Clear, solid and open – those are our first impressions of the E80Cs. Instruments and vocals sound loud and clear, and there's a decent amount of detail to go on. The level of organisation is impressive, and there's a high level of solidity running through. But we'd appreciate a more timely and articulate approach – they fall a bit flat compared to similarly-priced rivals, with a brightness that even extensive running in can't quite vanquish. They are no minor tweak. The SoundMagic E11C may look familiar, but the sound is radically different to the E10’s. Some of the relaxed smoothness has gone, but much better dynamics and mid-range definition make these earphones a clear league ahead of their predecessors.

Review: SoundMAGIC E11C in-ear-phones - Head-Fi.org Review: SoundMAGIC E11C in-ear-phones - Head-Fi.org

SoundMagic may have updated the driver but the company’s sonic signature remains familiar. Simply, the E11C sound really good. Make sure you choose the right tips for your ears – you should get a snug fit that not only isolates outside noise really well but ensures you hear their full sonic spectrum – and then you’re treated to a well-balanced, entertaining, energetic sound. SoundMagic might have got rid of the red cable from its headphones, but otherwise the E11Cs look identical to their forebears, with a typical cylindrical, aluminium casing design and a choice of small, medium and large silicone tips, which are also now silver. There’s a storage case, too, which is handy for avoiding cable spaghetti when stashing them in a bag.The colourful signature won’t please anyone looking for a neutral listen, but voices still have great texture and depth. Instruments pop with plenty of detail, but can be subtle when they need to be. Another great pair of SoundMagic budget earphones, the E11C in-ears continue the fine work of their predecessors and deliver an entertaining, upfront sound, complete with a remote control and mic. And we can’t argue with that. Technically we could just rehash the equivalent section of the E10S review here, but the E10Cs inspire us to say some more about how good they are.

SoundMagic E10C review | Stuff

These earphones are one of the best available at the price if you like powerful and dominant bass. Fortunately, the rest of the sound doesn’t suffer too much as a result. SoundMAGIC's engineers have tuned the drivers of the E10 to deliver a heavy bottom end. Delivering deep rolling bass balanced with superb musical detail, the E10 creates an exciting and fun listening experience. I can recall the cables on the E10 feeling a bit fragile as well as having a very light build. The E11C has improved prominently on these two areas. It also has a nice color scheme and a sturdy build on the cable making the E11C look way more premium than the E10. Both the cable and molding feel strong and it doesn’t get tangled easily.Isolation is average and I prefer wearing it over-ear to prevent microphonics or noise on the wire. The earphone has a large vent beneath and a small vent near the nozzle in front of the driver. There is no noticeable driver flex, unlike the E10. Much to my delight, the little molding and machining marks are present on this pair of IEM. The metal casing of the E10 is sturdy and well made. With an almost perfect fit the bass is impressive, hard and precise. In this price range that could hardly be better." Technical Specifications E11C has a fuller sounding low-end while the E3000’s greater top-end presence will match better with high-end music players with a focus on detail. If you need a mic for calls and plan to get a sturdy earphone for the morning bus ride, the E11C would definitely be a good choice. Our Verdict The sound quality is excellent. The E11C is similar in sound to the SoundMAGIC E50 models. But the E11C has a little more mid and upper-bass warmth to it. To sum up, the bass is well controlled, The mids crystal and the treble super smooth. It’s suitable for all genres, but is outstanding when listening to vocals, acoustic recordings and music making use of “real” instruments. (Sorry techno, you still sound great too though!) Mic & Controls: 9/10