Intro:


Tin HiFi really made a name for themselves with the release of the T2. I bought into the hype train and picked up the T2, and to be honest, at first I absolutely hated the IEM. At the time, my daily drivers were a set of old Ultimate Ears Triple.Fi 10’s reshelled into a CIEM, and a set of (also old) Westone UM3X. Both units seal well and provide great isolation. The T2 on the other hand, made almost no seal, fell out of my ear constantly, had very little isolation, and overall, sounded just...ok. Back in the draw it went, only to come out a while later with all the P1 hype. After some more tip rolling, I found that large comply foams got the T2s to stay in my ears, and the sound was much improved. They moved into my daily driver spot at work, and I have grown very fond of them. I skipped the T2 Pro and T3 given all the reviews mentioned that those IEMs were just different and not really upgrades. With 40+ IEMs, I don't need (or want) similar but different anymore. But now, the P1 comes along, and things get a lot different, and I was intrigued.


The Tin HiFi P1 shifts from a dual dynamic (T2 / T2 Pro), or a dynamic driver and balanced armature hybrid (T2), to a 10mm planar magnetic driver. Several companies have tried this driver (this exact one, or one very similar) but failed to get the tuning right (Tin HiFi sorta falls into this camp too, but more on that later). Tin HiFi with their new P1 seems to have come the closest to nailing the tuning compared to the competition, assuming the musings of other reviewers are to be believed. Having spent over a week exclusively using the P1, I can say I am in love with this IEM, but that love is only half of a love / hate relationship.


Accessories:


The P1 comes well equipped with the standard S/M/L silicone tips, in both large bore and small bore, as well as a large set and a small set of memory foam tips (Comply clones). Note, the foam tips are not like the non-memory foam tips that Tin HiFi includes with the T2. The P1 also ships with a leather (real leather?) magnetic closing flip top case. Personally, I would prefer a zippered clamshell style case, as I have found the case open and the IEMs loose in my bag more than once now. And finally, the cable, oh that cable. The P1’s use MMCX connectors (I really wish these were two pin), and Tin has included a cable that is a major step back from the T2 and T3 versions. The cable on the P1 has pre-formed ear hooks, a standard Y split, a useless clear bead for a chin slider, and an annoyingly loose braid on the lower portion of the cable. Also, I wish the cable were a bit longer, because (spoiler) these IEMs are NOT great for portable use, and given that you really need to be at a desk with an amp to use them, the cable does not have reach to facilitate that use case. Luckily it is detachable, so you can replace it easily enough.



Build and Comfort:


The P1 is built like a tank, making nice use of full metal housings. These feel like they will last a lifetime. The only grip I have about the build is minor, and it’s that the P1 shells smudge up with fingerprints very easily.


The shape of the IEM, and medium length stem allow for a nice fit and all day comfort. For the past few days, I have put these in my ears at the start of my work day, and left them in until lunch, about 5 hours, without issue. The same story repeats after lunch. I personally found the foam tips the most comfortable, but given that I do have to remove them from time to time to converse with co-workers, I have switched to the narrow bore silicone tips for ease of insertion.


Sound Signature:


Now on to the meat of this review, the sound! But first let's get some logistics out of the way. For starters, these IEMs need power. For the sake of this review, I will provide my interpretation of the sound when using the P1 with an external amp (FiiO E12A) and DAC (Venture Electronics Odyssey and Google Pixel USB C dongles). I tried a few other devices such as the FiiO E17K, my 2018 MacBook Pro, LG G6, and an older FiiO E7/E9 DAC Amp combo. Turns out, the P1 is picky with amps, and in my experience, sounded meh on all but the E12A.


Trebel:


This is where the P1 excels. Tin HiFi got the upper registers of this IEM tuned right. It delivers air and sparkle without fatigue or harshness. I have not experienced any sibilance. And the detail retrieval is simply addictive. The P1 brings out micro details in music effortlessly, and with speed and clarity that make the music very engaging. When listening to my favorite tracks while working (read: not critically listening) I found that I kept noticing details that stood out in the music that I would otherwise have to “listen” for using other IEMs.


I have played in several bands, had a drummer for a roommate, and seen a lot of live shows. I know what cymbals sound like. The P1 delivers cymbals with amazing accuracy, and it’s very satisfying to listen to. In short, the P1 crushes the treble game.


Mids:


The P1 is a very vocal forward earphone, and both male and female vocals are delivered front and center, but without forcing other parts of the music into the background. I’ve not really heard anything quite like how the P1 treats vocals, and I have to say, I really love it.


I found the tonaily of the midrange to be very natural, never overly warm, never impacted by bass bleed, but sometimes it did come off a bit dry and clinical. The P1, without EQ (read: foreshadowing) is very neutral, and some (including me) would say it’s bass light, causing that added warmth many of us prefer to feel absent, and leaving a bit of a hollow sound in more complicated musical tracks.


Bass:


Here is where the P1 takes a nosedive. The bass on the P1 is neutral, but just barely. Personally, I prefer a bit of a bump to the sub bass, with a more neutral midbass. The P1 delivers the neutral midbass, but lacks slam, and has poor sub bass extension. The IEM never feels dynamic in stock form. What bass is present is very well textured and detailed however, as the P1 gives the bass the same treatment as the treble when it comes to detail retrieval. This is a great thing, because with a bit of EQ this IEM turns into a whole different beast.


Imaging / Instrument Separation:


The P1 and that mini planar dynamic driver, as you may have expected, delivers sonics with amazing speed and clarity. This leads to fantastic imaging. You really get a sense for each instrument that is present in a mix. For instance, listening to fuzz rock such as Truckfighters, the bass line was very present, where as most other IEMs conceal it lower in the mix and force you to really try and pick it out. Orchestral records are a real treat as well with the P1, as you can definitively tell what is happening with each instrument section.


Soundstage:


While the P1 delivers micro details and instrument separation very well, it falls short on producing a wide soundstage. The P1 never really delivers music with any of that fun “out of your head” feeling. This isn't uncommon for IEMs given that they’re shoved in your ear canal though, and I really didn’t expect much in this category.


That said, the P1 does manage to provide a deep stage, that lends to its ability of conveying quality instrument separation.


Conclusion:


So where does that leave us with Tin HiFi’s newest, the P1? Well, it’s a great IEM with a lot of potential. Stock, It’s not worth the hype it initially received. But, and this a large but, with a little help it turns into one of the best IEMs I have heard, and my personal favorite for daily use with.


First, power. Give it good, clean power, and try several amps if possible. Second, EQ and / or bass boost. The FiiO E12A, on high gain, with it’s tastefully implemented 4db bass boost activated, does something magical to the P1. It takes them from neutral, dry, and analytical, to warm ,lush, dynamic, and oh so very engaging, all without any negative impact on the pros that the P1 possesses. Therein lies the problem with the P1. Stock, it’s ok at best. It’s terrible at being a portable IEM, and it really should be thought of more as a headphone alternative for desk / home use. But,when used in that situation, given a bit of EQ / bass boost, and some quality power, the P1 moves into a class well above its $169 asking price. This is not an IEM for someone looking for an all rounder, or that first high end piece. This is not an IEM for someone that wants to use it on a commute or outside the house. This is an IEM for the collector that wants something new and different, and knows how to put the work in to tweak audio gear to their liking. That is why the Tin HiFi P1 is the best set of earphones that I won’t recommend, but will love and use daily for a good long while.

Brainwavz Jive - The Budget IEM King?
 
Full quality images found here:
http://imgur.com/a/n36GI
(I was sent the Jive in black, and it looks killer, but the red photographed better)
 

 
 
Disclosure:
I was provided a set of Brainwavz Jive IEMs free of charge in exchange for my honest review. That is what follows below. Feel free to ask any questions in the comments.
 
My Preferences:
When it comes to IEM’s I own several pairs, and I prefer the sound of a balanced armature drivers. I love an IEM that is neutral with a hint (+3db or so) of bass boost to add some warmth to it, as well as an IEM that provides good detail retrieval. I am treble sensitive, and really don’t care for any IEM that gets sibilant, or that has a large treble spike.
 
My go to IEM’s are my re-shelled CIEM Ultimate Ears Triple Fi 10, a pair of Westone UM3X’s, and a pair of Audeo PFE012 with the green filters. However, I occasionally reach for the classic, and often recommended, Shure SE215.
As is the same with most of you, I have a very eclectic taste in music, so it’s easier to list what I don’t listen too. I avoid modern country, most EDM (i.e.: house, trance, and anything played at a rave), and over produced top 40 pop music (those damn loudness wars!!!)
 

 
 
 
Specs:
Lifted directly from the Brainwavz site.

1. Drivers : Dynamic, 9 mm
2. Rated Impedance : 16 Ω
3. Frequency Range : 20 Hz ~ 20 kHz
4. Sensitivity : 98 dB @ 1 mW
5. Rated Input Power : 20 mW
6. Plug : 3.5 mm, Gold-Plated
7. Cable : 1.3 m, Copper 

1. Phone Call Control
2. Audio Player Control
3. 3-Button Remote
4. Supports TRRS Connector
5. Supports Apple iOS and Android Devices

 
The Jive comes in several colors as well.  You can get them in black, white, red, purple, and dark green.  I own the black, red, and dark green variants, and the colors all look great and the anodizing holds up very well.
 

 
 
 
The Jive cable includes your choice of an iOS or Android compatible three button remote for controlling playback and volume.  I found the mic to work as expected with calls, and received no complaints about the audio from other parties when using it.  The three button remote worked well on my Samsung Galaxy S7, as well as with my older LG G3 and Nexus 5 devices.  
Accessories:
Copy and pasted again from the Brainwavz product page.

1. Earphone Hardcase (wide)
2. 3 sets of Silicone Ear Tips (S M L)
3. 1 set of Comply™ Foam Tips S-400
4. 1 Shirt Clip
5. Velcro Cable Tie
6. Instruction Manual
7. Warranty Card (24 month warranty)

 

 
 
Of note, I really love this wide (longer might be more accurate?) zippered case.  So much so, that I purchased two more of them to use with other IEM’s.  
Build Quality:
I wasn’t sure what to expect in respect to build quality when receiving the budget priced Brainwavz Jive.  Upon opening the box, I was very pleased that the full mental house of the Jive is well made and seems very durable.  Over the corse of using the Jive for several months now, I have had zero issues with the unit.
 
The cable however, does leave a bit to be desired.  The cable has a very rubbery feel to it, and retains a lot of memory, so you will find it loves to kink and coil up on it’s very own.  That said, the strain reliefs are well implemented, the Y-split is light and never gets in the way, the included cable slider is a nice addition, and I love that they included a 45 degree 3.5mm plug on the end.  
 
All in all, for the cost, I am happy with the overall build quality of the Jive.
 

 
 
Fit / Confort:
I am lucky to have ears that aren’t too picky with most IEMs, and I rarely have fit issues. Most IEMs I have tried over the years fit ok to really well, and comfort isn’t usually an issue. I typically prefer Comply foam tips to silicon ones, but it really does depend on the IEM and how the tips change the sound signature. 
 
With the Jive, I found the medium silicon tips work best, and was able to achieve a good seal, that kept the IEMs in my ears and did a nice job of passive noise reduction.  I am happy to report that comfort was never an issue with the Jive, even on days when I used them for 4 to 6 hours at work.
 
It’s great that Brainwavz included a pair of S-400 Comply foam tips with the Jive, but I found I didn’t really need them.  That said, I can always use another set of Comply tips for other IEMs.  For those that want them most noise isolation and secure fit, the Comply tips are the way to go.
 

 
 
Sound:
I have had the Jive for a few months now, and it has seen quite a few hours of use.  I have used the Jive direct out of my Samsung Galaxy S7 (no EQ), with a FiiO E7, FiiO E17K (no EQ), with a FiiO E12A IEM edition, my MacBook Air, iPad Air 2, Monoprice USB DAC/Amp (read: Drangonfly V1.2 clone), and with a SybaSonic SD-DAC63057 (no EQ).
 
Primary source for music has been Google Music, along with some lossless FLAC files.
 
Bass:
The Brainwavz Jive has surprisingly good low end for a budget IEM.  The sub bass extends a lot lower then expected.  Best of all though, the midbass hump that dooms so many of the Jive’s competition isn’t present.  Mid bass is well balance and very pleasing.  That fact alone makes these worth the cost (a whopping $28.00 USD).  There is super minimal bass bleed into the midrange, and the full spectum of the lowend on the Jive is every so slightly boosted.  For me, that is perfect, and fits right in line with my listening preference. 
 
Midrange:
The midrange on the Jive’s is very clear and well detailed, if not ever so slightly recessed.  Vocals, both male and female are clear and very pleasing.  There is a bit spike in the upper midrange that can give some liveliness to the sound signature, but never becomes harsh or fatiguing.
 
Treble:
Treble performance on the Jive is probably the most surprising aspect of this IEM.  As with the bass, the treble slightly elevated, and usually I would shy away from an IEM or headphone at that point.  But with the Jive it works, and works really well.  They tuning is nearly eliminated all sibilance, and the Jive is never fatiguing for my ears.  the tuning reminds me a lot of single balanced armature IEMs in its voicing and detail retrieval.  It gives the Jive a sparkle I wasn’t expecting and makes them a very fun, yet quality IEM to listen to.
 
Imaging:
Top performers, for me at least, in the imaging department are usually multi-driver balanced armature IEMs.  In most cases, I would say its unfair to compare a budget dynamic driver IEM to those when it comes to imagine, but the Jive gets close, and that is saying a lot.  Detail retrieval, instrument separation, and stereo imaging on the Jive is class leading, and punches way above its weight.  While not up to the level of multi-driver balanced armature IEM’s, it’s close, and that is very pleasing. 
 
Soundstage:
The soundstage of the Jive is one of it’s few weak points.  Being an in ear design, its hard to get that sense of air that is achievable with something like the Monk+ earbud.  For an IEM it does just ok, and music always seems to feel as if it’s coming from within the head, and not outside it.  It does give a good sense of depth to the soundstage, but the width is narrow. 
 
 

 
 
Conclusion:
Well, if you haven’t caught on by now, I really do love the Brainwavz Jive IEM.  So much so that after being provided a review unit, I have purchased two other pairs of Jive’s for my wife and to keep at the office.  Brainwavz markets the Jive as having the high fidelity sound of a balanced armature unit, and while not quite there, its very close.  A lot closer than anyone would expect at a cost of $28.00 USD.  In fact, for me, its better in some ways.  It conveys about 95% of the detail of a balanced armature driver, but with added bass and dynamics that make the Jive a very fun IEM, without sacrificing sound quality.  This is one IEM that will please both the audiophile and general consumer alike.  Good on ya Brainwavz.

---

Brainwavz S5 IEM Review:
 
Disclosure:
 
I was provided a set of Brainwavz S5 IEMs free of charge in exchange for my honest review.  That is what follows below.  Feel free to ask any questions in the comments.  
 
My Preferences:
 
When it comes to IEM’s I own several pairs, and I prefer the sound of a balanced armature drivers.  I love an IEM that is neutral with a hint (+3db or so) of bass boost to add some warmth to it, as well as an IEM that provides good detail retrieval.  I am treble sensitive, and really don’t care for any IEM that gets sibilant, or that has a large treble spike.
 
My go to IEM’s are my re-shelled CIEM Ultimate Ears Triple Fi 10, a pair of Westone UM3X’s, and a pair of Audeo PFE012 with the green filters.  However, I occasionally reach for the classic, and often recommended, Shure SE215.
 
As is the same with most of you, I have a very eclectic taste in music, so it’s easier to list what I don’t listen too.  I avoid modern country, most EDM (i.e.: house, trance, and anything played at a rave), and over produced top 40 pop music (those damn loudness wars!!!)
 
Specs:
 
Lifted directly from the Brainwavz site.
 

1. Transducers/Drivers: Dynamic, 10 mm
2. Drivers: Dynamic, 10 mm
3. Rated Impedance: 16 Ω
4. Frequency Range: 18 Hz ~ 24 kHz
5. Sensitivity: 110 dB at 1 mW
6. Rated Input Power: 20 mW
7. Cable: 1.3 m Y-Cord, Copper
8. Plug: 3.5 mm, Gold Plated

 
It’s worth mentioning that the controls on the cable control the volume, and play/pause audio without issue on iOS devices, most Android devices (including my LG G3, Nexus 5, and Samsung Galaxy S7 phones), and used to work on my MacBook Air until the recent update to Sierra.  Since that update, the controls work occasional, and that is just odd.  I have not been able to test the controls with the new iPhone 7 / 7+ that no longer has a headphone jack, so no clue what happens if you use it with the dongle that Apple includes (a coworker just got the iPhone 7 so I will see if I can test it out on there and update the review if/when I know more)  
 
The S5 cable includes Brainwavz “Clearwavz” mic and for the few calls i have made with it, the other party had no complaints about how I sounded, and said I my voice was clear.
 
Accessories:
 
Copy and pasted again from the Brainwavz product page.
 

1. Earphone Hardcase
2. 6 sets of Silicone Ear Tips (S M L)
3. 1 set of Comply™ Foam Tips T-400   
4. 1 Shirt Clip
5. 1 set of Silicone Bi-Flange Eartips
6. 1 set of Silicone Tri-Flange Eartips
7. Velcro Cable Tie
8. Instruction Manual
9. Warranty Card (24 month warranty)

 
Of note, Brainwavz redesigned the S5 recently, and in addition to some changes to the cable, it no longer ships with the really nice 3.5mm to 6.3mm adapters that had been previously included. I was told by the Brainwavz rep that no changes to the sound signature of the S5 were made however.
 
Build Quality:
 
In short, the S5 is built like a tank.  The IEM housing is metal, and seems very durable.  The flat cable is strong, and has a now reduced Y-split that is no wear near as chunky as it used to be.  The strain relief at the straight 3.5mm jack, Y-split, and at the business end all seem overbuilt, and have yet to fail.  I would imagine these IEMs would last a long time, and survive being in a pocket if that is how you tote around your earphones.  
 
While build quality is very solid, and in fact, among some of the best I have used, I personally dislike the flat cable, as it is two wide and heavy, and causes fit issues (more on that next).  But, the cable has xero microphonic issues, so it has that going for it.
 
Fit / Confort:
 
I am lucky to have ears that aren’t too picky with most IEMs, and I rarely have fit issues.  Most IEMs I have tried over the years fit ok to really well, and comfort isn’t usually an issue.  I typically prefer Comply foam tips to silicon ones, but it really does depend on the IEM and how the tips change the sound signature.  With the S5, the fit, for me, is best with the medium transparent silicon tips, and is just ok at best.  Comfort is mediocre due to the large, heavy, flat cable, as it almost never stays wrapped around my ear.  Being that these are intended to be worn over ear, that is a bit of an issue.  For the cost ($99.50 USD as of Oct. 1, 2016), I REALLY wish Brainwavz saw fit to implement a replaceable cable.  I would much prefer using something like the really great braided MMCX cable that MEE Audio uses with their Pinnacle P1.  I have that cable on my SE215 and love it.
 
While the fit is just ok, the comfort (minus that chunky cable around my ear) is above average.  I am able to wear the S5 for longer periods of time, usually around 4 or so, without any issue.  They never really disappear into my ears like the PFE012 or my CIEMs do, but they never seem to cause pair or discomfort either.  I also ever experienced any issues with the S5 falling out of my ears, even when I was more active while wearing them.  Due to the weight of the cable though, I am not sure these would be good for gym use.
 
Sound:
 
I have had the S5 for a few months now, and it has seen quite a few hours of use.  I tried the S5 right out of the box, and after a couple of days, ran it (read: burn in) for about 24 hours.  I didn’t notice any real change in the sound after burn in.  
 
I have used the IEM direct out of my Samsung Galaxy S7 (no EQ), with a FiiO E7, FiiO E17K (no EQ), with a FiiO E12A IEM edition, my MacBook Air, iPad Air 2, and with a SybaSonic SD-DAC63057 (no EQ). 
 
Primary source for music has been Google Music, along with some lossless FLAC files. 
 
Bass:
 
Brainwavz markets the S5 as a detailed, high end IEM with “smooth” bass.  I am not sure what “smooth” bass means, but what I can say is that the S5 lacks sub-bass presence, and has a large mid-bass hump that throws kick drums, floor toms, and bass guitars to the forefront of a lot of tracks.  That mid-bass hump, unfortunately, bleeds heavily into the lower midrange, causing the low end spectrum to sound muddy.  The mid-bass hump present on the S5 does make it sound very dynamic and punchy, however.  With the lack of sub-bass I wouldn’t recommend the S5 for serious bass heads, and with the mid-bass hump I wouldn’t suggest them for those that prefer a balanced sound signature.  If you love top 40 radio play though, go on, these may be for you.
 
Midrange:
 
As mentioned, the lower mid-range suffers thanks to that mid-bass bleed.  Upper midrange is the strong point for the S5 however, yielding very pleasing vocals from both males and females.  Crunchy guitar rifts come through very nice.  While the midrange is palatable, it is recessed, and the S5 tends to have a mild v-shapped sound signature.  
 
Treble:
 
The upper frequencies on the S5 are slightly elevated past neutral, and with that comes the occasional sibilance. Cymbal heavy songs can have a tinge of sizzle to them that isn’t pleasing or natural sounding.  The elevated treble does add a bit of air to the sound signature though which helps purvey a greater sense of detail retrieval.  While the lower end may have somewhat muddy bass, the detail the S5 offers in the upper midrange and treble is a little above average.
 
Imaging:
 
The S5, for me, falls short with below average imaging performance.  That mid-bass hump kills it for me.
 
Soundstage:
 
As an IEM, I expected an narrow soundstage and that is exactly what the S5 gives you.  The music always seems to be inside your head.  
 
Conclusion:
 
My first impressions when pulling the S5 out of the box was very high.  The S5 exudes such great build quality, and I thought for sure they would haver the sound to back it up.  Especially at the pricepoint of $99.50.  Boy was I wrong.  That mid-bass hump and sibilant treble make these a no go, and I can’t really think of a good reason to recommend the S5 for purchase.  For the asking price of almost $100.00, one can do much better with the likes of the Shure SE215, RHA750 (sure, $119, but its in the ball-park), V-Sonic GR07 (again, close at $129), and others.  Even better, the budget IEM landscape has exploded recently with some really great value for price options that would be a better choice than the S5.  For instance, I much prefer the sound from Brainwavz own Jive IEM to the S5 and I got it on sale for $15!  For me personally, I put the S5 in a draw and use the case for a pair of VE Monk +.  

Gallery:
 
http://imgur.com/a/bMe6a
 
Introduction:
 
Being on mailing lists is dangerous.  That daily MassDrop email, notifications from EarPhoneSolutions, etc… always making me spend my money.  Well, a recent email from MP4Nation introducing the Brianwavz blu-100 bluetooth IEMs peaked my interest.  The pre-order discount, plus the use of some store points meant they would cost me $31.00 shipped (MSPR $44.50).  At that price I figured what the hell, and placed the order.  
 
Accessories:
 
When the blu-100 arrived, I was pleased to see the box was nice and compact.  I hate excess packaging, it’s such a waste.  Opening the box reviewed the usual warranty card and a zippered semi-hardshell case.  Packed inside the case are the blu-100 IEM, a USB charging cable, one pair of comply foam tips (medium), three hybrid silicon tips (medium set pre-installed), and rubber ear locks.  The accessories included are exactly what you need / want, and nothing more.  The case is nice too, as I have been tossing this in my bag all week (I bike to work) and no issues yet.
 
Specifications - copied from MP4Nation.net product description
 
Specifications:
        Transducers/Drivers: Dynamic, 8mm
        Rated Impedance: 30ohms Closed Dynamic
        Sensitivity: 110dB at 1mW
        Frequency range: 20 ~ 20000Hz
        Bluetooth 4.0 (CSRBC8645) with aptX
        Operation max distance: 30ft (10m)
        Battery: 60mAh - 4hrs playtime, 100hrs standby, 2hrs for       full charge (Micro USB charging)
        CVC echo and noise cancellation
        Supports voice prompt for MMI: Power on - Paring - Connecting - Battery low - Power off
        Supports HFP, HSP and A2DP
        Supports pairing with two devices at the same time
        3 button remote, works with Apple iOS products, Android & Windows phones & PC
        1 year warranty
 
Fit:
 
The blu-100 is certainly on the large side, but given that it is wireless, that is to be expected.  It feels a bit heavier than other IEMs as well.  That said, I have had zero issues with the fit.  The blu-100, using the medium hybrid silicon tips fits snuggly in my ears and stays put, even when at the gym.  If the silicon tips don’t keep them in your ears, the included comply foam S-400 tips should do the trick.  Additionally, the rubber ear locks will help keep them secure.  It’s nice to see that Brainwavz has provided options to ensure the fit is good for the majority of people.  The only con to fit is that the cable did stick to my neck a few times when wearing a shirt that had a rather large neck opening.  When I turned my head I felt a tug on the IEM, but it didn’t come out.
 
Function:
 
The blu-100 can be paired with two devices, and that works great because I have it paired with my Apple MacBook Air, and with my LG G3 smartphone.  When turning on the blu-100 (OK the more I type the product name, the more I feel like it should be an e-cig) with a three second press of the middle button, a voice notifies you that the power is on.  That same voice will let you know when the device is connected, and when it powers off.  If the device becomes disconnected, an audible beep repeats ever few seconds until you re-connect or power off the blu-100.  
 
The three button remote is your standard affair with volume up and down, and play/pause in the center.  The play/pause button doubles as the answer/end call button.  A full review of the manual will outline the other functions, including how to fast forward, rewind, skip tracks, and use voice commands for your phone or computer.  
 
In my daily use, the blu-100 has worked great with iTunes, in which all outlined controls function as advertised.  When using Rdio on my phone, functions work as well.  However, the volume buttons on the blu-100 seem to control an internal volume, and I am able to adjust the volume on my phone separately.  To make this easy, I have been seeing the volume on my phone to just below max volume, and using the volume up/down on the remote of the blu-100.  When using Pandora on my Android device however, results have been poor at best.  The volume up/down work just as with Rdio (or any other audio on my smartphone and computer), but the play/pause feature and skip track option do not function.  This is not a deal breaker, but is worth noting.  
 
Listening time is spot on at about 4 hours, just as promised.  It feels odd charging headphones daily this past week.  Fortunately, these do charge somewhat quickly, in around 1.5 hours from drained to full.  Charging time will vary based on the wall charger or computer you are using.  One of the only major cons is that I wish the 60mah battery were larger, to allow for longer listening time.  Eight hours would be nice, to get me through a full day of use.
 
This probably goes without saying, but to just to confirm, the blu-100 does not have a passive mode.  If the battery is dead, you don’t have sound.
 
Sound:
 
Having a decent collection of IEMs ranging from the Westone UM3X and UE Triple.Fi 10, to the SE215 and Audeo PFE 012, all the way down to $20 Panasonic and Apple Ear Pods, I have ALWAYS preferred wired earphones.  I have owned a couple pair of bluetooth on-ear headphones previously, and they lasted all of a week or three before they were sold off.  The artifacting and compression that comes along with bluetooth use is just something I can’t get passed.  Fortunately, the blu-100 alleviates this issue with the implementation of the apt-x codec.  The audio quality, in regards to bluetooth compression is more than acceptable. 
 
The one issue that does plague just about any bluetooth device is present here as well, however.  I am speaking of the background hiss.  For $44.50 I didn’t expect a complete silent device, and I got what I expected.  That said, the hiss is usually only audio been no other sound is playing.  As soon the music starts I stop noticing it.  It has peeked through a few times when listening to pod casts or if a song has a spot of silence or a very quite part.  For the most part it isn’t an issue.
 
When it comes to sound signature, the blu-100 is on the darker side, and it certainly has a v-shaped sound.  The bass is full bodied, and hits nice and low.  It is certainly boosted.  To be honest, most of the time I don’t want this.  However, I purchased the blu-100 with an intent to use them at the gym, and in this situation, I want bass, and lots of it.  It helps me get into the music and forget about the pain of working out (don’t tear your shoulder at the batting cages ok kids).  The bass is full, but is boomy and not the most well defined.  
 
When it comes to the midrange, you’ll find it is a bit recessed.  Vocals are still very present, and lively.   This makes the blu-100 feel a bit darker, but the sound is still pleasing and musical.
 
The treble on these is slightly boosted, but oddly enough, rolls off in the upper range.  It is never sibilant or harsh, and lacks a bit of sparkle.  But what is there is clean and helps to bring the music to life.  In short, the treble is polite.  
 
Overall, the blu-100 is very warm, and reminds me a lot of the Shure SE215.  That said, the blu-100 is lacking in the detail and resolution provided by the SE215, but not by much.  The blu-100 is not without it’s shortcomings, but for its intended use, I have been very happy with them.  At the gym, these have been exactly what I want / need.  They fit well, get out of the way thanks to the behind the neck cord, and sound good enough.  These are not an audiophile’s dream, but for portable use and gym use they certainly get the job done, and quite well.  I would even suggest that these would be great for the non-audiophile in your life.  
 
 
TL;DR - the blu100 is a good but not great wireless IEM for gym use, at $44.50 it is worth a buy.
 
 
*note, I have not taken or received any calls with these.  I talk on the phone ALL DAMN DAY at work, so I tend not to use the phone outside of work.  Other’s who have reviewed the blu-100 say the call quality is fine.