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SoundMAGIC PL50 IEMs
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SoundMAGIC PL50 IEMs
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Product Description
A tiny, discreet IEM that’s ideal for traveling, the SoundMAGIC PL50 uses balanced-armature drivers to reproduce sound with incredible accuracy, energy, and detail. Plus, with an industry-leading 20 dB of noise isolation, even loud environments (like bustling streets and crowded trains) won’t get in the way of your music Read More
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keyboard_arrow_downEli35
653
Mar 14, 2018
Got them long time ago, initially got very dissapointed because they sounded dull, kinda "canned", and lacked extension on both ends from my cheap DAC/amp (Hifime Sabre 9018). I was used to a bright bassy sound, coming from ATH-M50x. After lying around in a drawer for a few months, and me getting used to a much more balanced sound (HD6XX), I decided to give them a second try listening from my smartphone. For my surprise, those things surprised me in a great way with, and now I use them as my daily night buds.
They're super flat, very light and tiny, you barely notice you wear them. You can lie on your side in bed/couch without major issues (I've owned 20-30 IEMs, those are the smallest, and the only ones with whom I can lie on my side). I discovered they sound dull when plugged to higher output impedance amps (like my Sabre 9018 or laptop's headphone out) due to their impedance curve, but when using low impedance sources (smartphone, for instance) they sound really well balanced and have decent extension, a nice natural and relaxed sound. They're great for watching series/movies because mids are very well presented, so dialogs are crystal clear, not like some V-shaped headphones that sound great with EDM/hip-hop music but voices sound distant and artificial.
Overall, they're good, worth the money (if you know what you're buying and you have a proper source for them). On the negative side, the included foam tips are complete trash and even removing them can be troublesome, I suggest buying some Comply (T-100 are supposed to fit well) or use silicone tips (seal with silicone can be challenging due to their shape, YMMV).
They're super flat, very light and tiny, you barely notice you wear them. You can lie on your side in bed/couch without major issues (I've owned 20-30 IEMs, those are the smallest, and the only ones with whom I can lie on my side). I discovered they sound dull when plugged to higher output impedance amps (like my Sabre 9018 or laptop's headphone out) due to their impedance curve, but when using low impedance sources (smartphone, for instance) they sound really well balanced and have decent extension, a nice natural and relaxed sound. They're great for watching series/movies because mids are very well presented, so dialogs are crystal clear, not like some V-shaped headphones that sound great with EDM/hip-hop music but voices sound distant and artificial.
Overall, they're good, worth the money (if you know what you're buying and you have a proper source for them). On the negative side, the included foam tips are complete trash and even removing them can be troublesome, I suggest buying some Comply (T-100 are supposed to fit well) or use silicone tips (seal with silicone can be challenging due to their shape, YMMV).
Eli35
653
Mar 29, 2019
Welcome, and thank you! Now, about your question, any decent DAC will be mostly transparent and add almost no coloration at all to the sound (that's what it's supposed to do). If you don't want dullness for a good music listening experience, I suggest you use some sort of equalization, but I'm telling you straight: these IEMs aren't good for it's dynamic range, they do not sound very musical, they're just good for voices (podcasts, YT, Netflix series, some movies... that kind of content) and also have a very compact form factor that makes them perfect for bedtime listening.
If you wanna get a good musical sounding IEM, I suggest you look elsewhere. Feel free to ask for some suggestions given your budget and preferences. Don't worry too much about the source, you can basically buy a budget DAC/amp combo for <$100 and you'll be able to drive almost any budget IEMs in the market quite well. And later on, you can use it just as a DAC and plug a dedicated amp that'll allow you driving less sensitive and/or higher impedance headphones (like full-sized open back headphones) and you're all set.
Good luck in your neverending search for the best listening experience :)
Eli35
653
Mar 29, 2019
BTW the main reasons to use a dedicated DAC instead of a integrated sound chipset are:
- cleaner sound: typically, audio chipsets have a lot of background noise due to electromagnetic interference with the rest of electronics inside your computer and low quality electronic components (most people don't give a f*ck about sound quality, so manufacturers usually don't put too much effort on it).
- better dynamic range: since a decent DAC will have less background noise, the largest difference between the softest audible sound and the loudest possible one are much bigger, which is always good.
- better sound quality (overall): usually integrated audio chipsets are mediocre at best (high distortion, low extension, bad amplification, underpowered...). Upgrading to a budget DAC is crucial, since using a dedicated amp with a crappy source will just make it louder (trash in - trash out). Of course, if you're on a very tight budget, you can start buying the amp and use anything as a source, since without proper amplification some headphones will sound just terrible and not loud enough. You can always upgrade to a dedicated DAC and enjoy a better listening experience, but you won't enjoy listening low sensitivity headphones from a underpowered source no matter what.
- higher output voltage: that one is tricky, but if your DAC has a standard output voltage (like 2.1V RMS) instead of low power sources like a smartphone or PC, it "puts less stress" (requires lower gains) on your amp to reach the same power output, which means you have more headroom for less sensitive headphones or higher impedance. Sensitivity and impedance are completely different things, higher impedance doesn't means more power hungry, ask for details if you wanna know more about it.
Zorbz
44
May 15, 2017
Ah, these were my favorite IEM for YEARS, for daily use. Having owned over 100 pairs, I definitely kept coming back to these. My first pair had the left channel die after a year and my second pair had a shorter cord for some reason, but sounded the same. Heard a lot of flak regarding build but other than driver failure, I've had no problems the 4 years I've been using two different sets of PL50s. Sony Hybrids fit well (unstretched ones) and are what I would recommend. Compared these to the Shure SE535 and honestly the midrange on both are pretty comparable -- both absolutely fantastic! SE535 has a more even overall sound and really picks up the low end where the PL50 is very light on, but I couldn't justify 10x the price. Not to mention the comfort is out of this world with these due to their size and weight (lack thereof) and I find them to be THE #1 pick for lying down/sleeping. For $30?! I may just have to buy a couple. Bought my previous two pairs for something like $55 and $60. Worth every last penny.
nizwiz
34
May 16, 2017
Thanks! I guess I will have to get me a pair of B100, then. You should maybe post your praise in the B100 discussion, since it's also dropping right now.
gemmoglock
63
Mar 17, 2018
ZorbzHello, can you share if the PL50 are still your go to? I am currently using the Pinnacle PX and Brainwavz B100, have owned Creative Aurvana In-Ear 3, KZ ZS3, KZ ATR before and liked the ATH-E40/IM02/LS200 if that helps.
I recall in a older reply to me you mentioned using B100s as a daily with these as a backup. Would you still say the same today?
I recall in a older reply to me you mentioned using B100s as a daily with these as a backup. Would you still say the same today?
dnosic16
27
May 12, 2017
55.5 ohms for an IEM? Do these need decent amps to run or can a phone push em?
ChaoticKinesis
70
May 17, 2017
Only if it's using unobtanium-plated interconnects, capacitors, op-amps, etc. The cheaper amps can reduce the soundstage.
UnaSalusVictus
58
Jul 3, 2017
dnosic16a clipzip can power them just fine, they are actually easier to drive then cheap 8-16 ohm garbage from dollartree...
my note3 has no problem, my d2+ no problem clipzip(rockboxed), ipod classic(rockboxed) sansa c3...all power them fine can make my ears ring infact :P
my note3 has no problem, my d2+ no problem clipzip(rockboxed), ipod classic(rockboxed) sansa c3...all power them fine can make my ears ring infact :P
stands
84
Jun 24, 2017
These are amazing sleep headphones.
These are super low profile and you can lay right on your ear with no problem
I'm not too sure what people mean by lacking in bass. I have mostly neutral to warm iems and these seem to fit in with the nuetral but still have bass. I am using the foam tips which help with bass tho.
Personally, mine have been pretty durable. Kinda barefoot stepped on them accidentally and I move a lot when I sleep so its a lot of stress on the cables and also wake up with them under my back so my weight moving around on them. They still work.
i totally recommend this for sleep iems. I have pinnical p1 and 1more triple for when I go anywhere so I don't really have a need to take them
These are super low profile and you can lay right on your ear with no problem
I'm not too sure what people mean by lacking in bass. I have mostly neutral to warm iems and these seem to fit in with the nuetral but still have bass. I am using the foam tips which help with bass tho.
Personally, mine have been pretty durable. Kinda barefoot stepped on them accidentally and I move a lot when I sleep so its a lot of stress on the cables and also wake up with them under my back so my weight moving around on them. They still work.
i totally recommend this for sleep iems. I have pinnical p1 and 1more triple for when I go anywhere so I don't really have a need to take them
UnaSalusVictus
58
Jul 4, 2017
tried them last night they never bothered me but i didnt sleep well due to back and neck issues....still, listened to 6or so hrs of audio book with them in and never felt the urge to pull them out.
gemmoglock
63
Apr 13, 2017
Curious if anyone has compared these to the new kids on the block, Brainwazvz B100/150?
Zorbz
44
May 15, 2017
gemmoglockI'd go with the B100 for SQ, but go with these if you are after comfort/portability. These are such a good price for $30 you couldn't go wrong getting both and using one as backup. Although, I would absolutely recommend AGAINST purchasing the B150. Directly compared them to the B100 and I am scratching my head as to why they are at a higher price point. It's a sidestep if anything, but it honestly just sounds like an EQ'd B100 to be slightly warmer, but sounds more smothered in the process. After years of using the PL50 as my daily, I now use the B100 with PL50 as backup.
miled
103
Apr 11, 2017
These things sound absolutely phenomenal for the price. I would liken their tonal balance to the HD650, maybe halfway
between the HD650 and HD600. Another good tonal reference would be the Oppo PM-2. They're warm, smooth, and oh so intimate. Slightly rolled off in the treble, but they still have great detail.
Bass is tight and goes deep but isn't huge in volume. I've found replacing the tips with some thick silicone tips (the ones they come with are quite thin) increases the bass presence a little without bloating the midrange. The cherry of these IEMs is definitely the vocals, they're just effortlessly smooth and organic.
Soundstage isn't very big but imaging is laser precise, they peel apart complex, layered tracks with ease.
I had mine for four years before I started looking at CIEMs. I didn't find anything I liked better, so I just got the PL50s moulded into CIEMs. It's now been seven years since I bought them and they're still going strong.
Certainly there are IEMs out there with more detail, more treble extension, sharper transients, or, deeper, tighter bass, but I have not since found anything that's so easy to listen to (except my PM-2s, but they're not an IEM). They're never harsh or fatiuging. They make badly mastered music sound good and well mastered music sound fantastic.
Cannot recommend enough. Put them on and you'll stop listening to headphones and start listening to music.
Bass is tight and goes deep but isn't huge in volume. I've found replacing the tips with some thick silicone tips (the ones they come with are quite thin) increases the bass presence a little without bloating the midrange. The cherry of these IEMs is definitely the vocals, they're just effortlessly smooth and organic.
Soundstage isn't very big but imaging is laser precise, they peel apart complex, layered tracks with ease.
I had mine for four years before I started looking at CIEMs. I didn't find anything I liked better, so I just got the PL50s moulded into CIEMs. It's now been seven years since I bought them and they're still going strong.
Certainly there are IEMs out there with more detail, more treble extension, sharper transients, or, deeper, tighter bass, but I have not since found anything that's so easy to listen to (except my PM-2s, but they're not an IEM). They're never harsh or fatiuging. They make badly mastered music sound good and well mastered music sound fantastic.
Cannot recommend enough. Put them on and you'll stop listening to headphones and start listening to music.
comatoselos
36
Jun 23, 2017
$100 msrp? 50 bucks on amazon https://www.amazon.com/SoundMAGIC-PL50-In-ear-Headphones/dp/B002R1IFNO
plus its on prime smh massdrop
plus its on prime smh massdrop
UnaSalusVictus
58
Jul 3, 2017
comatoselossoundmagic sets MSRP, so they arent lying, they need to lower it (soundmagic that is) also should put out a headset version with a longer cord... i would use these on the go over my hf5's if teh cord was just a bit longer... for sure if it had headset controls/mic.
gemmoglock
63
Mar 17, 2018
Anyone knows how these compare to the Mee Pinnacle PX, Brainwavz B100 and other IEMs? Curious if it is worth its discounted 30USD compared to the newer competition.
Ofer
66
Aug 4, 2018
gemmoglockI have the Pinnacle PX. Overall they are better for sure. They give you more immersion (except for acoustic small scale recordings - see below), more detail, and an impressive sound-stage.
However, if you want something that doesn't grab your attention so much, and is a bit easier on the ear, smaller and very easy to insert, these could be nice.
Furthermore, the mids here are very good, quite forward and perhaps more appealing to some than the PX mids which are very detailed but sit somewhat in the back of the mix.
The PL50 is mid-centric.
The PX has plenty of things to offer, forward-mids not being one of them.
MFDK
5
Mar 16, 2018
Another past PL50 owner here, around 2010 when they first came out. Not going to cover much new here - brief review as I remember these.
Tiny flat, light iems, comfortable, and in my ears, stays good in place. Very good indeed for listening hours in bed. Paired with comply t-100 foams, without hooks = super comfortable. Sony hybrids also works well. They do deserve better ear tips from the included ones. Soundwise, they did too sound to me dull and 'meh', I couldn't agree much of the description. But I cannot rule out perhaps these didn't mixed well together with my slight cold sourced Cowon DAPs, and they need a warmer or right source to shine. Even eq'ed, I personally never ended up loved the sound of these. Build quality - you likely to find better. I did experience back then the shells to suddenly open and separate, but they can be glued back together. The cable however lasted me surprising a good while and abuse, before it eventually failed, and my pair end scrapped as sleeping plugs. I would buy these mainly for their ability to provide great comfort. Small ears would definitely love'em too.
earplug
23
Jun 24, 2017
I had these years ago. Loved them for lying down/sleeping. Unfortunately, the housing on one of the earphones just randomly fell apart one day. I guess the glue wore out or something.
What's the warranty on these? I want to give these another try, but my previous experience has me worried about durability.
What's the warranty on these? I want to give these another try, but my previous experience has me worried about durability.
UnaSalusVictus
58
Jul 3, 2017
earplugthat can happen, it was mostly the batch you and apparently i got, you can just use a toothpick and some glue to pop them back togather no harm.
and they give you a year i think it is, at 30bucks, they are a steal, hell, at normal 60-70 range they are a good buy imho, they are the most comfortable iem i have ever owned...i have over 20 sets around here, and have given at least that away, mostly lower mid range stuff but, always great value/bang for the buck, quality wise i mean...not skullcandy type trash ;)
anyway, my first set lasted me over 5 years of not so gental use, (pocketed with player no case most then not, used when working both outside and in, sleeping, shit i even showered with them in more then once(forgot them and got up in a rush to get going....lol...they are that easy to forget with the right tips..)
the shell on one side popped off on me, but i fixed it as described above, after checking and, the company would have replaced them no problem, but, since it was just a glue issue, and they said on the mp4nation forums they would still warranty any we glued ourselves i just glued it...still lasted me another 5 years... was kinda neat seeing how tiny the driver is to....
i have very little worries about durability as long as you treat them 1/2 decent, yeah theres a small chance the shell could pop apart, but, its easy to fix, so easy my friends father did it when he pulled the back off one of his thanks to stucky back velcro and him being inept(the sticky stuck to the back of the iem in his briefcase, he tried to pull it off...it came apart...he was upset, i told him what to do...this is a guy whos inept at anything physical..he managed to use a toothpick to put glue on the 2 spots and snap it togather.....hes still got them to... he ordered 2 more sets with this deal though, one for himself, one for my buddy (his son)
imho one of the best iem values you can find at the massdrop price anyway ;)
and they give you a year i think it is, at 30bucks, they are a steal, hell, at normal 60-70 range they are a good buy imho, they are the most comfortable iem i have ever owned...i have over 20 sets around here, and have given at least that away, mostly lower mid range stuff but, always great value/bang for the buck, quality wise i mean...not skullcandy type trash ;)
anyway, my first set lasted me over 5 years of not so gental use, (pocketed with player no case most then not, used when working both outside and in, sleeping, shit i even showered with them in more then once(forgot them and got up in a rush to get going....lol...they are that easy to forget with the right tips..)
the shell on one side popped off on me, but i fixed it as described above, after checking and, the company would have replaced them no problem, but, since it was just a glue issue, and they said on the mp4nation forums they would still warranty any we glued ourselves i just glued it...still lasted me another 5 years... was kinda neat seeing how tiny the driver is to....
i have very little worries about durability as long as you treat them 1/2 decent, yeah theres a small chance the shell could pop apart, but, its easy to fix, so easy my friends father did it when he pulled the back off one of his thanks to stucky back velcro and him being inept(the sticky stuck to the back of the iem in his briefcase, he tried to pull it off...it came apart...he was upset, i told him what to do...this is a guy whos inept at anything physical..he managed to use a toothpick to put glue on the 2 spots and snap it togather.....hes still got them to... he ordered 2 more sets with this deal though, one for himself, one for my buddy (his son)
imho one of the best iem values you can find at the massdrop price anyway ;)
earplug
23
Jul 3, 2017
UnaSalusVictusThanks for the reply. I didn't buy it this time, but will consider it if it drops again.
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