DIGIT-ARC read-only archive · snapshot: July 23, 2026

DIGIT-ARC / Portables, Peripherals and Electronics / Audio

[IEM] Soundmagic es18 vs es18s

20 posts · originally from https://geek.digit.in/community/threads/iem-soundmagic-es18-vs-es18s.192374/

Nanducob
Nanducob Original post #1
Jul 1, 2015 at 7:29 PM
Hi,
I had es 18 years ago and I loved it.After it died I bought cowon em1.But i didnt like it as much as es 18.
So now there is a mic d version of it called es18s.I was wondering if they improved the cable in the new version(es18s)I have no use for the mic but would buy the new version of it if they have improved atleast 1% of its built quality from the original one :D
rajesh00
rajesh00 #2
Jul 3, 2015 at 9:46 AM
Nanducob said:
Hi,
I had es 18 years ago and I loved it.After it died I bought cowon em1.But i didnt like it as much as es 18.
So now there is a mic d version of it called es18s.I was wondering if they improved the cable in the new version(es18s)I have no use for the mic but would buy the new version of it if they have improved atleast 1% of its built quality from the original one :D
Click to expand...

I have es18s.I would say its not that great at low,it lacks bass.But Good at mids and highs. Isolation is very good.For Build quality its more than avg.I have been using it from 6 months,so far so good.There might be other good IEMs.
Nanducob
Nanducob #3
Jul 3, 2015 at 9:52 AM
rajesh00 said:
I have es18s.I would say its not that great at low,it lacks bass.But Good at mids and highs. Isolation is very good.For Build quality its more than avg.I have been using it from 6 months,so far so good.There might be other good IEMs.
Click to expand...
Thanks.will buy the non micd version
Nanducob
Nanducob #4
Jul 12, 2015 at 11:15 AM
Placed an order for non micd version cant wait to try it ;)
Nanducob
Nanducob #5
Jul 13, 2015 at 3:29 PM
Update: got it ,but no pouch this time :(
Sounds sht on first listen as always :)
Excellent service by amazon ,place order on 11-th 9 pm ,got it now :p
A
arijitsinha #6
Jul 13, 2015 at 5:16 PM
Nanducob said:
Update: got it ,but no pouch this time :(
Sounds sht on first listen as always :)
Excellent service by amazon ,place order on 11-th 9 pm ,got it now :p
Click to expand...

burn it m8, but not with fire.
jkultimate
jkultimate #8
Jul 13, 2015 at 7:38 PM
ES 18 is awesome in sound quality but lacks build quality. I loved it once I had it. But the wires given up after 1 year.
Now using Sony MDRXB30, awesome quality and awesome build quality.
And it has flat wires too ;)
Nanducob
Nanducob #9
Jul 13, 2015 at 8:02 PM
jkultimate said:
ES 18 is awesome in sound quality but lacks build quality. I loved it once I had it. But the wires given up after 1 year.
Now using Sony MDRXB30, awesome quality and awesome build quality.
And it has flat wires too ;)
Click to expand...
when did you buy es 18? I feel that the wires are netter now, more rubbery than plasticky unlike the one bought in 2012.
$hadow
$hadow #10
Jul 13, 2015 at 9:01 PM
Nanducob said:
when did you buy es 18? I feel that the wires are netter now, more rubbery than plasticky unlike the one bought in 2012.
Click to expand...

SO does that mean that it is overall a better buy compared to earlier version?
Nanducob
Nanducob #11
Jul 13, 2015 at 9:12 PM
$hadow said:
SO does that mean that it is overall a better buy compared to earlier version?
Click to expand...
Yes,better than the one I bought in 2012,if my memory is correct ,but still not good enough,the connector/jack thingy is the same.I guess they might have made changes in the cable along with micd version as I don't see much fuss about build quality in the reviews of micd version.Anyways I bought it for the SQ,will use EM1 for rough use ;)
$hadow
$hadow #12
Jul 13, 2015 at 9:21 PM
Nanducob said:
Yes,better than the one I bought in 2012,if my memory is correct ,but still not good enough,the connector/jack thingy is the same.I guess they might have made changes in the cable along with micd version as I don't see much fuss about build quality in the reviews of micd version.Anyways I bought it for the SQ,will use EM1 for rough use ;)
Click to expand...

Good to hear that. I was looking for a improved version of es 18.
jkultimate
jkultimate #13
Jul 13, 2015 at 9:25 PM
Nanducob said:
when did you buy es 18? I feel that the wires are netter now, more rubbery than plasticky unlike the one bought in 2012.
Click to expand...


It was a while back... October '12 ;)
H
High-Fidelity #15
Jul 13, 2015 at 9:30 PM
I have recently bought EDSE and it is just amazing much more worth than the price is selling for at hifinage.
Faun
Faun #17
Jul 13, 2015 at 9:49 PM
KZ edse
Knowledge Zenith ED Special Edition

This store is still online haha
Nanducob
Nanducob #19
Jul 13, 2015 at 10:08 PM
Hmm..it has got some good reviews