I as well as other Head-fiers and/or MP4nation forum members have gotten review samples of the Brainwavz canalphones. I will talk about the current top model, the Beta Brainwavz.
Others can post their impressions/pics here also if they want. I personally don't like a bunch of different review threads on the same earphone.
The Beta brainwavz can be found here...
Beta Brainwavz Pro IEM **BLACK** [BetaB_BLACK] - $27.50 : MP4 Nation!, :: Low Priced MP4, MP3 Players and the latest scoop on the newest MP4 Player
All the specs are there and if you scroll down there are photos. I have the earlier sample currently which is white and has no branding so please refer to the photos in the link.
My Beta Brainwavz have around 80 hours on them and and my impressions are from using them with a Degen 1123 radio/MP3 player, a Samsung U5, and a Sony Minidisc all without EQ. The Degen is neutral and well extended but not cold. The Samsung has the current DNSe 3.0 and is warmer than the Degen. the Sony is the warmest of the three. I am using the big bi-flanges which are the same as the ones offered with the RE series earphones.
The Package
I don't have the full retail packaging but I am only missing the cord wrap and the box/paperwork. Included with the earphones are two screw on bass caps, a cord wrap, a clip, and four pairs of assorted tips. http://mp4nation.net/catalog/bmz_cac...ge.733x550.jpg
Tips:
Higher quality tips are supplied with the Brainwavz. There are two pairs of cone shaped tips; one clear and one orange. I guess you can use one of each to tell right from left easily if you choose. I find these tips accentuate treble. You get on pair of orange foam. These give the most bass. You also get one pair of the big bi-flange.
The Build
The build is also high quality. The housings are solid and tight. Half plastic half metal. The sound tube is metal and the end is threaded for a metal bass cap/filter to screw on to. Phonak take note: you should have done it like this with metal caps to screw on instead of the little plastic/paper filters and tool set-up. For a little more bass, you grab the caps and screw them on.
The cable is average thickness and is fairly light in weight. Seems slightly supple and fairly strong. Time, oils/sweat, and tugs will tell the tale about durability.
Never heard any driver flex/crunch with insertion or removal. That inspires some confidence.
Isolation
As a canalphone you get canalphone isolation and not full-on IEM isolation that we term for Shure and Ety-like amounts. It is higher than average for a canalphone though.
Fit
Fit is subjective and varies. I can say that these are larger earphones. They come with very long tips and have a long sound tube so they should pose no problem but they are not tiny. I personally find them very comfy and easy to insert/remove. Quite easy for me to get a consistent seal each time with no fiddling, they just go in with one push.
Sound
Many earphones claim a wide frequency response. These claim 8-28,000Hz which is quite wide. They do deliver going quite high and low. More than you expect for around $30. They go on my list of phones I don't feel the need to add treble to. For dynamics that list is short; the RE0 and AI-M9.
I would describe the sound as very balanced and neutral. A large stage with good separation and depth. Not upfront or in your face, there is some distance between you and the music.
You have a choice to use the bass cap filter or not. I find a bit lighter bass and more speed w/o them and a bit more bass/impact with them. The filter change is less dramatic than with the Phonak as far as treble change, separation change, and bass amount change. I would predict most will use the caps.
The Beta Brainwavz are as complete an earphone as I have heard for the price. Balanced, detailed, clear, and quick. The soundstage, extension, separation, tightness are well above the price point. They do start to go beyond that though. The image depth and delineation between notes and sounds is what is not heard at this price. Each bass note has it's own tone, space, and direction as does each vocalist and guitar etc. Fast and complex stuff is well done since the bass is quick tight and well resolved and separation is so well done. No smear and it still delineates well with distinct tone and impact differences on the low end easily heard.
The Beta are full sounding even though the sound is not blended together. They also manage a full sound without being really bassy since they extend low and roll off more slowly. They do have an option of purchase with a FiiO E5. They respond to amping quite well and they do take the E5 bass boost and my Penguin Ultra's Bass boost well since the bass is so tight. I don't need the boost myself as I find just the extra power brings a nice kick in the low end. A somewhat dramatic improvement that some might not go back to using them unamped. They get quite bigger sounding and develop good impact.
I doubt anyone will not be impressed with their SQ. As far as preference though they might lack bass for some. With bass caps and with the warmer Sony they are still not a really warm or bassy phone. IME, a shade above the Phonak(black filter) for bass amount. More than RE0/RE2 also. Some might find them more analytical. Amp or EQ can change that quick if you are so inclined. They respond very well to both.
If they sound like they are for you, I fully recommend them in every way! You definitely won't be disappointed!
Others can post their impressions/pics here also if they want. I personally don't like a bunch of different review threads on the same earphone.
The Beta brainwavz can be found here...
Beta Brainwavz Pro IEM **BLACK** [BetaB_BLACK] - $27.50 : MP4 Nation!, :: Low Priced MP4, MP3 Players and the latest scoop on the newest MP4 Player
All the specs are there and if you scroll down there are photos. I have the earlier sample currently which is white and has no branding so please refer to the photos in the link.
My Beta Brainwavz have around 80 hours on them and and my impressions are from using them with a Degen 1123 radio/MP3 player, a Samsung U5, and a Sony Minidisc all without EQ. The Degen is neutral and well extended but not cold. The Samsung has the current DNSe 3.0 and is warmer than the Degen. the Sony is the warmest of the three. I am using the big bi-flanges which are the same as the ones offered with the RE series earphones.
The Package
I don't have the full retail packaging but I am only missing the cord wrap and the box/paperwork. Included with the earphones are two screw on bass caps, a cord wrap, a clip, and four pairs of assorted tips. http://mp4nation.net/catalog/bmz_cac...ge.733x550.jpg
Tips:
Higher quality tips are supplied with the Brainwavz. There are two pairs of cone shaped tips; one clear and one orange. I guess you can use one of each to tell right from left easily if you choose. I find these tips accentuate treble. You get on pair of orange foam. These give the most bass. You also get one pair of the big bi-flange.
The Build
The build is also high quality. The housings are solid and tight. Half plastic half metal. The sound tube is metal and the end is threaded for a metal bass cap/filter to screw on to. Phonak take note: you should have done it like this with metal caps to screw on instead of the little plastic/paper filters and tool set-up. For a little more bass, you grab the caps and screw them on.
The cable is average thickness and is fairly light in weight. Seems slightly supple and fairly strong. Time, oils/sweat, and tugs will tell the tale about durability.
Never heard any driver flex/crunch with insertion or removal. That inspires some confidence.
Isolation
As a canalphone you get canalphone isolation and not full-on IEM isolation that we term for Shure and Ety-like amounts. It is higher than average for a canalphone though.
Fit
Fit is subjective and varies. I can say that these are larger earphones. They come with very long tips and have a long sound tube so they should pose no problem but they are not tiny. I personally find them very comfy and easy to insert/remove. Quite easy for me to get a consistent seal each time with no fiddling, they just go in with one push.
Sound
Many earphones claim a wide frequency response. These claim 8-28,000Hz which is quite wide. They do deliver going quite high and low. More than you expect for around $30. They go on my list of phones I don't feel the need to add treble to. For dynamics that list is short; the RE0 and AI-M9.
I would describe the sound as very balanced and neutral. A large stage with good separation and depth. Not upfront or in your face, there is some distance between you and the music.
You have a choice to use the bass cap filter or not. I find a bit lighter bass and more speed w/o them and a bit more bass/impact with them. The filter change is less dramatic than with the Phonak as far as treble change, separation change, and bass amount change. I would predict most will use the caps.
The Beta Brainwavz are as complete an earphone as I have heard for the price. Balanced, detailed, clear, and quick. The soundstage, extension, separation, tightness are well above the price point. They do start to go beyond that though. The image depth and delineation between notes and sounds is what is not heard at this price. Each bass note has it's own tone, space, and direction as does each vocalist and guitar etc. Fast and complex stuff is well done since the bass is quick tight and well resolved and separation is so well done. No smear and it still delineates well with distinct tone and impact differences on the low end easily heard.
The Beta are full sounding even though the sound is not blended together. They also manage a full sound without being really bassy since they extend low and roll off more slowly. They do have an option of purchase with a FiiO E5. They respond to amping quite well and they do take the E5 bass boost and my Penguin Ultra's Bass boost well since the bass is so tight. I don't need the boost myself as I find just the extra power brings a nice kick in the low end. A somewhat dramatic improvement that some might not go back to using them unamped. They get quite bigger sounding and develop good impact.
I doubt anyone will not be impressed with their SQ. As far as preference though they might lack bass for some. With bass caps and with the warmer Sony they are still not a really warm or bassy phone. IME, a shade above the Phonak(black filter) for bass amount. More than RE0/RE2 also. Some might find them more analytical. Amp or EQ can change that quick if you are so inclined. They respond very well to both.
If they sound like they are for you, I fully recommend them in every way! You definitely won't be disappointed!
, its really helpfull 
