When it comes to headphones, expectations should match the price. So what do you get when you spend just under $6 on the Primaxx SE-5222? A budget pair of cans that promise stereo sound and soft ear pads—but how do they actually sound?
In this review, we take a closer look at the Primaxx SE-5222 headphones.
Unboxing
The SE-5222 comes packaged in a flashy box with a transparent front that clearly displays the headphones inside in their folded position.
The back of the packaging highlights several key features, including extra cushioning, an in-line microphone, a foldable design, stereo sound, and a kink-resistant braided cord.
Notably, there’s no instruction manual or specification sheet included, nor is there any visible branding or manufacturer information printed on the headphones themselves. Curiously, the back of the box refers to the product as a “{PHP} Stereo”—though what that’s supposed to mean is anyone’s guess.
Key Features
3.5mm Stereo Plug (3 pole)
- Lightweight Fold-able Over-Ear Design
- Adjustable Headband (up and down only )
- Padded Ear Cushions
- Claimed Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20kHz
- Cable Length: ~1.2m
Impressions & Build Quality
Right out of the package, the SE-5222 feels… light. Very light. The plastic construction is thin and mass produced to the lowest price. While headband is adjustable up & down to adjust to head size, it lacks any kind of play to pivot inward/outward or side to side to comfortably adjust to the wears head. Surprisingly I found the headphones more comfortable wearing them backwards (cable on right side).
Made of plastic, the extension band and hinges appear fragile and light-duty compared to other more premium headphones that use steel bands however they do not creak and maintain a good head pressure with no major pressure points.
The ear cushions and cushioning on the head band are made of a thin synthetic leatherette that feels soft at first but doesn’t offer much in the way of comfort or isolation. If this is ‘extra cushioning’, I’d hate to see the basic model!
Connectivity for these headphones is a single-entry ~1.2m braided 3.5mm cable with an inline microphone (+ accept call button). This is long enough to connect a laptop or smartphone but an extension cable may be needed if you have to run it to a back of a computer behind the desk.
How It Sounds
Sound is where the SE-5222 and virtually any audio product really reveals its price tag. These headphones produce audio that is muddy and low-definition, with a very narrow sound stage. High frequencies are almost non-existent, drowned out by a bloated, unfocused bass that muddies vocals and makes instrumental separation difficult without some serious adjustments to the EQ. It’s like listening through a Tupperware container—distant, hollow, and flat.
That said, for basic speech content like podcasts or voice calls, the SE-5222 is passable. Dialogue remains intelligible and there is no harsh sibilance or static. But for music, gaming, or any kind of immersive listening, the lack of clarity and detail becomes hard to ignore. You do get use to it after a few minutes however switching back to even a ‘mid-level’ set of headphones blows them out of the water. That said, in all fairness this headphone easily costs less than a hamburger in most parts of the world and makes no promises on being audiophile grade or compared to a headphone 10x its price from a major vendor!
Volume on the SE-5222 more than adequate and is loud enough to be heard over most background noise and remains distortion free.
Microphone Test
Despite its budget price, the Primaxx SE-5222 includes an inline microphone located on the cable ~15cm from the head. In testing, the mic performs surprisingly well for basic voice tasks such as online calls in quiet environment.
Audio is thin and slightly muffled, with noticeable hiss (which could be down to the computers sound card), but speech remains intelligible. The microphone is surprisingly sensitive and easily picks up background noise making it only suitable in a quiet environment. It’s not suitable for professional use, in a call center or any serious recording, but for simple communication, it gets the job done.
Who is Primaxx?
Finding detailed information about Primaxx isn’t easy. The brand appears on platforms like Lazada, primarily targeting the Thai market, but currently lacks an official website or clear corporate presence. Primaxx is likely a white-label brand to sell electronics under and old stock, possibly connected to PS Electronics, whose websites operated under the primaxx domain until mid-2018, according to the Wayback Machine.
That said, the SE-5222 has made its way into a few physical retail outlets and online discount stores under the Primaxx brand across South East Asia which is where we picked it up from, often sold as a “multimedia” headset suitable for laptops, desktops, or classroom use.
Investigating further, the original manufacture of the headphones appears to be Shenzhen Lishen Tech, a headphones and speaker company out of Shenzhen, China marketed as the LS-09.
Final Thoughts
The Primaxx SE-5222 headphones are very much a case of you get what you pay for. They function, they produce stereo audio, look decent and they’re lightweight enough for short-term use—but that’s where the praise mostly ends.
Sound quality is adequate, with an overwhelming and muddy low end that drowns out everything else. Build quality is cheap, and connectivity is limited to a 3.5mm jack which is quickly becoming obsolete on many devices. These headphone might be passable as a last-resort backup or for extremely basic needs—like listening to audio instructions in a office setting—but they fall short for anything beyond that.
If you need a pair of headphones and only have a few dollars to spend, the SE-5222 will get the job done at a bare minimum. Just don’t expect to be blown away by them and a great deal of longevity from them. Realistically try to stretch your budget a few more dollars to a Behringer HPS3000 which can be purchased for under $15.
Whats Hot
- Very low price (~USD$6)!
- Ultra Lightweight Design, no inbuilt battery or complex electronics compared to more expensive Wireless headphones.
- Good Quality inline mic with answer button, however it lacks a mute switch or volume adjuster
- Braided cable is nice to see and genuinely welcome feature
Whats Not
- Average Audio Quality
- Doubtful Longevity & Build Quality
- White-Label Headset with no vendor website
Price: ~USD$6.03 (199 baht at local PC store)
Date of Review: May 2025
Rating: ⭐⭐ (2 stars)
10. FAQ
Q: Does the Primaxx SE-5222 include a microphone?
A: Yes, the SE-5222 has an inline microphone and ‘pick-up’ button to answer a call.
Q: Are these headphones good for gaming or music?
A: Not really. The sound quality lacks clarity and detail, making them unsuitable for proper immersive listening experience.
Q: Can they be used with a phone?
A: Technically yes, if your phone has a 3.5mm headphone jack or you use an adapter. It does not have bluetooth, wireless or any USB connectivity.
Q: Do they have noise cancellation?
A: No, neither active nor passive. The ear pads and fixed closed back provide some but minimal isolation.
Q: Are they comfortable?
A: They’re lightweight, but lack real padding or ergonomic design features. Fine for short sessions, but not ideal for extended use.
How much should you spend on a set of headphones? Lets us know in the comments below
