PreIntroduction:
I am in no way affiliated or work for Brainwavz. For this review, I’ve received the S0 as a review sample courtesy of Audrey from Brainwavz.
Introduction:
I remember when I got my first $30 IEM; this was before I was fully invested in sound quality and high end audio. Rather than going to head-fi to check which ones are valued for the price, I went to Amazon instead and looked for the highest rated IEM’s at the time. So I bought one. Wasn’t too impressed. Bought another one, and it broke; etc. Pretty much every time I tried to get my hands on a budget IEM, there was always some massive qualification that prevented me from liking it.
So a year later when Audrey told me she could give me the S0 to review, my expectations for this new ~$40 IEM weren’t too high. From my experiences, budget headphones always sounded muddy, didn’t fit, or had something else which completely spoiled the experience for me.
But when I started listening to the S0’s, I was quite surprised. Clear sound that even $80 headphones sometimes gets wrong was present on these IEM’s, and an overall sound that is well above the $40 tag.
I was afraid I would have to give my first mediocre rating to a budget IEM, but I can say with confidence that rating is clearly not meant for the S0’s. Let’s begin.
Packaging:
The S0’s box had a magnetic flap on the front, and on the inside it has a few neat surprises. First off, there’s a history of Brainwavz and the company’s primary goal. A nice touch in my opinion, and a good way to inform buyers of the company behind the product without being over-the-top. Also on the inside flap is a detailed part-by-part explanation of the S0, comply tips, and wire – this provides an air of seriousness that shows that Brainwavz puts hard work into its products, not just ‘whatever’ing the more budget end - like so many other companies do for their less-costly IEM’s.
Accessories:
Speaking about putting hard work, Brainwavz really outdid itself here; the amount (and usefulness) of accessories they provide makes me grin. Starting off with the IEM case - it’s really sturdy and small as well, one of the better cases I’ve seen overall. Definitely using it over the other IEM cases I have. Moving on to the tips - gosh, there’s really something for everybody here. A pair of comply tips for those who like foam, a pair of bi-flange, a pair of tri-flange, three pairs of good quality silicone tips (small, medium, and large), and three pairs of translucent red silicone tips (again, small, medium, and large).
The difference I found between the translucent and the regular tips was the nozzle size – although how that exactly affects the sound is up for grabs. For the listening tests, I used the default tips that were on the S0 out of the box – the medium pair of translucent red/gray tips. These actually look quite cool, and are visually a nice break from the standard tips that we’ve seen over and over again.
Overall, you get nine pairs of tips – something I definitely wouldn’t expect from this price point. Remember that the case + tips alone could cost quite a bit of money if bought separately, so Brainwavz is taking that hit for the buyer and providing everything you’d need in one package, and at a ridiculously good price point to boot.
3 other items included are the 1 year warranty card/manual, a Velcro strap, and a shirt clip, which helps reduce microphonics a lot for those who have that problem. This is definitely good foresight planning by Brainwavz, and a smart move to make. More on this later though.
Basically, you get much more than your money’s worth in accessories. From a nice hard case to a huge arrangement of tips, at this price point the amount of effort put into this is truly amazing.
Build Quality & Design:
At first glance, the housing looks like it’s made of hard plastic – not so. The shell is made out of metal – definitely a good sign, especially at S0's price point. The second point of interest to me was where the cable connected to the shell; I’d expect it (like so many other IEM’s in this price range) to be flimsy or have minimal protection. But Brainwavz did well here too, molding a thick rubber piece to protect that weak spot where so many of us have broken our cables. The cable itself is flat, which avoids tangling, and it is quite strong, which is good because many flat cables aren’t. The Y-split seems of good quality to me – doesn’t seem like any breakage will happen there either.
The S0 can be easily worn straight down or over the ear, whichever you prefer. I kept mine over the ear from the start, as I’ve gotten a good fit that way. You know what they say – “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.”
And from this build quality the S0’s definitely won’t be broken anytime soon – it has a solid build quality that is much above the standard in this price range.
The S0 also has a sleek look – one that doesn’t scream “fancy” but at the same time doesn’t look drab or dull. The red rubber that I mentioned before (to strengthen the part of the cable that connects to the housing) matches well with the red/gray translucent eartips. The shell itself looks smooth and simple – which is why so many were surprised with the metal shells. Combined with the red and black case it requires a moment to appreciate the effort Brainwavz took to make everything match. Simple and elegant – design is a definite winner at this price range.
Fit & Comfort:
I only tried one set of the included tips, but I can confidently say that you won’t have too much trouble as the average man trying to get a good fit on these IEM’s. The S0’s is very comfortable whether worn down or over the ear, and for the 45 minute session I listened to them, I experienced no fatigued or tip annoyance. The ergonomics of the shell is quite simple, and doesn’t leave anything to be desired. Honestly though, with so many different tips you can try, I’m not sure there’s any possibility for the S0 to be uncomfortable to begin with; this section gets a huge thumbs up from me.
Isolation:
Isolation is pretty darned good at this price range – It blocks most outside noise when I first put them in. For the average outside use, these isolate quite well. This will be dependent on your fit though, so YMMV.
Microphonics:
I wear the S0’s over the ear, which eliminates most of the microphonics altogether. However, if you’re finding the flat cable or whatnot to produce too much noise when you rustle the cable, the included shirt clip (when used) will eliminate most microphonics that way. I don’t know exactly how it works, but shirt clips are the #1 best homemade cure for microphonics without tampering with the actual wire of the headphones – I’m not kidding around. Brainwavz was clever enough to preempt the problem before it materialized – so overall I’m giving a nod of approval to Brainwavz for making this smart move. However, for all those that where it over the ear like me, there’s no noticeable microphonics to speak of.
Sound:
For listening, I used a Cowon J3 with various tracks of different genres (to gauge what genres the S0 is a good match with), without an amp. Most portable devices have plenty of power for the S0, the amplification is not necessary.
This is definitely a fun section, and one I was quite surprised in. The only slight caveat (to me) of the S0 lies here, as well as its biggest strengths. Shall we begin?
Highs: In general, I don’t usually care if there’s a slight treble roll-off, as long as the treble's there. I liked the clarity the S0 had at the upper regions, although some might say it’s slightly laid back. For my tastes though, it’s perfect – I don’t need the highs in my face at all times, but I do want it present. And present it is on the S0. Drums sound great, as well as violins. For an IEM, it does a great job. Details on the higher end don’t leave much to be desired either. In short – a great job, and one I wouldn’t expect from this price range.
Mids: Instruments/acoustics sound good, albeit not the best I’ve heard. Again, we’re dealing with a $40 IEM though, so for the price range I have no complaints, which is actually a compliment considering how many in the price range get it wrong.
Vocals though – here’s where the S0 really shines. Female vocals sound musical and sweet – if I were to blind test the female vocals on the S0 I would put it in a much higher price bracket. Definitely gains favor in my opinion of the sound quality, and for those who listen to a lot of hip-hop and such – I’m just going to cut to the chase and say buy the S0 right now. You’ll enjoy it enough for it to be a great investment on the go. Daft Punk by Pentatonix, Burn by Ellie Goulding, and Samantha Jade’s “Firestarter” were but a few of the first tracks I used to listen to the S0, and it just went to replay from there. ‘nough said.
Bass: Sub bass is nice, quantity and quality have no complaints from me. Again, clarity is a big bonus to this section, and I’ve been so sick of muddy bass on budget IEM’s that I was really glad when the S0’s held up. However, there is a noticeable bump in the sub-bass region. Not enough to overpower the rest of the frequency, or spoil the sound even to a small extent, but it’s there. I personally like my frequency flat, but I do have to appreciate the fact that this is the only caveat in the whole review. After a few minutes of listening, I found myself ignoring the slight bump and just enjoying the music. So it’s really not a big deal, especially given that the rest of the frequency is quite balanced.
Clarity: The crowning glory, in my opinion (vs vocals? I’d still give it to the clarity). The clarity of the S0 is just amazing given its price, and helps provide a well-balanced sound that is great for everyday listening use. I’m really, really glad the clarity of this headphone pulled through, and it did so quite effortlessly. All the frequencies are quite clear, with the mid-bass lagging slightly behind due to its small difference in quantity.
Imaging: I thought the good parts were done, but Brainwavz managed to squeeze in one more – the imaging. Or, more precisely, the 3d-ness of the sound it presents. Gone are the days where budget ‘phones sound like a block/wall of sound going in your direction – the S0 manages to provide a more 3d sound from the back and front as well as left and right. Obviously, jump up a few hundred bucks and it will get much more refined, but for a $40 IEM the S0 provides a nice effort that pretty much succeeds in this regard.
Soundstage/Detail/Coloration/Separation/Accuracy/Immersion Factor: Most of my other reviews have these sections, but due to the nature and price range of this IEM, I’m going to jump over these, as there’s not much to say. Consider performance in all these sections good for its price bracket, and don’t expect it to be a HD600.
Overall Tonality/Balance: The S0 is quite balanced, barring the bump in the mid-bass. The bump doesn’t ruin the balance the rest of the frequency provides though, and just gives it a bit of extra oomph for people who are a bit more bass inclined (which in the audience for this price bracket, seems to be quite many). The overall tonality seems to be a hint of warmth, without the quantity which makes you feel “woah, Fiio house sound alert.”
Frequency Shape: Many say the S5 (which the S0 is modeled after, to my understanding) is V-shaped. The S0 is definitely not V-shaped to my ears. The mids are present in full force, and like I said earlier, there is an overall balanced sound. I would say these have a basically flat frequency with a bump somewhere in the bass region.
EQ: I know most audiophiles don’t like using EQ, but c’mon, a budget IEM for on the go – how can you resist? The S0 responded well to the EQ presets I used on my Cowon J3, with the exclusion of the bass presets – giving a bass boost to the S0 made it overpowering to my ears. However, it is not rocket science that you don’t add bass to something that has a bass boost already. All the other presets worked fine with the S0, and I would recommend using them on whatever device you have – whether it be android, iOS, or other – to maximize your enjoyment with these headphones.
Genre Recommendation: I would definitely recommend anything that is vocal dominant, whether it be Pentatonix, Chris Brown, or other mainstream artists. For instrumental listening such classical music, or even modern instrumental music like the Piano Guys and Lindsey Stirling, I wasn’t as happy with the S0 – but then again, it’s a budget IEM, so I can’t judge this by audiophile standards. EDM/ electronic music also performed well with the S0, due to its clarity and boost in the bass region.
Basically, anything genre that benefits from a good quantity of bass and shining vocals – the S0 excels. Any genre that flails when given a boost in any way – the S0 should only be used for with proper EQ, which every android device has; so no worries there.
Sound Summary: The sound of the S0 is clearly (no pun intended) enjoyable, and very well suited for both mainstream audiences and those who’ve been listening to music for a while as well. Definitely a winner for the listener of mainstream music, and for the classical listener too with proper EQ. I believe that since EQ is so integrated with mainstream devices today (phones, tablets, music players) that it is very reasonable to buy the S0 and play around with the unique things that it brings to the table, even if you’re not a fan of the genres mentioned above. The clarity throughout the frequency, as well as how it treats vocals makes the S0 definitely a keeper in the sound department. Is the mid-bass bump a deal-breaker in my opinion, especially given the things the S0’s good at? No. I’d prefer to say this is what makes the S0 “human,” so to say. But if I had to compare it to a human, I would consider the S0 a person who’s reached many milestones, and has little left to work on. Bainwavz definitely knows what they’re doing when it comes to the sound of their IEM’s, and if they can find a way to remove the slight bump in the mid-bass, I would easily say this is the best IEM under $50, hands down.
Value & Conclusion:
There’s so much value here at this price point I’m pretty much at a loss for words. The accessories themselves would probably cost $20 separately, and for a $40 price tag, the build quality and comfort of the S0 are phenomenal. Regardless of all that, the S0 delivers a sound that is definitely well-suited for the average consumer and the music lover alike. Clear and enjoyable sound makes the S0 a winner to me; for all those looking for an IEM on the cheaper side that will sound good and last for quite a while, the S0 is a bargain for the price, and it should definitely be on your list.
I am in no way affiliated or work for Brainwavz. For this review, I’ve received the S0 as a review sample courtesy of Audrey from Brainwavz.
Introduction:
I remember when I got my first $30 IEM; this was before I was fully invested in sound quality and high end audio. Rather than going to head-fi to check which ones are valued for the price, I went to Amazon instead and looked for the highest rated IEM’s at the time. So I bought one. Wasn’t too impressed. Bought another one, and it broke; etc. Pretty much every time I tried to get my hands on a budget IEM, there was always some massive qualification that prevented me from liking it.
So a year later when Audrey told me she could give me the S0 to review, my expectations for this new ~$40 IEM weren’t too high. From my experiences, budget headphones always sounded muddy, didn’t fit, or had something else which completely spoiled the experience for me.
But when I started listening to the S0’s, I was quite surprised. Clear sound that even $80 headphones sometimes gets wrong was present on these IEM’s, and an overall sound that is well above the $40 tag.
I was afraid I would have to give my first mediocre rating to a budget IEM, but I can say with confidence that rating is clearly not meant for the S0’s. Let’s begin.
Packaging:
The S0’s box had a magnetic flap on the front, and on the inside it has a few neat surprises. First off, there’s a history of Brainwavz and the company’s primary goal. A nice touch in my opinion, and a good way to inform buyers of the company behind the product without being over-the-top. Also on the inside flap is a detailed part-by-part explanation of the S0, comply tips, and wire – this provides an air of seriousness that shows that Brainwavz puts hard work into its products, not just ‘whatever’ing the more budget end - like so many other companies do for their less-costly IEM’s.
Accessories:
Speaking about putting hard work, Brainwavz really outdid itself here; the amount (and usefulness) of accessories they provide makes me grin. Starting off with the IEM case - it’s really sturdy and small as well, one of the better cases I’ve seen overall. Definitely using it over the other IEM cases I have. Moving on to the tips - gosh, there’s really something for everybody here. A pair of comply tips for those who like foam, a pair of bi-flange, a pair of tri-flange, three pairs of good quality silicone tips (small, medium, and large), and three pairs of translucent red silicone tips (again, small, medium, and large).
The difference I found between the translucent and the regular tips was the nozzle size – although how that exactly affects the sound is up for grabs. For the listening tests, I used the default tips that were on the S0 out of the box – the medium pair of translucent red/gray tips. These actually look quite cool, and are visually a nice break from the standard tips that we’ve seen over and over again.
Overall, you get nine pairs of tips – something I definitely wouldn’t expect from this price point. Remember that the case + tips alone could cost quite a bit of money if bought separately, so Brainwavz is taking that hit for the buyer and providing everything you’d need in one package, and at a ridiculously good price point to boot.
3 other items included are the 1 year warranty card/manual, a Velcro strap, and a shirt clip, which helps reduce microphonics a lot for those who have that problem. This is definitely good foresight planning by Brainwavz, and a smart move to make. More on this later though.
Basically, you get much more than your money’s worth in accessories. From a nice hard case to a huge arrangement of tips, at this price point the amount of effort put into this is truly amazing.
Build Quality & Design:
At first glance, the housing looks like it’s made of hard plastic – not so. The shell is made out of metal – definitely a good sign, especially at S0's price point. The second point of interest to me was where the cable connected to the shell; I’d expect it (like so many other IEM’s in this price range) to be flimsy or have minimal protection. But Brainwavz did well here too, molding a thick rubber piece to protect that weak spot where so many of us have broken our cables. The cable itself is flat, which avoids tangling, and it is quite strong, which is good because many flat cables aren’t. The Y-split seems of good quality to me – doesn’t seem like any breakage will happen there either.
The S0 can be easily worn straight down or over the ear, whichever you prefer. I kept mine over the ear from the start, as I’ve gotten a good fit that way. You know what they say – “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.”
And from this build quality the S0’s definitely won’t be broken anytime soon – it has a solid build quality that is much above the standard in this price range.
The S0 also has a sleek look – one that doesn’t scream “fancy” but at the same time doesn’t look drab or dull. The red rubber that I mentioned before (to strengthen the part of the cable that connects to the housing) matches well with the red/gray translucent eartips. The shell itself looks smooth and simple – which is why so many were surprised with the metal shells. Combined with the red and black case it requires a moment to appreciate the effort Brainwavz took to make everything match. Simple and elegant – design is a definite winner at this price range.
Fit & Comfort:
I only tried one set of the included tips, but I can confidently say that you won’t have too much trouble as the average man trying to get a good fit on these IEM’s. The S0’s is very comfortable whether worn down or over the ear, and for the 45 minute session I listened to them, I experienced no fatigued or tip annoyance. The ergonomics of the shell is quite simple, and doesn’t leave anything to be desired. Honestly though, with so many different tips you can try, I’m not sure there’s any possibility for the S0 to be uncomfortable to begin with; this section gets a huge thumbs up from me.
Isolation:
Isolation is pretty darned good at this price range – It blocks most outside noise when I first put them in. For the average outside use, these isolate quite well. This will be dependent on your fit though, so YMMV.
Microphonics:
I wear the S0’s over the ear, which eliminates most of the microphonics altogether. However, if you’re finding the flat cable or whatnot to produce too much noise when you rustle the cable, the included shirt clip (when used) will eliminate most microphonics that way. I don’t know exactly how it works, but shirt clips are the #1 best homemade cure for microphonics without tampering with the actual wire of the headphones – I’m not kidding around. Brainwavz was clever enough to preempt the problem before it materialized – so overall I’m giving a nod of approval to Brainwavz for making this smart move. However, for all those that where it over the ear like me, there’s no noticeable microphonics to speak of.
Sound:
For listening, I used a Cowon J3 with various tracks of different genres (to gauge what genres the S0 is a good match with), without an amp. Most portable devices have plenty of power for the S0, the amplification is not necessary.
This is definitely a fun section, and one I was quite surprised in. The only slight caveat (to me) of the S0 lies here, as well as its biggest strengths. Shall we begin?
Highs: In general, I don’t usually care if there’s a slight treble roll-off, as long as the treble's there. I liked the clarity the S0 had at the upper regions, although some might say it’s slightly laid back. For my tastes though, it’s perfect – I don’t need the highs in my face at all times, but I do want it present. And present it is on the S0. Drums sound great, as well as violins. For an IEM, it does a great job. Details on the higher end don’t leave much to be desired either. In short – a great job, and one I wouldn’t expect from this price range.
Mids: Instruments/acoustics sound good, albeit not the best I’ve heard. Again, we’re dealing with a $40 IEM though, so for the price range I have no complaints, which is actually a compliment considering how many in the price range get it wrong.
Vocals though – here’s where the S0 really shines. Female vocals sound musical and sweet – if I were to blind test the female vocals on the S0 I would put it in a much higher price bracket. Definitely gains favor in my opinion of the sound quality, and for those who listen to a lot of hip-hop and such – I’m just going to cut to the chase and say buy the S0 right now. You’ll enjoy it enough for it to be a great investment on the go. Daft Punk by Pentatonix, Burn by Ellie Goulding, and Samantha Jade’s “Firestarter” were but a few of the first tracks I used to listen to the S0, and it just went to replay from there. ‘nough said.
Bass: Sub bass is nice, quantity and quality have no complaints from me. Again, clarity is a big bonus to this section, and I’ve been so sick of muddy bass on budget IEM’s that I was really glad when the S0’s held up. However, there is a noticeable bump in the sub-bass region. Not enough to overpower the rest of the frequency, or spoil the sound even to a small extent, but it’s there. I personally like my frequency flat, but I do have to appreciate the fact that this is the only caveat in the whole review. After a few minutes of listening, I found myself ignoring the slight bump and just enjoying the music. So it’s really not a big deal, especially given that the rest of the frequency is quite balanced.
Clarity: The crowning glory, in my opinion (vs vocals? I’d still give it to the clarity). The clarity of the S0 is just amazing given its price, and helps provide a well-balanced sound that is great for everyday listening use. I’m really, really glad the clarity of this headphone pulled through, and it did so quite effortlessly. All the frequencies are quite clear, with the mid-bass lagging slightly behind due to its small difference in quantity.
Imaging: I thought the good parts were done, but Brainwavz managed to squeeze in one more – the imaging. Or, more precisely, the 3d-ness of the sound it presents. Gone are the days where budget ‘phones sound like a block/wall of sound going in your direction – the S0 manages to provide a more 3d sound from the back and front as well as left and right. Obviously, jump up a few hundred bucks and it will get much more refined, but for a $40 IEM the S0 provides a nice effort that pretty much succeeds in this regard.
Soundstage/Detail/Coloration/Separation/Accuracy/Immersion Factor: Most of my other reviews have these sections, but due to the nature and price range of this IEM, I’m going to jump over these, as there’s not much to say. Consider performance in all these sections good for its price bracket, and don’t expect it to be a HD600.
Overall Tonality/Balance: The S0 is quite balanced, barring the bump in the mid-bass. The bump doesn’t ruin the balance the rest of the frequency provides though, and just gives it a bit of extra oomph for people who are a bit more bass inclined (which in the audience for this price bracket, seems to be quite many). The overall tonality seems to be a hint of warmth, without the quantity which makes you feel “woah, Fiio house sound alert.”
Frequency Shape: Many say the S5 (which the S0 is modeled after, to my understanding) is V-shaped. The S0 is definitely not V-shaped to my ears. The mids are present in full force, and like I said earlier, there is an overall balanced sound. I would say these have a basically flat frequency with a bump somewhere in the bass region.
EQ: I know most audiophiles don’t like using EQ, but c’mon, a budget IEM for on the go – how can you resist? The S0 responded well to the EQ presets I used on my Cowon J3, with the exclusion of the bass presets – giving a bass boost to the S0 made it overpowering to my ears. However, it is not rocket science that you don’t add bass to something that has a bass boost already. All the other presets worked fine with the S0, and I would recommend using them on whatever device you have – whether it be android, iOS, or other – to maximize your enjoyment with these headphones.
Genre Recommendation: I would definitely recommend anything that is vocal dominant, whether it be Pentatonix, Chris Brown, or other mainstream artists. For instrumental listening such classical music, or even modern instrumental music like the Piano Guys and Lindsey Stirling, I wasn’t as happy with the S0 – but then again, it’s a budget IEM, so I can’t judge this by audiophile standards. EDM/ electronic music also performed well with the S0, due to its clarity and boost in the bass region.
Basically, anything genre that benefits from a good quantity of bass and shining vocals – the S0 excels. Any genre that flails when given a boost in any way – the S0 should only be used for with proper EQ, which every android device has; so no worries there.
Sound Summary: The sound of the S0 is clearly (no pun intended) enjoyable, and very well suited for both mainstream audiences and those who’ve been listening to music for a while as well. Definitely a winner for the listener of mainstream music, and for the classical listener too with proper EQ. I believe that since EQ is so integrated with mainstream devices today (phones, tablets, music players) that it is very reasonable to buy the S0 and play around with the unique things that it brings to the table, even if you’re not a fan of the genres mentioned above. The clarity throughout the frequency, as well as how it treats vocals makes the S0 definitely a keeper in the sound department. Is the mid-bass bump a deal-breaker in my opinion, especially given the things the S0’s good at? No. I’d prefer to say this is what makes the S0 “human,” so to say. But if I had to compare it to a human, I would consider the S0 a person who’s reached many milestones, and has little left to work on. Bainwavz definitely knows what they’re doing when it comes to the sound of their IEM’s, and if they can find a way to remove the slight bump in the mid-bass, I would easily say this is the best IEM under $50, hands down.
Value & Conclusion:
There’s so much value here at this price point I’m pretty much at a loss for words. The accessories themselves would probably cost $20 separately, and for a $40 price tag, the build quality and comfort of the S0 are phenomenal. Regardless of all that, the S0 delivers a sound that is definitely well-suited for the average consumer and the music lover alike. Clear and enjoyable sound makes the S0 a winner to me; for all those looking for an IEM on the cheaper side that will sound good and last for quite a while, the S0 is a bargain for the price, and it should definitely be on your list.