PLEXTONE X42M

Dynamic Driver

$10~$15
4.0/5.0

This one has been waiting for a review for a long time. Surprisingly enough, it sounds quite good, especially when compared to some highly hyped earphones. Their main issue is that they are about impossible to position properly in your ear, they just won't go all the way in, and so the bass will sound weaker than it actually is.

Buy on

Pros

  • Excellent level of clarity.
  • Very loud without needed any amplification.
  • A dedicated volume slider on the Y-split.

Cons

  • The low-end bass can distort on very high volumes.
  • Almost impossible to hear the bass properly because of the problematic design.
  • The build quality seems a bit flimsy.

Package & Accessories

Package:

Soft paperboard + soft plastic (clear)

Foam Pads:

2 × Grey

Shirt Clip:

Black, 360° cable holder, generic

Pouch:

Velour, grey, generic

Build & Materials

Housings*:

Plastic (glossy), open-back, ø17mm, metal faceplate

Remote:

Plastic (matte), single-button

Cinch:

TPE

Y-Split:

Plastic (matte), volume slider + switch*, no strain reliefs

Cable:

Rubber, 125cm, extra-soft, super-straight

Plug:

TPE, 90° angled, short, stiff strain relief

  • The Y-split has an CTIA/OMTP pinout order switch. The CTIA (circle) mode works for most recent devices, while the OMTP (triangle) mode works for legacy devices, like Nokia and Sony-Ericsson, and even OnePlus One.

Comfort & Fit

These earphones are about impossible to wear so that they are actually in front of the ear canals, and if you push them manually, you will notice a great boost in bass quality and quantity. They also put some pressure on the ears after being used for a while.

Lows / Bass

The bass is a bit cold, and the reason for that is the uncomfortable design. It's still punchy and more than enough for vocal-oriented music, where warmth is needed but kick-drums are not the main thing, but still a shame. Bass shaker test resulted in some minor distortion.

Mids / Vocals

The mids are slightly overemphasized, something that can be improved by sealing the vents on the back, but either way they are clear and upfront. The mids are dominant and perform very well, especially on slightly powered sources.

Highs / Treble

The highs can be categorized as bright, and can be even made brighter and clearer by sealing the vents on the back. These highs are actually very impressive compared to relatively dark and muffled earphones like the VE Monk Plus and K's K300, and even brighter than the classic VE Monk.

Frequency Response

Exposed back vents:

Sealed back vents:

G10 G20 X41M
X42M
X46M X53M