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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-08 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
• Audio Technica ATH-CM707 — biggest strength: a 15.4 mm driver paired with a resonance duct structure for strong low-end, plus an inline media control unit, which makes it the more convenient pick if you take calls and want to pause/skip without touching your phone.
• Audio Technica ATH-CM707 — biggest trade-off: it's the lighter, more plasticky-feeling design of the two (6 g, aluminum housing but elastomer bushing), and the unusual 0.6 m + 0.6 m split cable is a love-it-or-hate-it detail rather than a simple single run.
• SoundMAGIC E50 — biggest strength: a full-metal gunmetal housing, a 10 mm dynamic driver with a 20 Hz–20 kHz range, 51 ohm impedance and a tangle-resistant twisted-core cable that also fights RF interference.
• SoundMAGIC E50 — biggest trade-off: it's explicitly sold without a microphone, so it is a listening tool, not a calling tool — no inline mic means no hands-free calls at all.
• Pick the ATH-CM707 if you want a light, wired in-ear you can also use for calls.
• Pick the SoundMAGIC E50 if you want the more durable, better-isolating music-first in-ear and don't need to talk on it.
The ATH-CM707 is the more "everyday commuting" of the two. Audio-Technica built it around a resonance duct structure that's meant to add thickness and give the low end some real punch, and they paired that with a large 15.4 mm driver — big for an in-ear — which they describe as delivering high-resolution mid-range. In practice, that combination points to a warmer, fuller presentation than a purely neutral monitor: bass you can feel on a bus or a train, and vocals that sit forward rather than recessed.
Who should buy it: anyone who wants one wired in-ear that does double duty. The media control unit and the sound-isolation noise control make it the more practical option for people who take calls, listen to podcasts, and want to skip tracks without digging out a phone. If you're hunting for the best open ear headphones for calls and you're open to a wired in-ear instead, this is the closer fit of the two.
Who should skip it: if you want a single, simple cable, or if you want a reference-flat tuning for critical listening, the split cable and the bass-forward resonance-duct approach won't be your thing. And if you need a mic, note that this sheet lists media control but not a dedicated inline microphone — so don't assume call audio is covered just because the controls are there.
SoundMAGIC E50: Who It's For
The E50 is the music-first specialist. SoundMAGIC's pitch is high-resolution audio with a smooth, natural frequency response and no over-emphasis of any range — strong but differentiated bass, tidy mids, and clear highs, balanced enough that they suggest producers could use it as a reference monitor. The specs support the analytical angle: a 10 mm dynamic driver, 51 ohm impedance, 102 dB sensitivity, and a 20 Hz–20 kHz frequency range. That 51 ohm figure is worth noting — it's a higher load than the ATH-CM707's 14 ohm, so it's happiest with a source that has a bit of output behind it rather than the weakest phone jack.
Build is where the E50 clearly pulls ahead on paper. The housing is full metal in gunmetal, and SoundMAGIC adds a 60° angled plug to relieve bending stress at the cable's weakest point, plus gold-plated pins for a stable connection. The cable is a twisted-core, anti-tangle design that also rejects radio frequency interference — a real-world benefit if you've ever heard a phone buzz through cheap earphones. Fit is handled with ergonomically shaped sound tubes and a proper tip kit: two sets of S/M/L silicone tips, a double-flange pair, a medium foam pair, a cable clip, and a hard carrying case. That's a genuinely generous accessory loadout, and the foam and double-flange options let you tune both comfort and how much outside noise you shut out.
Who should buy it: someone who wants a durable, isolating, wired in-ear primarily for listening — commuting, working, casual monitoring — and who values a fit they can dial in. If you're weighing the best open ear earbuds for calls, understand that the E50 is the opposite philosophy: sealed, no mic, all about the music.
Who should skip it: anyone who needs to take or make calls. There's no microphone here, full stop. And if you like a warm, bass-heavy signature, the E50's flat-and-balanced tuning will feel thin to you at first.
• Best for calls → Audio Technica ATH-CM707. It's the only one of the two with an inline media control unit; the E50 has no mic.
• Best for balanced, analytical music → SoundMAGIC E50. Flat, natural tuning explicitly pitched at reference-grade listening.
• Best for durability → SoundMAGIC E50. Full metal housing, 60° angled plug, gold-plated pins, twisted-core anti-tangle cable.
• Best for lighter weight → Audio Technica ATH-CM707. 6 g versus 13 g — a noticeable difference in the ear.
• Best for a quiet listening environment → SoundMAGIC E50. The sealed in-ear fit plus foam and double-flange tips gives you more ways to block outside noise.
• Best for easy source matching → Audio Technica ATH-CM707. At 14 ohm it's far easier to drive than the E50's 51 ohm.
• Best for a big, punchy low end → Audio Technica ATH-CM707. The resonance duct structure and 15.4 mm driver are built for exactly that.
• Best accessory kit → SoundMAGIC E50. Multiple tip types, a cable clip, and a hard case versus the ATH-CM707's leatherette pouch.
For calls, I'd buy the Audio Technica ATH-CM707. It's the one with inline media control, it's featherweight, and its 14 ohm impedance means almost anything can drive it — which is exactly what you want from a wired in-ear you'll be wearing while talking. In my opinion, the E50 is the better headphone and the ATH-CM707 is the better headset, and that's the line to draw. If talking isn't part of your day, flip it: the E50's metal build, sealed isolation and balanced tuning make it the more rewarding long-term listen. Either way, check the current price on Amazon before you commit.
No. It's sold explicitly without a microphone, so it can't handle hands-free calls at all. If calls are a priority, the ATH-CM707 is the one to consider.
The SoundMAGIC E50 has the edge. Its sealed in-ear design plus the included silicone, double-flange and foam tips give you several ways to block ambient noise, while the ATH-CM707 relies on a simpler sound-isolation approach.
Not hard, but it needs more than the ATH-CM707's 14 ohm. The E50 will sound its best from a phone, laptop or dongle with decent output rather than a weak jack.
The Audio Technica ATH-CM707, at 6 g versus the E50's 13 g, and its elastomer bushing is designed to keep the earpiece from shifting during wear.
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