SoundMAGIC P21 Review | 93 Data compared

The SoundMAGIC P21S is a highly praised pair of portable on-ear headphones that offers exceptional value at its £50 price point. The reviewer awards the headphones an overall 9/10 rating, highlighting their lightweight, foldable design and exceptional comfort, which accommodates glasses without causing pressure. A standout feature is the unique 3.5mm jack design equipped with an A/B switch, which solves compatibility issues between Apple and Android devices by allowing users to manually invert the poles. Additionally, the headphones come with a generous set of accessories, including a PC adapter that converts them into a functional headset, and a high-quality soft carrying pouch. In terms of performance, the P21S delivers an impressively wide and open soundstage that rivals open-back headphones, easily outclassing competitors like the AKG Y50. The low-end frequencies provide a solid mid-bass slam and decent sub-bass extension, though the sub-bass could extend further and the mid-bass could be tighter. The primary drawback identified is a slight issue with microphonics (cable noise), which is caused by the flat, anti-tangle cable design transmitting friction sound to the drivers. Furthermore, analytical listening...

The Audiophile Style review highlights the SoundMagic P21 as a budget-friendly, portable on-ear headphone offering impressive comfort, a lightweight design, and a flat, tangle-free cable. Sonically, these cans deliver a surprisingly mature, smooth sound with a spacious soundstage and impactful bass after break-in, making them ideal for casual, on-the-go listening. Conversely, the P21 features a basic, all-plastic construction that may feel fragile, and the bass is notably muddy out of the box, requiring a mandatory burn-in period to achieve balance. Additionally, the base P21 model lacks an inline microphone or smartphone controls and demands more power to drive than typical portable headphones.

The SoundMAGIC P21 on-ear headphones are highlighted as a budget-friendly, highly portable option featuring a lightweight, folding, and durable plastic construction. Pros include comfortable memory foam earpads, strong passive noise isolation due to tight clamping force, and a tangle-free cable, while cons center on the non-detachable cable and a plastic feel that some may find cheap. Acoustically, the P21 offers a balanced, smooth sound signature with controlled, non-muddy bass, crisp treble, and impressive soundstage depth for its price, though the midrange is slightly recessed. Potential drawbacks include a mandatory break-in period to settle the bass and a slightly higher power requirement than typical budget portable gear.