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INTRODUCTION
I can still remember the headphones and the IEMs that got me into the hobby. The IEMs were the Shure SE420s (later to become the SE425's following some issues with the cable cracking). They were an IEM I still remember fondly, and I even remember the reason for eventually upgrading. They were nicely neutral, but simply didn't have the lower end or upper end extension.
Since then I've been on a bit of a quest of discovery, not only about what is available, but also what moves me personally, and they type of IEM I really enjoy. As part of this journey I got a chance to have a pretty good relationship with a company called Brainwavz, which culminated in me buying their HM5 Headphones and B2 IEMs – both of which I still consider to be absolute value propositions. Since then I've reviewed a lot of samples for them, and some of them have been very good, but they've always had minor issues – whether it was cables, fit, frequency spikes etc. They've come close to achieving brilliance, but something has always been missing or wrong (in my eyes anyway). What they have also been willing to do is listen and adapt.
I haven't been involved in their last few releases (TBH I was unsure if they would ever get it right – probably a little selfish of me). Then Razzer contacted me very recently, said they were working on a new quad – but it was something totally different to their previous releases. He also hinted at returning to the hey-days of the B2, and that is what really sold me. He arranged to send me a pair of prototypes (no packaging) and its these I've been playing with over the last 3-4 weeks.
So has Brainwavz managed to achieve some of their potential with the B400? Read on for my thoughts.
ABOUT BRAINWAVZ
Brainwavz Audio was formed in 2008 as a subsidiary of GPGS Hong Kong. Their goal has always been to develop a full range of audio solutions (mostly earphones and headphones) that cater for a variety of different tastes, uses and price brackets. They originally started with predominantly OEM designs from other companies, and more recently have been working to develop their own stand-alone products.
In their own words:
At Brainwavz we have a simple mission, to produce innovative, high quality audio products with a dedicated focus on high-end sound. Our strength, success and product range is built on the unique relationship with our customers. A relationship that has produced a simple and obvious result, we give real users real sound quality.
DISCLAIMER
The Brainwavz B400 that I’m reviewing today was provided as a review sample (outside normal tours etc). Razzer has asked me for my subjective opinion and feedback, with no restrictions or caveats. Brainwavz have asked me to keep it for my personal use, or for follow up comparisons, and I thank them for this. I do not make any financial gain from this review – it is has been written simply as my way of providing feedback both to the Head-Fi community and also Brainwavz Audio.
I have now had the Brainwavz B400 for almost 4 weeks. The retail price at time of review for the basic model is ~USD 190.
PREAMBLE - 'ABOUT ME'. (or a base-line for interpreting my thoughts and bias)
I'm a 50 year old music lover. I don't say audiophile – I just love my music. Over the last couple of years, I have slowly changed from cheaper listening set-ups to my current set-up. I vary my listening from portables (mostly now from the FiiO X5iii, X7ii and iPhone SE) to my desk-top's set-up (PC > USB > iFi iDSD). My main full sized headphones at the time of writing are the Sennheiser HD800S, Sennheiser HD600 & HD630VB, MS Pro and AKG K553. Most of my portable listening is done with IEMs, and it has mainly been with my own personally owned IEMs - the Jays q-Jays, Alclair Curve2 and LZ Big Dipper. A full list of the gear I have owned (past and present is listed in my Head-Fi profile).
I have very eclectic music tastes listening to a variety from classical/opera and jazz, to grunge and general rock. I listen to a lot of blues, jazz, folk music, classic rock, indie and alternative rock. I am particularly fond of female vocals. I generally tend toward cans that are relatively neutral/balanced, but I do have a fondness for clarity, and suspect I might have slight ‘treble-head’ preferences. I am not overly treble sensitive, and in the past have really enjoyed headphones like the K701, SR325i, and of course the T1 and DT880. I have a specific sensitivity to the 2-3 kHz frequency area (most humans do) but my sensitivity is particularly strong, and I tend to like a relatively flat mid-range with slight elevation in the upper-mids around this area.
I have extensively tested myself (ABX) and I find aac256 or higher to be completely transparent. I do use exclusively red-book 16/44.1 if space is not an issue. All of my music is legally purchased (mostly CD – the rest FLAC purchased on-line). I tend to be skeptical about audiophile ‘claims’, don’t generally believe in burn-in, have never heard a difference with different cables (unless it was volume or impedance related), and would rather test myself blind on perceived differences. I am not a ‘golden eared listener’. I suffer from mild tinnitus, and at 50, my hearing is less than perfect (it only extends to around 14 kHz nowadays). My usual listening level is around 65-75 dB.
I have very eclectic music tastes listening to a variety from classical/opera and jazz, to grunge and general rock. I listen to a lot of blues, jazz, folk music, classic rock, indie and alternative rock. I am particularly fond of female vocals. I generally tend toward cans that are relatively neutral/balanced, but I do have a fondness for clarity, and suspect I might have slight ‘treble-head’ preferences. I am not overly treble sensitive, and in the past have really enjoyed headphones like the K701, SR325i, and of course the T1 and DT880. I have a specific sensitivity to the 2-3 kHz frequency area (most humans do) but my sensitivity is particularly strong, and I tend to like a relatively flat mid-range with slight elevation in the upper-mids around this area.
I have extensively tested myself (ABX) and I find aac256 or higher to be completely transparent. I do use exclusively red-book 16/44.1 if space is not an issue. All of my music is legally purchased (mostly CD – the rest FLAC purchased on-line). I tend to be skeptical about audiophile ‘claims’, don’t generally believe in burn-in, have never heard a difference with different cables (unless it was volume or impedance related), and would rather test myself blind on perceived differences. I am not a ‘golden eared listener’. I suffer from mild tinnitus, and at 50, my hearing is less than perfect (it only extends to around 14 kHz nowadays). My usual listening level is around 65-75 dB.
For the purposes of this review - I used the Brainwavz B400 from various sources at my disposal – both straight from the headphone-out socket, and also with further amplification. In the time I have spent with the B400, I have personally noticed no change to the overall sonic presentation.
This is a purely subjective review - my gear, my ears, and my experience. Please take it all with a grain of salt - especially if it does not match your own experience.
THE REVIEW
PACKAGING AND ACCESSORIES
To cut down on postage, and because I live out in the wop-wops (New Zealand is after all just a group of 3 islands in the South Pacific), Razzer simply sent me the small carry case (including some tips) and the IEMs. So I haven't actually had a chance to review the full package. What I can do though is give you a run down on what will be included
Brainwavz carry case | All the accessories | Tip selection |
- 1 pair B400 IEMs
- 3.5mm upgraded MMCX stereo cable
- 2.5mm upgraded MMCX balanced cable
- Brainwavz carry case
- 1 earphone cleaning kit
- 6 sets of silicone ear tips (S M L)
- 1 set of Comply™ foam tips T-100 Red
- 2 x earphone sanitary wipes
- 1 shirt clip
- 1 x velcro cable tie
- Instruction manual & warranty card (24 month warranty)
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Model | Brainwavz B400 |
Approx price | $190 - 275 USD (depends on colour and cable options) |
Type | 4 x BA drivers IEM |
Drivers | 4 x Knowles Balanced Armature |
Driver Config | 1 x low, 2 x mid, 1 x high |
Freq Range | 10Hz – 40kHz |
Impedance | 30Ω |
Sensitivity | 115 dB/mW |
Cable Connection | Standard MMCX |
Cable Type (SE) | ~1.25m, SPC with malleable PVC sheath |
Cable Type (Bal) | ~1.2m, SPC with malleable PVC sheath |
Jack (SE) | 3.5mm gold plated single ended, right angled |
Jack (Bal) | 2.5mm gold plated single ended, straight |
Weight (B400 + cable + tips) | ~16g |
Casing material | High quality UV Resin (3D printing) |
FREQUENCY GRAPH
The graph below is generated using the Vibro Veritas coupler and ARTA software. Ken Ball (ALO/Campfire) graciously provided me with measurement data which I have used to recalibrate my Veritas so that it mimics an IEC 711 measurement standard (Ken uses two separate BK ear simulators, we measured the same set of IEMs, and I built my calibration curve from shared data). I do not claim that this data is 100% accurate, but it is very consistent, and is as close as I can get to the IEC 711 standard on my budget. I suspect it is slightly down at around 9-10 kHz, but seems reasonably accurate through the rest of the spectrum.
I do not claim that the measurements are in any way more accurate than anyone else's, but they have been proven to be consistent and I think they should be enough to give a reasonable idea of response - especially if you've followed any of my other reviews. When measuring I usually always use crystal foam tips (so medium bore opening) - and the reason I use them is for very consistent seal and placement depth in the coupler. I use the same amp (E11K) for all my measurements - and output is under 1 ohm. For this measurement I had to use the included Comply tips because of the smaller nozzle.
Any graphs are provided merely as a point of discussion, and later in the review I've included comparisons to other IEMs for similar reference.
The B400 are what I would call a relatively natural, balanced, and well extended overall signature. The bass has very good extension and a natural bass hump (for impact) without ever getting too boomy or bass dominant. The mid-range has a very slight recession relative to both mid-bass and upper mid-range, but doesn't sound recessed because of the relative frequency peaks (it is still an extremely well balanced earphone).
Upper mid-range has a slow rise to a natural peak between 3-4 kHz, and displays great cohesion between lower and upper mid-range with no dissonance or tonality issues. Lower treble shows good extension, but is dialed back a little bit compared to mid-range. If you are a treble lover, you may want to give it a little nudge with EQ at 7-8 kHz.
A couple of things to not in particular with the frequency response graph:
- the absolutely excellent channel matching. It really is superb!
- the matching of peaks and valleys – note the mid-bass hump closely matches the upper-mid peak, and the sub-bass extension closely matches the 1 kHz valley.
This is the sign of an incredibly well tuned IEM.
BUILD AND DESIGN
External face | Internal face and nozzles | From the front |
The shell is approx 23mm across, 12mm high and 14mm deep at its widest point. It is also incredibly light, but feels quite tough. The shell on the “frosty edition” is translucent, and you can clearly see the armatures inside. On the exterior of the shell the word “Brainwavz” is printed on both sides. Apart from that, there is no other adornments I can see.
The shell join is pretty seamless over most of the IEM but at the very back of my right earpiece is a small ridge where they haven't quite joined properly. Given this pair is a prototype, and the care Brainwavz has taken with the entire package, I regard this as an exception rather than an issue/rule. Both the internal and external surface areas are well rounded with gentle ridges and valleys designed to perfectly fit with the main contours of your ear.
From the rear | Nozzle lip and sockets | Connectors |
At the top rear of the B400 shell is a recessed standard MMCX socket. The socket is brilliantly firm with both included cables and you need to use real force to remove them (a great sign of longevity IMO).
SE cable connectors | SE cable y-split and cinch | SE cable 3.5mm jack |
Bal cable connectors | Bal cable y-split and cinch | Bal cable 2.5mm jack |
All in all, I would say that the design and build quality is excellent (absolutely no issues apart from the one join – and I don't think we can count that as it was a prototype), and looks very durable.
FIT / COMFORT / ISOLATION
Isolation is extremely good with the B400 but ultimately will depend on the tips you use and how good the seal is. I've already used these on a flight, and can definitely say that with a pair of Shure Olives, they were brilliant – eliminating most cabin noise and achieving the same sort of isolation as well fitting Shure IEMs. Turning to fit and comfort, and these thoughts are more subjective, and will vary from person to person, my experience has been one of complete satisfaction. As I mentioned earlier, the B400 has been designed for a completely ergonomic fit. For me they are a perfect fit, sit flush with my outer ear, and basically disappear within a few minutes of wearing (I could forget they are in). I have slept with them intact, and woken hours later with them still there and no discomfort. The lack of hard edges and the smooth finish contribute to an extremely positive experience. The B400 is designed to only be used cable over ear.
Normal tip choices (left) won't stay on | T100 Comply and Shure Olives fit well | Perfect fit and great comfort |
The one tip I do have and which tends to fit me extremely well with shallower fitting IEMs is the Shure Olives. They are perfectly sized for the nozzle, long lasting, provide a great seal. For my personal tastes, Olives with the B400 they were made for each other.
SOUND QUALITY
The following is what I hear from the Brainwavz B400. YMMV – as my tastes are likely different to yours (read the preamble I gave earlier for a baseline). Most of the testing at this point (unless otherwise stated) was done with my FiiO X7ii (single ended) no EQ, and large Shure Olive tips. I used the FiiO X7ii simply because it gives me a transparent window to the music with low impedance, and more than enough power. There was no DSP engaged.
For the record – on most tracks, the volume on X7ii was around the 40/120 level which was giving me an average SPL around 65-75 dB. Tracks used were across a variety of genres – and can be viewed in this list http://www.head-fi.org/a/brookos-test-tracks.17556
Relativities
- Sub-bass – has good extension and even at my lower listening levels the rumble is clearly audible, but is not really visceral or intense (I often find BA bass does not have the same impact as dynamic). Does not dominate at all with tracks like Lorde's Royals, but does give some thump to give a sense of impact without overshadowing vocals, and there is no bleed (or masking) into the lower mid-range. Balanced and quick rather than slamming.
- Mid-bass – has a natural mid-bass hump – providing good impact, and sitting elevated over lower mids and sub-bass, and roughly equal with upper mids (so really good balance). Has good impact with tracks like Amy Winehouse's “You know I'm no good”, but never going to be confused for a basshead IEM. To me this is perfect (and natural) bass quantity.
- Lower mid-range – there is a slight recession compared to sub and mid-bass, and also the upper mid-range, but does not sound recessed or distant at all. Male vocals do not quite have the same presence as female vocals (bit I don't have the urge to turn the volume up slightly – so I think the balance is pretty good), and they do have enough body to be thoroughly enjoyable.
- Upper mid-range – elevated compared to lower mid-range, and there is a gentle rise from 1 kHz to a first peak at just over 3 kHz. The result is a clean and clear vocal range, with very good cohesion and some euphony for female vocals to sound sweet and elevated. There is also good sense of bite with guitars.
- Lower treble has good extension, and really is quite even and sustained from about 4 khz through to 10 kHz with just some minor dips. It isn't over-emphasised, remaining at about the same amplitude as the lower mid-range. This presents a reasonable sense of clarity and detail, but without any sign of harshness.
- My measuring equipment tends to struggle with accuracy over 10 kHz, and its a hit or miss whether I can actually hear it. Doesn't show any sign of deficiencies to me.
Resolution / Detail / Clarity
- Clarity is good – its something BA's tend to do extremely well, and the B400 is a competent performer in this area. Cymbals are clear and show really natural decay without over-doing things with too much upper harmonics in the 7 kHz area. Tracks like 10CC's “Art for art's sake” display really nice detail without any sign of smearing. If anything I would prefer a small bump at 7-8 kHz, but I acknowledge that is personal preference.
- Breaking Benjamin's “Diary of Jayne” is a really good track because there is plenty of high-hat action, but over the top are the vocals and a lot of guitar. The B400 handles it all with aplomb, and there is no sign of smearing, confusion or missing / masked micro detail. These drivers are really quick and very well tuned.
- Seether's live version of “Immortality” from their “One Cold Night” live album is a good track for checking the tonality of guitar, and the ability of cymbal decay to come through clearly despite the amount of acoustic guitar presence. The B400 managed this (the tonality overall just has tremendous cohesion and balance), but again I would prefer just a little bump in the 7-8 kHz region.
- Overall I feel as though I'm hearing everything in the recordings – and this is even at my lower listening levels. Tonality is really nicely balanced through the frequency spectrum, and would be an ideal platform to add your own colouration requirements via EQ.
- Directional queues are very good – clean and clear, and presentation of stage is just on the periphery of my head space with binaural tracks. The B400 has reasonable sense of perceived head-stage for an IEM, but is not what I would call overly open sounding (nor should it be).
- Separation of instruments and imaging is very good, again a benefit of a well tuned BA.
- One of the more spherically presented sound-stages I've had with an IEM (is this the mix of balance and incredibly well matched drivers?) – with only a slight L/R dominance, and reasonable sense of depth as well as width.
- The applause section of “Dante's Prayer” was extremely well presented with a realistic of flow around me. Does not quite come to the level of more expensive multi-drivers (Dipper/U10), but at a fraction of the price it is not embarrassed in their company. Impressive.
- “Let it Rain” was simply fantastic. The track has a wonderfully three-dimensional sense of spatial presentation – it is the way the track was miked. There was virtually no hint of sibilance with Amanda's vocal – and I know its present in the recording – so the slightly subdued upper treble response is toning things down slightly. The track itself though – beautifully presented!
- Overall tonal balance and clarity – while retaining a smoothness in the lower treble
- Imaging, and separation, but Ina more intimate total perceived stage.
- Both sub and mid-bass have enough impact to sound quite natural but do not dominate otherwise
- Very good portrayal of both male and female vocals.
- Nicely detailed at low listening levels, and not harsh or abrasive at louder levels
- Extremely good transition between lower and upper mid-range
- This is a hard one because it doesn't really have any sonic weaknesses as such, but personally I'd like just a little bump at around 7-8 kHz to bring cymbals a little more forward. I acknowledge this is personal preference only. Treble heads or lovers of a brighter signature might want to look elsewhere unless they are OK with EQ.
The B400 is not a hard IEM to drive with its 30 ohm impedance and 115 dB sensitivity. It was easily driven with all the sources I tried, and this included my iPhone SE and players like FiiO's X1ii (neither are power houses). My iPhone SE only needed about one third of its volume for a comfortable 65-75dB and going to 50% volume was simply to loud for me on most tracks (pushing into the 80-85dB range).
practically any DAP will drive the B400 well | No real need for additional amplifiers |
BALANCED PERFORMANCE
Fortunately I have a couple of balanced sources I can use to test the B400, and I also have a 2.5mm balanced to 3.5mm SE adapter – which makes rapid switching between the two really easy. I've graphed the outputs using both the X7ii, and also the Q1ii.
The graphs may not quite line-up with the graph I used to show default frequency response – and that is because it was created using the Q1ii and X7ii – neither of which are calibrated properly for my main measuring rig. But they both can show relative frequency response – and any changes between the balanced and single-ended output.
Q1ii measurements | Q1ii volume matched |
X7ii volume matched |
If you see people making night and day claims between the two – my advice – take those comments with a rather large grain of salt (and also anything else they say).
RESPONSE TO EQ
I think most people will love these as they are. But for those like me who want perhaps a little tweak in that lower treble – I can definitely recommend it (for my preferences). Using the X7ii, I simply nudged up 8 kHz by about 4dB, then changed the gain to bring it back up to my normal listening level. The end result – cymbals are once again a little more forward in the mix (my preference). Anyway – the B400 responds well to EQ (a sub-bass boost was enough to implement quite a bit of rumble if you prefer that). The versatility of the B400 is impressive.
COMPARISON WITH OTHER IEMS
Its always a hard one to try and pick earphones to compare with – simply because some earphones just hit well above their price point (and the B400 definitely does). So I chose to compare with some very strong contenders in the $150-$500 range, concentrating mainly on multi-driver IEMs.
For the source, I wanted something very neutral, but with a good digital control, to make sure I could volume match. So I chose to use my new work-horse – the FiiO X7ii. No DSP or EQ was used. Gain was low (I didn't need any more). I volume matched using a calibrated SPL meter and fixed 1kHz test tone first. My listening level was set to an average of 75dB.
I chose to compare Simgot Audio's new EN700 Pro ($150), my favourite Alclair Curve ($250), Earsonic's ES2 ($299), and ES3 ($399), and Dunu's DK-3001 ($500).
Brainwavz B400 (~USD 190) vs Simgot EN700 Pro (~USD 150)
Brainwavz B400 and Simgot En700 Pro | Frequency comparisons |
Sonically the two earphones are quite differently tuned, even though they look somewhat similar on a frequency graph. For starters the EN700 Pro's bass is centered more toward the sub-bass, and the DD bass appears warmer with greater impact. Its also a little slower and not as clean as the much quicker and more agile B400 BA drivers. The B400 is also more balanced overall than the comparatively more V shaped and mid-centric EN700 Pro. The B400 simply appears cleaner overall. As far as mid-range goes, the EN700 Pro is quite a bit more coloured and forward (it is quite vividly tuned). Both have a “relaxed” and non-fatiguing lower treble.
This one ultimately comes down to personal preference, and I highly recommend both at their respective price points. For me personally, I've always loved and preferred a well tuned BA based mid-range, and with these two my own personal preference would go with the B400 – but really you can't go wrong with either.
Brainwavz B400 (~USD 190) vs Alclair Curve (~USD 250)
Brainwavz B400 and Alclair Curve | Frequency comparisons |
Again both earphones have excellent build (resin vs polycarbonite), very good quality cables (again just 1 SE in the case of the Curve), and outstanding comfort (the Curve narrowly slips ahead in a head-to-head on fit and comfort). Both have a fantastic isolation.
These two IEMs are actually very close sonically, sharing a very similar tonality. The B400 is very slightly thicker sounding, and definitely a little smoother. Both have very quick and clean bass, and both are exquisitely balanced. The big difference for me is in the lower treble extension, and this is where the Curve just has a little more emphasis – but it is in balance and not over extended. Picking a winner between these two is not easy, and I know I can simply EQ a little 7-8 kHz on the B400 and get the signature I like. This one is simply too close to call. If I was picking a trifecta or triple crown at 3 price points ($150 / $200 / $250) it would be the 3 IEMs I have so far compared.
Brainwavz B400 (~USD 190) vs Earsonics ES2 (~USD 299)
Brainwavz B400 and Earsonics ES2 | Frequency comparisons |
Sonically the two earphones are very similar with bass and lower mid-range, but quite different in their upper mid-range and lower treble. Its not until you compare the two side-by-side that you realise how forward and coloured/vivid the mid-range is on the ES2, and although I still really like it, I'm finding the B400 seems a lot more natural sounding in it's tuning. The ES2 flirts with the tiniest bit of dissonance in comparison, and although it really is crystal clear and very detailed, I am struck by how much more “real” the B400 sounds in comparison. For me personally this is an easy one – I'm more impressed with the B400 and at almost half the price it really is an easy choice.
Brainwavz B400 (~USD 190) vs Earsonics ES3 (~USD 399)
Brainwavz B400 and Earsonics ES3 | Frequency comparisons |
These two sound quite different. For starters the ES3 has more sub-bass warmth, but the B400 has more overall mid-bass and resulting fullness and richness of mid-range. The ES3 is comparatively quite flat in the mid-bass area so lacks a little bass impact overall, and because of this sounds very, very clear, and clean. Couple that with the lower treble having a pronounced spike at 7 kHz, and you have a monitor that treble heads will ultimately love. Overall clean, cool, and detailed. The B400 in comparison is just a little richer, more relaxed, and perhaps more natural sounding tonally.
Again they are both really good IEMs, but I'm considering the overall tonality, and knowing what I can do with a bit of EQ in the 7-8 kHz area with the B400. So, I just can't get over the more realistic overall presentation the B400 delivers – at less than half the price. If I had to choose – it would be the B400.
Brainwavz B400 (~USD 190) vs Dunu DK-3001 (~USD 499)
Brainwavz B400 and Dunu Dk-3001 | Frequency comparisons |
Both IEMs have quality builds – sturdy, good material and a nice finish. Both come with good quality single-ended and balanced cables. The big difference in terms of design though is in the ergonomics. The B400 fits exquisitely and disappears when worn. The DK-3001 has hard internal angles, and for me personally becomes painful to wear after an hour (which is a real shame).
The two IEMs are quite different yet both sound quite natural in their own way. With the DK-3001, the bass is tastefully executed, and while it looks close to the B400 on the graph, the DD of the hybrid does give it more overall impact. Switching to the B400 and the first thing you notice with the bass is the missing heft and dynamism. It still sounds great – but the DK-3001 is just in another league. Lower mid-range is very good on both, and both nail male vocals with excellence. The upper mid-range is quite different though, with the DK-3001 being very vivid and definitely more coloured (it is also glorious for a female vocal lover). The other major difference is in the lower treble, and where the B400 is more subdued, the DK-3001 has effortless extension and detail – yet never overdoes things. It is perfect treble for my tastes. The only other IEM which is close is the Big Dipper. If you were summarising in terms of painting, the DK-3001 is an oil based – bright colours, captivating, beautifully balanced and yet still very vivid. The B400 is the water colour – a little more natural in overall tonality, but when you put the two side-by-side your eyes are naturally drawn to the oil painting.
If I could get the DK-3001's overall tonality (maybe a small cut to the first peak) and put it in the body of the B400, I'd simply stop reviewing. There would be no point – you'd have perfection, or very close to it. Unfortunately we can't, and when comparing the two, ultimately the superior comfort (yet still very good tonality) of the B400 beats out the brilliance of the DK-3001. The fact you an do so at less than half the price of the Dunu doesn't hurt either. If Dunu ever combines tonality with ergonomics though – watch out!
VALUE
So how do I see the overall value of the B400? Quite simply, it is unfathomable that you can buy this sort of quality at sub $200. if you'd told me a month ago that the Simgot EN700 Pro or the Alclair Curve would have serious competition in similar brackets I would have raised an eyebrow and said “yeah right” with some skepticism. The B400 from Brainwavz is not just competitive at its price level – its setting a new benchmark. It would be hard to think of any IEM I've tried (apart from the Curve) which not only breaks the old ideas of great value – it shatters it. The B400 can live comfortably with peers at least double its price point, and it does this with ease.
BRAINWAVZ B400 – SUMMARY
If you've got this far, you already know how this part goes, so I'll keep it short. The B400 from Brainwavz heralds anew era for them – one in which they finally have put together a complete package – build quality, fit, comfort, and sound quality – and done so at an incredible price point.
The B400 is made from durable quality materials, and is a joy to wear (very comfortable). It comes with two high quality cables, and if you can get a good seal, you;'re in for a real treat sonically. It provides a very balanced, clean, clear and engaging window to the music, which is smooth and thoroughly enjoyable for long term listening.
It wasn't that long ago that you'd expect to pay $4-500 for this sort of quality, and the fact that you can now get a B400 for less than $200 is really incredible value. With no real flaws there is only one ranking I can give this earphone. 5/5 from me. If you like a balanced and tonally natural signature with a relatively smooth top end, simply look no further.
I just want to close with thanking Razzer for the chance to review the B400. I don't know how he'll follow this though. Brainwavz may have just made a rod for their own back