Brainwavz

Brainwavz B2

Specs.
Dual balanced armatures
Frequency range: 20Hz – 20KHz
Impedance: 40 Ohm
Sensitivity: 110 dB/mW
Price: $159.50
Colours: Black/red

Build quality and accessories.
Build quality seems to be good, but one thing that bothers me is the lack of cable strain relief on the housing. The cable itself is braided and one of the best I have seen, very flexible and soft, it is 130 cm long and terminates in a 45 degree jack. The included accessories are, six pairs of silicone sleeves (S, M and L) and a pair of foam sleeves, airline adapter, a 3.5 to 6.3mm adapter, a shirt clip and a very nice hard case. Great accessory pack, if you ask me.



Comfort and fit.
The B2s are smaller than average for both size and weight, they are to be worn with the cable running over the ear. The sleeves provided should be enough for most users to get a good seal, and the isolation and comfort is excellent too. There are no microphonic noises from the cable.

Sound quality.
The B2s offer a detailed and natural sound that should please everyone.
The high quality bass is present, if not plentiful but very tight and punchy without interfering with the rest of the soundspectrum, the mids are natural and detailed, and the highs are very much the centre of attention and very nice and detailed, the soundstage is wider than average.

The B2s are very good, excellent even, sounding IEMs, the natural and neutral sound signature works with all music and really lifts the listening enjoyment to new highs. See what I did there. The highs is the B2s home field, this is where they excel, the amount of fine detail they can reveal from a good source is simply staggering.

My favourite tracks sound perfect, very dynamic with just enough bass and detail overall and in particular in the upper mids and highs. I may be partial, as they have my preferred sound signature but the B2s are one of my absolute favourite IEMs of all time.



To sum up.
The good: gorgeous and detailed sound, excellent cable, great accessories.
The bad: lacking strain relief on the housing, and maybe too bass light for some listeners.



Verdict: in one word, excellent. Highly recommended!

Brainwavz Beta

Specs.
Single dynamic driver 11mm, with bass filter system
Frequency range: 8Hz – 28KHz
Impedance: 24Ohm
Sensitivity: 110dB/mW
Price: $29.50
Colours: Silver/black

Build quality and accessories.
Build quality is very good. The housing is made of metal/high quality plastic and the 125 cm long cable, with its 45 degree jack is a soft, rubbery compound. The included accessories are, three pairs of silicone sleeves (2 cone shaped and 1 dual flange) and a pair of foam sleeves, bass filters, a pouch, a shirtclip and a cable manager. Not bad, but the cones are questionable due to shape and fit, at least to my ears.
Edit: Found a pack of three different sized foam/hybrid sleeves and a pair of earhooks in a "hidden" compartment of the packaging. The foam/hybrid sleeves are very comfortable and reminds of the Shure ones, but they are even nicer and more comfortable to my ears.


Comfort and fit.
The Beta’s are light even if they are larger than average sized, and they are about average for comfort and isolation. They can be worn both with the cable running over the ear as well as straight down. The sleeves provided should be enough for most users to get a good seal, the dual flanges did it for me. There are some microphonic noises, but they can be reduced by running the cable over the ears and using the clip.

Sound quality.
As a dynamic IEM the Beta’s require time to settle (burn in) to sound their best. Once settled they offer a powerful and involving sound. The bass is tight and punchy without interfering on the rest of the soundspectrum, the mids are smooth and the highs are crisp if a little recessed, the soundstage is wider than average. Using the bass filter, that easily screws on to the stem, they seem to become even more dynamic. The bass tightens up and punches harder, the mids levels out and becomes fuller, the highs are if not lifted up, then at least not as much in the background as without the filter. Soundstage seems to become a little bigger as well. Without the bass filter they would suit acoustic and folk oriented music, with the added dynamics they suit rock and bass driven music like a glove.
I prefer them with the bass filter on, but it must be said that the high sound quality of the Beta’s is a real eye(ear)-opener, they sound really good.

To sum up.
The good: powerful and fun sound, bass filter to adjust sound signature.
The bad: a larger selection of sleeves would be good. Edit: disregard from this, for the price there are no real shortcomings on the Beta's.

Verdict: for the price they offer a very good overall sound. Highly recommend.

Brainwavz Jive

Specs.
Dynamic driver, 9 mm
Frequency range: 20 Hz – 20 KHz
Impedance: 16 Ohm
Sensitivity: 98 dB/mW
Microphone and call/audio controls for Android or iOS
Price: $28.00

Build quality and accessories.
Build quality is, as we are used to from Brainwavz, very good. The housing is made of metal and is very small. The 130 cm long cable terminates in a 45 degree jack, there is both a proper strain relief and a chin slider.
The included accessories are; three pairs of silicone sleeves (s, m, l), one set of foam sleeves, a shirt clip, a cable tie, a Brainwavz logo sticker and finally the very nice Brainwavz hard case, this now in a larger and even better version.
Excellent accessory pack, especially considering their price.



Comfort and fit.
The Jives are very small and light. Comfort is excellent thanks to the small size and wide array of sleeves included, and the isolation is very good for a dynamic IEM. They can be worn with the cable up or down, and once secured with the shirt clip all microphonic noise is eliminated.

Sound quality.
As with all dynamic speakers the Jives need to settle or burn in, to sound their best.
Once settled they offer a slightly V shaped sound that suits rock music very nicely. The low end is big and powerful without colouring the upper frequencies, the mids are a little in the background but still perfectly audible and well detailed, the highs are more up front and sparkling, without getting shrill or piercing. The soundstage is quite big and has a nice separation and layering. My test tracks sound powerful, fun, very musical and very, very good.

The call and audio handling works as it should, except on some Motorola and Sony phones, but this is due to nonconforming standards from the manufacturers and not a fault with the Jive. The microphone gives a clear call quality.

If you are looking for a great sounding headset to combine with your new smartphone, you really should give the Jive a go.

PS. I have been listening to ZZ Top's Sixpack over the weekend with the Jives, get the Sixpack and the Jives, you won't be disappointed!



To sum up.
The good: headset functionality, very hard/impossible? to beat sound per pound, great build quality.
The bad: not easily available to purchase.



Verdict: A great sounding headset at a laughably low price, what's not to like? Highly recommended!

Brainwavz M1

Specs.
Dynamic driver, 10.7 mm
Frequency range: 20 Hz – 20 KHz
Impedance: 32 Ohm
Sensitivity: 110 dB/mW
Price: $44.50
Colours: black



Build quality and accessories.
Build quality is, as we are used to from Brainwavz, very good. The housing is made of metal and plastic, and is very small. The 130 cm long cable is braided and it terminates in a 45 degree jack, there is no strain relief on the housing nor is there a chin slider.
The included accessories are; seven pairs of silicone sleeves (s, m, l and dual flanges), one set of foam sleeves, a shirt clip and finally the very nice Brainwavz hard case.
Not bad at all, especially considering their price.

Comfort and fit.
The M1s are very small and light. Comfort is excellent thanks to the small size and wide array of sleeves included, and the isolation is very good for a dynamic IEM. They can be worn with the cable up or down, and once secured with the shirt clip all microphonic noise is eliminated.



Sound quality.
As with all dynamic speakers the M1s need to settle or burn in, to sound their best.

Once settled they offer a neutral sound with a warm and powerful undertone. The bass is a little rolled off in the low end but still punchy and full of authority without colouring the rest of the spectrum, the mids are smooth and detailed, and the highs are crisp and clear if a little rolled off. The soundstage is intimate and as a result the imaging and separation is less airy but still far from being claustrophobic or congested.

My test tracks sound dynamic and very musical, with a natural reproduction and overall lush sound. The biggest surprise is the very neutral sound, normally at this price point you get a very V shaped sound that lacks in mids, but not so with the M1s.
One could say that the M1s are a junior audiophile IEM.

Brainwavz have done it again, the M1 is a very good earphone at a really affordable price.



To sum up.
The good: neutral and very good sound, very hard to beat sound per pound, great build quality.
The bad: not easily available to purchase, strain relief and chin slider missing.

Verdict: The M1s are not perfect, but for the price they are very good. Highly recommended!

Brainwavz M2

Specs.
Dynamic driver 10.7 mm
Frequency range: 20Hz – 20KHz
Impedance: 20 Ohm
Sensitivity: 115 dB/mW
Price: $59.50
Colours: Silver/black



Build quality and accessories.
Build quality is very good. The housing is mainly made made of metal. The braided cable, which is very nice is 130 cm long and terminates in a 45 degree jack. The included accessories are, three pairs of silicone sleeves (S, M and L) and a pair of foam sleeves, a shirt clip and a very nice hard case. Quite a nice accessory pack, if you ask me.

Comfort and fit.
The M2s are about average for both size and weight, as well as comfort and isolation as well. They can be worn both with the cable running over the ear or straight down. The sleeves provided should be enough for most users to get a good seal. There are no microphonic noises from the cable.



Sound quality.
The M2s require time to settle to sound their best, and once settled they offer a warm and bassy sound that should please the hardcore bassheads.
The bass is plentiful, but still rather tight and punchy without interfering excessively with the rest of the soundspectrum, the mids are warm and honey like and a little in the background, the highs are clearly audible if a little rolled off, and the soundstage is wider than average. The sound signature is V shaped, with strong bass and slightly upfront highs.

Due to the warm and bassy sound some fine detail will be lost and as such the M2s are not for the detail craving listeners. My favourite tracks sound powerful and dynamic, with good oomph in the low end, but for my tastes the bass can become a bit overwhelming on some tracks.



To sum up.
The good: bassy and powerful sound, excellent cable, nice hard case.
The bad: some detail is lost in the warm sound, probably too bassy for some listeners.

Verdict: for the price they offer plenty of bass and power. Recommended for bass lovers.

Brainwavz M5

Specs.
Dynamic driver, 10 mm
Frequency range: 16 Hz – 18 KHz
Impedance: 16 Ohm
Sensitivity: 103 dB/mW
Price: $44.50
Colours: black or copper

Build quality and accessories.
Build quality is very good. The housing is made of metal and the 130 cm long cable, with its 90 degree jack has a nice feeling to it. The included accessories are; seven pairs of silicone sleeves (s, m, l and dual flanges), one set of foam sleeves, a shirt clip and finally the very nice Brainwavz hard case.
Not bad at all, especially considering their price.



Comfort and fit.
The M5s are quite small and about average weight. Comfort is excellent thanks to the small size and wide array of sleeves included, and the isolation is very good for a dynamic IEM. They can be worn with the cable up or down, and as usual that means that the microphonic noise is well under control.



Sound quality.
As with all dynamic speakers the M5s need to settle or burn in, to sound their best.

Once settled they offer a warm and powerful but quite neutral sound. The bass is punchy and deep, the mids are smooth and warm, and the highs are crisp and detailed without being sibilant. The soundstage is big with very good imaging and instrument separation.

My test tracks sound marvellous, dynamic and with a great bass reproduction and overall lush sound. Even if they are warm sounding, they still offer good detail retrieval across the spectrum, and the bass or warmth of the sound does not colour the overall sound to any bigger extent.
Simply put, the sound the M5s produce is sensational for the asking price.

Brainwavz are really becoming a big player in the world of IEMs, first the B2 and R1, and now the M5. All exceptionally good, at a really great price.



To sum up.
The good: astonishing sound, very hard to beat sound per pound, great build quality.
The bad: not easily available to purchase.

Verdict: For the price, nothing beats them. Highly recommended!

Brainwavz R1

Specs.
Dual dynamic drivers, 6.8 mm tweeter and 9 mm woofer
Frequency range: 20 Hz – 22 KHz
Impedance: 16 Ohm
Sensitivity: 95 dB/mW
Price: $37.50 or $42.50 with mic
Colours: black and red

Build quality and accessories.
Build quality is very good, and with nice design to boot. The housing is made of plastic and the 120 cm long cable, with its 90 degree jack has a nice feeling to it. The included accessories are; four pairs of silicone sleeves (s, m, l and dual flanges), one set of foam sleeves, a inflight adapter, a 3.5 to 6.3 mm adapter and finally a very nice hard case for storing the R1s. Excellent accessory pack, especially considering their price.



Comfort and fit.
The R1s are light but quite large, to the extent that they may not fit comfortably in small ears. Comfort to my ears, after getting used to the size and shape, is very good and the isolation is very good for a dynamic IEM. They are to be worn with the cable running over the ear and that means that the microphonic noise is well under control, or more like totally eliminated.



Sound quality.
The R1s are dual dynamic earphones, meaning that there are two dynamic drivers in each earpiece, and as all dynamic speakers the R1s need to settle or burn in, to sound their best.

Once settled they offer a very musical and powerful, yet surprisingly neutral sound wrapped in a very large soundstage. The bass is very tight and full of energy, the mids are detailed and smooth, and the highs are crisp and detailed without being sibilant. The soundstage is one of the biggest and most 3D I have heard in an IEM, and also very accurate in imaging and instrument separation.

The sound the R1s produce is very enjoyable, it’s like having your very own and personal concert every time you put them on to listen to your favourite music. They really reveal new dimensions of the songs, my test tracks sounded spacious and very “out of your head”, in a good way, musical enjoyment at its best.
Technically speaking they are not as advanced as the top IEMs, but for pure enjoyment and musicality, they are definitely top notch!

The strongest point of the R1s is the astonishing sound and the unbelievable value, at $37.50 they have become one of my very favourite IEMs of all time, and that is remarkable!



To sum up.
The good: astonishing musicality and very enjoyable sound, large and detailed soundstage, sound per pound.
The bad: fit and comfort due to the size can be a problem for some

Verdict: If you are going to buy earphones for Christmas, these are the ones to get. For the price, nothing beats them. Highly recommended!

Brainwavz R3

Specs.
Dual dynamic drivers, 10 mm tweeter and 10 mm woofer
Frequency range: 20 Hz – 20 KHz
Impedance: 32 Ohm
Sensitivity: 95 dB/mW
Price: $99.50



Build quality and accessories.
Build quality is excellent, and with a very nice and ingenious design. The housing is all metal and feels like you could run them over without scratching them. The 130 cm long cable, with its 45 degree jack is very sturdy, I have seen jump start leads thinner than this cable. There is a so called memory wire on the section that runs over the ears, which helps the earphones stay tightly put.
The included accessories are; eight pairs of silicone sleeves (two sets of single flanged S, M and L, dual flanges and triple flanges), one set of foam sleeves, a inflight adapter, a 3.5 to 6.3 mm adapter and finally the very nice Brainwavz hard case. Excellent accessory pack.



Comfort and fit.
The R3s are light but quite large and the design may be troublesome for small ears. Comfort to my ears is very good and the isolation is remarkable for a dynamic IEM. A bit of nitpicking though, the memory wire could be shorter for even better comfort. They are to be worn with the cable running over the ear, and this means that there are next to no microphonic noises.

Sound quality.
The R3s are dual dynamic earphones with a unique design. The two 10mm drivers fire against each other and into an acoustic chamber, from which the sound is then lead through the sound tube and into the ear.



There is no dramatic change during burn in, the R3s offer a very musical and quite neutral sound that is layered in a huge 3D soundstage. The bass is very tight and natural sounding, the mids are detailed and smooth and slightly upfront, and the highs are crisp and detailed without being sibilant. The soundstage is the biggest and most 3D I have heard in an IEM.

This is what I had to say about the R1s.
“The sound the R1s produce is very enjoyable, it’s like having your very own and personal concert every time you put them on to listen to your favourite music. They really reveal new dimensions of the songs, my test tracks sounded spacious and very “out of your head”, in a good way, musical enjoyment at its best.
Technically speaking they are not as advanced as the top IEMs, but for pure enjoyment and musicality, they are definitely top notch!”
Turn this up to 11, then you have what the R3s are like.

The way the R3s deliver acoustic music and folk-rock is nothing short of stunning, of course they handle other music well too, and they can also act as a home cinema surround system on the go when watching movies on your portable device.

The strongest point of the R3s is the musicality and the great soundstaging. Once again Brainwavz have managed to pull off a remarkable earphone, and another personal favourite of mine.



To sum up.
The good: a very musical and highly enjoyable sound with a huge soundstage, great design and feel.
The bad: the memory wire could be shorter.

Verdict: Excellent and different build and design and a sound to match, and that soundstage. Highly recommended!

Brainwavz S0

Specs.
Dynamic driver, 9 mm
Frequency range: 18 Hz – 18 KHz
Impedance: 16 Ohm
Sensitivity: 100 dB/mW
Price: $49.50



Build quality and accessories.
Aesthetically the S0 is identical to the previously reviewed S1 and S5, except for being black/red. This is what I said about the S1 and S5:
Build quality is very good. The housing is made of metal and the 130 cm long flat cable, with its straight jack has a nice feeling to it, and as an added bonus it is very tangle resistant. The included accessories are; eight pairs of silicone sleeves (single flange s, m, l, dual flange and triple flange), one set of foam sleeves, a shirt clip, a nice strap for the cable and the very nice Brainwavz hard case.
Excellent accessory kit.



Comfort and fit.
Again, the S0 is identical with the S1 and S5 for comfort and fit. The S0s are about average when it comes to size and weight. Comfort is excellent thanks to the rounded design and wide array of sleeves included. The isolation is very good for a dynamic IEM. They are to be worn with the cable over the ear, but can also be worn straight down, and here is another trait of the flat cable, there are no microphoninc noises, at all.

Sound quality.
The sound of the S0 is the most neutral and mids focused of the trio.
As with all dynamic speakers the S0 need to settle or burn in, to sound their best.
The bass is well controlled and more about quality than quantity, the mids are smooth and detailed, the highs are natural and a little in the background yet still clearly audible. The soundstage is big with very good imaging and instrument separation.

My test tracks sound beautiful, natural with good bass and a really catchy presentation. Fun, dynamic and detailed are the words that pop to mind when listening to the S0.

Again Brainwavz have succeeded to make an earphone that goes straight into my favourite list, well done!



To sum up.
The good: great neutral sound, very nice looking, excellent sound per pound, excellent build quality.
The bad: not easily available to purchase.

Verdict: Once again Brainwavz have produced an IEM that goes straight in as one of my personal favourites. Highly recommended!

Brainwavz S1

Specs.
Dynamic driver, 10 mm
Frequency range: 20 Hz – 24 KHz
Impedance: 16 Ohm
Sensitivity: 93 dB/mW
Price: $59.50
Colours: dark grey with dark purple accenting

Build quality and accessories.
Build quality is very good. The housing is made of metal and the 130 cm long flat cable, with its 45 degree jack has a nice feeling to it, and as an added bonus it is very tangle resistant. The included accessories are; eight pairs of silicone sleeves (single flange s, m, l, dual flange and triple flange), one set of foam sleeves, in-flight adapter and the very nice Brainwavz hard case.
Excellent accessory kit, especially considering their price.



Comfort and fit.
The S1s are about average when it comes to size and weight. Comfort is excellent thanks to the rounded design and wide array of sleeves included. The isolation is very good for a dynamic IEM. They are to be worn with the cable over the ear, but can also be worn straight down, and here is another trait of the flat cable, there are no microphoninc noises, at all.



Sound quality.
As with all dynamic speakers the S1s need to settle or burn in, to sound their best.

Once settled they offer a warm sound in a slightly U shaped sound signature. The bass is punchy and deep, the mids are smooth, warm and a little in the background, the highs are crisp and upfront without being sibilant. The soundstage is big with very good imaging and instrument separation.

My test tracks sound beautiful, very musical and overall lush. Even if the S1s have a warm sound, they still offer surprisingly good detail across the spectrum. The warm and powerful bass does not colour the sound too much, but the S1s are not made for critical listening and analysing sinus tones, but for pure enjoyment of good music.

As I have already said earlier, Brainwavz are really becoming a big player in the world of IEMs, first the B2, R1 and M5, and now the S1. All exceptionally good, at a really great price.



To sum up.
The good: beautiful sound, beautiful aesthetics, excellent sound per pound, great build quality.
The bad: not easily available to purchase.

Verdict: One of my personal favourites. Highly recommended!

Brainwavz S3

Specs.
Dynamic driver, 8 mm
Frequency range: 16 Hz – 22 KHz
Impedance: 16 Ohm
Sensitivity: 96 dB/mW
Microphone and call/music controls
Price: $79.50



Build quality and accessories.
Build quality is in true Brainwavz manner very good. The housing is made of metal and the 130 cm long flat cable, with its straight jack has a nice feeling to it, and as an added bonus it is very tangle resistant. There is a microphone and call/music control on the left side of the Y cable.
The included accessories are; eight pairs of silicone sleeves (two sets of single flange s, m, l, dual flange and triple flange), one set of foam sleeves, a shirt clip, a cable tie and the very nice Brainwavz hard case.
As always with Brainwavz, the accessory kit is excellent.

Comfort and fit.
The S3s are about average when it comes to size and weight. Comfort is excellent thanks to the rounded design and wide array of sleeves included. The isolation is very good for a dynamic IEM. They can be worn with the cable straight down as well as over the ear. The flat cable is totally free from microphoninc noises, especially when secured with the shirt clip.



Sound quality.
As with most dynamic speakers the S3s sound their best after having been burned in for a while.
The bass is punchy and goes pretty deep, but the more important bit is that there is no bleeding over to the rest of the sound spectrum. The mids are smooth and natural, the highs are crisp and clear. The soundstage is very expansive with very good imaging and instrument separation.

The S3s have a very nice detail retrieval and thanks to the natural sound they suit all sorts of music. My test tracks sound beautiful and very life like, no artificial bass thump or screechy highs, just a very nice, clean and musical sound. They are one of my personal favourites, again, there is a certain something to them that makes me reach for the S3s instead of the pricier IEMs every so often.

Once again Brainwavz have given us a great performing IEM/headset at a very reasonable price.



To sum up.
The good: very good sounding, very nice looking, excellent sound per pound, excellent build quality.
The bad: not easily available to purchase.

Verdict: A very nice sounding headset, at a very nice price. Highly recommended.

Brainwavz S5

Specs.
Dynamic driver, 10 mm
Frequency range: 18 Hz – 24 KHz
Impedance: 16 Ohm
Sensitivity: 110 dB/mW
Price: $99.50

Build quality and accessories.
Aesthetically the S5 is identical to the previously reviewed S1, except for being all black and having a straight jack. This is what I said about the S1:
Build quality is very good. The housing is made of metal and the 130 cm long flat cable, with its straight jack has a nice feeling to it, and as an added bonus it is very tangle resistant. The included accessories are; eight pairs of silicone sleeves (single flange s, m, l, dual flange and triple flange), one set of foam sleeves, 3.5mm to 6.3mm adapter and the very nice Brainwavz hard case.
Excellent accessory kit.



Comfort and fit.
Again, the S5 and S1 are identical for comfort and fit. The S5s are about average when it comes to size and weight. Comfort is excellent thanks to the rounded design and wide array of sleeves included. The isolation is very good for a dynamic IEM. They are to be worn with the cable over the ear, but can also be worn straight down, and here is another trait of the flat cable, there are no microphoninc noises, at all.



Sound quality.
The sound of the S5 is very much like the S1, but more polished and refined.
As with all dynamic speakers the S5s need to settle or burn in, to sound their best.
The bass is punchy and deep, without colouring the rest of the sound, the mids are smooth, warm and just a little in the background, the highs are crisp and slightly upfront without being sibilant. The soundstage is big with very good imaging and instrument separation.

My test tracks sound beautiful, very musical and overall lush. Even if the S5s have a warm sound, they still offer good detail across the spectrum, they are a real jack of all trades in the meaning that they suit all sorts of music, and seem to have no real weaknesses in sound or overall use.
They are one of my personal favourites, I find myself going for the S5s instead of many of my pricier IEMs.

As I have said many times before, Brainwavz are really becoming a big player in the world of IEMs with their exceptionally great sound at a really great price.



To sum up.
The good: very good sounding, very nice looking, excellent sound per pound, excellent build quality.
The bad: not easily available to purchase.

Verdict: Once again Brainwavz have produced an IEM that goes straight in as one of my personal favourites. Highly recommended!