Pioneer SE-CX7

| 9.4 mm Driver | Bass Exciter |

Pioneer SE-CX7, the most affordable model of all Pioneer Superior Club Sound headphones.

The Pioneer SE-CX7 features a 9.4 mm dynamic driver, detachable self-fitting silicone wings and Pioneer’s proprietary “Bass Exciter 2”.

As the model naming suggests, the Superior Club earphones are ordered like this (from entry-level to flagship): Pioneer SE-CX7, Pioneer SE-CX8, Pioneer SE-CX9; the whole line has only 3 models (of earphones) and the SE-CX7 positions as the entry-level choice and the lowest priced of all three.

With this model we are completing the reviews of the whole line of Pioneer Super Club in-ear headphones.

The Pioneer SE-CX7 durability feels sufficiently solid with plastic housings, a metal back plate and flat cables that are very rubberized. The cable holds a 3-button remote / microphone with dedicated volume buttons.

We have seen that many resellers are promoting the Pioneer SE-CX8 but they are actually selling the SE-CX7. Watch out for this! There is one easy way to tell them apart: design and looks, check out the Pioneer SE-CX7 photos in this review and the check out the one of the Pioneer SE-CX8 (in our Pioneer SE-CX8 review), you will see the clear aesthetic differences.

You can buy the Pioneer SE-CX7 in:

• Pioneer SE-CX7 black
• Pioneer SE-CX7 white

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Pioneer SE-CX7 Review

Tests & Scores

Advanced Features

There is basically 1 advanced feature in the Pioneer SE-CX7, the Bass Exciter technology. We talked about it during our reviews of the Pioneer SE-CX8 and the Pioneer SE-CX9 – as a brief reminder, the Bass Exciter technology holds an inner physical component that replicates bass rumble and impact. During our pasts reviews of the SE-CX8 and SE-CX9 we tested and verified that this is not a gimmicky marketing slogan but a true game changer in the amount of basshead rumble provided that is even stronger than the Best Basshead Earphones (for example, Sony MDR-7550). If you are a purist, this is not true bass but a replication of its effect.

The Pioneer SE-CX7 holds the “Bass Exciter 2” version, instead of the original first generation of the Bass Exciter technology. This could mean an improved and/or harder hitting upgrade from the past version or not, we will discover it further ahead in this article.

Weight

Pioneer SE-CX7 weight in Ounces and Pioneer SE-CX7 weight in grams.

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Accessories & Packaging

The Pioneer SE-CX7 unboxing results in 3 pair of eartips, a hard carrying case and some self-fitting silicone wings. The packaging and presentation is relatively similar to the Pioneer SE-CX8.

^10_/10

Bass & Sub Bass

The Pioneer SE-CX7 provides some mid-bass punch and sub-bass depth but it is, overall, not highly energetic nor deep. The “Bass Exciter 2” had a hard time to kick in, we had to set the volume to the max. to make it activate and we got a very mild hit from it – by now the Pioneer SE-CX8 and Pioneer SE-CX9 were rattling our eardrums.

Applying an EQ, some extra mid-bass shows up but overall gets saturated and sub-bass does not become very deep. If you set the volume to the maximum setting of your device (while using a custom bass-intensive EQ) the bass exciter will start to show some “shakiness” but the impact is shameful in comparison to the intensity that the Pioneer SE-CX8 and SE-CX9 provides.

During our extreme bass tests they handled a whopping 60% of a Fiio E12‘s maximum power (bass boost, custom basshead EQ, high gain) and answered back with the true potential of the Bass Exciter technology with an insane rumble and impact that surpasses most of the Top Basshead Headphones but yet below the Pioneer SE-CX8, Sony MDR-EX800ST and Pioneer SE-CX9.

^_7.75/10

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Mids & Vocals

The Pioneer SE-CX7 mids have crisp higher mids and no strong mid-bass bleed presence, yet lower vocals sound very odd and congested. Higher mids can become harsh at times.

With an EQ, lower vocals sound more energetic but boxy and tinny.

^_5.5/10

Highs & Treble

The Pioneer SE-CX7 highs offered good-enough brightness and not much detail. Piercing highs and sibilance are recurrent.

An EQ makes their highs noticeably more open sounding and much brighter.

^7.5_/10

Sound Leak

The sound that leaks out of the Pioneer SE-CX7 is substantially low and much lower than most average earphones. You can listen to music at moderate levels and nobody nearby will hear any sound leaking.

^8.25_/10

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Sound Isolation

Noise isolation is lower than average, with an isolation that will always be partial and can become hardly absolute when cranking up the volume all the way up.

^6.25_/10

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Comfort

Their highly protruding housings and large size might make you fear of discomfort issues, but the Pioneer SE-CX7 is light-weighted and has a very comfortable fit (a bit better than the Pioneer SE-CX8 and Pioneer SE-CX9).

The housings have fixed, rigid and semi-rubberized wings that give them a snug fit and, additionally, you can fit the removable silicone wings that come included. By placing the silicone wings their fit strengthens even more and it will allow them to withhold their position during any normal day.

^7.75_/10

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Response to Equalization

he Pioneer SE-CX7 did not excel in their response to our custom EQs. Some improvements could be seen in their highs brightness and to help the “Bass Exciter 2” to get activated.

^_6/10

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Scores

Pioneer SE-CX7 Scores

• Accessories - 10/10
  10/10
• Design - 8/10
  8/10
• Bass - 7.5/10
  7.5/10
• Mids - 5.5/10
  5.5/10
• Highs - 7.5/10
  7.5/10
• Sound Leak - 8.25/10
  8.3/10
• Sound Isolation - 6.25/10
  6.3/10
• Comfort - 8/10
  8/10
• Response to EQ - 6/10
  6/10
• Value for Money - 6/10
  6/10

Summary

AWARDS

Pros

• ✅ Can reach unimaginable basshead rumble (if correctly and extremely amplified for basshead response)

✅ Comfortable and secure fit despite the large size

✅ Silicone self-fit wing attachments included

✅ Low sound leaking levels

Cons

• ❌ Bass Exciter does not kick in unless amplification is used

❌ Very protruding

❌ Congested lower vocals

❌ Highs lack detail

❌ Bass is weaker than expected

Conclusion

• The Pioneer SE-CX7 has a one of a kind feature, the "Bass Exciter"

 

• Despite the fact that their Bass Exciter v2 does not get activated as easily as the Bass Exciter inside the Pioneer SE-CX8 and SE-CX9, it still works but will require feeding them with more power to do it.

 

• Soundwise they are not an audiophile-class headphone but what disappoints the most is the dependency to amplification to show their "Bass Exciter" magic.

 

Our advice: if you are not planning to use an amplifier, skip the SE-CX7 and get the Pioneer SE-CX8, they are far superior regarding their main feature... the bass exciter unique experience that will kick in without needing an external amplifier. If you are into balanced armatures you can opt for the Pioneer SE-CX9 that has a BA instead of a dynamic driver.

7.3/10

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Pioneer SE-CX7 Frequency Response

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Pioneer SE-CX7 Technical Specifications

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Photos

Pioneer SE-CX7 Photos

Pioneer SE-CX7

7.3

SCORE

7.3/10