The last few years, Dunu had incredible success with their hybrid multidriver earphones such as the DN 1000, DN 2000, and at the time of writing this, the DN2000J seems to be following suit with it’s predecessors.
So when I heard of the release of the Titan 1s, I was very intrigued on how DUNU was going to replicate the success they had with their hybrid earphones in a 13 mm titanium coated dynamic driver, with a half in ear/earbud design.
 
We’ll lets find out! Before I begin I liked to thank DUNU for sending a sample of the Titan 1s out for an honest review. I am not paid for this review nor affiliated with DUNU.
Below is my video review of the Dunu Titan 1s, if you enjoyed the video- please subscribe, like, and share + comment*
 
Titan 3: http://www.head-fi.org/products/dunu-titan-3/reviews/15085
Titan 5: http://www.head-fi.org/products/dunu-titan-5/reviews/15084
 

 
Accessories:
The Titan 1s come with a nice array of accessories. They include:

1. 1 hard shelled carrying case (with a rubber interior, for better protection for the earphones)
2. 1 shirt clip
3. 1 ¼ inch adapter
4. In terms of eartips: *the eartips included I felt make the Titans 1 vary in tuning slightly.
   1. 3 sets of the black-multicoloured hybrid silicone eartips- darker & bassier
   2. 3 sets of the grey-red hybrid silicone eartips- most v shaped
   3. 3 pair of black wide bore silicone eartips most –most revealing, open forward*

Overall: 9/10
 
Design
The Titan 1 has a very clean and quite elegant design. I find its quite difficulty to pull off a silver metal housing design without looking gaudy. I believe that DUNU has pulled it off! The surface is has smooth finish, like well-polished chrome, exuding a premium feel. The right and left earpieces are easy distinguished with colored rim around the earpiece (L-Blue, R-Red).
Overall: 8.5/10
 
Build Quality
The Titans are just fantastic! They have a fully metal housing with an angle metal nozzle that feels a bit weighty in the hand, but just oozes quality. The earphones are nicely reinforced as whole. The top half of the cable has a rubber sheath that I found quite supple and flexible, while the bottom half of the cable is a fabric wrapped, for added durability.  The bottom half of the cable also comes attached with a cable management system (which I found very useful and quite unique) allowing the cables to be wrapped neatly into the hard shell carrying case. Lastly, as stated above, the L shape jack is elegantly built with a relatively slim body for easy entry into thicker smartphone cases, without any added bulk.
Overall: 9/10
 
Comfort
The Titans are very comfortable, as they can be easily inserted and removed effortlessly. They have a shallow insertion, so those sensitive to shoving things in to their ear, shouldn’t have any concerns over the Titans. The body of the housing is rather large, with a little edge where the front and back of the housing meet, so my ears did feel a small sore spot after 2 hours or so.  However, I would like it if the nozzle was just a bit longer, which would really make them disappear in my ears. (this can be alleviated with longer aftermarket eartips if needed).
Overall: 8/10
 
Isolation
This category is subject to debate, because it would depend on the environment you are intending to use the Titans. The Titan’s design has multiple vents (which helps with its acoustic properties) but as a result the isolation to be quite poor. I believe the Titan 1s was intended for use at home or in quiet neighborhoods, to allow for good situational awareness. This means that I wouldn’t recommend the Titans for noisy environments (ex busing, subway, noisy cafes)
Overall:If you want to be isolated from the world- 5/10
Overall: If you want to be aware of your surroundings- 9/10
 
Sound
Thankfully, the sound makes up for its lack of isolation, as the Titans 1s has quickly shot up the ranks with my top favorite earphones, the VSONIC GR07BE, Hifiman RE400. They are perfect for when I’m in the mood for some excitement, while still retaining a clean, open sound. 
*I was told the Titans improve after about 200hrs of burn in/ listening time- To my ear, I did not detect any changes compared to the “out of the box” sound of the Titans.*
 
Bass
The Titan’s bass is slightly elevated in the midbass, but nowhere near enough what I considered basshead in terms of quantity, and remains very linear down low.. However, the bass is tight, fast with enough thickness to be very satisfying for bassy music, but not so much as to intrude into quieter passages. The bass has good extension down low, with enough visceral “grunt” to satisfy me.  The midbass has nice presence, and I feel it’s the good combination of quantity and quality (while creeping up a bit in the midrange, the thickness it provided was more then welcome (I prefer it), while remaining nicely balanced, and proportioned to the midrange and the treble.
 
Midrange
The midrange is a bit thinner and drier in its presentation, however it retains good warmth to sound natural, while staying very clear as well.  I feel that the upper midrange can cause female vocals can sound a bit peaky at times (depending on the tip used)(This can be alleviated with the use of comply foam tips, I trialed the T-400s with very good results). However, once acclimated to the Titans, I miss the energy it brought when comparing to other earphones that have a dip in this region.
 
Treble
The treble of the Titans is clean and crisp with very good resolution. The treble is well extended, refined with plenty of air, shimmer and detail. Again, the Titans are just good, clean fun.
 
Soundstage
This aspect is definitely the Titan 1’s calling card, as the soundstage is superb as it images well with a great sense of air and space, with great separation. The soundstage lends well for acoustic music for a nice sense of ambiance, while providing allowing EDM to run freely and effortlessly.
 
Compared to the VSONIC VSD5 ($60-70)
The Dunu Titan 1 has a tighter bass, with a more refined treble, and the soundstage is more open and expansive, the midrange is also warmer.
Firstly, the VSD5 has a stronger subbass, and on the other end, the treble is also less refined, and conveys a “splashier” presentation. VSD5 can come across as a bit analytical compared to the Titan 1s because of the cooler presentation in the midrange.
On the other hand, the VSD5 provides much better isolation than the DUNU, so I feel the VSD5 would be better suited in noisier applications.
 
Comparing them to the Hifiman RE400 (retail $99. Now ~$79)
I felt that Titan 1s are more interesting to listen to. The Titan 1 has a more elevated bass, and the treble was more textured and detailed. The RE400s treble seems “grainer” and less clean.
That said the RE400s are a smoother listen overall, with a more midforward sound. The upper mids don’t have that “edge” that the Titan 1s exhibits, which makes the midrange “thinner” sounding. It has a more centred imaging which some may prefer whereas the Titans could be attributed as “disperse”.  I find I could fall asleep listening to the RE400s over the Titan 1s. (though its nowhere near as well built as the Titan 1s).
 
Comparing to the GR07Be (retail $179.99. now ~$120)
The Gr07BE has is tighter in the bass with a slightly more pronounced subbass and fuller in comparison.  Where as on the Titan 1s, there seems to be more emphasis on the midbass, allowing for more solid weight and punch while retaining a good control as well.
The upper mids on the Titan 1s have a more emphasis then the GR07BE, so this may result in some detractors finding them a bit harsh for female vocals and cymbals, but it retains great clarity despite this.Comparing the treble, the Gr07BE have a thinner “papery” texture to the treble, where as the Titan 1s have a bit more of a “metallic shimmer”. In terms of soundstage, I find the Titans to be more expansive, and better at portraying depth than the GR07BE.
Overall: 9.5/10
 
Conclusion
While I can’t say that the Titans 1s are made for everyone. They are not for those looking to isolate themselves from the outside world, nor are they for those sensitive to emphasized upper mids- lower treble, which can be a bit bright for some.
 
However, for everyone else, I can’t think of a better earphone bring the same level of a bit of excitement and energy, while still remaining very clean and articulate as well. Added with the fact that they have superb build quality, with a comfortable fit that can slip in and out of my ears easily. This makes the Titans 1 easily one of my go to earphone, a earphone that can compete toe to toe the likes of VSonic Gr07BE and Hifiman RE400, and that’s a great place to be! Superb Job Dunu!
 
Final Score:
Those seeking more isolation: 49/60=81.7%
Those wanting less isolation: 53/60= 88.3%

This is Brainwavz first step into the Bluetooth earphone world. It seems that Brainwavz is aiming to bring the all benefits of a typically expensive Bluetooth earphone into a very affordable package. (Its currently on sale for $34.50 on mp4nation, MSRP $45)
 
Note- the earphone I’m discussing in this review is a preproduction sample that I was sent from Brainwavz, so I do not have all the accessories or the paperwork the earphone will come with once they hit the market. (They are available now). I should note that I’m affiliated with Brainwavz nor and I paid for this review. Everything in this review is my opinion and mine alone. With that said, lets get started. 
 
Below is a link to my video review if your prefer : if you enjoy it, please like, share and subscribe!

 
 
 
 
Design- Quite nice and low key, the housing is an entirely black barrel design with matte black strain reliefs and the Brainwavz logo on the left earpiece in white stencil. It’s quite sleek- looking and quite flattering.
Overall: 7/10
  
 
 
 
 
Build quality- The BLU-100 is quite well built considering the price. The housing if I’m not mistaken is made of a lightweight metal (as it is cold it touch) with good strain reliefs, along with a flat tangle free cable. The remote buttons have good tactile feedback and well built.
Overall: 8/10
 
Bluetooth features- There is quite a lot to talk about here, for a sub $50, I can’t imagine an earphone having more features! I have decided to break down this section into multiple sub categories.
You can watch my review to see how to set up your “Brainwavz BLU 100 earphone” or read the my simplified user manual below
First, the BLU-100 comes with a 3 button remote sitting a few inches below the right earpiece, that is used to pair and connect the headset to either your smartphone, computer, or car (or anything else that is Bluetooth or aptX compatible). As a result this allows for seemingly endless options for its usage. 
To turn on the earphones, you hold onto the centre button, until you hear a female voice saying “Power on”, this signals that the headset is ready to be paired with any Bluetooth enabled device. For example, with your smartphone’s  Bluetooth feature on,  it will be able to scan and detect the earphones, and it should be labeled as BLU- 100. Then all you do is pair it, and a voice will tell you the connection is successful. Then your good to go! (In retrospect, to turn off the Bluetooth headset, simply hold the centre/power button to turn it off, and your smartphone will revert back to its stock speakers). A painless process indeed!
 
* Note the BLU-100 can pair up to two devices at the same time, once recognized. The headset will automatically pair with your device immediately once the Bluetooth is on.
 
*note- the earphones may have some difficulty when the earphones do not have a clear line of sight with the paired device. as my music was cutting intermittently when my device was inside my bag, as i was practicing shooting drills at the basketball court. 
 
*note when unobstructed, i was able to get about 15-20 feet effortless with only the occasional drop out from time to time
    
 
 
 
 
Managing your music/media
You can easily manage the volume of the earphones with the volume up and down button, and you can further increase the volume(separately) on your smartphone to get the Brainwavz BLU-100s to earsplitting levels if you so choose.
To pause the song, you press the centre button, and press it again to resume. Next, Brainwavz decide to do things a bit differently but implementing the fast forward and rewind buttons onto the +/- volume buttons instead.
To skip the song, you press and hold the + volume, to rewind you press and hold the – volume button.
Overall: 8.5/10 (lots of features packed in small package)
 
   
 
 
Comfort- the earpiece housing is quite large and long (there are a lot of electronics going on, so I’m not surprised), with a short nozzle, however I was able to get an easy fit, whether I was wearing them cable down or up. The short cable can easily wrap around the back of neck, so it stays out of the way when I’m exercising or walking out and about, making me forget I was wearing earphones at times.
Also Brainwavz included a pair of “fin” tips/ adapters that can further stabilize these earphones in your ear, during exercise. (They slip easily on and off the earphones)
Overall: 7.5/10
 
Isolation- From what I can tell, the housing is completely sealed, as a result I found that the isolation is above average, and it sealed quite well despite the size of the housing and the short nozzle.
Something to note however is, that I would like to comment that I did experience a bit of driver flex from the earpieces because of the strong seal.
Overall: 8/10
 
Sound Quality-  As a Bluetooth earphone, I wasn’t sure what to expect in terms of its sound, due the Bluetooth compression, but I came away surprised with what it was able to achieve given its price point.
It has quite consumer grade sound signature, as in it has quite a bassy response that I think the average consumer would find pleasing. It has a sound signature that works well when your on you’re the move, and in noisy environments.
 
Bass- There is quite an emphasized bass, mostly in the midbass. The ample bass here means that you can easily feel the beat and the rhythm in your music even through the loud subway cars screeching or the noisy air conditioner.  I would say its nearing basshead in terms of quantity.
Midrange- I found that is a dip in the midrange, mostly due to the aggressive bass response, vocals avoid any sense of harshness or edge. I did notice there is some coloration in the midrange so if you’re a purist, then these earphones may not be for you.
Treble- The treble here makes even more certain that these earphones are tuned towards edm, dubstep and other more synthetic or electronic instruments. Giving way for energy over air and clarity, but without sounding brash or fatiguing. The BLU-100s are great companion especially when streaming off Youtube, or Spotify, where I imagine where the BLU-100 would be most frequently used.
Overall: 6/10
 
Conclusion- While it wouldn’t exceed its wired competitors in terms of sound, it does enough to sound pleasing for the everyday user. However, I feel that it more than makes up for that with the features at the price they are going for. There simply aren’t many Bluetooth earphones under $100, let alone under $50, i feel the BLU 100s is certainly a great way allow more people to be exposed with the freedom that comes with going wireless, without sacrificing much in terms of practicality. Just pair and go!
 
Overall: 44.5/60= 74%

A few years back, a relatively new company Noontec made a splash on the headphone market with the release of the “Noontec Zoro” headphones (now referenced as the Zoro Originals).  The Zoro headphones were an absolute standout, offering a modern design with a balanced audiophile sound signature for under $100. This was unheard of at the time, as the sub $100 headphone market had nowhere near the competition as compared to the recent years. This certainly peaked my interest and lead to my purchase of the Zoro Originals over 3 years ago, which they certainly didn’t disappoint.
Since then Noontec has released a revision in the form of the Noontec Zoro HD, based on the feedback from consumers.  Now Noontec is back with new design, in the form of the Zoro II HD, lets see if it was just an aesthetics lift or if Noontec found a way to improve on an already great sounding budget headphone!
 
Before I begin this review, I want to thank Noontec for sending a pair of this Zoro II HD out for review. Below I have attached a video review on my youtube channel, On A Studentbudget.

 
Features/Accessories: The headphones come with a detachable 3.5mm cable, (so it can easily be replaced with any aftermarket cable, a very practical and thoughtful feature). Also, the headphones are very portable as they fold up into a very compact form factor for easy traveling.
They come with a soft suede, drawstring bag to store the headphones in to prevent scratches and a flat tangle free cable with a 1 button remote and mic (for phone calls and managing music (play, pause, rewind, and fast forward). The cable is also compatible with both android and apple devices.
Overall: 7.5/10
        
 
 
 
Design: The Zoro II HD takes on a modern design, that utilize glossy, bright colours (it comes in the metallic blue, white, red, and purple).  The earcups are elongated with a very nice curvature to the design without being overly aggressive in terms of styling. Personally, I think it’s a really good-looking pair of headphone.  The sapphire version, in particular has a very nicely contrasting two-tone colourway between the metallic dark blue exterior with the sky blue inner lining.
Overall: 8.5/10
          
 
 
 *credits noontec for this picture* *all other pictures were taken by me
 
   
 
Build quality: The ZORO II HD is a mostly plastic construction, with metal parts sparingly used as reinforcement at certain joints that would likely be under the most stress, for example the headband adjustment area.  My biggest issue regarding the Zoro II HD are the plastic hinges.  I would have liked a bit more reinforcement here, because as with any headphone that fold up, the hinges (I presume) will loosen over time, so that’s just something to note.
Overall: 7/10
        

 
 
 
 
Comfort & Stability: The Zoro II HD are a pair of very light-weight (160g), comfortable on-ear headphone.  The headband has ample of padding and the earbcups slightly angled forward allowing for some freedom to better conform to the shape of your head. In terms of clamping pressure, it is on the lighter side, however surprisingly it retains good stability on the head even during movement. (see video) Comparing them to my Sennheiser Amperior, the Zoro II HD are much more comfortable with it’s larger, elongated earpads. Which helps distribute the pressure more evenly over a larger surface area on your ear. The earpads on the Zoro II HD are of a medium density breathable protein leather, which helps prevent excessive heat build up on your ears.
Overall: 8.5/10
         
 
 
 
Isolation: The ZORO II HD are a vented design, but they do isolate better than Original Zoros that I have on hand, but less than the Sennheiser Amperiors. However, that said I would say its just average for an on ear headphone. Good for walking around town, for situational awareness, but lacking for heavy commuting purposes.
Overall: 7.5/10
 
Sound: With their appearance, you would think they just scream a flashy,  in-your-face sound.
However, thats the not the case here as the Zoro II HD have a fairly balanced sound, that will make for a great budget all rounder. There is tight, punchy, with some bass so it doesn't scare off  pop/electronic lovers but its not overdone for acoustic and classical recordings.
 
I think the Noontec has done a great job tuning the Zoro II HD. They have clearly been listening to their consumer’s feedback based on the previous iterations of the Zoro, in particularly the dropout around 4k on the original Zoros.
 
Bass:  The bass is slightly elevated;  It has tight; quick with a slight midbass lift, to give music some added punch but avoids any bloat. The bass extension is very impressive as well, as it reaches very low effortlessly. It has solid definition in the bass without sounding thick or overbearing. I’m certainly a fan of the bass, as I feel the bass has great appeal because I think it will satisfy everyone except for the most hardcore bassheads.
 
Midrange: The midrange is slightly warm, though it’s not thick nor thin either. It strikes a good medium in between.  It’s just a very competent midrange, vocals come out very clearly and well balanced, providing good body and power to both male and female vocals, without hindering its clarity and detail. 
 
Treble: There is a small boost in the lower treble but to give some “snap” but it retains good control without sound harsh or splashy. My only issue with the treble is that there is slightly “artificial” character. This caused a sort of veiling, which I found took away some of the realism for pianos and stringed instruments. However, this isn’t noticeable when listening to pop or electronic tracks. Lastly, the treble has decent extension, but it is missing a bit of air, causing a more “closed-in” presentation.
 
Soundstage: Its fairly average for a closed on ear headphone.
 
Comparing the Noontec ZORO II HD ($100) to the Sennheiser Amperiors ($349)
You can definitely hear more refinement when comparing them to the Amperiors. The bass is tighter (punches harder as well), with a more refined treble. However, the Zoro II HD has more authority in the subbass than the Amperiors.  The biggest difference I found was particularly in the upper midrange, the Amperiors give female vocals more energy, where It can sometimes get fatiguing, In comparison, the Zoro II HD, are easier on the ears but sounds a bit more muffled in comparison.
 
Comparing the Noontec ZORO II HD ($99) with the Philip Cityscape Downtown ($99)
I prefer the Zoro II HD for a number of reason: superior extension and punch in the bass; more natural midrange; better extension in the treble. However, where the Downtown trumps the ZORO II HD is in terms of its excellent isolation and “soft pillowy” earpads as well (something you don’t hear often with on ear headphones).
Sound Overall: 9/10
 
In short, the Noontec has done a great job in improving every aspect of what made the original Zoro headphones so popular. It’s compact, stylish, comfortable and best of all it has well-rounded sound that performs beyond its affordable asking price (under $100).   Great Job Noontec!
Overall: 48/60=80%

With the release of the TTPOD T1E, it continued to garner massive praise from audiophiles and casual listeners alike, for being a “fantastic budget option” in an growing market of sub $100 earphones. Needless to say, when the news that TTPOD was going to release the TTPOD T2,  the T2 “hype train” quickly formed.
 
The hype began to grow, starting with pictures of a design that closely resembling the VSONIC VSD3S, and later with an news that TTPOD implemented a  placed a “Triple Driver” design (2 Balanced Armatures, and 1 Dynamic driver) in the T2, with a price tag under $100 (which is notably much cheaper than other earphones with a similar configuration).  By then the hype had reached Mars! I was intrigued to say the least and as soon as I saw them for sale on penonaudio.com (for about $84-89), I ordered them in a heartbeat.
 
So how do the T2s stack up? Well, let’s find out! Click the link below if you wish you see a video review. Like and subscribe for more content!

 
Accessories:
3 pairs of  Blue ACG eartips
3 pairs Red DJ Style eartips
1 pair of grey foam eartips
1 pair of clear earguides
1 white pouch (with a metal clasp)
12 stickers (I imagine you can use to customize the look of the T2s)
Overall: 8/10
 
* I would note that the packaging, looks great! Very nicely done and very elegantly presented*

 
 
Design:
In terms of design, the T2s are just gorgeous, it is one of the most beautiful earphones I have seen. . The earphones look like gems or crystals that you would see in the jewellery stores. I’ve previously reviewed the VSONIC VSD3S, which has a similar design. The housing is transparent allowing you to see the drivers and the internals of each earpiece. As an added twist, TTPOD has implemented a two different colours on each earpiece to allowing you to easily identify which side is the left or right, the left side (comes in green, red, blue and purple) and the right is the gray for all models).  The strain relief on the housing and the cable follows suit in its beautiful design, having this glossy silver sheen. Even the headphone jack is very pleasing as well. Very Impressed!
Overall: 10/10
      
 
 

 
 
  
 
 
Build quality:
The earphone housing is made out of entirely plastic, but maybe it’s just me but in the hand, it feels slightly denser than the plastic used on the TTPOD T1Es. The top half the cable is twisted, with the bottom half being braided. Overall, the cable felt rather very flexible, yet sturdy and lightweight at the same time. However, this gets to my most pressing issue with T2s, which is the lack of strain relief at key points throughout the earphone. While on the areas that actually have strain reliefs (its more style > function, as evident on the housing), that I found a bit concerning especially at the headphone jack, which feels kind a bit flimsy to me.  To end this things off, the T2s have a straight headphone jack that is rather compact and well made, that feels fairly solid overall.
Overall: 6.5/10
 
 

 


 
 
 
Isolation:
In terms of isolation, I would say the T2s are slightly below average because of the two vents. However, on the other hand, this allows the user to have good situational awareness but I would hesitate to recommend the T2s for commuting purposes unless the vents are covered. Once both vents are covered, I found the isolation to be above average.
Stock- 6/10  (1 vent covered- 7/10) (All vents covered- 8/10)
 
  
 
 
Comfort
The irregular housing shape would lead to you think that the comfort of the T2s would suffer. However, that’s not entirely the case here. I would rate the T2s as “average” in terms of comfort. Maybe its because my ears are bit oddly shaped but I did feel a bit of a sore spot on my right outer ear after about 2 hours, because of some rubbing by the rear edges of the housing. This is only a minor quibble, but in comparison the VSONIC VSD3S, which has a similar design was a bit more comfortable. I suspect this is due to the edges being more rounded, which I found more comfortable in my ears during longer sessions.
Overall: 7/10
 
Cable noise:  Practically, Non-existent
Overall: 9/10
 
Sound
In terms of sound, I felt that despite the use of a 11mm dynamic driver, along with 2 Balanced Armatures. The T2s are surprisingly lean, mid forward with great separation and placement.  For this review, I opted to use the included Blue ACG eartips, which I found opens up the treble more. If you prefer slightly more bass, the included Red DJ eartips would be able to satisfy that itch.
However, that said, the T2s can sound very different depending on the extent of blocking or taping over the vents/ports. (This modification is very simply and entirely reversible). I will attach pictures and along with the effects on the changes in the sound in the section below.
In terms of stock sound,
 
Bass: The bass on the T2s is lean, tight, and fast. It’s a relatively flat bass with a small “knee” on the midbass, to give it some punch. The bass, is surprising, because its less than what I would have expected from the 11mm dynamic drivers in them. I felt that the bass is bit lacking in body and rumble. I would actually consider them on the slightly bass light.
 
Midrange: The midrange is quite forward. It convey’s the image where the singer’s mouth is right up against the microphone. Many users on the forums are calling them a “mid-head” earphone, but I think a more accurate description of the T2 would be calling them a “vocal-head” earphone. Vocals are warm, and intimate, and clean with  a bit of a “nasal” tone to them. This mid-forward sound signature works especially well for movies with heavy dialogue as it helps with intelligibility with voices and conversations.  
 
Treble: Its laid back and relatively smooth with decent extension. The treble lacks a bit of air and detail. On the other hand, the T2s smooth off  “s” sounds, making it very easy on the ears. The treble along with the bass, is presented to complement the midrange rather than to steal the spotlight.
 
Soundstage: It has a rather intimate soundstage, which conveys a small presentation rather than a large concert hall in your head. However, that said the best trait of the soundstage is that it images well and has impeccable separation and placement. I was able to easily separate, which singers are harmonizing together, along with the background instruments continuing to layer more and more, which resulted in very enjoyable and satisfying listen.
 
Now with vent #1 blocked
The is a big boost in the bass making it fuller in body, making it reminiscent of their little brothers, the TTPOD T1E (but a bassier a bit looser, somewhat bloated).

 
 
With vent #2 blocked
I felt that the treble seems a bit reduced

 
 
With both vent #1 and 2 blocked
Combining the previous two points, making the sound darker and more congested. This was my least favorite however it provided the greatest isolation, great for commuting purposes.
 
With Vent #1 blocked (using a pin/sewing needle to prick a hole)
This is probably favorite configuration for the T2s, and I think makes them a better all arounder for more genres of music.  There is a nice bump in the bass (but not to the same extent as when the vent is completely blocked, more punch, with all the benefits of the stock sound, but abeit slightly warmer midrange.
You can experiment to your hearts content (as you make the hole wider(using a bigger needle/toothpick) you can adjust the bass to match your taste.
 
Quick Comparison: Stock TTPOD T2 ($89) vs TTPOD T1E ($33-50)
Compared to the TTPOD T1E- the T2(in their stock sound) have less of “wow” factor, as in they are substantially less bassy and the vocals have less “perceived clarity”). I wasn’t a fan of the midrange scoop on the T1Es, to my ears, the vocals sounded rather thin and unnatural.  The T2s on the other hand, have smoother, thicker and more forward vocals with a more laid back (relatively speaking) and more extended treble. In terms of soundstage, the T1E does sound bigger in presentation than the their older brothers, the T2s, though.
 
Compared to the Hifiman RE400 ($99)
The T2s have a warmer and forward midrange, and places more emphasis on vocals. Where as the RE400s have a warmer, punchier, and bassier, with a drier, and transparent midrange, which makes vocals cleaner, abeit a bit more “clinical”. The treble is crisper on the T2s, compared to very smooth RE400s. For those that prefer a darker sound, I would direct them toward the RE400s.
Sound Overall: 7/10
 
In the end, the T2 quite perplexing because the due to the very impressive release of their little brothers (the T1/T1E). The expectation for the T2’s release was sky high. The hype continue to rise as the public was teased with pictures of its eye-catching design and the fact they are one of the first (at least that I’m aware of) that was able to be so aggressive in terms of pricing ($89) for a Triple hybrid driver earphone (2BA+ 1 Dynamic driver) compared to their competition (around~$130-300). I think this isn’t fair to say that the T2s aren’t good, or that they didn’t live up to the (unrealistic expectations placed upon them) cause that’s not true. They certainly perform well for the price, and I would recommend it for those like a smooth, more neutral sound, those that have an affinity towards their vocals.
Overall: 53.5/70= 76%

The JVC FXT90s are clearly the result of extensive research and packed into a compact package. They utilize 2 dynamic driver with carbon nanotube diaphragms.  After doing some research on the properties of carbon nanotubes, I found that they are used a wide variety of applications because they have one of the stiffest and strongest materials available due to their strong covalent bonds, 20 times stronger than steel.
Well what does this mean when comes to FXT90 or personal audio in general? According to JVC, “the use of carbon nanotubes provides a balance of strength and flexibility that cannot be matched with diaphragms using traditional metals and plastic, resulting in crisp, pure, detailed sounds.
In addition, JVC arranged the drivers in such manner that “1 driver was responsible for full range sound reproduction and the other driver is responsible for crisp high definition sound with vivid bass.”
 
I wanna thank my friend Andrew, or @ThickT for his patience and  for giving a chance to listen to these guys! i also want to thank Adam Nelson for his contributions to this review! Thanks! (All the pictures below were taken by me)
Below is my video review of the FXT90s,Subscribe and like for more content!

 
I got these earphones as is, with just the case, and 1 set of eartips so i will not comment on the accessories. The FXT90s were originally $149.99, but now can be found easily under $100.
 
 
Design: There are certainly flashier and bolder designs out there, but the JVC FXT90 opts for a more industrial, no-nonsense, practical design. Even the JVC branding on the side is very subtle. These only come in a “see-through smoky, lightly tinted plastic housing”, which allows you to see some of the internals inside the earphones, particularly the dual dynamic drivers.  But overall, i'm very indifferent about the design.
They are the smallest dual dynamic driver earphones I have come across, as evident in my thread here:
Overall: 7.5/10
   
 
 
Build Quality
The FXT-90 overall is built quite well.  The housing is made of a denser plastic, which just oozes solidity, whilst feeling very lightweight at the same time. There are plenty of strain reliefs throughout all the key points (particularly on the earpieces and the L shaped jack). This instills plenty of reassurances even under heavy daily use. The cable is well made, and feels very supple and flexible, with a thick sheathing (especially on the bottom half), without adding much weight to the cable itself.   The Y split is small and comes equipped with a cable cinch as well. The earphone terminates in a 90 degree (or L shaped) jack that is again well relieved and is slim enough to get through even the thickest smartphone cases.
My only gripe is that the top half of the cable is just a bit thin for me. I would have liked it to be just a bit thicker, maybe 2mm, but it’s probably fine.
Overall: 8.5/10
            
 
     
 
   
    
 
Comfort
These are very comfortable earphones, period. This is especially surprising given their dual dynamic driver nature. When I first put them on, I thought “Wow, how did they get two drivers in here while still retaining such a small footprint?!”
Now, I’ll go into specifics on why there are so comfortable. The FXT90s have an angled, medium length nozzle, and a smooth rounded housing which allows them to slip into my ears effortlessly.
Overall: 10/10

 

 

 
Isolation
I would say that because they don’t insert into my ears very deeply, the isolation is slightly above average. Your mileage may vary. Its great for walking out and about, and passable for commuting purposes.
Overall: 7.5/10
 
Cable noise: None when worn cable down. I was not able to wear them cable up unless I used longer tips. This is as good as it gets.
Overall: 10/10
 
Sound:  This is a fantastic earphone for anyone that loves their Top 40 pop and electronic music. I feel that these JVCs are easily one of the favorite! It’s a sound signature that “fun, aggressive, yet very detailed as well”. That’s the best way I can describe the FXT-90s. They have a very “in your face” sound signature that is lively, engaging, and toe-tapping while remaining very detailed throughout. Not an easy feat.
 
Bass: The bass on the FXT90 is warm, emphasized, and punchy (with a bit of a mid-bass hump) but thankfully it stays away from sounding bloated. It simply has solid impact without sounding overly thick. The bass is nicely rounded, fast, and tight as well. I would say it’s just second to my Vsonic GR07BE in terms of speed and tightness.  It has great extension down low as well. I believe the bass here has great appeal, from the casual listener all the way to even the most discerning audiophile.
 
Midrange: Typically, the midrange is left out in the cold amongst the emphasized bass and treble on many v-shaped or bassy earphones. However, the FXT90s suffers from this problem only very marginally. The midrange is clean, rich sounding, but forward, with pleasing strong vocals (both male and female) with good note thickness, while retaining good clarity as well. Female vocals are more  emphasized but have bit of a nasal or “honky” overtone, which can sound sweet on some tracks but a bit too forward on others tracks.
 
Treble: The treble is emphasized, crisp, energetic and sparkly. It’s almost as detailed as my Vsonic GR07BE, but not as “peaky”, or as sibilant. It has just enough extension to allow for some airiness, but has good enough control that it doesn’t sound splashy. However, I will say for those especially treble sensitive, should stay away.
Soundstage: In terms of width and height, the soundstage is average. The separation and placement is rather good for such a dynamic sounding earphone.
Overall: 9/10
 
Comparing them to the VSONIC Gr07BE ($180) 
The GR07BE are just more detailed overall, the mids are less forward, drier and leaner. The bass is also less in punch or impact, but tighter and faster. I think the treble is less peaky as well, and almost as detailed. Almost
 
Comparing them to the Brainwavz S5 ($99)
The S5s have a smoother sound signature as whole. The bass is tighter on the FXT90s, and faster, and better extended. The midrange i think is really a draw, for those that like a more laid back vocal section, the S5s would be better (it would be better for long term listening, where as the FXT90 can be a bit fatiguing if your listening to a lot of female vocals). The treble on the fxt90s are more refined and smoother and less "splashy" sounding than the S5s. Though i feel the S5s have a slightly wider presentation. 
 
In conclusion, i think the FXT90s, are just a fantastic earphone! I really can't find many faults with these earphones. Fit was effortless, understated design, comfortable, and lastly and fun listen without skimping out on the finer details.  At the current discounted price (under $100), the FXT90s are an absolute no brainer! They have easily become one of my favourites!  Give yourself a listen! Highly recommended!
 
 I want to thank @ThickT again for being so patient and letting me have a listen. 
 
 
 
Overall 52.5/60=87.5%

The Brainwavz M1 has been widely toted as a popular option at under $50 for the last few years. Why is that the case? Well, because at the time of their debut, they were one the few balanced sounding earphones under $100 amongst a sea of bassy or V shaped sounding earphones.
How do the M1s fare years later, especially with heavy favorites from Vsonic, Havi, TTPOD? Very well in fact, for a “budget earphone” they certainly have a very smooth and inviting sound that I’m very fond of.
 
hint- I nicknamed my M1s as “Mini- RE 400s (referencing to the Hifman RE 400, an absolute standout earphone at $99)- See the “sound section” for my comparison of the M1 with the $99 Giant, that is the RE- 400.
 
So let’s dive right in shall we?
I would like to thank Brainwavz for sending a pair of the M1s out for review. I am in no way affiliated with Brainwavz, and every sentence down the last word, is my honest opinion. The pictures below are all mine, unless otherwise stated
 
Below is a link to my video review of the M1 as well. Enjoy!

 
Accessories:  The Brainwavz M1 comes with:
6 pairs of single flanges (S,M,L)
1 pair of Biflange
1 S400 Comply Eartips
1 Shirt Clip
1 Hard shell Protective Carrying case
Overall: 8/10

 
 
Design
The M1s is a rather understated earphone, (that comes in 1 colour-black) with a very small footprint. It has a design that you would honestly not even notice on the streets. It has sort of a cone-like shape, with silver (metal band) to give the earphone a smooth finish, giving the aesthetics a nice lift.
Overall: 7/10
         
 
 
 
 
 
 
Build Quality
The earphones are lightweight with a mix of plastic and metal construction. The housing is made of plastic combined with a metal nozzle (allowing for greater durability). The y shape split is missing a cable cinch, this isn’t a big deal for me but its something the note (you are covered with shirt clip though) . The upper part of the cable is a bit thinner, but well made and braided underneath the “rubberized” sheath, similar to my Hifiman RE400 in appearance, but much more reinforced. The M1s terminate in a 45 degree angle jack, that’s very well relieved.  * Something to note the cable carries a bit of memory*
However, my single biggest gripe with the build quality is the lack of strain relief when the cable exits the earpieces (there is none).  This issue is magnified with the M1s, because of how small size, shape, smooth finish of the earpieces. They can be a bit hard to take out of the ear, and I often find myself pulling at the cable when taking off) ß obviously not a good thing for the long term durability of the cable.
Overall: 7/10
 
            
 
 
           
    
Comfort
Very comfortable in the ear, because of the small housing and the smooth housing (no edges that cause any irritation). These reasons make the M1s very easy to insert and stay into the ear, and I believe it will allow for a comfortable fit for everyone.  
Overall: 9/10
 
Isolation
There is quite a large vent at the back of the earpieces, and in combination with the short nozzle causes the isolation to suffer somewhat.  I would say the isolation is average at best.
Overall: 7/10

 
 
Cable noise is a mild when worn cable down, and is none existent when worn cable up.
Overall: 8.5/10
 
Sound
The sound of the M1s is the best aspect of this earphone by far.  Its balanced,  smooth, and slightly mid-centric. I would especially recommend this earphone especially for someone that wants to try a balanced sounding earphone for the first time but did not want to spend too much.
 
Bass: The M1s have a fairly linear bassline as in there is no particular emphasis anywhere. Some refer to the bass being a bit light, I can see that in a sense, but I won’t go that far. Bassheads will be disappointed with the quantity, but the bass here is well intergrated into the sound. The bass here has good control, and extension, and retains medium speed and decay throughout.  I felt the bass works more as a complementary piece to the midrange rather than steal the show, like on more bassier options.
 
Midrange:This is certainly the highlight for the M1s. So if you like basking in vocals, the M1s is one of the most affordable options that will get you great, smooth vocals, with good clarity throughout. The vocals here are slightly warm, but very natural sounding (with good note thickness (not thick, not thin) and its presentation is a bit laid back the midrange here is not pushing its detail “in your face” but conveys more of “sit back and enjoy the show” feeling.
 
Treble: The treble is a bit laidback from what I call neutral (see my comparison below with the Hifiman Re400). The treble is “smooth and polite” with a roll off up top,taking away the “airness” and the height of the soundstage.  However, it has have decent extension in the treble, with good clarity as well.
 
Soundstage: Surprisingly wider, than I thought considering how small the housing is, so slightly above avearage. Height and Depth is adequate and there is decent sense of space and separation as well.
 
Sound comparison with the Hifiman RE-400:
Pros for the RE400 ($99)

1. A drier, more up front, more transparent midrange.
2. A Smoother, more articulate treble, easier going sound
3. Tighter Bass, Punchier bass.
4. Greater level of separation and refinement overall.
5. Better vocals and instrument separation.

 
Pros of the Brainwavz M1 ($45)

1. Bass is more Linear
2. Fuller bodied vocals
3. Treble has more crispness
4. Wider soundstage

Overall: 8/10
 
All in all, I think the Brainwavz M1 are a spectacular value at ~around $45-50, I think it has a similar price to performance ratio as the Hifiman RE-400, which is certainly very high praise in my book. I will wholeheartedly recommend the M1s to anyone looking for a smooth, balanced sound signature, love their vocals looking to  unwind after a long day of work.
Overall: 54.5/60= 77.8%

The TTPOD T1E takes design cues from other more expensive and more well known earphones into a much more affordable package. It comes equipped with “dual dynamic drivers” in each of the earpieces, making these earphones a bit on the larger side. But the question everyone is asking is how does it sound?
So lets get started with the review: Below you can see my video review, be sure to subscribe, cause new content is always on the way.

 
Accessories: The TTPODs come with a solid assortment of accessories:

1. A white pouch to store the earphones (it does feel kind “papery”)-> I would opt for a hard shell carrying case instead
2. 3 sets (S,M,L)of wide bore, spiral design hybrid tips (colour coordinated)
3. 3 sets (S,M,L)of wide bore white eartips
4. 3 sets (S,M,L)of narrow bore white eartips
5. shirt clip

Overall: 8/10
 
Design: The TTPOD T1-E honestly looks like a mix between the Sennheiser IE 800( MRSP $1000) and the JVC FXT- 90 (MRSP $149.99). The housing has this interesting “rocketship” like design that from afar looks like something out of a science-fiction show (and the fact that the cable is this “silvery space suit” colour definitely adds to that., I think it looks great and it comes in a multitude of fun vibrant colours (transparent, clear blue, clear purple/pink, opaque red, and opaque black). I opted for the clear purple (which looks more like fuschia and pink in real life) just for some added colour in my collection, and with the clear colours you can see the “internal” components of the earphones, which I think is really interesting.
Overall: 8/10 ( I like the design, I like that I can see the internals , plus the pink/purple is pretty snazzy)
 
Build quality: This is where the price of the TTPODs begins to reveals itself. The housing is entirely plastic, and is lightweight but it lacks that “solidity” factor, which can be achieved with denser and more durable plastic. For sake of comparison, the plastic used is reminiscent of the VSONIC VSD3S. The earphones have adequate strain reliefs throughout, but what disappointed me about the build of this earphone is: the cable.  The cable carries memory, and it feels a bit cheaply made (in terms of how supple or flexible in the hand). It probably is more durable than it feels though. The earphones terminate in a straight angle jack that is “on the larger side” so it will definitely stick out of your device quite a bit.
Overall: 7/10 (Decent strain reliefs, but cable is a bit stiff and carries some memory)
 
Comfort:  This is the single most difficult area to comment on, because comfort will vary from person to person. However, in my experience, I found the ttpods to be very “hard to please” in a sense. The housing is massive and in combination with the short (and very wide nozzle) these sit a lot shallower in the ear and they do stick out quite a bit . Also due to these factors, I was not able to wear them in the “cable up” method.  To add to this, because of the short and wide nozzles, I had to really do a lot of “tip rolling” to find the right eartips in terms of comfort and sound (*spoiler alert*- the narrow bore eartips like the Sony Hybrids were decently comfortable, but unfortunately made them more dark and more congested sounding.) In the end I opted for to use the Brainwavz S0 eartips (medium-wide bore) in the medium (which is larger in size than the average medium eartip).
In short these took a lot of effort on my part to find a comfortable fit. * so patience is a necessity with these earphones*
Overall: 6/10 (the housing is really big, and the I had to try basically all the eartips I had in my disposal (which is a lot) to find 1-2 eartips that I can somewhat live with)  the with any other eartips, the plastic housing rubbed against my ear (due to the short nozzle, and shallow fit)
 
Isolation: It’s an entirely sealed housing but because of the shallow fit, I felt that isolation is just about average. Good enough for everyday use, but not class leading by any means.
Overall: 8/10
 
Cable noise: I was only able to wear these in the traditional cable down method, so cable noise is mild, and for the most part it did not bother me.
Overall: 8/10
 
Sound: 
The sound has been described as L- shaped, to V shaped to U shaped and everything in between.
Personally I think its somewhere in between. It’s smooth, warm with a definite emphasis in the bass with sccop in the midrange and gains a bit of emphasis in the lower treble and rolls of gradually after that.
 
Bass: The bass here is the greatest strength of the TTPODs. Its emphasized in the midbass. The point of emphasis here is the quality of the bass, where there is no sloppiness, not in the slightest. It’s forward, tight, and fast, and strong punch. The bass is well rounded and extends very low as well. (the bass here remind me a lot of the GR07Be, I think if you love the bass on those  (but looking for a more budget friendly option, the TTPOD T1E is a great bet).
 
Midrange: There is a bit of a bass bleed into the midrange, but for the most part the midrange is fairly lean, which helps in terms retaining good clarity. I felt that the midrange is laidback compared to the bass. It was a bit lacking in terms of body for vocals. I think this is where the dip in the midrange is , causing this “thinness” in the vocals for female vocals which made them a bit “coarse” sounding, so not the most natural sounding midrange out there.
 
Treble: I think the treble has  a small peak in the lower treble to give it some sense of “crispness” so the treble doesn’t fade out in the background. However, its definitely not siblant by any means but a bit artifical and I will be comfortable recommending them everyone.  The treble extension is okay, and fairly rolled off on top. This gives the TTPODs bit of a darker sound, so they are missing “air” and guitars riffs especially don’t have sense of realism and crunch.
 
Soundstage: I felt its just average in terms of width and placement. Depth and separation is good.
Overall: 8/10 (it’s a likeable and a competent sound for the price, perfect for someone that likes more contemporary music, (pop, electronic particular) that’s more focused on the low end, and in need of clear vocals) its missing body in the midrange which I think)
 
In conclusion: To put it simply, they continue the 2014 trend in the seemingly more and more competitive sub $100 market.  While I don’t think they are absolute standouts, I think they are good with electronic, and pop music.  I think the TTPODS  will  complement the VSONIC VSD3S (rich, natural sound) and the Havi B3 Pro 1(wide soundstage, and relatively neutral sound). The last time I checked on they can be had for about $50, and come in a wide variety of vibrant colours to choose from. 
 
Overall:53/70=75.7%
 
Below are some pictures of the TTPOD T1E

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Brainwavz S0s were nicknamed as the “little Brothers” of the Brainwavz S5. I had previously reviewed the Brainwavz S5s, while I did like how well they performed as a V shaped earphone. In the end the sound was not exactly my cup of tea. With the release of the S0s, Brainwavz attempts to take many of the features that made the S5s great, but channel that into a more affordable, consumer friendly package (especially now since you can easily wear the S0s cable down). I think Brainwavz have succeeded with the S0s. Now on with the review!
I want to thank Brainwavz for their patience and for sending a pair of these S0s out for review.
Below is my video review over on youtube: Check it out and subscribe if you like what you see!

 
Accessories:
The S0s comes with a nice set of accessories given their price range.
9 sets of eartips

1. 3 sets in the red and grey in the S,M,L
2. 3 sets in the black (sony-like hybrids)à they have a narrower bore
3. 1 set of Triple flange
4. 1 set of Double Flange
5. 1 set of Comply S400 in the medium

1 Hard shell protective carrying case
Overall: 8.5/10 (given their price range, they paired different size bore eartips plus a very nicely made hard shell carrying case)
 
Design: They have a subtle, minimalist design. The entire housing has a barrel like design, with smooth black finish with the exception of the bright red strain relief and having “Brainwavz” written on the side. You wouldn’t be able to spot that their Brainwavz earphones if you didn’t know already, minimal branding. Some would prefer the sleekness of the minimalistic design, while others would call it plain.
Overall: 7.5/10 (I’m indifferent about the actual design, not great or bad looking)
 
Build Quality: Surprising this earphone I feel is built almost on par with their older brother the S5s, which is a great thing. The earpieces is made of a very solid but lightweight brushed metal, with a  black paintjob that is resistant to scratching. The cable is a flat(but sturdy feeling), flat (tangle-free cable) with plenty of reinforced strain reliefs throughout.  I felt that their older brother, S5s was built very well but my biggest complaint was the fact that the y split was far too chunky. Brainwavz listened and corrected this issue with the S0s here, (making it a much more appropriate size) and I didn’t think they sacrificed anything as a result.  The earphones terminate in a well relieved straight angle jack, (I still feel they need to move towards a L shape jack, but this is more of a personal preference).
Overall : 8.5/10
 
Comfort: These earphones have an effortless fit. The housing has all of the edges rounded off, and the earphones themselves are on the smaller size, and I felt no discomfort while wearing them at all. The cables exit the housing on an angle, which allows the S0s to sit flush in your ears (when worn cable down) without causing irritation to your outer ears.  I do wish that the eartips are bit softer, but aside from that they are very comfortable.
Overall: 8/10
 
Isolation: these earphones are vented, however noise isolation is still very good. I can easily recommend them for most general purposes (from the coffee shops, malls, busing and train use as well). They do an above average job of blocking out outside noise.
Overall: 8/10
 
Cable noise: when worn cable noise cable noise is moderate, I suspect it’s due to the flat cable design. When worn cable up, the S0s are almost silent.
Overall: 7/10
 
Sound: Nicknamed as the “little brother of the Brainwavz S5” I was surprised with what I heard. It’s nowhere as bassy or as V shaped as its older sibling. Instead, it opts for a slightly more balanced sound signature. It’s a rich, warm sound, and surprisingly I actually prefer the sound signature of the S0s over their older brother(the S5s) which is almost twice the price. It’s a competent sound overall, and with has a broad appeal at this price range with whatever music you throw at it.
* note I think the sound benefits with some aftermarket wide bore eartips* (opening up the treble a bit and toning down the midbass)à the narrow sony-like hybrids made them even bassier
 
Bass: the bass here is still rich with more of it’s weight in the midbass where it retains good, solid punch with a bit of bloat but the impact is not as intrusive for less bassier genres. In terms of quantity, I think its at a level where it would have a the widest appeal from the bargain-hunting-audiophile, all the way to the average consumer. Its perfect for those looking for a versatile earphone while preferring a bit slightly richer, bassier sound but doesn’t want to go overboard in this department.
 
Midrange:  Rich and smooth midrange, just behind the bass. It retains fairly decent clarity throughout, definitely favoring smoothness over clarity. Male vocals have nice richness and character while being more forward than female vocals.
 
Treble: The treble rolled off, but comes back up in the upper treble. For the most part it’s laidback and lower in level compared the bass and midrange. This results in a darker signature, allow the user to turn up the volume without fear of the treble getting harsh. This is great in noisy environments like trains and buses, where I think the S0s are mostly going to be used.
 
Soundstage: Fairly average in size, separation, and depth.
 
Comparison: the S0s ($49) to older brothers S5s ($99):
The S5s much more V shaped, as such they are much bassier, and punchier. The midrange are more recessed but clearer, with more emphasized female vocals in particular. The treble has more brighter ,“airer” and cleaner. In terms of soundstage, the S5s are wider in presentation and provides better vocals and instruments separation.
 
The S0s has a better and smoother balance throughout, as a result the bass is less appropriate with less bass bloat. The midrange has good note thickness, and more natural sounding in proportion to the bass and treble. The treble is less peaky, avoiding any potential issues of harshness that comes with a crisper treble.
 
 
I will be doing a comparison review/video between quite a few very popular sub $100 chinese earphones: the Brainwavz S0, VSONIC VSD3S, Havi B3 Pro 1 and (maybe the TTPOD T1E as well) in the near future.  (subscribe to my youtube channel for the latest update)
Sound Overall: 7/10 (It has a sound though not the most detailed or clearest but it’s just a nice, enjoyable listen)
 
In conclusion, the Brainwavz S0 has earned my recommendation as an great all around option for everyone from the casual music lover (non- head-fier), all the way to the “audiophile” on a budget.
Overall 55/70= 78.6%
below are some pictures of the S0s. Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quick Summary: While these earphones have a really “unique” design to them, once you get over this, you will be rewarded with a beautifully balanced sound. I would put them on a similar tier as the very popular, and head-fi favorites Hifiman re400 and the Vsonic GR07. This is very high praise, let’s find out below!
 
I want to thank Brainwavz for their patience and for sending a pair of these R3 for review:
 
Click on the link below to see the video review:

 
Accessories:
The R3s come with a multiple ear tips of different sizes, shapes and even “bore/nozzle width”

1. 3 pairs of Grey (medium bore) (in S,M,L)
2. 3 pairs of black (narrower bore) (in S,M,L)
3. 1 pair of Triple flange
4. 1 pair of Double Flange
5. 1 Pair of Medium Comply T400 eartips
6. 1 ¼ adapter
7. 1 hard carrying case (this is probably the nicest case I’ve ever seen, I’ll probably getting a few for my other earphones)

Overall: 10/10
 
Design:
These earphones look very interesting to say the least. They have almost a big water bottle shape to them. While they won’t win any beauty contests, but in this case its more substance (sound) >style. The size of the housing is conducive to how big and spacious this earphone sounds.
Overall: 5/10 (I did get a few weird looks when walking around  the mall, and around town with them, they are quite big as well)
 
Build Quality:
These guys I feel have set the bar for build quality for even many full size headphones out there. It’s certainly, the “Hummer” for earphones. The earpieces are fully made of metal, which makes me feel that they would win a war even against a hammer.  The cables is very thick and rugged, I think its on par or even exceeds some full size headphones in this category. Lastly, it has an big and overbuilt 45 degree jack, one that looks like the ones you see with TV cables. I feel headphone manufactures should really take a look at the Brainwavz R3 when building their cables.  These earphones will definitely last a while.
Overall: 10/10 (I feel the cable is a bit too thick and heavy at times for an earphone, however in this case I would say its better being overbuilt >underbuilt).
 
Comfort:
These edges of the R3s are all rounded, but bottom line is that their still very large for earphones, affecting fit (I struggled at times to get a good fit). Brainwavz attempts compensated the size by having long nozzles, which would allow for better, deeper fit. However, the nozzle used are also very wide. My ear canals did feel a bit sore after about an hour or so, however the Comply’s did help with the comfort. As a result, the issues listed above may affect those with small outer ears and smaller ear canals.
Overall: 6.5/10 (If the nozzles were narrower it would help improve the comfort)
 
Isolation:
There are a number of vents (I count 2).  As a result the isolation is just about average. Good enough for day to day use, though not my first recommendation for hardcore commuting.
Overall: 7/10
 
Cable noise:
These were intended to be worn cable up, as a result, almost no cable noise.
Overall: 9/10 (when using these for physical exercises, the physical weight of the cable will cause some cable noise to come through)
 
Sound:  
I think Brainwavz have a done a fantastic job. It’s a sound that is a “jack of all trades” it has the right balance of bass, midrange and treble. No single part of the sound spectrum screams out for your attention, instead it opts for a more neutral balanced presentation with some added warmth to prevent them from sounding cold or lean. I think in terms of musical preferences, I think these faired better for more acoustic and live pieces, I loved listening to OSTs, and ballads with them, because of its delicate nature and its wide soundstage. I felt it delivered the atmosphere and the emotions from those specific genres of music.
 
Bass:
the bass here is rather linear from the midbass with a mild subbass roll off. But the bass here is just a slightly emphasized (providing a soft impact) to allow for some added warmth. Its not anemic, but the bass may not have the impact some are seeking. The bass here is very well integrated with good control with a smooth texture.
 
Midrange:
I think the midrange, is rather neutral and natural sounding balancing male and female vocals very well. I feel that the midrange has enough richness, that give vocals a bit more body or thickness, though a bit diffuse. The tradeoff for the extra richness in the vocals, is a bit of clarity but it allow for both male and female vocals to have a smoother quality to them. However, as a whole its still a very clear earphone and I would put it just behind the Re400 and GR07BEs. 
 
Treble:
I think the treble as a whole is relatively clean, smooth, avoiding any siblance. I feel the treble hits a plateau in the mid treble and rolls off shortly after which makes the treble sound a bit just a bit “blunted” which makes the treble have bit of dullness, and a more laid back feel. Thus, the treble lacks a bit of the excitement and a bit air in treble, that I think would allow them to sound more open, and more engaging.  The complaints I listed above are very minor, I think the treble as whole executed very well.
 
Soundstage:
Quite big, it’s an out of the head experience with great placement and separation. It’s a bit diffuse sounding and I felt it had better width than depth, making the presentation more flat
sounding.
 
Quick comparison :
I think in comparison the Brainwavz R3 is warmer and smoother sounding (and less dry sounding) than the Hifiman RE400 and it has a much bigger soundstage. The bass is smoother sounding and both have that roll off in the subbass but its less noticeable on the R3s. The midrange has more thickness and more weight than the transparent and lean RE400s. The treble is more crisp on the RE400s, and more detailed and clearer as a result. But its so much better built, there is no contest, but the housing is bigger so it be challenge to get a fit for some. 
 
Compared to the VSONIC Gr07 BE, its has a similar width size of the soundstage with a similar sort of diffuse characteristic (so more 2 dimensional).  The subbass on the Gr07BE is definitely more emphasized than it is on the R3, as well as the midbass, making it punchier as a whole. Its more midcentric and richer with male vocals. In terms of the treble  but its much smoother so those that felt GR07 was edgy and siblant in the treble would just love the smoothness of R3, while still sounding very balanced and detailed as a whole. Those looking for a more v shaped and more exciting sound should look towards the GR07BE. 
 
*added note* I think the Brainwavz R3 is a good alternative (sonically speaking) to the Vsonic GR07(whichever version, i have the BE) and the Hifiman re400. Especially if you need something very rugged, i mean like strong enough to survive a war in your backpack and more.
 
Sound: 9/10 (the treble was just a bit blunt for me) but aside from that it was a very great take on a neutral, balanced sound signature with a bit of warmth.
 
In conclusion, while the R3s have this ridiculously robust build and the great sound of the R3s, I feel that the design and the long, wide nozzles would be an issue for others.  It’s a good and durable option at this price range as long as you can get past the design and the potential comfort issues.
Overall: 56.5/70=80.7%
Below are some pictures of the R3:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The RHA MA600i is a fantastic addition to everyone’s earphone collection, because they just spice up your listening experience. In addition, it’s also equipped with a comfortable housing, and last but not least it boasts a 3 year warranty (almost unheard of in the earphone world, especially one in this price range).
 
I want to thank RHA for their patience and  for sending this earphone out for review.
See my video review for a more condensed summary:

 
So without further ado, let’s get on with the review!
 
Accessories: This earphone comes a lot of goodies:
with a zippered hard shell carrying case with pouch inside to hold and protect the earphones as well as the eartips
8 pairs of eartips with different sizes and shapes to fit almost anyone and everyone (mostly hybrid designs (with a harder, stiffer inner core) with a softer silicone on the outside on the outside) which makes them sound bassier
The eartips are neatly displayed on a metal plate. (which makes for a very nice presentation)
Overall: 8/10 I think the accessories are nicely made and thought out and presented. Great job!
 
Features: The IOS remote has great tactile feedback with the centre button being depressed in level, with enough room for your fingers. The microphonic call quality is good and the placement of the remote allows me to speak freely without shouting or holding the remote next to mouth.
Overall: 8.5/10 ( I wish the volume buttons (+/-) were raised just to make it even more obvious and easier to feel with gloves on in the winter.)
 
Design: I think it has a small, subtle and unique housing. It’s reminiscent of a funnel or a large megaphone. It’s different, low key, and but very practical and ergonomic. (See the following sections).
Overall: 7.5/10 (not the most eye catching, but the aluminum finish is quite nice)
 
Build Quality:
The earpieces (and nozzle) of these earphones are made of lightweight aircraft grade aluminum, so it definitely feels more reassuring than the traditional plastic, you won’t have to worry about these breaking any time soon.  The cable is supple and appears well built and can survive good hard tugs as well, boding well for its longevity. The remote is made of a combination of rubberized plastic (for the buttons) and aluminum. The cable ends in a fairly low profile L shaped jack, with enough clearance to get through thick smartphone cases. Also, lets not forget about the 3 year warranty as well, a huge bonus making them a great option for those hard on their equipment.
Overall: 9/10 (the 3 year warranty really puts them over the top)
 
Comfort: This very comfortable with the small housing, with a narrow nozzle, gradually widening out, with nicely rounded off edges. When worn using the “around my ear” fit, I was able to comfortably sleep on my side with these earphones because they sat comfortably in my ears with a close to negative profile fit.
Overall: 8.5/10
 
Isolation:
They isolate fairly well, I would say above average. Easy for daily usage, enough to get you through your subway commute with little distraction. However, use caution when using these especially in busy areas.
Overall: 8/10
 
Cable noise: Its mild when worn cable down, and non existent when worn cable up
Overall: 7/10
 
Other notes: These have moderate driver flex, I don’t suspect it would be a real issue because it is a vented design, but something to note.
 
 
Sound: I will say during my time with these earphones, I have to say they are just a lot of fun! In terms of sound signature, it’s the perfect example of a “v shaped” sound signature, (meaning that the bass and the treble here is particularly emphasized).  It gives an extra jolt of adrenaline for more modern, pop, electronic based music.
 
Bass: The bass is here is chesty, emphasized and reaches very deep. It has a lot of weight in the bass; especially the midbass I would say its basshead level in quantity. It’s a very warm, very meaty with a some bloat. The control is fairly good considering the amount of bass these guys put out, avoiding them from sounding swampy or an overly thick. However, for more quieter passages or genres, the bass come through more than it should.
 
Midrange- there is a scoop in the midrange; the midrange is definitely recessed with a bit a veiling. So this doesn’t make the MA600i the most natural sounding earphone out there but it does a good job. I feel male vocals, takes a step back compared to female vocals. Female vocals here are more emphasized, they just “pop” and stands out, is a great plus for me since I love my female vocals.  As a whole, it performs fairly well throughout the midrange for V shaped sound signature.
 
Treble: The lower treble in particular is more emphasized; making instruments such as cymbals, tambourines, and triangles, have more energy and liveliness. However, this earphone is not for those treble sensitive, but for those they are/become acclimated; they are rewarded with a treble that is crisp and exciting to listen to.
 
If I had to make an analogy for the sound of the MA600i, it would be the  “rocker“ or the “life of the party”. It’s the edgy, loud, and exciting. Essentially it’s the friend that’s just full of energy and a lot fun to be around, someone whose’ energy is contagious. However, in respects to the treble, similar to a long night of partying, you do eventually get tired or fatigued and in need of a break.
 
Overall: 8.5/10 If I’m ever looking for a little extra energy in my music, I definitely find myself reaching for the RHA MA600i almost every time. The MA600i has definitely solidified a spot in my collection.
 
In conclusion, I think this earphone is perfect for the person on a budget, especially for students who are going to definitely be rough with their earphones and will be able to utilize the long warranty. My only quibbles are the moderate driver flex, and I wish the mids was just a bit forward.
 
While not the most natural sounding, you’re getting a great value. It combines a fun sound with convenience for your IOS device (3 Button IOS remote for the i-version) a fantastic warranty and great comfort even while sleeping. The MA 600idefinitely gets my ballot if someone is looking for a fun sounding earphone while on a budget.
 
Overall: 65.5/80= 81.8%
Please see below for more pictures:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

The newly released Sennheiser CX 5.00G is their latest upgrade to their CX 500.  The G in the name indicates that its intended which is the android audience, specifically the Samsung “Galaxy” population.  However, this earphone as stated on the box is compatible with a number of android products, making this a very convenient travel companion in today’s society where many people doing most of their music listening on their smartphones. There is also a CX 5.00i (for the IOS audience as well)
 
I want to thank Sennheiser for their patience (I have been swamped at work for a last little while) and for sending a sample of the CX 5.00G out for review.
Here is my video review on youtube: be sure to subscribe

 
I also created a thread here for these earphone. (click the link below) *hint* discovered a special modifications that changes the sound, stay tuned for updates!
http://www.head-fi.org/t/736937/newly-released-sennheiser-cx-series-earphones-in-particular-the-cx-3-00-and-cx-5-00g#post_11055139
 
 
And now onto the review!
Features: As stated above, this earphone was intended for the Samsung population. Boasting a 3 button remote on the right side (Volume +/-, play, pause, rewind, fast forward, take/end calls & mic) compatible with all Samsung smartphones and various other Android phones as well (LG, HTC, and Sony.) There are not many earphones out there with full android functionality and I think it’s a welcome addition.  (Something to note: the centre button and mic works on IOS devices, for calls and to play/pause/manage music). The buttons have the perfects size and good tactile feedback with the centre button having a small bump. The mic is also fantastic, the other person didn’t even know I was using a headset, very clear and mitigated most of the background noise.
Features Overall: 9/10 (A 3 button compatible remote for android’s is more than welcome)
 
Accessories: These earphones are a bit light in terms of accessories:

1. 4 sizes eartips (XS,S,M,L)- which have a line across the centre ( filtering the sound Click here to see post on how it changes sound
   1. First impression:
   2. Review video: (will update)
2. 1 plastic carrying case (which I think most people will take out the plastic insert). Very protective however.

Accessories Overall: 6/10 (considering it’s price tag, I would’ve have wanted more eartip selection, and a slightly more compact carrying case.
 
Design: Similar to their little brothers the CX 3.00, the Sennheiser has a taken a huge leap forward with the design of the CX 5.00 which takes away the traditional earbud design into something with personality and character. The housing has a shimmer, glitter onyx colour on the black black version. (these also come in white). The earpieces have a long metal faceplate showing off the Sennheiser logo. 
Design Overall: 9/10 (a very tasteful yet good looking design)
 
Build Quality: Its built similarly to their younger brother (the CX 3.00)which is a good thing because it feels reassuring in the hand without feeling clunky or cumbersome. Something to note, is that it is an all plastic construction with the exception of the metal faceplate and nozzle. However, its well relieved in all the key areas, it carries a low profile L shape jack and the cable is elliptical shaped and tangle resistant. Also, the nozzle is made out of entirely metal, which I think is a huge plus in my book. (as the nozzle can be a point of weakness for earphones).
Build Quality Overall: 8/10 (I would like a bit more metal in its construction but the metal nozzle and the dense plastic is executed really well)
 
Comfort: Very comfortable! The combination of the soft eartips, rounded housing and the angled nozzle allows it to sit comfortably and securely in my ears. The long metal faceplate allows for easy insertion and removal (plenty of room for your fingers to hold onto). I really like Sennheiser’s attention to the little details here.
Comfort Overall: 9/10 (One of the most comfortable earphones, I’ve ever used, they really disappeared in my ears)
 
Isolation: these are a vented design. However, I think isolation is slightly above average. I was able to use them when using the subway without having to turn up the volume, but the subway screeching did creep in, but as a whole not bad!
Isolation Overall: 7.5/10 (passable for commuting but does allow for some situational awareness).
 
Microphonics/Cable Noise: Wearing these cable down only mildly bothersome when worn cable down.(Wearing these cable up, eliminates almost all cable noise)
Cable noise Overall:  7/10
 
Sound: Sennheiser has tuned this earphone to have warm and bassy, easy going more consumer grade sound, while trying to remain as balanced as possible. It has a sound that’s enjoyable and very likeable. I think Sennheiser has a done a great job!
 
Bass: It’s still emphasized, but in comparison to their little brothers the CX 3.00, the bass here is toned down much more. There is still plenty of low end grunt here, and its tighter in comparison. The bass here is meaty and punchy though a bit on the looser side, that will please bass lovers but won’t alienate everyone else.
 
Mids: the midrange here is a more laidback compared to the bass. I feel the midrange is has good clarity, taking consideration of the bass prominence, and conveys a thicker presentation overall, with just a hint of veiling. In particular, male vocals I think are more forward in the mix, with more body than their female counterparts. That said, the female vocals here are still clear, but conveys a more smoothness and easy going sound over pure resolution a plus for long listening session. Detail freaks need not apply but everyone else, I think will enjoy these very much)
 
Treble: The treble here is decent extension but as a whole I think its leaning more on polite side (I still yearn for more extension but then again I like a bright sound, for reference). It’s not for those craving air, or those that want the crunch or bite in the treble. However, those seeking fatigue free listening, for example they want to hear all the trumpets and cymbal crashes, without the ear ringing or eye squinting that comes with it, the CX 5.00 will please. I think this is great plus, because the wider consumer market would listening to more mainstream music that is geared towards more electronic synths and beats, and this makes those beeps and bloops easy to listen to.
 
Soundstage: I would say average, its well centred but is missing out a bit on width
Sound Overall: 7/10
 
In conclusion, I have to say even though the sound was not exactly “my sound signature”. It was still a very enjoyable sound for me. Also, the fact that the CX 5.00G really made me think twice about leaving my iPod touch (my dedicated music device) at home, opting to listen straight off my Samsung S3. This just speaks volume. I think Sennheiser has winner here! It’s a great pairing for anyone looking for a comfortable, bassy, convenient travel companion with your Android (for the G version) or IOS (for the i version) device.
Overall: 62.5/80= 78.1%
 
Below are some pictures I've taken, enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Sennheiser CX 3.00 is the replacement to the highly rated Senneheiser CX 300 II, an earphone that’s highly rated and recommended time and time again on popular review websites such as CNET, PCMag, Engadget and many more. 
 
Their predecessors, the CX 300II was know as a great upgrade over stock earphones. Boasting a strong, emphasized but not overpower bass, backed by a highly reputable brand with a rich audio history, while doing all of this at a relatively affordable price.
 
I want to thank Sennheiser for their patience (I have been swamped at work for a last little while) and for sending a sample of the CX 3.00 out for review.
Here is my video review on youtube: be sure to subscribe
 

 
I also created a thread here for these earphone. (click the link below) *hint* discovered a special modifications that changes the sound, stay tuned for updates!
http://www.head-fi.org/t/736937/newly-released-sennheiser-cx-series-earphones-in-particular-the-cx-3-00-and-cx-5-00g#post_11055139
 
So let’s jump right in shall we?
 
Accessories: These earphones are a bit light in terms of accessories:

1. 4 sizes eartips (XS,S,M,L)- which have a line across the centre ( filtering the sound Click here to see post on how it changes sound
   1. First impression:
   2. Review video: (will update)
2. 1 plastic carrying case (which I think most people will take out the plastic insert). Very protective however.

Accessories Overall: 7/10 (the protective case is very nice, just a bit big, and I would like to have a wider eartip selection)
 
Design: If you google pictures of pictures of the old Sennheiser CX 300 II and compare them to the CX 3.00. you can clearly Sennheiser has seriously upgraded the design. I really like it! It’s a much more modern and sleeker all white design, with a pearl, glittery ring around the earpiece to give it some flair, a very nice touch! ( these earphone also come in black and red).
Design Overall: 9/10 (it’s a small, simple and modern design)
 
Build Quality: The entire earphone is made of entirely plastic but the plastic used feels very reassuring. In addition the, nozzle is made of metal (which I think more manufacturers should switch to) making it feel very durable as a whole. The cable is an elliptical cable (not completely flat) but definitely helps prevents tangles and it’s well relieved in all the key points. The earphones come equipped with a very low profile L shaped jack. In addition Sennheiser offers a 2-year warranty, a very nice bonus! So I’m not worried when stuffing these into my jean pocket, or quickly into my bag.
Build Quality Overall: 9/10 (considering its price, its built very well, the metal nozzle really helps feel more durable)
 
Comfort: Sennheiser aced it in terms of comfort. These earphones are super comfortable. The nozzle is angled perfectly and is quite long, and in addition to the small housing and soft eartips, allows these to just disappear in my ears.
Comfort Overall: 10/10 (the small, rounded housing, along with the soft eartips makes these my top 2 earphones in terms of comfort!) Great Job!
 
Isolation:These earphones are vented (please see the picture below). I would say the isolation is slightly above average. These are passable for commuting, and wearing them around town. However, if your not careful, you will run into trouble.
Isolation Overall: 7.5/10 (passable for commuting but does allow for some situational awareness).
 
Microphonics/Cable Noise: Wearing these cable down I would say its okay, (wearing these cable up, eliminates almost all cable noise)
Cable noise Overall:  7.5/10
 
 
Sound: Now this is where it gets interesting because I found that these earphones can sound different with a very simple and reversible modification. So I decided to split the sound section into two parts.  I suggest you read it all the way to the end, the mod, changes the sound, you can be the judge of which one you might prefer!
 
Stock Summary: It has a forgiving (maybe a overly so) , dark, smooth bassy sound. It makes even the most compressed tracks (I’m not even talking 192kps) listenable and at very loud volumes at that. By high volumes I mean 75-80% (I usually hover around 37.5-45%on my iPhone 4, my iPod touch, and my Samsung galaxy S3). I think the CX 3.00 has a sound that wide mainstream market will find enjoyable and it will work well in noisy environments
 
Bass: The bass is very warm and quite emphasized; I would say even basshead level. The bass absolutely steals the show! The bass however is somewhat loose, so those looking for a neutral sound need not apply.  It’s meaty, and has bit of a bloomy quality to it, and it bass retains it’s quality even as you turn it up the volume, a big plus for those that like their music loud. As a result, the bass here is great for noisy places such as on the bus or in cafeterias.
 
Mids: The midrange here is recessed especially compared to the big bass. Consistent with its smooth nature, I feel the midrange has some veiling  which makes female vocals, in particular more reined in. So there seems to be a trade off of clarity in favor to a more laid back sound.  I think works better for more top 40 pop tracks compared to acoustic or ballads.
 
Treble: Its very polite sounding, a somewhat overly so for me but I believe it was tuned with the average consumer in mind, who would be listening to streaming or very compressed music (Youtube, Spotify, or 8Tracks) where the treble can be sharp, harsh that may have been poorly mastered or recorded. I was able to listen to even the most compressed music at high volume with little to no fatigue. However, on the CX 3.00 it will sound as smooth as mild summer breeze even at very loud volumes (75%+ on my Ipod touch). (for reference I like a brighter more energetic sound, so the CX 3.00 lacked the bite and energy I yearn for).
 
Soundstage:  It’s a bit small and has average separation but it is well centred.
 
Sound Overall: 6.5/10 (I felt the bass was too much for me, in addition to the treble being more polite than I’d like)
 
In conclusion, though the sound not my cup of tea, I think its competitive with many offerings from other big name Western brands targeting the mainstream market. It has a lot going for it :
It’s built very well, offers a 2 year warranty, backed by a highly respected brand, super comfortable and isolates well, it has a very forgiving sound that will not fatigue at any volume (an added plus for those that like their music loud).  
Overall: 56.5/70= 80.7%
 
Below are some pictures I've taken, enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Brainwavz S5s is an earphone made to withstand the daily rigors of the city life. Its built like a tank comes with very fun but detailed sound.
I want to thank Brainwavz for sending the S5s. I just wanted to state that everything below is my unbiased opinion and mine alone, as always YMMV! Now onto the review!
Below is my condensed video review on youtube of the Brainwavz S5

 
Accessories: The S5s come with a multiple ear tips of different sizes, shapes and even “bore/nozzle width” 
•    3 pairs of Grey (medium bore) (in S,M,L) 
•    3 pairs of black (narrower bore) (in S,M,L)
•    1 pair of Triple flange 
•    1 pair of Double Flange 
•    1 Pair of Medium Comply T400 eartips
•    1 ¼ adapter 
•    1 hard carrying case (this is probably the nicest case I’ve ever seen, I’ll probably getting a few for my other earphones)
Overall: 9/10
 
Design and Features: These earphones are rather understated, the entire housing of the earpiece is black with the exception of the white “Brainwavz” logo. 
This earphone is made to be worn “over the ear”, and it comes with a flat shape cable (preventing tangles). Each earpiece is labeled “L/R” respectively in tiny lettering on the strain relief of each earpiece (with the Left side having a tactile bump, to easily identify which side is which in the dark).
Overall: 7/10
 
Build quality- These things are built like a tank, each of the earpieces are made of entirely metal all the way to the nozzles and just oozes solidity.  Another reasurring aspect of the S5 is the abundance of  plenty of strain reliefs everywhere, from the earpieces, to the v shape connector (which is quite chunky) to the headphone jack.  This is one earphone that I really don’t have to worry about being rough with, they will take a licking and keep ticking, which is exactly what every busy student or urban commuter needs on a daily basis.
Overall:9.5/10 ( I do wish that brainwavz would switch over to a L shape jack but that said is probably sturdiest looking straight jacks I’ve seen).
 
Comfort
In terms of comfort, theses earphones have about a medium insertion and sit fairly comfortably in your ear with the help of its angled nozzle.  My only quibble is that fact that these do stick out of your ear, so its not as low profile and that also means that you can’t sleep on them. 
Overall: 7/10
 
Isolation:
These earphones are vented, so these don’t completely isolate you from the outside from the outside world. That said I’d say these are above average, and I’d be happy to recommend them for commutting purposes, because of the bassy sound signature (which I’ll get to in the following section) it helps cut through the subway wheels screeching and the rumbling air conditioners rather well. 
Overall: 8/10
 
Sound Quality:
These earphones pump out plenty of smooth bass with a clean and extended treble, but it does so without neglecting the midrange. In short the S5 my go to earphone when looking for a fun time while still getting plenty of detail. So lets get started!
 
Bass:  Now I’ll say right off the bat, S5s have a lot of weight in the bass.  Particularly in the mid-bass giving it plenty of punch not yet basshead level (its close but not yet). The bass makes them very warm and exciting. The bass has a rounded chesty quality to it and hits hard and quite fast as well. It is not the tightest bass but it strikes a balance between loose and tight, conveys a smoothness quality to it.  However, I would say that because of the mid-bass emphasis, the lowest octaves of the sub bass loses out on some of that visceral rumble when called upon.
 
Mids: The mids are a bit recessed here, but tastefully done. Its very clear, smooth and integrated very well in between the prominent bass and the crisp treble. However, because of its warm nature, male vocals have more body and it’s more forward in the mix, conveying a more intimate performance. In terms of female vocals many bassy/v-shaped earphones tend to give singers like Mariah Carey and Ariana Grande more emphasis than I would like. Thankfully, the S5s doesn’t suffer from this problem, you won’t find yourself squinting when listening them as it makes their voices rather tolerable. In short, the midrange is executed very well, and I think this is what separates the S5s from all the other bassy earphones out there.
 
Treble: the treble is detailed and there is no sibilance or harshness. It avoids the harshness that many v shape earphones struggle without. The S5s have  some emphasis around the lower treble, to give it some energy while having enough extension to provide a bit of air and space for more stringed instruments. It can get a bit spashy at times for more electronic genres, so i would like more refinement here for  future releases.  This issue can be alleviated to a large degree by using the comply foam tips provided or using sony hybrid tips as well, which would subdue the treble a bit 
 
Soundstage- Its wider in its presentation than average, avoiding another convention for v shape earphone (as bassy as it is) it fairs better than most. Separation is good as well.
Overall: 8.5/10
 
In conclusion, I think Brainwavz have a winner here with the S5s. Its built like a tank, comfortable in the ear, comes with a plethora of accessories and last by not least provide a fun sound without skimping out on detail. I’m extremely pleased! Thank you Brainwavz!!
 
Overall: 50/60= 83%
Below are some pictures of the Brainwavz S5
 

 
 
 
 
 

the different bore widths for the grey and black silicone
 

 
 
 
 

My video review for those interested:

 
The VS3S is a VSONIC’s latest earphone, and they have made a big claim. That is that these VS3S as well as their brother VSD3(at the current price of $45-50) were tuned with the Westone 4R in mind ($499 earphone with 4 Balanced Armatures). Now I, myself have not tried the Westone 4R, but I can say that VSONIC proved yet again, that you can get great sound at an affordable price (as they have achieved time and time again with their GR07, VSD1/1S, Gr06 and many more).
 
Accessories:
This is where I think Vsonic had disappointed me a bit. They come with:
1 soft carrying pouch (very smooth to touch)
3 sets of single flange eartips
1 set of double flange
1 set of foam
Its good but in comparison the HAVI B3 Pro 1 (about $60) came with BOTH a pouch and a hard carrying case and more eartips and sizes.
Overall 7/10
 
Design:
I absolutely love the look of these earphones! They have a diamond like cuts through the housing, which gives it a sense of elegance. Its transparent, and you can see the internal wiring and structure. Mine pair of the VSD3s,  in particular are multicoloured, the left earpiece is blue, the right earpiece is red, which I think makes them very unique I love the colours used. (VSONIC also have a number of fun colours coming as well, all transparent red, light blue, purple, or the traditional black)
Note the only separating the VSD3 and the VS3S physically is that the latter has the letter “s” labeled on the right earpiece.
Overall: 10/10 (totally subjective but I love it)
 
Build Quality:
 
The earpieces are made up of entirely plastic, but it does feel fairly solid in the hand I can see them lasting me for quite a while.
However the biggest selling point is the fact that they come with detachable cables (which is unheard of at this price, the cheapest I can think of is the Shure se215 at $99). The detachable cable is a fantastic value allowing you easily swap out the cables should something go wrong, protecting your investment over the long haul. The cables however are a proprietory MMCX connector and itsthe first of its kind, so aftermarket cables are not available yet. As of right now, we will have to wait for VSONIC to sell these cables individually.
The cable itself is has good thickness to it, and has a nice quality to it (reminiscent of my VSONIC GR07BE). I would say that the biggest downside to the cable is the lack of strain reliefs in a few key areas, namely at the y shaped connector and at the jack, which is a bit concerning for its long term durability, luckily it is replaceable.
Overall: 6/10 (the cable is what dropped the score here, otherwise its good)
 
Comfort/ Isolation:
 
The earpieces are ergonomic but quite big , so if you have smaller outer ears, I can see the VS3S not being a comfortable experience. That said for me there are about above average, my outer ears do feel a bit of fatigue after about 2 hours.
Overall: 8/10
 
In terms of isolation, its excellent! Its  a fully sealed design and it has becoming my daily commuting friend, cutting through the subway chatter and the rumbling bus wheels very well.
Overall: 9/10
 
Sound Quality:
They are very warm and smooth with some weight in the bass, with a crisp treble to balance out the other end.
 
Bass: The bass is the emphasized (particularly in the midbass) with plenty of weight and punch. It’s a bit on the slower end, making it very smooth and meaty. Giving it a full bodied, thicker sound. The bass here is well extended but is a bit on the boomier side, while not loose, I wouldn’t say it’s tight either. In faster basslines, things get a little just little uncontrolled. Its not sloppy and nothing glaring for the most part however. However, this leads me think that this earphone is bit better suited for more mellow, soulful music, but also plays top 40 songs very well.
 
Mids: The mids here are a bit forward, just a bit, despite the bass and treble prominence. Its not left forgotten and is very well intergrated. Its very natural  especially towards both male and female vocals (retaining their character, tonality) and relatively clear, but because of the warmth and bass weight, its clarity does take a hit.
 
Treble: The lower treble is crisp particularly emphasized to make give some spice and excitement into otherwise a warm, and probably dull sound. The texture on the treble is very interesting, and I like it. I describe it similar to a whip, its quick, has a short impact and disappears without a trace or any prolonged ringing. This treble here, makes the VS3S more of an all-around for different types of music.  I would say there is a mild case of sibilance, which seems to be the “VSONIC house sound”.
 
Soundstage:  Its wider than average but not by much. However, at times with faster music, along with the bass, the soundstage feels more “stuck in the head”. The separation is just okay.
 
Overall: 8/10 (for the price I think it’s a no brainer, there’s very small nitpicks to an overall very enjoyable experience).
 
In conclusion, VSONIC has hit it out the park again with the VSD3S. The lack of strain relief on the cable is concerning but with a beautiful design, great isolation and detachable cables, and great sound makes the VSD3S an outstanding performer in its price range.  I highly recommend this earphone for basically everyone except those with the most eclectic tastes. 
 
Overall 48/60= 80%

The Havi B3 Pro 1 is a dual dynamic driver earphone that is taking head-fi by storm, as being a fantastic option for a neutral, but with one very atypical aspect for an earphone under $100. That’s the soundstage, the Havis have soundstage that is absolutely MASSIVE, and not just for its price, its massive, PERIOD.
You can read more about the Havi here (http://www.head-fi.org/t/711582/havi-b3-pro-1-impressions-thread_ Many thanks goes to @Baycode for his continual contributions in this thread, and for exposing many of us to this great earphone.
 
Here is my video review of these earphones:

 
Warning: Havi has released 2 versions of this earphone, the Pro 1 (the one being reviewed here) and the Pro 2 (which is essentially a bass-enhanced version of the Pro 1). There has been some discussion on the thread posted above regarding the Pro 2 having more bass compared to the Pro 1, which tends to sound leaner and more open sounding.
The Havi Pro 1 is priced at $62 USD on Lendmeurears (http://www.lendmeurears.com/havi-b3-pro-i/) and $65 USD on Penon Audio(http://penonaudio.com/HAVI-B3-PRO).
 
Accessories:
The Havi B3 Pro 1 comes with a lot of goodies, with a wide array of eartips (3 sets) of various shapes and sizes, a hard- shell carrying case, a carrying pouch, a cleaning cloth.  Havi has covered all the bases in terms of accessories needed for an earphone especially at this price point
*note- (Patience is needed selecting the right eartip, because this earphone is very sensitive to different eartips see more in the sound quality section) It took me nearly 1-2 weeks to find the perfect eartip for me.
 
Overall: 9/10
 
Design/ Build Quality:
I think these earphones are quite handsome looking, it has a glass sheet over the face of the earphones (which can be cleaned easily with the included cleaning cloth). 
The earpieces are made of plastic but it does not feel cheap but does lack that premium feeling that a special metal convey on a more expensive set of earphones. 
The cable is well relieved and beefy, but it is rather interesting, the top half is thinner compared to the flat, wide bottom half, and it ends in a L shape jack.
Overall: the build quality of this earphone is great for the price and I can see myself using these for a quite a while. 8.5/10
 
Comfort:
These earpieces rather unorthodox looking, and are on the larger side, so those with smaller out ears may not find the B3 Pro 1 to be comfortable. For me they are about average in comfort, just because the rounded edges rubbing against my outer ears a bit.
Overall: 7/10
 
Weight: The earpieces are light, but the lower half of the cable does add a bit of weight, so it does bounce around and makes its presence felt when moving about.
Overall: 7.5/10
 
Isolation/ Portability
The Havi B3 Pro 1 is semi vented housing, and with the right eartips I found isolation passable for commuting on the bus and train. As quoted by Baycode over head-fi being semi vented in the Havi B3 Pro Thread.
Overall: 8/10
 
Sound Quality:
Two things before going into the sound quality:

• AMPING: There has been a lot of talk on the forums regarding amping these earphones (their listed at 32ohms and at sensitivity at 105 dB.) But I think Havi needs to measure them again, because the Havis need a lot of juice off my 4^th Generation Ipod Touch (I’m hitting about ½ or 8-9/16 on the volume) when I’m usually hovering around 4-5/16.
• Different eartips:
  • I find that with more narrow eartips, like the coloured Vsonic, or Sony hybrids tend to warm up the sound quite a bit, giving it a bassier, warmer sound signature while compressing some of the soundstage.
  • A lot of head-fiers recommend the black Sennheiser Biflanges that’s comes with the Havis, because it made the sound leaner, more open sounding. Of course, experiment and find which is best for you! I had used the Medium JVC Xplosive Eartips for this review (which has a wider nozzle).

With that aside, The Havi B3 Pro 1 are just spectacular! I am floored how great these earphones sound, and not just for $60 but just in general with either the narrow or the wide eartips. They are neutral, very transparent and covers the entire sound spectrum very well.
 
Bass: The bass on the Havi B3 Pro 1 are pretty flat, and organic and it reproduces the recording very well. It bass line will thump when the original recording is meant to thump. It reaches very low and very fast and tight as well. The bass here will not satisfy bass heads, but if you want high quality, versatile bass, the Havis will give you plenty of that.
 
Mids: This is my second favorite part of the B3 Pro 1, and only by a close margin. Vocals are natural and are just reproduced with startlingly clarity, and it reproduces micro details so well, like the timbre in a person’s voice, and the layering between the background and male vocals are superb. Vocals carry some warmth and have a intimate and enveloping feeling to them, I can easily get lost listening to both male vocals (Micheal Buble and Chris Martin) and female vocals like (Ailee and Mariah Carey).
 
Treble: The treble is again, very revealing with great extension and carry a great sparkle to it (again when called upon in the song). The treble is not for those those favoring more dark sound signatures, but its not harsh either. I’m a fan of the treble, and I do not detect any sense of haze or artificial nature to it. Beautifully executed along with the bass and the mids.
 
Soundstage: This is by far one of the most open sounding earphones, I have ever heard/owned, a real out of the head experience. It has a very 3D nature to its soundstage, you can place instruments and synths either in front or behind one and another. It does make every song sound bigger and more expansive (some may argue that this might not be the most natural soundstage but its imaging is just pure enjoyment for me).
 
Overall: 9.8/10 (I would like just a smidge less treble (just personal preference, it would help cater to a wider audience,  for those that like a darker, more forgiving sound)
 
In Conclusion:
I think the Havis are just an amazing option and it really deserves all the attention it gets and more for being essentially a 60$ Giant. It may not fit everyone’s ears and you will need patience to find the right eartip (for sound and comfort) but its Its built well, looks great, it’s sound signature works well for basically everything and your basically carrying around an earphone that sounds almost as big as a full size closed headphone).

Sennheiser Amperior Review
Please Click here for Video Review:

 
The Sennheiser Amperior headphone is a headphone that comes fully loaded with a bunch of features and are very practical if you just need one headphone that will last you a long time, block out noise, while sounding lively and exciting.
A brief history
The Amperiors is essentially a portable version of the much acclaimed Sennheiser HD-25, a legendary 25 year old, headphone especially amongst the DJ community. The Sennheiser HD-25 was known for its remarkable build quality, superb noise isolation, amazing stability on the head and its impeccably tight bass response, all of which are criterias DJ’s look for as a companion when performing and moving between events.
The Amperiors is unfortunately now discontinued, but is still sold at a rock bottom price at the time of this review. Its been replaced by the Sennheiser HD 25 Aluminum Edition, which have the same drivers as the old HD25 but with aluminum earcups and different earpad materials.
The following review is based on my used Sennheiser Amperior headphones, so your experiences may vary.
 
Accessories/ Features
In terms of accessories the Amperiors really do not come with much accessories other than the two detachable cables.  There is a 1 m IOS cable with a 3 button remote (+/- volume, and a centre button (for play, pause, rewind, fast forward) and a mic for phone calls. This cable ends with a straight jack (I prefer a L shape jack just so it doesn’t stick out of my pocket when plugged into my Ipod touch). The second cable is a 1.2 m audio-only cable that ends with a L shape jack. Both cables are rather thin and supple, and do not tangle. However, I would have wished for a thicker cable, I can see these cables fail over time, however you can easily source an aftermarket cable in the event that happens. I do wish it came with a hard shell carrying case or at least a pouch though, just to better protect these headphones, just for more assurance.
    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 

 

 
In terms of features, the Amperiors have plenty!
1) The first feature is that every single part of the headphone is replaceable, from the earpads, to the drivers, the headband, headband padding to cable). Replacement parts can be easily purchased from the Sennheiser website (here is the link). Also replacing the parts, is fairly easy to do (here are some links on how to replace various parts of the headphone).
I think this is huge plus because normally when a part of headphone breaks, this would require servicing from the manufacture where there is a waiting period where you have no headphones. With the Amperiors, you avoid this hassle and you can easily buy extra parts and swap them out easily with little trouble at all.
I had purchased a pair of HD25 pleather earpads and installed them here is the link on my impressions on them (and how they changed the sound on the Amperiors) and how to change the earpads)
 
2) The second feature is the split headband. There is endless possibilities how much or how little you can split the headband. The rationale for splitting this headband is to allow the headband to evenly distribute the clamping pressure while increasing stability on the head. Essentially improving comfort and stability!

 

 
 
3) The third feature is that the left earcup can swivel up to 180 degrees (see pictures below) allowing for one ear listening and monitoring. Surprisingly enough, the stability of these headphones is still great when utilizing the headphone like this.

 
Overall: 9/10
 
Design and build quality
The design of the Amperiors is just a practical minimalistic yet professional design. I quite like the silver earcups (these also come in a blue version as well). Some parts of the plastic edges used are a bit sharp and less refined (for example on the headband), so it does detract it from feeling like a premium product.
            In terms of the build quality, despite the large amount of plastic used on Amperiors, the build quality is superb. The plastic used despite not being the most refined looking, it is very rugged and I was never worried about these headphones. I can definitely see why DJs use the Amperiors and HD25, just for this reason alone.  Also the earcups on the Amperiors are made of an anodized aluminum, and it appears to be scratch proof as well. Also, stated before the each part of the headphone is replaceable, a welcome feature for those hard on their headphones. Something to note is that, the earcups are rather loose and at times it can extend and retract more easily than i'd like.
(To remedy this issue,  I added a layer of tape inside the adjustment area to prevent it from sliding out of place. Now, the headphones will never slide out of place unless intended and the tape remains out of site) 

 

 

 
Design Overall: 7/10
Build quality Overall: 9/10 (which a bit more metal was used, but the plastic is super rugged)
 
Comfort and weight
            The earcups swivel to fit anyone’s head and ear shape and the Amperiors was meant to have superb stability and isolation when moving around outside or in the DJ booth. So comfort does suffer, along with the fact that these are on ear headphones (which traditionally are not the most comfortable headphones to begin with, having to rest and press against your ear to maintain seal).
            Using the stock velour earpads, I was able to use these for about 1.5 hours before I had to take them off, due to my ears hurting and starting to sweat at about the 40-50 min mark
    

 

Comfort Velour: 7/10 
 
 With the HD25 pleather earpads, I was able to wear them for about 1 hour before I had to take them off, my ears hurting and began sweating quite a bit starting at the 20 minute mark. 
Both earpads are about the same in terms of padding but the velour earpads are much more breathable and overall more comfortable than the pleather. The material used on the pleather earpad seems kind of papery as cited in my impressions video below.
 

 
Comfort Pleather: 6/10
 

 
In terms of weight, the entire headphone weighs in at about 160grams, very lightweight on the head and around the neck, and I did not feel the weight of headphones on my neck even after extended listening periods.
Weight: 9/10
 
Isolation and Portability
            Whether your using the velour or the pleather earpads, the isolation on is superb! It is easily class leading in the category of on ear headphones. You can definitely use these in your morning bus and subway commute. Its actually quite scary how good the isolation is, it rivals many IEMs/ earphones.
            I did find the pleather earpads isolating more on my subway commute than the velours. 
 
Isolation Velours: 8/10 Isolation Pleather: 9/10
 
In terms of the portability, the Amperiors are small when on the head and when around the neck, there is no restrictions in head movement. But I did notice that when putting these around my neck, the split headband joins together and for me anyway I would have to take off the headphones re-split the headband before putting it back on my head (see video for a clear explanation). This is a mild annoyance but I’ve grown use to it now.
 
Portability: 8/10 (which it folded up or flat)
 
Sound quality: The Amperiors have a mild V shaped sound signature, that never sounds bloated in anyway while being a very lively and exciting. Its quite remarkable how fun it is while being so clear and articulate.
The following is based on my opinion of the Amperiors with the stock velour earpads unless otherwise stated.
 
Bass: The bass is where this headphone absolutely shines! The bass is warm and north of neutral. That said the Amperiors have absolutely the tightest, quickest bass response of any headphone or earphone I have ever tried before. If I had to make an analogy, you can think of the Amperior’s bass being a while (like a lion tamer) its quick, its precise, it’s powerful, yet it never overstays its welcome.  The midbass of the Amperiors is chesty and slams with authority without sounding bloated.  You can throw the most complex bass lines on the Amperiors and they will reproduce it so cleanly and effortlessly. An aspect that DJs need when beat matching.
I did however have two complaints with the Amperiors in terms of the bass.
 
1) The first was that I would like the bass to be a bit more north of neutral, nothing drastic maybe 1-2 db more. Then it would be basically perfect for me as a portable on ear headphone.
 
2) It doesn’t have the greatest extension all the way down there in the subbass, and it does roll off a bit there. So you won’t get the rumbling enveloping bass.
With the pleather earpads, I did feel the bass was slightly boomier, and less controlled. It did lose some of that lightning quickness. It was nothing extreme and but was evident immediately. However, the differences is less noticeable when outside with ambient noise present
 
Midrange:  the Mids are a bit recessed but nowhere near the same extent as the Sennheiser Momentum On Ears. Vocals especially female vocals are more forward. The vocals have a thinness to it, which definitely helps in terms of clarity. While remaining perfectly clear of bass, while being full intergrated in the mix, something I felt wasn’t executed a well on the Momentum On Ear. Female vocals in particular sound great while retaining a lot of their character and “naturalness”. However I did feel that some vocalists sounded a bit overbearing from time to time because of how forward the vocals are in the mix. So take heed if you’re sensitive to this.
 
Treble: Again the treble similar to the rest of the sound signature of the Amperiors is forward and aggressive. Some users have noted that they seem harsh and I can see that for some people that are sensitive to high frequencies, the Amperiors are just not the headphones for them. I did find them a too bright at first, it has probably the brightest treble of anything I’ve used before so it did take some getting use to.
Even now I do find the treble a bit bright for my taste so it doesn’t lend well for long term listening as your ears do fatigue over time (in addition to the physical fatigue from the clamping force).
The treble though is very well extended and articulate and very fast sounding, perfect for rock, and more electronic music. That makes everything lively and engaging.
With the pleather earpads I did find the treble edgier and “more raw-sounding” and even more exciting compared the velour’s (which sounded smoother in comparison).
 
Soundstage: This is one area that I’m a bit disappointed with. The soundstage is quite closed and in your head. Though the Amperiors do a good job placing instruments in this space, I would like it if it was a bit bigger, at least similar to the V-moda XS in this category, which sounds like a small room.
 
Overall: 9/10 ( the treble might be a bit hot for some folks)
 
In conclusion, I think Sennheiser has absolutely hit a HOME RUN with the Amperiors. Its spectacular in terms of build, isolation and sound for a portable on ear headphone. I do wish the design is a bit more modern looking, and the comfort can be a bit of an annoyance for extended listening but all in all I can easily recommend this to anyone, especially for those that go through earphones/headphones every few times a year, good luck trying to break the Amperiors!

For a condensed video review see the link below:

 
 
After the much acclaimed success of the Momentum (over ear) headphones, sennheiser wanted to recapture that magic and scale it down into a smaller, more portable, more affordable package. Here the Sennheiser Momentum On- Ear or MOE for short is born. 

 

 

 

 
Accessories/ Features
The MOE comes with both a soft carrying case and a fabric bag (with a drawstring) to protect these headphones. In terms of size they are about the same size as their older sibling (the momentum over ear) which is about half the size of my 13inch macbook pro. Inside you will found a pouch to hold your cables. I also liked that I didn’t have to take out the cable when putting into the carrying case. Also, I’d like to note I didn’t have to retract the earcups when storing them away each time (something I had to do with their older brother).
The headphone come with 2 detachable cables both are 1.4 m in length, both utilizing a twist and lock mechanism in the left earcup. The side entering the earcup is 2.5mm while the side entering the music player is 3.5mm.  One cable is a stock audio cable that ends with a straight jack. The other cable is a 3 button IOS remote and mic, (for play/pause/rewind/fastforward and Siri) made of a combination of metal and plastic) and ends in a L shape jack.
 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall: 8/10 (I wish it came with a hard shell carrying case, to better protect the headphones from impact)
 
Design and build quality
In sort they look exactly like a baby version of the Momentum over ear. I find they are more eye catching and flashier than their older brothers which are more sleek and classy looking.They come in a wide variety of different colours (see picture below), so you will definitely find 1 (or 2 ) that will suit your tastes.
One notable differences in terms of materials is the use of Alcantara, which is a synthetic suede like material on the headband and the earpads (compared to the leather used on the older siblings). I will note in the comfort section below my findings on this change.
The headband made of a stainless steel band, that is split in the middle allowing for better ventilation and to prevent any hotspots while aiding in stability while on the head.
The earcups are much smaller than the over ears, and are swivels on a ball joint to fit different head shapes. Also the earcups are instead made of a glossy plastic (on the black and ivory versions at least), compare to the more matte like finish on the black momentums.
The headphones adjust based on friction and slide up and down depending on your head size. Again they don’t slide out of place unless force is applied.
The cables are well-made and replacable with good strain reliefs and thickness.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 



 

 

Overall: 8.5/10 (the glossy black does pick up fingerprints and again as stated on the my review on the over ear momentums, I’m not the biggest fan of the friction adjusting mechanism)
 
Comfort/weight
In terms of comfort the MOE I think hit it out of the park! Portable on ear headphones are normally not the most comfortable based on the fact that they have to press against your ear to remain secure).  The clamping force is higher than the older brothers but I felt the combination of the  earpads being so soft (so much padding too) allows them to feel very comfortable while being one of the most secure headphones I’ve ever tried (seriously, you can run and jump around without worrying about them falling off).
The alcantara used is really remarkable, the MOE while having very soft earpads and pressing against your ears are also very breathable. The surface of my ear barely accumulated any sweat even after 2-3 hour listening sessions. 
 

 

 

 

 
Similar to the older brothers theres not much padding on the headband, but its not needed because at 160g, the MOE is as light as feather on my head.
 
Overall:In terms on on ear standard= 10/10
 
Isolation
This is an area I feel the MOE suffered. For being advertised as a closed back headphone, they really don’t isolate all that much at all. Even walking around quiet neighbourhoods, I could hear basically everything around me. This is a good option for those that want  to hear whats going around them, say when walking around downtown or when cycling or if you need to listen for the telephone in the office. But I wouldn’t be able to recommend them for buses, trains, or air travel.
 
Overall: 6/10- I suspect the alcantara material being so breathable, is the reason while it doesn’t isolate more (it’s a completely sealed design)
 
Sound quality: I want say this first, the Sennheiser had taken a different approach when tuning for the MOE aiming for a more exciting V-shape sound for the youth to young adult market, and the types of music many of them listen to (I suspect, anyway) which is geared more towards rap, hip &hop, pop, and more electronic music.
From now on I will just evaluate the momentums on their on merits. (I will write a separate review comparing both momentums.
 
Bass: Normally portable (on ear) headphones suffer from bass, and its extension due to the size of the housing. The MOE doesn’t suffer from this problem, the bass reaches very low and is very prominent. I will note that the bass oddly has a very different characteristic from when outside (in my relatively quiet neighbourhood for example) compare to home.
At home: The bass has boomy, slight looseness quality, I find the bass on some tracks to be a bit “droney” (tends to linger a bit) and distracting at times, losing out on some definition and a bit of texture.
Outside: the looseness of the bass is less noticeable (contending with the ambient noise) and it still reaches very low. And seems to be less “droney” as well. The bass is also less emphasized when outside, making it more balance sounding, but still with plenty of punch and rumble. Though still not netural by any means.
 
But for  those that want bass impact from an on ear headphone the MOE should easily top your list!
 
Midrange: i find the midrange very clear actually with a hint of veiling. Despite the massive bass response it steers clear of it, a very common problem with bass heavy headphones. However, it is more recessed than my liking, it feels like the singer 2 rows back compare to the bass. Female vocals felt a bit more emphasized more so than male vocals on the MOE but that said female vocals never being unbearable or “too much”.  That said it’s a very small margin. A very competent midrange in a V shaped headphone.
 
Treble: the treble is actually very nice. I felt it was emphasized very tastefully, imaging is good for an on ear headphone. It has a bit more sparkle and is quite detailed but is stays away from sounding harsh or overly aggressive.  It extends well for an on ear (very surprising) and easily my favorite part of the sound.  Theres no spikes or dips in the treble, very impressed!
 
Soundstage: another part are portable on ears usually suffer. But the MOE is the exception. The MOE easily has one of the widest soundstages you can find for a portable on ear. Its quite expansive. Though this causes everything to be a bit more diffuse sounding, so the bass, mids and treble stay separate from one and another, but this makes the overall sound a bit less integrated as whole (affecting the sonic imaging).
 
Overall:7/10 Portable headphones always suffer in more ways than one, and I felt the MOE fared pretty well. If sennheiser makes a revision doing some nip and tucks to the sound (bringing forth the mids a bit more, tightening up the bass), I’m sure it will amazing.
 
Portability factor
They fit easily around the neck when not in use, I don’t think anyone will have a problem with that, they can also easily slip into a messenger bag with little issues and are made to withstand everyday wear and tear.
 
Overall 9/10- again this is because they don’t fold up or flat
 
Conclusion:
Overall I think the addition of the MOE to be a very good one to the momentum series. They can easily cater to different audiences and both sound very competent. Their small size and unique styling will easily make them stand out in the crowd (in an amazing way), along with a wide range of colours, you can find one that suits your personality! You’ll be hard pressed to find a more complete package if your in the market for a portable on ear headphone.

This was Sennheiser’s first stab at the lifestyle consumer market, and to say the least I think they succeeded beyond my expectations! The Momentums are a probably the most well rounded headphone (in all aspects) I have ever seen/heard. I think because of how well the Momentums executed in the all the sections I listed below, this makes the Momentum an easy recommendation for basically everyone. Click on the youtube link for a condensed video review
 
Review

 

 

 

 

Accessories/ Features
The headphone come in a hard shelled carrying case rather large, about half the size of my 13-inch macbook pro (see the picture below).  Inside you see the case is perfectly molded to the shape of the headphones. Something to note, you can keep the cable attached to the headphone even when storing them away (a huge plus in my book, so you don’t have to detach and reattach the cable too often). In the middle you see an oval shaped piece that is attached with Velcro, lifting it you can store your cables and other accessories here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Something to note, you have to retract your headphones each time when inserting them back into the carrying case.
The headphones come with 2 detachable cables both 1.4 m in length (perfect for portable use), both have a special twist and lock mechanism once inserted into the left earcup of the headphone. Something to note, the side that connects to the earcup is 2.5mm while the other end is 3.5mm (for your audio device). One is a stock audio cable with a straight jack. The second cable has a IOS remote and mic (3 button remote, for play/pause/rewind/fast-forward and Siri), made of entirely metal. The remote cable also has a very unique feature on the jack(which is made of metal), which swivels and allows it to be both a straight, 45 degree, or  l shape jack, so they can fit with whatever your preferences are. Very nice touch!
 
Overall: 9/10
 
Design and Build quality
Upon unboxing the momentums (click the youtube video below) 
.
 
You can see I absolutely gushed at the quality of the materials used to make these headphones.  The design is a very minimalist, yet slightly retro. It’s a headphone that screams quality, that can easily appeal to a wide population (that comes in black, brown, and ivory). A design that’s truly exquisite and timeless.

 

 

 

 

 

The headband padding and the earpads are made of a sweat and water resistant leather. The headband itself is a 1 piece stainless steel band, very sturdy.  The headband is split at the top, to allow for better ventilation (reducing hotspots) and allow for greater stability.
The earcups are made of a high quality matte plastic (doesn’t pick up fingerprints) and swivel to easily fit anyone’s head shape and size. That adjusts based on friction, sliding up and down. (once adjusted the headphone does not slide around unless intended).
Every part that touches your head when wearing it is made of leather, metal.  Very premium indeed.
Both cables are of medium thickness and with adequate strain relief and easily replaceable on sennheiser’s website.
 
Overall: 9/10 (the size adjusting function (based on friction) is unique but I question its longevity, especially if your retracting and extending (when using the hardshell case)
 
Comfort/weight
Comfort seems to be a hit and miss, as noted here on head fi, and many other reviewers, the earpads are small for a full size/over ear headphone, some stating their ears don’t fit inside making these into on ear headphone.

My ears fit inside, the edge of my right ear touches the fabric on the inside, so those with bigger ears should definitely try these. The edge of my right ear touches the fabric on the inside, so those with bigger ears should definitely try these. However despite all this, I found the comfort superb, the combination of the soft, silky earpads and the light clamping force allows these to be comfortable while remaining secure. These like many over ear headphones do cause some sweating on a hot day, but for the most part the earpads are breathable and doesn’t lead to discomfort.

The weight of these headphones are about 190g. making them very very lightweight for full size headphones. And even though the headband doesn’t have a lot of padding, because of how lightweight the headphones are this isn’t an issue at all.
 
Overall: 8.5/10
 
Isolation
I felt the passive isolation was very impressive. These can be used in even the most demanding environments, from the library all the way to subway commuting. They won’t isolate as much as a pair of deep sealing earphones but for full size headphones, their very impressive.
 
Overall: 9/10
 
Sound quality: I continued to be amazed once I put these headphones on and started listening. These headphones really are a fantastic all- arounder. Every song I listened to, the Momentums reproduced marvelously.
 
Bass: the bass on the momentums is slightly emphasized, and it reaches very low, and has adequate tightness, and is very nimble. It’s the kind of bass that played well with a wide variety of music both at home and on the subway (where its competing with the loud screeching wheels and people talking).
 
Midrange: I found that for acoustic or ballad tracks the momentums reproduced the tranquil atmosphere beautifully, and was dry, and very natural sounding. I found the momentums did favour male vocals over female vocals, so the male vocals does have a bit more body and character. The female vocals have the same amount of clarity but they sound a bit thinner, this was probably done to prevent fatigue from of those powerful female vocals, which can be a bit much when listening on other headphones.
 
Treble: The treble on the momentums is relaxing and does have a bit of roll off. Those that listen primarily to more electronic based music may find the treble a bit lacking in energy.  However, the treble is very articulate and the trade off for that extra treble energy allows it to never be fatiguing (a plus for long term listening).  I would like just a bit more sparkle on the treble for it to have a bit more air.
 
Soundstage: In terms of soundstage, its rather vast and 3D sounding. I’m surprised at how open it sounds for being a closed headphone. Instrument layering is impressive and while remaining open at the same time.
 
Overall: 9/10
 
Portability factor
These can easily be worn around the neck when not in its carrying case. With no restriction in head movement. See review below. The Momentums however don’t fold up, but I think this helps keep the weight down without losing durability. They were intended to play off Smartphones, and it does not require any external amplifier.
 
Overall: 8/10
 
Overall I felt that the momentums are an amazing set of headphones. It has easily become my first recommendation when some wants something that’s stylish, portable, durable, yet lightweight, while at the same time sounds amazing. Yes you can have your pie and eat it it.
 
Total Score: 52.5/60 = 87.5%

Review of the Philips SHE 3590- a miracle under $20 (can actually be had on ebay under 15$ or 10$)
First I would like to say that I’m sad that Philips is discontinuing this gem. The pair I’m reviewing is my 2^nd pair(in the pink, yes it was the last pair left in the store, but I learning to enjoy the colour) after nearly 3 years of faithful service from my first pair. I’m curious if they changed the sound since the last time I heard them. Please brace yourself the first few paragraphs may give off the feeling of disappointment, but please read on, specifically the comfort and ergonomicsand sound quality tell a completely different story. And despite these shortcomings, I still think that for the price, these earphones are simply a no-brainer.
 
here is the video review (condensed due to time constraints) if you want a summation of the following, otherwise read on! 

 
Packaging and accessories:
After nearly 3 years I have forgotten how much cheaper earphones skimp on accessories and packaging that I seem to have taken for granted. There is no case, no pouch, just 3 silicone tips ( the large ones are very flimsy) so aftermarket tips may be needed. The overall packaging really does give off a cheap look, just clear plastic with some paper outlining the name of the earphones. If you saw these in store, you would easily pass by thinking its just like any cheap earphone.
Some of the following pictures are from screenshots of my video so it might not be the best quality.
Overall- 3/10

 

 
Build Quality:
Taking a look at the housing, looking at the pictures you can tell that its plasticky, tiny, inside you will find an 8mm driver in each earpiece.
 

 The nozzle is short and slightly angled with a metal mesh. There is some lettering to separate the Right from the Left, but in the dark, I struggled to find which side is which.  The strain relief I would say is below average.

 

The cable has thin, rubbery texture, similar to the traditional apple earphone, and holds some memory, so tangles can and will happen on occasion, consider yourself forewarned. Going to the y split, there is no cable cinch. 

 

The cable ends with a straight jack with decent strain relief. The cable measures about 1.2 meters in length, perfect for portable use.
Holding them in the hand, again you will notice that their not the most rugged (super lightweight) earphone, nor do they feel like they will fall apart anytime soon.  I would say average for the most part. (my first pair did last me 3 years of service where I used for the gym, threw them around, I have since lost that pair, I will have to dig around to find it)
Overall 6/10
 
Isolation:
There is a vent next to the nozzle, however on the 3590s, its isolation is rather impressive considering its vented and the short nozzle. Mind you I wore the 3590 using the cable up method (I wasn’t able to wear them comfortably in the traditional straight down, I guess my ear canals are a bit deeper than most people). Wearing them in subway, cafeteria, in quiet neighbourhood, I found that I was not disturbed from outside noise at all.  (even at 4/16 volume on my ipod touch I could not hear those around me and even cars around, a bit dangerous) Again for the price, it would be hard to find a pair that isolates this well. But do be careful when using these outside.
Overall: 8/10
 
Comfort:
The angled nozzle definitely helped with comfort as they slipped into you ears fairly easily. Take them out, became a bit difficult because of the small housing, and my fingers being a bit on the larger side, forcing me to tug on the cable sometimes to get them out. As stated before I wasn’t able to wear them comfortably cable down, as the cable would be rubbing on my outer ear.
Overall: 7/10
 
Sound quality:
If I could summarize the entire sound in one word, it would be fun! It has a v shaped response, with a non-fatiguing treble. I have broken the sound quality in the following sections:
 
Bass: the emphasis is placed on the subbass, and it reaches down very low. Which is very different from typical consumer earphones especially often at the sub $50 price range, which boosts the midbass so much to the point where its bloated and muddy. With the 3590s, what you get is a deep, rumbling, tight bass, has medium decay (that sounds full bodied and can work for a wide variety of different genres).   While the bass doesn’t give off a more textured feel, it compensates with a rather smooth bass response, which is actually my favorite aspect of the 3590s, the bass can easily rival that of my monster turbines (msrp $179) and may even give my JVC fxd 80 ( I think the msrp is about 100$) some tight competition.
 
Midrange: is recessed, a bit more so than I prefer. Overall the clarity is just okay, while it staying rather natural sounding.  Male vocals sound more distant than female vocals. Both do not have the enveloping response you would like from more vocal based tracks.  The layering of adlibs and harmonizing does become slightly muffled. However, lyrics are heard clearly and don’t get pushed out by the bass.
 
Treble- straight out the box it does have a bit a peaky treble response, I did break them in about 20 hours or so, and since then I hadn’t really noticed that peakiness as much (it might be in my head but who knows).  Though the treble is still a bit on the uneven side after the lower treble. The sound gains more emphasis going from the upper midrange in the lower treble region, allowing for a more fun listen. The treble does not have the same amount of emphasis as the bass but is definitely more forward than the midrange. It has decent extension but there is a roll off, so you’ll definitely be able to hear the guitar riffs but it doesn’t get fatiguing, So this sound definitely favors rock music very well.
Soundstage: this is where the 3590s suffer. The soundstage is rather closed. Possibly one of the more closed in sounding earphones I’ve heard.  Some prefer the more in head feel, but I personally like a more expansive soundstage.
 
Overall: 7/10
For the price: 9/10
In conclusion, I think the Philips she3590 is an amazing buy for the price sub 20$. I’ve actually seen it being sold for $7.99 at a local winners so definitely snap up a pair, they would make a great back up pair or just a pair you can use basically anywhere with any kind of music. They’re so cheap that if you lose them, you won’t have to worry about taking a bank loan to get another pair. Lastly, they come in a wide variety of different colours so kids would definitely love them!
Highly recommended!

below is a  video review review of of the v-moda xs! check out my channel(like and subscribe) recently uploaded a review and comparison with the v-moda m100s as well!
keep reading for the full length written review:

the following is a condensed version of my review that i posted on youtube here is the link if you would like a more indepth review here is the link [...]

Be sure to check out the other videos on my channels- i had made a comparison between the V-Moda XS and the well renowed V-Moda M100s here as well
The links will be in the comment section below

The V-moda XS is a replacement for the V-Moda M80s, the #1 on ear headphone on a biggest headphone enthusiasist community head-fi.

Features and Accessories
The headphone folds up it easily fits in your coat pocket and fit snuggly in the carrying case. There are two input jacks (cables are detachable= easily replaceable). So you can plug the cables in on either side. Daisy chain them- share your audio with others by plugging their headphones into the empty input. The earcups are on ear and are on the smaller side, so when you have it around your neck, its not going to hit your chin when your turning your head in different directions. Comes with 1 , one button smartphone compatible cable, kevlar reinforced.

Build quality and design
The V- Moda XS are built like a tank like all V-Moda headphones are built to a military grade standard. The headband band is made of a very flexible "steelflex headband", easily able to take basically any abuse you put it through. The overall construction is made up of metal and high quality plastic. The XS come with "Clique fold" hinges similar to the V-Moda M100s allows the headphones to collapse to a size that can easily fit in your coat pocket, and unlike most hinges, it looks a feels substantial and doesn't look like a point of weakness. The shields are customizable, to different colours and you put custom designs on it to make as individualized and unique as you want it.

Weight
At a weight of 190g it basically disappears on your head and around you neck

Comfort & Isolation
The single most comfortable on ear headphone i've ever tried. Typically on ears are not the most comfortable because their pressing against your ears, but V-moda found a perfect balance between comfort and secure. i use them straight off my ipod/iphone at about 45% and they work well walking around downtown, on bus. Decent when in cafeteria, just okay for subway use. So if your a heavy commuter and need completely silence the XS won't help you there. (i don't recommend turning up the volume to block out noise, thats asking for permanent hearing damage)

Sound Quality
Its a great balance between fun, exciting, yet smooth relaxing all while staying fairly balenced through the sound spectrum.

Bass-
Bass is emphasized but no where near the standard in most consumer headphones. Its fairly linear from the Sub-bass (subwoofer, rumbling, bass you can feel) to the mid bass (the punchy bass, you hear in most music). With a slight more punch > rumble.

Mids-
The Midrange is at the forefront, (its forward) vocals are pure and lush, and absolutely natural yet very clear. Male and female vocals shine and command attention. So your Adeles, Mariah Carey, Adam Levine, Celine Dion all the way to Gangnam Style will sound amazing

Treble
Treble is articulate with decent extension yet laid back but never harsh or fatiguing. I do wish there was a bit more sparkle and a bit more lively but that might make it harsh so its okay.

Soundstage
Sounds like its being played in a small room. Which is good for an on ear but nothing like a full size open headphone so be sure to keep that in mind