Review of Brainwavz headphones B150 — unusual, but good

Brainwavz Haven't released something truly a hit, but once a number of their models have earned if not cult status, but at least the title «folk models». Apparently, the company had the same thought and released a number of very interesting headphone with radiators with the balanced anchor.

«line» scheduled on 3 models: onedriver B100 and B150 already released and sold at prices about 60 and 110 dollars, respectively, and dvuhdverny, the more expensive B200 is about to come out. To me is was only B150, so I'm going to talk about it. By the way, it is worth considering that traditionally the Brainwavz love to have an occasional sale, so that these models can be purchased sometimes even cheaper than the current price.

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specifications

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• Beam: balanced armature
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• Impedance: 30Ω
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• frequency Range: 16 Hz ~ 22 kHz
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• Sensitivity: 105 dB/mW
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• Cable: not exchangeable, 1.3 m, OFC
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• Plug: 3.5 mm TRS, gold-plated

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Packing and delivery

Box this model is fairly small, but Brainwavz have worked on the design: the black and red palette, interesting textures — all of this is here. In the box is a large cover, which is folded headphones, a pair of foams from Comply, 6 pairs of nozzles three sizes and a clothespin for attaching the cable to clothing, however, for this model it is not completely necessary. In addition, there are different papers in the range and a strip with Velcro for fixing the wire in the wound condition.

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Design and usability

In appearance observed a pronounced tendency to minimalism... something puts me on some pathetic phrase. In General, headphones are superficially quite simple, but very comfortable. Reinforcing the emitter — the product is small and from the body of the earphone depending little, therefore, IEM with them you can make a very compact. Brainwavz chose a shape close to a semicircle with a smooth inner surface and a bevel on the outside. B150 worn behind the ear, and due to the small size of the sit without problems in almost any ears. Discomfort when wearing, they do not cause, and thanks to the long zvukovou insulate even slightly better than average, however, finding them dvuhventsovye nozzles, insulation can be enhanced.

The Wire in this model is a fixed one, of average quality, not thick, with silicone insulation. Near the IEM housing is already formed ear-hook, but memory effect is not here to bend them «under him» will not work, but the current version will suit most. Cable a bit microphonic, but thanks to behind-the-ear wearing noise is not audible. The wire is a little inclined to tangling, but are easily untangled, the cold solidifies slightly.

Block splitter and plug Brainwavz traditionally made large, so that their reliability experience is not necessary. Not sure how headphones will serve you for a long time, but «problem areas» go in design are seen. In addition, the developers offer a two-year guarantee, which is good for this price category.

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Sound

To listen To the following equipment was used.

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• and the role of the DAC and amplifier
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• Apple MacBook Pro Retina 2016 as the source
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• the role player
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• , and the role of portable players
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• Recording high-resolution Lossless-formats (Dr. Chesky have The Ultimate Headphone Demonstration Disc and others)

Traditionally sound onedriver headphones with radiators with the balanced anchor is associated with light and bright flow, abundant microlease. If there are Parallels with photography, it wound filter «sharp». Fortunately, Brainwavz didn't go that way and decided to make a different sound. B150 have a slight incline into the darkness, which, in combination with typical emotional midrange sounds very interesting. Judging by the reviews, model B100 sounds more neutral, so I hope to soon get to know her better.

Bass accented quantitatively, the main emphasis is on the area of the midbass, but, fortunately, it is done rather moderately, and the rate inherent in the «valves», is compensated by the massiveness. In sum, this gives atypical for this technology, the weight of the bass and even allows you to indicate the presence of subbase and drums. Of course, it's a little too dark for the speed, but this exchange, to my taste — quite acceptable compromise. Roughly speaking, the resolution here is less than «typical of rebar», but still comparable to very good representatives of dynamic models, while the bass is not anemic and dry. The bass texture is slightly smoothed but turbidity and crowding absolutely not.

Mid-frequency range is also made in «relaxed» the key is combining a little milder flow with accentuated emotionality, which provides technology emitters. Headphones very far from the dry sound giperplazirovannah detail, so will not suit lovers of microdialysate. Plus they are not aggressive in the field wsch that deprives them of their anger for the brutal genres. B150 reveal themselves well on vocals, especially sensitive, also very nice with well recorded instrumental music. Imaginary scene about average depth and width, with quality separation plans.

RF-band a little more than emphasize the relatively midrange, but without undue fanaticism. «the Top» here is intended primarily to balance the bass with this task good, headphones keep slightly dark flow without a hint of excessive harshness and aggression. HF designed for speed and resolution, although the top reinforcement models them away, and the attack and decay are not quite perfect (but for this price expect the opposite — utter nonsense).

Comparisons this time I will not spend anyone to find out «how this model sounds compared to the XXX» can read review of XXX and to draw conclusions.

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Compatibility

Contrary to tradition, the Brainwavz don't even have equipped these headphones headset, underlining the fact that they were created after all for high-quality sources. Unspeakably happy and fairly reasonable selection of impedance and sensitivity, which allows B150 play well with powerful players, without turning into a generator of high-frequency whistle. Headphones are optimally combined with detailed players with the flow, close to neutral, they better reveal the strengths of the model.

The Genre I would recommend this model to those styles, where the important emotional and a little dark where the flow becomes relevant: jazz, good pop, classic rock (Dire Straits, very good), classic-chamber (not technically, but tasty) and so on. Different evil evil can also be listened to, but the pressure of aggressive cymbals and furious guitars will not be here. The recording quality headphones moderately tolerant, somewhere in the 8 points on a 10 point scale.

traditionally a few tracks as example

Bijelo Dugme — Ovaj Ples Dame Biraju. Talented people — talented in everything (if not getting into politics), and that the pillar of the Yugoslav rock scene under the control of Goran Bregovic with ease proves that they are subject to even complex things like cabaret jazz. Musically, this room is decorated very minimalistic: the bass, light percussion and sensual vocals. Plus a little keyboard lost somewhere in the background, and the main ingredient is high-quality recording. The result is goosebumps are guaranteed. B150 perfectly capture the richness of the bass and vocals, without losing the other elements of music.

The Glenn Miller Orchestra — PEnnsylvania 6-5000. One of the most famous jazz standards swingover owes its name to the famous new York hotel «PA» more precisely, its main restaurant «Cafe Rouge», forever inscribed in the history of jazz. Are countless well-known performers and bands that played there, of course, Glenn Miller was no exception. Overall, this is an example of the standard is quite simple but very «clingy» sitting in memory. I recommend the version with remaster «In the Digital Mood», he, on the one hand, it sounds quite modern, and with another — in keeping with the spirit of the orchestra, which in combination with the B150 gives a great immersive experience.

Annihilator — Perfect Angel Eyes. What can you expect from a group called «annihilator» and of the album, the cover of which depicts human flesh devouring zombies? Familiar with the work of the team will immediately answer: «whatever, it's Jeff waters» — and they will be right. This time Jeff decided to make a lyrical ballad, and as usual, it worked perfectly. Interesting catchy melody, soulful vocals, all mixed in perfect proportions. Add to this B150 and get a very sensual performance, giving a track of showiness. However, for the rest of the album tracks headphones fit worse, there is still need more aggression.

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Insights

Actually, Brainwavz has managed to do what I've been waiting for — to produce interesting and original model with a nice price. Filing B150 somewhat like the sound you're trying to do in their younger models, EarSonics, but Chinese new is much cheaper. Judging by the reviews, the company has managed and the model B100, but of course the interesting thing dvuhdverny their upcoming flagship, which I'm looking forward to.

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