Intro
TL;DR: The Brainwavz S5 is loud, bass-heavy, energetic, and a lot of fun to listen to -- just the ticket for any EDM lover.
Before I begin, huge thanks to Audrey (@Salsera) for providing a sample of the Brainwavz S5 in exchange for my honest opinion. My deepest gratitude goes out to her and the guys over at Brainwavz. But let me remind you that I was neither paid to write this review, nor am I an affiliate of Brainwavz or any of its staff. Any and all opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own unless otherwise specified, and these opinions should be treated as nothing more than that. Finally, my impressions of the S5 in this review might conflict with yours; therefore, your mileage may vary.
Well, let me just say this: This review is filled with a lot of firsts. I won’t list them all to keep things brief, but the most significant one is how this is the first time I’ve been asked to write a review from a representative of a company. I know, I’m still squealing like a girl since I was sent a PM a couple weeks ago -- but still, it is my first time, so I’ll give it all I got!
Anyway, let’s get onto the subject at hand. The Brainwavz S5 is Brainwavz’ latest IEM release, and is now their current S-series flagship IEM. Priced at $100 retail, the S5s look the part, feel the part, and are priced the part, but do they play the part? Read on and find out.
Author's Note: This review is a little bit old, so expect some cringe-y parts if you're reading this in 2015 or later. I'm a little too lazy to edit the whole thing, and I want to keep the chronological flow in my reviews as I grow, so you can definitely see the improvements over time.
== Aesthetics ==
Packaging, Design, Accessories
When I (still squealing like a girl) opened up the package containing the earphones, I was greeted with a very retail-looking box -- the likes of which I haven’t held in my hands for averylong time. Right on the front of the box, an image of the S5 is emblazoned along with the name BRAINWAVZ and an “S5” on the top-right corner. That front panel actually opens up to reveal the S5s sitting there in a moulded plastic housing, just waiting there for a pair of ears to take them out and put them on. The back of that front panel contains a quick history of Brainwavz and a list of the S5’s features. The other sides of the box had a lot of other information on it, like specifications and whatnot (which eliminates the need for useless literature inside the box, which is a good thing). You should be able to read them with a click on one of the pictures at the bottom of the page.
Now, let’s take a good long look at the accessories. When I took a look at the accessories list on their official product page, my jaw dropped to the floor. The Brainwavz S5 actually has -- wait for it -- nine pairs of eartips, including a double-flange, a triple-flange, and even a Comply T400 pair. (I compiled a full list of the accessories in the Specs section below.) The Brainwavz S5 quite literally has its own collection of eartips. In fact, they’re so many that they’re actually more than half of the eartip pairs I already had. Oh, and did I mention they also come with a nifty hard case and a 2-year warranty?
Design, Build, Microphonics
Now, onto the earphones themselves. I have to say, I was totally surprised to learn that the S5 actually has afull metalhousing, rather than just plastic. To my eyes, I thought it looked like plastic and expected it to be, until I read the description on the box. That was one of the big points that changed my outlook of the S5s completely. The S5s have a flat cable this time, which has their own strengths and weaknesses, which I’ll explain in further detail later. And also unlike all of the other IEMs I’ve reviewed, the S5s have no remote, but has an eye-catchingly large Y-split in its place. I mean, just look at it. It’s freaking huge! But then again, that doesn’t really change anything, does it?
If I could sum up the build quality of the Brainwavz S5 in one word, it would have to befantastic. I’m being honest here -- the S5s look, feel, and are very durable. The full-aluminum housings are nice and solid. The huge Y-split in the middle looks to be very durable and should probably last along time. Even the connector, which, given the rather short strain relief, looks well-built.
However, I do have some thoughts on the build that I would like to express. First of all, I would suggest Brainwavz to go with a removable cable design for the S5s.I would like a replaceable cable for the S5 since, honestly, they sound really good (more on this later) and since the cable is usually the first thing to break in an earphone.On the other hand, I think I do see why they wouldn’t go with that approach, because with all of the measures they’ve taken to ensure maximum durability for that one cable (I mean, just look at that Y-split), going directly for a removable cable approach would render all their efforts null. Second, the cable itself. The Brainwavz S5 employs a flat cable, which, unlike most round cables, is virtually tangle-free; however, they are a lot harder to manage than round cables, and is much heavier than I’d like. On the topic of cable noise, this is also a great point for the Brainwavz S5. Despite flat cables usually being very microphonic, I’m glad to report that this cable is far from that -- although I would say that it’s the result of the IEMs being worn around the ear. Still, their weight is pretty heavy, though on the other hand, it’s really durable, so I would say that’s a little bit of a trade-off.
Finally, and probably one of my biggest issues with the build of the S5, there is the issue of driver flex. Driver flex is as it sounds like--an occurrence in which the driver in an earphone where the driver (speaker) inside flexes due to the air pressure of the ear canal. This results in potential damage to the driver, and damage is something we need to avoid. Then again, it only happens occasionally, but the fact that it does happen is something to worry about. However, I had a quick talk with Audrey and she stated it should just be my own pair, so that’s something less to worry about. In any case, I still feel it’s an issue that I can't simply leave out.
Fit, Comfort, Isolation
I never actually had any fit problems with the S5. It’s been a while since I’ve worn an IEM around the ear, but my ears aren’t as fussy with most universals, so a little caveat emptor there. A peculiar little oddity about the S5s’ fit is how they still fit perfectly fine when worn straight-down, despite them being designed to be worn around-the-ear. Comfort, in my opinion, is pretty variable depending on the eartips; however, the Comply T-400 foam eartips provide the best comfort for the S5 in my opinion. Isolation is also a variable factor that depends on the eartips, but the S5 has generally good isolation with the stock silicone eartips.
Anyways, I think that’s about it for the aesthetics of the S5; now, let’s get to the sound!
There really is nothing much to say here, so let’s move on to the most important question: How do they sound?
== Sound ==
Specs
| Headphone Type | Closed-back, vented in-ear monitor (straight down, around-the-ear) |
| Driver Type | 10mm dynamic, neodymium magnets, CCAW voice coil |
| Frequency Response | 18 – 24,000 Hz |
| Max. Input Power | 20 mW |
| Sensitivity | 110 dB at 1 mW |
| Impedance | 16 Ω |
| Weight | N/A |
| Cable | 1.3 m flat Y-cord, OFC |
| Connector | 3.5 mm (1/8”) gold-plated, straight TRS |
| Accessories | Hard carrying case 6 sets silicone single-flange eartips (gray S/M/L + black S/M/L) 1 set silicone double-flange eartips 1 set silicone triple-flange eartips 1 set Comply T400 premium foam eartips |
There really is nothing much to say here, so let’s move on to the most important question: How do they sound?
Equipment, Burn-In
The sources I’ll be using consists of a 4th-generation iPod Touch, an iPad 3, and my PC through Headphone-Out. The amp I use is a Yamaha RX-V359 receiver feeding the IEMs through Headphone-Out. Finally, the EQ used for the test is Viper4Windows on the PC. My test tracks are posted here for reference.
Also, prior to the review, I have burned-in the Brainwavz S5 for a minimum of 100 hours, to clear any doubts about burn-in. As for the eartips being used, I used the Comply T400 foam eartips and the stock grey eartips interchangeably.
So let’s not waste any time, and let’s get to it!
Sound Quality Bass:
The S5’s bass is the star of the show here, having a very heavy, fun, in-your-face presentation that pounds the beat down so hard and so deep you can pretty much feel it in your chest. This has its merits, especially in EDM and bass-heavy genres (Knife Party -- Give It Up), but it doesn’t go without its drawbacks. For one, its quantity tends to overwhelm the rest of the sound, making you hear not much other than the bass at some points. They also tend to blend into the lower midrange, making male vocals and instruments like guitars sound thick and lack articulation.
Midrange:
The midrange on the S5 is, having a V-shaped signature, is recessed and distant-sounding. However, despite the heavy bass, is surprisingly clear in certain songs (Ed Sheeran -- Runaway). Of course, that last sentence doesn’t redeem it completely -- the S5’s midrange completely flunks solo piano tracks because of their warmth (Isaac Shepard -- Looking Forward). For midrange-focused genres I can easily recommend several other IEMs just as easily as I would recommend the S5 to EDM lovers.
Treble:
The S5’s treble is lively, snappy, and energetic, providing a nice counterpoint to the thundering bass. It gives the midrange a much needed clarity boost (so at least you can still hear it clearly over the bass), which is a good thing, but at times they do tend to get too lively and bright, which is pretty irritating. This happens in certain tracks, however exactly which ones really comes down to the listener.
Soundstage/Presentation:
The S5’s soundstage is pretty good for a bassy, consumer-sounding IEM. It’s got decent size and air, which is surprising for the IEM that it is. Its presentation is rather intimate, though, so don’t expect too much out of the S5’s soundstage. For what it does, though, it’s more than adequate.
Genre Proficiency:
With my description of the Brainwavz S5 in the previous section, it’s easy to see that these things are a jack-of-all-trades and master of none. Well, that’s where I’m going to stop you. Yes, they play all genres well, but so far, no IEM has ever made me love EDM more than the Brainwavz S5. Really. They play any type of EDM from dubstep to progressive house exceptionally well, with each aspect of their sound signature playing a part to deliver a club right into your ears. It’s practically like calling up all of your favorite DJs and EDM producers into your house for a party for you, you, and only you.
But like I said, these IEMs aren’t all fun and games – they could play classical a lot better than I expected. With Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons (played by the Connecticut Early Music Festival Ensemble), the Brainwavz S5 manages to keep up with the dynamics of each track. In a nutshell, it’s really something. The bass doesn’t take too much prominence in the album, which leaves the midrange shining through with warm, clear beams.
On the other hand, the Brainwavz S5 is a warm IEM, and that warmth can be off-putting in a lot of classical recordings. In this case, it depends more on the recording and affects some more than others, but it’s a quality of the Brainwavz S5 that cannot be ignored. Then again, they still sound pretty great.
Summary:
The Brainwavz S5 immediately wowed me from the very start with a fun, lively sound signature. They had a very energetic, life-of-the-party kind of sound that, to my ears, was amazing and a whole lot of fun to listen to. This was the kind of IEM I was looking for -- something that was lively, something that was fun, something that made you get on your feet and dance, even though you’re the only one listening to the music.
However, the true value of the Brainwavz S5 really comes down to your musical preferences. If you favour clear vocals and instruments, then you should start looking elsewhere since the Brainwavz S5 is not an IEM that will give you that. On the other hand, if you listen to EDM or rap or just want a heavy, energetic sound signature, then look no further.
Other Media
I’ve been gaming with the Brainwavz S5 extensively – mostly racing around in Watch Dogs, but pretty extensively nonetheless. The Brainwavz S5s perform undoubtedly well in this department, with the bass making you really feel the gunfire and the roar of the engine as you zip through the Chicago highway. Vocals come through very clearly, as well. Positional audio is good, but I’m iffy on its performance in more competitive gaming scenarios. They should more than suffice for the average gamer, though. As for the movie buff…I don’t know about you, but I’m clearly going to enjoy watching The Desolation of Smaug again with these babies on.
Value, Comparison
With Brainwavz listing these IEMs at $100, there’s no surprise that the S5s will face a lot of competition, including many amazing IEMs that have earned their place in Head-Fi’ers’ hearts with ease. And these legends I’m talking about? Oh, I don’t know, the Shure SE215, the Yamaha EPH-100, and the HiFiMAN RE-400 Waterline, to name a few. Like I said, these three IEMs are legendary, and that goes without saying. It’s a shame, then, that I have none of them here with me, since they would’ve made for one hell of a shootout. So for now, you guys will have to put up with what I did get to compare.
Versus Monster DNA (~$200)
I always like comparing IEMs with headphones, because aside from their inherent sonic differences, it makes for a great opportunity to see if an IEM has no trouble keeping up with the big leagues. And I’m happy to report that the Brainwavz S5 do just that, and then some.
I really like the Monster DNA for its fun, but audiophile-friendly sound signature packed into a Beats-esque, nightclub-inspired package. The on-ear headphones have a moderate V-shape signature, with great bass and crisp treble without sacrificing too much of the midrange. The Brainwavz S5 takes things a little bit further with its stronger V-shape sound that gives it even more bass power, lively treble that gets too sharp at times, and a more recessed midrange. However, the Brainwavz do improve with better tips, and at its best, they sound nicely balanced and fun, making the S5s and the DNAs not too far apart from each other.
Versus Xiaomi Pistons 2.0 (~$25)
Since I don’t have any proper IEMs that would make fairer matchups for the Brainwavz S5, I thought I’d let my self-proclaimed “King of Ultra-Budget-Fi,” the Xiaomi Pistons 2. Even now, they’re still one of the best all-rounders I’ve ever heard in my audiophile journey, and I know a lot of other Head-Fi’ers would agree with me. They just have this mild V-shaped signature with great clarity in the mids and crisp treble that just blends with the rest of the signature so well. For me, it’s probably the best headphone I’ve ever owned and heard (so far).
Against the Pistons, the Brainwavz S5 gives out the same impression I did when I compared them with the Monster DNA – a stronger V-shaped signature, more powerful bass, hotter treble (which lessens with Comply tips), and a slightly more recessed midrange. Oh, and the S5s sound much warmer than the Pistons. Right now, I’m leaning towards the Brainwavz S5, if only for the fact that the pair I compared the S5s with are my sister’s. That, and at the moment, I’m having too much fun listening to Monstercat 015.
Conclusion
In the end, there’s a lot to like about the Brainwavz S5 – from the look, to the build, to the sound. They’re pretty good all-rounders, and can play all genres fairly well, although you might want to look for something else when you have more specific musical tastes. That means classical lovers, run away – and run away fast. But for someone with an electronic addiction, here’s the doctor’s prescription – take a pair of the Party Pills, once a day, every day. You’ll be having a blast.
Category
Score
Comment
Packaging, Accessories
8/10 Solid retail packaging and a treasure trove of useful accessories make for an amazing starter package.
Design, Build, Microphonics
8/10 All-metal housings, heavy-duty strain reliefs, and solid cable turn the S5 into a tank of an IEM.
Fit, Comfort, Isolation
8/10 The S5 in general provides an easy and secure fit thanks to its over-ear design. Comfort and isolation are mostly eartip-dependent, but are pretty good with the stock eartips.
Microphone
N/A
Bass
8/10 The S5’s bass is heavy, deep, and loud, but tends to be bloated and overwhelming. Great for EDM, but not much for everything else.
Midrange
5/10 The midrange exhibits good clarity, but is recessed, distant, and overly warm. Not very good by audiophile standards, but should do fine for most consumers.
Treble
7/10 The S5 has a bright and lively treble, although it does tend to get too bright at times.
Presentation
7/10 Don’t expect too much out of the S5’s soundstage, although to most ears its soundstage is more than adequate.
Gaming, Movies
7/10 These aren’t the type of IEMs I would use for gaming with its explosive low-end; however, they do perfectly well with cinematic action movies instead.
EQ Response
7/10 The S5 is pretty easy to EQ, with a little bass adjustment already going a long way.
Value
8/10 For $100 there’s little to complain about with the S5’s package -- unless you were looking for better vocals, in which case you got the wrong IEM for the job.
Total
7.4/10 EDM lovers, gather round -- the S5 is one tough IEM to beat if you’re looking for an energetic, fun, in-the-club experience.
Shout-Outs, Gallery First of all, I want to again thank Audrey at Brainwavz for giving me this huge opportunity to review their latest IEM. You can check out some of the other pictures I took of the S5 here, and you can click here for more headphone reviews. This has been thatBeatsguy of DB Headphones; thanks for reading!
About Brainwavz “At Brainwavz we have a simple mission, to produce innovative, high quality audio products with a dedicated focus on high-end sound at a realistic price. Our strength, success and product range is built on our unique relationship with our customers and users, a relationship that has produced a simple and obvious result. We give real-users real sound quality. 2014 will see Brainwavz pushing forward with an expanded product line, continuing with unique and innovative products, from earphones to headphones to audio accessories.”
yalper
I think S5 has more reviews, than it sells 
thatBeatsguy
LOL.
To be honest, I can't help but agree.
XD
HawkEye0701
I didn't know that they come free with a cute pup XD
Nice review.
thatBeatsguy
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Great sound. Great looks. A rock-bottom price.
Cons: Durability *could* be better.
Disclaimer
Please note that I am not affiliated with Xiaomi in any way, though you could consider me an "endorser" of this product.
I was neither paid nor given a review sample by Xiaomi; this pair was purchased personally. Also, do take note that most of the review is my personal opinion, and it should be treated as such; also, the impressions from this review can and will change, so please take this review with a grain of salt.
Intro
My, how time flies. I’ve spent almost an entire year on Head-Fi, and I have to say, I’ve learned a lot. Much to my dismay (and to the joy of my wallet), I’ve suppressed many urges to purchase more pairs of headphones – though, admittedly, it was mostly my parents who did that for me. But anyway, knowing that my 1st-year anniversary on Head-Fi is nearing, I thought I’d revisit all of the headphones I have amassed over that year, starting with the Xiaomi Pistons.
I’m sure many of you who’ve been to the Xiaomi Pistons Thread [link] have heard of the so-called “2.1” version, as well as the commemorative iF Edition. For this revision of what you could say is the first review of the Pistons, I’m going to address these new versions.
But enough talk; let’s get to the review!
Appearance, Design, Accessories
The Xiaomi Pistons are, without a doubt, beautiful. Their machined aluminum housings are painted in the dazzling color of gold (now more silver in the iF Edition), seamlessly matching with any owner of the iPhone 5S (I do not own one, so no pictures for you
). Their color is also cleverly accented in their chocolate-brown Kevlar and silicone cable. From the pictures alone, you could see just how beautiful these IEMs are. But underneath that dazzling exterior is a gem waiting to be unleashed. Technically, it’s supposed to be a metal, but never mind.
But what is this metal, you ask? This metal is called beryllium.
“Beryllium, atomic number 4, atomic weight of 9.012182, is the lightest of the alkaline earth metals. Under normal conditions, it has a light steel gray color. Beryllium alloy is lighter than conventional aluminum and titanium, is four times the strength of steel, and is an indispensable material in nuclear energy, rockets, missiles, aviation, and metallurgy. It has stable mechanical properties, and it has strength and hardness that can only be cut with diamonds. Compared to titanium, beryllium alloy is three times harder, 1.5 times lighter, and has up to 3 times faster transmission speed. It is also 100 times more expensive.
The new Xiaomi Pistons’ diaphragms utilize the hardest of all metallic elements (which is nearly 5 times more expensive than gold) through a high-tech process to create the world’s first beryllium diaphragm earphone. Xiaomi partnered with its in-house design team to develop a new type of headphone diaphragm using this beryllium alloy. The beryllium diaphragm, using a vacuum-coating process, perfectly utilizes the light, rigid, and flexible beryllium, with a resulting thickness of only 2 µm. As a result, the new Pistons have a wider and smoother frequency response, enhancing the high treble range from 10 KHz to 20 KHz. (In contrast, earphone roll-off typically occurs from 10 KHz onwards.) The beryllium diaphragm also enhances the bass region, making it cleaner, tighter, clearer, and more stable, without interfering with the higher frequencies.
Beryllium diaphragms have been used in only a handful of high-end audio products, such as JBL’s top-of-the-line flagship speaker, the JBL K2 S9800, which is priced as high as 250,000元 (approx. $40,000 USD). And because of this beryllium diaphragm now used in the new Xiaomi Pistons, its sound quality can be significantly improved.”
(Source. Translation may not be fully accurate.)
Well, from what you just read, there’s no doubt that beryllium is one “wonder metal.” However, it is extremely rare, which still makes me wonder how Xiaomi managed to manufacture so many Pistons with such a rare metal as beryllium. We don’t have the answer to that yet, so let’s just leave that as one of the many questions for the ages.
Now, let’s move on to the box. The box is special in a lot of ways. First, it’s an exquisite work of art per se. Its flaps unfold, one after the other, to reveal the Pistons in their box and the instruction manual. Second, it’s really, really small. Just how Apple would make them. And finally, the box itself is the manual. Yes, you read that right – pretty much everything you need to know about the Pistons is right there on that box. Plus, you aren’t given anything close to marketing or advertising. That box is special, without a doubt. And that’s not even the gist of it.
The box containing the Pistons is also a work of art. Its plastic cover would very easily be passed up as glass – except they aren’t fragile in the slightest. Lifting the cover off, you see the Pistons in their chocolate-brown travel case custom-molded out of silky-smooth silicone. (If you ever get tired of that chocolate brown, you could always buy one separately in blue, pink, and yellow.)
The eartips in the box, along with the clip, and the box
Lifting the travel case out, you’re greeted with three pairs of tips – a small pair, large pair, and a bass-ported dual-flange pair. Now, this is where things get a tad confusing. The tips I mentioned only apply to the 2.0 set – that is, if you’ve purchased a pair before around late March of 2014. If you’ve purchased a pair after that, then you will most likely have the so-called 2.1 version (it is so-called because it is an unofficial term used around Head-Fi). Of course, let’s not forget about the commemorative iF Edition of the Pistons after having received the iF Product Design Award. If you’ve purchased either the 2.1 or the iF version, then in those cases you will receive small, medium, and large pairs of single-flange tips. We will come back to this later on in the review to further clean things up.
Appearance: 9/10
Design: 8/10
Accessories: 8/10
Build, Fit, Comfort
See that accent? That's beauty right there.
The build on the Xiaomi Pistons is something you would not or cannot expect from a sub-20 dollar IEM. With gold on the housings it’s surprising that you’d get this type of beauty from an IEM at this price. The gold is also accented perfectly with the chocolate brown on the cable and the tips. I don’t know about you, but the color scheme seems to match up well with the Sennheiser HD598.
They certainly look as fragile as a piece of jewelry (and they are gems in their own right), but they certainly aren’t. Its Kevlar-reinforced cable has endured lethal yanks and tugs that would probably snap inferior cables. Though I’ve treated them well (so far XD), some accidents were unavoidable and thus they’ve suffered some hard knocks which rendered them unworthy of the photographs. That's why my sister has taken a lot of photographs from her new iF Edition Pistons which are still in perfect condition. Hopefully those will suffice.
The fit on the Pistons are rather fiddly and take some time to get used to. Unlike a lot of IEMs that sound better with a deep fit, the Pistons’ default tips would very much prefer a shallow fit which doesn’t go too far into the ear. Doing so will break the seal and leave you with a tinny sound, devoid of bass. Getting the seal just right should at least make you able to hear what I’m hearing.
Since you’ve most likely purchased the 2.1 Pistons by now (considering the date of this updated review), you should have the new sets of tips in the box. The silicone tips found in both the 2.1 and the iF Pistons are thicker, stiffer, and stronger than the ones in the 2.0 set. Their increased stiffness should be able to give you a better seal with less effort, and allow for a deeper fit than the flimsy-feeling tips of the 2.0 Pistons.
However (with a tip of the hat to user [b]1clearhead[/b]), you could also try the size “M” tips inside the box. This pair of tips are smaller than the regular tips on the Pistons and thus allow for a significantly deeper fit than what you could get with the regular tips without breaking the seal. However, these “M” tips require you to use a deeper fit, as a shallow fit might give the Pistons a hollow sound as opposed to a properly-sealed fit. Also, you might encounter some discomfort from the housings of the Pistons touching your ears because of this deeper fit; the best way to counter that problem is to wear the Pistons around-the-ear, like so:
As for comfort, I believe that the Xiaomi Pistons are great in this regard. Their silicone tips are soft and, as Xiaomi puts it, derived from “pacifier-grade silicone.” With the update to the tips in the 2.1 version, comfort is significantly improved. However, there have been some reports of people noticing discomfort from the housing of the Pistons touching their ears. It is an issue, yes, but like I said in the disclaimer at the top of this review: YMMV.
Build: 8.5/10
Fit: 7.5/10
Comfort: 8.5/10
Isolation, Microphonics
I wouldn’t rate the Pistons very high in this area, though I wouldn’t rate them too low, either. Sound leakage is very little, if any (characteristic of most IEMs), but the isolation is not what you would expect of an IEM. Of course, not a lot of IEMs have the -30 dB of isolation that Etymotic earphones have; but all things considered, the Pistons isolate well for most situations, like parties and walks out in the city streets. In fact, they even isolate better than my over-ear headphones.
Isolation: 8.5/10
Microphonics: 8/10
Microphone
Oh yes, I almost forgot; did I ever mention the fact that the Xiaomi Pistons have an in-line remote and mic? No? Well, maybe I said it in the older review, but not in this new version until now. Yes, there is a three-button remote and mic situated in a rather tricky position on the cable (the resulting cable left between the remote to the earphone housings is quite short).
On the other hand, that’s about the only gripe I’ve found with the remote so far. Now, on with the plus points. The Pistons’ remote is very useful because it is compatible with both Android and Apple devices. However, functionality is limited on both platforms. Most Android phones can work with all three buttons, but what are supposed to be volume buttons are considered forward/rewind buttons. That makes them essentially useless since the middle button, used for Pause/Play, also does the same forward/rewind functions with a double press and triple press, respectively. On Apple devices the volume buttons do not work, leaving the middle button the only functional one. Apparently the only devices that utilize all three buttons properly are Xiaomi’s devices.
But there is one thing to note: the microphone still works. Yes, you read that right – the mic works with all devices without a hitch. And the best part? They sound pretty damn good. They sound clear over multiplayer games, chat sessions, and even recordings on GarageBand. Now that’s functionality.
Score: 8.5/10
Audio: Preamble
And now, for the most important section in the entire review. I worked hard on this one, so I really do hope what comes out will be the most precise reviews I’ve ever written. But before we begin, I would like to address a few things:
Modification
Yes, I have, in fact, modified my pair of Xiaomi Pistons. That alone is enough to significantly alter the results of the review. However, though I do not own another pair, my sister owns an iF Edition pair, and she has submitted them in for review. So with that, I’d like to give a big thank-you to her for providing the pair.
iF Edition vs. 2.1
I would also like to address the issue about the iF Edition Pistons supposedly sounding “brighter” than the 2.1 and 2.0 Pistons. Yes, some people have reported that they did, in fact, notice that the iF Edition sounded brighter than that of the Pistons. However, from my personal experience, I did not notice a difference between either. I have said this multiple times to the many people who asked, and some also reported the same results. Hopefully soon the “rumours” will subside and all will be well. Now, with all that cleared up, let’s begin!
Test Tracks
When writing headphone reviews, you never settle on just one album. You have to take a wide variety of genres and listen to each and every one of them to see just how good the headphones really are. Well, that’s what I did with my test tracks playlist. Over the past couple of years, I’ve collected various albums of various genres from various artists, which should help a lot in getting me that “precise review” I promised earlier. Below is the list, in a fancy table inspired by the tables which a lot of other great reviewers utilize.
Album
Artist
Genre
Format
Ariana Grande
Yours Truly
R&B, Pop
MP3 320 kbps
Ben Prunty
Faster Than Light: OST
Electronica, Score
MP3 320 kbps
Carpenters, The
The Ultimate Collection
Easy Listening, Pop
MP3 320 kbps
Chesky Records
Antonio Vivaldi: The Four Seasons
Classical, Binaural
ALAC
Cliff Richard
Still Reelin’ and A-Rockin’: Live in Sydney, The Ultimate Collection
Rock & Roll, Live
MP3 320 kbps
Daft Punk
Random Access Memories
Electronica, Disco
ALAC
Darren Korb
Bastion Original Soundtrack
Acoustic Trip-Hop, Score
ALAC
Eagles, The
Hell Freezes Over
Acoustic, Rock, Live
ALAC
HAL Laboratory, Inc.
Kirby’s Epic Yarn: The Epic Soundtrack
Acoustic, Score
MP3 VBR V2
John Robert Matz
Ryan Ike
Francisco Cerda
Gunpoint: The Soundtrack
Jazz, Score
ALAC
Katy Perry
PRISM
Pop
MP3 320 kbps
Krewella
Get Wet
House, Dubstep
MP3 320 kbps
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
The Heist
Rap, Hip-Hop
MP3 320 kbps
Michael Jackson
Bad, Dangerous, Thriller, Xscape
Pop
ALAC
Pink
The Truth About Love
Rock, Pop
MP3 VBR V0
Secrets of Kaplan
The E.P.
Indie Rock
MP3 VBR V0
Skrillex
Bangarang EP, Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites EP, More Monsters and Sprites EP
Dubstep, House
MP3 320 kbps
Sungha Jung
Paint It Acoustic
Solo Guitar, New Age
AAC 256 kbps
Various Artists
Dissidia: Final Fantasy Original Soundtrack, Final Fantasy XIII Original Soundtrack
Various, Score
MP3 320 kbps
Yiruma
The Best: Reminiscent 10th Anniversary Edition
Solo Piano, New Age
ALAC
张伟珈
把梦写给你
Acoustic, Pop
MP3 320 kbps
Review Process
These headphones are subjected to a particularly “hands-on” review process. I never leave them standing out on a stand with pink noise played into them; I always listen to them and hear the changes as time goes by. However, as I hear these changes while they burn-in, there is also the phenomenon called “brain burn-in,” or better known as placebo. I take this into account as I write the reviews, and revise if necessary.
The writing of the review takes at least three days’ worth of work, which is spanned out over the course of a week. Since the mind’s impression of the same headphones can change depending on the time of day, I will also take these into account and combine them into one summarized consensus from multiple tests.
Also, I will be making three different reviews, each with their own focus. The first review focuses on reviewing each of the aspects of the sound signature (bass, mids, soundstage, etc.), while the second one will be focusing on which genres it works best with. The third one is mostly a summary and reviews its general performance in media outside of music (games, movies, etc.) as well as its performance when amplified and equalized. From this alone it doesn’t really make much sense, but hopefully by reading the review you’ll understand.
Equipment
Equipment used in the review is an iPad 3, sending the music straight to the Pistons, unamped. In the amplification assessment a Yamaha RX-V359 home theater amp is used. As for the equalization test the EQu app is used.
Audio: Sound Quality
As mentioned in the title, this section will revolve around reviewing each of the sonic aspects of the Xiaomi Pistons. The total score for this section is 100 points.
Bass
In tracks like “Lose Yourself to Dance” and “Birthday,” the Pistons demonstrated its ability to bring you accurate and yet powerful bass. The bass guitar’s tone still manages to stay audible and accurate despite the powerful kick drum in the former track. However, I would like to note that they do tend to be muddy in the lower midrange, and they can be rather overpowering at times to the uninitiated.
To summarize it, I could easily say that the Pistons are friendly for anyone’s ears – enough kick for bassheads and non-audiophiles, while tight enough for a lot of audiophiles.
Score: 17/20
Midrange
The general consensus on the midrange of the Xiaomi Pistons is rather mixed; those who don’t like it say that they are too recessed, while those who do say that they’re just fine because they are a consumer-friendly IEM. I, for one, absolutely love the midrange on these Pistons because the very first time I heard them, they had this…unreal clarity to them which all of my other headphones did not have.
On beautiful, iconic piano tracks like “River Flows in You” and “Kiss the Rain,” you could literally feel the emotion put into the recordings as the notes flow into your mind. This clarity is also exhibited in some of the tracks from Paint It Acoustic like “Fanoe” and “The Merry-go-Round of Life.”
Overall, the midrange is lush, rich, and despite being slightly muddy in the lower end, is crystal-clear.
Score: 18/20
Treble
The treble area, for me, is a rather confusing aspect of the sound signature. At first, they sound crisp, lively, and sparkly without being too sibilant (in other words, they’re just right for me). However, at one point, I noticed that the treble gave way to both the midrange and the bass. They became less crisp and sparkly, and they were not as I remembered it the first time. I cannot say what caused this sudden change, but right now, I’m going to blame it on placebo. Right now, as I listen to my sister’s two week-old pair, I seem to perceive that crisp treble I was looking for. It’s unexplainable, but like I said, it’s probably just placebo.
To sum that up, the Pistons’ treble is crisp, lively, and has enough sparkle for most people without getting too sibilant.
Score: 18/20
Soundstage
The soundstage on the Pistons is yet another plus point. Its soundstage is wide and airy, though I couldn’t say anything particular about its depth. To best describe it, the soundstage extends well out to the sides, but has trouble defining front and back. Nonetheless, the Pistons have a great soundstage which is much, much better than certain consumer-friendly headphones about, say, 20 times the price (say, Beats).
Score: 17/20
Imaging
The imaging ability of the Pistons are probably one of their biggest selling points. That’s because they image so well it’s insane. Even on Daft Punk’s “Touch,” which is one of the most complex tracks I’ve ever heard, the Pistons manage to separate the instruments enough to distinguish them from each other and not like some jumbled-up mess. And for a pair of IEMs at 25 dollars, that’s not just something worth noting; it’s an achievement. This imaging and separation ability is something you just notice when you put them on and play a track. While listening to “Fanoe,” a guitar duet, you could very easily pinpoint the two guitarists’ positions without even thinking about it.
I don’t think I even need to sum this up; they’re simply amazing.
Score: 19/20
Audio: Genre Mastery
In this section, we focus on the Pistons’ proficiency in various genres, assessing which does and doesn’t sound best on the budget IEMs. The total score for this section is 75 points. In this section, instead of paragraphs upon paragraphs of text, you will be treated to yet another fancy-looking graph courtesy of yours truly. Note that I will not try to restate the qualities of the Pistons in this review; instead I will focus on how much I enjoy the music and how the Pistons’ overall sound signature lends to that enjoyment.
Genre
Score
Summary
Dubstep | Drum & Bass
4/5 Both genres are flawlessly executed by the Pistons in all of my test tracks. In tracks such as Krewella’s “Dancing With the Devil,” it demonstrates its beautiful sub-bass rumble at the drop with ease. On DnB, the genre’s characteristic complex drum patterns are played through without the IEMs breaking a sweat.
Electronica | Disco
5/5 There’s no experience quite like listening to your favorite song for the very first time. And it’s very rare for that to happen again since, well, it was your first time. But some headphones manage to sound so euphonic, so beautiful, that it gives you that kind of feeling. One of those headphones is the Xiaomi Piston.
On Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories, my all-time favorite album, the Pistons simply blow me away. There isn’t much of a reason behind this; it just sounds so beautiful, that even though I’ve listened to the entire album over 20 times in the past four months, it doesn’t get old. It’s that good.
Rock | Alternative | Indie
4/5 Honestly, I wasn’t a fan of rock music at first, because I thought it was just loud and rather obnoxious. That was until I watched a DVD of Pink’s concert somewhere. Things changed after that, and rock is now one of my more liked genres.
On Pink’s “Timebomb,” the drums come through with great prominence, clashing with the guitars and bass. It was in this song that I first noticed the recessed mids of the Pistons. Then again, I didn’t think of it as a major issue. On alternative and indie rock, this issue didn’t reveal itself as the tracks I tested them with were clearer in the midrange. Still, I had a lot of fun listening to the music.
Rap | Hip-Hop
4/5 I don’t have many great rap tracks to test the IEMs with, however, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ “The Heist” is more than a decent album for testing. Listening to “Jimmy Iovine,” a song that I love for its rumbling sub-bass, the Pistons deliver that rumbling sub-bass with great extension and rumble. Though the meanings of those lyrics in each of the album’s songs isn’t exactly clear at first, the actual lyrics shine through with exceptional clarity, every time.
Jazz
4/5 Listening to Ryan Ike’s “The Five-Floor Goodbye” and “’Round Gunpoint,” I’ve almost come to a conclusion with the headphones. Though I haven’t gotten to the acoustic genres quite yet, they handled jazz (a predominantly acoustic genre) with ease. The upright bass sounded beautifully on these jazz tracks. The saxophone on “’Round Gunpoint” was what really impressed me during the test. They were clear and shone through like a diamond.
Mainstream Pop
4/5 Mainstream Pop, as I like to call it, refers to Top 40 hits, which should be more than descriptive enough. I don’t really need to re-describe the Pistons’ strengths here, as they perform flawlessly to my ears, every time.
Classic Pop
4.5/5 Classic Pop, on the other hand, refers to pop back in the day – say, the 70s to 80s. Michael Jackson’s music is a great example. I have to say, I enjoy classic pop music more than those in the mainstream (except for some really great songs) even though I’m a kid born into the 2000s. There are just some discerning qualities that separate classic pop from today’s Top 40, most notably the ever-present Auto-Tune. That, and the instruments back in the day were very…back in the day, so it had an air of nostalgia to it as well.
R&B | Soul
4/5 R&B, to me, is a very nostalgic genre since I’d listened to a lot of it a decade ago. But over the years, though there have been some R&B albums, they weren’t as good as the ones back in the 90s were. That was until Ariana Grande’s Yours Truly was released. It really took me back to those days where I listened to my dad’s Wharfedale speakers on the weekends.
Acoustic
4/5 There are a lot of acoustic genres, I have to admit, but I use this term when I refer to music which doesn’t really have a definite genre to it. The majority of songs on the sole Chinese album in my playlist is a good example. The Eagles’ unplugged version of “Hotel California” is also a great example, though it also fits into the Live section. In both albums, the Pistons’ soundstage plays a huge part in the immersion and overall enjoyment. It’s just great.
New Age
4.5/5 This genre is a little confusing, since a lot of New Age songs are predominantly electronic, and is simply ambient. However, my usage of the term New Age refers to Solo Guitar and Solo Piano. I think I’ve already mentioned just how beautiful the Pistons sound on both genres, so I guess I’ll just leave it at that – it’s amazing.
Acoustic Score
4/5 I’m a big fan of VGM and OSTs, and I’ve brought up quite a collection, so I thought it’d be cool to separate them into three genres on their own. Acoustic Score evidently refers to score that is predominantly acoustic. The Epic Soundtrack from Kirby’s Epic Yarn is a good example of this genre, as it comprises of a lot of Latin-inspired music. The album conveys a really calm, soothing vibe, which lets you just sit back and enjoy the show.
Electronic Score
5/5 The FTL Soundtrack is a great example of an electronic score – an ambient, space-age soundtrack with elements of chiptune thrown into the mix. Its echoing synths give a great sense of space, which is beautifully reproduced by the Pistons’ amazing imaging and soundstage.
Orchestral Score
4/5 Orchestral Scores aren’t really my cup of tea when it comes to just listening to the music, but they make great accompaniments to the media that they’re featured in. However, I would make an exception for the diverse and beautiful music from the Final Fantasy game series, especially the 13th game and Dissidia, which comprises of all sorts of arrangements of many of the popular and iconic songs of the series. It was a lot of fun to listen to, both on and off the game, and I enjoyed it.
Classical
4/5 I’m not a fan of classical music, though I find myself needing to listen to it for the sake of testing the headphones. For that, I’ve selected Antonio Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, recorded by the legendary Dr. Chesky. Every headphone audiophile knows him for his crazy binaural recordings, which give you an extremely realistic listening experience.
In this album, I count the instruments as less than 15, with probably 3 violins on the left, a harpsichord, and the rest comprised of cellos, violas, a flute, and maybe a lute or harp. It’s binaural albums like these which really test the soundstage and imaging limits of headphones, and the Pistons pass to my ears with flying colours. Of course, its soundstage will never be able to match that of open headphones, but it’s pretty amazing nonetheless.
Live
4/5 Finally, we enter live performances. These albums also test the soundstage and imaging capabilities of headphones because of the audience, which more often than not makes you feel like you’re in there. I know for a fact that speakers are capable of this without breaking a sweat with the right placement and positioning, but when it comes to headphones, things become more complicated. But like binaural recordings, the Pistons demonstrate their exceptional imaging ability, which more often than not makes you feel like you’re there at the concert.
Total
63.5/75 (4.2/5) Overall, I give the Pistons a solid 4 because of their versatility with pretty much any genre you throw at it. Apparently, you could label it as a jack-of-all-trades, but it isn’t exactly a master of none – it performs really well on electronic genres.
Audio: Miscellaneous Tests
For the third and final audio assessment, we will be focusing on the Xiaomi Pistons’ performance in areas outside of music, such as in movies and games. Also, we will be evaluating their scalability when it comes to amplification and equalization. This section is, well, miscellaneous, but you will find them still useful.
Gaming
Note: The games used in this assessment are Team Fortress 2 and Minecraft. The audio is sent to the earphones through HDMI to a Samsung LED monitor’s audio output jack, which doesn’t really have much of a difference compared to my Creative Sound Blaster 5.1 VX card except for a louder output sound.
I personally don’t use IEMs for gaming purposes, mostly since I either use my speakers or my Razer Kraken to do the job. But in retrospect, the Pistons performed well while playing games. Despite most of the action happening in front of me, the Pistons’ imaging abilities were still challenged when I got close to the enemy fort. Though I didn’t get to play high-quality games like Battlefield 4 during the tests, TF2 was still decent, and the sounds were still realistic (as in direction and volume).
On Minecraft, things were a tad worse because the audio tracks were kept at the same volume, so it was a little harder to know how far the enemy is. But then again, positional audio was still accurate, and the Pistons actually handled it well during a multiplayer session with my sister (who also has Pistons).
Score: 8/10
Movies
I never watch movies using headphones. It’s mostly because I watch them with my family, and I don’t like watching alone. Also, I just like the feel of a movie theater in my home. But, for this review and your sake, I took to watching the recent episode of Game of Thrones.
Honestly, I wasn’t really impressed with the audio quality, mostly because the amp had a constant hissing which took away some from the experience. But hardware gripes aside, the Pistons were good at most. The really long Game of Thrones intro was fun, though, and it never really gets old.
Score: 7/10
Amplification
The Xiaomi Pistons, like most IEMs, do not require amplification and can be driven easily out of a smartphone. However, during the amplification test, I noticed that the extra power gave them a tad more of a three-dimensional soundstage, as well as improving the low-end. Aside from that, I hear no glaring differences or improvements in sound signature.
Score: 7/10
Equalization
As mentioned in the Audio: Preamble section, the equalization tool used is the EQu app, a visual equalizer. It doesn’t have the same power or effectiveness as a parametric equalizer, yet still gets the job done. Although the Pistons sound perfectly fine without any EQ, they were pretty EQ friendly and improved with a treble boost (EQ preset on iOS).
Score: 8/10
Comparison
No review would be complete without something to compare the headphones to, right? Wrong. No, I’m just kidding – comparisons are probably the best way to rank the headphones and secure their place in the many hundreds if not thousands of headphones and IEMs. And the Xiaomi Pistons are no less.
These budget IEMs hold their ground against all sorts of headphones far above its price range. In fact, they even sound better than that of the new Beats Studio, priced at 300 dollars, which is more than 10 times the price of the Pistons. They could take on more than just Beats, however – I find that they stand their ground against popular audiophile headphones such as the Monster DNA, the B&W P7, and the Sony MA900. Of course, nowadays there are a lot of headphones that do the same thing the Pistons do and more, but these Chinese-made IEMs are still in a league of their own: the league of Chinese-made IEMs.
Conclusion
The Xiaomi Pistons are, without a doubt, IEMs with an inhuman price-to-performance ratio. Long before the advent of the Pistons hype train, many people have agreed that there are a lot of Chinese manufacturers with superb quality and a rock-bottom price – something that many headphones in the West fail to achieve. The Pistons have a very fun and lively signature which works with basically any genre you throw at it, although it has an affinity with electronic music in particular.
Score Tally
Below is a list of the final scores, filled out in yet another beautiful graph. I just can’t get enough of these spreadsheets and tables. But don’t worry; this should be the last one…
Category:
Sub-categories
Score:
Final Score:
Aesthetics
Appearance | Design | Accessories | Build | Fit | Comfort | Isolation | Microphonics | Microphone
74.5/90
8.3/10
Audio: Sound Quality
Bass | Mids | Treble | Soundstage | Imaging
89/100
8.9/10
Audio: Genre Mastery
Dubstep, D&B | Electronica, Disco | Rock, Alternative, Indie | Rap, Hip-Hop | Jazz | Mainstream Pop | Classic Pop | R&B, Soul | Acoustic | New Age | Acoustic Score | Electronic Score | Orchestral Score | Classical | Live
63.5/75
8.4/10
Audio: Miscellaneous Tests
Gaming | Movies | Amplification | Equalization
30/40
7.5/10
Grand Total:
82.8/100
8.3/10
Shout-Outs
First of all, I would like to thank my sister again for putting up with all the IEM photo session delays and for lending me her pair of Pistons for review. She’s a really talented photographer, and she’s got raw skill inside of her, even behind a simple Canon Ixus digicam.
I would also like to thank [b]bhazard[/b] because without him, I probably wouldn’t have known about the Pistons, and therefore would never have been able to write this review. His extensive knowledge of Chinese-branded headphones and IEMs has opened my eyes to the many hundreds of awesome pairs that were so close to home.
Finally, I would also like to thank all of the awesome guys at the Discovery Thread, Chinese Brand Thread, and the Audiophile Bass Lounge (the three groups the Pistons manage to fall into). You guys are some of the coolest people I’ve ever met, and this is over the Internet, so that makes you guys all the more cool. Thank you for your support and guidance in my now year-long headphone journey. Of course, I ain’t stopping here – there are far too many headphones left to try out in the world, I wouldn’t want to miss any of them!
Gallery
The rest of this section is dedicated to pictures taken by my lovely and very talented younger sister. I really hope you enjoy this new round of pictures, which takes her pair of the iF Edition Pistons into the spotlight. Of course, for comparison, you should also check out the images of the 2.0 version of the Pistons here (link will be added soon).
Badelhas
Thanks for that geeky explanation
XipeTotec
Nice review, very useful. I was searching for an IEM which valorize mid and high ranges. I have a Sennheiser CX 300 ii, which is fantastic in comfort and isolation, but unfortunately boost bass frequencies too much. I'll give Pistons a try. Moreover you tested them with a wide range of music so they can fit me like a glove.
ina812
Hi,this is Ina from UMI DIGI CO.,which bring finest headphones and smartphones such as UMI VOIX,UMI ZERO,UMI HAMMER.
I really like your reviews on Xiaomi pistion and actually our new headphone will be lauched this July so It will be our honor if you could do reviews about it.
My email address is ina@91umi.com, Look forward to hearing from you soon Thanks
thatBeatsguy
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Powerful Bass, clear Midrange, somewhat mellow highs. You can get these for lower than half of the retail price online.
Cons: Colored sound isn't for audiophiles.
Overview:
The Beats Pro is the Beats' top-of-the-line model, with a lofty price tag of $400. However, its price, along with Beats' reputation with being a hated-on brand, hides the fact that it actually sounds great. That hate reaches out far across the Internet, where trolls and hate fill every Beats-related thread. I'm almost certain that at least three-quarters of Beats trolls haven't listened to them once in their life (even if they say that they did). Even at Head-Fi, the Beats are a hated brand, but not as much as anywhere else. I've found a handful of other people across the Internet that actually appreciate the Beats, but since the trolling is so prevalent, finding them is harder than hard.
Many people, including me, acknowledge that the Beats line is really overpriced. But do they really sound that bad? In the Studio's and Solo's cases, yes. But what about the Pros? Let's find out.
In the Box:
The box, aside from being large, is unremarkable. Its contents include:
- The headphones, of course
- A traveling pouch
- A thick, 6-foot-long cable with a telephone-like coil at the end which extends its length to about 7 ft.
- A cleaning cloth with so-called "Microbe Shield Technology"
- Literature
Design:
The Beats line has been notorious for being mostly a fashion accessory than anything else. Many of their endorsers are pure crap (Lady Gaga, Lil' Wayne, and...I just won't say it). Even then, their style and design can be easily called the best. The size, along with its two-tone gray/black color scheme, accented by the Beats 'b', easily makes this a head-turning, eye-catching pair. The pair also has swivel-up earcups that can be handy for DJs, as well as two jacks. You can't have multiple inputs with these, but the jack that isn't used as input becomes an output jack, so you could form a daisy chain.
These headphones have pretty plush pleather cushions, though they will get warm (or possibly sweaty) in the summer while you wear them. The pair is also made almost entirely out of aluminum - solid aluminum, actually, which makes them a great heavy-duty pair. There's a catch to its almighty strength, however - since the frame, earcups, hinges, and headband are all made of solid aluminum inside-out, the pair is remarkably heavy (about 14 ounces). If you plan to buy this for long listening sessions, prepare your neck.
Audio Quality:
Now, for the main event. Before I begin, please note that I don't have any other pair for comparison. Call me a poor guy, I don't mind; I really don't have any other pair, so if you think that a comparison is missing, blame this on my poor self. However, I do have a wide variety of audio sources, four of which I'll use and list below:
- Audio: MP3 @ 320 kbps (Electronic, Hip-Hop, Rap, Dubstep, Acoustic Rock, Pop, Acoustic Jazz, Solo Piano)
- Game Soundtrack
- Digital Piano - Aux-Out and 1/4" headphone jack
- Source: iPod Touch 4G, with stock music app set at "Flat" EQ
- PSP-3000, games only
- Stock laptop audio card
- Yamaha P-105
- Amp: N/A
I'll be listening in to the genres that I listen to (listed above), starting with Electronica. In Daft Punk's "Get Lucky," the bass is remarkably powerful, as with all of the Beats models preceding it, but it doesn't muddy up the performance. It stays on its own, without muddying up everything else. The mids are clear and sound great with the bass. Vocals resonate well and have a good echo. The high range is quite detailed for a pair of Beats, but rolls off at higher levels. For a pair of Beats, this has a stellar sound signature; but for a pair of headphones in general, not so much.
Rap and Hip-Hop songs have a powerful kick drum, and that is well augmented with the Beats. Dubstep, whose bass lines get muddied up in crappy headphones like the Solos, are well-reproduced through the Pros. In the electronic side of the music spectrum, the Beats Pros shine in nearly every genre on this side.
However, this shine easily fades on the other side of the spectrum, where acoustic instruments reside. Acoustic songs require a large soundstage, but the Beats Pro's closed-back design makes it unsuitable for this. Also, it doesn't have that much detail when compared to other headphones in its price range. However, I really like the headphones' performance in the Solo Piano, Acoustic Rock, and Acoustic Jazz areas. The pair has enough detail to reveal much of the nuances of the piano, which also shows in the Acoustic Rock and Jazz areas, where the vocal range is refined and sounds great, and the background instruments can be heard with little effort. However, as far as soundstage is concerned, its soundstage is rather small and resembles a studio, which fits in with the genres I listen to, but for orchestral pieces, I would suggest steering clear of these.
Even in games, the Beats asserts its powerful bass. Audio effects are accurately reproduced, albeit with more emphasis on the low end. Voices are clear and sound as if you're right there. The orchestral sound found in games like Dissidia 012 sound quite wide, considering my previous trifle with its small soundstage. The piano's sound also doesn't disappoint, with commanding bass and accurate highs that accentuate the already stunning detail that I've experienced while listening through this pair.
Conclusion:
The Beats Pro was the first step in my quest for great audio. They're a sturdy, heavy pair of cans that have been weathered with constant hate over the reputation and price of this pair. However, this pair shines - and shines well - in its ability to reproduce great (though colored) sound in the electronic side of the spectrum; also, it doesn't disappoint in select areas of the acoustic side, either.
There are some things to consider debating before buying it, however:
- Its lack of a wide soundstage makes it unsuitable for orchestral pieces; for this I would recommend the Yamaha PRO 500.
- Weighing in at nearly a pound, its weight can break necks, until you get used to it. It may have heavy clamping force at first, but hanging it on a sofa can help to loosen it up while burning in. To address the weight issue, I would recommend the Beats Mixrs, whose soundstage and signature is almost identical to the Pros, albeit in a smaller, lighter package.
- Its price is phenomenal and sky-high. However, if you know where to look, you can find the Beats Pros for half price (or even lower) online. As an example, I got my pair online for about $125.
For me and my love of electronic-based music, plus an unbeatable discount price, the Beats Pro was a steal. For those who share my love for electronica, don't be fooled by its high price; you can always turn to the Internet for great prices - and you may just get yourself a deal.
kyuuketsuki
To be fair Amber, even Tyll said they weren't terrible headphones, even possibly good for DJing purposes. So at the price point of $125, I can totally see these being rated as 4.5 stars.
AmberOzL
I demoed them too, unfortunately I have friends who paid 300 euros for them. So I really took my time and demoed them. I am sorry but as long as it is something more than 75 80 euros, it is overpriced. About overall rating, even for the price, it seems too much to me. I said it in this way because I did hear muddy very muddy performance unlike the author. Comfort was an issue, build quality was an issue. Studio's seem to be more durable than Solo HD's but I would still suggest to baby them instead of using rough. I really can't give many positive things about them. I say, they are pretty much better than 50 euros cans, but def. not worth more than 100 euros or so. That's how it sounded to my ears. About Tyll, well I do respect him a lot and I always follow his reviews and trust his opinions but even for DJing, I would think something else than Beats.
I must add, the only Beats I liked is Mixr's but still wouln't pay for them either.
kyuuketsuki
We are talking about the Beats Pro... Not the Studios or the Solos. Neither of those are even worth mentioning. This is specifically about the Pros, which feel well built (though I've heard some people have had wire clipping issues with the folding mechanism). Again, these aren't TERRIBLE, but not good either. It's been a while since I last listened, but I do recall not being completely disappointed with the SQ.
And in the case that you feel that at the price of $125 (which is just about 75% off of MSRP) (Which to be honest I'd start to consider the possibility of being a fake) it is still too high of a rating, that is your opinion. The reviewer has his own opinion.
And personally, if I got them at that price, I'd sell them for a profit. I personally can't stand Beats, no matter how good the price is. It isn't my style nor preferred sound signature. But I do know many people who would actually like the signature of the Pros, and if they could be got at $150, there is nothing in that price range that has similar style or sound. (Better sound yes, possibly with the same sound signature, but Beats are at its core a fashion statement)
And again, Tyll said "might be good" for DJing, but seeing as he had no experience in that, he didn't want to say with any certainty.
-
Sound Quality
Bass:
The S5’s bass is the star of the show here, having a very heavy, fun, in-your-face presentation that pounds the beat down so hard and so deep you can pretty much feel it in your chest. This has its merits, especially in EDM and bass-heavy genres (Knife Party -- Give It Up), but it doesn’t go without its drawbacks. For one, its quantity tends to overwhelm the rest of the sound, making you hear not much other than the bass at some points. They also tend to blend into the lower midrange, making male vocals and instruments like guitars sound thick and lack articulation.
Midrange:
The midrange on the S5 is, having a V-shaped signature, is recessed and distant-sounding. However, despite the heavy bass, is surprisingly clear in certain songs (Ed Sheeran -- Runaway). Of course, that last sentence doesn’t redeem it completely -- the S5’s midrange completely flunks solo piano tracks because of their warmth (Isaac Shepard -- Looking Forward). For midrange-focused genres I can easily recommend several other IEMs just as easily as I would recommend the S5 to EDM lovers.
Treble:
The S5’s treble is lively, snappy, and energetic, providing a nice counterpoint to the thundering bass. It gives the midrange a much needed clarity boost (so at least you can still hear it clearly over the bass), which is a good thing, but at times they do tend to get too lively and bright, which is pretty irritating. This happens in certain tracks, however exactly which ones really comes down to the listener.
Soundstage/Presentation:
The S5’s soundstage is pretty good for a bassy, consumer-sounding IEM. It’s got decent size and air, which is surprising for the IEM that it is. Its presentation is rather intimate, though, so don’t expect too much out of the S5’s soundstage. For what it does, though, it’s more than adequate.
Genre Proficiency:
With my description of the Brainwavz S5 in the previous section, it’s easy to see that these things are a jack-of-all-trades and master of none. Well, that’s where I’m going to stop you. Yes, they play all genres well, but so far, no IEM has ever made me love EDM more than the Brainwavz S5. Really. They play any type of EDM from dubstep to progressive house exceptionally well, with each aspect of their sound signature playing a part to deliver a club right into your ears. It’s practically like calling up all of your favorite DJs and EDM producers into your house for a party for you, you, and only you.
But like I said, these IEMs aren’t all fun and games – they could play classical a lot better than I expected. With Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons (played by the Connecticut Early Music Festival Ensemble), the Brainwavz S5 manages to keep up with the dynamics of each track. In a nutshell, it’s really something. The bass doesn’t take too much prominence in the album, which leaves the midrange shining through with warm, clear beams.
On the other hand, the Brainwavz S5 is a warm IEM, and that warmth can be off-putting in a lot of classical recordings. In this case, it depends more on the recording and affects some more than others, but it’s a quality of the Brainwavz S5 that cannot be ignored. Then again, they still sound pretty great.
Summary:
The Brainwavz S5 immediately wowed me from the very start with a fun, lively sound signature. They had a very energetic, life-of-the-party kind of sound that, to my ears, was amazing and a whole lot of fun to listen to. This was the kind of IEM I was looking for -- something that was lively, something that was fun, something that made you get on your feet and dance, even though you’re the only one listening to the music.
However, the true value of the Brainwavz S5 really comes down to your musical preferences. If you favour clear vocals and instruments, then you should start looking elsewhere since the Brainwavz S5 is not an IEM that will give you that. On the other hand, if you listen to EDM or rap or just want a heavy, energetic sound signature, then look no further.
Other Media
I’ve been gaming with the Brainwavz S5 extensively – mostly racing around in Watch Dogs, but pretty extensively nonetheless. The Brainwavz S5s perform undoubtedly well in this department, with the bass making you really feel the gunfire and the roar of the engine as you zip through the Chicago highway. Vocals come through very clearly, as well. Positional audio is good, but I’m iffy on its performance in more competitive gaming scenarios. They should more than suffice for the average gamer, though. As for the movie buff…I don’t know about you, but I’m clearly going to enjoy watching The Desolation of Smaug again with these babies on.
Value, Comparison
With Brainwavz listing these IEMs at $100, there’s no surprise that the S5s will face a lot of competition, including many amazing IEMs that have earned their place in Head-Fi’ers’ hearts with ease. And these legends I’m talking about? Oh, I don’t know, the Shure SE215, the Yamaha EPH-100, and the HiFiMAN RE-400 Waterline, to name a few. Like I said, these three IEMs are legendary, and that goes without saying. It’s a shame, then, that I have none of them here with me, since they would’ve made for one hell of a shootout. So for now, you guys will have to put up with what I did get to compare.
Versus Monster DNA (~$200)
I always like comparing IEMs with headphones, because aside from their inherent sonic differences, it makes for a great opportunity to see if an IEM has no trouble keeping up with the big leagues. And I’m happy to report that the Brainwavz S5 do just that, and then some.
I really like the Monster DNA for its fun, but audiophile-friendly sound signature packed into a Beats-esque, nightclub-inspired package. The on-ear headphones have a moderate V-shape signature, with great bass and crisp treble without sacrificing too much of the midrange. The Brainwavz S5 takes things a little bit further with its stronger V-shape sound that gives it even more bass power, lively treble that gets too sharp at times, and a more recessed midrange. However, the Brainwavz do improve with better tips, and at its best, they sound nicely balanced and fun, making the S5s and the DNAs not too far apart from each other.
Versus Xiaomi Pistons 2.0 (~$25)
Since I don’t have any proper IEMs that would make fairer matchups for the Brainwavz S5, I thought I’d let my self-proclaimed “King of Ultra-Budget-Fi,” the Xiaomi Pistons 2. Even now, they’re still one of the best all-rounders I’ve ever heard in my audiophile journey, and I know a lot of other Head-Fi’ers would agree with me. They just have this mild V-shaped signature with great clarity in the mids and crisp treble that just blends with the rest of the signature so well. For me, it’s probably the best headphone I’ve ever owned and heard (so far).
Against the Pistons, the Brainwavz S5 gives out the same impression I did when I compared them with the Monster DNA – a stronger V-shaped signature, more powerful bass, hotter treble (which lessens with Comply tips), and a slightly more recessed midrange. Oh, and the S5s sound much warmer than the Pistons. Right now, I’m leaning towards the Brainwavz S5, if only for the fact that the pair I compared the S5s with are my sister’s. That, and at the moment, I’m having too much fun listening to Monstercat 015.
Conclusion
In the end, there’s a lot to like about the Brainwavz S5 – from the look, to the build, to the sound. They’re pretty good all-rounders, and can play all genres fairly well, although you might want to look for something else when you have more specific musical tastes. That means classical lovers, run away – and run away fast. But for someone with an electronic addiction, here’s the doctor’s prescription – take a pair of the Party Pills, once a day, every day. You’ll be having a blast.
| Category | Score | Comment |
| Packaging, Accessories | 8/10 | Solid retail packaging and a treasure trove of useful accessories make for an amazing starter package. |
| Design, Build, Microphonics | 8/10 | All-metal housings, heavy-duty strain reliefs, and solid cable turn the S5 into a tank of an IEM. |
| Fit, Comfort, Isolation | 8/10 | The S5 in general provides an easy and secure fit thanks to its over-ear design. Comfort and isolation are mostly eartip-dependent, but are pretty good with the stock eartips. |
| Microphone | N/A | |
| Bass | 8/10 | The S5’s bass is heavy, deep, and loud, but tends to be bloated and overwhelming. Great for EDM, but not much for everything else. |
| Midrange | 5/10 | The midrange exhibits good clarity, but is recessed, distant, and overly warm. Not very good by audiophile standards, but should do fine for most consumers. |
| Treble | 7/10 | The S5 has a bright and lively treble, although it does tend to get too bright at times. |
| Presentation | 7/10 | Don’t expect too much out of the S5’s soundstage, although to most ears its soundstage is more than adequate. |
| Gaming, Movies | 7/10 | These aren’t the type of IEMs I would use for gaming with its explosive low-end; however, they do perfectly well with cinematic action movies instead. |
| EQ Response | 7/10 | The S5 is pretty easy to EQ, with a little bass adjustment already going a long way. |
| Value | 8/10 | For $100 there’s little to complain about with the S5’s package -- unless you were looking for better vocals, in which case you got the wrong IEM for the job. |
| Total | 7.4/10 | EDM lovers, gather round -- the S5 is one tough IEM to beat if you’re looking for an energetic, fun, in-the-club experience. |
Shout-Outs, Gallery First of all, I want to again thank Audrey at Brainwavz for giving me this huge opportunity to review their latest IEM. You can check out some of the other pictures I took of the S5 here, and you can click here for more headphone reviews. This has been thatBeatsguy of DB Headphones; thanks for reading!
About Brainwavz “At Brainwavz we have a simple mission, to produce innovative, high quality audio products with a dedicated focus on high-end sound at a realistic price. Our strength, success and product range is built on our unique relationship with our customers and users, a relationship that has produced a simple and obvious result. We give real-users real sound quality. 2014 will see Brainwavz pushing forward with an expanded product line, continuing with unique and innovative products, from earphones to headphones to audio accessories.”
yalper
I think S5 has more reviews, than it sells
thatBeatsguy
LOL.
To be honest, I can't help but agree.
XD
HawkEye0701
I didn't know that they come free with a cute pup XD
Nice review.
thatBeatsguy
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Great sound. Great looks. A rock-bottom price.
Cons: Durability *could* be better.
Disclaimer
Please note that I am not affiliated with Xiaomi in any way, though you could consider me an "endorser" of this product.
I was neither paid nor given a review sample by Xiaomi; this pair was purchased personally. Also, do take note that most of the review is my personal opinion, and it should be treated as such; also, the impressions from this review can and will change, so please take this review with a grain of salt.
Intro
My, how time flies. I’ve spent almost an entire year on Head-Fi, and I have to say, I’ve learned a lot. Much to my dismay (and to the joy of my wallet), I’ve suppressed many urges to purchase more pairs of headphones – though, admittedly, it was mostly my parents who did that for me. But anyway, knowing that my 1st-year anniversary on Head-Fi is nearing, I thought I’d revisit all of the headphones I have amassed over that year, starting with the Xiaomi Pistons.
I’m sure many of you who’ve been to the Xiaomi Pistons Thread [link] have heard of the so-called “2.1” version, as well as the commemorative iF Edition. For this revision of what you could say is the first review of the Pistons, I’m going to address these new versions.
But enough talk; let’s get to the review!
Appearance, Design, Accessories
The Xiaomi Pistons are, without a doubt, beautiful. Their machined aluminum housings are painted in the dazzling color of gold (now more silver in the iF Edition), seamlessly matching with any owner of the iPhone 5S (I do not own one, so no pictures for you
). Their color is also cleverly accented in their chocolate-brown Kevlar and silicone cable. From the pictures alone, you could see just how beautiful these IEMs are. But underneath that dazzling exterior is a gem waiting to be unleashed. Technically, it’s supposed to be a metal, but never mind.
But what is this metal, you ask? This metal is called beryllium.
“Beryllium, atomic number 4, atomic weight of 9.012182, is the lightest of the alkaline earth metals. Under normal conditions, it has a light steel gray color. Beryllium alloy is lighter than conventional aluminum and titanium, is four times the strength of steel, and is an indispensable material in nuclear energy, rockets, missiles, aviation, and metallurgy. It has stable mechanical properties, and it has strength and hardness that can only be cut with diamonds. Compared to titanium, beryllium alloy is three times harder, 1.5 times lighter, and has up to 3 times faster transmission speed. It is also 100 times more expensive.
The new Xiaomi Pistons’ diaphragms utilize the hardest of all metallic elements (which is nearly 5 times more expensive than gold) through a high-tech process to create the world’s first beryllium diaphragm earphone. Xiaomi partnered with its in-house design team to develop a new type of headphone diaphragm using this beryllium alloy. The beryllium diaphragm, using a vacuum-coating process, perfectly utilizes the light, rigid, and flexible beryllium, with a resulting thickness of only 2 µm. As a result, the new Pistons have a wider and smoother frequency response, enhancing the high treble range from 10 KHz to 20 KHz. (In contrast, earphone roll-off typically occurs from 10 KHz onwards.) The beryllium diaphragm also enhances the bass region, making it cleaner, tighter, clearer, and more stable, without interfering with the higher frequencies.
Beryllium diaphragms have been used in only a handful of high-end audio products, such as JBL’s top-of-the-line flagship speaker, the JBL K2 S9800, which is priced as high as 250,000元 (approx. $40,000 USD). And because of this beryllium diaphragm now used in the new Xiaomi Pistons, its sound quality can be significantly improved.”
(Source. Translation may not be fully accurate.)
Well, from what you just read, there’s no doubt that beryllium is one “wonder metal.” However, it is extremely rare, which still makes me wonder how Xiaomi managed to manufacture so many Pistons with such a rare metal as beryllium. We don’t have the answer to that yet, so let’s just leave that as one of the many questions for the ages.
Now, let’s move on to the box. The box is special in a lot of ways. First, it’s an exquisite work of art per se. Its flaps unfold, one after the other, to reveal the Pistons in their box and the instruction manual. Second, it’s really, really small. Just how Apple would make them. And finally, the box itself is the manual. Yes, you read that right – pretty much everything you need to know about the Pistons is right there on that box. Plus, you aren’t given anything close to marketing or advertising. That box is special, without a doubt. And that’s not even the gist of it.
The box containing the Pistons is also a work of art. Its plastic cover would very easily be passed up as glass – except they aren’t fragile in the slightest. Lifting the cover off, you see the Pistons in their chocolate-brown travel case custom-molded out of silky-smooth silicone. (If you ever get tired of that chocolate brown, you could always buy one separately in blue, pink, and yellow.)
The eartips in the box, along with the clip, and the box
Lifting the travel case out, you’re greeted with three pairs of tips – a small pair, large pair, and a bass-ported dual-flange pair. Now, this is where things get a tad confusing. The tips I mentioned only apply to the 2.0 set – that is, if you’ve purchased a pair before around late March of 2014. If you’ve purchased a pair after that, then you will most likely have the so-called 2.1 version (it is so-called because it is an unofficial term used around Head-Fi). Of course, let’s not forget about the commemorative iF Edition of the Pistons after having received the iF Product Design Award. If you’ve purchased either the 2.1 or the iF version, then in those cases you will receive small, medium, and large pairs of single-flange tips. We will come back to this later on in the review to further clean things up.
Appearance: 9/10
Design: 8/10
Accessories: 8/10
Build, Fit, Comfort
See that accent? That's beauty right there.
The build on the Xiaomi Pistons is something you would not or cannot expect from a sub-20 dollar IEM. With gold on the housings it’s surprising that you’d get this type of beauty from an IEM at this price. The gold is also accented perfectly with the chocolate brown on the cable and the tips. I don’t know about you, but the color scheme seems to match up well with the Sennheiser HD598.
They certainly look as fragile as a piece of jewelry (and they are gems in their own right), but they certainly aren’t. Its Kevlar-reinforced cable has endured lethal yanks and tugs that would probably snap inferior cables. Though I’ve treated them well (so far XD), some accidents were unavoidable and thus they’ve suffered some hard knocks which rendered them unworthy of the photographs. That's why my sister has taken a lot of photographs from her new iF Edition Pistons which are still in perfect condition. Hopefully those will suffice.
The fit on the Pistons are rather fiddly and take some time to get used to. Unlike a lot of IEMs that sound better with a deep fit, the Pistons’ default tips would very much prefer a shallow fit which doesn’t go too far into the ear. Doing so will break the seal and leave you with a tinny sound, devoid of bass. Getting the seal just right should at least make you able to hear what I’m hearing.
Since you’ve most likely purchased the 2.1 Pistons by now (considering the date of this updated review), you should have the new sets of tips in the box. The silicone tips found in both the 2.1 and the iF Pistons are thicker, stiffer, and stronger than the ones in the 2.0 set. Their increased stiffness should be able to give you a better seal with less effort, and allow for a deeper fit than the flimsy-feeling tips of the 2.0 Pistons.
However (with a tip of the hat to user [b]1clearhead[/b]), you could also try the size “M” tips inside the box. This pair of tips are smaller than the regular tips on the Pistons and thus allow for a significantly deeper fit than what you could get with the regular tips without breaking the seal. However, these “M” tips require you to use a deeper fit, as a shallow fit might give the Pistons a hollow sound as opposed to a properly-sealed fit. Also, you might encounter some discomfort from the housings of the Pistons touching your ears because of this deeper fit; the best way to counter that problem is to wear the Pistons around-the-ear, like so:
As for comfort, I believe that the Xiaomi Pistons are great in this regard. Their silicone tips are soft and, as Xiaomi puts it, derived from “pacifier-grade silicone.” With the update to the tips in the 2.1 version, comfort is significantly improved. However, there have been some reports of people noticing discomfort from the housing of the Pistons touching their ears. It is an issue, yes, but like I said in the disclaimer at the top of this review: YMMV.
Build: 8.5/10
Fit: 7.5/10
Comfort: 8.5/10
Isolation, Microphonics
I wouldn’t rate the Pistons very high in this area, though I wouldn’t rate them too low, either. Sound leakage is very little, if any (characteristic of most IEMs), but the isolation is not what you would expect of an IEM. Of course, not a lot of IEMs have the -30 dB of isolation that Etymotic earphones have; but all things considered, the Pistons isolate well for most situations, like parties and walks out in the city streets. In fact, they even isolate better than my over-ear headphones.
Isolation: 8.5/10
Microphonics: 8/10
Microphone
Oh yes, I almost forgot; did I ever mention the fact that the Xiaomi Pistons have an in-line remote and mic? No? Well, maybe I said it in the older review, but not in this new version until now. Yes, there is a three-button remote and mic situated in a rather tricky position on the cable (the resulting cable left between the remote to the earphone housings is quite short).
On the other hand, that’s about the only gripe I’ve found with the remote so far. Now, on with the plus points. The Pistons’ remote is very useful because it is compatible with both Android and Apple devices. However, functionality is limited on both platforms. Most Android phones can work with all three buttons, but what are supposed to be volume buttons are considered forward/rewind buttons. That makes them essentially useless since the middle button, used for Pause/Play, also does the same forward/rewind functions with a double press and triple press, respectively. On Apple devices the volume buttons do not work, leaving the middle button the only functional one. Apparently the only devices that utilize all three buttons properly are Xiaomi’s devices.
But there is one thing to note: the microphone still works. Yes, you read that right – the mic works with all devices without a hitch. And the best part? They sound pretty damn good. They sound clear over multiplayer games, chat sessions, and even recordings on GarageBand. Now that’s functionality.
Score: 8.5/10
Audio: Preamble
And now, for the most important section in the entire review. I worked hard on this one, so I really do hope what comes out will be the most precise reviews I’ve ever written. But before we begin, I would like to address a few things:
Modification
Yes, I have, in fact, modified my pair of Xiaomi Pistons. That alone is enough to significantly alter the results of the review. However, though I do not own another pair, my sister owns an iF Edition pair, and she has submitted them in for review. So with that, I’d like to give a big thank-you to her for providing the pair.
iF Edition vs. 2.1
I would also like to address the issue about the iF Edition Pistons supposedly sounding “brighter” than the 2.1 and 2.0 Pistons. Yes, some people have reported that they did, in fact, notice that the iF Edition sounded brighter than that of the Pistons. However, from my personal experience, I did not notice a difference between either. I have said this multiple times to the many people who asked, and some also reported the same results. Hopefully soon the “rumours” will subside and all will be well. Now, with all that cleared up, let’s begin!
Test Tracks
When writing headphone reviews, you never settle on just one album. You have to take a wide variety of genres and listen to each and every one of them to see just how good the headphones really are. Well, that’s what I did with my test tracks playlist. Over the past couple of years, I’ve collected various albums of various genres from various artists, which should help a lot in getting me that “precise review” I promised earlier. Below is the list, in a fancy table inspired by the tables which a lot of other great reviewers utilize.
Album
Artist
Genre
Format
Ariana Grande
Yours Truly
R&B, Pop
MP3 320 kbps
Ben Prunty
Faster Than Light: OST
Electronica, Score
MP3 320 kbps
Carpenters, The
The Ultimate Collection
Easy Listening, Pop
MP3 320 kbps
Chesky Records
Antonio Vivaldi: The Four Seasons
Classical, Binaural
ALAC
Cliff Richard
Still Reelin’ and A-Rockin’: Live in Sydney, The Ultimate Collection
Rock & Roll, Live
MP3 320 kbps
Daft Punk
Random Access Memories
Electronica, Disco
ALAC
Darren Korb
Bastion Original Soundtrack
Acoustic Trip-Hop, Score
ALAC
Eagles, The
Hell Freezes Over
Acoustic, Rock, Live
ALAC
HAL Laboratory, Inc.
Kirby’s Epic Yarn: The Epic Soundtrack
Acoustic, Score
MP3 VBR V2
John Robert Matz
Ryan Ike
Francisco Cerda
Gunpoint: The Soundtrack
Jazz, Score
ALAC
Katy Perry
PRISM
Pop
MP3 320 kbps
Krewella
Get Wet
House, Dubstep
MP3 320 kbps
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
The Heist
Rap, Hip-Hop
MP3 320 kbps
Michael Jackson
Bad, Dangerous, Thriller, Xscape
Pop
ALAC
Pink
The Truth About Love
Rock, Pop
MP3 VBR V0
Secrets of Kaplan
The E.P.
Indie Rock
MP3 VBR V0
Skrillex
Bangarang EP, Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites EP, More Monsters and Sprites EP
Dubstep, House
MP3 320 kbps
Sungha Jung
Paint It Acoustic
Solo Guitar, New Age
AAC 256 kbps
Various Artists
Dissidia: Final Fantasy Original Soundtrack, Final Fantasy XIII Original Soundtrack
Various, Score
MP3 320 kbps
Yiruma
The Best: Reminiscent 10th Anniversary Edition
Solo Piano, New Age
ALAC
张伟珈
把梦写给你
Acoustic, Pop
MP3 320 kbps
Review Process
These headphones are subjected to a particularly “hands-on” review process. I never leave them standing out on a stand with pink noise played into them; I always listen to them and hear the changes as time goes by. However, as I hear these changes while they burn-in, there is also the phenomenon called “brain burn-in,” or better known as placebo. I take this into account as I write the reviews, and revise if necessary.
The writing of the review takes at least three days’ worth of work, which is spanned out over the course of a week. Since the mind’s impression of the same headphones can change depending on the time of day, I will also take these into account and combine them into one summarized consensus from multiple tests.
Also, I will be making three different reviews, each with their own focus. The first review focuses on reviewing each of the aspects of the sound signature (bass, mids, soundstage, etc.), while the second one will be focusing on which genres it works best with. The third one is mostly a summary and reviews its general performance in media outside of music (games, movies, etc.) as well as its performance when amplified and equalized. From this alone it doesn’t really make much sense, but hopefully by reading the review you’ll understand.
Equipment
Equipment used in the review is an iPad 3, sending the music straight to the Pistons, unamped. In the amplification assessment a Yamaha RX-V359 home theater amp is used. As for the equalization test the EQu app is used.
Audio: Sound Quality
As mentioned in the title, this section will revolve around reviewing each of the sonic aspects of the Xiaomi Pistons. The total score for this section is 100 points.
Bass
In tracks like “Lose Yourself to Dance” and “Birthday,” the Pistons demonstrated its ability to bring you accurate and yet powerful bass. The bass guitar’s tone still manages to stay audible and accurate despite the powerful kick drum in the former track. However, I would like to note that they do tend to be muddy in the lower midrange, and they can be rather overpowering at times to the uninitiated.
To summarize it, I could easily say that the Pistons are friendly for anyone’s ears – enough kick for bassheads and non-audiophiles, while tight enough for a lot of audiophiles.
Score: 17/20
Midrange
The general consensus on the midrange of the Xiaomi Pistons is rather mixed; those who don’t like it say that they are too recessed, while those who do say that they’re just fine because they are a consumer-friendly IEM. I, for one, absolutely love the midrange on these Pistons because the very first time I heard them, they had this…unreal clarity to them which all of my other headphones did not have.
On beautiful, iconic piano tracks like “River Flows in You” and “Kiss the Rain,” you could literally feel the emotion put into the recordings as the notes flow into your mind. This clarity is also exhibited in some of the tracks from Paint It Acoustic like “Fanoe” and “The Merry-go-Round of Life.”
Overall, the midrange is lush, rich, and despite being slightly muddy in the lower end, is crystal-clear.
Score: 18/20
Treble
The treble area, for me, is a rather confusing aspect of the sound signature. At first, they sound crisp, lively, and sparkly without being too sibilant (in other words, they’re just right for me). However, at one point, I noticed that the treble gave way to both the midrange and the bass. They became less crisp and sparkly, and they were not as I remembered it the first time. I cannot say what caused this sudden change, but right now, I’m going to blame it on placebo. Right now, as I listen to my sister’s two week-old pair, I seem to perceive that crisp treble I was looking for. It’s unexplainable, but like I said, it’s probably just placebo.
To sum that up, the Pistons’ treble is crisp, lively, and has enough sparkle for most people without getting too sibilant.
Score: 18/20
Soundstage
The soundstage on the Pistons is yet another plus point. Its soundstage is wide and airy, though I couldn’t say anything particular about its depth. To best describe it, the soundstage extends well out to the sides, but has trouble defining front and back. Nonetheless, the Pistons have a great soundstage which is much, much better than certain consumer-friendly headphones about, say, 20 times the price (say, Beats).
Score: 17/20
Imaging
The imaging ability of the Pistons are probably one of their biggest selling points. That’s because they image so well it’s insane. Even on Daft Punk’s “Touch,” which is one of the most complex tracks I’ve ever heard, the Pistons manage to separate the instruments enough to distinguish them from each other and not like some jumbled-up mess. And for a pair of IEMs at 25 dollars, that’s not just something worth noting; it’s an achievement. This imaging and separation ability is something you just notice when you put them on and play a track. While listening to “Fanoe,” a guitar duet, you could very easily pinpoint the two guitarists’ positions without even thinking about it.
I don’t think I even need to sum this up; they’re simply amazing.
Score: 19/20
Audio: Genre Mastery
In this section, we focus on the Pistons’ proficiency in various genres, assessing which does and doesn’t sound best on the budget IEMs. The total score for this section is 75 points. In this section, instead of paragraphs upon paragraphs of text, you will be treated to yet another fancy-looking graph courtesy of yours truly. Note that I will not try to restate the qualities of the Pistons in this review; instead I will focus on how much I enjoy the music and how the Pistons’ overall sound signature lends to that enjoyment.
Genre
Score
Summary
Dubstep | Drum & Bass
4/5 Both genres are flawlessly executed by the Pistons in all of my test tracks. In tracks such as Krewella’s “Dancing With the Devil,” it demonstrates its beautiful sub-bass rumble at the drop with ease. On DnB, the genre’s characteristic complex drum patterns are played through without the IEMs breaking a sweat.
Electronica | Disco
5/5 There’s no experience quite like listening to your favorite song for the very first time. And it’s very rare for that to happen again since, well, it was your first time. But some headphones manage to sound so euphonic, so beautiful, that it gives you that kind of feeling. One of those headphones is the Xiaomi Piston.
On Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories, my all-time favorite album, the Pistons simply blow me away. There isn’t much of a reason behind this; it just sounds so beautiful, that even though I’ve listened to the entire album over 20 times in the past four months, it doesn’t get old. It’s that good.
Rock | Alternative | Indie
4/5 Honestly, I wasn’t a fan of rock music at first, because I thought it was just loud and rather obnoxious. That was until I watched a DVD of Pink’s concert somewhere. Things changed after that, and rock is now one of my more liked genres.
On Pink’s “Timebomb,” the drums come through with great prominence, clashing with the guitars and bass. It was in this song that I first noticed the recessed mids of the Pistons. Then again, I didn’t think of it as a major issue. On alternative and indie rock, this issue didn’t reveal itself as the tracks I tested them with were clearer in the midrange. Still, I had a lot of fun listening to the music.
Rap | Hip-Hop
4/5 I don’t have many great rap tracks to test the IEMs with, however, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ “The Heist” is more than a decent album for testing. Listening to “Jimmy Iovine,” a song that I love for its rumbling sub-bass, the Pistons deliver that rumbling sub-bass with great extension and rumble. Though the meanings of those lyrics in each of the album’s songs isn’t exactly clear at first, the actual lyrics shine through with exceptional clarity, every time.
Jazz
4/5 Listening to Ryan Ike’s “The Five-Floor Goodbye” and “’Round Gunpoint,” I’ve almost come to a conclusion with the headphones. Though I haven’t gotten to the acoustic genres quite yet, they handled jazz (a predominantly acoustic genre) with ease. The upright bass sounded beautifully on these jazz tracks. The saxophone on “’Round Gunpoint” was what really impressed me during the test. They were clear and shone through like a diamond.
Mainstream Pop
4/5 Mainstream Pop, as I like to call it, refers to Top 40 hits, which should be more than descriptive enough. I don’t really need to re-describe the Pistons’ strengths here, as they perform flawlessly to my ears, every time.
Classic Pop
4.5/5 Classic Pop, on the other hand, refers to pop back in the day – say, the 70s to 80s. Michael Jackson’s music is a great example. I have to say, I enjoy classic pop music more than those in the mainstream (except for some really great songs) even though I’m a kid born into the 2000s. There are just some discerning qualities that separate classic pop from today’s Top 40, most notably the ever-present Auto-Tune. That, and the instruments back in the day were very…back in the day, so it had an air of nostalgia to it as well.
R&B | Soul
4/5 R&B, to me, is a very nostalgic genre since I’d listened to a lot of it a decade ago. But over the years, though there have been some R&B albums, they weren’t as good as the ones back in the 90s were. That was until Ariana Grande’s Yours Truly was released. It really took me back to those days where I listened to my dad’s Wharfedale speakers on the weekends.
Acoustic
4/5 There are a lot of acoustic genres, I have to admit, but I use this term when I refer to music which doesn’t really have a definite genre to it. The majority of songs on the sole Chinese album in my playlist is a good example. The Eagles’ unplugged version of “Hotel California” is also a great example, though it also fits into the Live section. In both albums, the Pistons’ soundstage plays a huge part in the immersion and overall enjoyment. It’s just great.
New Age
4.5/5 This genre is a little confusing, since a lot of New Age songs are predominantly electronic, and is simply ambient. However, my usage of the term New Age refers to Solo Guitar and Solo Piano. I think I’ve already mentioned just how beautiful the Pistons sound on both genres, so I guess I’ll just leave it at that – it’s amazing.
Acoustic Score
4/5 I’m a big fan of VGM and OSTs, and I’ve brought up quite a collection, so I thought it’d be cool to separate them into three genres on their own. Acoustic Score evidently refers to score that is predominantly acoustic. The Epic Soundtrack from Kirby’s Epic Yarn is a good example of this genre, as it comprises of a lot of Latin-inspired music. The album conveys a really calm, soothing vibe, which lets you just sit back and enjoy the show.
Electronic Score
5/5 The FTL Soundtrack is a great example of an electronic score – an ambient, space-age soundtrack with elements of chiptune thrown into the mix. Its echoing synths give a great sense of space, which is beautifully reproduced by the Pistons’ amazing imaging and soundstage.
Orchestral Score
4/5 Orchestral Scores aren’t really my cup of tea when it comes to just listening to the music, but they make great accompaniments to the media that they’re featured in. However, I would make an exception for the diverse and beautiful music from the Final Fantasy game series, especially the 13th game and Dissidia, which comprises of all sorts of arrangements of many of the popular and iconic songs of the series. It was a lot of fun to listen to, both on and off the game, and I enjoyed it.
Classical
4/5 I’m not a fan of classical music, though I find myself needing to listen to it for the sake of testing the headphones. For that, I’ve selected Antonio Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, recorded by the legendary Dr. Chesky. Every headphone audiophile knows him for his crazy binaural recordings, which give you an extremely realistic listening experience.
In this album, I count the instruments as less than 15, with probably 3 violins on the left, a harpsichord, and the rest comprised of cellos, violas, a flute, and maybe a lute or harp. It’s binaural albums like these which really test the soundstage and imaging limits of headphones, and the Pistons pass to my ears with flying colours. Of course, its soundstage will never be able to match that of open headphones, but it’s pretty amazing nonetheless.
Live
4/5 Finally, we enter live performances. These albums also test the soundstage and imaging capabilities of headphones because of the audience, which more often than not makes you feel like you’re in there. I know for a fact that speakers are capable of this without breaking a sweat with the right placement and positioning, but when it comes to headphones, things become more complicated. But like binaural recordings, the Pistons demonstrate their exceptional imaging ability, which more often than not makes you feel like you’re there at the concert.
Total
63.5/75 (4.2/5) Overall, I give the Pistons a solid 4 because of their versatility with pretty much any genre you throw at it. Apparently, you could label it as a jack-of-all-trades, but it isn’t exactly a master of none – it performs really well on electronic genres.
Audio: Miscellaneous Tests
For the third and final audio assessment, we will be focusing on the Xiaomi Pistons’ performance in areas outside of music, such as in movies and games. Also, we will be evaluating their scalability when it comes to amplification and equalization. This section is, well, miscellaneous, but you will find them still useful.
Gaming
Note: The games used in this assessment are Team Fortress 2 and Minecraft. The audio is sent to the earphones through HDMI to a Samsung LED monitor’s audio output jack, which doesn’t really have much of a difference compared to my Creative Sound Blaster 5.1 VX card except for a louder output sound.
I personally don’t use IEMs for gaming purposes, mostly since I either use my speakers or my Razer Kraken to do the job. But in retrospect, the Pistons performed well while playing games. Despite most of the action happening in front of me, the Pistons’ imaging abilities were still challenged when I got close to the enemy fort. Though I didn’t get to play high-quality games like Battlefield 4 during the tests, TF2 was still decent, and the sounds were still realistic (as in direction and volume).
On Minecraft, things were a tad worse because the audio tracks were kept at the same volume, so it was a little harder to know how far the enemy is. But then again, positional audio was still accurate, and the Pistons actually handled it well during a multiplayer session with my sister (who also has Pistons).
Score: 8/10
Movies
I never watch movies using headphones. It’s mostly because I watch them with my family, and I don’t like watching alone. Also, I just like the feel of a movie theater in my home. But, for this review and your sake, I took to watching the recent episode of Game of Thrones.
Honestly, I wasn’t really impressed with the audio quality, mostly because the amp had a constant hissing which took away some from the experience. But hardware gripes aside, the Pistons were good at most. The really long Game of Thrones intro was fun, though, and it never really gets old.
Score: 7/10
Amplification
The Xiaomi Pistons, like most IEMs, do not require amplification and can be driven easily out of a smartphone. However, during the amplification test, I noticed that the extra power gave them a tad more of a three-dimensional soundstage, as well as improving the low-end. Aside from that, I hear no glaring differences or improvements in sound signature.
Score: 7/10
Equalization
As mentioned in the Audio: Preamble section, the equalization tool used is the EQu app, a visual equalizer. It doesn’t have the same power or effectiveness as a parametric equalizer, yet still gets the job done. Although the Pistons sound perfectly fine without any EQ, they were pretty EQ friendly and improved with a treble boost (EQ preset on iOS).
Score: 8/10
Comparison
No review would be complete without something to compare the headphones to, right? Wrong. No, I’m just kidding – comparisons are probably the best way to rank the headphones and secure their place in the many hundreds if not thousands of headphones and IEMs. And the Xiaomi Pistons are no less.
These budget IEMs hold their ground against all sorts of headphones far above its price range. In fact, they even sound better than that of the new Beats Studio, priced at 300 dollars, which is more than 10 times the price of the Pistons. They could take on more than just Beats, however – I find that they stand their ground against popular audiophile headphones such as the Monster DNA, the B&W P7, and the Sony MA900. Of course, nowadays there are a lot of headphones that do the same thing the Pistons do and more, but these Chinese-made IEMs are still in a league of their own: the league of Chinese-made IEMs.
Conclusion
The Xiaomi Pistons are, without a doubt, IEMs with an inhuman price-to-performance ratio. Long before the advent of the Pistons hype train, many people have agreed that there are a lot of Chinese manufacturers with superb quality and a rock-bottom price – something that many headphones in the West fail to achieve. The Pistons have a very fun and lively signature which works with basically any genre you throw at it, although it has an affinity with electronic music in particular.
Score Tally
Below is a list of the final scores, filled out in yet another beautiful graph. I just can’t get enough of these spreadsheets and tables. But don’t worry; this should be the last one…
Category:
Sub-categories
Score:
Final Score:
Aesthetics
Appearance | Design | Accessories | Build | Fit | Comfort | Isolation | Microphonics | Microphone
74.5/90
8.3/10
Audio: Sound Quality
Bass | Mids | Treble | Soundstage | Imaging
89/100
8.9/10
Audio: Genre Mastery
Dubstep, D&B | Electronica, Disco | Rock, Alternative, Indie | Rap, Hip-Hop | Jazz | Mainstream Pop | Classic Pop | R&B, Soul | Acoustic | New Age | Acoustic Score | Electronic Score | Orchestral Score | Classical | Live
63.5/75
8.4/10
Audio: Miscellaneous Tests
Gaming | Movies | Amplification | Equalization
30/40
7.5/10
Grand Total:
82.8/100
8.3/10
Shout-Outs
First of all, I would like to thank my sister again for putting up with all the IEM photo session delays and for lending me her pair of Pistons for review. She’s a really talented photographer, and she’s got raw skill inside of her, even behind a simple Canon Ixus digicam.
I would also like to thank [b]bhazard[/b] because without him, I probably wouldn’t have known about the Pistons, and therefore would never have been able to write this review. His extensive knowledge of Chinese-branded headphones and IEMs has opened my eyes to the many hundreds of awesome pairs that were so close to home.
Finally, I would also like to thank all of the awesome guys at the Discovery Thread, Chinese Brand Thread, and the Audiophile Bass Lounge (the three groups the Pistons manage to fall into). You guys are some of the coolest people I’ve ever met, and this is over the Internet, so that makes you guys all the more cool. Thank you for your support and guidance in my now year-long headphone journey. Of course, I ain’t stopping here – there are far too many headphones left to try out in the world, I wouldn’t want to miss any of them!
Gallery
The rest of this section is dedicated to pictures taken by my lovely and very talented younger sister. I really hope you enjoy this new round of pictures, which takes her pair of the iF Edition Pistons into the spotlight. Of course, for comparison, you should also check out the images of the 2.0 version of the Pistons here (link will be added soon).
Badelhas
Thanks for that geeky explanation
XipeTotec
Nice review, very useful. I was searching for an IEM which valorize mid and high ranges. I have a Sennheiser CX 300 ii, which is fantastic in comfort and isolation, but unfortunately boost bass frequencies too much. I'll give Pistons a try. Moreover you tested them with a wide range of music so they can fit me like a glove.
ina812
Hi,this is Ina from UMI DIGI CO.,which bring finest headphones and smartphones such as UMI VOIX,UMI ZERO,UMI HAMMER.
I really like your reviews on Xiaomi pistion and actually our new headphone will be lauched this July so It will be our honor if you could do reviews about it.
My email address is ina@91umi.com, Look forward to hearing from you soon Thanks
thatBeatsguy
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Powerful Bass, clear Midrange, somewhat mellow highs. You can get these for lower than half of the retail price online.
Cons: Colored sound isn't for audiophiles.
Overview:
The Beats Pro is the Beats' top-of-the-line model, with a lofty price tag of $400. However, its price, along with Beats' reputation with being a hated-on brand, hides the fact that it actually sounds great. That hate reaches out far across the Internet, where trolls and hate fill every Beats-related thread. I'm almost certain that at least three-quarters of Beats trolls haven't listened to them once in their life (even if they say that they did). Even at Head-Fi, the Beats are a hated brand, but not as much as anywhere else. I've found a handful of other people across the Internet that actually appreciate the Beats, but since the trolling is so prevalent, finding them is harder than hard.
Many people, including me, acknowledge that the Beats line is really overpriced. But do they really sound that bad? In the Studio's and Solo's cases, yes. But what about the Pros? Let's find out.
In the Box:
The box, aside from being large, is unremarkable. Its contents include:
- The headphones, of course
- A traveling pouch
- A thick, 6-foot-long cable with a telephone-like coil at the end which extends its length to about 7 ft.
- A cleaning cloth with so-called "Microbe Shield Technology"
- Literature
Design:
The Beats line has been notorious for being mostly a fashion accessory than anything else. Many of their endorsers are pure crap (Lady Gaga, Lil' Wayne, and...I just won't say it). Even then, their style and design can be easily called the best. The size, along with its two-tone gray/black color scheme, accented by the Beats 'b', easily makes this a head-turning, eye-catching pair. The pair also has swivel-up earcups that can be handy for DJs, as well as two jacks. You can't have multiple inputs with these, but the jack that isn't used as input becomes an output jack, so you could form a daisy chain.
These headphones have pretty plush pleather cushions, though they will get warm (or possibly sweaty) in the summer while you wear them. The pair is also made almost entirely out of aluminum - solid aluminum, actually, which makes them a great heavy-duty pair. There's a catch to its almighty strength, however - since the frame, earcups, hinges, and headband are all made of solid aluminum inside-out, the pair is remarkably heavy (about 14 ounces). If you plan to buy this for long listening sessions, prepare your neck.
Audio Quality:
Now, for the main event. Before I begin, please note that I don't have any other pair for comparison. Call me a poor guy, I don't mind; I really don't have any other pair, so if you think that a comparison is missing, blame this on my poor self. However, I do have a wide variety of audio sources, four of which I'll use and list below:
- Audio: MP3 @ 320 kbps (Electronic, Hip-Hop, Rap, Dubstep, Acoustic Rock, Pop, Acoustic Jazz, Solo Piano)
- Game Soundtrack
- Digital Piano - Aux-Out and 1/4" headphone jack
- Source: iPod Touch 4G, with stock music app set at "Flat" EQ
- PSP-3000, games only
- Stock laptop audio card
- Yamaha P-105
- Amp: N/A
I'll be listening in to the genres that I listen to (listed above), starting with Electronica. In Daft Punk's "Get Lucky," the bass is remarkably powerful, as with all of the Beats models preceding it, but it doesn't muddy up the performance. It stays on its own, without muddying up everything else. The mids are clear and sound great with the bass. Vocals resonate well and have a good echo. The high range is quite detailed for a pair of Beats, but rolls off at higher levels. For a pair of Beats, this has a stellar sound signature; but for a pair of headphones in general, not so much.
Rap and Hip-Hop songs have a powerful kick drum, and that is well augmented with the Beats. Dubstep, whose bass lines get muddied up in crappy headphones like the Solos, are well-reproduced through the Pros. In the electronic side of the music spectrum, the Beats Pros shine in nearly every genre on this side.
However, this shine easily fades on the other side of the spectrum, where acoustic instruments reside. Acoustic songs require a large soundstage, but the Beats Pro's closed-back design makes it unsuitable for this. Also, it doesn't have that much detail when compared to other headphones in its price range. However, I really like the headphones' performance in the Solo Piano, Acoustic Rock, and Acoustic Jazz areas. The pair has enough detail to reveal much of the nuances of the piano, which also shows in the Acoustic Rock and Jazz areas, where the vocal range is refined and sounds great, and the background instruments can be heard with little effort. However, as far as soundstage is concerned, its soundstage is rather small and resembles a studio, which fits in with the genres I listen to, but for orchestral pieces, I would suggest steering clear of these.
Even in games, the Beats asserts its powerful bass. Audio effects are accurately reproduced, albeit with more emphasis on the low end. Voices are clear and sound as if you're right there. The orchestral sound found in games like Dissidia 012 sound quite wide, considering my previous trifle with its small soundstage. The piano's sound also doesn't disappoint, with commanding bass and accurate highs that accentuate the already stunning detail that I've experienced while listening through this pair.
Conclusion:
The Beats Pro was the first step in my quest for great audio. They're a sturdy, heavy pair of cans that have been weathered with constant hate over the reputation and price of this pair. However, this pair shines - and shines well - in its ability to reproduce great (though colored) sound in the electronic side of the spectrum; also, it doesn't disappoint in select areas of the acoustic side, either.
There are some things to consider debating before buying it, however:
- Its lack of a wide soundstage makes it unsuitable for orchestral pieces; for this I would recommend the Yamaha PRO 500.
- Weighing in at nearly a pound, its weight can break necks, until you get used to it. It may have heavy clamping force at first, but hanging it on a sofa can help to loosen it up while burning in. To address the weight issue, I would recommend the Beats Mixrs, whose soundstage and signature is almost identical to the Pros, albeit in a smaller, lighter package.
- Its price is phenomenal and sky-high. However, if you know where to look, you can find the Beats Pros for half price (or even lower) online. As an example, I got my pair online for about $125.
For me and my love of electronic-based music, plus an unbeatable discount price, the Beats Pro was a steal. For those who share my love for electronica, don't be fooled by its high price; you can always turn to the Internet for great prices - and you may just get yourself a deal.
kyuuketsuki
To be fair Amber, even Tyll said they weren't terrible headphones, even possibly good for DJing purposes. So at the price point of $125, I can totally see these being rated as 4.5 stars.
AmberOzL
I demoed them too, unfortunately I have friends who paid 300 euros for them. So I really took my time and demoed them. I am sorry but as long as it is something more than 75 80 euros, it is overpriced. About overall rating, even for the price, it seems too much to me. I said it in this way because I did hear muddy very muddy performance unlike the author. Comfort was an issue, build quality was an issue. Studio's seem to be more durable than Solo HD's but I would still suggest to baby them instead of using rough. I really can't give many positive things about them. I say, they are pretty much better than 50 euros cans, but def. not worth more than 100 euros or so. That's how it sounded to my ears. About Tyll, well I do respect him a lot and I always follow his reviews and trust his opinions but even for DJing, I would think something else than Beats.
I must add, the only Beats I liked is Mixr's but still wouln't pay for them either.
kyuuketsuki
We are talking about the Beats Pro... Not the Studios or the Solos. Neither of those are even worth mentioning. This is specifically about the Pros, which feel well built (though I've heard some people have had wire clipping issues with the folding mechanism). Again, these aren't TERRIBLE, but not good either. It's been a while since I last listened, but I do recall not being completely disappointed with the SQ.
And in the case that you feel that at the price of $125 (which is just about 75% off of MSRP) (Which to be honest I'd start to consider the possibility of being a fake) it is still too high of a rating, that is your opinion. The reviewer has his own opinion.
And personally, if I got them at that price, I'd sell them for a profit. I personally can't stand Beats, no matter how good the price is. It isn't my style nor preferred sound signature. But I do know many people who would actually like the signature of the Pros, and if they could be got at $150, there is nothing in that price range that has similar style or sound. (Better sound yes, possibly with the same sound signature, but Beats are at its core a fashion statement)
And again, Tyll said "might be good" for DJing, but seeing as he had no experience in that, he didn't want to say with any certainty.
First of all, I want to again thank Audrey at Brainwavz for giving me this huge opportunity to review their latest IEM. You can check out some of the other pictures I took of the S5 here, and you can click here for more headphone reviews. This has been thatBeatsguy of DB Headphones; thanks for reading!
About Brainwavz “At Brainwavz we have a simple mission, to produce innovative, high quality audio products with a dedicated focus on high-end sound at a realistic price. Our strength, success and product range is built on our unique relationship with our customers and users, a relationship that has produced a simple and obvious result. We give real-users real sound quality. 2014 will see Brainwavz pushing forward with an expanded product line, continuing with unique and innovative products, from earphones to headphones to audio accessories.”
yalper
I think S5 has more reviews, than it sells
thatBeatsguy
LOL.
To be honest, I can't help but agree.
XD
HawkEye0701
I didn't know that they come free with a cute pup XD
Nice review.
“At Brainwavz we have a simple mission, to produce innovative, high quality audio products with a dedicated focus on high-end sound at a realistic price. Our strength, success and product range is built on our unique relationship with our customers and users, a relationship that has produced a simple and obvious result. We give real-users real sound quality. 2014 will see Brainwavz pushing forward with an expanded product line, continuing with unique and innovative products, from earphones to headphones to audio accessories.”
yalper
I think S5 has more reviews, than it sells
thatBeatsguy
LOL.
To be honest, I can't help but agree.
XD
To be honest, I can't help but agree.
XD
HawkEye0701
I didn't know that they come free with a cute pup XD
Nice review.
Nice review.
thatBeatsguy
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Great sound. Great looks. A rock-bottom price.
Cons: Durability *could* be better.
Disclaimer
Please note that I am not affiliated with Xiaomi in any way, though you could consider me an "endorser" of this product.
I was neither paid nor given a review sample by Xiaomi; this pair was purchased personally. Also, do take note that most of the review is my personal opinion, and it should be treated as such; also, the impressions from this review can and will change, so please take this review with a grain of salt.
My, how time flies. I’ve spent almost an entire year on Head-Fi, and I have to say, I’ve learned a lot. Much to my dismay (and to the joy of my wallet), I’ve suppressed many urges to purchase more pairs of headphones – though, admittedly, it was mostly my parents who did that for me. But anyway, knowing that my 1st-year anniversary on Head-Fi is nearing, I thought I’d revisit all of the headphones I have amassed over that year, starting with the Xiaomi Pistons.
I’m sure many of you who’ve been to the Xiaomi Pistons Thread [link] have heard of the so-called “2.1” version, as well as the commemorative iF Edition. For this revision of what you could say is the first review of the Pistons, I’m going to address these new versions.
But enough talk; let’s get to the review!
The Xiaomi Pistons are, without a doubt, beautiful. Their machined aluminum housings are painted in the dazzling color of gold (now more silver in the iF Edition), seamlessly matching with any owner of the iPhone 5S (I do not own one, so no pictures for you
). Their color is also cleverly accented in their chocolate-brown Kevlar and silicone cable. From the pictures alone, you could see just how beautiful these IEMs are. But underneath that dazzling exterior is a gem waiting to be unleashed. Technically, it’s supposed to be a metal, but never mind.
But what is this metal, you ask? This metal is called beryllium.
Well, from what you just read, there’s no doubt that beryllium is one “wonder metal.” However, it is extremely rare, which still makes me wonder how Xiaomi managed to manufacture so many Pistons with such a rare metal as beryllium. We don’t have the answer to that yet, so let’s just leave that as one of the many questions for the ages.
Now, let’s move on to the box. The box is special in a lot of ways. First, it’s an exquisite work of art per se. Its flaps unfold, one after the other, to reveal the Pistons in their box and the instruction manual. Second, it’s really, really small. Just how Apple would make them. And finally, the box itself is the manual. Yes, you read that right – pretty much everything you need to know about the Pistons is right there on that box. Plus, you aren’t given anything close to marketing or advertising. That box is special, without a doubt. And that’s not even the gist of it.
The box containing the Pistons is also a work of art. Its plastic cover would very easily be passed up as glass – except they aren’t fragile in the slightest. Lifting the cover off, you see the Pistons in their chocolate-brown travel case custom-molded out of silky-smooth silicone. (If you ever get tired of that chocolate brown, you could always buy one separately in blue, pink, and yellow.)
The eartips in the box, along with the clip, and the box
Lifting the travel case out, you’re greeted with three pairs of tips – a small pair, large pair, and a bass-ported dual-flange pair. Now, this is where things get a tad confusing. The tips I mentioned only apply to the 2.0 set – that is, if you’ve purchased a pair before around late March of 2014. If you’ve purchased a pair after that, then you will most likely have the so-called 2.1 version (it is so-called because it is an unofficial term used around Head-Fi). Of course, let’s not forget about the commemorative iF Edition of the Pistons after having received the iF Product Design Award. If you’ve purchased either the 2.1 or the iF version, then in those cases you will receive small, medium, and large pairs of single-flange tips. We will come back to this later on in the review to further clean things up.
Appearance: 9/10
Design: 8/10
Accessories: 8/10
See that accent? That's beauty right there.
The build on the Xiaomi Pistons is something you would not or cannot expect from a sub-20 dollar IEM. With gold on the housings it’s surprising that you’d get this type of beauty from an IEM at this price. The gold is also accented perfectly with the chocolate brown on the cable and the tips. I don’t know about you, but the color scheme seems to match up well with the Sennheiser HD598.
They certainly look as fragile as a piece of jewelry (and they are gems in their own right), but they certainly aren’t. Its Kevlar-reinforced cable has endured lethal yanks and tugs that would probably snap inferior cables. Though I’ve treated them well (so far XD), some accidents were unavoidable and thus they’ve suffered some hard knocks which rendered them unworthy of the photographs. That's why my sister has taken a lot of photographs from her new iF Edition Pistons which are still in perfect condition. Hopefully those will suffice.
The fit on the Pistons are rather fiddly and take some time to get used to. Unlike a lot of IEMs that sound better with a deep fit, the Pistons’ default tips would very much prefer a shallow fit which doesn’t go too far into the ear. Doing so will break the seal and leave you with a tinny sound, devoid of bass. Getting the seal just right should at least make you able to hear what I’m hearing.
Since you’ve most likely purchased the 2.1 Pistons by now (considering the date of this updated review), you should have the new sets of tips in the box. The silicone tips found in both the 2.1 and the iF Pistons are thicker, stiffer, and stronger than the ones in the 2.0 set. Their increased stiffness should be able to give you a better seal with less effort, and allow for a deeper fit than the flimsy-feeling tips of the 2.0 Pistons.
However (with a tip of the hat to user [b]1clearhead[/b]), you could also try the size “M” tips inside the box. This pair of tips are smaller than the regular tips on the Pistons and thus allow for a significantly deeper fit than what you could get with the regular tips without breaking the seal. However, these “M” tips require you to use a deeper fit, as a shallow fit might give the Pistons a hollow sound as opposed to a properly-sealed fit. Also, you might encounter some discomfort from the housings of the Pistons touching your ears because of this deeper fit; the best way to counter that problem is to wear the Pistons around-the-ear, like so:
As for comfort, I believe that the Xiaomi Pistons are great in this regard. Their silicone tips are soft and, as Xiaomi puts it, derived from “pacifier-grade silicone.” With the update to the tips in the 2.1 version, comfort is significantly improved. However, there have been some reports of people noticing discomfort from the housing of the Pistons touching their ears. It is an issue, yes, but like I said in the disclaimer at the top of this review: YMMV.
Build: 8.5/10
Fit: 7.5/10
Comfort: 8.5/10
I wouldn’t rate the Pistons very high in this area, though I wouldn’t rate them too low, either. Sound leakage is very little, if any (characteristic of most IEMs), but the isolation is not what you would expect of an IEM. Of course, not a lot of IEMs have the -30 dB of isolation that Etymotic earphones have; but all things considered, the Pistons isolate well for most situations, like parties and walks out in the city streets. In fact, they even isolate better than my over-ear headphones.
Isolation: 8.5/10
Microphonics: 8/10
Oh yes, I almost forgot; did I ever mention the fact that the Xiaomi Pistons have an in-line remote and mic? No? Well, maybe I said it in the older review, but not in this new version until now. Yes, there is a three-button remote and mic situated in a rather tricky position on the cable (the resulting cable left between the remote to the earphone housings is quite short).
On the other hand, that’s about the only gripe I’ve found with the remote so far. Now, on with the plus points. The Pistons’ remote is very useful because it is compatible with both Android and Apple devices. However, functionality is limited on both platforms. Most Android phones can work with all three buttons, but what are supposed to be volume buttons are considered forward/rewind buttons. That makes them essentially useless since the middle button, used for Pause/Play, also does the same forward/rewind functions with a double press and triple press, respectively. On Apple devices the volume buttons do not work, leaving the middle button the only functional one. Apparently the only devices that utilize all three buttons properly are Xiaomi’s devices.
But there is one thing to note: the microphone still works. Yes, you read that right – the mic works with all devices without a hitch. And the best part? They sound pretty damn good. They sound clear over multiplayer games, chat sessions, and even recordings on GarageBand. Now that’s functionality.
Score: 8.5/10
And now, for the most important section in the entire review. I worked hard on this one, so I really do hope what comes out will be the most precise reviews I’ve ever written. But before we begin, I would like to address a few things:
The writing of the review takes at least three days’ worth of work, which is spanned out over the course of a week. Since the mind’s impression of the same headphones can change depending on the time of day, I will also take these into account and combine them into one summarized consensus from multiple tests.
Also, I will be making three different reviews, each with their own focus. The first review focuses on reviewing each of the aspects of the sound signature (bass, mids, soundstage, etc.), while the second one will be focusing on which genres it works best with. The third one is mostly a summary and reviews its general performance in media outside of music (games, movies, etc.) as well as its performance when amplified and equalized. From this alone it doesn’t really make much sense, but hopefully by reading the review you’ll understand.
As mentioned in the title, this section will revolve around reviewing each of the sonic aspects of the Xiaomi Pistons. The total score for this section is 100 points.
To summarize it, I could easily say that the Pistons are friendly for anyone’s ears – enough kick for bassheads and non-audiophiles, while tight enough for a lot of audiophiles.
Score: 17/20
On beautiful, iconic piano tracks like “River Flows in You” and “Kiss the Rain,” you could literally feel the emotion put into the recordings as the notes flow into your mind. This clarity is also exhibited in some of the tracks from Paint It Acoustic like “Fanoe” and “The Merry-go-Round of Life.”
Overall, the midrange is lush, rich, and despite being slightly muddy in the lower end, is crystal-clear.
Score: 18/20
To sum that up, the Pistons’ treble is crisp, lively, and has enough sparkle for most people without getting too sibilant.
Score: 18/20
Score: 17/20
I don’t think I even need to sum this up; they’re simply amazing.
Score: 19/20
In this section, we focus on the Pistons’ proficiency in various genres, assessing which does and doesn’t sound best on the budget IEMs. The total score for this section is 75 points. In this section, instead of paragraphs upon paragraphs of text, you will be treated to yet another fancy-looking graph courtesy of yours truly. Note that I will not try to restate the qualities of the Pistons in this review; instead I will focus on how much I enjoy the music and how the Pistons’ overall sound signature lends to that enjoyment.
For the third and final audio assessment, we will be focusing on the Xiaomi Pistons’ performance in areas outside of music, such as in movies and games. Also, we will be evaluating their scalability when it comes to amplification and equalization. This section is, well, miscellaneous, but you will find them still useful.
I personally don’t use IEMs for gaming purposes, mostly since I either use my speakers or my Razer Kraken to do the job. But in retrospect, the Pistons performed well while playing games. Despite most of the action happening in front of me, the Pistons’ imaging abilities were still challenged when I got close to the enemy fort. Though I didn’t get to play high-quality games like Battlefield 4 during the tests, TF2 was still decent, and the sounds were still realistic (as in direction and volume).
On Minecraft, things were a tad worse because the audio tracks were kept at the same volume, so it was a little harder to know how far the enemy is. But then again, positional audio was still accurate, and the Pistons actually handled it well during a multiplayer session with my sister (who also has Pistons).
Score: 8/10
Honestly, I wasn’t really impressed with the audio quality, mostly because the amp had a constant hissing which took away some from the experience. But hardware gripes aside, the Pistons were good at most. The really long Game of Thrones intro was fun, though, and it never really gets old.
Score: 7/10
Score: 7/10
Score: 8/10
No review would be complete without something to compare the headphones to, right? Wrong. No, I’m just kidding – comparisons are probably the best way to rank the headphones and secure their place in the many hundreds if not thousands of headphones and IEMs. And the Xiaomi Pistons are no less.
These budget IEMs hold their ground against all sorts of headphones far above its price range. In fact, they even sound better than that of the new Beats Studio, priced at 300 dollars, which is more than 10 times the price of the Pistons. They could take on more than just Beats, however – I find that they stand their ground against popular audiophile headphones such as the Monster DNA, the B&W P7, and the Sony MA900. Of course, nowadays there are a lot of headphones that do the same thing the Pistons do and more, but these Chinese-made IEMs are still in a league of their own: the league of Chinese-made IEMs.
The Xiaomi Pistons are, without a doubt, IEMs with an inhuman price-to-performance ratio. Long before the advent of the Pistons hype train, many people have agreed that there are a lot of Chinese manufacturers with superb quality and a rock-bottom price – something that many headphones in the West fail to achieve. The Pistons have a very fun and lively signature which works with basically any genre you throw at it, although it has an affinity with electronic music in particular.
I would also like to thank [b]bhazard[/b] because without him, I probably wouldn’t have known about the Pistons, and therefore would never have been able to write this review. His extensive knowledge of Chinese-branded headphones and IEMs has opened my eyes to the many hundreds of awesome pairs that were so close to home.
Finally, I would also like to thank all of the awesome guys at the Discovery Thread, Chinese Brand Thread, and the Audiophile Bass Lounge (the three groups the Pistons manage to fall into). You guys are some of the coolest people I’ve ever met, and this is over the Internet, so that makes you guys all the more cool. Thank you for your support and guidance in my now year-long headphone journey. Of course, I ain’t stopping here – there are far too many headphones left to try out in the world, I wouldn’t want to miss any of them!
The rest of this section is dedicated to pictures taken by my lovely and very talented younger sister. I really hope you enjoy this new round of pictures, which takes her pair of the iF Edition Pistons into the spotlight. Of course, for comparison, you should also check out the images of the 2.0 version of the Pistons here (link will be added soon).
Please note that I am not affiliated with Xiaomi in any way, though you could consider me an "endorser" of this product.
Intro
My, how time flies. I’ve spent almost an entire year on Head-Fi, and I have to say, I’ve learned a lot. Much to my dismay (and to the joy of my wallet), I’ve suppressed many urges to purchase more pairs of headphones – though, admittedly, it was mostly my parents who did that for me. But anyway, knowing that my 1st-year anniversary on Head-Fi is nearing, I thought I’d revisit all of the headphones I have amassed over that year, starting with the Xiaomi Pistons.
I’m sure many of you who’ve been to the Xiaomi Pistons Thread [link] have heard of the so-called “2.1” version, as well as the commemorative iF Edition. For this revision of what you could say is the first review of the Pistons, I’m going to address these new versions.
But enough talk; let’s get to the review!
Appearance, Design, Accessories
The Xiaomi Pistons are, without a doubt, beautiful. Their machined aluminum housings are painted in the dazzling color of gold (now more silver in the iF Edition), seamlessly matching with any owner of the iPhone 5S (I do not own one, so no pictures for you
But what is this metal, you ask? This metal is called beryllium.
“Beryllium, atomic number 4, atomic weight of 9.012182, is the lightest of the alkaline earth metals. Under normal conditions, it has a light steel gray color. Beryllium alloy is lighter than conventional aluminum and titanium, is four times the strength of steel, and is an indispensable material in nuclear energy, rockets, missiles, aviation, and metallurgy. It has stable mechanical properties, and it has strength and hardness that can only be cut with diamonds. Compared to titanium, beryllium alloy is three times harder, 1.5 times lighter, and has up to 3 times faster transmission speed. It is also 100 times more expensive.
The new Xiaomi Pistons’ diaphragms utilize the hardest of all metallic elements (which is nearly 5 times more expensive than gold) through a high-tech process to create the world’s first beryllium diaphragm earphone. Xiaomi partnered with its in-house design team to develop a new type of headphone diaphragm using this beryllium alloy. The beryllium diaphragm, using a vacuum-coating process, perfectly utilizes the light, rigid, and flexible beryllium, with a resulting thickness of only 2 µm. As a result, the new Pistons have a wider and smoother frequency response, enhancing the high treble range from 10 KHz to 20 KHz. (In contrast, earphone roll-off typically occurs from 10 KHz onwards.) The beryllium diaphragm also enhances the bass region, making it cleaner, tighter, clearer, and more stable, without interfering with the higher frequencies.
Beryllium diaphragms have been used in only a handful of high-end audio products, such as JBL’s top-of-the-line flagship speaker, the JBL K2 S9800, which is priced as high as 250,000元 (approx. $40,000 USD). And because of this beryllium diaphragm now used in the new Xiaomi Pistons, its sound quality can be significantly improved.”
(Source. Translation may not be fully accurate.)
The new Xiaomi Pistons’ diaphragms utilize the hardest of all metallic elements (which is nearly 5 times more expensive than gold) through a high-tech process to create the world’s first beryllium diaphragm earphone. Xiaomi partnered with its in-house design team to develop a new type of headphone diaphragm using this beryllium alloy. The beryllium diaphragm, using a vacuum-coating process, perfectly utilizes the light, rigid, and flexible beryllium, with a resulting thickness of only 2 µm. As a result, the new Pistons have a wider and smoother frequency response, enhancing the high treble range from 10 KHz to 20 KHz. (In contrast, earphone roll-off typically occurs from 10 KHz onwards.) The beryllium diaphragm also enhances the bass region, making it cleaner, tighter, clearer, and more stable, without interfering with the higher frequencies.
Beryllium diaphragms have been used in only a handful of high-end audio products, such as JBL’s top-of-the-line flagship speaker, the JBL K2 S9800, which is priced as high as 250,000元 (approx. $40,000 USD). And because of this beryllium diaphragm now used in the new Xiaomi Pistons, its sound quality can be significantly improved.”
(Source. Translation may not be fully accurate.)
Well, from what you just read, there’s no doubt that beryllium is one “wonder metal.” However, it is extremely rare, which still makes me wonder how Xiaomi managed to manufacture so many Pistons with such a rare metal as beryllium. We don’t have the answer to that yet, so let’s just leave that as one of the many questions for the ages.
Now, let’s move on to the box. The box is special in a lot of ways. First, it’s an exquisite work of art per se. Its flaps unfold, one after the other, to reveal the Pistons in their box and the instruction manual. Second, it’s really, really small. Just how Apple would make them. And finally, the box itself is the manual. Yes, you read that right – pretty much everything you need to know about the Pistons is right there on that box. Plus, you aren’t given anything close to marketing or advertising. That box is special, without a doubt. And that’s not even the gist of it.
The box containing the Pistons is also a work of art. Its plastic cover would very easily be passed up as glass – except they aren’t fragile in the slightest. Lifting the cover off, you see the Pistons in their chocolate-brown travel case custom-molded out of silky-smooth silicone. (If you ever get tired of that chocolate brown, you could always buy one separately in blue, pink, and yellow.)
The eartips in the box, along with the clip, and the box
Lifting the travel case out, you’re greeted with three pairs of tips – a small pair, large pair, and a bass-ported dual-flange pair. Now, this is where things get a tad confusing. The tips I mentioned only apply to the 2.0 set – that is, if you’ve purchased a pair before around late March of 2014. If you’ve purchased a pair after that, then you will most likely have the so-called 2.1 version (it is so-called because it is an unofficial term used around Head-Fi). Of course, let’s not forget about the commemorative iF Edition of the Pistons after having received the iF Product Design Award. If you’ve purchased either the 2.1 or the iF version, then in those cases you will receive small, medium, and large pairs of single-flange tips. We will come back to this later on in the review to further clean things up.
Appearance: 9/10
Design: 8/10
Accessories: 8/10
Build, Fit, Comfort
See that accent? That's beauty right there.
The build on the Xiaomi Pistons is something you would not or cannot expect from a sub-20 dollar IEM. With gold on the housings it’s surprising that you’d get this type of beauty from an IEM at this price. The gold is also accented perfectly with the chocolate brown on the cable and the tips. I don’t know about you, but the color scheme seems to match up well with the Sennheiser HD598.
They certainly look as fragile as a piece of jewelry (and they are gems in their own right), but they certainly aren’t. Its Kevlar-reinforced cable has endured lethal yanks and tugs that would probably snap inferior cables. Though I’ve treated them well (so far XD), some accidents were unavoidable and thus they’ve suffered some hard knocks which rendered them unworthy of the photographs. That's why my sister has taken a lot of photographs from her new iF Edition Pistons which are still in perfect condition. Hopefully those will suffice.
The fit on the Pistons are rather fiddly and take some time to get used to. Unlike a lot of IEMs that sound better with a deep fit, the Pistons’ default tips would very much prefer a shallow fit which doesn’t go too far into the ear. Doing so will break the seal and leave you with a tinny sound, devoid of bass. Getting the seal just right should at least make you able to hear what I’m hearing.
Since you’ve most likely purchased the 2.1 Pistons by now (considering the date of this updated review), you should have the new sets of tips in the box. The silicone tips found in both the 2.1 and the iF Pistons are thicker, stiffer, and stronger than the ones in the 2.0 set. Their increased stiffness should be able to give you a better seal with less effort, and allow for a deeper fit than the flimsy-feeling tips of the 2.0 Pistons.
However (with a tip of the hat to user [b]1clearhead[/b]), you could also try the size “M” tips inside the box. This pair of tips are smaller than the regular tips on the Pistons and thus allow for a significantly deeper fit than what you could get with the regular tips without breaking the seal. However, these “M” tips require you to use a deeper fit, as a shallow fit might give the Pistons a hollow sound as opposed to a properly-sealed fit. Also, you might encounter some discomfort from the housings of the Pistons touching your ears because of this deeper fit; the best way to counter that problem is to wear the Pistons around-the-ear, like so:
As for comfort, I believe that the Xiaomi Pistons are great in this regard. Their silicone tips are soft and, as Xiaomi puts it, derived from “pacifier-grade silicone.” With the update to the tips in the 2.1 version, comfort is significantly improved. However, there have been some reports of people noticing discomfort from the housing of the Pistons touching their ears. It is an issue, yes, but like I said in the disclaimer at the top of this review: YMMV.
Build: 8.5/10
Fit: 7.5/10
Comfort: 8.5/10
Isolation, Microphonics
I wouldn’t rate the Pistons very high in this area, though I wouldn’t rate them too low, either. Sound leakage is very little, if any (characteristic of most IEMs), but the isolation is not what you would expect of an IEM. Of course, not a lot of IEMs have the -30 dB of isolation that Etymotic earphones have; but all things considered, the Pistons isolate well for most situations, like parties and walks out in the city streets. In fact, they even isolate better than my over-ear headphones.
Isolation: 8.5/10
Microphonics: 8/10
Microphone
Oh yes, I almost forgot; did I ever mention the fact that the Xiaomi Pistons have an in-line remote and mic? No? Well, maybe I said it in the older review, but not in this new version until now. Yes, there is a three-button remote and mic situated in a rather tricky position on the cable (the resulting cable left between the remote to the earphone housings is quite short).
On the other hand, that’s about the only gripe I’ve found with the remote so far. Now, on with the plus points. The Pistons’ remote is very useful because it is compatible with both Android and Apple devices. However, functionality is limited on both platforms. Most Android phones can work with all three buttons, but what are supposed to be volume buttons are considered forward/rewind buttons. That makes them essentially useless since the middle button, used for Pause/Play, also does the same forward/rewind functions with a double press and triple press, respectively. On Apple devices the volume buttons do not work, leaving the middle button the only functional one. Apparently the only devices that utilize all three buttons properly are Xiaomi’s devices.
But there is one thing to note: the microphone still works. Yes, you read that right – the mic works with all devices without a hitch. And the best part? They sound pretty damn good. They sound clear over multiplayer games, chat sessions, and even recordings on GarageBand. Now that’s functionality.
Score: 8.5/10
Audio: Preamble
And now, for the most important section in the entire review. I worked hard on this one, so I really do hope what comes out will be the most precise reviews I’ve ever written. But before we begin, I would like to address a few things:
Modification
Yes, I have, in fact, modified my pair of Xiaomi Pistons. That alone is enough to significantly alter the results of the review. However, though I do not own another pair, my sister owns an iF Edition pair, and she has submitted them in for review. So with that, I’d like to give a big thank-you to her for providing the pair.iF Edition vs. 2.1
I would also like to address the issue about the iF Edition Pistons supposedly sounding “brighter” than the 2.1 and 2.0 Pistons. Yes, some people have reported that they did, in fact, notice that the iF Edition sounded brighter than that of the Pistons. However, from my personal experience, I did not notice a difference between either. I have said this multiple times to the many people who asked, and some also reported the same results. Hopefully soon the “rumours” will subside and all will be well. Now, with all that cleared up, let’s begin!Test Tracks
When writing headphone reviews, you never settle on just one album. You have to take a wide variety of genres and listen to each and every one of them to see just how good the headphones really are. Well, that’s what I did with my test tracks playlist. Over the past couple of years, I’ve collected various albums of various genres from various artists, which should help a lot in getting me that “precise review” I promised earlier. Below is the list, in a fancy table inspired by the tables which a lot of other great reviewers utilize.| Album | Artist | Genre | Format |
| Ariana Grande | Yours Truly | R&B, Pop | MP3 320 kbps |
| Ben Prunty | Faster Than Light: OST | Electronica, Score | MP3 320 kbps |
| Carpenters, The | The Ultimate Collection | Easy Listening, Pop | MP3 320 kbps |
| Chesky Records | Antonio Vivaldi: The Four Seasons | Classical, Binaural | ALAC |
| Cliff Richard | Still Reelin’ and A-Rockin’: Live in Sydney, The Ultimate Collection | Rock & Roll, Live | MP3 320 kbps |
| Daft Punk | Random Access Memories | Electronica, Disco | ALAC |
| Darren Korb | Bastion Original Soundtrack | Acoustic Trip-Hop, Score | ALAC |
| Eagles, The | Hell Freezes Over | Acoustic, Rock, Live | ALAC |
| HAL Laboratory, Inc. | Kirby’s Epic Yarn: The Epic Soundtrack | Acoustic, Score | MP3 VBR V2 |
| John Robert Matz Ryan Ike Francisco Cerda | Gunpoint: The Soundtrack | Jazz, Score | ALAC |
| Katy Perry | PRISM | Pop | MP3 320 kbps |
| Krewella | Get Wet | House, Dubstep | MP3 320 kbps |
| Macklemore & Ryan Lewis | The Heist | Rap, Hip-Hop | MP3 320 kbps |
| Michael Jackson | Bad, Dangerous, Thriller, Xscape | Pop | ALAC |
| Pink | The Truth About Love | Rock, Pop | MP3 VBR V0 |
| Secrets of Kaplan | The E.P. | Indie Rock | MP3 VBR V0 |
| Skrillex | Bangarang EP, Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites EP, More Monsters and Sprites EP | Dubstep, House | MP3 320 kbps |
| Sungha Jung | Paint It Acoustic | Solo Guitar, New Age | AAC 256 kbps |
| Various Artists | Dissidia: Final Fantasy Original Soundtrack, Final Fantasy XIII Original Soundtrack | Various, Score | MP3 320 kbps |
| Yiruma | The Best: Reminiscent 10th Anniversary Edition | Solo Piano, New Age | ALAC |
| 张伟珈 | 把梦写给你 | Acoustic, Pop | MP3 320 kbps |
Review Process
These headphones are subjected to a particularly “hands-on” review process. I never leave them standing out on a stand with pink noise played into them; I always listen to them and hear the changes as time goes by. However, as I hear these changes while they burn-in, there is also the phenomenon called “brain burn-in,” or better known as placebo. I take this into account as I write the reviews, and revise if necessary.The writing of the review takes at least three days’ worth of work, which is spanned out over the course of a week. Since the mind’s impression of the same headphones can change depending on the time of day, I will also take these into account and combine them into one summarized consensus from multiple tests.
Also, I will be making three different reviews, each with their own focus. The first review focuses on reviewing each of the aspects of the sound signature (bass, mids, soundstage, etc.), while the second one will be focusing on which genres it works best with. The third one is mostly a summary and reviews its general performance in media outside of music (games, movies, etc.) as well as its performance when amplified and equalized. From this alone it doesn’t really make much sense, but hopefully by reading the review you’ll understand.
Equipment
Equipment used in the review is an iPad 3, sending the music straight to the Pistons, unamped. In the amplification assessment a Yamaha RX-V359 home theater amp is used. As for the equalization test the EQu app is used.Audio: Sound Quality
As mentioned in the title, this section will revolve around reviewing each of the sonic aspects of the Xiaomi Pistons. The total score for this section is 100 points.
Bass
In tracks like “Lose Yourself to Dance” and “Birthday,” the Pistons demonstrated its ability to bring you accurate and yet powerful bass. The bass guitar’s tone still manages to stay audible and accurate despite the powerful kick drum in the former track. However, I would like to note that they do tend to be muddy in the lower midrange, and they can be rather overpowering at times to the uninitiated.To summarize it, I could easily say that the Pistons are friendly for anyone’s ears – enough kick for bassheads and non-audiophiles, while tight enough for a lot of audiophiles.
Score: 17/20
Midrange
The general consensus on the midrange of the Xiaomi Pistons is rather mixed; those who don’t like it say that they are too recessed, while those who do say that they’re just fine because they are a consumer-friendly IEM. I, for one, absolutely love the midrange on these Pistons because the very first time I heard them, they had this…unreal clarity to them which all of my other headphones did not have.On beautiful, iconic piano tracks like “River Flows in You” and “Kiss the Rain,” you could literally feel the emotion put into the recordings as the notes flow into your mind. This clarity is also exhibited in some of the tracks from Paint It Acoustic like “Fanoe” and “The Merry-go-Round of Life.”
Overall, the midrange is lush, rich, and despite being slightly muddy in the lower end, is crystal-clear.
Score: 18/20
Treble
The treble area, for me, is a rather confusing aspect of the sound signature. At first, they sound crisp, lively, and sparkly without being too sibilant (in other words, they’re just right for me). However, at one point, I noticed that the treble gave way to both the midrange and the bass. They became less crisp and sparkly, and they were not as I remembered it the first time. I cannot say what caused this sudden change, but right now, I’m going to blame it on placebo. Right now, as I listen to my sister’s two week-old pair, I seem to perceive that crisp treble I was looking for. It’s unexplainable, but like I said, it’s probably just placebo.To sum that up, the Pistons’ treble is crisp, lively, and has enough sparkle for most people without getting too sibilant.
Score: 18/20
Soundstage
The soundstage on the Pistons is yet another plus point. Its soundstage is wide and airy, though I couldn’t say anything particular about its depth. To best describe it, the soundstage extends well out to the sides, but has trouble defining front and back. Nonetheless, the Pistons have a great soundstage which is much, much better than certain consumer-friendly headphones about, say, 20 times the price (say, Beats).Score: 17/20
Imaging
The imaging ability of the Pistons are probably one of their biggest selling points. That’s because they image so well it’s insane. Even on Daft Punk’s “Touch,” which is one of the most complex tracks I’ve ever heard, the Pistons manage to separate the instruments enough to distinguish them from each other and not like some jumbled-up mess. And for a pair of IEMs at 25 dollars, that’s not just something worth noting; it’s an achievement. This imaging and separation ability is something you just notice when you put them on and play a track. While listening to “Fanoe,” a guitar duet, you could very easily pinpoint the two guitarists’ positions without even thinking about it.I don’t think I even need to sum this up; they’re simply amazing.
Score: 19/20
Audio: Genre Mastery
In this section, we focus on the Pistons’ proficiency in various genres, assessing which does and doesn’t sound best on the budget IEMs. The total score for this section is 75 points. In this section, instead of paragraphs upon paragraphs of text, you will be treated to yet another fancy-looking graph courtesy of yours truly. Note that I will not try to restate the qualities of the Pistons in this review; instead I will focus on how much I enjoy the music and how the Pistons’ overall sound signature lends to that enjoyment.
| Genre | Score | Summary |
| Dubstep | Drum & Bass | 4/5 | Both genres are flawlessly executed by the Pistons in all of my test tracks. In tracks such as Krewella’s “Dancing With the Devil,” it demonstrates its beautiful sub-bass rumble at the drop with ease. On DnB, the genre’s characteristic complex drum patterns are played through without the IEMs breaking a sweat. |
| Electronica | Disco | 5/5 | There’s no experience quite like listening to your favorite song for the very first time. And it’s very rare for that to happen again since, well, it was your first time. But some headphones manage to sound so euphonic, so beautiful, that it gives you that kind of feeling. One of those headphones is the Xiaomi Piston. On Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories, my all-time favorite album, the Pistons simply blow me away. There isn’t much of a reason behind this; it just sounds so beautiful, that even though I’ve listened to the entire album over 20 times in the past four months, it doesn’t get old. It’s that good. |
| Rock | Alternative | Indie | 4/5 | Honestly, I wasn’t a fan of rock music at first, because I thought it was just loud and rather obnoxious. That was until I watched a DVD of Pink’s concert somewhere. Things changed after that, and rock is now one of my more liked genres. On Pink’s “Timebomb,” the drums come through with great prominence, clashing with the guitars and bass. It was in this song that I first noticed the recessed mids of the Pistons. Then again, I didn’t think of it as a major issue. On alternative and indie rock, this issue didn’t reveal itself as the tracks I tested them with were clearer in the midrange. Still, I had a lot of fun listening to the music. |
| Rap | Hip-Hop | 4/5 | I don’t have many great rap tracks to test the IEMs with, however, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ “The Heist” is more than a decent album for testing. Listening to “Jimmy Iovine,” a song that I love for its rumbling sub-bass, the Pistons deliver that rumbling sub-bass with great extension and rumble. Though the meanings of those lyrics in each of the album’s songs isn’t exactly clear at first, the actual lyrics shine through with exceptional clarity, every time. |
| Jazz | 4/5 | Listening to Ryan Ike’s “The Five-Floor Goodbye” and “’Round Gunpoint,” I’ve almost come to a conclusion with the headphones. Though I haven’t gotten to the acoustic genres quite yet, they handled jazz (a predominantly acoustic genre) with ease. The upright bass sounded beautifully on these jazz tracks. The saxophone on “’Round Gunpoint” was what really impressed me during the test. They were clear and shone through like a diamond. |
| Mainstream Pop | 4/5 | Mainstream Pop, as I like to call it, refers to Top 40 hits, which should be more than descriptive enough. I don’t really need to re-describe the Pistons’ strengths here, as they perform flawlessly to my ears, every time. |
| Classic Pop | 4.5/5 | Classic Pop, on the other hand, refers to pop back in the day – say, the 70s to 80s. Michael Jackson’s music is a great example. I have to say, I enjoy classic pop music more than those in the mainstream (except for some really great songs) even though I’m a kid born into the 2000s. There are just some discerning qualities that separate classic pop from today’s Top 40, most notably the ever-present Auto-Tune. That, and the instruments back in the day were very…back in the day, so it had an air of nostalgia to it as well. |
| R&B | Soul | 4/5 | R&B, to me, is a very nostalgic genre since I’d listened to a lot of it a decade ago. But over the years, though there have been some R&B albums, they weren’t as good as the ones back in the 90s were. That was until Ariana Grande’s Yours Truly was released. It really took me back to those days where I listened to my dad’s Wharfedale speakers on the weekends. |
| Acoustic | 4/5 | There are a lot of acoustic genres, I have to admit, but I use this term when I refer to music which doesn’t really have a definite genre to it. The majority of songs on the sole Chinese album in my playlist is a good example. The Eagles’ unplugged version of “Hotel California” is also a great example, though it also fits into the Live section. In both albums, the Pistons’ soundstage plays a huge part in the immersion and overall enjoyment. It’s just great. |
| New Age | 4.5/5 | This genre is a little confusing, since a lot of New Age songs are predominantly electronic, and is simply ambient. However, my usage of the term New Age refers to Solo Guitar and Solo Piano. I think I’ve already mentioned just how beautiful the Pistons sound on both genres, so I guess I’ll just leave it at that – it’s amazing. |
| Acoustic Score | 4/5 | I’m a big fan of VGM and OSTs, and I’ve brought up quite a collection, so I thought it’d be cool to separate them into three genres on their own. Acoustic Score evidently refers to score that is predominantly acoustic. The Epic Soundtrack from Kirby’s Epic Yarn is a good example of this genre, as it comprises of a lot of Latin-inspired music. The album conveys a really calm, soothing vibe, which lets you just sit back and enjoy the show. |
| Electronic Score | 5/5 | The FTL Soundtrack is a great example of an electronic score – an ambient, space-age soundtrack with elements of chiptune thrown into the mix. Its echoing synths give a great sense of space, which is beautifully reproduced by the Pistons’ amazing imaging and soundstage. |
| Orchestral Score | 4/5 | Orchestral Scores aren’t really my cup of tea when it comes to just listening to the music, but they make great accompaniments to the media that they’re featured in. However, I would make an exception for the diverse and beautiful music from the Final Fantasy game series, especially the 13th game and Dissidia, which comprises of all sorts of arrangements of many of the popular and iconic songs of the series. It was a lot of fun to listen to, both on and off the game, and I enjoyed it. |
| Classical | 4/5 | I’m not a fan of classical music, though I find myself needing to listen to it for the sake of testing the headphones. For that, I’ve selected Antonio Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, recorded by the legendary Dr. Chesky. Every headphone audiophile knows him for his crazy binaural recordings, which give you an extremely realistic listening experience. In this album, I count the instruments as less than 15, with probably 3 violins on the left, a harpsichord, and the rest comprised of cellos, violas, a flute, and maybe a lute or harp. It’s binaural albums like these which really test the soundstage and imaging limits of headphones, and the Pistons pass to my ears with flying colours. Of course, its soundstage will never be able to match that of open headphones, but it’s pretty amazing nonetheless. |
| Live | 4/5 | Finally, we enter live performances. These albums also test the soundstage and imaging capabilities of headphones because of the audience, which more often than not makes you feel like you’re in there. I know for a fact that speakers are capable of this without breaking a sweat with the right placement and positioning, but when it comes to headphones, things become more complicated. But like binaural recordings, the Pistons demonstrate their exceptional imaging ability, which more often than not makes you feel like you’re there at the concert. |
| Total | 63.5/75 (4.2/5) | Overall, I give the Pistons a solid 4 because of their versatility with pretty much any genre you throw at it. Apparently, you could label it as a jack-of-all-trades, but it isn’t exactly a master of none – it performs really well on electronic genres. |
Audio: Miscellaneous Tests
For the third and final audio assessment, we will be focusing on the Xiaomi Pistons’ performance in areas outside of music, such as in movies and games. Also, we will be evaluating their scalability when it comes to amplification and equalization. This section is, well, miscellaneous, but you will find them still useful.
Gaming
Note: The games used in this assessment are Team Fortress 2 and Minecraft. The audio is sent to the earphones through HDMI to a Samsung LED monitor’s audio output jack, which doesn’t really have much of a difference compared to my Creative Sound Blaster 5.1 VX card except for a louder output sound.I personally don’t use IEMs for gaming purposes, mostly since I either use my speakers or my Razer Kraken to do the job. But in retrospect, the Pistons performed well while playing games. Despite most of the action happening in front of me, the Pistons’ imaging abilities were still challenged when I got close to the enemy fort. Though I didn’t get to play high-quality games like Battlefield 4 during the tests, TF2 was still decent, and the sounds were still realistic (as in direction and volume).
On Minecraft, things were a tad worse because the audio tracks were kept at the same volume, so it was a little harder to know how far the enemy is. But then again, positional audio was still accurate, and the Pistons actually handled it well during a multiplayer session with my sister (who also has Pistons).
Score: 8/10
Movies
I never watch movies using headphones. It’s mostly because I watch them with my family, and I don’t like watching alone. Also, I just like the feel of a movie theater in my home. But, for this review and your sake, I took to watching the recent episode of Game of Thrones.Honestly, I wasn’t really impressed with the audio quality, mostly because the amp had a constant hissing which took away some from the experience. But hardware gripes aside, the Pistons were good at most. The really long Game of Thrones intro was fun, though, and it never really gets old.
Score: 7/10
Amplification
The Xiaomi Pistons, like most IEMs, do not require amplification and can be driven easily out of a smartphone. However, during the amplification test, I noticed that the extra power gave them a tad more of a three-dimensional soundstage, as well as improving the low-end. Aside from that, I hear no glaring differences or improvements in sound signature.Score: 7/10
Equalization
As mentioned in the Audio: Preamble section, the equalization tool used is the EQu app, a visual equalizer. It doesn’t have the same power or effectiveness as a parametric equalizer, yet still gets the job done. Although the Pistons sound perfectly fine without any EQ, they were pretty EQ friendly and improved with a treble boost (EQ preset on iOS).Score: 8/10
Comparison
No review would be complete without something to compare the headphones to, right? Wrong. No, I’m just kidding – comparisons are probably the best way to rank the headphones and secure their place in the many hundreds if not thousands of headphones and IEMs. And the Xiaomi Pistons are no less.
These budget IEMs hold their ground against all sorts of headphones far above its price range. In fact, they even sound better than that of the new Beats Studio, priced at 300 dollars, which is more than 10 times the price of the Pistons. They could take on more than just Beats, however – I find that they stand their ground against popular audiophile headphones such as the Monster DNA, the B&W P7, and the Sony MA900. Of course, nowadays there are a lot of headphones that do the same thing the Pistons do and more, but these Chinese-made IEMs are still in a league of their own: the league of Chinese-made IEMs.
Conclusion
The Xiaomi Pistons are, without a doubt, IEMs with an inhuman price-to-performance ratio. Long before the advent of the Pistons hype train, many people have agreed that there are a lot of Chinese manufacturers with superb quality and a rock-bottom price – something that many headphones in the West fail to achieve. The Pistons have a very fun and lively signature which works with basically any genre you throw at it, although it has an affinity with electronic music in particular.
Score Tally
Below is a list of the final scores, filled out in yet another beautiful graph. I just can’t get enough of these spreadsheets and tables. But don’t worry; this should be the last one…| Category: | Sub-categories | Score: | Final Score: |
| Aesthetics | Appearance | Design | Accessories | Build | Fit | Comfort | Isolation | Microphonics | Microphone | 74.5/90 | 8.3/10 |
| Audio: Sound Quality | Bass | Mids | Treble | Soundstage | Imaging | 89/100 | 8.9/10 |
| Audio: Genre Mastery | Dubstep, D&B | Electronica, Disco | Rock, Alternative, Indie | Rap, Hip-Hop | Jazz | Mainstream Pop | Classic Pop | R&B, Soul | Acoustic | New Age | Acoustic Score | Electronic Score | Orchestral Score | Classical | Live | 63.5/75 | 8.4/10 |
| Audio: Miscellaneous Tests | Gaming | Movies | Amplification | Equalization | 30/40 | 7.5/10 |
| Grand Total: | | 82.8/100 | 8.3/10 |
Shout-Outs
First of all, I would like to thank my sister again for putting up with all the IEM photo session delays and for lending me her pair of Pistons for review. She’s a really talented photographer, and she’s got raw skill inside of her, even behind a simple Canon Ixus digicam.I would also like to thank [b]bhazard[/b] because without him, I probably wouldn’t have known about the Pistons, and therefore would never have been able to write this review. His extensive knowledge of Chinese-branded headphones and IEMs has opened my eyes to the many hundreds of awesome pairs that were so close to home.
Finally, I would also like to thank all of the awesome guys at the Discovery Thread, Chinese Brand Thread, and the Audiophile Bass Lounge (the three groups the Pistons manage to fall into). You guys are some of the coolest people I’ve ever met, and this is over the Internet, so that makes you guys all the more cool. Thank you for your support and guidance in my now year-long headphone journey. Of course, I ain’t stopping here – there are far too many headphones left to try out in the world, I wouldn’t want to miss any of them!
Gallery
The rest of this section is dedicated to pictures taken by my lovely and very talented younger sister. I really hope you enjoy this new round of pictures, which takes her pair of the iF Edition Pistons into the spotlight. Of course, for comparison, you should also check out the images of the 2.0 version of the Pistons here (link will be added soon).
Badelhas
Thanks for that geeky explanation
XipeTotec
Nice review, very useful. I was searching for an IEM which valorize mid and high ranges. I have a Sennheiser CX 300 ii, which is fantastic in comfort and isolation, but unfortunately boost bass frequencies too much. I'll give Pistons a try. Moreover you tested them with a wide range of music so they can fit me like a glove.
ina812
Hi,this is Ina from UMI DIGI CO.,which bring finest headphones and smartphones such as UMI VOIX,UMI ZERO,UMI HAMMER.
I really like your reviews on Xiaomi pistion and actually our new headphone will be lauched this July so It will be our honor if you could do reviews about it.
My email address is ina@91umi.com, Look forward to hearing from you soon Thanks
I really like your reviews on Xiaomi pistion and actually our new headphone will be lauched this July so It will be our honor if you could do reviews about it.
My email address is ina@91umi.com, Look forward to hearing from you soon Thanks
thatBeatsguy
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Powerful Bass, clear Midrange, somewhat mellow highs. You can get these for lower than half of the retail price online.
Cons: Colored sound isn't for audiophiles.
Overview:
The Beats Pro is the Beats' top-of-the-line model, with a lofty price tag of $400. However, its price, along with Beats' reputation with being a hated-on brand, hides the fact that it actually sounds great. That hate reaches out far across the Internet, where trolls and hate fill every Beats-related thread. I'm almost certain that at least three-quarters of Beats trolls haven't listened to them once in their life (even if they say that they did). Even at Head-Fi, the Beats are a hated brand, but not as much as anywhere else. I've found a handful of other people across the Internet that actually appreciate the Beats, but since the trolling is so prevalent, finding them is harder than hard.
Many people, including me, acknowledge that the Beats line is really overpriced. But do they really sound that bad? In the Studio's and Solo's cases, yes. But what about the Pros? Let's find out.
In the Box:
The box, aside from being large, is unremarkable. Its contents include:
Design:
The Beats line has been notorious for being mostly a fashion accessory than anything else. Many of their endorsers are pure crap (Lady Gaga, Lil' Wayne, and...I just won't say it). Even then, their style and design can be easily called the best. The size, along with its two-tone gray/black color scheme, accented by the Beats 'b', easily makes this a head-turning, eye-catching pair. The pair also has swivel-up earcups that can be handy for DJs, as well as two jacks. You can't have multiple inputs with these, but the jack that isn't used as input becomes an output jack, so you could form a daisy chain.
These headphones have pretty plush pleather cushions, though they will get warm (or possibly sweaty) in the summer while you wear them. The pair is also made almost entirely out of aluminum - solid aluminum, actually, which makes them a great heavy-duty pair. There's a catch to its almighty strength, however - since the frame, earcups, hinges, and headband are all made of solid aluminum inside-out, the pair is remarkably heavy (about 14 ounces). If you plan to buy this for long listening sessions, prepare your neck.
Audio Quality:
Now, for the main event. Before I begin, please note that I don't have any other pair for comparison. Call me a poor guy, I don't mind; I really don't have any other pair, so if you think that a comparison is missing, blame this on my poor self. However, I do have a wide variety of audio sources, four of which I'll use and list below:
I'll be listening in to the genres that I listen to (listed above), starting with Electronica. In Daft Punk's "Get Lucky," the bass is remarkably powerful, as with all of the Beats models preceding it, but it doesn't muddy up the performance. It stays on its own, without muddying up everything else. The mids are clear and sound great with the bass. Vocals resonate well and have a good echo. The high range is quite detailed for a pair of Beats, but rolls off at higher levels. For a pair of Beats, this has a stellar sound signature; but for a pair of headphones in general, not so much.
Rap and Hip-Hop songs have a powerful kick drum, and that is well augmented with the Beats. Dubstep, whose bass lines get muddied up in crappy headphones like the Solos, are well-reproduced through the Pros. In the electronic side of the music spectrum, the Beats Pros shine in nearly every genre on this side.
However, this shine easily fades on the other side of the spectrum, where acoustic instruments reside. Acoustic songs require a large soundstage, but the Beats Pro's closed-back design makes it unsuitable for this. Also, it doesn't have that much detail when compared to other headphones in its price range. However, I really like the headphones' performance in the Solo Piano, Acoustic Rock, and Acoustic Jazz areas. The pair has enough detail to reveal much of the nuances of the piano, which also shows in the Acoustic Rock and Jazz areas, where the vocal range is refined and sounds great, and the background instruments can be heard with little effort. However, as far as soundstage is concerned, its soundstage is rather small and resembles a studio, which fits in with the genres I listen to, but for orchestral pieces, I would suggest steering clear of these.
Even in games, the Beats asserts its powerful bass. Audio effects are accurately reproduced, albeit with more emphasis on the low end. Voices are clear and sound as if you're right there. The orchestral sound found in games like Dissidia 012 sound quite wide, considering my previous trifle with its small soundstage. The piano's sound also doesn't disappoint, with commanding bass and accurate highs that accentuate the already stunning detail that I've experienced while listening through this pair.
Conclusion:
The Beats Pro was the first step in my quest for great audio. They're a sturdy, heavy pair of cans that have been weathered with constant hate over the reputation and price of this pair. However, this pair shines - and shines well - in its ability to reproduce great (though colored) sound in the electronic side of the spectrum; also, it doesn't disappoint in select areas of the acoustic side, either.
There are some things to consider debating before buying it, however:
For me and my love of electronic-based music, plus an unbeatable discount price, the Beats Pro was a steal. For those who share my love for electronica, don't be fooled by its high price; you can always turn to the Internet for great prices - and you may just get yourself a deal.
The Beats Pro is the Beats' top-of-the-line model, with a lofty price tag of $400. However, its price, along with Beats' reputation with being a hated-on brand, hides the fact that it actually sounds great. That hate reaches out far across the Internet, where trolls and hate fill every Beats-related thread. I'm almost certain that at least three-quarters of Beats trolls haven't listened to them once in their life (even if they say that they did). Even at Head-Fi, the Beats are a hated brand, but not as much as anywhere else. I've found a handful of other people across the Internet that actually appreciate the Beats, but since the trolling is so prevalent, finding them is harder than hard.
Many people, including me, acknowledge that the Beats line is really overpriced. But do they really sound that bad? In the Studio's and Solo's cases, yes. But what about the Pros? Let's find out.
In the Box:
The box, aside from being large, is unremarkable. Its contents include:
- The headphones, of course
- A traveling pouch
- A thick, 6-foot-long cable with a telephone-like coil at the end which extends its length to about 7 ft.
- A cleaning cloth with so-called "Microbe Shield Technology"
- Literature
Design:
The Beats line has been notorious for being mostly a fashion accessory than anything else. Many of their endorsers are pure crap (Lady Gaga, Lil' Wayne, and...I just won't say it). Even then, their style and design can be easily called the best. The size, along with its two-tone gray/black color scheme, accented by the Beats 'b', easily makes this a head-turning, eye-catching pair. The pair also has swivel-up earcups that can be handy for DJs, as well as two jacks. You can't have multiple inputs with these, but the jack that isn't used as input becomes an output jack, so you could form a daisy chain.
These headphones have pretty plush pleather cushions, though they will get warm (or possibly sweaty) in the summer while you wear them. The pair is also made almost entirely out of aluminum - solid aluminum, actually, which makes them a great heavy-duty pair. There's a catch to its almighty strength, however - since the frame, earcups, hinges, and headband are all made of solid aluminum inside-out, the pair is remarkably heavy (about 14 ounces). If you plan to buy this for long listening sessions, prepare your neck.
Audio Quality:
Now, for the main event. Before I begin, please note that I don't have any other pair for comparison. Call me a poor guy, I don't mind; I really don't have any other pair, so if you think that a comparison is missing, blame this on my poor self. However, I do have a wide variety of audio sources, four of which I'll use and list below:
- Audio: MP3 @ 320 kbps (Electronic, Hip-Hop, Rap, Dubstep, Acoustic Rock, Pop, Acoustic Jazz, Solo Piano)
- Game Soundtrack
- Digital Piano - Aux-Out and 1/4" headphone jack
- Source: iPod Touch 4G, with stock music app set at "Flat" EQ
- PSP-3000, games only
- Stock laptop audio card
- Yamaha P-105
- Amp: N/A
I'll be listening in to the genres that I listen to (listed above), starting with Electronica. In Daft Punk's "Get Lucky," the bass is remarkably powerful, as with all of the Beats models preceding it, but it doesn't muddy up the performance. It stays on its own, without muddying up everything else. The mids are clear and sound great with the bass. Vocals resonate well and have a good echo. The high range is quite detailed for a pair of Beats, but rolls off at higher levels. For a pair of Beats, this has a stellar sound signature; but for a pair of headphones in general, not so much.
Rap and Hip-Hop songs have a powerful kick drum, and that is well augmented with the Beats. Dubstep, whose bass lines get muddied up in crappy headphones like the Solos, are well-reproduced through the Pros. In the electronic side of the music spectrum, the Beats Pros shine in nearly every genre on this side.
However, this shine easily fades on the other side of the spectrum, where acoustic instruments reside. Acoustic songs require a large soundstage, but the Beats Pro's closed-back design makes it unsuitable for this. Also, it doesn't have that much detail when compared to other headphones in its price range. However, I really like the headphones' performance in the Solo Piano, Acoustic Rock, and Acoustic Jazz areas. The pair has enough detail to reveal much of the nuances of the piano, which also shows in the Acoustic Rock and Jazz areas, where the vocal range is refined and sounds great, and the background instruments can be heard with little effort. However, as far as soundstage is concerned, its soundstage is rather small and resembles a studio, which fits in with the genres I listen to, but for orchestral pieces, I would suggest steering clear of these.
Even in games, the Beats asserts its powerful bass. Audio effects are accurately reproduced, albeit with more emphasis on the low end. Voices are clear and sound as if you're right there. The orchestral sound found in games like Dissidia 012 sound quite wide, considering my previous trifle with its small soundstage. The piano's sound also doesn't disappoint, with commanding bass and accurate highs that accentuate the already stunning detail that I've experienced while listening through this pair.
Conclusion:
The Beats Pro was the first step in my quest for great audio. They're a sturdy, heavy pair of cans that have been weathered with constant hate over the reputation and price of this pair. However, this pair shines - and shines well - in its ability to reproduce great (though colored) sound in the electronic side of the spectrum; also, it doesn't disappoint in select areas of the acoustic side, either.
There are some things to consider debating before buying it, however:
- Its lack of a wide soundstage makes it unsuitable for orchestral pieces; for this I would recommend the Yamaha PRO 500.
- Weighing in at nearly a pound, its weight can break necks, until you get used to it. It may have heavy clamping force at first, but hanging it on a sofa can help to loosen it up while burning in. To address the weight issue, I would recommend the Beats Mixrs, whose soundstage and signature is almost identical to the Pros, albeit in a smaller, lighter package.
- Its price is phenomenal and sky-high. However, if you know where to look, you can find the Beats Pros for half price (or even lower) online. As an example, I got my pair online for about $125.
For me and my love of electronic-based music, plus an unbeatable discount price, the Beats Pro was a steal. For those who share my love for electronica, don't be fooled by its high price; you can always turn to the Internet for great prices - and you may just get yourself a deal.
kyuuketsuki
To be fair Amber, even Tyll said they weren't terrible headphones, even possibly good for DJing purposes. So at the price point of $125, I can totally see these being rated as 4.5 stars.
AmberOzL
I demoed them too, unfortunately I have friends who paid 300 euros for them. So I really took my time and demoed them. I am sorry but as long as it is something more than 75 80 euros, it is overpriced. About overall rating, even for the price, it seems too much to me. I said it in this way because I did hear muddy very muddy performance unlike the author. Comfort was an issue, build quality was an issue. Studio's seem to be more durable than Solo HD's but I would still suggest to baby them instead of using rough. I really can't give many positive things about them. I say, they are pretty much better than 50 euros cans, but def. not worth more than 100 euros or so. That's how it sounded to my ears. About Tyll, well I do respect him a lot and I always follow his reviews and trust his opinions but even for DJing, I would think something else than Beats.
I must add, the only Beats I liked is Mixr's but still wouln't pay for them either.
I must add, the only Beats I liked is Mixr's but still wouln't pay for them either.
kyuuketsuki
We are talking about the Beats Pro... Not the Studios or the Solos. Neither of those are even worth mentioning. This is specifically about the Pros, which feel well built (though I've heard some people have had wire clipping issues with the folding mechanism). Again, these aren't TERRIBLE, but not good either. It's been a while since I last listened, but I do recall not being completely disappointed with the SQ.
And in the case that you feel that at the price of $125 (which is just about 75% off of MSRP) (Which to be honest I'd start to consider the possibility of being a fake) it is still too high of a rating, that is your opinion. The reviewer has his own opinion.
And personally, if I got them at that price, I'd sell them for a profit. I personally can't stand Beats, no matter how good the price is. It isn't my style nor preferred sound signature. But I do know many people who would actually like the signature of the Pros, and if they could be got at $150, there is nothing in that price range that has similar style or sound. (Better sound yes, possibly with the same sound signature, but Beats are at its core a fashion statement)
And again, Tyll said "might be good" for DJing, but seeing as he had no experience in that, he didn't want to say with any certainty.
And in the case that you feel that at the price of $125 (which is just about 75% off of MSRP) (Which to be honest I'd start to consider the possibility of being a fake) it is still too high of a rating, that is your opinion. The reviewer has his own opinion.
And personally, if I got them at that price, I'd sell them for a profit. I personally can't stand Beats, no matter how good the price is. It isn't my style nor preferred sound signature. But I do know many people who would actually like the signature of the Pros, and if they could be got at $150, there is nothing in that price range that has similar style or sound. (Better sound yes, possibly with the same sound signature, but Beats are at its core a fashion statement)
And again, Tyll said "might be good" for DJing, but seeing as he had no experience in that, he didn't want to say with any certainty.