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SoundMagic E80D Review Earphones With built-in DAC

Wednesday, May 08, 2024

With dynamic drivers and an integrated DAC onboard, the SoundMAGIC E80D brings life to your favorite tunes, revealing hidden layers of sound and detail you might have missed.


The E80D goes beyond regular earphones, blending careful craftsmanship with sleek design. Its aluminum build and comfortable fit are meticulously designed to deliver both style and practicality. Whether you're lost in the intricate melodies of classical music or grooving to a lively bassline, the SoundMAGIC E80D invites you into a world of pure auditory delight.

Highlighting the key feature of the E80D—its built-in DAC—sets it apart from most earphones, as this feature is typically found in headphones. The built-in DAC enhances audio quality by ensuring accurate reproduction of the audio signal with reduced distortion or interference. Moreover, it supports high-resolution audio up to 24Bit/96kHz, which is advantageous for enjoying lossless audio files or streaming high-quality music from services that offer such options.

The SoundMAGIC E80D features 10mm dynamic drivers that deliver exceptional clarity and precision across all frequencies. With a USB Type-C connector and built-in DAC, it provides high-quality audio playback. Crafted from durable aluminum with a stylish hand-painted finish, the E80D combines looks and durability.

The E80D comes with a non-detachable cable  made of a thick tinted semi transparent sleeve that expsoses the twisted wiring. The cable includes a fully-featured inline remote and microphone for answering calls, adjusting volume, and controlling playback. 

The inline cable features an aluminum barrel-shaped Y splitter with SoundMagic branding, along with an aluminum 3-button remote featuring rubber buttons for volume control, play/pause, and call management. The rubber buttons have a flat, slightly tactile feel and require a firm press to activate. The remote is positioned 15cm down the cable, around jawline level, and is lightweight to prevent dragging down the earphone. Additionally, the Y splitter is located 30cm down the cable.

The E80D bullet-style design (same as the SoundMagic E11C) makes them compact and less fatiguing, although the straight nozzle design may not suit all ear canals. The smooth aluminum metal construction is used for the earbud housing, as well as the inline remote, nozzle mesh, Y splitter, and USB-C connector plug. The back of the earphones, where the cable inserts, features a thick rubber strain relief plug, which should help prevent premature wear.

The E80D's bullet-style design, coupled with its noise isolation features, makes them easy and comfortable to wear during extended periods, while also delivering a balanced listening experience that emphasizes high and mid-range tones with clarity and depth.

In terms of technical specifications, the E80D boasts dynamic drivers with a size of 10mm, Neodymium material, and a frequency range of 15Hz - 22kHz. The impedance is measured at 64±10%Ω, while the sensitivity is 104dB±2dB. The maximum input power is 20mW, and the cable length extends to 1.2m. The connection is facilitated via USB Type-C, and the material used is aluminum, resulting in a weight of 16 grams. 

Regarding additional features, the microphone offers a frequency range of 20Hz~16kHz and a sensitivity of -42±3dB @ 1kHz. The integrated DAC supports resolutions up to 24Bit/96kHz, with a Signal Noise Ratio (SNR) of 103dBFS, THD-N of -87dB, and Crosstalk Suppression of -120dB.

Selling points
  • Inline 3 button remote
  • Built-in mic for calls
  • Aluminium body shells
  • Strain relief reinforcements
  • Cable management cinch
  • Aluminium Y piece
  • Lightweight
  • Bullet style form factor
  • Enjoyable listening experience
  • Affordable

Potential deal breakers
  • Cannot be used via 3.5mm headphone jack
  • Built-in DACs drain phone battery faster
  • No bluetooth connectivity

The package includes the E80D Earphones in Silver, along with a variety of silicone ear tips for a personalized fit (dome-shaped, flat, and double flange). Additionally, a hard carrying case is provided for convenient storage and portability. You can buy the E80D from SoundMagic website.

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