INTRO:-
When Brainwavz decides to Launch earphones they don’t release one at a time, they like to launch 2-5 earphones in a short period of time. First the M100, first of its kind or say series and I believe we will see more of this series as the good old "R series" has been dormant for while, "S series" has not seen much movement off late, and now we have a new B series line up with two new BA earphones, and I want Brainwavz to add more earphones to this B series with multiple drivers for sure. Brainwavz has so many things up in their sleeves.
All the latest earphones from Brainwavz are here with me, three to be precise, M100, B100 and B150.
But this review is about the M100.
Nearly a month ago They released the M100, all metal earphone housing a single dynamic driver, priced at $90 making it compete in the most crowded price segment. It comes with a MIC and remote unit, there is no plain version and has only one color option, Black.
M-100 had been in the pipe line for long enough and I have it for more than 20 days. I have plenty of earphones which are priced around $100 and I will compare a couple of them with M-100.
Before I start I would like to thank Pandora and Brainwavz for this review sample.
You can buy one for yourself from these places.
http://www.brainwavzaudio.com/products/brainwavz-m100-earphones
https://www.amazon.com/Brainwavz-Isolating-Earphones-Microphone-Headset/dp/B01LZDZQL2
Let's start!!
Yeah.. Mine didn't came with the retail package.
ACCESSORIES & ERGONOMICS:-
Keep in mind that my unit was a pre-release unit and dint came with its original packing but it came with all of its accessories, there is the all so familiar Brainwavz carry case. There are 6 pairs of single flange tips, no bi or tri flanges this time around, but the pair of comply T-400 tip has gone nowhere. There is a cable clip in the box. A cable tie and a instruction manual.
It has a nicely rubberised internally braided cable with really low micro phonics, really really low, believe me it's more like an over ear type microphonics so one really need not to worry about microphonics for sure. This cable is really supple and not bouncy at all, there is enough stress relievers at the earpiece end, at the MIC unit and at the 60 degree angled 3.5mm jack. There is a vent at the cable entry. L/R markings are located on the shells, or for your convenience put the side with the MIC unit in your right ear.
Build quality is awesome, Brainwavz says the shell is made of aircraft grade metal and its nicely heavy too.
Ergonomically things are nice and comfortable, straight barrel with a bullet type profile is not bad from any angle, you can wear these over your ears without any problem, the slightly heavier weight of the earpiece is awesomely distributed and fits nicely into my ears, better than Meze 12/11.
Isolation is above average. There is some wind noise but nothing serious.
REMOTE AND MIC:-
This one has a 3 button remote with a MIC which we have seen on other earphones like the Jive, omega an XF200, I wonder that happened to the Clearwavz remote units, its exclusive to the S series " oh dear dear S series where art thou".
Remote and MIC unit works with all the android devices and iphones. Works fine with my Vivo V3 and Redmi 3s. Single press picks and ends calls. If not on a call, single press will play music and another press will pause it, double and triple press results into skipping tracks forward and backward respectively. Easy and simple to operate, volume buttons do what they are there for.
Clarity at the receivers end is really nice, clearly audible and doesn’t have anything artificial to them like some other MIC units.
SOUND QUALITY:-
Running the show is an 8mm dynamic driver and it sounds really nice to me. Light hearted, fun, easy on ears, easy to drive out of nearly any portable device, for a minute I thought I have found a RE-400 replacement just to realize it's not up to the clarity, transparency and micro detailing of the RE-400, nor has the spectrum wide balance required to replace something like RE-400. But M100 sounds more cohesive and likeable!!
M100 sounds nothing like any other Brainwavz earphone. Maybe kind of like the R3 but R3 was really balanced where as M100 has plenty of bass. The overall signature is Bright, warm and nicely forward. I like it.
FYI I have burned this for more than 150 hrs and is using stock single flange tips for this review. M-100 is really loud, you don’t need to use an amplifier for sure. Sounds perfectly fine out of my Vivo V3.
Here are some of the tracks used for this review.
Eminem - Rap god, space bound, not afraid,
Twenty one pilots - Heathens,
Drake - one dance,
The Weeknd - cant feel my face,
Tom Odell - Another love,
Coldplay - Adventure of a life time, Hymn for the weekend,
Maroon 5 :- Maps, Animal,
Alicia Keys :- It's on again,
Tove Lo :- Habits,
Royal Deluxe - Dangerous, Wanted man,
Imagine Dragons :- Roots,
Selena Gomez - Good for you,
Zara Larson & MNEK - Never forget you,
MO - Final song.
So let's start..
BASS:-
M100 has one of the better bass presentation when it comes to mid range earphones from Brainwavz, S series was mostly boomier marred by lack of sub bass and mid bass prominence, the only one I liked was S3, R3 was flat.
M100 on the other hand is not overly bass nor flat from any angle, has a bit of mid bass prominence but has complimenting sub-bass too.
I have to say M100 has a really versatile bass, it has all the things in its trunk, it can be boomy, it can show its mid bas muscle, it can treat you with deeper sub-bass rumble and can even keep quiet if required. Has awesome impact and body, timber is natural. Hits hard when required with good amount of air. Notes are thick and full making the bass enjoyable. Details is good, you are not going to miss any note for sure but the extra thickness can make things boomy.
Recently I was listening to the MEZE 12 classic and that too has huge sub-bass impact but doesn’t have the fullness or overall body which M100 has.
M100 has good amount of sub-bass, extension too is more than satisfying. The only problem is decay which is not really fast but good enough.
MID RANGE:-
Mid range starts off really nicely with awesome vocals. I love this type of vocals. Slightly thicker than natural which makes it sound more lush with a calmer presentation. Yes it makes it lose the shine and the attack but still it has enough body and forwardness which keeps things afloat. Things are neutral and not really colored.
It does have nice vocal clarity and details, male vocals are thick and meaty, just the way I like it, female vocals too are good but not as sharp as one would expect it to be, B100 was better at female vocals with sharper notes.
Things start to look bleaker when it comes to instrument clarity and details, lacks the required amount of energy and transparency. It lacks the resolution and reveling ability of similarly priced earphones like HA2, Nebula one and even the MEZE 12. Things going for it is the imaging, yes its low on details and clarity but it's the cohesive nature and the imaging which makes things stick.
Another good thing is M100's sound stage, its really spacious, has good width, height and better than average depth.
I am not exactly impressed nor disappointed.
HIGHS:-
Highs of M100 is low on spark and energy, It lacks much excitement and does take a laid back approach here. It does have some extension but things feel really pale as we move up the spectrum. Instruments lack clarity, liveliness and much required transparency for its price.
Layering and separation on instruments is okay, stage on the other is really nice.
this top end is not impressive from any angel but with this type of smoother, inoffensive and fatigue free presentation one can enjoy a longer listening session.
CONCLUSION:-
People are really critical about all the critical things, but if you try to enjoy, M100 is a really fun sounding earphone. If you see the brighter side here, it leads me to the conclusion that M100 is an awesomely smooth and Fun sounding earphone. If you are a critical listener, change your point of view for a while, let the feelings go? And enjoy the bass, openness and the ever so cohesive vocals.
If you are a casual listener, looking for lush and cohesive vocals with a smoother and relaxed presentation, you can give M100 a try, I bet you will enjoy the music. If you want more details, livelier mids and highs please look into earphones like Hisoundaudio HA2, Brainwavz B100 or the B150.
M100 is eager to entertain, it's not trying to satisfy the analytical listener. So sit back, and enjoy the lush and mellow presentation of this nicely built mobile friendly earphone.
I hope I was helpful, Cheers!! enjoy!!