Disclosure: This review unit is supplied by Brainwavz
About Brainwavz and its S0
Brainwavz is a Hong Kong based audio company that manufactures portable audio including IEMs, DAPs, Headphones and even DACs since 2008. I have heard their products way back in 2009 (I think) and I quite liked what I heard. They don’t make very high-end equipment but more budget and VFM offerings.
The earphone on review today is the Brainwavz S0 which is one of their newer IEMs. I say newer because some IEMs in their lineup have been there for many years like the M2 which has been around for almost 6 years now. Unlike the Brainwavz Xfit 200 that we reviewed earlier these aren’t fitness earphones and such don’t isolate or stay in the ear as easily. However, they are still pretty comfortable and come with a built-in volume control which works just fine with the few phones I tried it with.
The following specs are from its website
Features:
- Clear and Balanced sound
- Accurate Sound reproduction
- Durable Metal Housing
Microphone & Remote:
- Supports Apple iOS Products
- Phone Call Control
- Audio Player Control
- Volume Control
- MEMS (Micro-Electrical-Mechanical System
Specifications:
- Drivers: Dynamic, 9 mm
- Rated Impedance: 16 Ω
- Frequency Range: 18 Hz ~ 18 kHz
- Sensitivity: 100 dB at 1 mW
- Rated Input Power: 10 mW
- Cable: 1.2 m Y-Cord, Copper
- Plug: 3.5 mm, Gold Plated
Included Accessories:
- Earphone Hardcase
- 6 sets of Silicone Ear Tips (S M L)
- 1 set of Comply™ Foam Tips S-400
- 1 Shirt Clip
- 1 set of Silicone Bi-Flange Eartips
- 1 set of Silicone Tri-Flange Eartips
- Velcro Cable Tie
- Instruction Manual
The specs sheet claims that its microphone and volume controls work with iOS products only. But they work with my Samsung and my dad’s Lenovo phone just fine. The volume control worked fine as did the microphone button but some functionality like fast forward and rewind didn’t work on any of my Android phones.
The housings are metal which is very nice and sturdy. The cables are of the flat type which is both good and bad. The good is that flat cables are pretty sturdy and don’t break easily. The bad news is that flat cables aren’t good if you loop the wire over your ear to prevent the earphones from falling down.
The built-in volume control is multi-function. Pressing the middle button will pause or unpause the currently played song. Pressing it twice and you will skip to the next song. Pressing it thrice and you will go to the previous song. However, I don’t know if I messed up or its not supported on my device but I couldn’t get it to the previous song. Only the next song worked.
One thing I point out in almost every Brainwavz review and one I have no qualms about pointing out time and time again is the beautiful and sturdy case Brainwavz provides with their earphones.
The case is both practical as its very hard and protects your earphone easily. And it looks great to boot! Honestly, I haven’t seen a better case in the budget arena ever! Some of the more expensive earphones provide more beautiful cases but most of those aren’t terribly practical. This one is both beauty and brains!
Lastly, Brainwavz also provides Comply foam tips. Now while Comply tips are very comfortable and give excellent isolation. They also don’t last more than a month or two. More than that its a hygiene issue and they should be discarded. And replacement foam tips are pretty prohibitive. However, it is still commendable to get one pair with these budget earphones.
All in all the Brainwavz S0 comes with a pretty impressive accessories bundle. I really don’t have any sort of feedback to Brainwavz regarding any improvement in their bundle. They are top of the charts when it comes to accessories!
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