SoundMAGIC P60BT ANC Headphones Review

In a time where tiny true wireless earphones are stealing the limelight, over-the-ear headphones seem to be carving out a niche, especially the high-quality ones which often come with a hefty price tag.

However, the market for affordable wireless headphones is alive and kicking, with the P60BT ANC headphones from SoundMAGIC making a strong case in this category.

The P60BT aim to bring a blend of essential features to the table without burning a hole in your pocket. Boasting touch controls, a notable comfort level (at least initially), and a battery life that stands out, they offer quite the package for their price.

However, they also come with a few drawbacks. The bass response may not satisfy those craving deeper lows, and the Active Noise Cancelling, while decent for monotonous noises, struggles with sporadic sounds.

So, should you buy them? Let’s take a closer look…

Who Are The SoundMAGIC P60BT Headphones For?

Founded in 2005, SoundMAGIC specializes in designing and manufacturing headphones and earphones, with a particular focus on the more affordable side of the market.

Stepping into the over-ear wireless realm, SoundMAGIC’s P60BT is a welcome addition for those seeking a blend of comfort, decent sound quality, and modern features without a hefty price tag.

The official retail price of £129 is a bit on the higher end of affordability – but I’ve already seen them discounted to £97 – so if you can grab them during a sale, the value for money really jumps up.

The audio, as I’ll go over in more detail below, is quite good at this price range – but as longtime readers will know, I’m a bass fan – and the bass levels are somewhat disappointing, especially for over-ear headphones. It’s not a dealbreaker – but something to keep in mind.

Other than that, they offer most of the bells and whistles one expects from high-end headphones these days, including Active Noise Cancelling. And while the ANC is certainly not as good as on headphones that cost twice as much – it’s decent, especially if you’re on a train or an aeroplane.

Using The SoundMAGIC P60BT

Size and Comfort

At 311 grams, the headphones are pretty lightweight, and the soft memory foam earpads and silicone-coated headband offer a snug fit.

When I first put them on, they were quite comfortable and remained so for the first hour or so.

However, the cushioning on the headband could use a bit more thickness. After a couple of hours of use, the headband’s lack of ample cushioning started to press down a bit too hard, causing some discomfort.

In the box, you get a hard-shell carrying case, a 3.5mm cable for wired connectivity which holds an external microphone boom (for gamers), an in-flight adapter (for those two-pin earphone sockets that some planes have), and a USB-C charging adapter.

There’s also a soft carrying case for all the cables, which is a nice bonus.

The headphones are semi-foldable, so it’s quite easy to slide them into their carrying case or into your bag.

Pairing and Controlling

The P60BT support Bluetooth 5.2, and pairing them with your phone or laptop is quite smooth.

The headphones don’t have dual-device support, a feature I now always look for, especially in over-ear headphones.

It’s useful as you’re likely to use them with both your laptop/desktop and your phone. This feature allows you to keep the headphones paired with both devices at the same time, making switching between them seamless. Unfortunately, this isn’t present here.

On the other hand, the inclusion of touch controls (on the right earcup) is a welcome feature, especially at this price point – so you don’t have to remember multiple functions of one or two buttons, as on other headphones.

The touch controls are responsive, allowing for easy playback and volume control, which adds to the overall user-friendly experience.

SoundMAGIC doesn’t offer a mobile app (as of this writing) – so there’s no way to change the controls, switch modes via the app, or directly control the EQ.

Audio Quality And ANC

With so many advanced features, I had high hopes for the sound quality.

The bottom line? It’s… decent. The volume can get quite loud without distortion, the music and vocals sound clean, and I enjoyed quieter songs.

However, as is often the case (for me, at least) – it’s all about the bass – and the bass here is somewhat disappointing. The bass output right out of the box resembles what you might expect from smaller on-ear headphones, rather than the richer, deeper bass usually delivered by substantial over-ear headphones

The P60BT’s performance with We Will Rock You by Queen was respectable. The pounding bass drum and guitar riffs were clear and energetic, with Freddie Mercury’s vocals shining through nicely.

However, a bit more depth in the bass during the iconic stomping sections would have been highly appreciated.

With Rihanna’s Umbrella, the headphones delivered crisp vocals and a balanced mid-range, though again, the bass lacked the depth and thump that other models can provide – which slightly diminished the impact of the song’s signature bassline.

As is often the case with over-ear headphones, the “passive” noise cancelling in the P60BT does a decent job by simply covering your ears to block out the sound. Therefore, even when in “Normal” mode (with the Active Noise Cancelling turned off), it manages to block out some external noises.

The Active Noise Cancelling feature is decent, effectively dampening monotonous sounds like the hum of a train or plane engine.

However, it struggles with sporadic sounds such as conversations or keyboard clicks nearby.

There’s also an Ambient Mode, which does the opposite – it amplifies outside sounds, so you’re more aware of your environment.

That’s useful when you’re running or cycling outside, or generally need to know what’s going on around you.

Lastly, you can also use the headphones for phone calls (or video calls) – and the P60BT did a fine job with that, letting both sides hear each other well.

Battery Times

With up to 50 hours of playtime on a full charge, and up to 45 hours with ANC activated, the P60BT is a reliable companion for long commutes or travel.

Of course, your mileage may vary, as the battery times depend on the volume levels you’re using, the connection strength, and other factors.

But all in all, I was able to use these for hours on end without having to recharge (though, as mentioned, the headband’s comfort issue was a different matter…)

The quick charge feature is a practical addition, providing 5 hours of playback with just a 10-minute charge.

Bottom Line: Are The SoundMAGIC P60BT Worth It?

The SoundMAGIC P60BT headphones offer a balanced proposition for their price.

While they might not satisfy bass enthusiasts or those seeking top-notch ANC, the decent audio performance, touch controls, and extra-long battery life make it a worthy consideration for budget-conscious buyers.

The comfort might be a point of contention for long-term use, but with the feature set provided, the P60BT stands as a compelling option in the budget over-ear wireless headphones market.