Above average tonal balance ; Serves an increasingly specialist crowd ; High-spec integrated DAC

Hard-sounding low treble and upper mids ; Microphonic cable ; Just-OK sound scale and width

These earphones provide good-quality, clear-sounding audio for the money, but they’re not the best fit for all occasions, though. The microphonic cable and some unusual in-driver noise heard during testing suggest they’re not a great fit for exercise...

Affordable hi-res audio ; Impressive noise isolation ; Comfortable and lightweight

Volume levels a bit quiet ; Button controls too small ; Cable noise impacts your enjoyment

When it comes to value for money, it doesn’t get much better than the SoundMagic E80D. Thanks to an inbuilt digital-to-analogue converter (DAC), these wired earbuds deliver hi-res audio that paint sonic details a lot more clearly than the average pair...

Engaging audio ; Quality construction for the money ; Hi-res playback, wide device compatibility

In-line remote is a little skinny ; Only one set of dual-dome ear tips

Affordable, well-built and strong sounding wired earphones that play nicely with almost every gadget. Proves cables haven’t bitten the dust quite yet.

Engaging audio ; Quality construction for the money ; Hi-res playback, wide device compatibility

In-line remote is a little skinny ; Only one set of dual-dome ear tips

Affordable, well-built and strong sounding wired earphones that play nicely with almost every gadget. Proves cables haven’t bitten the dust quite yet.