Soundmagic PL30 and MEElectronics M9 Product Review

There are different earphones available in the market and getting the best quality would mean spending too much for it. But because I am a student with limited budget, I opted to try a couple of earphones for my listening pleasure. The music lover that I am, sound quality is of course, my utmost concern. I would like to maximize every penny of my buck so I make sure I spend my money where I can get the most of it. I have loads of music files from my media player and because I spend most of my time in school researching and finishing paper works, I want a set of headphones which is reliable, affordable and would last me a good year or so.

Two of the most recent earphones that I have tried are Soundmagic PL30 and MEElectronics M9. These two both fit my budget of roughly $25 to $30 which my friends haven’t tried, so I thought I’d gamble and try them myself. Let me break down the features of each, what I liked about them the most and then we can compare.

With the Soundmagic PL30, I would say that I was amazed at the “completeness” of the set in the box. For such a cheap price of $25, I got a wide range of choices to customize the fit of the earphone in my ear. Since this is an in-ear monitor (IEM), you can be assured that the sound goes right in your ear canal, without escape. It is a stereo ear plug type, with 9mm driver unit. It comes with a winder, two set of ear tips sizes for small, medium and large. It came in one pair of foam tips and another of double flange tips. Of course, there’s the warranty card good for one year and the manual to assist you on the basic tutorials.

One interesting feature of the Soundmagic PL30 is the over the ear cord design. However, it does not have microphonics which slightly turned me off. It could be misleading for somebody who wants an over the ear design and was expecting the microphonics feature but will find none. I was looking for this feature because it is easier to keep in one position and the cords would not get in the way of my activities. The cord guide however, made up for my microphonics disappointment. It helped me to have better positioning and ensured the stability of the earphone in whatever position I may be in. It also has a durable clip which keeps the cords close to me, ensuring that it wouldn’t tangle up as I walk or get caught up with what I’m doing.

Sound quality wise, the bass is acceptable but still could be improved on. The mid range is also good but the highs seem weak to me. I guess with the price that I paid; it would not be too bad at all. I mean, I really did not expect too much of it, and I was not totally disappointed, but compared to other earphones that I used from my friends, I would fairly give my Soundmagic a good grade. And as I said a while ago, with everything in the package, it is a complete treat. I don’t have to buy extra tips to fit snugly in my ears because I already have them. That would be a few dollars value if I am going to purchase them separately. Now to help with the quality, it also has the bass knob, to give it a little more pump. The bass is richer and fuller of course but depending on the genre of music that you like, some are better without. While adjusting the knob, I was also quite afraid to twitch it too much, because it seemed fragile without light handling.

I would say that it is quite a comfortable experience to have the Soundmagic PL30. I suggest not putting much expectation to it quality wise, but comfort and support is superb.

As for the other earphone that I purchased, the MEElectronics M9 Hi-Fi Sound Isolating headphones can somehow live up to it “sound isolating” part. Because this is also an IEM, it aims to decrease ambient noise. It may not be thorough, but you can say that It works well somehow. I did not expect too much from it, like the Soundmagic earphones because of the price. I purchased mine for some $25.

For that cheap price, I got 4 sets of eartips comprised of the small, medium, large and double flange. It also comes with a wire organizer, which I love to use and a carrying pouch to travel with. It comes with one year warranty. This is another pair of headphones that has a good set of accessories and add-on’s. You also get to choose whether you like the black or silver color. I personally chose the black color to avoid attracting too much attention and it can blend well with my hair. The silver-plated looking exterior did not really catch my fancy. It looks cheap and although it is, you want it to look presentable nevertheless. So I opted out for the black one. The plastic cable also adds up to the flimsiness that it already has. I was looking for a sleek and presentable design, but the silver one failed me. The black variant has a more sophisticated feel to it, however low-end.

Sound quality is decent and acceptable with a pretty good mid range. It gives the right mix of treble and bass as opposed to the previous MEElectronics earphones. The low-end however can get drowned in the many other elements that are probably overemphasized, but shouldn’t have been.

Overtime, microphonics naturally occurs due to excessive cable movement. This is I guess acceptable for this kind of earphones. As the cable wears out and because I use the IEM extensively for long hours, some parts will get loose as well. The shaft from the earpiece connecting the card eventually wears out and falls off too.

Speaking of extensive use, wearing the MEElctronics M9 would require you to take a break from using it as it hurts to have it in your ear most of the time. It gives me a throbbing pain in my ear after some time, so I thought of switching the ear tips to the smaller size. It reduced discomfort at first, but the pain reoccurs eventually. It is probably because of the material used in the ear tip. Other tips that I have tried does not give me as much discomfort. However, I can get used to it.

Comparing the two IEMs that I have had recently, both are within the budget range that I have allotted so price is pretty fine. As for the sound quality, I would say that the Soundmagic PL30 wins this area. Both really do not have much crisp sounds, but the mid range and bass of Soundmagic is good. For the highs, both of them really do not do well on these. Although the Soundmagic have a bass knob behind every ear piece, it did not seem to help too much. The MEElectronics’ bass can be adjusted in the media player itself.

Aesthetics-wise, I would say that the Soundmagic PL30 looks sturdier against the MEElectronics silver color, but the black one has more sophisticated edge against the Soundmagic. Compared to it, the MEElectronics M9 in black seems to cost more. I would say that this area goes to MEE M9.

Both of the packages have provided enough spare parts and ear tip options. I get to have a travel pouch however, with Soundmagic, which looks pretty fine too. It has a round felt cover with the logo stitched on to it to help me store the earphones while on the go. This also keeps in from tangling for storage. At the same time, there is room for other accessories that come with it. The MEElectronics on the other hand has a somewhat round shape case also good for storage. It has a sleek black finish with the logo printed on top. Package wise, it comes in bolder than Soundmagic, which has a more relaxed feel for the package.

Depending on what your priorities are, you can choose from these two IEM’s. Comfort and Aesthetics goes to MEElectronics black version, while in the quality part, the Soundmagic does it better. Both of these however are within the price range of $20-$25 and fairly did well.

Atomic Floyd Twist Jax Review

Every consumer always focuses on the quality of the products that he/she purchases. The more discriminating kind is aware that a slight change of quality in the gadget or equipment makes a big difference in the experience. This is very true to the audio and video gadgets and equipment used.

In the increasing popularity of portable audio equipment, sound quality for music lovers require the best choices of products that deliver impeccable quality and sound definition. Rarely are there products that provide real sound even while on the go. Audiophiles, sound engineers and music enthusiasts would delight at the thought of a product that would give them such unbelievable quality. With backing experiences from Nike, Adidas, Philips and Shure, Atomic Floyd engineers and designers meet the consumers’ discriminating standards, know the rules of the game and defy them with innovation and style.  

The Atomic Floyd Twist Jax is an in-ear stereo head phones from the sounds expert, redefining the landscape of musical experience. Atomic Floyd has yet created The New State of Sound with the Atomic Floyd Twist Jax. With the meticulous engineering inside and out, you can leave the world as you know it, and enter a world of your own.

One of the best features of the Twist Jax is the Twist2Fit technology that allows mechanical adjustment of each earphone to fit every ear canal. Since there are differences in ear sizes and shapes, this one of a kind in-ear headphone allow you to have a snugly fit feel, whenever, however you want it. This gives each and every user the leverage to move its position without changing the sound quality, ensuring that every bit of sound goes right in. Because of its custom-fit design, you can suggest your friends to get a pair of these too, without thinking that it might not fit their ear shape well. It is very flexible for anybody to use, which means that convenience is one of the top priorities when this in-ear piece was designed.

It also has Certified Acoustics which means that it is one of the products in the market with the highest quality, as it has passed through rigorous testing. This ensures that the quality of the Twist Jax has exceeded quality standards. You can then be sure, that each part is durable and would help in creating the best sound that you can have. You can be assured that it is a good investment worth splurging on. And, because it is not made of flimsy materials, it could be a lot cheaper buying just one of these quality earphones, than having cheap ones which would keep on conking out on you.

Another feature of the Atomic Floyd Twist Jax is the Acoustic Steel. This feature maximizes the acoustic chamber with the help of the thin walls to improve on the quality of sound. This makes the sound more vibrant and rich, giving just the right mix of bass and acoustics. SoundProof silicone ear buds help block out external sounds, making it a better sonic experience for you. Scientifically, this has proven to reduce 25 to 34 Decibels of noise. This means that even if you are in the middle of the city or just inside your room wanting some private time, you can have your music without the distractions of ambient sounds. And because there are different sizes for different ears, small, medium or large-sized silicones slip nicely in your ear canal. 

Luxurious as it may seem at roughly $140, you are surely to get what you pay for. This in-ear monitor(IEM) is as sleek as it can get. Beyond quality and sound, it looks and feels great on your ears. This pair has steel casing, but does not interfere with your comfort. Apart from the Twist2Fit technology, you can also twist the rods on the driver housing. Twist and fit the metal arm within a 90-degree range for whatever angle fits you. Talk about flexibility! Amazingly, it does not feel too heavy on the ears, but may slip while on a strenuous exercise. It may lack a clip for strenuous activities, but the carefully engineered design makes up for this. It is then good, for a relaxing walk on the park, or while waiting for the train to pass. It could also be a good companion to your book and coffee on a lazy Sunday afternoon, with your favourite jazz or rhythm and blues tunes.

The cord also supports the metal casing pretty well although it also weighs a bit more than other cords. The cable is made of Kevlar fabric, and not coated with plastic as with most of the other IEM’s in the market. It is as sturdy and reliable as the earphones itself. This is another feature that allows the Atomic Floyd Twist Jax stand out from the roster of IEMs. The cable also has a 3.5mm jack plug compatible to your iPod, cell phones or other media players. A larger jack plug is also available for the 6.5mm plug sizes, allowing it to adapt into other traditional plugs. The cord may coil just as much as the others, but you definitely would want to give this set some extra care. And because of the materials used on your headphones are obviously of premium quality from the cable to the silicone tip, make sure you roll up the chord and into the pouch bag provided in the package.

Speaking of package, you can well say that the branding and packaging of the Atomic Floyd Twist Jax exudes extreme confidence in its contents. Sleek and sophisticated red and black packaging with the white Atomic Floyd logo on a transparent window speaks greatly of the quality that the Twist Jax provides. The round container inside the square box ensures utmost care for this pair of high definition gadget. On the steel case of each earphone is the embossed name of Atomic Floyd is in red and white. Twist Jax is engraved on the flexible arms with the cord attached to the criss-crossed metal end for a better grip as you adjust them on your ears.

The silicone inside walls red colour complements that of the black exterior and cord, together with the metal casing. It surely shows us that this is a must-have for music lovers and audiophiles.

This immaculate piece of sound device is, as they say the classic of the future, with the trendy yet timeless design and comfort. Because of the beautiful symmetry of sound and vision, aesthetics and performance fuses together with great ease, making it easy for consumers want having one. As a matter of fact, the Atomic Floyd Twist Jax has been up for grabs by different websites and magazines to lure in readers into joining the contest.

Apart from this, it can also be the perfect gift for a loved one who is crazy about music and keeping up with the latest and most up to date trends. The Twist Jax actually is one of the surest ways to your audiophile loved one’s heart. Costly as it may seem it is one of those gifts that they will surely treasure. The more they use it, the more you are going to delight on it because you can be sure that it would not wear out as easily as other products. Plus of course, the quality of the sound that it provides. For house or dance lovers, the middle and deep bass and crisp acoustics will make them feel as if they are in the club themselves. Drum and bass genre gives them the perfect blending for different levels. Other genres of music will definitely be enjoyed on this fantastic ear piece.

Comparing it with other products in the market, it definitely has its game stepped up and could be highly regarded as having one of the best branding, packaging, quality and aesthetics. Performance is undoubtedly impeccable with all the features that you can get.

Price ranges from $130 - $150 and with all the features, you can be assured that it is all worth every cent of your money. You can call this an investment for you or your loved one or friends, as it can be used for a really long time. You will appreciate its worth over time as compared to other low-cost IEM’s. It comes with the leather travel pouch, DJ jack and airplane adapter. Atomic Floyd also offers a 2-year warranty to all its products which ensures that you are certainly spending your money on the right places.