INTRODUCTION

 
Brainwavz is a company that has a good name at the lower end of the price market when it comes to portable audio, and they've specialised particularly in the $20 - $100 end of the market, offering many choices which should give options to suit most people's budget and individual preference. I’ve previously had both good and bad experiences with their headphones / IEMs – I previously reviewed and owned their B2 IEMs and HM5 headphones, and I have fond memories of both as stellar performers when they were introduced. I’ve also sampled and reviewed their R1, R3, S5, S0, M1, R3 V2, Jive IEMs and S3 – and whilst some have been (IMO) solid performers, others haven’t been quite as well aligned with my preferences.
 
When Pandora approached me about the XF200 I was quite interested – mainly because of the ergonomic design – but also the price point they had targeted. Getting a decent sport earphone at a $20-$30 price point is not an easy task. So Let's see how they managed.
 
One small point before we continue - my apologies for the quality of the photos. With the white case and cable it was hard to maintain a consistent white balance.
 
DISCLAIMER
The Brainwavz X-Fit XF200 that I’m reviewing today was provided to me gratis as a review sample. I have made it clear to Brainwavz that I still regard any product they send me as their sole property and available for return any time at their request. But I thank them for the ability to continue use of the XF200 for follow up comparisons. I do not make any financial gain from this review – it is has been written simply as my way of providing feedback both to the Head-Fi community and also Brainwavz themselves.
 
I have now had the XF200 since February 2016. Normal RRP is USD 25.00 (Amazon)
 
PREAMBLE - 'ABOUT ME'.
 
Over the last few months – I’ve used the XF200 from a variety of sources, but for this review, I’ve mainly used it with my iPhone 5S and FiiO X1 or M3. I've used a smart-phone and value oriented DAPs as this is likely to be more in-line with the target audience.
 
This is a purely subjective review - my gear, my ears, and my experience. Please take it all with a grain of salt - especially if it does not match your own experience.
 

THE REVIEW

 
PACKAGING AND ACCESSORIES
 
The Brainwavz XF200 arrived in a 93 x 165 x 45mm fully plastic retail box. The box has a fresh green and dark blue colouring with a graphic of someone running while using earphones (on top of the packaging), and an actual image of the XF200 on the lower half. The packaging states “Ergonomic Over-The-Ear Design”, “Secure Fit During Activities” and “Crisp Clear Bold Sound”. The side of the box states that genuine Comply tips are included, and also that the earphones have a 24 month warranty (which is pretty amazing considering their cost). On the rear of the box are full specifications and a list of accessories, as well as more “marketing type” information about the earphones.
 
 
Overall the packaging is fresh, and very easy to read – good job. Opening the retail box reveals a slide-out plastic formed tray containing:

1. The XF200 earphones
2. The very familiar back and red Brainwavz zip-up case
3. A velcro cable tie
4. A shirt clip
5. 6 sets of silicone ear tips (S,M,L)
6. 1 set of bi-flange silicone ear tips
7. 1 set of Comply sports S400 tips
8. Instruction manual and warranty card

 
Considering the value price of the XF200 – the accessory package is extremely good value.
 
 
The Brainwavz carry case is a hard fabric covered zippered case – and easily carries all your tips and the XF200. The case is really good because it does offer a lot of protection to the IEMs – but it is definitely more suited to transport in a jacket pocket or bag rather than a trouser pocket – simply due to its height. This is definitely a quality carry case though.
 
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
(From Brainwavz)
 
 
FREQUENCY GRAPH
The graphs below are generated using the Vibro Veritas coupler and ARTA software. I must stress that they aren’t calibrated to IEC measurement standards, but the raw data I’m getting has been very consistent, and is actually not too far away from the raw data measured by other systems except for above 4-5 kHz where it shows significantly lower than measurements performed on a properly calibrated rig. So when reading the graphs, don’t take them as gospel – or at least remember that the area above 4-5 kHz will likely be significantly higher. It is my aim to get this system calibrated at some stage in the future.
 
 
I measured both channels, and driver matching is extremely good – well done Brainwavz.
 
What I’m hearing:

1. Very elevated bass response – both mid and low bass
2. Comparatively recessed mid-range, with quite lean lower mids, and raised upper mids – particularly in the presence area from 2-3 kHz. This leaves vocals a little thin in body but very clean and clear.
3. Clear upper end which portrays sibilance if it is present in a track, but does not accentuate it. There is a certain amount of crispness to the lower treble.
4. Overall it is a V shaped signature with warm bottom end, and thin but crisp and clean top end.
    

BUILD QUALITY / DESIGN
My pair of XF200 were the white cable and clear housing. The housing is plastic, squarish shape, but with an ergonomic over-ear design (ideal for gym work). The shell itself is 16mm in length, and 17mm from the bottom of the shell to the cable exit (the actual body is only approx 12mm tall though). It is quite flat, just 10 mm at its widest point, and the nozzle extends a further 8mm on an angle forward from the IEM body. The nozzle is 5mm in diameter, has a mesh covering – but no lip. My first try with the XF2 was therefore an exercise in frustration, as most of my after-market tips simply slid off the nozzle and were left in my ears. I relayed this information to Brainwavz within a few days of receiving them. It is the one real fail with the design of the XF200 in my view. The fix is easy however. I simply wound some clear tape around the nozzles to fatten them.
 
 
Although I looked carefully I could not find any dynamic driver vent or port, and there is some driver flex present if using tips with high sealability. I also experienced some issues with creating a vacuum in my canals with anything giving me a great seal. Just a point to note, and for me personally a large foam tip gave me the ideal between seal, comfort and avoiding vacuum issues.
 
Thanks to @B9Scrambler, I was able to locate a very tiny vent below and to the bottom of the nozzle (internal side).  Despite this vent, I still experienced some driver flex and also vacuum seal issues if I used a silicone tip with an excellent seal.  The answer (for me anyway) was to use foam tips which helped avoiding both issues.
 
There is generous strain relief from the housing exit, and also at the Y split and jack. The cable is a 1.4m standard copper cable in an outer quite smooth TPE sheathing. From the cable exit there is just under 7cm of preformed “loop” or memory wire. This is preformed and non user-adjustable, but also works extremely well when combined with the cinch. It simply fits over ear, is quite comfortable, and does a really good job of staying put. The cable itself is slightly micro-phonic, but this can be eliminated bus tucking under clothing, or using the cinch.
 
 
On the right hand section (between Y-split and earpiece) is a combined microphone and control unit. The control unit has a single button for track control and separate volume buttons. This unit hangs just under my jaw (so ideal height for the mic). The jack is gold plated, 4 pole, has excellent strain relief, and is angled (around 45 degrees). It also fits my iPhone easily with the case on (great design choice).
 
The on cable controls work perfectly with my iPhone 5S, allowing volume changing, and also play/pause (one push), next track (two pushes), and previous track (three pushes). A single long push also activates Siri which is really handy. I also tried them with my Wife's Galaxy, and everything worked perfectly (including volume controls) except for the previous track (3 pushes) – it simply advanced the track and either paused or played (depending what was active). With the FiiO M3 and X1, the track buttons worked perfectly – but the volume controls did not (this is a FiiO issue rather than a Brainwavz issue. I also tested the XF200 with taking a call (with my wife), and it was reasonably clear at both ends. There was the usual hollow sound on my end due to the isolation and slight bone conduction.
 
 
All in all – very good build and design for the price point, with the exception being the lipless nozzle.
 
FIT / COMFORT / ISOLATION
I have one ear canal slightly different to the other one (my right is very slightly smaller) - so I tend to find that usually single silicon flanges don't fit overly well. I initially tried the large silicone tips included, and they were surprisingly good. I did have some vacuum issues and driver flex though. As I mentioned earlier, most of my after-market tips either didn't fit or slid off. In the end I wound the nozzles with a bit of tape, and after that had no issues fitting most tips. I settled on Comply large comfort foam tips which gave me the best combination of comfort and seal.
 
 
Isolation is better than average (probably because of the lack of porting), and comfort for me is excellent. The XF200 are nicely rounded internally, and there are no sharp protruding edges. They sit inside my outer ear, so it would be possible to lie on my side with them, and I would have no issues sleeping with them intact.
 
SOUND QUALITY
The following is what I hear from the Brainwavz XF200. YMMV – and probably will – as my tastes are likely different to yours (read the preamble I gave earlier for a baseline). Most of the testing at this point (unless otherwise stated) was done my iPhone 5S and FiiO X1.
 

 
Tracks used were across a variety of genres – and can be viewed in this list http://www.head-fi.org/a/brookos-test-tracks.
 
Thoughts on General Signature
As I outlined above in my comments in the frequency section, the Brainwavz XF200 has quite a V or U shaped signature with the main frequency boosts in the mid and sub-bass, and also in the upper mid-range. As such it tends to sound (for me anyway) quite thin through the mid-range, but with a lot of bottom end, and also a lot of sweetness particularly with female vocalists. The comparative dip in the vocal range gives a sense of space or distance, and the relative dip in lower treble ensures there is no excessive sibilance. Brainwavz description of crisp clear bold sound certainly seems to be accurate.
 
Overall Detail / Clarity
Tracks used : Gaucho, Sultans of Swing
 
The XF200 renders both tracks reasonably well with reasonable levels of detail and clarity. Cymbals are there but not highlighted, and definitely not glarey or etched in any way. Vocals sit back a little compared to the bass guitar which is quite prominent. Sax is well presented in Gaucho, and lead guitar in Sultans still has plenty of presence and bite. Once I got used to the extra bass, it's actually a pretty fun any dynamic listening experience, and detail definitely doesn't take a back seat.
 
Sound-stage, Imaging & Sibilance
Tracks used: Tundra, Dante’s Prayer, Let it Rain
 
First up was Amber Rubarth’s binaural track, and the XF200 has quite a narrow and intimate presentation. This is not particularly helped by the boom coming from the percussion. Depth and width are both close rather than expansive, and even though the track is binaural – it is still well within my “headspace”.
 
“Dante’s Prayer” was next, and the XF200 delivered an intimate performance, but with good contrast between the beauty of McKennitt’s vocals and the melancholy (but gorgeous) accompaniment of the cello. Imaging is reasonable with everything where it should be (I know the stage setting of this live track well). In this track, the applause at the end can be so well presented that with some headphones (HD600) I can actually close my eyes and imagine myself in the crowd. With the XF200, I wasn’t quite inside the crowd, but I could place it either side of me – so more strengths here on width than depth – but actually quite impressive all the same.
 
Last was Amanda Marshall’s “Let It Rain” – and I use this track because it has a naturally holographic feel about it (the way it was recorded), and can convey an amazing sense of space with the right headphones. The XF200 was reasonably holographic – but not to the extent I know the track can be. Marshall (in this recording) can also be sibilant at times. The XF200 had no issues – it was present but not highlighted.
 
Bass Quantity and Quality
Tracks used : Bleeding Muddy Waters, Royals
 
I started with Lannegan’s Muddy Waters which I use to evaluate bass quality. This blues rock track is quite dark and brooding anyway, and usually exposes any muddiness or bass bleed. The XF200 displayed very good depth with this track and genuine visceral impact. There is the slightest hint of bass bleed through into the vocal area, but nothing too much to detract the overall presentation. It doesn't quite manage to present the timbre and gravel of Mark’s voice (it is slightly lean and distant) but enjoyable despite this.
 
To see how low the bass would go I switched to Lorde’s “Royals” – and from the opening notes it was clear that the low bass has impressive extension. When the bass guitar kicked in, it felt like the low bass was going to rumble my head off. Too much quantity for me personally but it was impressive how clear Ella’s vocals remained.
 
Female Vocals
Track used : Aventine, Strong, The Bad in Each other, Howl, Safer, Light as a Feather, Don’t Wake Me Up
 
Up first was the hardest track in the repertoire, Agnes Obel's “Aventine”. For some reason IEM’s that are slightly “off” seem to play this track with a hollow or slightly strident tone. The XF200 is practically perfect with this tack – and I do mean perfect. Agnes’ vocals are sweet and slightly euphoric or sweet, whilst the accompanying cello is beautifully deep and almost mournful (wonderful timbre). Already for lovers of female vocals, you can tell these are special.
 
London Grammar was next with Strong, and at this point I knew that the XF200 really handles female vocals brilliantly. A joy to listen to and Hannah’s voice shone with them. The only distraction for me again was the volume of bass in the background – but that is personal taste. With Feist and FaTM (both tracks having good bass slam and really dynamic contrasts), vocals were clear and sweet – but again the bass was excessive for my personal tastes. I'd be EQing back if I wasn't reviewing it.
 
With slower and lusher tracks (Cilmi / Jones) the XF200 is a lot better – mainly because the tracks aren't overly bassy by default. Cilmi's “Safer” was gorgeous from start to finish and with Norah all I'd be doing is Eqing the bass a little lower to take care of the dominant bass guitar. The rest is really good.
 
Male Vocals
Tracks used : Away From the Sun, Art for Art’s Sake, Broken Wings, Hotel California, Keith Don’t Go, EWBTCIAST
 
I suspected this was going to be an interesting contrast because I knew the XF200 had significant bass ability, but also that the lower mids can seem a little distant – which would have an effect on male vocals in particular. Kicking off with 3 Doors Down, and the XF200 actually sounds pretty good (I'm getting used to the vocal presentation by now). There is no question that vocals are definitely slightly back in the mix, but the V shaped nature seems to suit rock music and already I can see these being great for the gym. Bass is dynamic, has great impact, and lead guitar brings wonderful contrast with great edge. 10CC was actually a revelation because its not an overly bassy track but the XF200 just gave it another level in dynamism. Really enjoyable. Likewise acoustic tracks were very enjoyable. Clear, articulate, and although a little lean, still had good vocal clarity.
 
My ultimate test for male vocals though has always been Pearl Jam. This was a quite different presentation, and although there was great presentation of cymbals and upper end detail, Eddie's vocals just weren't quite there for me. Still enjoyable – but missing some magic that makes PJ special to me.
 
Other Genres
I tested the XF200 with all of my main listening tracks, and the recurring theme was very dependent on what was playing. Anything with a lot of bass quickly became excessive for me. And anything with deep male vocals was slightly thin. I'll cover them with quick bullet points though:

1. Alt Rock – like classic rock, the XF200 was mostly pretty good with this genre, but dependent on the recording. Really enjoyed both Floyd and Porcupine Tree. Very dynamic.
2. Jazz – actually very good. Cymbals and softly brushed snares were very good. Double bass extremely enjoyable with amazing depth. Portico Quartet was exceptional and especially the track “Steepless” with Cornelia on vocals.
3. Blues – Bonamassa again really good. The XF200 seems to do guitar particularly well, and Joe’s vocals were really enjoyable. There wasn't too much bass in the tracks I listened to, so the overall presentation was dynamic and cohesive.
4. Rap / Hip-hop – Lots of mid and sub bass and visceral impact. Your level of enjoyment will likely be relative to how much you appreciate bass
5. Electronic / Trip-Hop / Trance – Little Dragon was great vocally but a little boomy in the bottom end. Stirling was slamming and this definitely emitted a “club vibe”. Trance was very enjoyable, and especially any tracks with female vocal. Bass light electronic was spectacular – thoroughly enjoyed the Flashbulb.
6. Pop – A little thin and distant in the vocals at times, but would imagine that many people will love the overall dynamics of the presentation.
7. Indie – generally very good, and Wildlight was spectacular (Ayla's vocals are sensational with the XF200). Did tend to get a little overly boomy at times.
8. Classical was a mixed bag. There was enough sense of dynamics, timbre and tone to be enjoyable most of the time. Standouts for me were Zoe Keating’s cello (Escape Artist) and Kempffs solo piano. Weak points would be Pavarotti (the power of his vocals was lost), and the overall width with some orchestral pieces.

 
AMPLIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

 
The XF200 is very easily powered straight out of virtually any portable device, and I didn’t experience any issues with any of the DAPs I tested (iPhone 5S, or any of the FiiOs). With the iPhone I was between 30 and 40% on most tracks, and with the X1 around 25-30/120. I did test the X1 with both the FiiO E17K and IMS HVA, and I couldn’t say it added anything sonically once volume matched.
 
EQUALISATION
I didn't spend a lot of time on this – mainly just trying to see if I could get Pearl Jam sounding a little closer to my ideal, To do this I cut sub-bass by about 4 dB, and gave a slow hump or hill between the 160 Hz slider and 1 kHz slider on the X1 (only a couple of dB). Even this small change helped a lot, and I'm sure I could refine this given a little extra time, and an equaliser with a few more options.
 
The good thing is that the XF200 responds well to EQ and can be manipulated if its close to your ideal signature and merely requires some subtle tweaks.
 
COMPARISONS
I wasn't too sure what to compare with for this section, but given that the overall signature is reasonably close to that of the Brainwavz Jive, and also it is being marketed as a “Sports Earphone” I thought the two obvious candidates would be the Jive and also the relatively new Alpha & Delta D2m from Lend Me Ur Ears. And because I also received the T-Peos Raisel, and it is a similar tuning – thought I'd throw that in as a slightly dearer offering.
 
Please note that these are all very subjective, so please take my personal bias into account (see the “about me” section). When testing, I volume matched first at 1 kHz using an SPL meter and test tones. The XF200 was unequalised.
 
XF200 $25.00 vs Jive $25.00
The Jive has the slightly better build with the aluminium shell, but really speaking build (and comfort) on both is comparable. He two have very similar signatures – both have elevated bass, but very clear and clean vocal signatures which are both on the lean side. The XF200 does sound a little fuller, and the bass has a little more presence (the difference is in the mid-bass). The XF200 is also a little peakier or brighter. I actually like both – and this will come down to preference.
 
XF200 $25.00 vs Alpha & Delta D2 $26.00
The A&D D2 is a recent arrival and I am yet to review it – but it is in the same bracket and also advertised as a sports earphone. Build quality is similar – with the XF200 opting for clear plastic housing while the D2 utilises a matte rubbery finish. Both have an ergonomic fit with looped cable guides – but for my particular physiology, the AD D2 fits just a little snugger in the ear. The accessory pack on the XF200 is more complete than the AD D2. Both have similar bass responses relative to their lower mid-ranges, and the main difference is in the upper mid-range and lower treble. The D2 takes a less V shaped approach, and as a result sounds slightly more balanced (still with a bassy tilt). The XF200 is also a bit brighter with more heat up top. Again – difficult to pick a winner and will come down ultimately to preference – bassy and bright vs bassy and a little more subdued.
 
XF200 $25.00 vs T Peos Rasiel $40.00
Two more quite similar earphones. The Rasiel has better build and cable, while the XF200 has better overall accessories and has the in-line controls. Bass is very similar between the two, but like the AD D2 the real difference is in the upper mid-range. Where the XF200 is very bright and clean, the Rasiel tends to be a bit more comparatively subdued in the presence area. This gives a much smoother presentation, but also accentuates the bass a lot more. The result is a lot more warmth. There is still a bit of heat at the top of the upper mid-range / lower treble. Overall these two are quite different despite the similar looking graphs (it is amazing how shifting the upper mid-range rise affects things). Again picking on over the other comes down to preference – bassy and bright vs even more bassy and smooth.
 
After testing all three – I have to admit that while each of them has their good points, none are really overly appealing to me with their default signatures.
 

BRAINWAVZ XF200 – VALUE & SUMMARY

The XF200 is an interesting IEM and I have to take my hat off to Brainwavz for their ability to deliver some pretty decent sounding IEMs for very little financial outlay.
 
The XF200 is well built with an ergonomic over-ear design, and very good in-line controls. The one design fault it has is not having a lip on the nozzle – but this can be easily fixed just by using a little tape (if your favourite tips don't fit). The XF200 comes with a very good accessory package including a quality zipped case and genuine Comply tips (1 pair).
 
Sonically the XF200 is quite V shaped with a bassy and warm bottom end, yet overall lean and clear mid-range. It is spectacular with female vocals, but a little less so with male vocalists for my tastes.
 
For the extremely low price of USD 25.00, the XF200 is quite a package and I can see where it could very well attract a following among exercise enthusiasts with its exciting/fun V shape, comfortable fit and on-cable controls.
 
The problem I have with it is for my own particular tastes there is simply too much bass, and the V is just a little too pronounced. None-the-less it is a good earphone, and for the package it offers, I'd have no problems giving 3.5 stars, despite it not being to my particular tastes.
 
My thanks once again to Pandora and Prithvi – I really appreciate the opportunities you give us as reviewers.
 
 
 

Intro​

TL;DR: The Brainwavz XF200 is, in and of itself, an excellent sports IEM that will go the extra mile with you and then some.
 

First of all, I would like to thank Brainwavz Audio and Pandora for the review unit which I would now review objectively without any biases. I used to own the M2’s from Brainwavz and after that pair died on me, I'm ready to give Brainwavz another shot. I must say I have enjoyed the M2’s thoroughly though
 
For this review, I have tested this IEM over the course of three weeks, and taking it on a trip with me overseas where I used it while sleeping, on noisy public transports, and doing multiple short workouts.
 

 
 
Intro
So these are the Brainwavz IEMs that are designed for the active user, for the athlete in us. They sport a Single Dynamic 9mm driver and an over the ear design, giving the user a snug fit. At a $25 price point, one might have their reservations, but they are a budget offering with absolutely bang-for-the buck sound quality.
 
These are the complete specifications below.
 
Specifications:



Drivers: Dynamic, 9 mm

Rated Impedance: 16 Ω

Frequency Range: 20 Hz ~ 20 kHz

Sensitivity: 95 dB at 1 mW

Rated Input Power: 10 mW

Cable: 1.4 m Y-Cord, Copper

Plug: 3.5 mm, Gold plated

 

 
 
Packaging
These sweet IEMs came in an assuming plastic packaging, but upon opening it, what came with it really amazes me at this price point, the standard Brainwavz case, which is one of my favorites, with just the right size to not occupy so much space in my bag, compared to the Pelican Case 1010. Included in the package is also a pair of Comply tips, not just any OEM foam tips but proper Comply ones. I was surprised how they were able to squeeze so much into such a small price point. Apart from that, they had a pair of Bi-flange tips and 3 sets of normal silicon ear tips. I used the default M sized ones which fits me like a glove. They also come with a shirt clip, to clip onto your workout attire, to prevent swinging cables getting in your way while your do burpees or other intensive activities. I found this especially useful especially during my workouts.
 
Build Quality
The IEM shells are plastic, actually, the entire IEM is made from plastic and rubber, which makes it lightweight but I am actually impressed with the build quality, it doesn’t feel cheap in anyway and has good strain relieves at the connection between the shells and the cable, and at the Y splitter as well as the termination. The strain reliefs look sturdy and could take a beating without giving way. As a IEM catered to sports and meant to take some abuse, these certainly lived up to expectations. Another point I like to point out is the engraving of the Brainwavz branding onto the shells and the Y splitter instead of printing as I believe after much use doing activities and sports, abrasion or wear might wear out the branding, making it unsightly, thus I guess kudos to Brainwavz. The cables seem to be slightly thicker than the usual cables and has a slight rubbery tactile feel to them which feels good, not sticky or too rubbery. They feel solid and just exudes quality.
 

 
Sound
Using the M sized eartips, the comfort surprised me. They sit flush in the ear conchae and don’t seem to budge. The shells are rather flat-ish and I could sleep with them without problems. With a good and comfortable fit, I could enjoy the sound of these to the fullest.  These came across overall as a basshead pair of earpiece, with emphasis on the strong punchy bass and extensive sub bass that extends really deep. In my opinion, as a pair of IEMs designed for active use, I would assume the user to be listening to fast paced, bassy tracks to give some extra kick to the workout, at least for me. These sounded really good while listening to artists like Alesso, Skrillex, Major Lazer. The bass had quite a bloat, which I enjoyed but does not come off as muddy or sloppy. They were accurate and sounded really pleasant. Mids wise they sounded slightly forward to me, but nothing to shout about in these regions. Vocals were smooth when listening to songs from Kodaline and Adele but not exciting or crisp like the FXT90s which I own. For the highs, they sounded like they roll off abit too quickly, and just doesn’t sound exciting and crisp, which is an area which I think this IEM could be better at. But speaking of which, these are supposed to be a fun pair of IEMs, ready to rock a workout and give thumping bass to the active user, thus I think they did the job perfectly well
 

 
Conclusion
For 25 bucks, I would say these are an absolute gem, I think Brainwavz has nailed it with these pair of active earphones and for those who don’t mind a wired pair of IEMs while you work out, do give these a shot at your local store, or purchase them from the Brainwavz webstore with the link below.
 
http://www.brainwavzaudio.com/products/xfit-xf200-noise-isolating-sport-iem-earphones-w-3-button-remote-microphone

Let me start by saying that I'm sort of a Brainwavz fanboy and I typically love their 'house sound'. I was especially excited to review this particular offering because I use my IEM's predominately to exercise whether it be running, weight lifting or participating in active sports like snow skiing and cycling.
 
Thanks to Brainwavz for the demo pair. I have no affiliation with their company or any other company or entity in the industry.
 
Also, I will not be adding any photos (there are plenty in other reviews) since my camera is currently being used by my lovely wife for a family project. And this review will deal more with the XF-200's suitability as a sport IEM than with the actual sound of the headphone...although as you'll see I liked the sound very much.
 
 
I was EXTREMELY excited to try this IEM when it was announced as it, to my knowledge, is the first real 'sports' specific IEM that Brainwavz has offered. Also glimpsing it online I was excited by the look/design.
 
Alas, when it arrived I was somewhat disappointed that the cables weren't detachable like on the Meelectric M6 Pro. But since it retails for half the price it can be excused for not including that feature, although I doubt I'm alone in being willing to pay double the asking price for an upgraded future XF-200 that would include detachable cables. 
 
Typical good Brainwavz kit (case, tips including Complys, etc.)
 
A quick listen OOTB let me know this was going to be a nice Brainwavz offering even if initially the treble was a tiny bit 'crunchy' and the bottom end a tad bloated/boomy. No problem...as a true believer in the Church of the Holy Burn In I just plugged them into my burn in rig and forgot about them for a few days. I didn't count the hours (typically 50-100 for some of my other IEM's) as at this budget price I doubt most will burn them in at all.
 
 
 
So here we are ready for some serious listening.  But first, getting the fit right proved to be a little bit tricky. The biggest factor appeared to be tip selection as too small a tip allowed the housing too far into my ear and proved uncomfortable as well as providing a poor seal and too large a tip left the IEM sticking out too far and apparently the weight and/or angle of the housing dislodged the IEM with minimal movement. I probably tried at LEAST 30 different tips before settling on one that seemed to provide the best compromise. I should note here that I also tried the included Complys and they solved some of the fit problems I was having however I've never been a big fan, finding them to more often than not attenuate the upper ranges of frequency. Perhaps it's the size/shape/angle of my particular ear canal but I had a tough time getting them comfortable and sealed. I finally settled on an 'olive' shaped medium tip that seemed to work the best with the least amount of compromise in either fit or seal.  But that tip too broke the seal as soon as I started out on a slow run. Nothing I did seemed to help the tips stay sealed in my ear canal, least of all the cable cinch which is mounted below the mic/controls and thus cannot be tightened up to the head to help stabilize the earphones. This is, in my opinion, a design flaw that I've seen all too frequently. I realize that many (most?) users want the mic/control for use with their smart phones but I've found it more often impedes my use of the vast majority of IEMs as I can't cinch them up tight enough to lesson movement and cable microphonics. This seems especially vexing in a sports oriented IEM that is designed for over the ear use. *I should note at this point that my preferred method of wearing any IEM is over the ears with the cable cinch tight against the back of my head and the shirt clip on the back of my collar- this, for me eliminates movement/breaking the seal and cable microphonics*  I think that perhaps this could be rectified either by changing the design somehow or if the cables were removable and two cables (one with mic and one without) were included in the kit like the M6 Pro. 
 
I found the overall sound signature to be very pleasing and definitely in my preferred range. I am among the so call "bass heads" who like a fair amount of low end to round out the sound. Live music has plenty of bass and I feel that recorded music, to sound 'real' should as well. Especially when moving about in environments with more ambient noise. Since I use my IEMs for commuting, and working out they sound much more lifelike if they have a good amount of well controlled bottom end...and don't sound like the cheap AM radio speaker in an old Ford Pinto.
 
Of course that is moot if you can't get a good seal and/or the 'phones don't isolate well. I know a lot has been written on HeadFi about isolation and how/why it is or isn't present in a particular earphone but that particular characteristic, or lack thereof, is my second biggest problem with the XF-200. Compared to some of my other Brainwavz IEM's they don't seal out external sound as well as I think and IEM should. That's the main reason I use IEMs...to block out the world and enjoy my music. I'm not sure if it's a function of ports for the dynamic driver, the material the housing is made of (plastic) or even the overall size/surface area of the housing...or all of the above that affects isolation. I found that these earphones isolate slightly less than the Brainwavz Jazz. And while overall isolation lagged, IMO behind the Jazz, the sound signature exceeded it.  My current benchmark for isolation is the Brainwavz S5 followed not too far behind by the S3. I'd be interested in hearing an XF-200 with some kind of metal housing to see if that has any effect on the relative isolation or not. 
 
Once burned in the sound was pleasantly weighted both top and bottom end and instrument separation and soundstage width and depth were both well above average especially for this price point. They pair particularly well with my trusty old 2nd Gen iPod Nano with the Wolfson chip. They sound wonderful also with my ancient rooted Samsung Galaxy S as well. Hi rez recordings sound particularly good. As always I didn't try them with any kind of dubstep or club music or whatever you want to call it as I don't feel that other than dynamics and frequency range you can objectively evaluate a headphone's sound quality with that type of music. As a musician I KNOW what a guitar sounds like...and a piano...and a clarinet...and.....To me the real test of any headphone is how well it reproduces the nuances of the human voice and timbre of acoustic instruments and immerses you in the music so that you feel like you're actually in the recording studio or concert hall. And the XF-200 does just that very very well at this price point. And I can pretend I'm a rock star wearing them around while I play my guitar with my little Vox headphone guitar amp since they look like stage monitors. 
 
One additional note. I 'owned' the M6 Pro briefly while burning them in as a gift for my son in law. While I liked them I still preferred, overall, the sound of ANY of my Brainwavz earphones. But the removable cables (with a spare in the box) on the M6 Pro are hard to pass up.
 
I still haven't given up trying to find a suitable tip that will keep these 'phones sealed in my ear canals while running or lifting weights. I'll update this review if/when I succeed.

---

 
Intro:-
 
  Brainwavz as we all know is best known for its bang for buck products. Now they have added one more to their list or inexpensive earphone, XF200 with a 9mm driver doing all the hard work.
This earphone is a first from Brainwavz, as far as I know they never had an earphone for Sports activities, I am not sure if this will have a successor or not. They do have earphones like R1, S1 and R3 with over ear design but never one made of plastic which is transparent!! Not a big deal though, but it looks beautiful.
 
 Designed with a 3-button controller built into the cable, comes in two colours, black and white with white being the transparent one and is priced $25. Available on Brainwavzaudio.com, Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and other authorized Brainwavz resellers around the globe.
 
 What I have with me here is the clear white or transparent one. You can buy one from here.
 
http://www.brainwavzaudio.com/products/xfit-xf200-noise-isolating-sport-iem-earphones-w-3-button-remote-microphone
 
 It will face tough competition from other cheaper earphones like PL-30, Meelec M-6, Piston 3 and even BE-09.
 
 
 
 
 P.S. I would like to thank Pandora and Brainwavz for this review unit.
 
Accessories, Ergonomics and Miscellaneous:-
 
 Unlike the cheaper Omega, thankfully XF200 comes with the all too familiar Brainwavz carry case. Inside one can find a pair of S-400 tips with 6 more pairs of tips in 3 sizes, there is a pair of double flang tips too. A cable clip and a cable tie complete the package
.
 I personally like its fitment, ergonomically its really nice, not big, neither heavy, fits perfectly and with its supple cable guides it fits easily. Thanks to its design you can sleep side on with this earphone.
 
 As I said earlier XF200 is made of plastic which looks nice. It has enough stress relievers on the earpiece end and the cable is virtually similar to the omega or Jive. 60 degree 3.5mm jack with good stress reliving, Brainwavz style Y splitter and cable slider. The cable is strong and not much bouncy one should use the cable clip to keep it in place though. At 140 cm, this cable is long enough for anyone who is not excessively tall.
 
 One can see or feel a bump on the left ear piece’s stress reliever, there are proper L/R markings too but you just cant wear it on the wrong ear, can you?
 Isolation is not bad, isolates enough for casual listening.
 
 Thanks to its wearing style microphonics is not a thing to bother about.
 
 
 
 

 
 
Remote and mic:-
 
 It has a 3 button remote to control music and pick or end calls, the unit is plastic though build quality is good. My Redmi has feature to assign volume buttons to skip tracks or control volume. When it’s set to control volume, middle button does everything else. Picks calls, ends calls, plays and stops music when not in call, skips ahead with a double tap and goes back with 3 clicks. Works fine with all android phones.
 
 When volume buttons are assigned to skip tracks back and forth, you can’t control volume from your remote.
 
 Mic’s voice quality is just acceptable.
 
 
 
Sound Quality:-
 
 As the price tag and label suggests, it is not something that will blow your mind with superb quality but it has its strengths, its description says something for it, its crisp, clearer too, and yeah, kind of bold and Man!! Booming beats?? There is plenty to it booming.
 
 Keep no doubts, just like the Omega, this too is a seriously bassy earphone. Everything else is good but it’s the bass that takes the center stage. Its signature is warm and slightly bright, overall its V shaped too.
 
 Before we start let me tell you that XF200 is burned for more than 70 hours and I have used Brainwavz S0 tips and stock FX200 tips. For this earphone, tips do matter, Stock narrow tips are really bassy so I used Black and red core S0 tips with wider bore which calms the bass, still bassy!!
 
 Don’t you dare to use an amp!! Want to damage your ears or what? Just stick to your phone or PMP.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bass:-
 
 As I said it’s a bassy earphone and there is plenty of bass, it doesn’t like to wait, goes boom whenever it can. Moves enough air, has plenty of thump and the overall quantity is big. With this much of bass an earphone cannot be fast and it shows, its muddy, has below par decay. Its not JVC Ha-fx type bass which is seriously mid bassy and slams like a brick!! XF200 has a softer approach with plenty of sub bass and good mid-bass presence. It’s more like a cushy and soft type of bass which doesn’t strain much (still bothers me, I am not a bass lover I think).
 
 Clarity and details are good for its price, even when it lacks precision and accuracy, you are not going to miss any beat for sure, it will pick any type of movement in the range of 20 to 200 Hz. Did I tell you that it has plenty of depth, I sadly can’t hear below 25 Hz.
 
 Being cushy, muddy and boomy leads to some bleading, not much but it does.
 
 Using wide bore tips do help, it tames the quantity a bit without losing its entertaining quality.
 
 FX200’s bass can simply be explained as full bodied and meaty. Thankfully its not over my head like Twinwoofers, they are just intolerable with really bad decay and seriously boomy bass.
 
Mid Range:-
 
 Its mid range is in a valley but not lacking by any means, I didn’t find it as dwarf as the S0, in other words XF200 has better mid range than S0. XF200 does not have the clarity or precision or even sharpness of the Jive but it doesn’t do badly. Notes are not lean by any means, they are thick and meaty and are not sharp and it just glides, giving bass the center stage.
 
 Vocals are particularly good for its price, male vocals are slightly out of depth but have good body and clarity, not bad for sure. Female vocals on the other hand are really good, Iggy sounds really nice, Kiesza sounds simply fantastic with required amount of sharpness and energy!! You just can’t ask for more at this price. Instruments too sound nice, not exactly to the point but nothing a casual listener will notice, it doesn’t pick micro details like A151p 2^nd gen and lacks accuracy still one will not miss much. It does the basics right.
 
 Just like bass, mid range too doesn’t have much depth, which makes it sound less detailed.
 
 This mid range is more than acceptable.
 
 Highs:-
 
 After the Omega I was kind of worried about XF200’s highs, with S0 leading the way without much top end extension or presence I thought 200 might be one of those ultra smooth earphones. Thankfully it’s not.
 
 It doesn’t have presence like Jive but it’s not lacking like Omega or S0. Extension too is nothing to complain about. It doesn’t exactly jump out with sparking presence like Titan-1 or isn’t even sharp too but makes its presence felt with enough instrument work.
 
 Layering and separation are below average but placement of instruments is acceptable.
 
 Good thing about this high end is its not bothering with longer listening sessions. Doesn’t cause any discomfort at all.
 
 All in all XF200’s highs are acceptable.
 
Conclusion:-
 
 XF200 is not waterproof or even sweat resistant but with its secure and comfortable fitment it is acceptable for activities in gym or for casual jogging or walking.
 
 It will suit anyone who is looking for a nice and secure fit with plenty of bass, better than average sound quality wise and good when it comes to build quality. It will make a nice gift for your gym going friend, your better half or even for your boss!!
 
 It’s not as good as the piston3 which is retailing for $17 and is far more refined but XF200 it is better than ES18, Omega, CX200 or even FX-40. Doesn’t stand against something like VSD2 for sure but is good for $25 and are on par with RP-HJE-190.
 
 It’s not an earphone for detail seekers, not for those who don’t like bass or are not comfortable with its wearing style.
 
 Thanks for reading guys!! Cheers.
 Have a nice day, enjoy.
 

---

Greetings Headfi,
 
Today we are going to take a look at Brainwavz's second new release of 2016, the Xfit XF-200 sports in-ear earphone. Brainwavz has been on a roll this year releasing some affordable new models, starting with the Omega, followed up by the XF-200 and BLU-200 Bluetooth model. I quite enjoyed the Omega, so let's see how the XF-200 stacks up.
 
Disclaimer:
 
The XF-200 was provided by Brainwavz in exchange for a fair and unbiased review. There is no monetary gain for me. I just get to listen to a cool new iem and share my thoughts with the community.
 

---

 
 

---

 
Packaging and Accessories:
 
Like the Omega the XF-200 comes in a fairly standard plastic encasement, plastered with imagery of joggers. Brainwavz is making it very clear who these are intended to be used by. Open the box and slide out the inner plastic tray to be welcomed by a slew of accessories.
 
Brainwavz is giving you some serious value for your $25. You get their excellent hard case, a burly shirt clip, a Velcro strap for wrapping up your earphones, a set of Comply T-400 ear tips, a pair of silicone dual-flange tips, and two sets each of their single flange tips in small, medium, and large. In all, that's 8 pairs of tips. Much better than the three pairs you get with most earphones.
 
Comfort, Design, Isolation:
 
I really like the design of the XF-200. It's quite reminiscent of similar sports offerings from MeeElec and Moxpad, but with it's own flair. The "speed lines" and inset Brainwavz logo are subtle. Even with the black housings, in the right light and at the right angle you can just barely see through the bottom of the housing and catch a glimpse of the driver.
 
Unfortunately, the nice design did not seem to play nicely with my ears and getting a good fit was more of a challenge than I like. Once I finally found a set of tips that provided a good seal, it still took a good bit of twisting and finagling to get the XF-200 into a nice position, especially with my left ear.
 
The built in ear guides I also found pretty unnecessary. They didn't do much to keep the cable behind my ear and ended up creating a ton of noise, especially whenever they rubbed up against my glasses. I would have liked to see Brainwavz install some traditional memory wire, or forego it altogether and include some removable ear guides.
 
I found the XF-200 to isolate pretty well. Slightly above average for a vented dynamic driver.
 

---

 
 

---

 
Microphone and Controls:
 
*Since I didn't notice any significant differences between the mic on the Omega and XF-200, this part might seem a little familiar if you read my review of the Omega.*
 
It's always nice to see a manufacturer include an inline mic with full three-button controls at this price. While call quality was fine, not bad but not amazing either, it's the versatility of this unit that impressed me most.
 
Most inline mic+control setups work with either Android or iDevices, offering only limited functionality in the one it doesn't specialize in. The setup on the XF-200 does it all, offering full use of the three button remote on both mobile platforms. It worked flawlessly controlling my HTC One M8, and could be used to start/stop music, end calls, and skip/scan through tracks. While I didn't get to test call functionality on my iPod Touch, I was able to do everything I could on Android with the added functionality of volume control. Sweet.
 
I also wanted to note that the two raised dots on the centre button made blind-use of the control unit a breeze. Simple, but really effective.
 
Sound Quality:
 
I was actually quite surprised at how much I liked the sound of the XF-200. Getting a good seal was a major challenge, but integral to properly enjoying them. The only stock tips that provided anything close to a good seal were the included dual flanges, but they really nerfed the XF-200's bass output. In the end I swapped out to an ancient pair of large, oddly shaped single flange tips from a pair of near-release Skullycandy Smokin' Buds, before they moved to their more traditional tips with the imprinted Skullycandy logo. With these tips I was able to get a great seal, comfort improved, and the excellent sound quality of the XF-200 was able to shine through.
 
Brainwavz boasts on the box that the XF-200 features crisp, clear, bold sound. I can't argue with that. It's pretty darn accurate. Treble is slightly cold and crispy in it's presentation, and is quite sharp and detailed with solid extension. Compared to the Omega which I found loose and sloppy, the XF-200 is very clean and tight.
 
Mids are reasonably forward, very clear, and detailed. If you are the kind of person that works out to podcasts or vocal only files, the XF-200 will be perfect. I also found that guitars were represented with a realism and grit you hardly ever find at this price point. Sit down and listen to Funkadelic's "Maggot Brain" and you'll get where I'm coming from. Pure bliss. Vocals can come across a little sterile, but it works for the most part with the slightly cold presentation.
 
The XF-200, while not bass-lite in any way, was not anywhere near as bassy as I was expecting after reading other reviews. Mid-bass was toned down quite a bit, which I appreciate, leaving you with excellent sub-bass extension. These 9mm drivers can put out some serious rumble when called upon. Bass was also shockingly quick and nimble, and much more capable than I was expecting. It could handle some of the insanely quick double-bass drum moments you find in a lot of metal songs (Dragonforce represent) that usually leave budget iems a confused mess.
 

---

 
 

---

 
Overall:
 
Once I got past the painful fit issues, the XF-200 surprised me as a very capable earphone. They offered up a reasonably balanced sound, solid build quality, and a very generous pile of accessories which was another plus. There are other earphones that I enjoy more in this sports-focused category, the KZ ZS1 most notably, but I can't think of anything else that gives you such good value for your money when you take into account the full package. Great job Brainwavz!
 
Thanks for reading.
 
- B9Scrambler
 
************************
 
Some test albums:
 
System of a Down - Toxicity
Skindred - Union Black
Gorillaz - Plastic Beach
Broken Bells - Broken Bells (2010)
Supertramp - Crime of the Century
The Crystal Method - The Crystal method (2014)
Slipknot - The Subliminal Verses: Vol. 1
Evil Nine - They Live
 
Equipment:
 
HTC One M8
Topping NX1
Plantronics Rig USB Amp
 

At the time of the review, the Brainwavz XF200 was was on sale on Amazon’s website. Here is a couple links to their listing of the product:
 
http://www.brainwavzaudio.com/products/xfit-xf200-noise-isolating-sport-iem-earphones-w-3-button-remote-microphone
 
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01A5D5XF8?keywords=brainwavz%20xfit%20xf-200&qid=1455387389&ref_=sr_1_2&sr=8-2
 
Introduction
With the new year comes resolutions for many of us. For me, this year’s resolution was to lose some weight and exercise more. With that comes a larger grocery bill and a gym membership. This added expense cuts into a person’s budget for various other stuff like a pair of earphones to use while working out.
 
When Brainwavz emailed me to see if I would be interested in reviewing their recent release of X-fit sports earphones it was perfect timing. Not only would I be able to review them, I could put them to the test by bringing them to the gym.
 
Disclaimer
I was given an opportunity to review the XF200 in exchange for my honest opinion and review. I am in no way affiliated with Brainwavz. I would like to take this time to personally thank Pandora for the opportunity.
 
My Background
I AM NOT a numbers and graphs audiophile or sound engineer. Personal audio enthusiast? Absolutely! Headphone junkie? Possibly…
 
There’s something about quality DAPs, DACs, Amplifiers and Earphones that intrigues me, especially if they can be had for low prices. I will buy the $5 to $500 earphone that looks promising, in hopes that I will discover that one new gem that can compete with the big names in this industry. If you look at my Head-Fi profile you will see that I have purchased MANY different headphones and earphones, ranging from from dirt cheap to higher end products. For me, this hobby is more about getting great price to performance ratio from a product, and have a variety of different gears with varying builds and sound to mix and match. With personal audio gear, we tend to pay a lot of money for minor upgrades. One thing I’ve learned over the last few years is that just because a headphone has a higher price tag, it doesn’t mean that it has superior build and sound quality.
 
I’m always looking for great audio at a great price. I’m after headphones and IEMs that give me the “WOW” factor. I can appreciate different builds and sound signatures as long as they are ergonomic, and the sound is pleasing to the ear. It is my pleasure to share my experiences with audio products and make recommendations based gear I have owned and used.
 
REVIEW

The XF200 comes in a lime green and navy blue box with white accents. The front of the box features a description of the product and a picture of the housing.
 

The back of the box displays a brief description of the product along with a list of specifications and accessories.
 
     
 
The left side displays a two year warranty and indicates that they XFIT earphones come with Comply Foam tips. The right side of the box features the same information and also explains the functions of the three button remote and microphone.
 
Specifications and Accessories

 

Specifications:

1. Drivers: Dynamic, 9 mm
   
2. Rated Impedance: 16 ohms
   
3. Frequency Range: 20 Hz ~ 20 kHz
   
4. Sensitivity: 95 dB at 1 mW
   
5. Rated Input Power: 10 mW
   
6. Cable: 1.4 m Y-Cord, Copper
   
7. Plug: 3.5 mm, Gold plated
   
   

Included Accessories:

1. 1 x Comply S-400 medium foam tips
   
2. 6 x Pair silicone tips (2x S/2x M/2x L)
   
3. 1 x Pair dual flange silicone tips (M/L)
   
4. 1 x Velcro cable tie
   
5. 1 x Shirt clip
   
6. 1 x Brainwavz earphone carrying case
   
7. 1 x Instruction manual & Warranty card
   
   

 
Housings

When the XFIT earphones first came in, the first thought that came to mind were the Meelectronics M6. They have a very similar shape, which definitely is not a bad thing. The XF200 is a very nice design geared to fit securely and stay in place, even during physical activity.
 

The XF200 has a plastic shell. My pair was clear, but you can also get them with a black shell. I really like the way the clear shells reveal the innards of the XF200. The shell exterior has an imprinted brainwavz logo.
 
Cable, Y-Split, Cable Jack, Strain Reliefs

The XF200 cable is a rubber jacketed cable that is pretty standard for budget earphones. There is a small amount of spring and memory. The cables above the Y-split are somewhat flimsy and has a unique style of gray memory wire where the cable attaches to the housings. The memory wire doesn’t bend into place like most earphones, it’s preset and springs back into the same shape when bent. I really like this design and feel it works very well. XF200 has a Y-split that is more than adequate and is made of a firm rubber material. There is a handy chin/neck slider that works well. The cable jack is a sixty degree plug that has a housing with the same rubber material as the Y-split. Strain reliefs are very well done and I have no concerns about the wires shorting out any time soon.
 
Functionality

A three button microphone and remote is located about eight inches down from the right side of the XFIT housing. Brainwavz has “cracked the code” with their recent releases, offering a three button remote design that works for both Android and IOS. When talking to friends and family, they reported my voice coming through at a three on a scale from one to five.
 
Ergonomics, Fit and Microphonics, Isolation
Brainwavz gets an A in this category. The XF200 is a great fit that works great for gym use. I really liked the preset style of memory wire. It was simple to hook them over my ear, then pop them in my ears. Finding the right tip was a bit of a challenge for me but once I found the right ones I had no problems getting a seal. Microphonics are pretty much non existent because of the over the ear fit. Isolation is pretty average for an in-ear monitor. As with all in-ear monitors, getting a good seal is important to achieve the best sound possible.
 
Sound Review
I did my demo with my usual gear. I used an LG-G3 with the latest firmware for portable and smartphone use, and either my Shanling H3 or Sony Walkman F806/Cayin C5 amplifier for a high fidelity portable use. For desktop use I used my Toshiba Satellite Laptop in combination with a HIFIMEDIY Sabre ES9023 USB DAC/Bravo Audio Ocean Tube amplifier with a Mullard 12AU7 tube for higher impedance, and a Fiio E18 USB DAC & Amplifier in both high and low gain. Both were run at 24 bit, 96000 Hz. I also tested them with other DAPs and amplifiers as well. I used Google Music downloaded in its highest download quality (320 KBPS) and I also streamed FLAC via Tidal streaming service. I also used purchased and downloaded tracks in MP3, FLAC, WAV and DSD. I make sure that any gear I test has sufficient playtime before writing a review.
 
I used my usual same songs for testing gear:
“Limit to your love” by James Blake (bass speed, punch, response)
“Doin’ it Right” by Daft Punk (sub bass)
“Get lucky” by Daft Punk (bass to midrange transition resolution, male vocals)
“Madness” by Muse (soundstage, separation)
“Some nights” by Fun (soundstage and male vocals)
“The soundmaker” by Rodrigo y Gabriela (texture and imaging)
“Bassically” by Tei Shi (bass to midrange resolution, female vocals)
“Skinny Love” performed by Birdie (female vocals, acoustic playback)
“One” by Ed Sheeran (male vocals, acoustic playback)
“Outlands” from the Tron Legacy Soundtrack (symphonic presentation, imaging)
“Sultans of swing” by Dire Straits (detail, separation, balance)
“And Justic for All” by Metallica (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
“Ten thousand fists” by Disturbed (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
 
Note: Other tracks were used, but the listed songs were primarily used to assess and break down the gear’s response.
 
Source Selection
The XF200 is designed to be used with a smartphone. Don’t try to reinvent the wheel on this one. You aren’t going to blow people’s minds by hooking them up to a five thousand dollar desktop tube amp. Use them with your smartphone when on the go or working out and you will enjoy them for how they were intended to be.
 
Sound Signature

The XF200 is a high energy sound with an forward bass response and aggressive upper midrange. The somewhat consumer friendly V-signature is great for modern genres and is a good tuning for making the most of your daily commute or workout.
 
Bass
The XF200 has a very strong bass response that is subbass focused. The bass has plenty of depth and extension, and offers more rumble than punch. It isn’t the tightest bass you will ever hear, but the response is very good for a budget in-ear monitor. Subbass rolls down into a controlled midbass response. The XF200 bass is very enjoyable and works great for its intended purpose and price range.
 
Midrange
Midrange trails behind the bass response but maintains a good amount of clarity. For the most part vocals and instruments sound very natural with an almost cold response. The lowest point on the frequency response is around 1k and leads into an aggressive upper midrange. with spikes at around 3-4k. This gives the XF200 a high energy to its sound without seeming rolled off.
 
Treble
Treble dips at sibilant ranges and doesn’t pick up until after this range. This makes the upper frequencies of the XF200 seem forward while avoiding harshness. This is very well done and I really enjoy them for this reason.
 
Soundstage and Imaging
The tuning makes the XF200 seem spacious and entertaining. While the soundstage is good for a budget in-ear, the peaks and valleys in their response doesn’t yield a remarkable sense of imaging. I would compare them to taking your home stereo and tweaking the equalizer to maximize bass forwardness and tweaking the upper frequencies to counteract it.
 
Comparisons
 
Meelectronics M6 ($15 to $30 USD on many sites)
The XF200 and M6 not only look similar, they sound the same as well. After measuring and listening to them, I have to say that I wouldn’t be surprised if these are a rebranded M6 driver.
 
Since I can’t really say that they sound much different, the differences to compare are the cable and accessories, both of which I can honestly say that Brainwavz has an advantage. The clamshell case and three button remote makes them a better and more phone friendly option.

 
Moxpad X3 ($20 to $30 USD on many sites)
The Moxpad X3 is another over the ear fit that again has a very similar sound to the XF200. If anything the X3 seemed to be a little smoother at upper frequencies. The X3 is slightly less fatiguing, but also less crisp and exciting.
 
The X3 has a somewhat exclusive detachable cable and single button remote. The detachable cable of the X3 at this price range simply doesn’t make much sense, and the three button remote of the XF200 is more useful, especially when on the go or working out. I prefer the memory wire of the XF200 as well. I give an advantage to the XF200 for accessories. Their clamshell case is epic.

 
Conclusion
There’s a lot of budget earphone options that will work for commuting and using at the gym. Brainwavz has tweaked their design and made something that will appeal to the masses. They have combined a great fit, ergonomics and sound that many will enjoy, and at a very reasonable price.
 

Thanks for reading and happy listening!

Preamble:

The year 2016 has just started and the Chinese headphone manufacturer Brainwavz is already announcing their second new model.
After their Omega, the second new in-ear is the XFit XF200 (http://www.brainwavzaudio.com/products/xfit-xf200-noise-isolating-sport-iem-earphones-w-3-button-remote-microphone), an inexpensive model for sports that retails for just $25 and features a fully functional three-button remote control with built-in microphone and is available in two colour options.

I am someone who does a lot of running outside, getting a couple of thousand kilometres per year on my shoes (however less in the past one and a half years due to more review writing).
Often I am using in-ears during the runs, however without any music most of the time – only after the half or in the last third, when I need some “support”, I usually occasionally start playback.
Usually I’m using more balanced sounding in-ears for that purpose (and I’m therefore probably in the minority with that), and the XF200 will likely rather be tuned to a more “typical sports earphone” tonality.
How Brainwavz’ latest inexpensive model really sounds like will be found out in this review for that the company sent me a sample for an honest evaluation.


Technical Specifications:

Drivers: Dynamic, 9 mm
Rated Impedance: 16 ohms
Frequency Range: 20 Hz ~ 20 kHz
Sensitivity: 95 dB at 1 mW
Rated Input Power: 10 mW
Cable: 1.4 m Y-Cord, Copper
Plug: 3.5 mm, Gold plated


Delivery Content:

The simple plastic packaging is already known from other inexpensive Brainwavz models, but is a bit wider because of the quite ample amount of accessories. The style on the exterior already indicates that the XF200 was designed for running.

Breaking the seal, one will find the quite copious amount of included accessories which are: Brainwavz’ typical carrying case, a Velcro cable tie, a shirt clip, a pair of Comply Foam S-400 tips, one pair of double-flange silicone tips, six pairs of single-flange silicone tips (three sizes, two pairs per size), a manual/warranty card and last but not least the in-ears themselves.
 

---

---

Looks, Feels, Build Quality:

The in-ear bodies are made of lightweight plastic which however appears quite sturdy.
Strain relief is good, although it could be better above the y-split. What I like is that a chin-slider (cable cinch) is present.
The cable is identical to the one of many other Brainwavz models.
 

---

---

Comfort, Isolation:

I have quite large ears as well as ear canals and normally no problems to get a good fit as well as seal with in-ears – with the XF200 however (whose in-ear bodies are by the way rather small), it was an enormous fiddling until I got a seal, but comfort was then extremely bad and the bodies hurt in my ears and caused warm spots. The short nozzle along with the angle and shape seem not to harmonise well with my ears’ geometry this time. But well, for testing I took the pain and wore the in-ears for up to three hours a day (ouch!).
By the way, the ear-hooks are not made of memory wire but rubber pipes that keep their shape very well and are soft plus unobtrusive. In my ears, microphonics are completely eliminated.

Although I didn’t get a good fit, I sort of got a seal (isolation was about average).
 

---

---

Sound:

For testing, I used my iBasso DX80, LH Labs Geek Out IEM 100 and my DAP-only iPhone 4 that was optimised for audio playback. I used the largest stock single-flange tips.

I can’t exclude that I didn’t have a 100% air-tight seal (although the “hum test” was positive), so the following impressions should be taken with a big grain of salt and are highly subjective, although I usually try to be more objective, which is however not as much possible this time due to the bad comfort I got with this particular Brainwavz model.

Tonality:

I would describe sound in general as being warm, smooth and bassy.

Aural-wise experiments with an EQ, sine generator as well as the measurement in my Vibro Veritas coupler show a bass emphasis of clearly more than 13 dB below 50 Hz that however surprisingly sounds notably lesser when listening to music – the RHA T20 that has less level between 50 and 200 Hz (according to EQ and sinus experiments plus my Vibro Veritas plots) sounds subjectively much bass-heavier in that area although my plots as well as EQ tweaks and sine sweeps actually indicate that it has less bass than the Brainwavz – probably due to a not 100% correct seal with the Brainwavz wherefore a good amount of bass energy and pressure disappears through a tiny air gap? It could be possible, at least the XF200 sounds quite bassy but is still barely below being bass-heavy in my ears; instead it sounds just bassy, warm and smooth although there is some emphasis between 50 and 100 Hz with respective recordings, however I don’t get it with the typical pressure and energy that should normally be present with an emphasis that large (one of my reference headphones for neutrality is the Etymotic ER-4S and I also “privately” generally prefer neutral or very balanced in-ears, so I am used to more accurate sound and also have a very wide listening experience and models with different sound characteristics, reaching from €5 to 2000 in my private inventory).

However that be, here are now my extremely subjective impressions: down from 600 Hz, level starts slowly increasing, with its climax around 50 Hz. The upper bass at 100 Hz along with the lower fundamental tone area at 200 Hz are slightly less emphasised (with cross-comparisons and EQ adjustment-comparisons it shows about 8 dB) however still quite present and bassy. Sub- and mid-bass are equally present and the XF200 is able to reproduce cellar rumble with pertinent level.
Shortly before 1 kHz level is somewhat recessed; voices are therefore both warm as well as slightly hollow sounding, overall though more on the darker and warmer side. At 4.6 kHz there is a very small peak in my ears; above, level is in the background. Treble in general seems smooth and is quite a bit in the background from the middle highs on, although not to the extent that it sounds dull but only a bit relaxed-smooth-dark and warm.

Due to the 4.6 kHz peak, impact of percussion instruments sounds somewhat artificial (somewhat metallic and dull), which is however no real criticism given the low price. Overall, there are no distinct peaks or dips in the frequency response, so XF200’s sound is very even and relatively well-made.

Resolution:

I’ll just claim that the XF200 is one of the better and more coherent dynamic single-driver in-ears in the price range below $50.
There is not much missing for it to be able to compete with the ADV.sound M4 or TTPod T1 (non-E) and the general level of details is on a very solid level that obviously surpasses that of a simple (sports) in-ear for $25.
Midrange and treble appear appropriate in terms of details and also sound more or less differentiated, and also the lows integrate harmonically into the rest, although they could be a bit more arid and detailed (bass is more on the soft side, with quite slow impact however rather quick decay). Nonetheless, the XF200 is easily worth the asked price.

Soundstage:

The Brainwavz’ spatial presentation is quite three-dimensional and airy in my ears, with about average extension in both ways. Width and depth are about equally present and sound is relatively three-dimensional in my ears.
The soundstage doesn’t seem congested, though it is also not as airy as Pai Audio DR1 or Havi B3 Pro 1’s.
A really spot-on and sharp instrument separation as well as layering of course shouldn’t be expected at this price and just as expected, layering on the z-axis is a bit blurry, though the soundstage fortunately also does not seem too muddy.


Conclusion:

As a result of the bad fit I got, I can’t say that my descriptions of tonality are 100% accurate and therefore I also cannot say whether the sound would be bass-heavy with a more comfortable fit (and therefore probably better seal). I’d be very interested in hearing the opinion of people who were able to get a good fit with an air-tight seal.
Anyway, in terms of general sound quality based on price as well as value, the XF200 is a convincing headphone for little money – if there wasn’t this really bad comfort in my ears.

With a 70% (sound quality for the price; 4.5 out of 5 stars) to 30% (comfort; 1 out of 5 stars) weighting, I still get to a very respectable result of 3.45 out of 5 stars – who is able to get a good fit with the XF200 will get a quite convincing and bassy sports in-ear with plenty of accessories as well as an in-line cable remote for little money.

​

A few days after testing out the adventure-inspired Westone ADV Beta earphone, Brainwavz hit me up with the timely opportunity to give their latest earphone a test ride. Meet the newBrainwavz XFit XF-200 earphone that, as they say, is specially designed for users who engage in sports and athletic activities. What makes it special for the active audiophile? How about a compact, lightweight design; pre-molded, over-the-ear cable routing; a short cable that won't trip you up; and an assortment of accessories to keep you moving. Oh, and at $25 it probably costs less than your monthly gym dues.

Unboxing
The XF-200 comes in a minimalist no frills economy plastic box and inner tray that keeps packaging to a minimum. It's nothing fancy, but since you're more than likely to toss it out, who cares, right? Inside, you’ll find everything neatly packed and organized; which is probably completely opposite of how your sports bag is, but that's OK.

Accessories

 ​

For $25 MSRP, you generally don't get much, but Brainwavz never fails to take care of customers by including more than they bargained for. In this instance, the XF-200 includes their familiar branded zippered hard case, Velcro cable tie, and shirt clip, a set of Comply foam ear tips, a set of bi-flange silicone ear tips, and two sets each of standard S, M, and L silicone ear tips (because you know you're going to loose one at some point).

Performance
The XF-200 is an ergonomically designed dime-sized universal IEM that's intended to sit comfortably in the ear to ensure stability during your workout. The over-the-ear cable routing takes the secure fit a step further by eliminating the chances of getting caught  up in the cable and pulling it out of your ear. With the large assortment of tips, you have several options to test in your ear for the best fit.

As with most earphones/IEMs, tip selection is critical, and I strongly encourage you to take the time to choose the ear tip that fits best—emphasis on best and not just one that “fits”—because the audio quality, comfort, and isolation improve greatly when the ideal tip is used. (For me, the bi-flange and Comply foam tips worked best and offered better sound quality, bass impact, and isolation.)

Speaking of bass, the XF-200 hits pretty hard. Marketing speak generally over-promises and under-delivers, but I'd say Brainwavz was spot-on with their claim boasting "booming beats." Dig that live music hall sound? The XF-200 has it: Booming, emphasized bass; a touch of reverb; dark mids, and highs that can come off as recessed on some tracks. The XF-200 certainly does not have a refined, balanced "audiophile" sound (try the S0 or M1 for that at a similar price); depending on your preferences, it's either unruly or fun. I'd say it's best suited for pumping EDM and synth beats into your eardrums while you hustle up the StairMaster. And you know what? I'm fine with that, because the XF-200 does that damn well and sounds a helluva lot better than most earphones you'll find at this price. (Of note, the variety of ear tips included do impact the sonic signature, so again, try them all to see what fits and sounds best to you.)

Last, let's talk about the 3-button control built into the cable for volume, skipping tracks, pause/play, and the mic for taking phone calls. The packaging states compatibility with Apple devices and most Android devices and other doodads; your results may vary. Apparently my Droid Turbo hates all earphones with built-in remotes because just like I experienced with the Westone ADV Beta, the volume/phone call controls do not work with my Droid Turbo, but I am able to mute the mic and pause songs using the center button, so it’s not completely useless. The mic seemed to work well, as my test calls were heard loud and clear, and calls come over the XF-200 sounding quite clear as well.

Bottom Line
Brainwavz has put out another quality product with a budget price. Yeah, the sound could be more refined, but to Hell with that. We want bass, and we want it now. At least that's what I want at the gym to help drown out my racing heart beat and huffing and puffing. For $25 you're getting a nicely designed earphone with a plethora of accessories, a 2-year warranty, and an overall energetic sound. If you want more, spend more. If you want affordable, these will put your silly OEM earbuds and Skull Candy's to shame. For a no-nonsense earbud that you don't have to worry about when you're working out, grab the XF-200 and get on with your next set.

The XF-200 retails for US$25.00 and will be available on Brainwavzaudio.com, Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and other authorized Brainwavz resellers around the globe.
 

​

SPECS:
http://www.brainwavzaudio.com/products/xfit-xf200-noise-isolating-sport-iem-earphones-w-3-button-remote-microphone
 
Driver Type                     9mm Dynamic ( bass ported )
Plug Type                       3.5mm
Cord Length                   1.4m Y
Frequency Response     20 Hz – 20 kHz
Impedance                     16 Ohms
Sensitivity                       95dB / mW @ 1kHz
 
WHERE TO BUY / COST:
 
http://www.brainwavzaudio.com/products/xfit-xf200-noise-isolating-sport-iem-earphones-w-3-button-remote-microphone
 
$25.00 new
 
OVERVIEW
Brainwavz has quite a few IEMs on the market now and their products reach a wide audience because of the giant variety and cost. With the introduction of the XF200, their truly exercise friendly IEM, Brainwavz appeals to those on the move. This IEM aims for ”egonomics, a secure fit, and a crisp, clear, and bold sound.”
 
AESTHETICS

 
The design on the XF200 is the first wrap around style IEM that Brainwavz has made. As seen in this photo you can see the IEM body is square, the driver nozzles angled, and stiff memory shielding placed in the first few inches from the earpieces to allow form-fitting around the ear placement. The cable feels robust and there is strain relief at the jack plug as well as each ear piece. In-line is a mic and 3-button remote. A cable cinch is also provided to help secure the IEMs and remove any microphonics heard in the cable during movement.
Plenty of tip sizes are available including a set of Comply foam tips. The shirt clip is also a nice touch considering these are designed for active listeners.
It took me a minute or two to get the correct fit due to the square driver body, but once in place I found them comfortable. Listeners might want to play around with different tip sizes to achieve the best seal as this really helped the sound. If one channel seems louder than the other change out the tip on the weak channel.
 
The driver nozzles are just the right length allowing for an adequate seal as well as lasting comfort. The jack plug is angled at 45 degrees allowing easy insertion into a portable device like an iPod or phone. The cable is 1.4m long making it easy to tunnel under clothing during exercise. Overall the aesthetics are excellent for a $25 IEM and I found no shortfalls or immediate problems.
 
ACOUSTICS
Familiar with the Brainwavz house sound I was eager to see if the up-front and slightly bassy signature remained intact with the XF200. The great news is that the house sound is present and due to the great seal the soundstage appears to be expanded compared to other IEMs offered by Brainwavz such as the M1 and Omega.
 
Unamped: Having a sensitivity of 95dB/mW one would think that the XF200 would be difficult to drive, but in my case I found the sensitivity to be more in the 105dB / mW range both amped and unamped. There are no worries for those wanting to use this unamped. The impedance is low reaching 16 Ohms so those who have an older tube-amp may want to try a higher impedance IEM, but the XF200 ran fine out of my solid state desktop rig.
 
Unamped the XF200 has a wonderfully clear midrange, bass emphasis, and gently rolled off treble avoiding fatigue. I also found the bass to not deliver too much pressure during long listening sessions which was a relief. This IEM has a touch too much roll-off in the treble to be considered for critical listening, but it really wasn’t designed for that anyway. A few tracks like Aes Dana’s Memory Shell ( Lost Radio Ed-dit ) provided too much bass for my liking and caused the bass to drown out the midrange. Not so much so that the midrange was completely gone, but the focus moved to the bass rather than the midrange which is where I consider Brainwavz IEMs do fantastically well. Overall unamped listening proved enjoyable especially when I was working out or out for a run.
Amped: I test all of my headphones amped and unamped because the performance is often quite different. Portables typically have cleaner power, but limited voltage. Desktop amps have plenty of voltage, but can have current issues. The Brainwavz XF200 sounds good unamped, but amped it starts to sound congested and uneven. Moving to medium gain adds a little color the sound signature bringing the bass more forward and pushing the mids back.
 
Listening to John Mayer’s Vultures track from the Continuum album reveals the overly bassy presentation of the XF200. Focals become hidden behind the wall of bass. This is one reason that overly bassy IEMs are so hard to recommend.
 
Other tracks like Buddy and Julie Miller’s One Part, Two Part from the Written in Chalk album shows how large the soundstage can sound with this IEM, but at times I did feel that the treble was bright and too sharp.
 
Upon further investigation I noticed an open bass port on the inside of the earpieces. This looks like an open hole which is difficult to see on the all black body. I quickly placed a piece of tape over the hole and gave another listen. The bass bloat was greatly attenuated and the treble extended. The midrange developed a light tinny sound, but due to the much needed bass control I highly suggest closing the bass port on this IEM. A tiny piece of Kapton take or a small drop of fingernail polish does the trick.
 
With the bass ports open I recommend the XF200 for only portable listening as desktop rigs will tend to reveal the flaws of the sound signature making it hard to critically listen to.
As with all headphones that come with a mic I test them via phone call. Many have clarity issues by either sounding distant, muddy, or both. The XF200 mic does sound muddy and it would be wonderful if the mic from Brainwavz’s Omega was transplanted onto the XF200 brining its clarity on par with better sounding IEMs. The mic is usable, but certainly not the best for conferences or long critical conversations.
 
CONCLUSION
Brainwavz brings the XF200 to the exercise market by making a very solid IEM. It is constructed and designed with abuse in mind. Due to the poor mic sound quality and uneven sound signature with the bass ports open, critical listening is just not enjoyable, but with the ports closed this $25 IEM is easily recommended. If you plan on using the mic a ton you may want to see if Brainwavz updates the mic before purchasing the XF200. Otherwise with the bass ports closed off I highly recommend trying the XF200 be it for exercise or general listening.
 
Update
There is an open bass port seen on the inside of each earpiece that can be plugged to attenuate the bass and extend the treble. I used some fingernail polish, but you could use something like Kapton tape. My only recommendation is you use something more on the super sticky side and not use basic tape because this could come loose inside your ear and cause infection. Plugging the bass ports moves this IEM to easily 4-stars.