EDIT: I didn't know you already had E10. Nevermind. Don't get the CX 300 II. It's not worth the extra 30 dollars. Go do yourself a favor and get either the Yamaha EPH 100 or Sennheiser Momentum In ears. Saw the thread wrong. Soz -.-
WIll be fully blunt with you.
I tried both the Soundmagic E10 ($36) and Sennheiser CX 300 II (28$)
Both sound VERY different from each other. In fact, they sound COMPLETELY different.
In other words, PREFERENCE is what precedes here.
For the general audiophile public, it seems that Soundmagic E10 is the better choice.
In fact, even I won't deny that Soundmagic E10 has the better sound quality and the better "build quality look"
However, at the end of the day, I had to go with the CX 300 II.
1. the Sennheiser pouch is addicting (lol?)
2. the bass is more "bam" ish which is nice
3. for japanese anime songs, the sennheisers in general just seemed to sound better (if you dont listen to japanese anime, then soundmagic will almost always sound better)
4. Build quality on both seemed fragile but CX 300 II after a while just seemed more "long lasting" despite its rubber looks. In fact, Soundmagic E10 lasts in average 6-8 months while CX 300 II apparently in average lasts just over 2 years (26-28 months) <= this is the general consensus
5. CX 300 II has a 2 year warranty while Soundmagic is 1 year.
6. I just feel like I can trust the company "sennheiser" more with the "durability" issues. I don't care how much better E10 sounds if it breaks twice as fast as CX 300 II.
7. It's a bloody 8 dollars cheaper than E10!
The CX 300 II sound more "immersive" like other forums say. What it means is...
It sounds like the main vocals are coming within your brain (weird right?). It's a nice feeling that to me, is
The Soundmagic E10 does not have this "immersive' feeling at all. In fact, instead, it has a really big "openness" feeling to them. You feel with Soundmagic that you are listening from outside the concert (but far away -.- ).
Of course this is all due to sound signature. Both are great earphones. In fact, as of sound quality, Soundmagic does sound better but the difference really is exaggerated. To me, it does not justify paying 8 dollars more. Really, that's how big the actual difference is. In fact, both are SUPERB earphones. I compared the CX 300 II to those 150-200 dollar beats and 300 dollar 'fashion earphones' and I can tell you with confidence, both these earphones are in another dimension when compared to those popular Beats, Bose, Jay, Adidas.
Also, what these forum members forget to tell you is that both CX 300 II and E10 has enough sound capabilities to make similar signature of each other. In fact, just root your smartphone or whatever and download "Viper4Android" and you can get that "surround" feel from the CX 300 II <ofc it can never fully reproduce E10's sound signature>
(E10 can't get that immersive even with it
)
Thus. If you prefer the vocals coming within your brain, pick the Sennheiser CX 300 II.
If you prefer the vocals coming far from a 25 mile radius (a concert), pick the E10.
<both have fabulous sound quality and those "differences" are really exaggerated. Trust me, the E10 does have better sound quality but seriously, the differences aren't as great as people make them>
If you are willing to spend around 100 dollars IEM,
ofc the obvious choice is to go :
1. Yamaha EPH 100
2. Sennheiser Momentum In-Ear (it got nice looks btw too
)
Sound wise:
Soundmagic E10 >= Sennheiser CX 300 II > Xiaomi Pistons
Comfort wise:
Sennheiser CX 300 II >> Soundmagic E10 > Xiaomi Pistons
Cost wise:
Xiaomi Pistons > Sennheiser CX 300 II = Soundmagic E10
Build quality wise:
Xiaomi Pistons > Soundmagic E10 > Sennheiser CX 300 II
Durability wise:
Xiaomi Pistons = Sennheiser CX 300 II >> Soundmagic E10
Warantee wise:
Sennheiser CX 300 II >> Soundmagic E10
**Note that E10's sound quality difference become noticeable on songs with MANY different instrument layers. Both are good but E10 is much better when a song has over 3-4 individual instruments. E10 loses on "immersive" but has the ability to show "many different instruments." <CX can do it too but E10 just does better in this aspect>
tbh, if CX 300 costs more than 32 dollars, get the Soundmagic E10. But if it is 27-29 dollars, stay with the CX 300 II. It's not worth the upgrade. Trust me, that 6 dollar difference is better saved on your new foot long Subways sandwich. Cause seriously both these entrey earphones are so good that they are both steals for the price.
