After my recent review of ATH-IMxy replacement cables, I decided to share with you another great accessory which I place into "must have" category.
This is a review of Brainwavz earphone hard case. http://www.mp4nation.net/brainwavz-earphone-hard-case
It doesn't matter if you have $25, $500, or $1000 pair of headphones. If you want to extend their longevity, you need to protect your headphones by storing in a case when not in use or while transporting them. In-ear headphones are especially vulnerable to damage since wire attachment to earpiece is the weakest point where you should avoid bends. Removable cables help so you don't have to replace the whole headphone set, but not every in-ear headphone has those. Often manufacturers include a draw string storage pouch because it takes little room in headphone packaging, but they are a joke when it comes to a protection. Furthermore, a lot of standard small round zip cases don't work with headset where you have to deal with memory wire. I have been searching for awhile to find hard case for my ATH-IM50 and ATH-IM03, and finally found a perfect solution I would like to share with you about.
Though Audio Technica designed their headphones with removable cables, these have a rather finicky memory wire which takes awhile to shape and to keep that shape intact when headphones are not in use. On top of that, IM50 comes with a small drawstring pouch and IM03 comes with a huge case the size of sunglass cases. I tried some after market cases, but they were either too small, or too big, or too smelly, and the most important thing - too shallow. Brainwavz earphone hard case hits the sweet spot with the best design ergonomics I have seen so far.
Designed from a very durable material, its rigid EVA hard shell is strong enough to protect from external crushing, and has inner soft lining to protect from scratches, including stretchable storage pockets on each side. It also comes with a double zipper which makes it convenient to place a small mp3 player, like Sansa Clip, and be able to adjust zippers for headphone cable opening. The internal dimensions are about 80mm x 55mm x 30mm. With my IM50 and IM03, I was able to wrap the wire and store it in one pocket while headphones with a memory wire portion were resting on top of it leaving enough room to close and zip a case without squishing pre-shaped memory wire.
Overall, for some it might sounds over the top to write a review about a headphone case, but I think it's as important as any other essential headphone accessory. This hard case is spacious enough to keep 2 pairs of regular headphones, or a pair of headphones with memory wires, or for headphones and a small mp3 player like Sansa Clip or Clip Sport. Considering $6 price from MP4Nation, one of the main distributors of Brainwavz products, this is without a doubt a must have accessory for your in-ear headphones!
Here are the pictures.
Btw, I got S5 as well and loving it! Will write my review soon.