Brainwavz R3 Revised Edition Quick Review
***Please note this is the Revised Edition, the one without the horrible memory wire.***
Full review here http://www.head-fi.org/t/730589/brainwavz-r3-revised-edition-review-by-mark2410
Thanks to mp4nation for the sample.
Brief: Brainwavz do an epically scaled dual dynamic, now without that horrid memory wire.
Price: £77 or US$130 or €97
Specification: Transducers/Drivers: Dual Dynamic, 10mm, Crossover: Passive, Rated Impedance: 32ohms, Sensitivity: 95dB at 1mW, Frequency range: 20Hz ~ 20KHz, Maximum input power: 2mW, Cable length: 1.4m, Y cord, OFC Copper, professional grade memory cable., Plug: 3.5mm gold plated, 45 degree., 24 month warranty.
Accessories: 1 x Comply foam T-series tip 6 x Silicone tips 1 x Bi-Flage tip 1 x Tri-Flange tip 1 x 6.3mm to 3.5mm audio adapter 1 x Airplane adapter 1 x Earphone carrying case 1 x Instruction manual
Build Quality: Metal and fairly hefty. The cable too looks very substantial.
Isolation: Fairly reasonable. Enough to get you killed or for day to day use, but you know, it’s still a dynamic so not flight to New Zealand levels of isolation.
Comfort/Fit: They look like monsters but seem to actually fit everyone rather well. This one hasn't that horrid memory wire so getting a fit is much better but...... it still has a rubbery ear guide thing I could have done without. On the whole it’s tolerable. Comfort was absolutely fine.
Aesthetics: These things look huge, and frankly, they look weird. Not bad, just weird.
Sound: Huuuuuuuggggggeeeeeeeeeeee. These have such a soft, delicate, airy wondrous quality to them. The sound stage is vast; the distance these convey is just superb and remind me of the RE-252 and its weird endless sense of distance. These do open and delicate just utterly superbly. This sort of sound really, really is one I found grew on me. At first it’s so incredibly unassuming. It’s near flavourless, unexciting, mild and a tad boring. Then you grow accustomed to its just playing what’s there, mellowing any abrasiveness and letting the most sweet and delicate details come into view. The bass is a tad inflated, and its depth isn’t stellar but it’s so composed and refined. The highs are for this price the most refined and delicately beautiful live heard in a long, long time. (Since the RE-0 was cut to US$100) Then the mids, all that openness and air, the space, it’s all so very detailed and so very, very subtle about everything. I find myself growing to adore the mids here. I very, VERY much like it.
In the following review, I would like to present my impressions of the Brainwavz R3. A very odd shaped IEM compared to the majority available on the market today, but there is absolutely nothing odd about the sound or fit. This will be my second review of a Brainwavz product and I would like to take this moment to thank Audrey for providing me with a review sample of the R3. Brainwavz is exceedingly generous to the Head-Fi community and it is greatly appreciated.
There is a generous quantity of accessories included with the R3.
1 pair of Bi-Flange.
1 pair of Tri-Flange.
1 pair of Comply Foam Premium T-500.
1/4" Adapter
EVA Hard Case
Warranty / Instruction Card
The included hard case is of excellent quality with dual zippers and web pouches inside to hold all the accessories out of the way when you want to pack up the R3 for travel or storage. There is no Airline Adapter included with these, so if you require one you will have to borrow it from another unit. I personally have never used the Airline Adapter since I am not required to fly anywhere.
Crossover: Passive
Rated Impedance: 32 Ω
Frequency Range: 20Hz - 20kHz
Sensitivity: 95 dB @ 1 mW
Rated Input Power: 2 mW
Plug: 3.5mm Gold Plated
Cables: 1.3 m Y-Cord, Copper
I thought the fit on these would be an issue, but the first time I put them in my ears with the large silicone tips they sealed perfectly. I actually found this to be a pleasant surprise as I usually have to fiddle with IEM`s to get a good fit. I have also tried them in the down position but didn't care for it as they are really made to be worn up. With a little practice you will be able to put them in very quickly and easily. I wear them up and slightly angled forward for better cable routing around my ear. Since the cable does have a mind of its own and will pop out from behind your ear, depending on what you are doing, you really have to use the chin slider to keep the wires in place. I didn't experience any problem with them falling out of my ears or coming loose, just cable movement issues before I started using the slider.
What I did discover was one of the most pleasant sounding IEM's I have listened to so far. The R3's have a very nice neutral sound that can be enjoyed with many different genres of music. Since these have dual opposed drivers, one for bass and one for midrange/treble ,with everything being mixed together in an acoustic chamber, I had half expected a great quantity of overwhelming bass, but there was none of that to be found. Same with the upper end--since there is a driver specifically tuned for that I half expected the R3's to be a touch aggressive as well. No, there was none of that either.
With a sensitivity of 95 dB @ 1 mW, the R3's work optimally with an amplifier driving them, if your source does not put out enough power. The Colorfly C3 will just drive them unamplified with the volume control at 38/40 on tracks that are quite loud, but the R3's really come alive when you put an amplifier in the chain.
I found an IEM that, to my ears, has a very smooth and spacious sound that I really enjoy listening to. It might not be as aggressive or as airy as some listeners like, but to me, the R3 is going to be hard to beat as my new daily IEM. I would recommend the Brainwavz R3 to someone looking for a great sounding neutral IEM that works very well with multiple genres. The heavy cable is easy to get used to, but it might be an annoying issue for some listeners.
Since there are many new IEM's on the market these days, the price/performance value of the R3's might not continue to be a feasible solution.
Constructive criticism is always welcome,
TrollDragon
The flip side of all this is, its not a thrill machine. The bass isn’t thumping, the highs aren’t crispy, nor do they hurl detail at you. The mid’s don’t leap out and scream party. Horses for courses and all that.
Value: If you like this sound style, superb. It’s not an “all-rounder” though so some won’t love it the way I do. Also there is lots of other great stuff at this price bracket. However it is the one that would get my money, I like it exceedingly much.
Pro’s: Oh it’s so sumptuously and delicately beautiful. Soundstage and scale.
Con’s: If you want a V shaped party beast this is not it.
Za Warudo
The large housing is still uncomfortable even if the memory wire is no longer there.
mark2410
did you find it so? i know it looks huge and youd think it would would be an issue but if you had a problem your the first ive seen say so. or are you trying to wear it down?
TrollDragon
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Build Quality, Fit, Comfort, Neutral Sound
Cons: Rubbery Heavy Duty Cable.
Brainwavz R3 IEM
Review by TrollDragon
In the following review, I would like to present my impressions of the Brainwavz R3. A very odd shaped IEM compared to the majority available on the market today, but there is absolutely nothing odd about the sound or fit. This will be my second review of a Brainwavz product and I would like to take this moment to thank Audrey for providing me with a review sample of the R3. Brainwavz is exceedingly generous to the Head-Fi community and it is greatly appreciated.
First Impression
Upon unpacking the R3 from the FedEx bag, I was completely taken aback by the shape and size of these polished aluminum drivers that look like little bottles with an ear tip sticking out of the middle of them. I have seen the product and review pictures, but you really can't get a good estimate of their shape and size till they are actually sitting in front of you. My first thoughts were that no way are these things going to fit my ears or even be comfortable to wear for any amount of time, but more on that later.Packaging and Contents
I really enjoy Brainwavz packaging; there is always a good quantity of information on each side of their boxes. From the brief product description on the front and the detailed information and cutaway view on the back, to the package contents, product specification, and warranty on the sides--all are presented in an easy to read and well laid out format.There is a generous quantity of accessories included with the R3.
Tips Included:
6 pairs of Silicone in S/M/L.1 pair of Bi-Flange.
1 pair of Tri-Flange.
1 pair of Comply Foam Premium T-500.
1/4" Adapter
EVA Hard Case
Warranty / Instruction Card
The included hard case is of excellent quality with dual zippers and web pouches inside to hold all the accessories out of the way when you want to pack up the R3 for travel or storage. There is no Airline Adapter included with these, so if you require one you will have to borrow it from another unit. I personally have never used the Airline Adapter since I am not required to fly anywhere.
Brainwavz R3 Specifications
Drivers: Dynamic,10mm x2Crossover: Passive
Rated Impedance: 32 Ω
Frequency Range: 20Hz - 20kHz
Sensitivity: 95 dB @ 1 mW
Rated Input Power: 2 mW
Plug: 3.5mm Gold Plated
Cables: 1.3 m Y-Cord, Copper
Build & Fit
After these are all unpacked and upon closer examination, you will quickly realize that they are extremely sturdy and well built. The aluminum body is very smooth with no rough edges, corners or excessive weight, as the drivers weigh less than 15g`s on my scale.
The cable is the real issue with the R3's--it might be a little long for some and it is very rubbery and rather heavy duty. The section before the Y splitter seems to keep its shape from being coiled up for packaging and does not want to lay flat or stay where you put it. The Right and Left sections after the Y splitter are a tiny bit more forgiving and only half as thick. This is the R3 version without the built in memory wire, so that short section of black cable coming from the drivers is a little different than the other sections of cable, but is still quite flexible.I thought the fit on these would be an issue, but the first time I put them in my ears with the large silicone tips they sealed perfectly. I actually found this to be a pleasant surprise as I usually have to fiddle with IEM`s to get a good fit. I have also tried them in the down position but didn't care for it as they are really made to be worn up. With a little practice you will be able to put them in very quickly and easily. I wear them up and slightly angled forward for better cable routing around my ear. Since the cable does have a mind of its own and will pop out from behind your ear, depending on what you are doing, you really have to use the chin slider to keep the wires in place. I didn't experience any problem with them falling out of my ears or coming loose, just cable movement issues before I started using the slider.
Sound & Conclusion
After reviewing a few other IEM's recently and finding the Brainwavz S5 way too bright for my liking, I didn't quite know what to expect with the R3's. I was hoping they didn't follow the sound of the S5's or have the extreme bass of the Silver filters on the Rock Jaw Alfa Genus.What I did discover was one of the most pleasant sounding IEM's I have listened to so far. The R3's have a very nice neutral sound that can be enjoyed with many different genres of music. Since these have dual opposed drivers, one for bass and one for midrange/treble ,with everything being mixed together in an acoustic chamber, I had half expected a great quantity of overwhelming bass, but there was none of that to be found. Same with the upper end--since there is a driver specifically tuned for that I half expected the R3's to be a touch aggressive as well. No, there was none of that either.
With a sensitivity of 95 dB @ 1 mW, the R3's work optimally with an amplifier driving them, if your source does not put out enough power. The Colorfly C3 will just drive them unamplified with the volume control at 38/40 on tracks that are quite loud, but the R3's really come alive when you put an amplifier in the chain.
They sound even better out of the slightly darker FiiO X3.
I found an IEM that, to my ears, has a very smooth and spacious sound that I really enjoy listening to. It might not be as aggressive or as airy as some listeners like, but to me, the R3 is going to be hard to beat as my new daily IEM. I would recommend the Brainwavz R3 to someone looking for a great sounding neutral IEM that works very well with multiple genres. The heavy cable is easy to get used to, but it might be an annoying issue for some listeners.
Since there are many new IEM's on the market these days, the price/performance value of the R3's might not continue to be a feasible solution.
Constructive criticism is always welcome,
TrollDragon
BGRoberts
Very nice review.
I enjoyed it a lot.
Who makes the leather case on your X3?
Keep listenin'!
BG
I enjoyed it a lot.
Who makes the leather case on your X3?
Keep listenin'!
BG
lecky
100+ Head-Fier
Pros: That sound...
Cons: Fit could be an issue for some, modest falloff of treble and bass could be an issue for some, although an advantage for others.
The new iteration of the Brainwavz R3 is an intriguing earphone. They’re large earphones, each side containing two dynamic drivers in big pill shaped aluminium housings. They currently retail for about $115, or £80. They look like fit would be an issue in terms of the size of the housing, but in this respect they’re not a problem at all, they fit my ears but also my wife’s small ears. They are however a shallow fit earphone, and with limited play in terms of depth if insertion, which means the may be more difficult than most earphones to find the right tips for. They fit my wife with provided tips, but I had to go through quite a lot of my own tips before finding a double flange tip which provides a good seal for me, none of the provided tips fitted me except for . Choice is also limited in that you’ll want the widest bore tips you can get to work in order to complement and emphasise the spacious sound that they can produce. But once a fit was found, they’re effortlessly comfortable. Much more so than they appear. This iteration of the R3 differs from the first version in the design of the cable. This version has about three inches of memory cable to go over the ears, which then connect to a more regular rubber coated cable, which seems robust and works well enough, I wasn’t thinking about the cable much, so plainly this is an improvement on the earlier cable that led to consternation among some. The connectors seem tough, it seems like the cables will last. There’s not a great deal of noise transmitted through the cable, but adding a cable clip (not provided), makes the cable completely silent. The only minor niggle about the cable is that the connector between the memory cable and normal cable can touch my ears if I angle the earphones at 45 degrees rather than straight up, it’s not a problem for me, but if your ear shape dictated a different angle, it could be a minor issue. Isolation is moderate to good, there’s a limit to the isolation of any shallow insertion earphone, and considering this they’re good.
The R3s are moderately sensitive, and easy to drive, they sound quite nice out of an iPod, and can be driven loudly enough, although they certainly do sound better from my iBasso DX90 - they are forgiving of less than great equipment, but allow better equipment along the chain to sound better.
What is really interesting though about these earphones is not the idiosyncratic design, but the sound they make. These are really very seductive sounding earphones. The sound can generally by considered very spacious and smooth. It’s been said before, and it’s true, that they have a kind of smoothness which is reminiscent of the orthodynamic sound. This alone is really loveable. tremendously loveable, albeit quite difficult to define in a precise way.
Using this tool: http://www.audionotch.com/app/tune/, and this tool: http://newt.phys.unsw.edu.au/jw/hearing.html, I was able to get a good sense of the frequency response. They’re generally quite flat - and this is borne out in that acoustic instruments and voices sound quite natural. Volume does gently roll off at top and bottom. A lot of people will find this very appealing, there is no semblance of treble harshness, and the bass is not intrusive. If you need big bass then these won’t be for you, but I’d be hard pressed to say that these aren’t good general purpose earphones, almost everything sounds very good, and nothing sounds bad. A few recordings of classical music give no great emphasis to treble in the mastering, and the slight roll off can leave them sounding a touch shy of ideal, and occasionally I realise that recordings don’t quite have a sense of energy that a more full treble and bass would provide, whilst still being enjoyable, but none the less. What is also lacking is anything remotely like an irritating spike in frequency which are so commonly heard in earphones of this price or less. The R3s don’t sound notably fast, but when I listen carefully, I’m not finding anything missing. It’s just not overemphatic in it’s presentation, this is a good thing.
Most earphones I would think about predominantly in terms of a lack of flaws - an earphone which lacks flaws is good. Whilst these are not really flawed earphones, they can’t really be judged in terms of a lack of flaws in that they provide something which registers as a positive - that seductive smooth quality. Part of the sound, perhaps contributing to the smooth sense, is a notably open, spacious sound, really much more open and spacious than you might expect from an earphone. The soundstage is not etched with precision - it doesn’t impose a hyperreal sense of instrument placement or layering, but placement and layering are there in a laid back way. And this sense of subtlety, of a sound that is highly seductive but not at all pushy about it, is characteristic of these earphones. These are earphones you can enjoy listening to for hours, they’re completely non fatiguing. They don’t demand your attention up front, but I’ve had so many moments when they’ve crept up on me to display incredibly beautiful moments in the music in a way that is not so common.
If you’re happy with nice but relatively modest treble and bass energy, if it’s OK to you that you may have to experiment with tips to get a good fit, if you want a beautifully smooth and spacious sound which you can enjoy for ages at a time without fatigue, then these earphones may be just what you need in your life.
The R3s are moderately sensitive, and easy to drive, they sound quite nice out of an iPod, and can be driven loudly enough, although they certainly do sound better from my iBasso DX90 - they are forgiving of less than great equipment, but allow better equipment along the chain to sound better.
What is really interesting though about these earphones is not the idiosyncratic design, but the sound they make. These are really very seductive sounding earphones. The sound can generally by considered very spacious and smooth. It’s been said before, and it’s true, that they have a kind of smoothness which is reminiscent of the orthodynamic sound. This alone is really loveable. tremendously loveable, albeit quite difficult to define in a precise way.
Using this tool: http://www.audionotch.com/app/tune/, and this tool: http://newt.phys.unsw.edu.au/jw/hearing.html, I was able to get a good sense of the frequency response. They’re generally quite flat - and this is borne out in that acoustic instruments and voices sound quite natural. Volume does gently roll off at top and bottom. A lot of people will find this very appealing, there is no semblance of treble harshness, and the bass is not intrusive. If you need big bass then these won’t be for you, but I’d be hard pressed to say that these aren’t good general purpose earphones, almost everything sounds very good, and nothing sounds bad. A few recordings of classical music give no great emphasis to treble in the mastering, and the slight roll off can leave them sounding a touch shy of ideal, and occasionally I realise that recordings don’t quite have a sense of energy that a more full treble and bass would provide, whilst still being enjoyable, but none the less. What is also lacking is anything remotely like an irritating spike in frequency which are so commonly heard in earphones of this price or less. The R3s don’t sound notably fast, but when I listen carefully, I’m not finding anything missing. It’s just not overemphatic in it’s presentation, this is a good thing.
Most earphones I would think about predominantly in terms of a lack of flaws - an earphone which lacks flaws is good. Whilst these are not really flawed earphones, they can’t really be judged in terms of a lack of flaws in that they provide something which registers as a positive - that seductive smooth quality. Part of the sound, perhaps contributing to the smooth sense, is a notably open, spacious sound, really much more open and spacious than you might expect from an earphone. The soundstage is not etched with precision - it doesn’t impose a hyperreal sense of instrument placement or layering, but placement and layering are there in a laid back way. And this sense of subtlety, of a sound that is highly seductive but not at all pushy about it, is characteristic of these earphones. These are earphones you can enjoy listening to for hours, they’re completely non fatiguing. They don’t demand your attention up front, but I’ve had so many moments when they’ve crept up on me to display incredibly beautiful moments in the music in a way that is not so common.
If you’re happy with nice but relatively modest treble and bass energy, if it’s OK to you that you may have to experiment with tips to get a good fit, if you want a beautifully smooth and spacious sound which you can enjoy for ages at a time without fatigue, then these earphones may be just what you need in your life.
NymPHONOmaniac
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Over average wide soundstage, good instruments separation, detailed punchy energic sound
Cons: Kind of big and complicated to keep in place, sound isn't the most transparent, eartips change drastically the sound
The Brainwaz R3 are my second pair of dual dymamic earphones and when I bought them I have very high expectations. This gigantic earphones doesn't deceive me and i'm glad to have them in my ever growing IEM collection.
First thing to know with this earphones is that the sealing is EXTREMELY important to taste their full capabilities, in all the tips that are included the memory foam was the only one to work perfectly with the sealing, other one was falling or making the sound distant and without bass impact.
Once you seal them properly your are gratified with a very addictive sound that can be described as wide, detailed, energic and gently V shaped. The bass is punchy and well extended but not over emphased, the mids are neutral and warm and the treble is smooth but present. The more impressive particularity about the R3 is the immense soundstage and above average instruments separation, it make the sound flow around your head instead of feeling stock inside of it. This can be very enjoyable for feeling the complexity of musical composition as well as imaging stereo sound.
Right now i'm listening 96-24bit Vulnicura by Bjork and it sound fantastic with the Brainwavz R3, the complexe instrumentation never interfer with the voice of bjork and texture are rendered fluidly, sub bass is present and mid bass is enough punchy to create a very energic whole, I can easily pick any details of the track and none of them feel congested or distorted, this album is a real treat with the R3!
For sure, some basshead will not find enough bass in this earphones, still, as an ancient owner of the Shure se430, I can say that the R3 are among the best dual earphones in their price range, compared with the Shure se430, they sound a little more warm and less analytical but I find them more fun sounding and less congested when it come to soundstage.
The construction is top notch and look like a tank, they are as big and subtle as a thank too tough, but for their size they are very confortable with the right tips (foam!).
The cable are big too and can be complicate to wear properly around the ear. As with most Brainwavz product, their alot of useful accesories that came with it too.
All in all, I'm really impress by the Brainwavz R3 and their good performance with all type of music I listen with them.
First thing to know with this earphones is that the sealing is EXTREMELY important to taste their full capabilities, in all the tips that are included the memory foam was the only one to work perfectly with the sealing, other one was falling or making the sound distant and without bass impact.
Once you seal them properly your are gratified with a very addictive sound that can be described as wide, detailed, energic and gently V shaped. The bass is punchy and well extended but not over emphased, the mids are neutral and warm and the treble is smooth but present. The more impressive particularity about the R3 is the immense soundstage and above average instruments separation, it make the sound flow around your head instead of feeling stock inside of it. This can be very enjoyable for feeling the complexity of musical composition as well as imaging stereo sound.
Right now i'm listening 96-24bit Vulnicura by Bjork and it sound fantastic with the Brainwavz R3, the complexe instrumentation never interfer with the voice of bjork and texture are rendered fluidly, sub bass is present and mid bass is enough punchy to create a very energic whole, I can easily pick any details of the track and none of them feel congested or distorted, this album is a real treat with the R3!
For sure, some basshead will not find enough bass in this earphones, still, as an ancient owner of the Shure se430, I can say that the R3 are among the best dual earphones in their price range, compared with the Shure se430, they sound a little more warm and less analytical but I find them more fun sounding and less congested when it come to soundstage.
The construction is top notch and look like a tank, they are as big and subtle as a thank too tough, but for their size they are very confortable with the right tips (foam!).
The cable are big too and can be complicate to wear properly around the ear. As with most Brainwavz product, their alot of useful accesories that came with it too.
All in all, I'm really impress by the Brainwavz R3 and their good performance with all type of music I listen with them.
Pros: Fantastic midrange, great built, lots of accessories
Cons: Not for all kind of music, design not for everybody
First of all I'd like to thank Brainwavz and Audrey for giving me a chance to check out the Brainwavz R3 IEM.
The specs:
Transducers/Drivers: Dual Dynamic, 10mm
Crossover: Passive
Rated Impedance: 32ohms
Sensitivity: 95dB at 1mW
Frequency range: 20Hz ~ 20KHz
Maximum input power: 2mW
Cable length: 1.4m, Y cord, OFC Copper.
Plug: 3.5mm gold plated, 45 degree.
Built and accessories:
I’ve now reviewed and used quite a few of Brainwavz offerings and I’m spoiled with them having great built and accessories, the Brainwavz R3 are no exception. The accessory pack is very good with many tips and a great zippered case to store them when not in use.
The retail package is also great as usual.
Probably the most special about the R3’s is the design, it’s unlike anything I’ve ever tried or even seen before. Despite the design being unusual I find them to be very comfortable to wear. The aluminum housings also feel very well done and they really seem built like a tank. I also like the massive cable and y-slit and the R3’s as a total feel very well built and should hold up for a long time.
The R3 is a bit more hard to drive than your average IEM but works fine out of portable devices although it scales very nicely with better sources (more so than the S0 and S5 that I’ve recently reviewed).
I've let them play for over 100 hours and I've not found any weaknesses to the way they're constructed. I've been using them with my HTC One M7 phone, FiiO X3 dap and with my Geek Out720 playing music from my computer.
Sound:
For this review I've used them paired with my FiiO X3 feeding a Cayin C5 amp.
The tips used for the review was a pair of medium sized JVC spiral dots. I've used these tips because I found them to present the sound from the R3's most to my liking among all the ones I've tried with them. As a matter of fact I was almost finished with this review when I tried the spiral dot on the R3 and the positive effect they had on the sound forced me to do some changes to it.
To make the spiral dots fit properly I added an small rubberband on each stem so that the tips doesn't go too far down on the stem:
The sound signature of the R3 is mid centric, warm, full and a bit laid back. The soundstage is above average in both width and depth. The highs are smooth without any sibilance. I could have wished for some more extension in the highs but with the spiral dot tips it’s really not much missing. The bass is well controlled with very little bleed into the midrange. The quality of the sub bass is also good although I wish that the deepest bass would have a bit more impact. With the right tips and a good seal it’s not much missing though and these are by no means bass light IEM’s. The midrange is the star on the R3’s, it makes me think of my modded Fostex T50RP’s with its full, warm and smooth nature. Voice reproduction is very good on both female and male voices and clarity is also good. Separation is only average and with music where there’s much going on things tend to get a bit unfocused and mixed up.
Summary:
The Brainwavz R3 is really good with some music but not so good with other. If you enjoy a mid centric sound and listen to music like Sade, Annie Lennox, Lorde, Ben Howard, Bruce Springsteen and Leonard Chohen (you get the picture) the R3’s are an excellent choice. If you listen to modern pop music, metal and alternative rock you might want to consider other alternatives.
I happen to enoy a lot of the music with which the R3 works very well so for me this is an excellent IEM that I’ve got no problem recommending it to my friends with the same taste in music.
The specs:
Transducers/Drivers: Dual Dynamic, 10mm
Crossover: Passive
Rated Impedance: 32ohms
Sensitivity: 95dB at 1mW
Frequency range: 20Hz ~ 20KHz
Maximum input power: 2mW
Cable length: 1.4m, Y cord, OFC Copper.
Plug: 3.5mm gold plated, 45 degree.
Built and accessories:
I’ve now reviewed and used quite a few of Brainwavz offerings and I’m spoiled with them having great built and accessories, the Brainwavz R3 are no exception. The accessory pack is very good with many tips and a great zippered case to store them when not in use.
The retail package is also great as usual.
Probably the most special about the R3’s is the design, it’s unlike anything I’ve ever tried or even seen before. Despite the design being unusual I find them to be very comfortable to wear. The aluminum housings also feel very well done and they really seem built like a tank. I also like the massive cable and y-slit and the R3’s as a total feel very well built and should hold up for a long time.
The R3 is a bit more hard to drive than your average IEM but works fine out of portable devices although it scales very nicely with better sources (more so than the S0 and S5 that I’ve recently reviewed).
I've let them play for over 100 hours and I've not found any weaknesses to the way they're constructed. I've been using them with my HTC One M7 phone, FiiO X3 dap and with my Geek Out720 playing music from my computer.
Sound:
For this review I've used them paired with my FiiO X3 feeding a Cayin C5 amp.
The tips used for the review was a pair of medium sized JVC spiral dots. I've used these tips because I found them to present the sound from the R3's most to my liking among all the ones I've tried with them. As a matter of fact I was almost finished with this review when I tried the spiral dot on the R3 and the positive effect they had on the sound forced me to do some changes to it.
To make the spiral dots fit properly I added an small rubberband on each stem so that the tips doesn't go too far down on the stem:
The sound signature of the R3 is mid centric, warm, full and a bit laid back. The soundstage is above average in both width and depth. The highs are smooth without any sibilance. I could have wished for some more extension in the highs but with the spiral dot tips it’s really not much missing. The bass is well controlled with very little bleed into the midrange. The quality of the sub bass is also good although I wish that the deepest bass would have a bit more impact. With the right tips and a good seal it’s not much missing though and these are by no means bass light IEM’s. The midrange is the star on the R3’s, it makes me think of my modded Fostex T50RP’s with its full, warm and smooth nature. Voice reproduction is very good on both female and male voices and clarity is also good. Separation is only average and with music where there’s much going on things tend to get a bit unfocused and mixed up.
Summary:
The Brainwavz R3 is really good with some music but not so good with other. If you enjoy a mid centric sound and listen to music like Sade, Annie Lennox, Lorde, Ben Howard, Bruce Springsteen and Leonard Chohen (you get the picture) the R3’s are an excellent choice. If you listen to modern pop music, metal and alternative rock you might want to consider other alternatives.
I happen to enoy a lot of the music with which the R3 works very well so for me this is an excellent IEM that I’ve got no problem recommending it to my friends with the same taste in music.
BGRoberts
Nice review. Thanks!
I like the R3's myself. Just not crazy about the cord.
I like the R3's myself. Just not crazy about the cord.
peter123
Thank you @BGRoberts! I'm honestly not bothered much buy the cord and I prefer a solid one to one that feels fragile. That being said everything can be improved and the middle way is often the best
DigitalFreak
镇老鹰
Pros: smooth, well balanced, rather funky looking design, great depth in the soundstage, accurate bass
Cons: may cause fit issues for some people
video review below
Loquah
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Great sound quality, smooth and natural sound with plenty of detail, but no fatigue
Cons: Fit can be problematic and cable is a bit funky
I recently had the pleasure to review the Brainwavz S5 IEM and the team at Brainwavz were obviously OK with my objective thoughts (I really liked the S5, but wasn't shy about its short-comings) and offered to send me their R3 model for my next experience. Thanks to Audrey and the Brainwavz team for providing this review unit at no charge.
Overview The R3 is a dual driver IEM, but not a dual balanced armature as you might expect. No, the R3 is a dual dynamic driver IEM using two opposed dynamic drivers firing into a single sound chamber / nozzle. It's an unusual design, but one I had heard good things about so I was keen to check it out for myself.
The R3 model retails for about $139 here in Australia so it's at the higher end of Brainwavz' range, but still very affordable in the IEM world and I have to say that it performs exceedingly well for its price - better even than the S5 in terms of priceerformance ratio I think.
Specifications
- Drivers: 2 x 10mm dynamic per side
- Impedance: 32 ohms
- Frequency response: 16 - 22,000 Hz
- Sensitivity: 110 dB at 1 mW
- Cable: 1.3m, copper
Design & Comfort I can only assume that the R3 was designed around the engineers' desired driver placements because it's a strange-looking IEM and one that can be problematic for comfortable insertion and ongoing use, but that might also just be my ears - if you've read my other reviews you'll know that I often have trouble with universal IEMs due to the size and angle of my ear canals.
Housings
The R3's housings are best described as bottle-shaped with the cord coming out of the bottle top and the nozzle emerging from the side of the bottle. The nozzle is a normal diameter (I can use most of the same tips as the FIDUE A83s, HiFiMan RE272, Brainwavz S5, etc.) however it's quite long due to the need to extend out far enough from the non-ear shaped bottle housings of the R3s. I've got no problems with the long nozzle or look and feel of the housing - they're actually great and were it not for this next bit I'd be a huge fan, but...
But the housings are completely impractical for creating a good comfortable fit that's secure in the ear for extended periods and during movement. The biggest issue is the fit's dependency on the angle of your ear canal. With apologies for the ear selfies I've had to use here, you might notice when you look at the first picture here that the way the cable exits the housing means that the angle of the IEM is important to ensure that the cable wraps comfortably up and around the ear. The natural angle created if I insert the R3 comfortably in my ear means that the cable points backwards towards the top fold of my ear and therefore cannot in any way be comfortably secured there.
The good news is that the R3s can be successfully and comfortably worn cable-down and it allows much more angle flexibility. You can see in the second ear selfie that the R3s want to sit at a significant 15-20 degree angle in my ears so you can see why the over ear option is not really possibly with my anatomy. Perhaps others have more flexibility with this than I do.
Now, before you click away to another page, let's discuss a few good things.
Other than their slightly troublesome fit, the R3's housing is unique and really well put together. The R3s feel like they'll last for a very long time and will withstand almost anything you could throw at them. The chrome finish looks great and they feel good in the had and in the ear (once you get a good fit).
Other Design Elements The R3s have a thick, round cable that's quite heavy to the touch, but surprisingly light to wear. It's a bit springy and not the most comfortable cable I've used, but it's OK and probably preferable to the S5's flat cable. The Y-split is solid and functional and the cable cinch is similarly suitable although I find that it doesn't slide easily along the cable, but that also means it stays where you put it which is a bonus.
The final 10cm of each cable before it reaches the IEMs is a black rubber instead of grey with a secondary strain relief at the join. I'm not sure what purpose that serves because it's no stiffer than the grey cable so it's not memory wire for over-ear use and doesn't provide any benefits I can see. Still, it doesn't hurt and adds a nice touch of extra interest when looking at the R3s so no complaints.
The 3.5mm plug at the other end of the cable is a rugged, molded plug at a 45 degree angle that I really like. Right angle plugs and straight plugs both have issues in different applications, but I generally find these angled plugs to provide the benefits of both without the challenges.
Accessories Like the S5s, the R3 comes packed with plenty of tips (single, dual and triple flange silicone tips plus a set of Comply T-500 foam tips) plus a nice looking hard case (the same as the S5) and a 3.5mm-6.3mm adapter. This type of accessory set is becoming more common with all different IEMs at all different prices, but it's still worthy of applause because it makes getting a good fit much easier for new buyers who might not have a stash of all different tips from previous purchases and there's nothing worse than investing in a nice set of IEMs only to have them get destroyed in the bottom of your bag due to lack of an appropriate case.
Compatibility With a 32 ohm load, the R3s are in the sweet spot for IEM impedance in my opinion. Really low impedance models like the FIDUE A83 or Shure SE846 can cause all kinds of issues with some devices whereas a 32 ohm load is really comfortable for cheap and expensive players alike so the R3s should play really nicely with your phone, budget MP3 player, or audiophile DAP / stack. I've tried the R3s with the Colorfly C4, Fiio X5, E12DIY portable amp, and even the Bottlehead Mainline desktop headphone amplifier and the R3s always sound great. They're easy to drive, but not too easy so they don't show up noise from basic devices while still having the sensitivity to make the most of highly detailed audiophile sources.
Sound Bass I really like the bass from the R3s. It's smooth and full, but not enhanced - just naturally present. The bass sits in perfect alignment with the rest of the frequencies from the R3 and allows for a cohesive and realistic listening experience. Being a dynamic driver IEM, the bass is full and rich with a slightly slower feel than a balanced armature (BA) unit, but there is no mistaking the R3's bass for being slow in general terms. No, the R3 strikes the perfect balance of fullness and speed. Bass notes are crisply delivered on time and on target while leaving room for everything else in the spectrum to shine equally. Although not finely textured like the quickest of BA units, the bass is clean and detailed making faster basslines and deep percussion highly enjoyable. Listening to Muse's Absolution via the Colorfly C4, the bass and kick drums were deep and tight. Moving to Ozomatli's Embrace the Chaos album, the deepest rumble of the bass drum on "Pa Lante" was missing, but it takes an exceptional earphone / headphone to really get that right. The R3s certainly came close, but just didn't have that list tiny bit of power down at the lowest of frequencies. I'd much prefer that though to an excess of bass that can cloud the rest of the spectrum and disrupt the entire musical experience.
Mid-range Thanks to the present, but controlled bass, the R3's mids are able to shine through and take centre stage. I wouldn't call the R3s a mid-centric earphone so much as a neutral earphone. You could perhaps argue that the mids on the R3 are slightly laid back, but they're certainly well-balanced with the bass and treble even if they're just a hair behind. It's certainly not enough to make the mids sound distant or veiled and I really like the overall presentation a lot - it's very easy to listen to without sacrificing detail or articulation in any way. Guitars and similar instruments sound crisp and clean and both male and female vocals have an excellent sense of texture and clarity while still keeping an easy smoothness.
Treble The treble from the R3s is really interesting in that, up to this point in the review, I haven't really thought about the treble. I would say that's a good sign of perfectly balanced treble that's neither drawing attention to itself nor lacking in energy and leaving the presentation dark and muddy. The treble is lively enough to provide raspiness and air to vocals, percussive sounds and incidental textures like fingers on a fretboard, but it's not over-enhanced. There is zero fatigue from the R3, but there is also zero lost clarity - that's an extremely impressive feat.
Listening to "Calling Elvis" by Dire Straits I can clearly hear the raspiness of Mark Knopfler's voice and the snare, high hat and cymbals have good energy and clarity so that I can feel them and notice them in the mix, but I've not once in all the time I've spent with the R3s felt like there was too much or too little treble. I'd actually go so far as suggesting that this is one of the best treble balances I've heard from an IEM in quite some time. I'll discuss some comparisons shortly to demonstrate this in further detail.
Similar to the bass detail and speed, treble speed and resolution may be a tiny bit behind the sharpest of BA IEMs, but the R3s are no slouch. Not only do they not leave me wanting more from the treble, they actually leave me thoroughly enjoying the treble because it's fully detailed and energetic, but remains smooth enough to be enjoyable and actually worth exploring. I find sharper, faster treble renditions sometimes lead me to almost tuning out treble detail so as not to fatigue my ears, but the R3s let me focus on the individual textures of a cymbal or snare without feeling on edge as I do it.
Staging and Imaging The stage from the R3s isn't exceptional, but for a $139 it's very good. It feels spacious despite being modest in size and it is evenly proportioned in each direction with good depth and width. Imaging is very similar - it's not exceptional, but it's definitely commendable. Instruments are well separated and clearly defined in their own virtual space. Thanks to the well-balanced presentation of each section of the frequency range from the R3s, the finished product is a well represented auditory image with good clarity and separation.
Selected Comparisons FIDUE A83 At the time of writing this there's quite a bit of hype around the A83 (triple hybrid IEM) on Head-Fi and deservedly so, but given its $300+ price tag and slightly troublesome fit I was keen to compare it with the R3.
On direct comparison, the A83's balanced armatures revealed extra details and texture in the mix that the R3 couldn't show me, but that came at the cost of a drier tone and a less natural overall sound with the A83's treble sounding slightly forward and forced compared to the R3's outstanding balance. The staging and imaging is also better on the A83 as you'd expect with the greater availability of subtle details and auditory cues, but does that make the A83 a hands-down better earphone? I don't think so. If I were looking to hear every nuance then I'd reach for the A83 every time, but if I wanted to simply play and enjoy my music I'd probably reach for the R3s on each occasion due to their more natural treble presentation and more natural overall sound. Technically, the A83 is a better earphone, but practically the R3 might be better for some people.
Brainwavz S5 As much as I like the S5s for what they are, they just don't compare with their slightly more expensive siblings - or at least not for my tastes. Yes, the S5 offers an excellent bass punch that the R3s can't match and for some genres that's an instant trump card, but the R3's balance won me over permanently and left the S5s sounding peaky and occasionally unnatural to my ears. For wide-ranging musical tastes or those who listen to rock, blues or jazz I would recommend the R3 every time over the S5 despite it's funkier fit and higher price.
HiFiMan RE272 Unfortunately I sold my RE272s shortly prior to the R3s arriving, but at around half the price of the RE272's when they were new (if memory serves), the R3 is an excellent replacement. There's no doubt that the RE272 offered superior transparency and separation over the R3, but the R3 is a smoother listen and has much better bass presence than the RE272 so it's a fair trade in my mind. To be honest, if I had the 2 sitting side-by-side I would probably reach for the R3 on almost every occasion because of it's smoother presentation and fuller bass note.
Summary The R3 is an outstanding earphone for the $139 price tag. I would definitely recommend trying a pair before you buy them if you tend to have fit issues like me, but when worn cable-down the R3s are easy to fit so that might solve any concerns if you're happy to wear them cable-down.
I haven't heard a lot of budget IEMs and there are some awesome options out there, but of those I have tried, the R3s are among the most enjoyable of the lot and definitely might be the most neutrally voiced of the lot. If you're looking to spend <$150 on a pair of IEMs and you want an IEM that can handle wide-ranging genres while providing a smooth and natural presentation then the R3s are a must try!
DannyBai
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Even keeled sound, nice build, excellent bundle of accessories
Cons: Thick cable and large Y-split if it really is a con.
I was provide a review sample and would like to thank Salsera and Brainwavz/MP4Nation.
The R3 V.2 is a dual dynamic barrel shaped iem from Brainwavz. Probably the oddest looking earphone on the market but surprisingly, I had no problem with fit. The shape actually works well with the looping over ear design and the earphones stay in place without much issue. The housings look and feel of aluminum and are light in weight. They are actually very comfortable while in use. Cables are rather thick especially from Y-split down to the 3.5mm jack. From the Y-split up to the housings have been redesigned and are much better than the original version. Cables seem to stay in place quite well around the ears and the thickness wasn’t much of a bother for me. The 3.5mm jack has a nice 45 degree angle in which I have come to appreciate in design. Only gripe although minor is the overall thickness of the cable and bigger than average Y-split.
Moving on to the sound, these have a nice balanced signature. Bass doesn’t hit with great impact, won’t reach to the lowest of the lows or hit you with forceful mid-bass punch. Bass has good presence but isn’t the tightest and sounds a bit soft from what I’m use to. The S5 from Brainwavz reaches lower, has bigger impact and makes a much greater presence in the music. For those who find the S5 to have too much bass, the R3 might be more appealing. Overall, I find the bass to fit with the signature these earphones are going for. These earphones have a wide and deep soundstage, some of the biggest I’ve heard. This can be good or bad on the vocals, depending on preference. The staging distances the vocals several rows back so it isn’t up front. I find them a little recessed and I mean little because they can be clearly heard and is not hidden from the rest of the music. I honestly couldn’t nitpick if male or female vocals sounded better since both sounded just fine for me. But, vocal trance sounded quite nice. Treble is very relaxed and there isn’t even a hint of fatigue, sibilance or the dreaded “sss” in the vocal region. Treble is smooth and possibly could use a little more for added sparkle. Somewhere between the R3 and S5 would be lovely. The smooth and non-fatiguing treble still clearly presents the details in the music. Instrument placement can be best pictured as if the listener is sitting in a large theatre compared to say a small intimate club. This is more of a surround sound listening experience.
In conclusion, I find the R3 V2 to be an even keeled sounding earphone that really doesn’t have much fault. Nothing to really complain about, even with the thick cable and all. I’m not too much of a nitpicker but I would think most would find this earphone to sound just fine. No huge bass to complain about or peaky treble or too recessed vocals. Fit’s fine if people can ignore the odd design and give it a try.
kova4a
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: solid build quality; balanced smooth and natural sound; 2-year warranty
Cons: rubbery cable prone to memory kinks; fit can be an issue for some people
First off, I have to thank again Brainwavz and Audrey for this R3 unit
Packaging and Accessories
The packaging is quite straightforward. There are plastic windows both at the front and the back of the box showcasing the shiny metal housings of the R3. Below the front window is embossed Brainwavz R3 and a very basic description – Twin Driver Configuration, Bass & Clarity and Rugged Metal Housing Design. Can’t disagree with that but maybe Smooth & Balanced would have been a bit more accurate description but more on that later.
On the back of the box there is a bit more detailed description of the R3 and its design.
On the sides of the package are listed its contents and R3’s specs.
It’s a fairly nice presentation overall.
Inside the box reside the R3 and the Brainwavz case. I’ve mentioned multiple times that this is my favorite iem case. It’s quite tough and specious and can easily fit a pair of iems and a small DAP like a Sansa. Inside one of the red pockets there is a nice quarter inch adapter and small gray bag with the included tips. There are 2 different types of single flange tips. Black ones made of a touch thicker silicone and gray ones, which are softer and have a slightly wider bore. The single flange silicone tips come in 3 sizes. There is also a pair of bi-flange and a pair of tri-flange tips, which come in only one size. As usual with Brainwavz a pair of comply foam tips packaged separately is included to complete the package.
Build Quality, Design and Fit
The R3 is a quite solid iem with robust metal housings and a thick rugged cable. The cable is a bit memory prone and rubbery though and while I don’t mind its thickness or weight I would have preferred if it had smoother sleeving and was more pliable and easier to keep straight.
The strain reliefs are substantial and again some people might call the Y-splitter over-engineered but it’s fine by me.
The j-plug is also on the bulky side but I’m a huge fan of j-plugs and it looks capable of withstanding quite a bit of abuse, so I can’t complain. If anything it completes the overall tough looks of the R3.
Design-wise it only takes a quick glance at the R3 to realize that it’s not your average iem. Its design is quite unique and I have to admit that when the R3 was first announced I wasn’t impressed and right away commented that people will have issue with the fit with such a design. It’s eye catching though and people often stare at the housing more than a couple of seconds.
Surprisingly despite my initial reservations and worries about the fit it turned out fine. I haven’t tried the old R3 version with the long memory-wires but this revised one actually fits me quite well. The fit is secure and isolation is good. It did take me quite a bit of tip rolling but finally settled on the stock bi-flanges both for the comfort and the sound.
The R3 can also be worn straight but the fit will be less secure due to the weight of the cable pulling the housings down.
There is a very mild driver flex with certain tips particularly on the left earpiece. Microphonics are very low when worn cable up.
Sound
The R3 has over 100 hours of burn-in at the time of writing this review.
For a dual dynamic driver iem that has a separate driver to reproduce the low frequencies the R3 quite surprised me. Its bass is quite flat and balanced. It is well-rounded with good control but is a bit on the polite side – softer on the impact and lacking some depth. The lower extension is not bad but after 50hz the bass gradually rolls off. Overall I like R3’s bass although I would have liked if it was a bit tighter and harder hitting but given the overall smooth and non-fatiguing presentation of the R3 it fits well with the rest of the spectrum. In comparison the Brainwavz S5 has a lot bigger but also less controlled and muddier bass bleeding into the mids.
The mids are well balanced with the bass and also relatively flat. Both male and female vocals have very nice presence and sweet tone. The R3 actually sounds a bit mid-centric but I don’t mind that as this type of signature is harder and harder to find. The tonality is slightly on the warm side but still what I would call neutral-ish. Instruments have nice timbre and despite the slightly thick note presentation sound natural and realistic. Detail retrieval is actually pretty good but clarity is a bit behind in comparison to some of the competition. In comparison brainwavz’s own S5 is noticeably clearer due to its thinner note presentation and treble emphasis but is also a lot less natural sounding and more fatiguing. The R3 instead is smoother lusher sounding.
The highs are a bit laid back but very well extended and smooth. The lower treble has enough energy to keeps things exciting without getting harsh or fatiguing. There is plenty of shimmer but I wouldn’t have minded a bit more sparkle. The treble is not prone to pointing out sibilance. In comparison the S5 with its more emphasized and peaky highs is noticeably harsher and more artificial sounding.
The R3 is full and airy sounding. Imaging is very good with both width and depth above average. Positioning is quite good. Instrument separation is very good with plenty of space between the instruments. Overall, the R3 sounds pretty spacious, especially for a mid-centric iem, which usually tend to be more on the intimate side.
Summary
R3 and its little brother R1
Brainwavz R3 has quite the surprising sound for a dual dynamic driver iem. Owning the Brainwavz R1 I expected a lot different sound but it’s heads and shoulders above its smaller dual dynamic brother R1. I’m not going to lie, I would also pick it over the Brainwavz’s other higher-end iem the S5 any day of the week. While the S5 will most likely impress a lot more people at first listen with its big bass and clarity, the R3 with its more balanced, smoother and mature sound is the iem that really impresses.
The R3 is a very solid performer sound-wise with a very solid build quality to boot. If it wasn’t for Audrey I probably would have given it a pass worried about the fit and all the people complaining about it. Maybe the memory wires on the old version were really horrible – I can’t comment on that but they are gone now and what is left is an iem that deserves to be given a second chance.
twister6
twister6 Reviews
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: build quality, included accessories, great sound separation
Cons: cable, would prefer memory wire back, fitment
Since I was among the early adopters of this updated 2.0 version of R3, I already posted a detailed review with pictures in the original R3 review thread. Therefore, I'm just going to provide a link to my R3 v2.0 review: http://www.head-fi.org/products/brainwavz-r3-dual-dynamic-driver-earphones/reviews/11456
Audiophile1811
500+ Head-Fier
Introduction – As the top-of-the-line earphone of the young company Brainwavz, the R3 has a quite a lot on its shoulders. Utilizing a relatively new dual-dynamic driver configuration, uncommon with most headphones on the market, Brainwavz has chosen this design for its very best headphone. Bold as it is, this design has been successful in many budget-based sets such as the Havi B3 Pro-1 and TTPOD’s T1 series. The R3’s, then, promise a lot considering they cost twice and even three times as much as the aforementioned earphones. So do they deliver for the price? The answer is yes… and no. But this is best explained throughout my review so if you’re interested, simply read on and find out why.
Disclaimer – This is a free review unit delivered to me for the purpose of this review. I am not affiliated with Brainwavz in any way and will stay objective as possible throughout this review. Huge thanks to Audrey at Brainwavz for sending these out to me, it’s quite a privilege. All photos were taken by me.
Specifications:
- 10mm Dual-Dynamic drivers (Passive Crossover)
- Impedance: 32 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 95dB
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
- Rated Input Power: 2mW
- Cable: OFC Copper, 1.3 meters/4.25 ft.
Packaging & Accessories: The R3’s have slightly unconventional packaging that presents the headphones and its cable through clear plastic windows on either side of the box. Inside you’ll find a plethora of tips (9 pairs in total) which include 6 pairs of single-flange silicone tips (3 pairs gray, 3 pairs black), a single pair of bi-flange and triple-flange tips, and a pair of Comply T500 tips. Also included is a ¼ inch adapter, a hard zip-case, and a 1-year warranty card (box says 2 years, don’t know which to believe). Brainwavz has been very generous with their accessories and deserve credit for being thoughtful with their ear tips.
Build & Design: Brainwavz has gone very out-of-the-box with the design of the R3. They’ve used a tubular housing for the drivers and a 90° angle nozzle that sticks straight out of the center. This means each driver faces each other within a divided enclosure and each band of frequencies meet inside the nozzle creating a uniform sound. Internal details aside, the aluminum housings feel extremely rugged throughout. However, cable quality is questionable. The 4-inch black portion of the cable is higher quality than the remaining grey section and is the only part that doesn’t suffer from kinks or memory. But since most of the cable does, it’s a wonder why Brainwavz didn’t just make the entire cable consistent (or thinner for that matter). But this is nitpicking because the R3’s seem very durable. The real problems come when wearing the R3’s.
Comfort & Fit: I have small ears, which means I also have problems with earphones, even the most comfortable. Brainwavz sought to remedy this dilemma for those like me but haven’t entirely succeeded. The R3’s are utilize an over-ear design but the housings are heavy and the nozzles are large. This causes them to fall out of place and need adjustment often. Strain reliefs are a bit stiff below the housings (fine on the Y-split & 3.5mm jack) and combined with their vertical position the cable very tricky to place behind the ear, as they were intended. But the worst part is the cable that is simply too thick and heavy for an IEM. The sheer weight and size of the cable can make it cumbersome and difficult to wear under clothing (also due to its rubbery texture). When worn with the right ear tips the R3’s are relatively comfortable but suffer from their awkward design and cable. With this in mind, the R3’s will suit some but definitely not others, so be cautious if your ears have given you trouble in the past.
Microphonics: For such a large cable, microphonics were not as bad as I expected. Cable noise is well controlled when worn over-ear but is fairly distracting cable-down. The included cinch does a good job of keeping cable noise down in either configuration too.
Isolation: There is a surprising level of noise attenuation when wearing the R3’s. They isolate very well outdoors and reduce environmental noise enough for non-distractive (but safe) listening. I consider this a strength of the R3’s overall.
----------Sound----------
Equipment & Background – For the sound portion of this review I will be using an Audinst HUD-MX1 amp/DAC combo as my primary “reference” source, a Topping NX-1 portable amplifier, and a Sansa Fuze as a portable source. All my impressions are done indoors with an over-ear headphone for added isolation resulting in almost silent listening with no audible distractions. My library consists of FLAC and high bit-rate MP3 files. The R3’s were also burned-in over 100hrs before review.
Bass: With a mid-forward sound signature the bass on the R3’s are not boosted or enhanced like many V-shaped sets on the market. Instead, lows are much mellower and have a pleasant musical warmth throughout. And while they don’t extend too far down there is enough sub-bass for an engaging listen. Bass is tight, controlled, and well-rounded and never once feels loose or bloated. However, it should be noted that the lows on the R3 are fairly soft in nature which means they won’t deliver the same visceral impact compared to sets with large mid-bass humps. That said, bass is always engaging and very punchy when required. Smoothness is another quality of the bass that becomes noticeable with fast, heavy music genres (those of which are not entirely suited for the R3). But those who prefer a mid-forward signature will appreciate the manner with which the R3’s handle bass notes. They are never distracting and don’t steal the attention of the listener; they provide enough energy to strike an excellent balance with the midrange and treble. Bass reproduction is one of the biggest strengths of the R3’s (in my opinion) due to their laid-back presence.
Mids: Moving upwards, the midrange holds a good few surprises. As mentioned before, the R3’s are mid forward overall. But this does not make them fatiguing or offensive to listen to as many other users have experienced with many other mid forward sets. Instead, the R3’s mids are not aggressive or rich, just forward enough to focus its sound on one particular part of the frequency spectrum. The primary advantage here are mids that are both clear and smooth. The balance between the two is obvious but the mids generally lean towards smoothness more than anything else. Vocalists demonstrate this best as they lack detail in parts of both the lower and upper-midrange; Both male and female vocalist suffer the effects of this coloration which was likely created by frequency dips in both regions. In terms of quality, the midrange is neither lifelike nor is it the most natural. Despite this there is no lack of finesse to the mids, just slightly lacking in accuracy. It will easily satisfy all but the extreme detail lover with its creamy, effortless nature but it won’t please anybody in sheer quality alone.
Treble: The last piece of the (frequency) puzzle lies in the R3’s treble. Highs are, yet again, very smooth but also more revealing and detailed than any frequencies below it. While not bright, there is an unexpected level of clarity up top considering the soft, genial character of the bass and midrange. Details come through with percussive instruments with natural timbre and good sparkle but without harshness. This lack of harshness prevents any sibilance from occurring even with the most aggressive vocalists and the worst recordings. Extension is considerably impressive as well, with frequencies extending up to 15kHz and gently rolling-off afterwards. And although consistency is lacking in areas, the treble is still up to par with more expensive earphones in its price range. For what it does best (i.e. bass) and what its focus is (i.e. mids), the top end of the R3’s are surprisingly good; They can suit the needs of almost any listener and any genre.
Presentation: The R3’s present their sound in a way that’s both engaging and involving. Soundstage is a little predictable for a mid-centric IEM as it has a tendency to place vocals and most of the midrange very close to the listener. This gives the effect of having music performed directly in front of you, but not in a way that it becomes tiring over time. The result is a soundstage with only average depth overall. Height is improved over depth but width is where the R3’s begin to open up. Wide spatial cues are thrown out far on either side of the head while still maintaining easy localization. The result is an intimate presentation that is more spacious than their sound signature would suggest. Bass is centered, vocals are intimate, treble is airy, and music is simply a joy to experience. Most will find their unique presentation and signature very pleasant no matter what genre of music preferred.
Ear Tips & Insertion Sensitivity: The R3’s can be a little picky with ear tips as their nozzle is a slightly larger than average. Even the included tips require a little force to fit onto the nozzle. But this doesn’t inhibit tip-rolling with the R3’s as they are quite flexible. Sound can be adjusted to have either a thicker, warmer sound or a more neutral one depending on the tip fitted: Single flanges will achieve the former while the included double-flanges will achieve the latter. And since insertion is neither shallow nor deep some tips will stay in place and others will not. As mentioned in the Comfort & Fit section, this will depend on your ears more than anything else.
Power, Sensitivity, and Source Performance: The R3’s are a very drivable earphone that respond well with most sources. Low output devices should have no trouble driving them although they may require a little more volume to acquire listenable levels. A more powerful source, such as a dedicated amplifier, will yield better results in terms of volume and quality.
Value: For $129 the Brainwavz R3 is a peculiar earphone that combines an unusual design with a consumer friendly sound. The R3 balances a mid-forward signature with a wide presentation but loses out in areas of detail and accuracy. But its main weakness is its design and fit. Their tubular housings are difficult to wear for long periods without adjustment and that’s if they’re comfortable to begin with. The cable’s large profile also causes issues as it prevents the R3’s from fitting inside a pant pocket, making them a little inconvenient to transport. Overall however, the R3 is still relatively good value if you can get past its flaws. And if you enjoy a smooth, musical sound you’ll be in for a pleasant surprise.
I hope this review will be useful to those who read through it. Please leave any suggestions or advice you may have in the comments below. Everyone’s input will help me improve my reviews and make it easier to adapt my reviews for as wide an audience as possible. Thanks for reading and happy listening!
Wokei
Nice review ..well done
Audiophile1811
Thanks @Wokei
Kamakahah
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Durable build quality. Clear and non-fatiguing. Good overall balance.
Cons: Thick, rubbery cable. Two-faced bass. Long-term comfort
Admittedly, I took far too long to post this review. I wanted to try a different approach that involved becoming accustomed to the signature followed by a period without them, and then a reintroduction. It's been about six weeks since I received the unit. I've done week long periods with and without them.
The reason for this decision was two fold:
1. It's the first dual dynamic IEM that I've given significant head time.
2. There were/are some awkward inconsistencies with the sound signature that I was/am hearing. It was my hope at the time to be able to narrow the the reasons behind them. More on this later.
After realizing that I had too many notes and they were harder for me to characterize than originally anticipated, I decided to write this review while listening to them after a short break and give my overall thoughts from this session. My previous notes will still be a factor in what I write, but hopefully this gives more clarity to my thoughts.
Again, I'd like to thank Brainwavz for the opportunity to review these. As others did, I received a review pair to keep similar to the S5. It's a nice gesture of confidence in the Head-Fi community.
In similar fashion, I'll avoid adding pictures and statistics that a quick Google search can provide.
All the usual qualifiers apply: IMO, YMMV, OMGWTFBBQ, ROFLCOPTER. This is just my experience. Yours might be different.
For those that don't like to wade through the paragraphs of information that most reviews provide, here is a succinct synopsis:
Bass: Can vary greatly. Overall lower-quantity with a softer impact. Occasionally comes out to play. See below for more details.
Mids: Pretty clear. Non-fatiguing. Present and slightly forward. Much less , "life has been sucked out" than the S5 but with slightly dry presentation. A touch of warmth. Quite enjoyable.
Treble: Nice lower treble energy. Non-fatiguing but hits of sibilance depending on the track. Smooth and laid back, maybe overly so for some.
Soundstage/Imaging: Good width, and back depth. Shallow forward depth. Can feel intimate as a result, but not cramped.
Separation/Clarity/Detail: Decent separation and good clarity if not a little thick sounding. Good detail in the mids. Lows are too fluffy for my taste. Highs lacking micro details from smoothing
Tips: Find whatever is comfortable. Didn't lead to a ton of variation as it normally does for me. Used the stock, clear tips.
Source/Amping: Some noticeable scaling, specifically with additional power to add a bit more life and energy to the sound. A clear source with good texture seems best, IMO.
Isolation: Slightly below average. Not great isolation, but doesn't leak.
Overall: Enjoyable. A stand out addition in a pack of "V's." Clunky build, but durable. A solid buy at $99. At $115+ you'll want to be sure it's what you're after.
Initial Impressions:
From my notes 6 weeks ago, I thought they sounded clear with a nice sense of balance. I found the bass to be soft and lacking texture. The mid range was enticing, forward, a little dry, but enjoyable.
Methodology:
I gave them 5 hours of listening the first day to become accustomed to the signature. They were then burned in for quite some time using set of burn-in tracks with mixed tracks, pink noise, and 5 minute breaks every hour on repeat.
They were burned in for over 300 hours in total throughout the process. I initially began my process after ~150 hours as per my usual. I continued to listen to other headphones/earphones.
Then, as mentioned above, I took week long breaks. I also spent full weeks only listening to the R3. My reasons for this will be further discussed in the following sections.
Listening was done casually at home and while out shopping. Detailed listening was done in a quiet office. A/B testing done as well with different gear and Fiio HS2 used occasionally for quick switching of sources or headphones.
I avoided reading any other reviews before writing this one to avoid bias.
Chains used:
1. PC USB/Optical>>>Audio GD NFB-15>>>R3
2. Fiio X3>>>(Topping NX1/C&C BH)>>>R3
3. Rockboxed Sansa Clip+>>>(Topping NX1/C&C BH)>>>R3
4. HTC One M8>>>R3
Tips used: Supplied tips, JVC spiral tips, Sony hybrids, Sennheiser double flange.
Test tracks: Many albums in my collection were listened to in full with a number of mixed in individual tracks, but here are a few specific tracks used.
Track formats included 256-320kbps mp3, FLAC, WAV files and a few youtube videos for variety.
- Jessica Lee Mayfield - Nervous Lonely Night : The first minute of this song can tell me a lot about a can. This will seem odd, but the pencil tapping at the start tells me a ton about timbre and a bit about depth. The generally forward vocals of the entire "Tell me" album help point out recessed mids quickly. The bass comes in strong with lots of quantity and impact to let me judge the low end presence and texture. I could go on. It's just a track that works for me.
- Queen - Killer Queen : One of my sibilance test tracks, though it's much more than that. It's another track that can really let you individually identify a spectrum of specific quality attributes or flaws.
- Paramore - Hallelujah : The recording/mastering, whatever, sounds just terrible on the deluxe mp3 version that I have. I use it to test how forgiving a can is.
- Pantera - Cowboys from Hell; Cemetery Gates; Floods : It's Pantera. No more explanation needed.
- Lisa Hannigan - Live from the Troubadour in W.Hollywood. : This is a special recording that I have from a live concert I attended. I'm frighteningly familiar with the venue/performance and how it should sound. I use this to judge soundstage, imaging, timbre and separation.
- Rage Against The Machine - People of the Sun : Bass.
- Metallica - (Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth / One/ etc - Lots of reasons
- Lana Del Rey - Lolita/National Anthem/Carmen : Lots of reasons but in general for her vocals that can sound like thick, warm syrup.
- Geographer - Kites : I like this for cohesion. Some cans make it sound disjointed or all jumbled up.
- Filipe Melo · Ana Cláudia // Spiegel im spiegel (Arvo Pärt) : It's beautiful. Noise test. Timbre. Naturalness.
- Girl Talk - Let it Out : It's fun.
- Dr. Chesky - The Ultimate Headphone Demonstration Disc - Soundstage, imaging, dynamics, etc.
- Many, more.
Build Quality & Acessories:
Oh Jetpack. It's awkward. The cable is a heavy, bouncy, rubbery monstrosity. Plenty of nice accessories included, solid 10/10 in my mind. The bulky shell may or may not affect your fit depending on ear shape.
Comfort/Fit:
Average comfort. The rubbery cable was very noticeable over the ear and raises up at times until pulled tighter with a shirt clip. Long-term comfort has been poor. After about an hour, I found that the area where the cable meets the body rubbed my ear the wrong way. Tips didn't seem to have too significant of an effect for comfort, though I did favor some more than others. In particular, I liked the stock clear tips that weren't quite as firm. I found that they tend to start slipping from my ears. I'm not sure if it's a result of the cable or something else. I tried to wear larger tips to offset the pull, but found that I couldn't handle the loss of comfort. Occasionally, I' would double check their positioning to make sure they are still in place. This was more of an issue when out and about than in the office.
Isolation/Leak:
Average to below average. Noisy locations will be noticeable. I found their isolation to be slightly less effective compared to the S5. Leak wasn't an issue.
Bass:
The moment I listened to the opening kick drum and first few bass string plucks in Jessica Lee Mayfield's - "Our Hearts Are Wrong", I knew that the bass and I were going to be at odds. That particular song is very bass heavy. The R3 does bring the quantity of bass in many tracks to manageable levels. This was one aspect that I appreciated for a number of bass heavy tracks; However, it was also the bane of bass light tracks.
As mentioned in the Cons, I found the bass to be two-faced or fractured. I tried my best to determine its cause, but wasn't able to pin it down in a way that I could explain in a clear fashion. In short, it seems certain frequencies are emphasized. It felt like there were peaks and valleys in the bass than had a very noticeable effect on impact and levels. It didn't seem like a clear line that is normally present where people can say, "Oh yeah, it has a mid bass hump and rolls off in the sub-bass which explains...blahblahblah." - Not the case here. Some songs had the low impact that they normally show, while it was next to non-existent in my other test tracks. I wish I could articulate it better. That said, there is a significant roll off in the sub-bass at about the 50 Hz mark. Below 30 is pretty much a black hole.
In this moment, as I listen to a number of tracks I find the duality. Some show nice, low impact. Others that should have the same feel like the kick drum or bass is hidden behind a glass panel or being hit by a pillow rather than a mallet.
One final beef was with the lack of texture. I found it really was missing that detail that comes with a more articulate bass. The overall tone felt smoothed over and pillowy.
Mids:
A nice forward presentation in the mids. It balances well still with the rest of the spectrum. A much desired addition following the soulless mids of the S5. As mentioned in the brief summary above, I find them slightly dry with a touch of warmth. It's a neutralish presentation of the mid range that in some ways reminds me of a less refined HE-560. One of my favorite signatures centers around the mids, so this was a nice change of pace from my generally bass oriented collection that includes the JVC FX-850, among others.
Treble:
Queen's song "Killer Queen" will pretty much violate my ears if a headphone/earphone is even a little hot, sibilant, etc. These do a pretty good job. Overall non-fatiguing but will undoubtedly be too lack-back for the treble lovers. Smooth, but still with a decent energy, particularly in the lower treble region. Not a whole lot of the sparkle. Hints of sibilance on already sibilant tracks, but that's normal.
Separation/Clarity/Detail:
I would say that it is a notch above average in this category. Decent separation and clarity. A bit thicker sounding than the S5 that suffered from a thin/recessed mid range that killed baby seals. Enough detail to satisfy. Without a doubt some loss of detail and clarity in the bass with roll off and fluffy presentation that lacks in texture and articulation.
Soundstage/Imaging:
The soundstage felt slightly more intimate than I've been used to but not in a cramped way. The positioning feels a intimate. This can be good and maybe a little bad for some live recordings. I'll explain way as it has to do with the way that I perceived the soundstage. The best way I can think to describe the shape is an taking a basketball and half way deflating just one hemisphere. The width sound above average, the behind depth the same. The forward depth, or the space in front of me seems as though its distance has been cut in half when compared to behind.
Source/Amping/Tips:
The R3 did seem to scale a bit. More important, for me, was the added power that seems to add a bit more life to the overall sound. :
- Audio-GD NFB-15
- Fiio X3 + Topping NX1 (Low gain, high was noisy and gave no play with the volume)
- Fiio X3 + C&C BH (Line 2, switches off, gain 'High').
- Rockboxed Sansa Clip+ (Forgot to experiment with attaching amps)
I didn't find a lot of difference when tip rolling. Insertion depth didn't change the sound enough so I ended up liking the stock, clear tips. They are comfortable and didn't negatively affect the sound. I thought a narrow bore might help the bass, but the effect was minor and inconsistent so I reverted.
Final Thoughts:
I want to say that I enjoy this earphone. It's far from perfect, but it has qualities that are becoming harder to find in a V-shaped market. The mid-centric presentation is a welcome addition to my collection. The bass can be a bit of a letdown on some tracks, but it can also be a boon in taming overly bass heavy tracks into submission. It can help you see your much listened to tracks in a new light. It suffers from some inevitable design issues, but overall a durable and enjoyable earphone. As I look at the $115 asking price on Amazon right now I asked myself the question, "Is it worth that price tag?" To some, yes. I think it would fit nicely into the $99 category, but what's $15 anyway?
thatBeatsguy
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Smooth, balanced sound. Brainwavz' signature unique look. Brainwavz' signature build.
Cons: Weird looks might deter some. Cable is pretty hefty and cumbersome.
Intro
TL;DR: Don't let its rather brutish looks fool you; the Brainwavz R3 is a smooth, gentle IEM that works especially well with acoustic genres, slow rock, and jazz.
Before I begin, I would like to thank Audrey at Brainwavz for providing the sample of the Brainwavz R3 in exchange for my honest opinion. Please note that I am neither affiliated with Brainwavz or any of its employees, nor am I being compensated for writing this review. All opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own unless otherwise specified, and all pictures are taken and owned by my sister. YMMV.
Well, it’s been a few weeks since my review of the S5s, and from that first impression of one of their IEMs, they’ve earned their place in my ‘Companies to Watch’ list. Though a lot of their IEMs, to my knowledge, lean towards a more consumer-friendly sound, they are no doubt of audiophile quality. Today, I’m going to be reviewing another of their high-end IEMs, and probably one of the most peculiar-looking IEMs I’ve ever seen, the dual-dynamic Brainwavz R3 Rev.2 (I’ll get to this later).
Anyhow, let’s get on to the IEMs. Shall we?
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.
[size=x-large]== Aesthetics ==[/size]
Packaging, Accessories
At first glance of the packaging, it’s clear that Brainwavz is proud of their design of the R3, as the box features a clear window from the front all the way through to the back of the box, with the R3’s housings suspended in a clear plastic mold, showcased proudly and rather enthusiastically, like a brand-new breakthrough in design or something along those lines. On the front you also see BRAINWAVZ R3 written with a tagline and a few of its main features. On the left side, you’ll see its specifications, and on the right are its accessories, and on the back is a cross-section diagram of the R3s’ housing along with a description of sorts.
Upon opening the package, you’ll find Brainwavz’ semi-hard case hidden from the light of day, housing the rest of the R3s and all of its accessories. I’m still pretty impressed with the plethora of eartips included in the package, which consists of six pairs of single-flange tips (one set in grey, the other in black, in S/M/L), one pair of double-flanged tips, one pair of triple-flanged tips, and a pair of Comply T500 foam eartips. So there you have it - nine pairs of eartips, all at your disposal along with the Brainwavz R3 and S5. Still pretty damn impressive. But that’s not all - you also get a nifty 1/4-inch adapter. In the previous version, there used to be an airline adapter supposedly - but in my case, I don’t think I would need it anyway, so that can be ignored. Frequent flyers, though, might have to buy their own airline adapter off a local Best Buy or some other electronics store.
Design, Build, Microphonics
You remember what I said about Brainwavz’ package being showcased like a design breakthrough? Well, I have got to hand it to Brainwavz, they have made one awesome breakthrough in design right here, and it’s sure to make anyone -- consumer or audiophile -- wonder how they manage to get these in their ears. (Not that it’s a bad thing, though -- they actually fit quite easily.)
Though the concept of dual dynamic drivers isn’t new (lately there have been a lot of popular options to choose from), how they’re implemented intrigued me.The two 10mm drivers are set up in a two-way configuration – one used for bass, the other for the rest of the audio spectrum. Again, this is not unusual, but then we move on to their placement. The two drivers are placed apart from and facing each other, pouring the sound into a ‘Sonic Chamber’ before it reaches your ears through a particularly long tube. At least, that’s what the diagram seems to tell me. It’s probably not as simple as it sounds, seeing as another dual dynamic IEM, the Audio-Technica ATH-CKR9 (and its older variant, the CKR10) shares a similarly-positioned pair of drivers…except for the fact that the CKRs’ drivers go for a ‘Push-Pull’ design in which one driver pushes the sound while the other pulls the sound to supposedly reduce distortion and improve sound quality (or something like that). Coming back to the R3s, it seems both drivers simply push sound into the sound chamber where the sound mixes to bring out the final product.
Moving on, we have the cable, which apparently consists of three sections: the main grey cable from the connector to the Y-split, a thinner grey cable from the Y-split to split (rather, splice), which transitions into a length of memory cable making the final stretch to the housings. This memory wire used to be a lot longer in the first version, but has been removed in the revision for better ergonomics and an easier fit.
Again, the team over at Brainwavz has impressed me with the excellent build quality of the R3s. From the solid machined aluminum housings to the strong extremely heavy-duty Y-split (see above), it’s clear Brainwavz made no compromises to the build quality of the R3 just as they did with the S5. The only gripe I have with the build is the cable. No, it’s not because of durability -- in fact, it’s probably one of the most solid cables I’ve had in my possession yet. My gripe with the cable is because it’s solid. It’s very thick -- reminding me of the cable on my old Beats Pro. Its thickness in turn makes them very difficult to manage. When they arrived, they were bound pretty tightly together by a wire, and when I undid the wire, I was greeted with an eyesore of a cable with folds and creases on every inch. Even as I write this, I’m still trying to straighten it out. Cable noise isn’t much different. Even with the over-ear design dulling it down, cable noise is still a bit of an issue due to the serious weight of the cable.
Fit, Comfort, Isolation
Now, I’m sure you’re still wondering if the bottle-like housings with a tube on the side would actually fit your ears. Well, I’m happy to report that it actually does. It did take a few minutes of fiddling at first, but it only takes a few tries to get accustomed to it. They’re pretty comfortable once they’re in your ears, though at times the housing does touch -- more like press on -- part of my ear when I don’t get them in right, which again is a nuisance, but it’s mostly just on me. Due to the housings being little more than a bottle with a tube sticking out of the side which goes into your ear, isolation leans toward average, but is nonetheless good enough for a walk in the park or at home. Don’t expect it to drown out much in a bus or the subway, though.
Also, something of note: the Brainwavz R3 can be worn straight-down; however the cable causes too much microphonics to be tolerable. That, and the R3 is considerably heavy with its thick cable and solid aluminum housings. I don’t know if you guys will like it -- maybe you will, maybe you won’t, but I most definitely will not wear these straight-down.
I hope I didn’t bore you yet with my explanations, because we’re just about to get to the sound. Bored yet? No? Great, now let’s move on.
[size=x-large]== Sound ==[/size]
Specs
Headphone Type
Closed back, vented in-ear monitor (straight down, around-the-ear)
Driver Type
10 mm dynamic x2
Frequency Response
16 Hz – 22 kHz
Rated Input Power
30 mW
Sensitivity
110 dB @ 1 mW
Impedance
32 Ω
Weight
N/A
Cable
1.3 m (4.2’) Copper Y-Cord
Connector
3.5 mm (1/8”) gold-plated 45-degree TRS
Accessories
Hard carrying case 3 pairs single-flange silicone eartips (grey, S/M/L)
3 pairs single-flange silicone eartips (black, S/M/L)
1 pair double-flange silicone eartips
1 pair triple-flange silicone eartips
1 pair Comply™ T-500 foam eartips
6.3 mm (1/4”) adapter
Equipment, Burn-in
The equipment used for this review consists of my iPod Touch, an iPad 3, and my PC through headphone-out as the sources, all running without an amp. The amp used in the test is a Yamaha RX-V359 through headphone-out. As for the EQ software being used, I use Viper4Windows on the PC and the default system EQ on the other sources. As always, my test tracks are available here, although I will link specific songs in the assessment for a more direct point of reference.
As per review “tradition,” the Brainwavz R3s have been burned in for at least 100 hours prior to the review, with occasional listening sessions in between for an average of an hour. So far, throughout the 100 hours of burn-in, there haven’t been any noticeable changes in sound. Also, the eartips I used are the L-sized grey single flanges throughout the review. So, without further ado, let’s get on to the sound!
Sound Quality
Bass:
Okay, let’s start off with the bass. As an IEM designed for the audiophile crowd, don’t expect the R3 to have elevated bass, because it doesn’t have that. However, what it does have is a smooth, swift low-end that is clearly made for its target audience. Its accurate, slightly warm tone reproduces low tones without overdoing anything. It also has a strong enough punch to satisfy most listeners who aren’t craving bass. In short, it’s a very addicting listen that works amazingly with cool, laid-back songs (Daft Punk –The Game of Love, Something About Us).
Midrange:
The Brainwavz R3’s midrange is sweet and rich – basically, it sounds great. It has a great amount of clarity with a slight warmth to it. It reproduces the midrange very well, and despite its mid-centric signature (more on this later), isn’t as forward as I expected. One of my favourite characteristics about it, though, is how they manage to blend really well with the bass (Coldplay –Sparks) – making a very cohesive and united sound signature.
Treble:
Brainwavz purposely tuned the R3 to have a smooth, laid-back treble, topping off the sound signature like the smooth foam on a latte (more on this analogy later). This laid-back signature gives the R3 a very relaxing signature that you can simply listen to for hours, which is a huge plus in my book. (Note: Technical mode ON) Though most laid-back treble usually sounds veiled and lacking detail, Brainwavz managed to counter that by tuning in a treble spike around 10 kHz. This allows the R3 to still retain great detail retrieval even with its laid-back treble (technical mode OFF).
Soundstage/Presentation:
Apparently Brainwavz’ “Sound Chamber” technology actually does affect the R3’s sound signature – specifically, its soundstage. It’s very wide, airy, and expansive, which you usually don’t get to hear very often in an earphone, so that’s a huge plus. Live, acoustic, and classical recordings really come to life on the Brainwavz R3. However, I did notice instruments were projected (or “sound like” in layman’s terms) onto a narrow arc in front of you, instead of all around you. It’s a little quirk there that might not be as appealing to the more finicky listeners, but it’s not too much of a big deal.
Genre Proficiency:
The Brainwavz R3, as I’ve said earlier, works amazingly well with cool, laid-back genres, synergising well with its laid-back sound. Stuff like Coldplay, Daft Punk’s slower works, classical, anything that’s slow or has a relaxing vibe – the Brainwavz R3 performs spectacularly. However, it’s hardly finicky with genres and will play anything you throw at it very well.
Summary:
The Brainwavz R3’s sound is something I could liken to a nice latte – smooth, rich, creamy, sweet, and with just the right kick from the coffee. I’m sure from this, you can put two and two together, so there’s not much to say other than it’s great if the R3’s sound is what you’re looking for. Bassheads will have to look elsewhere, because the R3 is definitely an audiophile IEM.
Other Media
Games:
The R3 isn’t bad with games. Sure, its detail retrieval is great for getting an edge over the competition, but its rather congested presentation takes a hit to their imaging capabilities. All in all, they’re not something I’d use for competitive gaming.
Movies:
The R3’s smooth, balanced signature allows it to play along with pretty much any type of movie, from epic action scenes to heart-wrenching drama moments. I find they perform better with quieter movies, just as they do well with laid-back music.
EQ Response, Amplification
The R3, in my opinion, doesn’t really respond well to EQ (rather, basic EQ presets), though with a more advanced EQ like Electri-Q or Viper4Windows, you can EQ them to be completely flat, which, surprisingly, is very easy to do. But once I did that, man, oh man. The results were amazing. Probably the only downside to this is having to go through rather extensive tweaking and listening to get the sound just right, but otherwise they’re perfectly fine. At an impedance rating of about 32 ohms, they do need a bit more power to drive than, say, the S5 IEMs. At lower volumes, their midrange sounds rather muffled, and both ends of the spectrum also lose some detail. With extra power, though, the midrange comes forward, and with enough power, the bass suddenly begins to sound pretty damn impressive. You can really feel the sub-bass notes come alive and make the entire signature come together to no short of amazing. I don’t have a dedicated headphone amp as of yet, but now I begin to realize just how much I need one.
The R3 is a dual driver IEM, but not a dual balanced armature as you might expect. No, the R3 is a dual dynamic driver IEM using two opposed dynamic drivers firing into a single sound chamber / nozzle. It's an unusual design, but one I had heard good things about so I was keen to check it out for myself.
The R3 model retails for about $139 here in Australia so it's at the higher end of Brainwavz' range, but still very affordable in the IEM world and I have to say that it performs exceedingly well for its price - better even than the S5 in terms of priceerformance ratio I think.
Specifications
- Drivers: 2 x 10mm dynamic per side
- Impedance: 32 ohms
- Frequency response: 16 - 22,000 Hz
- Sensitivity: 110 dB at 1 mW
- Cable: 1.3m, copper
Design & Comfort I can only assume that the R3 was designed around the engineers' desired driver placements because it's a strange-looking IEM and one that can be problematic for comfortable insertion and ongoing use, but that might also just be my ears - if you've read my other reviews you'll know that I often have trouble with universal IEMs due to the size and angle of my ear canals.
Housings
The R3's housings are best described as bottle-shaped with the cord coming out of the bottle top and the nozzle emerging from the side of the bottle. The nozzle is a normal diameter (I can use most of the same tips as the FIDUE A83s, HiFiMan RE272, Brainwavz S5, etc.) however it's quite long due to the need to extend out far enough from the non-ear shaped bottle housings of the R3s. I've got no problems with the long nozzle or look and feel of the housing - they're actually great and were it not for this next bit I'd be a huge fan, but...
But the housings are completely impractical for creating a good comfortable fit that's secure in the ear for extended periods and during movement. The biggest issue is the fit's dependency on the angle of your ear canal. With apologies for the ear selfies I've had to use here, you might notice when you look at the first picture here that the way the cable exits the housing means that the angle of the IEM is important to ensure that the cable wraps comfortably up and around the ear. The natural angle created if I insert the R3 comfortably in my ear means that the cable points backwards towards the top fold of my ear and therefore cannot in any way be comfortably secured there.
The good news is that the R3s can be successfully and comfortably worn cable-down and it allows much more angle flexibility. You can see in the second ear selfie that the R3s want to sit at a significant 15-20 degree angle in my ears so you can see why the over ear option is not really possibly with my anatomy. Perhaps others have more flexibility with this than I do.
Now, before you click away to another page, let's discuss a few good things.
Other than their slightly troublesome fit, the R3's housing is unique and really well put together. The R3s feel like they'll last for a very long time and will withstand almost anything you could throw at them. The chrome finish looks great and they feel good in the had and in the ear (once you get a good fit).
Other Design Elements The R3s have a thick, round cable that's quite heavy to the touch, but surprisingly light to wear. It's a bit springy and not the most comfortable cable I've used, but it's OK and probably preferable to the S5's flat cable. The Y-split is solid and functional and the cable cinch is similarly suitable although I find that it doesn't slide easily along the cable, but that also means it stays where you put it which is a bonus.
The final 10cm of each cable before it reaches the IEMs is a black rubber instead of grey with a secondary strain relief at the join. I'm not sure what purpose that serves because it's no stiffer than the grey cable so it's not memory wire for over-ear use and doesn't provide any benefits I can see. Still, it doesn't hurt and adds a nice touch of extra interest when looking at the R3s so no complaints.
The 3.5mm plug at the other end of the cable is a rugged, molded plug at a 45 degree angle that I really like. Right angle plugs and straight plugs both have issues in different applications, but I generally find these angled plugs to provide the benefits of both without the challenges.
Accessories Like the S5s, the R3 comes packed with plenty of tips (single, dual and triple flange silicone tips plus a set of Comply T-500 foam tips) plus a nice looking hard case (the same as the S5) and a 3.5mm-6.3mm adapter. This type of accessory set is becoming more common with all different IEMs at all different prices, but it's still worthy of applause because it makes getting a good fit much easier for new buyers who might not have a stash of all different tips from previous purchases and there's nothing worse than investing in a nice set of IEMs only to have them get destroyed in the bottom of your bag due to lack of an appropriate case.
Compatibility With a 32 ohm load, the R3s are in the sweet spot for IEM impedance in my opinion. Really low impedance models like the FIDUE A83 or Shure SE846 can cause all kinds of issues with some devices whereas a 32 ohm load is really comfortable for cheap and expensive players alike so the R3s should play really nicely with your phone, budget MP3 player, or audiophile DAP / stack. I've tried the R3s with the Colorfly C4, Fiio X5, E12DIY portable amp, and even the Bottlehead Mainline desktop headphone amplifier and the R3s always sound great. They're easy to drive, but not too easy so they don't show up noise from basic devices while still having the sensitivity to make the most of highly detailed audiophile sources.
Sound Bass I really like the bass from the R3s. It's smooth and full, but not enhanced - just naturally present. The bass sits in perfect alignment with the rest of the frequencies from the R3 and allows for a cohesive and realistic listening experience. Being a dynamic driver IEM, the bass is full and rich with a slightly slower feel than a balanced armature (BA) unit, but there is no mistaking the R3's bass for being slow in general terms. No, the R3 strikes the perfect balance of fullness and speed. Bass notes are crisply delivered on time and on target while leaving room for everything else in the spectrum to shine equally. Although not finely textured like the quickest of BA units, the bass is clean and detailed making faster basslines and deep percussion highly enjoyable. Listening to Muse's Absolution via the Colorfly C4, the bass and kick drums were deep and tight. Moving to Ozomatli's Embrace the Chaos album, the deepest rumble of the bass drum on "Pa Lante" was missing, but it takes an exceptional earphone / headphone to really get that right. The R3s certainly came close, but just didn't have that list tiny bit of power down at the lowest of frequencies. I'd much prefer that though to an excess of bass that can cloud the rest of the spectrum and disrupt the entire musical experience.
Mid-range Thanks to the present, but controlled bass, the R3's mids are able to shine through and take centre stage. I wouldn't call the R3s a mid-centric earphone so much as a neutral earphone. You could perhaps argue that the mids on the R3 are slightly laid back, but they're certainly well-balanced with the bass and treble even if they're just a hair behind. It's certainly not enough to make the mids sound distant or veiled and I really like the overall presentation a lot - it's very easy to listen to without sacrificing detail or articulation in any way. Guitars and similar instruments sound crisp and clean and both male and female vocals have an excellent sense of texture and clarity while still keeping an easy smoothness.
Treble The treble from the R3s is really interesting in that, up to this point in the review, I haven't really thought about the treble. I would say that's a good sign of perfectly balanced treble that's neither drawing attention to itself nor lacking in energy and leaving the presentation dark and muddy. The treble is lively enough to provide raspiness and air to vocals, percussive sounds and incidental textures like fingers on a fretboard, but it's not over-enhanced. There is zero fatigue from the R3, but there is also zero lost clarity - that's an extremely impressive feat.
Listening to "Calling Elvis" by Dire Straits I can clearly hear the raspiness of Mark Knopfler's voice and the snare, high hat and cymbals have good energy and clarity so that I can feel them and notice them in the mix, but I've not once in all the time I've spent with the R3s felt like there was too much or too little treble. I'd actually go so far as suggesting that this is one of the best treble balances I've heard from an IEM in quite some time. I'll discuss some comparisons shortly to demonstrate this in further detail.
Similar to the bass detail and speed, treble speed and resolution may be a tiny bit behind the sharpest of BA IEMs, but the R3s are no slouch. Not only do they not leave me wanting more from the treble, they actually leave me thoroughly enjoying the treble because it's fully detailed and energetic, but remains smooth enough to be enjoyable and actually worth exploring. I find sharper, faster treble renditions sometimes lead me to almost tuning out treble detail so as not to fatigue my ears, but the R3s let me focus on the individual textures of a cymbal or snare without feeling on edge as I do it.
Staging and Imaging The stage from the R3s isn't exceptional, but for a $139 it's very good. It feels spacious despite being modest in size and it is evenly proportioned in each direction with good depth and width. Imaging is very similar - it's not exceptional, but it's definitely commendable. Instruments are well separated and clearly defined in their own virtual space. Thanks to the well-balanced presentation of each section of the frequency range from the R3s, the finished product is a well represented auditory image with good clarity and separation.
Selected Comparisons FIDUE A83 At the time of writing this there's quite a bit of hype around the A83 (triple hybrid IEM) on Head-Fi and deservedly so, but given its $300+ price tag and slightly troublesome fit I was keen to compare it with the R3.
On direct comparison, the A83's balanced armatures revealed extra details and texture in the mix that the R3 couldn't show me, but that came at the cost of a drier tone and a less natural overall sound with the A83's treble sounding slightly forward and forced compared to the R3's outstanding balance. The staging and imaging is also better on the A83 as you'd expect with the greater availability of subtle details and auditory cues, but does that make the A83 a hands-down better earphone? I don't think so. If I were looking to hear every nuance then I'd reach for the A83 every time, but if I wanted to simply play and enjoy my music I'd probably reach for the R3s on each occasion due to their more natural treble presentation and more natural overall sound. Technically, the A83 is a better earphone, but practically the R3 might be better for some people.
Brainwavz S5 As much as I like the S5s for what they are, they just don't compare with their slightly more expensive siblings - or at least not for my tastes. Yes, the S5 offers an excellent bass punch that the R3s can't match and for some genres that's an instant trump card, but the R3's balance won me over permanently and left the S5s sounding peaky and occasionally unnatural to my ears. For wide-ranging musical tastes or those who listen to rock, blues or jazz I would recommend the R3 every time over the S5 despite it's funkier fit and higher price.
HiFiMan RE272 Unfortunately I sold my RE272s shortly prior to the R3s arriving, but at around half the price of the RE272's when they were new (if memory serves), the R3 is an excellent replacement. There's no doubt that the RE272 offered superior transparency and separation over the R3, but the R3 is a smoother listen and has much better bass presence than the RE272 so it's a fair trade in my mind. To be honest, if I had the 2 sitting side-by-side I would probably reach for the R3 on almost every occasion because of it's smoother presentation and fuller bass note.
Summary The R3 is an outstanding earphone for the $139 price tag. I would definitely recommend trying a pair before you buy them if you tend to have fit issues like me, but when worn cable-down the R3s are easy to fit so that might solve any concerns if you're happy to wear them cable-down.
I haven't heard a lot of budget IEMs and there are some awesome options out there, but of those I have tried, the R3s are among the most enjoyable of the lot and definitely might be the most neutrally voiced of the lot. If you're looking to spend <$150 on a pair of IEMs and you want an IEM that can handle wide-ranging genres while providing a smooth and natural presentation then the R3s are a must try!
DannyBai
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Even keeled sound, nice build, excellent bundle of accessories
Cons: Thick cable and large Y-split if it really is a con.
I was provide a review sample and would like to thank Salsera and Brainwavz/MP4Nation.
The R3 V.2 is a dual dynamic barrel shaped iem from Brainwavz. Probably the oddest looking earphone on the market but surprisingly, I had no problem with fit. The shape actually works well with the looping over ear design and the earphones stay in place without much issue. The housings look and feel of aluminum and are light in weight. They are actually very comfortable while in use. Cables are rather thick especially from Y-split down to the 3.5mm jack. From the Y-split up to the housings have been redesigned and are much better than the original version. Cables seem to stay in place quite well around the ears and the thickness wasn’t much of a bother for me. The 3.5mm jack has a nice 45 degree angle in which I have come to appreciate in design. Only gripe although minor is the overall thickness of the cable and bigger than average Y-split.
Moving on to the sound, these have a nice balanced signature. Bass doesn’t hit with great impact, won’t reach to the lowest of the lows or hit you with forceful mid-bass punch. Bass has good presence but isn’t the tightest and sounds a bit soft from what I’m use to. The S5 from Brainwavz reaches lower, has bigger impact and makes a much greater presence in the music. For those who find the S5 to have too much bass, the R3 might be more appealing. Overall, I find the bass to fit with the signature these earphones are going for. These earphones have a wide and deep soundstage, some of the biggest I’ve heard. This can be good or bad on the vocals, depending on preference. The staging distances the vocals several rows back so it isn’t up front. I find them a little recessed and I mean little because they can be clearly heard and is not hidden from the rest of the music. I honestly couldn’t nitpick if male or female vocals sounded better since both sounded just fine for me. But, vocal trance sounded quite nice. Treble is very relaxed and there isn’t even a hint of fatigue, sibilance or the dreaded “sss” in the vocal region. Treble is smooth and possibly could use a little more for added sparkle. Somewhere between the R3 and S5 would be lovely. The smooth and non-fatiguing treble still clearly presents the details in the music. Instrument placement can be best pictured as if the listener is sitting in a large theatre compared to say a small intimate club. This is more of a surround sound listening experience.
In conclusion, I find the R3 V2 to be an even keeled sounding earphone that really doesn’t have much fault. Nothing to really complain about, even with the thick cable and all. I’m not too much of a nitpicker but I would think most would find this earphone to sound just fine. No huge bass to complain about or peaky treble or too recessed vocals. Fit’s fine if people can ignore the odd design and give it a try.
kova4a
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: solid build quality; balanced smooth and natural sound; 2-year warranty
Cons: rubbery cable prone to memory kinks; fit can be an issue for some people
First off, I have to thank again Brainwavz and Audrey for this R3 unit
Packaging and Accessories
The packaging is quite straightforward. There are plastic windows both at the front and the back of the box showcasing the shiny metal housings of the R3. Below the front window is embossed Brainwavz R3 and a very basic description – Twin Driver Configuration, Bass & Clarity and Rugged Metal Housing Design. Can’t disagree with that but maybe Smooth & Balanced would have been a bit more accurate description but more on that later.
On the back of the box there is a bit more detailed description of the R3 and its design.
On the sides of the package are listed its contents and R3’s specs.
It’s a fairly nice presentation overall.
Inside the box reside the R3 and the Brainwavz case. I’ve mentioned multiple times that this is my favorite iem case. It’s quite tough and specious and can easily fit a pair of iems and a small DAP like a Sansa. Inside one of the red pockets there is a nice quarter inch adapter and small gray bag with the included tips. There are 2 different types of single flange tips. Black ones made of a touch thicker silicone and gray ones, which are softer and have a slightly wider bore. The single flange silicone tips come in 3 sizes. There is also a pair of bi-flange and a pair of tri-flange tips, which come in only one size. As usual with Brainwavz a pair of comply foam tips packaged separately is included to complete the package.
Build Quality, Design and Fit
The R3 is a quite solid iem with robust metal housings and a thick rugged cable. The cable is a bit memory prone and rubbery though and while I don’t mind its thickness or weight I would have preferred if it had smoother sleeving and was more pliable and easier to keep straight.
The strain reliefs are substantial and again some people might call the Y-splitter over-engineered but it’s fine by me.
The j-plug is also on the bulky side but I’m a huge fan of j-plugs and it looks capable of withstanding quite a bit of abuse, so I can’t complain. If anything it completes the overall tough looks of the R3.
Design-wise it only takes a quick glance at the R3 to realize that it’s not your average iem. Its design is quite unique and I have to admit that when the R3 was first announced I wasn’t impressed and right away commented that people will have issue with the fit with such a design. It’s eye catching though and people often stare at the housing more than a couple of seconds.
Surprisingly despite my initial reservations and worries about the fit it turned out fine. I haven’t tried the old R3 version with the long memory-wires but this revised one actually fits me quite well. The fit is secure and isolation is good. It did take me quite a bit of tip rolling but finally settled on the stock bi-flanges both for the comfort and the sound.
The R3 can also be worn straight but the fit will be less secure due to the weight of the cable pulling the housings down.
There is a very mild driver flex with certain tips particularly on the left earpiece. Microphonics are very low when worn cable up.
Sound
The R3 has over 100 hours of burn-in at the time of writing this review.
For a dual dynamic driver iem that has a separate driver to reproduce the low frequencies the R3 quite surprised me. Its bass is quite flat and balanced. It is well-rounded with good control but is a bit on the polite side – softer on the impact and lacking some depth. The lower extension is not bad but after 50hz the bass gradually rolls off. Overall I like R3’s bass although I would have liked if it was a bit tighter and harder hitting but given the overall smooth and non-fatiguing presentation of the R3 it fits well with the rest of the spectrum. In comparison the Brainwavz S5 has a lot bigger but also less controlled and muddier bass bleeding into the mids.
The mids are well balanced with the bass and also relatively flat. Both male and female vocals have very nice presence and sweet tone. The R3 actually sounds a bit mid-centric but I don’t mind that as this type of signature is harder and harder to find. The tonality is slightly on the warm side but still what I would call neutral-ish. Instruments have nice timbre and despite the slightly thick note presentation sound natural and realistic. Detail retrieval is actually pretty good but clarity is a bit behind in comparison to some of the competition. In comparison brainwavz’s own S5 is noticeably clearer due to its thinner note presentation and treble emphasis but is also a lot less natural sounding and more fatiguing. The R3 instead is smoother lusher sounding.
The highs are a bit laid back but very well extended and smooth. The lower treble has enough energy to keeps things exciting without getting harsh or fatiguing. There is plenty of shimmer but I wouldn’t have minded a bit more sparkle. The treble is not prone to pointing out sibilance. In comparison the S5 with its more emphasized and peaky highs is noticeably harsher and more artificial sounding.
The R3 is full and airy sounding. Imaging is very good with both width and depth above average. Positioning is quite good. Instrument separation is very good with plenty of space between the instruments. Overall, the R3 sounds pretty spacious, especially for a mid-centric iem, which usually tend to be more on the intimate side.
Summary
R3 and its little brother R1
Brainwavz R3 has quite the surprising sound for a dual dynamic driver iem. Owning the Brainwavz R1 I expected a lot different sound but it’s heads and shoulders above its smaller dual dynamic brother R1. I’m not going to lie, I would also pick it over the Brainwavz’s other higher-end iem the S5 any day of the week. While the S5 will most likely impress a lot more people at first listen with its big bass and clarity, the R3 with its more balanced, smoother and mature sound is the iem that really impresses.
The R3 is a very solid performer sound-wise with a very solid build quality to boot. If it wasn’t for Audrey I probably would have given it a pass worried about the fit and all the people complaining about it. Maybe the memory wires on the old version were really horrible – I can’t comment on that but they are gone now and what is left is an iem that deserves to be given a second chance.
twister6
twister6 Reviews
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: build quality, included accessories, great sound separation
Cons: cable, would prefer memory wire back, fitment
Since I was among the early adopters of this updated 2.0 version of R3, I already posted a detailed review with pictures in the original R3 review thread. Therefore, I'm just going to provide a link to my R3 v2.0 review: http://www.head-fi.org/products/brainwavz-r3-dual-dynamic-driver-earphones/reviews/11456
Audiophile1811
500+ Head-Fier
Introduction – As the top-of-the-line earphone of the young company Brainwavz, the R3 has a quite a lot on its shoulders. Utilizing a relatively new dual-dynamic driver configuration, uncommon with most headphones on the market, Brainwavz has chosen this design for its very best headphone. Bold as it is, this design has been successful in many budget-based sets such as the Havi B3 Pro-1 and TTPOD’s T1 series. The R3’s, then, promise a lot considering they cost twice and even three times as much as the aforementioned earphones. So do they deliver for the price? The answer is yes… and no. But this is best explained throughout my review so if you’re interested, simply read on and find out why.
Disclaimer – This is a free review unit delivered to me for the purpose of this review. I am not affiliated with Brainwavz in any way and will stay objective as possible throughout this review. Huge thanks to Audrey at Brainwavz for sending these out to me, it’s quite a privilege. All photos were taken by me.
Specifications:
- 10mm Dual-Dynamic drivers (Passive Crossover)
- Impedance: 32 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 95dB
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
- Rated Input Power: 2mW
- Cable: OFC Copper, 1.3 meters/4.25 ft.
Packaging & Accessories: The R3’s have slightly unconventional packaging that presents the headphones and its cable through clear plastic windows on either side of the box. Inside you’ll find a plethora of tips (9 pairs in total) which include 6 pairs of single-flange silicone tips (3 pairs gray, 3 pairs black), a single pair of bi-flange and triple-flange tips, and a pair of Comply T500 tips. Also included is a ¼ inch adapter, a hard zip-case, and a 1-year warranty card (box says 2 years, don’t know which to believe). Brainwavz has been very generous with their accessories and deserve credit for being thoughtful with their ear tips.
Build & Design: Brainwavz has gone very out-of-the-box with the design of the R3. They’ve used a tubular housing for the drivers and a 90° angle nozzle that sticks straight out of the center. This means each driver faces each other within a divided enclosure and each band of frequencies meet inside the nozzle creating a uniform sound. Internal details aside, the aluminum housings feel extremely rugged throughout. However, cable quality is questionable. The 4-inch black portion of the cable is higher quality than the remaining grey section and is the only part that doesn’t suffer from kinks or memory. But since most of the cable does, it’s a wonder why Brainwavz didn’t just make the entire cable consistent (or thinner for that matter). But this is nitpicking because the R3’s seem very durable. The real problems come when wearing the R3’s.
Comfort & Fit: I have small ears, which means I also have problems with earphones, even the most comfortable. Brainwavz sought to remedy this dilemma for those like me but haven’t entirely succeeded. The R3’s are utilize an over-ear design but the housings are heavy and the nozzles are large. This causes them to fall out of place and need adjustment often. Strain reliefs are a bit stiff below the housings (fine on the Y-split & 3.5mm jack) and combined with their vertical position the cable very tricky to place behind the ear, as they were intended. But the worst part is the cable that is simply too thick and heavy for an IEM. The sheer weight and size of the cable can make it cumbersome and difficult to wear under clothing (also due to its rubbery texture). When worn with the right ear tips the R3’s are relatively comfortable but suffer from their awkward design and cable. With this in mind, the R3’s will suit some but definitely not others, so be cautious if your ears have given you trouble in the past.
Microphonics: For such a large cable, microphonics were not as bad as I expected. Cable noise is well controlled when worn over-ear but is fairly distracting cable-down. The included cinch does a good job of keeping cable noise down in either configuration too.
Isolation: There is a surprising level of noise attenuation when wearing the R3’s. They isolate very well outdoors and reduce environmental noise enough for non-distractive (but safe) listening. I consider this a strength of the R3’s overall.
----------Sound----------
Equipment & Background – For the sound portion of this review I will be using an Audinst HUD-MX1 amp/DAC combo as my primary “reference” source, a Topping NX-1 portable amplifier, and a Sansa Fuze as a portable source. All my impressions are done indoors with an over-ear headphone for added isolation resulting in almost silent listening with no audible distractions. My library consists of FLAC and high bit-rate MP3 files. The R3’s were also burned-in over 100hrs before review.
Bass: With a mid-forward sound signature the bass on the R3’s are not boosted or enhanced like many V-shaped sets on the market. Instead, lows are much mellower and have a pleasant musical warmth throughout. And while they don’t extend too far down there is enough sub-bass for an engaging listen. Bass is tight, controlled, and well-rounded and never once feels loose or bloated. However, it should be noted that the lows on the R3 are fairly soft in nature which means they won’t deliver the same visceral impact compared to sets with large mid-bass humps. That said, bass is always engaging and very punchy when required. Smoothness is another quality of the bass that becomes noticeable with fast, heavy music genres (those of which are not entirely suited for the R3). But those who prefer a mid-forward signature will appreciate the manner with which the R3’s handle bass notes. They are never distracting and don’t steal the attention of the listener; they provide enough energy to strike an excellent balance with the midrange and treble. Bass reproduction is one of the biggest strengths of the R3’s (in my opinion) due to their laid-back presence.
Mids: Moving upwards, the midrange holds a good few surprises. As mentioned before, the R3’s are mid forward overall. But this does not make them fatiguing or offensive to listen to as many other users have experienced with many other mid forward sets. Instead, the R3’s mids are not aggressive or rich, just forward enough to focus its sound on one particular part of the frequency spectrum. The primary advantage here are mids that are both clear and smooth. The balance between the two is obvious but the mids generally lean towards smoothness more than anything else. Vocalists demonstrate this best as they lack detail in parts of both the lower and upper-midrange; Both male and female vocalist suffer the effects of this coloration which was likely created by frequency dips in both regions. In terms of quality, the midrange is neither lifelike nor is it the most natural. Despite this there is no lack of finesse to the mids, just slightly lacking in accuracy. It will easily satisfy all but the extreme detail lover with its creamy, effortless nature but it won’t please anybody in sheer quality alone.
Treble: The last piece of the (frequency) puzzle lies in the R3’s treble. Highs are, yet again, very smooth but also more revealing and detailed than any frequencies below it. While not bright, there is an unexpected level of clarity up top considering the soft, genial character of the bass and midrange. Details come through with percussive instruments with natural timbre and good sparkle but without harshness. This lack of harshness prevents any sibilance from occurring even with the most aggressive vocalists and the worst recordings. Extension is considerably impressive as well, with frequencies extending up to 15kHz and gently rolling-off afterwards. And although consistency is lacking in areas, the treble is still up to par with more expensive earphones in its price range. For what it does best (i.e. bass) and what its focus is (i.e. mids), the top end of the R3’s are surprisingly good; They can suit the needs of almost any listener and any genre.
Presentation: The R3’s present their sound in a way that’s both engaging and involving. Soundstage is a little predictable for a mid-centric IEM as it has a tendency to place vocals and most of the midrange very close to the listener. This gives the effect of having music performed directly in front of you, but not in a way that it becomes tiring over time. The result is a soundstage with only average depth overall. Height is improved over depth but width is where the R3’s begin to open up. Wide spatial cues are thrown out far on either side of the head while still maintaining easy localization. The result is an intimate presentation that is more spacious than their sound signature would suggest. Bass is centered, vocals are intimate, treble is airy, and music is simply a joy to experience. Most will find their unique presentation and signature very pleasant no matter what genre of music preferred.
Ear Tips & Insertion Sensitivity: The R3’s can be a little picky with ear tips as their nozzle is a slightly larger than average. Even the included tips require a little force to fit onto the nozzle. But this doesn’t inhibit tip-rolling with the R3’s as they are quite flexible. Sound can be adjusted to have either a thicker, warmer sound or a more neutral one depending on the tip fitted: Single flanges will achieve the former while the included double-flanges will achieve the latter. And since insertion is neither shallow nor deep some tips will stay in place and others will not. As mentioned in the Comfort & Fit section, this will depend on your ears more than anything else.
Power, Sensitivity, and Source Performance: The R3’s are a very drivable earphone that respond well with most sources. Low output devices should have no trouble driving them although they may require a little more volume to acquire listenable levels. A more powerful source, such as a dedicated amplifier, will yield better results in terms of volume and quality.
Value: For $129 the Brainwavz R3 is a peculiar earphone that combines an unusual design with a consumer friendly sound. The R3 balances a mid-forward signature with a wide presentation but loses out in areas of detail and accuracy. But its main weakness is its design and fit. Their tubular housings are difficult to wear for long periods without adjustment and that’s if they’re comfortable to begin with. The cable’s large profile also causes issues as it prevents the R3’s from fitting inside a pant pocket, making them a little inconvenient to transport. Overall however, the R3 is still relatively good value if you can get past its flaws. And if you enjoy a smooth, musical sound you’ll be in for a pleasant surprise.
I hope this review will be useful to those who read through it. Please leave any suggestions or advice you may have in the comments below. Everyone’s input will help me improve my reviews and make it easier to adapt my reviews for as wide an audience as possible. Thanks for reading and happy listening!
Wokei
Nice review ..well done
Audiophile1811
Thanks @Wokei
Kamakahah
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Durable build quality. Clear and non-fatiguing. Good overall balance.
Cons: Thick, rubbery cable. Two-faced bass. Long-term comfort
Admittedly, I took far too long to post this review. I wanted to try a different approach that involved becoming accustomed to the signature followed by a period without them, and then a reintroduction. It's been about six weeks since I received the unit. I've done week long periods with and without them.
The reason for this decision was two fold:
1. It's the first dual dynamic IEM that I've given significant head time.
2. There were/are some awkward inconsistencies with the sound signature that I was/am hearing. It was my hope at the time to be able to narrow the the reasons behind them. More on this later.
After realizing that I had too many notes and they were harder for me to characterize than originally anticipated, I decided to write this review while listening to them after a short break and give my overall thoughts from this session. My previous notes will still be a factor in what I write, but hopefully this gives more clarity to my thoughts.
Again, I'd like to thank Brainwavz for the opportunity to review these. As others did, I received a review pair to keep similar to the S5. It's a nice gesture of confidence in the Head-Fi community.
In similar fashion, I'll avoid adding pictures and statistics that a quick Google search can provide.
All the usual qualifiers apply: IMO, YMMV, OMGWTFBBQ, ROFLCOPTER. This is just my experience. Yours might be different.
For those that don't like to wade through the paragraphs of information that most reviews provide, here is a succinct synopsis:
Bass: Can vary greatly. Overall lower-quantity with a softer impact. Occasionally comes out to play. See below for more details.
Mids: Pretty clear. Non-fatiguing. Present and slightly forward. Much less , "life has been sucked out" than the S5 but with slightly dry presentation. A touch of warmth. Quite enjoyable.
Treble: Nice lower treble energy. Non-fatiguing but hits of sibilance depending on the track. Smooth and laid back, maybe overly so for some.
Soundstage/Imaging: Good width, and back depth. Shallow forward depth. Can feel intimate as a result, but not cramped.
Separation/Clarity/Detail: Decent separation and good clarity if not a little thick sounding. Good detail in the mids. Lows are too fluffy for my taste. Highs lacking micro details from smoothing
Tips: Find whatever is comfortable. Didn't lead to a ton of variation as it normally does for me. Used the stock, clear tips.
Source/Amping: Some noticeable scaling, specifically with additional power to add a bit more life and energy to the sound. A clear source with good texture seems best, IMO.
Isolation: Slightly below average. Not great isolation, but doesn't leak.
Overall: Enjoyable. A stand out addition in a pack of "V's." Clunky build, but durable. A solid buy at $99. At $115+ you'll want to be sure it's what you're after.
Initial Impressions:
From my notes 6 weeks ago, I thought they sounded clear with a nice sense of balance. I found the bass to be soft and lacking texture. The mid range was enticing, forward, a little dry, but enjoyable.
Methodology:
I gave them 5 hours of listening the first day to become accustomed to the signature. They were then burned in for quite some time using set of burn-in tracks with mixed tracks, pink noise, and 5 minute breaks every hour on repeat.
They were burned in for over 300 hours in total throughout the process. I initially began my process after ~150 hours as per my usual. I continued to listen to other headphones/earphones.
Then, as mentioned above, I took week long breaks. I also spent full weeks only listening to the R3. My reasons for this will be further discussed in the following sections.
Listening was done casually at home and while out shopping. Detailed listening was done in a quiet office. A/B testing done as well with different gear and Fiio HS2 used occasionally for quick switching of sources or headphones.
I avoided reading any other reviews before writing this one to avoid bias.
Chains used:
1. PC USB/Optical>>>Audio GD NFB-15>>>R3
2. Fiio X3>>>(Topping NX1/C&C BH)>>>R3
3. Rockboxed Sansa Clip+>>>(Topping NX1/C&C BH)>>>R3
4. HTC One M8>>>R3
Tips used: Supplied tips, JVC spiral tips, Sony hybrids, Sennheiser double flange.
Test tracks: Many albums in my collection were listened to in full with a number of mixed in individual tracks, but here are a few specific tracks used.
Track formats included 256-320kbps mp3, FLAC, WAV files and a few youtube videos for variety.
- Jessica Lee Mayfield - Nervous Lonely Night : The first minute of this song can tell me a lot about a can. This will seem odd, but the pencil tapping at the start tells me a ton about timbre and a bit about depth. The generally forward vocals of the entire "Tell me" album help point out recessed mids quickly. The bass comes in strong with lots of quantity and impact to let me judge the low end presence and texture. I could go on. It's just a track that works for me.
- Queen - Killer Queen : One of my sibilance test tracks, though it's much more than that. It's another track that can really let you individually identify a spectrum of specific quality attributes or flaws.
- Paramore - Hallelujah : The recording/mastering, whatever, sounds just terrible on the deluxe mp3 version that I have. I use it to test how forgiving a can is.
- Pantera - Cowboys from Hell; Cemetery Gates; Floods : It's Pantera. No more explanation needed.
- Lisa Hannigan - Live from the Troubadour in W.Hollywood. : This is a special recording that I have from a live concert I attended. I'm frighteningly familiar with the venue/performance and how it should sound. I use this to judge soundstage, imaging, timbre and separation.
- Rage Against The Machine - People of the Sun : Bass.
- Metallica - (Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth / One/ etc - Lots of reasons
- Lana Del Rey - Lolita/National Anthem/Carmen : Lots of reasons but in general for her vocals that can sound like thick, warm syrup.
- Geographer - Kites : I like this for cohesion. Some cans make it sound disjointed or all jumbled up.
- Filipe Melo · Ana Cláudia // Spiegel im spiegel (Arvo Pärt) : It's beautiful. Noise test. Timbre. Naturalness.
- Girl Talk - Let it Out : It's fun.
- Dr. Chesky - The Ultimate Headphone Demonstration Disc - Soundstage, imaging, dynamics, etc.
- Many, more.
Build Quality & Acessories:
Oh Jetpack. It's awkward. The cable is a heavy, bouncy, rubbery monstrosity. Plenty of nice accessories included, solid 10/10 in my mind. The bulky shell may or may not affect your fit depending on ear shape.
Comfort/Fit:
Average comfort. The rubbery cable was very noticeable over the ear and raises up at times until pulled tighter with a shirt clip. Long-term comfort has been poor. After about an hour, I found that the area where the cable meets the body rubbed my ear the wrong way. Tips didn't seem to have too significant of an effect for comfort, though I did favor some more than others. In particular, I liked the stock clear tips that weren't quite as firm. I found that they tend to start slipping from my ears. I'm not sure if it's a result of the cable or something else. I tried to wear larger tips to offset the pull, but found that I couldn't handle the loss of comfort. Occasionally, I' would double check their positioning to make sure they are still in place. This was more of an issue when out and about than in the office.
Isolation/Leak:
Average to below average. Noisy locations will be noticeable. I found their isolation to be slightly less effective compared to the S5. Leak wasn't an issue.
Bass:
The moment I listened to the opening kick drum and first few bass string plucks in Jessica Lee Mayfield's - "Our Hearts Are Wrong", I knew that the bass and I were going to be at odds. That particular song is very bass heavy. The R3 does bring the quantity of bass in many tracks to manageable levels. This was one aspect that I appreciated for a number of bass heavy tracks; However, it was also the bane of bass light tracks.
As mentioned in the Cons, I found the bass to be two-faced or fractured. I tried my best to determine its cause, but wasn't able to pin it down in a way that I could explain in a clear fashion. In short, it seems certain frequencies are emphasized. It felt like there were peaks and valleys in the bass than had a very noticeable effect on impact and levels. It didn't seem like a clear line that is normally present where people can say, "Oh yeah, it has a mid bass hump and rolls off in the sub-bass which explains...blahblahblah." - Not the case here. Some songs had the low impact that they normally show, while it was next to non-existent in my other test tracks. I wish I could articulate it better. That said, there is a significant roll off in the sub-bass at about the 50 Hz mark. Below 30 is pretty much a black hole.
In this moment, as I listen to a number of tracks I find the duality. Some show nice, low impact. Others that should have the same feel like the kick drum or bass is hidden behind a glass panel or being hit by a pillow rather than a mallet.
One final beef was with the lack of texture. I found it really was missing that detail that comes with a more articulate bass. The overall tone felt smoothed over and pillowy.
Mids:
A nice forward presentation in the mids. It balances well still with the rest of the spectrum. A much desired addition following the soulless mids of the S5. As mentioned in the brief summary above, I find them slightly dry with a touch of warmth. It's a neutralish presentation of the mid range that in some ways reminds me of a less refined HE-560. One of my favorite signatures centers around the mids, so this was a nice change of pace from my generally bass oriented collection that includes the JVC FX-850, among others.
Treble:
Queen's song "Killer Queen" will pretty much violate my ears if a headphone/earphone is even a little hot, sibilant, etc. These do a pretty good job. Overall non-fatiguing but will undoubtedly be too lack-back for the treble lovers. Smooth, but still with a decent energy, particularly in the lower treble region. Not a whole lot of the sparkle. Hints of sibilance on already sibilant tracks, but that's normal.
Separation/Clarity/Detail:
I would say that it is a notch above average in this category. Decent separation and clarity. A bit thicker sounding than the S5 that suffered from a thin/recessed mid range that killed baby seals. Enough detail to satisfy. Without a doubt some loss of detail and clarity in the bass with roll off and fluffy presentation that lacks in texture and articulation.
Soundstage/Imaging:
The soundstage felt slightly more intimate than I've been used to but not in a cramped way. The positioning feels a intimate. This can be good and maybe a little bad for some live recordings. I'll explain way as it has to do with the way that I perceived the soundstage. The best way I can think to describe the shape is an taking a basketball and half way deflating just one hemisphere. The width sound above average, the behind depth the same. The forward depth, or the space in front of me seems as though its distance has been cut in half when compared to behind.
Source/Amping/Tips:
The R3 did seem to scale a bit. More important, for me, was the added power that seems to add a bit more life to the overall sound. :
- Audio-GD NFB-15
- Fiio X3 + Topping NX1 (Low gain, high was noisy and gave no play with the volume)
- Fiio X3 + C&C BH (Line 2, switches off, gain 'High').
- Rockboxed Sansa Clip+ (Forgot to experiment with attaching amps)
I didn't find a lot of difference when tip rolling. Insertion depth didn't change the sound enough so I ended up liking the stock, clear tips. They are comfortable and didn't negatively affect the sound. I thought a narrow bore might help the bass, but the effect was minor and inconsistent so I reverted.
Final Thoughts:
I want to say that I enjoy this earphone. It's far from perfect, but it has qualities that are becoming harder to find in a V-shaped market. The mid-centric presentation is a welcome addition to my collection. The bass can be a bit of a letdown on some tracks, but it can also be a boon in taming overly bass heavy tracks into submission. It can help you see your much listened to tracks in a new light. It suffers from some inevitable design issues, but overall a durable and enjoyable earphone. As I look at the $115 asking price on Amazon right now I asked myself the question, "Is it worth that price tag?" To some, yes. I think it would fit nicely into the $99 category, but what's $15 anyway?
thatBeatsguy
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Smooth, balanced sound. Brainwavz' signature unique look. Brainwavz' signature build.
Cons: Weird looks might deter some. Cable is pretty hefty and cumbersome.
Intro
TL;DR: Don't let its rather brutish looks fool you; the Brainwavz R3 is a smooth, gentle IEM that works especially well with acoustic genres, slow rock, and jazz.
Before I begin, I would like to thank Audrey at Brainwavz for providing the sample of the Brainwavz R3 in exchange for my honest opinion. Please note that I am neither affiliated with Brainwavz or any of its employees, nor am I being compensated for writing this review. All opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own unless otherwise specified, and all pictures are taken and owned by my sister. YMMV.
Well, it’s been a few weeks since my review of the S5s, and from that first impression of one of their IEMs, they’ve earned their place in my ‘Companies to Watch’ list. Though a lot of their IEMs, to my knowledge, lean towards a more consumer-friendly sound, they are no doubt of audiophile quality. Today, I’m going to be reviewing another of their high-end IEMs, and probably one of the most peculiar-looking IEMs I’ve ever seen, the dual-dynamic Brainwavz R3 Rev.2 (I’ll get to this later).
Anyhow, let’s get on to the IEMs. Shall we?
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.
[size=x-large]== Aesthetics ==[/size]
Packaging, Accessories
At first glance of the packaging, it’s clear that Brainwavz is proud of their design of the R3, as the box features a clear window from the front all the way through to the back of the box, with the R3’s housings suspended in a clear plastic mold, showcased proudly and rather enthusiastically, like a brand-new breakthrough in design or something along those lines. On the front you also see BRAINWAVZ R3 written with a tagline and a few of its main features. On the left side, you’ll see its specifications, and on the right are its accessories, and on the back is a cross-section diagram of the R3s’ housing along with a description of sorts.
Upon opening the package, you’ll find Brainwavz’ semi-hard case hidden from the light of day, housing the rest of the R3s and all of its accessories. I’m still pretty impressed with the plethora of eartips included in the package, which consists of six pairs of single-flange tips (one set in grey, the other in black, in S/M/L), one pair of double-flanged tips, one pair of triple-flanged tips, and a pair of Comply T500 foam eartips. So there you have it - nine pairs of eartips, all at your disposal along with the Brainwavz R3 and S5. Still pretty damn impressive. But that’s not all - you also get a nifty 1/4-inch adapter. In the previous version, there used to be an airline adapter supposedly - but in my case, I don’t think I would need it anyway, so that can be ignored. Frequent flyers, though, might have to buy their own airline adapter off a local Best Buy or some other electronics store.
Design, Build, Microphonics
You remember what I said about Brainwavz’ package being showcased like a design breakthrough? Well, I have got to hand it to Brainwavz, they have made one awesome breakthrough in design right here, and it’s sure to make anyone -- consumer or audiophile -- wonder how they manage to get these in their ears. (Not that it’s a bad thing, though -- they actually fit quite easily.)
Though the concept of dual dynamic drivers isn’t new (lately there have been a lot of popular options to choose from), how they’re implemented intrigued me.The two 10mm drivers are set up in a two-way configuration – one used for bass, the other for the rest of the audio spectrum. Again, this is not unusual, but then we move on to their placement. The two drivers are placed apart from and facing each other, pouring the sound into a ‘Sonic Chamber’ before it reaches your ears through a particularly long tube. At least, that’s what the diagram seems to tell me. It’s probably not as simple as it sounds, seeing as another dual dynamic IEM, the Audio-Technica ATH-CKR9 (and its older variant, the CKR10) shares a similarly-positioned pair of drivers…except for the fact that the CKRs’ drivers go for a ‘Push-Pull’ design in which one driver pushes the sound while the other pulls the sound to supposedly reduce distortion and improve sound quality (or something like that). Coming back to the R3s, it seems both drivers simply push sound into the sound chamber where the sound mixes to bring out the final product.
Moving on, we have the cable, which apparently consists of three sections: the main grey cable from the connector to the Y-split, a thinner grey cable from the Y-split to split (rather, splice), which transitions into a length of memory cable making the final stretch to the housings. This memory wire used to be a lot longer in the first version, but has been removed in the revision for better ergonomics and an easier fit.
Again, the team over at Brainwavz has impressed me with the excellent build quality of the R3s. From the solid machined aluminum housings to the strong extremely heavy-duty Y-split (see above), it’s clear Brainwavz made no compromises to the build quality of the R3 just as they did with the S5. The only gripe I have with the build is the cable. No, it’s not because of durability -- in fact, it’s probably one of the most solid cables I’ve had in my possession yet. My gripe with the cable is because it’s solid. It’s very thick -- reminding me of the cable on my old Beats Pro. Its thickness in turn makes them very difficult to manage. When they arrived, they were bound pretty tightly together by a wire, and when I undid the wire, I was greeted with an eyesore of a cable with folds and creases on every inch. Even as I write this, I’m still trying to straighten it out. Cable noise isn’t much different. Even with the over-ear design dulling it down, cable noise is still a bit of an issue due to the serious weight of the cable.
Fit, Comfort, Isolation
Now, I’m sure you’re still wondering if the bottle-like housings with a tube on the side would actually fit your ears. Well, I’m happy to report that it actually does. It did take a few minutes of fiddling at first, but it only takes a few tries to get accustomed to it. They’re pretty comfortable once they’re in your ears, though at times the housing does touch -- more like press on -- part of my ear when I don’t get them in right, which again is a nuisance, but it’s mostly just on me. Due to the housings being little more than a bottle with a tube sticking out of the side which goes into your ear, isolation leans toward average, but is nonetheless good enough for a walk in the park or at home. Don’t expect it to drown out much in a bus or the subway, though.
Also, something of note: the Brainwavz R3 can be worn straight-down; however the cable causes too much microphonics to be tolerable. That, and the R3 is considerably heavy with its thick cable and solid aluminum housings. I don’t know if you guys will like it -- maybe you will, maybe you won’t, but I most definitely will not wear these straight-down.
I hope I didn’t bore you yet with my explanations, because we’re just about to get to the sound. Bored yet? No? Great, now let’s move on.
[size=x-large]== Sound ==[/size]
Specs
Headphone Type
Closed back, vented in-ear monitor (straight down, around-the-ear)
Driver Type
10 mm dynamic x2
Frequency Response
16 Hz – 22 kHz
Rated Input Power
30 mW
Sensitivity
110 dB @ 1 mW
Impedance
32 Ω
Weight
N/A
Cable
1.3 m (4.2’) Copper Y-Cord
Connector
3.5 mm (1/8”) gold-plated 45-degree TRS
Accessories
Hard carrying case 3 pairs single-flange silicone eartips (grey, S/M/L)
3 pairs single-flange silicone eartips (black, S/M/L)
1 pair double-flange silicone eartips
1 pair triple-flange silicone eartips
1 pair Comply™ T-500 foam eartips
6.3 mm (1/4”) adapter
Equipment, Burn-in
The equipment used for this review consists of my iPod Touch, an iPad 3, and my PC through headphone-out as the sources, all running without an amp. The amp used in the test is a Yamaha RX-V359 through headphone-out. As for the EQ software being used, I use Viper4Windows on the PC and the default system EQ on the other sources. As always, my test tracks are available here, although I will link specific songs in the assessment for a more direct point of reference.
As per review “tradition,” the Brainwavz R3s have been burned in for at least 100 hours prior to the review, with occasional listening sessions in between for an average of an hour. So far, throughout the 100 hours of burn-in, there haven’t been any noticeable changes in sound. Also, the eartips I used are the L-sized grey single flanges throughout the review. So, without further ado, let’s get on to the sound!
Sound Quality
Bass:
Okay, let’s start off with the bass. As an IEM designed for the audiophile crowd, don’t expect the R3 to have elevated bass, because it doesn’t have that. However, what it does have is a smooth, swift low-end that is clearly made for its target audience. Its accurate, slightly warm tone reproduces low tones without overdoing anything. It also has a strong enough punch to satisfy most listeners who aren’t craving bass. In short, it’s a very addicting listen that works amazingly with cool, laid-back songs (Daft Punk –The Game of Love, Something About Us).
Midrange:
The Brainwavz R3’s midrange is sweet and rich – basically, it sounds great. It has a great amount of clarity with a slight warmth to it. It reproduces the midrange very well, and despite its mid-centric signature (more on this later), isn’t as forward as I expected. One of my favourite characteristics about it, though, is how they manage to blend really well with the bass (Coldplay –Sparks) – making a very cohesive and united sound signature.
Treble:
Brainwavz purposely tuned the R3 to have a smooth, laid-back treble, topping off the sound signature like the smooth foam on a latte (more on this analogy later). This laid-back signature gives the R3 a very relaxing signature that you can simply listen to for hours, which is a huge plus in my book. (Note: Technical mode ON) Though most laid-back treble usually sounds veiled and lacking detail, Brainwavz managed to counter that by tuning in a treble spike around 10 kHz. This allows the R3 to still retain great detail retrieval even with its laid-back treble (technical mode OFF).
Soundstage/Presentation:
Apparently Brainwavz’ “Sound Chamber” technology actually does affect the R3’s sound signature – specifically, its soundstage. It’s very wide, airy, and expansive, which you usually don’t get to hear very often in an earphone, so that’s a huge plus. Live, acoustic, and classical recordings really come to life on the Brainwavz R3. However, I did notice instruments were projected (or “sound like” in layman’s terms) onto a narrow arc in front of you, instead of all around you. It’s a little quirk there that might not be as appealing to the more finicky listeners, but it’s not too much of a big deal.
Genre Proficiency:
The Brainwavz R3, as I’ve said earlier, works amazingly well with cool, laid-back genres, synergising well with its laid-back sound. Stuff like Coldplay, Daft Punk’s slower works, classical, anything that’s slow or has a relaxing vibe – the Brainwavz R3 performs spectacularly. However, it’s hardly finicky with genres and will play anything you throw at it very well.
Summary:
The Brainwavz R3’s sound is something I could liken to a nice latte – smooth, rich, creamy, sweet, and with just the right kick from the coffee. I’m sure from this, you can put two and two together, so there’s not much to say other than it’s great if the R3’s sound is what you’re looking for. Bassheads will have to look elsewhere, because the R3 is definitely an audiophile IEM.
Other Media
Games:
The R3 isn’t bad with games. Sure, its detail retrieval is great for getting an edge over the competition, but its rather congested presentation takes a hit to their imaging capabilities. All in all, they’re not something I’d use for competitive gaming.
Movies:
The R3’s smooth, balanced signature allows it to play along with pretty much any type of movie, from epic action scenes to heart-wrenching drama moments. I find they perform better with quieter movies, just as they do well with laid-back music.
EQ Response, Amplification
The R3, in my opinion, doesn’t really respond well to EQ (rather, basic EQ presets), though with a more advanced EQ like Electri-Q or Viper4Windows, you can EQ them to be completely flat, which, surprisingly, is very easy to do. But once I did that, man, oh man. The results were amazing. Probably the only downside to this is having to go through rather extensive tweaking and listening to get the sound just right, but otherwise they’re perfectly fine. At an impedance rating of about 32 ohms, they do need a bit more power to drive than, say, the S5 IEMs. At lower volumes, their midrange sounds rather muffled, and both ends of the spectrum also lose some detail. With extra power, though, the midrange comes forward, and with enough power, the bass suddenly begins to sound pretty damn impressive. You can really feel the sub-bass notes come alive and make the entire signature come together to no short of amazing. I don’t have a dedicated headphone amp as of yet, but now I begin to realize just how much I need one.
- Drivers: 2 x 10mm dynamic per side
- Impedance: 32 ohms
- Frequency response: 16 - 22,000 Hz
- Sensitivity: 110 dB at 1 mW
- Cable: 1.3m, copper
Design & Comfort I can only assume that the R3 was designed around the engineers' desired driver placements because it's a strange-looking IEM and one that can be problematic for comfortable insertion and ongoing use, but that might also just be my ears - if you've read my other reviews you'll know that I often have trouble with universal IEMs due to the size and angle of my ear canals.
Housings
The R3's housings are best described as bottle-shaped with the cord coming out of the bottle top and the nozzle emerging from the side of the bottle. The nozzle is a normal diameter (I can use most of the same tips as the FIDUE A83s, HiFiMan RE272, Brainwavz S5, etc.) however it's quite long due to the need to extend out far enough from the non-ear shaped bottle housings of the R3s. I've got no problems with the long nozzle or look and feel of the housing - they're actually great and were it not for this next bit I'd be a huge fan, but...
But the housings are completely impractical for creating a good comfortable fit that's secure in the ear for extended periods and during movement. The biggest issue is the fit's dependency on the angle of your ear canal. With apologies for the ear selfies I've had to use here, you might notice when you look at the first picture here that the way the cable exits the housing means that the angle of the IEM is important to ensure that the cable wraps comfortably up and around the ear. The natural angle created if I insert the R3 comfortably in my ear means that the cable points backwards towards the top fold of my ear and therefore cannot in any way be comfortably secured there.
The good news is that the R3s can be successfully and comfortably worn cable-down and it allows much more angle flexibility. You can see in the second ear selfie that the R3s want to sit at a significant 15-20 degree angle in my ears so you can see why the over ear option is not really possibly with my anatomy. Perhaps others have more flexibility with this than I do.
Now, before you click away to another page, let's discuss a few good things.
Other than their slightly troublesome fit, the R3's housing is unique and really well put together. The R3s feel like they'll last for a very long time and will withstand almost anything you could throw at them. The chrome finish looks great and they feel good in the had and in the ear (once you get a good fit).
Other Design Elements The R3s have a thick, round cable that's quite heavy to the touch, but surprisingly light to wear. It's a bit springy and not the most comfortable cable I've used, but it's OK and probably preferable to the S5's flat cable. The Y-split is solid and functional and the cable cinch is similarly suitable although I find that it doesn't slide easily along the cable, but that also means it stays where you put it which is a bonus.
The final 10cm of each cable before it reaches the IEMs is a black rubber instead of grey with a secondary strain relief at the join. I'm not sure what purpose that serves because it's no stiffer than the grey cable so it's not memory wire for over-ear use and doesn't provide any benefits I can see. Still, it doesn't hurt and adds a nice touch of extra interest when looking at the R3s so no complaints.
The 3.5mm plug at the other end of the cable is a rugged, molded plug at a 45 degree angle that I really like. Right angle plugs and straight plugs both have issues in different applications, but I generally find these angled plugs to provide the benefits of both without the challenges.
Accessories Like the S5s, the R3 comes packed with plenty of tips (single, dual and triple flange silicone tips plus a set of Comply T-500 foam tips) plus a nice looking hard case (the same as the S5) and a 3.5mm-6.3mm adapter. This type of accessory set is becoming more common with all different IEMs at all different prices, but it's still worthy of applause because it makes getting a good fit much easier for new buyers who might not have a stash of all different tips from previous purchases and there's nothing worse than investing in a nice set of IEMs only to have them get destroyed in the bottom of your bag due to lack of an appropriate case.
Compatibility With a 32 ohm load, the R3s are in the sweet spot for IEM impedance in my opinion. Really low impedance models like the FIDUE A83 or Shure SE846 can cause all kinds of issues with some devices whereas a 32 ohm load is really comfortable for cheap and expensive players alike so the R3s should play really nicely with your phone, budget MP3 player, or audiophile DAP / stack. I've tried the R3s with the Colorfly C4, Fiio X5, E12DIY portable amp, and even the Bottlehead Mainline desktop headphone amplifier and the R3s always sound great. They're easy to drive, but not too easy so they don't show up noise from basic devices while still having the sensitivity to make the most of highly detailed audiophile sources.
Sound Bass I really like the bass from the R3s. It's smooth and full, but not enhanced - just naturally present. The bass sits in perfect alignment with the rest of the frequencies from the R3 and allows for a cohesive and realistic listening experience. Being a dynamic driver IEM, the bass is full and rich with a slightly slower feel than a balanced armature (BA) unit, but there is no mistaking the R3's bass for being slow in general terms. No, the R3 strikes the perfect balance of fullness and speed. Bass notes are crisply delivered on time and on target while leaving room for everything else in the spectrum to shine equally. Although not finely textured like the quickest of BA units, the bass is clean and detailed making faster basslines and deep percussion highly enjoyable. Listening to Muse's Absolution via the Colorfly C4, the bass and kick drums were deep and tight. Moving to Ozomatli's Embrace the Chaos album, the deepest rumble of the bass drum on "Pa Lante" was missing, but it takes an exceptional earphone / headphone to really get that right. The R3s certainly came close, but just didn't have that list tiny bit of power down at the lowest of frequencies. I'd much prefer that though to an excess of bass that can cloud the rest of the spectrum and disrupt the entire musical experience.
Mid-range Thanks to the present, but controlled bass, the R3's mids are able to shine through and take centre stage. I wouldn't call the R3s a mid-centric earphone so much as a neutral earphone. You could perhaps argue that the mids on the R3 are slightly laid back, but they're certainly well-balanced with the bass and treble even if they're just a hair behind. It's certainly not enough to make the mids sound distant or veiled and I really like the overall presentation a lot - it's very easy to listen to without sacrificing detail or articulation in any way. Guitars and similar instruments sound crisp and clean and both male and female vocals have an excellent sense of texture and clarity while still keeping an easy smoothness.
Treble The treble from the R3s is really interesting in that, up to this point in the review, I haven't really thought about the treble. I would say that's a good sign of perfectly balanced treble that's neither drawing attention to itself nor lacking in energy and leaving the presentation dark and muddy. The treble is lively enough to provide raspiness and air to vocals, percussive sounds and incidental textures like fingers on a fretboard, but it's not over-enhanced. There is zero fatigue from the R3, but there is also zero lost clarity - that's an extremely impressive feat.
Listening to "Calling Elvis" by Dire Straits I can clearly hear the raspiness of Mark Knopfler's voice and the snare, high hat and cymbals have good energy and clarity so that I can feel them and notice them in the mix, but I've not once in all the time I've spent with the R3s felt like there was too much or too little treble. I'd actually go so far as suggesting that this is one of the best treble balances I've heard from an IEM in quite some time. I'll discuss some comparisons shortly to demonstrate this in further detail.
Similar to the bass detail and speed, treble speed and resolution may be a tiny bit behind the sharpest of BA IEMs, but the R3s are no slouch. Not only do they not leave me wanting more from the treble, they actually leave me thoroughly enjoying the treble because it's fully detailed and energetic, but remains smooth enough to be enjoyable and actually worth exploring. I find sharper, faster treble renditions sometimes lead me to almost tuning out treble detail so as not to fatigue my ears, but the R3s let me focus on the individual textures of a cymbal or snare without feeling on edge as I do it.
Staging and Imaging The stage from the R3s isn't exceptional, but for a $139 it's very good. It feels spacious despite being modest in size and it is evenly proportioned in each direction with good depth and width. Imaging is very similar - it's not exceptional, but it's definitely commendable. Instruments are well separated and clearly defined in their own virtual space. Thanks to the well-balanced presentation of each section of the frequency range from the R3s, the finished product is a well represented auditory image with good clarity and separation.
Selected Comparisons FIDUE A83 At the time of writing this there's quite a bit of hype around the A83 (triple hybrid IEM) on Head-Fi and deservedly so, but given its $300+ price tag and slightly troublesome fit I was keen to compare it with the R3.
On direct comparison, the A83's balanced armatures revealed extra details and texture in the mix that the R3 couldn't show me, but that came at the cost of a drier tone and a less natural overall sound with the A83's treble sounding slightly forward and forced compared to the R3's outstanding balance. The staging and imaging is also better on the A83 as you'd expect with the greater availability of subtle details and auditory cues, but does that make the A83 a hands-down better earphone? I don't think so. If I were looking to hear every nuance then I'd reach for the A83 every time, but if I wanted to simply play and enjoy my music I'd probably reach for the R3s on each occasion due to their more natural treble presentation and more natural overall sound. Technically, the A83 is a better earphone, but practically the R3 might be better for some people.
Brainwavz S5 As much as I like the S5s for what they are, they just don't compare with their slightly more expensive siblings - or at least not for my tastes. Yes, the S5 offers an excellent bass punch that the R3s can't match and for some genres that's an instant trump card, but the R3's balance won me over permanently and left the S5s sounding peaky and occasionally unnatural to my ears. For wide-ranging musical tastes or those who listen to rock, blues or jazz I would recommend the R3 every time over the S5 despite it's funkier fit and higher price.
HiFiMan RE272 Unfortunately I sold my RE272s shortly prior to the R3s arriving, but at around half the price of the RE272's when they were new (if memory serves), the R3 is an excellent replacement. There's no doubt that the RE272 offered superior transparency and separation over the R3, but the R3 is a smoother listen and has much better bass presence than the RE272 so it's a fair trade in my mind. To be honest, if I had the 2 sitting side-by-side I would probably reach for the R3 on almost every occasion because of it's smoother presentation and fuller bass note.
Summary The R3 is an outstanding earphone for the $139 price tag. I would definitely recommend trying a pair before you buy them if you tend to have fit issues like me, but when worn cable-down the R3s are easy to fit so that might solve any concerns if you're happy to wear them cable-down.
I haven't heard a lot of budget IEMs and there are some awesome options out there, but of those I have tried, the R3s are among the most enjoyable of the lot and definitely might be the most neutrally voiced of the lot. If you're looking to spend <$150 on a pair of IEMs and you want an IEM that can handle wide-ranging genres while providing a smooth and natural presentation then the R3s are a must try!
DannyBai
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Even keeled sound, nice build, excellent bundle of accessories
Cons: Thick cable and large Y-split if it really is a con.
I was provide a review sample and would like to thank Salsera and Brainwavz/MP4Nation.
The R3 V.2 is a dual dynamic barrel shaped iem from Brainwavz. Probably the oddest looking earphone on the market but surprisingly, I had no problem with fit. The shape actually works well with the looping over ear design and the earphones stay in place without much issue. The housings look and feel of aluminum and are light in weight. They are actually very comfortable while in use. Cables are rather thick especially from Y-split down to the 3.5mm jack. From the Y-split up to the housings have been redesigned and are much better than the original version. Cables seem to stay in place quite well around the ears and the thickness wasn’t much of a bother for me. The 3.5mm jack has a nice 45 degree angle in which I have come to appreciate in design. Only gripe although minor is the overall thickness of the cable and bigger than average Y-split.
Moving on to the sound, these have a nice balanced signature. Bass doesn’t hit with great impact, won’t reach to the lowest of the lows or hit you with forceful mid-bass punch. Bass has good presence but isn’t the tightest and sounds a bit soft from what I’m use to. The S5 from Brainwavz reaches lower, has bigger impact and makes a much greater presence in the music. For those who find the S5 to have too much bass, the R3 might be more appealing. Overall, I find the bass to fit with the signature these earphones are going for. These earphones have a wide and deep soundstage, some of the biggest I’ve heard. This can be good or bad on the vocals, depending on preference. The staging distances the vocals several rows back so it isn’t up front. I find them a little recessed and I mean little because they can be clearly heard and is not hidden from the rest of the music. I honestly couldn’t nitpick if male or female vocals sounded better since both sounded just fine for me. But, vocal trance sounded quite nice. Treble is very relaxed and there isn’t even a hint of fatigue, sibilance or the dreaded “sss” in the vocal region. Treble is smooth and possibly could use a little more for added sparkle. Somewhere between the R3 and S5 would be lovely. The smooth and non-fatiguing treble still clearly presents the details in the music. Instrument placement can be best pictured as if the listener is sitting in a large theatre compared to say a small intimate club. This is more of a surround sound listening experience.
In conclusion, I find the R3 V2 to be an even keeled sounding earphone that really doesn’t have much fault. Nothing to really complain about, even with the thick cable and all. I’m not too much of a nitpicker but I would think most would find this earphone to sound just fine. No huge bass to complain about or peaky treble or too recessed vocals. Fit’s fine if people can ignore the odd design and give it a try.
kova4a
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: solid build quality; balanced smooth and natural sound; 2-year warranty
Cons: rubbery cable prone to memory kinks; fit can be an issue for some people
First off, I have to thank again Brainwavz and Audrey for this R3 unit
Packaging and Accessories
The packaging is quite straightforward. There are plastic windows both at the front and the back of the box showcasing the shiny metal housings of the R3. Below the front window is embossed Brainwavz R3 and a very basic description – Twin Driver Configuration, Bass & Clarity and Rugged Metal Housing Design. Can’t disagree with that but maybe Smooth & Balanced would have been a bit more accurate description but more on that later.
On the back of the box there is a bit more detailed description of the R3 and its design.
On the sides of the package are listed its contents and R3’s specs.
It’s a fairly nice presentation overall.
Inside the box reside the R3 and the Brainwavz case. I’ve mentioned multiple times that this is my favorite iem case. It’s quite tough and specious and can easily fit a pair of iems and a small DAP like a Sansa. Inside one of the red pockets there is a nice quarter inch adapter and small gray bag with the included tips. There are 2 different types of single flange tips. Black ones made of a touch thicker silicone and gray ones, which are softer and have a slightly wider bore. The single flange silicone tips come in 3 sizes. There is also a pair of bi-flange and a pair of tri-flange tips, which come in only one size. As usual with Brainwavz a pair of comply foam tips packaged separately is included to complete the package.
Build Quality, Design and Fit
The R3 is a quite solid iem with robust metal housings and a thick rugged cable. The cable is a bit memory prone and rubbery though and while I don’t mind its thickness or weight I would have preferred if it had smoother sleeving and was more pliable and easier to keep straight.
The strain reliefs are substantial and again some people might call the Y-splitter over-engineered but it’s fine by me.
The j-plug is also on the bulky side but I’m a huge fan of j-plugs and it looks capable of withstanding quite a bit of abuse, so I can’t complain. If anything it completes the overall tough looks of the R3.
Design-wise it only takes a quick glance at the R3 to realize that it’s not your average iem. Its design is quite unique and I have to admit that when the R3 was first announced I wasn’t impressed and right away commented that people will have issue with the fit with such a design. It’s eye catching though and people often stare at the housing more than a couple of seconds.
Surprisingly despite my initial reservations and worries about the fit it turned out fine. I haven’t tried the old R3 version with the long memory-wires but this revised one actually fits me quite well. The fit is secure and isolation is good. It did take me quite a bit of tip rolling but finally settled on the stock bi-flanges both for the comfort and the sound.
The R3 can also be worn straight but the fit will be less secure due to the weight of the cable pulling the housings down.
There is a very mild driver flex with certain tips particularly on the left earpiece. Microphonics are very low when worn cable up.
Sound
The R3 has over 100 hours of burn-in at the time of writing this review.
For a dual dynamic driver iem that has a separate driver to reproduce the low frequencies the R3 quite surprised me. Its bass is quite flat and balanced. It is well-rounded with good control but is a bit on the polite side – softer on the impact and lacking some depth. The lower extension is not bad but after 50hz the bass gradually rolls off. Overall I like R3’s bass although I would have liked if it was a bit tighter and harder hitting but given the overall smooth and non-fatiguing presentation of the R3 it fits well with the rest of the spectrum. In comparison the Brainwavz S5 has a lot bigger but also less controlled and muddier bass bleeding into the mids.
The mids are well balanced with the bass and also relatively flat. Both male and female vocals have very nice presence and sweet tone. The R3 actually sounds a bit mid-centric but I don’t mind that as this type of signature is harder and harder to find. The tonality is slightly on the warm side but still what I would call neutral-ish. Instruments have nice timbre and despite the slightly thick note presentation sound natural and realistic. Detail retrieval is actually pretty good but clarity is a bit behind in comparison to some of the competition. In comparison brainwavz’s own S5 is noticeably clearer due to its thinner note presentation and treble emphasis but is also a lot less natural sounding and more fatiguing. The R3 instead is smoother lusher sounding.
The highs are a bit laid back but very well extended and smooth. The lower treble has enough energy to keeps things exciting without getting harsh or fatiguing. There is plenty of shimmer but I wouldn’t have minded a bit more sparkle. The treble is not prone to pointing out sibilance. In comparison the S5 with its more emphasized and peaky highs is noticeably harsher and more artificial sounding.
The R3 is full and airy sounding. Imaging is very good with both width and depth above average. Positioning is quite good. Instrument separation is very good with plenty of space between the instruments. Overall, the R3 sounds pretty spacious, especially for a mid-centric iem, which usually tend to be more on the intimate side.
Summary
R3 and its little brother R1
Brainwavz R3 has quite the surprising sound for a dual dynamic driver iem. Owning the Brainwavz R1 I expected a lot different sound but it’s heads and shoulders above its smaller dual dynamic brother R1. I’m not going to lie, I would also pick it over the Brainwavz’s other higher-end iem the S5 any day of the week. While the S5 will most likely impress a lot more people at first listen with its big bass and clarity, the R3 with its more balanced, smoother and mature sound is the iem that really impresses.
The R3 is a very solid performer sound-wise with a very solid build quality to boot. If it wasn’t for Audrey I probably would have given it a pass worried about the fit and all the people complaining about it. Maybe the memory wires on the old version were really horrible – I can’t comment on that but they are gone now and what is left is an iem that deserves to be given a second chance.
twister6
twister6 Reviews
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: build quality, included accessories, great sound separation
Cons: cable, would prefer memory wire back, fitment
Since I was among the early adopters of this updated 2.0 version of R3, I already posted a detailed review with pictures in the original R3 review thread. Therefore, I'm just going to provide a link to my R3 v2.0 review: http://www.head-fi.org/products/brainwavz-r3-dual-dynamic-driver-earphones/reviews/11456
Audiophile1811
500+ Head-Fier
Introduction – As the top-of-the-line earphone of the young company Brainwavz, the R3 has a quite a lot on its shoulders. Utilizing a relatively new dual-dynamic driver configuration, uncommon with most headphones on the market, Brainwavz has chosen this design for its very best headphone. Bold as it is, this design has been successful in many budget-based sets such as the Havi B3 Pro-1 and TTPOD’s T1 series. The R3’s, then, promise a lot considering they cost twice and even three times as much as the aforementioned earphones. So do they deliver for the price? The answer is yes… and no. But this is best explained throughout my review so if you’re interested, simply read on and find out why.
Disclaimer – This is a free review unit delivered to me for the purpose of this review. I am not affiliated with Brainwavz in any way and will stay objective as possible throughout this review. Huge thanks to Audrey at Brainwavz for sending these out to me, it’s quite a privilege. All photos were taken by me.
Specifications:
- 10mm Dual-Dynamic drivers (Passive Crossover)
- Impedance: 32 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 95dB
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
- Rated Input Power: 2mW
- Cable: OFC Copper, 1.3 meters/4.25 ft.
Packaging & Accessories: The R3’s have slightly unconventional packaging that presents the headphones and its cable through clear plastic windows on either side of the box. Inside you’ll find a plethora of tips (9 pairs in total) which include 6 pairs of single-flange silicone tips (3 pairs gray, 3 pairs black), a single pair of bi-flange and triple-flange tips, and a pair of Comply T500 tips. Also included is a ¼ inch adapter, a hard zip-case, and a 1-year warranty card (box says 2 years, don’t know which to believe). Brainwavz has been very generous with their accessories and deserve credit for being thoughtful with their ear tips.
Build & Design: Brainwavz has gone very out-of-the-box with the design of the R3. They’ve used a tubular housing for the drivers and a 90° angle nozzle that sticks straight out of the center. This means each driver faces each other within a divided enclosure and each band of frequencies meet inside the nozzle creating a uniform sound. Internal details aside, the aluminum housings feel extremely rugged throughout. However, cable quality is questionable. The 4-inch black portion of the cable is higher quality than the remaining grey section and is the only part that doesn’t suffer from kinks or memory. But since most of the cable does, it’s a wonder why Brainwavz didn’t just make the entire cable consistent (or thinner for that matter). But this is nitpicking because the R3’s seem very durable. The real problems come when wearing the R3’s.
Comfort & Fit: I have small ears, which means I also have problems with earphones, even the most comfortable. Brainwavz sought to remedy this dilemma for those like me but haven’t entirely succeeded. The R3’s are utilize an over-ear design but the housings are heavy and the nozzles are large. This causes them to fall out of place and need adjustment often. Strain reliefs are a bit stiff below the housings (fine on the Y-split & 3.5mm jack) and combined with their vertical position the cable very tricky to place behind the ear, as they were intended. But the worst part is the cable that is simply too thick and heavy for an IEM. The sheer weight and size of the cable can make it cumbersome and difficult to wear under clothing (also due to its rubbery texture). When worn with the right ear tips the R3’s are relatively comfortable but suffer from their awkward design and cable. With this in mind, the R3’s will suit some but definitely not others, so be cautious if your ears have given you trouble in the past.
Microphonics: For such a large cable, microphonics were not as bad as I expected. Cable noise is well controlled when worn over-ear but is fairly distracting cable-down. The included cinch does a good job of keeping cable noise down in either configuration too.
Isolation: There is a surprising level of noise attenuation when wearing the R3’s. They isolate very well outdoors and reduce environmental noise enough for non-distractive (but safe) listening. I consider this a strength of the R3’s overall.
----------Sound----------
Equipment & Background – For the sound portion of this review I will be using an Audinst HUD-MX1 amp/DAC combo as my primary “reference” source, a Topping NX-1 portable amplifier, and a Sansa Fuze as a portable source. All my impressions are done indoors with an over-ear headphone for added isolation resulting in almost silent listening with no audible distractions. My library consists of FLAC and high bit-rate MP3 files. The R3’s were also burned-in over 100hrs before review.
Bass: With a mid-forward sound signature the bass on the R3’s are not boosted or enhanced like many V-shaped sets on the market. Instead, lows are much mellower and have a pleasant musical warmth throughout. And while they don’t extend too far down there is enough sub-bass for an engaging listen. Bass is tight, controlled, and well-rounded and never once feels loose or bloated. However, it should be noted that the lows on the R3 are fairly soft in nature which means they won’t deliver the same visceral impact compared to sets with large mid-bass humps. That said, bass is always engaging and very punchy when required. Smoothness is another quality of the bass that becomes noticeable with fast, heavy music genres (those of which are not entirely suited for the R3). But those who prefer a mid-forward signature will appreciate the manner with which the R3’s handle bass notes. They are never distracting and don’t steal the attention of the listener; they provide enough energy to strike an excellent balance with the midrange and treble. Bass reproduction is one of the biggest strengths of the R3’s (in my opinion) due to their laid-back presence.
Mids: Moving upwards, the midrange holds a good few surprises. As mentioned before, the R3’s are mid forward overall. But this does not make them fatiguing or offensive to listen to as many other users have experienced with many other mid forward sets. Instead, the R3’s mids are not aggressive or rich, just forward enough to focus its sound on one particular part of the frequency spectrum. The primary advantage here are mids that are both clear and smooth. The balance between the two is obvious but the mids generally lean towards smoothness more than anything else. Vocalists demonstrate this best as they lack detail in parts of both the lower and upper-midrange; Both male and female vocalist suffer the effects of this coloration which was likely created by frequency dips in both regions. In terms of quality, the midrange is neither lifelike nor is it the most natural. Despite this there is no lack of finesse to the mids, just slightly lacking in accuracy. It will easily satisfy all but the extreme detail lover with its creamy, effortless nature but it won’t please anybody in sheer quality alone.
Treble: The last piece of the (frequency) puzzle lies in the R3’s treble. Highs are, yet again, very smooth but also more revealing and detailed than any frequencies below it. While not bright, there is an unexpected level of clarity up top considering the soft, genial character of the bass and midrange. Details come through with percussive instruments with natural timbre and good sparkle but without harshness. This lack of harshness prevents any sibilance from occurring even with the most aggressive vocalists and the worst recordings. Extension is considerably impressive as well, with frequencies extending up to 15kHz and gently rolling-off afterwards. And although consistency is lacking in areas, the treble is still up to par with more expensive earphones in its price range. For what it does best (i.e. bass) and what its focus is (i.e. mids), the top end of the R3’s are surprisingly good; They can suit the needs of almost any listener and any genre.
Presentation: The R3’s present their sound in a way that’s both engaging and involving. Soundstage is a little predictable for a mid-centric IEM as it has a tendency to place vocals and most of the midrange very close to the listener. This gives the effect of having music performed directly in front of you, but not in a way that it becomes tiring over time. The result is a soundstage with only average depth overall. Height is improved over depth but width is where the R3’s begin to open up. Wide spatial cues are thrown out far on either side of the head while still maintaining easy localization. The result is an intimate presentation that is more spacious than their sound signature would suggest. Bass is centered, vocals are intimate, treble is airy, and music is simply a joy to experience. Most will find their unique presentation and signature very pleasant no matter what genre of music preferred.
Ear Tips & Insertion Sensitivity: The R3’s can be a little picky with ear tips as their nozzle is a slightly larger than average. Even the included tips require a little force to fit onto the nozzle. But this doesn’t inhibit tip-rolling with the R3’s as they are quite flexible. Sound can be adjusted to have either a thicker, warmer sound or a more neutral one depending on the tip fitted: Single flanges will achieve the former while the included double-flanges will achieve the latter. And since insertion is neither shallow nor deep some tips will stay in place and others will not. As mentioned in the Comfort & Fit section, this will depend on your ears more than anything else.
Power, Sensitivity, and Source Performance: The R3’s are a very drivable earphone that respond well with most sources. Low output devices should have no trouble driving them although they may require a little more volume to acquire listenable levels. A more powerful source, such as a dedicated amplifier, will yield better results in terms of volume and quality.
Value: For $129 the Brainwavz R3 is a peculiar earphone that combines an unusual design with a consumer friendly sound. The R3 balances a mid-forward signature with a wide presentation but loses out in areas of detail and accuracy. But its main weakness is its design and fit. Their tubular housings are difficult to wear for long periods without adjustment and that’s if they’re comfortable to begin with. The cable’s large profile also causes issues as it prevents the R3’s from fitting inside a pant pocket, making them a little inconvenient to transport. Overall however, the R3 is still relatively good value if you can get past its flaws. And if you enjoy a smooth, musical sound you’ll be in for a pleasant surprise.
I hope this review will be useful to those who read through it. Please leave any suggestions or advice you may have in the comments below. Everyone’s input will help me improve my reviews and make it easier to adapt my reviews for as wide an audience as possible. Thanks for reading and happy listening!
Wokei
Nice review ..well done
Audiophile1811
Thanks @Wokei
Kamakahah
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Durable build quality. Clear and non-fatiguing. Good overall balance.
Cons: Thick, rubbery cable. Two-faced bass. Long-term comfort
Admittedly, I took far too long to post this review. I wanted to try a different approach that involved becoming accustomed to the signature followed by a period without them, and then a reintroduction. It's been about six weeks since I received the unit. I've done week long periods with and without them.
The reason for this decision was two fold:
1. It's the first dual dynamic IEM that I've given significant head time.
2. There were/are some awkward inconsistencies with the sound signature that I was/am hearing. It was my hope at the time to be able to narrow the the reasons behind them. More on this later.
After realizing that I had too many notes and they were harder for me to characterize than originally anticipated, I decided to write this review while listening to them after a short break and give my overall thoughts from this session. My previous notes will still be a factor in what I write, but hopefully this gives more clarity to my thoughts.
Again, I'd like to thank Brainwavz for the opportunity to review these. As others did, I received a review pair to keep similar to the S5. It's a nice gesture of confidence in the Head-Fi community.
In similar fashion, I'll avoid adding pictures and statistics that a quick Google search can provide.
All the usual qualifiers apply: IMO, YMMV, OMGWTFBBQ, ROFLCOPTER. This is just my experience. Yours might be different.
For those that don't like to wade through the paragraphs of information that most reviews provide, here is a succinct synopsis:
Bass: Can vary greatly. Overall lower-quantity with a softer impact. Occasionally comes out to play. See below for more details.
Mids: Pretty clear. Non-fatiguing. Present and slightly forward. Much less , "life has been sucked out" than the S5 but with slightly dry presentation. A touch of warmth. Quite enjoyable.
Treble: Nice lower treble energy. Non-fatiguing but hits of sibilance depending on the track. Smooth and laid back, maybe overly so for some.
Soundstage/Imaging: Good width, and back depth. Shallow forward depth. Can feel intimate as a result, but not cramped.
Separation/Clarity/Detail: Decent separation and good clarity if not a little thick sounding. Good detail in the mids. Lows are too fluffy for my taste. Highs lacking micro details from smoothing
Tips: Find whatever is comfortable. Didn't lead to a ton of variation as it normally does for me. Used the stock, clear tips.
Source/Amping: Some noticeable scaling, specifically with additional power to add a bit more life and energy to the sound. A clear source with good texture seems best, IMO.
Isolation: Slightly below average. Not great isolation, but doesn't leak.
Overall: Enjoyable. A stand out addition in a pack of "V's." Clunky build, but durable. A solid buy at $99. At $115+ you'll want to be sure it's what you're after.
Initial Impressions:
From my notes 6 weeks ago, I thought they sounded clear with a nice sense of balance. I found the bass to be soft and lacking texture. The mid range was enticing, forward, a little dry, but enjoyable.
Methodology:
I gave them 5 hours of listening the first day to become accustomed to the signature. They were then burned in for quite some time using set of burn-in tracks with mixed tracks, pink noise, and 5 minute breaks every hour on repeat.
They were burned in for over 300 hours in total throughout the process. I initially began my process after ~150 hours as per my usual. I continued to listen to other headphones/earphones.
Then, as mentioned above, I took week long breaks. I also spent full weeks only listening to the R3. My reasons for this will be further discussed in the following sections.
Listening was done casually at home and while out shopping. Detailed listening was done in a quiet office. A/B testing done as well with different gear and Fiio HS2 used occasionally for quick switching of sources or headphones.
I avoided reading any other reviews before writing this one to avoid bias.
Chains used:
1. PC USB/Optical>>>Audio GD NFB-15>>>R3
2. Fiio X3>>>(Topping NX1/C&C BH)>>>R3
3. Rockboxed Sansa Clip+>>>(Topping NX1/C&C BH)>>>R3
4. HTC One M8>>>R3
Tips used: Supplied tips, JVC spiral tips, Sony hybrids, Sennheiser double flange.
Test tracks: Many albums in my collection were listened to in full with a number of mixed in individual tracks, but here are a few specific tracks used.
Track formats included 256-320kbps mp3, FLAC, WAV files and a few youtube videos for variety.
- Jessica Lee Mayfield - Nervous Lonely Night : The first minute of this song can tell me a lot about a can. This will seem odd, but the pencil tapping at the start tells me a ton about timbre and a bit about depth. The generally forward vocals of the entire "Tell me" album help point out recessed mids quickly. The bass comes in strong with lots of quantity and impact to let me judge the low end presence and texture. I could go on. It's just a track that works for me.
- Queen - Killer Queen : One of my sibilance test tracks, though it's much more than that. It's another track that can really let you individually identify a spectrum of specific quality attributes or flaws.
- Paramore - Hallelujah : The recording/mastering, whatever, sounds just terrible on the deluxe mp3 version that I have. I use it to test how forgiving a can is.
- Pantera - Cowboys from Hell; Cemetery Gates; Floods : It's Pantera. No more explanation needed.
- Lisa Hannigan - Live from the Troubadour in W.Hollywood. : This is a special recording that I have from a live concert I attended. I'm frighteningly familiar with the venue/performance and how it should sound. I use this to judge soundstage, imaging, timbre and separation.
- Rage Against The Machine - People of the Sun : Bass.
- Metallica - (Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth / One/ etc - Lots of reasons
- Lana Del Rey - Lolita/National Anthem/Carmen : Lots of reasons but in general for her vocals that can sound like thick, warm syrup.
- Geographer - Kites : I like this for cohesion. Some cans make it sound disjointed or all jumbled up.
- Filipe Melo · Ana Cláudia // Spiegel im spiegel (Arvo Pärt) : It's beautiful. Noise test. Timbre. Naturalness.
- Girl Talk - Let it Out : It's fun.
- Dr. Chesky - The Ultimate Headphone Demonstration Disc - Soundstage, imaging, dynamics, etc.
- Many, more.
Build Quality & Acessories:
Oh Jetpack. It's awkward. The cable is a heavy, bouncy, rubbery monstrosity. Plenty of nice accessories included, solid 10/10 in my mind. The bulky shell may or may not affect your fit depending on ear shape.
Comfort/Fit:
Average comfort. The rubbery cable was very noticeable over the ear and raises up at times until pulled tighter with a shirt clip. Long-term comfort has been poor. After about an hour, I found that the area where the cable meets the body rubbed my ear the wrong way. Tips didn't seem to have too significant of an effect for comfort, though I did favor some more than others. In particular, I liked the stock clear tips that weren't quite as firm. I found that they tend to start slipping from my ears. I'm not sure if it's a result of the cable or something else. I tried to wear larger tips to offset the pull, but found that I couldn't handle the loss of comfort. Occasionally, I' would double check their positioning to make sure they are still in place. This was more of an issue when out and about than in the office.
Isolation/Leak:
Average to below average. Noisy locations will be noticeable. I found their isolation to be slightly less effective compared to the S5. Leak wasn't an issue.
Bass:
The moment I listened to the opening kick drum and first few bass string plucks in Jessica Lee Mayfield's - "Our Hearts Are Wrong", I knew that the bass and I were going to be at odds. That particular song is very bass heavy. The R3 does bring the quantity of bass in many tracks to manageable levels. This was one aspect that I appreciated for a number of bass heavy tracks; However, it was also the bane of bass light tracks.
As mentioned in the Cons, I found the bass to be two-faced or fractured. I tried my best to determine its cause, but wasn't able to pin it down in a way that I could explain in a clear fashion. In short, it seems certain frequencies are emphasized. It felt like there were peaks and valleys in the bass than had a very noticeable effect on impact and levels. It didn't seem like a clear line that is normally present where people can say, "Oh yeah, it has a mid bass hump and rolls off in the sub-bass which explains...blahblahblah." - Not the case here. Some songs had the low impact that they normally show, while it was next to non-existent in my other test tracks. I wish I could articulate it better. That said, there is a significant roll off in the sub-bass at about the 50 Hz mark. Below 30 is pretty much a black hole.
In this moment, as I listen to a number of tracks I find the duality. Some show nice, low impact. Others that should have the same feel like the kick drum or bass is hidden behind a glass panel or being hit by a pillow rather than a mallet.
One final beef was with the lack of texture. I found it really was missing that detail that comes with a more articulate bass. The overall tone felt smoothed over and pillowy.
Mids:
A nice forward presentation in the mids. It balances well still with the rest of the spectrum. A much desired addition following the soulless mids of the S5. As mentioned in the brief summary above, I find them slightly dry with a touch of warmth. It's a neutralish presentation of the mid range that in some ways reminds me of a less refined HE-560. One of my favorite signatures centers around the mids, so this was a nice change of pace from my generally bass oriented collection that includes the JVC FX-850, among others.
Treble:
Queen's song "Killer Queen" will pretty much violate my ears if a headphone/earphone is even a little hot, sibilant, etc. These do a pretty good job. Overall non-fatiguing but will undoubtedly be too lack-back for the treble lovers. Smooth, but still with a decent energy, particularly in the lower treble region. Not a whole lot of the sparkle. Hints of sibilance on already sibilant tracks, but that's normal.
Separation/Clarity/Detail:
I would say that it is a notch above average in this category. Decent separation and clarity. A bit thicker sounding than the S5 that suffered from a thin/recessed mid range that killed baby seals. Enough detail to satisfy. Without a doubt some loss of detail and clarity in the bass with roll off and fluffy presentation that lacks in texture and articulation.
Soundstage/Imaging:
The soundstage felt slightly more intimate than I've been used to but not in a cramped way. The positioning feels a intimate. This can be good and maybe a little bad for some live recordings. I'll explain way as it has to do with the way that I perceived the soundstage. The best way I can think to describe the shape is an taking a basketball and half way deflating just one hemisphere. The width sound above average, the behind depth the same. The forward depth, or the space in front of me seems as though its distance has been cut in half when compared to behind.
Source/Amping/Tips:
The R3 did seem to scale a bit. More important, for me, was the added power that seems to add a bit more life to the overall sound. :
- Audio-GD NFB-15
- Fiio X3 + Topping NX1 (Low gain, high was noisy and gave no play with the volume)
- Fiio X3 + C&C BH (Line 2, switches off, gain 'High').
- Rockboxed Sansa Clip+ (Forgot to experiment with attaching amps)
I didn't find a lot of difference when tip rolling. Insertion depth didn't change the sound enough so I ended up liking the stock, clear tips. They are comfortable and didn't negatively affect the sound. I thought a narrow bore might help the bass, but the effect was minor and inconsistent so I reverted.
Final Thoughts:
I want to say that I enjoy this earphone. It's far from perfect, but it has qualities that are becoming harder to find in a V-shaped market. The mid-centric presentation is a welcome addition to my collection. The bass can be a bit of a letdown on some tracks, but it can also be a boon in taming overly bass heavy tracks into submission. It can help you see your much listened to tracks in a new light. It suffers from some inevitable design issues, but overall a durable and enjoyable earphone. As I look at the $115 asking price on Amazon right now I asked myself the question, "Is it worth that price tag?" To some, yes. I think it would fit nicely into the $99 category, but what's $15 anyway?
thatBeatsguy
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Smooth, balanced sound. Brainwavz' signature unique look. Brainwavz' signature build.
Cons: Weird looks might deter some. Cable is pretty hefty and cumbersome.
Intro
TL;DR: Don't let its rather brutish looks fool you; the Brainwavz R3 is a smooth, gentle IEM that works especially well with acoustic genres, slow rock, and jazz.
Before I begin, I would like to thank Audrey at Brainwavz for providing the sample of the Brainwavz R3 in exchange for my honest opinion. Please note that I am neither affiliated with Brainwavz or any of its employees, nor am I being compensated for writing this review. All opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own unless otherwise specified, and all pictures are taken and owned by my sister. YMMV.
Well, it’s been a few weeks since my review of the S5s, and from that first impression of one of their IEMs, they’ve earned their place in my ‘Companies to Watch’ list. Though a lot of their IEMs, to my knowledge, lean towards a more consumer-friendly sound, they are no doubt of audiophile quality. Today, I’m going to be reviewing another of their high-end IEMs, and probably one of the most peculiar-looking IEMs I’ve ever seen, the dual-dynamic Brainwavz R3 Rev.2 (I’ll get to this later).
Anyhow, let’s get on to the IEMs. Shall we?
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.
[size=x-large]== Aesthetics ==[/size]
Packaging, Accessories
At first glance of the packaging, it’s clear that Brainwavz is proud of their design of the R3, as the box features a clear window from the front all the way through to the back of the box, with the R3’s housings suspended in a clear plastic mold, showcased proudly and rather enthusiastically, like a brand-new breakthrough in design or something along those lines. On the front you also see BRAINWAVZ R3 written with a tagline and a few of its main features. On the left side, you’ll see its specifications, and on the right are its accessories, and on the back is a cross-section diagram of the R3s’ housing along with a description of sorts.
Upon opening the package, you’ll find Brainwavz’ semi-hard case hidden from the light of day, housing the rest of the R3s and all of its accessories. I’m still pretty impressed with the plethora of eartips included in the package, which consists of six pairs of single-flange tips (one set in grey, the other in black, in S/M/L), one pair of double-flanged tips, one pair of triple-flanged tips, and a pair of Comply T500 foam eartips. So there you have it - nine pairs of eartips, all at your disposal along with the Brainwavz R3 and S5. Still pretty damn impressive. But that’s not all - you also get a nifty 1/4-inch adapter. In the previous version, there used to be an airline adapter supposedly - but in my case, I don’t think I would need it anyway, so that can be ignored. Frequent flyers, though, might have to buy their own airline adapter off a local Best Buy or some other electronics store.
Design, Build, Microphonics
You remember what I said about Brainwavz’ package being showcased like a design breakthrough? Well, I have got to hand it to Brainwavz, they have made one awesome breakthrough in design right here, and it’s sure to make anyone -- consumer or audiophile -- wonder how they manage to get these in their ears. (Not that it’s a bad thing, though -- they actually fit quite easily.)
Though the concept of dual dynamic drivers isn’t new (lately there have been a lot of popular options to choose from), how they’re implemented intrigued me.The two 10mm drivers are set up in a two-way configuration – one used for bass, the other for the rest of the audio spectrum. Again, this is not unusual, but then we move on to their placement. The two drivers are placed apart from and facing each other, pouring the sound into a ‘Sonic Chamber’ before it reaches your ears through a particularly long tube. At least, that’s what the diagram seems to tell me. It’s probably not as simple as it sounds, seeing as another dual dynamic IEM, the Audio-Technica ATH-CKR9 (and its older variant, the CKR10) shares a similarly-positioned pair of drivers…except for the fact that the CKRs’ drivers go for a ‘Push-Pull’ design in which one driver pushes the sound while the other pulls the sound to supposedly reduce distortion and improve sound quality (or something like that). Coming back to the R3s, it seems both drivers simply push sound into the sound chamber where the sound mixes to bring out the final product.
Moving on, we have the cable, which apparently consists of three sections: the main grey cable from the connector to the Y-split, a thinner grey cable from the Y-split to split (rather, splice), which transitions into a length of memory cable making the final stretch to the housings. This memory wire used to be a lot longer in the first version, but has been removed in the revision for better ergonomics and an easier fit.
Again, the team over at Brainwavz has impressed me with the excellent build quality of the R3s. From the solid machined aluminum housings to the strong extremely heavy-duty Y-split (see above), it’s clear Brainwavz made no compromises to the build quality of the R3 just as they did with the S5. The only gripe I have with the build is the cable. No, it’s not because of durability -- in fact, it’s probably one of the most solid cables I’ve had in my possession yet. My gripe with the cable is because it’s solid. It’s very thick -- reminding me of the cable on my old Beats Pro. Its thickness in turn makes them very difficult to manage. When they arrived, they were bound pretty tightly together by a wire, and when I undid the wire, I was greeted with an eyesore of a cable with folds and creases on every inch. Even as I write this, I’m still trying to straighten it out. Cable noise isn’t much different. Even with the over-ear design dulling it down, cable noise is still a bit of an issue due to the serious weight of the cable.
Fit, Comfort, Isolation
Now, I’m sure you’re still wondering if the bottle-like housings with a tube on the side would actually fit your ears. Well, I’m happy to report that it actually does. It did take a few minutes of fiddling at first, but it only takes a few tries to get accustomed to it. They’re pretty comfortable once they’re in your ears, though at times the housing does touch -- more like press on -- part of my ear when I don’t get them in right, which again is a nuisance, but it’s mostly just on me. Due to the housings being little more than a bottle with a tube sticking out of the side which goes into your ear, isolation leans toward average, but is nonetheless good enough for a walk in the park or at home. Don’t expect it to drown out much in a bus or the subway, though.
Also, something of note: the Brainwavz R3 can be worn straight-down; however the cable causes too much microphonics to be tolerable. That, and the R3 is considerably heavy with its thick cable and solid aluminum housings. I don’t know if you guys will like it -- maybe you will, maybe you won’t, but I most definitely will not wear these straight-down.
I hope I didn’t bore you yet with my explanations, because we’re just about to get to the sound. Bored yet? No? Great, now let’s move on.
[size=x-large]== Sound ==[/size]
Specs
Headphone Type
Closed back, vented in-ear monitor (straight down, around-the-ear)
Driver Type
10 mm dynamic x2
Frequency Response
16 Hz – 22 kHz
Rated Input Power
30 mW
Sensitivity
110 dB @ 1 mW
Impedance
32 Ω
Weight
N/A
Cable
1.3 m (4.2’) Copper Y-Cord
Connector
3.5 mm (1/8”) gold-plated 45-degree TRS
Accessories
Hard carrying case 3 pairs single-flange silicone eartips (grey, S/M/L)
3 pairs single-flange silicone eartips (black, S/M/L)
1 pair double-flange silicone eartips
1 pair triple-flange silicone eartips
1 pair Comply™ T-500 foam eartips
6.3 mm (1/4”) adapter
Equipment, Burn-in
The equipment used for this review consists of my iPod Touch, an iPad 3, and my PC through headphone-out as the sources, all running without an amp. The amp used in the test is a Yamaha RX-V359 through headphone-out. As for the EQ software being used, I use Viper4Windows on the PC and the default system EQ on the other sources. As always, my test tracks are available here, although I will link specific songs in the assessment for a more direct point of reference.
As per review “tradition,” the Brainwavz R3s have been burned in for at least 100 hours prior to the review, with occasional listening sessions in between for an average of an hour. So far, throughout the 100 hours of burn-in, there haven’t been any noticeable changes in sound. Also, the eartips I used are the L-sized grey single flanges throughout the review. So, without further ado, let’s get on to the sound!
Sound Quality
Bass:
Okay, let’s start off with the bass. As an IEM designed for the audiophile crowd, don’t expect the R3 to have elevated bass, because it doesn’t have that. However, what it does have is a smooth, swift low-end that is clearly made for its target audience. Its accurate, slightly warm tone reproduces low tones without overdoing anything. It also has a strong enough punch to satisfy most listeners who aren’t craving bass. In short, it’s a very addicting listen that works amazingly with cool, laid-back songs (Daft Punk –The Game of Love, Something About Us).
Midrange:
The Brainwavz R3’s midrange is sweet and rich – basically, it sounds great. It has a great amount of clarity with a slight warmth to it. It reproduces the midrange very well, and despite its mid-centric signature (more on this later), isn’t as forward as I expected. One of my favourite characteristics about it, though, is how they manage to blend really well with the bass (Coldplay –Sparks) – making a very cohesive and united sound signature.
Treble:
Brainwavz purposely tuned the R3 to have a smooth, laid-back treble, topping off the sound signature like the smooth foam on a latte (more on this analogy later). This laid-back signature gives the R3 a very relaxing signature that you can simply listen to for hours, which is a huge plus in my book. (Note: Technical mode ON) Though most laid-back treble usually sounds veiled and lacking detail, Brainwavz managed to counter that by tuning in a treble spike around 10 kHz. This allows the R3 to still retain great detail retrieval even with its laid-back treble (technical mode OFF).
Soundstage/Presentation:
Apparently Brainwavz’ “Sound Chamber” technology actually does affect the R3’s sound signature – specifically, its soundstage. It’s very wide, airy, and expansive, which you usually don’t get to hear very often in an earphone, so that’s a huge plus. Live, acoustic, and classical recordings really come to life on the Brainwavz R3. However, I did notice instruments were projected (or “sound like” in layman’s terms) onto a narrow arc in front of you, instead of all around you. It’s a little quirk there that might not be as appealing to the more finicky listeners, but it’s not too much of a big deal.
Genre Proficiency:
The Brainwavz R3, as I’ve said earlier, works amazingly well with cool, laid-back genres, synergising well with its laid-back sound. Stuff like Coldplay, Daft Punk’s slower works, classical, anything that’s slow or has a relaxing vibe – the Brainwavz R3 performs spectacularly. However, it’s hardly finicky with genres and will play anything you throw at it very well.
Summary:
The Brainwavz R3’s sound is something I could liken to a nice latte – smooth, rich, creamy, sweet, and with just the right kick from the coffee. I’m sure from this, you can put two and two together, so there’s not much to say other than it’s great if the R3’s sound is what you’re looking for. Bassheads will have to look elsewhere, because the R3 is definitely an audiophile IEM.
Other Media
Games:
The R3 isn’t bad with games. Sure, its detail retrieval is great for getting an edge over the competition, but its rather congested presentation takes a hit to their imaging capabilities. All in all, they’re not something I’d use for competitive gaming.
Movies:
The R3’s smooth, balanced signature allows it to play along with pretty much any type of movie, from epic action scenes to heart-wrenching drama moments. I find they perform better with quieter movies, just as they do well with laid-back music.
EQ Response, Amplification
The R3, in my opinion, doesn’t really respond well to EQ (rather, basic EQ presets), though with a more advanced EQ like Electri-Q or Viper4Windows, you can EQ them to be completely flat, which, surprisingly, is very easy to do. But once I did that, man, oh man. The results were amazing. Probably the only downside to this is having to go through rather extensive tweaking and listening to get the sound just right, but otherwise they’re perfectly fine. At an impedance rating of about 32 ohms, they do need a bit more power to drive than, say, the S5 IEMs. At lower volumes, their midrange sounds rather muffled, and both ends of the spectrum also lose some detail. With extra power, though, the midrange comes forward, and with enough power, the bass suddenly begins to sound pretty damn impressive. You can really feel the sub-bass notes come alive and make the entire signature come together to no short of amazing. I don’t have a dedicated headphone amp as of yet, but now I begin to realize just how much I need one.
I can only assume that the R3 was designed around the engineers' desired driver placements because it's a strange-looking IEM and one that can be problematic for comfortable insertion and ongoing use, but that might also just be my ears - if you've read my other reviews you'll know that I often have trouble with universal IEMs due to the size and angle of my ear canals.
Housings
The R3's housings are best described as bottle-shaped with the cord coming out of the bottle top and the nozzle emerging from the side of the bottle. The nozzle is a normal diameter (I can use most of the same tips as the FIDUE A83s, HiFiMan RE272, Brainwavz S5, etc.) however it's quite long due to the need to extend out far enough from the non-ear shaped bottle housings of the R3s. I've got no problems with the long nozzle or look and feel of the housing - they're actually great and were it not for this next bit I'd be a huge fan, but...
But the housings are completely impractical for creating a good comfortable fit that's secure in the ear for extended periods and during movement. The biggest issue is the fit's dependency on the angle of your ear canal. With apologies for the ear selfies I've had to use here, you might notice when you look at the first picture here that the way the cable exits the housing means that the angle of the IEM is important to ensure that the cable wraps comfortably up and around the ear. The natural angle created if I insert the R3 comfortably in my ear means that the cable points backwards towards the top fold of my ear and therefore cannot in any way be comfortably secured there.
The good news is that the R3s can be successfully and comfortably worn cable-down and it allows much more angle flexibility. You can see in the second ear selfie that the R3s want to sit at a significant 15-20 degree angle in my ears so you can see why the over ear option is not really possibly with my anatomy. Perhaps others have more flexibility with this than I do.
Now, before you click away to another page, let's discuss a few good things.
Other than their slightly troublesome fit, the R3's housing is unique and really well put together. The R3s feel like they'll last for a very long time and will withstand almost anything you could throw at them. The chrome finish looks great and they feel good in the had and in the ear (once you get a good fit).
Other Design Elements The R3s have a thick, round cable that's quite heavy to the touch, but surprisingly light to wear. It's a bit springy and not the most comfortable cable I've used, but it's OK and probably preferable to the S5's flat cable. The Y-split is solid and functional and the cable cinch is similarly suitable although I find that it doesn't slide easily along the cable, but that also means it stays where you put it which is a bonus.
The final 10cm of each cable before it reaches the IEMs is a black rubber instead of grey with a secondary strain relief at the join. I'm not sure what purpose that serves because it's no stiffer than the grey cable so it's not memory wire for over-ear use and doesn't provide any benefits I can see. Still, it doesn't hurt and adds a nice touch of extra interest when looking at the R3s so no complaints.
The 3.5mm plug at the other end of the cable is a rugged, molded plug at a 45 degree angle that I really like. Right angle plugs and straight plugs both have issues in different applications, but I generally find these angled plugs to provide the benefits of both without the challenges.
Accessories Like the S5s, the R3 comes packed with plenty of tips (single, dual and triple flange silicone tips plus a set of Comply T-500 foam tips) plus a nice looking hard case (the same as the S5) and a 3.5mm-6.3mm adapter. This type of accessory set is becoming more common with all different IEMs at all different prices, but it's still worthy of applause because it makes getting a good fit much easier for new buyers who might not have a stash of all different tips from previous purchases and there's nothing worse than investing in a nice set of IEMs only to have them get destroyed in the bottom of your bag due to lack of an appropriate case.
Compatibility With a 32 ohm load, the R3s are in the sweet spot for IEM impedance in my opinion. Really low impedance models like the FIDUE A83 or Shure SE846 can cause all kinds of issues with some devices whereas a 32 ohm load is really comfortable for cheap and expensive players alike so the R3s should play really nicely with your phone, budget MP3 player, or audiophile DAP / stack. I've tried the R3s with the Colorfly C4, Fiio X5, E12DIY portable amp, and even the Bottlehead Mainline desktop headphone amplifier and the R3s always sound great. They're easy to drive, but not too easy so they don't show up noise from basic devices while still having the sensitivity to make the most of highly detailed audiophile sources.
Sound Bass I really like the bass from the R3s. It's smooth and full, but not enhanced - just naturally present. The bass sits in perfect alignment with the rest of the frequencies from the R3 and allows for a cohesive and realistic listening experience. Being a dynamic driver IEM, the bass is full and rich with a slightly slower feel than a balanced armature (BA) unit, but there is no mistaking the R3's bass for being slow in general terms. No, the R3 strikes the perfect balance of fullness and speed. Bass notes are crisply delivered on time and on target while leaving room for everything else in the spectrum to shine equally. Although not finely textured like the quickest of BA units, the bass is clean and detailed making faster basslines and deep percussion highly enjoyable. Listening to Muse's Absolution via the Colorfly C4, the bass and kick drums were deep and tight. Moving to Ozomatli's Embrace the Chaos album, the deepest rumble of the bass drum on "Pa Lante" was missing, but it takes an exceptional earphone / headphone to really get that right. The R3s certainly came close, but just didn't have that list tiny bit of power down at the lowest of frequencies. I'd much prefer that though to an excess of bass that can cloud the rest of the spectrum and disrupt the entire musical experience.
Mid-range Thanks to the present, but controlled bass, the R3's mids are able to shine through and take centre stage. I wouldn't call the R3s a mid-centric earphone so much as a neutral earphone. You could perhaps argue that the mids on the R3 are slightly laid back, but they're certainly well-balanced with the bass and treble even if they're just a hair behind. It's certainly not enough to make the mids sound distant or veiled and I really like the overall presentation a lot - it's very easy to listen to without sacrificing detail or articulation in any way. Guitars and similar instruments sound crisp and clean and both male and female vocals have an excellent sense of texture and clarity while still keeping an easy smoothness.
Treble The treble from the R3s is really interesting in that, up to this point in the review, I haven't really thought about the treble. I would say that's a good sign of perfectly balanced treble that's neither drawing attention to itself nor lacking in energy and leaving the presentation dark and muddy. The treble is lively enough to provide raspiness and air to vocals, percussive sounds and incidental textures like fingers on a fretboard, but it's not over-enhanced. There is zero fatigue from the R3, but there is also zero lost clarity - that's an extremely impressive feat.
Listening to "Calling Elvis" by Dire Straits I can clearly hear the raspiness of Mark Knopfler's voice and the snare, high hat and cymbals have good energy and clarity so that I can feel them and notice them in the mix, but I've not once in all the time I've spent with the R3s felt like there was too much or too little treble. I'd actually go so far as suggesting that this is one of the best treble balances I've heard from an IEM in quite some time. I'll discuss some comparisons shortly to demonstrate this in further detail.
Similar to the bass detail and speed, treble speed and resolution may be a tiny bit behind the sharpest of BA IEMs, but the R3s are no slouch. Not only do they not leave me wanting more from the treble, they actually leave me thoroughly enjoying the treble because it's fully detailed and energetic, but remains smooth enough to be enjoyable and actually worth exploring. I find sharper, faster treble renditions sometimes lead me to almost tuning out treble detail so as not to fatigue my ears, but the R3s let me focus on the individual textures of a cymbal or snare without feeling on edge as I do it.
Staging and Imaging The stage from the R3s isn't exceptional, but for a $139 it's very good. It feels spacious despite being modest in size and it is evenly proportioned in each direction with good depth and width. Imaging is very similar - it's not exceptional, but it's definitely commendable. Instruments are well separated and clearly defined in their own virtual space. Thanks to the well-balanced presentation of each section of the frequency range from the R3s, the finished product is a well represented auditory image with good clarity and separation.
Selected Comparisons FIDUE A83 At the time of writing this there's quite a bit of hype around the A83 (triple hybrid IEM) on Head-Fi and deservedly so, but given its $300+ price tag and slightly troublesome fit I was keen to compare it with the R3.
On direct comparison, the A83's balanced armatures revealed extra details and texture in the mix that the R3 couldn't show me, but that came at the cost of a drier tone and a less natural overall sound with the A83's treble sounding slightly forward and forced compared to the R3's outstanding balance. The staging and imaging is also better on the A83 as you'd expect with the greater availability of subtle details and auditory cues, but does that make the A83 a hands-down better earphone? I don't think so. If I were looking to hear every nuance then I'd reach for the A83 every time, but if I wanted to simply play and enjoy my music I'd probably reach for the R3s on each occasion due to their more natural treble presentation and more natural overall sound. Technically, the A83 is a better earphone, but practically the R3 might be better for some people.
Brainwavz S5 As much as I like the S5s for what they are, they just don't compare with their slightly more expensive siblings - or at least not for my tastes. Yes, the S5 offers an excellent bass punch that the R3s can't match and for some genres that's an instant trump card, but the R3's balance won me over permanently and left the S5s sounding peaky and occasionally unnatural to my ears. For wide-ranging musical tastes or those who listen to rock, blues or jazz I would recommend the R3 every time over the S5 despite it's funkier fit and higher price.
HiFiMan RE272 Unfortunately I sold my RE272s shortly prior to the R3s arriving, but at around half the price of the RE272's when they were new (if memory serves), the R3 is an excellent replacement. There's no doubt that the RE272 offered superior transparency and separation over the R3, but the R3 is a smoother listen and has much better bass presence than the RE272 so it's a fair trade in my mind. To be honest, if I had the 2 sitting side-by-side I would probably reach for the R3 on almost every occasion because of it's smoother presentation and fuller bass note.
Summary The R3 is an outstanding earphone for the $139 price tag. I would definitely recommend trying a pair before you buy them if you tend to have fit issues like me, but when worn cable-down the R3s are easy to fit so that might solve any concerns if you're happy to wear them cable-down.
I haven't heard a lot of budget IEMs and there are some awesome options out there, but of those I have tried, the R3s are among the most enjoyable of the lot and definitely might be the most neutrally voiced of the lot. If you're looking to spend <$150 on a pair of IEMs and you want an IEM that can handle wide-ranging genres while providing a smooth and natural presentation then the R3s are a must try!
DannyBai
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Even keeled sound, nice build, excellent bundle of accessories
Cons: Thick cable and large Y-split if it really is a con.
I was provide a review sample and would like to thank Salsera and Brainwavz/MP4Nation.
The R3 V.2 is a dual dynamic barrel shaped iem from Brainwavz. Probably the oddest looking earphone on the market but surprisingly, I had no problem with fit. The shape actually works well with the looping over ear design and the earphones stay in place without much issue. The housings look and feel of aluminum and are light in weight. They are actually very comfortable while in use. Cables are rather thick especially from Y-split down to the 3.5mm jack. From the Y-split up to the housings have been redesigned and are much better than the original version. Cables seem to stay in place quite well around the ears and the thickness wasn’t much of a bother for me. The 3.5mm jack has a nice 45 degree angle in which I have come to appreciate in design. Only gripe although minor is the overall thickness of the cable and bigger than average Y-split.
Moving on to the sound, these have a nice balanced signature. Bass doesn’t hit with great impact, won’t reach to the lowest of the lows or hit you with forceful mid-bass punch. Bass has good presence but isn’t the tightest and sounds a bit soft from what I’m use to. The S5 from Brainwavz reaches lower, has bigger impact and makes a much greater presence in the music. For those who find the S5 to have too much bass, the R3 might be more appealing. Overall, I find the bass to fit with the signature these earphones are going for. These earphones have a wide and deep soundstage, some of the biggest I’ve heard. This can be good or bad on the vocals, depending on preference. The staging distances the vocals several rows back so it isn’t up front. I find them a little recessed and I mean little because they can be clearly heard and is not hidden from the rest of the music. I honestly couldn’t nitpick if male or female vocals sounded better since both sounded just fine for me. But, vocal trance sounded quite nice. Treble is very relaxed and there isn’t even a hint of fatigue, sibilance or the dreaded “sss” in the vocal region. Treble is smooth and possibly could use a little more for added sparkle. Somewhere between the R3 and S5 would be lovely. The smooth and non-fatiguing treble still clearly presents the details in the music. Instrument placement can be best pictured as if the listener is sitting in a large theatre compared to say a small intimate club. This is more of a surround sound listening experience.
In conclusion, I find the R3 V2 to be an even keeled sounding earphone that really doesn’t have much fault. Nothing to really complain about, even with the thick cable and all. I’m not too much of a nitpicker but I would think most would find this earphone to sound just fine. No huge bass to complain about or peaky treble or too recessed vocals. Fit’s fine if people can ignore the odd design and give it a try.
kova4a
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: solid build quality; balanced smooth and natural sound; 2-year warranty
Cons: rubbery cable prone to memory kinks; fit can be an issue for some people
First off, I have to thank again Brainwavz and Audrey for this R3 unit
Packaging and Accessories
The packaging is quite straightforward. There are plastic windows both at the front and the back of the box showcasing the shiny metal housings of the R3. Below the front window is embossed Brainwavz R3 and a very basic description – Twin Driver Configuration, Bass & Clarity and Rugged Metal Housing Design. Can’t disagree with that but maybe Smooth & Balanced would have been a bit more accurate description but more on that later.
On the back of the box there is a bit more detailed description of the R3 and its design.
On the sides of the package are listed its contents and R3’s specs.
It’s a fairly nice presentation overall.
Inside the box reside the R3 and the Brainwavz case. I’ve mentioned multiple times that this is my favorite iem case. It’s quite tough and specious and can easily fit a pair of iems and a small DAP like a Sansa. Inside one of the red pockets there is a nice quarter inch adapter and small gray bag with the included tips. There are 2 different types of single flange tips. Black ones made of a touch thicker silicone and gray ones, which are softer and have a slightly wider bore. The single flange silicone tips come in 3 sizes. There is also a pair of bi-flange and a pair of tri-flange tips, which come in only one size. As usual with Brainwavz a pair of comply foam tips packaged separately is included to complete the package.
Build Quality, Design and Fit
The R3 is a quite solid iem with robust metal housings and a thick rugged cable. The cable is a bit memory prone and rubbery though and while I don’t mind its thickness or weight I would have preferred if it had smoother sleeving and was more pliable and easier to keep straight.
The strain reliefs are substantial and again some people might call the Y-splitter over-engineered but it’s fine by me.
The j-plug is also on the bulky side but I’m a huge fan of j-plugs and it looks capable of withstanding quite a bit of abuse, so I can’t complain. If anything it completes the overall tough looks of the R3.
Design-wise it only takes a quick glance at the R3 to realize that it’s not your average iem. Its design is quite unique and I have to admit that when the R3 was first announced I wasn’t impressed and right away commented that people will have issue with the fit with such a design. It’s eye catching though and people often stare at the housing more than a couple of seconds.
Surprisingly despite my initial reservations and worries about the fit it turned out fine. I haven’t tried the old R3 version with the long memory-wires but this revised one actually fits me quite well. The fit is secure and isolation is good. It did take me quite a bit of tip rolling but finally settled on the stock bi-flanges both for the comfort and the sound.
The R3 can also be worn straight but the fit will be less secure due to the weight of the cable pulling the housings down.
There is a very mild driver flex with certain tips particularly on the left earpiece. Microphonics are very low when worn cable up.
Sound
The R3 has over 100 hours of burn-in at the time of writing this review.
For a dual dynamic driver iem that has a separate driver to reproduce the low frequencies the R3 quite surprised me. Its bass is quite flat and balanced. It is well-rounded with good control but is a bit on the polite side – softer on the impact and lacking some depth. The lower extension is not bad but after 50hz the bass gradually rolls off. Overall I like R3’s bass although I would have liked if it was a bit tighter and harder hitting but given the overall smooth and non-fatiguing presentation of the R3 it fits well with the rest of the spectrum. In comparison the Brainwavz S5 has a lot bigger but also less controlled and muddier bass bleeding into the mids.
The mids are well balanced with the bass and also relatively flat. Both male and female vocals have very nice presence and sweet tone. The R3 actually sounds a bit mid-centric but I don’t mind that as this type of signature is harder and harder to find. The tonality is slightly on the warm side but still what I would call neutral-ish. Instruments have nice timbre and despite the slightly thick note presentation sound natural and realistic. Detail retrieval is actually pretty good but clarity is a bit behind in comparison to some of the competition. In comparison brainwavz’s own S5 is noticeably clearer due to its thinner note presentation and treble emphasis but is also a lot less natural sounding and more fatiguing. The R3 instead is smoother lusher sounding.
The highs are a bit laid back but very well extended and smooth. The lower treble has enough energy to keeps things exciting without getting harsh or fatiguing. There is plenty of shimmer but I wouldn’t have minded a bit more sparkle. The treble is not prone to pointing out sibilance. In comparison the S5 with its more emphasized and peaky highs is noticeably harsher and more artificial sounding.
The R3 is full and airy sounding. Imaging is very good with both width and depth above average. Positioning is quite good. Instrument separation is very good with plenty of space between the instruments. Overall, the R3 sounds pretty spacious, especially for a mid-centric iem, which usually tend to be more on the intimate side.
Summary
R3 and its little brother R1
Brainwavz R3 has quite the surprising sound for a dual dynamic driver iem. Owning the Brainwavz R1 I expected a lot different sound but it’s heads and shoulders above its smaller dual dynamic brother R1. I’m not going to lie, I would also pick it over the Brainwavz’s other higher-end iem the S5 any day of the week. While the S5 will most likely impress a lot more people at first listen with its big bass and clarity, the R3 with its more balanced, smoother and mature sound is the iem that really impresses.
The R3 is a very solid performer sound-wise with a very solid build quality to boot. If it wasn’t for Audrey I probably would have given it a pass worried about the fit and all the people complaining about it. Maybe the memory wires on the old version were really horrible – I can’t comment on that but they are gone now and what is left is an iem that deserves to be given a second chance.
twister6
twister6 Reviews
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: build quality, included accessories, great sound separation
Cons: cable, would prefer memory wire back, fitment
Since I was among the early adopters of this updated 2.0 version of R3, I already posted a detailed review with pictures in the original R3 review thread. Therefore, I'm just going to provide a link to my R3 v2.0 review: http://www.head-fi.org/products/brainwavz-r3-dual-dynamic-driver-earphones/reviews/11456
Audiophile1811
500+ Head-Fier
Introduction – As the top-of-the-line earphone of the young company Brainwavz, the R3 has a quite a lot on its shoulders. Utilizing a relatively new dual-dynamic driver configuration, uncommon with most headphones on the market, Brainwavz has chosen this design for its very best headphone. Bold as it is, this design has been successful in many budget-based sets such as the Havi B3 Pro-1 and TTPOD’s T1 series. The R3’s, then, promise a lot considering they cost twice and even three times as much as the aforementioned earphones. So do they deliver for the price? The answer is yes… and no. But this is best explained throughout my review so if you’re interested, simply read on and find out why.
Disclaimer – This is a free review unit delivered to me for the purpose of this review. I am not affiliated with Brainwavz in any way and will stay objective as possible throughout this review. Huge thanks to Audrey at Brainwavz for sending these out to me, it’s quite a privilege. All photos were taken by me.
Specifications:
- 10mm Dual-Dynamic drivers (Passive Crossover)
- Impedance: 32 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 95dB
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
- Rated Input Power: 2mW
- Cable: OFC Copper, 1.3 meters/4.25 ft.
Packaging & Accessories: The R3’s have slightly unconventional packaging that presents the headphones and its cable through clear plastic windows on either side of the box. Inside you’ll find a plethora of tips (9 pairs in total) which include 6 pairs of single-flange silicone tips (3 pairs gray, 3 pairs black), a single pair of bi-flange and triple-flange tips, and a pair of Comply T500 tips. Also included is a ¼ inch adapter, a hard zip-case, and a 1-year warranty card (box says 2 years, don’t know which to believe). Brainwavz has been very generous with their accessories and deserve credit for being thoughtful with their ear tips.
Build & Design: Brainwavz has gone very out-of-the-box with the design of the R3. They’ve used a tubular housing for the drivers and a 90° angle nozzle that sticks straight out of the center. This means each driver faces each other within a divided enclosure and each band of frequencies meet inside the nozzle creating a uniform sound. Internal details aside, the aluminum housings feel extremely rugged throughout. However, cable quality is questionable. The 4-inch black portion of the cable is higher quality than the remaining grey section and is the only part that doesn’t suffer from kinks or memory. But since most of the cable does, it’s a wonder why Brainwavz didn’t just make the entire cable consistent (or thinner for that matter). But this is nitpicking because the R3’s seem very durable. The real problems come when wearing the R3’s.
Comfort & Fit: I have small ears, which means I also have problems with earphones, even the most comfortable. Brainwavz sought to remedy this dilemma for those like me but haven’t entirely succeeded. The R3’s are utilize an over-ear design but the housings are heavy and the nozzles are large. This causes them to fall out of place and need adjustment often. Strain reliefs are a bit stiff below the housings (fine on the Y-split & 3.5mm jack) and combined with their vertical position the cable very tricky to place behind the ear, as they were intended. But the worst part is the cable that is simply too thick and heavy for an IEM. The sheer weight and size of the cable can make it cumbersome and difficult to wear under clothing (also due to its rubbery texture). When worn with the right ear tips the R3’s are relatively comfortable but suffer from their awkward design and cable. With this in mind, the R3’s will suit some but definitely not others, so be cautious if your ears have given you trouble in the past.
Microphonics: For such a large cable, microphonics were not as bad as I expected. Cable noise is well controlled when worn over-ear but is fairly distracting cable-down. The included cinch does a good job of keeping cable noise down in either configuration too.
Isolation: There is a surprising level of noise attenuation when wearing the R3’s. They isolate very well outdoors and reduce environmental noise enough for non-distractive (but safe) listening. I consider this a strength of the R3’s overall.
----------Sound----------
Equipment & Background – For the sound portion of this review I will be using an Audinst HUD-MX1 amp/DAC combo as my primary “reference” source, a Topping NX-1 portable amplifier, and a Sansa Fuze as a portable source. All my impressions are done indoors with an over-ear headphone for added isolation resulting in almost silent listening with no audible distractions. My library consists of FLAC and high bit-rate MP3 files. The R3’s were also burned-in over 100hrs before review.
Bass: With a mid-forward sound signature the bass on the R3’s are not boosted or enhanced like many V-shaped sets on the market. Instead, lows are much mellower and have a pleasant musical warmth throughout. And while they don’t extend too far down there is enough sub-bass for an engaging listen. Bass is tight, controlled, and well-rounded and never once feels loose or bloated. However, it should be noted that the lows on the R3 are fairly soft in nature which means they won’t deliver the same visceral impact compared to sets with large mid-bass humps. That said, bass is always engaging and very punchy when required. Smoothness is another quality of the bass that becomes noticeable with fast, heavy music genres (those of which are not entirely suited for the R3). But those who prefer a mid-forward signature will appreciate the manner with which the R3’s handle bass notes. They are never distracting and don’t steal the attention of the listener; they provide enough energy to strike an excellent balance with the midrange and treble. Bass reproduction is one of the biggest strengths of the R3’s (in my opinion) due to their laid-back presence.
Mids: Moving upwards, the midrange holds a good few surprises. As mentioned before, the R3’s are mid forward overall. But this does not make them fatiguing or offensive to listen to as many other users have experienced with many other mid forward sets. Instead, the R3’s mids are not aggressive or rich, just forward enough to focus its sound on one particular part of the frequency spectrum. The primary advantage here are mids that are both clear and smooth. The balance between the two is obvious but the mids generally lean towards smoothness more than anything else. Vocalists demonstrate this best as they lack detail in parts of both the lower and upper-midrange; Both male and female vocalist suffer the effects of this coloration which was likely created by frequency dips in both regions. In terms of quality, the midrange is neither lifelike nor is it the most natural. Despite this there is no lack of finesse to the mids, just slightly lacking in accuracy. It will easily satisfy all but the extreme detail lover with its creamy, effortless nature but it won’t please anybody in sheer quality alone.
Treble: The last piece of the (frequency) puzzle lies in the R3’s treble. Highs are, yet again, very smooth but also more revealing and detailed than any frequencies below it. While not bright, there is an unexpected level of clarity up top considering the soft, genial character of the bass and midrange. Details come through with percussive instruments with natural timbre and good sparkle but without harshness. This lack of harshness prevents any sibilance from occurring even with the most aggressive vocalists and the worst recordings. Extension is considerably impressive as well, with frequencies extending up to 15kHz and gently rolling-off afterwards. And although consistency is lacking in areas, the treble is still up to par with more expensive earphones in its price range. For what it does best (i.e. bass) and what its focus is (i.e. mids), the top end of the R3’s are surprisingly good; They can suit the needs of almost any listener and any genre.
Presentation: The R3’s present their sound in a way that’s both engaging and involving. Soundstage is a little predictable for a mid-centric IEM as it has a tendency to place vocals and most of the midrange very close to the listener. This gives the effect of having music performed directly in front of you, but not in a way that it becomes tiring over time. The result is a soundstage with only average depth overall. Height is improved over depth but width is where the R3’s begin to open up. Wide spatial cues are thrown out far on either side of the head while still maintaining easy localization. The result is an intimate presentation that is more spacious than their sound signature would suggest. Bass is centered, vocals are intimate, treble is airy, and music is simply a joy to experience. Most will find their unique presentation and signature very pleasant no matter what genre of music preferred.
Ear Tips & Insertion Sensitivity: The R3’s can be a little picky with ear tips as their nozzle is a slightly larger than average. Even the included tips require a little force to fit onto the nozzle. But this doesn’t inhibit tip-rolling with the R3’s as they are quite flexible. Sound can be adjusted to have either a thicker, warmer sound or a more neutral one depending on the tip fitted: Single flanges will achieve the former while the included double-flanges will achieve the latter. And since insertion is neither shallow nor deep some tips will stay in place and others will not. As mentioned in the Comfort & Fit section, this will depend on your ears more than anything else.
Power, Sensitivity, and Source Performance: The R3’s are a very drivable earphone that respond well with most sources. Low output devices should have no trouble driving them although they may require a little more volume to acquire listenable levels. A more powerful source, such as a dedicated amplifier, will yield better results in terms of volume and quality.
Value: For $129 the Brainwavz R3 is a peculiar earphone that combines an unusual design with a consumer friendly sound. The R3 balances a mid-forward signature with a wide presentation but loses out in areas of detail and accuracy. But its main weakness is its design and fit. Their tubular housings are difficult to wear for long periods without adjustment and that’s if they’re comfortable to begin with. The cable’s large profile also causes issues as it prevents the R3’s from fitting inside a pant pocket, making them a little inconvenient to transport. Overall however, the R3 is still relatively good value if you can get past its flaws. And if you enjoy a smooth, musical sound you’ll be in for a pleasant surprise.
I hope this review will be useful to those who read through it. Please leave any suggestions or advice you may have in the comments below. Everyone’s input will help me improve my reviews and make it easier to adapt my reviews for as wide an audience as possible. Thanks for reading and happy listening!
Wokei
Nice review ..well done
Audiophile1811
Thanks @Wokei
Kamakahah
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Durable build quality. Clear and non-fatiguing. Good overall balance.
Cons: Thick, rubbery cable. Two-faced bass. Long-term comfort
Admittedly, I took far too long to post this review. I wanted to try a different approach that involved becoming accustomed to the signature followed by a period without them, and then a reintroduction. It's been about six weeks since I received the unit. I've done week long periods with and without them.
The reason for this decision was two fold:
1. It's the first dual dynamic IEM that I've given significant head time.
2. There were/are some awkward inconsistencies with the sound signature that I was/am hearing. It was my hope at the time to be able to narrow the the reasons behind them. More on this later.
After realizing that I had too many notes and they were harder for me to characterize than originally anticipated, I decided to write this review while listening to them after a short break and give my overall thoughts from this session. My previous notes will still be a factor in what I write, but hopefully this gives more clarity to my thoughts.
Again, I'd like to thank Brainwavz for the opportunity to review these. As others did, I received a review pair to keep similar to the S5. It's a nice gesture of confidence in the Head-Fi community.
In similar fashion, I'll avoid adding pictures and statistics that a quick Google search can provide.
All the usual qualifiers apply: IMO, YMMV, OMGWTFBBQ, ROFLCOPTER. This is just my experience. Yours might be different.
For those that don't like to wade through the paragraphs of information that most reviews provide, here is a succinct synopsis:
Bass: Can vary greatly. Overall lower-quantity with a softer impact. Occasionally comes out to play. See below for more details.
Mids: Pretty clear. Non-fatiguing. Present and slightly forward. Much less , "life has been sucked out" than the S5 but with slightly dry presentation. A touch of warmth. Quite enjoyable.
Treble: Nice lower treble energy. Non-fatiguing but hits of sibilance depending on the track. Smooth and laid back, maybe overly so for some.
Soundstage/Imaging: Good width, and back depth. Shallow forward depth. Can feel intimate as a result, but not cramped.
Separation/Clarity/Detail: Decent separation and good clarity if not a little thick sounding. Good detail in the mids. Lows are too fluffy for my taste. Highs lacking micro details from smoothing
Tips: Find whatever is comfortable. Didn't lead to a ton of variation as it normally does for me. Used the stock, clear tips.
Source/Amping: Some noticeable scaling, specifically with additional power to add a bit more life and energy to the sound. A clear source with good texture seems best, IMO.
Isolation: Slightly below average. Not great isolation, but doesn't leak.
Overall: Enjoyable. A stand out addition in a pack of "V's." Clunky build, but durable. A solid buy at $99. At $115+ you'll want to be sure it's what you're after.
Initial Impressions:
From my notes 6 weeks ago, I thought they sounded clear with a nice sense of balance. I found the bass to be soft and lacking texture. The mid range was enticing, forward, a little dry, but enjoyable.
Methodology:
I gave them 5 hours of listening the first day to become accustomed to the signature. They were then burned in for quite some time using set of burn-in tracks with mixed tracks, pink noise, and 5 minute breaks every hour on repeat.
They were burned in for over 300 hours in total throughout the process. I initially began my process after ~150 hours as per my usual. I continued to listen to other headphones/earphones.
Then, as mentioned above, I took week long breaks. I also spent full weeks only listening to the R3. My reasons for this will be further discussed in the following sections.
Listening was done casually at home and while out shopping. Detailed listening was done in a quiet office. A/B testing done as well with different gear and Fiio HS2 used occasionally for quick switching of sources or headphones.
I avoided reading any other reviews before writing this one to avoid bias.
Chains used:
1. PC USB/Optical>>>Audio GD NFB-15>>>R3
2. Fiio X3>>>(Topping NX1/C&C BH)>>>R3
3. Rockboxed Sansa Clip+>>>(Topping NX1/C&C BH)>>>R3
4. HTC One M8>>>R3
Tips used: Supplied tips, JVC spiral tips, Sony hybrids, Sennheiser double flange.
Test tracks: Many albums in my collection were listened to in full with a number of mixed in individual tracks, but here are a few specific tracks used.
Track formats included 256-320kbps mp3, FLAC, WAV files and a few youtube videos for variety.
- Jessica Lee Mayfield - Nervous Lonely Night : The first minute of this song can tell me a lot about a can. This will seem odd, but the pencil tapping at the start tells me a ton about timbre and a bit about depth. The generally forward vocals of the entire "Tell me" album help point out recessed mids quickly. The bass comes in strong with lots of quantity and impact to let me judge the low end presence and texture. I could go on. It's just a track that works for me.
- Queen - Killer Queen : One of my sibilance test tracks, though it's much more than that. It's another track that can really let you individually identify a spectrum of specific quality attributes or flaws.
- Paramore - Hallelujah : The recording/mastering, whatever, sounds just terrible on the deluxe mp3 version that I have. I use it to test how forgiving a can is.
- Pantera - Cowboys from Hell; Cemetery Gates; Floods : It's Pantera. No more explanation needed.
- Lisa Hannigan - Live from the Troubadour in W.Hollywood. : This is a special recording that I have from a live concert I attended. I'm frighteningly familiar with the venue/performance and how it should sound. I use this to judge soundstage, imaging, timbre and separation.
- Rage Against The Machine - People of the Sun : Bass.
- Metallica - (Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth / One/ etc - Lots of reasons
- Lana Del Rey - Lolita/National Anthem/Carmen : Lots of reasons but in general for her vocals that can sound like thick, warm syrup.
- Geographer - Kites : I like this for cohesion. Some cans make it sound disjointed or all jumbled up.
- Filipe Melo · Ana Cláudia // Spiegel im spiegel (Arvo Pärt) : It's beautiful. Noise test. Timbre. Naturalness.
- Girl Talk - Let it Out : It's fun.
- Dr. Chesky - The Ultimate Headphone Demonstration Disc - Soundstage, imaging, dynamics, etc.
- Many, more.
Build Quality & Acessories:
Oh Jetpack. It's awkward. The cable is a heavy, bouncy, rubbery monstrosity. Plenty of nice accessories included, solid 10/10 in my mind. The bulky shell may or may not affect your fit depending on ear shape.
Comfort/Fit:
Average comfort. The rubbery cable was very noticeable over the ear and raises up at times until pulled tighter with a shirt clip. Long-term comfort has been poor. After about an hour, I found that the area where the cable meets the body rubbed my ear the wrong way. Tips didn't seem to have too significant of an effect for comfort, though I did favor some more than others. In particular, I liked the stock clear tips that weren't quite as firm. I found that they tend to start slipping from my ears. I'm not sure if it's a result of the cable or something else. I tried to wear larger tips to offset the pull, but found that I couldn't handle the loss of comfort. Occasionally, I' would double check their positioning to make sure they are still in place. This was more of an issue when out and about than in the office.
Isolation/Leak:
Average to below average. Noisy locations will be noticeable. I found their isolation to be slightly less effective compared to the S5. Leak wasn't an issue.
Bass:
The moment I listened to the opening kick drum and first few bass string plucks in Jessica Lee Mayfield's - "Our Hearts Are Wrong", I knew that the bass and I were going to be at odds. That particular song is very bass heavy. The R3 does bring the quantity of bass in many tracks to manageable levels. This was one aspect that I appreciated for a number of bass heavy tracks; However, it was also the bane of bass light tracks.
As mentioned in the Cons, I found the bass to be two-faced or fractured. I tried my best to determine its cause, but wasn't able to pin it down in a way that I could explain in a clear fashion. In short, it seems certain frequencies are emphasized. It felt like there were peaks and valleys in the bass than had a very noticeable effect on impact and levels. It didn't seem like a clear line that is normally present where people can say, "Oh yeah, it has a mid bass hump and rolls off in the sub-bass which explains...blahblahblah." - Not the case here. Some songs had the low impact that they normally show, while it was next to non-existent in my other test tracks. I wish I could articulate it better. That said, there is a significant roll off in the sub-bass at about the 50 Hz mark. Below 30 is pretty much a black hole.
In this moment, as I listen to a number of tracks I find the duality. Some show nice, low impact. Others that should have the same feel like the kick drum or bass is hidden behind a glass panel or being hit by a pillow rather than a mallet.
One final beef was with the lack of texture. I found it really was missing that detail that comes with a more articulate bass. The overall tone felt smoothed over and pillowy.
Mids:
A nice forward presentation in the mids. It balances well still with the rest of the spectrum. A much desired addition following the soulless mids of the S5. As mentioned in the brief summary above, I find them slightly dry with a touch of warmth. It's a neutralish presentation of the mid range that in some ways reminds me of a less refined HE-560. One of my favorite signatures centers around the mids, so this was a nice change of pace from my generally bass oriented collection that includes the JVC FX-850, among others.
Treble:
Queen's song "Killer Queen" will pretty much violate my ears if a headphone/earphone is even a little hot, sibilant, etc. These do a pretty good job. Overall non-fatiguing but will undoubtedly be too lack-back for the treble lovers. Smooth, but still with a decent energy, particularly in the lower treble region. Not a whole lot of the sparkle. Hints of sibilance on already sibilant tracks, but that's normal.
Separation/Clarity/Detail:
I would say that it is a notch above average in this category. Decent separation and clarity. A bit thicker sounding than the S5 that suffered from a thin/recessed mid range that killed baby seals. Enough detail to satisfy. Without a doubt some loss of detail and clarity in the bass with roll off and fluffy presentation that lacks in texture and articulation.
Soundstage/Imaging:
The soundstage felt slightly more intimate than I've been used to but not in a cramped way. The positioning feels a intimate. This can be good and maybe a little bad for some live recordings. I'll explain way as it has to do with the way that I perceived the soundstage. The best way I can think to describe the shape is an taking a basketball and half way deflating just one hemisphere. The width sound above average, the behind depth the same. The forward depth, or the space in front of me seems as though its distance has been cut in half when compared to behind.
Source/Amping/Tips:
The R3 did seem to scale a bit. More important, for me, was the added power that seems to add a bit more life to the overall sound. :
- Audio-GD NFB-15
- Fiio X3 + Topping NX1 (Low gain, high was noisy and gave no play with the volume)
- Fiio X3 + C&C BH (Line 2, switches off, gain 'High').
- Rockboxed Sansa Clip+ (Forgot to experiment with attaching amps)
I didn't find a lot of difference when tip rolling. Insertion depth didn't change the sound enough so I ended up liking the stock, clear tips. They are comfortable and didn't negatively affect the sound. I thought a narrow bore might help the bass, but the effect was minor and inconsistent so I reverted.
Final Thoughts:
I want to say that I enjoy this earphone. It's far from perfect, but it has qualities that are becoming harder to find in a V-shaped market. The mid-centric presentation is a welcome addition to my collection. The bass can be a bit of a letdown on some tracks, but it can also be a boon in taming overly bass heavy tracks into submission. It can help you see your much listened to tracks in a new light. It suffers from some inevitable design issues, but overall a durable and enjoyable earphone. As I look at the $115 asking price on Amazon right now I asked myself the question, "Is it worth that price tag?" To some, yes. I think it would fit nicely into the $99 category, but what's $15 anyway?
thatBeatsguy
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Smooth, balanced sound. Brainwavz' signature unique look. Brainwavz' signature build.
Cons: Weird looks might deter some. Cable is pretty hefty and cumbersome.
Intro
TL;DR: Don't let its rather brutish looks fool you; the Brainwavz R3 is a smooth, gentle IEM that works especially well with acoustic genres, slow rock, and jazz.
Before I begin, I would like to thank Audrey at Brainwavz for providing the sample of the Brainwavz R3 in exchange for my honest opinion. Please note that I am neither affiliated with Brainwavz or any of its employees, nor am I being compensated for writing this review. All opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own unless otherwise specified, and all pictures are taken and owned by my sister. YMMV.
Well, it’s been a few weeks since my review of the S5s, and from that first impression of one of their IEMs, they’ve earned their place in my ‘Companies to Watch’ list. Though a lot of their IEMs, to my knowledge, lean towards a more consumer-friendly sound, they are no doubt of audiophile quality. Today, I’m going to be reviewing another of their high-end IEMs, and probably one of the most peculiar-looking IEMs I’ve ever seen, the dual-dynamic Brainwavz R3 Rev.2 (I’ll get to this later).
Anyhow, let’s get on to the IEMs. Shall we?
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.
[size=x-large]== Aesthetics ==[/size]
Packaging, Accessories
At first glance of the packaging, it’s clear that Brainwavz is proud of their design of the R3, as the box features a clear window from the front all the way through to the back of the box, with the R3’s housings suspended in a clear plastic mold, showcased proudly and rather enthusiastically, like a brand-new breakthrough in design or something along those lines. On the front you also see BRAINWAVZ R3 written with a tagline and a few of its main features. On the left side, you’ll see its specifications, and on the right are its accessories, and on the back is a cross-section diagram of the R3s’ housing along with a description of sorts.
Upon opening the package, you’ll find Brainwavz’ semi-hard case hidden from the light of day, housing the rest of the R3s and all of its accessories. I’m still pretty impressed with the plethora of eartips included in the package, which consists of six pairs of single-flange tips (one set in grey, the other in black, in S/M/L), one pair of double-flanged tips, one pair of triple-flanged tips, and a pair of Comply T500 foam eartips. So there you have it - nine pairs of eartips, all at your disposal along with the Brainwavz R3 and S5. Still pretty damn impressive. But that’s not all - you also get a nifty 1/4-inch adapter. In the previous version, there used to be an airline adapter supposedly - but in my case, I don’t think I would need it anyway, so that can be ignored. Frequent flyers, though, might have to buy their own airline adapter off a local Best Buy or some other electronics store.
Design, Build, Microphonics
You remember what I said about Brainwavz’ package being showcased like a design breakthrough? Well, I have got to hand it to Brainwavz, they have made one awesome breakthrough in design right here, and it’s sure to make anyone -- consumer or audiophile -- wonder how they manage to get these in their ears. (Not that it’s a bad thing, though -- they actually fit quite easily.)
Though the concept of dual dynamic drivers isn’t new (lately there have been a lot of popular options to choose from), how they’re implemented intrigued me.The two 10mm drivers are set up in a two-way configuration – one used for bass, the other for the rest of the audio spectrum. Again, this is not unusual, but then we move on to their placement. The two drivers are placed apart from and facing each other, pouring the sound into a ‘Sonic Chamber’ before it reaches your ears through a particularly long tube. At least, that’s what the diagram seems to tell me. It’s probably not as simple as it sounds, seeing as another dual dynamic IEM, the Audio-Technica ATH-CKR9 (and its older variant, the CKR10) shares a similarly-positioned pair of drivers…except for the fact that the CKRs’ drivers go for a ‘Push-Pull’ design in which one driver pushes the sound while the other pulls the sound to supposedly reduce distortion and improve sound quality (or something like that). Coming back to the R3s, it seems both drivers simply push sound into the sound chamber where the sound mixes to bring out the final product.
Moving on, we have the cable, which apparently consists of three sections: the main grey cable from the connector to the Y-split, a thinner grey cable from the Y-split to split (rather, splice), which transitions into a length of memory cable making the final stretch to the housings. This memory wire used to be a lot longer in the first version, but has been removed in the revision for better ergonomics and an easier fit.
Again, the team over at Brainwavz has impressed me with the excellent build quality of the R3s. From the solid machined aluminum housings to the strong extremely heavy-duty Y-split (see above), it’s clear Brainwavz made no compromises to the build quality of the R3 just as they did with the S5. The only gripe I have with the build is the cable. No, it’s not because of durability -- in fact, it’s probably one of the most solid cables I’ve had in my possession yet. My gripe with the cable is because it’s solid. It’s very thick -- reminding me of the cable on my old Beats Pro. Its thickness in turn makes them very difficult to manage. When they arrived, they were bound pretty tightly together by a wire, and when I undid the wire, I was greeted with an eyesore of a cable with folds and creases on every inch. Even as I write this, I’m still trying to straighten it out. Cable noise isn’t much different. Even with the over-ear design dulling it down, cable noise is still a bit of an issue due to the serious weight of the cable.
Fit, Comfort, Isolation
Now, I’m sure you’re still wondering if the bottle-like housings with a tube on the side would actually fit your ears. Well, I’m happy to report that it actually does. It did take a few minutes of fiddling at first, but it only takes a few tries to get accustomed to it. They’re pretty comfortable once they’re in your ears, though at times the housing does touch -- more like press on -- part of my ear when I don’t get them in right, which again is a nuisance, but it’s mostly just on me. Due to the housings being little more than a bottle with a tube sticking out of the side which goes into your ear, isolation leans toward average, but is nonetheless good enough for a walk in the park or at home. Don’t expect it to drown out much in a bus or the subway, though.
Also, something of note: the Brainwavz R3 can be worn straight-down; however the cable causes too much microphonics to be tolerable. That, and the R3 is considerably heavy with its thick cable and solid aluminum housings. I don’t know if you guys will like it -- maybe you will, maybe you won’t, but I most definitely will not wear these straight-down.
I hope I didn’t bore you yet with my explanations, because we’re just about to get to the sound. Bored yet? No? Great, now let’s move on.
[size=x-large]== Sound ==[/size]
Specs
Headphone Type
Closed back, vented in-ear monitor (straight down, around-the-ear)
Driver Type
10 mm dynamic x2
Frequency Response
16 Hz – 22 kHz
Rated Input Power
30 mW
Sensitivity
110 dB @ 1 mW
Impedance
32 Ω
Weight
N/A
Cable
1.3 m (4.2’) Copper Y-Cord
Connector
3.5 mm (1/8”) gold-plated 45-degree TRS
Accessories
Hard carrying case 3 pairs single-flange silicone eartips (grey, S/M/L)
3 pairs single-flange silicone eartips (black, S/M/L)
1 pair double-flange silicone eartips
1 pair triple-flange silicone eartips
1 pair Comply™ T-500 foam eartips
6.3 mm (1/4”) adapter
Equipment, Burn-in
The equipment used for this review consists of my iPod Touch, an iPad 3, and my PC through headphone-out as the sources, all running without an amp. The amp used in the test is a Yamaha RX-V359 through headphone-out. As for the EQ software being used, I use Viper4Windows on the PC and the default system EQ on the other sources. As always, my test tracks are available here, although I will link specific songs in the assessment for a more direct point of reference.
As per review “tradition,” the Brainwavz R3s have been burned in for at least 100 hours prior to the review, with occasional listening sessions in between for an average of an hour. So far, throughout the 100 hours of burn-in, there haven’t been any noticeable changes in sound. Also, the eartips I used are the L-sized grey single flanges throughout the review. So, without further ado, let’s get on to the sound!
Sound Quality
Bass:
Okay, let’s start off with the bass. As an IEM designed for the audiophile crowd, don’t expect the R3 to have elevated bass, because it doesn’t have that. However, what it does have is a smooth, swift low-end that is clearly made for its target audience. Its accurate, slightly warm tone reproduces low tones without overdoing anything. It also has a strong enough punch to satisfy most listeners who aren’t craving bass. In short, it’s a very addicting listen that works amazingly with cool, laid-back songs (Daft Punk –The Game of Love, Something About Us).
Midrange:
The Brainwavz R3’s midrange is sweet and rich – basically, it sounds great. It has a great amount of clarity with a slight warmth to it. It reproduces the midrange very well, and despite its mid-centric signature (more on this later), isn’t as forward as I expected. One of my favourite characteristics about it, though, is how they manage to blend really well with the bass (Coldplay –Sparks) – making a very cohesive and united sound signature.
Treble:
Brainwavz purposely tuned the R3 to have a smooth, laid-back treble, topping off the sound signature like the smooth foam on a latte (more on this analogy later). This laid-back signature gives the R3 a very relaxing signature that you can simply listen to for hours, which is a huge plus in my book. (Note: Technical mode ON) Though most laid-back treble usually sounds veiled and lacking detail, Brainwavz managed to counter that by tuning in a treble spike around 10 kHz. This allows the R3 to still retain great detail retrieval even with its laid-back treble (technical mode OFF).
Soundstage/Presentation:
Apparently Brainwavz’ “Sound Chamber” technology actually does affect the R3’s sound signature – specifically, its soundstage. It’s very wide, airy, and expansive, which you usually don’t get to hear very often in an earphone, so that’s a huge plus. Live, acoustic, and classical recordings really come to life on the Brainwavz R3. However, I did notice instruments were projected (or “sound like” in layman’s terms) onto a narrow arc in front of you, instead of all around you. It’s a little quirk there that might not be as appealing to the more finicky listeners, but it’s not too much of a big deal.
Genre Proficiency:
The Brainwavz R3, as I’ve said earlier, works amazingly well with cool, laid-back genres, synergising well with its laid-back sound. Stuff like Coldplay, Daft Punk’s slower works, classical, anything that’s slow or has a relaxing vibe – the Brainwavz R3 performs spectacularly. However, it’s hardly finicky with genres and will play anything you throw at it very well.
Summary:
The Brainwavz R3’s sound is something I could liken to a nice latte – smooth, rich, creamy, sweet, and with just the right kick from the coffee. I’m sure from this, you can put two and two together, so there’s not much to say other than it’s great if the R3’s sound is what you’re looking for. Bassheads will have to look elsewhere, because the R3 is definitely an audiophile IEM.
Other Media
Games:
The R3 isn’t bad with games. Sure, its detail retrieval is great for getting an edge over the competition, but its rather congested presentation takes a hit to their imaging capabilities. All in all, they’re not something I’d use for competitive gaming.
Movies:
The R3’s smooth, balanced signature allows it to play along with pretty much any type of movie, from epic action scenes to heart-wrenching drama moments. I find they perform better with quieter movies, just as they do well with laid-back music.
EQ Response, Amplification
The R3, in my opinion, doesn’t really respond well to EQ (rather, basic EQ presets), though with a more advanced EQ like Electri-Q or Viper4Windows, you can EQ them to be completely flat, which, surprisingly, is very easy to do. But once I did that, man, oh man. The results were amazing. Probably the only downside to this is having to go through rather extensive tweaking and listening to get the sound just right, but otherwise they’re perfectly fine. At an impedance rating of about 32 ohms, they do need a bit more power to drive than, say, the S5 IEMs. At lower volumes, their midrange sounds rather muffled, and both ends of the spectrum also lose some detail. With extra power, though, the midrange comes forward, and with enough power, the bass suddenly begins to sound pretty damn impressive. You can really feel the sub-bass notes come alive and make the entire signature come together to no short of amazing. I don’t have a dedicated headphone amp as of yet, but now I begin to realize just how much I need one.
The R3's housings are best described as bottle-shaped with the cord coming out of the bottle top and the nozzle emerging from the side of the bottle. The nozzle is a normal diameter (I can use most of the same tips as the FIDUE A83s, HiFiMan RE272, Brainwavz S5, etc.) however it's quite long due to the need to extend out far enough from the non-ear shaped bottle housings of the R3s. I've got no problems with the long nozzle or look and feel of the housing - they're actually great and were it not for this next bit I'd be a huge fan, but...
But the housings are completely impractical for creating a good comfortable fit that's secure in the ear for extended periods and during movement. The biggest issue is the fit's dependency on the angle of your ear canal. With apologies for the ear selfies I've had to use here, you might notice when you look at the first picture here that the way the cable exits the housing means that the angle of the IEM is important to ensure that the cable wraps comfortably up and around the ear. The natural angle created if I insert the R3 comfortably in my ear means that the cable points backwards towards the top fold of my ear and therefore cannot in any way be comfortably secured there.
The good news is that the R3s can be successfully and comfortably worn cable-down and it allows much more angle flexibility. You can see in the second ear selfie that the R3s want to sit at a significant 15-20 degree angle in my ears so you can see why the over ear option is not really possibly with my anatomy. Perhaps others have more flexibility with this than I do.
Now, before you click away to another page, let's discuss a few good things.
Other than their slightly troublesome fit, the R3's housing is unique and really well put together. The R3s feel like they'll last for a very long time and will withstand almost anything you could throw at them. The chrome finish looks great and they feel good in the had and in the ear (once you get a good fit).
Other Design Elements The R3s have a thick, round cable that's quite heavy to the touch, but surprisingly light to wear. It's a bit springy and not the most comfortable cable I've used, but it's OK and probably preferable to the S5's flat cable. The Y-split is solid and functional and the cable cinch is similarly suitable although I find that it doesn't slide easily along the cable, but that also means it stays where you put it which is a bonus.
The final 10cm of each cable before it reaches the IEMs is a black rubber instead of grey with a secondary strain relief at the join. I'm not sure what purpose that serves because it's no stiffer than the grey cable so it's not memory wire for over-ear use and doesn't provide any benefits I can see. Still, it doesn't hurt and adds a nice touch of extra interest when looking at the R3s so no complaints.
The 3.5mm plug at the other end of the cable is a rugged, molded plug at a 45 degree angle that I really like. Right angle plugs and straight plugs both have issues in different applications, but I generally find these angled plugs to provide the benefits of both without the challenges.
Accessories Like the S5s, the R3 comes packed with plenty of tips (single, dual and triple flange silicone tips plus a set of Comply T-500 foam tips) plus a nice looking hard case (the same as the S5) and a 3.5mm-6.3mm adapter. This type of accessory set is becoming more common with all different IEMs at all different prices, but it's still worthy of applause because it makes getting a good fit much easier for new buyers who might not have a stash of all different tips from previous purchases and there's nothing worse than investing in a nice set of IEMs only to have them get destroyed in the bottom of your bag due to lack of an appropriate case.
Compatibility With a 32 ohm load, the R3s are in the sweet spot for IEM impedance in my opinion. Really low impedance models like the FIDUE A83 or Shure SE846 can cause all kinds of issues with some devices whereas a 32 ohm load is really comfortable for cheap and expensive players alike so the R3s should play really nicely with your phone, budget MP3 player, or audiophile DAP / stack. I've tried the R3s with the Colorfly C4, Fiio X5, E12DIY portable amp, and even the Bottlehead Mainline desktop headphone amplifier and the R3s always sound great. They're easy to drive, but not too easy so they don't show up noise from basic devices while still having the sensitivity to make the most of highly detailed audiophile sources.
Sound Bass I really like the bass from the R3s. It's smooth and full, but not enhanced - just naturally present. The bass sits in perfect alignment with the rest of the frequencies from the R3 and allows for a cohesive and realistic listening experience. Being a dynamic driver IEM, the bass is full and rich with a slightly slower feel than a balanced armature (BA) unit, but there is no mistaking the R3's bass for being slow in general terms. No, the R3 strikes the perfect balance of fullness and speed. Bass notes are crisply delivered on time and on target while leaving room for everything else in the spectrum to shine equally. Although not finely textured like the quickest of BA units, the bass is clean and detailed making faster basslines and deep percussion highly enjoyable. Listening to Muse's Absolution via the Colorfly C4, the bass and kick drums were deep and tight. Moving to Ozomatli's Embrace the Chaos album, the deepest rumble of the bass drum on "Pa Lante" was missing, but it takes an exceptional earphone / headphone to really get that right. The R3s certainly came close, but just didn't have that list tiny bit of power down at the lowest of frequencies. I'd much prefer that though to an excess of bass that can cloud the rest of the spectrum and disrupt the entire musical experience.
Mid-range Thanks to the present, but controlled bass, the R3's mids are able to shine through and take centre stage. I wouldn't call the R3s a mid-centric earphone so much as a neutral earphone. You could perhaps argue that the mids on the R3 are slightly laid back, but they're certainly well-balanced with the bass and treble even if they're just a hair behind. It's certainly not enough to make the mids sound distant or veiled and I really like the overall presentation a lot - it's very easy to listen to without sacrificing detail or articulation in any way. Guitars and similar instruments sound crisp and clean and both male and female vocals have an excellent sense of texture and clarity while still keeping an easy smoothness.
Treble The treble from the R3s is really interesting in that, up to this point in the review, I haven't really thought about the treble. I would say that's a good sign of perfectly balanced treble that's neither drawing attention to itself nor lacking in energy and leaving the presentation dark and muddy. The treble is lively enough to provide raspiness and air to vocals, percussive sounds and incidental textures like fingers on a fretboard, but it's not over-enhanced. There is zero fatigue from the R3, but there is also zero lost clarity - that's an extremely impressive feat.
Listening to "Calling Elvis" by Dire Straits I can clearly hear the raspiness of Mark Knopfler's voice and the snare, high hat and cymbals have good energy and clarity so that I can feel them and notice them in the mix, but I've not once in all the time I've spent with the R3s felt like there was too much or too little treble. I'd actually go so far as suggesting that this is one of the best treble balances I've heard from an IEM in quite some time. I'll discuss some comparisons shortly to demonstrate this in further detail.
Similar to the bass detail and speed, treble speed and resolution may be a tiny bit behind the sharpest of BA IEMs, but the R3s are no slouch. Not only do they not leave me wanting more from the treble, they actually leave me thoroughly enjoying the treble because it's fully detailed and energetic, but remains smooth enough to be enjoyable and actually worth exploring. I find sharper, faster treble renditions sometimes lead me to almost tuning out treble detail so as not to fatigue my ears, but the R3s let me focus on the individual textures of a cymbal or snare without feeling on edge as I do it.
Staging and Imaging The stage from the R3s isn't exceptional, but for a $139 it's very good. It feels spacious despite being modest in size and it is evenly proportioned in each direction with good depth and width. Imaging is very similar - it's not exceptional, but it's definitely commendable. Instruments are well separated and clearly defined in their own virtual space. Thanks to the well-balanced presentation of each section of the frequency range from the R3s, the finished product is a well represented auditory image with good clarity and separation.
Selected Comparisons FIDUE A83 At the time of writing this there's quite a bit of hype around the A83 (triple hybrid IEM) on Head-Fi and deservedly so, but given its $300+ price tag and slightly troublesome fit I was keen to compare it with the R3.
On direct comparison, the A83's balanced armatures revealed extra details and texture in the mix that the R3 couldn't show me, but that came at the cost of a drier tone and a less natural overall sound with the A83's treble sounding slightly forward and forced compared to the R3's outstanding balance. The staging and imaging is also better on the A83 as you'd expect with the greater availability of subtle details and auditory cues, but does that make the A83 a hands-down better earphone? I don't think so. If I were looking to hear every nuance then I'd reach for the A83 every time, but if I wanted to simply play and enjoy my music I'd probably reach for the R3s on each occasion due to their more natural treble presentation and more natural overall sound. Technically, the A83 is a better earphone, but practically the R3 might be better for some people.
Brainwavz S5 As much as I like the S5s for what they are, they just don't compare with their slightly more expensive siblings - or at least not for my tastes. Yes, the S5 offers an excellent bass punch that the R3s can't match and for some genres that's an instant trump card, but the R3's balance won me over permanently and left the S5s sounding peaky and occasionally unnatural to my ears. For wide-ranging musical tastes or those who listen to rock, blues or jazz I would recommend the R3 every time over the S5 despite it's funkier fit and higher price.
HiFiMan RE272 Unfortunately I sold my RE272s shortly prior to the R3s arriving, but at around half the price of the RE272's when they were new (if memory serves), the R3 is an excellent replacement. There's no doubt that the RE272 offered superior transparency and separation over the R3, but the R3 is a smoother listen and has much better bass presence than the RE272 so it's a fair trade in my mind. To be honest, if I had the 2 sitting side-by-side I would probably reach for the R3 on almost every occasion because of it's smoother presentation and fuller bass note.
Summary The R3 is an outstanding earphone for the $139 price tag. I would definitely recommend trying a pair before you buy them if you tend to have fit issues like me, but when worn cable-down the R3s are easy to fit so that might solve any concerns if you're happy to wear them cable-down.
I haven't heard a lot of budget IEMs and there are some awesome options out there, but of those I have tried, the R3s are among the most enjoyable of the lot and definitely might be the most neutrally voiced of the lot. If you're looking to spend <$150 on a pair of IEMs and you want an IEM that can handle wide-ranging genres while providing a smooth and natural presentation then the R3s are a must try!
DannyBai
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Even keeled sound, nice build, excellent bundle of accessories
Cons: Thick cable and large Y-split if it really is a con.
I was provide a review sample and would like to thank Salsera and Brainwavz/MP4Nation.
The R3 V.2 is a dual dynamic barrel shaped iem from Brainwavz. Probably the oddest looking earphone on the market but surprisingly, I had no problem with fit. The shape actually works well with the looping over ear design and the earphones stay in place without much issue. The housings look and feel of aluminum and are light in weight. They are actually very comfortable while in use. Cables are rather thick especially from Y-split down to the 3.5mm jack. From the Y-split up to the housings have been redesigned and are much better than the original version. Cables seem to stay in place quite well around the ears and the thickness wasn’t much of a bother for me. The 3.5mm jack has a nice 45 degree angle in which I have come to appreciate in design. Only gripe although minor is the overall thickness of the cable and bigger than average Y-split.
Moving on to the sound, these have a nice balanced signature. Bass doesn’t hit with great impact, won’t reach to the lowest of the lows or hit you with forceful mid-bass punch. Bass has good presence but isn’t the tightest and sounds a bit soft from what I’m use to. The S5 from Brainwavz reaches lower, has bigger impact and makes a much greater presence in the music. For those who find the S5 to have too much bass, the R3 might be more appealing. Overall, I find the bass to fit with the signature these earphones are going for. These earphones have a wide and deep soundstage, some of the biggest I’ve heard. This can be good or bad on the vocals, depending on preference. The staging distances the vocals several rows back so it isn’t up front. I find them a little recessed and I mean little because they can be clearly heard and is not hidden from the rest of the music. I honestly couldn’t nitpick if male or female vocals sounded better since both sounded just fine for me. But, vocal trance sounded quite nice. Treble is very relaxed and there isn’t even a hint of fatigue, sibilance or the dreaded “sss” in the vocal region. Treble is smooth and possibly could use a little more for added sparkle. Somewhere between the R3 and S5 would be lovely. The smooth and non-fatiguing treble still clearly presents the details in the music. Instrument placement can be best pictured as if the listener is sitting in a large theatre compared to say a small intimate club. This is more of a surround sound listening experience.
In conclusion, I find the R3 V2 to be an even keeled sounding earphone that really doesn’t have much fault. Nothing to really complain about, even with the thick cable and all. I’m not too much of a nitpicker but I would think most would find this earphone to sound just fine. No huge bass to complain about or peaky treble or too recessed vocals. Fit’s fine if people can ignore the odd design and give it a try.
kova4a
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: solid build quality; balanced smooth and natural sound; 2-year warranty
Cons: rubbery cable prone to memory kinks; fit can be an issue for some people
First off, I have to thank again Brainwavz and Audrey for this R3 unit
Packaging and Accessories
The packaging is quite straightforward. There are plastic windows both at the front and the back of the box showcasing the shiny metal housings of the R3. Below the front window is embossed Brainwavz R3 and a very basic description – Twin Driver Configuration, Bass & Clarity and Rugged Metal Housing Design. Can’t disagree with that but maybe Smooth & Balanced would have been a bit more accurate description but more on that later.
On the back of the box there is a bit more detailed description of the R3 and its design.
On the sides of the package are listed its contents and R3’s specs.
It’s a fairly nice presentation overall.
Inside the box reside the R3 and the Brainwavz case. I’ve mentioned multiple times that this is my favorite iem case. It’s quite tough and specious and can easily fit a pair of iems and a small DAP like a Sansa. Inside one of the red pockets there is a nice quarter inch adapter and small gray bag with the included tips. There are 2 different types of single flange tips. Black ones made of a touch thicker silicone and gray ones, which are softer and have a slightly wider bore. The single flange silicone tips come in 3 sizes. There is also a pair of bi-flange and a pair of tri-flange tips, which come in only one size. As usual with Brainwavz a pair of comply foam tips packaged separately is included to complete the package.
Build Quality, Design and Fit
The R3 is a quite solid iem with robust metal housings and a thick rugged cable. The cable is a bit memory prone and rubbery though and while I don’t mind its thickness or weight I would have preferred if it had smoother sleeving and was more pliable and easier to keep straight.
The strain reliefs are substantial and again some people might call the Y-splitter over-engineered but it’s fine by me.
The j-plug is also on the bulky side but I’m a huge fan of j-plugs and it looks capable of withstanding quite a bit of abuse, so I can’t complain. If anything it completes the overall tough looks of the R3.
Design-wise it only takes a quick glance at the R3 to realize that it’s not your average iem. Its design is quite unique and I have to admit that when the R3 was first announced I wasn’t impressed and right away commented that people will have issue with the fit with such a design. It’s eye catching though and people often stare at the housing more than a couple of seconds.
Surprisingly despite my initial reservations and worries about the fit it turned out fine. I haven’t tried the old R3 version with the long memory-wires but this revised one actually fits me quite well. The fit is secure and isolation is good. It did take me quite a bit of tip rolling but finally settled on the stock bi-flanges both for the comfort and the sound.
The R3 can also be worn straight but the fit will be less secure due to the weight of the cable pulling the housings down.
There is a very mild driver flex with certain tips particularly on the left earpiece. Microphonics are very low when worn cable up.
Sound
The R3 has over 100 hours of burn-in at the time of writing this review.
For a dual dynamic driver iem that has a separate driver to reproduce the low frequencies the R3 quite surprised me. Its bass is quite flat and balanced. It is well-rounded with good control but is a bit on the polite side – softer on the impact and lacking some depth. The lower extension is not bad but after 50hz the bass gradually rolls off. Overall I like R3’s bass although I would have liked if it was a bit tighter and harder hitting but given the overall smooth and non-fatiguing presentation of the R3 it fits well with the rest of the spectrum. In comparison the Brainwavz S5 has a lot bigger but also less controlled and muddier bass bleeding into the mids.
The mids are well balanced with the bass and also relatively flat. Both male and female vocals have very nice presence and sweet tone. The R3 actually sounds a bit mid-centric but I don’t mind that as this type of signature is harder and harder to find. The tonality is slightly on the warm side but still what I would call neutral-ish. Instruments have nice timbre and despite the slightly thick note presentation sound natural and realistic. Detail retrieval is actually pretty good but clarity is a bit behind in comparison to some of the competition. In comparison brainwavz’s own S5 is noticeably clearer due to its thinner note presentation and treble emphasis but is also a lot less natural sounding and more fatiguing. The R3 instead is smoother lusher sounding.
The highs are a bit laid back but very well extended and smooth. The lower treble has enough energy to keeps things exciting without getting harsh or fatiguing. There is plenty of shimmer but I wouldn’t have minded a bit more sparkle. The treble is not prone to pointing out sibilance. In comparison the S5 with its more emphasized and peaky highs is noticeably harsher and more artificial sounding.
The R3 is full and airy sounding. Imaging is very good with both width and depth above average. Positioning is quite good. Instrument separation is very good with plenty of space between the instruments. Overall, the R3 sounds pretty spacious, especially for a mid-centric iem, which usually tend to be more on the intimate side.
Summary
R3 and its little brother R1
Brainwavz R3 has quite the surprising sound for a dual dynamic driver iem. Owning the Brainwavz R1 I expected a lot different sound but it’s heads and shoulders above its smaller dual dynamic brother R1. I’m not going to lie, I would also pick it over the Brainwavz’s other higher-end iem the S5 any day of the week. While the S5 will most likely impress a lot more people at first listen with its big bass and clarity, the R3 with its more balanced, smoother and mature sound is the iem that really impresses.
The R3 is a very solid performer sound-wise with a very solid build quality to boot. If it wasn’t for Audrey I probably would have given it a pass worried about the fit and all the people complaining about it. Maybe the memory wires on the old version were really horrible – I can’t comment on that but they are gone now and what is left is an iem that deserves to be given a second chance.
twister6
twister6 Reviews
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: build quality, included accessories, great sound separation
Cons: cable, would prefer memory wire back, fitment
Since I was among the early adopters of this updated 2.0 version of R3, I already posted a detailed review with pictures in the original R3 review thread. Therefore, I'm just going to provide a link to my R3 v2.0 review: http://www.head-fi.org/products/brainwavz-r3-dual-dynamic-driver-earphones/reviews/11456
Audiophile1811
500+ Head-Fier
Introduction – As the top-of-the-line earphone of the young company Brainwavz, the R3 has a quite a lot on its shoulders. Utilizing a relatively new dual-dynamic driver configuration, uncommon with most headphones on the market, Brainwavz has chosen this design for its very best headphone. Bold as it is, this design has been successful in many budget-based sets such as the Havi B3 Pro-1 and TTPOD’s T1 series. The R3’s, then, promise a lot considering they cost twice and even three times as much as the aforementioned earphones. So do they deliver for the price? The answer is yes… and no. But this is best explained throughout my review so if you’re interested, simply read on and find out why.
Disclaimer – This is a free review unit delivered to me for the purpose of this review. I am not affiliated with Brainwavz in any way and will stay objective as possible throughout this review. Huge thanks to Audrey at Brainwavz for sending these out to me, it’s quite a privilege. All photos were taken by me.
Specifications:
- 10mm Dual-Dynamic drivers (Passive Crossover)
- Impedance: 32 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 95dB
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
- Rated Input Power: 2mW
- Cable: OFC Copper, 1.3 meters/4.25 ft.
Packaging & Accessories: The R3’s have slightly unconventional packaging that presents the headphones and its cable through clear plastic windows on either side of the box. Inside you’ll find a plethora of tips (9 pairs in total) which include 6 pairs of single-flange silicone tips (3 pairs gray, 3 pairs black), a single pair of bi-flange and triple-flange tips, and a pair of Comply T500 tips. Also included is a ¼ inch adapter, a hard zip-case, and a 1-year warranty card (box says 2 years, don’t know which to believe). Brainwavz has been very generous with their accessories and deserve credit for being thoughtful with their ear tips.
Build & Design: Brainwavz has gone very out-of-the-box with the design of the R3. They’ve used a tubular housing for the drivers and a 90° angle nozzle that sticks straight out of the center. This means each driver faces each other within a divided enclosure and each band of frequencies meet inside the nozzle creating a uniform sound. Internal details aside, the aluminum housings feel extremely rugged throughout. However, cable quality is questionable. The 4-inch black portion of the cable is higher quality than the remaining grey section and is the only part that doesn’t suffer from kinks or memory. But since most of the cable does, it’s a wonder why Brainwavz didn’t just make the entire cable consistent (or thinner for that matter). But this is nitpicking because the R3’s seem very durable. The real problems come when wearing the R3’s.
Comfort & Fit: I have small ears, which means I also have problems with earphones, even the most comfortable. Brainwavz sought to remedy this dilemma for those like me but haven’t entirely succeeded. The R3’s are utilize an over-ear design but the housings are heavy and the nozzles are large. This causes them to fall out of place and need adjustment often. Strain reliefs are a bit stiff below the housings (fine on the Y-split & 3.5mm jack) and combined with their vertical position the cable very tricky to place behind the ear, as they were intended. But the worst part is the cable that is simply too thick and heavy for an IEM. The sheer weight and size of the cable can make it cumbersome and difficult to wear under clothing (also due to its rubbery texture). When worn with the right ear tips the R3’s are relatively comfortable but suffer from their awkward design and cable. With this in mind, the R3’s will suit some but definitely not others, so be cautious if your ears have given you trouble in the past.
Microphonics: For such a large cable, microphonics were not as bad as I expected. Cable noise is well controlled when worn over-ear but is fairly distracting cable-down. The included cinch does a good job of keeping cable noise down in either configuration too.
Isolation: There is a surprising level of noise attenuation when wearing the R3’s. They isolate very well outdoors and reduce environmental noise enough for non-distractive (but safe) listening. I consider this a strength of the R3’s overall.
----------Sound----------
Equipment & Background – For the sound portion of this review I will be using an Audinst HUD-MX1 amp/DAC combo as my primary “reference” source, a Topping NX-1 portable amplifier, and a Sansa Fuze as a portable source. All my impressions are done indoors with an over-ear headphone for added isolation resulting in almost silent listening with no audible distractions. My library consists of FLAC and high bit-rate MP3 files. The R3’s were also burned-in over 100hrs before review.
Bass: With a mid-forward sound signature the bass on the R3’s are not boosted or enhanced like many V-shaped sets on the market. Instead, lows are much mellower and have a pleasant musical warmth throughout. And while they don’t extend too far down there is enough sub-bass for an engaging listen. Bass is tight, controlled, and well-rounded and never once feels loose or bloated. However, it should be noted that the lows on the R3 are fairly soft in nature which means they won’t deliver the same visceral impact compared to sets with large mid-bass humps. That said, bass is always engaging and very punchy when required. Smoothness is another quality of the bass that becomes noticeable with fast, heavy music genres (those of which are not entirely suited for the R3). But those who prefer a mid-forward signature will appreciate the manner with which the R3’s handle bass notes. They are never distracting and don’t steal the attention of the listener; they provide enough energy to strike an excellent balance with the midrange and treble. Bass reproduction is one of the biggest strengths of the R3’s (in my opinion) due to their laid-back presence.
Mids: Moving upwards, the midrange holds a good few surprises. As mentioned before, the R3’s are mid forward overall. But this does not make them fatiguing or offensive to listen to as many other users have experienced with many other mid forward sets. Instead, the R3’s mids are not aggressive or rich, just forward enough to focus its sound on one particular part of the frequency spectrum. The primary advantage here are mids that are both clear and smooth. The balance between the two is obvious but the mids generally lean towards smoothness more than anything else. Vocalists demonstrate this best as they lack detail in parts of both the lower and upper-midrange; Both male and female vocalist suffer the effects of this coloration which was likely created by frequency dips in both regions. In terms of quality, the midrange is neither lifelike nor is it the most natural. Despite this there is no lack of finesse to the mids, just slightly lacking in accuracy. It will easily satisfy all but the extreme detail lover with its creamy, effortless nature but it won’t please anybody in sheer quality alone.
Treble: The last piece of the (frequency) puzzle lies in the R3’s treble. Highs are, yet again, very smooth but also more revealing and detailed than any frequencies below it. While not bright, there is an unexpected level of clarity up top considering the soft, genial character of the bass and midrange. Details come through with percussive instruments with natural timbre and good sparkle but without harshness. This lack of harshness prevents any sibilance from occurring even with the most aggressive vocalists and the worst recordings. Extension is considerably impressive as well, with frequencies extending up to 15kHz and gently rolling-off afterwards. And although consistency is lacking in areas, the treble is still up to par with more expensive earphones in its price range. For what it does best (i.e. bass) and what its focus is (i.e. mids), the top end of the R3’s are surprisingly good; They can suit the needs of almost any listener and any genre.
Presentation: The R3’s present their sound in a way that’s both engaging and involving. Soundstage is a little predictable for a mid-centric IEM as it has a tendency to place vocals and most of the midrange very close to the listener. This gives the effect of having music performed directly in front of you, but not in a way that it becomes tiring over time. The result is a soundstage with only average depth overall. Height is improved over depth but width is where the R3’s begin to open up. Wide spatial cues are thrown out far on either side of the head while still maintaining easy localization. The result is an intimate presentation that is more spacious than their sound signature would suggest. Bass is centered, vocals are intimate, treble is airy, and music is simply a joy to experience. Most will find their unique presentation and signature very pleasant no matter what genre of music preferred.
Ear Tips & Insertion Sensitivity: The R3’s can be a little picky with ear tips as their nozzle is a slightly larger than average. Even the included tips require a little force to fit onto the nozzle. But this doesn’t inhibit tip-rolling with the R3’s as they are quite flexible. Sound can be adjusted to have either a thicker, warmer sound or a more neutral one depending on the tip fitted: Single flanges will achieve the former while the included double-flanges will achieve the latter. And since insertion is neither shallow nor deep some tips will stay in place and others will not. As mentioned in the Comfort & Fit section, this will depend on your ears more than anything else.
Power, Sensitivity, and Source Performance: The R3’s are a very drivable earphone that respond well with most sources. Low output devices should have no trouble driving them although they may require a little more volume to acquire listenable levels. A more powerful source, such as a dedicated amplifier, will yield better results in terms of volume and quality.
Value: For $129 the Brainwavz R3 is a peculiar earphone that combines an unusual design with a consumer friendly sound. The R3 balances a mid-forward signature with a wide presentation but loses out in areas of detail and accuracy. But its main weakness is its design and fit. Their tubular housings are difficult to wear for long periods without adjustment and that’s if they’re comfortable to begin with. The cable’s large profile also causes issues as it prevents the R3’s from fitting inside a pant pocket, making them a little inconvenient to transport. Overall however, the R3 is still relatively good value if you can get past its flaws. And if you enjoy a smooth, musical sound you’ll be in for a pleasant surprise.
I hope this review will be useful to those who read through it. Please leave any suggestions or advice you may have in the comments below. Everyone’s input will help me improve my reviews and make it easier to adapt my reviews for as wide an audience as possible. Thanks for reading and happy listening!
Wokei
Nice review ..well done
Audiophile1811
Thanks @Wokei
Kamakahah
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Durable build quality. Clear and non-fatiguing. Good overall balance.
Cons: Thick, rubbery cable. Two-faced bass. Long-term comfort
Admittedly, I took far too long to post this review. I wanted to try a different approach that involved becoming accustomed to the signature followed by a period without them, and then a reintroduction. It's been about six weeks since I received the unit. I've done week long periods with and without them.
The reason for this decision was two fold:
1. It's the first dual dynamic IEM that I've given significant head time.
2. There were/are some awkward inconsistencies with the sound signature that I was/am hearing. It was my hope at the time to be able to narrow the the reasons behind them. More on this later.
After realizing that I had too many notes and they were harder for me to characterize than originally anticipated, I decided to write this review while listening to them after a short break and give my overall thoughts from this session. My previous notes will still be a factor in what I write, but hopefully this gives more clarity to my thoughts.
Again, I'd like to thank Brainwavz for the opportunity to review these. As others did, I received a review pair to keep similar to the S5. It's a nice gesture of confidence in the Head-Fi community.
In similar fashion, I'll avoid adding pictures and statistics that a quick Google search can provide.
All the usual qualifiers apply: IMO, YMMV, OMGWTFBBQ, ROFLCOPTER. This is just my experience. Yours might be different.
For those that don't like to wade through the paragraphs of information that most reviews provide, here is a succinct synopsis:
Bass: Can vary greatly. Overall lower-quantity with a softer impact. Occasionally comes out to play. See below for more details.
Mids: Pretty clear. Non-fatiguing. Present and slightly forward. Much less , "life has been sucked out" than the S5 but with slightly dry presentation. A touch of warmth. Quite enjoyable.
Treble: Nice lower treble energy. Non-fatiguing but hits of sibilance depending on the track. Smooth and laid back, maybe overly so for some.
Soundstage/Imaging: Good width, and back depth. Shallow forward depth. Can feel intimate as a result, but not cramped.
Separation/Clarity/Detail: Decent separation and good clarity if not a little thick sounding. Good detail in the mids. Lows are too fluffy for my taste. Highs lacking micro details from smoothing
Tips: Find whatever is comfortable. Didn't lead to a ton of variation as it normally does for me. Used the stock, clear tips.
Source/Amping: Some noticeable scaling, specifically with additional power to add a bit more life and energy to the sound. A clear source with good texture seems best, IMO.
Isolation: Slightly below average. Not great isolation, but doesn't leak.
Overall: Enjoyable. A stand out addition in a pack of "V's." Clunky build, but durable. A solid buy at $99. At $115+ you'll want to be sure it's what you're after.
Initial Impressions:
From my notes 6 weeks ago, I thought they sounded clear with a nice sense of balance. I found the bass to be soft and lacking texture. The mid range was enticing, forward, a little dry, but enjoyable.
Methodology:
I gave them 5 hours of listening the first day to become accustomed to the signature. They were then burned in for quite some time using set of burn-in tracks with mixed tracks, pink noise, and 5 minute breaks every hour on repeat.
They were burned in for over 300 hours in total throughout the process. I initially began my process after ~150 hours as per my usual. I continued to listen to other headphones/earphones.
Then, as mentioned above, I took week long breaks. I also spent full weeks only listening to the R3. My reasons for this will be further discussed in the following sections.
Listening was done casually at home and while out shopping. Detailed listening was done in a quiet office. A/B testing done as well with different gear and Fiio HS2 used occasionally for quick switching of sources or headphones.
I avoided reading any other reviews before writing this one to avoid bias.
Chains used:
1. PC USB/Optical>>>Audio GD NFB-15>>>R3
2. Fiio X3>>>(Topping NX1/C&C BH)>>>R3
3. Rockboxed Sansa Clip+>>>(Topping NX1/C&C BH)>>>R3
4. HTC One M8>>>R3
Tips used: Supplied tips, JVC spiral tips, Sony hybrids, Sennheiser double flange.
Test tracks: Many albums in my collection were listened to in full with a number of mixed in individual tracks, but here are a few specific tracks used.
Track formats included 256-320kbps mp3, FLAC, WAV files and a few youtube videos for variety.
- Jessica Lee Mayfield - Nervous Lonely Night : The first minute of this song can tell me a lot about a can. This will seem odd, but the pencil tapping at the start tells me a ton about timbre and a bit about depth. The generally forward vocals of the entire "Tell me" album help point out recessed mids quickly. The bass comes in strong with lots of quantity and impact to let me judge the low end presence and texture. I could go on. It's just a track that works for me.
- Queen - Killer Queen : One of my sibilance test tracks, though it's much more than that. It's another track that can really let you individually identify a spectrum of specific quality attributes or flaws.
- Paramore - Hallelujah : The recording/mastering, whatever, sounds just terrible on the deluxe mp3 version that I have. I use it to test how forgiving a can is.
- Pantera - Cowboys from Hell; Cemetery Gates; Floods : It's Pantera. No more explanation needed.
- Lisa Hannigan - Live from the Troubadour in W.Hollywood. : This is a special recording that I have from a live concert I attended. I'm frighteningly familiar with the venue/performance and how it should sound. I use this to judge soundstage, imaging, timbre and separation.
- Rage Against The Machine - People of the Sun : Bass.
- Metallica - (Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth / One/ etc - Lots of reasons
- Lana Del Rey - Lolita/National Anthem/Carmen : Lots of reasons but in general for her vocals that can sound like thick, warm syrup.
- Geographer - Kites : I like this for cohesion. Some cans make it sound disjointed or all jumbled up.
- Filipe Melo · Ana Cláudia // Spiegel im spiegel (Arvo Pärt) : It's beautiful. Noise test. Timbre. Naturalness.
- Girl Talk - Let it Out : It's fun.
- Dr. Chesky - The Ultimate Headphone Demonstration Disc - Soundstage, imaging, dynamics, etc.
- Many, more.
Build Quality & Acessories:
Oh Jetpack. It's awkward. The cable is a heavy, bouncy, rubbery monstrosity. Plenty of nice accessories included, solid 10/10 in my mind. The bulky shell may or may not affect your fit depending on ear shape.
Comfort/Fit:
Average comfort. The rubbery cable was very noticeable over the ear and raises up at times until pulled tighter with a shirt clip. Long-term comfort has been poor. After about an hour, I found that the area where the cable meets the body rubbed my ear the wrong way. Tips didn't seem to have too significant of an effect for comfort, though I did favor some more than others. In particular, I liked the stock clear tips that weren't quite as firm. I found that they tend to start slipping from my ears. I'm not sure if it's a result of the cable or something else. I tried to wear larger tips to offset the pull, but found that I couldn't handle the loss of comfort. Occasionally, I' would double check their positioning to make sure they are still in place. This was more of an issue when out and about than in the office.
Isolation/Leak:
Average to below average. Noisy locations will be noticeable. I found their isolation to be slightly less effective compared to the S5. Leak wasn't an issue.
Bass:
The moment I listened to the opening kick drum and first few bass string plucks in Jessica Lee Mayfield's - "Our Hearts Are Wrong", I knew that the bass and I were going to be at odds. That particular song is very bass heavy. The R3 does bring the quantity of bass in many tracks to manageable levels. This was one aspect that I appreciated for a number of bass heavy tracks; However, it was also the bane of bass light tracks.
As mentioned in the Cons, I found the bass to be two-faced or fractured. I tried my best to determine its cause, but wasn't able to pin it down in a way that I could explain in a clear fashion. In short, it seems certain frequencies are emphasized. It felt like there were peaks and valleys in the bass than had a very noticeable effect on impact and levels. It didn't seem like a clear line that is normally present where people can say, "Oh yeah, it has a mid bass hump and rolls off in the sub-bass which explains...blahblahblah." - Not the case here. Some songs had the low impact that they normally show, while it was next to non-existent in my other test tracks. I wish I could articulate it better. That said, there is a significant roll off in the sub-bass at about the 50 Hz mark. Below 30 is pretty much a black hole.
In this moment, as I listen to a number of tracks I find the duality. Some show nice, low impact. Others that should have the same feel like the kick drum or bass is hidden behind a glass panel or being hit by a pillow rather than a mallet.
One final beef was with the lack of texture. I found it really was missing that detail that comes with a more articulate bass. The overall tone felt smoothed over and pillowy.
Mids:
A nice forward presentation in the mids. It balances well still with the rest of the spectrum. A much desired addition following the soulless mids of the S5. As mentioned in the brief summary above, I find them slightly dry with a touch of warmth. It's a neutralish presentation of the mid range that in some ways reminds me of a less refined HE-560. One of my favorite signatures centers around the mids, so this was a nice change of pace from my generally bass oriented collection that includes the JVC FX-850, among others.
Treble:
Queen's song "Killer Queen" will pretty much violate my ears if a headphone/earphone is even a little hot, sibilant, etc. These do a pretty good job. Overall non-fatiguing but will undoubtedly be too lack-back for the treble lovers. Smooth, but still with a decent energy, particularly in the lower treble region. Not a whole lot of the sparkle. Hints of sibilance on already sibilant tracks, but that's normal.
Separation/Clarity/Detail:
I would say that it is a notch above average in this category. Decent separation and clarity. A bit thicker sounding than the S5 that suffered from a thin/recessed mid range that killed baby seals. Enough detail to satisfy. Without a doubt some loss of detail and clarity in the bass with roll off and fluffy presentation that lacks in texture and articulation.
Soundstage/Imaging:
The soundstage felt slightly more intimate than I've been used to but not in a cramped way. The positioning feels a intimate. This can be good and maybe a little bad for some live recordings. I'll explain way as it has to do with the way that I perceived the soundstage. The best way I can think to describe the shape is an taking a basketball and half way deflating just one hemisphere. The width sound above average, the behind depth the same. The forward depth, or the space in front of me seems as though its distance has been cut in half when compared to behind.
Source/Amping/Tips:
The R3 did seem to scale a bit. More important, for me, was the added power that seems to add a bit more life to the overall sound. :
- Audio-GD NFB-15
- Fiio X3 + Topping NX1 (Low gain, high was noisy and gave no play with the volume)
- Fiio X3 + C&C BH (Line 2, switches off, gain 'High').
- Rockboxed Sansa Clip+ (Forgot to experiment with attaching amps)
I didn't find a lot of difference when tip rolling. Insertion depth didn't change the sound enough so I ended up liking the stock, clear tips. They are comfortable and didn't negatively affect the sound. I thought a narrow bore might help the bass, but the effect was minor and inconsistent so I reverted.
Final Thoughts:
I want to say that I enjoy this earphone. It's far from perfect, but it has qualities that are becoming harder to find in a V-shaped market. The mid-centric presentation is a welcome addition to my collection. The bass can be a bit of a letdown on some tracks, but it can also be a boon in taming overly bass heavy tracks into submission. It can help you see your much listened to tracks in a new light. It suffers from some inevitable design issues, but overall a durable and enjoyable earphone. As I look at the $115 asking price on Amazon right now I asked myself the question, "Is it worth that price tag?" To some, yes. I think it would fit nicely into the $99 category, but what's $15 anyway?
thatBeatsguy
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Smooth, balanced sound. Brainwavz' signature unique look. Brainwavz' signature build.
Cons: Weird looks might deter some. Cable is pretty hefty and cumbersome.
Intro
TL;DR: Don't let its rather brutish looks fool you; the Brainwavz R3 is a smooth, gentle IEM that works especially well with acoustic genres, slow rock, and jazz.
Before I begin, I would like to thank Audrey at Brainwavz for providing the sample of the Brainwavz R3 in exchange for my honest opinion. Please note that I am neither affiliated with Brainwavz or any of its employees, nor am I being compensated for writing this review. All opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own unless otherwise specified, and all pictures are taken and owned by my sister. YMMV.
Well, it’s been a few weeks since my review of the S5s, and from that first impression of one of their IEMs, they’ve earned their place in my ‘Companies to Watch’ list. Though a lot of their IEMs, to my knowledge, lean towards a more consumer-friendly sound, they are no doubt of audiophile quality. Today, I’m going to be reviewing another of their high-end IEMs, and probably one of the most peculiar-looking IEMs I’ve ever seen, the dual-dynamic Brainwavz R3 Rev.2 (I’ll get to this later).
Anyhow, let’s get on to the IEMs. Shall we?
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.
[size=x-large]== Aesthetics ==[/size]
Packaging, Accessories
At first glance of the packaging, it’s clear that Brainwavz is proud of their design of the R3, as the box features a clear window from the front all the way through to the back of the box, with the R3’s housings suspended in a clear plastic mold, showcased proudly and rather enthusiastically, like a brand-new breakthrough in design or something along those lines. On the front you also see BRAINWAVZ R3 written with a tagline and a few of its main features. On the left side, you’ll see its specifications, and on the right are its accessories, and on the back is a cross-section diagram of the R3s’ housing along with a description of sorts.
Upon opening the package, you’ll find Brainwavz’ semi-hard case hidden from the light of day, housing the rest of the R3s and all of its accessories. I’m still pretty impressed with the plethora of eartips included in the package, which consists of six pairs of single-flange tips (one set in grey, the other in black, in S/M/L), one pair of double-flanged tips, one pair of triple-flanged tips, and a pair of Comply T500 foam eartips. So there you have it - nine pairs of eartips, all at your disposal along with the Brainwavz R3 and S5. Still pretty damn impressive. But that’s not all - you also get a nifty 1/4-inch adapter. In the previous version, there used to be an airline adapter supposedly - but in my case, I don’t think I would need it anyway, so that can be ignored. Frequent flyers, though, might have to buy their own airline adapter off a local Best Buy or some other electronics store.
Design, Build, Microphonics
You remember what I said about Brainwavz’ package being showcased like a design breakthrough? Well, I have got to hand it to Brainwavz, they have made one awesome breakthrough in design right here, and it’s sure to make anyone -- consumer or audiophile -- wonder how they manage to get these in their ears. (Not that it’s a bad thing, though -- they actually fit quite easily.)
Though the concept of dual dynamic drivers isn’t new (lately there have been a lot of popular options to choose from), how they’re implemented intrigued me.The two 10mm drivers are set up in a two-way configuration – one used for bass, the other for the rest of the audio spectrum. Again, this is not unusual, but then we move on to their placement. The two drivers are placed apart from and facing each other, pouring the sound into a ‘Sonic Chamber’ before it reaches your ears through a particularly long tube. At least, that’s what the diagram seems to tell me. It’s probably not as simple as it sounds, seeing as another dual dynamic IEM, the Audio-Technica ATH-CKR9 (and its older variant, the CKR10) shares a similarly-positioned pair of drivers…except for the fact that the CKRs’ drivers go for a ‘Push-Pull’ design in which one driver pushes the sound while the other pulls the sound to supposedly reduce distortion and improve sound quality (or something like that). Coming back to the R3s, it seems both drivers simply push sound into the sound chamber where the sound mixes to bring out the final product.
Moving on, we have the cable, which apparently consists of three sections: the main grey cable from the connector to the Y-split, a thinner grey cable from the Y-split to split (rather, splice), which transitions into a length of memory cable making the final stretch to the housings. This memory wire used to be a lot longer in the first version, but has been removed in the revision for better ergonomics and an easier fit.
Again, the team over at Brainwavz has impressed me with the excellent build quality of the R3s. From the solid machined aluminum housings to the strong extremely heavy-duty Y-split (see above), it’s clear Brainwavz made no compromises to the build quality of the R3 just as they did with the S5. The only gripe I have with the build is the cable. No, it’s not because of durability -- in fact, it’s probably one of the most solid cables I’ve had in my possession yet. My gripe with the cable is because it’s solid. It’s very thick -- reminding me of the cable on my old Beats Pro. Its thickness in turn makes them very difficult to manage. When they arrived, they were bound pretty tightly together by a wire, and when I undid the wire, I was greeted with an eyesore of a cable with folds and creases on every inch. Even as I write this, I’m still trying to straighten it out. Cable noise isn’t much different. Even with the over-ear design dulling it down, cable noise is still a bit of an issue due to the serious weight of the cable.
Fit, Comfort, Isolation
Now, I’m sure you’re still wondering if the bottle-like housings with a tube on the side would actually fit your ears. Well, I’m happy to report that it actually does. It did take a few minutes of fiddling at first, but it only takes a few tries to get accustomed to it. They’re pretty comfortable once they’re in your ears, though at times the housing does touch -- more like press on -- part of my ear when I don’t get them in right, which again is a nuisance, but it’s mostly just on me. Due to the housings being little more than a bottle with a tube sticking out of the side which goes into your ear, isolation leans toward average, but is nonetheless good enough for a walk in the park or at home. Don’t expect it to drown out much in a bus or the subway, though.
Also, something of note: the Brainwavz R3 can be worn straight-down; however the cable causes too much microphonics to be tolerable. That, and the R3 is considerably heavy with its thick cable and solid aluminum housings. I don’t know if you guys will like it -- maybe you will, maybe you won’t, but I most definitely will not wear these straight-down.
I hope I didn’t bore you yet with my explanations, because we’re just about to get to the sound. Bored yet? No? Great, now let’s move on.
[size=x-large]== Sound ==[/size]
Specs
Headphone Type
Closed back, vented in-ear monitor (straight down, around-the-ear)
Driver Type
10 mm dynamic x2
Frequency Response
16 Hz – 22 kHz
Rated Input Power
30 mW
Sensitivity
110 dB @ 1 mW
Impedance
32 Ω
Weight
N/A
Cable
1.3 m (4.2’) Copper Y-Cord
Connector
3.5 mm (1/8”) gold-plated 45-degree TRS
Accessories
Hard carrying case 3 pairs single-flange silicone eartips (grey, S/M/L)
3 pairs single-flange silicone eartips (black, S/M/L)
1 pair double-flange silicone eartips
1 pair triple-flange silicone eartips
1 pair Comply™ T-500 foam eartips
6.3 mm (1/4”) adapter
Equipment, Burn-in
The equipment used for this review consists of my iPod Touch, an iPad 3, and my PC through headphone-out as the sources, all running without an amp. The amp used in the test is a Yamaha RX-V359 through headphone-out. As for the EQ software being used, I use Viper4Windows on the PC and the default system EQ on the other sources. As always, my test tracks are available here, although I will link specific songs in the assessment for a more direct point of reference.
As per review “tradition,” the Brainwavz R3s have been burned in for at least 100 hours prior to the review, with occasional listening sessions in between for an average of an hour. So far, throughout the 100 hours of burn-in, there haven’t been any noticeable changes in sound. Also, the eartips I used are the L-sized grey single flanges throughout the review. So, without further ado, let’s get on to the sound!
Sound Quality
Bass:
Okay, let’s start off with the bass. As an IEM designed for the audiophile crowd, don’t expect the R3 to have elevated bass, because it doesn’t have that. However, what it does have is a smooth, swift low-end that is clearly made for its target audience. Its accurate, slightly warm tone reproduces low tones without overdoing anything. It also has a strong enough punch to satisfy most listeners who aren’t craving bass. In short, it’s a very addicting listen that works amazingly with cool, laid-back songs (Daft Punk –The Game of Love, Something About Us).
Midrange:
The Brainwavz R3’s midrange is sweet and rich – basically, it sounds great. It has a great amount of clarity with a slight warmth to it. It reproduces the midrange very well, and despite its mid-centric signature (more on this later), isn’t as forward as I expected. One of my favourite characteristics about it, though, is how they manage to blend really well with the bass (Coldplay –Sparks) – making a very cohesive and united sound signature.
Treble:
Brainwavz purposely tuned the R3 to have a smooth, laid-back treble, topping off the sound signature like the smooth foam on a latte (more on this analogy later). This laid-back signature gives the R3 a very relaxing signature that you can simply listen to for hours, which is a huge plus in my book. (Note: Technical mode ON) Though most laid-back treble usually sounds veiled and lacking detail, Brainwavz managed to counter that by tuning in a treble spike around 10 kHz. This allows the R3 to still retain great detail retrieval even with its laid-back treble (technical mode OFF).
Soundstage/Presentation:
Apparently Brainwavz’ “Sound Chamber” technology actually does affect the R3’s sound signature – specifically, its soundstage. It’s very wide, airy, and expansive, which you usually don’t get to hear very often in an earphone, so that’s a huge plus. Live, acoustic, and classical recordings really come to life on the Brainwavz R3. However, I did notice instruments were projected (or “sound like” in layman’s terms) onto a narrow arc in front of you, instead of all around you. It’s a little quirk there that might not be as appealing to the more finicky listeners, but it’s not too much of a big deal.
Genre Proficiency:
The Brainwavz R3, as I’ve said earlier, works amazingly well with cool, laid-back genres, synergising well with its laid-back sound. Stuff like Coldplay, Daft Punk’s slower works, classical, anything that’s slow or has a relaxing vibe – the Brainwavz R3 performs spectacularly. However, it’s hardly finicky with genres and will play anything you throw at it very well.
Summary:
The Brainwavz R3’s sound is something I could liken to a nice latte – smooth, rich, creamy, sweet, and with just the right kick from the coffee. I’m sure from this, you can put two and two together, so there’s not much to say other than it’s great if the R3’s sound is what you’re looking for. Bassheads will have to look elsewhere, because the R3 is definitely an audiophile IEM.
Other Media
Games:
The R3 isn’t bad with games. Sure, its detail retrieval is great for getting an edge over the competition, but its rather congested presentation takes a hit to their imaging capabilities. All in all, they’re not something I’d use for competitive gaming.
Movies:
The R3’s smooth, balanced signature allows it to play along with pretty much any type of movie, from epic action scenes to heart-wrenching drama moments. I find they perform better with quieter movies, just as they do well with laid-back music.
EQ Response, Amplification
The R3, in my opinion, doesn’t really respond well to EQ (rather, basic EQ presets), though with a more advanced EQ like Electri-Q or Viper4Windows, you can EQ them to be completely flat, which, surprisingly, is very easy to do. But once I did that, man, oh man. The results were amazing. Probably the only downside to this is having to go through rather extensive tweaking and listening to get the sound just right, but otherwise they’re perfectly fine. At an impedance rating of about 32 ohms, they do need a bit more power to drive than, say, the S5 IEMs. At lower volumes, their midrange sounds rather muffled, and both ends of the spectrum also lose some detail. With extra power, though, the midrange comes forward, and with enough power, the bass suddenly begins to sound pretty damn impressive. You can really feel the sub-bass notes come alive and make the entire signature come together to no short of amazing. I don’t have a dedicated headphone amp as of yet, but now I begin to realize just how much I need one.
The R3s have a thick, round cable that's quite heavy to the touch, but surprisingly light to wear. It's a bit springy and not the most comfortable cable I've used, but it's OK and probably preferable to the S5's flat cable. The Y-split is solid and functional and the cable cinch is similarly suitable although I find that it doesn't slide easily along the cable, but that also means it stays where you put it which is a bonus.
The final 10cm of each cable before it reaches the IEMs is a black rubber instead of grey with a secondary strain relief at the join. I'm not sure what purpose that serves because it's no stiffer than the grey cable so it's not memory wire for over-ear use and doesn't provide any benefits I can see. Still, it doesn't hurt and adds a nice touch of extra interest when looking at the R3s so no complaints.
The 3.5mm plug at the other end of the cable is a rugged, molded plug at a 45 degree angle that I really like. Right angle plugs and straight plugs both have issues in different applications, but I generally find these angled plugs to provide the benefits of both without the challenges.
Accessories Like the S5s, the R3 comes packed with plenty of tips (single, dual and triple flange silicone tips plus a set of Comply T-500 foam tips) plus a nice looking hard case (the same as the S5) and a 3.5mm-6.3mm adapter. This type of accessory set is becoming more common with all different IEMs at all different prices, but it's still worthy of applause because it makes getting a good fit much easier for new buyers who might not have a stash of all different tips from previous purchases and there's nothing worse than investing in a nice set of IEMs only to have them get destroyed in the bottom of your bag due to lack of an appropriate case.
Compatibility With a 32 ohm load, the R3s are in the sweet spot for IEM impedance in my opinion. Really low impedance models like the FIDUE A83 or Shure SE846 can cause all kinds of issues with some devices whereas a 32 ohm load is really comfortable for cheap and expensive players alike so the R3s should play really nicely with your phone, budget MP3 player, or audiophile DAP / stack. I've tried the R3s with the Colorfly C4, Fiio X5, E12DIY portable amp, and even the Bottlehead Mainline desktop headphone amplifier and the R3s always sound great. They're easy to drive, but not too easy so they don't show up noise from basic devices while still having the sensitivity to make the most of highly detailed audiophile sources.
Sound Bass I really like the bass from the R3s. It's smooth and full, but not enhanced - just naturally present. The bass sits in perfect alignment with the rest of the frequencies from the R3 and allows for a cohesive and realistic listening experience. Being a dynamic driver IEM, the bass is full and rich with a slightly slower feel than a balanced armature (BA) unit, but there is no mistaking the R3's bass for being slow in general terms. No, the R3 strikes the perfect balance of fullness and speed. Bass notes are crisply delivered on time and on target while leaving room for everything else in the spectrum to shine equally. Although not finely textured like the quickest of BA units, the bass is clean and detailed making faster basslines and deep percussion highly enjoyable. Listening to Muse's Absolution via the Colorfly C4, the bass and kick drums were deep and tight. Moving to Ozomatli's Embrace the Chaos album, the deepest rumble of the bass drum on "Pa Lante" was missing, but it takes an exceptional earphone / headphone to really get that right. The R3s certainly came close, but just didn't have that list tiny bit of power down at the lowest of frequencies. I'd much prefer that though to an excess of bass that can cloud the rest of the spectrum and disrupt the entire musical experience.
Mid-range Thanks to the present, but controlled bass, the R3's mids are able to shine through and take centre stage. I wouldn't call the R3s a mid-centric earphone so much as a neutral earphone. You could perhaps argue that the mids on the R3 are slightly laid back, but they're certainly well-balanced with the bass and treble even if they're just a hair behind. It's certainly not enough to make the mids sound distant or veiled and I really like the overall presentation a lot - it's very easy to listen to without sacrificing detail or articulation in any way. Guitars and similar instruments sound crisp and clean and both male and female vocals have an excellent sense of texture and clarity while still keeping an easy smoothness.
Treble The treble from the R3s is really interesting in that, up to this point in the review, I haven't really thought about the treble. I would say that's a good sign of perfectly balanced treble that's neither drawing attention to itself nor lacking in energy and leaving the presentation dark and muddy. The treble is lively enough to provide raspiness and air to vocals, percussive sounds and incidental textures like fingers on a fretboard, but it's not over-enhanced. There is zero fatigue from the R3, but there is also zero lost clarity - that's an extremely impressive feat.
Listening to "Calling Elvis" by Dire Straits I can clearly hear the raspiness of Mark Knopfler's voice and the snare, high hat and cymbals have good energy and clarity so that I can feel them and notice them in the mix, but I've not once in all the time I've spent with the R3s felt like there was too much or too little treble. I'd actually go so far as suggesting that this is one of the best treble balances I've heard from an IEM in quite some time. I'll discuss some comparisons shortly to demonstrate this in further detail.
Similar to the bass detail and speed, treble speed and resolution may be a tiny bit behind the sharpest of BA IEMs, but the R3s are no slouch. Not only do they not leave me wanting more from the treble, they actually leave me thoroughly enjoying the treble because it's fully detailed and energetic, but remains smooth enough to be enjoyable and actually worth exploring. I find sharper, faster treble renditions sometimes lead me to almost tuning out treble detail so as not to fatigue my ears, but the R3s let me focus on the individual textures of a cymbal or snare without feeling on edge as I do it.
Staging and Imaging The stage from the R3s isn't exceptional, but for a $139 it's very good. It feels spacious despite being modest in size and it is evenly proportioned in each direction with good depth and width. Imaging is very similar - it's not exceptional, but it's definitely commendable. Instruments are well separated and clearly defined in their own virtual space. Thanks to the well-balanced presentation of each section of the frequency range from the R3s, the finished product is a well represented auditory image with good clarity and separation.
Selected Comparisons FIDUE A83 At the time of writing this there's quite a bit of hype around the A83 (triple hybrid IEM) on Head-Fi and deservedly so, but given its $300+ price tag and slightly troublesome fit I was keen to compare it with the R3.
On direct comparison, the A83's balanced armatures revealed extra details and texture in the mix that the R3 couldn't show me, but that came at the cost of a drier tone and a less natural overall sound with the A83's treble sounding slightly forward and forced compared to the R3's outstanding balance. The staging and imaging is also better on the A83 as you'd expect with the greater availability of subtle details and auditory cues, but does that make the A83 a hands-down better earphone? I don't think so. If I were looking to hear every nuance then I'd reach for the A83 every time, but if I wanted to simply play and enjoy my music I'd probably reach for the R3s on each occasion due to their more natural treble presentation and more natural overall sound. Technically, the A83 is a better earphone, but practically the R3 might be better for some people.
Brainwavz S5 As much as I like the S5s for what they are, they just don't compare with their slightly more expensive siblings - or at least not for my tastes. Yes, the S5 offers an excellent bass punch that the R3s can't match and for some genres that's an instant trump card, but the R3's balance won me over permanently and left the S5s sounding peaky and occasionally unnatural to my ears. For wide-ranging musical tastes or those who listen to rock, blues or jazz I would recommend the R3 every time over the S5 despite it's funkier fit and higher price.
HiFiMan RE272 Unfortunately I sold my RE272s shortly prior to the R3s arriving, but at around half the price of the RE272's when they were new (if memory serves), the R3 is an excellent replacement. There's no doubt that the RE272 offered superior transparency and separation over the R3, but the R3 is a smoother listen and has much better bass presence than the RE272 so it's a fair trade in my mind. To be honest, if I had the 2 sitting side-by-side I would probably reach for the R3 on almost every occasion because of it's smoother presentation and fuller bass note.
Summary The R3 is an outstanding earphone for the $139 price tag. I would definitely recommend trying a pair before you buy them if you tend to have fit issues like me, but when worn cable-down the R3s are easy to fit so that might solve any concerns if you're happy to wear them cable-down.
I haven't heard a lot of budget IEMs and there are some awesome options out there, but of those I have tried, the R3s are among the most enjoyable of the lot and definitely might be the most neutrally voiced of the lot. If you're looking to spend <$150 on a pair of IEMs and you want an IEM that can handle wide-ranging genres while providing a smooth and natural presentation then the R3s are a must try!
DannyBai
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Even keeled sound, nice build, excellent bundle of accessories
Cons: Thick cable and large Y-split if it really is a con.
I was provide a review sample and would like to thank Salsera and Brainwavz/MP4Nation.
The R3 V.2 is a dual dynamic barrel shaped iem from Brainwavz. Probably the oddest looking earphone on the market but surprisingly, I had no problem with fit. The shape actually works well with the looping over ear design and the earphones stay in place without much issue. The housings look and feel of aluminum and are light in weight. They are actually very comfortable while in use. Cables are rather thick especially from Y-split down to the 3.5mm jack. From the Y-split up to the housings have been redesigned and are much better than the original version. Cables seem to stay in place quite well around the ears and the thickness wasn’t much of a bother for me. The 3.5mm jack has a nice 45 degree angle in which I have come to appreciate in design. Only gripe although minor is the overall thickness of the cable and bigger than average Y-split.
Moving on to the sound, these have a nice balanced signature. Bass doesn’t hit with great impact, won’t reach to the lowest of the lows or hit you with forceful mid-bass punch. Bass has good presence but isn’t the tightest and sounds a bit soft from what I’m use to. The S5 from Brainwavz reaches lower, has bigger impact and makes a much greater presence in the music. For those who find the S5 to have too much bass, the R3 might be more appealing. Overall, I find the bass to fit with the signature these earphones are going for. These earphones have a wide and deep soundstage, some of the biggest I’ve heard. This can be good or bad on the vocals, depending on preference. The staging distances the vocals several rows back so it isn’t up front. I find them a little recessed and I mean little because they can be clearly heard and is not hidden from the rest of the music. I honestly couldn’t nitpick if male or female vocals sounded better since both sounded just fine for me. But, vocal trance sounded quite nice. Treble is very relaxed and there isn’t even a hint of fatigue, sibilance or the dreaded “sss” in the vocal region. Treble is smooth and possibly could use a little more for added sparkle. Somewhere between the R3 and S5 would be lovely. The smooth and non-fatiguing treble still clearly presents the details in the music. Instrument placement can be best pictured as if the listener is sitting in a large theatre compared to say a small intimate club. This is more of a surround sound listening experience.
In conclusion, I find the R3 V2 to be an even keeled sounding earphone that really doesn’t have much fault. Nothing to really complain about, even with the thick cable and all. I’m not too much of a nitpicker but I would think most would find this earphone to sound just fine. No huge bass to complain about or peaky treble or too recessed vocals. Fit’s fine if people can ignore the odd design and give it a try.
kova4a
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: solid build quality; balanced smooth and natural sound; 2-year warranty
Cons: rubbery cable prone to memory kinks; fit can be an issue for some people
First off, I have to thank again Brainwavz and Audrey for this R3 unit
Packaging and Accessories
The packaging is quite straightforward. There are plastic windows both at the front and the back of the box showcasing the shiny metal housings of the R3. Below the front window is embossed Brainwavz R3 and a very basic description – Twin Driver Configuration, Bass & Clarity and Rugged Metal Housing Design. Can’t disagree with that but maybe Smooth & Balanced would have been a bit more accurate description but more on that later.
On the back of the box there is a bit more detailed description of the R3 and its design.
On the sides of the package are listed its contents and R3’s specs.
It’s a fairly nice presentation overall.
Inside the box reside the R3 and the Brainwavz case. I’ve mentioned multiple times that this is my favorite iem case. It’s quite tough and specious and can easily fit a pair of iems and a small DAP like a Sansa. Inside one of the red pockets there is a nice quarter inch adapter and small gray bag with the included tips. There are 2 different types of single flange tips. Black ones made of a touch thicker silicone and gray ones, which are softer and have a slightly wider bore. The single flange silicone tips come in 3 sizes. There is also a pair of bi-flange and a pair of tri-flange tips, which come in only one size. As usual with Brainwavz a pair of comply foam tips packaged separately is included to complete the package.
Build Quality, Design and Fit
The R3 is a quite solid iem with robust metal housings and a thick rugged cable. The cable is a bit memory prone and rubbery though and while I don’t mind its thickness or weight I would have preferred if it had smoother sleeving and was more pliable and easier to keep straight.
The strain reliefs are substantial and again some people might call the Y-splitter over-engineered but it’s fine by me.
The j-plug is also on the bulky side but I’m a huge fan of j-plugs and it looks capable of withstanding quite a bit of abuse, so I can’t complain. If anything it completes the overall tough looks of the R3.
Design-wise it only takes a quick glance at the R3 to realize that it’s not your average iem. Its design is quite unique and I have to admit that when the R3 was first announced I wasn’t impressed and right away commented that people will have issue with the fit with such a design. It’s eye catching though and people often stare at the housing more than a couple of seconds.
Surprisingly despite my initial reservations and worries about the fit it turned out fine. I haven’t tried the old R3 version with the long memory-wires but this revised one actually fits me quite well. The fit is secure and isolation is good. It did take me quite a bit of tip rolling but finally settled on the stock bi-flanges both for the comfort and the sound.
The R3 can also be worn straight but the fit will be less secure due to the weight of the cable pulling the housings down.
There is a very mild driver flex with certain tips particularly on the left earpiece. Microphonics are very low when worn cable up.
Sound
The R3 has over 100 hours of burn-in at the time of writing this review.
For a dual dynamic driver iem that has a separate driver to reproduce the low frequencies the R3 quite surprised me. Its bass is quite flat and balanced. It is well-rounded with good control but is a bit on the polite side – softer on the impact and lacking some depth. The lower extension is not bad but after 50hz the bass gradually rolls off. Overall I like R3’s bass although I would have liked if it was a bit tighter and harder hitting but given the overall smooth and non-fatiguing presentation of the R3 it fits well with the rest of the spectrum. In comparison the Brainwavz S5 has a lot bigger but also less controlled and muddier bass bleeding into the mids.
The mids are well balanced with the bass and also relatively flat. Both male and female vocals have very nice presence and sweet tone. The R3 actually sounds a bit mid-centric but I don’t mind that as this type of signature is harder and harder to find. The tonality is slightly on the warm side but still what I would call neutral-ish. Instruments have nice timbre and despite the slightly thick note presentation sound natural and realistic. Detail retrieval is actually pretty good but clarity is a bit behind in comparison to some of the competition. In comparison brainwavz’s own S5 is noticeably clearer due to its thinner note presentation and treble emphasis but is also a lot less natural sounding and more fatiguing. The R3 instead is smoother lusher sounding.
The highs are a bit laid back but very well extended and smooth. The lower treble has enough energy to keeps things exciting without getting harsh or fatiguing. There is plenty of shimmer but I wouldn’t have minded a bit more sparkle. The treble is not prone to pointing out sibilance. In comparison the S5 with its more emphasized and peaky highs is noticeably harsher and more artificial sounding.
The R3 is full and airy sounding. Imaging is very good with both width and depth above average. Positioning is quite good. Instrument separation is very good with plenty of space between the instruments. Overall, the R3 sounds pretty spacious, especially for a mid-centric iem, which usually tend to be more on the intimate side.
Summary
R3 and its little brother R1
Brainwavz R3 has quite the surprising sound for a dual dynamic driver iem. Owning the Brainwavz R1 I expected a lot different sound but it’s heads and shoulders above its smaller dual dynamic brother R1. I’m not going to lie, I would also pick it over the Brainwavz’s other higher-end iem the S5 any day of the week. While the S5 will most likely impress a lot more people at first listen with its big bass and clarity, the R3 with its more balanced, smoother and mature sound is the iem that really impresses.
The R3 is a very solid performer sound-wise with a very solid build quality to boot. If it wasn’t for Audrey I probably would have given it a pass worried about the fit and all the people complaining about it. Maybe the memory wires on the old version were really horrible – I can’t comment on that but they are gone now and what is left is an iem that deserves to be given a second chance.
twister6
twister6 Reviews
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: build quality, included accessories, great sound separation
Cons: cable, would prefer memory wire back, fitment
Since I was among the early adopters of this updated 2.0 version of R3, I already posted a detailed review with pictures in the original R3 review thread. Therefore, I'm just going to provide a link to my R3 v2.0 review: http://www.head-fi.org/products/brainwavz-r3-dual-dynamic-driver-earphones/reviews/11456
Audiophile1811
500+ Head-Fier
Introduction – As the top-of-the-line earphone of the young company Brainwavz, the R3 has a quite a lot on its shoulders. Utilizing a relatively new dual-dynamic driver configuration, uncommon with most headphones on the market, Brainwavz has chosen this design for its very best headphone. Bold as it is, this design has been successful in many budget-based sets such as the Havi B3 Pro-1 and TTPOD’s T1 series. The R3’s, then, promise a lot considering they cost twice and even three times as much as the aforementioned earphones. So do they deliver for the price? The answer is yes… and no. But this is best explained throughout my review so if you’re interested, simply read on and find out why.
Disclaimer – This is a free review unit delivered to me for the purpose of this review. I am not affiliated with Brainwavz in any way and will stay objective as possible throughout this review. Huge thanks to Audrey at Brainwavz for sending these out to me, it’s quite a privilege. All photos were taken by me.
Specifications:
- 10mm Dual-Dynamic drivers (Passive Crossover)
- Impedance: 32 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 95dB
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
- Rated Input Power: 2mW
- Cable: OFC Copper, 1.3 meters/4.25 ft.
Packaging & Accessories: The R3’s have slightly unconventional packaging that presents the headphones and its cable through clear plastic windows on either side of the box. Inside you’ll find a plethora of tips (9 pairs in total) which include 6 pairs of single-flange silicone tips (3 pairs gray, 3 pairs black), a single pair of bi-flange and triple-flange tips, and a pair of Comply T500 tips. Also included is a ¼ inch adapter, a hard zip-case, and a 1-year warranty card (box says 2 years, don’t know which to believe). Brainwavz has been very generous with their accessories and deserve credit for being thoughtful with their ear tips.
Build & Design: Brainwavz has gone very out-of-the-box with the design of the R3. They’ve used a tubular housing for the drivers and a 90° angle nozzle that sticks straight out of the center. This means each driver faces each other within a divided enclosure and each band of frequencies meet inside the nozzle creating a uniform sound. Internal details aside, the aluminum housings feel extremely rugged throughout. However, cable quality is questionable. The 4-inch black portion of the cable is higher quality than the remaining grey section and is the only part that doesn’t suffer from kinks or memory. But since most of the cable does, it’s a wonder why Brainwavz didn’t just make the entire cable consistent (or thinner for that matter). But this is nitpicking because the R3’s seem very durable. The real problems come when wearing the R3’s.
Comfort & Fit: I have small ears, which means I also have problems with earphones, even the most comfortable. Brainwavz sought to remedy this dilemma for those like me but haven’t entirely succeeded. The R3’s are utilize an over-ear design but the housings are heavy and the nozzles are large. This causes them to fall out of place and need adjustment often. Strain reliefs are a bit stiff below the housings (fine on the Y-split & 3.5mm jack) and combined with their vertical position the cable very tricky to place behind the ear, as they were intended. But the worst part is the cable that is simply too thick and heavy for an IEM. The sheer weight and size of the cable can make it cumbersome and difficult to wear under clothing (also due to its rubbery texture). When worn with the right ear tips the R3’s are relatively comfortable but suffer from their awkward design and cable. With this in mind, the R3’s will suit some but definitely not others, so be cautious if your ears have given you trouble in the past.
Microphonics: For such a large cable, microphonics were not as bad as I expected. Cable noise is well controlled when worn over-ear but is fairly distracting cable-down. The included cinch does a good job of keeping cable noise down in either configuration too.
Isolation: There is a surprising level of noise attenuation when wearing the R3’s. They isolate very well outdoors and reduce environmental noise enough for non-distractive (but safe) listening. I consider this a strength of the R3’s overall.
----------Sound----------
Equipment & Background – For the sound portion of this review I will be using an Audinst HUD-MX1 amp/DAC combo as my primary “reference” source, a Topping NX-1 portable amplifier, and a Sansa Fuze as a portable source. All my impressions are done indoors with an over-ear headphone for added isolation resulting in almost silent listening with no audible distractions. My library consists of FLAC and high bit-rate MP3 files. The R3’s were also burned-in over 100hrs before review.
Bass: With a mid-forward sound signature the bass on the R3’s are not boosted or enhanced like many V-shaped sets on the market. Instead, lows are much mellower and have a pleasant musical warmth throughout. And while they don’t extend too far down there is enough sub-bass for an engaging listen. Bass is tight, controlled, and well-rounded and never once feels loose or bloated. However, it should be noted that the lows on the R3 are fairly soft in nature which means they won’t deliver the same visceral impact compared to sets with large mid-bass humps. That said, bass is always engaging and very punchy when required. Smoothness is another quality of the bass that becomes noticeable with fast, heavy music genres (those of which are not entirely suited for the R3). But those who prefer a mid-forward signature will appreciate the manner with which the R3’s handle bass notes. They are never distracting and don’t steal the attention of the listener; they provide enough energy to strike an excellent balance with the midrange and treble. Bass reproduction is one of the biggest strengths of the R3’s (in my opinion) due to their laid-back presence.
Mids: Moving upwards, the midrange holds a good few surprises. As mentioned before, the R3’s are mid forward overall. But this does not make them fatiguing or offensive to listen to as many other users have experienced with many other mid forward sets. Instead, the R3’s mids are not aggressive or rich, just forward enough to focus its sound on one particular part of the frequency spectrum. The primary advantage here are mids that are both clear and smooth. The balance between the two is obvious but the mids generally lean towards smoothness more than anything else. Vocalists demonstrate this best as they lack detail in parts of both the lower and upper-midrange; Both male and female vocalist suffer the effects of this coloration which was likely created by frequency dips in both regions. In terms of quality, the midrange is neither lifelike nor is it the most natural. Despite this there is no lack of finesse to the mids, just slightly lacking in accuracy. It will easily satisfy all but the extreme detail lover with its creamy, effortless nature but it won’t please anybody in sheer quality alone.
Treble: The last piece of the (frequency) puzzle lies in the R3’s treble. Highs are, yet again, very smooth but also more revealing and detailed than any frequencies below it. While not bright, there is an unexpected level of clarity up top considering the soft, genial character of the bass and midrange. Details come through with percussive instruments with natural timbre and good sparkle but without harshness. This lack of harshness prevents any sibilance from occurring even with the most aggressive vocalists and the worst recordings. Extension is considerably impressive as well, with frequencies extending up to 15kHz and gently rolling-off afterwards. And although consistency is lacking in areas, the treble is still up to par with more expensive earphones in its price range. For what it does best (i.e. bass) and what its focus is (i.e. mids), the top end of the R3’s are surprisingly good; They can suit the needs of almost any listener and any genre.
Presentation: The R3’s present their sound in a way that’s both engaging and involving. Soundstage is a little predictable for a mid-centric IEM as it has a tendency to place vocals and most of the midrange very close to the listener. This gives the effect of having music performed directly in front of you, but not in a way that it becomes tiring over time. The result is a soundstage with only average depth overall. Height is improved over depth but width is where the R3’s begin to open up. Wide spatial cues are thrown out far on either side of the head while still maintaining easy localization. The result is an intimate presentation that is more spacious than their sound signature would suggest. Bass is centered, vocals are intimate, treble is airy, and music is simply a joy to experience. Most will find their unique presentation and signature very pleasant no matter what genre of music preferred.
Ear Tips & Insertion Sensitivity: The R3’s can be a little picky with ear tips as their nozzle is a slightly larger than average. Even the included tips require a little force to fit onto the nozzle. But this doesn’t inhibit tip-rolling with the R3’s as they are quite flexible. Sound can be adjusted to have either a thicker, warmer sound or a more neutral one depending on the tip fitted: Single flanges will achieve the former while the included double-flanges will achieve the latter. And since insertion is neither shallow nor deep some tips will stay in place and others will not. As mentioned in the Comfort & Fit section, this will depend on your ears more than anything else.
Power, Sensitivity, and Source Performance: The R3’s are a very drivable earphone that respond well with most sources. Low output devices should have no trouble driving them although they may require a little more volume to acquire listenable levels. A more powerful source, such as a dedicated amplifier, will yield better results in terms of volume and quality.
Value: For $129 the Brainwavz R3 is a peculiar earphone that combines an unusual design with a consumer friendly sound. The R3 balances a mid-forward signature with a wide presentation but loses out in areas of detail and accuracy. But its main weakness is its design and fit. Their tubular housings are difficult to wear for long periods without adjustment and that’s if they’re comfortable to begin with. The cable’s large profile also causes issues as it prevents the R3’s from fitting inside a pant pocket, making them a little inconvenient to transport. Overall however, the R3 is still relatively good value if you can get past its flaws. And if you enjoy a smooth, musical sound you’ll be in for a pleasant surprise.
I hope this review will be useful to those who read through it. Please leave any suggestions or advice you may have in the comments below. Everyone’s input will help me improve my reviews and make it easier to adapt my reviews for as wide an audience as possible. Thanks for reading and happy listening!
Wokei
Nice review ..well done
Audiophile1811
Thanks @Wokei
Kamakahah
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Durable build quality. Clear and non-fatiguing. Good overall balance.
Cons: Thick, rubbery cable. Two-faced bass. Long-term comfort
Admittedly, I took far too long to post this review. I wanted to try a different approach that involved becoming accustomed to the signature followed by a period without them, and then a reintroduction. It's been about six weeks since I received the unit. I've done week long periods with and without them.
The reason for this decision was two fold:
1. It's the first dual dynamic IEM that I've given significant head time.
2. There were/are some awkward inconsistencies with the sound signature that I was/am hearing. It was my hope at the time to be able to narrow the the reasons behind them. More on this later.
After realizing that I had too many notes and they were harder for me to characterize than originally anticipated, I decided to write this review while listening to them after a short break and give my overall thoughts from this session. My previous notes will still be a factor in what I write, but hopefully this gives more clarity to my thoughts.
Again, I'd like to thank Brainwavz for the opportunity to review these. As others did, I received a review pair to keep similar to the S5. It's a nice gesture of confidence in the Head-Fi community.
In similar fashion, I'll avoid adding pictures and statistics that a quick Google search can provide.
All the usual qualifiers apply: IMO, YMMV, OMGWTFBBQ, ROFLCOPTER. This is just my experience. Yours might be different.
For those that don't like to wade through the paragraphs of information that most reviews provide, here is a succinct synopsis:
Bass: Can vary greatly. Overall lower-quantity with a softer impact. Occasionally comes out to play. See below for more details.
Mids: Pretty clear. Non-fatiguing. Present and slightly forward. Much less , "life has been sucked out" than the S5 but with slightly dry presentation. A touch of warmth. Quite enjoyable.
Treble: Nice lower treble energy. Non-fatiguing but hits of sibilance depending on the track. Smooth and laid back, maybe overly so for some.
Soundstage/Imaging: Good width, and back depth. Shallow forward depth. Can feel intimate as a result, but not cramped.
Separation/Clarity/Detail: Decent separation and good clarity if not a little thick sounding. Good detail in the mids. Lows are too fluffy for my taste. Highs lacking micro details from smoothing
Tips: Find whatever is comfortable. Didn't lead to a ton of variation as it normally does for me. Used the stock, clear tips.
Source/Amping: Some noticeable scaling, specifically with additional power to add a bit more life and energy to the sound. A clear source with good texture seems best, IMO.
Isolation: Slightly below average. Not great isolation, but doesn't leak.
Overall: Enjoyable. A stand out addition in a pack of "V's." Clunky build, but durable. A solid buy at $99. At $115+ you'll want to be sure it's what you're after.
Initial Impressions:
From my notes 6 weeks ago, I thought they sounded clear with a nice sense of balance. I found the bass to be soft and lacking texture. The mid range was enticing, forward, a little dry, but enjoyable.
Methodology:
I gave them 5 hours of listening the first day to become accustomed to the signature. They were then burned in for quite some time using set of burn-in tracks with mixed tracks, pink noise, and 5 minute breaks every hour on repeat.
They were burned in for over 300 hours in total throughout the process. I initially began my process after ~150 hours as per my usual. I continued to listen to other headphones/earphones.
Then, as mentioned above, I took week long breaks. I also spent full weeks only listening to the R3. My reasons for this will be further discussed in the following sections.
Listening was done casually at home and while out shopping. Detailed listening was done in a quiet office. A/B testing done as well with different gear and Fiio HS2 used occasionally for quick switching of sources or headphones.
I avoided reading any other reviews before writing this one to avoid bias.
Chains used:
1. PC USB/Optical>>>Audio GD NFB-15>>>R3
2. Fiio X3>>>(Topping NX1/C&C BH)>>>R3
3. Rockboxed Sansa Clip+>>>(Topping NX1/C&C BH)>>>R3
4. HTC One M8>>>R3
Tips used: Supplied tips, JVC spiral tips, Sony hybrids, Sennheiser double flange.
Test tracks: Many albums in my collection were listened to in full with a number of mixed in individual tracks, but here are a few specific tracks used.
Track formats included 256-320kbps mp3, FLAC, WAV files and a few youtube videos for variety.
- Jessica Lee Mayfield - Nervous Lonely Night : The first minute of this song can tell me a lot about a can. This will seem odd, but the pencil tapping at the start tells me a ton about timbre and a bit about depth. The generally forward vocals of the entire "Tell me" album help point out recessed mids quickly. The bass comes in strong with lots of quantity and impact to let me judge the low end presence and texture. I could go on. It's just a track that works for me.
- Queen - Killer Queen : One of my sibilance test tracks, though it's much more than that. It's another track that can really let you individually identify a spectrum of specific quality attributes or flaws.
- Paramore - Hallelujah : The recording/mastering, whatever, sounds just terrible on the deluxe mp3 version that I have. I use it to test how forgiving a can is.
- Pantera - Cowboys from Hell; Cemetery Gates; Floods : It's Pantera. No more explanation needed.
- Lisa Hannigan - Live from the Troubadour in W.Hollywood. : This is a special recording that I have from a live concert I attended. I'm frighteningly familiar with the venue/performance and how it should sound. I use this to judge soundstage, imaging, timbre and separation.
- Rage Against The Machine - People of the Sun : Bass.
- Metallica - (Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth / One/ etc - Lots of reasons
- Lana Del Rey - Lolita/National Anthem/Carmen : Lots of reasons but in general for her vocals that can sound like thick, warm syrup.
- Geographer - Kites : I like this for cohesion. Some cans make it sound disjointed or all jumbled up.
- Filipe Melo · Ana Cláudia // Spiegel im spiegel (Arvo Pärt) : It's beautiful. Noise test. Timbre. Naturalness.
- Girl Talk - Let it Out : It's fun.
- Dr. Chesky - The Ultimate Headphone Demonstration Disc - Soundstage, imaging, dynamics, etc.
- Many, more.
Build Quality & Acessories:
Oh Jetpack. It's awkward. The cable is a heavy, bouncy, rubbery monstrosity. Plenty of nice accessories included, solid 10/10 in my mind. The bulky shell may or may not affect your fit depending on ear shape.
Comfort/Fit:
Average comfort. The rubbery cable was very noticeable over the ear and raises up at times until pulled tighter with a shirt clip. Long-term comfort has been poor. After about an hour, I found that the area where the cable meets the body rubbed my ear the wrong way. Tips didn't seem to have too significant of an effect for comfort, though I did favor some more than others. In particular, I liked the stock clear tips that weren't quite as firm. I found that they tend to start slipping from my ears. I'm not sure if it's a result of the cable or something else. I tried to wear larger tips to offset the pull, but found that I couldn't handle the loss of comfort. Occasionally, I' would double check their positioning to make sure they are still in place. This was more of an issue when out and about than in the office.
Isolation/Leak:
Average to below average. Noisy locations will be noticeable. I found their isolation to be slightly less effective compared to the S5. Leak wasn't an issue.
Bass:
The moment I listened to the opening kick drum and first few bass string plucks in Jessica Lee Mayfield's - "Our Hearts Are Wrong", I knew that the bass and I were going to be at odds. That particular song is very bass heavy. The R3 does bring the quantity of bass in many tracks to manageable levels. This was one aspect that I appreciated for a number of bass heavy tracks; However, it was also the bane of bass light tracks.
As mentioned in the Cons, I found the bass to be two-faced or fractured. I tried my best to determine its cause, but wasn't able to pin it down in a way that I could explain in a clear fashion. In short, it seems certain frequencies are emphasized. It felt like there were peaks and valleys in the bass than had a very noticeable effect on impact and levels. It didn't seem like a clear line that is normally present where people can say, "Oh yeah, it has a mid bass hump and rolls off in the sub-bass which explains...blahblahblah." - Not the case here. Some songs had the low impact that they normally show, while it was next to non-existent in my other test tracks. I wish I could articulate it better. That said, there is a significant roll off in the sub-bass at about the 50 Hz mark. Below 30 is pretty much a black hole.
In this moment, as I listen to a number of tracks I find the duality. Some show nice, low impact. Others that should have the same feel like the kick drum or bass is hidden behind a glass panel or being hit by a pillow rather than a mallet.
One final beef was with the lack of texture. I found it really was missing that detail that comes with a more articulate bass. The overall tone felt smoothed over and pillowy.
Mids:
A nice forward presentation in the mids. It balances well still with the rest of the spectrum. A much desired addition following the soulless mids of the S5. As mentioned in the brief summary above, I find them slightly dry with a touch of warmth. It's a neutralish presentation of the mid range that in some ways reminds me of a less refined HE-560. One of my favorite signatures centers around the mids, so this was a nice change of pace from my generally bass oriented collection that includes the JVC FX-850, among others.
Treble:
Queen's song "Killer Queen" will pretty much violate my ears if a headphone/earphone is even a little hot, sibilant, etc. These do a pretty good job. Overall non-fatiguing but will undoubtedly be too lack-back for the treble lovers. Smooth, but still with a decent energy, particularly in the lower treble region. Not a whole lot of the sparkle. Hints of sibilance on already sibilant tracks, but that's normal.
Separation/Clarity/Detail:
I would say that it is a notch above average in this category. Decent separation and clarity. A bit thicker sounding than the S5 that suffered from a thin/recessed mid range that killed baby seals. Enough detail to satisfy. Without a doubt some loss of detail and clarity in the bass with roll off and fluffy presentation that lacks in texture and articulation.
Soundstage/Imaging:
The soundstage felt slightly more intimate than I've been used to but not in a cramped way. The positioning feels a intimate. This can be good and maybe a little bad for some live recordings. I'll explain way as it has to do with the way that I perceived the soundstage. The best way I can think to describe the shape is an taking a basketball and half way deflating just one hemisphere. The width sound above average, the behind depth the same. The forward depth, or the space in front of me seems as though its distance has been cut in half when compared to behind.
Source/Amping/Tips:
The R3 did seem to scale a bit. More important, for me, was the added power that seems to add a bit more life to the overall sound. :
- Audio-GD NFB-15
- Fiio X3 + Topping NX1 (Low gain, high was noisy and gave no play with the volume)
- Fiio X3 + C&C BH (Line 2, switches off, gain 'High').
- Rockboxed Sansa Clip+ (Forgot to experiment with attaching amps)
I didn't find a lot of difference when tip rolling. Insertion depth didn't change the sound enough so I ended up liking the stock, clear tips. They are comfortable and didn't negatively affect the sound. I thought a narrow bore might help the bass, but the effect was minor and inconsistent so I reverted.
Final Thoughts:
I want to say that I enjoy this earphone. It's far from perfect, but it has qualities that are becoming harder to find in a V-shaped market. The mid-centric presentation is a welcome addition to my collection. The bass can be a bit of a letdown on some tracks, but it can also be a boon in taming overly bass heavy tracks into submission. It can help you see your much listened to tracks in a new light. It suffers from some inevitable design issues, but overall a durable and enjoyable earphone. As I look at the $115 asking price on Amazon right now I asked myself the question, "Is it worth that price tag?" To some, yes. I think it would fit nicely into the $99 category, but what's $15 anyway?
thatBeatsguy
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Smooth, balanced sound. Brainwavz' signature unique look. Brainwavz' signature build.
Cons: Weird looks might deter some. Cable is pretty hefty and cumbersome.
Intro
TL;DR: Don't let its rather brutish looks fool you; the Brainwavz R3 is a smooth, gentle IEM that works especially well with acoustic genres, slow rock, and jazz.
Before I begin, I would like to thank Audrey at Brainwavz for providing the sample of the Brainwavz R3 in exchange for my honest opinion. Please note that I am neither affiliated with Brainwavz or any of its employees, nor am I being compensated for writing this review. All opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own unless otherwise specified, and all pictures are taken and owned by my sister. YMMV.
Well, it’s been a few weeks since my review of the S5s, and from that first impression of one of their IEMs, they’ve earned their place in my ‘Companies to Watch’ list. Though a lot of their IEMs, to my knowledge, lean towards a more consumer-friendly sound, they are no doubt of audiophile quality. Today, I’m going to be reviewing another of their high-end IEMs, and probably one of the most peculiar-looking IEMs I’ve ever seen, the dual-dynamic Brainwavz R3 Rev.2 (I’ll get to this later).
Anyhow, let’s get on to the IEMs. Shall we?
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.
[size=x-large]== Aesthetics ==[/size]
Packaging, Accessories
At first glance of the packaging, it’s clear that Brainwavz is proud of their design of the R3, as the box features a clear window from the front all the way through to the back of the box, with the R3’s housings suspended in a clear plastic mold, showcased proudly and rather enthusiastically, like a brand-new breakthrough in design or something along those lines. On the front you also see BRAINWAVZ R3 written with a tagline and a few of its main features. On the left side, you’ll see its specifications, and on the right are its accessories, and on the back is a cross-section diagram of the R3s’ housing along with a description of sorts.
Upon opening the package, you’ll find Brainwavz’ semi-hard case hidden from the light of day, housing the rest of the R3s and all of its accessories. I’m still pretty impressed with the plethora of eartips included in the package, which consists of six pairs of single-flange tips (one set in grey, the other in black, in S/M/L), one pair of double-flanged tips, one pair of triple-flanged tips, and a pair of Comply T500 foam eartips. So there you have it - nine pairs of eartips, all at your disposal along with the Brainwavz R3 and S5. Still pretty damn impressive. But that’s not all - you also get a nifty 1/4-inch adapter. In the previous version, there used to be an airline adapter supposedly - but in my case, I don’t think I would need it anyway, so that can be ignored. Frequent flyers, though, might have to buy their own airline adapter off a local Best Buy or some other electronics store.
Design, Build, Microphonics
You remember what I said about Brainwavz’ package being showcased like a design breakthrough? Well, I have got to hand it to Brainwavz, they have made one awesome breakthrough in design right here, and it’s sure to make anyone -- consumer or audiophile -- wonder how they manage to get these in their ears. (Not that it’s a bad thing, though -- they actually fit quite easily.)
Though the concept of dual dynamic drivers isn’t new (lately there have been a lot of popular options to choose from), how they’re implemented intrigued me.The two 10mm drivers are set up in a two-way configuration – one used for bass, the other for the rest of the audio spectrum. Again, this is not unusual, but then we move on to their placement. The two drivers are placed apart from and facing each other, pouring the sound into a ‘Sonic Chamber’ before it reaches your ears through a particularly long tube. At least, that’s what the diagram seems to tell me. It’s probably not as simple as it sounds, seeing as another dual dynamic IEM, the Audio-Technica ATH-CKR9 (and its older variant, the CKR10) shares a similarly-positioned pair of drivers…except for the fact that the CKRs’ drivers go for a ‘Push-Pull’ design in which one driver pushes the sound while the other pulls the sound to supposedly reduce distortion and improve sound quality (or something like that). Coming back to the R3s, it seems both drivers simply push sound into the sound chamber where the sound mixes to bring out the final product.
Moving on, we have the cable, which apparently consists of three sections: the main grey cable from the connector to the Y-split, a thinner grey cable from the Y-split to split (rather, splice), which transitions into a length of memory cable making the final stretch to the housings. This memory wire used to be a lot longer in the first version, but has been removed in the revision for better ergonomics and an easier fit.
Again, the team over at Brainwavz has impressed me with the excellent build quality of the R3s. From the solid machined aluminum housings to the strong extremely heavy-duty Y-split (see above), it’s clear Brainwavz made no compromises to the build quality of the R3 just as they did with the S5. The only gripe I have with the build is the cable. No, it’s not because of durability -- in fact, it’s probably one of the most solid cables I’ve had in my possession yet. My gripe with the cable is because it’s solid. It’s very thick -- reminding me of the cable on my old Beats Pro. Its thickness in turn makes them very difficult to manage. When they arrived, they were bound pretty tightly together by a wire, and when I undid the wire, I was greeted with an eyesore of a cable with folds and creases on every inch. Even as I write this, I’m still trying to straighten it out. Cable noise isn’t much different. Even with the over-ear design dulling it down, cable noise is still a bit of an issue due to the serious weight of the cable.
Fit, Comfort, Isolation
Now, I’m sure you’re still wondering if the bottle-like housings with a tube on the side would actually fit your ears. Well, I’m happy to report that it actually does. It did take a few minutes of fiddling at first, but it only takes a few tries to get accustomed to it. They’re pretty comfortable once they’re in your ears, though at times the housing does touch -- more like press on -- part of my ear when I don’t get them in right, which again is a nuisance, but it’s mostly just on me. Due to the housings being little more than a bottle with a tube sticking out of the side which goes into your ear, isolation leans toward average, but is nonetheless good enough for a walk in the park or at home. Don’t expect it to drown out much in a bus or the subway, though.
Also, something of note: the Brainwavz R3 can be worn straight-down; however the cable causes too much microphonics to be tolerable. That, and the R3 is considerably heavy with its thick cable and solid aluminum housings. I don’t know if you guys will like it -- maybe you will, maybe you won’t, but I most definitely will not wear these straight-down.
I hope I didn’t bore you yet with my explanations, because we’re just about to get to the sound. Bored yet? No? Great, now let’s move on.
[size=x-large]== Sound ==[/size]
Specs
Headphone Type
Closed back, vented in-ear monitor (straight down, around-the-ear)
Driver Type
10 mm dynamic x2
Frequency Response
16 Hz – 22 kHz
Rated Input Power
30 mW
Sensitivity
110 dB @ 1 mW
Impedance
32 Ω
Weight
N/A
Cable
1.3 m (4.2’) Copper Y-Cord
Connector
3.5 mm (1/8”) gold-plated 45-degree TRS
Accessories
Hard carrying case 3 pairs single-flange silicone eartips (grey, S/M/L)
3 pairs single-flange silicone eartips (black, S/M/L)
1 pair double-flange silicone eartips
1 pair triple-flange silicone eartips
1 pair Comply™ T-500 foam eartips
6.3 mm (1/4”) adapter
Equipment, Burn-in
The equipment used for this review consists of my iPod Touch, an iPad 3, and my PC through headphone-out as the sources, all running without an amp. The amp used in the test is a Yamaha RX-V359 through headphone-out. As for the EQ software being used, I use Viper4Windows on the PC and the default system EQ on the other sources. As always, my test tracks are available here, although I will link specific songs in the assessment for a more direct point of reference.
As per review “tradition,” the Brainwavz R3s have been burned in for at least 100 hours prior to the review, with occasional listening sessions in between for an average of an hour. So far, throughout the 100 hours of burn-in, there haven’t been any noticeable changes in sound. Also, the eartips I used are the L-sized grey single flanges throughout the review. So, without further ado, let’s get on to the sound!
Sound Quality
Bass:
Okay, let’s start off with the bass. As an IEM designed for the audiophile crowd, don’t expect the R3 to have elevated bass, because it doesn’t have that. However, what it does have is a smooth, swift low-end that is clearly made for its target audience. Its accurate, slightly warm tone reproduces low tones without overdoing anything. It also has a strong enough punch to satisfy most listeners who aren’t craving bass. In short, it’s a very addicting listen that works amazingly with cool, laid-back songs (Daft Punk –The Game of Love, Something About Us).
Midrange:
The Brainwavz R3’s midrange is sweet and rich – basically, it sounds great. It has a great amount of clarity with a slight warmth to it. It reproduces the midrange very well, and despite its mid-centric signature (more on this later), isn’t as forward as I expected. One of my favourite characteristics about it, though, is how they manage to blend really well with the bass (Coldplay –Sparks) – making a very cohesive and united sound signature.
Treble:
Brainwavz purposely tuned the R3 to have a smooth, laid-back treble, topping off the sound signature like the smooth foam on a latte (more on this analogy later). This laid-back signature gives the R3 a very relaxing signature that you can simply listen to for hours, which is a huge plus in my book. (Note: Technical mode ON) Though most laid-back treble usually sounds veiled and lacking detail, Brainwavz managed to counter that by tuning in a treble spike around 10 kHz. This allows the R3 to still retain great detail retrieval even with its laid-back treble (technical mode OFF).
Soundstage/Presentation:
Apparently Brainwavz’ “Sound Chamber” technology actually does affect the R3’s sound signature – specifically, its soundstage. It’s very wide, airy, and expansive, which you usually don’t get to hear very often in an earphone, so that’s a huge plus. Live, acoustic, and classical recordings really come to life on the Brainwavz R3. However, I did notice instruments were projected (or “sound like” in layman’s terms) onto a narrow arc in front of you, instead of all around you. It’s a little quirk there that might not be as appealing to the more finicky listeners, but it’s not too much of a big deal.
Genre Proficiency:
The Brainwavz R3, as I’ve said earlier, works amazingly well with cool, laid-back genres, synergising well with its laid-back sound. Stuff like Coldplay, Daft Punk’s slower works, classical, anything that’s slow or has a relaxing vibe – the Brainwavz R3 performs spectacularly. However, it’s hardly finicky with genres and will play anything you throw at it very well.
Summary:
The Brainwavz R3’s sound is something I could liken to a nice latte – smooth, rich, creamy, sweet, and with just the right kick from the coffee. I’m sure from this, you can put two and two together, so there’s not much to say other than it’s great if the R3’s sound is what you’re looking for. Bassheads will have to look elsewhere, because the R3 is definitely an audiophile IEM.
Other Media
Games:
The R3 isn’t bad with games. Sure, its detail retrieval is great for getting an edge over the competition, but its rather congested presentation takes a hit to their imaging capabilities. All in all, they’re not something I’d use for competitive gaming.
Movies:
The R3’s smooth, balanced signature allows it to play along with pretty much any type of movie, from epic action scenes to heart-wrenching drama moments. I find they perform better with quieter movies, just as they do well with laid-back music.
EQ Response, Amplification
The R3, in my opinion, doesn’t really respond well to EQ (rather, basic EQ presets), though with a more advanced EQ like Electri-Q or Viper4Windows, you can EQ them to be completely flat, which, surprisingly, is very easy to do. But once I did that, man, oh man. The results were amazing. Probably the only downside to this is having to go through rather extensive tweaking and listening to get the sound just right, but otherwise they’re perfectly fine. At an impedance rating of about 32 ohms, they do need a bit more power to drive than, say, the S5 IEMs. At lower volumes, their midrange sounds rather muffled, and both ends of the spectrum also lose some detail. With extra power, though, the midrange comes forward, and with enough power, the bass suddenly begins to sound pretty damn impressive. You can really feel the sub-bass notes come alive and make the entire signature come together to no short of amazing. I don’t have a dedicated headphone amp as of yet, but now I begin to realize just how much I need one.
Like the S5s, the R3 comes packed with plenty of tips (single, dual and triple flange silicone tips plus a set of Comply T-500 foam tips) plus a nice looking hard case (the same as the S5) and a 3.5mm-6.3mm adapter. This type of accessory set is becoming more common with all different IEMs at all different prices, but it's still worthy of applause because it makes getting a good fit much easier for new buyers who might not have a stash of all different tips from previous purchases and there's nothing worse than investing in a nice set of IEMs only to have them get destroyed in the bottom of your bag due to lack of an appropriate case.
Compatibility With a 32 ohm load, the R3s are in the sweet spot for IEM impedance in my opinion. Really low impedance models like the FIDUE A83 or Shure SE846 can cause all kinds of issues with some devices whereas a 32 ohm load is really comfortable for cheap and expensive players alike so the R3s should play really nicely with your phone, budget MP3 player, or audiophile DAP / stack. I've tried the R3s with the Colorfly C4, Fiio X5, E12DIY portable amp, and even the Bottlehead Mainline desktop headphone amplifier and the R3s always sound great. They're easy to drive, but not too easy so they don't show up noise from basic devices while still having the sensitivity to make the most of highly detailed audiophile sources.
Sound Bass I really like the bass from the R3s. It's smooth and full, but not enhanced - just naturally present. The bass sits in perfect alignment with the rest of the frequencies from the R3 and allows for a cohesive and realistic listening experience. Being a dynamic driver IEM, the bass is full and rich with a slightly slower feel than a balanced armature (BA) unit, but there is no mistaking the R3's bass for being slow in general terms. No, the R3 strikes the perfect balance of fullness and speed. Bass notes are crisply delivered on time and on target while leaving room for everything else in the spectrum to shine equally. Although not finely textured like the quickest of BA units, the bass is clean and detailed making faster basslines and deep percussion highly enjoyable. Listening to Muse's Absolution via the Colorfly C4, the bass and kick drums were deep and tight. Moving to Ozomatli's Embrace the Chaos album, the deepest rumble of the bass drum on "Pa Lante" was missing, but it takes an exceptional earphone / headphone to really get that right. The R3s certainly came close, but just didn't have that list tiny bit of power down at the lowest of frequencies. I'd much prefer that though to an excess of bass that can cloud the rest of the spectrum and disrupt the entire musical experience.
Mid-range Thanks to the present, but controlled bass, the R3's mids are able to shine through and take centre stage. I wouldn't call the R3s a mid-centric earphone so much as a neutral earphone. You could perhaps argue that the mids on the R3 are slightly laid back, but they're certainly well-balanced with the bass and treble even if they're just a hair behind. It's certainly not enough to make the mids sound distant or veiled and I really like the overall presentation a lot - it's very easy to listen to without sacrificing detail or articulation in any way. Guitars and similar instruments sound crisp and clean and both male and female vocals have an excellent sense of texture and clarity while still keeping an easy smoothness.
Treble The treble from the R3s is really interesting in that, up to this point in the review, I haven't really thought about the treble. I would say that's a good sign of perfectly balanced treble that's neither drawing attention to itself nor lacking in energy and leaving the presentation dark and muddy. The treble is lively enough to provide raspiness and air to vocals, percussive sounds and incidental textures like fingers on a fretboard, but it's not over-enhanced. There is zero fatigue from the R3, but there is also zero lost clarity - that's an extremely impressive feat.
Listening to "Calling Elvis" by Dire Straits I can clearly hear the raspiness of Mark Knopfler's voice and the snare, high hat and cymbals have good energy and clarity so that I can feel them and notice them in the mix, but I've not once in all the time I've spent with the R3s felt like there was too much or too little treble. I'd actually go so far as suggesting that this is one of the best treble balances I've heard from an IEM in quite some time. I'll discuss some comparisons shortly to demonstrate this in further detail.
Similar to the bass detail and speed, treble speed and resolution may be a tiny bit behind the sharpest of BA IEMs, but the R3s are no slouch. Not only do they not leave me wanting more from the treble, they actually leave me thoroughly enjoying the treble because it's fully detailed and energetic, but remains smooth enough to be enjoyable and actually worth exploring. I find sharper, faster treble renditions sometimes lead me to almost tuning out treble detail so as not to fatigue my ears, but the R3s let me focus on the individual textures of a cymbal or snare without feeling on edge as I do it.
Staging and Imaging The stage from the R3s isn't exceptional, but for a $139 it's very good. It feels spacious despite being modest in size and it is evenly proportioned in each direction with good depth and width. Imaging is very similar - it's not exceptional, but it's definitely commendable. Instruments are well separated and clearly defined in their own virtual space. Thanks to the well-balanced presentation of each section of the frequency range from the R3s, the finished product is a well represented auditory image with good clarity and separation.
Selected Comparisons FIDUE A83 At the time of writing this there's quite a bit of hype around the A83 (triple hybrid IEM) on Head-Fi and deservedly so, but given its $300+ price tag and slightly troublesome fit I was keen to compare it with the R3.
On direct comparison, the A83's balanced armatures revealed extra details and texture in the mix that the R3 couldn't show me, but that came at the cost of a drier tone and a less natural overall sound with the A83's treble sounding slightly forward and forced compared to the R3's outstanding balance. The staging and imaging is also better on the A83 as you'd expect with the greater availability of subtle details and auditory cues, but does that make the A83 a hands-down better earphone? I don't think so. If I were looking to hear every nuance then I'd reach for the A83 every time, but if I wanted to simply play and enjoy my music I'd probably reach for the R3s on each occasion due to their more natural treble presentation and more natural overall sound. Technically, the A83 is a better earphone, but practically the R3 might be better for some people.
Brainwavz S5 As much as I like the S5s for what they are, they just don't compare with their slightly more expensive siblings - or at least not for my tastes. Yes, the S5 offers an excellent bass punch that the R3s can't match and for some genres that's an instant trump card, but the R3's balance won me over permanently and left the S5s sounding peaky and occasionally unnatural to my ears. For wide-ranging musical tastes or those who listen to rock, blues or jazz I would recommend the R3 every time over the S5 despite it's funkier fit and higher price.
HiFiMan RE272 Unfortunately I sold my RE272s shortly prior to the R3s arriving, but at around half the price of the RE272's when they were new (if memory serves), the R3 is an excellent replacement. There's no doubt that the RE272 offered superior transparency and separation over the R3, but the R3 is a smoother listen and has much better bass presence than the RE272 so it's a fair trade in my mind. To be honest, if I had the 2 sitting side-by-side I would probably reach for the R3 on almost every occasion because of it's smoother presentation and fuller bass note.
Summary The R3 is an outstanding earphone for the $139 price tag. I would definitely recommend trying a pair before you buy them if you tend to have fit issues like me, but when worn cable-down the R3s are easy to fit so that might solve any concerns if you're happy to wear them cable-down.
I haven't heard a lot of budget IEMs and there are some awesome options out there, but of those I have tried, the R3s are among the most enjoyable of the lot and definitely might be the most neutrally voiced of the lot. If you're looking to spend <$150 on a pair of IEMs and you want an IEM that can handle wide-ranging genres while providing a smooth and natural presentation then the R3s are a must try!
DannyBai
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Even keeled sound, nice build, excellent bundle of accessories
Cons: Thick cable and large Y-split if it really is a con.
I was provide a review sample and would like to thank Salsera and Brainwavz/MP4Nation.
The R3 V.2 is a dual dynamic barrel shaped iem from Brainwavz. Probably the oddest looking earphone on the market but surprisingly, I had no problem with fit. The shape actually works well with the looping over ear design and the earphones stay in place without much issue. The housings look and feel of aluminum and are light in weight. They are actually very comfortable while in use. Cables are rather thick especially from Y-split down to the 3.5mm jack. From the Y-split up to the housings have been redesigned and are much better than the original version. Cables seem to stay in place quite well around the ears and the thickness wasn’t much of a bother for me. The 3.5mm jack has a nice 45 degree angle in which I have come to appreciate in design. Only gripe although minor is the overall thickness of the cable and bigger than average Y-split.
Moving on to the sound, these have a nice balanced signature. Bass doesn’t hit with great impact, won’t reach to the lowest of the lows or hit you with forceful mid-bass punch. Bass has good presence but isn’t the tightest and sounds a bit soft from what I’m use to. The S5 from Brainwavz reaches lower, has bigger impact and makes a much greater presence in the music. For those who find the S5 to have too much bass, the R3 might be more appealing. Overall, I find the bass to fit with the signature these earphones are going for. These earphones have a wide and deep soundstage, some of the biggest I’ve heard. This can be good or bad on the vocals, depending on preference. The staging distances the vocals several rows back so it isn’t up front. I find them a little recessed and I mean little because they can be clearly heard and is not hidden from the rest of the music. I honestly couldn’t nitpick if male or female vocals sounded better since both sounded just fine for me. But, vocal trance sounded quite nice. Treble is very relaxed and there isn’t even a hint of fatigue, sibilance or the dreaded “sss” in the vocal region. Treble is smooth and possibly could use a little more for added sparkle. Somewhere between the R3 and S5 would be lovely. The smooth and non-fatiguing treble still clearly presents the details in the music. Instrument placement can be best pictured as if the listener is sitting in a large theatre compared to say a small intimate club. This is more of a surround sound listening experience.
In conclusion, I find the R3 V2 to be an even keeled sounding earphone that really doesn’t have much fault. Nothing to really complain about, even with the thick cable and all. I’m not too much of a nitpicker but I would think most would find this earphone to sound just fine. No huge bass to complain about or peaky treble or too recessed vocals. Fit’s fine if people can ignore the odd design and give it a try.
kova4a
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: solid build quality; balanced smooth and natural sound; 2-year warranty
Cons: rubbery cable prone to memory kinks; fit can be an issue for some people
First off, I have to thank again Brainwavz and Audrey for this R3 unit
Packaging and Accessories
The packaging is quite straightforward. There are plastic windows both at the front and the back of the box showcasing the shiny metal housings of the R3. Below the front window is embossed Brainwavz R3 and a very basic description – Twin Driver Configuration, Bass & Clarity and Rugged Metal Housing Design. Can’t disagree with that but maybe Smooth & Balanced would have been a bit more accurate description but more on that later.
On the back of the box there is a bit more detailed description of the R3 and its design.
On the sides of the package are listed its contents and R3’s specs.
It’s a fairly nice presentation overall.
Inside the box reside the R3 and the Brainwavz case. I’ve mentioned multiple times that this is my favorite iem case. It’s quite tough and specious and can easily fit a pair of iems and a small DAP like a Sansa. Inside one of the red pockets there is a nice quarter inch adapter and small gray bag with the included tips. There are 2 different types of single flange tips. Black ones made of a touch thicker silicone and gray ones, which are softer and have a slightly wider bore. The single flange silicone tips come in 3 sizes. There is also a pair of bi-flange and a pair of tri-flange tips, which come in only one size. As usual with Brainwavz a pair of comply foam tips packaged separately is included to complete the package.
Build Quality, Design and Fit
The R3 is a quite solid iem with robust metal housings and a thick rugged cable. The cable is a bit memory prone and rubbery though and while I don’t mind its thickness or weight I would have preferred if it had smoother sleeving and was more pliable and easier to keep straight.
The strain reliefs are substantial and again some people might call the Y-splitter over-engineered but it’s fine by me.
The j-plug is also on the bulky side but I’m a huge fan of j-plugs and it looks capable of withstanding quite a bit of abuse, so I can’t complain. If anything it completes the overall tough looks of the R3.
Design-wise it only takes a quick glance at the R3 to realize that it’s not your average iem. Its design is quite unique and I have to admit that when the R3 was first announced I wasn’t impressed and right away commented that people will have issue with the fit with such a design. It’s eye catching though and people often stare at the housing more than a couple of seconds.
Surprisingly despite my initial reservations and worries about the fit it turned out fine. I haven’t tried the old R3 version with the long memory-wires but this revised one actually fits me quite well. The fit is secure and isolation is good. It did take me quite a bit of tip rolling but finally settled on the stock bi-flanges both for the comfort and the sound.
The R3 can also be worn straight but the fit will be less secure due to the weight of the cable pulling the housings down.
There is a very mild driver flex with certain tips particularly on the left earpiece. Microphonics are very low when worn cable up.
Sound
The R3 has over 100 hours of burn-in at the time of writing this review.
For a dual dynamic driver iem that has a separate driver to reproduce the low frequencies the R3 quite surprised me. Its bass is quite flat and balanced. It is well-rounded with good control but is a bit on the polite side – softer on the impact and lacking some depth. The lower extension is not bad but after 50hz the bass gradually rolls off. Overall I like R3’s bass although I would have liked if it was a bit tighter and harder hitting but given the overall smooth and non-fatiguing presentation of the R3 it fits well with the rest of the spectrum. In comparison the Brainwavz S5 has a lot bigger but also less controlled and muddier bass bleeding into the mids.
The mids are well balanced with the bass and also relatively flat. Both male and female vocals have very nice presence and sweet tone. The R3 actually sounds a bit mid-centric but I don’t mind that as this type of signature is harder and harder to find. The tonality is slightly on the warm side but still what I would call neutral-ish. Instruments have nice timbre and despite the slightly thick note presentation sound natural and realistic. Detail retrieval is actually pretty good but clarity is a bit behind in comparison to some of the competition. In comparison brainwavz’s own S5 is noticeably clearer due to its thinner note presentation and treble emphasis but is also a lot less natural sounding and more fatiguing. The R3 instead is smoother lusher sounding.
The highs are a bit laid back but very well extended and smooth. The lower treble has enough energy to keeps things exciting without getting harsh or fatiguing. There is plenty of shimmer but I wouldn’t have minded a bit more sparkle. The treble is not prone to pointing out sibilance. In comparison the S5 with its more emphasized and peaky highs is noticeably harsher and more artificial sounding.
The R3 is full and airy sounding. Imaging is very good with both width and depth above average. Positioning is quite good. Instrument separation is very good with plenty of space between the instruments. Overall, the R3 sounds pretty spacious, especially for a mid-centric iem, which usually tend to be more on the intimate side.
Summary
R3 and its little brother R1
Brainwavz R3 has quite the surprising sound for a dual dynamic driver iem. Owning the Brainwavz R1 I expected a lot different sound but it’s heads and shoulders above its smaller dual dynamic brother R1. I’m not going to lie, I would also pick it over the Brainwavz’s other higher-end iem the S5 any day of the week. While the S5 will most likely impress a lot more people at first listen with its big bass and clarity, the R3 with its more balanced, smoother and mature sound is the iem that really impresses.
The R3 is a very solid performer sound-wise with a very solid build quality to boot. If it wasn’t for Audrey I probably would have given it a pass worried about the fit and all the people complaining about it. Maybe the memory wires on the old version were really horrible – I can’t comment on that but they are gone now and what is left is an iem that deserves to be given a second chance.
twister6
twister6 Reviews
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: build quality, included accessories, great sound separation
Cons: cable, would prefer memory wire back, fitment
Since I was among the early adopters of this updated 2.0 version of R3, I already posted a detailed review with pictures in the original R3 review thread. Therefore, I'm just going to provide a link to my R3 v2.0 review: http://www.head-fi.org/products/brainwavz-r3-dual-dynamic-driver-earphones/reviews/11456
Audiophile1811
500+ Head-Fier
Introduction – As the top-of-the-line earphone of the young company Brainwavz, the R3 has a quite a lot on its shoulders. Utilizing a relatively new dual-dynamic driver configuration, uncommon with most headphones on the market, Brainwavz has chosen this design for its very best headphone. Bold as it is, this design has been successful in many budget-based sets such as the Havi B3 Pro-1 and TTPOD’s T1 series. The R3’s, then, promise a lot considering they cost twice and even three times as much as the aforementioned earphones. So do they deliver for the price? The answer is yes… and no. But this is best explained throughout my review so if you’re interested, simply read on and find out why.
Disclaimer – This is a free review unit delivered to me for the purpose of this review. I am not affiliated with Brainwavz in any way and will stay objective as possible throughout this review. Huge thanks to Audrey at Brainwavz for sending these out to me, it’s quite a privilege. All photos were taken by me.
Specifications:
- 10mm Dual-Dynamic drivers (Passive Crossover)
- Impedance: 32 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 95dB
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
- Rated Input Power: 2mW
- Cable: OFC Copper, 1.3 meters/4.25 ft.
Packaging & Accessories: The R3’s have slightly unconventional packaging that presents the headphones and its cable through clear plastic windows on either side of the box. Inside you’ll find a plethora of tips (9 pairs in total) which include 6 pairs of single-flange silicone tips (3 pairs gray, 3 pairs black), a single pair of bi-flange and triple-flange tips, and a pair of Comply T500 tips. Also included is a ¼ inch adapter, a hard zip-case, and a 1-year warranty card (box says 2 years, don’t know which to believe). Brainwavz has been very generous with their accessories and deserve credit for being thoughtful with their ear tips.
Build & Design: Brainwavz has gone very out-of-the-box with the design of the R3. They’ve used a tubular housing for the drivers and a 90° angle nozzle that sticks straight out of the center. This means each driver faces each other within a divided enclosure and each band of frequencies meet inside the nozzle creating a uniform sound. Internal details aside, the aluminum housings feel extremely rugged throughout. However, cable quality is questionable. The 4-inch black portion of the cable is higher quality than the remaining grey section and is the only part that doesn’t suffer from kinks or memory. But since most of the cable does, it’s a wonder why Brainwavz didn’t just make the entire cable consistent (or thinner for that matter). But this is nitpicking because the R3’s seem very durable. The real problems come when wearing the R3’s.
Comfort & Fit: I have small ears, which means I also have problems with earphones, even the most comfortable. Brainwavz sought to remedy this dilemma for those like me but haven’t entirely succeeded. The R3’s are utilize an over-ear design but the housings are heavy and the nozzles are large. This causes them to fall out of place and need adjustment often. Strain reliefs are a bit stiff below the housings (fine on the Y-split & 3.5mm jack) and combined with their vertical position the cable very tricky to place behind the ear, as they were intended. But the worst part is the cable that is simply too thick and heavy for an IEM. The sheer weight and size of the cable can make it cumbersome and difficult to wear under clothing (also due to its rubbery texture). When worn with the right ear tips the R3’s are relatively comfortable but suffer from their awkward design and cable. With this in mind, the R3’s will suit some but definitely not others, so be cautious if your ears have given you trouble in the past.
Microphonics: For such a large cable, microphonics were not as bad as I expected. Cable noise is well controlled when worn over-ear but is fairly distracting cable-down. The included cinch does a good job of keeping cable noise down in either configuration too.
Isolation: There is a surprising level of noise attenuation when wearing the R3’s. They isolate very well outdoors and reduce environmental noise enough for non-distractive (but safe) listening. I consider this a strength of the R3’s overall.
----------Sound----------
Equipment & Background – For the sound portion of this review I will be using an Audinst HUD-MX1 amp/DAC combo as my primary “reference” source, a Topping NX-1 portable amplifier, and a Sansa Fuze as a portable source. All my impressions are done indoors with an over-ear headphone for added isolation resulting in almost silent listening with no audible distractions. My library consists of FLAC and high bit-rate MP3 files. The R3’s were also burned-in over 100hrs before review.
Bass: With a mid-forward sound signature the bass on the R3’s are not boosted or enhanced like many V-shaped sets on the market. Instead, lows are much mellower and have a pleasant musical warmth throughout. And while they don’t extend too far down there is enough sub-bass for an engaging listen. Bass is tight, controlled, and well-rounded and never once feels loose or bloated. However, it should be noted that the lows on the R3 are fairly soft in nature which means they won’t deliver the same visceral impact compared to sets with large mid-bass humps. That said, bass is always engaging and very punchy when required. Smoothness is another quality of the bass that becomes noticeable with fast, heavy music genres (those of which are not entirely suited for the R3). But those who prefer a mid-forward signature will appreciate the manner with which the R3’s handle bass notes. They are never distracting and don’t steal the attention of the listener; they provide enough energy to strike an excellent balance with the midrange and treble. Bass reproduction is one of the biggest strengths of the R3’s (in my opinion) due to their laid-back presence.
Mids: Moving upwards, the midrange holds a good few surprises. As mentioned before, the R3’s are mid forward overall. But this does not make them fatiguing or offensive to listen to as many other users have experienced with many other mid forward sets. Instead, the R3’s mids are not aggressive or rich, just forward enough to focus its sound on one particular part of the frequency spectrum. The primary advantage here are mids that are both clear and smooth. The balance between the two is obvious but the mids generally lean towards smoothness more than anything else. Vocalists demonstrate this best as they lack detail in parts of both the lower and upper-midrange; Both male and female vocalist suffer the effects of this coloration which was likely created by frequency dips in both regions. In terms of quality, the midrange is neither lifelike nor is it the most natural. Despite this there is no lack of finesse to the mids, just slightly lacking in accuracy. It will easily satisfy all but the extreme detail lover with its creamy, effortless nature but it won’t please anybody in sheer quality alone.
Treble: The last piece of the (frequency) puzzle lies in the R3’s treble. Highs are, yet again, very smooth but also more revealing and detailed than any frequencies below it. While not bright, there is an unexpected level of clarity up top considering the soft, genial character of the bass and midrange. Details come through with percussive instruments with natural timbre and good sparkle but without harshness. This lack of harshness prevents any sibilance from occurring even with the most aggressive vocalists and the worst recordings. Extension is considerably impressive as well, with frequencies extending up to 15kHz and gently rolling-off afterwards. And although consistency is lacking in areas, the treble is still up to par with more expensive earphones in its price range. For what it does best (i.e. bass) and what its focus is (i.e. mids), the top end of the R3’s are surprisingly good; They can suit the needs of almost any listener and any genre.
Presentation: The R3’s present their sound in a way that’s both engaging and involving. Soundstage is a little predictable for a mid-centric IEM as it has a tendency to place vocals and most of the midrange very close to the listener. This gives the effect of having music performed directly in front of you, but not in a way that it becomes tiring over time. The result is a soundstage with only average depth overall. Height is improved over depth but width is where the R3’s begin to open up. Wide spatial cues are thrown out far on either side of the head while still maintaining easy localization. The result is an intimate presentation that is more spacious than their sound signature would suggest. Bass is centered, vocals are intimate, treble is airy, and music is simply a joy to experience. Most will find their unique presentation and signature very pleasant no matter what genre of music preferred.
Ear Tips & Insertion Sensitivity: The R3’s can be a little picky with ear tips as their nozzle is a slightly larger than average. Even the included tips require a little force to fit onto the nozzle. But this doesn’t inhibit tip-rolling with the R3’s as they are quite flexible. Sound can be adjusted to have either a thicker, warmer sound or a more neutral one depending on the tip fitted: Single flanges will achieve the former while the included double-flanges will achieve the latter. And since insertion is neither shallow nor deep some tips will stay in place and others will not. As mentioned in the Comfort & Fit section, this will depend on your ears more than anything else.
Power, Sensitivity, and Source Performance: The R3’s are a very drivable earphone that respond well with most sources. Low output devices should have no trouble driving them although they may require a little more volume to acquire listenable levels. A more powerful source, such as a dedicated amplifier, will yield better results in terms of volume and quality.
Value: For $129 the Brainwavz R3 is a peculiar earphone that combines an unusual design with a consumer friendly sound. The R3 balances a mid-forward signature with a wide presentation but loses out in areas of detail and accuracy. But its main weakness is its design and fit. Their tubular housings are difficult to wear for long periods without adjustment and that’s if they’re comfortable to begin with. The cable’s large profile also causes issues as it prevents the R3’s from fitting inside a pant pocket, making them a little inconvenient to transport. Overall however, the R3 is still relatively good value if you can get past its flaws. And if you enjoy a smooth, musical sound you’ll be in for a pleasant surprise.
I hope this review will be useful to those who read through it. Please leave any suggestions or advice you may have in the comments below. Everyone’s input will help me improve my reviews and make it easier to adapt my reviews for as wide an audience as possible. Thanks for reading and happy listening!
Wokei
Nice review ..well done
Audiophile1811
Thanks @Wokei
Kamakahah
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Durable build quality. Clear and non-fatiguing. Good overall balance.
Cons: Thick, rubbery cable. Two-faced bass. Long-term comfort
Admittedly, I took far too long to post this review. I wanted to try a different approach that involved becoming accustomed to the signature followed by a period without them, and then a reintroduction. It's been about six weeks since I received the unit. I've done week long periods with and without them.
The reason for this decision was two fold:
1. It's the first dual dynamic IEM that I've given significant head time.
2. There were/are some awkward inconsistencies with the sound signature that I was/am hearing. It was my hope at the time to be able to narrow the the reasons behind them. More on this later.
After realizing that I had too many notes and they were harder for me to characterize than originally anticipated, I decided to write this review while listening to them after a short break and give my overall thoughts from this session. My previous notes will still be a factor in what I write, but hopefully this gives more clarity to my thoughts.
Again, I'd like to thank Brainwavz for the opportunity to review these. As others did, I received a review pair to keep similar to the S5. It's a nice gesture of confidence in the Head-Fi community.
In similar fashion, I'll avoid adding pictures and statistics that a quick Google search can provide.
All the usual qualifiers apply: IMO, YMMV, OMGWTFBBQ, ROFLCOPTER. This is just my experience. Yours might be different.
For those that don't like to wade through the paragraphs of information that most reviews provide, here is a succinct synopsis:
Bass: Can vary greatly. Overall lower-quantity with a softer impact. Occasionally comes out to play. See below for more details.
Mids: Pretty clear. Non-fatiguing. Present and slightly forward. Much less , "life has been sucked out" than the S5 but with slightly dry presentation. A touch of warmth. Quite enjoyable.
Treble: Nice lower treble energy. Non-fatiguing but hits of sibilance depending on the track. Smooth and laid back, maybe overly so for some.
Soundstage/Imaging: Good width, and back depth. Shallow forward depth. Can feel intimate as a result, but not cramped.
Separation/Clarity/Detail: Decent separation and good clarity if not a little thick sounding. Good detail in the mids. Lows are too fluffy for my taste. Highs lacking micro details from smoothing
Tips: Find whatever is comfortable. Didn't lead to a ton of variation as it normally does for me. Used the stock, clear tips.
Source/Amping: Some noticeable scaling, specifically with additional power to add a bit more life and energy to the sound. A clear source with good texture seems best, IMO.
Isolation: Slightly below average. Not great isolation, but doesn't leak.
Overall: Enjoyable. A stand out addition in a pack of "V's." Clunky build, but durable. A solid buy at $99. At $115+ you'll want to be sure it's what you're after.
Initial Impressions:
From my notes 6 weeks ago, I thought they sounded clear with a nice sense of balance. I found the bass to be soft and lacking texture. The mid range was enticing, forward, a little dry, but enjoyable.
Methodology:
I gave them 5 hours of listening the first day to become accustomed to the signature. They were then burned in for quite some time using set of burn-in tracks with mixed tracks, pink noise, and 5 minute breaks every hour on repeat.
They were burned in for over 300 hours in total throughout the process. I initially began my process after ~150 hours as per my usual. I continued to listen to other headphones/earphones.
Then, as mentioned above, I took week long breaks. I also spent full weeks only listening to the R3. My reasons for this will be further discussed in the following sections.
Listening was done casually at home and while out shopping. Detailed listening was done in a quiet office. A/B testing done as well with different gear and Fiio HS2 used occasionally for quick switching of sources or headphones.
I avoided reading any other reviews before writing this one to avoid bias.
Chains used:
1. PC USB/Optical>>>Audio GD NFB-15>>>R3
2. Fiio X3>>>(Topping NX1/C&C BH)>>>R3
3. Rockboxed Sansa Clip+>>>(Topping NX1/C&C BH)>>>R3
4. HTC One M8>>>R3
Tips used: Supplied tips, JVC spiral tips, Sony hybrids, Sennheiser double flange.
Test tracks: Many albums in my collection were listened to in full with a number of mixed in individual tracks, but here are a few specific tracks used.
Track formats included 256-320kbps mp3, FLAC, WAV files and a few youtube videos for variety.
- Jessica Lee Mayfield - Nervous Lonely Night : The first minute of this song can tell me a lot about a can. This will seem odd, but the pencil tapping at the start tells me a ton about timbre and a bit about depth. The generally forward vocals of the entire "Tell me" album help point out recessed mids quickly. The bass comes in strong with lots of quantity and impact to let me judge the low end presence and texture. I could go on. It's just a track that works for me.
- Queen - Killer Queen : One of my sibilance test tracks, though it's much more than that. It's another track that can really let you individually identify a spectrum of specific quality attributes or flaws.
- Paramore - Hallelujah : The recording/mastering, whatever, sounds just terrible on the deluxe mp3 version that I have. I use it to test how forgiving a can is.
- Pantera - Cowboys from Hell; Cemetery Gates; Floods : It's Pantera. No more explanation needed.
- Lisa Hannigan - Live from the Troubadour in W.Hollywood. : This is a special recording that I have from a live concert I attended. I'm frighteningly familiar with the venue/performance and how it should sound. I use this to judge soundstage, imaging, timbre and separation.
- Rage Against The Machine - People of the Sun : Bass.
- Metallica - (Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth / One/ etc - Lots of reasons
- Lana Del Rey - Lolita/National Anthem/Carmen : Lots of reasons but in general for her vocals that can sound like thick, warm syrup.
- Geographer - Kites : I like this for cohesion. Some cans make it sound disjointed or all jumbled up.
- Filipe Melo · Ana Cláudia // Spiegel im spiegel (Arvo Pärt) : It's beautiful. Noise test. Timbre. Naturalness.
- Girl Talk - Let it Out : It's fun.
- Dr. Chesky - The Ultimate Headphone Demonstration Disc - Soundstage, imaging, dynamics, etc.
- Many, more.
Build Quality & Acessories:
Oh Jetpack. It's awkward. The cable is a heavy, bouncy, rubbery monstrosity. Plenty of nice accessories included, solid 10/10 in my mind. The bulky shell may or may not affect your fit depending on ear shape.
Comfort/Fit:
Average comfort. The rubbery cable was very noticeable over the ear and raises up at times until pulled tighter with a shirt clip. Long-term comfort has been poor. After about an hour, I found that the area where the cable meets the body rubbed my ear the wrong way. Tips didn't seem to have too significant of an effect for comfort, though I did favor some more than others. In particular, I liked the stock clear tips that weren't quite as firm. I found that they tend to start slipping from my ears. I'm not sure if it's a result of the cable or something else. I tried to wear larger tips to offset the pull, but found that I couldn't handle the loss of comfort. Occasionally, I' would double check their positioning to make sure they are still in place. This was more of an issue when out and about than in the office.
Isolation/Leak:
Average to below average. Noisy locations will be noticeable. I found their isolation to be slightly less effective compared to the S5. Leak wasn't an issue.
Bass:
The moment I listened to the opening kick drum and first few bass string plucks in Jessica Lee Mayfield's - "Our Hearts Are Wrong", I knew that the bass and I were going to be at odds. That particular song is very bass heavy. The R3 does bring the quantity of bass in many tracks to manageable levels. This was one aspect that I appreciated for a number of bass heavy tracks; However, it was also the bane of bass light tracks.
As mentioned in the Cons, I found the bass to be two-faced or fractured. I tried my best to determine its cause, but wasn't able to pin it down in a way that I could explain in a clear fashion. In short, it seems certain frequencies are emphasized. It felt like there were peaks and valleys in the bass than had a very noticeable effect on impact and levels. It didn't seem like a clear line that is normally present where people can say, "Oh yeah, it has a mid bass hump and rolls off in the sub-bass which explains...blahblahblah." - Not the case here. Some songs had the low impact that they normally show, while it was next to non-existent in my other test tracks. I wish I could articulate it better. That said, there is a significant roll off in the sub-bass at about the 50 Hz mark. Below 30 is pretty much a black hole.
In this moment, as I listen to a number of tracks I find the duality. Some show nice, low impact. Others that should have the same feel like the kick drum or bass is hidden behind a glass panel or being hit by a pillow rather than a mallet.
One final beef was with the lack of texture. I found it really was missing that detail that comes with a more articulate bass. The overall tone felt smoothed over and pillowy.
Mids:
A nice forward presentation in the mids. It balances well still with the rest of the spectrum. A much desired addition following the soulless mids of the S5. As mentioned in the brief summary above, I find them slightly dry with a touch of warmth. It's a neutralish presentation of the mid range that in some ways reminds me of a less refined HE-560. One of my favorite signatures centers around the mids, so this was a nice change of pace from my generally bass oriented collection that includes the JVC FX-850, among others.
Treble:
Queen's song "Killer Queen" will pretty much violate my ears if a headphone/earphone is even a little hot, sibilant, etc. These do a pretty good job. Overall non-fatiguing but will undoubtedly be too lack-back for the treble lovers. Smooth, but still with a decent energy, particularly in the lower treble region. Not a whole lot of the sparkle. Hints of sibilance on already sibilant tracks, but that's normal.
Separation/Clarity/Detail:
I would say that it is a notch above average in this category. Decent separation and clarity. A bit thicker sounding than the S5 that suffered from a thin/recessed mid range that killed baby seals. Enough detail to satisfy. Without a doubt some loss of detail and clarity in the bass with roll off and fluffy presentation that lacks in texture and articulation.
Soundstage/Imaging:
The soundstage felt slightly more intimate than I've been used to but not in a cramped way. The positioning feels a intimate. This can be good and maybe a little bad for some live recordings. I'll explain way as it has to do with the way that I perceived the soundstage. The best way I can think to describe the shape is an taking a basketball and half way deflating just one hemisphere. The width sound above average, the behind depth the same. The forward depth, or the space in front of me seems as though its distance has been cut in half when compared to behind.
Source/Amping/Tips:
The R3 did seem to scale a bit. More important, for me, was the added power that seems to add a bit more life to the overall sound. :
- Audio-GD NFB-15
- Fiio X3 + Topping NX1 (Low gain, high was noisy and gave no play with the volume)
- Fiio X3 + C&C BH (Line 2, switches off, gain 'High').
- Rockboxed Sansa Clip+ (Forgot to experiment with attaching amps)
I didn't find a lot of difference when tip rolling. Insertion depth didn't change the sound enough so I ended up liking the stock, clear tips. They are comfortable and didn't negatively affect the sound. I thought a narrow bore might help the bass, but the effect was minor and inconsistent so I reverted.
Final Thoughts:
I want to say that I enjoy this earphone. It's far from perfect, but it has qualities that are becoming harder to find in a V-shaped market. The mid-centric presentation is a welcome addition to my collection. The bass can be a bit of a letdown on some tracks, but it can also be a boon in taming overly bass heavy tracks into submission. It can help you see your much listened to tracks in a new light. It suffers from some inevitable design issues, but overall a durable and enjoyable earphone. As I look at the $115 asking price on Amazon right now I asked myself the question, "Is it worth that price tag?" To some, yes. I think it would fit nicely into the $99 category, but what's $15 anyway?
thatBeatsguy
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Smooth, balanced sound. Brainwavz' signature unique look. Brainwavz' signature build.
Cons: Weird looks might deter some. Cable is pretty hefty and cumbersome.
Intro
TL;DR: Don't let its rather brutish looks fool you; the Brainwavz R3 is a smooth, gentle IEM that works especially well with acoustic genres, slow rock, and jazz.
Before I begin, I would like to thank Audrey at Brainwavz for providing the sample of the Brainwavz R3 in exchange for my honest opinion. Please note that I am neither affiliated with Brainwavz or any of its employees, nor am I being compensated for writing this review. All opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own unless otherwise specified, and all pictures are taken and owned by my sister. YMMV.
Well, it’s been a few weeks since my review of the S5s, and from that first impression of one of their IEMs, they’ve earned their place in my ‘Companies to Watch’ list. Though a lot of their IEMs, to my knowledge, lean towards a more consumer-friendly sound, they are no doubt of audiophile quality. Today, I’m going to be reviewing another of their high-end IEMs, and probably one of the most peculiar-looking IEMs I’ve ever seen, the dual-dynamic Brainwavz R3 Rev.2 (I’ll get to this later).
Anyhow, let’s get on to the IEMs. Shall we?
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.
[size=x-large]== Aesthetics ==[/size]
Packaging, Accessories
At first glance of the packaging, it’s clear that Brainwavz is proud of their design of the R3, as the box features a clear window from the front all the way through to the back of the box, with the R3’s housings suspended in a clear plastic mold, showcased proudly and rather enthusiastically, like a brand-new breakthrough in design or something along those lines. On the front you also see BRAINWAVZ R3 written with a tagline and a few of its main features. On the left side, you’ll see its specifications, and on the right are its accessories, and on the back is a cross-section diagram of the R3s’ housing along with a description of sorts.
Upon opening the package, you’ll find Brainwavz’ semi-hard case hidden from the light of day, housing the rest of the R3s and all of its accessories. I’m still pretty impressed with the plethora of eartips included in the package, which consists of six pairs of single-flange tips (one set in grey, the other in black, in S/M/L), one pair of double-flanged tips, one pair of triple-flanged tips, and a pair of Comply T500 foam eartips. So there you have it - nine pairs of eartips, all at your disposal along with the Brainwavz R3 and S5. Still pretty damn impressive. But that’s not all - you also get a nifty 1/4-inch adapter. In the previous version, there used to be an airline adapter supposedly - but in my case, I don’t think I would need it anyway, so that can be ignored. Frequent flyers, though, might have to buy their own airline adapter off a local Best Buy or some other electronics store.
Design, Build, Microphonics
You remember what I said about Brainwavz’ package being showcased like a design breakthrough? Well, I have got to hand it to Brainwavz, they have made one awesome breakthrough in design right here, and it’s sure to make anyone -- consumer or audiophile -- wonder how they manage to get these in their ears. (Not that it’s a bad thing, though -- they actually fit quite easily.)
Though the concept of dual dynamic drivers isn’t new (lately there have been a lot of popular options to choose from), how they’re implemented intrigued me.The two 10mm drivers are set up in a two-way configuration – one used for bass, the other for the rest of the audio spectrum. Again, this is not unusual, but then we move on to their placement. The two drivers are placed apart from and facing each other, pouring the sound into a ‘Sonic Chamber’ before it reaches your ears through a particularly long tube. At least, that’s what the diagram seems to tell me. It’s probably not as simple as it sounds, seeing as another dual dynamic IEM, the Audio-Technica ATH-CKR9 (and its older variant, the CKR10) shares a similarly-positioned pair of drivers…except for the fact that the CKRs’ drivers go for a ‘Push-Pull’ design in which one driver pushes the sound while the other pulls the sound to supposedly reduce distortion and improve sound quality (or something like that). Coming back to the R3s, it seems both drivers simply push sound into the sound chamber where the sound mixes to bring out the final product.
Moving on, we have the cable, which apparently consists of three sections: the main grey cable from the connector to the Y-split, a thinner grey cable from the Y-split to split (rather, splice), which transitions into a length of memory cable making the final stretch to the housings. This memory wire used to be a lot longer in the first version, but has been removed in the revision for better ergonomics and an easier fit.
Again, the team over at Brainwavz has impressed me with the excellent build quality of the R3s. From the solid machined aluminum housings to the strong extremely heavy-duty Y-split (see above), it’s clear Brainwavz made no compromises to the build quality of the R3 just as they did with the S5. The only gripe I have with the build is the cable. No, it’s not because of durability -- in fact, it’s probably one of the most solid cables I’ve had in my possession yet. My gripe with the cable is because it’s solid. It’s very thick -- reminding me of the cable on my old Beats Pro. Its thickness in turn makes them very difficult to manage. When they arrived, they were bound pretty tightly together by a wire, and when I undid the wire, I was greeted with an eyesore of a cable with folds and creases on every inch. Even as I write this, I’m still trying to straighten it out. Cable noise isn’t much different. Even with the over-ear design dulling it down, cable noise is still a bit of an issue due to the serious weight of the cable.
Fit, Comfort, Isolation
Now, I’m sure you’re still wondering if the bottle-like housings with a tube on the side would actually fit your ears. Well, I’m happy to report that it actually does. It did take a few minutes of fiddling at first, but it only takes a few tries to get accustomed to it. They’re pretty comfortable once they’re in your ears, though at times the housing does touch -- more like press on -- part of my ear when I don’t get them in right, which again is a nuisance, but it’s mostly just on me. Due to the housings being little more than a bottle with a tube sticking out of the side which goes into your ear, isolation leans toward average, but is nonetheless good enough for a walk in the park or at home. Don’t expect it to drown out much in a bus or the subway, though.
Also, something of note: the Brainwavz R3 can be worn straight-down; however the cable causes too much microphonics to be tolerable. That, and the R3 is considerably heavy with its thick cable and solid aluminum housings. I don’t know if you guys will like it -- maybe you will, maybe you won’t, but I most definitely will not wear these straight-down.
I hope I didn’t bore you yet with my explanations, because we’re just about to get to the sound. Bored yet? No? Great, now let’s move on.
[size=x-large]== Sound ==[/size]
Specs
Headphone Type
Closed back, vented in-ear monitor (straight down, around-the-ear)
Driver Type
10 mm dynamic x2
Frequency Response
16 Hz – 22 kHz
Rated Input Power
30 mW
Sensitivity
110 dB @ 1 mW
Impedance
32 Ω
Weight
N/A
Cable
1.3 m (4.2’) Copper Y-Cord
Connector
3.5 mm (1/8”) gold-plated 45-degree TRS
Accessories
Hard carrying case 3 pairs single-flange silicone eartips (grey, S/M/L)
3 pairs single-flange silicone eartips (black, S/M/L)
1 pair double-flange silicone eartips
1 pair triple-flange silicone eartips
1 pair Comply™ T-500 foam eartips
6.3 mm (1/4”) adapter
Equipment, Burn-in
The equipment used for this review consists of my iPod Touch, an iPad 3, and my PC through headphone-out as the sources, all running without an amp. The amp used in the test is a Yamaha RX-V359 through headphone-out. As for the EQ software being used, I use Viper4Windows on the PC and the default system EQ on the other sources. As always, my test tracks are available here, although I will link specific songs in the assessment for a more direct point of reference.
As per review “tradition,” the Brainwavz R3s have been burned in for at least 100 hours prior to the review, with occasional listening sessions in between for an average of an hour. So far, throughout the 100 hours of burn-in, there haven’t been any noticeable changes in sound. Also, the eartips I used are the L-sized grey single flanges throughout the review. So, without further ado, let’s get on to the sound!
Sound Quality
Bass:
Okay, let’s start off with the bass. As an IEM designed for the audiophile crowd, don’t expect the R3 to have elevated bass, because it doesn’t have that. However, what it does have is a smooth, swift low-end that is clearly made for its target audience. Its accurate, slightly warm tone reproduces low tones without overdoing anything. It also has a strong enough punch to satisfy most listeners who aren’t craving bass. In short, it’s a very addicting listen that works amazingly with cool, laid-back songs (Daft Punk –The Game of Love, Something About Us).
Midrange:
The Brainwavz R3’s midrange is sweet and rich – basically, it sounds great. It has a great amount of clarity with a slight warmth to it. It reproduces the midrange very well, and despite its mid-centric signature (more on this later), isn’t as forward as I expected. One of my favourite characteristics about it, though, is how they manage to blend really well with the bass (Coldplay –Sparks) – making a very cohesive and united sound signature.
Treble:
Brainwavz purposely tuned the R3 to have a smooth, laid-back treble, topping off the sound signature like the smooth foam on a latte (more on this analogy later). This laid-back signature gives the R3 a very relaxing signature that you can simply listen to for hours, which is a huge plus in my book. (Note: Technical mode ON) Though most laid-back treble usually sounds veiled and lacking detail, Brainwavz managed to counter that by tuning in a treble spike around 10 kHz. This allows the R3 to still retain great detail retrieval even with its laid-back treble (technical mode OFF).
Soundstage/Presentation:
Apparently Brainwavz’ “Sound Chamber” technology actually does affect the R3’s sound signature – specifically, its soundstage. It’s very wide, airy, and expansive, which you usually don’t get to hear very often in an earphone, so that’s a huge plus. Live, acoustic, and classical recordings really come to life on the Brainwavz R3. However, I did notice instruments were projected (or “sound like” in layman’s terms) onto a narrow arc in front of you, instead of all around you. It’s a little quirk there that might not be as appealing to the more finicky listeners, but it’s not too much of a big deal.
Genre Proficiency:
The Brainwavz R3, as I’ve said earlier, works amazingly well with cool, laid-back genres, synergising well with its laid-back sound. Stuff like Coldplay, Daft Punk’s slower works, classical, anything that’s slow or has a relaxing vibe – the Brainwavz R3 performs spectacularly. However, it’s hardly finicky with genres and will play anything you throw at it very well.
Summary:
The Brainwavz R3’s sound is something I could liken to a nice latte – smooth, rich, creamy, sweet, and with just the right kick from the coffee. I’m sure from this, you can put two and two together, so there’s not much to say other than it’s great if the R3’s sound is what you’re looking for. Bassheads will have to look elsewhere, because the R3 is definitely an audiophile IEM.
Other Media
Games:
The R3 isn’t bad with games. Sure, its detail retrieval is great for getting an edge over the competition, but its rather congested presentation takes a hit to their imaging capabilities. All in all, they’re not something I’d use for competitive gaming.
Movies:
The R3’s smooth, balanced signature allows it to play along with pretty much any type of movie, from epic action scenes to heart-wrenching drama moments. I find they perform better with quieter movies, just as they do well with laid-back music.
EQ Response, Amplification
The R3, in my opinion, doesn’t really respond well to EQ (rather, basic EQ presets), though with a more advanced EQ like Electri-Q or Viper4Windows, you can EQ them to be completely flat, which, surprisingly, is very easy to do. But once I did that, man, oh man. The results were amazing. Probably the only downside to this is having to go through rather extensive tweaking and listening to get the sound just right, but otherwise they’re perfectly fine. At an impedance rating of about 32 ohms, they do need a bit more power to drive than, say, the S5 IEMs. At lower volumes, their midrange sounds rather muffled, and both ends of the spectrum also lose some detail. With extra power, though, the midrange comes forward, and with enough power, the bass suddenly begins to sound pretty damn impressive. You can really feel the sub-bass notes come alive and make the entire signature come together to no short of amazing. I don’t have a dedicated headphone amp as of yet, but now I begin to realize just how much I need one.
With a 32 ohm load, the R3s are in the sweet spot for IEM impedance in my opinion. Really low impedance models like the FIDUE A83 or Shure SE846 can cause all kinds of issues with some devices whereas a 32 ohm load is really comfortable for cheap and expensive players alike so the R3s should play really nicely with your phone, budget MP3 player, or audiophile DAP / stack. I've tried the R3s with the Colorfly C4, Fiio X5, E12DIY portable amp, and even the Bottlehead Mainline desktop headphone amplifier and the R3s always sound great. They're easy to drive, but not too easy so they don't show up noise from basic devices while still having the sensitivity to make the most of highly detailed audiophile sources.
Sound Bass I really like the bass from the R3s. It's smooth and full, but not enhanced - just naturally present. The bass sits in perfect alignment with the rest of the frequencies from the R3 and allows for a cohesive and realistic listening experience. Being a dynamic driver IEM, the bass is full and rich with a slightly slower feel than a balanced armature (BA) unit, but there is no mistaking the R3's bass for being slow in general terms. No, the R3 strikes the perfect balance of fullness and speed. Bass notes are crisply delivered on time and on target while leaving room for everything else in the spectrum to shine equally. Although not finely textured like the quickest of BA units, the bass is clean and detailed making faster basslines and deep percussion highly enjoyable. Listening to Muse's Absolution via the Colorfly C4, the bass and kick drums were deep and tight. Moving to Ozomatli's Embrace the Chaos album, the deepest rumble of the bass drum on "Pa Lante" was missing, but it takes an exceptional earphone / headphone to really get that right. The R3s certainly came close, but just didn't have that list tiny bit of power down at the lowest of frequencies. I'd much prefer that though to an excess of bass that can cloud the rest of the spectrum and disrupt the entire musical experience.
Mid-range Thanks to the present, but controlled bass, the R3's mids are able to shine through and take centre stage. I wouldn't call the R3s a mid-centric earphone so much as a neutral earphone. You could perhaps argue that the mids on the R3 are slightly laid back, but they're certainly well-balanced with the bass and treble even if they're just a hair behind. It's certainly not enough to make the mids sound distant or veiled and I really like the overall presentation a lot - it's very easy to listen to without sacrificing detail or articulation in any way. Guitars and similar instruments sound crisp and clean and both male and female vocals have an excellent sense of texture and clarity while still keeping an easy smoothness.
Treble The treble from the R3s is really interesting in that, up to this point in the review, I haven't really thought about the treble. I would say that's a good sign of perfectly balanced treble that's neither drawing attention to itself nor lacking in energy and leaving the presentation dark and muddy. The treble is lively enough to provide raspiness and air to vocals, percussive sounds and incidental textures like fingers on a fretboard, but it's not over-enhanced. There is zero fatigue from the R3, but there is also zero lost clarity - that's an extremely impressive feat.
Listening to "Calling Elvis" by Dire Straits I can clearly hear the raspiness of Mark Knopfler's voice and the snare, high hat and cymbals have good energy and clarity so that I can feel them and notice them in the mix, but I've not once in all the time I've spent with the R3s felt like there was too much or too little treble. I'd actually go so far as suggesting that this is one of the best treble balances I've heard from an IEM in quite some time. I'll discuss some comparisons shortly to demonstrate this in further detail.
Similar to the bass detail and speed, treble speed and resolution may be a tiny bit behind the sharpest of BA IEMs, but the R3s are no slouch. Not only do they not leave me wanting more from the treble, they actually leave me thoroughly enjoying the treble because it's fully detailed and energetic, but remains smooth enough to be enjoyable and actually worth exploring. I find sharper, faster treble renditions sometimes lead me to almost tuning out treble detail so as not to fatigue my ears, but the R3s let me focus on the individual textures of a cymbal or snare without feeling on edge as I do it.
Staging and Imaging The stage from the R3s isn't exceptional, but for a $139 it's very good. It feels spacious despite being modest in size and it is evenly proportioned in each direction with good depth and width. Imaging is very similar - it's not exceptional, but it's definitely commendable. Instruments are well separated and clearly defined in their own virtual space. Thanks to the well-balanced presentation of each section of the frequency range from the R3s, the finished product is a well represented auditory image with good clarity and separation.
Selected Comparisons FIDUE A83 At the time of writing this there's quite a bit of hype around the A83 (triple hybrid IEM) on Head-Fi and deservedly so, but given its $300+ price tag and slightly troublesome fit I was keen to compare it with the R3.
On direct comparison, the A83's balanced armatures revealed extra details and texture in the mix that the R3 couldn't show me, but that came at the cost of a drier tone and a less natural overall sound with the A83's treble sounding slightly forward and forced compared to the R3's outstanding balance. The staging and imaging is also better on the A83 as you'd expect with the greater availability of subtle details and auditory cues, but does that make the A83 a hands-down better earphone? I don't think so. If I were looking to hear every nuance then I'd reach for the A83 every time, but if I wanted to simply play and enjoy my music I'd probably reach for the R3s on each occasion due to their more natural treble presentation and more natural overall sound. Technically, the A83 is a better earphone, but practically the R3 might be better for some people.
Brainwavz S5 As much as I like the S5s for what they are, they just don't compare with their slightly more expensive siblings - or at least not for my tastes. Yes, the S5 offers an excellent bass punch that the R3s can't match and for some genres that's an instant trump card, but the R3's balance won me over permanently and left the S5s sounding peaky and occasionally unnatural to my ears. For wide-ranging musical tastes or those who listen to rock, blues or jazz I would recommend the R3 every time over the S5 despite it's funkier fit and higher price.
HiFiMan RE272 Unfortunately I sold my RE272s shortly prior to the R3s arriving, but at around half the price of the RE272's when they were new (if memory serves), the R3 is an excellent replacement. There's no doubt that the RE272 offered superior transparency and separation over the R3, but the R3 is a smoother listen and has much better bass presence than the RE272 so it's a fair trade in my mind. To be honest, if I had the 2 sitting side-by-side I would probably reach for the R3 on almost every occasion because of it's smoother presentation and fuller bass note.
Summary The R3 is an outstanding earphone for the $139 price tag. I would definitely recommend trying a pair before you buy them if you tend to have fit issues like me, but when worn cable-down the R3s are easy to fit so that might solve any concerns if you're happy to wear them cable-down.
I haven't heard a lot of budget IEMs and there are some awesome options out there, but of those I have tried, the R3s are among the most enjoyable of the lot and definitely might be the most neutrally voiced of the lot. If you're looking to spend <$150 on a pair of IEMs and you want an IEM that can handle wide-ranging genres while providing a smooth and natural presentation then the R3s are a must try!
DannyBai
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Even keeled sound, nice build, excellent bundle of accessories
Cons: Thick cable and large Y-split if it really is a con.
I was provide a review sample and would like to thank Salsera and Brainwavz/MP4Nation.
The R3 V.2 is a dual dynamic barrel shaped iem from Brainwavz. Probably the oddest looking earphone on the market but surprisingly, I had no problem with fit. The shape actually works well with the looping over ear design and the earphones stay in place without much issue. The housings look and feel of aluminum and are light in weight. They are actually very comfortable while in use. Cables are rather thick especially from Y-split down to the 3.5mm jack. From the Y-split up to the housings have been redesigned and are much better than the original version. Cables seem to stay in place quite well around the ears and the thickness wasn’t much of a bother for me. The 3.5mm jack has a nice 45 degree angle in which I have come to appreciate in design. Only gripe although minor is the overall thickness of the cable and bigger than average Y-split.
Moving on to the sound, these have a nice balanced signature. Bass doesn’t hit with great impact, won’t reach to the lowest of the lows or hit you with forceful mid-bass punch. Bass has good presence but isn’t the tightest and sounds a bit soft from what I’m use to. The S5 from Brainwavz reaches lower, has bigger impact and makes a much greater presence in the music. For those who find the S5 to have too much bass, the R3 might be more appealing. Overall, I find the bass to fit with the signature these earphones are going for. These earphones have a wide and deep soundstage, some of the biggest I’ve heard. This can be good or bad on the vocals, depending on preference. The staging distances the vocals several rows back so it isn’t up front. I find them a little recessed and I mean little because they can be clearly heard and is not hidden from the rest of the music. I honestly couldn’t nitpick if male or female vocals sounded better since both sounded just fine for me. But, vocal trance sounded quite nice. Treble is very relaxed and there isn’t even a hint of fatigue, sibilance or the dreaded “sss” in the vocal region. Treble is smooth and possibly could use a little more for added sparkle. Somewhere between the R3 and S5 would be lovely. The smooth and non-fatiguing treble still clearly presents the details in the music. Instrument placement can be best pictured as if the listener is sitting in a large theatre compared to say a small intimate club. This is more of a surround sound listening experience.
In conclusion, I find the R3 V2 to be an even keeled sounding earphone that really doesn’t have much fault. Nothing to really complain about, even with the thick cable and all. I’m not too much of a nitpicker but I would think most would find this earphone to sound just fine. No huge bass to complain about or peaky treble or too recessed vocals. Fit’s fine if people can ignore the odd design and give it a try.
kova4a
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: solid build quality; balanced smooth and natural sound; 2-year warranty
Cons: rubbery cable prone to memory kinks; fit can be an issue for some people
First off, I have to thank again Brainwavz and Audrey for this R3 unit
Packaging and Accessories
The packaging is quite straightforward. There are plastic windows both at the front and the back of the box showcasing the shiny metal housings of the R3. Below the front window is embossed Brainwavz R3 and a very basic description – Twin Driver Configuration, Bass & Clarity and Rugged Metal Housing Design. Can’t disagree with that but maybe Smooth & Balanced would have been a bit more accurate description but more on that later.
On the back of the box there is a bit more detailed description of the R3 and its design.
On the sides of the package are listed its contents and R3’s specs.
It’s a fairly nice presentation overall.
Inside the box reside the R3 and the Brainwavz case. I’ve mentioned multiple times that this is my favorite iem case. It’s quite tough and specious and can easily fit a pair of iems and a small DAP like a Sansa. Inside one of the red pockets there is a nice quarter inch adapter and small gray bag with the included tips. There are 2 different types of single flange tips. Black ones made of a touch thicker silicone and gray ones, which are softer and have a slightly wider bore. The single flange silicone tips come in 3 sizes. There is also a pair of bi-flange and a pair of tri-flange tips, which come in only one size. As usual with Brainwavz a pair of comply foam tips packaged separately is included to complete the package.
Build Quality, Design and Fit
The R3 is a quite solid iem with robust metal housings and a thick rugged cable. The cable is a bit memory prone and rubbery though and while I don’t mind its thickness or weight I would have preferred if it had smoother sleeving and was more pliable and easier to keep straight.
The strain reliefs are substantial and again some people might call the Y-splitter over-engineered but it’s fine by me.
The j-plug is also on the bulky side but I’m a huge fan of j-plugs and it looks capable of withstanding quite a bit of abuse, so I can’t complain. If anything it completes the overall tough looks of the R3.
Design-wise it only takes a quick glance at the R3 to realize that it’s not your average iem. Its design is quite unique and I have to admit that when the R3 was first announced I wasn’t impressed and right away commented that people will have issue with the fit with such a design. It’s eye catching though and people often stare at the housing more than a couple of seconds.
Surprisingly despite my initial reservations and worries about the fit it turned out fine. I haven’t tried the old R3 version with the long memory-wires but this revised one actually fits me quite well. The fit is secure and isolation is good. It did take me quite a bit of tip rolling but finally settled on the stock bi-flanges both for the comfort and the sound.
The R3 can also be worn straight but the fit will be less secure due to the weight of the cable pulling the housings down.
There is a very mild driver flex with certain tips particularly on the left earpiece. Microphonics are very low when worn cable up.
Sound
The R3 has over 100 hours of burn-in at the time of writing this review.
For a dual dynamic driver iem that has a separate driver to reproduce the low frequencies the R3 quite surprised me. Its bass is quite flat and balanced. It is well-rounded with good control but is a bit on the polite side – softer on the impact and lacking some depth. The lower extension is not bad but after 50hz the bass gradually rolls off. Overall I like R3’s bass although I would have liked if it was a bit tighter and harder hitting but given the overall smooth and non-fatiguing presentation of the R3 it fits well with the rest of the spectrum. In comparison the Brainwavz S5 has a lot bigger but also less controlled and muddier bass bleeding into the mids.
The mids are well balanced with the bass and also relatively flat. Both male and female vocals have very nice presence and sweet tone. The R3 actually sounds a bit mid-centric but I don’t mind that as this type of signature is harder and harder to find. The tonality is slightly on the warm side but still what I would call neutral-ish. Instruments have nice timbre and despite the slightly thick note presentation sound natural and realistic. Detail retrieval is actually pretty good but clarity is a bit behind in comparison to some of the competition. In comparison brainwavz’s own S5 is noticeably clearer due to its thinner note presentation and treble emphasis but is also a lot less natural sounding and more fatiguing. The R3 instead is smoother lusher sounding.
The highs are a bit laid back but very well extended and smooth. The lower treble has enough energy to keeps things exciting without getting harsh or fatiguing. There is plenty of shimmer but I wouldn’t have minded a bit more sparkle. The treble is not prone to pointing out sibilance. In comparison the S5 with its more emphasized and peaky highs is noticeably harsher and more artificial sounding.
The R3 is full and airy sounding. Imaging is very good with both width and depth above average. Positioning is quite good. Instrument separation is very good with plenty of space between the instruments. Overall, the R3 sounds pretty spacious, especially for a mid-centric iem, which usually tend to be more on the intimate side.
Summary
R3 and its little brother R1
Brainwavz R3 has quite the surprising sound for a dual dynamic driver iem. Owning the Brainwavz R1 I expected a lot different sound but it’s heads and shoulders above its smaller dual dynamic brother R1. I’m not going to lie, I would also pick it over the Brainwavz’s other higher-end iem the S5 any day of the week. While the S5 will most likely impress a lot more people at first listen with its big bass and clarity, the R3 with its more balanced, smoother and mature sound is the iem that really impresses.
The R3 is a very solid performer sound-wise with a very solid build quality to boot. If it wasn’t for Audrey I probably would have given it a pass worried about the fit and all the people complaining about it. Maybe the memory wires on the old version were really horrible – I can’t comment on that but they are gone now and what is left is an iem that deserves to be given a second chance.
twister6
twister6 Reviews
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: build quality, included accessories, great sound separation
Cons: cable, would prefer memory wire back, fitment
Since I was among the early adopters of this updated 2.0 version of R3, I already posted a detailed review with pictures in the original R3 review thread. Therefore, I'm just going to provide a link to my R3 v2.0 review: http://www.head-fi.org/products/brainwavz-r3-dual-dynamic-driver-earphones/reviews/11456
Audiophile1811
500+ Head-Fier
Introduction – As the top-of-the-line earphone of the young company Brainwavz, the R3 has a quite a lot on its shoulders. Utilizing a relatively new dual-dynamic driver configuration, uncommon with most headphones on the market, Brainwavz has chosen this design for its very best headphone. Bold as it is, this design has been successful in many budget-based sets such as the Havi B3 Pro-1 and TTPOD’s T1 series. The R3’s, then, promise a lot considering they cost twice and even three times as much as the aforementioned earphones. So do they deliver for the price? The answer is yes… and no. But this is best explained throughout my review so if you’re interested, simply read on and find out why.
Disclaimer – This is a free review unit delivered to me for the purpose of this review. I am not affiliated with Brainwavz in any way and will stay objective as possible throughout this review. Huge thanks to Audrey at Brainwavz for sending these out to me, it’s quite a privilege. All photos were taken by me.
Specifications:
- 10mm Dual-Dynamic drivers (Passive Crossover)
- Impedance: 32 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 95dB
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
- Rated Input Power: 2mW
- Cable: OFC Copper, 1.3 meters/4.25 ft.
Packaging & Accessories: The R3’s have slightly unconventional packaging that presents the headphones and its cable through clear plastic windows on either side of the box. Inside you’ll find a plethora of tips (9 pairs in total) which include 6 pairs of single-flange silicone tips (3 pairs gray, 3 pairs black), a single pair of bi-flange and triple-flange tips, and a pair of Comply T500 tips. Also included is a ¼ inch adapter, a hard zip-case, and a 1-year warranty card (box says 2 years, don’t know which to believe). Brainwavz has been very generous with their accessories and deserve credit for being thoughtful with their ear tips.
Build & Design: Brainwavz has gone very out-of-the-box with the design of the R3. They’ve used a tubular housing for the drivers and a 90° angle nozzle that sticks straight out of the center. This means each driver faces each other within a divided enclosure and each band of frequencies meet inside the nozzle creating a uniform sound. Internal details aside, the aluminum housings feel extremely rugged throughout. However, cable quality is questionable. The 4-inch black portion of the cable is higher quality than the remaining grey section and is the only part that doesn’t suffer from kinks or memory. But since most of the cable does, it’s a wonder why Brainwavz didn’t just make the entire cable consistent (or thinner for that matter). But this is nitpicking because the R3’s seem very durable. The real problems come when wearing the R3’s.
Comfort & Fit: I have small ears, which means I also have problems with earphones, even the most comfortable. Brainwavz sought to remedy this dilemma for those like me but haven’t entirely succeeded. The R3’s are utilize an over-ear design but the housings are heavy and the nozzles are large. This causes them to fall out of place and need adjustment often. Strain reliefs are a bit stiff below the housings (fine on the Y-split & 3.5mm jack) and combined with their vertical position the cable very tricky to place behind the ear, as they were intended. But the worst part is the cable that is simply too thick and heavy for an IEM. The sheer weight and size of the cable can make it cumbersome and difficult to wear under clothing (also due to its rubbery texture). When worn with the right ear tips the R3’s are relatively comfortable but suffer from their awkward design and cable. With this in mind, the R3’s will suit some but definitely not others, so be cautious if your ears have given you trouble in the past.
Microphonics: For such a large cable, microphonics were not as bad as I expected. Cable noise is well controlled when worn over-ear but is fairly distracting cable-down. The included cinch does a good job of keeping cable noise down in either configuration too.
Isolation: There is a surprising level of noise attenuation when wearing the R3’s. They isolate very well outdoors and reduce environmental noise enough for non-distractive (but safe) listening. I consider this a strength of the R3’s overall.
----------Sound----------
Equipment & Background – For the sound portion of this review I will be using an Audinst HUD-MX1 amp/DAC combo as my primary “reference” source, a Topping NX-1 portable amplifier, and a Sansa Fuze as a portable source. All my impressions are done indoors with an over-ear headphone for added isolation resulting in almost silent listening with no audible distractions. My library consists of FLAC and high bit-rate MP3 files. The R3’s were also burned-in over 100hrs before review.
Bass: With a mid-forward sound signature the bass on the R3’s are not boosted or enhanced like many V-shaped sets on the market. Instead, lows are much mellower and have a pleasant musical warmth throughout. And while they don’t extend too far down there is enough sub-bass for an engaging listen. Bass is tight, controlled, and well-rounded and never once feels loose or bloated. However, it should be noted that the lows on the R3 are fairly soft in nature which means they won’t deliver the same visceral impact compared to sets with large mid-bass humps. That said, bass is always engaging and very punchy when required. Smoothness is another quality of the bass that becomes noticeable with fast, heavy music genres (those of which are not entirely suited for the R3). But those who prefer a mid-forward signature will appreciate the manner with which the R3’s handle bass notes. They are never distracting and don’t steal the attention of the listener; they provide enough energy to strike an excellent balance with the midrange and treble. Bass reproduction is one of the biggest strengths of the R3’s (in my opinion) due to their laid-back presence.
Mids: Moving upwards, the midrange holds a good few surprises. As mentioned before, the R3’s are mid forward overall. But this does not make them fatiguing or offensive to listen to as many other users have experienced with many other mid forward sets. Instead, the R3’s mids are not aggressive or rich, just forward enough to focus its sound on one particular part of the frequency spectrum. The primary advantage here are mids that are both clear and smooth. The balance between the two is obvious but the mids generally lean towards smoothness more than anything else. Vocalists demonstrate this best as they lack detail in parts of both the lower and upper-midrange; Both male and female vocalist suffer the effects of this coloration which was likely created by frequency dips in both regions. In terms of quality, the midrange is neither lifelike nor is it the most natural. Despite this there is no lack of finesse to the mids, just slightly lacking in accuracy. It will easily satisfy all but the extreme detail lover with its creamy, effortless nature but it won’t please anybody in sheer quality alone.
Treble: The last piece of the (frequency) puzzle lies in the R3’s treble. Highs are, yet again, very smooth but also more revealing and detailed than any frequencies below it. While not bright, there is an unexpected level of clarity up top considering the soft, genial character of the bass and midrange. Details come through with percussive instruments with natural timbre and good sparkle but without harshness. This lack of harshness prevents any sibilance from occurring even with the most aggressive vocalists and the worst recordings. Extension is considerably impressive as well, with frequencies extending up to 15kHz and gently rolling-off afterwards. And although consistency is lacking in areas, the treble is still up to par with more expensive earphones in its price range. For what it does best (i.e. bass) and what its focus is (i.e. mids), the top end of the R3’s are surprisingly good; They can suit the needs of almost any listener and any genre.
Presentation: The R3’s present their sound in a way that’s both engaging and involving. Soundstage is a little predictable for a mid-centric IEM as it has a tendency to place vocals and most of the midrange very close to the listener. This gives the effect of having music performed directly in front of you, but not in a way that it becomes tiring over time. The result is a soundstage with only average depth overall. Height is improved over depth but width is where the R3’s begin to open up. Wide spatial cues are thrown out far on either side of the head while still maintaining easy localization. The result is an intimate presentation that is more spacious than their sound signature would suggest. Bass is centered, vocals are intimate, treble is airy, and music is simply a joy to experience. Most will find their unique presentation and signature very pleasant no matter what genre of music preferred.
Ear Tips & Insertion Sensitivity: The R3’s can be a little picky with ear tips as their nozzle is a slightly larger than average. Even the included tips require a little force to fit onto the nozzle. But this doesn’t inhibit tip-rolling with the R3’s as they are quite flexible. Sound can be adjusted to have either a thicker, warmer sound or a more neutral one depending on the tip fitted: Single flanges will achieve the former while the included double-flanges will achieve the latter. And since insertion is neither shallow nor deep some tips will stay in place and others will not. As mentioned in the Comfort & Fit section, this will depend on your ears more than anything else.
Power, Sensitivity, and Source Performance: The R3’s are a very drivable earphone that respond well with most sources. Low output devices should have no trouble driving them although they may require a little more volume to acquire listenable levels. A more powerful source, such as a dedicated amplifier, will yield better results in terms of volume and quality.
Value: For $129 the Brainwavz R3 is a peculiar earphone that combines an unusual design with a consumer friendly sound. The R3 balances a mid-forward signature with a wide presentation but loses out in areas of detail and accuracy. But its main weakness is its design and fit. Their tubular housings are difficult to wear for long periods without adjustment and that’s if they’re comfortable to begin with. The cable’s large profile also causes issues as it prevents the R3’s from fitting inside a pant pocket, making them a little inconvenient to transport. Overall however, the R3 is still relatively good value if you can get past its flaws. And if you enjoy a smooth, musical sound you’ll be in for a pleasant surprise.
I hope this review will be useful to those who read through it. Please leave any suggestions or advice you may have in the comments below. Everyone’s input will help me improve my reviews and make it easier to adapt my reviews for as wide an audience as possible. Thanks for reading and happy listening!
Wokei
Nice review ..well done
Audiophile1811
Thanks @Wokei
Kamakahah
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Durable build quality. Clear and non-fatiguing. Good overall balance.
Cons: Thick, rubbery cable. Two-faced bass. Long-term comfort
Admittedly, I took far too long to post this review. I wanted to try a different approach that involved becoming accustomed to the signature followed by a period without them, and then a reintroduction. It's been about six weeks since I received the unit. I've done week long periods with and without them.
The reason for this decision was two fold:
1. It's the first dual dynamic IEM that I've given significant head time.
2. There were/are some awkward inconsistencies with the sound signature that I was/am hearing. It was my hope at the time to be able to narrow the the reasons behind them. More on this later.
After realizing that I had too many notes and they were harder for me to characterize than originally anticipated, I decided to write this review while listening to them after a short break and give my overall thoughts from this session. My previous notes will still be a factor in what I write, but hopefully this gives more clarity to my thoughts.
Again, I'd like to thank Brainwavz for the opportunity to review these. As others did, I received a review pair to keep similar to the S5. It's a nice gesture of confidence in the Head-Fi community.
In similar fashion, I'll avoid adding pictures and statistics that a quick Google search can provide.
All the usual qualifiers apply: IMO, YMMV, OMGWTFBBQ, ROFLCOPTER. This is just my experience. Yours might be different.
For those that don't like to wade through the paragraphs of information that most reviews provide, here is a succinct synopsis:
Bass: Can vary greatly. Overall lower-quantity with a softer impact. Occasionally comes out to play. See below for more details.
Mids: Pretty clear. Non-fatiguing. Present and slightly forward. Much less , "life has been sucked out" than the S5 but with slightly dry presentation. A touch of warmth. Quite enjoyable.
Treble: Nice lower treble energy. Non-fatiguing but hits of sibilance depending on the track. Smooth and laid back, maybe overly so for some.
Soundstage/Imaging: Good width, and back depth. Shallow forward depth. Can feel intimate as a result, but not cramped.
Separation/Clarity/Detail: Decent separation and good clarity if not a little thick sounding. Good detail in the mids. Lows are too fluffy for my taste. Highs lacking micro details from smoothing
Tips: Find whatever is comfortable. Didn't lead to a ton of variation as it normally does for me. Used the stock, clear tips.
Source/Amping: Some noticeable scaling, specifically with additional power to add a bit more life and energy to the sound. A clear source with good texture seems best, IMO.
Isolation: Slightly below average. Not great isolation, but doesn't leak.
Overall: Enjoyable. A stand out addition in a pack of "V's." Clunky build, but durable. A solid buy at $99. At $115+ you'll want to be sure it's what you're after.
Initial Impressions:
From my notes 6 weeks ago, I thought they sounded clear with a nice sense of balance. I found the bass to be soft and lacking texture. The mid range was enticing, forward, a little dry, but enjoyable.
Methodology:
I gave them 5 hours of listening the first day to become accustomed to the signature. They were then burned in for quite some time using set of burn-in tracks with mixed tracks, pink noise, and 5 minute breaks every hour on repeat.
They were burned in for over 300 hours in total throughout the process. I initially began my process after ~150 hours as per my usual. I continued to listen to other headphones/earphones.
Then, as mentioned above, I took week long breaks. I also spent full weeks only listening to the R3. My reasons for this will be further discussed in the following sections.
Listening was done casually at home and while out shopping. Detailed listening was done in a quiet office. A/B testing done as well with different gear and Fiio HS2 used occasionally for quick switching of sources or headphones.
I avoided reading any other reviews before writing this one to avoid bias.
Chains used:
1. PC USB/Optical>>>Audio GD NFB-15>>>R3
2. Fiio X3>>>(Topping NX1/C&C BH)>>>R3
3. Rockboxed Sansa Clip+>>>(Topping NX1/C&C BH)>>>R3
4. HTC One M8>>>R3
Tips used: Supplied tips, JVC spiral tips, Sony hybrids, Sennheiser double flange.
Test tracks: Many albums in my collection were listened to in full with a number of mixed in individual tracks, but here are a few specific tracks used.
Track formats included 256-320kbps mp3, FLAC, WAV files and a few youtube videos for variety.
- Jessica Lee Mayfield - Nervous Lonely Night : The first minute of this song can tell me a lot about a can. This will seem odd, but the pencil tapping at the start tells me a ton about timbre and a bit about depth. The generally forward vocals of the entire "Tell me" album help point out recessed mids quickly. The bass comes in strong with lots of quantity and impact to let me judge the low end presence and texture. I could go on. It's just a track that works for me.
- Queen - Killer Queen : One of my sibilance test tracks, though it's much more than that. It's another track that can really let you individually identify a spectrum of specific quality attributes or flaws.
- Paramore - Hallelujah : The recording/mastering, whatever, sounds just terrible on the deluxe mp3 version that I have. I use it to test how forgiving a can is.
- Pantera - Cowboys from Hell; Cemetery Gates; Floods : It's Pantera. No more explanation needed.
- Lisa Hannigan - Live from the Troubadour in W.Hollywood. : This is a special recording that I have from a live concert I attended. I'm frighteningly familiar with the venue/performance and how it should sound. I use this to judge soundstage, imaging, timbre and separation.
- Rage Against The Machine - People of the Sun : Bass.
- Metallica - (Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth / One/ etc - Lots of reasons
- Lana Del Rey - Lolita/National Anthem/Carmen : Lots of reasons but in general for her vocals that can sound like thick, warm syrup.
- Geographer - Kites : I like this for cohesion. Some cans make it sound disjointed or all jumbled up.
- Filipe Melo · Ana Cláudia // Spiegel im spiegel (Arvo Pärt) : It's beautiful. Noise test. Timbre. Naturalness.
- Girl Talk - Let it Out : It's fun.
- Dr. Chesky - The Ultimate Headphone Demonstration Disc - Soundstage, imaging, dynamics, etc.
- Many, more.
Build Quality & Acessories:
Oh Jetpack. It's awkward. The cable is a heavy, bouncy, rubbery monstrosity. Plenty of nice accessories included, solid 10/10 in my mind. The bulky shell may or may not affect your fit depending on ear shape.
Comfort/Fit:
Average comfort. The rubbery cable was very noticeable over the ear and raises up at times until pulled tighter with a shirt clip. Long-term comfort has been poor. After about an hour, I found that the area where the cable meets the body rubbed my ear the wrong way. Tips didn't seem to have too significant of an effect for comfort, though I did favor some more than others. In particular, I liked the stock clear tips that weren't quite as firm. I found that they tend to start slipping from my ears. I'm not sure if it's a result of the cable or something else. I tried to wear larger tips to offset the pull, but found that I couldn't handle the loss of comfort. Occasionally, I' would double check their positioning to make sure they are still in place. This was more of an issue when out and about than in the office.
Isolation/Leak:
Average to below average. Noisy locations will be noticeable. I found their isolation to be slightly less effective compared to the S5. Leak wasn't an issue.
Bass:
The moment I listened to the opening kick drum and first few bass string plucks in Jessica Lee Mayfield's - "Our Hearts Are Wrong", I knew that the bass and I were going to be at odds. That particular song is very bass heavy. The R3 does bring the quantity of bass in many tracks to manageable levels. This was one aspect that I appreciated for a number of bass heavy tracks; However, it was also the bane of bass light tracks.
As mentioned in the Cons, I found the bass to be two-faced or fractured. I tried my best to determine its cause, but wasn't able to pin it down in a way that I could explain in a clear fashion. In short, it seems certain frequencies are emphasized. It felt like there were peaks and valleys in the bass than had a very noticeable effect on impact and levels. It didn't seem like a clear line that is normally present where people can say, "Oh yeah, it has a mid bass hump and rolls off in the sub-bass which explains...blahblahblah." - Not the case here. Some songs had the low impact that they normally show, while it was next to non-existent in my other test tracks. I wish I could articulate it better. That said, there is a significant roll off in the sub-bass at about the 50 Hz mark. Below 30 is pretty much a black hole.
In this moment, as I listen to a number of tracks I find the duality. Some show nice, low impact. Others that should have the same feel like the kick drum or bass is hidden behind a glass panel or being hit by a pillow rather than a mallet.
One final beef was with the lack of texture. I found it really was missing that detail that comes with a more articulate bass. The overall tone felt smoothed over and pillowy.
Mids:
A nice forward presentation in the mids. It balances well still with the rest of the spectrum. A much desired addition following the soulless mids of the S5. As mentioned in the brief summary above, I find them slightly dry with a touch of warmth. It's a neutralish presentation of the mid range that in some ways reminds me of a less refined HE-560. One of my favorite signatures centers around the mids, so this was a nice change of pace from my generally bass oriented collection that includes the JVC FX-850, among others.
Treble:
Queen's song "Killer Queen" will pretty much violate my ears if a headphone/earphone is even a little hot, sibilant, etc. These do a pretty good job. Overall non-fatiguing but will undoubtedly be too lack-back for the treble lovers. Smooth, but still with a decent energy, particularly in the lower treble region. Not a whole lot of the sparkle. Hints of sibilance on already sibilant tracks, but that's normal.
Separation/Clarity/Detail:
I would say that it is a notch above average in this category. Decent separation and clarity. A bit thicker sounding than the S5 that suffered from a thin/recessed mid range that killed baby seals. Enough detail to satisfy. Without a doubt some loss of detail and clarity in the bass with roll off and fluffy presentation that lacks in texture and articulation.
Soundstage/Imaging:
The soundstage felt slightly more intimate than I've been used to but not in a cramped way. The positioning feels a intimate. This can be good and maybe a little bad for some live recordings. I'll explain way as it has to do with the way that I perceived the soundstage. The best way I can think to describe the shape is an taking a basketball and half way deflating just one hemisphere. The width sound above average, the behind depth the same. The forward depth, or the space in front of me seems as though its distance has been cut in half when compared to behind.
Source/Amping/Tips:
The R3 did seem to scale a bit. More important, for me, was the added power that seems to add a bit more life to the overall sound. :
- Audio-GD NFB-15
- Fiio X3 + Topping NX1 (Low gain, high was noisy and gave no play with the volume)
- Fiio X3 + C&C BH (Line 2, switches off, gain 'High').
- Rockboxed Sansa Clip+ (Forgot to experiment with attaching amps)
I didn't find a lot of difference when tip rolling. Insertion depth didn't change the sound enough so I ended up liking the stock, clear tips. They are comfortable and didn't negatively affect the sound. I thought a narrow bore might help the bass, but the effect was minor and inconsistent so I reverted.
Final Thoughts:
I want to say that I enjoy this earphone. It's far from perfect, but it has qualities that are becoming harder to find in a V-shaped market. The mid-centric presentation is a welcome addition to my collection. The bass can be a bit of a letdown on some tracks, but it can also be a boon in taming overly bass heavy tracks into submission. It can help you see your much listened to tracks in a new light. It suffers from some inevitable design issues, but overall a durable and enjoyable earphone. As I look at the $115 asking price on Amazon right now I asked myself the question, "Is it worth that price tag?" To some, yes. I think it would fit nicely into the $99 category, but what's $15 anyway?
thatBeatsguy
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Smooth, balanced sound. Brainwavz' signature unique look. Brainwavz' signature build.
Cons: Weird looks might deter some. Cable is pretty hefty and cumbersome.
Intro
TL;DR: Don't let its rather brutish looks fool you; the Brainwavz R3 is a smooth, gentle IEM that works especially well with acoustic genres, slow rock, and jazz.
Before I begin, I would like to thank Audrey at Brainwavz for providing the sample of the Brainwavz R3 in exchange for my honest opinion. Please note that I am neither affiliated with Brainwavz or any of its employees, nor am I being compensated for writing this review. All opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own unless otherwise specified, and all pictures are taken and owned by my sister. YMMV.
Well, it’s been a few weeks since my review of the S5s, and from that first impression of one of their IEMs, they’ve earned their place in my ‘Companies to Watch’ list. Though a lot of their IEMs, to my knowledge, lean towards a more consumer-friendly sound, they are no doubt of audiophile quality. Today, I’m going to be reviewing another of their high-end IEMs, and probably one of the most peculiar-looking IEMs I’ve ever seen, the dual-dynamic Brainwavz R3 Rev.2 (I’ll get to this later).
Anyhow, let’s get on to the IEMs. Shall we?
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.
[size=x-large]== Aesthetics ==[/size]
Packaging, Accessories
At first glance of the packaging, it’s clear that Brainwavz is proud of their design of the R3, as the box features a clear window from the front all the way through to the back of the box, with the R3’s housings suspended in a clear plastic mold, showcased proudly and rather enthusiastically, like a brand-new breakthrough in design or something along those lines. On the front you also see BRAINWAVZ R3 written with a tagline and a few of its main features. On the left side, you’ll see its specifications, and on the right are its accessories, and on the back is a cross-section diagram of the R3s’ housing along with a description of sorts.
Upon opening the package, you’ll find Brainwavz’ semi-hard case hidden from the light of day, housing the rest of the R3s and all of its accessories. I’m still pretty impressed with the plethora of eartips included in the package, which consists of six pairs of single-flange tips (one set in grey, the other in black, in S/M/L), one pair of double-flanged tips, one pair of triple-flanged tips, and a pair of Comply T500 foam eartips. So there you have it - nine pairs of eartips, all at your disposal along with the Brainwavz R3 and S5. Still pretty damn impressive. But that’s not all - you also get a nifty 1/4-inch adapter. In the previous version, there used to be an airline adapter supposedly - but in my case, I don’t think I would need it anyway, so that can be ignored. Frequent flyers, though, might have to buy their own airline adapter off a local Best Buy or some other electronics store.
Design, Build, Microphonics
You remember what I said about Brainwavz’ package being showcased like a design breakthrough? Well, I have got to hand it to Brainwavz, they have made one awesome breakthrough in design right here, and it’s sure to make anyone -- consumer or audiophile -- wonder how they manage to get these in their ears. (Not that it’s a bad thing, though -- they actually fit quite easily.)
Though the concept of dual dynamic drivers isn’t new (lately there have been a lot of popular options to choose from), how they’re implemented intrigued me.The two 10mm drivers are set up in a two-way configuration – one used for bass, the other for the rest of the audio spectrum. Again, this is not unusual, but then we move on to their placement. The two drivers are placed apart from and facing each other, pouring the sound into a ‘Sonic Chamber’ before it reaches your ears through a particularly long tube. At least, that’s what the diagram seems to tell me. It’s probably not as simple as it sounds, seeing as another dual dynamic IEM, the Audio-Technica ATH-CKR9 (and its older variant, the CKR10) shares a similarly-positioned pair of drivers…except for the fact that the CKRs’ drivers go for a ‘Push-Pull’ design in which one driver pushes the sound while the other pulls the sound to supposedly reduce distortion and improve sound quality (or something like that). Coming back to the R3s, it seems both drivers simply push sound into the sound chamber where the sound mixes to bring out the final product.
Moving on, we have the cable, which apparently consists of three sections: the main grey cable from the connector to the Y-split, a thinner grey cable from the Y-split to split (rather, splice), which transitions into a length of memory cable making the final stretch to the housings. This memory wire used to be a lot longer in the first version, but has been removed in the revision for better ergonomics and an easier fit.
Again, the team over at Brainwavz has impressed me with the excellent build quality of the R3s. From the solid machined aluminum housings to the strong extremely heavy-duty Y-split (see above), it’s clear Brainwavz made no compromises to the build quality of the R3 just as they did with the S5. The only gripe I have with the build is the cable. No, it’s not because of durability -- in fact, it’s probably one of the most solid cables I’ve had in my possession yet. My gripe with the cable is because it’s solid. It’s very thick -- reminding me of the cable on my old Beats Pro. Its thickness in turn makes them very difficult to manage. When they arrived, they were bound pretty tightly together by a wire, and when I undid the wire, I was greeted with an eyesore of a cable with folds and creases on every inch. Even as I write this, I’m still trying to straighten it out. Cable noise isn’t much different. Even with the over-ear design dulling it down, cable noise is still a bit of an issue due to the serious weight of the cable.
Fit, Comfort, Isolation
Now, I’m sure you’re still wondering if the bottle-like housings with a tube on the side would actually fit your ears. Well, I’m happy to report that it actually does. It did take a few minutes of fiddling at first, but it only takes a few tries to get accustomed to it. They’re pretty comfortable once they’re in your ears, though at times the housing does touch -- more like press on -- part of my ear when I don’t get them in right, which again is a nuisance, but it’s mostly just on me. Due to the housings being little more than a bottle with a tube sticking out of the side which goes into your ear, isolation leans toward average, but is nonetheless good enough for a walk in the park or at home. Don’t expect it to drown out much in a bus or the subway, though.
Also, something of note: the Brainwavz R3 can be worn straight-down; however the cable causes too much microphonics to be tolerable. That, and the R3 is considerably heavy with its thick cable and solid aluminum housings. I don’t know if you guys will like it -- maybe you will, maybe you won’t, but I most definitely will not wear these straight-down.
I hope I didn’t bore you yet with my explanations, because we’re just about to get to the sound. Bored yet? No? Great, now let’s move on.
[size=x-large]== Sound ==[/size]
Specs
Headphone Type
Closed back, vented in-ear monitor (straight down, around-the-ear)
Driver Type
10 mm dynamic x2
Frequency Response
16 Hz – 22 kHz
Rated Input Power
30 mW
Sensitivity
110 dB @ 1 mW
Impedance
32 Ω
Weight
N/A
Cable
1.3 m (4.2’) Copper Y-Cord
Connector
3.5 mm (1/8”) gold-plated 45-degree TRS
Accessories
Hard carrying case 3 pairs single-flange silicone eartips (grey, S/M/L)
3 pairs single-flange silicone eartips (black, S/M/L)
1 pair double-flange silicone eartips
1 pair triple-flange silicone eartips
1 pair Comply™ T-500 foam eartips
6.3 mm (1/4”) adapter
Equipment, Burn-in
The equipment used for this review consists of my iPod Touch, an iPad 3, and my PC through headphone-out as the sources, all running without an amp. The amp used in the test is a Yamaha RX-V359 through headphone-out. As for the EQ software being used, I use Viper4Windows on the PC and the default system EQ on the other sources. As always, my test tracks are available here, although I will link specific songs in the assessment for a more direct point of reference.
As per review “tradition,” the Brainwavz R3s have been burned in for at least 100 hours prior to the review, with occasional listening sessions in between for an average of an hour. So far, throughout the 100 hours of burn-in, there haven’t been any noticeable changes in sound. Also, the eartips I used are the L-sized grey single flanges throughout the review. So, without further ado, let’s get on to the sound!
Sound Quality
Bass:
Okay, let’s start off with the bass. As an IEM designed for the audiophile crowd, don’t expect the R3 to have elevated bass, because it doesn’t have that. However, what it does have is a smooth, swift low-end that is clearly made for its target audience. Its accurate, slightly warm tone reproduces low tones without overdoing anything. It also has a strong enough punch to satisfy most listeners who aren’t craving bass. In short, it’s a very addicting listen that works amazingly with cool, laid-back songs (Daft Punk –The Game of Love, Something About Us).
Midrange:
The Brainwavz R3’s midrange is sweet and rich – basically, it sounds great. It has a great amount of clarity with a slight warmth to it. It reproduces the midrange very well, and despite its mid-centric signature (more on this later), isn’t as forward as I expected. One of my favourite characteristics about it, though, is how they manage to blend really well with the bass (Coldplay –Sparks) – making a very cohesive and united sound signature.
Treble:
Brainwavz purposely tuned the R3 to have a smooth, laid-back treble, topping off the sound signature like the smooth foam on a latte (more on this analogy later). This laid-back signature gives the R3 a very relaxing signature that you can simply listen to for hours, which is a huge plus in my book. (Note: Technical mode ON) Though most laid-back treble usually sounds veiled and lacking detail, Brainwavz managed to counter that by tuning in a treble spike around 10 kHz. This allows the R3 to still retain great detail retrieval even with its laid-back treble (technical mode OFF).
Soundstage/Presentation:
Apparently Brainwavz’ “Sound Chamber” technology actually does affect the R3’s sound signature – specifically, its soundstage. It’s very wide, airy, and expansive, which you usually don’t get to hear very often in an earphone, so that’s a huge plus. Live, acoustic, and classical recordings really come to life on the Brainwavz R3. However, I did notice instruments were projected (or “sound like” in layman’s terms) onto a narrow arc in front of you, instead of all around you. It’s a little quirk there that might not be as appealing to the more finicky listeners, but it’s not too much of a big deal.
Genre Proficiency:
The Brainwavz R3, as I’ve said earlier, works amazingly well with cool, laid-back genres, synergising well with its laid-back sound. Stuff like Coldplay, Daft Punk’s slower works, classical, anything that’s slow or has a relaxing vibe – the Brainwavz R3 performs spectacularly. However, it’s hardly finicky with genres and will play anything you throw at it very well.
Summary:
The Brainwavz R3’s sound is something I could liken to a nice latte – smooth, rich, creamy, sweet, and with just the right kick from the coffee. I’m sure from this, you can put two and two together, so there’s not much to say other than it’s great if the R3’s sound is what you’re looking for. Bassheads will have to look elsewhere, because the R3 is definitely an audiophile IEM.
Other Media
Games:
The R3 isn’t bad with games. Sure, its detail retrieval is great for getting an edge over the competition, but its rather congested presentation takes a hit to their imaging capabilities. All in all, they’re not something I’d use for competitive gaming.
Movies:
The R3’s smooth, balanced signature allows it to play along with pretty much any type of movie, from epic action scenes to heart-wrenching drama moments. I find they perform better with quieter movies, just as they do well with laid-back music.
EQ Response, Amplification
The R3, in my opinion, doesn’t really respond well to EQ (rather, basic EQ presets), though with a more advanced EQ like Electri-Q or Viper4Windows, you can EQ them to be completely flat, which, surprisingly, is very easy to do. But once I did that, man, oh man. The results were amazing. Probably the only downside to this is having to go through rather extensive tweaking and listening to get the sound just right, but otherwise they’re perfectly fine. At an impedance rating of about 32 ohms, they do need a bit more power to drive than, say, the S5 IEMs. At lower volumes, their midrange sounds rather muffled, and both ends of the spectrum also lose some detail. With extra power, though, the midrange comes forward, and with enough power, the bass suddenly begins to sound pretty damn impressive. You can really feel the sub-bass notes come alive and make the entire signature come together to no short of amazing. I don’t have a dedicated headphone amp as of yet, but now I begin to realize just how much I need one.
Bass I really like the bass from the R3s. It's smooth and full, but not enhanced - just naturally present. The bass sits in perfect alignment with the rest of the frequencies from the R3 and allows for a cohesive and realistic listening experience. Being a dynamic driver IEM, the bass is full and rich with a slightly slower feel than a balanced armature (BA) unit, but there is no mistaking the R3's bass for being slow in general terms. No, the R3 strikes the perfect balance of fullness and speed. Bass notes are crisply delivered on time and on target while leaving room for everything else in the spectrum to shine equally. Although not finely textured like the quickest of BA units, the bass is clean and detailed making faster basslines and deep percussion highly enjoyable. Listening to Muse's Absolution via the Colorfly C4, the bass and kick drums were deep and tight. Moving to Ozomatli's Embrace the Chaos album, the deepest rumble of the bass drum on "Pa Lante" was missing, but it takes an exceptional earphone / headphone to really get that right. The R3s certainly came close, but just didn't have that list tiny bit of power down at the lowest of frequencies. I'd much prefer that though to an excess of bass that can cloud the rest of the spectrum and disrupt the entire musical experience.
Mid-range Thanks to the present, but controlled bass, the R3's mids are able to shine through and take centre stage. I wouldn't call the R3s a mid-centric earphone so much as a neutral earphone. You could perhaps argue that the mids on the R3 are slightly laid back, but they're certainly well-balanced with the bass and treble even if they're just a hair behind. It's certainly not enough to make the mids sound distant or veiled and I really like the overall presentation a lot - it's very easy to listen to without sacrificing detail or articulation in any way. Guitars and similar instruments sound crisp and clean and both male and female vocals have an excellent sense of texture and clarity while still keeping an easy smoothness.
Treble The treble from the R3s is really interesting in that, up to this point in the review, I haven't really thought about the treble. I would say that's a good sign of perfectly balanced treble that's neither drawing attention to itself nor lacking in energy and leaving the presentation dark and muddy. The treble is lively enough to provide raspiness and air to vocals, percussive sounds and incidental textures like fingers on a fretboard, but it's not over-enhanced. There is zero fatigue from the R3, but there is also zero lost clarity - that's an extremely impressive feat.
Listening to "Calling Elvis" by Dire Straits I can clearly hear the raspiness of Mark Knopfler's voice and the snare, high hat and cymbals have good energy and clarity so that I can feel them and notice them in the mix, but I've not once in all the time I've spent with the R3s felt like there was too much or too little treble. I'd actually go so far as suggesting that this is one of the best treble balances I've heard from an IEM in quite some time. I'll discuss some comparisons shortly to demonstrate this in further detail.
Similar to the bass detail and speed, treble speed and resolution may be a tiny bit behind the sharpest of BA IEMs, but the R3s are no slouch. Not only do they not leave me wanting more from the treble, they actually leave me thoroughly enjoying the treble because it's fully detailed and energetic, but remains smooth enough to be enjoyable and actually worth exploring. I find sharper, faster treble renditions sometimes lead me to almost tuning out treble detail so as not to fatigue my ears, but the R3s let me focus on the individual textures of a cymbal or snare without feeling on edge as I do it.
Staging and Imaging The stage from the R3s isn't exceptional, but for a $139 it's very good. It feels spacious despite being modest in size and it is evenly proportioned in each direction with good depth and width. Imaging is very similar - it's not exceptional, but it's definitely commendable. Instruments are well separated and clearly defined in their own virtual space. Thanks to the well-balanced presentation of each section of the frequency range from the R3s, the finished product is a well represented auditory image with good clarity and separation.
Selected Comparisons FIDUE A83 At the time of writing this there's quite a bit of hype around the A83 (triple hybrid IEM) on Head-Fi and deservedly so, but given its $300+ price tag and slightly troublesome fit I was keen to compare it with the R3.
On direct comparison, the A83's balanced armatures revealed extra details and texture in the mix that the R3 couldn't show me, but that came at the cost of a drier tone and a less natural overall sound with the A83's treble sounding slightly forward and forced compared to the R3's outstanding balance. The staging and imaging is also better on the A83 as you'd expect with the greater availability of subtle details and auditory cues, but does that make the A83 a hands-down better earphone? I don't think so. If I were looking to hear every nuance then I'd reach for the A83 every time, but if I wanted to simply play and enjoy my music I'd probably reach for the R3s on each occasion due to their more natural treble presentation and more natural overall sound. Technically, the A83 is a better earphone, but practically the R3 might be better for some people.
Brainwavz S5 As much as I like the S5s for what they are, they just don't compare with their slightly more expensive siblings - or at least not for my tastes. Yes, the S5 offers an excellent bass punch that the R3s can't match and for some genres that's an instant trump card, but the R3's balance won me over permanently and left the S5s sounding peaky and occasionally unnatural to my ears. For wide-ranging musical tastes or those who listen to rock, blues or jazz I would recommend the R3 every time over the S5 despite it's funkier fit and higher price.
HiFiMan RE272 Unfortunately I sold my RE272s shortly prior to the R3s arriving, but at around half the price of the RE272's when they were new (if memory serves), the R3 is an excellent replacement. There's no doubt that the RE272 offered superior transparency and separation over the R3, but the R3 is a smoother listen and has much better bass presence than the RE272 so it's a fair trade in my mind. To be honest, if I had the 2 sitting side-by-side I would probably reach for the R3 on almost every occasion because of it's smoother presentation and fuller bass note.
Summary The R3 is an outstanding earphone for the $139 price tag. I would definitely recommend trying a pair before you buy them if you tend to have fit issues like me, but when worn cable-down the R3s are easy to fit so that might solve any concerns if you're happy to wear them cable-down.
I haven't heard a lot of budget IEMs and there are some awesome options out there, but of those I have tried, the R3s are among the most enjoyable of the lot and definitely might be the most neutrally voiced of the lot. If you're looking to spend <$150 on a pair of IEMs and you want an IEM that can handle wide-ranging genres while providing a smooth and natural presentation then the R3s are a must try!
DannyBai
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Even keeled sound, nice build, excellent bundle of accessories
Cons: Thick cable and large Y-split if it really is a con.
I was provide a review sample and would like to thank Salsera and Brainwavz/MP4Nation.
The R3 V.2 is a dual dynamic barrel shaped iem from Brainwavz. Probably the oddest looking earphone on the market but surprisingly, I had no problem with fit. The shape actually works well with the looping over ear design and the earphones stay in place without much issue. The housings look and feel of aluminum and are light in weight. They are actually very comfortable while in use. Cables are rather thick especially from Y-split down to the 3.5mm jack. From the Y-split up to the housings have been redesigned and are much better than the original version. Cables seem to stay in place quite well around the ears and the thickness wasn’t much of a bother for me. The 3.5mm jack has a nice 45 degree angle in which I have come to appreciate in design. Only gripe although minor is the overall thickness of the cable and bigger than average Y-split.
Moving on to the sound, these have a nice balanced signature. Bass doesn’t hit with great impact, won’t reach to the lowest of the lows or hit you with forceful mid-bass punch. Bass has good presence but isn’t the tightest and sounds a bit soft from what I’m use to. The S5 from Brainwavz reaches lower, has bigger impact and makes a much greater presence in the music. For those who find the S5 to have too much bass, the R3 might be more appealing. Overall, I find the bass to fit with the signature these earphones are going for. These earphones have a wide and deep soundstage, some of the biggest I’ve heard. This can be good or bad on the vocals, depending on preference. The staging distances the vocals several rows back so it isn’t up front. I find them a little recessed and I mean little because they can be clearly heard and is not hidden from the rest of the music. I honestly couldn’t nitpick if male or female vocals sounded better since both sounded just fine for me. But, vocal trance sounded quite nice. Treble is very relaxed and there isn’t even a hint of fatigue, sibilance or the dreaded “sss” in the vocal region. Treble is smooth and possibly could use a little more for added sparkle. Somewhere between the R3 and S5 would be lovely. The smooth and non-fatiguing treble still clearly presents the details in the music. Instrument placement can be best pictured as if the listener is sitting in a large theatre compared to say a small intimate club. This is more of a surround sound listening experience.
In conclusion, I find the R3 V2 to be an even keeled sounding earphone that really doesn’t have much fault. Nothing to really complain about, even with the thick cable and all. I’m not too much of a nitpicker but I would think most would find this earphone to sound just fine. No huge bass to complain about or peaky treble or too recessed vocals. Fit’s fine if people can ignore the odd design and give it a try.
kova4a
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: solid build quality; balanced smooth and natural sound; 2-year warranty
Cons: rubbery cable prone to memory kinks; fit can be an issue for some people
First off, I have to thank again Brainwavz and Audrey for this R3 unit
Packaging and Accessories
The packaging is quite straightforward. There are plastic windows both at the front and the back of the box showcasing the shiny metal housings of the R3. Below the front window is embossed Brainwavz R3 and a very basic description – Twin Driver Configuration, Bass & Clarity and Rugged Metal Housing Design. Can’t disagree with that but maybe Smooth & Balanced would have been a bit more accurate description but more on that later.
On the back of the box there is a bit more detailed description of the R3 and its design.
On the sides of the package are listed its contents and R3’s specs.
It’s a fairly nice presentation overall.
Inside the box reside the R3 and the Brainwavz case. I’ve mentioned multiple times that this is my favorite iem case. It’s quite tough and specious and can easily fit a pair of iems and a small DAP like a Sansa. Inside one of the red pockets there is a nice quarter inch adapter and small gray bag with the included tips. There are 2 different types of single flange tips. Black ones made of a touch thicker silicone and gray ones, which are softer and have a slightly wider bore. The single flange silicone tips come in 3 sizes. There is also a pair of bi-flange and a pair of tri-flange tips, which come in only one size. As usual with Brainwavz a pair of comply foam tips packaged separately is included to complete the package.
Build Quality, Design and Fit
The R3 is a quite solid iem with robust metal housings and a thick rugged cable. The cable is a bit memory prone and rubbery though and while I don’t mind its thickness or weight I would have preferred if it had smoother sleeving and was more pliable and easier to keep straight.
The strain reliefs are substantial and again some people might call the Y-splitter over-engineered but it’s fine by me.
The j-plug is also on the bulky side but I’m a huge fan of j-plugs and it looks capable of withstanding quite a bit of abuse, so I can’t complain. If anything it completes the overall tough looks of the R3.
Design-wise it only takes a quick glance at the R3 to realize that it’s not your average iem. Its design is quite unique and I have to admit that when the R3 was first announced I wasn’t impressed and right away commented that people will have issue with the fit with such a design. It’s eye catching though and people often stare at the housing more than a couple of seconds.
Surprisingly despite my initial reservations and worries about the fit it turned out fine. I haven’t tried the old R3 version with the long memory-wires but this revised one actually fits me quite well. The fit is secure and isolation is good. It did take me quite a bit of tip rolling but finally settled on the stock bi-flanges both for the comfort and the sound.
The R3 can also be worn straight but the fit will be less secure due to the weight of the cable pulling the housings down.
There is a very mild driver flex with certain tips particularly on the left earpiece. Microphonics are very low when worn cable up.
Sound
The R3 has over 100 hours of burn-in at the time of writing this review.
For a dual dynamic driver iem that has a separate driver to reproduce the low frequencies the R3 quite surprised me. Its bass is quite flat and balanced. It is well-rounded with good control but is a bit on the polite side – softer on the impact and lacking some depth. The lower extension is not bad but after 50hz the bass gradually rolls off. Overall I like R3’s bass although I would have liked if it was a bit tighter and harder hitting but given the overall smooth and non-fatiguing presentation of the R3 it fits well with the rest of the spectrum. In comparison the Brainwavz S5 has a lot bigger but also less controlled and muddier bass bleeding into the mids.
The mids are well balanced with the bass and also relatively flat. Both male and female vocals have very nice presence and sweet tone. The R3 actually sounds a bit mid-centric but I don’t mind that as this type of signature is harder and harder to find. The tonality is slightly on the warm side but still what I would call neutral-ish. Instruments have nice timbre and despite the slightly thick note presentation sound natural and realistic. Detail retrieval is actually pretty good but clarity is a bit behind in comparison to some of the competition. In comparison brainwavz’s own S5 is noticeably clearer due to its thinner note presentation and treble emphasis but is also a lot less natural sounding and more fatiguing. The R3 instead is smoother lusher sounding.
The highs are a bit laid back but very well extended and smooth. The lower treble has enough energy to keeps things exciting without getting harsh or fatiguing. There is plenty of shimmer but I wouldn’t have minded a bit more sparkle. The treble is not prone to pointing out sibilance. In comparison the S5 with its more emphasized and peaky highs is noticeably harsher and more artificial sounding.
The R3 is full and airy sounding. Imaging is very good with both width and depth above average. Positioning is quite good. Instrument separation is very good with plenty of space between the instruments. Overall, the R3 sounds pretty spacious, especially for a mid-centric iem, which usually tend to be more on the intimate side.
Summary
R3 and its little brother R1
Brainwavz R3 has quite the surprising sound for a dual dynamic driver iem. Owning the Brainwavz R1 I expected a lot different sound but it’s heads and shoulders above its smaller dual dynamic brother R1. I’m not going to lie, I would also pick it over the Brainwavz’s other higher-end iem the S5 any day of the week. While the S5 will most likely impress a lot more people at first listen with its big bass and clarity, the R3 with its more balanced, smoother and mature sound is the iem that really impresses.
The R3 is a very solid performer sound-wise with a very solid build quality to boot. If it wasn’t for Audrey I probably would have given it a pass worried about the fit and all the people complaining about it. Maybe the memory wires on the old version were really horrible – I can’t comment on that but they are gone now and what is left is an iem that deserves to be given a second chance.
twister6
twister6 Reviews
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: build quality, included accessories, great sound separation
Cons: cable, would prefer memory wire back, fitment
Since I was among the early adopters of this updated 2.0 version of R3, I already posted a detailed review with pictures in the original R3 review thread. Therefore, I'm just going to provide a link to my R3 v2.0 review: http://www.head-fi.org/products/brainwavz-r3-dual-dynamic-driver-earphones/reviews/11456
Audiophile1811
500+ Head-Fier
Introduction – As the top-of-the-line earphone of the young company Brainwavz, the R3 has a quite a lot on its shoulders. Utilizing a relatively new dual-dynamic driver configuration, uncommon with most headphones on the market, Brainwavz has chosen this design for its very best headphone. Bold as it is, this design has been successful in many budget-based sets such as the Havi B3 Pro-1 and TTPOD’s T1 series. The R3’s, then, promise a lot considering they cost twice and even three times as much as the aforementioned earphones. So do they deliver for the price? The answer is yes… and no. But this is best explained throughout my review so if you’re interested, simply read on and find out why.
Disclaimer – This is a free review unit delivered to me for the purpose of this review. I am not affiliated with Brainwavz in any way and will stay objective as possible throughout this review. Huge thanks to Audrey at Brainwavz for sending these out to me, it’s quite a privilege. All photos were taken by me.
Specifications:
- 10mm Dual-Dynamic drivers (Passive Crossover)
- Impedance: 32 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 95dB
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
- Rated Input Power: 2mW
- Cable: OFC Copper, 1.3 meters/4.25 ft.
Packaging & Accessories: The R3’s have slightly unconventional packaging that presents the headphones and its cable through clear plastic windows on either side of the box. Inside you’ll find a plethora of tips (9 pairs in total) which include 6 pairs of single-flange silicone tips (3 pairs gray, 3 pairs black), a single pair of bi-flange and triple-flange tips, and a pair of Comply T500 tips. Also included is a ¼ inch adapter, a hard zip-case, and a 1-year warranty card (box says 2 years, don’t know which to believe). Brainwavz has been very generous with their accessories and deserve credit for being thoughtful with their ear tips.
Build & Design: Brainwavz has gone very out-of-the-box with the design of the R3. They’ve used a tubular housing for the drivers and a 90° angle nozzle that sticks straight out of the center. This means each driver faces each other within a divided enclosure and each band of frequencies meet inside the nozzle creating a uniform sound. Internal details aside, the aluminum housings feel extremely rugged throughout. However, cable quality is questionable. The 4-inch black portion of the cable is higher quality than the remaining grey section and is the only part that doesn’t suffer from kinks or memory. But since most of the cable does, it’s a wonder why Brainwavz didn’t just make the entire cable consistent (or thinner for that matter). But this is nitpicking because the R3’s seem very durable. The real problems come when wearing the R3’s.
Comfort & Fit: I have small ears, which means I also have problems with earphones, even the most comfortable. Brainwavz sought to remedy this dilemma for those like me but haven’t entirely succeeded. The R3’s are utilize an over-ear design but the housings are heavy and the nozzles are large. This causes them to fall out of place and need adjustment often. Strain reliefs are a bit stiff below the housings (fine on the Y-split & 3.5mm jack) and combined with their vertical position the cable very tricky to place behind the ear, as they were intended. But the worst part is the cable that is simply too thick and heavy for an IEM. The sheer weight and size of the cable can make it cumbersome and difficult to wear under clothing (also due to its rubbery texture). When worn with the right ear tips the R3’s are relatively comfortable but suffer from their awkward design and cable. With this in mind, the R3’s will suit some but definitely not others, so be cautious if your ears have given you trouble in the past.
Microphonics: For such a large cable, microphonics were not as bad as I expected. Cable noise is well controlled when worn over-ear but is fairly distracting cable-down. The included cinch does a good job of keeping cable noise down in either configuration too.
Isolation: There is a surprising level of noise attenuation when wearing the R3’s. They isolate very well outdoors and reduce environmental noise enough for non-distractive (but safe) listening. I consider this a strength of the R3’s overall.
----------Sound----------
Equipment & Background – For the sound portion of this review I will be using an Audinst HUD-MX1 amp/DAC combo as my primary “reference” source, a Topping NX-1 portable amplifier, and a Sansa Fuze as a portable source. All my impressions are done indoors with an over-ear headphone for added isolation resulting in almost silent listening with no audible distractions. My library consists of FLAC and high bit-rate MP3 files. The R3’s were also burned-in over 100hrs before review.
Bass: With a mid-forward sound signature the bass on the R3’s are not boosted or enhanced like many V-shaped sets on the market. Instead, lows are much mellower and have a pleasant musical warmth throughout. And while they don’t extend too far down there is enough sub-bass for an engaging listen. Bass is tight, controlled, and well-rounded and never once feels loose or bloated. However, it should be noted that the lows on the R3 are fairly soft in nature which means they won’t deliver the same visceral impact compared to sets with large mid-bass humps. That said, bass is always engaging and very punchy when required. Smoothness is another quality of the bass that becomes noticeable with fast, heavy music genres (those of which are not entirely suited for the R3). But those who prefer a mid-forward signature will appreciate the manner with which the R3’s handle bass notes. They are never distracting and don’t steal the attention of the listener; they provide enough energy to strike an excellent balance with the midrange and treble. Bass reproduction is one of the biggest strengths of the R3’s (in my opinion) due to their laid-back presence.
Mids: Moving upwards, the midrange holds a good few surprises. As mentioned before, the R3’s are mid forward overall. But this does not make them fatiguing or offensive to listen to as many other users have experienced with many other mid forward sets. Instead, the R3’s mids are not aggressive or rich, just forward enough to focus its sound on one particular part of the frequency spectrum. The primary advantage here are mids that are both clear and smooth. The balance between the two is obvious but the mids generally lean towards smoothness more than anything else. Vocalists demonstrate this best as they lack detail in parts of both the lower and upper-midrange; Both male and female vocalist suffer the effects of this coloration which was likely created by frequency dips in both regions. In terms of quality, the midrange is neither lifelike nor is it the most natural. Despite this there is no lack of finesse to the mids, just slightly lacking in accuracy. It will easily satisfy all but the extreme detail lover with its creamy, effortless nature but it won’t please anybody in sheer quality alone.
Treble: The last piece of the (frequency) puzzle lies in the R3’s treble. Highs are, yet again, very smooth but also more revealing and detailed than any frequencies below it. While not bright, there is an unexpected level of clarity up top considering the soft, genial character of the bass and midrange. Details come through with percussive instruments with natural timbre and good sparkle but without harshness. This lack of harshness prevents any sibilance from occurring even with the most aggressive vocalists and the worst recordings. Extension is considerably impressive as well, with frequencies extending up to 15kHz and gently rolling-off afterwards. And although consistency is lacking in areas, the treble is still up to par with more expensive earphones in its price range. For what it does best (i.e. bass) and what its focus is (i.e. mids), the top end of the R3’s are surprisingly good; They can suit the needs of almost any listener and any genre.
Presentation: The R3’s present their sound in a way that’s both engaging and involving. Soundstage is a little predictable for a mid-centric IEM as it has a tendency to place vocals and most of the midrange very close to the listener. This gives the effect of having music performed directly in front of you, but not in a way that it becomes tiring over time. The result is a soundstage with only average depth overall. Height is improved over depth but width is where the R3’s begin to open up. Wide spatial cues are thrown out far on either side of the head while still maintaining easy localization. The result is an intimate presentation that is more spacious than their sound signature would suggest. Bass is centered, vocals are intimate, treble is airy, and music is simply a joy to experience. Most will find their unique presentation and signature very pleasant no matter what genre of music preferred.
Ear Tips & Insertion Sensitivity: The R3’s can be a little picky with ear tips as their nozzle is a slightly larger than average. Even the included tips require a little force to fit onto the nozzle. But this doesn’t inhibit tip-rolling with the R3’s as they are quite flexible. Sound can be adjusted to have either a thicker, warmer sound or a more neutral one depending on the tip fitted: Single flanges will achieve the former while the included double-flanges will achieve the latter. And since insertion is neither shallow nor deep some tips will stay in place and others will not. As mentioned in the Comfort & Fit section, this will depend on your ears more than anything else.
Power, Sensitivity, and Source Performance: The R3’s are a very drivable earphone that respond well with most sources. Low output devices should have no trouble driving them although they may require a little more volume to acquire listenable levels. A more powerful source, such as a dedicated amplifier, will yield better results in terms of volume and quality.
Value: For $129 the Brainwavz R3 is a peculiar earphone that combines an unusual design with a consumer friendly sound. The R3 balances a mid-forward signature with a wide presentation but loses out in areas of detail and accuracy. But its main weakness is its design and fit. Their tubular housings are difficult to wear for long periods without adjustment and that’s if they’re comfortable to begin with. The cable’s large profile also causes issues as it prevents the R3’s from fitting inside a pant pocket, making them a little inconvenient to transport. Overall however, the R3 is still relatively good value if you can get past its flaws. And if you enjoy a smooth, musical sound you’ll be in for a pleasant surprise.
I hope this review will be useful to those who read through it. Please leave any suggestions or advice you may have in the comments below. Everyone’s input will help me improve my reviews and make it easier to adapt my reviews for as wide an audience as possible. Thanks for reading and happy listening!
Wokei
Nice review ..well done
Audiophile1811
Thanks @Wokei
Kamakahah
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Durable build quality. Clear and non-fatiguing. Good overall balance.
Cons: Thick, rubbery cable. Two-faced bass. Long-term comfort
Admittedly, I took far too long to post this review. I wanted to try a different approach that involved becoming accustomed to the signature followed by a period without them, and then a reintroduction. It's been about six weeks since I received the unit. I've done week long periods with and without them.
The reason for this decision was two fold:
1. It's the first dual dynamic IEM that I've given significant head time.
2. There were/are some awkward inconsistencies with the sound signature that I was/am hearing. It was my hope at the time to be able to narrow the the reasons behind them. More on this later.
After realizing that I had too many notes and they were harder for me to characterize than originally anticipated, I decided to write this review while listening to them after a short break and give my overall thoughts from this session. My previous notes will still be a factor in what I write, but hopefully this gives more clarity to my thoughts.
Again, I'd like to thank Brainwavz for the opportunity to review these. As others did, I received a review pair to keep similar to the S5. It's a nice gesture of confidence in the Head-Fi community.
In similar fashion, I'll avoid adding pictures and statistics that a quick Google search can provide.
All the usual qualifiers apply: IMO, YMMV, OMGWTFBBQ, ROFLCOPTER. This is just my experience. Yours might be different.
For those that don't like to wade through the paragraphs of information that most reviews provide, here is a succinct synopsis:
Bass: Can vary greatly. Overall lower-quantity with a softer impact. Occasionally comes out to play. See below for more details.
Mids: Pretty clear. Non-fatiguing. Present and slightly forward. Much less , "life has been sucked out" than the S5 but with slightly dry presentation. A touch of warmth. Quite enjoyable.
Treble: Nice lower treble energy. Non-fatiguing but hits of sibilance depending on the track. Smooth and laid back, maybe overly so for some.
Soundstage/Imaging: Good width, and back depth. Shallow forward depth. Can feel intimate as a result, but not cramped.
Separation/Clarity/Detail: Decent separation and good clarity if not a little thick sounding. Good detail in the mids. Lows are too fluffy for my taste. Highs lacking micro details from smoothing
Tips: Find whatever is comfortable. Didn't lead to a ton of variation as it normally does for me. Used the stock, clear tips.
Source/Amping: Some noticeable scaling, specifically with additional power to add a bit more life and energy to the sound. A clear source with good texture seems best, IMO.
Isolation: Slightly below average. Not great isolation, but doesn't leak.
Overall: Enjoyable. A stand out addition in a pack of "V's." Clunky build, but durable. A solid buy at $99. At $115+ you'll want to be sure it's what you're after.
Initial Impressions:
From my notes 6 weeks ago, I thought they sounded clear with a nice sense of balance. I found the bass to be soft and lacking texture. The mid range was enticing, forward, a little dry, but enjoyable.
Methodology:
I gave them 5 hours of listening the first day to become accustomed to the signature. They were then burned in for quite some time using set of burn-in tracks with mixed tracks, pink noise, and 5 minute breaks every hour on repeat.
They were burned in for over 300 hours in total throughout the process. I initially began my process after ~150 hours as per my usual. I continued to listen to other headphones/earphones.
Then, as mentioned above, I took week long breaks. I also spent full weeks only listening to the R3. My reasons for this will be further discussed in the following sections.
Listening was done casually at home and while out shopping. Detailed listening was done in a quiet office. A/B testing done as well with different gear and Fiio HS2 used occasionally for quick switching of sources or headphones.
I avoided reading any other reviews before writing this one to avoid bias.
Chains used:
1. PC USB/Optical>>>Audio GD NFB-15>>>R3
2. Fiio X3>>>(Topping NX1/C&C BH)>>>R3
3. Rockboxed Sansa Clip+>>>(Topping NX1/C&C BH)>>>R3
4. HTC One M8>>>R3
Tips used: Supplied tips, JVC spiral tips, Sony hybrids, Sennheiser double flange.
Test tracks: Many albums in my collection were listened to in full with a number of mixed in individual tracks, but here are a few specific tracks used.
Track formats included 256-320kbps mp3, FLAC, WAV files and a few youtube videos for variety.
- Jessica Lee Mayfield - Nervous Lonely Night : The first minute of this song can tell me a lot about a can. This will seem odd, but the pencil tapping at the start tells me a ton about timbre and a bit about depth. The generally forward vocals of the entire "Tell me" album help point out recessed mids quickly. The bass comes in strong with lots of quantity and impact to let me judge the low end presence and texture. I could go on. It's just a track that works for me.
- Queen - Killer Queen : One of my sibilance test tracks, though it's much more than that. It's another track that can really let you individually identify a spectrum of specific quality attributes or flaws.
- Paramore - Hallelujah : The recording/mastering, whatever, sounds just terrible on the deluxe mp3 version that I have. I use it to test how forgiving a can is.
- Pantera - Cowboys from Hell; Cemetery Gates; Floods : It's Pantera. No more explanation needed.
- Lisa Hannigan - Live from the Troubadour in W.Hollywood. : This is a special recording that I have from a live concert I attended. I'm frighteningly familiar with the venue/performance and how it should sound. I use this to judge soundstage, imaging, timbre and separation.
- Rage Against The Machine - People of the Sun : Bass.
- Metallica - (Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth / One/ etc - Lots of reasons
- Lana Del Rey - Lolita/National Anthem/Carmen : Lots of reasons but in general for her vocals that can sound like thick, warm syrup.
- Geographer - Kites : I like this for cohesion. Some cans make it sound disjointed or all jumbled up.
- Filipe Melo · Ana Cláudia // Spiegel im spiegel (Arvo Pärt) : It's beautiful. Noise test. Timbre. Naturalness.
- Girl Talk - Let it Out : It's fun.
- Dr. Chesky - The Ultimate Headphone Demonstration Disc - Soundstage, imaging, dynamics, etc.
- Many, more.
Build Quality & Acessories:
Oh Jetpack. It's awkward. The cable is a heavy, bouncy, rubbery monstrosity. Plenty of nice accessories included, solid 10/10 in my mind. The bulky shell may or may not affect your fit depending on ear shape.
Comfort/Fit:
Average comfort. The rubbery cable was very noticeable over the ear and raises up at times until pulled tighter with a shirt clip. Long-term comfort has been poor. After about an hour, I found that the area where the cable meets the body rubbed my ear the wrong way. Tips didn't seem to have too significant of an effect for comfort, though I did favor some more than others. In particular, I liked the stock clear tips that weren't quite as firm. I found that they tend to start slipping from my ears. I'm not sure if it's a result of the cable or something else. I tried to wear larger tips to offset the pull, but found that I couldn't handle the loss of comfort. Occasionally, I' would double check their positioning to make sure they are still in place. This was more of an issue when out and about than in the office.
Isolation/Leak:
Average to below average. Noisy locations will be noticeable. I found their isolation to be slightly less effective compared to the S5. Leak wasn't an issue.
Bass:
The moment I listened to the opening kick drum and first few bass string plucks in Jessica Lee Mayfield's - "Our Hearts Are Wrong", I knew that the bass and I were going to be at odds. That particular song is very bass heavy. The R3 does bring the quantity of bass in many tracks to manageable levels. This was one aspect that I appreciated for a number of bass heavy tracks; However, it was also the bane of bass light tracks.
As mentioned in the Cons, I found the bass to be two-faced or fractured. I tried my best to determine its cause, but wasn't able to pin it down in a way that I could explain in a clear fashion. In short, it seems certain frequencies are emphasized. It felt like there were peaks and valleys in the bass than had a very noticeable effect on impact and levels. It didn't seem like a clear line that is normally present where people can say, "Oh yeah, it has a mid bass hump and rolls off in the sub-bass which explains...blahblahblah." - Not the case here. Some songs had the low impact that they normally show, while it was next to non-existent in my other test tracks. I wish I could articulate it better. That said, there is a significant roll off in the sub-bass at about the 50 Hz mark. Below 30 is pretty much a black hole.
In this moment, as I listen to a number of tracks I find the duality. Some show nice, low impact. Others that should have the same feel like the kick drum or bass is hidden behind a glass panel or being hit by a pillow rather than a mallet.
One final beef was with the lack of texture. I found it really was missing that detail that comes with a more articulate bass. The overall tone felt smoothed over and pillowy.
Mids:
A nice forward presentation in the mids. It balances well still with the rest of the spectrum. A much desired addition following the soulless mids of the S5. As mentioned in the brief summary above, I find them slightly dry with a touch of warmth. It's a neutralish presentation of the mid range that in some ways reminds me of a less refined HE-560. One of my favorite signatures centers around the mids, so this was a nice change of pace from my generally bass oriented collection that includes the JVC FX-850, among others.
Treble:
Queen's song "Killer Queen" will pretty much violate my ears if a headphone/earphone is even a little hot, sibilant, etc. These do a pretty good job. Overall non-fatiguing but will undoubtedly be too lack-back for the treble lovers. Smooth, but still with a decent energy, particularly in the lower treble region. Not a whole lot of the sparkle. Hints of sibilance on already sibilant tracks, but that's normal.
Separation/Clarity/Detail:
I would say that it is a notch above average in this category. Decent separation and clarity. A bit thicker sounding than the S5 that suffered from a thin/recessed mid range that killed baby seals. Enough detail to satisfy. Without a doubt some loss of detail and clarity in the bass with roll off and fluffy presentation that lacks in texture and articulation.
Soundstage/Imaging:
The soundstage felt slightly more intimate than I've been used to but not in a cramped way. The positioning feels a intimate. This can be good and maybe a little bad for some live recordings. I'll explain way as it has to do with the way that I perceived the soundstage. The best way I can think to describe the shape is an taking a basketball and half way deflating just one hemisphere. The width sound above average, the behind depth the same. The forward depth, or the space in front of me seems as though its distance has been cut in half when compared to behind.
Source/Amping/Tips:
The R3 did seem to scale a bit. More important, for me, was the added power that seems to add a bit more life to the overall sound. :
- Audio-GD NFB-15
- Fiio X3 + Topping NX1 (Low gain, high was noisy and gave no play with the volume)
- Fiio X3 + C&C BH (Line 2, switches off, gain 'High').
- Rockboxed Sansa Clip+ (Forgot to experiment with attaching amps)
I didn't find a lot of difference when tip rolling. Insertion depth didn't change the sound enough so I ended up liking the stock, clear tips. They are comfortable and didn't negatively affect the sound. I thought a narrow bore might help the bass, but the effect was minor and inconsistent so I reverted.
Final Thoughts:
I want to say that I enjoy this earphone. It's far from perfect, but it has qualities that are becoming harder to find in a V-shaped market. The mid-centric presentation is a welcome addition to my collection. The bass can be a bit of a letdown on some tracks, but it can also be a boon in taming overly bass heavy tracks into submission. It can help you see your much listened to tracks in a new light. It suffers from some inevitable design issues, but overall a durable and enjoyable earphone. As I look at the $115 asking price on Amazon right now I asked myself the question, "Is it worth that price tag?" To some, yes. I think it would fit nicely into the $99 category, but what's $15 anyway?
thatBeatsguy
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Smooth, balanced sound. Brainwavz' signature unique look. Brainwavz' signature build.
Cons: Weird looks might deter some. Cable is pretty hefty and cumbersome.
Intro
TL;DR: Don't let its rather brutish looks fool you; the Brainwavz R3 is a smooth, gentle IEM that works especially well with acoustic genres, slow rock, and jazz.
Before I begin, I would like to thank Audrey at Brainwavz for providing the sample of the Brainwavz R3 in exchange for my honest opinion. Please note that I am neither affiliated with Brainwavz or any of its employees, nor am I being compensated for writing this review. All opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own unless otherwise specified, and all pictures are taken and owned by my sister. YMMV.
Well, it’s been a few weeks since my review of the S5s, and from that first impression of one of their IEMs, they’ve earned their place in my ‘Companies to Watch’ list. Though a lot of their IEMs, to my knowledge, lean towards a more consumer-friendly sound, they are no doubt of audiophile quality. Today, I’m going to be reviewing another of their high-end IEMs, and probably one of the most peculiar-looking IEMs I’ve ever seen, the dual-dynamic Brainwavz R3 Rev.2 (I’ll get to this later).
Anyhow, let’s get on to the IEMs. Shall we?
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.
[size=x-large]== Aesthetics ==[/size]
Packaging, Accessories
At first glance of the packaging, it’s clear that Brainwavz is proud of their design of the R3, as the box features a clear window from the front all the way through to the back of the box, with the R3’s housings suspended in a clear plastic mold, showcased proudly and rather enthusiastically, like a brand-new breakthrough in design or something along those lines. On the front you also see BRAINWAVZ R3 written with a tagline and a few of its main features. On the left side, you’ll see its specifications, and on the right are its accessories, and on the back is a cross-section diagram of the R3s’ housing along with a description of sorts.
Upon opening the package, you’ll find Brainwavz’ semi-hard case hidden from the light of day, housing the rest of the R3s and all of its accessories. I’m still pretty impressed with the plethora of eartips included in the package, which consists of six pairs of single-flange tips (one set in grey, the other in black, in S/M/L), one pair of double-flanged tips, one pair of triple-flanged tips, and a pair of Comply T500 foam eartips. So there you have it - nine pairs of eartips, all at your disposal along with the Brainwavz R3 and S5. Still pretty damn impressive. But that’s not all - you also get a nifty 1/4-inch adapter. In the previous version, there used to be an airline adapter supposedly - but in my case, I don’t think I would need it anyway, so that can be ignored. Frequent flyers, though, might have to buy their own airline adapter off a local Best Buy or some other electronics store.
Design, Build, Microphonics
You remember what I said about Brainwavz’ package being showcased like a design breakthrough? Well, I have got to hand it to Brainwavz, they have made one awesome breakthrough in design right here, and it’s sure to make anyone -- consumer or audiophile -- wonder how they manage to get these in their ears. (Not that it’s a bad thing, though -- they actually fit quite easily.)
Though the concept of dual dynamic drivers isn’t new (lately there have been a lot of popular options to choose from), how they’re implemented intrigued me.The two 10mm drivers are set up in a two-way configuration – one used for bass, the other for the rest of the audio spectrum. Again, this is not unusual, but then we move on to their placement. The two drivers are placed apart from and facing each other, pouring the sound into a ‘Sonic Chamber’ before it reaches your ears through a particularly long tube. At least, that’s what the diagram seems to tell me. It’s probably not as simple as it sounds, seeing as another dual dynamic IEM, the Audio-Technica ATH-CKR9 (and its older variant, the CKR10) shares a similarly-positioned pair of drivers…except for the fact that the CKRs’ drivers go for a ‘Push-Pull’ design in which one driver pushes the sound while the other pulls the sound to supposedly reduce distortion and improve sound quality (or something like that). Coming back to the R3s, it seems both drivers simply push sound into the sound chamber where the sound mixes to bring out the final product.
Moving on, we have the cable, which apparently consists of three sections: the main grey cable from the connector to the Y-split, a thinner grey cable from the Y-split to split (rather, splice), which transitions into a length of memory cable making the final stretch to the housings. This memory wire used to be a lot longer in the first version, but has been removed in the revision for better ergonomics and an easier fit.
Again, the team over at Brainwavz has impressed me with the excellent build quality of the R3s. From the solid machined aluminum housings to the strong extremely heavy-duty Y-split (see above), it’s clear Brainwavz made no compromises to the build quality of the R3 just as they did with the S5. The only gripe I have with the build is the cable. No, it’s not because of durability -- in fact, it’s probably one of the most solid cables I’ve had in my possession yet. My gripe with the cable is because it’s solid. It’s very thick -- reminding me of the cable on my old Beats Pro. Its thickness in turn makes them very difficult to manage. When they arrived, they were bound pretty tightly together by a wire, and when I undid the wire, I was greeted with an eyesore of a cable with folds and creases on every inch. Even as I write this, I’m still trying to straighten it out. Cable noise isn’t much different. Even with the over-ear design dulling it down, cable noise is still a bit of an issue due to the serious weight of the cable.
Fit, Comfort, Isolation
Now, I’m sure you’re still wondering if the bottle-like housings with a tube on the side would actually fit your ears. Well, I’m happy to report that it actually does. It did take a few minutes of fiddling at first, but it only takes a few tries to get accustomed to it. They’re pretty comfortable once they’re in your ears, though at times the housing does touch -- more like press on -- part of my ear when I don’t get them in right, which again is a nuisance, but it’s mostly just on me. Due to the housings being little more than a bottle with a tube sticking out of the side which goes into your ear, isolation leans toward average, but is nonetheless good enough for a walk in the park or at home. Don’t expect it to drown out much in a bus or the subway, though.
Also, something of note: the Brainwavz R3 can be worn straight-down; however the cable causes too much microphonics to be tolerable. That, and the R3 is considerably heavy with its thick cable and solid aluminum housings. I don’t know if you guys will like it -- maybe you will, maybe you won’t, but I most definitely will not wear these straight-down.
I hope I didn’t bore you yet with my explanations, because we’re just about to get to the sound. Bored yet? No? Great, now let’s move on.
[size=x-large]== Sound ==[/size]
Specs
Headphone Type
Closed back, vented in-ear monitor (straight down, around-the-ear)
Driver Type
10 mm dynamic x2
Frequency Response
16 Hz – 22 kHz
Rated Input Power
30 mW
Sensitivity
110 dB @ 1 mW
Impedance
32 Ω
Weight
N/A
Cable
1.3 m (4.2’) Copper Y-Cord
Connector
3.5 mm (1/8”) gold-plated 45-degree TRS
Accessories
Hard carrying case 3 pairs single-flange silicone eartips (grey, S/M/L)
3 pairs single-flange silicone eartips (black, S/M/L)
1 pair double-flange silicone eartips
1 pair triple-flange silicone eartips
1 pair Comply™ T-500 foam eartips
6.3 mm (1/4”) adapter
Equipment, Burn-in
The equipment used for this review consists of my iPod Touch, an iPad 3, and my PC through headphone-out as the sources, all running without an amp. The amp used in the test is a Yamaha RX-V359 through headphone-out. As for the EQ software being used, I use Viper4Windows on the PC and the default system EQ on the other sources. As always, my test tracks are available here, although I will link specific songs in the assessment for a more direct point of reference.
As per review “tradition,” the Brainwavz R3s have been burned in for at least 100 hours prior to the review, with occasional listening sessions in between for an average of an hour. So far, throughout the 100 hours of burn-in, there haven’t been any noticeable changes in sound. Also, the eartips I used are the L-sized grey single flanges throughout the review. So, without further ado, let’s get on to the sound!
Sound Quality
Bass:
Okay, let’s start off with the bass. As an IEM designed for the audiophile crowd, don’t expect the R3 to have elevated bass, because it doesn’t have that. However, what it does have is a smooth, swift low-end that is clearly made for its target audience. Its accurate, slightly warm tone reproduces low tones without overdoing anything. It also has a strong enough punch to satisfy most listeners who aren’t craving bass. In short, it’s a very addicting listen that works amazingly with cool, laid-back songs (Daft Punk –The Game of Love, Something About Us).
Midrange:
The Brainwavz R3’s midrange is sweet and rich – basically, it sounds great. It has a great amount of clarity with a slight warmth to it. It reproduces the midrange very well, and despite its mid-centric signature (more on this later), isn’t as forward as I expected. One of my favourite characteristics about it, though, is how they manage to blend really well with the bass (Coldplay –Sparks) – making a very cohesive and united sound signature.
Treble:
Brainwavz purposely tuned the R3 to have a smooth, laid-back treble, topping off the sound signature like the smooth foam on a latte (more on this analogy later). This laid-back signature gives the R3 a very relaxing signature that you can simply listen to for hours, which is a huge plus in my book. (Note: Technical mode ON) Though most laid-back treble usually sounds veiled and lacking detail, Brainwavz managed to counter that by tuning in a treble spike around 10 kHz. This allows the R3 to still retain great detail retrieval even with its laid-back treble (technical mode OFF).
Soundstage/Presentation:
Apparently Brainwavz’ “Sound Chamber” technology actually does affect the R3’s sound signature – specifically, its soundstage. It’s very wide, airy, and expansive, which you usually don’t get to hear very often in an earphone, so that’s a huge plus. Live, acoustic, and classical recordings really come to life on the Brainwavz R3. However, I did notice instruments were projected (or “sound like” in layman’s terms) onto a narrow arc in front of you, instead of all around you. It’s a little quirk there that might not be as appealing to the more finicky listeners, but it’s not too much of a big deal.
Genre Proficiency:
The Brainwavz R3, as I’ve said earlier, works amazingly well with cool, laid-back genres, synergising well with its laid-back sound. Stuff like Coldplay, Daft Punk’s slower works, classical, anything that’s slow or has a relaxing vibe – the Brainwavz R3 performs spectacularly. However, it’s hardly finicky with genres and will play anything you throw at it very well.
Summary:
The Brainwavz R3’s sound is something I could liken to a nice latte – smooth, rich, creamy, sweet, and with just the right kick from the coffee. I’m sure from this, you can put two and two together, so there’s not much to say other than it’s great if the R3’s sound is what you’re looking for. Bassheads will have to look elsewhere, because the R3 is definitely an audiophile IEM.
Other Media
Games:
The R3 isn’t bad with games. Sure, its detail retrieval is great for getting an edge over the competition, but its rather congested presentation takes a hit to their imaging capabilities. All in all, they’re not something I’d use for competitive gaming.
Movies:
The R3’s smooth, balanced signature allows it to play along with pretty much any type of movie, from epic action scenes to heart-wrenching drama moments. I find they perform better with quieter movies, just as they do well with laid-back music.
EQ Response, Amplification
The R3, in my opinion, doesn’t really respond well to EQ (rather, basic EQ presets), though with a more advanced EQ like Electri-Q or Viper4Windows, you can EQ them to be completely flat, which, surprisingly, is very easy to do. But once I did that, man, oh man. The results were amazing. Probably the only downside to this is having to go through rather extensive tweaking and listening to get the sound just right, but otherwise they’re perfectly fine. At an impedance rating of about 32 ohms, they do need a bit more power to drive than, say, the S5 IEMs. At lower volumes, their midrange sounds rather muffled, and both ends of the spectrum also lose some detail. With extra power, though, the midrange comes forward, and with enough power, the bass suddenly begins to sound pretty damn impressive. You can really feel the sub-bass notes come alive and make the entire signature come together to no short of amazing. I don’t have a dedicated headphone amp as of yet, but now I begin to realize just how much I need one.
I really like the bass from the R3s. It's smooth and full, but not enhanced - just naturally present. The bass sits in perfect alignment with the rest of the frequencies from the R3 and allows for a cohesive and realistic listening experience. Being a dynamic driver IEM, the bass is full and rich with a slightly slower feel than a balanced armature (BA) unit, but there is no mistaking the R3's bass for being slow in general terms. No, the R3 strikes the perfect balance of fullness and speed. Bass notes are crisply delivered on time and on target while leaving room for everything else in the spectrum to shine equally. Although not finely textured like the quickest of BA units, the bass is clean and detailed making faster basslines and deep percussion highly enjoyable. Listening to Muse's Absolution via the Colorfly C4, the bass and kick drums were deep and tight. Moving to Ozomatli's Embrace the Chaos album, the deepest rumble of the bass drum on "Pa Lante" was missing, but it takes an exceptional earphone / headphone to really get that right. The R3s certainly came close, but just didn't have that list tiny bit of power down at the lowest of frequencies. I'd much prefer that though to an excess of bass that can cloud the rest of the spectrum and disrupt the entire musical experience.
Mid-range Thanks to the present, but controlled bass, the R3's mids are able to shine through and take centre stage. I wouldn't call the R3s a mid-centric earphone so much as a neutral earphone. You could perhaps argue that the mids on the R3 are slightly laid back, but they're certainly well-balanced with the bass and treble even if they're just a hair behind. It's certainly not enough to make the mids sound distant or veiled and I really like the overall presentation a lot - it's very easy to listen to without sacrificing detail or articulation in any way. Guitars and similar instruments sound crisp and clean and both male and female vocals have an excellent sense of texture and clarity while still keeping an easy smoothness.
Treble The treble from the R3s is really interesting in that, up to this point in the review, I haven't really thought about the treble. I would say that's a good sign of perfectly balanced treble that's neither drawing attention to itself nor lacking in energy and leaving the presentation dark and muddy. The treble is lively enough to provide raspiness and air to vocals, percussive sounds and incidental textures like fingers on a fretboard, but it's not over-enhanced. There is zero fatigue from the R3, but there is also zero lost clarity - that's an extremely impressive feat.
Listening to "Calling Elvis" by Dire Straits I can clearly hear the raspiness of Mark Knopfler's voice and the snare, high hat and cymbals have good energy and clarity so that I can feel them and notice them in the mix, but I've not once in all the time I've spent with the R3s felt like there was too much or too little treble. I'd actually go so far as suggesting that this is one of the best treble balances I've heard from an IEM in quite some time. I'll discuss some comparisons shortly to demonstrate this in further detail.
Similar to the bass detail and speed, treble speed and resolution may be a tiny bit behind the sharpest of BA IEMs, but the R3s are no slouch. Not only do they not leave me wanting more from the treble, they actually leave me thoroughly enjoying the treble because it's fully detailed and energetic, but remains smooth enough to be enjoyable and actually worth exploring. I find sharper, faster treble renditions sometimes lead me to almost tuning out treble detail so as not to fatigue my ears, but the R3s let me focus on the individual textures of a cymbal or snare without feeling on edge as I do it.
Staging and Imaging The stage from the R3s isn't exceptional, but for a $139 it's very good. It feels spacious despite being modest in size and it is evenly proportioned in each direction with good depth and width. Imaging is very similar - it's not exceptional, but it's definitely commendable. Instruments are well separated and clearly defined in their own virtual space. Thanks to the well-balanced presentation of each section of the frequency range from the R3s, the finished product is a well represented auditory image with good clarity and separation.
Selected Comparisons FIDUE A83 At the time of writing this there's quite a bit of hype around the A83 (triple hybrid IEM) on Head-Fi and deservedly so, but given its $300+ price tag and slightly troublesome fit I was keen to compare it with the R3.
On direct comparison, the A83's balanced armatures revealed extra details and texture in the mix that the R3 couldn't show me, but that came at the cost of a drier tone and a less natural overall sound with the A83's treble sounding slightly forward and forced compared to the R3's outstanding balance. The staging and imaging is also better on the A83 as you'd expect with the greater availability of subtle details and auditory cues, but does that make the A83 a hands-down better earphone? I don't think so. If I were looking to hear every nuance then I'd reach for the A83 every time, but if I wanted to simply play and enjoy my music I'd probably reach for the R3s on each occasion due to their more natural treble presentation and more natural overall sound. Technically, the A83 is a better earphone, but practically the R3 might be better for some people.
Brainwavz S5 As much as I like the S5s for what they are, they just don't compare with their slightly more expensive siblings - or at least not for my tastes. Yes, the S5 offers an excellent bass punch that the R3s can't match and for some genres that's an instant trump card, but the R3's balance won me over permanently and left the S5s sounding peaky and occasionally unnatural to my ears. For wide-ranging musical tastes or those who listen to rock, blues or jazz I would recommend the R3 every time over the S5 despite it's funkier fit and higher price.
HiFiMan RE272 Unfortunately I sold my RE272s shortly prior to the R3s arriving, but at around half the price of the RE272's when they were new (if memory serves), the R3 is an excellent replacement. There's no doubt that the RE272 offered superior transparency and separation over the R3, but the R3 is a smoother listen and has much better bass presence than the RE272 so it's a fair trade in my mind. To be honest, if I had the 2 sitting side-by-side I would probably reach for the R3 on almost every occasion because of it's smoother presentation and fuller bass note.
Summary The R3 is an outstanding earphone for the $139 price tag. I would definitely recommend trying a pair before you buy them if you tend to have fit issues like me, but when worn cable-down the R3s are easy to fit so that might solve any concerns if you're happy to wear them cable-down.
I haven't heard a lot of budget IEMs and there are some awesome options out there, but of those I have tried, the R3s are among the most enjoyable of the lot and definitely might be the most neutrally voiced of the lot. If you're looking to spend <$150 on a pair of IEMs and you want an IEM that can handle wide-ranging genres while providing a smooth and natural presentation then the R3s are a must try!
DannyBai
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Even keeled sound, nice build, excellent bundle of accessories
Cons: Thick cable and large Y-split if it really is a con.
I was provide a review sample and would like to thank Salsera and Brainwavz/MP4Nation.
The R3 V.2 is a dual dynamic barrel shaped iem from Brainwavz. Probably the oddest looking earphone on the market but surprisingly, I had no problem with fit. The shape actually works well with the looping over ear design and the earphones stay in place without much issue. The housings look and feel of aluminum and are light in weight. They are actually very comfortable while in use. Cables are rather thick especially from Y-split down to the 3.5mm jack. From the Y-split up to the housings have been redesigned and are much better than the original version. Cables seem to stay in place quite well around the ears and the thickness wasn’t much of a bother for me. The 3.5mm jack has a nice 45 degree angle in which I have come to appreciate in design. Only gripe although minor is the overall thickness of the cable and bigger than average Y-split.
Moving on to the sound, these have a nice balanced signature. Bass doesn’t hit with great impact, won’t reach to the lowest of the lows or hit you with forceful mid-bass punch. Bass has good presence but isn’t the tightest and sounds a bit soft from what I’m use to. The S5 from Brainwavz reaches lower, has bigger impact and makes a much greater presence in the music. For those who find the S5 to have too much bass, the R3 might be more appealing. Overall, I find the bass to fit with the signature these earphones are going for. These earphones have a wide and deep soundstage, some of the biggest I’ve heard. This can be good or bad on the vocals, depending on preference. The staging distances the vocals several rows back so it isn’t up front. I find them a little recessed and I mean little because they can be clearly heard and is not hidden from the rest of the music. I honestly couldn’t nitpick if male or female vocals sounded better since both sounded just fine for me. But, vocal trance sounded quite nice. Treble is very relaxed and there isn’t even a hint of fatigue, sibilance or the dreaded “sss” in the vocal region. Treble is smooth and possibly could use a little more for added sparkle. Somewhere between the R3 and S5 would be lovely. The smooth and non-fatiguing treble still clearly presents the details in the music. Instrument placement can be best pictured as if the listener is sitting in a large theatre compared to say a small intimate club. This is more of a surround sound listening experience.
In conclusion, I find the R3 V2 to be an even keeled sounding earphone that really doesn’t have much fault. Nothing to really complain about, even with the thick cable and all. I’m not too much of a nitpicker but I would think most would find this earphone to sound just fine. No huge bass to complain about or peaky treble or too recessed vocals. Fit’s fine if people can ignore the odd design and give it a try.
kova4a
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: solid build quality; balanced smooth and natural sound; 2-year warranty
Cons: rubbery cable prone to memory kinks; fit can be an issue for some people
First off, I have to thank again Brainwavz and Audrey for this R3 unit
Packaging and Accessories
The packaging is quite straightforward. There are plastic windows both at the front and the back of the box showcasing the shiny metal housings of the R3. Below the front window is embossed Brainwavz R3 and a very basic description – Twin Driver Configuration, Bass & Clarity and Rugged Metal Housing Design. Can’t disagree with that but maybe Smooth & Balanced would have been a bit more accurate description but more on that later.
On the back of the box there is a bit more detailed description of the R3 and its design.
On the sides of the package are listed its contents and R3’s specs.
It’s a fairly nice presentation overall.
Inside the box reside the R3 and the Brainwavz case. I’ve mentioned multiple times that this is my favorite iem case. It’s quite tough and specious and can easily fit a pair of iems and a small DAP like a Sansa. Inside one of the red pockets there is a nice quarter inch adapter and small gray bag with the included tips. There are 2 different types of single flange tips. Black ones made of a touch thicker silicone and gray ones, which are softer and have a slightly wider bore. The single flange silicone tips come in 3 sizes. There is also a pair of bi-flange and a pair of tri-flange tips, which come in only one size. As usual with Brainwavz a pair of comply foam tips packaged separately is included to complete the package.
Build Quality, Design and Fit
The R3 is a quite solid iem with robust metal housings and a thick rugged cable. The cable is a bit memory prone and rubbery though and while I don’t mind its thickness or weight I would have preferred if it had smoother sleeving and was more pliable and easier to keep straight.
The strain reliefs are substantial and again some people might call the Y-splitter over-engineered but it’s fine by me.
The j-plug is also on the bulky side but I’m a huge fan of j-plugs and it looks capable of withstanding quite a bit of abuse, so I can’t complain. If anything it completes the overall tough looks of the R3.
Design-wise it only takes a quick glance at the R3 to realize that it’s not your average iem. Its design is quite unique and I have to admit that when the R3 was first announced I wasn’t impressed and right away commented that people will have issue with the fit with such a design. It’s eye catching though and people often stare at the housing more than a couple of seconds.
Surprisingly despite my initial reservations and worries about the fit it turned out fine. I haven’t tried the old R3 version with the long memory-wires but this revised one actually fits me quite well. The fit is secure and isolation is good. It did take me quite a bit of tip rolling but finally settled on the stock bi-flanges both for the comfort and the sound.
The R3 can also be worn straight but the fit will be less secure due to the weight of the cable pulling the housings down.
There is a very mild driver flex with certain tips particularly on the left earpiece. Microphonics are very low when worn cable up.
Sound
The R3 has over 100 hours of burn-in at the time of writing this review.
For a dual dynamic driver iem that has a separate driver to reproduce the low frequencies the R3 quite surprised me. Its bass is quite flat and balanced. It is well-rounded with good control but is a bit on the polite side – softer on the impact and lacking some depth. The lower extension is not bad but after 50hz the bass gradually rolls off. Overall I like R3’s bass although I would have liked if it was a bit tighter and harder hitting but given the overall smooth and non-fatiguing presentation of the R3 it fits well with the rest of the spectrum. In comparison the Brainwavz S5 has a lot bigger but also less controlled and muddier bass bleeding into the mids.
The mids are well balanced with the bass and also relatively flat. Both male and female vocals have very nice presence and sweet tone. The R3 actually sounds a bit mid-centric but I don’t mind that as this type of signature is harder and harder to find. The tonality is slightly on the warm side but still what I would call neutral-ish. Instruments have nice timbre and despite the slightly thick note presentation sound natural and realistic. Detail retrieval is actually pretty good but clarity is a bit behind in comparison to some of the competition. In comparison brainwavz’s own S5 is noticeably clearer due to its thinner note presentation and treble emphasis but is also a lot less natural sounding and more fatiguing. The R3 instead is smoother lusher sounding.
The highs are a bit laid back but very well extended and smooth. The lower treble has enough energy to keeps things exciting without getting harsh or fatiguing. There is plenty of shimmer but I wouldn’t have minded a bit more sparkle. The treble is not prone to pointing out sibilance. In comparison the S5 with its more emphasized and peaky highs is noticeably harsher and more artificial sounding.
The R3 is full and airy sounding. Imaging is very good with both width and depth above average. Positioning is quite good. Instrument separation is very good with plenty of space between the instruments. Overall, the R3 sounds pretty spacious, especially for a mid-centric iem, which usually tend to be more on the intimate side.
Summary
R3 and its little brother R1
Brainwavz R3 has quite the surprising sound for a dual dynamic driver iem. Owning the Brainwavz R1 I expected a lot different sound but it’s heads and shoulders above its smaller dual dynamic brother R1. I’m not going to lie, I would also pick it over the Brainwavz’s other higher-end iem the S5 any day of the week. While the S5 will most likely impress a lot more people at first listen with its big bass and clarity, the R3 with its more balanced, smoother and mature sound is the iem that really impresses.
The R3 is a very solid performer sound-wise with a very solid build quality to boot. If it wasn’t for Audrey I probably would have given it a pass worried about the fit and all the people complaining about it. Maybe the memory wires on the old version were really horrible – I can’t comment on that but they are gone now and what is left is an iem that deserves to be given a second chance.
twister6
twister6 Reviews
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: build quality, included accessories, great sound separation
Cons: cable, would prefer memory wire back, fitment
Since I was among the early adopters of this updated 2.0 version of R3, I already posted a detailed review with pictures in the original R3 review thread. Therefore, I'm just going to provide a link to my R3 v2.0 review: http://www.head-fi.org/products/brainwavz-r3-dual-dynamic-driver-earphones/reviews/11456
Audiophile1811
500+ Head-Fier
Introduction – As the top-of-the-line earphone of the young company Brainwavz, the R3 has a quite a lot on its shoulders. Utilizing a relatively new dual-dynamic driver configuration, uncommon with most headphones on the market, Brainwavz has chosen this design for its very best headphone. Bold as it is, this design has been successful in many budget-based sets such as the Havi B3 Pro-1 and TTPOD’s T1 series. The R3’s, then, promise a lot considering they cost twice and even three times as much as the aforementioned earphones. So do they deliver for the price? The answer is yes… and no. But this is best explained throughout my review so if you’re interested, simply read on and find out why.
Disclaimer – This is a free review unit delivered to me for the purpose of this review. I am not affiliated with Brainwavz in any way and will stay objective as possible throughout this review. Huge thanks to Audrey at Brainwavz for sending these out to me, it’s quite a privilege. All photos were taken by me.
Specifications:
- 10mm Dual-Dynamic drivers (Passive Crossover)
- Impedance: 32 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 95dB
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
- Rated Input Power: 2mW
- Cable: OFC Copper, 1.3 meters/4.25 ft.
Packaging & Accessories: The R3’s have slightly unconventional packaging that presents the headphones and its cable through clear plastic windows on either side of the box. Inside you’ll find a plethora of tips (9 pairs in total) which include 6 pairs of single-flange silicone tips (3 pairs gray, 3 pairs black), a single pair of bi-flange and triple-flange tips, and a pair of Comply T500 tips. Also included is a ¼ inch adapter, a hard zip-case, and a 1-year warranty card (box says 2 years, don’t know which to believe). Brainwavz has been very generous with their accessories and deserve credit for being thoughtful with their ear tips.
Build & Design: Brainwavz has gone very out-of-the-box with the design of the R3. They’ve used a tubular housing for the drivers and a 90° angle nozzle that sticks straight out of the center. This means each driver faces each other within a divided enclosure and each band of frequencies meet inside the nozzle creating a uniform sound. Internal details aside, the aluminum housings feel extremely rugged throughout. However, cable quality is questionable. The 4-inch black portion of the cable is higher quality than the remaining grey section and is the only part that doesn’t suffer from kinks or memory. But since most of the cable does, it’s a wonder why Brainwavz didn’t just make the entire cable consistent (or thinner for that matter). But this is nitpicking because the R3’s seem very durable. The real problems come when wearing the R3’s.
Comfort & Fit: I have small ears, which means I also have problems with earphones, even the most comfortable. Brainwavz sought to remedy this dilemma for those like me but haven’t entirely succeeded. The R3’s are utilize an over-ear design but the housings are heavy and the nozzles are large. This causes them to fall out of place and need adjustment often. Strain reliefs are a bit stiff below the housings (fine on the Y-split & 3.5mm jack) and combined with their vertical position the cable very tricky to place behind the ear, as they were intended. But the worst part is the cable that is simply too thick and heavy for an IEM. The sheer weight and size of the cable can make it cumbersome and difficult to wear under clothing (also due to its rubbery texture). When worn with the right ear tips the R3’s are relatively comfortable but suffer from their awkward design and cable. With this in mind, the R3’s will suit some but definitely not others, so be cautious if your ears have given you trouble in the past.
Microphonics: For such a large cable, microphonics were not as bad as I expected. Cable noise is well controlled when worn over-ear but is fairly distracting cable-down. The included cinch does a good job of keeping cable noise down in either configuration too.
Isolation: There is a surprising level of noise attenuation when wearing the R3’s. They isolate very well outdoors and reduce environmental noise enough for non-distractive (but safe) listening. I consider this a strength of the R3’s overall.
----------Sound----------
Equipment & Background – For the sound portion of this review I will be using an Audinst HUD-MX1 amp/DAC combo as my primary “reference” source, a Topping NX-1 portable amplifier, and a Sansa Fuze as a portable source. All my impressions are done indoors with an over-ear headphone for added isolation resulting in almost silent listening with no audible distractions. My library consists of FLAC and high bit-rate MP3 files. The R3’s were also burned-in over 100hrs before review.
Bass: With a mid-forward sound signature the bass on the R3’s are not boosted or enhanced like many V-shaped sets on the market. Instead, lows are much mellower and have a pleasant musical warmth throughout. And while they don’t extend too far down there is enough sub-bass for an engaging listen. Bass is tight, controlled, and well-rounded and never once feels loose or bloated. However, it should be noted that the lows on the R3 are fairly soft in nature which means they won’t deliver the same visceral impact compared to sets with large mid-bass humps. That said, bass is always engaging and very punchy when required. Smoothness is another quality of the bass that becomes noticeable with fast, heavy music genres (those of which are not entirely suited for the R3). But those who prefer a mid-forward signature will appreciate the manner with which the R3’s handle bass notes. They are never distracting and don’t steal the attention of the listener; they provide enough energy to strike an excellent balance with the midrange and treble. Bass reproduction is one of the biggest strengths of the R3’s (in my opinion) due to their laid-back presence.
Mids: Moving upwards, the midrange holds a good few surprises. As mentioned before, the R3’s are mid forward overall. But this does not make them fatiguing or offensive to listen to as many other users have experienced with many other mid forward sets. Instead, the R3’s mids are not aggressive or rich, just forward enough to focus its sound on one particular part of the frequency spectrum. The primary advantage here are mids that are both clear and smooth. The balance between the two is obvious but the mids generally lean towards smoothness more than anything else. Vocalists demonstrate this best as they lack detail in parts of both the lower and upper-midrange; Both male and female vocalist suffer the effects of this coloration which was likely created by frequency dips in both regions. In terms of quality, the midrange is neither lifelike nor is it the most natural. Despite this there is no lack of finesse to the mids, just slightly lacking in accuracy. It will easily satisfy all but the extreme detail lover with its creamy, effortless nature but it won’t please anybody in sheer quality alone.
Treble: The last piece of the (frequency) puzzle lies in the R3’s treble. Highs are, yet again, very smooth but also more revealing and detailed than any frequencies below it. While not bright, there is an unexpected level of clarity up top considering the soft, genial character of the bass and midrange. Details come through with percussive instruments with natural timbre and good sparkle but without harshness. This lack of harshness prevents any sibilance from occurring even with the most aggressive vocalists and the worst recordings. Extension is considerably impressive as well, with frequencies extending up to 15kHz and gently rolling-off afterwards. And although consistency is lacking in areas, the treble is still up to par with more expensive earphones in its price range. For what it does best (i.e. bass) and what its focus is (i.e. mids), the top end of the R3’s are surprisingly good; They can suit the needs of almost any listener and any genre.
Presentation: The R3’s present their sound in a way that’s both engaging and involving. Soundstage is a little predictable for a mid-centric IEM as it has a tendency to place vocals and most of the midrange very close to the listener. This gives the effect of having music performed directly in front of you, but not in a way that it becomes tiring over time. The result is a soundstage with only average depth overall. Height is improved over depth but width is where the R3’s begin to open up. Wide spatial cues are thrown out far on either side of the head while still maintaining easy localization. The result is an intimate presentation that is more spacious than their sound signature would suggest. Bass is centered, vocals are intimate, treble is airy, and music is simply a joy to experience. Most will find their unique presentation and signature very pleasant no matter what genre of music preferred.
Ear Tips & Insertion Sensitivity: The R3’s can be a little picky with ear tips as their nozzle is a slightly larger than average. Even the included tips require a little force to fit onto the nozzle. But this doesn’t inhibit tip-rolling with the R3’s as they are quite flexible. Sound can be adjusted to have either a thicker, warmer sound or a more neutral one depending on the tip fitted: Single flanges will achieve the former while the included double-flanges will achieve the latter. And since insertion is neither shallow nor deep some tips will stay in place and others will not. As mentioned in the Comfort & Fit section, this will depend on your ears more than anything else.
Power, Sensitivity, and Source Performance: The R3’s are a very drivable earphone that respond well with most sources. Low output devices should have no trouble driving them although they may require a little more volume to acquire listenable levels. A more powerful source, such as a dedicated amplifier, will yield better results in terms of volume and quality.
Value: For $129 the Brainwavz R3 is a peculiar earphone that combines an unusual design with a consumer friendly sound. The R3 balances a mid-forward signature with a wide presentation but loses out in areas of detail and accuracy. But its main weakness is its design and fit. Their tubular housings are difficult to wear for long periods without adjustment and that’s if they’re comfortable to begin with. The cable’s large profile also causes issues as it prevents the R3’s from fitting inside a pant pocket, making them a little inconvenient to transport. Overall however, the R3 is still relatively good value if you can get past its flaws. And if you enjoy a smooth, musical sound you’ll be in for a pleasant surprise.
I hope this review will be useful to those who read through it. Please leave any suggestions or advice you may have in the comments below. Everyone’s input will help me improve my reviews and make it easier to adapt my reviews for as wide an audience as possible. Thanks for reading and happy listening!
Wokei
Nice review ..well done
Audiophile1811
Thanks @Wokei
Kamakahah
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Durable build quality. Clear and non-fatiguing. Good overall balance.
Cons: Thick, rubbery cable. Two-faced bass. Long-term comfort
Admittedly, I took far too long to post this review. I wanted to try a different approach that involved becoming accustomed to the signature followed by a period without them, and then a reintroduction. It's been about six weeks since I received the unit. I've done week long periods with and without them.
The reason for this decision was two fold:
1. It's the first dual dynamic IEM that I've given significant head time.
2. There were/are some awkward inconsistencies with the sound signature that I was/am hearing. It was my hope at the time to be able to narrow the the reasons behind them. More on this later.
After realizing that I had too many notes and they were harder for me to characterize than originally anticipated, I decided to write this review while listening to them after a short break and give my overall thoughts from this session. My previous notes will still be a factor in what I write, but hopefully this gives more clarity to my thoughts.
Again, I'd like to thank Brainwavz for the opportunity to review these. As others did, I received a review pair to keep similar to the S5. It's a nice gesture of confidence in the Head-Fi community.
In similar fashion, I'll avoid adding pictures and statistics that a quick Google search can provide.
All the usual qualifiers apply: IMO, YMMV, OMGWTFBBQ, ROFLCOPTER. This is just my experience. Yours might be different.
For those that don't like to wade through the paragraphs of information that most reviews provide, here is a succinct synopsis:
Bass: Can vary greatly. Overall lower-quantity with a softer impact. Occasionally comes out to play. See below for more details.
Mids: Pretty clear. Non-fatiguing. Present and slightly forward. Much less , "life has been sucked out" than the S5 but with slightly dry presentation. A touch of warmth. Quite enjoyable.
Treble: Nice lower treble energy. Non-fatiguing but hits of sibilance depending on the track. Smooth and laid back, maybe overly so for some.
Soundstage/Imaging: Good width, and back depth. Shallow forward depth. Can feel intimate as a result, but not cramped.
Separation/Clarity/Detail: Decent separation and good clarity if not a little thick sounding. Good detail in the mids. Lows are too fluffy for my taste. Highs lacking micro details from smoothing
Tips: Find whatever is comfortable. Didn't lead to a ton of variation as it normally does for me. Used the stock, clear tips.
Source/Amping: Some noticeable scaling, specifically with additional power to add a bit more life and energy to the sound. A clear source with good texture seems best, IMO.
Isolation: Slightly below average. Not great isolation, but doesn't leak.
Overall: Enjoyable. A stand out addition in a pack of "V's." Clunky build, but durable. A solid buy at $99. At $115+ you'll want to be sure it's what you're after.
Initial Impressions:
From my notes 6 weeks ago, I thought they sounded clear with a nice sense of balance. I found the bass to be soft and lacking texture. The mid range was enticing, forward, a little dry, but enjoyable.
Methodology:
I gave them 5 hours of listening the first day to become accustomed to the signature. They were then burned in for quite some time using set of burn-in tracks with mixed tracks, pink noise, and 5 minute breaks every hour on repeat.
They were burned in for over 300 hours in total throughout the process. I initially began my process after ~150 hours as per my usual. I continued to listen to other headphones/earphones.
Then, as mentioned above, I took week long breaks. I also spent full weeks only listening to the R3. My reasons for this will be further discussed in the following sections.
Listening was done casually at home and while out shopping. Detailed listening was done in a quiet office. A/B testing done as well with different gear and Fiio HS2 used occasionally for quick switching of sources or headphones.
I avoided reading any other reviews before writing this one to avoid bias.
Chains used:
1. PC USB/Optical>>>Audio GD NFB-15>>>R3
2. Fiio X3>>>(Topping NX1/C&C BH)>>>R3
3. Rockboxed Sansa Clip+>>>(Topping NX1/C&C BH)>>>R3
4. HTC One M8>>>R3
Tips used: Supplied tips, JVC spiral tips, Sony hybrids, Sennheiser double flange.
Test tracks: Many albums in my collection were listened to in full with a number of mixed in individual tracks, but here are a few specific tracks used.
Track formats included 256-320kbps mp3, FLAC, WAV files and a few youtube videos for variety.
- Jessica Lee Mayfield - Nervous Lonely Night : The first minute of this song can tell me a lot about a can. This will seem odd, but the pencil tapping at the start tells me a ton about timbre and a bit about depth. The generally forward vocals of the entire "Tell me" album help point out recessed mids quickly. The bass comes in strong with lots of quantity and impact to let me judge the low end presence and texture. I could go on. It's just a track that works for me.
- Queen - Killer Queen : One of my sibilance test tracks, though it's much more than that. It's another track that can really let you individually identify a spectrum of specific quality attributes or flaws.
- Paramore - Hallelujah : The recording/mastering, whatever, sounds just terrible on the deluxe mp3 version that I have. I use it to test how forgiving a can is.
- Pantera - Cowboys from Hell; Cemetery Gates; Floods : It's Pantera. No more explanation needed.
- Lisa Hannigan - Live from the Troubadour in W.Hollywood. : This is a special recording that I have from a live concert I attended. I'm frighteningly familiar with the venue/performance and how it should sound. I use this to judge soundstage, imaging, timbre and separation.
- Rage Against The Machine - People of the Sun : Bass.
- Metallica - (Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth / One/ etc - Lots of reasons
- Lana Del Rey - Lolita/National Anthem/Carmen : Lots of reasons but in general for her vocals that can sound like thick, warm syrup.
- Geographer - Kites : I like this for cohesion. Some cans make it sound disjointed or all jumbled up.
- Filipe Melo · Ana Cláudia // Spiegel im spiegel (Arvo Pärt) : It's beautiful. Noise test. Timbre. Naturalness.
- Girl Talk - Let it Out : It's fun.
- Dr. Chesky - The Ultimate Headphone Demonstration Disc - Soundstage, imaging, dynamics, etc.
- Many, more.
Build Quality & Acessories:
Oh Jetpack. It's awkward. The cable is a heavy, bouncy, rubbery monstrosity. Plenty of nice accessories included, solid 10/10 in my mind. The bulky shell may or may not affect your fit depending on ear shape.
Comfort/Fit:
Average comfort. The rubbery cable was very noticeable over the ear and raises up at times until pulled tighter with a shirt clip. Long-term comfort has been poor. After about an hour, I found that the area where the cable meets the body rubbed my ear the wrong way. Tips didn't seem to have too significant of an effect for comfort, though I did favor some more than others. In particular, I liked the stock clear tips that weren't quite as firm. I found that they tend to start slipping from my ears. I'm not sure if it's a result of the cable or something else. I tried to wear larger tips to offset the pull, but found that I couldn't handle the loss of comfort. Occasionally, I' would double check their positioning to make sure they are still in place. This was more of an issue when out and about than in the office.
Isolation/Leak:
Average to below average. Noisy locations will be noticeable. I found their isolation to be slightly less effective compared to the S5. Leak wasn't an issue.
Bass:
The moment I listened to the opening kick drum and first few bass string plucks in Jessica Lee Mayfield's - "Our Hearts Are Wrong", I knew that the bass and I were going to be at odds. That particular song is very bass heavy. The R3 does bring the quantity of bass in many tracks to manageable levels. This was one aspect that I appreciated for a number of bass heavy tracks; However, it was also the bane of bass light tracks.
As mentioned in the Cons, I found the bass to be two-faced or fractured. I tried my best to determine its cause, but wasn't able to pin it down in a way that I could explain in a clear fashion. In short, it seems certain frequencies are emphasized. It felt like there were peaks and valleys in the bass than had a very noticeable effect on impact and levels. It didn't seem like a clear line that is normally present where people can say, "Oh yeah, it has a mid bass hump and rolls off in the sub-bass which explains...blahblahblah." - Not the case here. Some songs had the low impact that they normally show, while it was next to non-existent in my other test tracks. I wish I could articulate it better. That said, there is a significant roll off in the sub-bass at about the 50 Hz mark. Below 30 is pretty much a black hole.
In this moment, as I listen to a number of tracks I find the duality. Some show nice, low impact. Others that should have the same feel like the kick drum or bass is hidden behind a glass panel or being hit by a pillow rather than a mallet.
One final beef was with the lack of texture. I found it really was missing that detail that comes with a more articulate bass. The overall tone felt smoothed over and pillowy.
Mids:
A nice forward presentation in the mids. It balances well still with the rest of the spectrum. A much desired addition following the soulless mids of the S5. As mentioned in the brief summary above, I find them slightly dry with a touch of warmth. It's a neutralish presentation of the mid range that in some ways reminds me of a less refined HE-560. One of my favorite signatures centers around the mids, so this was a nice change of pace from my generally bass oriented collection that includes the JVC FX-850, among others.
Treble:
Queen's song "Killer Queen" will pretty much violate my ears if a headphone/earphone is even a little hot, sibilant, etc. These do a pretty good job. Overall non-fatiguing but will undoubtedly be too lack-back for the treble lovers. Smooth, but still with a decent energy, particularly in the lower treble region. Not a whole lot of the sparkle. Hints of sibilance on already sibilant tracks, but that's normal.
Separation/Clarity/Detail:
I would say that it is a notch above average in this category. Decent separation and clarity. A bit thicker sounding than the S5 that suffered from a thin/recessed mid range that killed baby seals. Enough detail to satisfy. Without a doubt some loss of detail and clarity in the bass with roll off and fluffy presentation that lacks in texture and articulation.
Soundstage/Imaging:
The soundstage felt slightly more intimate than I've been used to but not in a cramped way. The positioning feels a intimate. This can be good and maybe a little bad for some live recordings. I'll explain way as it has to do with the way that I perceived the soundstage. The best way I can think to describe the shape is an taking a basketball and half way deflating just one hemisphere. The width sound above average, the behind depth the same. The forward depth, or the space in front of me seems as though its distance has been cut in half when compared to behind.
Source/Amping/Tips:
The R3 did seem to scale a bit. More important, for me, was the added power that seems to add a bit more life to the overall sound. :
- Audio-GD NFB-15
- Fiio X3 + Topping NX1 (Low gain, high was noisy and gave no play with the volume)
- Fiio X3 + C&C BH (Line 2, switches off, gain 'High').
- Rockboxed Sansa Clip+ (Forgot to experiment with attaching amps)
I didn't find a lot of difference when tip rolling. Insertion depth didn't change the sound enough so I ended up liking the stock, clear tips. They are comfortable and didn't negatively affect the sound. I thought a narrow bore might help the bass, but the effect was minor and inconsistent so I reverted.
Final Thoughts:
I want to say that I enjoy this earphone. It's far from perfect, but it has qualities that are becoming harder to find in a V-shaped market. The mid-centric presentation is a welcome addition to my collection. The bass can be a bit of a letdown on some tracks, but it can also be a boon in taming overly bass heavy tracks into submission. It can help you see your much listened to tracks in a new light. It suffers from some inevitable design issues, but overall a durable and enjoyable earphone. As I look at the $115 asking price on Amazon right now I asked myself the question, "Is it worth that price tag?" To some, yes. I think it would fit nicely into the $99 category, but what's $15 anyway?
thatBeatsguy
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Smooth, balanced sound. Brainwavz' signature unique look. Brainwavz' signature build.
Cons: Weird looks might deter some. Cable is pretty hefty and cumbersome.
Intro
TL;DR: Don't let its rather brutish looks fool you; the Brainwavz R3 is a smooth, gentle IEM that works especially well with acoustic genres, slow rock, and jazz.
Before I begin, I would like to thank Audrey at Brainwavz for providing the sample of the Brainwavz R3 in exchange for my honest opinion. Please note that I am neither affiliated with Brainwavz or any of its employees, nor am I being compensated for writing this review. All opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own unless otherwise specified, and all pictures are taken and owned by my sister. YMMV.
Well, it’s been a few weeks since my review of the S5s, and from that first impression of one of their IEMs, they’ve earned their place in my ‘Companies to Watch’ list. Though a lot of their IEMs, to my knowledge, lean towards a more consumer-friendly sound, they are no doubt of audiophile quality. Today, I’m going to be reviewing another of their high-end IEMs, and probably one of the most peculiar-looking IEMs I’ve ever seen, the dual-dynamic Brainwavz R3 Rev.2 (I’ll get to this later).
Anyhow, let’s get on to the IEMs. Shall we?
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.
[size=x-large]== Aesthetics ==[/size]
Packaging, Accessories
At first glance of the packaging, it’s clear that Brainwavz is proud of their design of the R3, as the box features a clear window from the front all the way through to the back of the box, with the R3’s housings suspended in a clear plastic mold, showcased proudly and rather enthusiastically, like a brand-new breakthrough in design or something along those lines. On the front you also see BRAINWAVZ R3 written with a tagline and a few of its main features. On the left side, you’ll see its specifications, and on the right are its accessories, and on the back is a cross-section diagram of the R3s’ housing along with a description of sorts.
Upon opening the package, you’ll find Brainwavz’ semi-hard case hidden from the light of day, housing the rest of the R3s and all of its accessories. I’m still pretty impressed with the plethora of eartips included in the package, which consists of six pairs of single-flange tips (one set in grey, the other in black, in S/M/L), one pair of double-flanged tips, one pair of triple-flanged tips, and a pair of Comply T500 foam eartips. So there you have it - nine pairs of eartips, all at your disposal along with the Brainwavz R3 and S5. Still pretty damn impressive. But that’s not all - you also get a nifty 1/4-inch adapter. In the previous version, there used to be an airline adapter supposedly - but in my case, I don’t think I would need it anyway, so that can be ignored. Frequent flyers, though, might have to buy their own airline adapter off a local Best Buy or some other electronics store.
Design, Build, Microphonics
You remember what I said about Brainwavz’ package being showcased like a design breakthrough? Well, I have got to hand it to Brainwavz, they have made one awesome breakthrough in design right here, and it’s sure to make anyone -- consumer or audiophile -- wonder how they manage to get these in their ears. (Not that it’s a bad thing, though -- they actually fit quite easily.)
Though the concept of dual dynamic drivers isn’t new (lately there have been a lot of popular options to choose from), how they’re implemented intrigued me.The two 10mm drivers are set up in a two-way configuration – one used for bass, the other for the rest of the audio spectrum. Again, this is not unusual, but then we move on to their placement. The two drivers are placed apart from and facing each other, pouring the sound into a ‘Sonic Chamber’ before it reaches your ears through a particularly long tube. At least, that’s what the diagram seems to tell me. It’s probably not as simple as it sounds, seeing as another dual dynamic IEM, the Audio-Technica ATH-CKR9 (and its older variant, the CKR10) shares a similarly-positioned pair of drivers…except for the fact that the CKRs’ drivers go for a ‘Push-Pull’ design in which one driver pushes the sound while the other pulls the sound to supposedly reduce distortion and improve sound quality (or something like that). Coming back to the R3s, it seems both drivers simply push sound into the sound chamber where the sound mixes to bring out the final product.
Moving on, we have the cable, which apparently consists of three sections: the main grey cable from the connector to the Y-split, a thinner grey cable from the Y-split to split (rather, splice), which transitions into a length of memory cable making the final stretch to the housings. This memory wire used to be a lot longer in the first version, but has been removed in the revision for better ergonomics and an easier fit.
Again, the team over at Brainwavz has impressed me with the excellent build quality of the R3s. From the solid machined aluminum housings to the strong extremely heavy-duty Y-split (see above), it’s clear Brainwavz made no compromises to the build quality of the R3 just as they did with the S5. The only gripe I have with the build is the cable. No, it’s not because of durability -- in fact, it’s probably one of the most solid cables I’ve had in my possession yet. My gripe with the cable is because it’s solid. It’s very thick -- reminding me of the cable on my old Beats Pro. Its thickness in turn makes them very difficult to manage. When they arrived, they were bound pretty tightly together by a wire, and when I undid the wire, I was greeted with an eyesore of a cable with folds and creases on every inch. Even as I write this, I’m still trying to straighten it out. Cable noise isn’t much different. Even with the over-ear design dulling it down, cable noise is still a bit of an issue due to the serious weight of the cable.
Fit, Comfort, Isolation
Now, I’m sure you’re still wondering if the bottle-like housings with a tube on the side would actually fit your ears. Well, I’m happy to report that it actually does. It did take a few minutes of fiddling at first, but it only takes a few tries to get accustomed to it. They’re pretty comfortable once they’re in your ears, though at times the housing does touch -- more like press on -- part of my ear when I don’t get them in right, which again is a nuisance, but it’s mostly just on me. Due to the housings being little more than a bottle with a tube sticking out of the side which goes into your ear, isolation leans toward average, but is nonetheless good enough for a walk in the park or at home. Don’t expect it to drown out much in a bus or the subway, though.
Also, something of note: the Brainwavz R3 can be worn straight-down; however the cable causes too much microphonics to be tolerable. That, and the R3 is considerably heavy with its thick cable and solid aluminum housings. I don’t know if you guys will like it -- maybe you will, maybe you won’t, but I most definitely will not wear these straight-down.
I hope I didn’t bore you yet with my explanations, because we’re just about to get to the sound. Bored yet? No? Great, now let’s move on.
[size=x-large]== Sound ==[/size]
Specs
Headphone Type
Closed back, vented in-ear monitor (straight down, around-the-ear)
Driver Type
10 mm dynamic x2
Frequency Response
16 Hz – 22 kHz
Rated Input Power
30 mW
Sensitivity
110 dB @ 1 mW
Impedance
32 Ω
Weight
N/A
Cable
1.3 m (4.2’) Copper Y-Cord
Connector
3.5 mm (1/8”) gold-plated 45-degree TRS
Accessories
Hard carrying case 3 pairs single-flange silicone eartips (grey, S/M/L)
3 pairs single-flange silicone eartips (black, S/M/L)
1 pair double-flange silicone eartips
1 pair triple-flange silicone eartips
1 pair Comply™ T-500 foam eartips
6.3 mm (1/4”) adapter
Equipment, Burn-in
The equipment used for this review consists of my iPod Touch, an iPad 3, and my PC through headphone-out as the sources, all running without an amp. The amp used in the test is a Yamaha RX-V359 through headphone-out. As for the EQ software being used, I use Viper4Windows on the PC and the default system EQ on the other sources. As always, my test tracks are available here, although I will link specific songs in the assessment for a more direct point of reference.
As per review “tradition,” the Brainwavz R3s have been burned in for at least 100 hours prior to the review, with occasional listening sessions in between for an average of an hour. So far, throughout the 100 hours of burn-in, there haven’t been any noticeable changes in sound. Also, the eartips I used are the L-sized grey single flanges throughout the review. So, without further ado, let’s get on to the sound!
Sound Quality
Bass:
Okay, let’s start off with the bass. As an IEM designed for the audiophile crowd, don’t expect the R3 to have elevated bass, because it doesn’t have that. However, what it does have is a smooth, swift low-end that is clearly made for its target audience. Its accurate, slightly warm tone reproduces low tones without overdoing anything. It also has a strong enough punch to satisfy most listeners who aren’t craving bass. In short, it’s a very addicting listen that works amazingly with cool, laid-back songs (Daft Punk –The Game of Love, Something About Us).
Midrange:
The Brainwavz R3’s midrange is sweet and rich – basically, it sounds great. It has a great amount of clarity with a slight warmth to it. It reproduces the midrange very well, and despite its mid-centric signature (more on this later), isn’t as forward as I expected. One of my favourite characteristics about it, though, is how they manage to blend really well with the bass (Coldplay –Sparks) – making a very cohesive and united sound signature.
Treble:
Brainwavz purposely tuned the R3 to have a smooth, laid-back treble, topping off the sound signature like the smooth foam on a latte (more on this analogy later). This laid-back signature gives the R3 a very relaxing signature that you can simply listen to for hours, which is a huge plus in my book. (Note: Technical mode ON) Though most laid-back treble usually sounds veiled and lacking detail, Brainwavz managed to counter that by tuning in a treble spike around 10 kHz. This allows the R3 to still retain great detail retrieval even with its laid-back treble (technical mode OFF).
Soundstage/Presentation:
Apparently Brainwavz’ “Sound Chamber” technology actually does affect the R3’s sound signature – specifically, its soundstage. It’s very wide, airy, and expansive, which you usually don’t get to hear very often in an earphone, so that’s a huge plus. Live, acoustic, and classical recordings really come to life on the Brainwavz R3. However, I did notice instruments were projected (or “sound like” in layman’s terms) onto a narrow arc in front of you, instead of all around you. It’s a little quirk there that might not be as appealing to the more finicky listeners, but it’s not too much of a big deal.
Genre Proficiency:
The Brainwavz R3, as I’ve said earlier, works amazingly well with cool, laid-back genres, synergising well with its laid-back sound. Stuff like Coldplay, Daft Punk’s slower works, classical, anything that’s slow or has a relaxing vibe – the Brainwavz R3 performs spectacularly. However, it’s hardly finicky with genres and will play anything you throw at it very well.
Summary:
The Brainwavz R3’s sound is something I could liken to a nice latte – smooth, rich, creamy, sweet, and with just the right kick from the coffee. I’m sure from this, you can put two and two together, so there’s not much to say other than it’s great if the R3’s sound is what you’re looking for. Bassheads will have to look elsewhere, because the R3 is definitely an audiophile IEM.
Other Media
Games:
The R3 isn’t bad with games. Sure, its detail retrieval is great for getting an edge over the competition, but its rather congested presentation takes a hit to their imaging capabilities. All in all, they’re not something I’d use for competitive gaming.
Movies:
The R3’s smooth, balanced signature allows it to play along with pretty much any type of movie, from epic action scenes to heart-wrenching drama moments. I find they perform better with quieter movies, just as they do well with laid-back music.
EQ Response, Amplification
The R3, in my opinion, doesn’t really respond well to EQ (rather, basic EQ presets), though with a more advanced EQ like Electri-Q or Viper4Windows, you can EQ them to be completely flat, which, surprisingly, is very easy to do. But once I did that, man, oh man. The results were amazing. Probably the only downside to this is having to go through rather extensive tweaking and listening to get the sound just right, but otherwise they’re perfectly fine. At an impedance rating of about 32 ohms, they do need a bit more power to drive than, say, the S5 IEMs. At lower volumes, their midrange sounds rather muffled, and both ends of the spectrum also lose some detail. With extra power, though, the midrange comes forward, and with enough power, the bass suddenly begins to sound pretty damn impressive. You can really feel the sub-bass notes come alive and make the entire signature come together to no short of amazing. I don’t have a dedicated headphone amp as of yet, but now I begin to realize just how much I need one.
Thanks to the present, but controlled bass, the R3's mids are able to shine through and take centre stage. I wouldn't call the R3s a mid-centric earphone so much as a neutral earphone. You could perhaps argue that the mids on the R3 are slightly laid back, but they're certainly well-balanced with the bass and treble even if they're just a hair behind. It's certainly not enough to make the mids sound distant or veiled and I really like the overall presentation a lot - it's very easy to listen to without sacrificing detail or articulation in any way. Guitars and similar instruments sound crisp and clean and both male and female vocals have an excellent sense of texture and clarity while still keeping an easy smoothness.
Treble The treble from the R3s is really interesting in that, up to this point in the review, I haven't really thought about the treble. I would say that's a good sign of perfectly balanced treble that's neither drawing attention to itself nor lacking in energy and leaving the presentation dark and muddy. The treble is lively enough to provide raspiness and air to vocals, percussive sounds and incidental textures like fingers on a fretboard, but it's not over-enhanced. There is zero fatigue from the R3, but there is also zero lost clarity - that's an extremely impressive feat.
Listening to "Calling Elvis" by Dire Straits I can clearly hear the raspiness of Mark Knopfler's voice and the snare, high hat and cymbals have good energy and clarity so that I can feel them and notice them in the mix, but I've not once in all the time I've spent with the R3s felt like there was too much or too little treble. I'd actually go so far as suggesting that this is one of the best treble balances I've heard from an IEM in quite some time. I'll discuss some comparisons shortly to demonstrate this in further detail.
Similar to the bass detail and speed, treble speed and resolution may be a tiny bit behind the sharpest of BA IEMs, but the R3s are no slouch. Not only do they not leave me wanting more from the treble, they actually leave me thoroughly enjoying the treble because it's fully detailed and energetic, but remains smooth enough to be enjoyable and actually worth exploring. I find sharper, faster treble renditions sometimes lead me to almost tuning out treble detail so as not to fatigue my ears, but the R3s let me focus on the individual textures of a cymbal or snare without feeling on edge as I do it.
Staging and Imaging The stage from the R3s isn't exceptional, but for a $139 it's very good. It feels spacious despite being modest in size and it is evenly proportioned in each direction with good depth and width. Imaging is very similar - it's not exceptional, but it's definitely commendable. Instruments are well separated and clearly defined in their own virtual space. Thanks to the well-balanced presentation of each section of the frequency range from the R3s, the finished product is a well represented auditory image with good clarity and separation.
Selected Comparisons FIDUE A83 At the time of writing this there's quite a bit of hype around the A83 (triple hybrid IEM) on Head-Fi and deservedly so, but given its $300+ price tag and slightly troublesome fit I was keen to compare it with the R3.
On direct comparison, the A83's balanced armatures revealed extra details and texture in the mix that the R3 couldn't show me, but that came at the cost of a drier tone and a less natural overall sound with the A83's treble sounding slightly forward and forced compared to the R3's outstanding balance. The staging and imaging is also better on the A83 as you'd expect with the greater availability of subtle details and auditory cues, but does that make the A83 a hands-down better earphone? I don't think so. If I were looking to hear every nuance then I'd reach for the A83 every time, but if I wanted to simply play and enjoy my music I'd probably reach for the R3s on each occasion due to their more natural treble presentation and more natural overall sound. Technically, the A83 is a better earphone, but practically the R3 might be better for some people.
Brainwavz S5 As much as I like the S5s for what they are, they just don't compare with their slightly more expensive siblings - or at least not for my tastes. Yes, the S5 offers an excellent bass punch that the R3s can't match and for some genres that's an instant trump card, but the R3's balance won me over permanently and left the S5s sounding peaky and occasionally unnatural to my ears. For wide-ranging musical tastes or those who listen to rock, blues or jazz I would recommend the R3 every time over the S5 despite it's funkier fit and higher price.
HiFiMan RE272 Unfortunately I sold my RE272s shortly prior to the R3s arriving, but at around half the price of the RE272's when they were new (if memory serves), the R3 is an excellent replacement. There's no doubt that the RE272 offered superior transparency and separation over the R3, but the R3 is a smoother listen and has much better bass presence than the RE272 so it's a fair trade in my mind. To be honest, if I had the 2 sitting side-by-side I would probably reach for the R3 on almost every occasion because of it's smoother presentation and fuller bass note.
Summary The R3 is an outstanding earphone for the $139 price tag. I would definitely recommend trying a pair before you buy them if you tend to have fit issues like me, but when worn cable-down the R3s are easy to fit so that might solve any concerns if you're happy to wear them cable-down.
I haven't heard a lot of budget IEMs and there are some awesome options out there, but of those I have tried, the R3s are among the most enjoyable of the lot and definitely might be the most neutrally voiced of the lot. If you're looking to spend <$150 on a pair of IEMs and you want an IEM that can handle wide-ranging genres while providing a smooth and natural presentation then the R3s are a must try!
DannyBai
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Even keeled sound, nice build, excellent bundle of accessories
Cons: Thick cable and large Y-split if it really is a con.
I was provide a review sample and would like to thank Salsera and Brainwavz/MP4Nation.
The R3 V.2 is a dual dynamic barrel shaped iem from Brainwavz. Probably the oddest looking earphone on the market but surprisingly, I had no problem with fit. The shape actually works well with the looping over ear design and the earphones stay in place without much issue. The housings look and feel of aluminum and are light in weight. They are actually very comfortable while in use. Cables are rather thick especially from Y-split down to the 3.5mm jack. From the Y-split up to the housings have been redesigned and are much better than the original version. Cables seem to stay in place quite well around the ears and the thickness wasn’t much of a bother for me. The 3.5mm jack has a nice 45 degree angle in which I have come to appreciate in design. Only gripe although minor is the overall thickness of the cable and bigger than average Y-split.
Moving on to the sound, these have a nice balanced signature. Bass doesn’t hit with great impact, won’t reach to the lowest of the lows or hit you with forceful mid-bass punch. Bass has good presence but isn’t the tightest and sounds a bit soft from what I’m use to. The S5 from Brainwavz reaches lower, has bigger impact and makes a much greater presence in the music. For those who find the S5 to have too much bass, the R3 might be more appealing. Overall, I find the bass to fit with the signature these earphones are going for. These earphones have a wide and deep soundstage, some of the biggest I’ve heard. This can be good or bad on the vocals, depending on preference. The staging distances the vocals several rows back so it isn’t up front. I find them a little recessed and I mean little because they can be clearly heard and is not hidden from the rest of the music. I honestly couldn’t nitpick if male or female vocals sounded better since both sounded just fine for me. But, vocal trance sounded quite nice. Treble is very relaxed and there isn’t even a hint of fatigue, sibilance or the dreaded “sss” in the vocal region. Treble is smooth and possibly could use a little more for added sparkle. Somewhere between the R3 and S5 would be lovely. The smooth and non-fatiguing treble still clearly presents the details in the music. Instrument placement can be best pictured as if the listener is sitting in a large theatre compared to say a small intimate club. This is more of a surround sound listening experience.
In conclusion, I find the R3 V2 to be an even keeled sounding earphone that really doesn’t have much fault. Nothing to really complain about, even with the thick cable and all. I’m not too much of a nitpicker but I would think most would find this earphone to sound just fine. No huge bass to complain about or peaky treble or too recessed vocals. Fit’s fine if people can ignore the odd design and give it a try.
kova4a
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: solid build quality; balanced smooth and natural sound; 2-year warranty
Cons: rubbery cable prone to memory kinks; fit can be an issue for some people
First off, I have to thank again Brainwavz and Audrey for this R3 unit
Packaging and Accessories
The packaging is quite straightforward. There are plastic windows both at the front and the back of the box showcasing the shiny metal housings of the R3. Below the front window is embossed Brainwavz R3 and a very basic description – Twin Driver Configuration, Bass & Clarity and Rugged Metal Housing Design. Can’t disagree with that but maybe Smooth & Balanced would have been a bit more accurate description but more on that later.
On the back of the box there is a bit more detailed description of the R3 and its design.
On the sides of the package are listed its contents and R3’s specs.
It’s a fairly nice presentation overall.
Inside the box reside the R3 and the Brainwavz case. I’ve mentioned multiple times that this is my favorite iem case. It’s quite tough and specious and can easily fit a pair of iems and a small DAP like a Sansa. Inside one of the red pockets there is a nice quarter inch adapter and small gray bag with the included tips. There are 2 different types of single flange tips. Black ones made of a touch thicker silicone and gray ones, which are softer and have a slightly wider bore. The single flange silicone tips come in 3 sizes. There is also a pair of bi-flange and a pair of tri-flange tips, which come in only one size. As usual with Brainwavz a pair of comply foam tips packaged separately is included to complete the package.
Build Quality, Design and Fit
The R3 is a quite solid iem with robust metal housings and a thick rugged cable. The cable is a bit memory prone and rubbery though and while I don’t mind its thickness or weight I would have preferred if it had smoother sleeving and was more pliable and easier to keep straight.
The strain reliefs are substantial and again some people might call the Y-splitter over-engineered but it’s fine by me.
The j-plug is also on the bulky side but I’m a huge fan of j-plugs and it looks capable of withstanding quite a bit of abuse, so I can’t complain. If anything it completes the overall tough looks of the R3.
Design-wise it only takes a quick glance at the R3 to realize that it’s not your average iem. Its design is quite unique and I have to admit that when the R3 was first announced I wasn’t impressed and right away commented that people will have issue with the fit with such a design. It’s eye catching though and people often stare at the housing more than a couple of seconds.
Surprisingly despite my initial reservations and worries about the fit it turned out fine. I haven’t tried the old R3 version with the long memory-wires but this revised one actually fits me quite well. The fit is secure and isolation is good. It did take me quite a bit of tip rolling but finally settled on the stock bi-flanges both for the comfort and the sound.
The R3 can also be worn straight but the fit will be less secure due to the weight of the cable pulling the housings down.
There is a very mild driver flex with certain tips particularly on the left earpiece. Microphonics are very low when worn cable up.
Sound
The R3 has over 100 hours of burn-in at the time of writing this review.
For a dual dynamic driver iem that has a separate driver to reproduce the low frequencies the R3 quite surprised me. Its bass is quite flat and balanced. It is well-rounded with good control but is a bit on the polite side – softer on the impact and lacking some depth. The lower extension is not bad but after 50hz the bass gradually rolls off. Overall I like R3’s bass although I would have liked if it was a bit tighter and harder hitting but given the overall smooth and non-fatiguing presentation of the R3 it fits well with the rest of the spectrum. In comparison the Brainwavz S5 has a lot bigger but also less controlled and muddier bass bleeding into the mids.
The mids are well balanced with the bass and also relatively flat. Both male and female vocals have very nice presence and sweet tone. The R3 actually sounds a bit mid-centric but I don’t mind that as this type of signature is harder and harder to find. The tonality is slightly on the warm side but still what I would call neutral-ish. Instruments have nice timbre and despite the slightly thick note presentation sound natural and realistic. Detail retrieval is actually pretty good but clarity is a bit behind in comparison to some of the competition. In comparison brainwavz’s own S5 is noticeably clearer due to its thinner note presentation and treble emphasis but is also a lot less natural sounding and more fatiguing. The R3 instead is smoother lusher sounding.
The highs are a bit laid back but very well extended and smooth. The lower treble has enough energy to keeps things exciting without getting harsh or fatiguing. There is plenty of shimmer but I wouldn’t have minded a bit more sparkle. The treble is not prone to pointing out sibilance. In comparison the S5 with its more emphasized and peaky highs is noticeably harsher and more artificial sounding.
The R3 is full and airy sounding. Imaging is very good with both width and depth above average. Positioning is quite good. Instrument separation is very good with plenty of space between the instruments. Overall, the R3 sounds pretty spacious, especially for a mid-centric iem, which usually tend to be more on the intimate side.
Summary
R3 and its little brother R1
Brainwavz R3 has quite the surprising sound for a dual dynamic driver iem. Owning the Brainwavz R1 I expected a lot different sound but it’s heads and shoulders above its smaller dual dynamic brother R1. I’m not going to lie, I would also pick it over the Brainwavz’s other higher-end iem the S5 any day of the week. While the S5 will most likely impress a lot more people at first listen with its big bass and clarity, the R3 with its more balanced, smoother and mature sound is the iem that really impresses.
The R3 is a very solid performer sound-wise with a very solid build quality to boot. If it wasn’t for Audrey I probably would have given it a pass worried about the fit and all the people complaining about it. Maybe the memory wires on the old version were really horrible – I can’t comment on that but they are gone now and what is left is an iem that deserves to be given a second chance.
twister6
twister6 Reviews
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: build quality, included accessories, great sound separation
Cons: cable, would prefer memory wire back, fitment
Since I was among the early adopters of this updated 2.0 version of R3, I already posted a detailed review with pictures in the original R3 review thread. Therefore, I'm just going to provide a link to my R3 v2.0 review: http://www.head-fi.org/products/brainwavz-r3-dual-dynamic-driver-earphones/reviews/11456
Audiophile1811
500+ Head-Fier
Introduction – As the top-of-the-line earphone of the young company Brainwavz, the R3 has a quite a lot on its shoulders. Utilizing a relatively new dual-dynamic driver configuration, uncommon with most headphones on the market, Brainwavz has chosen this design for its very best headphone. Bold as it is, this design has been successful in many budget-based sets such as the Havi B3 Pro-1 and TTPOD’s T1 series. The R3’s, then, promise a lot considering they cost twice and even three times as much as the aforementioned earphones. So do they deliver for the price? The answer is yes… and no. But this is best explained throughout my review so if you’re interested, simply read on and find out why.
Disclaimer – This is a free review unit delivered to me for the purpose of this review. I am not affiliated with Brainwavz in any way and will stay objective as possible throughout this review. Huge thanks to Audrey at Brainwavz for sending these out to me, it’s quite a privilege. All photos were taken by me.
Specifications:
- 10mm Dual-Dynamic drivers (Passive Crossover)
- Impedance: 32 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 95dB
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
- Rated Input Power: 2mW
- Cable: OFC Copper, 1.3 meters/4.25 ft.
Packaging & Accessories: The R3’s have slightly unconventional packaging that presents the headphones and its cable through clear plastic windows on either side of the box. Inside you’ll find a plethora of tips (9 pairs in total) which include 6 pairs of single-flange silicone tips (3 pairs gray, 3 pairs black), a single pair of bi-flange and triple-flange tips, and a pair of Comply T500 tips. Also included is a ¼ inch adapter, a hard zip-case, and a 1-year warranty card (box says 2 years, don’t know which to believe). Brainwavz has been very generous with their accessories and deserve credit for being thoughtful with their ear tips.
Build & Design: Brainwavz has gone very out-of-the-box with the design of the R3. They’ve used a tubular housing for the drivers and a 90° angle nozzle that sticks straight out of the center. This means each driver faces each other within a divided enclosure and each band of frequencies meet inside the nozzle creating a uniform sound. Internal details aside, the aluminum housings feel extremely rugged throughout. However, cable quality is questionable. The 4-inch black portion of the cable is higher quality than the remaining grey section and is the only part that doesn’t suffer from kinks or memory. But since most of the cable does, it’s a wonder why Brainwavz didn’t just make the entire cable consistent (or thinner for that matter). But this is nitpicking because the R3’s seem very durable. The real problems come when wearing the R3’s.
Comfort & Fit: I have small ears, which means I also have problems with earphones, even the most comfortable. Brainwavz sought to remedy this dilemma for those like me but haven’t entirely succeeded. The R3’s are utilize an over-ear design but the housings are heavy and the nozzles are large. This causes them to fall out of place and need adjustment often. Strain reliefs are a bit stiff below the housings (fine on the Y-split & 3.5mm jack) and combined with their vertical position the cable very tricky to place behind the ear, as they were intended. But the worst part is the cable that is simply too thick and heavy for an IEM. The sheer weight and size of the cable can make it cumbersome and difficult to wear under clothing (also due to its rubbery texture). When worn with the right ear tips the R3’s are relatively comfortable but suffer from their awkward design and cable. With this in mind, the R3’s will suit some but definitely not others, so be cautious if your ears have given you trouble in the past.
Microphonics: For such a large cable, microphonics were not as bad as I expected. Cable noise is well controlled when worn over-ear but is fairly distracting cable-down. The included cinch does a good job of keeping cable noise down in either configuration too.
Isolation: There is a surprising level of noise attenuation when wearing the R3’s. They isolate very well outdoors and reduce environmental noise enough for non-distractive (but safe) listening. I consider this a strength of the R3’s overall.
----------Sound----------
Equipment & Background – For the sound portion of this review I will be using an Audinst HUD-MX1 amp/DAC combo as my primary “reference” source, a Topping NX-1 portable amplifier, and a Sansa Fuze as a portable source. All my impressions are done indoors with an over-ear headphone for added isolation resulting in almost silent listening with no audible distractions. My library consists of FLAC and high bit-rate MP3 files. The R3’s were also burned-in over 100hrs before review.
Bass: With a mid-forward sound signature the bass on the R3’s are not boosted or enhanced like many V-shaped sets on the market. Instead, lows are much mellower and have a pleasant musical warmth throughout. And while they don’t extend too far down there is enough sub-bass for an engaging listen. Bass is tight, controlled, and well-rounded and never once feels loose or bloated. However, it should be noted that the lows on the R3 are fairly soft in nature which means they won’t deliver the same visceral impact compared to sets with large mid-bass humps. That said, bass is always engaging and very punchy when required. Smoothness is another quality of the bass that becomes noticeable with fast, heavy music genres (those of which are not entirely suited for the R3). But those who prefer a mid-forward signature will appreciate the manner with which the R3’s handle bass notes. They are never distracting and don’t steal the attention of the listener; they provide enough energy to strike an excellent balance with the midrange and treble. Bass reproduction is one of the biggest strengths of the R3’s (in my opinion) due to their laid-back presence.
Mids: Moving upwards, the midrange holds a good few surprises. As mentioned before, the R3’s are mid forward overall. But this does not make them fatiguing or offensive to listen to as many other users have experienced with many other mid forward sets. Instead, the R3’s mids are not aggressive or rich, just forward enough to focus its sound on one particular part of the frequency spectrum. The primary advantage here are mids that are both clear and smooth. The balance between the two is obvious but the mids generally lean towards smoothness more than anything else. Vocalists demonstrate this best as they lack detail in parts of both the lower and upper-midrange; Both male and female vocalist suffer the effects of this coloration which was likely created by frequency dips in both regions. In terms of quality, the midrange is neither lifelike nor is it the most natural. Despite this there is no lack of finesse to the mids, just slightly lacking in accuracy. It will easily satisfy all but the extreme detail lover with its creamy, effortless nature but it won’t please anybody in sheer quality alone.
Treble: The last piece of the (frequency) puzzle lies in the R3’s treble. Highs are, yet again, very smooth but also more revealing and detailed than any frequencies below it. While not bright, there is an unexpected level of clarity up top considering the soft, genial character of the bass and midrange. Details come through with percussive instruments with natural timbre and good sparkle but without harshness. This lack of harshness prevents any sibilance from occurring even with the most aggressive vocalists and the worst recordings. Extension is considerably impressive as well, with frequencies extending up to 15kHz and gently rolling-off afterwards. And although consistency is lacking in areas, the treble is still up to par with more expensive earphones in its price range. For what it does best (i.e. bass) and what its focus is (i.e. mids), the top end of the R3’s are surprisingly good; They can suit the needs of almost any listener and any genre.
Presentation: The R3’s present their sound in a way that’s both engaging and involving. Soundstage is a little predictable for a mid-centric IEM as it has a tendency to place vocals and most of the midrange very close to the listener. This gives the effect of having music performed directly in front of you, but not in a way that it becomes tiring over time. The result is a soundstage with only average depth overall. Height is improved over depth but width is where the R3’s begin to open up. Wide spatial cues are thrown out far on either side of the head while still maintaining easy localization. The result is an intimate presentation that is more spacious than their sound signature would suggest. Bass is centered, vocals are intimate, treble is airy, and music is simply a joy to experience. Most will find their unique presentation and signature very pleasant no matter what genre of music preferred.
Ear Tips & Insertion Sensitivity: The R3’s can be a little picky with ear tips as their nozzle is a slightly larger than average. Even the included tips require a little force to fit onto the nozzle. But this doesn’t inhibit tip-rolling with the R3’s as they are quite flexible. Sound can be adjusted to have either a thicker, warmer sound or a more neutral one depending on the tip fitted: Single flanges will achieve the former while the included double-flanges will achieve the latter. And since insertion is neither shallow nor deep some tips will stay in place and others will not. As mentioned in the Comfort & Fit section, this will depend on your ears more than anything else.
Power, Sensitivity, and Source Performance: The R3’s are a very drivable earphone that respond well with most sources. Low output devices should have no trouble driving them although they may require a little more volume to acquire listenable levels. A more powerful source, such as a dedicated amplifier, will yield better results in terms of volume and quality.
Value: For $129 the Brainwavz R3 is a peculiar earphone that combines an unusual design with a consumer friendly sound. The R3 balances a mid-forward signature with a wide presentation but loses out in areas of detail and accuracy. But its main weakness is its design and fit. Their tubular housings are difficult to wear for long periods without adjustment and that’s if they’re comfortable to begin with. The cable’s large profile also causes issues as it prevents the R3’s from fitting inside a pant pocket, making them a little inconvenient to transport. Overall however, the R3 is still relatively good value if you can get past its flaws. And if you enjoy a smooth, musical sound you’ll be in for a pleasant surprise.
I hope this review will be useful to those who read through it. Please leave any suggestions or advice you may have in the comments below. Everyone’s input will help me improve my reviews and make it easier to adapt my reviews for as wide an audience as possible. Thanks for reading and happy listening!
Wokei
Nice review ..well done
Audiophile1811
Thanks @Wokei
Kamakahah
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Durable build quality. Clear and non-fatiguing. Good overall balance.
Cons: Thick, rubbery cable. Two-faced bass. Long-term comfort
Admittedly, I took far too long to post this review. I wanted to try a different approach that involved becoming accustomed to the signature followed by a period without them, and then a reintroduction. It's been about six weeks since I received the unit. I've done week long periods with and without them.
The reason for this decision was two fold:
1. It's the first dual dynamic IEM that I've given significant head time.
2. There were/are some awkward inconsistencies with the sound signature that I was/am hearing. It was my hope at the time to be able to narrow the the reasons behind them. More on this later.
After realizing that I had too many notes and they were harder for me to characterize than originally anticipated, I decided to write this review while listening to them after a short break and give my overall thoughts from this session. My previous notes will still be a factor in what I write, but hopefully this gives more clarity to my thoughts.
Again, I'd like to thank Brainwavz for the opportunity to review these. As others did, I received a review pair to keep similar to the S5. It's a nice gesture of confidence in the Head-Fi community.
In similar fashion, I'll avoid adding pictures and statistics that a quick Google search can provide.
All the usual qualifiers apply: IMO, YMMV, OMGWTFBBQ, ROFLCOPTER. This is just my experience. Yours might be different.
For those that don't like to wade through the paragraphs of information that most reviews provide, here is a succinct synopsis:
Bass: Can vary greatly. Overall lower-quantity with a softer impact. Occasionally comes out to play. See below for more details.
Mids: Pretty clear. Non-fatiguing. Present and slightly forward. Much less , "life has been sucked out" than the S5 but with slightly dry presentation. A touch of warmth. Quite enjoyable.
Treble: Nice lower treble energy. Non-fatiguing but hits of sibilance depending on the track. Smooth and laid back, maybe overly so for some.
Soundstage/Imaging: Good width, and back depth. Shallow forward depth. Can feel intimate as a result, but not cramped.
Separation/Clarity/Detail: Decent separation and good clarity if not a little thick sounding. Good detail in the mids. Lows are too fluffy for my taste. Highs lacking micro details from smoothing
Tips: Find whatever is comfortable. Didn't lead to a ton of variation as it normally does for me. Used the stock, clear tips.
Source/Amping: Some noticeable scaling, specifically with additional power to add a bit more life and energy to the sound. A clear source with good texture seems best, IMO.
Isolation: Slightly below average. Not great isolation, but doesn't leak.
Overall: Enjoyable. A stand out addition in a pack of "V's." Clunky build, but durable. A solid buy at $99. At $115+ you'll want to be sure it's what you're after.
Initial Impressions:
From my notes 6 weeks ago, I thought they sounded clear with a nice sense of balance. I found the bass to be soft and lacking texture. The mid range was enticing, forward, a little dry, but enjoyable.
Methodology:
I gave them 5 hours of listening the first day to become accustomed to the signature. They were then burned in for quite some time using set of burn-in tracks with mixed tracks, pink noise, and 5 minute breaks every hour on repeat.
They were burned in for over 300 hours in total throughout the process. I initially began my process after ~150 hours as per my usual. I continued to listen to other headphones/earphones.
Then, as mentioned above, I took week long breaks. I also spent full weeks only listening to the R3. My reasons for this will be further discussed in the following sections.
Listening was done casually at home and while out shopping. Detailed listening was done in a quiet office. A/B testing done as well with different gear and Fiio HS2 used occasionally for quick switching of sources or headphones.
I avoided reading any other reviews before writing this one to avoid bias.
Chains used:
1. PC USB/Optical>>>Audio GD NFB-15>>>R3
2. Fiio X3>>>(Topping NX1/C&C BH)>>>R3
3. Rockboxed Sansa Clip+>>>(Topping NX1/C&C BH)>>>R3
4. HTC One M8>>>R3
Tips used: Supplied tips, JVC spiral tips, Sony hybrids, Sennheiser double flange.
Test tracks: Many albums in my collection were listened to in full with a number of mixed in individual tracks, but here are a few specific tracks used.
Track formats included 256-320kbps mp3, FLAC, WAV files and a few youtube videos for variety.
- Jessica Lee Mayfield - Nervous Lonely Night : The first minute of this song can tell me a lot about a can. This will seem odd, but the pencil tapping at the start tells me a ton about timbre and a bit about depth. The generally forward vocals of the entire "Tell me" album help point out recessed mids quickly. The bass comes in strong with lots of quantity and impact to let me judge the low end presence and texture. I could go on. It's just a track that works for me.
- Queen - Killer Queen : One of my sibilance test tracks, though it's much more than that. It's another track that can really let you individually identify a spectrum of specific quality attributes or flaws.
- Paramore - Hallelujah : The recording/mastering, whatever, sounds just terrible on the deluxe mp3 version that I have. I use it to test how forgiving a can is.
- Pantera - Cowboys from Hell; Cemetery Gates; Floods : It's Pantera. No more explanation needed.
- Lisa Hannigan - Live from the Troubadour in W.Hollywood. : This is a special recording that I have from a live concert I attended. I'm frighteningly familiar with the venue/performance and how it should sound. I use this to judge soundstage, imaging, timbre and separation.
- Rage Against The Machine - People of the Sun : Bass.
- Metallica - (Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth / One/ etc - Lots of reasons
- Lana Del Rey - Lolita/National Anthem/Carmen : Lots of reasons but in general for her vocals that can sound like thick, warm syrup.
- Geographer - Kites : I like this for cohesion. Some cans make it sound disjointed or all jumbled up.
- Filipe Melo · Ana Cláudia // Spiegel im spiegel (Arvo Pärt) : It's beautiful. Noise test. Timbre. Naturalness.
- Girl Talk - Let it Out : It's fun.
- Dr. Chesky - The Ultimate Headphone Demonstration Disc - Soundstage, imaging, dynamics, etc.
- Many, more.
Build Quality & Acessories:
Oh Jetpack. It's awkward. The cable is a heavy, bouncy, rubbery monstrosity. Plenty of nice accessories included, solid 10/10 in my mind. The bulky shell may or may not affect your fit depending on ear shape.
Comfort/Fit:
Average comfort. The rubbery cable was very noticeable over the ear and raises up at times until pulled tighter with a shirt clip. Long-term comfort has been poor. After about an hour, I found that the area where the cable meets the body rubbed my ear the wrong way. Tips didn't seem to have too significant of an effect for comfort, though I did favor some more than others. In particular, I liked the stock clear tips that weren't quite as firm. I found that they tend to start slipping from my ears. I'm not sure if it's a result of the cable or something else. I tried to wear larger tips to offset the pull, but found that I couldn't handle the loss of comfort. Occasionally, I' would double check their positioning to make sure they are still in place. This was more of an issue when out and about than in the office.
Isolation/Leak:
Average to below average. Noisy locations will be noticeable. I found their isolation to be slightly less effective compared to the S5. Leak wasn't an issue.
Bass:
The moment I listened to the opening kick drum and first few bass string plucks in Jessica Lee Mayfield's - "Our Hearts Are Wrong", I knew that the bass and I were going to be at odds. That particular song is very bass heavy. The R3 does bring the quantity of bass in many tracks to manageable levels. This was one aspect that I appreciated for a number of bass heavy tracks; However, it was also the bane of bass light tracks.
As mentioned in the Cons, I found the bass to be two-faced or fractured. I tried my best to determine its cause, but wasn't able to pin it down in a way that I could explain in a clear fashion. In short, it seems certain frequencies are emphasized. It felt like there were peaks and valleys in the bass than had a very noticeable effect on impact and levels. It didn't seem like a clear line that is normally present where people can say, "Oh yeah, it has a mid bass hump and rolls off in the sub-bass which explains...blahblahblah." - Not the case here. Some songs had the low impact that they normally show, while it was next to non-existent in my other test tracks. I wish I could articulate it better. That said, there is a significant roll off in the sub-bass at about the 50 Hz mark. Below 30 is pretty much a black hole.
In this moment, as I listen to a number of tracks I find the duality. Some show nice, low impact. Others that should have the same feel like the kick drum or bass is hidden behind a glass panel or being hit by a pillow rather than a mallet.
One final beef was with the lack of texture. I found it really was missing that detail that comes with a more articulate bass. The overall tone felt smoothed over and pillowy.
Mids:
A nice forward presentation in the mids. It balances well still with the rest of the spectrum. A much desired addition following the soulless mids of the S5. As mentioned in the brief summary above, I find them slightly dry with a touch of warmth. It's a neutralish presentation of the mid range that in some ways reminds me of a less refined HE-560. One of my favorite signatures centers around the mids, so this was a nice change of pace from my generally bass oriented collection that includes the JVC FX-850, among others.
Treble:
Queen's song "Killer Queen" will pretty much violate my ears if a headphone/earphone is even a little hot, sibilant, etc. These do a pretty good job. Overall non-fatiguing but will undoubtedly be too lack-back for the treble lovers. Smooth, but still with a decent energy, particularly in the lower treble region. Not a whole lot of the sparkle. Hints of sibilance on already sibilant tracks, but that's normal.
Separation/Clarity/Detail:
I would say that it is a notch above average in this category. Decent separation and clarity. A bit thicker sounding than the S5 that suffered from a thin/recessed mid range that killed baby seals. Enough detail to satisfy. Without a doubt some loss of detail and clarity in the bass with roll off and fluffy presentation that lacks in texture and articulation.
Soundstage/Imaging:
The soundstage felt slightly more intimate than I've been used to but not in a cramped way. The positioning feels a intimate. This can be good and maybe a little bad for some live recordings. I'll explain way as it has to do with the way that I perceived the soundstage. The best way I can think to describe the shape is an taking a basketball and half way deflating just one hemisphere. The width sound above average, the behind depth the same. The forward depth, or the space in front of me seems as though its distance has been cut in half when compared to behind.
Source/Amping/Tips:
The R3 did seem to scale a bit. More important, for me, was the added power that seems to add a bit more life to the overall sound. :
- Audio-GD NFB-15
- Fiio X3 + Topping NX1 (Low gain, high was noisy and gave no play with the volume)
- Fiio X3 + C&C BH (Line 2, switches off, gain 'High').
- Rockboxed Sansa Clip+ (Forgot to experiment with attaching amps)
I didn't find a lot of difference when tip rolling. Insertion depth didn't change the sound enough so I ended up liking the stock, clear tips. They are comfortable and didn't negatively affect the sound. I thought a narrow bore might help the bass, but the effect was minor and inconsistent so I reverted.
Final Thoughts:
I want to say that I enjoy this earphone. It's far from perfect, but it has qualities that are becoming harder to find in a V-shaped market. The mid-centric presentation is a welcome addition to my collection. The bass can be a bit of a letdown on some tracks, but it can also be a boon in taming overly bass heavy tracks into submission. It can help you see your much listened to tracks in a new light. It suffers from some inevitable design issues, but overall a durable and enjoyable earphone. As I look at the $115 asking price on Amazon right now I asked myself the question, "Is it worth that price tag?" To some, yes. I think it would fit nicely into the $99 category, but what's $15 anyway?
thatBeatsguy
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Smooth, balanced sound. Brainwavz' signature unique look. Brainwavz' signature build.
Cons: Weird looks might deter some. Cable is pretty hefty and cumbersome.
Intro
TL;DR: Don't let its rather brutish looks fool you; the Brainwavz R3 is a smooth, gentle IEM that works especially well with acoustic genres, slow rock, and jazz.
Before I begin, I would like to thank Audrey at Brainwavz for providing the sample of the Brainwavz R3 in exchange for my honest opinion. Please note that I am neither affiliated with Brainwavz or any of its employees, nor am I being compensated for writing this review. All opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own unless otherwise specified, and all pictures are taken and owned by my sister. YMMV.
Well, it’s been a few weeks since my review of the S5s, and from that first impression of one of their IEMs, they’ve earned their place in my ‘Companies to Watch’ list. Though a lot of their IEMs, to my knowledge, lean towards a more consumer-friendly sound, they are no doubt of audiophile quality. Today, I’m going to be reviewing another of their high-end IEMs, and probably one of the most peculiar-looking IEMs I’ve ever seen, the dual-dynamic Brainwavz R3 Rev.2 (I’ll get to this later).
Anyhow, let’s get on to the IEMs. Shall we?
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.
[size=x-large]== Aesthetics ==[/size]
Packaging, Accessories
At first glance of the packaging, it’s clear that Brainwavz is proud of their design of the R3, as the box features a clear window from the front all the way through to the back of the box, with the R3’s housings suspended in a clear plastic mold, showcased proudly and rather enthusiastically, like a brand-new breakthrough in design or something along those lines. On the front you also see BRAINWAVZ R3 written with a tagline and a few of its main features. On the left side, you’ll see its specifications, and on the right are its accessories, and on the back is a cross-section diagram of the R3s’ housing along with a description of sorts.
Upon opening the package, you’ll find Brainwavz’ semi-hard case hidden from the light of day, housing the rest of the R3s and all of its accessories. I’m still pretty impressed with the plethora of eartips included in the package, which consists of six pairs of single-flange tips (one set in grey, the other in black, in S/M/L), one pair of double-flanged tips, one pair of triple-flanged tips, and a pair of Comply T500 foam eartips. So there you have it - nine pairs of eartips, all at your disposal along with the Brainwavz R3 and S5. Still pretty damn impressive. But that’s not all - you also get a nifty 1/4-inch adapter. In the previous version, there used to be an airline adapter supposedly - but in my case, I don’t think I would need it anyway, so that can be ignored. Frequent flyers, though, might have to buy their own airline adapter off a local Best Buy or some other electronics store.
Design, Build, Microphonics
You remember what I said about Brainwavz’ package being showcased like a design breakthrough? Well, I have got to hand it to Brainwavz, they have made one awesome breakthrough in design right here, and it’s sure to make anyone -- consumer or audiophile -- wonder how they manage to get these in their ears. (Not that it’s a bad thing, though -- they actually fit quite easily.)
Though the concept of dual dynamic drivers isn’t new (lately there have been a lot of popular options to choose from), how they’re implemented intrigued me.The two 10mm drivers are set up in a two-way configuration – one used for bass, the other for the rest of the audio spectrum. Again, this is not unusual, but then we move on to their placement. The two drivers are placed apart from and facing each other, pouring the sound into a ‘Sonic Chamber’ before it reaches your ears through a particularly long tube. At least, that’s what the diagram seems to tell me. It’s probably not as simple as it sounds, seeing as another dual dynamic IEM, the Audio-Technica ATH-CKR9 (and its older variant, the CKR10) shares a similarly-positioned pair of drivers…except for the fact that the CKRs’ drivers go for a ‘Push-Pull’ design in which one driver pushes the sound while the other pulls the sound to supposedly reduce distortion and improve sound quality (or something like that). Coming back to the R3s, it seems both drivers simply push sound into the sound chamber where the sound mixes to bring out the final product.
Moving on, we have the cable, which apparently consists of three sections: the main grey cable from the connector to the Y-split, a thinner grey cable from the Y-split to split (rather, splice), which transitions into a length of memory cable making the final stretch to the housings. This memory wire used to be a lot longer in the first version, but has been removed in the revision for better ergonomics and an easier fit.
Again, the team over at Brainwavz has impressed me with the excellent build quality of the R3s. From the solid machined aluminum housings to the strong extremely heavy-duty Y-split (see above), it’s clear Brainwavz made no compromises to the build quality of the R3 just as they did with the S5. The only gripe I have with the build is the cable. No, it’s not because of durability -- in fact, it’s probably one of the most solid cables I’ve had in my possession yet. My gripe with the cable is because it’s solid. It’s very thick -- reminding me of the cable on my old Beats Pro. Its thickness in turn makes them very difficult to manage. When they arrived, they were bound pretty tightly together by a wire, and when I undid the wire, I was greeted with an eyesore of a cable with folds and creases on every inch. Even as I write this, I’m still trying to straighten it out. Cable noise isn’t much different. Even with the over-ear design dulling it down, cable noise is still a bit of an issue due to the serious weight of the cable.
Fit, Comfort, Isolation
Now, I’m sure you’re still wondering if the bottle-like housings with a tube on the side would actually fit your ears. Well, I’m happy to report that it actually does. It did take a few minutes of fiddling at first, but it only takes a few tries to get accustomed to it. They’re pretty comfortable once they’re in your ears, though at times the housing does touch -- more like press on -- part of my ear when I don’t get them in right, which again is a nuisance, but it’s mostly just on me. Due to the housings being little more than a bottle with a tube sticking out of the side which goes into your ear, isolation leans toward average, but is nonetheless good enough for a walk in the park or at home. Don’t expect it to drown out much in a bus or the subway, though.
Also, something of note: the Brainwavz R3 can be worn straight-down; however the cable causes too much microphonics to be tolerable. That, and the R3 is considerably heavy with its thick cable and solid aluminum housings. I don’t know if you guys will like it -- maybe you will, maybe you won’t, but I most definitely will not wear these straight-down.
I hope I didn’t bore you yet with my explanations, because we’re just about to get to the sound. Bored yet? No? Great, now let’s move on.
[size=x-large]== Sound ==[/size]
Specs
Headphone Type
Closed back, vented in-ear monitor (straight down, around-the-ear)
Driver Type
10 mm dynamic x2
Frequency Response
16 Hz – 22 kHz
Rated Input Power
30 mW
Sensitivity
110 dB @ 1 mW
Impedance
32 Ω
Weight
N/A
Cable
1.3 m (4.2’) Copper Y-Cord
Connector
3.5 mm (1/8”) gold-plated 45-degree TRS
Accessories
Hard carrying case 3 pairs single-flange silicone eartips (grey, S/M/L)
3 pairs single-flange silicone eartips (black, S/M/L)
1 pair double-flange silicone eartips
1 pair triple-flange silicone eartips
1 pair Comply™ T-500 foam eartips
6.3 mm (1/4”) adapter
Equipment, Burn-in
The equipment used for this review consists of my iPod Touch, an iPad 3, and my PC through headphone-out as the sources, all running without an amp. The amp used in the test is a Yamaha RX-V359 through headphone-out. As for the EQ software being used, I use Viper4Windows on the PC and the default system EQ on the other sources. As always, my test tracks are available here, although I will link specific songs in the assessment for a more direct point of reference.
As per review “tradition,” the Brainwavz R3s have been burned in for at least 100 hours prior to the review, with occasional listening sessions in between for an average of an hour. So far, throughout the 100 hours of burn-in, there haven’t been any noticeable changes in sound. Also, the eartips I used are the L-sized grey single flanges throughout the review. So, without further ado, let’s get on to the sound!
Sound Quality
Bass:
Okay, let’s start off with the bass. As an IEM designed for the audiophile crowd, don’t expect the R3 to have elevated bass, because it doesn’t have that. However, what it does have is a smooth, swift low-end that is clearly made for its target audience. Its accurate, slightly warm tone reproduces low tones without overdoing anything. It also has a strong enough punch to satisfy most listeners who aren’t craving bass. In short, it’s a very addicting listen that works amazingly with cool, laid-back songs (Daft Punk –The Game of Love, Something About Us).
Midrange:
The Brainwavz R3’s midrange is sweet and rich – basically, it sounds great. It has a great amount of clarity with a slight warmth to it. It reproduces the midrange very well, and despite its mid-centric signature (more on this later), isn’t as forward as I expected. One of my favourite characteristics about it, though, is how they manage to blend really well with the bass (Coldplay –Sparks) – making a very cohesive and united sound signature.
Treble:
Brainwavz purposely tuned the R3 to have a smooth, laid-back treble, topping off the sound signature like the smooth foam on a latte (more on this analogy later). This laid-back signature gives the R3 a very relaxing signature that you can simply listen to for hours, which is a huge plus in my book. (Note: Technical mode ON) Though most laid-back treble usually sounds veiled and lacking detail, Brainwavz managed to counter that by tuning in a treble spike around 10 kHz. This allows the R3 to still retain great detail retrieval even with its laid-back treble (technical mode OFF).
Soundstage/Presentation:
Apparently Brainwavz’ “Sound Chamber” technology actually does affect the R3’s sound signature – specifically, its soundstage. It’s very wide, airy, and expansive, which you usually don’t get to hear very often in an earphone, so that’s a huge plus. Live, acoustic, and classical recordings really come to life on the Brainwavz R3. However, I did notice instruments were projected (or “sound like” in layman’s terms) onto a narrow arc in front of you, instead of all around you. It’s a little quirk there that might not be as appealing to the more finicky listeners, but it’s not too much of a big deal.
Genre Proficiency:
The Brainwavz R3, as I’ve said earlier, works amazingly well with cool, laid-back genres, synergising well with its laid-back sound. Stuff like Coldplay, Daft Punk’s slower works, classical, anything that’s slow or has a relaxing vibe – the Brainwavz R3 performs spectacularly. However, it’s hardly finicky with genres and will play anything you throw at it very well.
Summary:
The Brainwavz R3’s sound is something I could liken to a nice latte – smooth, rich, creamy, sweet, and with just the right kick from the coffee. I’m sure from this, you can put two and two together, so there’s not much to say other than it’s great if the R3’s sound is what you’re looking for. Bassheads will have to look elsewhere, because the R3 is definitely an audiophile IEM.
Other Media
Games:
The R3 isn’t bad with games. Sure, its detail retrieval is great for getting an edge over the competition, but its rather congested presentation takes a hit to their imaging capabilities. All in all, they’re not something I’d use for competitive gaming.
Movies:
The R3’s smooth, balanced signature allows it to play along with pretty much any type of movie, from epic action scenes to heart-wrenching drama moments. I find they perform better with quieter movies, just as they do well with laid-back music.
EQ Response, Amplification
The R3, in my opinion, doesn’t really respond well to EQ (rather, basic EQ presets), though with a more advanced EQ like Electri-Q or Viper4Windows, you can EQ them to be completely flat, which, surprisingly, is very easy to do. But once I did that, man, oh man. The results were amazing. Probably the only downside to this is having to go through rather extensive tweaking and listening to get the sound just right, but otherwise they’re perfectly fine. At an impedance rating of about 32 ohms, they do need a bit more power to drive than, say, the S5 IEMs. At lower volumes, their midrange sounds rather muffled, and both ends of the spectrum also lose some detail. With extra power, though, the midrange comes forward, and with enough power, the bass suddenly begins to sound pretty damn impressive. You can really feel the sub-bass notes come alive and make the entire signature come together to no short of amazing. I don’t have a dedicated headphone amp as of yet, but now I begin to realize just how much I need one.
The treble from the R3s is really interesting in that, up to this point in the review, I haven't really thought about the treble. I would say that's a good sign of perfectly balanced treble that's neither drawing attention to itself nor lacking in energy and leaving the presentation dark and muddy. The treble is lively enough to provide raspiness and air to vocals, percussive sounds and incidental textures like fingers on a fretboard, but it's not over-enhanced. There is zero fatigue from the R3, but there is also zero lost clarity - that's an extremely impressive feat.
Listening to "Calling Elvis" by Dire Straits I can clearly hear the raspiness of Mark Knopfler's voice and the snare, high hat and cymbals have good energy and clarity so that I can feel them and notice them in the mix, but I've not once in all the time I've spent with the R3s felt like there was too much or too little treble. I'd actually go so far as suggesting that this is one of the best treble balances I've heard from an IEM in quite some time. I'll discuss some comparisons shortly to demonstrate this in further detail.
Similar to the bass detail and speed, treble speed and resolution may be a tiny bit behind the sharpest of BA IEMs, but the R3s are no slouch. Not only do they not leave me wanting more from the treble, they actually leave me thoroughly enjoying the treble because it's fully detailed and energetic, but remains smooth enough to be enjoyable and actually worth exploring. I find sharper, faster treble renditions sometimes lead me to almost tuning out treble detail so as not to fatigue my ears, but the R3s let me focus on the individual textures of a cymbal or snare without feeling on edge as I do it.
Staging and Imaging The stage from the R3s isn't exceptional, but for a $139 it's very good. It feels spacious despite being modest in size and it is evenly proportioned in each direction with good depth and width. Imaging is very similar - it's not exceptional, but it's definitely commendable. Instruments are well separated and clearly defined in their own virtual space. Thanks to the well-balanced presentation of each section of the frequency range from the R3s, the finished product is a well represented auditory image with good clarity and separation.
Selected Comparisons FIDUE A83 At the time of writing this there's quite a bit of hype around the A83 (triple hybrid IEM) on Head-Fi and deservedly so, but given its $300+ price tag and slightly troublesome fit I was keen to compare it with the R3.
On direct comparison, the A83's balanced armatures revealed extra details and texture in the mix that the R3 couldn't show me, but that came at the cost of a drier tone and a less natural overall sound with the A83's treble sounding slightly forward and forced compared to the R3's outstanding balance. The staging and imaging is also better on the A83 as you'd expect with the greater availability of subtle details and auditory cues, but does that make the A83 a hands-down better earphone? I don't think so. If I were looking to hear every nuance then I'd reach for the A83 every time, but if I wanted to simply play and enjoy my music I'd probably reach for the R3s on each occasion due to their more natural treble presentation and more natural overall sound. Technically, the A83 is a better earphone, but practically the R3 might be better for some people.
Brainwavz S5 As much as I like the S5s for what they are, they just don't compare with their slightly more expensive siblings - or at least not for my tastes. Yes, the S5 offers an excellent bass punch that the R3s can't match and for some genres that's an instant trump card, but the R3's balance won me over permanently and left the S5s sounding peaky and occasionally unnatural to my ears. For wide-ranging musical tastes or those who listen to rock, blues or jazz I would recommend the R3 every time over the S5 despite it's funkier fit and higher price.
HiFiMan RE272 Unfortunately I sold my RE272s shortly prior to the R3s arriving, but at around half the price of the RE272's when they were new (if memory serves), the R3 is an excellent replacement. There's no doubt that the RE272 offered superior transparency and separation over the R3, but the R3 is a smoother listen and has much better bass presence than the RE272 so it's a fair trade in my mind. To be honest, if I had the 2 sitting side-by-side I would probably reach for the R3 on almost every occasion because of it's smoother presentation and fuller bass note.
Summary The R3 is an outstanding earphone for the $139 price tag. I would definitely recommend trying a pair before you buy them if you tend to have fit issues like me, but when worn cable-down the R3s are easy to fit so that might solve any concerns if you're happy to wear them cable-down.
I haven't heard a lot of budget IEMs and there are some awesome options out there, but of those I have tried, the R3s are among the most enjoyable of the lot and definitely might be the most neutrally voiced of the lot. If you're looking to spend <$150 on a pair of IEMs and you want an IEM that can handle wide-ranging genres while providing a smooth and natural presentation then the R3s are a must try!
DannyBai
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Even keeled sound, nice build, excellent bundle of accessories
Cons: Thick cable and large Y-split if it really is a con.
I was provide a review sample and would like to thank Salsera and Brainwavz/MP4Nation.
The R3 V.2 is a dual dynamic barrel shaped iem from Brainwavz. Probably the oddest looking earphone on the market but surprisingly, I had no problem with fit. The shape actually works well with the looping over ear design and the earphones stay in place without much issue. The housings look and feel of aluminum and are light in weight. They are actually very comfortable while in use. Cables are rather thick especially from Y-split down to the 3.5mm jack. From the Y-split up to the housings have been redesigned and are much better than the original version. Cables seem to stay in place quite well around the ears and the thickness wasn’t much of a bother for me. The 3.5mm jack has a nice 45 degree angle in which I have come to appreciate in design. Only gripe although minor is the overall thickness of the cable and bigger than average Y-split.
Moving on to the sound, these have a nice balanced signature. Bass doesn’t hit with great impact, won’t reach to the lowest of the lows or hit you with forceful mid-bass punch. Bass has good presence but isn’t the tightest and sounds a bit soft from what I’m use to. The S5 from Brainwavz reaches lower, has bigger impact and makes a much greater presence in the music. For those who find the S5 to have too much bass, the R3 might be more appealing. Overall, I find the bass to fit with the signature these earphones are going for. These earphones have a wide and deep soundstage, some of the biggest I’ve heard. This can be good or bad on the vocals, depending on preference. The staging distances the vocals several rows back so it isn’t up front. I find them a little recessed and I mean little because they can be clearly heard and is not hidden from the rest of the music. I honestly couldn’t nitpick if male or female vocals sounded better since both sounded just fine for me. But, vocal trance sounded quite nice. Treble is very relaxed and there isn’t even a hint of fatigue, sibilance or the dreaded “sss” in the vocal region. Treble is smooth and possibly could use a little more for added sparkle. Somewhere between the R3 and S5 would be lovely. The smooth and non-fatiguing treble still clearly presents the details in the music. Instrument placement can be best pictured as if the listener is sitting in a large theatre compared to say a small intimate club. This is more of a surround sound listening experience.
In conclusion, I find the R3 V2 to be an even keeled sounding earphone that really doesn’t have much fault. Nothing to really complain about, even with the thick cable and all. I’m not too much of a nitpicker but I would think most would find this earphone to sound just fine. No huge bass to complain about or peaky treble or too recessed vocals. Fit’s fine if people can ignore the odd design and give it a try.
kova4a
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: solid build quality; balanced smooth and natural sound; 2-year warranty
Cons: rubbery cable prone to memory kinks; fit can be an issue for some people
First off, I have to thank again Brainwavz and Audrey for this R3 unit
Packaging and Accessories
The packaging is quite straightforward. There are plastic windows both at the front and the back of the box showcasing the shiny metal housings of the R3. Below the front window is embossed Brainwavz R3 and a very basic description – Twin Driver Configuration, Bass & Clarity and Rugged Metal Housing Design. Can’t disagree with that but maybe Smooth & Balanced would have been a bit more accurate description but more on that later.
On the back of the box there is a bit more detailed description of the R3 and its design.
On the sides of the package are listed its contents and R3’s specs.
It’s a fairly nice presentation overall.
Inside the box reside the R3 and the Brainwavz case. I’ve mentioned multiple times that this is my favorite iem case. It’s quite tough and specious and can easily fit a pair of iems and a small DAP like a Sansa. Inside one of the red pockets there is a nice quarter inch adapter and small gray bag with the included tips. There are 2 different types of single flange tips. Black ones made of a touch thicker silicone and gray ones, which are softer and have a slightly wider bore. The single flange silicone tips come in 3 sizes. There is also a pair of bi-flange and a pair of tri-flange tips, which come in only one size. As usual with Brainwavz a pair of comply foam tips packaged separately is included to complete the package.
Build Quality, Design and Fit
The R3 is a quite solid iem with robust metal housings and a thick rugged cable. The cable is a bit memory prone and rubbery though and while I don’t mind its thickness or weight I would have preferred if it had smoother sleeving and was more pliable and easier to keep straight.
The strain reliefs are substantial and again some people might call the Y-splitter over-engineered but it’s fine by me.
The j-plug is also on the bulky side but I’m a huge fan of j-plugs and it looks capable of withstanding quite a bit of abuse, so I can’t complain. If anything it completes the overall tough looks of the R3.
Design-wise it only takes a quick glance at the R3 to realize that it’s not your average iem. Its design is quite unique and I have to admit that when the R3 was first announced I wasn’t impressed and right away commented that people will have issue with the fit with such a design. It’s eye catching though and people often stare at the housing more than a couple of seconds.
Surprisingly despite my initial reservations and worries about the fit it turned out fine. I haven’t tried the old R3 version with the long memory-wires but this revised one actually fits me quite well. The fit is secure and isolation is good. It did take me quite a bit of tip rolling but finally settled on the stock bi-flanges both for the comfort and the sound.
The R3 can also be worn straight but the fit will be less secure due to the weight of the cable pulling the housings down.
There is a very mild driver flex with certain tips particularly on the left earpiece. Microphonics are very low when worn cable up.
Sound
The R3 has over 100 hours of burn-in at the time of writing this review.
For a dual dynamic driver iem that has a separate driver to reproduce the low frequencies the R3 quite surprised me. Its bass is quite flat and balanced. It is well-rounded with good control but is a bit on the polite side – softer on the impact and lacking some depth. The lower extension is not bad but after 50hz the bass gradually rolls off. Overall I like R3’s bass although I would have liked if it was a bit tighter and harder hitting but given the overall smooth and non-fatiguing presentation of the R3 it fits well with the rest of the spectrum. In comparison the Brainwavz S5 has a lot bigger but also less controlled and muddier bass bleeding into the mids.
The mids are well balanced with the bass and also relatively flat. Both male and female vocals have very nice presence and sweet tone. The R3 actually sounds a bit mid-centric but I don’t mind that as this type of signature is harder and harder to find. The tonality is slightly on the warm side but still what I would call neutral-ish. Instruments have nice timbre and despite the slightly thick note presentation sound natural and realistic. Detail retrieval is actually pretty good but clarity is a bit behind in comparison to some of the competition. In comparison brainwavz’s own S5 is noticeably clearer due to its thinner note presentation and treble emphasis but is also a lot less natural sounding and more fatiguing. The R3 instead is smoother lusher sounding.
The highs are a bit laid back but very well extended and smooth. The lower treble has enough energy to keeps things exciting without getting harsh or fatiguing. There is plenty of shimmer but I wouldn’t have minded a bit more sparkle. The treble is not prone to pointing out sibilance. In comparison the S5 with its more emphasized and peaky highs is noticeably harsher and more artificial sounding.
The R3 is full and airy sounding. Imaging is very good with both width and depth above average. Positioning is quite good. Instrument separation is very good with plenty of space between the instruments. Overall, the R3 sounds pretty spacious, especially for a mid-centric iem, which usually tend to be more on the intimate side.
Summary
R3 and its little brother R1
Brainwavz R3 has quite the surprising sound for a dual dynamic driver iem. Owning the Brainwavz R1 I expected a lot different sound but it’s heads and shoulders above its smaller dual dynamic brother R1. I’m not going to lie, I would also pick it over the Brainwavz’s other higher-end iem the S5 any day of the week. While the S5 will most likely impress a lot more people at first listen with its big bass and clarity, the R3 with its more balanced, smoother and mature sound is the iem that really impresses.
The R3 is a very solid performer sound-wise with a very solid build quality to boot. If it wasn’t for Audrey I probably would have given it a pass worried about the fit and all the people complaining about it. Maybe the memory wires on the old version were really horrible – I can’t comment on that but they are gone now and what is left is an iem that deserves to be given a second chance.
twister6
twister6 Reviews
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: build quality, included accessories, great sound separation
Cons: cable, would prefer memory wire back, fitment
Since I was among the early adopters of this updated 2.0 version of R3, I already posted a detailed review with pictures in the original R3 review thread. Therefore, I'm just going to provide a link to my R3 v2.0 review: http://www.head-fi.org/products/brainwavz-r3-dual-dynamic-driver-earphones/reviews/11456
Audiophile1811
500+ Head-Fier
Introduction – As the top-of-the-line earphone of the young company Brainwavz, the R3 has a quite a lot on its shoulders. Utilizing a relatively new dual-dynamic driver configuration, uncommon with most headphones on the market, Brainwavz has chosen this design for its very best headphone. Bold as it is, this design has been successful in many budget-based sets such as the Havi B3 Pro-1 and TTPOD’s T1 series. The R3’s, then, promise a lot considering they cost twice and even three times as much as the aforementioned earphones. So do they deliver for the price? The answer is yes… and no. But this is best explained throughout my review so if you’re interested, simply read on and find out why.
Disclaimer – This is a free review unit delivered to me for the purpose of this review. I am not affiliated with Brainwavz in any way and will stay objective as possible throughout this review. Huge thanks to Audrey at Brainwavz for sending these out to me, it’s quite a privilege. All photos were taken by me.
Specifications:
- 10mm Dual-Dynamic drivers (Passive Crossover)
- Impedance: 32 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 95dB
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
- Rated Input Power: 2mW
- Cable: OFC Copper, 1.3 meters/4.25 ft.
Packaging & Accessories: The R3’s have slightly unconventional packaging that presents the headphones and its cable through clear plastic windows on either side of the box. Inside you’ll find a plethora of tips (9 pairs in total) which include 6 pairs of single-flange silicone tips (3 pairs gray, 3 pairs black), a single pair of bi-flange and triple-flange tips, and a pair of Comply T500 tips. Also included is a ¼ inch adapter, a hard zip-case, and a 1-year warranty card (box says 2 years, don’t know which to believe). Brainwavz has been very generous with their accessories and deserve credit for being thoughtful with their ear tips.
Build & Design: Brainwavz has gone very out-of-the-box with the design of the R3. They’ve used a tubular housing for the drivers and a 90° angle nozzle that sticks straight out of the center. This means each driver faces each other within a divided enclosure and each band of frequencies meet inside the nozzle creating a uniform sound. Internal details aside, the aluminum housings feel extremely rugged throughout. However, cable quality is questionable. The 4-inch black portion of the cable is higher quality than the remaining grey section and is the only part that doesn’t suffer from kinks or memory. But since most of the cable does, it’s a wonder why Brainwavz didn’t just make the entire cable consistent (or thinner for that matter). But this is nitpicking because the R3’s seem very durable. The real problems come when wearing the R3’s.
Comfort & Fit: I have small ears, which means I also have problems with earphones, even the most comfortable. Brainwavz sought to remedy this dilemma for those like me but haven’t entirely succeeded. The R3’s are utilize an over-ear design but the housings are heavy and the nozzles are large. This causes them to fall out of place and need adjustment often. Strain reliefs are a bit stiff below the housings (fine on the Y-split & 3.5mm jack) and combined with their vertical position the cable very tricky to place behind the ear, as they were intended. But the worst part is the cable that is simply too thick and heavy for an IEM. The sheer weight and size of the cable can make it cumbersome and difficult to wear under clothing (also due to its rubbery texture). When worn with the right ear tips the R3’s are relatively comfortable but suffer from their awkward design and cable. With this in mind, the R3’s will suit some but definitely not others, so be cautious if your ears have given you trouble in the past.
Microphonics: For such a large cable, microphonics were not as bad as I expected. Cable noise is well controlled when worn over-ear but is fairly distracting cable-down. The included cinch does a good job of keeping cable noise down in either configuration too.
Isolation: There is a surprising level of noise attenuation when wearing the R3’s. They isolate very well outdoors and reduce environmental noise enough for non-distractive (but safe) listening. I consider this a strength of the R3’s overall.
----------Sound----------
Equipment & Background – For the sound portion of this review I will be using an Audinst HUD-MX1 amp/DAC combo as my primary “reference” source, a Topping NX-1 portable amplifier, and a Sansa Fuze as a portable source. All my impressions are done indoors with an over-ear headphone for added isolation resulting in almost silent listening with no audible distractions. My library consists of FLAC and high bit-rate MP3 files. The R3’s were also burned-in over 100hrs before review.
Bass: With a mid-forward sound signature the bass on the R3’s are not boosted or enhanced like many V-shaped sets on the market. Instead, lows are much mellower and have a pleasant musical warmth throughout. And while they don’t extend too far down there is enough sub-bass for an engaging listen. Bass is tight, controlled, and well-rounded and never once feels loose or bloated. However, it should be noted that the lows on the R3 are fairly soft in nature which means they won’t deliver the same visceral impact compared to sets with large mid-bass humps. That said, bass is always engaging and very punchy when required. Smoothness is another quality of the bass that becomes noticeable with fast, heavy music genres (those of which are not entirely suited for the R3). But those who prefer a mid-forward signature will appreciate the manner with which the R3’s handle bass notes. They are never distracting and don’t steal the attention of the listener; they provide enough energy to strike an excellent balance with the midrange and treble. Bass reproduction is one of the biggest strengths of the R3’s (in my opinion) due to their laid-back presence.
Mids: Moving upwards, the midrange holds a good few surprises. As mentioned before, the R3’s are mid forward overall. But this does not make them fatiguing or offensive to listen to as many other users have experienced with many other mid forward sets. Instead, the R3’s mids are not aggressive or rich, just forward enough to focus its sound on one particular part of the frequency spectrum. The primary advantage here are mids that are both clear and smooth. The balance between the two is obvious but the mids generally lean towards smoothness more than anything else. Vocalists demonstrate this best as they lack detail in parts of both the lower and upper-midrange; Both male and female vocalist suffer the effects of this coloration which was likely created by frequency dips in both regions. In terms of quality, the midrange is neither lifelike nor is it the most natural. Despite this there is no lack of finesse to the mids, just slightly lacking in accuracy. It will easily satisfy all but the extreme detail lover with its creamy, effortless nature but it won’t please anybody in sheer quality alone.
Treble: The last piece of the (frequency) puzzle lies in the R3’s treble. Highs are, yet again, very smooth but also more revealing and detailed than any frequencies below it. While not bright, there is an unexpected level of clarity up top considering the soft, genial character of the bass and midrange. Details come through with percussive instruments with natural timbre and good sparkle but without harshness. This lack of harshness prevents any sibilance from occurring even with the most aggressive vocalists and the worst recordings. Extension is considerably impressive as well, with frequencies extending up to 15kHz and gently rolling-off afterwards. And although consistency is lacking in areas, the treble is still up to par with more expensive earphones in its price range. For what it does best (i.e. bass) and what its focus is (i.e. mids), the top end of the R3’s are surprisingly good; They can suit the needs of almost any listener and any genre.
Presentation: The R3’s present their sound in a way that’s both engaging and involving. Soundstage is a little predictable for a mid-centric IEM as it has a tendency to place vocals and most of the midrange very close to the listener. This gives the effect of having music performed directly in front of you, but not in a way that it becomes tiring over time. The result is a soundstage with only average depth overall. Height is improved over depth but width is where the R3’s begin to open up. Wide spatial cues are thrown out far on either side of the head while still maintaining easy localization. The result is an intimate presentation that is more spacious than their sound signature would suggest. Bass is centered, vocals are intimate, treble is airy, and music is simply a joy to experience. Most will find their unique presentation and signature very pleasant no matter what genre of music preferred.
Ear Tips & Insertion Sensitivity: The R3’s can be a little picky with ear tips as their nozzle is a slightly larger than average. Even the included tips require a little force to fit onto the nozzle. But this doesn’t inhibit tip-rolling with the R3’s as they are quite flexible. Sound can be adjusted to have either a thicker, warmer sound or a more neutral one depending on the tip fitted: Single flanges will achieve the former while the included double-flanges will achieve the latter. And since insertion is neither shallow nor deep some tips will stay in place and others will not. As mentioned in the Comfort & Fit section, this will depend on your ears more than anything else.
Power, Sensitivity, and Source Performance: The R3’s are a very drivable earphone that respond well with most sources. Low output devices should have no trouble driving them although they may require a little more volume to acquire listenable levels. A more powerful source, such as a dedicated amplifier, will yield better results in terms of volume and quality.
Value: For $129 the Brainwavz R3 is a peculiar earphone that combines an unusual design with a consumer friendly sound. The R3 balances a mid-forward signature with a wide presentation but loses out in areas of detail and accuracy. But its main weakness is its design and fit. Their tubular housings are difficult to wear for long periods without adjustment and that’s if they’re comfortable to begin with. The cable’s large profile also causes issues as it prevents the R3’s from fitting inside a pant pocket, making them a little inconvenient to transport. Overall however, the R3 is still relatively good value if you can get past its flaws. And if you enjoy a smooth, musical sound you’ll be in for a pleasant surprise.
I hope this review will be useful to those who read through it. Please leave any suggestions or advice you may have in the comments below. Everyone’s input will help me improve my reviews and make it easier to adapt my reviews for as wide an audience as possible. Thanks for reading and happy listening!
Wokei
Nice review ..well done
Audiophile1811
Thanks @Wokei
Kamakahah
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Durable build quality. Clear and non-fatiguing. Good overall balance.
Cons: Thick, rubbery cable. Two-faced bass. Long-term comfort
Admittedly, I took far too long to post this review. I wanted to try a different approach that involved becoming accustomed to the signature followed by a period without them, and then a reintroduction. It's been about six weeks since I received the unit. I've done week long periods with and without them.
The reason for this decision was two fold:
1. It's the first dual dynamic IEM that I've given significant head time.
2. There were/are some awkward inconsistencies with the sound signature that I was/am hearing. It was my hope at the time to be able to narrow the the reasons behind them. More on this later.
After realizing that I had too many notes and they were harder for me to characterize than originally anticipated, I decided to write this review while listening to them after a short break and give my overall thoughts from this session. My previous notes will still be a factor in what I write, but hopefully this gives more clarity to my thoughts.
Again, I'd like to thank Brainwavz for the opportunity to review these. As others did, I received a review pair to keep similar to the S5. It's a nice gesture of confidence in the Head-Fi community.
In similar fashion, I'll avoid adding pictures and statistics that a quick Google search can provide.
All the usual qualifiers apply: IMO, YMMV, OMGWTFBBQ, ROFLCOPTER. This is just my experience. Yours might be different.
For those that don't like to wade through the paragraphs of information that most reviews provide, here is a succinct synopsis:
Bass: Can vary greatly. Overall lower-quantity with a softer impact. Occasionally comes out to play. See below for more details.
Mids: Pretty clear. Non-fatiguing. Present and slightly forward. Much less , "life has been sucked out" than the S5 but with slightly dry presentation. A touch of warmth. Quite enjoyable.
Treble: Nice lower treble energy. Non-fatiguing but hits of sibilance depending on the track. Smooth and laid back, maybe overly so for some.
Soundstage/Imaging: Good width, and back depth. Shallow forward depth. Can feel intimate as a result, but not cramped.
Separation/Clarity/Detail: Decent separation and good clarity if not a little thick sounding. Good detail in the mids. Lows are too fluffy for my taste. Highs lacking micro details from smoothing
Tips: Find whatever is comfortable. Didn't lead to a ton of variation as it normally does for me. Used the stock, clear tips.
Source/Amping: Some noticeable scaling, specifically with additional power to add a bit more life and energy to the sound. A clear source with good texture seems best, IMO.
Isolation: Slightly below average. Not great isolation, but doesn't leak.
Overall: Enjoyable. A stand out addition in a pack of "V's." Clunky build, but durable. A solid buy at $99. At $115+ you'll want to be sure it's what you're after.
Initial Impressions:
From my notes 6 weeks ago, I thought they sounded clear with a nice sense of balance. I found the bass to be soft and lacking texture. The mid range was enticing, forward, a little dry, but enjoyable.
Methodology:
I gave them 5 hours of listening the first day to become accustomed to the signature. They were then burned in for quite some time using set of burn-in tracks with mixed tracks, pink noise, and 5 minute breaks every hour on repeat.
They were burned in for over 300 hours in total throughout the process. I initially began my process after ~150 hours as per my usual. I continued to listen to other headphones/earphones.
Then, as mentioned above, I took week long breaks. I also spent full weeks only listening to the R3. My reasons for this will be further discussed in the following sections.
Listening was done casually at home and while out shopping. Detailed listening was done in a quiet office. A/B testing done as well with different gear and Fiio HS2 used occasionally for quick switching of sources or headphones.
I avoided reading any other reviews before writing this one to avoid bias.
Chains used:
1. PC USB/Optical>>>Audio GD NFB-15>>>R3
2. Fiio X3>>>(Topping NX1/C&C BH)>>>R3
3. Rockboxed Sansa Clip+>>>(Topping NX1/C&C BH)>>>R3
4. HTC One M8>>>R3
Tips used: Supplied tips, JVC spiral tips, Sony hybrids, Sennheiser double flange.
Test tracks: Many albums in my collection were listened to in full with a number of mixed in individual tracks, but here are a few specific tracks used.
Track formats included 256-320kbps mp3, FLAC, WAV files and a few youtube videos for variety.
- Jessica Lee Mayfield - Nervous Lonely Night : The first minute of this song can tell me a lot about a can. This will seem odd, but the pencil tapping at the start tells me a ton about timbre and a bit about depth. The generally forward vocals of the entire "Tell me" album help point out recessed mids quickly. The bass comes in strong with lots of quantity and impact to let me judge the low end presence and texture. I could go on. It's just a track that works for me.
- Queen - Killer Queen : One of my sibilance test tracks, though it's much more than that. It's another track that can really let you individually identify a spectrum of specific quality attributes or flaws.
- Paramore - Hallelujah : The recording/mastering, whatever, sounds just terrible on the deluxe mp3 version that I have. I use it to test how forgiving a can is.
- Pantera - Cowboys from Hell; Cemetery Gates; Floods : It's Pantera. No more explanation needed.
- Lisa Hannigan - Live from the Troubadour in W.Hollywood. : This is a special recording that I have from a live concert I attended. I'm frighteningly familiar with the venue/performance and how it should sound. I use this to judge soundstage, imaging, timbre and separation.
- Rage Against The Machine - People of the Sun : Bass.
- Metallica - (Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth / One/ etc - Lots of reasons
- Lana Del Rey - Lolita/National Anthem/Carmen : Lots of reasons but in general for her vocals that can sound like thick, warm syrup.
- Geographer - Kites : I like this for cohesion. Some cans make it sound disjointed or all jumbled up.
- Filipe Melo · Ana Cláudia // Spiegel im spiegel (Arvo Pärt) : It's beautiful. Noise test. Timbre. Naturalness.
- Girl Talk - Let it Out : It's fun.
- Dr. Chesky - The Ultimate Headphone Demonstration Disc - Soundstage, imaging, dynamics, etc.
- Many, more.
Build Quality & Acessories:
Oh Jetpack. It's awkward. The cable is a heavy, bouncy, rubbery monstrosity. Plenty of nice accessories included, solid 10/10 in my mind. The bulky shell may or may not affect your fit depending on ear shape.
Comfort/Fit:
Average comfort. The rubbery cable was very noticeable over the ear and raises up at times until pulled tighter with a shirt clip. Long-term comfort has been poor. After about an hour, I found that the area where the cable meets the body rubbed my ear the wrong way. Tips didn't seem to have too significant of an effect for comfort, though I did favor some more than others. In particular, I liked the stock clear tips that weren't quite as firm. I found that they tend to start slipping from my ears. I'm not sure if it's a result of the cable or something else. I tried to wear larger tips to offset the pull, but found that I couldn't handle the loss of comfort. Occasionally, I' would double check their positioning to make sure they are still in place. This was more of an issue when out and about than in the office.
Isolation/Leak:
Average to below average. Noisy locations will be noticeable. I found their isolation to be slightly less effective compared to the S5. Leak wasn't an issue.
Bass:
The moment I listened to the opening kick drum and first few bass string plucks in Jessica Lee Mayfield's - "Our Hearts Are Wrong", I knew that the bass and I were going to be at odds. That particular song is very bass heavy. The R3 does bring the quantity of bass in many tracks to manageable levels. This was one aspect that I appreciated for a number of bass heavy tracks; However, it was also the bane of bass light tracks.
As mentioned in the Cons, I found the bass to be two-faced or fractured. I tried my best to determine its cause, but wasn't able to pin it down in a way that I could explain in a clear fashion. In short, it seems certain frequencies are emphasized. It felt like there were peaks and valleys in the bass than had a very noticeable effect on impact and levels. It didn't seem like a clear line that is normally present where people can say, "Oh yeah, it has a mid bass hump and rolls off in the sub-bass which explains...blahblahblah." - Not the case here. Some songs had the low impact that they normally show, while it was next to non-existent in my other test tracks. I wish I could articulate it better. That said, there is a significant roll off in the sub-bass at about the 50 Hz mark. Below 30 is pretty much a black hole.
In this moment, as I listen to a number of tracks I find the duality. Some show nice, low impact. Others that should have the same feel like the kick drum or bass is hidden behind a glass panel or being hit by a pillow rather than a mallet.
One final beef was with the lack of texture. I found it really was missing that detail that comes with a more articulate bass. The overall tone felt smoothed over and pillowy.
Mids:
A nice forward presentation in the mids. It balances well still with the rest of the spectrum. A much desired addition following the soulless mids of the S5. As mentioned in the brief summary above, I find them slightly dry with a touch of warmth. It's a neutralish presentation of the mid range that in some ways reminds me of a less refined HE-560. One of my favorite signatures centers around the mids, so this was a nice change of pace from my generally bass oriented collection that includes the JVC FX-850, among others.
Treble:
Queen's song "Killer Queen" will pretty much violate my ears if a headphone/earphone is even a little hot, sibilant, etc. These do a pretty good job. Overall non-fatiguing but will undoubtedly be too lack-back for the treble lovers. Smooth, but still with a decent energy, particularly in the lower treble region. Not a whole lot of the sparkle. Hints of sibilance on already sibilant tracks, but that's normal.
Separation/Clarity/Detail:
I would say that it is a notch above average in this category. Decent separation and clarity. A bit thicker sounding than the S5 that suffered from a thin/recessed mid range that killed baby seals. Enough detail to satisfy. Without a doubt some loss of detail and clarity in the bass with roll off and fluffy presentation that lacks in texture and articulation.
Soundstage/Imaging:
The soundstage felt slightly more intimate than I've been used to but not in a cramped way. The positioning feels a intimate. This can be good and maybe a little bad for some live recordings. I'll explain way as it has to do with the way that I perceived the soundstage. The best way I can think to describe the shape is an taking a basketball and half way deflating just one hemisphere. The width sound above average, the behind depth the same. The forward depth, or the space in front of me seems as though its distance has been cut in half when compared to behind.
Source/Amping/Tips:
The R3 did seem to scale a bit. More important, for me, was the added power that seems to add a bit more life to the overall sound. :
- Audio-GD NFB-15
- Fiio X3 + Topping NX1 (Low gain, high was noisy and gave no play with the volume)
- Fiio X3 + C&C BH (Line 2, switches off, gain 'High').
- Rockboxed Sansa Clip+ (Forgot to experiment with attaching amps)
I didn't find a lot of difference when tip rolling. Insertion depth didn't change the sound enough so I ended up liking the stock, clear tips. They are comfortable and didn't negatively affect the sound. I thought a narrow bore might help the bass, but the effect was minor and inconsistent so I reverted.
Final Thoughts:
I want to say that I enjoy this earphone. It's far from perfect, but it has qualities that are becoming harder to find in a V-shaped market. The mid-centric presentation is a welcome addition to my collection. The bass can be a bit of a letdown on some tracks, but it can also be a boon in taming overly bass heavy tracks into submission. It can help you see your much listened to tracks in a new light. It suffers from some inevitable design issues, but overall a durable and enjoyable earphone. As I look at the $115 asking price on Amazon right now I asked myself the question, "Is it worth that price tag?" To some, yes. I think it would fit nicely into the $99 category, but what's $15 anyway?
thatBeatsguy
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Smooth, balanced sound. Brainwavz' signature unique look. Brainwavz' signature build.
Cons: Weird looks might deter some. Cable is pretty hefty and cumbersome.
Intro
TL;DR: Don't let its rather brutish looks fool you; the Brainwavz R3 is a smooth, gentle IEM that works especially well with acoustic genres, slow rock, and jazz.
Before I begin, I would like to thank Audrey at Brainwavz for providing the sample of the Brainwavz R3 in exchange for my honest opinion. Please note that I am neither affiliated with Brainwavz or any of its employees, nor am I being compensated for writing this review. All opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own unless otherwise specified, and all pictures are taken and owned by my sister. YMMV.
Well, it’s been a few weeks since my review of the S5s, and from that first impression of one of their IEMs, they’ve earned their place in my ‘Companies to Watch’ list. Though a lot of their IEMs, to my knowledge, lean towards a more consumer-friendly sound, they are no doubt of audiophile quality. Today, I’m going to be reviewing another of their high-end IEMs, and probably one of the most peculiar-looking IEMs I’ve ever seen, the dual-dynamic Brainwavz R3 Rev.2 (I’ll get to this later).
Anyhow, let’s get on to the IEMs. Shall we?
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.
[size=x-large]== Aesthetics ==[/size]
Packaging, Accessories
At first glance of the packaging, it’s clear that Brainwavz is proud of their design of the R3, as the box features a clear window from the front all the way through to the back of the box, with the R3’s housings suspended in a clear plastic mold, showcased proudly and rather enthusiastically, like a brand-new breakthrough in design or something along those lines. On the front you also see BRAINWAVZ R3 written with a tagline and a few of its main features. On the left side, you’ll see its specifications, and on the right are its accessories, and on the back is a cross-section diagram of the R3s’ housing along with a description of sorts.
Upon opening the package, you’ll find Brainwavz’ semi-hard case hidden from the light of day, housing the rest of the R3s and all of its accessories. I’m still pretty impressed with the plethora of eartips included in the package, which consists of six pairs of single-flange tips (one set in grey, the other in black, in S/M/L), one pair of double-flanged tips, one pair of triple-flanged tips, and a pair of Comply T500 foam eartips. So there you have it - nine pairs of eartips, all at your disposal along with the Brainwavz R3 and S5. Still pretty damn impressive. But that’s not all - you also get a nifty 1/4-inch adapter. In the previous version, there used to be an airline adapter supposedly - but in my case, I don’t think I would need it anyway, so that can be ignored. Frequent flyers, though, might have to buy their own airline adapter off a local Best Buy or some other electronics store.
Design, Build, Microphonics
You remember what I said about Brainwavz’ package being showcased like a design breakthrough? Well, I have got to hand it to Brainwavz, they have made one awesome breakthrough in design right here, and it’s sure to make anyone -- consumer or audiophile -- wonder how they manage to get these in their ears. (Not that it’s a bad thing, though -- they actually fit quite easily.)
Though the concept of dual dynamic drivers isn’t new (lately there have been a lot of popular options to choose from), how they’re implemented intrigued me.The two 10mm drivers are set up in a two-way configuration – one used for bass, the other for the rest of the audio spectrum. Again, this is not unusual, but then we move on to their placement. The two drivers are placed apart from and facing each other, pouring the sound into a ‘Sonic Chamber’ before it reaches your ears through a particularly long tube. At least, that’s what the diagram seems to tell me. It’s probably not as simple as it sounds, seeing as another dual dynamic IEM, the Audio-Technica ATH-CKR9 (and its older variant, the CKR10) shares a similarly-positioned pair of drivers…except for the fact that the CKRs’ drivers go for a ‘Push-Pull’ design in which one driver pushes the sound while the other pulls the sound to supposedly reduce distortion and improve sound quality (or something like that). Coming back to the R3s, it seems both drivers simply push sound into the sound chamber where the sound mixes to bring out the final product.
Moving on, we have the cable, which apparently consists of three sections: the main grey cable from the connector to the Y-split, a thinner grey cable from the Y-split to split (rather, splice), which transitions into a length of memory cable making the final stretch to the housings. This memory wire used to be a lot longer in the first version, but has been removed in the revision for better ergonomics and an easier fit.
Again, the team over at Brainwavz has impressed me with the excellent build quality of the R3s. From the solid machined aluminum housings to the strong extremely heavy-duty Y-split (see above), it’s clear Brainwavz made no compromises to the build quality of the R3 just as they did with the S5. The only gripe I have with the build is the cable. No, it’s not because of durability -- in fact, it’s probably one of the most solid cables I’ve had in my possession yet. My gripe with the cable is because it’s solid. It’s very thick -- reminding me of the cable on my old Beats Pro. Its thickness in turn makes them very difficult to manage. When they arrived, they were bound pretty tightly together by a wire, and when I undid the wire, I was greeted with an eyesore of a cable with folds and creases on every inch. Even as I write this, I’m still trying to straighten it out. Cable noise isn’t much different. Even with the over-ear design dulling it down, cable noise is still a bit of an issue due to the serious weight of the cable.
Fit, Comfort, Isolation
Now, I’m sure you’re still wondering if the bottle-like housings with a tube on the side would actually fit your ears. Well, I’m happy to report that it actually does. It did take a few minutes of fiddling at first, but it only takes a few tries to get accustomed to it. They’re pretty comfortable once they’re in your ears, though at times the housing does touch -- more like press on -- part of my ear when I don’t get them in right, which again is a nuisance, but it’s mostly just on me. Due to the housings being little more than a bottle with a tube sticking out of the side which goes into your ear, isolation leans toward average, but is nonetheless good enough for a walk in the park or at home. Don’t expect it to drown out much in a bus or the subway, though.
Also, something of note: the Brainwavz R3 can be worn straight-down; however the cable causes too much microphonics to be tolerable. That, and the R3 is considerably heavy with its thick cable and solid aluminum housings. I don’t know if you guys will like it -- maybe you will, maybe you won’t, but I most definitely will not wear these straight-down.
I hope I didn’t bore you yet with my explanations, because we’re just about to get to the sound. Bored yet? No? Great, now let’s move on.
[size=x-large]== Sound ==[/size]
Specs
Headphone Type
Closed back, vented in-ear monitor (straight down, around-the-ear)
Driver Type
10 mm dynamic x2
Frequency Response
16 Hz – 22 kHz
Rated Input Power
30 mW
Sensitivity
110 dB @ 1 mW
Impedance
32 Ω
Weight
N/A
Cable
1.3 m (4.2’) Copper Y-Cord
Connector
3.5 mm (1/8”) gold-plated 45-degree TRS
Accessories
Hard carrying case 3 pairs single-flange silicone eartips (grey, S/M/L)
3 pairs single-flange silicone eartips (black, S/M/L)
1 pair double-flange silicone eartips
1 pair triple-flange silicone eartips
1 pair Comply™ T-500 foam eartips
6.3 mm (1/4”) adapter
Equipment, Burn-in
The equipment used for this review consists of my iPod Touch, an iPad 3, and my PC through headphone-out as the sources, all running without an amp. The amp used in the test is a Yamaha RX-V359 through headphone-out. As for the EQ software being used, I use Viper4Windows on the PC and the default system EQ on the other sources. As always, my test tracks are available here, although I will link specific songs in the assessment for a more direct point of reference.
As per review “tradition,” the Brainwavz R3s have been burned in for at least 100 hours prior to the review, with occasional listening sessions in between for an average of an hour. So far, throughout the 100 hours of burn-in, there haven’t been any noticeable changes in sound. Also, the eartips I used are the L-sized grey single flanges throughout the review. So, without further ado, let’s get on to the sound!
Sound Quality
Bass:
Okay, let’s start off with the bass. As an IEM designed for the audiophile crowd, don’t expect the R3 to have elevated bass, because it doesn’t have that. However, what it does have is a smooth, swift low-end that is clearly made for its target audience. Its accurate, slightly warm tone reproduces low tones without overdoing anything. It also has a strong enough punch to satisfy most listeners who aren’t craving bass. In short, it’s a very addicting listen that works amazingly with cool, laid-back songs (Daft Punk –The Game of Love, Something About Us).
Midrange:
The Brainwavz R3’s midrange is sweet and rich – basically, it sounds great. It has a great amount of clarity with a slight warmth to it. It reproduces the midrange very well, and despite its mid-centric signature (more on this later), isn’t as forward as I expected. One of my favourite characteristics about it, though, is how they manage to blend really well with the bass (Coldplay –Sparks) – making a very cohesive and united sound signature.
Treble:
Brainwavz purposely tuned the R3 to have a smooth, laid-back treble, topping off the sound signature like the smooth foam on a latte (more on this analogy later). This laid-back signature gives the R3 a very relaxing signature that you can simply listen to for hours, which is a huge plus in my book. (Note: Technical mode ON) Though most laid-back treble usually sounds veiled and lacking detail, Brainwavz managed to counter that by tuning in a treble spike around 10 kHz. This allows the R3 to still retain great detail retrieval even with its laid-back treble (technical mode OFF).
Soundstage/Presentation:
Apparently Brainwavz’ “Sound Chamber” technology actually does affect the R3’s sound signature – specifically, its soundstage. It’s very wide, airy, and expansive, which you usually don’t get to hear very often in an earphone, so that’s a huge plus. Live, acoustic, and classical recordings really come to life on the Brainwavz R3. However, I did notice instruments were projected (or “sound like” in layman’s terms) onto a narrow arc in front of you, instead of all around you. It’s a little quirk there that might not be as appealing to the more finicky listeners, but it’s not too much of a big deal.
Genre Proficiency:
The Brainwavz R3, as I’ve said earlier, works amazingly well with cool, laid-back genres, synergising well with its laid-back sound. Stuff like Coldplay, Daft Punk’s slower works, classical, anything that’s slow or has a relaxing vibe – the Brainwavz R3 performs spectacularly. However, it’s hardly finicky with genres and will play anything you throw at it very well.
Summary:
The Brainwavz R3’s sound is something I could liken to a nice latte – smooth, rich, creamy, sweet, and with just the right kick from the coffee. I’m sure from this, you can put two and two together, so there’s not much to say other than it’s great if the R3’s sound is what you’re looking for. Bassheads will have to look elsewhere, because the R3 is definitely an audiophile IEM.
Other Media
Games:
The R3 isn’t bad with games. Sure, its detail retrieval is great for getting an edge over the competition, but its rather congested presentation takes a hit to their imaging capabilities. All in all, they’re not something I’d use for competitive gaming.
Movies:
The R3’s smooth, balanced signature allows it to play along with pretty much any type of movie, from epic action scenes to heart-wrenching drama moments. I find they perform better with quieter movies, just as they do well with laid-back music.
EQ Response, Amplification
The R3, in my opinion, doesn’t really respond well to EQ (rather, basic EQ presets), though with a more advanced EQ like Electri-Q or Viper4Windows, you can EQ them to be completely flat, which, surprisingly, is very easy to do. But once I did that, man, oh man. The results were amazing. Probably the only downside to this is having to go through rather extensive tweaking and listening to get the sound just right, but otherwise they’re perfectly fine. At an impedance rating of about 32 ohms, they do need a bit more power to drive than, say, the S5 IEMs. At lower volumes, their midrange sounds rather muffled, and both ends of the spectrum also lose some detail. With extra power, though, the midrange comes forward, and with enough power, the bass suddenly begins to sound pretty damn impressive. You can really feel the sub-bass notes come alive and make the entire signature come together to no short of amazing. I don’t have a dedicated headphone amp as of yet, but now I begin to realize just how much I need one.
The stage from the R3s isn't exceptional, but for a $139 it's very good. It feels spacious despite being modest in size and it is evenly proportioned in each direction with good depth and width. Imaging is very similar - it's not exceptional, but it's definitely commendable. Instruments are well separated and clearly defined in their own virtual space. Thanks to the well-balanced presentation of each section of the frequency range from the R3s, the finished product is a well represented auditory image with good clarity and separation.
Selected Comparisons FIDUE A83 At the time of writing this there's quite a bit of hype around the A83 (triple hybrid IEM) on Head-Fi and deservedly so, but given its $300+ price tag and slightly troublesome fit I was keen to compare it with the R3.
On direct comparison, the A83's balanced armatures revealed extra details and texture in the mix that the R3 couldn't show me, but that came at the cost of a drier tone and a less natural overall sound with the A83's treble sounding slightly forward and forced compared to the R3's outstanding balance. The staging and imaging is also better on the A83 as you'd expect with the greater availability of subtle details and auditory cues, but does that make the A83 a hands-down better earphone? I don't think so. If I were looking to hear every nuance then I'd reach for the A83 every time, but if I wanted to simply play and enjoy my music I'd probably reach for the R3s on each occasion due to their more natural treble presentation and more natural overall sound. Technically, the A83 is a better earphone, but practically the R3 might be better for some people.
Brainwavz S5 As much as I like the S5s for what they are, they just don't compare with their slightly more expensive siblings - or at least not for my tastes. Yes, the S5 offers an excellent bass punch that the R3s can't match and for some genres that's an instant trump card, but the R3's balance won me over permanently and left the S5s sounding peaky and occasionally unnatural to my ears. For wide-ranging musical tastes or those who listen to rock, blues or jazz I would recommend the R3 every time over the S5 despite it's funkier fit and higher price.
HiFiMan RE272 Unfortunately I sold my RE272s shortly prior to the R3s arriving, but at around half the price of the RE272's when they were new (if memory serves), the R3 is an excellent replacement. There's no doubt that the RE272 offered superior transparency and separation over the R3, but the R3 is a smoother listen and has much better bass presence than the RE272 so it's a fair trade in my mind. To be honest, if I had the 2 sitting side-by-side I would probably reach for the R3 on almost every occasion because of it's smoother presentation and fuller bass note.
Summary The R3 is an outstanding earphone for the $139 price tag. I would definitely recommend trying a pair before you buy them if you tend to have fit issues like me, but when worn cable-down the R3s are easy to fit so that might solve any concerns if you're happy to wear them cable-down.
I haven't heard a lot of budget IEMs and there are some awesome options out there, but of those I have tried, the R3s are among the most enjoyable of the lot and definitely might be the most neutrally voiced of the lot. If you're looking to spend <$150 on a pair of IEMs and you want an IEM that can handle wide-ranging genres while providing a smooth and natural presentation then the R3s are a must try!
DannyBai
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Even keeled sound, nice build, excellent bundle of accessories
Cons: Thick cable and large Y-split if it really is a con.
I was provide a review sample and would like to thank Salsera and Brainwavz/MP4Nation.
The R3 V.2 is a dual dynamic barrel shaped iem from Brainwavz. Probably the oddest looking earphone on the market but surprisingly, I had no problem with fit. The shape actually works well with the looping over ear design and the earphones stay in place without much issue. The housings look and feel of aluminum and are light in weight. They are actually very comfortable while in use. Cables are rather thick especially from Y-split down to the 3.5mm jack. From the Y-split up to the housings have been redesigned and are much better than the original version. Cables seem to stay in place quite well around the ears and the thickness wasn’t much of a bother for me. The 3.5mm jack has a nice 45 degree angle in which I have come to appreciate in design. Only gripe although minor is the overall thickness of the cable and bigger than average Y-split.
Moving on to the sound, these have a nice balanced signature. Bass doesn’t hit with great impact, won’t reach to the lowest of the lows or hit you with forceful mid-bass punch. Bass has good presence but isn’t the tightest and sounds a bit soft from what I’m use to. The S5 from Brainwavz reaches lower, has bigger impact and makes a much greater presence in the music. For those who find the S5 to have too much bass, the R3 might be more appealing. Overall, I find the bass to fit with the signature these earphones are going for. These earphones have a wide and deep soundstage, some of the biggest I’ve heard. This can be good or bad on the vocals, depending on preference. The staging distances the vocals several rows back so it isn’t up front. I find them a little recessed and I mean little because they can be clearly heard and is not hidden from the rest of the music. I honestly couldn’t nitpick if male or female vocals sounded better since both sounded just fine for me. But, vocal trance sounded quite nice. Treble is very relaxed and there isn’t even a hint of fatigue, sibilance or the dreaded “sss” in the vocal region. Treble is smooth and possibly could use a little more for added sparkle. Somewhere between the R3 and S5 would be lovely. The smooth and non-fatiguing treble still clearly presents the details in the music. Instrument placement can be best pictured as if the listener is sitting in a large theatre compared to say a small intimate club. This is more of a surround sound listening experience.
In conclusion, I find the R3 V2 to be an even keeled sounding earphone that really doesn’t have much fault. Nothing to really complain about, even with the thick cable and all. I’m not too much of a nitpicker but I would think most would find this earphone to sound just fine. No huge bass to complain about or peaky treble or too recessed vocals. Fit’s fine if people can ignore the odd design and give it a try.
kova4a
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: solid build quality; balanced smooth and natural sound; 2-year warranty
Cons: rubbery cable prone to memory kinks; fit can be an issue for some people
First off, I have to thank again Brainwavz and Audrey for this R3 unit
Packaging and Accessories
The packaging is quite straightforward. There are plastic windows both at the front and the back of the box showcasing the shiny metal housings of the R3. Below the front window is embossed Brainwavz R3 and a very basic description – Twin Driver Configuration, Bass & Clarity and Rugged Metal Housing Design. Can’t disagree with that but maybe Smooth & Balanced would have been a bit more accurate description but more on that later.
On the back of the box there is a bit more detailed description of the R3 and its design.
On the sides of the package are listed its contents and R3’s specs.
It’s a fairly nice presentation overall.
Inside the box reside the R3 and the Brainwavz case. I’ve mentioned multiple times that this is my favorite iem case. It’s quite tough and specious and can easily fit a pair of iems and a small DAP like a Sansa. Inside one of the red pockets there is a nice quarter inch adapter and small gray bag with the included tips. There are 2 different types of single flange tips. Black ones made of a touch thicker silicone and gray ones, which are softer and have a slightly wider bore. The single flange silicone tips come in 3 sizes. There is also a pair of bi-flange and a pair of tri-flange tips, which come in only one size. As usual with Brainwavz a pair of comply foam tips packaged separately is included to complete the package.
Build Quality, Design and Fit
The R3 is a quite solid iem with robust metal housings and a thick rugged cable. The cable is a bit memory prone and rubbery though and while I don’t mind its thickness or weight I would have preferred if it had smoother sleeving and was more pliable and easier to keep straight.
The strain reliefs are substantial and again some people might call the Y-splitter over-engineered but it’s fine by me.
The j-plug is also on the bulky side but I’m a huge fan of j-plugs and it looks capable of withstanding quite a bit of abuse, so I can’t complain. If anything it completes the overall tough looks of the R3.
Design-wise it only takes a quick glance at the R3 to realize that it’s not your average iem. Its design is quite unique and I have to admit that when the R3 was first announced I wasn’t impressed and right away commented that people will have issue with the fit with such a design. It’s eye catching though and people often stare at the housing more than a couple of seconds.
Surprisingly despite my initial reservations and worries about the fit it turned out fine. I haven’t tried the old R3 version with the long memory-wires but this revised one actually fits me quite well. The fit is secure and isolation is good. It did take me quite a bit of tip rolling but finally settled on the stock bi-flanges both for the comfort and the sound.
The R3 can also be worn straight but the fit will be less secure due to the weight of the cable pulling the housings down.
There is a very mild driver flex with certain tips particularly on the left earpiece. Microphonics are very low when worn cable up.
Sound
The R3 has over 100 hours of burn-in at the time of writing this review.
For a dual dynamic driver iem that has a separate driver to reproduce the low frequencies the R3 quite surprised me. Its bass is quite flat and balanced. It is well-rounded with good control but is a bit on the polite side – softer on the impact and lacking some depth. The lower extension is not bad but after 50hz the bass gradually rolls off. Overall I like R3’s bass although I would have liked if it was a bit tighter and harder hitting but given the overall smooth and non-fatiguing presentation of the R3 it fits well with the rest of the spectrum. In comparison the Brainwavz S5 has a lot bigger but also less controlled and muddier bass bleeding into the mids.
The mids are well balanced with the bass and also relatively flat. Both male and female vocals have very nice presence and sweet tone. The R3 actually sounds a bit mid-centric but I don’t mind that as this type of signature is harder and harder to find. The tonality is slightly on the warm side but still what I would call neutral-ish. Instruments have nice timbre and despite the slightly thick note presentation sound natural and realistic. Detail retrieval is actually pretty good but clarity is a bit behind in comparison to some of the competition. In comparison brainwavz’s own S5 is noticeably clearer due to its thinner note presentation and treble emphasis but is also a lot less natural sounding and more fatiguing. The R3 instead is smoother lusher sounding.
The highs are a bit laid back but very well extended and smooth. The lower treble has enough energy to keeps things exciting without getting harsh or fatiguing. There is plenty of shimmer but I wouldn’t have minded a bit more sparkle. The treble is not prone to pointing out sibilance. In comparison the S5 with its more emphasized and peaky highs is noticeably harsher and more artificial sounding.
The R3 is full and airy sounding. Imaging is very good with both width and depth above average. Positioning is quite good. Instrument separation is very good with plenty of space between the instruments. Overall, the R3 sounds pretty spacious, especially for a mid-centric iem, which usually tend to be more on the intimate side.
Summary
R3 and its little brother R1
Brainwavz R3 has quite the surprising sound for a dual dynamic driver iem. Owning the Brainwavz R1 I expected a lot different sound but it’s heads and shoulders above its smaller dual dynamic brother R1. I’m not going to lie, I would also pick it over the Brainwavz’s other higher-end iem the S5 any day of the week. While the S5 will most likely impress a lot more people at first listen with its big bass and clarity, the R3 with its more balanced, smoother and mature sound is the iem that really impresses.
The R3 is a very solid performer sound-wise with a very solid build quality to boot. If it wasn’t for Audrey I probably would have given it a pass worried about the fit and all the people complaining about it. Maybe the memory wires on the old version were really horrible – I can’t comment on that but they are gone now and what is left is an iem that deserves to be given a second chance.
twister6
twister6 Reviews
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: build quality, included accessories, great sound separation
Cons: cable, would prefer memory wire back, fitment
Since I was among the early adopters of this updated 2.0 version of R3, I already posted a detailed review with pictures in the original R3 review thread. Therefore, I'm just going to provide a link to my R3 v2.0 review: http://www.head-fi.org/products/brainwavz-r3-dual-dynamic-driver-earphones/reviews/11456
Audiophile1811
500+ Head-Fier
Introduction – As the top-of-the-line earphone of the young company Brainwavz, the R3 has a quite a lot on its shoulders. Utilizing a relatively new dual-dynamic driver configuration, uncommon with most headphones on the market, Brainwavz has chosen this design for its very best headphone. Bold as it is, this design has been successful in many budget-based sets such as the Havi B3 Pro-1 and TTPOD’s T1 series. The R3’s, then, promise a lot considering they cost twice and even three times as much as the aforementioned earphones. So do they deliver for the price? The answer is yes… and no. But this is best explained throughout my review so if you’re interested, simply read on and find out why.
Disclaimer – This is a free review unit delivered to me for the purpose of this review. I am not affiliated with Brainwavz in any way and will stay objective as possible throughout this review. Huge thanks to Audrey at Brainwavz for sending these out to me, it’s quite a privilege. All photos were taken by me.
Specifications:
- 10mm Dual-Dynamic drivers (Passive Crossover)
- Impedance: 32 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 95dB
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
- Rated Input Power: 2mW
- Cable: OFC Copper, 1.3 meters/4.25 ft.
Packaging & Accessories: The R3’s have slightly unconventional packaging that presents the headphones and its cable through clear plastic windows on either side of the box. Inside you’ll find a plethora of tips (9 pairs in total) which include 6 pairs of single-flange silicone tips (3 pairs gray, 3 pairs black), a single pair of bi-flange and triple-flange tips, and a pair of Comply T500 tips. Also included is a ¼ inch adapter, a hard zip-case, and a 1-year warranty card (box says 2 years, don’t know which to believe). Brainwavz has been very generous with their accessories and deserve credit for being thoughtful with their ear tips.
Build & Design: Brainwavz has gone very out-of-the-box with the design of the R3. They’ve used a tubular housing for the drivers and a 90° angle nozzle that sticks straight out of the center. This means each driver faces each other within a divided enclosure and each band of frequencies meet inside the nozzle creating a uniform sound. Internal details aside, the aluminum housings feel extremely rugged throughout. However, cable quality is questionable. The 4-inch black portion of the cable is higher quality than the remaining grey section and is the only part that doesn’t suffer from kinks or memory. But since most of the cable does, it’s a wonder why Brainwavz didn’t just make the entire cable consistent (or thinner for that matter). But this is nitpicking because the R3’s seem very durable. The real problems come when wearing the R3’s.
Comfort & Fit: I have small ears, which means I also have problems with earphones, even the most comfortable. Brainwavz sought to remedy this dilemma for those like me but haven’t entirely succeeded. The R3’s are utilize an over-ear design but the housings are heavy and the nozzles are large. This causes them to fall out of place and need adjustment often. Strain reliefs are a bit stiff below the housings (fine on the Y-split & 3.5mm jack) and combined with their vertical position the cable very tricky to place behind the ear, as they were intended. But the worst part is the cable that is simply too thick and heavy for an IEM. The sheer weight and size of the cable can make it cumbersome and difficult to wear under clothing (also due to its rubbery texture). When worn with the right ear tips the R3’s are relatively comfortable but suffer from their awkward design and cable. With this in mind, the R3’s will suit some but definitely not others, so be cautious if your ears have given you trouble in the past.
Microphonics: For such a large cable, microphonics were not as bad as I expected. Cable noise is well controlled when worn over-ear but is fairly distracting cable-down. The included cinch does a good job of keeping cable noise down in either configuration too.
Isolation: There is a surprising level of noise attenuation when wearing the R3’s. They isolate very well outdoors and reduce environmental noise enough for non-distractive (but safe) listening. I consider this a strength of the R3’s overall.
----------Sound----------
Equipment & Background – For the sound portion of this review I will be using an Audinst HUD-MX1 amp/DAC combo as my primary “reference” source, a Topping NX-1 portable amplifier, and a Sansa Fuze as a portable source. All my impressions are done indoors with an over-ear headphone for added isolation resulting in almost silent listening with no audible distractions. My library consists of FLAC and high bit-rate MP3 files. The R3’s were also burned-in over 100hrs before review.
Bass: With a mid-forward sound signature the bass on the R3’s are not boosted or enhanced like many V-shaped sets on the market. Instead, lows are much mellower and have a pleasant musical warmth throughout. And while they don’t extend too far down there is enough sub-bass for an engaging listen. Bass is tight, controlled, and well-rounded and never once feels loose or bloated. However, it should be noted that the lows on the R3 are fairly soft in nature which means they won’t deliver the same visceral impact compared to sets with large mid-bass humps. That said, bass is always engaging and very punchy when required. Smoothness is another quality of the bass that becomes noticeable with fast, heavy music genres (those of which are not entirely suited for the R3). But those who prefer a mid-forward signature will appreciate the manner with which the R3’s handle bass notes. They are never distracting and don’t steal the attention of the listener; they provide enough energy to strike an excellent balance with the midrange and treble. Bass reproduction is one of the biggest strengths of the R3’s (in my opinion) due to their laid-back presence.
Mids: Moving upwards, the midrange holds a good few surprises. As mentioned before, the R3’s are mid forward overall. But this does not make them fatiguing or offensive to listen to as many other users have experienced with many other mid forward sets. Instead, the R3’s mids are not aggressive or rich, just forward enough to focus its sound on one particular part of the frequency spectrum. The primary advantage here are mids that are both clear and smooth. The balance between the two is obvious but the mids generally lean towards smoothness more than anything else. Vocalists demonstrate this best as they lack detail in parts of both the lower and upper-midrange; Both male and female vocalist suffer the effects of this coloration which was likely created by frequency dips in both regions. In terms of quality, the midrange is neither lifelike nor is it the most natural. Despite this there is no lack of finesse to the mids, just slightly lacking in accuracy. It will easily satisfy all but the extreme detail lover with its creamy, effortless nature but it won’t please anybody in sheer quality alone.
Treble: The last piece of the (frequency) puzzle lies in the R3’s treble. Highs are, yet again, very smooth but also more revealing and detailed than any frequencies below it. While not bright, there is an unexpected level of clarity up top considering the soft, genial character of the bass and midrange. Details come through with percussive instruments with natural timbre and good sparkle but without harshness. This lack of harshness prevents any sibilance from occurring even with the most aggressive vocalists and the worst recordings. Extension is considerably impressive as well, with frequencies extending up to 15kHz and gently rolling-off afterwards. And although consistency is lacking in areas, the treble is still up to par with more expensive earphones in its price range. For what it does best (i.e. bass) and what its focus is (i.e. mids), the top end of the R3’s are surprisingly good; They can suit the needs of almost any listener and any genre.
Presentation: The R3’s present their sound in a way that’s both engaging and involving. Soundstage is a little predictable for a mid-centric IEM as it has a tendency to place vocals and most of the midrange very close to the listener. This gives the effect of having music performed directly in front of you, but not in a way that it becomes tiring over time. The result is a soundstage with only average depth overall. Height is improved over depth but width is where the R3’s begin to open up. Wide spatial cues are thrown out far on either side of the head while still maintaining easy localization. The result is an intimate presentation that is more spacious than their sound signature would suggest. Bass is centered, vocals are intimate, treble is airy, and music is simply a joy to experience. Most will find their unique presentation and signature very pleasant no matter what genre of music preferred.
Ear Tips & Insertion Sensitivity: The R3’s can be a little picky with ear tips as their nozzle is a slightly larger than average. Even the included tips require a little force to fit onto the nozzle. But this doesn’t inhibit tip-rolling with the R3’s as they are quite flexible. Sound can be adjusted to have either a thicker, warmer sound or a more neutral one depending on the tip fitted: Single flanges will achieve the former while the included double-flanges will achieve the latter. And since insertion is neither shallow nor deep some tips will stay in place and others will not. As mentioned in the Comfort & Fit section, this will depend on your ears more than anything else.
Power, Sensitivity, and Source Performance: The R3’s are a very drivable earphone that respond well with most sources. Low output devices should have no trouble driving them although they may require a little more volume to acquire listenable levels. A more powerful source, such as a dedicated amplifier, will yield better results in terms of volume and quality.
Value: For $129 the Brainwavz R3 is a peculiar earphone that combines an unusual design with a consumer friendly sound. The R3 balances a mid-forward signature with a wide presentation but loses out in areas of detail and accuracy. But its main weakness is its design and fit. Their tubular housings are difficult to wear for long periods without adjustment and that’s if they’re comfortable to begin with. The cable’s large profile also causes issues as it prevents the R3’s from fitting inside a pant pocket, making them a little inconvenient to transport. Overall however, the R3 is still relatively good value if you can get past its flaws. And if you enjoy a smooth, musical sound you’ll be in for a pleasant surprise.
I hope this review will be useful to those who read through it. Please leave any suggestions or advice you may have in the comments below. Everyone’s input will help me improve my reviews and make it easier to adapt my reviews for as wide an audience as possible. Thanks for reading and happy listening!
Wokei
Nice review ..well done
Audiophile1811
Thanks @Wokei
Kamakahah
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Durable build quality. Clear and non-fatiguing. Good overall balance.
Cons: Thick, rubbery cable. Two-faced bass. Long-term comfort
Admittedly, I took far too long to post this review. I wanted to try a different approach that involved becoming accustomed to the signature followed by a period without them, and then a reintroduction. It's been about six weeks since I received the unit. I've done week long periods with and without them.
The reason for this decision was two fold:
1. It's the first dual dynamic IEM that I've given significant head time.
2. There were/are some awkward inconsistencies with the sound signature that I was/am hearing. It was my hope at the time to be able to narrow the the reasons behind them. More on this later.
After realizing that I had too many notes and they were harder for me to characterize than originally anticipated, I decided to write this review while listening to them after a short break and give my overall thoughts from this session. My previous notes will still be a factor in what I write, but hopefully this gives more clarity to my thoughts.
Again, I'd like to thank Brainwavz for the opportunity to review these. As others did, I received a review pair to keep similar to the S5. It's a nice gesture of confidence in the Head-Fi community.
In similar fashion, I'll avoid adding pictures and statistics that a quick Google search can provide.
All the usual qualifiers apply: IMO, YMMV, OMGWTFBBQ, ROFLCOPTER. This is just my experience. Yours might be different.
For those that don't like to wade through the paragraphs of information that most reviews provide, here is a succinct synopsis:
Bass: Can vary greatly. Overall lower-quantity with a softer impact. Occasionally comes out to play. See below for more details.
Mids: Pretty clear. Non-fatiguing. Present and slightly forward. Much less , "life has been sucked out" than the S5 but with slightly dry presentation. A touch of warmth. Quite enjoyable.
Treble: Nice lower treble energy. Non-fatiguing but hits of sibilance depending on the track. Smooth and laid back, maybe overly so for some.
Soundstage/Imaging: Good width, and back depth. Shallow forward depth. Can feel intimate as a result, but not cramped.
Separation/Clarity/Detail: Decent separation and good clarity if not a little thick sounding. Good detail in the mids. Lows are too fluffy for my taste. Highs lacking micro details from smoothing
Tips: Find whatever is comfortable. Didn't lead to a ton of variation as it normally does for me. Used the stock, clear tips.
Source/Amping: Some noticeable scaling, specifically with additional power to add a bit more life and energy to the sound. A clear source with good texture seems best, IMO.
Isolation: Slightly below average. Not great isolation, but doesn't leak.
Overall: Enjoyable. A stand out addition in a pack of "V's." Clunky build, but durable. A solid buy at $99. At $115+ you'll want to be sure it's what you're after.
Initial Impressions:
From my notes 6 weeks ago, I thought they sounded clear with a nice sense of balance. I found the bass to be soft and lacking texture. The mid range was enticing, forward, a little dry, but enjoyable.
Methodology:
I gave them 5 hours of listening the first day to become accustomed to the signature. They were then burned in for quite some time using set of burn-in tracks with mixed tracks, pink noise, and 5 minute breaks every hour on repeat.
They were burned in for over 300 hours in total throughout the process. I initially began my process after ~150 hours as per my usual. I continued to listen to other headphones/earphones.
Then, as mentioned above, I took week long breaks. I also spent full weeks only listening to the R3. My reasons for this will be further discussed in the following sections.
Listening was done casually at home and while out shopping. Detailed listening was done in a quiet office. A/B testing done as well with different gear and Fiio HS2 used occasionally for quick switching of sources or headphones.
I avoided reading any other reviews before writing this one to avoid bias.
Chains used:
1. PC USB/Optical>>>Audio GD NFB-15>>>R3
2. Fiio X3>>>(Topping NX1/C&C BH)>>>R3
3. Rockboxed Sansa Clip+>>>(Topping NX1/C&C BH)>>>R3
4. HTC One M8>>>R3
Tips used: Supplied tips, JVC spiral tips, Sony hybrids, Sennheiser double flange.
Test tracks: Many albums in my collection were listened to in full with a number of mixed in individual tracks, but here are a few specific tracks used.
Track formats included 256-320kbps mp3, FLAC, WAV files and a few youtube videos for variety.
- Jessica Lee Mayfield - Nervous Lonely Night : The first minute of this song can tell me a lot about a can. This will seem odd, but the pencil tapping at the start tells me a ton about timbre and a bit about depth. The generally forward vocals of the entire "Tell me" album help point out recessed mids quickly. The bass comes in strong with lots of quantity and impact to let me judge the low end presence and texture. I could go on. It's just a track that works for me.
- Queen - Killer Queen : One of my sibilance test tracks, though it's much more than that. It's another track that can really let you individually identify a spectrum of specific quality attributes or flaws.
- Paramore - Hallelujah : The recording/mastering, whatever, sounds just terrible on the deluxe mp3 version that I have. I use it to test how forgiving a can is.
- Pantera - Cowboys from Hell; Cemetery Gates; Floods : It's Pantera. No more explanation needed.
- Lisa Hannigan - Live from the Troubadour in W.Hollywood. : This is a special recording that I have from a live concert I attended. I'm frighteningly familiar with the venue/performance and how it should sound. I use this to judge soundstage, imaging, timbre and separation.
- Rage Against The Machine - People of the Sun : Bass.
- Metallica - (Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth / One/ etc - Lots of reasons
- Lana Del Rey - Lolita/National Anthem/Carmen : Lots of reasons but in general for her vocals that can sound like thick, warm syrup.
- Geographer - Kites : I like this for cohesion. Some cans make it sound disjointed or all jumbled up.
- Filipe Melo · Ana Cláudia // Spiegel im spiegel (Arvo Pärt) : It's beautiful. Noise test. Timbre. Naturalness.
- Girl Talk - Let it Out : It's fun.
- Dr. Chesky - The Ultimate Headphone Demonstration Disc - Soundstage, imaging, dynamics, etc.
- Many, more.
Build Quality & Acessories:
Oh Jetpack. It's awkward. The cable is a heavy, bouncy, rubbery monstrosity. Plenty of nice accessories included, solid 10/10 in my mind. The bulky shell may or may not affect your fit depending on ear shape.
Comfort/Fit:
Average comfort. The rubbery cable was very noticeable over the ear and raises up at times until pulled tighter with a shirt clip. Long-term comfort has been poor. After about an hour, I found that the area where the cable meets the body rubbed my ear the wrong way. Tips didn't seem to have too significant of an effect for comfort, though I did favor some more than others. In particular, I liked the stock clear tips that weren't quite as firm. I found that they tend to start slipping from my ears. I'm not sure if it's a result of the cable or something else. I tried to wear larger tips to offset the pull, but found that I couldn't handle the loss of comfort. Occasionally, I' would double check their positioning to make sure they are still in place. This was more of an issue when out and about than in the office.
Isolation/Leak:
Average to below average. Noisy locations will be noticeable. I found their isolation to be slightly less effective compared to the S5. Leak wasn't an issue.
Bass:
The moment I listened to the opening kick drum and first few bass string plucks in Jessica Lee Mayfield's - "Our Hearts Are Wrong", I knew that the bass and I were going to be at odds. That particular song is very bass heavy. The R3 does bring the quantity of bass in many tracks to manageable levels. This was one aspect that I appreciated for a number of bass heavy tracks; However, it was also the bane of bass light tracks.
As mentioned in the Cons, I found the bass to be two-faced or fractured. I tried my best to determine its cause, but wasn't able to pin it down in a way that I could explain in a clear fashion. In short, it seems certain frequencies are emphasized. It felt like there were peaks and valleys in the bass than had a very noticeable effect on impact and levels. It didn't seem like a clear line that is normally present where people can say, "Oh yeah, it has a mid bass hump and rolls off in the sub-bass which explains...blahblahblah." - Not the case here. Some songs had the low impact that they normally show, while it was next to non-existent in my other test tracks. I wish I could articulate it better. That said, there is a significant roll off in the sub-bass at about the 50 Hz mark. Below 30 is pretty much a black hole.
In this moment, as I listen to a number of tracks I find the duality. Some show nice, low impact. Others that should have the same feel like the kick drum or bass is hidden behind a glass panel or being hit by a pillow rather than a mallet.
One final beef was with the lack of texture. I found it really was missing that detail that comes with a more articulate bass. The overall tone felt smoothed over and pillowy.
Mids:
A nice forward presentation in the mids. It balances well still with the rest of the spectrum. A much desired addition following the soulless mids of the S5. As mentioned in the brief summary above, I find them slightly dry with a touch of warmth. It's a neutralish presentation of the mid range that in some ways reminds me of a less refined HE-560. One of my favorite signatures centers around the mids, so this was a nice change of pace from my generally bass oriented collection that includes the JVC FX-850, among others.
Treble:
Queen's song "Killer Queen" will pretty much violate my ears if a headphone/earphone is even a little hot, sibilant, etc. These do a pretty good job. Overall non-fatiguing but will undoubtedly be too lack-back for the treble lovers. Smooth, but still with a decent energy, particularly in the lower treble region. Not a whole lot of the sparkle. Hints of sibilance on already sibilant tracks, but that's normal.
Separation/Clarity/Detail:
I would say that it is a notch above average in this category. Decent separation and clarity. A bit thicker sounding than the S5 that suffered from a thin/recessed mid range that killed baby seals. Enough detail to satisfy. Without a doubt some loss of detail and clarity in the bass with roll off and fluffy presentation that lacks in texture and articulation.
Soundstage/Imaging:
The soundstage felt slightly more intimate than I've been used to but not in a cramped way. The positioning feels a intimate. This can be good and maybe a little bad for some live recordings. I'll explain way as it has to do with the way that I perceived the soundstage. The best way I can think to describe the shape is an taking a basketball and half way deflating just one hemisphere. The width sound above average, the behind depth the same. The forward depth, or the space in front of me seems as though its distance has been cut in half when compared to behind.
Source/Amping/Tips:
The R3 did seem to scale a bit. More important, for me, was the added power that seems to add a bit more life to the overall sound. :
- Audio-GD NFB-15
- Fiio X3 + Topping NX1 (Low gain, high was noisy and gave no play with the volume)
- Fiio X3 + C&C BH (Line 2, switches off, gain 'High').
- Rockboxed Sansa Clip+ (Forgot to experiment with attaching amps)
I didn't find a lot of difference when tip rolling. Insertion depth didn't change the sound enough so I ended up liking the stock, clear tips. They are comfortable and didn't negatively affect the sound. I thought a narrow bore might help the bass, but the effect was minor and inconsistent so I reverted.
Final Thoughts:
I want to say that I enjoy this earphone. It's far from perfect, but it has qualities that are becoming harder to find in a V-shaped market. The mid-centric presentation is a welcome addition to my collection. The bass can be a bit of a letdown on some tracks, but it can also be a boon in taming overly bass heavy tracks into submission. It can help you see your much listened to tracks in a new light. It suffers from some inevitable design issues, but overall a durable and enjoyable earphone. As I look at the $115 asking price on Amazon right now I asked myself the question, "Is it worth that price tag?" To some, yes. I think it would fit nicely into the $99 category, but what's $15 anyway?
thatBeatsguy
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Smooth, balanced sound. Brainwavz' signature unique look. Brainwavz' signature build.
Cons: Weird looks might deter some. Cable is pretty hefty and cumbersome.
Intro
TL;DR: Don't let its rather brutish looks fool you; the Brainwavz R3 is a smooth, gentle IEM that works especially well with acoustic genres, slow rock, and jazz.
Before I begin, I would like to thank Audrey at Brainwavz for providing the sample of the Brainwavz R3 in exchange for my honest opinion. Please note that I am neither affiliated with Brainwavz or any of its employees, nor am I being compensated for writing this review. All opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own unless otherwise specified, and all pictures are taken and owned by my sister. YMMV.
Well, it’s been a few weeks since my review of the S5s, and from that first impression of one of their IEMs, they’ve earned their place in my ‘Companies to Watch’ list. Though a lot of their IEMs, to my knowledge, lean towards a more consumer-friendly sound, they are no doubt of audiophile quality. Today, I’m going to be reviewing another of their high-end IEMs, and probably one of the most peculiar-looking IEMs I’ve ever seen, the dual-dynamic Brainwavz R3 Rev.2 (I’ll get to this later).
Anyhow, let’s get on to the IEMs. Shall we?
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.
[size=x-large]== Aesthetics ==[/size]
Packaging, Accessories
At first glance of the packaging, it’s clear that Brainwavz is proud of their design of the R3, as the box features a clear window from the front all the way through to the back of the box, with the R3’s housings suspended in a clear plastic mold, showcased proudly and rather enthusiastically, like a brand-new breakthrough in design or something along those lines. On the front you also see BRAINWAVZ R3 written with a tagline and a few of its main features. On the left side, you’ll see its specifications, and on the right are its accessories, and on the back is a cross-section diagram of the R3s’ housing along with a description of sorts.
Upon opening the package, you’ll find Brainwavz’ semi-hard case hidden from the light of day, housing the rest of the R3s and all of its accessories. I’m still pretty impressed with the plethora of eartips included in the package, which consists of six pairs of single-flange tips (one set in grey, the other in black, in S/M/L), one pair of double-flanged tips, one pair of triple-flanged tips, and a pair of Comply T500 foam eartips. So there you have it - nine pairs of eartips, all at your disposal along with the Brainwavz R3 and S5. Still pretty damn impressive. But that’s not all - you also get a nifty 1/4-inch adapter. In the previous version, there used to be an airline adapter supposedly - but in my case, I don’t think I would need it anyway, so that can be ignored. Frequent flyers, though, might have to buy their own airline adapter off a local Best Buy or some other electronics store.
Design, Build, Microphonics
You remember what I said about Brainwavz’ package being showcased like a design breakthrough? Well, I have got to hand it to Brainwavz, they have made one awesome breakthrough in design right here, and it’s sure to make anyone -- consumer or audiophile -- wonder how they manage to get these in their ears. (Not that it’s a bad thing, though -- they actually fit quite easily.)
Though the concept of dual dynamic drivers isn’t new (lately there have been a lot of popular options to choose from), how they’re implemented intrigued me.The two 10mm drivers are set up in a two-way configuration – one used for bass, the other for the rest of the audio spectrum. Again, this is not unusual, but then we move on to their placement. The two drivers are placed apart from and facing each other, pouring the sound into a ‘Sonic Chamber’ before it reaches your ears through a particularly long tube. At least, that’s what the diagram seems to tell me. It’s probably not as simple as it sounds, seeing as another dual dynamic IEM, the Audio-Technica ATH-CKR9 (and its older variant, the CKR10) shares a similarly-positioned pair of drivers…except for the fact that the CKRs’ drivers go for a ‘Push-Pull’ design in which one driver pushes the sound while the other pulls the sound to supposedly reduce distortion and improve sound quality (or something like that). Coming back to the R3s, it seems both drivers simply push sound into the sound chamber where the sound mixes to bring out the final product.
Moving on, we have the cable, which apparently consists of three sections: the main grey cable from the connector to the Y-split, a thinner grey cable from the Y-split to split (rather, splice), which transitions into a length of memory cable making the final stretch to the housings. This memory wire used to be a lot longer in the first version, but has been removed in the revision for better ergonomics and an easier fit.
Again, the team over at Brainwavz has impressed me with the excellent build quality of the R3s. From the solid machined aluminum housings to the strong extremely heavy-duty Y-split (see above), it’s clear Brainwavz made no compromises to the build quality of the R3 just as they did with the S5. The only gripe I have with the build is the cable. No, it’s not because of durability -- in fact, it’s probably one of the most solid cables I’ve had in my possession yet. My gripe with the cable is because it’s solid. It’s very thick -- reminding me of the cable on my old Beats Pro. Its thickness in turn makes them very difficult to manage. When they arrived, they were bound pretty tightly together by a wire, and when I undid the wire, I was greeted with an eyesore of a cable with folds and creases on every inch. Even as I write this, I’m still trying to straighten it out. Cable noise isn’t much different. Even with the over-ear design dulling it down, cable noise is still a bit of an issue due to the serious weight of the cable.
Fit, Comfort, Isolation
Now, I’m sure you’re still wondering if the bottle-like housings with a tube on the side would actually fit your ears. Well, I’m happy to report that it actually does. It did take a few minutes of fiddling at first, but it only takes a few tries to get accustomed to it. They’re pretty comfortable once they’re in your ears, though at times the housing does touch -- more like press on -- part of my ear when I don’t get them in right, which again is a nuisance, but it’s mostly just on me. Due to the housings being little more than a bottle with a tube sticking out of the side which goes into your ear, isolation leans toward average, but is nonetheless good enough for a walk in the park or at home. Don’t expect it to drown out much in a bus or the subway, though.
Also, something of note: the Brainwavz R3 can be worn straight-down; however the cable causes too much microphonics to be tolerable. That, and the R3 is considerably heavy with its thick cable and solid aluminum housings. I don’t know if you guys will like it -- maybe you will, maybe you won’t, but I most definitely will not wear these straight-down.
I hope I didn’t bore you yet with my explanations, because we’re just about to get to the sound. Bored yet? No? Great, now let’s move on.
[size=x-large]== Sound ==[/size]
Specs
Headphone Type
Closed back, vented in-ear monitor (straight down, around-the-ear)
Driver Type
10 mm dynamic x2
Frequency Response
16 Hz – 22 kHz
Rated Input Power
30 mW
Sensitivity
110 dB @ 1 mW
Impedance
32 Ω
Weight
N/A
Cable
1.3 m (4.2’) Copper Y-Cord
Connector
3.5 mm (1/8”) gold-plated 45-degree TRS
Accessories
Hard carrying case 3 pairs single-flange silicone eartips (grey, S/M/L)
3 pairs single-flange silicone eartips (black, S/M/L)
1 pair double-flange silicone eartips
1 pair triple-flange silicone eartips
1 pair Comply™ T-500 foam eartips
6.3 mm (1/4”) adapter
Equipment, Burn-in
The equipment used for this review consists of my iPod Touch, an iPad 3, and my PC through headphone-out as the sources, all running without an amp. The amp used in the test is a Yamaha RX-V359 through headphone-out. As for the EQ software being used, I use Viper4Windows on the PC and the default system EQ on the other sources. As always, my test tracks are available here, although I will link specific songs in the assessment for a more direct point of reference.
As per review “tradition,” the Brainwavz R3s have been burned in for at least 100 hours prior to the review, with occasional listening sessions in between for an average of an hour. So far, throughout the 100 hours of burn-in, there haven’t been any noticeable changes in sound. Also, the eartips I used are the L-sized grey single flanges throughout the review. So, without further ado, let’s get on to the sound!
Sound Quality
Bass:
Okay, let’s start off with the bass. As an IEM designed for the audiophile crowd, don’t expect the R3 to have elevated bass, because it doesn’t have that. However, what it does have is a smooth, swift low-end that is clearly made for its target audience. Its accurate, slightly warm tone reproduces low tones without overdoing anything. It also has a strong enough punch to satisfy most listeners who aren’t craving bass. In short, it’s a very addicting listen that works amazingly with cool, laid-back songs (Daft Punk –The Game of Love, Something About Us).
Midrange:
The Brainwavz R3’s midrange is sweet and rich – basically, it sounds great. It has a great amount of clarity with a slight warmth to it. It reproduces the midrange very well, and despite its mid-centric signature (more on this later), isn’t as forward as I expected. One of my favourite characteristics about it, though, is how they manage to blend really well with the bass (Coldplay –Sparks) – making a very cohesive and united sound signature.
Treble:
Brainwavz purposely tuned the R3 to have a smooth, laid-back treble, topping off the sound signature like the smooth foam on a latte (more on this analogy later). This laid-back signature gives the R3 a very relaxing signature that you can simply listen to for hours, which is a huge plus in my book. (Note: Technical mode ON) Though most laid-back treble usually sounds veiled and lacking detail, Brainwavz managed to counter that by tuning in a treble spike around 10 kHz. This allows the R3 to still retain great detail retrieval even with its laid-back treble (technical mode OFF).
Soundstage/Presentation:
Apparently Brainwavz’ “Sound Chamber” technology actually does affect the R3’s sound signature – specifically, its soundstage. It’s very wide, airy, and expansive, which you usually don’t get to hear very often in an earphone, so that’s a huge plus. Live, acoustic, and classical recordings really come to life on the Brainwavz R3. However, I did notice instruments were projected (or “sound like” in layman’s terms) onto a narrow arc in front of you, instead of all around you. It’s a little quirk there that might not be as appealing to the more finicky listeners, but it’s not too much of a big deal.
Genre Proficiency:
The Brainwavz R3, as I’ve said earlier, works amazingly well with cool, laid-back genres, synergising well with its laid-back sound. Stuff like Coldplay, Daft Punk’s slower works, classical, anything that’s slow or has a relaxing vibe – the Brainwavz R3 performs spectacularly. However, it’s hardly finicky with genres and will play anything you throw at it very well.
Summary:
The Brainwavz R3’s sound is something I could liken to a nice latte – smooth, rich, creamy, sweet, and with just the right kick from the coffee. I’m sure from this, you can put two and two together, so there’s not much to say other than it’s great if the R3’s sound is what you’re looking for. Bassheads will have to look elsewhere, because the R3 is definitely an audiophile IEM.
Other Media
Games:
The R3 isn’t bad with games. Sure, its detail retrieval is great for getting an edge over the competition, but its rather congested presentation takes a hit to their imaging capabilities. All in all, they’re not something I’d use for competitive gaming.
Movies:
The R3’s smooth, balanced signature allows it to play along with pretty much any type of movie, from epic action scenes to heart-wrenching drama moments. I find they perform better with quieter movies, just as they do well with laid-back music.
EQ Response, Amplification
The R3, in my opinion, doesn’t really respond well to EQ (rather, basic EQ presets), though with a more advanced EQ like Electri-Q or Viper4Windows, you can EQ them to be completely flat, which, surprisingly, is very easy to do. But once I did that, man, oh man. The results were amazing. Probably the only downside to this is having to go through rather extensive tweaking and listening to get the sound just right, but otherwise they’re perfectly fine. At an impedance rating of about 32 ohms, they do need a bit more power to drive than, say, the S5 IEMs. At lower volumes, their midrange sounds rather muffled, and both ends of the spectrum also lose some detail. With extra power, though, the midrange comes forward, and with enough power, the bass suddenly begins to sound pretty damn impressive. You can really feel the sub-bass notes come alive and make the entire signature come together to no short of amazing. I don’t have a dedicated headphone amp as of yet, but now I begin to realize just how much I need one.
FIDUE A83 At the time of writing this there's quite a bit of hype around the A83 (triple hybrid IEM) on Head-Fi and deservedly so, but given its $300+ price tag and slightly troublesome fit I was keen to compare it with the R3.
On direct comparison, the A83's balanced armatures revealed extra details and texture in the mix that the R3 couldn't show me, but that came at the cost of a drier tone and a less natural overall sound with the A83's treble sounding slightly forward and forced compared to the R3's outstanding balance. The staging and imaging is also better on the A83 as you'd expect with the greater availability of subtle details and auditory cues, but does that make the A83 a hands-down better earphone? I don't think so. If I were looking to hear every nuance then I'd reach for the A83 every time, but if I wanted to simply play and enjoy my music I'd probably reach for the R3s on each occasion due to their more natural treble presentation and more natural overall sound. Technically, the A83 is a better earphone, but practically the R3 might be better for some people.
Brainwavz S5 As much as I like the S5s for what they are, they just don't compare with their slightly more expensive siblings - or at least not for my tastes. Yes, the S5 offers an excellent bass punch that the R3s can't match and for some genres that's an instant trump card, but the R3's balance won me over permanently and left the S5s sounding peaky and occasionally unnatural to my ears. For wide-ranging musical tastes or those who listen to rock, blues or jazz I would recommend the R3 every time over the S5 despite it's funkier fit and higher price.
HiFiMan RE272 Unfortunately I sold my RE272s shortly prior to the R3s arriving, but at around half the price of the RE272's when they were new (if memory serves), the R3 is an excellent replacement. There's no doubt that the RE272 offered superior transparency and separation over the R3, but the R3 is a smoother listen and has much better bass presence than the RE272 so it's a fair trade in my mind. To be honest, if I had the 2 sitting side-by-side I would probably reach for the R3 on almost every occasion because of it's smoother presentation and fuller bass note.
Summary The R3 is an outstanding earphone for the $139 price tag. I would definitely recommend trying a pair before you buy them if you tend to have fit issues like me, but when worn cable-down the R3s are easy to fit so that might solve any concerns if you're happy to wear them cable-down.
I haven't heard a lot of budget IEMs and there are some awesome options out there, but of those I have tried, the R3s are among the most enjoyable of the lot and definitely might be the most neutrally voiced of the lot. If you're looking to spend <$150 on a pair of IEMs and you want an IEM that can handle wide-ranging genres while providing a smooth and natural presentation then the R3s are a must try!
DannyBai
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Even keeled sound, nice build, excellent bundle of accessories
Cons: Thick cable and large Y-split if it really is a con.
I was provide a review sample and would like to thank Salsera and Brainwavz/MP4Nation.
The R3 V.2 is a dual dynamic barrel shaped iem from Brainwavz. Probably the oddest looking earphone on the market but surprisingly, I had no problem with fit. The shape actually works well with the looping over ear design and the earphones stay in place without much issue. The housings look and feel of aluminum and are light in weight. They are actually very comfortable while in use. Cables are rather thick especially from Y-split down to the 3.5mm jack. From the Y-split up to the housings have been redesigned and are much better than the original version. Cables seem to stay in place quite well around the ears and the thickness wasn’t much of a bother for me. The 3.5mm jack has a nice 45 degree angle in which I have come to appreciate in design. Only gripe although minor is the overall thickness of the cable and bigger than average Y-split.
Moving on to the sound, these have a nice balanced signature. Bass doesn’t hit with great impact, won’t reach to the lowest of the lows or hit you with forceful mid-bass punch. Bass has good presence but isn’t the tightest and sounds a bit soft from what I’m use to. The S5 from Brainwavz reaches lower, has bigger impact and makes a much greater presence in the music. For those who find the S5 to have too much bass, the R3 might be more appealing. Overall, I find the bass to fit with the signature these earphones are going for. These earphones have a wide and deep soundstage, some of the biggest I’ve heard. This can be good or bad on the vocals, depending on preference. The staging distances the vocals several rows back so it isn’t up front. I find them a little recessed and I mean little because they can be clearly heard and is not hidden from the rest of the music. I honestly couldn’t nitpick if male or female vocals sounded better since both sounded just fine for me. But, vocal trance sounded quite nice. Treble is very relaxed and there isn’t even a hint of fatigue, sibilance or the dreaded “sss” in the vocal region. Treble is smooth and possibly could use a little more for added sparkle. Somewhere between the R3 and S5 would be lovely. The smooth and non-fatiguing treble still clearly presents the details in the music. Instrument placement can be best pictured as if the listener is sitting in a large theatre compared to say a small intimate club. This is more of a surround sound listening experience.
In conclusion, I find the R3 V2 to be an even keeled sounding earphone that really doesn’t have much fault. Nothing to really complain about, even with the thick cable and all. I’m not too much of a nitpicker but I would think most would find this earphone to sound just fine. No huge bass to complain about or peaky treble or too recessed vocals. Fit’s fine if people can ignore the odd design and give it a try.
kova4a
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: solid build quality; balanced smooth and natural sound; 2-year warranty
Cons: rubbery cable prone to memory kinks; fit can be an issue for some people
First off, I have to thank again Brainwavz and Audrey for this R3 unit
Packaging and Accessories
The packaging is quite straightforward. There are plastic windows both at the front and the back of the box showcasing the shiny metal housings of the R3. Below the front window is embossed Brainwavz R3 and a very basic description – Twin Driver Configuration, Bass & Clarity and Rugged Metal Housing Design. Can’t disagree with that but maybe Smooth & Balanced would have been a bit more accurate description but more on that later.
On the back of the box there is a bit more detailed description of the R3 and its design.
On the sides of the package are listed its contents and R3’s specs.
It’s a fairly nice presentation overall.
Inside the box reside the R3 and the Brainwavz case. I’ve mentioned multiple times that this is my favorite iem case. It’s quite tough and specious and can easily fit a pair of iems and a small DAP like a Sansa. Inside one of the red pockets there is a nice quarter inch adapter and small gray bag with the included tips. There are 2 different types of single flange tips. Black ones made of a touch thicker silicone and gray ones, which are softer and have a slightly wider bore. The single flange silicone tips come in 3 sizes. There is also a pair of bi-flange and a pair of tri-flange tips, which come in only one size. As usual with Brainwavz a pair of comply foam tips packaged separately is included to complete the package.
Build Quality, Design and Fit
The R3 is a quite solid iem with robust metal housings and a thick rugged cable. The cable is a bit memory prone and rubbery though and while I don’t mind its thickness or weight I would have preferred if it had smoother sleeving and was more pliable and easier to keep straight.
The strain reliefs are substantial and again some people might call the Y-splitter over-engineered but it’s fine by me.
The j-plug is also on the bulky side but I’m a huge fan of j-plugs and it looks capable of withstanding quite a bit of abuse, so I can’t complain. If anything it completes the overall tough looks of the R3.
Design-wise it only takes a quick glance at the R3 to realize that it’s not your average iem. Its design is quite unique and I have to admit that when the R3 was first announced I wasn’t impressed and right away commented that people will have issue with the fit with such a design. It’s eye catching though and people often stare at the housing more than a couple of seconds.
Surprisingly despite my initial reservations and worries about the fit it turned out fine. I haven’t tried the old R3 version with the long memory-wires but this revised one actually fits me quite well. The fit is secure and isolation is good. It did take me quite a bit of tip rolling but finally settled on the stock bi-flanges both for the comfort and the sound.
The R3 can also be worn straight but the fit will be less secure due to the weight of the cable pulling the housings down.
There is a very mild driver flex with certain tips particularly on the left earpiece. Microphonics are very low when worn cable up.
Sound
The R3 has over 100 hours of burn-in at the time of writing this review.
For a dual dynamic driver iem that has a separate driver to reproduce the low frequencies the R3 quite surprised me. Its bass is quite flat and balanced. It is well-rounded with good control but is a bit on the polite side – softer on the impact and lacking some depth. The lower extension is not bad but after 50hz the bass gradually rolls off. Overall I like R3’s bass although I would have liked if it was a bit tighter and harder hitting but given the overall smooth and non-fatiguing presentation of the R3 it fits well with the rest of the spectrum. In comparison the Brainwavz S5 has a lot bigger but also less controlled and muddier bass bleeding into the mids.
The mids are well balanced with the bass and also relatively flat. Both male and female vocals have very nice presence and sweet tone. The R3 actually sounds a bit mid-centric but I don’t mind that as this type of signature is harder and harder to find. The tonality is slightly on the warm side but still what I would call neutral-ish. Instruments have nice timbre and despite the slightly thick note presentation sound natural and realistic. Detail retrieval is actually pretty good but clarity is a bit behind in comparison to some of the competition. In comparison brainwavz’s own S5 is noticeably clearer due to its thinner note presentation and treble emphasis but is also a lot less natural sounding and more fatiguing. The R3 instead is smoother lusher sounding.
The highs are a bit laid back but very well extended and smooth. The lower treble has enough energy to keeps things exciting without getting harsh or fatiguing. There is plenty of shimmer but I wouldn’t have minded a bit more sparkle. The treble is not prone to pointing out sibilance. In comparison the S5 with its more emphasized and peaky highs is noticeably harsher and more artificial sounding.
The R3 is full and airy sounding. Imaging is very good with both width and depth above average. Positioning is quite good. Instrument separation is very good with plenty of space between the instruments. Overall, the R3 sounds pretty spacious, especially for a mid-centric iem, which usually tend to be more on the intimate side.
Summary
R3 and its little brother R1
Brainwavz R3 has quite the surprising sound for a dual dynamic driver iem. Owning the Brainwavz R1 I expected a lot different sound but it’s heads and shoulders above its smaller dual dynamic brother R1. I’m not going to lie, I would also pick it over the Brainwavz’s other higher-end iem the S5 any day of the week. While the S5 will most likely impress a lot more people at first listen with its big bass and clarity, the R3 with its more balanced, smoother and mature sound is the iem that really impresses.
The R3 is a very solid performer sound-wise with a very solid build quality to boot. If it wasn’t for Audrey I probably would have given it a pass worried about the fit and all the people complaining about it. Maybe the memory wires on the old version were really horrible – I can’t comment on that but they are gone now and what is left is an iem that deserves to be given a second chance.
twister6
twister6 Reviews
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: build quality, included accessories, great sound separation
Cons: cable, would prefer memory wire back, fitment
Since I was among the early adopters of this updated 2.0 version of R3, I already posted a detailed review with pictures in the original R3 review thread. Therefore, I'm just going to provide a link to my R3 v2.0 review: http://www.head-fi.org/products/brainwavz-r3-dual-dynamic-driver-earphones/reviews/11456
Audiophile1811
500+ Head-Fier
Introduction – As the top-of-the-line earphone of the young company Brainwavz, the R3 has a quite a lot on its shoulders. Utilizing a relatively new dual-dynamic driver configuration, uncommon with most headphones on the market, Brainwavz has chosen this design for its very best headphone. Bold as it is, this design has been successful in many budget-based sets such as the Havi B3 Pro-1 and TTPOD’s T1 series. The R3’s, then, promise a lot considering they cost twice and even three times as much as the aforementioned earphones. So do they deliver for the price? The answer is yes… and no. But this is best explained throughout my review so if you’re interested, simply read on and find out why.
Disclaimer – This is a free review unit delivered to me for the purpose of this review. I am not affiliated with Brainwavz in any way and will stay objective as possible throughout this review. Huge thanks to Audrey at Brainwavz for sending these out to me, it’s quite a privilege. All photos were taken by me.
Specifications:
- 10mm Dual-Dynamic drivers (Passive Crossover)
- Impedance: 32 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 95dB
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
- Rated Input Power: 2mW
- Cable: OFC Copper, 1.3 meters/4.25 ft.
Packaging & Accessories: The R3’s have slightly unconventional packaging that presents the headphones and its cable through clear plastic windows on either side of the box. Inside you’ll find a plethora of tips (9 pairs in total) which include 6 pairs of single-flange silicone tips (3 pairs gray, 3 pairs black), a single pair of bi-flange and triple-flange tips, and a pair of Comply T500 tips. Also included is a ¼ inch adapter, a hard zip-case, and a 1-year warranty card (box says 2 years, don’t know which to believe). Brainwavz has been very generous with their accessories and deserve credit for being thoughtful with their ear tips.
Build & Design: Brainwavz has gone very out-of-the-box with the design of the R3. They’ve used a tubular housing for the drivers and a 90° angle nozzle that sticks straight out of the center. This means each driver faces each other within a divided enclosure and each band of frequencies meet inside the nozzle creating a uniform sound. Internal details aside, the aluminum housings feel extremely rugged throughout. However, cable quality is questionable. The 4-inch black portion of the cable is higher quality than the remaining grey section and is the only part that doesn’t suffer from kinks or memory. But since most of the cable does, it’s a wonder why Brainwavz didn’t just make the entire cable consistent (or thinner for that matter). But this is nitpicking because the R3’s seem very durable. The real problems come when wearing the R3’s.
Comfort & Fit: I have small ears, which means I also have problems with earphones, even the most comfortable. Brainwavz sought to remedy this dilemma for those like me but haven’t entirely succeeded. The R3’s are utilize an over-ear design but the housings are heavy and the nozzles are large. This causes them to fall out of place and need adjustment often. Strain reliefs are a bit stiff below the housings (fine on the Y-split & 3.5mm jack) and combined with their vertical position the cable very tricky to place behind the ear, as they were intended. But the worst part is the cable that is simply too thick and heavy for an IEM. The sheer weight and size of the cable can make it cumbersome and difficult to wear under clothing (also due to its rubbery texture). When worn with the right ear tips the R3’s are relatively comfortable but suffer from their awkward design and cable. With this in mind, the R3’s will suit some but definitely not others, so be cautious if your ears have given you trouble in the past.
Microphonics: For such a large cable, microphonics were not as bad as I expected. Cable noise is well controlled when worn over-ear but is fairly distracting cable-down. The included cinch does a good job of keeping cable noise down in either configuration too.
Isolation: There is a surprising level of noise attenuation when wearing the R3’s. They isolate very well outdoors and reduce environmental noise enough for non-distractive (but safe) listening. I consider this a strength of the R3’s overall.
----------Sound----------
Equipment & Background – For the sound portion of this review I will be using an Audinst HUD-MX1 amp/DAC combo as my primary “reference” source, a Topping NX-1 portable amplifier, and a Sansa Fuze as a portable source. All my impressions are done indoors with an over-ear headphone for added isolation resulting in almost silent listening with no audible distractions. My library consists of FLAC and high bit-rate MP3 files. The R3’s were also burned-in over 100hrs before review.
Bass: With a mid-forward sound signature the bass on the R3’s are not boosted or enhanced like many V-shaped sets on the market. Instead, lows are much mellower and have a pleasant musical warmth throughout. And while they don’t extend too far down there is enough sub-bass for an engaging listen. Bass is tight, controlled, and well-rounded and never once feels loose or bloated. However, it should be noted that the lows on the R3 are fairly soft in nature which means they won’t deliver the same visceral impact compared to sets with large mid-bass humps. That said, bass is always engaging and very punchy when required. Smoothness is another quality of the bass that becomes noticeable with fast, heavy music genres (those of which are not entirely suited for the R3). But those who prefer a mid-forward signature will appreciate the manner with which the R3’s handle bass notes. They are never distracting and don’t steal the attention of the listener; they provide enough energy to strike an excellent balance with the midrange and treble. Bass reproduction is one of the biggest strengths of the R3’s (in my opinion) due to their laid-back presence.
Mids: Moving upwards, the midrange holds a good few surprises. As mentioned before, the R3’s are mid forward overall. But this does not make them fatiguing or offensive to listen to as many other users have experienced with many other mid forward sets. Instead, the R3’s mids are not aggressive or rich, just forward enough to focus its sound on one particular part of the frequency spectrum. The primary advantage here are mids that are both clear and smooth. The balance between the two is obvious but the mids generally lean towards smoothness more than anything else. Vocalists demonstrate this best as they lack detail in parts of both the lower and upper-midrange; Both male and female vocalist suffer the effects of this coloration which was likely created by frequency dips in both regions. In terms of quality, the midrange is neither lifelike nor is it the most natural. Despite this there is no lack of finesse to the mids, just slightly lacking in accuracy. It will easily satisfy all but the extreme detail lover with its creamy, effortless nature but it won’t please anybody in sheer quality alone.
Treble: The last piece of the (frequency) puzzle lies in the R3’s treble. Highs are, yet again, very smooth but also more revealing and detailed than any frequencies below it. While not bright, there is an unexpected level of clarity up top considering the soft, genial character of the bass and midrange. Details come through with percussive instruments with natural timbre and good sparkle but without harshness. This lack of harshness prevents any sibilance from occurring even with the most aggressive vocalists and the worst recordings. Extension is considerably impressive as well, with frequencies extending up to 15kHz and gently rolling-off afterwards. And although consistency is lacking in areas, the treble is still up to par with more expensive earphones in its price range. For what it does best (i.e. bass) and what its focus is (i.e. mids), the top end of the R3’s are surprisingly good; They can suit the needs of almost any listener and any genre.
Presentation: The R3’s present their sound in a way that’s both engaging and involving. Soundstage is a little predictable for a mid-centric IEM as it has a tendency to place vocals and most of the midrange very close to the listener. This gives the effect of having music performed directly in front of you, but not in a way that it becomes tiring over time. The result is a soundstage with only average depth overall. Height is improved over depth but width is where the R3’s begin to open up. Wide spatial cues are thrown out far on either side of the head while still maintaining easy localization. The result is an intimate presentation that is more spacious than their sound signature would suggest. Bass is centered, vocals are intimate, treble is airy, and music is simply a joy to experience. Most will find their unique presentation and signature very pleasant no matter what genre of music preferred.
Ear Tips & Insertion Sensitivity: The R3’s can be a little picky with ear tips as their nozzle is a slightly larger than average. Even the included tips require a little force to fit onto the nozzle. But this doesn’t inhibit tip-rolling with the R3’s as they are quite flexible. Sound can be adjusted to have either a thicker, warmer sound or a more neutral one depending on the tip fitted: Single flanges will achieve the former while the included double-flanges will achieve the latter. And since insertion is neither shallow nor deep some tips will stay in place and others will not. As mentioned in the Comfort & Fit section, this will depend on your ears more than anything else.
Power, Sensitivity, and Source Performance: The R3’s are a very drivable earphone that respond well with most sources. Low output devices should have no trouble driving them although they may require a little more volume to acquire listenable levels. A more powerful source, such as a dedicated amplifier, will yield better results in terms of volume and quality.
Value: For $129 the Brainwavz R3 is a peculiar earphone that combines an unusual design with a consumer friendly sound. The R3 balances a mid-forward signature with a wide presentation but loses out in areas of detail and accuracy. But its main weakness is its design and fit. Their tubular housings are difficult to wear for long periods without adjustment and that’s if they’re comfortable to begin with. The cable’s large profile also causes issues as it prevents the R3’s from fitting inside a pant pocket, making them a little inconvenient to transport. Overall however, the R3 is still relatively good value if you can get past its flaws. And if you enjoy a smooth, musical sound you’ll be in for a pleasant surprise.
I hope this review will be useful to those who read through it. Please leave any suggestions or advice you may have in the comments below. Everyone’s input will help me improve my reviews and make it easier to adapt my reviews for as wide an audience as possible. Thanks for reading and happy listening!
Wokei
Nice review ..well done
Audiophile1811
Thanks @Wokei
Kamakahah
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Durable build quality. Clear and non-fatiguing. Good overall balance.
Cons: Thick, rubbery cable. Two-faced bass. Long-term comfort
Admittedly, I took far too long to post this review. I wanted to try a different approach that involved becoming accustomed to the signature followed by a period without them, and then a reintroduction. It's been about six weeks since I received the unit. I've done week long periods with and without them.
The reason for this decision was two fold:
1. It's the first dual dynamic IEM that I've given significant head time.
2. There were/are some awkward inconsistencies with the sound signature that I was/am hearing. It was my hope at the time to be able to narrow the the reasons behind them. More on this later.
After realizing that I had too many notes and they were harder for me to characterize than originally anticipated, I decided to write this review while listening to them after a short break and give my overall thoughts from this session. My previous notes will still be a factor in what I write, but hopefully this gives more clarity to my thoughts.
Again, I'd like to thank Brainwavz for the opportunity to review these. As others did, I received a review pair to keep similar to the S5. It's a nice gesture of confidence in the Head-Fi community.
In similar fashion, I'll avoid adding pictures and statistics that a quick Google search can provide.
All the usual qualifiers apply: IMO, YMMV, OMGWTFBBQ, ROFLCOPTER. This is just my experience. Yours might be different.
For those that don't like to wade through the paragraphs of information that most reviews provide, here is a succinct synopsis:
Bass: Can vary greatly. Overall lower-quantity with a softer impact. Occasionally comes out to play. See below for more details.
Mids: Pretty clear. Non-fatiguing. Present and slightly forward. Much less , "life has been sucked out" than the S5 but with slightly dry presentation. A touch of warmth. Quite enjoyable.
Treble: Nice lower treble energy. Non-fatiguing but hits of sibilance depending on the track. Smooth and laid back, maybe overly so for some.
Soundstage/Imaging: Good width, and back depth. Shallow forward depth. Can feel intimate as a result, but not cramped.
Separation/Clarity/Detail: Decent separation and good clarity if not a little thick sounding. Good detail in the mids. Lows are too fluffy for my taste. Highs lacking micro details from smoothing
Tips: Find whatever is comfortable. Didn't lead to a ton of variation as it normally does for me. Used the stock, clear tips.
Source/Amping: Some noticeable scaling, specifically with additional power to add a bit more life and energy to the sound. A clear source with good texture seems best, IMO.
Isolation: Slightly below average. Not great isolation, but doesn't leak.
Overall: Enjoyable. A stand out addition in a pack of "V's." Clunky build, but durable. A solid buy at $99. At $115+ you'll want to be sure it's what you're after.
Initial Impressions:
From my notes 6 weeks ago, I thought they sounded clear with a nice sense of balance. I found the bass to be soft and lacking texture. The mid range was enticing, forward, a little dry, but enjoyable.
Methodology:
I gave them 5 hours of listening the first day to become accustomed to the signature. They were then burned in for quite some time using set of burn-in tracks with mixed tracks, pink noise, and 5 minute breaks every hour on repeat.
They were burned in for over 300 hours in total throughout the process. I initially began my process after ~150 hours as per my usual. I continued to listen to other headphones/earphones.
Then, as mentioned above, I took week long breaks. I also spent full weeks only listening to the R3. My reasons for this will be further discussed in the following sections.
Listening was done casually at home and while out shopping. Detailed listening was done in a quiet office. A/B testing done as well with different gear and Fiio HS2 used occasionally for quick switching of sources or headphones.
I avoided reading any other reviews before writing this one to avoid bias.
Chains used:
1. PC USB/Optical>>>Audio GD NFB-15>>>R3
2. Fiio X3>>>(Topping NX1/C&C BH)>>>R3
3. Rockboxed Sansa Clip+>>>(Topping NX1/C&C BH)>>>R3
4. HTC One M8>>>R3
Tips used: Supplied tips, JVC spiral tips, Sony hybrids, Sennheiser double flange.
Test tracks: Many albums in my collection were listened to in full with a number of mixed in individual tracks, but here are a few specific tracks used.
Track formats included 256-320kbps mp3, FLAC, WAV files and a few youtube videos for variety.
- Jessica Lee Mayfield - Nervous Lonely Night : The first minute of this song can tell me a lot about a can. This will seem odd, but the pencil tapping at the start tells me a ton about timbre and a bit about depth. The generally forward vocals of the entire "Tell me" album help point out recessed mids quickly. The bass comes in strong with lots of quantity and impact to let me judge the low end presence and texture. I could go on. It's just a track that works for me.
- Queen - Killer Queen : One of my sibilance test tracks, though it's much more than that. It's another track that can really let you individually identify a spectrum of specific quality attributes or flaws.
- Paramore - Hallelujah : The recording/mastering, whatever, sounds just terrible on the deluxe mp3 version that I have. I use it to test how forgiving a can is.
- Pantera - Cowboys from Hell; Cemetery Gates; Floods : It's Pantera. No more explanation needed.
- Lisa Hannigan - Live from the Troubadour in W.Hollywood. : This is a special recording that I have from a live concert I attended. I'm frighteningly familiar with the venue/performance and how it should sound. I use this to judge soundstage, imaging, timbre and separation.
- Rage Against The Machine - People of the Sun : Bass.
- Metallica - (Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth / One/ etc - Lots of reasons
- Lana Del Rey - Lolita/National Anthem/Carmen : Lots of reasons but in general for her vocals that can sound like thick, warm syrup.
- Geographer - Kites : I like this for cohesion. Some cans make it sound disjointed or all jumbled up.
- Filipe Melo · Ana Cláudia // Spiegel im spiegel (Arvo Pärt) : It's beautiful. Noise test. Timbre. Naturalness.
- Girl Talk - Let it Out : It's fun.
- Dr. Chesky - The Ultimate Headphone Demonstration Disc - Soundstage, imaging, dynamics, etc.
- Many, more.
Build Quality & Acessories:
Oh Jetpack. It's awkward. The cable is a heavy, bouncy, rubbery monstrosity. Plenty of nice accessories included, solid 10/10 in my mind. The bulky shell may or may not affect your fit depending on ear shape.
Comfort/Fit:
Average comfort. The rubbery cable was very noticeable over the ear and raises up at times until pulled tighter with a shirt clip. Long-term comfort has been poor. After about an hour, I found that the area where the cable meets the body rubbed my ear the wrong way. Tips didn't seem to have too significant of an effect for comfort, though I did favor some more than others. In particular, I liked the stock clear tips that weren't quite as firm. I found that they tend to start slipping from my ears. I'm not sure if it's a result of the cable or something else. I tried to wear larger tips to offset the pull, but found that I couldn't handle the loss of comfort. Occasionally, I' would double check their positioning to make sure they are still in place. This was more of an issue when out and about than in the office.
Isolation/Leak:
Average to below average. Noisy locations will be noticeable. I found their isolation to be slightly less effective compared to the S5. Leak wasn't an issue.
Bass:
The moment I listened to the opening kick drum and first few bass string plucks in Jessica Lee Mayfield's - "Our Hearts Are Wrong", I knew that the bass and I were going to be at odds. That particular song is very bass heavy. The R3 does bring the quantity of bass in many tracks to manageable levels. This was one aspect that I appreciated for a number of bass heavy tracks; However, it was also the bane of bass light tracks.
As mentioned in the Cons, I found the bass to be two-faced or fractured. I tried my best to determine its cause, but wasn't able to pin it down in a way that I could explain in a clear fashion. In short, it seems certain frequencies are emphasized. It felt like there were peaks and valleys in the bass than had a very noticeable effect on impact and levels. It didn't seem like a clear line that is normally present where people can say, "Oh yeah, it has a mid bass hump and rolls off in the sub-bass which explains...blahblahblah." - Not the case here. Some songs had the low impact that they normally show, while it was next to non-existent in my other test tracks. I wish I could articulate it better. That said, there is a significant roll off in the sub-bass at about the 50 Hz mark. Below 30 is pretty much a black hole.
In this moment, as I listen to a number of tracks I find the duality. Some show nice, low impact. Others that should have the same feel like the kick drum or bass is hidden behind a glass panel or being hit by a pillow rather than a mallet.
One final beef was with the lack of texture. I found it really was missing that detail that comes with a more articulate bass. The overall tone felt smoothed over and pillowy.
Mids:
A nice forward presentation in the mids. It balances well still with the rest of the spectrum. A much desired addition following the soulless mids of the S5. As mentioned in the brief summary above, I find them slightly dry with a touch of warmth. It's a neutralish presentation of the mid range that in some ways reminds me of a less refined HE-560. One of my favorite signatures centers around the mids, so this was a nice change of pace from my generally bass oriented collection that includes the JVC FX-850, among others.
Treble:
Queen's song "Killer Queen" will pretty much violate my ears if a headphone/earphone is even a little hot, sibilant, etc. These do a pretty good job. Overall non-fatiguing but will undoubtedly be too lack-back for the treble lovers. Smooth, but still with a decent energy, particularly in the lower treble region. Not a whole lot of the sparkle. Hints of sibilance on already sibilant tracks, but that's normal.
Separation/Clarity/Detail:
I would say that it is a notch above average in this category. Decent separation and clarity. A bit thicker sounding than the S5 that suffered from a thin/recessed mid range that killed baby seals. Enough detail to satisfy. Without a doubt some loss of detail and clarity in the bass with roll off and fluffy presentation that lacks in texture and articulation.
Soundstage/Imaging:
The soundstage felt slightly more intimate than I've been used to but not in a cramped way. The positioning feels a intimate. This can be good and maybe a little bad for some live recordings. I'll explain way as it has to do with the way that I perceived the soundstage. The best way I can think to describe the shape is an taking a basketball and half way deflating just one hemisphere. The width sound above average, the behind depth the same. The forward depth, or the space in front of me seems as though its distance has been cut in half when compared to behind.
Source/Amping/Tips:
The R3 did seem to scale a bit. More important, for me, was the added power that seems to add a bit more life to the overall sound. :
- Audio-GD NFB-15
- Fiio X3 + Topping NX1 (Low gain, high was noisy and gave no play with the volume)
- Fiio X3 + C&C BH (Line 2, switches off, gain 'High').
- Rockboxed Sansa Clip+ (Forgot to experiment with attaching amps)
I didn't find a lot of difference when tip rolling. Insertion depth didn't change the sound enough so I ended up liking the stock, clear tips. They are comfortable and didn't negatively affect the sound. I thought a narrow bore might help the bass, but the effect was minor and inconsistent so I reverted.
Final Thoughts:
I want to say that I enjoy this earphone. It's far from perfect, but it has qualities that are becoming harder to find in a V-shaped market. The mid-centric presentation is a welcome addition to my collection. The bass can be a bit of a letdown on some tracks, but it can also be a boon in taming overly bass heavy tracks into submission. It can help you see your much listened to tracks in a new light. It suffers from some inevitable design issues, but overall a durable and enjoyable earphone. As I look at the $115 asking price on Amazon right now I asked myself the question, "Is it worth that price tag?" To some, yes. I think it would fit nicely into the $99 category, but what's $15 anyway?
thatBeatsguy
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Smooth, balanced sound. Brainwavz' signature unique look. Brainwavz' signature build.
Cons: Weird looks might deter some. Cable is pretty hefty and cumbersome.
Intro
TL;DR: Don't let its rather brutish looks fool you; the Brainwavz R3 is a smooth, gentle IEM that works especially well with acoustic genres, slow rock, and jazz.
Before I begin, I would like to thank Audrey at Brainwavz for providing the sample of the Brainwavz R3 in exchange for my honest opinion. Please note that I am neither affiliated with Brainwavz or any of its employees, nor am I being compensated for writing this review. All opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own unless otherwise specified, and all pictures are taken and owned by my sister. YMMV.
Well, it’s been a few weeks since my review of the S5s, and from that first impression of one of their IEMs, they’ve earned their place in my ‘Companies to Watch’ list. Though a lot of their IEMs, to my knowledge, lean towards a more consumer-friendly sound, they are no doubt of audiophile quality. Today, I’m going to be reviewing another of their high-end IEMs, and probably one of the most peculiar-looking IEMs I’ve ever seen, the dual-dynamic Brainwavz R3 Rev.2 (I’ll get to this later).
Anyhow, let’s get on to the IEMs. Shall we?
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.
[size=x-large]== Aesthetics ==[/size]
Packaging, Accessories
At first glance of the packaging, it’s clear that Brainwavz is proud of their design of the R3, as the box features a clear window from the front all the way through to the back of the box, with the R3’s housings suspended in a clear plastic mold, showcased proudly and rather enthusiastically, like a brand-new breakthrough in design or something along those lines. On the front you also see BRAINWAVZ R3 written with a tagline and a few of its main features. On the left side, you’ll see its specifications, and on the right are its accessories, and on the back is a cross-section diagram of the R3s’ housing along with a description of sorts.
Upon opening the package, you’ll find Brainwavz’ semi-hard case hidden from the light of day, housing the rest of the R3s and all of its accessories. I’m still pretty impressed with the plethora of eartips included in the package, which consists of six pairs of single-flange tips (one set in grey, the other in black, in S/M/L), one pair of double-flanged tips, one pair of triple-flanged tips, and a pair of Comply T500 foam eartips. So there you have it - nine pairs of eartips, all at your disposal along with the Brainwavz R3 and S5. Still pretty damn impressive. But that’s not all - you also get a nifty 1/4-inch adapter. In the previous version, there used to be an airline adapter supposedly - but in my case, I don’t think I would need it anyway, so that can be ignored. Frequent flyers, though, might have to buy their own airline adapter off a local Best Buy or some other electronics store.
Design, Build, Microphonics
You remember what I said about Brainwavz’ package being showcased like a design breakthrough? Well, I have got to hand it to Brainwavz, they have made one awesome breakthrough in design right here, and it’s sure to make anyone -- consumer or audiophile -- wonder how they manage to get these in their ears. (Not that it’s a bad thing, though -- they actually fit quite easily.)
Though the concept of dual dynamic drivers isn’t new (lately there have been a lot of popular options to choose from), how they’re implemented intrigued me.The two 10mm drivers are set up in a two-way configuration – one used for bass, the other for the rest of the audio spectrum. Again, this is not unusual, but then we move on to their placement. The two drivers are placed apart from and facing each other, pouring the sound into a ‘Sonic Chamber’ before it reaches your ears through a particularly long tube. At least, that’s what the diagram seems to tell me. It’s probably not as simple as it sounds, seeing as another dual dynamic IEM, the Audio-Technica ATH-CKR9 (and its older variant, the CKR10) shares a similarly-positioned pair of drivers…except for the fact that the CKRs’ drivers go for a ‘Push-Pull’ design in which one driver pushes the sound while the other pulls the sound to supposedly reduce distortion and improve sound quality (or something like that). Coming back to the R3s, it seems both drivers simply push sound into the sound chamber where the sound mixes to bring out the final product.
Moving on, we have the cable, which apparently consists of three sections: the main grey cable from the connector to the Y-split, a thinner grey cable from the Y-split to split (rather, splice), which transitions into a length of memory cable making the final stretch to the housings. This memory wire used to be a lot longer in the first version, but has been removed in the revision for better ergonomics and an easier fit.
Again, the team over at Brainwavz has impressed me with the excellent build quality of the R3s. From the solid machined aluminum housings to the strong extremely heavy-duty Y-split (see above), it’s clear Brainwavz made no compromises to the build quality of the R3 just as they did with the S5. The only gripe I have with the build is the cable. No, it’s not because of durability -- in fact, it’s probably one of the most solid cables I’ve had in my possession yet. My gripe with the cable is because it’s solid. It’s very thick -- reminding me of the cable on my old Beats Pro. Its thickness in turn makes them very difficult to manage. When they arrived, they were bound pretty tightly together by a wire, and when I undid the wire, I was greeted with an eyesore of a cable with folds and creases on every inch. Even as I write this, I’m still trying to straighten it out. Cable noise isn’t much different. Even with the over-ear design dulling it down, cable noise is still a bit of an issue due to the serious weight of the cable.
Fit, Comfort, Isolation
Now, I’m sure you’re still wondering if the bottle-like housings with a tube on the side would actually fit your ears. Well, I’m happy to report that it actually does. It did take a few minutes of fiddling at first, but it only takes a few tries to get accustomed to it. They’re pretty comfortable once they’re in your ears, though at times the housing does touch -- more like press on -- part of my ear when I don’t get them in right, which again is a nuisance, but it’s mostly just on me. Due to the housings being little more than a bottle with a tube sticking out of the side which goes into your ear, isolation leans toward average, but is nonetheless good enough for a walk in the park or at home. Don’t expect it to drown out much in a bus or the subway, though.
Also, something of note: the Brainwavz R3 can be worn straight-down; however the cable causes too much microphonics to be tolerable. That, and the R3 is considerably heavy with its thick cable and solid aluminum housings. I don’t know if you guys will like it -- maybe you will, maybe you won’t, but I most definitely will not wear these straight-down.
I hope I didn’t bore you yet with my explanations, because we’re just about to get to the sound. Bored yet? No? Great, now let’s move on.
[size=x-large]== Sound ==[/size]
Specs
Headphone Type
Closed back, vented in-ear monitor (straight down, around-the-ear)
Driver Type
10 mm dynamic x2
Frequency Response
16 Hz – 22 kHz
Rated Input Power
30 mW
Sensitivity
110 dB @ 1 mW
Impedance
32 Ω
Weight
N/A
Cable
1.3 m (4.2’) Copper Y-Cord
Connector
3.5 mm (1/8”) gold-plated 45-degree TRS
Accessories
Hard carrying case 3 pairs single-flange silicone eartips (grey, S/M/L)
3 pairs single-flange silicone eartips (black, S/M/L)
1 pair double-flange silicone eartips
1 pair triple-flange silicone eartips
1 pair Comply™ T-500 foam eartips
6.3 mm (1/4”) adapter
Equipment, Burn-in
The equipment used for this review consists of my iPod Touch, an iPad 3, and my PC through headphone-out as the sources, all running without an amp. The amp used in the test is a Yamaha RX-V359 through headphone-out. As for the EQ software being used, I use Viper4Windows on the PC and the default system EQ on the other sources. As always, my test tracks are available here, although I will link specific songs in the assessment for a more direct point of reference.
As per review “tradition,” the Brainwavz R3s have been burned in for at least 100 hours prior to the review, with occasional listening sessions in between for an average of an hour. So far, throughout the 100 hours of burn-in, there haven’t been any noticeable changes in sound. Also, the eartips I used are the L-sized grey single flanges throughout the review. So, without further ado, let’s get on to the sound!
Sound Quality
Bass:
Okay, let’s start off with the bass. As an IEM designed for the audiophile crowd, don’t expect the R3 to have elevated bass, because it doesn’t have that. However, what it does have is a smooth, swift low-end that is clearly made for its target audience. Its accurate, slightly warm tone reproduces low tones without overdoing anything. It also has a strong enough punch to satisfy most listeners who aren’t craving bass. In short, it’s a very addicting listen that works amazingly with cool, laid-back songs (Daft Punk –The Game of Love, Something About Us).
Midrange:
The Brainwavz R3’s midrange is sweet and rich – basically, it sounds great. It has a great amount of clarity with a slight warmth to it. It reproduces the midrange very well, and despite its mid-centric signature (more on this later), isn’t as forward as I expected. One of my favourite characteristics about it, though, is how they manage to blend really well with the bass (Coldplay –Sparks) – making a very cohesive and united sound signature.
Treble:
Brainwavz purposely tuned the R3 to have a smooth, laid-back treble, topping off the sound signature like the smooth foam on a latte (more on this analogy later). This laid-back signature gives the R3 a very relaxing signature that you can simply listen to for hours, which is a huge plus in my book. (Note: Technical mode ON) Though most laid-back treble usually sounds veiled and lacking detail, Brainwavz managed to counter that by tuning in a treble spike around 10 kHz. This allows the R3 to still retain great detail retrieval even with its laid-back treble (technical mode OFF).
Soundstage/Presentation:
Apparently Brainwavz’ “Sound Chamber” technology actually does affect the R3’s sound signature – specifically, its soundstage. It’s very wide, airy, and expansive, which you usually don’t get to hear very often in an earphone, so that’s a huge plus. Live, acoustic, and classical recordings really come to life on the Brainwavz R3. However, I did notice instruments were projected (or “sound like” in layman’s terms) onto a narrow arc in front of you, instead of all around you. It’s a little quirk there that might not be as appealing to the more finicky listeners, but it’s not too much of a big deal.
Genre Proficiency:
The Brainwavz R3, as I’ve said earlier, works amazingly well with cool, laid-back genres, synergising well with its laid-back sound. Stuff like Coldplay, Daft Punk’s slower works, classical, anything that’s slow or has a relaxing vibe – the Brainwavz R3 performs spectacularly. However, it’s hardly finicky with genres and will play anything you throw at it very well.
Summary:
The Brainwavz R3’s sound is something I could liken to a nice latte – smooth, rich, creamy, sweet, and with just the right kick from the coffee. I’m sure from this, you can put two and two together, so there’s not much to say other than it’s great if the R3’s sound is what you’re looking for. Bassheads will have to look elsewhere, because the R3 is definitely an audiophile IEM.
Other Media
Games:
The R3 isn’t bad with games. Sure, its detail retrieval is great for getting an edge over the competition, but its rather congested presentation takes a hit to their imaging capabilities. All in all, they’re not something I’d use for competitive gaming.
Movies:
The R3’s smooth, balanced signature allows it to play along with pretty much any type of movie, from epic action scenes to heart-wrenching drama moments. I find they perform better with quieter movies, just as they do well with laid-back music.
EQ Response, Amplification
The R3, in my opinion, doesn’t really respond well to EQ (rather, basic EQ presets), though with a more advanced EQ like Electri-Q or Viper4Windows, you can EQ them to be completely flat, which, surprisingly, is very easy to do. But once I did that, man, oh man. The results were amazing. Probably the only downside to this is having to go through rather extensive tweaking and listening to get the sound just right, but otherwise they’re perfectly fine. At an impedance rating of about 32 ohms, they do need a bit more power to drive than, say, the S5 IEMs. At lower volumes, their midrange sounds rather muffled, and both ends of the spectrum also lose some detail. With extra power, though, the midrange comes forward, and with enough power, the bass suddenly begins to sound pretty damn impressive. You can really feel the sub-bass notes come alive and make the entire signature come together to no short of amazing. I don’t have a dedicated headphone amp as of yet, but now I begin to realize just how much I need one.
At the time of writing this there's quite a bit of hype around the A83 (triple hybrid IEM) on Head-Fi and deservedly so, but given its $300+ price tag and slightly troublesome fit I was keen to compare it with the R3.
On direct comparison, the A83's balanced armatures revealed extra details and texture in the mix that the R3 couldn't show me, but that came at the cost of a drier tone and a less natural overall sound with the A83's treble sounding slightly forward and forced compared to the R3's outstanding balance. The staging and imaging is also better on the A83 as you'd expect with the greater availability of subtle details and auditory cues, but does that make the A83 a hands-down better earphone? I don't think so. If I were looking to hear every nuance then I'd reach for the A83 every time, but if I wanted to simply play and enjoy my music I'd probably reach for the R3s on each occasion due to their more natural treble presentation and more natural overall sound. Technically, the A83 is a better earphone, but practically the R3 might be better for some people.
Brainwavz S5 As much as I like the S5s for what they are, they just don't compare with their slightly more expensive siblings - or at least not for my tastes. Yes, the S5 offers an excellent bass punch that the R3s can't match and for some genres that's an instant trump card, but the R3's balance won me over permanently and left the S5s sounding peaky and occasionally unnatural to my ears. For wide-ranging musical tastes or those who listen to rock, blues or jazz I would recommend the R3 every time over the S5 despite it's funkier fit and higher price.
HiFiMan RE272 Unfortunately I sold my RE272s shortly prior to the R3s arriving, but at around half the price of the RE272's when they were new (if memory serves), the R3 is an excellent replacement. There's no doubt that the RE272 offered superior transparency and separation over the R3, but the R3 is a smoother listen and has much better bass presence than the RE272 so it's a fair trade in my mind. To be honest, if I had the 2 sitting side-by-side I would probably reach for the R3 on almost every occasion because of it's smoother presentation and fuller bass note.
Summary The R3 is an outstanding earphone for the $139 price tag. I would definitely recommend trying a pair before you buy them if you tend to have fit issues like me, but when worn cable-down the R3s are easy to fit so that might solve any concerns if you're happy to wear them cable-down.
I haven't heard a lot of budget IEMs and there are some awesome options out there, but of those I have tried, the R3s are among the most enjoyable of the lot and definitely might be the most neutrally voiced of the lot. If you're looking to spend <$150 on a pair of IEMs and you want an IEM that can handle wide-ranging genres while providing a smooth and natural presentation then the R3s are a must try!
DannyBai
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Even keeled sound, nice build, excellent bundle of accessories
Cons: Thick cable and large Y-split if it really is a con.
I was provide a review sample and would like to thank Salsera and Brainwavz/MP4Nation.
The R3 V.2 is a dual dynamic barrel shaped iem from Brainwavz. Probably the oddest looking earphone on the market but surprisingly, I had no problem with fit. The shape actually works well with the looping over ear design and the earphones stay in place without much issue. The housings look and feel of aluminum and are light in weight. They are actually very comfortable while in use. Cables are rather thick especially from Y-split down to the 3.5mm jack. From the Y-split up to the housings have been redesigned and are much better than the original version. Cables seem to stay in place quite well around the ears and the thickness wasn’t much of a bother for me. The 3.5mm jack has a nice 45 degree angle in which I have come to appreciate in design. Only gripe although minor is the overall thickness of the cable and bigger than average Y-split.
Moving on to the sound, these have a nice balanced signature. Bass doesn’t hit with great impact, won’t reach to the lowest of the lows or hit you with forceful mid-bass punch. Bass has good presence but isn’t the tightest and sounds a bit soft from what I’m use to. The S5 from Brainwavz reaches lower, has bigger impact and makes a much greater presence in the music. For those who find the S5 to have too much bass, the R3 might be more appealing. Overall, I find the bass to fit with the signature these earphones are going for. These earphones have a wide and deep soundstage, some of the biggest I’ve heard. This can be good or bad on the vocals, depending on preference. The staging distances the vocals several rows back so it isn’t up front. I find them a little recessed and I mean little because they can be clearly heard and is not hidden from the rest of the music. I honestly couldn’t nitpick if male or female vocals sounded better since both sounded just fine for me. But, vocal trance sounded quite nice. Treble is very relaxed and there isn’t even a hint of fatigue, sibilance or the dreaded “sss” in the vocal region. Treble is smooth and possibly could use a little more for added sparkle. Somewhere between the R3 and S5 would be lovely. The smooth and non-fatiguing treble still clearly presents the details in the music. Instrument placement can be best pictured as if the listener is sitting in a large theatre compared to say a small intimate club. This is more of a surround sound listening experience.
In conclusion, I find the R3 V2 to be an even keeled sounding earphone that really doesn’t have much fault. Nothing to really complain about, even with the thick cable and all. I’m not too much of a nitpicker but I would think most would find this earphone to sound just fine. No huge bass to complain about or peaky treble or too recessed vocals. Fit’s fine if people can ignore the odd design and give it a try.
kova4a
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: solid build quality; balanced smooth and natural sound; 2-year warranty
Cons: rubbery cable prone to memory kinks; fit can be an issue for some people
First off, I have to thank again Brainwavz and Audrey for this R3 unit
Packaging and Accessories
The packaging is quite straightforward. There are plastic windows both at the front and the back of the box showcasing the shiny metal housings of the R3. Below the front window is embossed Brainwavz R3 and a very basic description – Twin Driver Configuration, Bass & Clarity and Rugged Metal Housing Design. Can’t disagree with that but maybe Smooth & Balanced would have been a bit more accurate description but more on that later.
On the back of the box there is a bit more detailed description of the R3 and its design.
On the sides of the package are listed its contents and R3’s specs.
It’s a fairly nice presentation overall.
Inside the box reside the R3 and the Brainwavz case. I’ve mentioned multiple times that this is my favorite iem case. It’s quite tough and specious and can easily fit a pair of iems and a small DAP like a Sansa. Inside one of the red pockets there is a nice quarter inch adapter and small gray bag with the included tips. There are 2 different types of single flange tips. Black ones made of a touch thicker silicone and gray ones, which are softer and have a slightly wider bore. The single flange silicone tips come in 3 sizes. There is also a pair of bi-flange and a pair of tri-flange tips, which come in only one size. As usual with Brainwavz a pair of comply foam tips packaged separately is included to complete the package.
Build Quality, Design and Fit
The R3 is a quite solid iem with robust metal housings and a thick rugged cable. The cable is a bit memory prone and rubbery though and while I don’t mind its thickness or weight I would have preferred if it had smoother sleeving and was more pliable and easier to keep straight.
The strain reliefs are substantial and again some people might call the Y-splitter over-engineered but it’s fine by me.
The j-plug is also on the bulky side but I’m a huge fan of j-plugs and it looks capable of withstanding quite a bit of abuse, so I can’t complain. If anything it completes the overall tough looks of the R3.
Design-wise it only takes a quick glance at the R3 to realize that it’s not your average iem. Its design is quite unique and I have to admit that when the R3 was first announced I wasn’t impressed and right away commented that people will have issue with the fit with such a design. It’s eye catching though and people often stare at the housing more than a couple of seconds.
Surprisingly despite my initial reservations and worries about the fit it turned out fine. I haven’t tried the old R3 version with the long memory-wires but this revised one actually fits me quite well. The fit is secure and isolation is good. It did take me quite a bit of tip rolling but finally settled on the stock bi-flanges both for the comfort and the sound.
The R3 can also be worn straight but the fit will be less secure due to the weight of the cable pulling the housings down.
There is a very mild driver flex with certain tips particularly on the left earpiece. Microphonics are very low when worn cable up.
Sound
The R3 has over 100 hours of burn-in at the time of writing this review.
For a dual dynamic driver iem that has a separate driver to reproduce the low frequencies the R3 quite surprised me. Its bass is quite flat and balanced. It is well-rounded with good control but is a bit on the polite side – softer on the impact and lacking some depth. The lower extension is not bad but after 50hz the bass gradually rolls off. Overall I like R3’s bass although I would have liked if it was a bit tighter and harder hitting but given the overall smooth and non-fatiguing presentation of the R3 it fits well with the rest of the spectrum. In comparison the Brainwavz S5 has a lot bigger but also less controlled and muddier bass bleeding into the mids.
The mids are well balanced with the bass and also relatively flat. Both male and female vocals have very nice presence and sweet tone. The R3 actually sounds a bit mid-centric but I don’t mind that as this type of signature is harder and harder to find. The tonality is slightly on the warm side but still what I would call neutral-ish. Instruments have nice timbre and despite the slightly thick note presentation sound natural and realistic. Detail retrieval is actually pretty good but clarity is a bit behind in comparison to some of the competition. In comparison brainwavz’s own S5 is noticeably clearer due to its thinner note presentation and treble emphasis but is also a lot less natural sounding and more fatiguing. The R3 instead is smoother lusher sounding.
The highs are a bit laid back but very well extended and smooth. The lower treble has enough energy to keeps things exciting without getting harsh or fatiguing. There is plenty of shimmer but I wouldn’t have minded a bit more sparkle. The treble is not prone to pointing out sibilance. In comparison the S5 with its more emphasized and peaky highs is noticeably harsher and more artificial sounding.
The R3 is full and airy sounding. Imaging is very good with both width and depth above average. Positioning is quite good. Instrument separation is very good with plenty of space between the instruments. Overall, the R3 sounds pretty spacious, especially for a mid-centric iem, which usually tend to be more on the intimate side.
Summary
R3 and its little brother R1
Brainwavz R3 has quite the surprising sound for a dual dynamic driver iem. Owning the Brainwavz R1 I expected a lot different sound but it’s heads and shoulders above its smaller dual dynamic brother R1. I’m not going to lie, I would also pick it over the Brainwavz’s other higher-end iem the S5 any day of the week. While the S5 will most likely impress a lot more people at first listen with its big bass and clarity, the R3 with its more balanced, smoother and mature sound is the iem that really impresses.
The R3 is a very solid performer sound-wise with a very solid build quality to boot. If it wasn’t for Audrey I probably would have given it a pass worried about the fit and all the people complaining about it. Maybe the memory wires on the old version were really horrible – I can’t comment on that but they are gone now and what is left is an iem that deserves to be given a second chance.
twister6
twister6 Reviews
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: build quality, included accessories, great sound separation
Cons: cable, would prefer memory wire back, fitment
Since I was among the early adopters of this updated 2.0 version of R3, I already posted a detailed review with pictures in the original R3 review thread. Therefore, I'm just going to provide a link to my R3 v2.0 review: http://www.head-fi.org/products/brainwavz-r3-dual-dynamic-driver-earphones/reviews/11456
Audiophile1811
500+ Head-Fier
Introduction – As the top-of-the-line earphone of the young company Brainwavz, the R3 has a quite a lot on its shoulders. Utilizing a relatively new dual-dynamic driver configuration, uncommon with most headphones on the market, Brainwavz has chosen this design for its very best headphone. Bold as it is, this design has been successful in many budget-based sets such as the Havi B3 Pro-1 and TTPOD’s T1 series. The R3’s, then, promise a lot considering they cost twice and even three times as much as the aforementioned earphones. So do they deliver for the price? The answer is yes… and no. But this is best explained throughout my review so if you’re interested, simply read on and find out why.
Disclaimer – This is a free review unit delivered to me for the purpose of this review. I am not affiliated with Brainwavz in any way and will stay objective as possible throughout this review. Huge thanks to Audrey at Brainwavz for sending these out to me, it’s quite a privilege. All photos were taken by me.
Specifications:
- 10mm Dual-Dynamic drivers (Passive Crossover)
- Impedance: 32 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 95dB
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
- Rated Input Power: 2mW
- Cable: OFC Copper, 1.3 meters/4.25 ft.
Packaging & Accessories: The R3’s have slightly unconventional packaging that presents the headphones and its cable through clear plastic windows on either side of the box. Inside you’ll find a plethora of tips (9 pairs in total) which include 6 pairs of single-flange silicone tips (3 pairs gray, 3 pairs black), a single pair of bi-flange and triple-flange tips, and a pair of Comply T500 tips. Also included is a ¼ inch adapter, a hard zip-case, and a 1-year warranty card (box says 2 years, don’t know which to believe). Brainwavz has been very generous with their accessories and deserve credit for being thoughtful with their ear tips.
Build & Design: Brainwavz has gone very out-of-the-box with the design of the R3. They’ve used a tubular housing for the drivers and a 90° angle nozzle that sticks straight out of the center. This means each driver faces each other within a divided enclosure and each band of frequencies meet inside the nozzle creating a uniform sound. Internal details aside, the aluminum housings feel extremely rugged throughout. However, cable quality is questionable. The 4-inch black portion of the cable is higher quality than the remaining grey section and is the only part that doesn’t suffer from kinks or memory. But since most of the cable does, it’s a wonder why Brainwavz didn’t just make the entire cable consistent (or thinner for that matter). But this is nitpicking because the R3’s seem very durable. The real problems come when wearing the R3’s.
Comfort & Fit: I have small ears, which means I also have problems with earphones, even the most comfortable. Brainwavz sought to remedy this dilemma for those like me but haven’t entirely succeeded. The R3’s are utilize an over-ear design but the housings are heavy and the nozzles are large. This causes them to fall out of place and need adjustment often. Strain reliefs are a bit stiff below the housings (fine on the Y-split & 3.5mm jack) and combined with their vertical position the cable very tricky to place behind the ear, as they were intended. But the worst part is the cable that is simply too thick and heavy for an IEM. The sheer weight and size of the cable can make it cumbersome and difficult to wear under clothing (also due to its rubbery texture). When worn with the right ear tips the R3’s are relatively comfortable but suffer from their awkward design and cable. With this in mind, the R3’s will suit some but definitely not others, so be cautious if your ears have given you trouble in the past.
Microphonics: For such a large cable, microphonics were not as bad as I expected. Cable noise is well controlled when worn over-ear but is fairly distracting cable-down. The included cinch does a good job of keeping cable noise down in either configuration too.
Isolation: There is a surprising level of noise attenuation when wearing the R3’s. They isolate very well outdoors and reduce environmental noise enough for non-distractive (but safe) listening. I consider this a strength of the R3’s overall.
----------Sound----------
Equipment & Background – For the sound portion of this review I will be using an Audinst HUD-MX1 amp/DAC combo as my primary “reference” source, a Topping NX-1 portable amplifier, and a Sansa Fuze as a portable source. All my impressions are done indoors with an over-ear headphone for added isolation resulting in almost silent listening with no audible distractions. My library consists of FLAC and high bit-rate MP3 files. The R3’s were also burned-in over 100hrs before review.
Bass: With a mid-forward sound signature the bass on the R3’s are not boosted or enhanced like many V-shaped sets on the market. Instead, lows are much mellower and have a pleasant musical warmth throughout. And while they don’t extend too far down there is enough sub-bass for an engaging listen. Bass is tight, controlled, and well-rounded and never once feels loose or bloated. However, it should be noted that the lows on the R3 are fairly soft in nature which means they won’t deliver the same visceral impact compared to sets with large mid-bass humps. That said, bass is always engaging and very punchy when required. Smoothness is another quality of the bass that becomes noticeable with fast, heavy music genres (those of which are not entirely suited for the R3). But those who prefer a mid-forward signature will appreciate the manner with which the R3’s handle bass notes. They are never distracting and don’t steal the attention of the listener; they provide enough energy to strike an excellent balance with the midrange and treble. Bass reproduction is one of the biggest strengths of the R3’s (in my opinion) due to their laid-back presence.
Mids: Moving upwards, the midrange holds a good few surprises. As mentioned before, the R3’s are mid forward overall. But this does not make them fatiguing or offensive to listen to as many other users have experienced with many other mid forward sets. Instead, the R3’s mids are not aggressive or rich, just forward enough to focus its sound on one particular part of the frequency spectrum. The primary advantage here are mids that are both clear and smooth. The balance between the two is obvious but the mids generally lean towards smoothness more than anything else. Vocalists demonstrate this best as they lack detail in parts of both the lower and upper-midrange; Both male and female vocalist suffer the effects of this coloration which was likely created by frequency dips in both regions. In terms of quality, the midrange is neither lifelike nor is it the most natural. Despite this there is no lack of finesse to the mids, just slightly lacking in accuracy. It will easily satisfy all but the extreme detail lover with its creamy, effortless nature but it won’t please anybody in sheer quality alone.
Treble: The last piece of the (frequency) puzzle lies in the R3’s treble. Highs are, yet again, very smooth but also more revealing and detailed than any frequencies below it. While not bright, there is an unexpected level of clarity up top considering the soft, genial character of the bass and midrange. Details come through with percussive instruments with natural timbre and good sparkle but without harshness. This lack of harshness prevents any sibilance from occurring even with the most aggressive vocalists and the worst recordings. Extension is considerably impressive as well, with frequencies extending up to 15kHz and gently rolling-off afterwards. And although consistency is lacking in areas, the treble is still up to par with more expensive earphones in its price range. For what it does best (i.e. bass) and what its focus is (i.e. mids), the top end of the R3’s are surprisingly good; They can suit the needs of almost any listener and any genre.
Presentation: The R3’s present their sound in a way that’s both engaging and involving. Soundstage is a little predictable for a mid-centric IEM as it has a tendency to place vocals and most of the midrange very close to the listener. This gives the effect of having music performed directly in front of you, but not in a way that it becomes tiring over time. The result is a soundstage with only average depth overall. Height is improved over depth but width is where the R3’s begin to open up. Wide spatial cues are thrown out far on either side of the head while still maintaining easy localization. The result is an intimate presentation that is more spacious than their sound signature would suggest. Bass is centered, vocals are intimate, treble is airy, and music is simply a joy to experience. Most will find their unique presentation and signature very pleasant no matter what genre of music preferred.
Ear Tips & Insertion Sensitivity: The R3’s can be a little picky with ear tips as their nozzle is a slightly larger than average. Even the included tips require a little force to fit onto the nozzle. But this doesn’t inhibit tip-rolling with the R3’s as they are quite flexible. Sound can be adjusted to have either a thicker, warmer sound or a more neutral one depending on the tip fitted: Single flanges will achieve the former while the included double-flanges will achieve the latter. And since insertion is neither shallow nor deep some tips will stay in place and others will not. As mentioned in the Comfort & Fit section, this will depend on your ears more than anything else.
Power, Sensitivity, and Source Performance: The R3’s are a very drivable earphone that respond well with most sources. Low output devices should have no trouble driving them although they may require a little more volume to acquire listenable levels. A more powerful source, such as a dedicated amplifier, will yield better results in terms of volume and quality.
Value: For $129 the Brainwavz R3 is a peculiar earphone that combines an unusual design with a consumer friendly sound. The R3 balances a mid-forward signature with a wide presentation but loses out in areas of detail and accuracy. But its main weakness is its design and fit. Their tubular housings are difficult to wear for long periods without adjustment and that’s if they’re comfortable to begin with. The cable’s large profile also causes issues as it prevents the R3’s from fitting inside a pant pocket, making them a little inconvenient to transport. Overall however, the R3 is still relatively good value if you can get past its flaws. And if you enjoy a smooth, musical sound you’ll be in for a pleasant surprise.
I hope this review will be useful to those who read through it. Please leave any suggestions or advice you may have in the comments below. Everyone’s input will help me improve my reviews and make it easier to adapt my reviews for as wide an audience as possible. Thanks for reading and happy listening!
Wokei
Nice review ..well done
Audiophile1811
Thanks @Wokei
Kamakahah
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Durable build quality. Clear and non-fatiguing. Good overall balance.
Cons: Thick, rubbery cable. Two-faced bass. Long-term comfort
Admittedly, I took far too long to post this review. I wanted to try a different approach that involved becoming accustomed to the signature followed by a period without them, and then a reintroduction. It's been about six weeks since I received the unit. I've done week long periods with and without them.
The reason for this decision was two fold:
1. It's the first dual dynamic IEM that I've given significant head time.
2. There were/are some awkward inconsistencies with the sound signature that I was/am hearing. It was my hope at the time to be able to narrow the the reasons behind them. More on this later.
After realizing that I had too many notes and they were harder for me to characterize than originally anticipated, I decided to write this review while listening to them after a short break and give my overall thoughts from this session. My previous notes will still be a factor in what I write, but hopefully this gives more clarity to my thoughts.
Again, I'd like to thank Brainwavz for the opportunity to review these. As others did, I received a review pair to keep similar to the S5. It's a nice gesture of confidence in the Head-Fi community.
In similar fashion, I'll avoid adding pictures and statistics that a quick Google search can provide.
All the usual qualifiers apply: IMO, YMMV, OMGWTFBBQ, ROFLCOPTER. This is just my experience. Yours might be different.
For those that don't like to wade through the paragraphs of information that most reviews provide, here is a succinct synopsis:
Bass: Can vary greatly. Overall lower-quantity with a softer impact. Occasionally comes out to play. See below for more details.
Mids: Pretty clear. Non-fatiguing. Present and slightly forward. Much less , "life has been sucked out" than the S5 but with slightly dry presentation. A touch of warmth. Quite enjoyable.
Treble: Nice lower treble energy. Non-fatiguing but hits of sibilance depending on the track. Smooth and laid back, maybe overly so for some.
Soundstage/Imaging: Good width, and back depth. Shallow forward depth. Can feel intimate as a result, but not cramped.
Separation/Clarity/Detail: Decent separation and good clarity if not a little thick sounding. Good detail in the mids. Lows are too fluffy for my taste. Highs lacking micro details from smoothing
Tips: Find whatever is comfortable. Didn't lead to a ton of variation as it normally does for me. Used the stock, clear tips.
Source/Amping: Some noticeable scaling, specifically with additional power to add a bit more life and energy to the sound. A clear source with good texture seems best, IMO.
Isolation: Slightly below average. Not great isolation, but doesn't leak.
Overall: Enjoyable. A stand out addition in a pack of "V's." Clunky build, but durable. A solid buy at $99. At $115+ you'll want to be sure it's what you're after.
Initial Impressions:
From my notes 6 weeks ago, I thought they sounded clear with a nice sense of balance. I found the bass to be soft and lacking texture. The mid range was enticing, forward, a little dry, but enjoyable.
Methodology:
I gave them 5 hours of listening the first day to become accustomed to the signature. They were then burned in for quite some time using set of burn-in tracks with mixed tracks, pink noise, and 5 minute breaks every hour on repeat.
They were burned in for over 300 hours in total throughout the process. I initially began my process after ~150 hours as per my usual. I continued to listen to other headphones/earphones.
Then, as mentioned above, I took week long breaks. I also spent full weeks only listening to the R3. My reasons for this will be further discussed in the following sections.
Listening was done casually at home and while out shopping. Detailed listening was done in a quiet office. A/B testing done as well with different gear and Fiio HS2 used occasionally for quick switching of sources or headphones.
I avoided reading any other reviews before writing this one to avoid bias.
Chains used:
1. PC USB/Optical>>>Audio GD NFB-15>>>R3
2. Fiio X3>>>(Topping NX1/C&C BH)>>>R3
3. Rockboxed Sansa Clip+>>>(Topping NX1/C&C BH)>>>R3
4. HTC One M8>>>R3
Tips used: Supplied tips, JVC spiral tips, Sony hybrids, Sennheiser double flange.
Test tracks: Many albums in my collection were listened to in full with a number of mixed in individual tracks, but here are a few specific tracks used.
Track formats included 256-320kbps mp3, FLAC, WAV files and a few youtube videos for variety.
- Jessica Lee Mayfield - Nervous Lonely Night : The first minute of this song can tell me a lot about a can. This will seem odd, but the pencil tapping at the start tells me a ton about timbre and a bit about depth. The generally forward vocals of the entire "Tell me" album help point out recessed mids quickly. The bass comes in strong with lots of quantity and impact to let me judge the low end presence and texture. I could go on. It's just a track that works for me.
- Queen - Killer Queen : One of my sibilance test tracks, though it's much more than that. It's another track that can really let you individually identify a spectrum of specific quality attributes or flaws.
- Paramore - Hallelujah : The recording/mastering, whatever, sounds just terrible on the deluxe mp3 version that I have. I use it to test how forgiving a can is.
- Pantera - Cowboys from Hell; Cemetery Gates; Floods : It's Pantera. No more explanation needed.
- Lisa Hannigan - Live from the Troubadour in W.Hollywood. : This is a special recording that I have from a live concert I attended. I'm frighteningly familiar with the venue/performance and how it should sound. I use this to judge soundstage, imaging, timbre and separation.
- Rage Against The Machine - People of the Sun : Bass.
- Metallica - (Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth / One/ etc - Lots of reasons
- Lana Del Rey - Lolita/National Anthem/Carmen : Lots of reasons but in general for her vocals that can sound like thick, warm syrup.
- Geographer - Kites : I like this for cohesion. Some cans make it sound disjointed or all jumbled up.
- Filipe Melo · Ana Cláudia // Spiegel im spiegel (Arvo Pärt) : It's beautiful. Noise test. Timbre. Naturalness.
- Girl Talk - Let it Out : It's fun.
- Dr. Chesky - The Ultimate Headphone Demonstration Disc - Soundstage, imaging, dynamics, etc.
- Many, more.
Build Quality & Acessories:
Oh Jetpack. It's awkward. The cable is a heavy, bouncy, rubbery monstrosity. Plenty of nice accessories included, solid 10/10 in my mind. The bulky shell may or may not affect your fit depending on ear shape.
Comfort/Fit:
Average comfort. The rubbery cable was very noticeable over the ear and raises up at times until pulled tighter with a shirt clip. Long-term comfort has been poor. After about an hour, I found that the area where the cable meets the body rubbed my ear the wrong way. Tips didn't seem to have too significant of an effect for comfort, though I did favor some more than others. In particular, I liked the stock clear tips that weren't quite as firm. I found that they tend to start slipping from my ears. I'm not sure if it's a result of the cable or something else. I tried to wear larger tips to offset the pull, but found that I couldn't handle the loss of comfort. Occasionally, I' would double check their positioning to make sure they are still in place. This was more of an issue when out and about than in the office.
Isolation/Leak:
Average to below average. Noisy locations will be noticeable. I found their isolation to be slightly less effective compared to the S5. Leak wasn't an issue.
Bass:
The moment I listened to the opening kick drum and first few bass string plucks in Jessica Lee Mayfield's - "Our Hearts Are Wrong", I knew that the bass and I were going to be at odds. That particular song is very bass heavy. The R3 does bring the quantity of bass in many tracks to manageable levels. This was one aspect that I appreciated for a number of bass heavy tracks; However, it was also the bane of bass light tracks.
As mentioned in the Cons, I found the bass to be two-faced or fractured. I tried my best to determine its cause, but wasn't able to pin it down in a way that I could explain in a clear fashion. In short, it seems certain frequencies are emphasized. It felt like there were peaks and valleys in the bass than had a very noticeable effect on impact and levels. It didn't seem like a clear line that is normally present where people can say, "Oh yeah, it has a mid bass hump and rolls off in the sub-bass which explains...blahblahblah." - Not the case here. Some songs had the low impact that they normally show, while it was next to non-existent in my other test tracks. I wish I could articulate it better. That said, there is a significant roll off in the sub-bass at about the 50 Hz mark. Below 30 is pretty much a black hole.
In this moment, as I listen to a number of tracks I find the duality. Some show nice, low impact. Others that should have the same feel like the kick drum or bass is hidden behind a glass panel or being hit by a pillow rather than a mallet.
One final beef was with the lack of texture. I found it really was missing that detail that comes with a more articulate bass. The overall tone felt smoothed over and pillowy.
Mids:
A nice forward presentation in the mids. It balances well still with the rest of the spectrum. A much desired addition following the soulless mids of the S5. As mentioned in the brief summary above, I find them slightly dry with a touch of warmth. It's a neutralish presentation of the mid range that in some ways reminds me of a less refined HE-560. One of my favorite signatures centers around the mids, so this was a nice change of pace from my generally bass oriented collection that includes the JVC FX-850, among others.
Treble:
Queen's song "Killer Queen" will pretty much violate my ears if a headphone/earphone is even a little hot, sibilant, etc. These do a pretty good job. Overall non-fatiguing but will undoubtedly be too lack-back for the treble lovers. Smooth, but still with a decent energy, particularly in the lower treble region. Not a whole lot of the sparkle. Hints of sibilance on already sibilant tracks, but that's normal.
Separation/Clarity/Detail:
I would say that it is a notch above average in this category. Decent separation and clarity. A bit thicker sounding than the S5 that suffered from a thin/recessed mid range that killed baby seals. Enough detail to satisfy. Without a doubt some loss of detail and clarity in the bass with roll off and fluffy presentation that lacks in texture and articulation.
Soundstage/Imaging:
The soundstage felt slightly more intimate than I've been used to but not in a cramped way. The positioning feels a intimate. This can be good and maybe a little bad for some live recordings. I'll explain way as it has to do with the way that I perceived the soundstage. The best way I can think to describe the shape is an taking a basketball and half way deflating just one hemisphere. The width sound above average, the behind depth the same. The forward depth, or the space in front of me seems as though its distance has been cut in half when compared to behind.
Source/Amping/Tips:
The R3 did seem to scale a bit. More important, for me, was the added power that seems to add a bit more life to the overall sound. :
- Audio-GD NFB-15
- Fiio X3 + Topping NX1 (Low gain, high was noisy and gave no play with the volume)
- Fiio X3 + C&C BH (Line 2, switches off, gain 'High').
- Rockboxed Sansa Clip+ (Forgot to experiment with attaching amps)
I didn't find a lot of difference when tip rolling. Insertion depth didn't change the sound enough so I ended up liking the stock, clear tips. They are comfortable and didn't negatively affect the sound. I thought a narrow bore might help the bass, but the effect was minor and inconsistent so I reverted.
Final Thoughts:
I want to say that I enjoy this earphone. It's far from perfect, but it has qualities that are becoming harder to find in a V-shaped market. The mid-centric presentation is a welcome addition to my collection. The bass can be a bit of a letdown on some tracks, but it can also be a boon in taming overly bass heavy tracks into submission. It can help you see your much listened to tracks in a new light. It suffers from some inevitable design issues, but overall a durable and enjoyable earphone. As I look at the $115 asking price on Amazon right now I asked myself the question, "Is it worth that price tag?" To some, yes. I think it would fit nicely into the $99 category, but what's $15 anyway?
thatBeatsguy
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Smooth, balanced sound. Brainwavz' signature unique look. Brainwavz' signature build.
Cons: Weird looks might deter some. Cable is pretty hefty and cumbersome.
Intro
TL;DR: Don't let its rather brutish looks fool you; the Brainwavz R3 is a smooth, gentle IEM that works especially well with acoustic genres, slow rock, and jazz.
Before I begin, I would like to thank Audrey at Brainwavz for providing the sample of the Brainwavz R3 in exchange for my honest opinion. Please note that I am neither affiliated with Brainwavz or any of its employees, nor am I being compensated for writing this review. All opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own unless otherwise specified, and all pictures are taken and owned by my sister. YMMV.
Well, it’s been a few weeks since my review of the S5s, and from that first impression of one of their IEMs, they’ve earned their place in my ‘Companies to Watch’ list. Though a lot of their IEMs, to my knowledge, lean towards a more consumer-friendly sound, they are no doubt of audiophile quality. Today, I’m going to be reviewing another of their high-end IEMs, and probably one of the most peculiar-looking IEMs I’ve ever seen, the dual-dynamic Brainwavz R3 Rev.2 (I’ll get to this later).
Anyhow, let’s get on to the IEMs. Shall we?
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.
[size=x-large]== Aesthetics ==[/size]
Packaging, Accessories
At first glance of the packaging, it’s clear that Brainwavz is proud of their design of the R3, as the box features a clear window from the front all the way through to the back of the box, with the R3’s housings suspended in a clear plastic mold, showcased proudly and rather enthusiastically, like a brand-new breakthrough in design or something along those lines. On the front you also see BRAINWAVZ R3 written with a tagline and a few of its main features. On the left side, you’ll see its specifications, and on the right are its accessories, and on the back is a cross-section diagram of the R3s’ housing along with a description of sorts.
Upon opening the package, you’ll find Brainwavz’ semi-hard case hidden from the light of day, housing the rest of the R3s and all of its accessories. I’m still pretty impressed with the plethora of eartips included in the package, which consists of six pairs of single-flange tips (one set in grey, the other in black, in S/M/L), one pair of double-flanged tips, one pair of triple-flanged tips, and a pair of Comply T500 foam eartips. So there you have it - nine pairs of eartips, all at your disposal along with the Brainwavz R3 and S5. Still pretty damn impressive. But that’s not all - you also get a nifty 1/4-inch adapter. In the previous version, there used to be an airline adapter supposedly - but in my case, I don’t think I would need it anyway, so that can be ignored. Frequent flyers, though, might have to buy their own airline adapter off a local Best Buy or some other electronics store.
Design, Build, Microphonics
You remember what I said about Brainwavz’ package being showcased like a design breakthrough? Well, I have got to hand it to Brainwavz, they have made one awesome breakthrough in design right here, and it’s sure to make anyone -- consumer or audiophile -- wonder how they manage to get these in their ears. (Not that it’s a bad thing, though -- they actually fit quite easily.)
Though the concept of dual dynamic drivers isn’t new (lately there have been a lot of popular options to choose from), how they’re implemented intrigued me.The two 10mm drivers are set up in a two-way configuration – one used for bass, the other for the rest of the audio spectrum. Again, this is not unusual, but then we move on to their placement. The two drivers are placed apart from and facing each other, pouring the sound into a ‘Sonic Chamber’ before it reaches your ears through a particularly long tube. At least, that’s what the diagram seems to tell me. It’s probably not as simple as it sounds, seeing as another dual dynamic IEM, the Audio-Technica ATH-CKR9 (and its older variant, the CKR10) shares a similarly-positioned pair of drivers…except for the fact that the CKRs’ drivers go for a ‘Push-Pull’ design in which one driver pushes the sound while the other pulls the sound to supposedly reduce distortion and improve sound quality (or something like that). Coming back to the R3s, it seems both drivers simply push sound into the sound chamber where the sound mixes to bring out the final product.
Moving on, we have the cable, which apparently consists of three sections: the main grey cable from the connector to the Y-split, a thinner grey cable from the Y-split to split (rather, splice), which transitions into a length of memory cable making the final stretch to the housings. This memory wire used to be a lot longer in the first version, but has been removed in the revision for better ergonomics and an easier fit.
Again, the team over at Brainwavz has impressed me with the excellent build quality of the R3s. From the solid machined aluminum housings to the strong extremely heavy-duty Y-split (see above), it’s clear Brainwavz made no compromises to the build quality of the R3 just as they did with the S5. The only gripe I have with the build is the cable. No, it’s not because of durability -- in fact, it’s probably one of the most solid cables I’ve had in my possession yet. My gripe with the cable is because it’s solid. It’s very thick -- reminding me of the cable on my old Beats Pro. Its thickness in turn makes them very difficult to manage. When they arrived, they were bound pretty tightly together by a wire, and when I undid the wire, I was greeted with an eyesore of a cable with folds and creases on every inch. Even as I write this, I’m still trying to straighten it out. Cable noise isn’t much different. Even with the over-ear design dulling it down, cable noise is still a bit of an issue due to the serious weight of the cable.
Fit, Comfort, Isolation
Now, I’m sure you’re still wondering if the bottle-like housings with a tube on the side would actually fit your ears. Well, I’m happy to report that it actually does. It did take a few minutes of fiddling at first, but it only takes a few tries to get accustomed to it. They’re pretty comfortable once they’re in your ears, though at times the housing does touch -- more like press on -- part of my ear when I don’t get them in right, which again is a nuisance, but it’s mostly just on me. Due to the housings being little more than a bottle with a tube sticking out of the side which goes into your ear, isolation leans toward average, but is nonetheless good enough for a walk in the park or at home. Don’t expect it to drown out much in a bus or the subway, though.
Also, something of note: the Brainwavz R3 can be worn straight-down; however the cable causes too much microphonics to be tolerable. That, and the R3 is considerably heavy with its thick cable and solid aluminum housings. I don’t know if you guys will like it -- maybe you will, maybe you won’t, but I most definitely will not wear these straight-down.
I hope I didn’t bore you yet with my explanations, because we’re just about to get to the sound. Bored yet? No? Great, now let’s move on.
[size=x-large]== Sound ==[/size]
Specs
Headphone Type
Closed back, vented in-ear monitor (straight down, around-the-ear)
Driver Type
10 mm dynamic x2
Frequency Response
16 Hz – 22 kHz
Rated Input Power
30 mW
Sensitivity
110 dB @ 1 mW
Impedance
32 Ω
Weight
N/A
Cable
1.3 m (4.2’) Copper Y-Cord
Connector
3.5 mm (1/8”) gold-plated 45-degree TRS
Accessories
Hard carrying case 3 pairs single-flange silicone eartips (grey, S/M/L)
3 pairs single-flange silicone eartips (black, S/M/L)
1 pair double-flange silicone eartips
1 pair triple-flange silicone eartips
1 pair Comply™ T-500 foam eartips
6.3 mm (1/4”) adapter
Equipment, Burn-in
The equipment used for this review consists of my iPod Touch, an iPad 3, and my PC through headphone-out as the sources, all running without an amp. The amp used in the test is a Yamaha RX-V359 through headphone-out. As for the EQ software being used, I use Viper4Windows on the PC and the default system EQ on the other sources. As always, my test tracks are available here, although I will link specific songs in the assessment for a more direct point of reference.
As per review “tradition,” the Brainwavz R3s have been burned in for at least 100 hours prior to the review, with occasional listening sessions in between for an average of an hour. So far, throughout the 100 hours of burn-in, there haven’t been any noticeable changes in sound. Also, the eartips I used are the L-sized grey single flanges throughout the review. So, without further ado, let’s get on to the sound!
Sound Quality
Bass:
Okay, let’s start off with the bass. As an IEM designed for the audiophile crowd, don’t expect the R3 to have elevated bass, because it doesn’t have that. However, what it does have is a smooth, swift low-end that is clearly made for its target audience. Its accurate, slightly warm tone reproduces low tones without overdoing anything. It also has a strong enough punch to satisfy most listeners who aren’t craving bass. In short, it’s a very addicting listen that works amazingly with cool, laid-back songs (Daft Punk –The Game of Love, Something About Us).
Midrange:
The Brainwavz R3’s midrange is sweet and rich – basically, it sounds great. It has a great amount of clarity with a slight warmth to it. It reproduces the midrange very well, and despite its mid-centric signature (more on this later), isn’t as forward as I expected. One of my favourite characteristics about it, though, is how they manage to blend really well with the bass (Coldplay –Sparks) – making a very cohesive and united sound signature.
Treble:
Brainwavz purposely tuned the R3 to have a smooth, laid-back treble, topping off the sound signature like the smooth foam on a latte (more on this analogy later). This laid-back signature gives the R3 a very relaxing signature that you can simply listen to for hours, which is a huge plus in my book. (Note: Technical mode ON) Though most laid-back treble usually sounds veiled and lacking detail, Brainwavz managed to counter that by tuning in a treble spike around 10 kHz. This allows the R3 to still retain great detail retrieval even with its laid-back treble (technical mode OFF).
Soundstage/Presentation:
Apparently Brainwavz’ “Sound Chamber” technology actually does affect the R3’s sound signature – specifically, its soundstage. It’s very wide, airy, and expansive, which you usually don’t get to hear very often in an earphone, so that’s a huge plus. Live, acoustic, and classical recordings really come to life on the Brainwavz R3. However, I did notice instruments were projected (or “sound like” in layman’s terms) onto a narrow arc in front of you, instead of all around you. It’s a little quirk there that might not be as appealing to the more finicky listeners, but it’s not too much of a big deal.
Genre Proficiency:
The Brainwavz R3, as I’ve said earlier, works amazingly well with cool, laid-back genres, synergising well with its laid-back sound. Stuff like Coldplay, Daft Punk’s slower works, classical, anything that’s slow or has a relaxing vibe – the Brainwavz R3 performs spectacularly. However, it’s hardly finicky with genres and will play anything you throw at it very well.
Summary:
The Brainwavz R3’s sound is something I could liken to a nice latte – smooth, rich, creamy, sweet, and with just the right kick from the coffee. I’m sure from this, you can put two and two together, so there’s not much to say other than it’s great if the R3’s sound is what you’re looking for. Bassheads will have to look elsewhere, because the R3 is definitely an audiophile IEM.
Other Media
Games:
The R3 isn’t bad with games. Sure, its detail retrieval is great for getting an edge over the competition, but its rather congested presentation takes a hit to their imaging capabilities. All in all, they’re not something I’d use for competitive gaming.
Movies:
The R3’s smooth, balanced signature allows it to play along with pretty much any type of movie, from epic action scenes to heart-wrenching drama moments. I find they perform better with quieter movies, just as they do well with laid-back music.
EQ Response, Amplification
The R3, in my opinion, doesn’t really respond well to EQ (rather, basic EQ presets), though with a more advanced EQ like Electri-Q or Viper4Windows, you can EQ them to be completely flat, which, surprisingly, is very easy to do. But once I did that, man, oh man. The results were amazing. Probably the only downside to this is having to go through rather extensive tweaking and listening to get the sound just right, but otherwise they’re perfectly fine. At an impedance rating of about 32 ohms, they do need a bit more power to drive than, say, the S5 IEMs. At lower volumes, their midrange sounds rather muffled, and both ends of the spectrum also lose some detail. With extra power, though, the midrange comes forward, and with enough power, the bass suddenly begins to sound pretty damn impressive. You can really feel the sub-bass notes come alive and make the entire signature come together to no short of amazing. I don’t have a dedicated headphone amp as of yet, but now I begin to realize just how much I need one.
As much as I like the S5s for what they are, they just don't compare with their slightly more expensive siblings - or at least not for my tastes. Yes, the S5 offers an excellent bass punch that the R3s can't match and for some genres that's an instant trump card, but the R3's balance won me over permanently and left the S5s sounding peaky and occasionally unnatural to my ears. For wide-ranging musical tastes or those who listen to rock, blues or jazz I would recommend the R3 every time over the S5 despite it's funkier fit and higher price.
HiFiMan RE272 Unfortunately I sold my RE272s shortly prior to the R3s arriving, but at around half the price of the RE272's when they were new (if memory serves), the R3 is an excellent replacement. There's no doubt that the RE272 offered superior transparency and separation over the R3, but the R3 is a smoother listen and has much better bass presence than the RE272 so it's a fair trade in my mind. To be honest, if I had the 2 sitting side-by-side I would probably reach for the R3 on almost every occasion because of it's smoother presentation and fuller bass note.
Summary The R3 is an outstanding earphone for the $139 price tag. I would definitely recommend trying a pair before you buy them if you tend to have fit issues like me, but when worn cable-down the R3s are easy to fit so that might solve any concerns if you're happy to wear them cable-down.
I haven't heard a lot of budget IEMs and there are some awesome options out there, but of those I have tried, the R3s are among the most enjoyable of the lot and definitely might be the most neutrally voiced of the lot. If you're looking to spend <$150 on a pair of IEMs and you want an IEM that can handle wide-ranging genres while providing a smooth and natural presentation then the R3s are a must try!
DannyBai
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Even keeled sound, nice build, excellent bundle of accessories
Cons: Thick cable and large Y-split if it really is a con.
I was provide a review sample and would like to thank Salsera and Brainwavz/MP4Nation.
The R3 V.2 is a dual dynamic barrel shaped iem from Brainwavz. Probably the oddest looking earphone on the market but surprisingly, I had no problem with fit. The shape actually works well with the looping over ear design and the earphones stay in place without much issue. The housings look and feel of aluminum and are light in weight. They are actually very comfortable while in use. Cables are rather thick especially from Y-split down to the 3.5mm jack. From the Y-split up to the housings have been redesigned and are much better than the original version. Cables seem to stay in place quite well around the ears and the thickness wasn’t much of a bother for me. The 3.5mm jack has a nice 45 degree angle in which I have come to appreciate in design. Only gripe although minor is the overall thickness of the cable and bigger than average Y-split.
Moving on to the sound, these have a nice balanced signature. Bass doesn’t hit with great impact, won’t reach to the lowest of the lows or hit you with forceful mid-bass punch. Bass has good presence but isn’t the tightest and sounds a bit soft from what I’m use to. The S5 from Brainwavz reaches lower, has bigger impact and makes a much greater presence in the music. For those who find the S5 to have too much bass, the R3 might be more appealing. Overall, I find the bass to fit with the signature these earphones are going for. These earphones have a wide and deep soundstage, some of the biggest I’ve heard. This can be good or bad on the vocals, depending on preference. The staging distances the vocals several rows back so it isn’t up front. I find them a little recessed and I mean little because they can be clearly heard and is not hidden from the rest of the music. I honestly couldn’t nitpick if male or female vocals sounded better since both sounded just fine for me. But, vocal trance sounded quite nice. Treble is very relaxed and there isn’t even a hint of fatigue, sibilance or the dreaded “sss” in the vocal region. Treble is smooth and possibly could use a little more for added sparkle. Somewhere between the R3 and S5 would be lovely. The smooth and non-fatiguing treble still clearly presents the details in the music. Instrument placement can be best pictured as if the listener is sitting in a large theatre compared to say a small intimate club. This is more of a surround sound listening experience.
In conclusion, I find the R3 V2 to be an even keeled sounding earphone that really doesn’t have much fault. Nothing to really complain about, even with the thick cable and all. I’m not too much of a nitpicker but I would think most would find this earphone to sound just fine. No huge bass to complain about or peaky treble or too recessed vocals. Fit’s fine if people can ignore the odd design and give it a try.
kova4a
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: solid build quality; balanced smooth and natural sound; 2-year warranty
Cons: rubbery cable prone to memory kinks; fit can be an issue for some people
First off, I have to thank again Brainwavz and Audrey for this R3 unit
Packaging and Accessories
The packaging is quite straightforward. There are plastic windows both at the front and the back of the box showcasing the shiny metal housings of the R3. Below the front window is embossed Brainwavz R3 and a very basic description – Twin Driver Configuration, Bass & Clarity and Rugged Metal Housing Design. Can’t disagree with that but maybe Smooth & Balanced would have been a bit more accurate description but more on that later.
On the back of the box there is a bit more detailed description of the R3 and its design.
On the sides of the package are listed its contents and R3’s specs.
It’s a fairly nice presentation overall.
Inside the box reside the R3 and the Brainwavz case. I’ve mentioned multiple times that this is my favorite iem case. It’s quite tough and specious and can easily fit a pair of iems and a small DAP like a Sansa. Inside one of the red pockets there is a nice quarter inch adapter and small gray bag with the included tips. There are 2 different types of single flange tips. Black ones made of a touch thicker silicone and gray ones, which are softer and have a slightly wider bore. The single flange silicone tips come in 3 sizes. There is also a pair of bi-flange and a pair of tri-flange tips, which come in only one size. As usual with Brainwavz a pair of comply foam tips packaged separately is included to complete the package.
Build Quality, Design and Fit
The R3 is a quite solid iem with robust metal housings and a thick rugged cable. The cable is a bit memory prone and rubbery though and while I don’t mind its thickness or weight I would have preferred if it had smoother sleeving and was more pliable and easier to keep straight.
The strain reliefs are substantial and again some people might call the Y-splitter over-engineered but it’s fine by me.
The j-plug is also on the bulky side but I’m a huge fan of j-plugs and it looks capable of withstanding quite a bit of abuse, so I can’t complain. If anything it completes the overall tough looks of the R3.
Design-wise it only takes a quick glance at the R3 to realize that it’s not your average iem. Its design is quite unique and I have to admit that when the R3 was first announced I wasn’t impressed and right away commented that people will have issue with the fit with such a design. It’s eye catching though and people often stare at the housing more than a couple of seconds.
Surprisingly despite my initial reservations and worries about the fit it turned out fine. I haven’t tried the old R3 version with the long memory-wires but this revised one actually fits me quite well. The fit is secure and isolation is good. It did take me quite a bit of tip rolling but finally settled on the stock bi-flanges both for the comfort and the sound.
The R3 can also be worn straight but the fit will be less secure due to the weight of the cable pulling the housings down.
There is a very mild driver flex with certain tips particularly on the left earpiece. Microphonics are very low when worn cable up.
Sound
The R3 has over 100 hours of burn-in at the time of writing this review.
For a dual dynamic driver iem that has a separate driver to reproduce the low frequencies the R3 quite surprised me. Its bass is quite flat and balanced. It is well-rounded with good control but is a bit on the polite side – softer on the impact and lacking some depth. The lower extension is not bad but after 50hz the bass gradually rolls off. Overall I like R3’s bass although I would have liked if it was a bit tighter and harder hitting but given the overall smooth and non-fatiguing presentation of the R3 it fits well with the rest of the spectrum. In comparison the Brainwavz S5 has a lot bigger but also less controlled and muddier bass bleeding into the mids.
The mids are well balanced with the bass and also relatively flat. Both male and female vocals have very nice presence and sweet tone. The R3 actually sounds a bit mid-centric but I don’t mind that as this type of signature is harder and harder to find. The tonality is slightly on the warm side but still what I would call neutral-ish. Instruments have nice timbre and despite the slightly thick note presentation sound natural and realistic. Detail retrieval is actually pretty good but clarity is a bit behind in comparison to some of the competition. In comparison brainwavz’s own S5 is noticeably clearer due to its thinner note presentation and treble emphasis but is also a lot less natural sounding and more fatiguing. The R3 instead is smoother lusher sounding.
The highs are a bit laid back but very well extended and smooth. The lower treble has enough energy to keeps things exciting without getting harsh or fatiguing. There is plenty of shimmer but I wouldn’t have minded a bit more sparkle. The treble is not prone to pointing out sibilance. In comparison the S5 with its more emphasized and peaky highs is noticeably harsher and more artificial sounding.
The R3 is full and airy sounding. Imaging is very good with both width and depth above average. Positioning is quite good. Instrument separation is very good with plenty of space between the instruments. Overall, the R3 sounds pretty spacious, especially for a mid-centric iem, which usually tend to be more on the intimate side.
Summary
R3 and its little brother R1
Brainwavz R3 has quite the surprising sound for a dual dynamic driver iem. Owning the Brainwavz R1 I expected a lot different sound but it’s heads and shoulders above its smaller dual dynamic brother R1. I’m not going to lie, I would also pick it over the Brainwavz’s other higher-end iem the S5 any day of the week. While the S5 will most likely impress a lot more people at first listen with its big bass and clarity, the R3 with its more balanced, smoother and mature sound is the iem that really impresses.
The R3 is a very solid performer sound-wise with a very solid build quality to boot. If it wasn’t for Audrey I probably would have given it a pass worried about the fit and all the people complaining about it. Maybe the memory wires on the old version were really horrible – I can’t comment on that but they are gone now and what is left is an iem that deserves to be given a second chance.
twister6
twister6 Reviews
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: build quality, included accessories, great sound separation
Cons: cable, would prefer memory wire back, fitment
Since I was among the early adopters of this updated 2.0 version of R3, I already posted a detailed review with pictures in the original R3 review thread. Therefore, I'm just going to provide a link to my R3 v2.0 review: http://www.head-fi.org/products/brainwavz-r3-dual-dynamic-driver-earphones/reviews/11456
Audiophile1811
500+ Head-Fier
Introduction – As the top-of-the-line earphone of the young company Brainwavz, the R3 has a quite a lot on its shoulders. Utilizing a relatively new dual-dynamic driver configuration, uncommon with most headphones on the market, Brainwavz has chosen this design for its very best headphone. Bold as it is, this design has been successful in many budget-based sets such as the Havi B3 Pro-1 and TTPOD’s T1 series. The R3’s, then, promise a lot considering they cost twice and even three times as much as the aforementioned earphones. So do they deliver for the price? The answer is yes… and no. But this is best explained throughout my review so if you’re interested, simply read on and find out why.
Disclaimer – This is a free review unit delivered to me for the purpose of this review. I am not affiliated with Brainwavz in any way and will stay objective as possible throughout this review. Huge thanks to Audrey at Brainwavz for sending these out to me, it’s quite a privilege. All photos were taken by me.
Specifications:
- 10mm Dual-Dynamic drivers (Passive Crossover)
- Impedance: 32 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 95dB
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
- Rated Input Power: 2mW
- Cable: OFC Copper, 1.3 meters/4.25 ft.
Packaging & Accessories: The R3’s have slightly unconventional packaging that presents the headphones and its cable through clear plastic windows on either side of the box. Inside you’ll find a plethora of tips (9 pairs in total) which include 6 pairs of single-flange silicone tips (3 pairs gray, 3 pairs black), a single pair of bi-flange and triple-flange tips, and a pair of Comply T500 tips. Also included is a ¼ inch adapter, a hard zip-case, and a 1-year warranty card (box says 2 years, don’t know which to believe). Brainwavz has been very generous with their accessories and deserve credit for being thoughtful with their ear tips.
Build & Design: Brainwavz has gone very out-of-the-box with the design of the R3. They’ve used a tubular housing for the drivers and a 90° angle nozzle that sticks straight out of the center. This means each driver faces each other within a divided enclosure and each band of frequencies meet inside the nozzle creating a uniform sound. Internal details aside, the aluminum housings feel extremely rugged throughout. However, cable quality is questionable. The 4-inch black portion of the cable is higher quality than the remaining grey section and is the only part that doesn’t suffer from kinks or memory. But since most of the cable does, it’s a wonder why Brainwavz didn’t just make the entire cable consistent (or thinner for that matter). But this is nitpicking because the R3’s seem very durable. The real problems come when wearing the R3’s.
Comfort & Fit: I have small ears, which means I also have problems with earphones, even the most comfortable. Brainwavz sought to remedy this dilemma for those like me but haven’t entirely succeeded. The R3’s are utilize an over-ear design but the housings are heavy and the nozzles are large. This causes them to fall out of place and need adjustment often. Strain reliefs are a bit stiff below the housings (fine on the Y-split & 3.5mm jack) and combined with their vertical position the cable very tricky to place behind the ear, as they were intended. But the worst part is the cable that is simply too thick and heavy for an IEM. The sheer weight and size of the cable can make it cumbersome and difficult to wear under clothing (also due to its rubbery texture). When worn with the right ear tips the R3’s are relatively comfortable but suffer from their awkward design and cable. With this in mind, the R3’s will suit some but definitely not others, so be cautious if your ears have given you trouble in the past.
Microphonics: For such a large cable, microphonics were not as bad as I expected. Cable noise is well controlled when worn over-ear but is fairly distracting cable-down. The included cinch does a good job of keeping cable noise down in either configuration too.
Isolation: There is a surprising level of noise attenuation when wearing the R3’s. They isolate very well outdoors and reduce environmental noise enough for non-distractive (but safe) listening. I consider this a strength of the R3’s overall.
----------Sound----------
Equipment & Background – For the sound portion of this review I will be using an Audinst HUD-MX1 amp/DAC combo as my primary “reference” source, a Topping NX-1 portable amplifier, and a Sansa Fuze as a portable source. All my impressions are done indoors with an over-ear headphone for added isolation resulting in almost silent listening with no audible distractions. My library consists of FLAC and high bit-rate MP3 files. The R3’s were also burned-in over 100hrs before review.
Bass: With a mid-forward sound signature the bass on the R3’s are not boosted or enhanced like many V-shaped sets on the market. Instead, lows are much mellower and have a pleasant musical warmth throughout. And while they don’t extend too far down there is enough sub-bass for an engaging listen. Bass is tight, controlled, and well-rounded and never once feels loose or bloated. However, it should be noted that the lows on the R3 are fairly soft in nature which means they won’t deliver the same visceral impact compared to sets with large mid-bass humps. That said, bass is always engaging and very punchy when required. Smoothness is another quality of the bass that becomes noticeable with fast, heavy music genres (those of which are not entirely suited for the R3). But those who prefer a mid-forward signature will appreciate the manner with which the R3’s handle bass notes. They are never distracting and don’t steal the attention of the listener; they provide enough energy to strike an excellent balance with the midrange and treble. Bass reproduction is one of the biggest strengths of the R3’s (in my opinion) due to their laid-back presence.
Mids: Moving upwards, the midrange holds a good few surprises. As mentioned before, the R3’s are mid forward overall. But this does not make them fatiguing or offensive to listen to as many other users have experienced with many other mid forward sets. Instead, the R3’s mids are not aggressive or rich, just forward enough to focus its sound on one particular part of the frequency spectrum. The primary advantage here are mids that are both clear and smooth. The balance between the two is obvious but the mids generally lean towards smoothness more than anything else. Vocalists demonstrate this best as they lack detail in parts of both the lower and upper-midrange; Both male and female vocalist suffer the effects of this coloration which was likely created by frequency dips in both regions. In terms of quality, the midrange is neither lifelike nor is it the most natural. Despite this there is no lack of finesse to the mids, just slightly lacking in accuracy. It will easily satisfy all but the extreme detail lover with its creamy, effortless nature but it won’t please anybody in sheer quality alone.
Treble: The last piece of the (frequency) puzzle lies in the R3’s treble. Highs are, yet again, very smooth but also more revealing and detailed than any frequencies below it. While not bright, there is an unexpected level of clarity up top considering the soft, genial character of the bass and midrange. Details come through with percussive instruments with natural timbre and good sparkle but without harshness. This lack of harshness prevents any sibilance from occurring even with the most aggressive vocalists and the worst recordings. Extension is considerably impressive as well, with frequencies extending up to 15kHz and gently rolling-off afterwards. And although consistency is lacking in areas, the treble is still up to par with more expensive earphones in its price range. For what it does best (i.e. bass) and what its focus is (i.e. mids), the top end of the R3’s are surprisingly good; They can suit the needs of almost any listener and any genre.
Presentation: The R3’s present their sound in a way that’s both engaging and involving. Soundstage is a little predictable for a mid-centric IEM as it has a tendency to place vocals and most of the midrange very close to the listener. This gives the effect of having music performed directly in front of you, but not in a way that it becomes tiring over time. The result is a soundstage with only average depth overall. Height is improved over depth but width is where the R3’s begin to open up. Wide spatial cues are thrown out far on either side of the head while still maintaining easy localization. The result is an intimate presentation that is more spacious than their sound signature would suggest. Bass is centered, vocals are intimate, treble is airy, and music is simply a joy to experience. Most will find their unique presentation and signature very pleasant no matter what genre of music preferred.
Ear Tips & Insertion Sensitivity: The R3’s can be a little picky with ear tips as their nozzle is a slightly larger than average. Even the included tips require a little force to fit onto the nozzle. But this doesn’t inhibit tip-rolling with the R3’s as they are quite flexible. Sound can be adjusted to have either a thicker, warmer sound or a more neutral one depending on the tip fitted: Single flanges will achieve the former while the included double-flanges will achieve the latter. And since insertion is neither shallow nor deep some tips will stay in place and others will not. As mentioned in the Comfort & Fit section, this will depend on your ears more than anything else.
Power, Sensitivity, and Source Performance: The R3’s are a very drivable earphone that respond well with most sources. Low output devices should have no trouble driving them although they may require a little more volume to acquire listenable levels. A more powerful source, such as a dedicated amplifier, will yield better results in terms of volume and quality.
Value: For $129 the Brainwavz R3 is a peculiar earphone that combines an unusual design with a consumer friendly sound. The R3 balances a mid-forward signature with a wide presentation but loses out in areas of detail and accuracy. But its main weakness is its design and fit. Their tubular housings are difficult to wear for long periods without adjustment and that’s if they’re comfortable to begin with. The cable’s large profile also causes issues as it prevents the R3’s from fitting inside a pant pocket, making them a little inconvenient to transport. Overall however, the R3 is still relatively good value if you can get past its flaws. And if you enjoy a smooth, musical sound you’ll be in for a pleasant surprise.
I hope this review will be useful to those who read through it. Please leave any suggestions or advice you may have in the comments below. Everyone’s input will help me improve my reviews and make it easier to adapt my reviews for as wide an audience as possible. Thanks for reading and happy listening!
Wokei
Nice review ..well done
Audiophile1811
Thanks @Wokei
Kamakahah
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Durable build quality. Clear and non-fatiguing. Good overall balance.
Cons: Thick, rubbery cable. Two-faced bass. Long-term comfort
Admittedly, I took far too long to post this review. I wanted to try a different approach that involved becoming accustomed to the signature followed by a period without them, and then a reintroduction. It's been about six weeks since I received the unit. I've done week long periods with and without them.
The reason for this decision was two fold:
1. It's the first dual dynamic IEM that I've given significant head time.
2. There were/are some awkward inconsistencies with the sound signature that I was/am hearing. It was my hope at the time to be able to narrow the the reasons behind them. More on this later.
After realizing that I had too many notes and they were harder for me to characterize than originally anticipated, I decided to write this review while listening to them after a short break and give my overall thoughts from this session. My previous notes will still be a factor in what I write, but hopefully this gives more clarity to my thoughts.
Again, I'd like to thank Brainwavz for the opportunity to review these. As others did, I received a review pair to keep similar to the S5. It's a nice gesture of confidence in the Head-Fi community.
In similar fashion, I'll avoid adding pictures and statistics that a quick Google search can provide.
All the usual qualifiers apply: IMO, YMMV, OMGWTFBBQ, ROFLCOPTER. This is just my experience. Yours might be different.
For those that don't like to wade through the paragraphs of information that most reviews provide, here is a succinct synopsis:
Bass: Can vary greatly. Overall lower-quantity with a softer impact. Occasionally comes out to play. See below for more details.
Mids: Pretty clear. Non-fatiguing. Present and slightly forward. Much less , "life has been sucked out" than the S5 but with slightly dry presentation. A touch of warmth. Quite enjoyable.
Treble: Nice lower treble energy. Non-fatiguing but hits of sibilance depending on the track. Smooth and laid back, maybe overly so for some.
Soundstage/Imaging: Good width, and back depth. Shallow forward depth. Can feel intimate as a result, but not cramped.
Separation/Clarity/Detail: Decent separation and good clarity if not a little thick sounding. Good detail in the mids. Lows are too fluffy for my taste. Highs lacking micro details from smoothing
Tips: Find whatever is comfortable. Didn't lead to a ton of variation as it normally does for me. Used the stock, clear tips.
Source/Amping: Some noticeable scaling, specifically with additional power to add a bit more life and energy to the sound. A clear source with good texture seems best, IMO.
Isolation: Slightly below average. Not great isolation, but doesn't leak.
Overall: Enjoyable. A stand out addition in a pack of "V's." Clunky build, but durable. A solid buy at $99. At $115+ you'll want to be sure it's what you're after.
Initial Impressions:
From my notes 6 weeks ago, I thought they sounded clear with a nice sense of balance. I found the bass to be soft and lacking texture. The mid range was enticing, forward, a little dry, but enjoyable.
Methodology:
I gave them 5 hours of listening the first day to become accustomed to the signature. They were then burned in for quite some time using set of burn-in tracks with mixed tracks, pink noise, and 5 minute breaks every hour on repeat.
They were burned in for over 300 hours in total throughout the process. I initially began my process after ~150 hours as per my usual. I continued to listen to other headphones/earphones.
Then, as mentioned above, I took week long breaks. I also spent full weeks only listening to the R3. My reasons for this will be further discussed in the following sections.
Listening was done casually at home and while out shopping. Detailed listening was done in a quiet office. A/B testing done as well with different gear and Fiio HS2 used occasionally for quick switching of sources or headphones.
I avoided reading any other reviews before writing this one to avoid bias.
Chains used:
1. PC USB/Optical>>>Audio GD NFB-15>>>R3
2. Fiio X3>>>(Topping NX1/C&C BH)>>>R3
3. Rockboxed Sansa Clip+>>>(Topping NX1/C&C BH)>>>R3
4. HTC One M8>>>R3
Tips used: Supplied tips, JVC spiral tips, Sony hybrids, Sennheiser double flange.
Test tracks: Many albums in my collection were listened to in full with a number of mixed in individual tracks, but here are a few specific tracks used.
Track formats included 256-320kbps mp3, FLAC, WAV files and a few youtube videos for variety.
- Jessica Lee Mayfield - Nervous Lonely Night : The first minute of this song can tell me a lot about a can. This will seem odd, but the pencil tapping at the start tells me a ton about timbre and a bit about depth. The generally forward vocals of the entire "Tell me" album help point out recessed mids quickly. The bass comes in strong with lots of quantity and impact to let me judge the low end presence and texture. I could go on. It's just a track that works for me.
- Queen - Killer Queen : One of my sibilance test tracks, though it's much more than that. It's another track that can really let you individually identify a spectrum of specific quality attributes or flaws.
- Paramore - Hallelujah : The recording/mastering, whatever, sounds just terrible on the deluxe mp3 version that I have. I use it to test how forgiving a can is.
- Pantera - Cowboys from Hell; Cemetery Gates; Floods : It's Pantera. No more explanation needed.
- Lisa Hannigan - Live from the Troubadour in W.Hollywood. : This is a special recording that I have from a live concert I attended. I'm frighteningly familiar with the venue/performance and how it should sound. I use this to judge soundstage, imaging, timbre and separation.
- Rage Against The Machine - People of the Sun : Bass.
- Metallica - (Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth / One/ etc - Lots of reasons
- Lana Del Rey - Lolita/National Anthem/Carmen : Lots of reasons but in general for her vocals that can sound like thick, warm syrup.
- Geographer - Kites : I like this for cohesion. Some cans make it sound disjointed or all jumbled up.
- Filipe Melo · Ana Cláudia // Spiegel im spiegel (Arvo Pärt) : It's beautiful. Noise test. Timbre. Naturalness.
- Girl Talk - Let it Out : It's fun.
- Dr. Chesky - The Ultimate Headphone Demonstration Disc - Soundstage, imaging, dynamics, etc.
- Many, more.
Build Quality & Acessories:
Oh Jetpack. It's awkward. The cable is a heavy, bouncy, rubbery monstrosity. Plenty of nice accessories included, solid 10/10 in my mind. The bulky shell may or may not affect your fit depending on ear shape.
Comfort/Fit:
Average comfort. The rubbery cable was very noticeable over the ear and raises up at times until pulled tighter with a shirt clip. Long-term comfort has been poor. After about an hour, I found that the area where the cable meets the body rubbed my ear the wrong way. Tips didn't seem to have too significant of an effect for comfort, though I did favor some more than others. In particular, I liked the stock clear tips that weren't quite as firm. I found that they tend to start slipping from my ears. I'm not sure if it's a result of the cable or something else. I tried to wear larger tips to offset the pull, but found that I couldn't handle the loss of comfort. Occasionally, I' would double check their positioning to make sure they are still in place. This was more of an issue when out and about than in the office.
Isolation/Leak:
Average to below average. Noisy locations will be noticeable. I found their isolation to be slightly less effective compared to the S5. Leak wasn't an issue.
Bass:
The moment I listened to the opening kick drum and first few bass string plucks in Jessica Lee Mayfield's - "Our Hearts Are Wrong", I knew that the bass and I were going to be at odds. That particular song is very bass heavy. The R3 does bring the quantity of bass in many tracks to manageable levels. This was one aspect that I appreciated for a number of bass heavy tracks; However, it was also the bane of bass light tracks.
As mentioned in the Cons, I found the bass to be two-faced or fractured. I tried my best to determine its cause, but wasn't able to pin it down in a way that I could explain in a clear fashion. In short, it seems certain frequencies are emphasized. It felt like there were peaks and valleys in the bass than had a very noticeable effect on impact and levels. It didn't seem like a clear line that is normally present where people can say, "Oh yeah, it has a mid bass hump and rolls off in the sub-bass which explains...blahblahblah." - Not the case here. Some songs had the low impact that they normally show, while it was next to non-existent in my other test tracks. I wish I could articulate it better. That said, there is a significant roll off in the sub-bass at about the 50 Hz mark. Below 30 is pretty much a black hole.
In this moment, as I listen to a number of tracks I find the duality. Some show nice, low impact. Others that should have the same feel like the kick drum or bass is hidden behind a glass panel or being hit by a pillow rather than a mallet.
One final beef was with the lack of texture. I found it really was missing that detail that comes with a more articulate bass. The overall tone felt smoothed over and pillowy.
Mids:
A nice forward presentation in the mids. It balances well still with the rest of the spectrum. A much desired addition following the soulless mids of the S5. As mentioned in the brief summary above, I find them slightly dry with a touch of warmth. It's a neutralish presentation of the mid range that in some ways reminds me of a less refined HE-560. One of my favorite signatures centers around the mids, so this was a nice change of pace from my generally bass oriented collection that includes the JVC FX-850, among others.
Treble:
Queen's song "Killer Queen" will pretty much violate my ears if a headphone/earphone is even a little hot, sibilant, etc. These do a pretty good job. Overall non-fatiguing but will undoubtedly be too lack-back for the treble lovers. Smooth, but still with a decent energy, particularly in the lower treble region. Not a whole lot of the sparkle. Hints of sibilance on already sibilant tracks, but that's normal.
Separation/Clarity/Detail:
I would say that it is a notch above average in this category. Decent separation and clarity. A bit thicker sounding than the S5 that suffered from a thin/recessed mid range that killed baby seals. Enough detail to satisfy. Without a doubt some loss of detail and clarity in the bass with roll off and fluffy presentation that lacks in texture and articulation.
Soundstage/Imaging:
The soundstage felt slightly more intimate than I've been used to but not in a cramped way. The positioning feels a intimate. This can be good and maybe a little bad for some live recordings. I'll explain way as it has to do with the way that I perceived the soundstage. The best way I can think to describe the shape is an taking a basketball and half way deflating just one hemisphere. The width sound above average, the behind depth the same. The forward depth, or the space in front of me seems as though its distance has been cut in half when compared to behind.
Source/Amping/Tips:
The R3 did seem to scale a bit. More important, for me, was the added power that seems to add a bit more life to the overall sound. :
- Audio-GD NFB-15
- Fiio X3 + Topping NX1 (Low gain, high was noisy and gave no play with the volume)
- Fiio X3 + C&C BH (Line 2, switches off, gain 'High').
- Rockboxed Sansa Clip+ (Forgot to experiment with attaching amps)
I didn't find a lot of difference when tip rolling. Insertion depth didn't change the sound enough so I ended up liking the stock, clear tips. They are comfortable and didn't negatively affect the sound. I thought a narrow bore might help the bass, but the effect was minor and inconsistent so I reverted.
Final Thoughts:
I want to say that I enjoy this earphone. It's far from perfect, but it has qualities that are becoming harder to find in a V-shaped market. The mid-centric presentation is a welcome addition to my collection. The bass can be a bit of a letdown on some tracks, but it can also be a boon in taming overly bass heavy tracks into submission. It can help you see your much listened to tracks in a new light. It suffers from some inevitable design issues, but overall a durable and enjoyable earphone. As I look at the $115 asking price on Amazon right now I asked myself the question, "Is it worth that price tag?" To some, yes. I think it would fit nicely into the $99 category, but what's $15 anyway?
thatBeatsguy
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Smooth, balanced sound. Brainwavz' signature unique look. Brainwavz' signature build.
Cons: Weird looks might deter some. Cable is pretty hefty and cumbersome.
Intro
TL;DR: Don't let its rather brutish looks fool you; the Brainwavz R3 is a smooth, gentle IEM that works especially well with acoustic genres, slow rock, and jazz.
Before I begin, I would like to thank Audrey at Brainwavz for providing the sample of the Brainwavz R3 in exchange for my honest opinion. Please note that I am neither affiliated with Brainwavz or any of its employees, nor am I being compensated for writing this review. All opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own unless otherwise specified, and all pictures are taken and owned by my sister. YMMV.
Well, it’s been a few weeks since my review of the S5s, and from that first impression of one of their IEMs, they’ve earned their place in my ‘Companies to Watch’ list. Though a lot of their IEMs, to my knowledge, lean towards a more consumer-friendly sound, they are no doubt of audiophile quality. Today, I’m going to be reviewing another of their high-end IEMs, and probably one of the most peculiar-looking IEMs I’ve ever seen, the dual-dynamic Brainwavz R3 Rev.2 (I’ll get to this later).
Anyhow, let’s get on to the IEMs. Shall we?
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.
[size=x-large]== Aesthetics ==[/size]
Packaging, Accessories
At first glance of the packaging, it’s clear that Brainwavz is proud of their design of the R3, as the box features a clear window from the front all the way through to the back of the box, with the R3’s housings suspended in a clear plastic mold, showcased proudly and rather enthusiastically, like a brand-new breakthrough in design or something along those lines. On the front you also see BRAINWAVZ R3 written with a tagline and a few of its main features. On the left side, you’ll see its specifications, and on the right are its accessories, and on the back is a cross-section diagram of the R3s’ housing along with a description of sorts.
Upon opening the package, you’ll find Brainwavz’ semi-hard case hidden from the light of day, housing the rest of the R3s and all of its accessories. I’m still pretty impressed with the plethora of eartips included in the package, which consists of six pairs of single-flange tips (one set in grey, the other in black, in S/M/L), one pair of double-flanged tips, one pair of triple-flanged tips, and a pair of Comply T500 foam eartips. So there you have it - nine pairs of eartips, all at your disposal along with the Brainwavz R3 and S5. Still pretty damn impressive. But that’s not all - you also get a nifty 1/4-inch adapter. In the previous version, there used to be an airline adapter supposedly - but in my case, I don’t think I would need it anyway, so that can be ignored. Frequent flyers, though, might have to buy their own airline adapter off a local Best Buy or some other electronics store.
Design, Build, Microphonics
You remember what I said about Brainwavz’ package being showcased like a design breakthrough? Well, I have got to hand it to Brainwavz, they have made one awesome breakthrough in design right here, and it’s sure to make anyone -- consumer or audiophile -- wonder how they manage to get these in their ears. (Not that it’s a bad thing, though -- they actually fit quite easily.)
Though the concept of dual dynamic drivers isn’t new (lately there have been a lot of popular options to choose from), how they’re implemented intrigued me.The two 10mm drivers are set up in a two-way configuration – one used for bass, the other for the rest of the audio spectrum. Again, this is not unusual, but then we move on to their placement. The two drivers are placed apart from and facing each other, pouring the sound into a ‘Sonic Chamber’ before it reaches your ears through a particularly long tube. At least, that’s what the diagram seems to tell me. It’s probably not as simple as it sounds, seeing as another dual dynamic IEM, the Audio-Technica ATH-CKR9 (and its older variant, the CKR10) shares a similarly-positioned pair of drivers…except for the fact that the CKRs’ drivers go for a ‘Push-Pull’ design in which one driver pushes the sound while the other pulls the sound to supposedly reduce distortion and improve sound quality (or something like that). Coming back to the R3s, it seems both drivers simply push sound into the sound chamber where the sound mixes to bring out the final product.
Moving on, we have the cable, which apparently consists of three sections: the main grey cable from the connector to the Y-split, a thinner grey cable from the Y-split to split (rather, splice), which transitions into a length of memory cable making the final stretch to the housings. This memory wire used to be a lot longer in the first version, but has been removed in the revision for better ergonomics and an easier fit.
Again, the team over at Brainwavz has impressed me with the excellent build quality of the R3s. From the solid machined aluminum housings to the strong extremely heavy-duty Y-split (see above), it’s clear Brainwavz made no compromises to the build quality of the R3 just as they did with the S5. The only gripe I have with the build is the cable. No, it’s not because of durability -- in fact, it’s probably one of the most solid cables I’ve had in my possession yet. My gripe with the cable is because it’s solid. It’s very thick -- reminding me of the cable on my old Beats Pro. Its thickness in turn makes them very difficult to manage. When they arrived, they were bound pretty tightly together by a wire, and when I undid the wire, I was greeted with an eyesore of a cable with folds and creases on every inch. Even as I write this, I’m still trying to straighten it out. Cable noise isn’t much different. Even with the over-ear design dulling it down, cable noise is still a bit of an issue due to the serious weight of the cable.
Fit, Comfort, Isolation
Now, I’m sure you’re still wondering if the bottle-like housings with a tube on the side would actually fit your ears. Well, I’m happy to report that it actually does. It did take a few minutes of fiddling at first, but it only takes a few tries to get accustomed to it. They’re pretty comfortable once they’re in your ears, though at times the housing does touch -- more like press on -- part of my ear when I don’t get them in right, which again is a nuisance, but it’s mostly just on me. Due to the housings being little more than a bottle with a tube sticking out of the side which goes into your ear, isolation leans toward average, but is nonetheless good enough for a walk in the park or at home. Don’t expect it to drown out much in a bus or the subway, though.
Also, something of note: the Brainwavz R3 can be worn straight-down; however the cable causes too much microphonics to be tolerable. That, and the R3 is considerably heavy with its thick cable and solid aluminum housings. I don’t know if you guys will like it -- maybe you will, maybe you won’t, but I most definitely will not wear these straight-down.
I hope I didn’t bore you yet with my explanations, because we’re just about to get to the sound. Bored yet? No? Great, now let’s move on.
[size=x-large]== Sound ==[/size]
Specs
Headphone Type
Closed back, vented in-ear monitor (straight down, around-the-ear)
Driver Type
10 mm dynamic x2
Frequency Response
16 Hz – 22 kHz
Rated Input Power
30 mW
Sensitivity
110 dB @ 1 mW
Impedance
32 Ω
Weight
N/A
Cable
1.3 m (4.2’) Copper Y-Cord
Connector
3.5 mm (1/8”) gold-plated 45-degree TRS
Accessories
Hard carrying case 3 pairs single-flange silicone eartips (grey, S/M/L)
3 pairs single-flange silicone eartips (black, S/M/L)
1 pair double-flange silicone eartips
1 pair triple-flange silicone eartips
1 pair Comply™ T-500 foam eartips
6.3 mm (1/4”) adapter
Equipment, Burn-in
The equipment used for this review consists of my iPod Touch, an iPad 3, and my PC through headphone-out as the sources, all running without an amp. The amp used in the test is a Yamaha RX-V359 through headphone-out. As for the EQ software being used, I use Viper4Windows on the PC and the default system EQ on the other sources. As always, my test tracks are available here, although I will link specific songs in the assessment for a more direct point of reference.
As per review “tradition,” the Brainwavz R3s have been burned in for at least 100 hours prior to the review, with occasional listening sessions in between for an average of an hour. So far, throughout the 100 hours of burn-in, there haven’t been any noticeable changes in sound. Also, the eartips I used are the L-sized grey single flanges throughout the review. So, without further ado, let’s get on to the sound!
Sound Quality
Bass:
Okay, let’s start off with the bass. As an IEM designed for the audiophile crowd, don’t expect the R3 to have elevated bass, because it doesn’t have that. However, what it does have is a smooth, swift low-end that is clearly made for its target audience. Its accurate, slightly warm tone reproduces low tones without overdoing anything. It also has a strong enough punch to satisfy most listeners who aren’t craving bass. In short, it’s a very addicting listen that works amazingly with cool, laid-back songs (Daft Punk –The Game of Love, Something About Us).
Midrange:
The Brainwavz R3’s midrange is sweet and rich – basically, it sounds great. It has a great amount of clarity with a slight warmth to it. It reproduces the midrange very well, and despite its mid-centric signature (more on this later), isn’t as forward as I expected. One of my favourite characteristics about it, though, is how they manage to blend really well with the bass (Coldplay –Sparks) – making a very cohesive and united sound signature.
Treble:
Brainwavz purposely tuned the R3 to have a smooth, laid-back treble, topping off the sound signature like the smooth foam on a latte (more on this analogy later). This laid-back signature gives the R3 a very relaxing signature that you can simply listen to for hours, which is a huge plus in my book. (Note: Technical mode ON) Though most laid-back treble usually sounds veiled and lacking detail, Brainwavz managed to counter that by tuning in a treble spike around 10 kHz. This allows the R3 to still retain great detail retrieval even with its laid-back treble (technical mode OFF).
Soundstage/Presentation:
Apparently Brainwavz’ “Sound Chamber” technology actually does affect the R3’s sound signature – specifically, its soundstage. It’s very wide, airy, and expansive, which you usually don’t get to hear very often in an earphone, so that’s a huge plus. Live, acoustic, and classical recordings really come to life on the Brainwavz R3. However, I did notice instruments were projected (or “sound like” in layman’s terms) onto a narrow arc in front of you, instead of all around you. It’s a little quirk there that might not be as appealing to the more finicky listeners, but it’s not too much of a big deal.
Genre Proficiency:
The Brainwavz R3, as I’ve said earlier, works amazingly well with cool, laid-back genres, synergising well with its laid-back sound. Stuff like Coldplay, Daft Punk’s slower works, classical, anything that’s slow or has a relaxing vibe – the Brainwavz R3 performs spectacularly. However, it’s hardly finicky with genres and will play anything you throw at it very well.
Summary:
The Brainwavz R3’s sound is something I could liken to a nice latte – smooth, rich, creamy, sweet, and with just the right kick from the coffee. I’m sure from this, you can put two and two together, so there’s not much to say other than it’s great if the R3’s sound is what you’re looking for. Bassheads will have to look elsewhere, because the R3 is definitely an audiophile IEM.
Other Media
Games:
The R3 isn’t bad with games. Sure, its detail retrieval is great for getting an edge over the competition, but its rather congested presentation takes a hit to their imaging capabilities. All in all, they’re not something I’d use for competitive gaming.
Movies:
The R3’s smooth, balanced signature allows it to play along with pretty much any type of movie, from epic action scenes to heart-wrenching drama moments. I find they perform better with quieter movies, just as they do well with laid-back music.
EQ Response, Amplification
The R3, in my opinion, doesn’t really respond well to EQ (rather, basic EQ presets), though with a more advanced EQ like Electri-Q or Viper4Windows, you can EQ them to be completely flat, which, surprisingly, is very easy to do. But once I did that, man, oh man. The results were amazing. Probably the only downside to this is having to go through rather extensive tweaking and listening to get the sound just right, but otherwise they’re perfectly fine. At an impedance rating of about 32 ohms, they do need a bit more power to drive than, say, the S5 IEMs. At lower volumes, their midrange sounds rather muffled, and both ends of the spectrum also lose some detail. With extra power, though, the midrange comes forward, and with enough power, the bass suddenly begins to sound pretty damn impressive. You can really feel the sub-bass notes come alive and make the entire signature come together to no short of amazing. I don’t have a dedicated headphone amp as of yet, but now I begin to realize just how much I need one.
Unfortunately I sold my RE272s shortly prior to the R3s arriving, but at around half the price of the RE272's when they were new (if memory serves), the R3 is an excellent replacement. There's no doubt that the RE272 offered superior transparency and separation over the R3, but the R3 is a smoother listen and has much better bass presence than the RE272 so it's a fair trade in my mind. To be honest, if I had the 2 sitting side-by-side I would probably reach for the R3 on almost every occasion because of it's smoother presentation and fuller bass note.
Summary The R3 is an outstanding earphone for the $139 price tag. I would definitely recommend trying a pair before you buy them if you tend to have fit issues like me, but when worn cable-down the R3s are easy to fit so that might solve any concerns if you're happy to wear them cable-down.
I haven't heard a lot of budget IEMs and there are some awesome options out there, but of those I have tried, the R3s are among the most enjoyable of the lot and definitely might be the most neutrally voiced of the lot. If you're looking to spend <$150 on a pair of IEMs and you want an IEM that can handle wide-ranging genres while providing a smooth and natural presentation then the R3s are a must try!
The R3 is an outstanding earphone for the $139 price tag. I would definitely recommend trying a pair before you buy them if you tend to have fit issues like me, but when worn cable-down the R3s are easy to fit so that might solve any concerns if you're happy to wear them cable-down.
I haven't heard a lot of budget IEMs and there are some awesome options out there, but of those I have tried, the R3s are among the most enjoyable of the lot and definitely might be the most neutrally voiced of the lot. If you're looking to spend <$150 on a pair of IEMs and you want an IEM that can handle wide-ranging genres while providing a smooth and natural presentation then the R3s are a must try!
DannyBai
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Even keeled sound, nice build, excellent bundle of accessories
Cons: Thick cable and large Y-split if it really is a con.
I was provide a review sample and would like to thank Salsera and Brainwavz/MP4Nation.
The R3 V.2 is a dual dynamic barrel shaped iem from Brainwavz. Probably the oddest looking earphone on the market but surprisingly, I had no problem with fit. The shape actually works well with the looping over ear design and the earphones stay in place without much issue. The housings look and feel of aluminum and are light in weight. They are actually very comfortable while in use. Cables are rather thick especially from Y-split down to the 3.5mm jack. From the Y-split up to the housings have been redesigned and are much better than the original version. Cables seem to stay in place quite well around the ears and the thickness wasn’t much of a bother for me. The 3.5mm jack has a nice 45 degree angle in which I have come to appreciate in design. Only gripe although minor is the overall thickness of the cable and bigger than average Y-split.
Moving on to the sound, these have a nice balanced signature. Bass doesn’t hit with great impact, won’t reach to the lowest of the lows or hit you with forceful mid-bass punch. Bass has good presence but isn’t the tightest and sounds a bit soft from what I’m use to. The S5 from Brainwavz reaches lower, has bigger impact and makes a much greater presence in the music. For those who find the S5 to have too much bass, the R3 might be more appealing. Overall, I find the bass to fit with the signature these earphones are going for. These earphones have a wide and deep soundstage, some of the biggest I’ve heard. This can be good or bad on the vocals, depending on preference. The staging distances the vocals several rows back so it isn’t up front. I find them a little recessed and I mean little because they can be clearly heard and is not hidden from the rest of the music. I honestly couldn’t nitpick if male or female vocals sounded better since both sounded just fine for me. But, vocal trance sounded quite nice. Treble is very relaxed and there isn’t even a hint of fatigue, sibilance or the dreaded “sss” in the vocal region. Treble is smooth and possibly could use a little more for added sparkle. Somewhere between the R3 and S5 would be lovely. The smooth and non-fatiguing treble still clearly presents the details in the music. Instrument placement can be best pictured as if the listener is sitting in a large theatre compared to say a small intimate club. This is more of a surround sound listening experience.
In conclusion, I find the R3 V2 to be an even keeled sounding earphone that really doesn’t have much fault. Nothing to really complain about, even with the thick cable and all. I’m not too much of a nitpicker but I would think most would find this earphone to sound just fine. No huge bass to complain about or peaky treble or too recessed vocals. Fit’s fine if people can ignore the odd design and give it a try.
kova4a
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: solid build quality; balanced smooth and natural sound; 2-year warranty
Cons: rubbery cable prone to memory kinks; fit can be an issue for some people
First off, I have to thank again Brainwavz and Audrey for this R3 unit
Packaging and Accessories
Packaging and Accessories
The packaging is quite straightforward. There are plastic windows both at the front and the back of the box showcasing the shiny metal housings of the R3. Below the front window is embossed Brainwavz R3 and a very basic description – Twin Driver Configuration, Bass & Clarity and Rugged Metal Housing Design. Can’t disagree with that but maybe Smooth & Balanced would have been a bit more accurate description but more on that later.
On the back of the box there is a bit more detailed description of the R3 and its design.
On the sides of the package are listed its contents and R3’s specs.
It’s a fairly nice presentation overall.
Inside the box reside the R3 and the Brainwavz case. I’ve mentioned multiple times that this is my favorite iem case. It’s quite tough and specious and can easily fit a pair of iems and a small DAP like a Sansa. Inside one of the red pockets there is a nice quarter inch adapter and small gray bag with the included tips. There are 2 different types of single flange tips. Black ones made of a touch thicker silicone and gray ones, which are softer and have a slightly wider bore. The single flange silicone tips come in 3 sizes. There is also a pair of bi-flange and a pair of tri-flange tips, which come in only one size. As usual with Brainwavz a pair of comply foam tips packaged separately is included to complete the package.
Build Quality, Design and Fit
Build Quality, Design and Fit
The R3 is a quite solid iem with robust metal housings and a thick rugged cable. The cable is a bit memory prone and rubbery though and while I don’t mind its thickness or weight I would have preferred if it had smoother sleeving and was more pliable and easier to keep straight.
The strain reliefs are substantial and again some people might call the Y-splitter over-engineered but it’s fine by me.
The j-plug is also on the bulky side but I’m a huge fan of j-plugs and it looks capable of withstanding quite a bit of abuse, so I can’t complain. If anything it completes the overall tough looks of the R3.
Design-wise it only takes a quick glance at the R3 to realize that it’s not your average iem. Its design is quite unique and I have to admit that when the R3 was first announced I wasn’t impressed and right away commented that people will have issue with the fit with such a design. It’s eye catching though and people often stare at the housing more than a couple of seconds.
Surprisingly despite my initial reservations and worries about the fit it turned out fine. I haven’t tried the old R3 version with the long memory-wires but this revised one actually fits me quite well. The fit is secure and isolation is good. It did take me quite a bit of tip rolling but finally settled on the stock bi-flanges both for the comfort and the sound.
The R3 can also be worn straight but the fit will be less secure due to the weight of the cable pulling the housings down.
There is a very mild driver flex with certain tips particularly on the left earpiece. Microphonics are very low when worn cable up.
Sound
The R3 has over 100 hours of burn-in at the time of writing this review.
Sound
The R3 has over 100 hours of burn-in at the time of writing this review.
For a dual dynamic driver iem that has a separate driver to reproduce the low frequencies the R3 quite surprised me. Its bass is quite flat and balanced. It is well-rounded with good control but is a bit on the polite side – softer on the impact and lacking some depth. The lower extension is not bad but after 50hz the bass gradually rolls off. Overall I like R3’s bass although I would have liked if it was a bit tighter and harder hitting but given the overall smooth and non-fatiguing presentation of the R3 it fits well with the rest of the spectrum. In comparison the Brainwavz S5 has a lot bigger but also less controlled and muddier bass bleeding into the mids.
The mids are well balanced with the bass and also relatively flat. Both male and female vocals have very nice presence and sweet tone. The R3 actually sounds a bit mid-centric but I don’t mind that as this type of signature is harder and harder to find. The tonality is slightly on the warm side but still what I would call neutral-ish. Instruments have nice timbre and despite the slightly thick note presentation sound natural and realistic. Detail retrieval is actually pretty good but clarity is a bit behind in comparison to some of the competition. In comparison brainwavz’s own S5 is noticeably clearer due to its thinner note presentation and treble emphasis but is also a lot less natural sounding and more fatiguing. The R3 instead is smoother lusher sounding.
twister6 Reviews
TL;DR: Don't let its rather brutish looks fool you; the Brainwavz R3 is a smooth, gentle IEM that works especially well with acoustic genres, slow rock, and jazz.
The highs are a bit laid back but very well extended and smooth. The lower treble has enough energy to keeps things exciting without getting harsh or fatiguing. There is plenty of shimmer but I wouldn’t have minded a bit more sparkle. The treble is not prone to pointing out sibilance. In comparison the S5 with its more emphasized and peaky highs is noticeably harsher and more artificial sounding.
The R3 is full and airy sounding. Imaging is very good with both width and depth above average. Positioning is quite good. Instrument separation is very good with plenty of space between the instruments. Overall, the R3 sounds pretty spacious, especially for a mid-centric iem, which usually tend to be more on the intimate side.
Summary
R3 and its little brother R1
Summary
R3 and its little brother R1
Brainwavz R3 has quite the surprising sound for a dual dynamic driver iem. Owning the Brainwavz R1 I expected a lot different sound but it’s heads and shoulders above its smaller dual dynamic brother R1. I’m not going to lie, I would also pick it over the Brainwavz’s other higher-end iem the S5 any day of the week. While the S5 will most likely impress a lot more people at first listen with its big bass and clarity, the R3 with its more balanced, smoother and mature sound is the iem that really impresses.
The R3 is a very solid performer sound-wise with a very solid build quality to boot. If it wasn’t for Audrey I probably would have given it a pass worried about the fit and all the people complaining about it. Maybe the memory wires on the old version were really horrible – I can’t comment on that but they are gone now and what is left is an iem that deserves to be given a second chance.
twister6
twister6 Reviews
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: build quality, included accessories, great sound separation
Cons: cable, would prefer memory wire back, fitment
Since I was among the early adopters of this updated 2.0 version of R3, I already posted a detailed review with pictures in the original R3 review thread. Therefore, I'm just going to provide a link to my R3 v2.0 review: http://www.head-fi.org/products/brainwavz-r3-dual-dynamic-driver-earphones/reviews/11456
Audiophile1811
500+ Head-Fier
Introduction – As the top-of-the-line earphone of the young company Brainwavz, the R3 has a quite a lot on its shoulders. Utilizing a relatively new dual-dynamic driver configuration, uncommon with most headphones on the market, Brainwavz has chosen this design for its very best headphone. Bold as it is, this design has been successful in many budget-based sets such as the Havi B3 Pro-1 and TTPOD’s T1 series. The R3’s, then, promise a lot considering they cost twice and even three times as much as the aforementioned earphones. So do they deliver for the price? The answer is yes… and no. But this is best explained throughout my review so if you’re interested, simply read on and find out why.
Disclaimer – This is a free review unit delivered to me for the purpose of this review. I am not affiliated with Brainwavz in any way and will stay objective as possible throughout this review. Huge thanks to Audrey at Brainwavz for sending these out to me, it’s quite a privilege. All photos were taken by me.
Specifications:
- 10mm Dual-Dynamic drivers (Passive Crossover)
- Impedance: 32 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 95dB
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
- Rated Input Power: 2mW
- Cable: OFC Copper, 1.3 meters/4.25 ft.
Packaging & Accessories: The R3’s have slightly unconventional packaging that presents the headphones and its cable through clear plastic windows on either side of the box. Inside you’ll find a plethora of tips (9 pairs in total) which include 6 pairs of single-flange silicone tips (3 pairs gray, 3 pairs black), a single pair of bi-flange and triple-flange tips, and a pair of Comply T500 tips. Also included is a ¼ inch adapter, a hard zip-case, and a 1-year warranty card (box says 2 years, don’t know which to believe). Brainwavz has been very generous with their accessories and deserve credit for being thoughtful with their ear tips.
Build & Design: Brainwavz has gone very out-of-the-box with the design of the R3. They’ve used a tubular housing for the drivers and a 90° angle nozzle that sticks straight out of the center. This means each driver faces each other within a divided enclosure and each band of frequencies meet inside the nozzle creating a uniform sound. Internal details aside, the aluminum housings feel extremely rugged throughout. However, cable quality is questionable. The 4-inch black portion of the cable is higher quality than the remaining grey section and is the only part that doesn’t suffer from kinks or memory. But since most of the cable does, it’s a wonder why Brainwavz didn’t just make the entire cable consistent (or thinner for that matter). But this is nitpicking because the R3’s seem very durable. The real problems come when wearing the R3’s.
Comfort & Fit: I have small ears, which means I also have problems with earphones, even the most comfortable. Brainwavz sought to remedy this dilemma for those like me but haven’t entirely succeeded. The R3’s are utilize an over-ear design but the housings are heavy and the nozzles are large. This causes them to fall out of place and need adjustment often. Strain reliefs are a bit stiff below the housings (fine on the Y-split & 3.5mm jack) and combined with their vertical position the cable very tricky to place behind the ear, as they were intended. But the worst part is the cable that is simply too thick and heavy for an IEM. The sheer weight and size of the cable can make it cumbersome and difficult to wear under clothing (also due to its rubbery texture). When worn with the right ear tips the R3’s are relatively comfortable but suffer from their awkward design and cable. With this in mind, the R3’s will suit some but definitely not others, so be cautious if your ears have given you trouble in the past.
Microphonics: For such a large cable, microphonics were not as bad as I expected. Cable noise is well controlled when worn over-ear but is fairly distracting cable-down. The included cinch does a good job of keeping cable noise down in either configuration too.
Isolation: There is a surprising level of noise attenuation when wearing the R3’s. They isolate very well outdoors and reduce environmental noise enough for non-distractive (but safe) listening. I consider this a strength of the R3’s overall.
Equipment & Background – For the sound portion of this review I will be using an Audinst HUD-MX1 amp/DAC combo as my primary “reference” source, a Topping NX-1 portable amplifier, and a Sansa Fuze as a portable source. All my impressions are done indoors with an over-ear headphone for added isolation resulting in almost silent listening with no audible distractions. My library consists of FLAC and high bit-rate MP3 files. The R3’s were also burned-in over 100hrs before review.
Bass: With a mid-forward sound signature the bass on the R3’s are not boosted or enhanced like many V-shaped sets on the market. Instead, lows are much mellower and have a pleasant musical warmth throughout. And while they don’t extend too far down there is enough sub-bass for an engaging listen. Bass is tight, controlled, and well-rounded and never once feels loose or bloated. However, it should be noted that the lows on the R3 are fairly soft in nature which means they won’t deliver the same visceral impact compared to sets with large mid-bass humps. That said, bass is always engaging and very punchy when required. Smoothness is another quality of the bass that becomes noticeable with fast, heavy music genres (those of which are not entirely suited for the R3). But those who prefer a mid-forward signature will appreciate the manner with which the R3’s handle bass notes. They are never distracting and don’t steal the attention of the listener; they provide enough energy to strike an excellent balance with the midrange and treble. Bass reproduction is one of the biggest strengths of the R3’s (in my opinion) due to their laid-back presence.
Mids: Moving upwards, the midrange holds a good few surprises. As mentioned before, the R3’s are mid forward overall. But this does not make them fatiguing or offensive to listen to as many other users have experienced with many other mid forward sets. Instead, the R3’s mids are not aggressive or rich, just forward enough to focus its sound on one particular part of the frequency spectrum. The primary advantage here are mids that are both clear and smooth. The balance between the two is obvious but the mids generally lean towards smoothness more than anything else. Vocalists demonstrate this best as they lack detail in parts of both the lower and upper-midrange; Both male and female vocalist suffer the effects of this coloration which was likely created by frequency dips in both regions. In terms of quality, the midrange is neither lifelike nor is it the most natural. Despite this there is no lack of finesse to the mids, just slightly lacking in accuracy. It will easily satisfy all but the extreme detail lover with its creamy, effortless nature but it won’t please anybody in sheer quality alone.
Treble: The last piece of the (frequency) puzzle lies in the R3’s treble. Highs are, yet again, very smooth but also more revealing and detailed than any frequencies below it. While not bright, there is an unexpected level of clarity up top considering the soft, genial character of the bass and midrange. Details come through with percussive instruments with natural timbre and good sparkle but without harshness. This lack of harshness prevents any sibilance from occurring even with the most aggressive vocalists and the worst recordings. Extension is considerably impressive as well, with frequencies extending up to 15kHz and gently rolling-off afterwards. And although consistency is lacking in areas, the treble is still up to par with more expensive earphones in its price range. For what it does best (i.e. bass) and what its focus is (i.e. mids), the top end of the R3’s are surprisingly good; They can suit the needs of almost any listener and any genre.
Presentation: The R3’s present their sound in a way that’s both engaging and involving. Soundstage is a little predictable for a mid-centric IEM as it has a tendency to place vocals and most of the midrange very close to the listener. This gives the effect of having music performed directly in front of you, but not in a way that it becomes tiring over time. The result is a soundstage with only average depth overall. Height is improved over depth but width is where the R3’s begin to open up. Wide spatial cues are thrown out far on either side of the head while still maintaining easy localization. The result is an intimate presentation that is more spacious than their sound signature would suggest. Bass is centered, vocals are intimate, treble is airy, and music is simply a joy to experience. Most will find their unique presentation and signature very pleasant no matter what genre of music preferred.
Ear Tips & Insertion Sensitivity: The R3’s can be a little picky with ear tips as their nozzle is a slightly larger than average. Even the included tips require a little force to fit onto the nozzle. But this doesn’t inhibit tip-rolling with the R3’s as they are quite flexible. Sound can be adjusted to have either a thicker, warmer sound or a more neutral one depending on the tip fitted: Single flanges will achieve the former while the included double-flanges will achieve the latter. And since insertion is neither shallow nor deep some tips will stay in place and others will not. As mentioned in the Comfort & Fit section, this will depend on your ears more than anything else.
Power, Sensitivity, and Source Performance: The R3’s are a very drivable earphone that respond well with most sources. Low output devices should have no trouble driving them although they may require a little more volume to acquire listenable levels. A more powerful source, such as a dedicated amplifier, will yield better results in terms of volume and quality.
Value: For $129 the Brainwavz R3 is a peculiar earphone that combines an unusual design with a consumer friendly sound. The R3 balances a mid-forward signature with a wide presentation but loses out in areas of detail and accuracy. But its main weakness is its design and fit. Their tubular housings are difficult to wear for long periods without adjustment and that’s if they’re comfortable to begin with. The cable’s large profile also causes issues as it prevents the R3’s from fitting inside a pant pocket, making them a little inconvenient to transport. Overall however, the R3 is still relatively good value if you can get past its flaws. And if you enjoy a smooth, musical sound you’ll be in for a pleasant surprise.
I hope this review will be useful to those who read through it. Please leave any suggestions or advice you may have in the comments below. Everyone’s input will help me improve my reviews and make it easier to adapt my reviews for as wide an audience as possible. Thanks for reading and happy listening!
Disclaimer – This is a free review unit delivered to me for the purpose of this review. I am not affiliated with Brainwavz in any way and will stay objective as possible throughout this review. Huge thanks to Audrey at Brainwavz for sending these out to me, it’s quite a privilege. All photos were taken by me.
Specifications:
- 10mm Dual-Dynamic drivers (Passive Crossover)
- Impedance: 32 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 95dB
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
- Rated Input Power: 2mW
- Cable: OFC Copper, 1.3 meters/4.25 ft.
Packaging & Accessories: The R3’s have slightly unconventional packaging that presents the headphones and its cable through clear plastic windows on either side of the box. Inside you’ll find a plethora of tips (9 pairs in total) which include 6 pairs of single-flange silicone tips (3 pairs gray, 3 pairs black), a single pair of bi-flange and triple-flange tips, and a pair of Comply T500 tips. Also included is a ¼ inch adapter, a hard zip-case, and a 1-year warranty card (box says 2 years, don’t know which to believe). Brainwavz has been very generous with their accessories and deserve credit for being thoughtful with their ear tips.
Build & Design: Brainwavz has gone very out-of-the-box with the design of the R3. They’ve used a tubular housing for the drivers and a 90° angle nozzle that sticks straight out of the center. This means each driver faces each other within a divided enclosure and each band of frequencies meet inside the nozzle creating a uniform sound. Internal details aside, the aluminum housings feel extremely rugged throughout. However, cable quality is questionable. The 4-inch black portion of the cable is higher quality than the remaining grey section and is the only part that doesn’t suffer from kinks or memory. But since most of the cable does, it’s a wonder why Brainwavz didn’t just make the entire cable consistent (or thinner for that matter). But this is nitpicking because the R3’s seem very durable. The real problems come when wearing the R3’s.
Comfort & Fit: I have small ears, which means I also have problems with earphones, even the most comfortable. Brainwavz sought to remedy this dilemma for those like me but haven’t entirely succeeded. The R3’s are utilize an over-ear design but the housings are heavy and the nozzles are large. This causes them to fall out of place and need adjustment often. Strain reliefs are a bit stiff below the housings (fine on the Y-split & 3.5mm jack) and combined with their vertical position the cable very tricky to place behind the ear, as they were intended. But the worst part is the cable that is simply too thick and heavy for an IEM. The sheer weight and size of the cable can make it cumbersome and difficult to wear under clothing (also due to its rubbery texture). When worn with the right ear tips the R3’s are relatively comfortable but suffer from their awkward design and cable. With this in mind, the R3’s will suit some but definitely not others, so be cautious if your ears have given you trouble in the past.
Microphonics: For such a large cable, microphonics were not as bad as I expected. Cable noise is well controlled when worn over-ear but is fairly distracting cable-down. The included cinch does a good job of keeping cable noise down in either configuration too.
Isolation: There is a surprising level of noise attenuation when wearing the R3’s. They isolate very well outdoors and reduce environmental noise enough for non-distractive (but safe) listening. I consider this a strength of the R3’s overall.
----------Sound----------
Equipment & Background – For the sound portion of this review I will be using an Audinst HUD-MX1 amp/DAC combo as my primary “reference” source, a Topping NX-1 portable amplifier, and a Sansa Fuze as a portable source. All my impressions are done indoors with an over-ear headphone for added isolation resulting in almost silent listening with no audible distractions. My library consists of FLAC and high bit-rate MP3 files. The R3’s were also burned-in over 100hrs before review.
Bass: With a mid-forward sound signature the bass on the R3’s are not boosted or enhanced like many V-shaped sets on the market. Instead, lows are much mellower and have a pleasant musical warmth throughout. And while they don’t extend too far down there is enough sub-bass for an engaging listen. Bass is tight, controlled, and well-rounded and never once feels loose or bloated. However, it should be noted that the lows on the R3 are fairly soft in nature which means they won’t deliver the same visceral impact compared to sets with large mid-bass humps. That said, bass is always engaging and very punchy when required. Smoothness is another quality of the bass that becomes noticeable with fast, heavy music genres (those of which are not entirely suited for the R3). But those who prefer a mid-forward signature will appreciate the manner with which the R3’s handle bass notes. They are never distracting and don’t steal the attention of the listener; they provide enough energy to strike an excellent balance with the midrange and treble. Bass reproduction is one of the biggest strengths of the R3’s (in my opinion) due to their laid-back presence.
Mids: Moving upwards, the midrange holds a good few surprises. As mentioned before, the R3’s are mid forward overall. But this does not make them fatiguing or offensive to listen to as many other users have experienced with many other mid forward sets. Instead, the R3’s mids are not aggressive or rich, just forward enough to focus its sound on one particular part of the frequency spectrum. The primary advantage here are mids that are both clear and smooth. The balance between the two is obvious but the mids generally lean towards smoothness more than anything else. Vocalists demonstrate this best as they lack detail in parts of both the lower and upper-midrange; Both male and female vocalist suffer the effects of this coloration which was likely created by frequency dips in both regions. In terms of quality, the midrange is neither lifelike nor is it the most natural. Despite this there is no lack of finesse to the mids, just slightly lacking in accuracy. It will easily satisfy all but the extreme detail lover with its creamy, effortless nature but it won’t please anybody in sheer quality alone.
Treble: The last piece of the (frequency) puzzle lies in the R3’s treble. Highs are, yet again, very smooth but also more revealing and detailed than any frequencies below it. While not bright, there is an unexpected level of clarity up top considering the soft, genial character of the bass and midrange. Details come through with percussive instruments with natural timbre and good sparkle but without harshness. This lack of harshness prevents any sibilance from occurring even with the most aggressive vocalists and the worst recordings. Extension is considerably impressive as well, with frequencies extending up to 15kHz and gently rolling-off afterwards. And although consistency is lacking in areas, the treble is still up to par with more expensive earphones in its price range. For what it does best (i.e. bass) and what its focus is (i.e. mids), the top end of the R3’s are surprisingly good; They can suit the needs of almost any listener and any genre.
Presentation: The R3’s present their sound in a way that’s both engaging and involving. Soundstage is a little predictable for a mid-centric IEM as it has a tendency to place vocals and most of the midrange very close to the listener. This gives the effect of having music performed directly in front of you, but not in a way that it becomes tiring over time. The result is a soundstage with only average depth overall. Height is improved over depth but width is where the R3’s begin to open up. Wide spatial cues are thrown out far on either side of the head while still maintaining easy localization. The result is an intimate presentation that is more spacious than their sound signature would suggest. Bass is centered, vocals are intimate, treble is airy, and music is simply a joy to experience. Most will find their unique presentation and signature very pleasant no matter what genre of music preferred.
Ear Tips & Insertion Sensitivity: The R3’s can be a little picky with ear tips as their nozzle is a slightly larger than average. Even the included tips require a little force to fit onto the nozzle. But this doesn’t inhibit tip-rolling with the R3’s as they are quite flexible. Sound can be adjusted to have either a thicker, warmer sound or a more neutral one depending on the tip fitted: Single flanges will achieve the former while the included double-flanges will achieve the latter. And since insertion is neither shallow nor deep some tips will stay in place and others will not. As mentioned in the Comfort & Fit section, this will depend on your ears more than anything else.
Power, Sensitivity, and Source Performance: The R3’s are a very drivable earphone that respond well with most sources. Low output devices should have no trouble driving them although they may require a little more volume to acquire listenable levels. A more powerful source, such as a dedicated amplifier, will yield better results in terms of volume and quality.
Value: For $129 the Brainwavz R3 is a peculiar earphone that combines an unusual design with a consumer friendly sound. The R3 balances a mid-forward signature with a wide presentation but loses out in areas of detail and accuracy. But its main weakness is its design and fit. Their tubular housings are difficult to wear for long periods without adjustment and that’s if they’re comfortable to begin with. The cable’s large profile also causes issues as it prevents the R3’s from fitting inside a pant pocket, making them a little inconvenient to transport. Overall however, the R3 is still relatively good value if you can get past its flaws. And if you enjoy a smooth, musical sound you’ll be in for a pleasant surprise.
I hope this review will be useful to those who read through it. Please leave any suggestions or advice you may have in the comments below. Everyone’s input will help me improve my reviews and make it easier to adapt my reviews for as wide an audience as possible. Thanks for reading and happy listening!
Wokei
Nice review ..well done
Audiophile1811
Thanks @Wokei
Kamakahah
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Durable build quality. Clear and non-fatiguing. Good overall balance.
Cons: Thick, rubbery cable. Two-faced bass. Long-term comfort
Admittedly, I took far too long to post this review. I wanted to try a different approach that involved becoming accustomed to the signature followed by a period without them, and then a reintroduction. It's been about six weeks since I received the unit. I've done week long periods with and without them.
The reason for this decision was two fold:
1. It's the first dual dynamic IEM that I've given significant head time.
2. There were/are some awkward inconsistencies with the sound signature that I was/am hearing. It was my hope at the time to be able to narrow the the reasons behind them. More on this later.
After realizing that I had too many notes and they were harder for me to characterize than originally anticipated, I decided to write this review while listening to them after a short break and give my overall thoughts from this session. My previous notes will still be a factor in what I write, but hopefully this gives more clarity to my thoughts.
Again, I'd like to thank Brainwavz for the opportunity to review these. As others did, I received a review pair to keep similar to the S5. It's a nice gesture of confidence in the Head-Fi community.
In similar fashion, I'll avoid adding pictures and statistics that a quick Google search can provide.
All the usual qualifiers apply: IMO, YMMV, OMGWTFBBQ, ROFLCOPTER. This is just my experience. Yours might be different.
For those that don't like to wade through the paragraphs of information that most reviews provide, here is a succinct synopsis:
They were burned in for over 300 hours in total throughout the process. I initially began my process after ~150 hours as per my usual. I continued to listen to other headphones/earphones.
Then, as mentioned above, I took week long breaks. I also spent full weeks only listening to the R3. My reasons for this will be further discussed in the following sections.
Listening was done casually at home and while out shopping. Detailed listening was done in a quiet office. A/B testing done as well with different gear and Fiio HS2 used occasionally for quick switching of sources or headphones.
I avoided reading any other reviews before writing this one to avoid bias.
Chains used:
1. PC USB/Optical>>>Audio GD NFB-15>>>R3
2. Fiio X3>>>(Topping NX1/C&C BH)>>>R3
3. Rockboxed Sansa Clip+>>>(Topping NX1/C&C BH)>>>R3
4. HTC One M8>>>R3
Tips used: Supplied tips, JVC spiral tips, Sony hybrids, Sennheiser double flange.
Test tracks: Many albums in my collection were listened to in full with a number of mixed in individual tracks, but here are a few specific tracks used.
Track formats included 256-320kbps mp3, FLAC, WAV files and a few youtube videos for variety.
As mentioned in the Cons, I found the bass to be two-faced or fractured. I tried my best to determine its cause, but wasn't able to pin it down in a way that I could explain in a clear fashion. In short, it seems certain frequencies are emphasized. It felt like there were peaks and valleys in the bass than had a very noticeable effect on impact and levels. It didn't seem like a clear line that is normally present where people can say, "Oh yeah, it has a mid bass hump and rolls off in the sub-bass which explains...blahblahblah." - Not the case here. Some songs had the low impact that they normally show, while it was next to non-existent in my other test tracks. I wish I could articulate it better. That said, there is a significant roll off in the sub-bass at about the 50 Hz mark. Below 30 is pretty much a black hole.
In this moment, as I listen to a number of tracks I find the duality. Some show nice, low impact. Others that should have the same feel like the kick drum or bass is hidden behind a glass panel or being hit by a pillow rather than a mallet.
One final beef was with the lack of texture. I found it really was missing that detail that comes with a more articulate bass. The overall tone felt smoothed over and pillowy.
I didn't find a lot of difference when tip rolling. Insertion depth didn't change the sound enough so I ended up liking the stock, clear tips. They are comfortable and didn't negatively affect the sound. I thought a narrow bore might help the bass, but the effect was minor and inconsistent so I reverted.
The reason for this decision was two fold:
1. It's the first dual dynamic IEM that I've given significant head time.
2. There were/are some awkward inconsistencies with the sound signature that I was/am hearing. It was my hope at the time to be able to narrow the the reasons behind them. More on this later.
After realizing that I had too many notes and they were harder for me to characterize than originally anticipated, I decided to write this review while listening to them after a short break and give my overall thoughts from this session. My previous notes will still be a factor in what I write, but hopefully this gives more clarity to my thoughts.
Again, I'd like to thank Brainwavz for the opportunity to review these. As others did, I received a review pair to keep similar to the S5. It's a nice gesture of confidence in the Head-Fi community.
In similar fashion, I'll avoid adding pictures and statistics that a quick Google search can provide.
All the usual qualifiers apply: IMO, YMMV, OMGWTFBBQ, ROFLCOPTER. This is just my experience. Yours might be different.
For those that don't like to wade through the paragraphs of information that most reviews provide, here is a succinct synopsis:
Bass: Can vary greatly. Overall lower-quantity with a softer impact. Occasionally comes out to play. See below for more details.
Mids: Pretty clear. Non-fatiguing. Present and slightly forward. Much less , "life has been sucked out" than the S5 but with slightly dry presentation. A touch of warmth. Quite enjoyable.
Treble: Nice lower treble energy. Non-fatiguing but hits of sibilance depending on the track. Smooth and laid back, maybe overly so for some.
Soundstage/Imaging: Good width, and back depth. Shallow forward depth. Can feel intimate as a result, but not cramped.
Separation/Clarity/Detail: Decent separation and good clarity if not a little thick sounding. Good detail in the mids. Lows are too fluffy for my taste. Highs lacking micro details from smoothing
Tips: Find whatever is comfortable. Didn't lead to a ton of variation as it normally does for me. Used the stock, clear tips.
Source/Amping: Some noticeable scaling, specifically with additional power to add a bit more life and energy to the sound. A clear source with good texture seems best, IMO.
Isolation: Slightly below average. Not great isolation, but doesn't leak.
Overall: Enjoyable. A stand out addition in a pack of "V's." Clunky build, but durable. A solid buy at $99. At $115+ you'll want to be sure it's what you're after.
Mids: Pretty clear. Non-fatiguing. Present and slightly forward. Much less , "life has been sucked out" than the S5 but with slightly dry presentation. A touch of warmth. Quite enjoyable.
Treble: Nice lower treble energy. Non-fatiguing but hits of sibilance depending on the track. Smooth and laid back, maybe overly so for some.
Soundstage/Imaging: Good width, and back depth. Shallow forward depth. Can feel intimate as a result, but not cramped.
Separation/Clarity/Detail: Decent separation and good clarity if not a little thick sounding. Good detail in the mids. Lows are too fluffy for my taste. Highs lacking micro details from smoothing
Tips: Find whatever is comfortable. Didn't lead to a ton of variation as it normally does for me. Used the stock, clear tips.
Source/Amping: Some noticeable scaling, specifically with additional power to add a bit more life and energy to the sound. A clear source with good texture seems best, IMO.
Isolation: Slightly below average. Not great isolation, but doesn't leak.
Overall: Enjoyable. A stand out addition in a pack of "V's." Clunky build, but durable. A solid buy at $99. At $115+ you'll want to be sure it's what you're after.
Initial Impressions:
From my notes 6 weeks ago, I thought they sounded clear with a nice sense of balance. I found the bass to be soft and lacking texture. The mid range was enticing, forward, a little dry, but enjoyable.Methodology:
I gave them 5 hours of listening the first day to become accustomed to the signature. They were then burned in for quite some time using set of burn-in tracks with mixed tracks, pink noise, and 5 minute breaks every hour on repeat.They were burned in for over 300 hours in total throughout the process. I initially began my process after ~150 hours as per my usual. I continued to listen to other headphones/earphones.
Then, as mentioned above, I took week long breaks. I also spent full weeks only listening to the R3. My reasons for this will be further discussed in the following sections.
Listening was done casually at home and while out shopping. Detailed listening was done in a quiet office. A/B testing done as well with different gear and Fiio HS2 used occasionally for quick switching of sources or headphones.
I avoided reading any other reviews before writing this one to avoid bias.
Chains used:
1. PC USB/Optical>>>Audio GD NFB-15>>>R3
2. Fiio X3>>>(Topping NX1/C&C BH)>>>R3
3. Rockboxed Sansa Clip+>>>(Topping NX1/C&C BH)>>>R3
4. HTC One M8>>>R3
Tips used: Supplied tips, JVC spiral tips, Sony hybrids, Sennheiser double flange.
Test tracks: Many albums in my collection were listened to in full with a number of mixed in individual tracks, but here are a few specific tracks used.
Track formats included 256-320kbps mp3, FLAC, WAV files and a few youtube videos for variety.
- Jessica Lee Mayfield - Nervous Lonely Night : The first minute of this song can tell me a lot about a can. This will seem odd, but the pencil tapping at the start tells me a ton about timbre and a bit about depth. The generally forward vocals of the entire "Tell me" album help point out recessed mids quickly. The bass comes in strong with lots of quantity and impact to let me judge the low end presence and texture. I could go on. It's just a track that works for me.
- Queen - Killer Queen : One of my sibilance test tracks, though it's much more than that. It's another track that can really let you individually identify a spectrum of specific quality attributes or flaws.
- Paramore - Hallelujah : The recording/mastering, whatever, sounds just terrible on the deluxe mp3 version that I have. I use it to test how forgiving a can is.
- Pantera - Cowboys from Hell; Cemetery Gates; Floods : It's Pantera. No more explanation needed.
- Lisa Hannigan - Live from the Troubadour in W.Hollywood. : This is a special recording that I have from a live concert I attended. I'm frighteningly familiar with the venue/performance and how it should sound. I use this to judge soundstage, imaging, timbre and separation.
- Rage Against The Machine - People of the Sun : Bass.
- Metallica - (Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth / One/ etc - Lots of reasons
- Lana Del Rey - Lolita/National Anthem/Carmen : Lots of reasons but in general for her vocals that can sound like thick, warm syrup.
- Geographer - Kites : I like this for cohesion. Some cans make it sound disjointed or all jumbled up.
- Filipe Melo · Ana Cláudia // Spiegel im spiegel (Arvo Pärt) : It's beautiful. Noise test. Timbre. Naturalness.
- Girl Talk - Let it Out : It's fun.
- Dr. Chesky - The Ultimate Headphone Demonstration Disc - Soundstage, imaging, dynamics, etc.
- Many, more.
Build Quality & Acessories:
Oh Jetpack. It's awkward. The cable is a heavy, bouncy, rubbery monstrosity. Plenty of nice accessories included, solid 10/10 in my mind. The bulky shell may or may not affect your fit depending on ear shape.Comfort/Fit:
Average comfort. The rubbery cable was very noticeable over the ear and raises up at times until pulled tighter with a shirt clip. Long-term comfort has been poor. After about an hour, I found that the area where the cable meets the body rubbed my ear the wrong way. Tips didn't seem to have too significant of an effect for comfort, though I did favor some more than others. In particular, I liked the stock clear tips that weren't quite as firm. I found that they tend to start slipping from my ears. I'm not sure if it's a result of the cable or something else. I tried to wear larger tips to offset the pull, but found that I couldn't handle the loss of comfort. Occasionally, I' would double check their positioning to make sure they are still in place. This was more of an issue when out and about than in the office.Isolation/Leak:
Average to below average. Noisy locations will be noticeable. I found their isolation to be slightly less effective compared to the S5. Leak wasn't an issue.Bass:
The moment I listened to the opening kick drum and first few bass string plucks in Jessica Lee Mayfield's - "Our Hearts Are Wrong", I knew that the bass and I were going to be at odds. That particular song is very bass heavy. The R3 does bring the quantity of bass in many tracks to manageable levels. This was one aspect that I appreciated for a number of bass heavy tracks; However, it was also the bane of bass light tracks.As mentioned in the Cons, I found the bass to be two-faced or fractured. I tried my best to determine its cause, but wasn't able to pin it down in a way that I could explain in a clear fashion. In short, it seems certain frequencies are emphasized. It felt like there were peaks and valleys in the bass than had a very noticeable effect on impact and levels. It didn't seem like a clear line that is normally present where people can say, "Oh yeah, it has a mid bass hump and rolls off in the sub-bass which explains...blahblahblah." - Not the case here. Some songs had the low impact that they normally show, while it was next to non-existent in my other test tracks. I wish I could articulate it better. That said, there is a significant roll off in the sub-bass at about the 50 Hz mark. Below 30 is pretty much a black hole.
In this moment, as I listen to a number of tracks I find the duality. Some show nice, low impact. Others that should have the same feel like the kick drum or bass is hidden behind a glass panel or being hit by a pillow rather than a mallet.
One final beef was with the lack of texture. I found it really was missing that detail that comes with a more articulate bass. The overall tone felt smoothed over and pillowy.
Mids:
A nice forward presentation in the mids. It balances well still with the rest of the spectrum. A much desired addition following the soulless mids of the S5. As mentioned in the brief summary above, I find them slightly dry with a touch of warmth. It's a neutralish presentation of the mid range that in some ways reminds me of a less refined HE-560. One of my favorite signatures centers around the mids, so this was a nice change of pace from my generally bass oriented collection that includes the JVC FX-850, among others.Treble:
Queen's song "Killer Queen" will pretty much violate my ears if a headphone/earphone is even a little hot, sibilant, etc. These do a pretty good job. Overall non-fatiguing but will undoubtedly be too lack-back for the treble lovers. Smooth, but still with a decent energy, particularly in the lower treble region. Not a whole lot of the sparkle. Hints of sibilance on already sibilant tracks, but that's normal.Separation/Clarity/Detail:
I would say that it is a notch above average in this category. Decent separation and clarity. A bit thicker sounding than the S5 that suffered from a thin/recessed mid range that killed baby seals. Enough detail to satisfy. Without a doubt some loss of detail and clarity in the bass with roll off and fluffy presentation that lacks in texture and articulation.Soundstage/Imaging:
The soundstage felt slightly more intimate than I've been used to but not in a cramped way. The positioning feels a intimate. This can be good and maybe a little bad for some live recordings. I'll explain way as it has to do with the way that I perceived the soundstage. The best way I can think to describe the shape is an taking a basketball and half way deflating just one hemisphere. The width sound above average, the behind depth the same. The forward depth, or the space in front of me seems as though its distance has been cut in half when compared to behind.Source/Amping/Tips:
The R3 did seem to scale a bit. More important, for me, was the added power that seems to add a bit more life to the overall sound. :- Audio-GD NFB-15
- Fiio X3 + Topping NX1 (Low gain, high was noisy and gave no play with the volume)
- Fiio X3 + C&C BH (Line 2, switches off, gain 'High').
- Rockboxed Sansa Clip+ (Forgot to experiment with attaching amps)
I didn't find a lot of difference when tip rolling. Insertion depth didn't change the sound enough so I ended up liking the stock, clear tips. They are comfortable and didn't negatively affect the sound. I thought a narrow bore might help the bass, but the effect was minor and inconsistent so I reverted.
Final Thoughts:
I want to say that I enjoy this earphone. It's far from perfect, but it has qualities that are becoming harder to find in a V-shaped market. The mid-centric presentation is a welcome addition to my collection. The bass can be a bit of a letdown on some tracks, but it can also be a boon in taming overly bass heavy tracks into submission. It can help you see your much listened to tracks in a new light. It suffers from some inevitable design issues, but overall a durable and enjoyable earphone. As I look at the $115 asking price on Amazon right now I asked myself the question, "Is it worth that price tag?" To some, yes. I think it would fit nicely into the $99 category, but what's $15 anyway?thatBeatsguy
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Smooth, balanced sound. Brainwavz' signature unique look. Brainwavz' signature build.
Cons: Weird looks might deter some. Cable is pretty hefty and cumbersome.
Intro
TL;DR: Don't let its rather brutish looks fool you; the Brainwavz R3 is a smooth, gentle IEM that works especially well with acoustic genres, slow rock, and jazz.
Before I begin, I would like to thank Audrey at Brainwavz for providing the sample of the Brainwavz R3 in exchange for my honest opinion. Please note that I am neither affiliated with Brainwavz or any of its employees, nor am I being compensated for writing this review. All opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own unless otherwise specified, and all pictures are taken and owned by my sister. YMMV.
Well, it’s been a few weeks since my review of the S5s, and from that first impression of one of their IEMs, they’ve earned their place in my ‘Companies to Watch’ list. Though a lot of their IEMs, to my knowledge, lean towards a more consumer-friendly sound, they are no doubt of audiophile quality. Today, I’m going to be reviewing another of their high-end IEMs, and probably one of the most peculiar-looking IEMs I’ve ever seen, the dual-dynamic Brainwavz R3 Rev.2 (I’ll get to this later).
Anyhow, let’s get on to the IEMs. Shall we?
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.
[size=x-large]== Aesthetics ==[/size]
Packaging, Accessories
At first glance of the packaging, it’s clear that Brainwavz is proud of their design of the R3, as the box features a clear window from the front all the way through to the back of the box, with the R3’s housings suspended in a clear plastic mold, showcased proudly and rather enthusiastically, like a brand-new breakthrough in design or something along those lines. On the front you also see BRAINWAVZ R3 written with a tagline and a few of its main features. On the left side, you’ll see its specifications, and on the right are its accessories, and on the back is a cross-section diagram of the R3s’ housing along with a description of sorts.
Upon opening the package, you’ll find Brainwavz’ semi-hard case hidden from the light of day, housing the rest of the R3s and all of its accessories. I’m still pretty impressed with the plethora of eartips included in the package, which consists of six pairs of single-flange tips (one set in grey, the other in black, in S/M/L), one pair of double-flanged tips, one pair of triple-flanged tips, and a pair of Comply T500 foam eartips. So there you have it - nine pairs of eartips, all at your disposal along with the Brainwavz R3 and S5. Still pretty damn impressive. But that’s not all - you also get a nifty 1/4-inch adapter. In the previous version, there used to be an airline adapter supposedly - but in my case, I don’t think I would need it anyway, so that can be ignored. Frequent flyers, though, might have to buy their own airline adapter off a local Best Buy or some other electronics store.
Design, Build, Microphonics
You remember what I said about Brainwavz’ package being showcased like a design breakthrough? Well, I have got to hand it to Brainwavz, they have made one awesome breakthrough in design right here, and it’s sure to make anyone -- consumer or audiophile -- wonder how they manage to get these in their ears. (Not that it’s a bad thing, though -- they actually fit quite easily.)
Though the concept of dual dynamic drivers isn’t new (lately there have been a lot of popular options to choose from), how they’re implemented intrigued me.The two 10mm drivers are set up in a two-way configuration – one used for bass, the other for the rest of the audio spectrum. Again, this is not unusual, but then we move on to their placement. The two drivers are placed apart from and facing each other, pouring the sound into a ‘Sonic Chamber’ before it reaches your ears through a particularly long tube. At least, that’s what the diagram seems to tell me. It’s probably not as simple as it sounds, seeing as another dual dynamic IEM, the Audio-Technica ATH-CKR9 (and its older variant, the CKR10) shares a similarly-positioned pair of drivers…except for the fact that the CKRs’ drivers go for a ‘Push-Pull’ design in which one driver pushes the sound while the other pulls the sound to supposedly reduce distortion and improve sound quality (or something like that). Coming back to the R3s, it seems both drivers simply push sound into the sound chamber where the sound mixes to bring out the final product.
Moving on, we have the cable, which apparently consists of three sections: the main grey cable from the connector to the Y-split, a thinner grey cable from the Y-split to split (rather, splice), which transitions into a length of memory cable making the final stretch to the housings. This memory wire used to be a lot longer in the first version, but has been removed in the revision for better ergonomics and an easier fit.
Again, the team over at Brainwavz has impressed me with the excellent build quality of the R3s. From the solid machined aluminum housings to the strong extremely heavy-duty Y-split (see above), it’s clear Brainwavz made no compromises to the build quality of the R3 just as they did with the S5. The only gripe I have with the build is the cable. No, it’s not because of durability -- in fact, it’s probably one of the most solid cables I’ve had in my possession yet. My gripe with the cable is because it’s solid. It’s very thick -- reminding me of the cable on my old Beats Pro. Its thickness in turn makes them very difficult to manage. When they arrived, they were bound pretty tightly together by a wire, and when I undid the wire, I was greeted with an eyesore of a cable with folds and creases on every inch. Even as I write this, I’m still trying to straighten it out. Cable noise isn’t much different. Even with the over-ear design dulling it down, cable noise is still a bit of an issue due to the serious weight of the cable.
Again, the team over at Brainwavz has impressed me with the excellent build quality of the R3s. From the solid machined aluminum housings to the strong extremely heavy-duty Y-split (see above), it’s clear Brainwavz made no compromises to the build quality of the R3 just as they did with the S5. The only gripe I have with the build is the cable. No, it’s not because of durability -- in fact, it’s probably one of the most solid cables I’ve had in my possession yet. My gripe with the cable is because it’s solid. It’s very thick -- reminding me of the cable on my old Beats Pro. Its thickness in turn makes them very difficult to manage. When they arrived, they were bound pretty tightly together by a wire, and when I undid the wire, I was greeted with an eyesore of a cable with folds and creases on every inch. Even as I write this, I’m still trying to straighten it out. Cable noise isn’t much different. Even with the over-ear design dulling it down, cable noise is still a bit of an issue due to the serious weight of the cable.
Fit, Comfort, Isolation
Now, I’m sure you’re still wondering if the bottle-like housings with a tube on the side would actually fit your ears. Well, I’m happy to report that it actually does. It did take a few minutes of fiddling at first, but it only takes a few tries to get accustomed to it. They’re pretty comfortable once they’re in your ears, though at times the housing does touch -- more like press on -- part of my ear when I don’t get them in right, which again is a nuisance, but it’s mostly just on me. Due to the housings being little more than a bottle with a tube sticking out of the side which goes into your ear, isolation leans toward average, but is nonetheless good enough for a walk in the park or at home. Don’t expect it to drown out much in a bus or the subway, though.
Also, something of note: the Brainwavz R3 can be worn straight-down; however the cable causes too much microphonics to be tolerable. That, and the R3 is considerably heavy with its thick cable and solid aluminum housings. I don’t know if you guys will like it -- maybe you will, maybe you won’t, but I most definitely will not wear these straight-down.
I hope I didn’t bore you yet with my explanations, because we’re just about to get to the sound. Bored yet? No? Great, now let’s move on.
[size=x-large]== Sound ==[/size]
Specs
Headphone Type | Closed back, vented in-ear monitor (straight down, around-the-ear) |
Driver Type | 10 mm dynamic x2 |
Frequency Response | 16 Hz – 22 kHz |
Rated Input Power | 30 mW |
Sensitivity | 110 dB @ 1 mW |
Impedance | 32 Ω |
Weight | N/A |
Cable | 1.3 m (4.2’) Copper Y-Cord |
Connector | 3.5 mm (1/8”) gold-plated 45-degree TRS |
Accessories | Hard carrying case 3 pairs single-flange silicone eartips (grey, S/M/L) 3 pairs single-flange silicone eartips (black, S/M/L) 1 pair double-flange silicone eartips 1 pair triple-flange silicone eartips 1 pair Comply™ T-500 foam eartips 6.3 mm (1/4”) adapter |
Equipment, Burn-in
The equipment used for this review consists of my iPod Touch, an iPad 3, and my PC through headphone-out as the sources, all running without an amp. The amp used in the test is a Yamaha RX-V359 through headphone-out. As for the EQ software being used, I use Viper4Windows on the PC and the default system EQ on the other sources. As always, my test tracks are available here, although I will link specific songs in the assessment for a more direct point of reference.
As per review “tradition,” the Brainwavz R3s have been burned in for at least 100 hours prior to the review, with occasional listening sessions in between for an average of an hour. So far, throughout the 100 hours of burn-in, there haven’t been any noticeable changes in sound. Also, the eartips I used are the L-sized grey single flanges throughout the review. So, without further ado, let’s get on to the sound!
Sound Quality
Bass:
Okay, let’s start off with the bass. As an IEM designed for the audiophile crowd, don’t expect the R3 to have elevated bass, because it doesn’t have that. However, what it does have is a smooth, swift low-end that is clearly made for its target audience. Its accurate, slightly warm tone reproduces low tones without overdoing anything. It also has a strong enough punch to satisfy most listeners who aren’t craving bass. In short, it’s a very addicting listen that works amazingly with cool, laid-back songs (Daft Punk –The Game of Love, Something About Us).
Midrange:
The Brainwavz R3’s midrange is sweet and rich – basically, it sounds great. It has a great amount of clarity with a slight warmth to it. It reproduces the midrange very well, and despite its mid-centric signature (more on this later), isn’t as forward as I expected. One of my favourite characteristics about it, though, is how they manage to blend really well with the bass (Coldplay –Sparks) – making a very cohesive and united sound signature.
Treble:
Brainwavz purposely tuned the R3 to have a smooth, laid-back treble, topping off the sound signature like the smooth foam on a latte (more on this analogy later). This laid-back signature gives the R3 a very relaxing signature that you can simply listen to for hours, which is a huge plus in my book. (Note: Technical mode ON) Though most laid-back treble usually sounds veiled and lacking detail, Brainwavz managed to counter that by tuning in a treble spike around 10 kHz. This allows the R3 to still retain great detail retrieval even with its laid-back treble (technical mode OFF).
Soundstage/Presentation:
Apparently Brainwavz’ “Sound Chamber” technology actually does affect the R3’s sound signature – specifically, its soundstage. It’s very wide, airy, and expansive, which you usually don’t get to hear very often in an earphone, so that’s a huge plus. Live, acoustic, and classical recordings really come to life on the Brainwavz R3. However, I did notice instruments were projected (or “sound like” in layman’s terms) onto a narrow arc in front of you, instead of all around you. It’s a little quirk there that might not be as appealing to the more finicky listeners, but it’s not too much of a big deal.
Genre Proficiency:
The Brainwavz R3, as I’ve said earlier, works amazingly well with cool, laid-back genres, synergising well with its laid-back sound. Stuff like Coldplay, Daft Punk’s slower works, classical, anything that’s slow or has a relaxing vibe – the Brainwavz R3 performs spectacularly. However, it’s hardly finicky with genres and will play anything you throw at it very well.
Summary:
The Brainwavz R3’s sound is something I could liken to a nice latte – smooth, rich, creamy, sweet, and with just the right kick from the coffee. I’m sure from this, you can put two and two together, so there’s not much to say other than it’s great if the R3’s sound is what you’re looking for. Bassheads will have to look elsewhere, because the R3 is definitely an audiophile IEM.
Other Media
Games:
The R3 isn’t bad with games. Sure, its detail retrieval is great for getting an edge over the competition, but its rather congested presentation takes a hit to their imaging capabilities. All in all, they’re not something I’d use for competitive gaming.
Movies:
The R3’s smooth, balanced signature allows it to play along with pretty much any type of movie, from epic action scenes to heart-wrenching drama moments. I find they perform better with quieter movies, just as they do well with laid-back music.
EQ Response, Amplification
The R3, in my opinion, doesn’t really respond well to EQ (rather, basic EQ presets), though with a more advanced EQ like Electri-Q or Viper4Windows, you can EQ them to be completely flat, which, surprisingly, is very easy to do. But once I did that, man, oh man. The results were amazing. Probably the only downside to this is having to go through rather extensive tweaking and listening to get the sound just right, but otherwise they’re perfectly fine. At an impedance rating of about 32 ohms, they do need a bit more power to drive than, say, the S5 IEMs. At lower volumes, their midrange sounds rather muffled, and both ends of the spectrum also lose some detail. With extra power, though, the midrange comes forward, and with enough power, the bass suddenly begins to sound pretty damn impressive. You can really feel the sub-bass notes come alive and make the entire signature come together to no short of amazing. I don’t have a dedicated headphone amp as of yet, but now I begin to realize just how much I need one.