Brainwavz M1 – Clean and Clear
Disclaimer: Brainwavz supplied the M1 for this review
Brainwavz markets the M1 as “having a wide sound stage, accurate sound reproduction, good separation. The M1 are designed to reproduce sound with clarity and cleanness…”. I’m impressed! This is pretty much a spot on description of what the M1 sonically has to offer, but before I add my two cents on its sonics, let’s explore the other aspects of the M1.
Specifications
- 10.7mm dynamic driver
- Impedance: 32 ohm
- Frequency Range: 20Hz-20kHz
- Sensitivity: 110 dB @ 1 mW
- Rated Input Power: 10 mW
- Street Price: $44.50
Build
The M1 housings are small and well made. They can accommodate wearing it down or over the ear without issue. The cable is a thin but seeming durable cable made of silver plated (SPC) wire. The cable is a mixed bag- while it looks good and feels good, it’s pretty stiff, full of memory and is a tangle prone monster. Surprisingly it does not have a slider after the Y-split. I’ve never understood why sliders are left off some earphones? The cable is terminated in a small 45 degree angled plug. I wear IEM’s exclusively over the ear, so microphonics are usually a non-factor for me and it’s not different for me with the M1.
Accessories
The M1 I received came in the retail packaging. Included is the same great Brainwavz carrying case that seems to be included with every monitor in their line up now. Inside the carrying case were 6 pair of single flange silicone tips, 1 pair of dual flange tips and 1 pair of S series Comply. A shirt clip was also included. With all those tips, for this review, I ended up using some extra T series Comply I had on hand.
Sound
The M1 is very clean sounding with zero resonances, vibrations and reverbs often found in this price bracket. Treble is polite but extended and very clean. Midrange is prominent and plainly the focus of the presentation, yet clean and clear without aggressiveness or forwardness. Bass is underemphasized, yet punchy with deep bass roll off beginning around 100 hz. At first blush it seems rather neutral-ish but in reality I find it fairly mid-centric with less than neutral deep bass.
While sounding extremely clean and clear, notes are thinner and lack body overall compared to most in this price bracket. Stage lacks height with average depth but sounds absolutely and fantastically wide open. Even though the midrange is the focus of the signature, the stage placement still seems somewhat a bit away from the listener; mid-centric without the typical associated intimacy or feeling closed in. As long as one isn’t expecting to find elevated bass or typical consumer tunings, the M1 is extremely pleasing and easy to enjoy.
Select Comparisons
Brainwavz S0
Upon first transition, the S0 almost sounds like a bass monster compared to the laidback and reserved M1. Once the mind adjust, the S0 just sounds more full bodied with richer and thicker overall notes. Staging seems closer with larger proportions. Next to the M1, the S0 doesn’t sound as clean and has some bass reverberations and lower treble resonance that are more easily noticeable against the super clean and clear M1. S0 bass extends much deeper but M1 treble seems to extend perhaps just a bit better, while both treble presentations are laid back and easy to listen to. The S0 is just much more powerful and dynamic sounding. The laid back but clear nature of the M1 makes it really good for low volume, background listening.
SoundMagic E30
This is a much easier transition to make, as the E30 is a more balanced signature and closer to the M1 than the S0’s bassier, thicker nature. The E30 also comes closer to the cleaner and clearer presentation of the M1 than does the S0. The E30 almost seems slightly V shaped in comparison upon transition. While notes are a little thicker and fuller with the E30, it’s not as drastic as with the S0. Also noticeable is the greater treble emphasis of the E30; extension isn’t really any better, just overall all presence is more elevated next to the more laidback M1. Staging on the E30 is obviously closer to the listener with just slightly larger proportions all the way around.
Of interesting note, the E30 cable is similar to the M1 cable, in that both having annoying memory and both being tangle prone. The M1 cable though certainly looks and feels more premium next to the rubbery E30 cable.
Conclusion
Bravo to Brainwavz for providing one of the more accurate and complete marketing descriptions I’ve read. The M1 is a perhaps a good introduction for those wanting to experience a more neutral presentation in a sea of offerings with bassier, more consumer oriented turnings. The M1 is also recommended for background and low volume listening while perhaps studying or sleeping.
Disclaimer: Brainwavz supplied the M1 for this review
Brainwavz markets the M1 as “having a wide sound stage, accurate sound reproduction, good separation. The M1 are designed to reproduce sound with clarity and cleanness…”. I’m impressed! This is pretty much a spot on description of what the M1 sonically has to offer, but before I add my two cents on its sonics, let’s explore the other aspects of the M1.
Specifications
- 10.7mm dynamic driver
- Impedance: 32 ohm
- Frequency Range: 20Hz-20kHz
- Sensitivity: 110 dB @ 1 mW
- Rated Input Power: 10 mW
- Street Price: $44.50
Build
The M1 housings are small and well made. They can accommodate wearing it down or over the ear without issue. The cable is a thin but seeming durable cable made of silver plated (SPC) wire. The cable is a mixed bag- while it looks good and feels good, it’s pretty stiff, full of memory and is a tangle prone monster. Surprisingly it does not have a slider after the Y-split. I’ve never understood why sliders are left off some earphones? The cable is terminated in a small 45 degree angled plug. I wear IEM’s exclusively over the ear, so microphonics are usually a non-factor for me and it’s not different for me with the M1.
Accessories
The M1 I received came in the retail packaging. Included is the same great Brainwavz carrying case that seems to be included with every monitor in their line up now. Inside the carrying case were 6 pair of single flange silicone tips, 1 pair of dual flange tips and 1 pair of S series Comply. A shirt clip was also included. With all those tips, for this review, I ended up using some extra T series Comply I had on hand.
Sound
The M1 is very clean sounding with zero resonances, vibrations and reverbs often found in this price bracket. Treble is polite but extended and very clean. Midrange is prominent and plainly the focus of the presentation, yet clean and clear without aggressiveness or forwardness. Bass is underemphasized, yet punchy with deep bass roll off beginning around 100 hz. At first blush it seems rather neutral-ish but in reality I find it fairly mid-centric with less than neutral deep bass.
While sounding extremely clean and clear, notes are thinner and lack body overall compared to most in this price bracket. Stage lacks height with average depth but sounds absolutely and fantastically wide open. Even though the midrange is the focus of the signature, the stage placement still seems somewhat a bit away from the listener; mid-centric without the typical associated intimacy or feeling closed in. As long as one isn’t expecting to find elevated bass or typical consumer tunings, the M1 is extremely pleasing and easy to enjoy.
Select Comparisons
Brainwavz S0
Upon first transition, the S0 almost sounds like a bass monster compared to the laidback and reserved M1. Once the mind adjust, the S0 just sounds more full bodied with richer and thicker overall notes. Staging seems closer with larger proportions. Next to the M1, the S0 doesn’t sound as clean and has some bass reverberations and lower treble resonance that are more easily noticeable against the super clean and clear M1. S0 bass extends much deeper but M1 treble seems to extend perhaps just a bit better, while both treble presentations are laid back and easy to listen to. The S0 is just much more powerful and dynamic sounding. The laid back but clear nature of the M1 makes it really good for low volume, background listening.
SoundMagic E30
This is a much easier transition to make, as the E30 is a more balanced signature and closer to the M1 than the S0’s bassier, thicker nature. The E30 also comes closer to the cleaner and clearer presentation of the M1 than does the S0. The E30 almost seems slightly V shaped in comparison upon transition. While notes are a little thicker and fuller with the E30, it’s not as drastic as with the S0. Also noticeable is the greater treble emphasis of the E30; extension isn’t really any better, just overall all presence is more elevated next to the more laidback M1. Staging on the E30 is obviously closer to the listener with just slightly larger proportions all the way around.
Of interesting note, the E30 cable is similar to the M1 cable, in that both having annoying memory and both being tangle prone. The M1 cable though certainly looks and feels more premium next to the rubbery E30 cable.
Conclusion
Bravo to Brainwavz for providing one of the more accurate and complete marketing descriptions I’ve read. The M1 is a perhaps a good introduction for those wanting to experience a more neutral presentation in a sea of offerings with bassier, more consumer oriented turnings. The M1 is also recommended for background and low volume listening while perhaps studying or sleeping.