SoundMAGIC Vento P55 (V3)


Preview - SoundMAGIC Vento P55 (V3)




Overview

Third iteration of the SoundMAGIC higher on-ear model, the Vento P55 V3, featuring a very solid build quality, nice design and, more importantly, a much improved sound quality at a more affordable price. Just below the $100 tag it offers a very detailed and clear sound, with a cool tonality and slight emphasis on the bass and treble, wide stage and airy presentation for the closed on-ear design.





Vento P55-V3 Specifications
  • Color: Gun Black
  • Transducers: Dynamics, 40mm Neodymium
  • Frequency range: 15Hz~22KHz
  • DC resistance: 35±10 Ohms
  • Sensitivity: 110±2 dB
  • Maximum input power: 20mW
  • Cable length: 1.2m
  • Connector: stereo 3.5, L style plug gold-plated
  • Weight: 285g
  • Microphone Frequency range: 20Hz~16KHz
  • Microphone Sensitivity: -42±3dB


Price: U$89

Warranty: 2 years.

More official info @ Vento P55 product page 






The Vento P55 arrives in simple paperboard box similar design to the In-Ear line of the company if just a bit thicker. There's the usual product image on the front and all the specifications on the back side. Inside there's the large EVA carrying case where the Vento P55 is securely arranged and a small pouch which holds all the accessories. 



The package includes two headphone cables, one with single 3.5mm termination and the other with microphone and remote control for phone devices. 
There two extra short adapter cables, one for switching between different smartphones systems, and the other for computer use with separated connections for sound and microphone. The large case is much more comfortable than the oval shaped one that was included with the HP100/200, but still large for outdoors portable use, so a more compact bag would be a nice addition.




Build Quality & Design

Build quality is very robust on the Vento, mixing solid materials with different metal components and less plastic parts, seems durable enough yet fair for the portable use. The inner headband is made of stainless steel while the outer upper cover looks to be of aluminum (though might still be of the same steel material), very sturdy and well finished. The bottom part of the headband is divided, at the top section the soft foam pad covered by synthetic leather, and towards the sides, plastic with a rubbery kind material coating (very similar to what was used on the HP200 back then).



The good build quality material continues to the ear cups section where both arcs that connect to the actual cups are also made of metal. The main cup is made of same rubber coated plastic material in order to keep a lighter weight, but the outer cup plate is whole aluminum in a fine and smooth finish. The design is still not completely portable for those who prefer a fully folding system, but the Vento still fold flat if you plan to use the carry case.



The Vento headphones not only are well built but also nicely finished, elegant with a more expensive look on them that gunmetal and black color theme gives.
The pads are made of same synthetic leather with very soft memory foam pad inside. They are a bit shallow, so do not have much depth, and being too soft might put the drivers very close to the ears. However, they are easy to remove and install again, so trying different pads should be an easy task.


In terms of comfort and fit, the Vento P55 is very good, even with a weight close to 300g, thanks to the well distributed and soft headband. Despite the on-ear design, the ear cups are large enough and fit close to an over-ear design. For small to medium ears these could be seen as a compact over-ear type (or maybe large on-ear fit for those with bigger ears). Moreover, the headband doesn't provide a very strong and tight clamping force, and together with the soft pads improves the comfort for longer portable use. Even so the isolation is good enough for a sealed on-ear design.




As can be seen, the cable connection is single-sided right at the bottom of the left cup. Fortunately, SoundMAGIC decided to drop the so proprietary cable and socket found on the previous HP series and just go with a most standard, simple and hassle free connection. The two included audio cables are identical, straight 3.5mm plug on the headphone end and 45ยบ angled plug at the other, both well protected with the metal (aluminum) cover and flexible strain relief. The cable itself is of just decent quality, thick and with a slightly of rubbery outer cover. Not the softest and a bit springy but doesn't hold a strong memory effect; nothing to really complain about. The microphone and control are again well covered by the aluminum part, and while seem to work fine with a couple of smartphones, the buttons are a bit hard to press.




Lastly, on the short adapters, they do look much plainer than the audio cables, and while I didn't have any use for the computer adapter, the phone adapter was needed depending on the source in use. For instance, the mic' cable worked fine directly with an old Samsung Galaxy phone, but for the iBasso DX120 the adapter was needed. A bit troublesome, especially after the company already implemented a more practical solution with the 'S' versions of the in-ear models with a simple switch in the remote control section.



Sound Quality

The Vento P55 V3 is not the first SoundMAGIC product I tried. Previously owned the HP200 open-back headphones, and later on the two In-Ear models E50 and E80. I got the chance to demo one of the previous P55 versions (probably the 1st one) and it was quite disappointing in terms of sound quality and presentation. Wasn't sure what to expect from this new V3 version, but definitely was worth the try.



The Vento is a very different sounding model than previous products from SoundMAGIC I've tried, but still shares some of the good technical characteristic such as clarity, transparency and air on the sound. The presentation is lively in very mild U-shaped signature and where the emphasis is more pronounced from the sub-bass region and upper treble rather than the typical mid-bass lift and brighter lower treble.

Before getting to a more detailed description of the sound, it is worth noting the drivability on the Vento P55. From the specs, and more importantly, from real usage, the P55 V3 is a very easy to drive on-ear set. It gets enough loud and powerful enough from a very standard phone or portable player. The Lotoo PAW Pico ultra small I usually use as the best portable option is able to drive very well the Vento, and moreover offers a very enjoyable synergy too. From the new iBasso DX120 DAP the volume level didn't reach the half amount of steps even on the low-gain option.

Bass has very good quality. It starts from an enhanced sub-bass response with very good extension and depth. The control and speed is high and it's well layered and separated. It strikes with fast attack and natural decay, and sounds quite effortless with no need of extra power. The mid-bass is more reserved quantity-wise, at least next to the sub-bass response; not that it is missing as it is definitely north of neutral, but it is more due the aggressive nature than a the usual mainstream extra lift found on this frequency region. In a quick comparison with the Grado SR80e, the P55 Vento still has more weight and balance through the whole low-end area, and needless to say I prefer them over the ATH-M50x.

At the midrange, the Vento is rather neutral in most aspects with a slightly more distant presence next to the faintly elevated bass and treble. It sounds much uncolored if kind of dry and with a cold overall tonality. Low and upper mids are equally balanced, not really flat but with a liquid texture. It could be called 'transparent' but not at the same degree as the E80 IEM was and not much source dependant either. Instruments separation and air and the whole detail do stand out on the Vento. However, the cool tonality and lack of texture won't be my first pick for vocal oriented tracks, despite the control and very low sibilance thanks to the less pronounced upper midrange. They do carry very good level of detail, just not the enough sweetness and emotion to be most engaging. It is a better match for orchestral or some electronic genres.

The treble is bright yet surprisingly well controlled. Not as the aggressive, peaky hot treble as the HP200 had, as the Vento P55 is more linear and forgiving on the lower treble. It is still not smooth as still shares some aggressive and somewhat sharp character, though it is more elevated at the upper treble. The extension is quite good and with the bit of analytical tuning the micro detail is high for a sub $100 on-ear set.

Stage is fairly wide and gives good depth. The presentation is open, airy and very spacious, and especially considering the closed-back and on-ear design. While easy to drive and not very picky in recording quality, I find it pairs much better with bit warmer source in order to reach the best timbre and richer tonality, without giving up on the details.





Value

For whatever reason, the Vento P55 had to undergo a few iterations to reach the best results. It keeps the same good build quality and ergonomics from the first version, but more importantly sounds really good. While I could prefer a tad of richer and fullness on the midrange, for the stage, clarity and high detail the Vento P55 V3 offer a very good option for the now sub $100 price.