Introduction/Disclaimer:
I would like to thank Positive Vibes for the opportunity to review the VooDoo Dual Driver Automatic Noise Canceling (ANC) over ear headphones. I am not affiliated with PV in any way. A factory blem sample was sent to me free of charge in exchange for my honest opinion. They are currently $89 US on Amazon. Here is a link to purchase:

VooDoo ANC Headphones Amazon

Positive Vibes Website

My Background and Sound Preference:
Don’t consider myself an audiophile. Just a music lover. One of the first sets of headphones I owned was a set of Koss Porta Pros. Didn’t know it at the time, but the Porta Pros were a well liked set of HPs by the Head-Fi community. Don’t have the Porta Pros anymore. The best set of HPs I own at the moment would be the Audeze Sine on-ears followed by the Monoprice M1060s. Sound preference is a slight “v” shape FR. Preferred genres are EDM, classic and progressive rock.

Specs and Accessories:

From Positive Vibe’s website:

Available in 2 colors: Red/Black and Blue/White

Voodoo Noise Cancelling Headphones Features:

PATENTED DUAL DRIVERS!
Up to 25 decibels of active noise reduction
Volume control on headset
Protective storage/travel zippered case
Ultra luxurious leatherette wrapped ear cups & padded headband
Gold plated 1/4th inch stereo pin
Gold plated 1/8th in. to 1/4th in. adapter
Gold plated dual-pin airline adapter
Two AAA batteries included
Compatible with: iPod / iPad/ MP3, CD, DVD players / android/ laptop computers / desktop computers
Limited one-year warranty
FAA compliant
Detachable connecting cable
Detachable in-line microphone cable

Specifications:

Active Noise Cancellation - Up to 25dB between 125-250Hz
Total Noise Cancellation > 94%
Driver Units: Low Frequency: 40mm Neodymium Rare Earth (2)
Driver Units High Frequency: 30mm Neodymium Rare Earth (2)
Normal Impedance - 32OHMS +/- 15% at 1000Hz
Frequency Response - 15-23,000Hz
Distortion: 1% Maximum at 1 KHz/1mW
Right/Left Output Difference: <3dB at 1KHZ/1mW
Output Sound Pressure Level: 108 +/- 3dB at 1KHz
Noise Cancelling On Output SPL: 105 +/- 3dB at 1 KHz
Power Rating: Normal 10mW
Maximum Input Power - 30mW (24 hours)
Cord Length Approx 1.5m
Adapter Plug: 3.5mm - 6.3mm
Battery 1.5v x 2 (Alkaline)
Weight Approx 227g

Build Quality and Accessories:
The headphones came in a sturdy cardboard box with an outer thin cardboard slip cover. Inside, the headphones and accessories are all packaged up in a nice hardshell case.

The included cables are on the thin/cheap side be are acceptable. One has an inline mic, the other does not. The in-line mic cable has an angled jack at the DAP/phone connection. The other cable has straight plugs on both ends. Good news is, if one or both cables fail, they can easily be replaced.

The headphones are very light and have good padding on the band and on the ear cups. Comfort is very important to me and these win in that department. Please note that although these are described as over ear, part of the ear actually touches the padding. The padding is very, very soft though so it doesn’t cause discomfort.

The construction seems to be all plastic on the ear cups and ear cup brackets. The inner head band is metal. I think the plastic saves on weight and it's typical for headphones in this price range or even more expensive (e.g. Bose, Audio Technica, etc.). The volume and ANC control switches are plastic and are accessible while wearing the HPs. Overall build quality reminds me of the Creative Aurvana Live!.

The volume control is a nice feature. It is nice to be able to adjust the volume on the headset instead of fishing out the DAP or phone out of a pocket.

Sound Quality:

With ANC turned on:
Again, I’m not an audiophile, but I’m guessing an audiophile would be happy with how these sound in ANC mode. To my ear, they seem fairly neutral across the spectrum. Perhaps with a little elevated bass. Clarity and details are very good for an ANC headphone. Vocals are clear and smooth. Sound stage isn't particularly wide or deep but acceptable. Everything seems close to and in your head rather than outside. The overall sound quality is very, very good straight out of a phone. Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories sounds phenomenal. Switching over to a DAP (Cowon Plenue D) yields similar results.

With ANC turned off:
Forget about it! Take a cheapo speaker, poke some holes through the driver and throw a couple of wet quilts over it and you get the picture of the sound (well maybe I’m exaggerating a little). Definitely not recommended for music or anything else for that matter in this mode.

ANC Functionality:
Regarding the previous paragraph, one doesn't buy ANC headphones to listen to them with ANC turned off. The ANC capability of the Voodoo is quite good. I compared them to Audio Technica’s flagship noise cancelers the ATH-ANC9s and they did well. I would rate them 85 to 90 percent of the ANC9s. I’ve never had a Bose ANC headphone but the ANC9 is supposed to be close to Bose level of ANC. I’ve used the Voodoos in noisy environments with no issues. Like most other ANCs, all the sound isn't 100% blocked out. However, when music (or movie volume) is turned up to a moderate level, you don’t notice outside noise.

Phone Calls:
Vocal quality for phone calls is good (both ways). Didn't experience any static or complaints from others during phone calls.

Conclusion:
Overall, I think the Voodoos are a great ANC headphone. They offer great ANC performance with even better sound quality. Bassheads need not apply.

Notes:
This review was performed using a Samsung Galaxy S6 and Cowon Plenue D on Rock setting. Google Play Music was used to play various genre tracks (e.g. EDM, classical, classic rock, etc.) on the S6. Listening level were moderate to moderately loud.

Introduction/Disclaimer:
I would like to thank Mixcder for the opportunity to review the MS301 over ear Bluetooth (BT) headphones. They provided me a free sample in exchange for my honest opinion. The current price for them on Amazon is $89.99 USD. Here is a link to purchase:

MS301 Amazon.com

Here is a link to Mixcder’s website which has additional info:

Mixcder.com Website

Specs:



My Background and Sound Preference:
Don’t consider myself an audiophile. Just a music lover. One of the first sets of headphones I owned was a set of Koss Porta Pros. Didn’t know it at the time, but the Porta Pros were a well liked set of HPs by the Head-Fi community. Don’t have the Porta Pros anymore. The best set of HPs I own at the moment would be the Audeze Sine on-ears followed by the Monoprice M1060s. Sound preference is a slight “v” shape FR. Preferred genres are EDM, classic and progressive rock.

Specs and Accessories:
From Mixcder’s website:

Build Quality and Accessories:
The MS301s come in a nice cardboard box. Inside are the headphones, 1/8” diameter plug male to male audio cable (~1.2 meters long), short USB charging cable and instruction manual. The headphones have a quality feel to them. Metal ear cups, padded metal head band and soft ear pads. The left and right indicators are large and located inside the ear pads. This is a nice touch in my opinion. Really easy to see which is which.

The included cable isn’t much to write home about. Really thin and flimsy. This is a BT headphone so totally forgivable. There is an audio quality improvement using the cable. However, no one buys a BT headphone to use with a cable. Therefore, this review will focus on BT audio only.

The controls are laid out well on the right ear cup. It’s easy to turn the volume up/down using one’s right thumb. The power button is towards the top of the ear cup and easily accessible.

Comfort:
I’m very picky about HP comfort. Have gotten rid of excellent sounding HPs and IEMs due to fit and comfort. I find the MS301s to be comfortable. Not extremely comfortable like say the Sennheiser HD598. Just “comfortable”. They do get hot after an hour or so but most HPs with pleather pads do. Headband force is evenly distributed and doesn’t exert point loading causing pain.

Usability:
No issues here. Pairing with my Galaxy S6 was very easy. The manual does a good job outlining the features of the HPs as well as pairing instructions for multiple devices. Pairing takes place automatically a few seconds after the HPs are turned on (after the initial pairing procedure has been completed).

Sound Quality:
The MS301 has an elevated bass. I don’t find it to be particularly boomy. However, it isn’t very defined or textured either. Mids are a notch or two behind the bass. Vocals sound good and have adequate clarity. Treble has some sparkle but isn't particularly detailed or extended. Overall, these HPs have a warm sound signature and are enjoyable to listed to. IMHO, they are not very detailed and can sound meh on some tracks. Isolation is pretty good since they are closed back. For on the go, the gym or stroll around the block, they should serve their purpose admirably.

The above sound comments are all for BT mode. Using an audio cable with the MS301s yields a different beast. Sound becomes more vivid and has more depth. Details pop out that were not there before. Bass gets some texture. Entire spectrum gets some clarity.

Phone Calls:
Vocal quality for phone calls is good (both ways). Didn't experience any drop outs or complaints from others during phone calls. The advertised range of 30 feet appears to be accurate.

Conclusion:
Overall, I think the MS301s are a great BT headphone. I’ve owned two other BT headphones in the past. The Brainwavz BLU200 in ears and Sony MDRXB-(can’t remember the model, didn’t have them long). The MS301s have better SQ and build quality than either of them. Suggested improvements would be the inclusion of a travel case and the addition of Automatic Noise Canceling(ANC) functionality. These improvements would drive up the price, of course, which could be why they aren’t included.

Notes:
This review was performed using a Samsung Galaxy S6 in BT mode. Both Google Play Music and Power Amp were used to play various genre tracks (e.g. EDM, classical, classic rock, etc.). Listening level were moderate to moderately loud.

Introduction/Disclaimer:

I would like to thank Sendiy Audio for the opportunity to review the M1221 in ear monitor headphones. They provided me a free sample in exchange for my honest opinion. The current price for these excellent IEMs on Aliexpress is approximately $199 USD. Here is a link to purchase:

Sendiy M1221 Aliexpress

IIRC, the price a few weeks ago was around $150. I believe the recent price increase is due to the addition of an upgraded audiophile cable mentioned about half way down the web page. The above Aliexpress link has some excellent pictures of the IEMs and accessories.

My Background and Sound Preference:

I joined Head-Fi back in 2009 when I started researching headphones for travel. Thousands of dollars later, I’ve built up a collection of mostly budget (under $200) IEMs and headphones. I’m not an audiophile by any stretch of the imagination. Just a music lover. Starting out, I was definitely a basshead. However, the last couple of years or so I’ve come to appreciate other aspects of good sound like vocal clarity, instrument details/separation and bass quality that doesn’t overwhelm everything else. I prefer vocals a little closer rather than behind all the instruments.


Specs and Accessories:

From Sendiy’s Aliexpress page:

• Function:For Mobile Phone,Monitor Headphone,Sport,For Routine Office Work,Common Headphone,Supports music,for Video Game,Noise Cancelling,Portable,HiFi Headphone,For iPod
• Support Apt-x:No
• Resistance:20Ω
• Frequency Response Range:20-20Hz
• Line Length:1.2m
• With Microphone:No
• Vocalism Principle: Hybrid technology
• Sensitivity:110±5dB
• Is wireless: No
• Connectors: AUX
• Waterproof:No
• Plug Type:L Bending
• Model Number: M1221
• Communication: Wired
• Style:Ear Hook

Build Quality and Accessories:

When I first saw the box, the first thing that came to my mind was V-Moda. I believe Sendiy was inspired by V-Moda with the packaging. High quality presentation and packaging all the way down to a leather handle on the box lid. Also, a cloth ribbon has to be cut to get the lid open.

Inside the box, the IEMs and all accessories were tucked away in a hard plastic case. It is my understanding that this case is waterproof. It has a tethered handle for carrying around and is quite large. Plenty of room for everything plus extras. Sendiy also included a smaller, more portable soft case in the shipping box. Caution: opening the plastic case requires an excessive amount of force (at least the one that came with my set). Use care or injury can occur (like a bloodied fingernail LOL).

Inside the case are the IEMs, two sets of silver cables (standard + audiophile), several sets of silicon and foam ear tips, a shirt clip and 6 sets of filters. Note that there are only 3 actual types of filters to tweak the sound (silver, gun metal and black). However, an additional set of filters has been provided that are approximately 1/8” longer than the others. Therefore, one has two length options to choose from which provides greater flexibility for different types of ear canals. I thought this was a nice touch since I have larger ears and chose the longer filters. The filter sound options are as follows:

• Silver - Enhanced Bass
• Gun Metal - Natural
• Black - Enhanced Treble

The included cables are good quality and have sufficient strain relief. One has a straight plug the other angled. The ear pieces are light and feel like smooth metal (which they are). Caution: on my set, one of the MMCX connectors refused to come off. I accidentally put too much force on the cable and pulled it out of the connector. Of course this had to be the more expensive audiophile cable. Moral of the story is, be careful swapping cables.

The included ear tips are ok, but nothing special. None of them ended up working well for me. Sony hybrids ended up providing the best fit and seal. Thus, they are the ones used for this review. Isolation is slightly above average for an IEM.

Sound Quality:

Black Filter - Treble Enhanced

I’m not a treble head that’s for sure. I listened to these only briefly with the black filters. If you love treble, this filter is for you.

Gun Metal Filter - Natural
I found this filter to be enjoyable, but still not my favorite. Treble, mids and bass in almost equal portions. I’m sure this would appeal to the majority of audiophiles. I’ll comment here that I don’t notice any sibilance or harshness with the gun metal or silver filters. The bass, while reduced, still provides adequate “thump” for most genres.

Silver Filter - Bass Enhanced

This is my personal preference and will be the focus of this review. The silver filters present an elevated bass response and make the M1221s more “v” shaped. The bass has nice texture and is authoritative. It remains pretty tight though and isn’t loose like some bass enhanced IEMs are prone to be. Mid-bass is present but not overdone. Bass is still less in quantity as compared to IEMs like the Sony XB90EX or Pioneer SE-CL751. I would like to comment here that going from gun metal to silver increases sub-bass mostly rather than mid-bass. This is a big plus IMO.

Mids sound good and have decent clarity. They are more prominent with the gun metal as compared to the silver of course, but I don’t find them left in the dust or drowned out. This is a case where genre comes into play. For classical, folk, instrumentals (e.g. bluegrass), classic rock, metal, etc. I think the gun metal would be the filter of choice. For EDM, pop, rap, hip hop, etc. silver would be the way to go.

The treble, IMO, is the M1221s weakest link. On the plus side, it is non-fatiguing and somewhat smooth. On the downside, it just doesn't excite. Cymbals lack enthusiasm. Higher registers seem to lack some sparkle.

General Sound Comments:

The stage of the M1221 isn’t expansive or open. You’ll get a more “in your head” experience. Some tracks can even sound congested.

I did notice that track quality comes into play with the M1221s more so than other IEMs I have. Some older tracks can sound dull and lifeless while putting on something like Infected Mushroom really livens things up. This, of course, is noticeable on my other IEMs, however not to the degree that is heard with the M1221s.

Resolution and clarity are very good which is what one would expect out of a 1 DD + 2 BA IEM.

Conclusion:

Overall, I’m impressed with the M1221s. Especially the build quality and accessories. I find them to be an enjoyable listen. At $150, I would heartily recommend them. However, at the current price of $200, they have some stiff competition (e.g. LZ A4 and Pinnacle P1). One is still getting good bang for the buck though even at that price. YMMV of course.

Thanks for reading!

Notes:

This review was performed using 320 Kbps MP3s and FLAC files of various genres (mostly classic rock and EDM (e.g. Infected Mushroom)). Listening levels were moderate to moderately loud. DAPs used were Rockboxed Xduoo X3 (flat EQ) and Cowon Plenue D (rock setting).

Introduction/Disclaimer:
 
I would like to thank Denise with Mixcder for the opportunity to review the X5 in ear monitor headphones. They provided me a free sample in exchange for my honest opinion. I assumed by the initial description that these IEMs would go for around $50 or higher. Bad assumption. Current price on Amazon is $17 (see link below). 
 
Mixcder requested that reviews be completed within a week after receipt.  Normally, I would spend more time than this getting to know a headphone or IEM.  Keep this in mind for the review below.
 
My Background and Sound Preference:
 
I joined Head-Fi back in 2009 when I started researching headphones for travel. Thousands of dollars later, I’ve built up a collection of mostly budget (under $200) IEMs and headphones. Not an audiophile by any stretch of the imagination. Starting out, I was definitely a basshead. However, the last couple of years or so I’ve come to appreciate other aspects of good sound like vocal clarity, instrument details/separation and bass quality that doesn’t overwhelm everything else.
 
 
Specs and Accessories:
 
Here is a link to Mixcder’s website which has the specs and included accessories:
 
https://www.mixcder.com/mixcderr-x5-wired-eaphone.html
 
 
Link to Amazon for Purchase:
 
https://www.amazon.com/Headphones-Mixcder-Housing-Reducing-Smartphones/dp/B06XD6QTT7/ref=sr_1_1
 
 
Build Quality and General Usage Observations:
 
The X5s came in a simple, thin cardboard box a little smaller than my hand. Inside was the case packed with the IEMs, ear guides, shirt clip and ear tips. The case is very good quality and provides plenty of protection for a backpack, luggage or pants pocket.
 
The black cable is on the thin side and has a plastic like coating. It does have some memory to it but not a gargantuan amount like some others I’ve had (e.g. UE TF10). Strain relief seems adequate for this price range. The shirt clip pivots all around which means it can be clipped at multiple angles if desired. The single button control on the cable paused and started music while using my phone.
 
The ear pieces themselves are metal and have a good feel to them. I recall years ago $17 would get you some cheap Sonys or Philips with plastic housings that would short out or fall apart after only a few hours of use. The quality of budget IEMs these days has definitely gone up several notches.
 
Lastly in this section I would like to point out that the provided ear tips actually worked for me! This rarely happens even with more expensive sets. The ear pieces stay in place and are very comfortable.
 

 

 

 

 

 
 
Sound Quality:
Basically, my ears interpret the sound of the X5s as a skewed, mild “v” shape with the skew at the bass end of the spectrum. I think any admitted basshead would be happy with these. Perhaps not some of the “hardcore” bassheads that are in the Head-Fi threads with that description. Still, I find the bass to be strong, textured and of decent quality. Sub-bass is present along with mid-bass. Mids and treble both take a back seat. However, I find the vocals to still be clear and enjoyable. Treble is non-fatiguing (fortunately) and has decent extension. Don’t expect a lot of details though. But, definitely acceptable for the price (did I mention they sell for $17?).
 
I’m no expert on sound stage, but I will convey what I hear. Vocals are in the head while instruments are just outside the left and right ears. The instrument separation is pretty good for this price range.
 
The X5s are easy to drive and sound great out of a phone or DAP.  Isolation is about average for a IEM.
 
Phone Calls:
 
I made several phone calls using the X5s. I had no problems hearing the other parties. Likewise, the other parties did not complain about my vocal quality. Also didn’t hear any static or interference during any of the calls.
 
Conclusion:
 
I could nit-pick about the small amount of cable memory present or that the treble could have a little more sparkle or be more smooth or refined or that the vocals could be a little more forward while the bass could be a toned down a bit, but for the price (did I mention that they cost $17), I can’t find much to complain about for an IEM with good build quality and sound. A lot has definitely changed in audio gear over the past few years.
 
Thanks for reading!
 
Notes:
 
This review was performed using 320 Kbps MP3s and FLAC files of various genres (mostly classic rock and EDM (e.g. Infected Mushroom)). Listening levels were moderate to moderately loud. DAPs used were Rockboxed Xduoo X3 (flat EQ), Cowon Plenue D (rock setting) and a Samsung Galaxy S6 (PowerAmp).

I would like to thank Mixcder for the opportunity to review their new Automatic Noise Canceling (ANC) G5 in ear headphones. I submitted my info in a review request thread and luckily was chosen to participate and subsequently sent a free review sample. I am not affiliated with Mixcder in any way and this review is simply my honest opinion.
 
 
Included Accessories:
 

1. In Ear Headphones with inline rechargeable control
2. Small Carrying Case
3. 3 Sets of Ear Tips (S/M/L)
4. 8 Pin Mini USB Charge Cable
5. Instruction Booklet

 
Build Quality and General Usage Observations:
 
The headphones came in a sturdy cardboard box with foam inserts. The carrying case houses phones, tips and charge cable. I at first thought the cable was proprietary. However, after some Googling, I found that it isn’t proprietary. But, it isn’t typical though. Was expecting micro-USB.
 
The overall build quality is above average. The cloth covered cable from the ANC control box to the straight jack is sturdy and tangle resistant. It has some memory but isn’t annoying like some other sets I’ve had. The wires that go to the ear pieces themselves are rubber and also seem to be good quality.
 
I had no issues whatsoever with comfort. Even with the included stock ear tips which is very rare for me. They were used on four(4) separate flights and I hardly noticed they were there.
 
The ANC control box has a clip on the back of it that attaches to ones shirt or lapel. The distance from the box to each ear piece isn’t that far so I found myself attaching it higher rather than lower. A couple of more inches would have been nice.
 
Would also mention that the ear piece nozzles are oval and are quite large. The stock ear tips did fit, but it took some work. Didn’t feel the need to try any other tips.
 
I’ve got to give kudos to the battery life. One charge lasted on testing sessions as well as all the aforementioned flights. The manual lists it as 8 hours for continuous noise canceling and I believe it.
 
Sound Quality:
 
I’m not even going to discuss sound with ANC turned off. Who buys a set of ANC phones for listening with no ANC right? I will say that there was very little difference in sound between the two modes. The main difference was an increase in loudness when turning on ANC.  Take this with a grain of salt because very little listening was done with ANC off for this review.
 
Bass
 
I found the bass to be elevated with decent impact. However, to my ear it lacks definition and is somewhat “murky”. Would like to have heard a tighter bass with more sub-bass and less mid-bass. This probably would not be a problem for the average Joe consumer.
 
Mids
 
The mids take a step back from the bass and treble. Vocals have decent tonality but are not what I would call natural. There seems to be some grittiness or harshness in the mids all the way up to the treble regions (having a hard time putting my finger (or ear lol) on it).
 
Treble
 
As mentioned previously with the mids, the treble can sound somewhat harsh. I would consider it rough around the edges. Definitely not a smooth, relaxing listen. It does have decent extension and doesn’t roll off too early.
 
Other Sound Observations
 
I would consider the ANC-G5 detail retrieval capabilities to be marginal at best. Some of my other IEMs (e.g. KC06A, D2002) do a much better job in that department and also have better overall clarity. However, we are talking about an IEM that’s primarily for ANC usage. In that regard, it’s perfectly acceptable. There is very little noise with ANC turned on and music off which is a plus.  Instrument separation is good (not great).
 
ANC Functionality:
 
I consider ANC functionality to be the strong point of the ANC-G5. As mentioned previously, I used it on four separate flights ranging from 45 minutes to 2 hours in length each. I had no issues listening to music or watching movies. It did a good job cutting out the low rumbling noise of jet engines. However, higher pitched noises such as voices, crying babies, etc. came through with very little noise canceling. In my experience, this is fairly typical of all ANC phones. Passive isolation is very low. So turning on ANC is a must.
 
I compared the ANC capabilities of the G5 to my Audio-Technica ATH-23s (in ears) and my recently acquired over ear ATH-ANC9s. The G5 was slightly better at ANC than the ATH-23s which surprised me. However, it fell short when compared to the ANC9s.
 
The G5 did well with phone calls. Vocal quality and reception was good on both sides of the conversations.
 
Conclusion:
 
If you are looking for a budget friendly IEM that is comfortable, has decent sound quality and is good at ANC, then you need to consider the ANC-G5. If sound quality is your absolute top priority with ANC further down the list, then look elsewhere.  ANC functionality bumps it up to 3.5 stars.
 
Thanks for reading!
 
Notes: music testing was done using an Xduoo X3 with 320 Kbps MP3 files or FLAC files at moderate volumes.
 

 

 

 

 

I would like to thank Solitude for the opportunity to review the XCS2 Dual Driver Automatic Noise Canceling (ANC) over ear headphones. I saw their original thread on Head-Fi requesting reviewers which didn’t garner any responses. I emailed them and they were gracious enough to send me a free review set (in retail packaging). I am not affiliated with Solitude in any way and this review is simply my honest opinion.

The info below was taken from:

https://positivevibesinc.com/products/solitude-xcs2-noise-cancelling-headphones


Specs:

1. Active Noise Cancellation - Up to 25dB between 125-250Hz
2. Total Noise Cancellation > 94%
3. Driver Units: Low Frequency: 40mm Neodymium Rare Earth (2)
4. Driver Units High Frequency: 30mm Neodymium Rare Earth (2)
5. Normal Impedance - 32OHMS +/- 15% at 1000Hz
6. Frequency Response - 15-23,000Hz
7. Distortion: 1% Maximum at 1 KHz/1mW
8. Right/Left Output Difference: <3dB at 1KHZ/1mW
9. Outpout Sound Pressure Level: 108 +/- 3dB at 1KHz
10. Noise Cancelling On Output SPL: 105 +/- 3dB at 1 KHz
11. Power Rating: Normal 10mW
12. Maximum Input Power - 30mW (24 hours)
13. Cord Length Approx 1.5m
14. Adapter Plug: 3.5mm - 6.3mm
15. Battery 1.5v x 2 (Alkaline)
16. Weight Approx 227g
17. Included Accessories:
18. Headphone
19. Carrying case
20. Microphone cord
21. Standard cord
22. Dual pin adapter
23. Stereo Adapter
24. Two (2) AAA batteries.
25. One year limited warranty

Build Quality and General Usage Observations:

The headphones came in a sturdy cardboard box with an outer thin cardboard slip cover. When you first open the box you are greeted with a VERY NICE hard shell case. I’ll say at the outset that the case impresses me more than anything else including the headphones. Inside the case are the aforementioned accessories.

The included cables are on the thin/cheap side be are acceptable. I use the flat one with mic 100% of the time because it is designed for portable use. The cable described as a “microphone” cable puzzled me at first. It’s approximately 4 to 5 feet long which is too long for portable and too short for a home stereo. It dawned on me later that this length would probably be just right for sitting at a desk in an office.

The headphones are very light and have good padding on the band and on the ear cups. Comfort is very important to me and these win in that department. I’ve worn them on flights for up to 2 hours with very little discomfort. Please note that although these are described as over ear, part of the ear actually touches the padding. The padding is very, very soft though so it doesn’t cause discomfort.

The construction seems to be all plastic on the ear cups and ear cup brackets. The inner head band is metal. I think the plastic saves on weight but it could lead to longevity issues. The volume and ANC control switches seem very cheaply made. Almost like some plastic toys you get these days for under $20. IMHO the build quality of the headphones doesn’t match the case.

I would also like to note that the volume control is a nice feature that I didn’t fully appreciate when I first got these. It is nice to be able to adjust the volume on the headset instead of fishing out the PAP or phone out of a pocket. I have used this feature several times.

Sound Quality:
With ANC turned on:

Now here was a surprise. I was expecting a consumer, bass heavy (can you say Beats) sound with these. Not even close. I would consider these to be mid-centric meaning vocals are forward with bass and treble offering more of a supporting role rather than dominating. I would go so far as to call them bass light on some tracks. However, on some EDM tracks, the bass does come out to play somewhat. Clarity and details are very good for an ANC headphone. Vocals are clear and smooth. Sound stage isn’t particularly wide or deep. Everything seems close to and in your head rather than outside.

With ANC turned off:

Talk about night and day. These go from sounding like more expensive headphones to sounding like $10 flea market sets when the ANC switch is turned off. It’s like going from FM stereo to AM radio. I suppose it is a good thing though because you could still use the HPs with a phone (or if you’re desperate for music) if the batteries die. Definitely not recommended for music in this mode.

ANC Functionality:

Regarding the last paragraph, one doesn’t buy ANC headphones to listen to them with ANC turned off. The ANC capability of the XCS2s is quite good. I compared them to Audio Technica’s flagship noise cancelers the ATH-ANC9s and the XCS2s did well. I would rate them 85 to 90 percent of the ANC9s. I’ve never had a Bose ANC headphone but the ANC9 is supposed to be close to Bose level of ANC. I’ve used the XCS2 for both movies and music on flights with no issues. Like most other ANCs, all the sound isn’t blocked out. However, when music (or movie volume) is turned up to a moderate level, you don’t notice outside noise.

The XCS2 did well with phone calls. No complaints from others or static.

Conclusion:

There’s definitely a lot to like here for under $100. If you are frequent flyer on a budget, these should be on your short list. Bassheads need not apply.

Thanks for reading!

Notes: music testing was done using an Xduoo X3 with 320 Kbps MP3 files or FLAC files at moderate volumes.

First, I would like to thank Shozy for sending me a pre-production model of the Zero in exchange for my honest opinion.
 
My pre-production model arrived in a small package. Inside was the Zero along with 3 sets (S/M/L) of black silicone ear tips. It is my understanding that the full production model comes with more accessories (namely a case and a box).
 

 

 
 
 
Build Quality - I've knocked off a star due to the cable. It has some memory, is thin and doesn't inspire confidence. I don't know, quite frankly, how it will hold up over time. Another factor for the reduced star is that the left/right markings are very difficult to see. You have to look very close in good lighting to tell. Some red/blue color banding would have been nice. The rosewood on the jack, y-splitter and IEM housings seems to be excellent quality with an elegant touch. No complaints there. The ear pieces are small and also very light weight which means you hardly notice they are there. 5 stars for comfort and fit.
 
Isolation - Isolation is about average for an IEM.
 
Sound - Now for the most important part, the sound. To my ear, the Zero is very balanced with slightly elevated bass. The bass is very well done though and doesn't interfere with other frequencies. IMHO these are not basshead IEMs. They aren't bass light either. It's just the right amount for an enjoyable listen.
 
The mids and vocals are very smooth and engaging. Vocals are slightly back in the mix. Not enough though that I would deem these a drastic "V" shape FR response (more "U" shaped). They are actually more forward compared to several others I have in my collection (e.g. Xiaomi Piston, Rock Zircon, TK12).
 
Treble is very polite and non-fatiguing. Details are excellent for an IEM in this price range. It's not a detail monster though, so for critical listening look elsewhere (e.g. BA's or BA/DD hybrids).
 
Concluding thoughts - What Shozy has done with a single DD is really amazing. Cable notwithstanding, I think these are a great value for the $50-$60 that they go for. I've sold IEMs in the past because of fit/comfort alone (e.g. Ultimate Ears TF10). The great fit and comfort these have adds value in addition to the great sound.
 
Highly recommended for all genres!!!
 
Notes: 1) All sound impressions were using an Xduoo X3 DAP with FLAC or 320kbps MP3 files at moderate listening levels. 2) Per manufacturer's recommendations, IEMs were "burned in" (i.e. played at moderately high volumes) for a minimum of 200 hours. 3) Stock tips did not provide a good seal for my ears. Therefore, JVC Spiral Dots were used instead.

I would like to thank Pandora and Brainwavz for the opportunity to review the BLU-200 in ear monitor headphones. When they approached me, I knew I would be reviewing a quality product based on past experience with the Jive model. These did not dissappoint.
 
The specs and accessories info below was taken from www.brainwavzaudio.com:
 

 

 

 

 
 
Specs:
 

1. Transducers/Drivers: Dynamic, 9.2 mm
2. Rated Impedance: 16 Ω Closed Dynamic
3. Sensitivity: 96 dB at 1 mW
4. Frequency range: 20 ~ 20000 Hz
5. Bluetooth 4.0 (CSRBC8645) with aptX
6. Operation max distance: 30 ft (10 m)
7. Battery: 60 mAh - 4 hrs playtime, 100 hrs standby, 2 hrs for full charge (Micro USB charging)
8. CVC echo and noise cancellation
9. Supports voice prompt for MMI: Power on / Paring / Connecting / Battery low / Power off
10. Supports HFP, HSP and A2DP
11. Supports pairing with two devices at the same time
12. 3 button remote, works with Apple iOS products, Android & Windows phones & PC

 
 Included Accessories: 

1. Earphone Hardcase
2. 3 sets of Silicone Ear Tips (S M L)
3. 1 set of Comply™ Foam Tips S-400
4. 1 pair of Ear Hooks
5. 1 Micro USB Charging Cable
6. Velcro Cable Tie
7. Instruction Manual
8. Warranty Card (24 month warranty)

 
Build Quality and General Usage Observations:
 
Like the Jive, the BLU-200 seems to be a very high quality product. The ear pieces and cable seem like they are built to last. The case is very nice. Plenty of room for the included cable and ear tips as well as the IEMs themselves. The colors (red & black) stand out and are a nice touch. The case is also quite rigid so you shouldn’t have to worry about any damage in a backpack or coat pocket.
 
At first, I thought the L/R markings were going to be hard to distinguish since I first saw them on the black ear piece connectors. However, Brainwavz must have realized this and placed additional markings on top of the ear pieces in white. Definitely a lot easier to see.
 
The ear hooks were pretty much useless for me. Guess it’s due to the angle of my ear canals. They stay in place fine without them. The S/M/L ear tips are of decent quality. However, they jutst didn’t work for me. Ended up using Sony hybrids to get the best isolation and fit.
 
Sound Quality:
Can you say BASS! It’s definitely the star of the show. The bass does overshadow the mids and vocals somewhat. It’s also not as defined (tight) as I would like. Some might consider it somewhat bloated. Perfectly excusable for this type and price range IMHO.
 
The BLU-200 is a v-shaped signature to my ear. The treble rolls off before it becomes fatiguing though. This combination leads to what I would call a warm signature. Very fun and relaxing. I feel like I could listen to these for hours. Details aren’t up there with what you would get with a wired set of hybrids or BA’s. But, definitely acceptable for BT.
 
Bluetooth Functionality:
 
 Fortunately, the BLU-200s come with an easy to read manual. Pairing with my phone (Galaxy S6) was effortless. Call quality is very good for both parties. Sometimes I get complaints from people I talk to if I’m using a wired headset with an inline mic. Not so, with the BLU-200.
 
I did have an issue while walking through an airport while listening to music. Occasionally, the headphones would “cut out” and stutter. I reported this to Brainwavz and they stated that this can happen in airports because there is so much BT going on in them.  Guessing that most BT headphones might suffer from this.
 
Lastly, something that I think could be improved upon is the amount of warning you get for a low battery. I estimate that there is only about 5 minutes (or less) from the first warning until the headset shuts down. At least 15 minutes would have been nice. Five minutes isn’t much time to wrap up a conversation (for me anyway).
 
Conclusion:
 
Would definitely recommend these for EDM, Rap and Hip Hop. Marginally recommend for rock and country. Would not recommend for classical, opera or critical listening.
 
Note: phone call and music evaluations were done with a Samsung Galaxy S6 using Poweramp (flat EQ) with 320 kbps MP3s and FLAC files.
 
Thanks for reading!