It’s simple to find a pair of great-sounding wireless headphones if you’re willing to fork out the equivalent of a small car. But what about those of us who want more bang for fewer bucks? Enter SoundMAGIC, a brand that has been defying the audio odds for nearly two decades.

Today, we’re exploring the specs, performance, and value of two of the company’s best-selling products: the SoundMAGIC P23BT, extremely affordable on-ear headphones and the SoundMAGIC P60BT, over-the-ear headphones with active noise cancelling (ANC) that cost significantly less than anything comparable on the market.

About SoundMAGIC

SoundMAGIC was founded in 2005 by acoustic design engineer Tony Xu. Since then the company has become a major force in the budget audio landscape, establishing itself as a go-to brand for quality audio without the premium price tag.

A standout testament to the value of SoundMAGIC products are the E10/E10C in-ear headphones, which have won the What Hi-Fi award for six consecutive years. Their success was followed up by the E11C in-ear headphones, which not only lived up to the high standards set by its predecessors but also managed to win the same prestigious award.

Unlike many other headphone manufacturers that rely on aggressive marketing and splashy ad campaigns, SoundMAGIC adopts a more restrained approach. Their philosophy is simple: make great products and let them speak for themselves.

The company is highly receptive to customer feedback and uses it to refine and improve its extensive product line, which includes the aforementioned E Series earphones, as well as the two members of the P Series of on-ear and over-the-ear wireless headphones we’re taking a closer look at today.

SoundMAGIC P23BT: Big Sound In A Small Package

When SoundMAGIC unveiled the P23BT in 2021, they had a clear target audience in mind: people who crave the all-encompassing sound that large over-the-ear headphones offer but also want the freedom to move around. The product they delivered is a pair of on-ear headphones that offer much more value on all fronts than their small stature and small price tag ($59) suggest.

Build & Specifications

Crafted predominantly out of plastic, the P23BT headphones are designed with user comfort in mind. They boast ultra-soft protein leather earcups filled with memory foam padding, ensuring a snug fit over the ears for extended use. The stainless steel headband, wrapped in skin-friendly, sweat-proof food-grade silicone, adds to the headphones’ durability and makes them easy to clean.

The P23BT are powered by the Qualcomm QCC3034 chip and utilize its capabilities to the full extent, which means support for Bluetooth 5.0, APTX HD, APTX, SBC, and AAC. Together, these technologies ensure a stable connection and excellent sound quality even when the bitrate of your music is less than ideal.

Inside the two round ear cups are 40 mm dynamic drivers that are large enough to deliver thumping bass without sounding muddy. The ear cushions are made from ultra-soft protein leather, so you can expect great comfort and minimal sound leakage (great when listening to music during your morning commute).

Of course, wireless headphones need a battery to work, and the P23BT surprise with a battery that’s unusually large for their size. Thanks to its 400 mAh capacity, they can deliver up to 60 hours of continuous playback on a single charge. Once you run out of juice, you can either continue listening in wired mode or charge them via a USB Type-C port to full capacity in just 1 hour.

In terms of controls, the P23BT offer an intuitive touch control system that makes it possible to effortlessly play or pause music, skip tracks forward or backward, adjust the volume, and even answer calls. As a result, there’s no need to ever take your smartphone out of your pocket.

Sound Quality

The P23BT on-ear headphones are characterized by their V-shaped sound signature. This essentially means that both the bass and treble frequencies get a little boost, resulting in a listening experience that exchanges some accuracy and clarity for fun and raw energy.

Whenever bass frequencies are summoned, the P23BT doesn’t hesitate to deliver. This is particularly apparent with bass-heavy genres like EDM or hip-hop, which can really make you feel the beat pulse through your head. Yes, this can be somewhat overwhelming for those who don’t consider themselves to be bassheads, but it’s an easy fix with some equalization.

Mid-range frequencies, housing most of the vocals and instruments, sound slightly lean since they occupy the least pronounced part of the V-shaped sound signature. The treble, on the other hand, offers a refreshing clarity without harshness or sibilance.

Sadly, there’s no active noise cancellation to protect you from outside noise when listening to music. Noise cancellation is available only during phone calls in the form of cVc noise cancellation technology, whose purpose is to suppress background sounds and make your voice crystal clear.

Verdict

The SoundMAGIC P23BT on-ear headphones offer an impressive audio experience, especially for bass enthusiasts, in a compact and comfortable design. While the lack of active noise cancellation during music playback might be a downside for some users, it’s a downside that’s very easy to live with given the headphones’ attractive price point.

👍 Pros:

• Long-term listening comfort
• Fun sound signature
• Exceptional battery life of up to 60 hours
• Intuitive touch control system
• Supports Bluetooth 5.0, APTX HD, APTX, SBC, and AAC

👎 Cons:

• Geared toward bassheads
• Lack of active noise cancellation during music playback

SoundMAGIC P60BT: Goodbye Distractions

The P60BT are SoundMAGIC’s first over-ear wireless headphones. With the integration of active noise cancellation, they promise an immersive listening experience, free from the intrusions of the external world. These features, together with an impressively affordable price of just $189.96, positions the P60BT as an attractive alternative to renowned headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM5.

Build & Specifications

Sporting a sleek matte black finish, the P60BT’s design exudes an understated elegance. Constructed with a blend of plastic and metal, they strike a fine balance between durability and weight.

The earcups swivel and fold, making these headphones suitable even for travelers or those who are always on the go. Like their counterpart, the P23BT, these headphones also benefit from ultra-soft protein leather earcups, but with a deeper memory foam padding that encapsulates your ears. This not only provides superior comfort but also aids in passive noise isolation.

The P60BT harnesses the power of the Qualcomm QCC5124 chip, providing seamless connectivity with Bluetooth 5.2, LDAC, and APTX Adaptive. Surprisingly, they rely on the same 40 mm drivers as the P23BT, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing—just something that surprised us given how larger they are.

What’s also surprising is that the P60BT can play for “only” up to 50 hours on a charge without active noise cancelling enabled and 45 hours with ANC activated (the P23BT manage 10 extra hours). We first thought that the sophisticated noise-cancelling technology demanded more internal space, leaving less room for a larger battery, but that’s actually not the case because the spec sheet mentions a 800 mAh battery. So the Qualcomm QCC5124 chip is probably to blame as it likely consumes more power.

Continuing the trend of consistency between models, the P60BT employs the same user-friendly touch control system as the more affordable model, the P23BT. That means you can pause, resume, and skip with simple taps and gestures.

Sound Quality

The P60BT are fairly balanced and well-behaved wireless headphones, but bass and especially sub-bass frequencies are more pronounced than the rest of the frequency spectrum. This is in line with the preferences of most casual listeners because it results in a richer and more immersive feel.

However, there’s a minor hiccup to be aware of: these headphones tend to play their tracks a tad quieter than their on-ear counterpart, the P23BT, even when cranked up to full volume. This may be a bit of a downer for those who like their music loud.

The good news is that the P60BT compensates for its softer audio output with an active noise cancellation (ANC) feature, which employs both internal and external microphones to combat outside noise by generating sound waves that are phase-opposite to the intrusive noises.

Instead of being able to only turn ANC on and off, you can also switch to Ambient mode in order to let in surrounding noises, ensuring you remain aware of your environment while still enjoying your audio. This is particularly useful for situations where you need to be cognizant of what’s happening around you, like when walking on a busy street or waiting for an announcement at a train station.

Overall, the sound quality of the P60BT doesn’t reach the heights of premium headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM5, but when considering their price point, the P60BT offer exceptional value, making them an excellent deal for budget-conscious audiophiles.

Verdict

The SoundMAGIC P60BT emerges as a strong contender in the mid-range wireless headphone market. Its active noise-cancellation, build quality, and sound profile make it hard to ignore, especially for those on a budget. While it may not match up to the likes of the Sony WH-1000XM5 in terms of pure audio quality, its affordable price tag means you’re getting significant bang for your buck.

👍 Pros:

• Great active noise cancellation at an affordable price
• Ultra-soft protein leather earcups with deep memory foam padding
• Support for Bluetooth 5.2
• User-friendly touch control system
• Ambient mode for situational awareness

👎 Cons:

• Slightly quieter audio output
• Lesser battery life compared to the P23BT

Conclusion

SoundMAGIC has consistently demonstrated its commitment to delivering high-quality audio experiences without the hefty price tags commonly associated with premium brands. The SoundMAGIC P23BT and P60BT wireless headphones are prime examples of this ethos, embodying what SoundMAGIC is all about: a splendid listening experience that doesn’t break the bank.