of the capsules is oval, separated into two halves. The outer face is slightly recessed and on it is a circular, disc-like, metal button with concentric rings and indentations. In the centre of the oval is a hole. Underneath the buttons are two red and blue LEDs which serve to indicate the status of the TWS. The inner side is also oval and parallel to the outer side. At the opposite end to the buttons are the nozzles. The nozzles are located on an oblique cylinder and are made of metal. They are protected by a grid of the same material. In the centre of the inner face is the name of the brand and the letter marking the channel. On the edge there are two copper moles, these are the capsule charging connections.
The design doesn't look anything special, as I say, the plastic construction doesn't look very tough. But I think that a simple design like this has a number of advantages. In principle, I don't find any ergonomic problems, the button, although not tactile, works perfectly. It's clear that it won't get a 10 for design, but it will get a good score for simplicity and more austere functionality. Sometimes it pays to be practical rather than pretty, and this is where the T60BTs excel.
Finally, it's worth noting that they are IPX6.0 compliant and waterproof.
Adjustment and Ergonomics
When a design is simple and functional, the ergonomics are usually good. And this is the case with the T60BT. It seems incredible that a simple, oval shape, with slanted nozzles, without any special shape, could be so comfortable and fit so well. The nozzles are very similar to those of any traditional IEM, which makes changing tips very easy and ensures greater compatibility with any other nozzle, something that is not at all common in other TWS. The low weight of the tips means that they are hardly felt in the ears, and the smooth surface contributes to the comfort. The SoundMAGIC T60BTs are excellent in this respect.
Also worth mentioning is the passive isolation of these TWS, as the nozzles are quite similar to a wired IEMS, the combination of this shape with suitable tips achieves a remarkable level of occlusion. Hence, the level of sound insulation achieved is clearly noticeable.
Operation and Connection
The operation of the TWS is the traditional one, as soon as they are removed from the charging box, they enter pairing mode. And this operation is simple, fast, uncomplicated and effective. It uses Bluetooth version 5.2.
The T60BTs have several modes of operation. They can be used in the traditional binaural mode, also in monaural mode, and finally they can also be used in shared mode.
The large physical buttons make the task easier and their response is quick and precise, thanks to their distinguishable click.
The T60BTs feature the CVC8.0 call noise reduction system and have a low latency specially designed for gaming, with a particular mode for this type of situation, which can be entered by pressing any of the buttons 4 times.
The transmission range is extended to 13m, with a battery life in continuous music playback mode of 4 to 5h. In talk mode they reach up to 4h and in standby mode they reach 240h.
The operation of the buttons is as follows:
- 1 click L/R: play/pause music.
- 2 clicks L: next song.
- 2 clicks R: previous song.
- Long press (0.5s) L: volume up.
- Long press (0.5s) R: volume down.
- 1 click L/R: answer call.
- Long press (2s) L/R: reject call.
- 1 click L/R: end call.
- 3 clicks L/R: activate Siri.
- Reset headphones: Press both headphones 3 times simultaneously. The red and blue lights will flash 3 times. The reset will then be successful.
In actual operation, I found its remote use performance to be very good, as well as its pairing and re-pairing, which is very fast. The sound during calls is very good and natural. The microphone performance is average, it does not stand out from other TWS.
Sound
Profile
The profile of the T60BTs is a W with more emphasis on the sub-bass area, as usual. This time there is a gain in the mid-high and first highs, which then drops off in the mid-high and first highs transition. The clear accent in the sub-bass gives it depth and a clean transition into the mids. The pinna gain increases the point of clarity and closeness, but the roll-off in the first highs makes the sound a bit sparse and concrete. The following highlights provide some sparkle, though not in a very homogeneous way.
Bass
The bass tuning has a traditional point, in line with the TWS. It is a bass that starts very high from the sub-bass area, which has a rapid and deep descent towards 1kHz. It is clear that there is a strong, overt presence coming from the LFOs, which overlaps in intensity with vocals and other mid-bass elements. Although the transition into the adjacent range is relatively clean, as far as it can go, due to the slope it possesses. The speed of the TWS bass is usually not very fast and any complex bass line is often muddied by the rubberiness of its over-presence. In this case, the tuning helps, because it tries to avoid an emphasis on the mid-bass, something that would have resulted in superior muddiness. That's why this rapid descent into the mids benefits the development of the lower range. It is still not an agile or fast decaying bass, but it tries to minimise the flooding effect of a zone that is always difficult to resolve in this range of TWS. The timbre feels slightly coloured, despite the depth. Less audible tones jump to higher frequencies, detracting from the sensory perception of the bass and making it more listenable. But, admittedly, this sensation is not too negative and its sonority still retains an acceptable, even pleasant, degree of naturalness.
Despite all the above, the T60BTs have been one of the TWSs that have stood up best to the reproduction of complex bass, with many flat, even distorted, sounds. They have achieved a realistic sonority to a more than acceptable degree, staying at the limit of control and drawing lines more or less adjusted to the difficulty of the passages. This is something I feel it is necessary to point out, as well as the fact that it is inevitable to have to control the volume, in order not to reach distortion.
Mids
The mids feel somewhat polarised. On the one hand, there is a clear roll-off, which forms a valley between 800Hz. On the other hand, the pinna gain is around 2.5kHz. Between these two points there is a good handful of dB difference. This means a first half with a relatively thin midrange, without much body. The second half, extended, feels a bit dry, parsimonious, even if emancipated. Fortunately, the tuning doesn't feel as strange as the LZ A2 PROs I reviewed a few months ago. This time around, the treble has a punch of sparkle, whereas those possessed a much more nuanced high end tuning. This is an advantage that brings the T60BTs to life. However, I still find the mids to be concrete, simple, without much extension, overly defined in their exposure. This is the reason for the dryness. For conversations it is a very suitable tuning, because the voices sound strong and clear, as if isolated. For the music there is not a hint of sibilance, but a little more brightness would have given a more realistic, less concise timbre. Overall, the representation of the voices feels mid-distance, with an average size between width, depth and distance. The definition is adequate and there is no smearing or blurring of the instruments. Despite the lack of sparkle, the level of clarity is good, with an adequate level of transparency being observed, even though the background is not dark. As is usual in this range of TWS, the tuning tends to be musical rather than analytical. The T60BTs do not escape this issue and this characteristic influences the continuity of the musical flow, which motivates a sweeter and more pleasant sound, but also limits the level of resolution, texture and descriptiveness of the music. The result is coherent, without being too dark, despite being concrete. But it is neither too juicy nor too meaty, but rather, rather rather analogue, warm even. And that is due to the treble characteristics. Despite all this, it is easy to get used to the sound and to get used to it quickly, becoming pleasant and fun, without too many pretensions, but with a certain attractiveness.
Treble
The beginning of the range is distant. Normally, in V-headphones, there is usually an initial peak, more or less sustained. On this occasion, the curve is the other way around, which implies an over-control in the high end. The result is a nuanced, somewhat bland, almost insipid sound. This initial lack of sparkle narrows the middle notes and, even more so, the high notes, making them less perceptible. The high notes sound with little extension, somewhat unsettled, even flat, with a slightly off-kilter timbre. They do not sound unnatural, but it is clear that there is a brightness cut that is not very flattering, neither to the range, nor to the rest of the range. The next point is a somewhat sudden increase, an attempt to regain liveliness. It tends to work at times, and at other times it's a little too loud. A more equal distribution would have been more beneficial. From here everything is more normal and similar to the performance of many dynamic drivers, with a fair representation of air.
Ultimately, the treble limits rather than helps. I think that with a more traditional tuning, the whole would have been better.
Soundstage, Separation
That the sound is concrete and concise, without stretching, gives a sense of greater distance between elements, something that provides space to detect hidden details between notes, something that is really surprising for a TWS. The musical exposition has a simple tendency, which does not stretch the ornaments. Thus, there is no overexposure of superfluous notes sounding at the same time. The dryness that is generated also favours that sense of air and distance, helping in the separation of these small elements. Not all nuances are revealed, due to its tuning, but in the mid-range there are little hidden surprises that jump out at the ears.
All of this benefits the recreation of a more spaced out scene, with greater width, even giving the music some welcome three-dimensionality, something that allows these TWS to be valued above others at their price point.
The scene is never unreal, with good depth, width and average height. But with the help of that level of separation, its presentation is more oval, with a distinctly clean and attractive ethereal feel. One of the best of the set.
Comparisons
Tronsmart Onyx Prime
The Onyx Prime have been one of the last TWS I have reviewed. With a very similar price, but with a very different shape and a construction that seems superior to me, even though they are bigger. The T60BTs are lighter and smaller, less bulky, with better ergonomics, at least for my personal taste.
In terms of operability, the Tronsmart are very efficient and have a very long battery life (40 hours compared to 4 hours for the T60BT), although they take 2 hours to charge. Actually, 40 hours is a long time and I have not been able to check if they really have that battery life. But in my tests with both, it turned out that the Onyx Prime lasts clearly longer, because while the T60BTs were reporting a battery drain, the Onyx Prime has barely decreased.
Conversationally, I think the Onyx Prime microphone performs better than the T60BT.
In terms of transmission distance, the T60BTs are slightly superior and more stable at far distances.
The Onyx Prime has a slightly higher volume performance and its drivers seem more robust against distortion when the volume is high.
In terms of sound, both start from a very similar profile up to the mids. The difference is in the upper mids and treble. There is a clear gain of upper bell in the T60BTs, which gives a clearer sense of clarity, as well as a hint of greater transparency. It is also noticeable that the T60BTs have an advantage in midrange detail, which is more perceptible than in the Onyx Prime, despite the BA driver. The result is the SoundMAGICs' more complete and closer vocals. On the other hand, despite the similarity, the bass presence in the Onyx Prime is slightly more forceful, although their sonority and characteristics are very similar. Just that feeling of power and the greater performance capacity of its driver, makes the perception of bass superior, with more control, punch, and even seems to have a darker and more sensory tone, less coloured. Then, in terms of technical properties, the two are very much on a par, demonstrating similar behaviour in speed, agility and decay. Although, very subtly, the T60BTs seem faster.
Turning to the mids and vocals, there is a difference in the exposure of the vocals in the two TWSs. The Onyx Prime has a greater density and more nuance, as opposed to the dryness of the T60BT and its less ornamental, simpler exposure. But, as I said, there seems to be a greater exposure of minute detail in the T60BTs, with a slightly greater sense of clarity, separation and ethereal feel to them. Admittedly, there are other kinds of sharper nuances, as well as the harmonics that complete the sound, which provide a point of greater naturalness and realism to the Onyx Prime. Again, the key to the sound lies in the difference between the gain of the two TWSs. In some songs where clarity is needed because the music is centred in this midrange, the T60BTs excel in clarity, with the Onyx Prime sounding more opaque. In electronic styles and with more bass presence, the more robust and less distortion-sensitive driver of the Tronsmart prevails in punch and power, as opposed to the more delicate T60BTs in this regard. If less polarised, more linear and slightly more extended treble is desired, the Onyx Prime wins the day. The high end is more normalised to more standard canons. While the treble tuning of the T60BTs is a bit counter-current.
Scene-wise I have already commented that the greater sense of separation and three-dimensionality is enhanced in the T60BTs. Their greater perception of separation, clarity and transparency in the mids benefits in this general aspect, offering a larger, more oval, less congested and darker image than the Onyx Prime.
In conclusion, both TWS have superior aspects over the others, with the Tronsmart having an APP that allows EQ selection and is more versatile in the operational aspect. They also have much better battery life, a more robust construction and better microphone performance. In terms of sound, their bass is more powerful and deeper, thanks to their more resistant driver at high volume. Also their treble is more in line with more normal tuning, sounding more natural.
On the other hand, the SoundMAGICs are smaller, slightly more ergonomic, lighter and less bulky in the ears. The mid-range is clearer and its details stand out. The soundstage is also better, with more transparency, three-dimensionality, an ethereal feel and separation.
In short, it is difficult to decide between the two, but the differences are well explained for those who are clear about what they are looking for.
Conclusion
The SoundMAGIC T60BT is a TWS with a simple, straightforward appearance, very light and ergonomic, but with a remarkable sound quality. Their operation is efficient, thanks to their large, physical buttons. They have a long transmission range, free of dropouts. Their Bluetooth specification complies with the latest version 5.2 and uses the Apt-X Codec. They are easy to move and have a very clear conversational sound. Going into details about their musical quality, it is clear that they are not a model to be used only for calls, but have a clear Hi-Fi vocation. The stage, the separation, the level of detail in the mid-range and the three-dimensional feel are their strong points. But there are always some weaker aspects, such as battery life, a certain imbalance in the mid-range and a rather soft, not very extended high end. Admittedly, I'm being very critical of them, given the price level. And neither has the competition that I know of in this range, created superior models. So the T60BTs are obvious stiff competition in this segment.
Sources Used During the Analysis
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro
- HiBy R3 Pro
- JWD JWM-115
- Tempotec Variations V1-A
Ratings
- Construction and Design: 80
- Adjustment/Ergonomics: 90
- Accessories: 50
- Operation and Connection: 80
- Sound: 84
- Quality/Price: 85
Purchase Link
https://es.aliexpress.com/item/1005003116965150.html
You can read the full review in Spanish here:
https://hiendportable.com/2022/01/23/soundmagic-t60bt-review/
Soundmagic is quite well known for their bullet type IEM. There isn’t much promotion going on about their true wireless series. I was approached by Caliye from Soundmagic to give a review for T60BT.
I will be going straight to the point and say what’s good and bad about this product.
Design/Fit
Very minimalist and sleek design in my opinion. No issue with fit as they’re very lightweight.
Packaging
Fairly standard packaging with a set of eartips and charging cable.
Specifications
You may get it from Soundmagic’s official site HERE
Connection and Mic Quality
Having the bluetooth 5.2 chipset does help with the connection stability, i did not encounter any disconnection within reasonable range and clear line of sight, Your mileage might vary depending on the obstacles and interference.
Once pairing has been established, it gets connected very fast.
Battery life
Battery life is pretty standard,nothing exceptional or bad here. Single continuous usage at 4-5 hours. I managed to get 4 hours +- with 40% volume connected via AAC to my iPhone 12 Mini. It is able to recharge the earbud 4 times before needing to charge the case.
Sound
Impression based on AAC codec as i do not have an Android device to test, also i swapped out the stock eartips as i find them to sound a little too bright and bassy. This impression is done with JVC Spiral Dots eartips
- V shaped tuning with slight emphasis on both the low and highs
- Vocal is a little laid back
- Bass’s texture is a little lacking, feels a little thin
- Sub bass rumble is rather strong which is expected given the nature of the tuning, but it doesn’t really over power the mid bass
- Mid bass sounds tight and exhibited good control for the asking price
- Mids are slightly recessed in my opinion, not T60BT’s strong point
- No bass bleed which is pretty impressive (Tested on Slipknot’s Duality)
- Good amount of air to doesn’t sound dark
- Treble does feel a lacking in terms of note weight
- Detail retrieval is average its price range, which is fair
Soundstage/Imaging
- Imaging is average, it failed to perform at busy tracks
- Soundstage is also average, doesn’t sound too open or wide, but definitely doesn’t sound congested
Additional Features (Gaming Mode)
- Gaming mode, the delay is slightly lesser however it is still quite perceivable if you are playing shooting games and some action games
- I guess that is fair since on iphone it is only running on AAC, which i think is already doing a good job to significantly reduce the delay
- IP Ratings - Didn’t really get to test it out due to now being a warm season here in Malaysia
- Microphone works alright, voice can be heard clearly by the receiver, nothing much to shout out here
- Button control works fine over here, i'm not really a fan of buttons as when you click it, you will actually feel like the whole IEM is shoved into your ears when you are clicking the button for some command. Again, a matter of preference.
FInal Thoughts
Would I recommend this TWS? Why Not? Value wise, it is priced at 50.04$ at the time of writing with winter sale going on.
Well, based on the perspective in terms of sound, i would say this Soundmagic T60BT is better than a lot of generic branded TWS, they know what they’re doing as they’re an IEM maker whose sole purpose is to make IEMS that sound good and doesn’t break the bank.
T60BT definitely sound good without breaking the bank, however there are of course some shortcomings as well:
- On stock tips the bass might be too much for some
- Average accessories and eartips selection
If you guys are interested in getting the T60BT, head over to their Aliexpress store to grab one! Good sound does not mean you have to break the bank.
Soundmagic Aliexpress Store
*a big thanks to Caliay from Soundmagic for sending this over in order for me to test them out. I am not in any way compensated to produce a 100% positive review, I am free to express my thoughts and words. The link provided is not affiliated as well.
Attachments
RC062
How I review: (See Previous Reviews)
Instagram: regancipher
YouTube: regancipher
Model: SoundMAGIC T60BT
Website: Aliexpress Store
Review Reference: RC062
Manufacturer Specification:
1 x Pair Wireless Earbuds
1 x USB Type-C Charge Case
1 x USB Type-C Charge Cable
1 x User manual, English & Chinese
3 x Pairs Eartips
Real Life Experience
Welcome to the @regancipher review of SoundMAGIC’s second TWS release of 2021, the T60BT. SoundMAGIC are one of those names that will resonate with audiophiles and headfi subscribers, but fly under the radar for the average consumer outside of China. Like KZ, CCA, Tin, Ikko and BQEZ, they have tended to focus on the IEM market, but with the growing popularity of Bluetooth TWS, they have finally joined the party, with the T60BT quickly following up the release of their TWS30.
SoundMAGIC have a rich history in the audio arena – just searching the name on headfi brings up results from back when I was playing clubs and festivals all over Europe – and that seems like a lifetime ago! Founded in 2005 by acoustic engineer Tony Xu, they quickly developed a reputation for high performance at an affordable price, winning award after award from ‘What Hifi’, ‘Stuff’, ‘Trusted Review’ and a forum I spent most of the early noughties hanging out on, ‘Avforums’. The E10 series, a popular model here at Headfi, won best in-ear headphone award with What Hifi six years in a row – no mean feat – and seeing them enter the TWS market is an overdue, but welcome arrival that will undoubtedly leave some of the die-hard SoundMAGIC fans intrigued as to how they fare in a congested market.
Unboxing - 8/10
The T60BT transcend the usual budget-earbud experience, arriving in a dual-layer box, with the SoundMAGIC logo in the corner and their signature handle – Listen More – just below.
The front cover portrays the case fully-opened with the model, description and key features just below, with symbols to signify each: ‘Bluetooth 5.2’, ‘IPX6 WR’, ‘Long Battery Life’, ‘Intelligent Voice’ and ‘Good Sound’. Let’s hope that last one is an understatement, huh?!
The back displays a lot of additional details – what’s in the box, as well as ‘beyond the headlines’ specifications, such as DC Resistance, talk time, etc. It is nice to have these specifications listed on the box – it’s commonplace in the IEM market, but with TWS, typically it is all a bit ‘fluffy’. It certainly shows SoundMAGIC’s background, in that they are prepared to give away as much detail as possible, rather than hide behind buzzwords.
The second layer houses the item itself, and is exposed by simply slipping off the outer layer either upwards or downwards.
The package you are left with once the layers are peeled are off is nothing you haven’t seen before, but is nevertheless well-presented. The buds and case nestle inside a white, plastic enclosure, and the manual, tips and USB-C charge cable rest below in the gaps.
Whilst the manual is exclusively in English and Chinese, SoundMAGIC must have been reading my reviews, because rather than the tiny manuals that QCY, KZ and Haylou typically include, they’ve gone for a larger one, with really nice diagrams that show how to operate the buds and case.
Not only is this great for those with bad eyesight like me, but it also opens the market up to countries where English and Chinese aren’t the native tongue – I wish more TWS vendors would follow suit.
It is worth pointing out at this juncture that the cable and tips are far better quality than I’m used to with TWS – the cable is longer and thicker, and the tips are wide bore, and feature thick insultation. We’ll get to why later.
The Case - 8.5/10
As is always the case with white charge enclosures, the pictures simply don’t do the case justice. Having just reviewed the QCY G1, this is another extremely unorthodox charging box, and I didn’t even bother doing any comparison photos because I’ve seen nothing like it before – it’s like a cube, and the only box that got anywhere close to resembling it was the Kinera YH623, but even that would be like comparing Channing Tatum and John Cena. Similar, but different, and both easy on the eye (if you like that sort of thing!)
Taking photos of white cases is one of my least-favourite pastimes – I’ve broken from my usual tradition of plain white background here to give you some action shots.
Firstly, the material of the case is semi-matte, almost the pearlescent white of the original 1More Comfobuds. It is very-well finished, with a large lip allowing the case to be flipped-open easily with one-hand.
The case doesn’t support wireless charging, but does support quick-charge, and can be charged very quickly with USB-C, with the port located at the rear – my preferred charge point location, as it can rest on your desk very nicely as you will see in the next image.
The port is also not exposed to the elements – SoundMAGIC have set it back a little, with a mini power-logo underneath. This reduces the likelihood of accidental damage and enhances longevity, and it’s a shame we don’t see if more often. You will also see just above a metallic, reinforced hinge – the first I’ve seen since the TaoTronics TT-BH080 – which adds to the durability, but may be a potential rust-magnet, so keep the case away from the rain.
Just above the SoundMAGIC logo is a very bright LED. With an impressive 30-minute charge time, and the case supporting three additional charges, the colour scheme is easy enough to follow – red = one or less, green = one to two, blue = two to three, off = three full charges. This helps see immediately how much juice you’re going to get for the day.
The buds sit tips-first in the tightly-packed cockpit, and the model number – T60BT – is displayed on the lid, which has suitably deep cut-outs to allow the buds to sit inside the case with a variety of tips applied (including a few Spinfits I tried) whilst also ensuring they are secure enough to prevent the pogo pins not connecting and losing charge whilst rattling around in your bag. The magnet is rather strong, so getting them out of the case isn’t necessarily easy – they might need a bit of a yank.
When charging, if you open the case you will see the buds glow red. If you hold the metal buttons on the buds down for 0.5 seconds three times, the buds will reset their pairing status. I fell foul of this when, like many other QCC3040 buds, they defaulted to single mode out of the box. Fortunately, the instructions were very clear and worked like a charm.
The case is nicely proportioned at just under 5cm wide, around 3.35cm tall and a depth of 3.45cm. Whilst it makes for a very handy desk companion, and is perfect for bags, for gents it is not great for trouser pockets in the way that the Elevoc Clear, for example, is flat in your pocket. However, the nature of the buds means this was always going to be a trade-off, and SoundMAGIC have achieved a happy compromise by creating a case that looks totally different to anything else out there – result.
Ergonomics - 8/10
Like the QCY T1C, T16 and, probably the most relevant comparison, the Whizzer E3, the buds are designed to rest upwards against your pinna. Unlike the E3 the T60BT are quite angular and retro-looking - SoundMAGIC have shunned the popular rounded or custom-finish you see with most buds, adding a thick rim, presumably to help you locate the tactile control button.
Whilst the first image makes them look like they protrude a little, from the front they aren’t noticeable. They take a bit of fiddling around to get the right fit, but once you do, they are extremely comfortable for prolonged use, despite the unorthodox, boxy-look to them
The T60BT have a slightly-odd, generic-looking design that have an outer-shape reminiscent of the QCY T1C, but have gone against the grain with a physical touch-button that is tactile as opposed to pressure-sensitive. However, unlike the Jabra 75T, where this feature places excess pressure on your ear canals, the slim nozzle – just under 21cm total depth, including the pretty thick bud itself, means touch controls are actually rather pleasant – more like the Whizzer E3 and Tronsmart Onyx Free, placing minimal pressure on your ears, even if you have to hunt around for a while to find the button. When you do, the buttons are responsive and the controls intuitive.
The outside also has an outer-rim to it – I’m not really sure why, but it adds to the kinda-odd look of the buds – in black it is much less noticeable. It appears there is only a single mic, at least that I could see, on each bud, and this is located just below the touch control.
The inside of the buds shows some thoughtful design features. The pogo pins are bevelled away from the skin to reduce the risk of allergic reactions, the logo and ear notation are displayed clearly, and the build quality is all too evident when you remove the tips – the driver surrounds are metallic, and this strong build quality adds to the water resistance rating – an impressive IPX6, which will more than withstand sweat and rain.
The metallic surrounds justify the thicker-rimmed eartips, and this is something SoundMAGIC clearly learned from where KZ failed – the tips with the SKS were very flimsy, a blot on the copybook of an otherwise excellent release.
The shape of the buds, a little difficult to see above, are right-angle – like the KZ SKS (to the left) and the FIIL T1 Pro (to the right). This is in contrast to the SoundPEATS H1, QCY T17 and Jabra 75t above, which all angle the nozzle – the H1 upwards, the T17 downwards, and the Jabra – well, it really depends on how you wear it.
If you go with the right-angle approach then typically the position of most comfort is to go with a shorter nozzle – the FIIL T1 Pro and T1XS can feel invasive, like the Jabra 75t. Thankfully, SoundMAGIC have gone for a very short nozzle, so steer clear of using the small tips – you will not hear much bass. Instead, go with medium or large and let them fill your concha.
There is no issue with them staying in your ear – unlike the FIIL, the short nozzle length means they just kinda rest there, and with a decent seal are not the strongest at passive isolation, but certainly good enough to nullify passing traffic.
With a weight of just 4.23g, they are lightweight, and are suitable for exercise – useful, given they are IPX6 rated and designed for this very purpose!
Overall, the ergonomics are a bit of a mixed bag – they are certainly comfortable, usable and combine some good design features, but they won’t win any awards on the catwalk.
Audio - 8/10 (for the price paid), 8/10 (raw score)
The T60BT use the Qualcomm QCC3040 chipset, promoting the use of the aptX codec, but support AAC and SBC. On Android, it defaulted immediately to aptX, and on iPhone AAC.
The first thing you will notice about the T60BT is that trademark SoundMAGIC sound signature. Direct coupling means the low mids need to be elevated, and they are, very nicely. Lower frequencies track a little above the Harman curve, spiking a shade at around 30Hz and then levelling off, dipping at around 200Hz, however from there the upper mids start to lift, peaking somewhat early at around 2,200Hz, then a small U with another peak at around 8K. From there, the higher frequencies are on a gradual slope down to around 18k, where they perk back up again slightly.
What this means in reality, is that the sound has a nice, balanced feel to it that boosts the subbass and midbass sufficiently to give body to almost any track without it feeling overpowering, but vocals can take a back-seat, especially female vocals on house tracks.
If like me, you like melodic techno, house, opera and 80’s, the T60BT can sound great. Melodic techno notches the hats to give them longevity as basslines rumble along. Tenor vocalists lack a little sparkle but extend the soundstage, and 80’s tracks from artists like George Michael have a beautiful intimacy that was intended.
‘Stars’ by Simply Red has an earthy resonance to the wah-wah guitar, with Mick Hucknall’s vocals occasionally bleeding into the bass guitars, but otherwise, the track separates nicely. The shakers give the essence of a wider-than-expected soundstage – the T60BT have the elasticity to feel both intimate and airy depending on the track. ‘Another Day in Paradise’ by Phil Collins on Tidal Masters displays this beautifully, with the Roland 808 bouncing around your ears as Phil Collins’ lead vocals come to the fore ahead of the classical and bass guitars and strings.
Where the T60BT can leave you wanting more is with punchier kicks. Simple productions like ‘This Is What You Came For’ by Calvin Harris and Rihanna sound great, and even ‘Gecko’ by Oliver Heldens is very pleasant throughout the majority of the track. This is a production that many TWS really struggle with, usually due to poor low-frequency tuning. The T60BT suffer no distortion on the lower frequencies, but the T60BT rumble along effortlessly. It’s when Becky Hill’s vocal comes in, they leave you wanting a little more extension – they’ve clearly traded off sibilance for a less-shouty, earthy feel. This doesn’t become an issue until you get tracks like Cecilia Krull’s ‘My Life is Going On’, which lacks a little precision in the strings and tightness to the kick, and symptomatic of the tapered sound signature, the vocals come through, but the strings, hats and tams can sound a little muddy.
When you compare with hybrid-armature releases like the SoundPEATS H1 and Tronsmart Onyx Prime it is very clear that SoundMAGIC have tuned that tiny 5.8mm driver fantastically well – so if they can do that with a single driver release, what could they do with dual-armature TWS?
Call Quality - Indoors - 8/10, Outdoors - 6/10
Calls on the T60BT are fine indoors. Your voice comes through very clearly and very naturally. However, outdoors, even despite the cVc noise reduction, splashes and traffic were very evident, even overtaking your voice at times. This is not uncommon with new players to the scene, especially those focused on the sound, but it does mean calls outdoors are pretty much impossible.
There is a hole for the mic on the outside, and I suspect a second mic in the nozzle – there is certainly a notch for it, but without the loupe it is hard to tell. To optimise the cVc noise reduction you would need a dual-mic array, so I expect this is the location.
The likes of QCY and Tronsmart have been honing their mic performance while SoundMAGIC have been mastering tuning, and it shows – there’s definite room for improvement here on the next release.
Connectivity, Controls and other Interactive Features - 7/10
Firstly, rather than a beep or sound effect, almost every major gesture, such as ‘Power On’ or ‘Connected’ is represented by a clearly spoken English voice. This is a nice touch that is always welcome.
Turning up the volume, which you can do by holding the tactile button for half a second or so, gives a beep, and surprisingly, it is easy to differentiate volume control (hold for 0.5s), pause (single tap) and next or previous track (double tap). Somewhat annoyingly, left double tap is next track, right double tap is previous track, and it’s the same for volume. But hey, I’m not a leftie, so I’m gonna say that!
Triple tap hails voice assistant, and four taps initiates gaming mode. This is represented by a sound effect rather than a voice, but it is immediately obvious, and latency is good – certainly for watching videos back the T60BT were on par with other buds of this chipset.
Where the T60BT perform strongly is in connection strength – despite using a relatively dated Unictron CW505 (the same antenna used by QCY on their T4) it holds up quite well, not disconnecting until beyond the usual 10m. Bluetooth 5.2 gives a degree of future-proofing, and the aptX codec means they are ideal for Android users, although AAC sounded perfectly fine to me on IOS.
The buds support single, binaural and sharing mode, and whilst there is no app, that is often a good thing. For EQ on Android, use Wavelet.
Battery Life - 7/10
With many TWS hitting around 7-10 hours now, the 3.5-5 hours is a little on the low side, although despite SoundMAGIC stating that they could dip as low as 3.5 hours, I got closer to 5 on my first blast, and well over 4 on my second.
The 30-minute recharge is a great feature that definitely softens the blow.
Final Comments
The SoundMAGIC T60BT deliver exactly as expected – good quality, well-engineered audio that requires little-to-no tweaking out-of-the-box to offer a pleasant listening experience for prolonged use. They’ve taken a winning formula – their sound, and brought some up-to-date features: Bluetooth 5.2, Gaming Mode, Quick Charge, AptX support and a comfortable fit that will accommodate most users.
The mic performance could be better, but for indoor use it is passable, and battery life could be longer, and these are definitely areas for improvement on their next release.
It will be interesting to see if SoundMAGIC retain the trajectory that their IEM’s managed with continuous improvement a hallmark of their brand – perhaps even more drivers, taking advantage of that expert engineering experience they’ve developed after so many years in the game.
Overall, it is a very respectable release by SoundMAGIC, and a solidoption, especially if: audio is your primary driver, you need the IPX6 water resistance, and can’t be bothered tweaking the sound with data-harvesting apps, complex apps. If you like tactile buttons, then even better.
Price Weighted Score: 79%
Raw Score: 75%
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About SoundMAGIC:
In 2005, Tony Xu founded Shenzhen SoundMAGIC Technology Development Co., Ltd., and subsequently registered the trademark "SoundMAGIC" in Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Taiwan, the United States, Japan, Europe and other places. Shenzhen SoundMAGIC Technology Co., Ltd. is an innovative enterprise integrating audio product design, research and development, production and sales. The main products include in-ear headphones, professional HiFi headphones, Bluetooth headphones, game headphones, the machine of decoding and amplification to headphones, wireless speakers and other high-end products.
As a pioneer in the domestic headphone industry, SoundMAGIC is the only Chinese headphone brand that is widely recognized overseas so far. The products of SoundMAGIC sell well in China, the United States, Britain, Germany, South Korea, Japan, India and other dozens of countries and regions around the world. SoundMAGIC has high popularity and influence overseas, especially in Europe and the United States. Many classic products are highly praised by《WHAT Hi-Fi》 and《Stuff》, the two famous industry magazines in the world, and have repeatedly won the "Best Product of the Year " awards.
For more than ten years, SoundMAGIC has been keeping to the brand purpose: providing high quality audio products with extreme cost performance to customers. In the future, SoundMAGIC will stick to its original faith, spare no effort to promote to the reform and innovation of the industry to make a contribution, and bring better products and services to the majority of video and audio fans.
How I review: (See Previous Reviews)
Instagram: regancipher
YouTube: regancipher
Model: SoundMAGIC T60BT
Website: Aliexpress Store
Review Reference: RC062
Manufacturer Specification:
- Brand: SoundMAGIC
- Model: T60BT
- Driver: 5.8mm Neodymium Dynamic Driver
- Chipset: Qualcomm QCC3040
- Mic: Uses cVc 8.0 noise reduction, sensitivity -42 to + 3 dB
- ANC: No
- Codecs: AptX, AAC, SBC
- App Support: No
- Volume Control: Yes
- Gaming Mode: Yes
- Earbud Weight: 4.23g
- Earbud Dimensions: 21.5mm height, 20.7mm depth with nozzle
- Gross Case & Buds Weight: 41.07g
- Case Dimensions: 49mm (length) x 34mm (width) x 33mm (height)
- Case Charge Capacity: 500mAh
- Quick Charge: Yes, 30 min for the buds
- Wireless Charging: No
- Input: 5V 500mA
- Single Use Playtime: Up to 5 hours
- Playtime with Charge Case: Up to 25 hours
- Bluetooth Range: 10m advertised
- Bluetooth: Bluetooth® 5.2
- Bluetooth Protocols: HFP 1.7/ A2DP 1.3/ AVRCP 1.5
- Water Resistance: IPX6
1 x Pair Wireless Earbuds
1 x USB Type-C Charge Case
1 x USB Type-C Charge Cable
1 x User manual, English & Chinese
3 x Pairs Eartips
Real Life Experience
Welcome to the @regancipher review of SoundMAGIC’s second TWS release of 2021, the T60BT. SoundMAGIC are one of those names that will resonate with audiophiles and headfi subscribers, but fly under the radar for the average consumer outside of China. Like KZ, CCA, Tin, Ikko and BQEZ, they have tended to focus on the IEM market, but with the growing popularity of Bluetooth TWS, they have finally joined the party, with the T60BT quickly following up the release of their TWS30.
SoundMAGIC have a rich history in the audio arena – just searching the name on headfi brings up results from back when I was playing clubs and festivals all over Europe – and that seems like a lifetime ago! Founded in 2005 by acoustic engineer Tony Xu, they quickly developed a reputation for high performance at an affordable price, winning award after award from ‘What Hifi’, ‘Stuff’, ‘Trusted Review’ and a forum I spent most of the early noughties hanging out on, ‘Avforums’. The E10 series, a popular model here at Headfi, won best in-ear headphone award with What Hifi six years in a row – no mean feat – and seeing them enter the TWS market is an overdue, but welcome arrival that will undoubtedly leave some of the die-hard SoundMAGIC fans intrigued as to how they fare in a congested market.
Unboxing - 8/10
The T60BT transcend the usual budget-earbud experience, arriving in a dual-layer box, with the SoundMAGIC logo in the corner and their signature handle – Listen More – just below.
The front cover portrays the case fully-opened with the model, description and key features just below, with symbols to signify each: ‘Bluetooth 5.2’, ‘IPX6 WR’, ‘Long Battery Life’, ‘Intelligent Voice’ and ‘Good Sound’. Let’s hope that last one is an understatement, huh?!
The back displays a lot of additional details – what’s in the box, as well as ‘beyond the headlines’ specifications, such as DC Resistance, talk time, etc. It is nice to have these specifications listed on the box – it’s commonplace in the IEM market, but with TWS, typically it is all a bit ‘fluffy’. It certainly shows SoundMAGIC’s background, in that they are prepared to give away as much detail as possible, rather than hide behind buzzwords.
The second layer houses the item itself, and is exposed by simply slipping off the outer layer either upwards or downwards.
The package you are left with once the layers are peeled are off is nothing you haven’t seen before, but is nevertheless well-presented. The buds and case nestle inside a white, plastic enclosure, and the manual, tips and USB-C charge cable rest below in the gaps.
Whilst the manual is exclusively in English and Chinese, SoundMAGIC must have been reading my reviews, because rather than the tiny manuals that QCY, KZ and Haylou typically include, they’ve gone for a larger one, with really nice diagrams that show how to operate the buds and case.
Not only is this great for those with bad eyesight like me, but it also opens the market up to countries where English and Chinese aren’t the native tongue – I wish more TWS vendors would follow suit.
It is worth pointing out at this juncture that the cable and tips are far better quality than I’m used to with TWS – the cable is longer and thicker, and the tips are wide bore, and feature thick insultation. We’ll get to why later.
The Case - 8.5/10
As is always the case with white charge enclosures, the pictures simply don’t do the case justice. Having just reviewed the QCY G1, this is another extremely unorthodox charging box, and I didn’t even bother doing any comparison photos because I’ve seen nothing like it before – it’s like a cube, and the only box that got anywhere close to resembling it was the Kinera YH623, but even that would be like comparing Channing Tatum and John Cena. Similar, but different, and both easy on the eye (if you like that sort of thing!)
Taking photos of white cases is one of my least-favourite pastimes – I’ve broken from my usual tradition of plain white background here to give you some action shots.
Firstly, the material of the case is semi-matte, almost the pearlescent white of the original 1More Comfobuds. It is very-well finished, with a large lip allowing the case to be flipped-open easily with one-hand.
The case doesn’t support wireless charging, but does support quick-charge, and can be charged very quickly with USB-C, with the port located at the rear – my preferred charge point location, as it can rest on your desk very nicely as you will see in the next image.
The port is also not exposed to the elements – SoundMAGIC have set it back a little, with a mini power-logo underneath. This reduces the likelihood of accidental damage and enhances longevity, and it’s a shame we don’t see if more often. You will also see just above a metallic, reinforced hinge – the first I’ve seen since the TaoTronics TT-BH080 – which adds to the durability, but may be a potential rust-magnet, so keep the case away from the rain.
Just above the SoundMAGIC logo is a very bright LED. With an impressive 30-minute charge time, and the case supporting three additional charges, the colour scheme is easy enough to follow – red = one or less, green = one to two, blue = two to three, off = three full charges. This helps see immediately how much juice you’re going to get for the day.
The buds sit tips-first in the tightly-packed cockpit, and the model number – T60BT – is displayed on the lid, which has suitably deep cut-outs to allow the buds to sit inside the case with a variety of tips applied (including a few Spinfits I tried) whilst also ensuring they are secure enough to prevent the pogo pins not connecting and losing charge whilst rattling around in your bag. The magnet is rather strong, so getting them out of the case isn’t necessarily easy – they might need a bit of a yank.
When charging, if you open the case you will see the buds glow red. If you hold the metal buttons on the buds down for 0.5 seconds three times, the buds will reset their pairing status. I fell foul of this when, like many other QCC3040 buds, they defaulted to single mode out of the box. Fortunately, the instructions were very clear and worked like a charm.
The case is nicely proportioned at just under 5cm wide, around 3.35cm tall and a depth of 3.45cm. Whilst it makes for a very handy desk companion, and is perfect for bags, for gents it is not great for trouser pockets in the way that the Elevoc Clear, for example, is flat in your pocket. However, the nature of the buds means this was always going to be a trade-off, and SoundMAGIC have achieved a happy compromise by creating a case that looks totally different to anything else out there – result.
Ergonomics - 8/10
Like the QCY T1C, T16 and, probably the most relevant comparison, the Whizzer E3, the buds are designed to rest upwards against your pinna. Unlike the E3 the T60BT are quite angular and retro-looking - SoundMAGIC have shunned the popular rounded or custom-finish you see with most buds, adding a thick rim, presumably to help you locate the tactile control button.
Whilst the first image makes them look like they protrude a little, from the front they aren’t noticeable. They take a bit of fiddling around to get the right fit, but once you do, they are extremely comfortable for prolonged use, despite the unorthodox, boxy-look to them
The T60BT have a slightly-odd, generic-looking design that have an outer-shape reminiscent of the QCY T1C, but have gone against the grain with a physical touch-button that is tactile as opposed to pressure-sensitive. However, unlike the Jabra 75T, where this feature places excess pressure on your ear canals, the slim nozzle – just under 21cm total depth, including the pretty thick bud itself, means touch controls are actually rather pleasant – more like the Whizzer E3 and Tronsmart Onyx Free, placing minimal pressure on your ears, even if you have to hunt around for a while to find the button. When you do, the buttons are responsive and the controls intuitive.
The outside also has an outer-rim to it – I’m not really sure why, but it adds to the kinda-odd look of the buds – in black it is much less noticeable. It appears there is only a single mic, at least that I could see, on each bud, and this is located just below the touch control.
The inside of the buds shows some thoughtful design features. The pogo pins are bevelled away from the skin to reduce the risk of allergic reactions, the logo and ear notation are displayed clearly, and the build quality is all too evident when you remove the tips – the driver surrounds are metallic, and this strong build quality adds to the water resistance rating – an impressive IPX6, which will more than withstand sweat and rain.
The metallic surrounds justify the thicker-rimmed eartips, and this is something SoundMAGIC clearly learned from where KZ failed – the tips with the SKS were very flimsy, a blot on the copybook of an otherwise excellent release.
The shape of the buds, a little difficult to see above, are right-angle – like the KZ SKS (to the left) and the FIIL T1 Pro (to the right). This is in contrast to the SoundPEATS H1, QCY T17 and Jabra 75t above, which all angle the nozzle – the H1 upwards, the T17 downwards, and the Jabra – well, it really depends on how you wear it.
If you go with the right-angle approach then typically the position of most comfort is to go with a shorter nozzle – the FIIL T1 Pro and T1XS can feel invasive, like the Jabra 75t. Thankfully, SoundMAGIC have gone for a very short nozzle, so steer clear of using the small tips – you will not hear much bass. Instead, go with medium or large and let them fill your concha.
There is no issue with them staying in your ear – unlike the FIIL, the short nozzle length means they just kinda rest there, and with a decent seal are not the strongest at passive isolation, but certainly good enough to nullify passing traffic.
With a weight of just 4.23g, they are lightweight, and are suitable for exercise – useful, given they are IPX6 rated and designed for this very purpose!
Overall, the ergonomics are a bit of a mixed bag – they are certainly comfortable, usable and combine some good design features, but they won’t win any awards on the catwalk.
Audio - 8/10 (for the price paid), 8/10 (raw score)
The T60BT use the Qualcomm QCC3040 chipset, promoting the use of the aptX codec, but support AAC and SBC. On Android, it defaulted immediately to aptX, and on iPhone AAC.
The first thing you will notice about the T60BT is that trademark SoundMAGIC sound signature. Direct coupling means the low mids need to be elevated, and they are, very nicely. Lower frequencies track a little above the Harman curve, spiking a shade at around 30Hz and then levelling off, dipping at around 200Hz, however from there the upper mids start to lift, peaking somewhat early at around 2,200Hz, then a small U with another peak at around 8K. From there, the higher frequencies are on a gradual slope down to around 18k, where they perk back up again slightly.
What this means in reality, is that the sound has a nice, balanced feel to it that boosts the subbass and midbass sufficiently to give body to almost any track without it feeling overpowering, but vocals can take a back-seat, especially female vocals on house tracks.
If like me, you like melodic techno, house, opera and 80’s, the T60BT can sound great. Melodic techno notches the hats to give them longevity as basslines rumble along. Tenor vocalists lack a little sparkle but extend the soundstage, and 80’s tracks from artists like George Michael have a beautiful intimacy that was intended.
‘Stars’ by Simply Red has an earthy resonance to the wah-wah guitar, with Mick Hucknall’s vocals occasionally bleeding into the bass guitars, but otherwise, the track separates nicely. The shakers give the essence of a wider-than-expected soundstage – the T60BT have the elasticity to feel both intimate and airy depending on the track. ‘Another Day in Paradise’ by Phil Collins on Tidal Masters displays this beautifully, with the Roland 808 bouncing around your ears as Phil Collins’ lead vocals come to the fore ahead of the classical and bass guitars and strings.
Where the T60BT can leave you wanting more is with punchier kicks. Simple productions like ‘This Is What You Came For’ by Calvin Harris and Rihanna sound great, and even ‘Gecko’ by Oliver Heldens is very pleasant throughout the majority of the track. This is a production that many TWS really struggle with, usually due to poor low-frequency tuning. The T60BT suffer no distortion on the lower frequencies, but the T60BT rumble along effortlessly. It’s when Becky Hill’s vocal comes in, they leave you wanting a little more extension – they’ve clearly traded off sibilance for a less-shouty, earthy feel. This doesn’t become an issue until you get tracks like Cecilia Krull’s ‘My Life is Going On’, which lacks a little precision in the strings and tightness to the kick, and symptomatic of the tapered sound signature, the vocals come through, but the strings, hats and tams can sound a little muddy.
When you compare with hybrid-armature releases like the SoundPEATS H1 and Tronsmart Onyx Prime it is very clear that SoundMAGIC have tuned that tiny 5.8mm driver fantastically well – so if they can do that with a single driver release, what could they do with dual-armature TWS?
Call Quality - Indoors - 8/10, Outdoors - 6/10
Calls on the T60BT are fine indoors. Your voice comes through very clearly and very naturally. However, outdoors, even despite the cVc noise reduction, splashes and traffic were very evident, even overtaking your voice at times. This is not uncommon with new players to the scene, especially those focused on the sound, but it does mean calls outdoors are pretty much impossible.
There is a hole for the mic on the outside, and I suspect a second mic in the nozzle – there is certainly a notch for it, but without the loupe it is hard to tell. To optimise the cVc noise reduction you would need a dual-mic array, so I expect this is the location.
The likes of QCY and Tronsmart have been honing their mic performance while SoundMAGIC have been mastering tuning, and it shows – there’s definite room for improvement here on the next release.
Connectivity, Controls and other Interactive Features - 7/10
Firstly, rather than a beep or sound effect, almost every major gesture, such as ‘Power On’ or ‘Connected’ is represented by a clearly spoken English voice. This is a nice touch that is always welcome.
Turning up the volume, which you can do by holding the tactile button for half a second or so, gives a beep, and surprisingly, it is easy to differentiate volume control (hold for 0.5s), pause (single tap) and next or previous track (double tap). Somewhat annoyingly, left double tap is next track, right double tap is previous track, and it’s the same for volume. But hey, I’m not a leftie, so I’m gonna say that!
Triple tap hails voice assistant, and four taps initiates gaming mode. This is represented by a sound effect rather than a voice, but it is immediately obvious, and latency is good – certainly for watching videos back the T60BT were on par with other buds of this chipset.
Where the T60BT perform strongly is in connection strength – despite using a relatively dated Unictron CW505 (the same antenna used by QCY on their T4) it holds up quite well, not disconnecting until beyond the usual 10m. Bluetooth 5.2 gives a degree of future-proofing, and the aptX codec means they are ideal for Android users, although AAC sounded perfectly fine to me on IOS.
The buds support single, binaural and sharing mode, and whilst there is no app, that is often a good thing. For EQ on Android, use Wavelet.
Battery Life - 7/10
With many TWS hitting around 7-10 hours now, the 3.5-5 hours is a little on the low side, although despite SoundMAGIC stating that they could dip as low as 3.5 hours, I got closer to 5 on my first blast, and well over 4 on my second.
The 30-minute recharge is a great feature that definitely softens the blow.
Final Comments
The SoundMAGIC T60BT deliver exactly as expected – good quality, well-engineered audio that requires little-to-no tweaking out-of-the-box to offer a pleasant listening experience for prolonged use. They’ve taken a winning formula – their sound, and brought some up-to-date features: Bluetooth 5.2, Gaming Mode, Quick Charge, AptX support and a comfortable fit that will accommodate most users.
The mic performance could be better, but for indoor use it is passable, and battery life could be longer, and these are definitely areas for improvement on their next release.
It will be interesting to see if SoundMAGIC retain the trajectory that their IEM’s managed with continuous improvement a hallmark of their brand – perhaps even more drivers, taking advantage of that expert engineering experience they’ve developed after so many years in the game.
Overall, it is a very respectable release by SoundMAGIC, and a solidoption, especially if: audio is your primary driver, you need the IPX6 water resistance, and can’t be bothered tweaking the sound with data-harvesting apps, complex apps. If you like tactile buttons, then even better.
Price Weighted Score: 79%
Raw Score: 75%
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About SoundMAGIC:
In 2005, Tony Xu founded Shenzhen SoundMAGIC Technology Development Co., Ltd., and subsequently registered the trademark "SoundMAGIC" in Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Taiwan, the United States, Japan, Europe and other places. Shenzhen SoundMAGIC Technology Co., Ltd. is an innovative enterprise integrating audio product design, research and development, production and sales. The main products include in-ear headphones, professional HiFi headphones, Bluetooth headphones, game headphones, the machine of decoding and amplification to headphones, wireless speakers and other high-end products.
As a pioneer in the domestic headphone industry, SoundMAGIC is the only Chinese headphone brand that is widely recognized overseas so far. The products of SoundMAGIC sell well in China, the United States, Britain, Germany, South Korea, Japan, India and other dozens of countries and regions around the world. SoundMAGIC has high popularity and influence overseas, especially in Europe and the United States. Many classic products are highly praised by《WHAT Hi-Fi》 and《Stuff》, the two famous industry magazines in the world, and have repeatedly won the "Best Product of the Year " awards.
For more than ten years, SoundMAGIC has been keeping to the brand purpose: providing high quality audio products with extreme cost performance to customers. In the future, SoundMAGIC will stick to its original faith, spare no effort to promote to the reform and innovation of the industry to make a contribution, and bring better products and services to the majority of video and audio fans.
