ROSE BR5 MKII

Introduction

Rose is a Chinese company that specializes in in-ear monitors and earbuds. They started out with products such as the Mini 2, Cappuccino and Masya . Recently, Rose has released a new version of the BR5 with the BR5 MKII. I would like to thank Rose and Penon Audio for the review unit of BR5 MKII. At the moment, you can purchase the Rose BR5 MKII from https://penonaudio.com/rose-br5-mkii.html .




Specifications

• Impedance: 15Ω
• Driver Configuration: 5 Balanced Armature
  
• Frequency Response: 15hz-28khz
• Sensitivity: 115db SPL 1mw

Unboxing & Accessories

The BR5 MKII comes in a black package which sports the brand logo in gold. It has a protective cover with the image of the iem and model name. After opening the package, there are the BR5 MKII, headphone adapter, box of tips and hard case which contains the cable.





IEM Build & Design

The BR5 MKII is made of acrylic and there is a smooth surface. For both the faceplates, there is a nice blue wood grain finish with the Rose brand name in silver color. The shells are transparent and the internal parts can be seen clearly. The nozzle is straight with metal mesh. The BR5 MKII utilizes MMCX connectors. The BR5 MKII has an ergonomic design and I am able to fit it in my ears comfortably. There is a good construction.









Cable Build & Design

The cable is 4 core braided. For each MMCX connector, there is a translucent and red ring on the left and right respectively. The connectors have a silver housing with grip. There is a memory wire area and the cable is enclosed in a transparent heat-shrink tube which is very flexible. The chin slider and y-splitter are translucent clear. Lastly, the jack is 3.5mm gold plated straight with strain relief and it has a silver housing. On the housing of the jack, there is the brand name printed.



Sound Analysis

Lows

The BR5 MKII is able to extend its sub-bass well and it has a moderate quantity. The sub-bass reproduction operates on an agile approach and there is a good consistent punch. The bass decay has speed and the pace accentuates the overall sound. Bass texture on the BR5 MKII is moderately smooth. Each bass note on the BR5 MKII is articulated with precision and there is tightness. The mid-bass has a moderate amount of body and there is a quick slam. The technical aspect is shown well and the bass has great definition.

Mids

The BR5 MKII has an exciting midrange and it has great transparency. The midrange has a high level of details retrieval and it is rendered in a very clean manner. It does not present in a thick and lush manner but there is still sufficient body to tackle the vocals section. The lower mids has moderate quantity and male vocals are expressed in a fair manner without any dry feeling. The upper mids is boosted and the forwardness helps female vocals to shine. The intimacy level is good and there is energy which gives engagement.

Highs

The treble has a good extension and it shows excellent details retrieval. There is no sibilance and harshness. It has good crisp and slight sparkle to inject excitement into the overall sound. There is a moderate brightness. The amount of air rendered is great and it results in an airy feeling at the top end. There is energy present and it is fun to listen to. The treble is articulated precisely with a moderate amount of body.

Soundstage

The BR5 MKII has moderate naturalness and there is a nice expansion. There is good width magnitude and the depth is not very closed in with sufficient space rendered. The feeling is quite spacious. Positioning of vocals and instruments is good.



Comparisons

Rose BR5 MKII vs Dunu DK-3001

The DK-3001 has more sub-bass quantity than the BR5 MKII and it is able to create an impactful slam. There is greater extension and the sub-bass reproduction on the DK-3001 is fuller. The bass texture on the DK-3001 is rendered smoothly and the bass decay on the BR5 MKII has more pace with agility. The BR5 MKII is able to provide a speedy bass performance with a good definition. The mid-bass on the DK-3001 has more body and the slam is delivered with a weighted feeling. The punch is greater. Each bass note on the BR5 MKII is articulated with a clinical hit. The lower mids on the DK-3001 has more body than the BR5 MKII and it sounds fuller. Male vocals are better expressed. The upper mids on the BR5 MKII has more forwardness and it helps to boost female vocals in reaching a higher intimacy level. The midrange on the BR5 MKII is rendered more cleanly. The treble on both has similar extension. There is no sibilance and harshness. The BR5 MKII is slightly more aggressive and it is able to provide better details retrieval. With the extra bite, it creates an exciting treble presentation. The treble on the DK-3001 has additional body. The amount of air rendered on the BR5 MKII is greater. Lastly, in terms of soundstage, there is a natural expansion for both. The width magnitude for the DK-3001 is slightly greater while the depth on the BR5 MKII offers more space.

Rose BR5 MKII vs Fidue A85

The A85 has more sub-bass quantity than the BR5 MKII but it extends less. There is a fuller sub-bass reproduction on the A85. The rumble on the BR5 MKII has more pace and it improves the engagement level. The bass texture on the A85 is rendered with additional smoothness. Bass decay on the BR5 MKII has greater speed than the A85. The mid-bass quantity on the A85 is slightly more and it improves the slam. Each bass note on the BR5 is articulated with extra definition and there is a clean hit. The lower mids on the A85 has more body and there is additional lushness. It is able to tackle male vocals effectively. The upper mids on the BR5 MKII has more forwardness with a higher level of definition. Female vocals are presented with a good control while still maintaining the intimacy level. Moving on, in the treble department, the BR5 MKII is able to render a greater amount of air. There is no sibilance and harshness. The extension on the BR5 MKII is greater. The BR5 MKII demonstrates more technicality. Lastly, in terms of soundstage, the A85 expands in a more natural manner. The width magnitude is greater on the BR5 MKII while the depth of the A85 is more closed in.

Rose BR5 MKII vs FLC8D (Gold Filter)

The BR5 MKII has less sub-bass quantity than the FLC8D and the FLC8D is able to extend more than the BR5 MKII. The FLC8D excels in its sub-bass reproduction and it can provide a higher engagement level. Rumble on the FLC8D is presented in a more natural manner. The mid-bass on the BR5 MKII has slightly more body than the FLC8D and it is able to deliver a weighted slam. The FLC8D has greater bass decay and the agility increases the overall pace. Bass texture on the BR5 MKII is rendered more smoothly. The midrange on the BR5 MKII has a higher level of transparency and it is rendered in a clean manner. The lower mids on the BR5 MKII has more body and male vocals are presented with additional thickness. The upper mids on the BR5 MKII is slightly more forward and this boosts female vocals presentation which results in a higher intimacy level. Next, for the treble section, BR5 MKII has more extension and it is able to present the treble with additional smoothness. The amount of air rendered is greater on the BR5 MKII. For the soundstage, the BR5 MKII expands more naturally with greater width magnitude. The FLC8D has better depth.

Conclusion

The BR5 MKII is a detailed sounding iem that is capable of producing speedy bass reproduction, forward midrange and crisp treble. It commands an excellent level of details retrieval and does female vocals justice with liveliness. The treble articulation is precise with sparkle to inject excitement into the overall sound. In addition, it has an ergonomic design and comes with great visual appeal. The Rose BR5 MKII is a sweet iem to listen to.



For more reviews, visit https://audio123blog.wordpress.com/ .

Preamble:

Originally posted on my German audio review site, the "Kopfhörer-Lounge", here comes the re-post of my review of the Rose Technology BR-5 MKII.


Introduction:

“Rose Technology” is probably not the most commonly known name in the audio industry, but they are at least somewhat known among in-ear enthusiasts, especially those who are more familiar with less mass-market oriented Asian brands.

While they are still a rather new company on the market, they offer a rather broad range of products, including multi-BA (especially noteworthy is their tiny, affordable and great sounding Mini2 that I reviewed as well), hybrid and dynamic driver in-ears, as well as dynamic driver earbuds.



Rose Technology’s quintuple-BA in-ear, the BR-5, was recently updated and re-tuned, and is now known as the “BR-5 MKII”. Despite featuring quality drivers from Knowles and Zsound (a name that I have never heard and that I cannot find anything about, however apparently manufacturers such as FitEar have used it in their four-digit price range models) and being hand-made, it retails for a quite moderate price of around US$300 – and what is also somewhat special is that Rose, among only very few manufacturers of universal fit in-ears, offers several customisation options for the shell colour and faceplate material/colour, although not to the degree of options some of those manufacturers offer (due to being hand-made and customisable, it however also means that customers need to wait around two to four weeks until the in-ear is built).


What the BR-5 MKII sounds like, how it performs and how it compares to a few other multi-BA in-ears is what this exact review is all about.


Before I continue, I would like to thank Rose Technology and Penon Audio for finally making this review happen. Although I received the in-ears at no cost, my words remain true and honest, and I was not given any guidelines or requirements for the review, no matter whether it might turn out positively or negatively.


Technical Specifications:

Price: $305 (https://penonaudio.com/Rose-BR5-MKII)
Drivers: Balanced Armature (5x per side, triple-bore configuration)
Acoustic Ways: 3
Impedance: 14 Ohms @ 1 kHz
Sensitivity: 112 dB SPL @ 1 mW @ 1 kHz
Frequency Range: 14 Hz – 22 kHz


Delivery Content:

Rather surprisingly since Rose is a quite small company, the BR-5 MKII comes in a nice cardboard box that is covered by a properly designed and printed cardboard sleeve. Big thumbs up for that, it looks professional!



Inside the box, one can find the same cable and protective carrying case that already came with the Mini2, along with the in-ears, a shirt clip, storage pouch, three pairs of grey single-flange silicone tips, one pair of foam tips, three pairs of white single-flange silicone tips, and last but not least one pair of double-flange silicone tips.



While there could have been more sizes of foam and double-flange tips, the delivery content and presentation is generally nice, especially considering that Rose is a small company.




Looks, Feels, Build Quality:

As I already mentioned, some customisation options are available for the BR-5 MKII, which is nice to see since only very few manufacturers offer that for their universal fit in-ears.
When I was asked what I would prefer, I replied that green wooden faceplates would look nice. And so I received green coloured wooden burl faceplates with transparent acrylic housings.



The faceplate wood’s colours are rather dark and therefore unobtrusive, which is nice. It is also nice to be able to see the fine natural wood grain upon close inspection.
Transition between the faceplates and transparent acrylic bodies is very smooth and clean, without any visible or tactile seam. The same goes for the finish of the shells – it is smooth, even and without any flaws.
However upon close inspection, the transparent shells appear slightly “dusty” looking under strong artificial lighting and a few small scratches are visible inside the shells (the outside is super even and smooth though). While it is no big deal (to me at least), it does however make the shells look a little “dirty”.



Since the shells are clear, one can also see the drivers, tubes and other used components. For example, the three individual acoustic bores that are behind the protective metal mesh nozzle filter can be seen, along with the acoustic dampers for the woofer and what seem to be the midrange drivers.

The electric crossover is visible as well – it is undeniably a simple implementation, however what is surprising is that instead of using micro components, Rose chose to use a full-size resistor and capacitor instead. While not necessary, I think that this looks visually nice and is an interesting, cool quirk (and while the internal wiring isn’t the tidiest I have seen, it is nice to see it being done relatively symmetrical on both sides).

Speaking of interesting quirks, the side markers are not what you usually find on an in-ear. They are not letters or coloured dots – instead, each side’s side marker is a coloured rhinestone. That’s right, a small, coloured rhinestone, which is rather cool and unique.



Shape-wise, the BR-5 MKII’s housings resemble the typical C-UIEM/CIEM demo model shape, however with their own design touches such as the more squared appearing faceplates and the rather long, relatively deep fitting bodies and nozzles.

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The cable that is included is basically the same one that comes with the Mini2, except for somewhat different MMCX connectors.
It consists of four twisted conductors and is silver in colour, with good build quality, flexibility and sturdiness. It also features a chin-slider above the y-splitter.


Comfort, Isolation:

The BR-5 MKII is intended to fit deeper than most universal fit in-ears, however not as deep as Etymotic’s models.

Due to the slightly wider than average nozzles that go into your ear canals, it is advised to have at least averagely sized ear canals – people with small ear canals might be able to get a good fit and seal, however probably not at the correct insertion depth.

Once you have found the tips that match your ear canal size, comfort is good and the ergonomic shape should make the in-ears fit like a glove (in most ears at least, mine anyway). Shape-wise, Rose did a good job wherefore the BR-5 MKII is a nicely and comfortably fitting in-ear.

Due to the good twisted cable and typical over-the-ear design, microphonics are basically not present at all.

By the way, the ear guides don’t have any memory wire inside. Instead, they automatically adjust to your ear’s shape.

Since the shells are closed, external noise isolation is fairly good, as it could also be expected.


Sound:

My main sources for listening were the iBasso DX200 (AMP1 module) and Stoner Acoustics UD125.

I used the largest included white single-flange tips for listening most of the time.

Tonality:

Describing the BR-5 MKII, “balanced with bright, airy upper mids and a general presentation that is heading a bit more into the bright territory” is what comes into my mind. A tuning that is almost “typical” for many Asian in-ears, especially hybrid models, however quite rarely found in multi-BA implementations. Not anymore, since the Rose BR-5 MKII is now another contender that has a midrange that is tuned for an upper midrange elevation that adds clarity and airiness, and something that many lovers of music that contains female vocals prefer.

Friends of a rather neutral bass presentation should be pleasantly pleased, since the BR-5 MKII sports a fairly flat bottom-end with just slightly more quantity (+2 dB) compared to the Ultimate Ears Reference Monitors or Audiofly AF1120 while the bass is ca. 5 dB more present when compared to the Etymotic ER-4S/SR, an in-ear that follows a diffuse-field flat bass tuning, something that is rather rarely found. Therefore one will not find much added thickness, warmth or fullness when listening to the Rose Technology in-ear at all. Instead, a nicely balanced bass that is fairly neutral with the right balance between flatness naturalness is presented.

Bass doesn’t start climbing before 500 Hz wherefore it stays nicely out of the midrange without adding its own flavour to lower male vocals. It then reaches its climax somewhere between 100 and 200 Hz, and doesn’t show any real roll-off towards the actual sub-bass although one should not expect much rumble from a more neutral presentation anyway – the sub-bass is flawlessly present nonetheless (which is also audible when playing recordings that reach this low), however not in the foreground.

The midrange is what a couple of (primarily) Asian in-ears are tuned for, however most of them are hybrid models. The BR-5 MKII on the other hand is a multi-BA in-ear and among few models that are tuned for the same midrange characteristics.
From 1 towards 3 kHz, one can spot an evenly climbing elevation that adds brightness and clarity to the midrange. While it does make the presentation appear less flat and accurate in terms of the original meaning of “hi-fi” and adds some colouration to rather deep male vocals that appear a bit thinner and brighter than they actually are, it also highlights female vocals (as well as rather bright male voices), making them sound airier, clearer and stand out more without adding any colouration to them (well, as long as they aren’t deep female vocals). A tuning that is, as mentioned, commonly preferred by female vocal lovers.

This elevation is by the way a bit less intense compared to the hybrid DUNU DK-3001 in-ear that is also tuned for a brighter, airy upper midrange.

The treble shows an emphasis around 6 kHz that is not too narrow however maybe a tad too strong for people who are sensitive in this area. Above, the highs are relatively even and flat with only one other additional peak located at 15 kHz where it doesn’t really matter anymore anyway (super treble extension above 10 kHz is by the way great).

This 6 kHz emphasis makes the treble timbre sound a bit shifted and sometimes even a bit sharp while fortunately avoiding sibilance in the vocal range. Yes, brighter instruments are a bit shifted towards the leaner and brighter side as a result, which adds more airiness and transparency, however at the logical cost of some naturalness and evenness. Nonetheless the elevated 6 kHz range goes rather well with Classical music where violins are only a touch unnatural but in return gain more air, distinguishability and presence (not much unlike the Sennheiser HD 800’s middle treble presentation although a bit less refined and even).



Except for the 6 kHz elevation that can be a bit too strong and sharp at times and adds some colouration and brightness, the tuning is harmonious and well-made wherefore Rose Technology, just as with the Mini2, proves that they understand what their customers want and can transpose that tuning.

So to sum it up, the Rose BR-5 MKII is an in-ear tuned for people who like a quite balanced presentation with elevated upper midrange (especially loved and desired by friends of female vocals) and a generally rather bright, airy tuning.

Resolution:

Bass response is very good – it is fast and excellently controlled with good definition and just slightly added body due to the vented woofer without adding any softness. Good job.

As one could expect as a result of the tuning, the midrange has got a revealing and airy touch and character to it, however even when equalised for a flat presentation, it sounds detailed and small nuances are easy to pick up and distinguish from each other wherefore the BR-5 MKII fits perfectly into the category of good sub-$500 in-ears without rivalling models that enter the four-digit price range.

Treble details don’t fall behind either but are present, with notes that are quick, precise and sharply separated from each other even when EQ’d down for a flatter presentation.
Sure, the 6 kHz range is a bit intrusive, however due to its proper resolution, the BR-5 MKII can pull it off even though it can sometimes be on the border of beginning sharpness.

To wrap it up, Rose’s quintuple-BA creation resolves well, is coherent and fits right into the range of other well-resolving multi-BA in-ears priced below $500 with good performance while not achieving the same amount of plasticity and very last micro details as some of the more expensive multi-BA models on the market, however most of them cost considerably more than the BR-5 MKII (law of diminishing returns and stuff).

Soundstage:

Rose Technology’s in-ear portrays a relatively spacious soundstage that is among the better models in its price range, however not unrivalled anymore these days where spatially convincing and three-dimensional sounding multi-BA in-ears between $200 and $500 do exist, as opposed to a few years back when most universal fit models didn’t have the most realistic and authentic spatiality.



When it comes to spatial width, the BR-5 MKII slightly leaves the base between my ears. Some spatial depth is also present and the Rose is capable of reproducing individual layers as well, nonetheless the presentation appears overall rather wide than deep and while the lateral basis leaves my head, front projection does not really go further than my nose at max.

Separation and layering are good as well as clean, although not perfect, and the presentation also appears nicely authentic and rather three-dimensional, nonetheless the BR-5 MKII does not reach the spatially best in-ears in its class despite trumping several other models and coming reasonably close.

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In Comparison with other Multi-BA In-Ears:

NocturnaL Audio Atlantis (UIEM):

The Atlantis is a handmade universal fit in-ear that can be customised as well, however there are more advanced customisation options available compared to the BR-5 MKII. Price- and performance-wise, the Atlantis plays in a higher league though.

The Atlantis has got the more pronounced, smoother and warmer bass presentation with fuller but still natural and realistic sounding lower mids. Except for that, the NocturnaL has got the more linear and more hi-fi-compliant midrange.
When it comes to treble tuning, the Atlantis is more neutral compared to the BR-5 MKII that heads more into the bright territory, and as a result the Atlantis is result more even, realistic and authentic sounding in the highs. The Rose has the edge when it comes to super treble extension though.

The BR-5 MKII has got the slight upper hand when it comes to bass tightness with impactful tracks, however speed and control are pretty much on the same level. When it comes to bass details, layering and texture though, the Atlantis is playing in a higher league.
When it comes to detail retrieval, micro details, separation and layering in the mids and treble though, wunderkind and >$1000-IEM-challenger Atlantis is a good bit ahead.

The same goes for the soundstage where the NocturnaL in-ear doesn’t only have the larger (in all directions), but also more precise, better layered and cleaner separated soundstage with a higher level of authenticity and precision.


Custom Art Ei.3 (UIEM):

Upon special customer request, a UIEM version of the Ei.3 that can be customised as well is available from Custom Art. Being priced around the same, it however offers a few more advanced customisation options (that are partially only available at an upcharge though) than the BR-5 MKII.

The Ei.3 has got slightly more bass impact and sounds a little warmer in the lower midrange.
The BR-5 MKII has got elevated, bright upper mids while the Custom Art’s are more neutral.
The Rose has got the brighter treble tuning, especially in the middle highs. Solely between 7 and 8 kHz it is the Ei.3 that is a little more forward. As a result the Custom Art in-ear sounds more realistic and natural in the treble in comparison though whereas the Rose is more tuned for a bright, airy presentation.

The Rose features the somewhat faster and tighter bass whereas the Ei3’s is more body-focussed. In terms of control both aren’t far apart although the Rose ultimately takes the lead.
When it comes to midrange, both are roughly comparable with the Rose being a little ahead.
In terms of treble though, the BR-5 MKII shows an advantage in separation and details.

The Ei.3 has got the slightly wider soundstage to my ears while depth is comparable, although a bit more pronounced on the Polish triple-driver in-ear as well.
Instrument separation is about comparable between the two models while layering and reproducing “empty space” is where the Custom Art Ei.3 slightly takes the lead.

Pai Audio MR3:

The MR3 that was a spontaneous blind purchase of mine that turned out to be a very nice and pleasant surprise. It now retails for around $200 and is available in different colours (a few months ago Pai Audio mentioned that they were in the process of building a lab to manufacture CIEMs, however I don’t know if it is already fully up and running or not yet) whereas the BR-5 MKII’s shells can be fully customised.

Both in-ears have got similar levels of bass with the MR3 being just ever so slightly more forward in the lower midrange.
The Pai Audio in-ear has got a quite neutral midrange presentation whereas the Rose’s is tuned brighter and to favour female and bright voices more.
Between 3 and 8 kHz, the Pai is less bright and mostly lacks the 6 kHz elevation wherefore its treble sounds overall more realistic in comparison although not perfect either (it’s also got an elevation in the middle highs although with less quantity). Solely the Pai’s upper highs before 10 kHz are more pronounced.

The Rose’s bass appears ever so slightly faster while control, details and tightness are on the same level.
In terms of midrange resolution, the BR-5 MKII has got an ever so slight edge over the Pai that on the other hand features the slightly superior treble separation. Overall both in-ears are extremely close though.

The Rose’s soundstage is a little wider while the MR3’s features slightly more spatial depth as well as the slightly more authentic presentation with the somewhat more precise layering and portrayal of “emptiness”.

Logitech/Ultimate Ears UE900:

The UE900 used to be sold for around $400 (that it is definitely worth, sound- and performance-wise), but can now be found for less than $200 – a massive price drop that is always the case when Logitech discontinues the production of their audio products (in case of the UE900, it doesn’t seem to be the case for the American market, however for the European where it isn’t listed anymore).

Both have got pretty much the same amount of low-end elevation compared to a diffuse-field flat in-ear, however the UE900 appears a little more impactful, but can also portray sub-bass notes with a bit more authority although neither has got a sub-bass roll-off.
In the midrange, one could definitely say that the Rose is the “Anti-UE900”, having a bright, elevated upper midrange compared to the UE whose root bleeds more into the midrange in comparison and whose upper midrange/presence range is recessed for a darker vocal presentation.
The UE’s treble is more laid-back and except for a snappy peak in the upper highs that however doesn’t cross the ground/reference line at all, it doesn’t have added brightness in the treble.

The Rose has got the slightly tighter bass while speed and control are absolutely on the same good level. When it comes to midrange details though, the BR-5 MKII appears somewhat more layered and can present fine details better.
(Upper) Treble separation is slightly sharper and more precise on the UE900 while the Rose appears to be more resolving due to more quantity in the lower and middle highs although the Logitech/Ultimate Ears in-ear is overall slightly ahead in terms of treble definition.

The BR-5 MKII has got the larger, more three-dimensional, more authentic soundstage. The UE900 doesn’t have much layering while the Rose has got some.
Instruments are about comparably separated with a slight advantage on the Rose’s side due to slightly more space between and around individual notes and instruments.


Conclusion:

The Rose BR-5 MKII is the multi-BA in-ear dedicated to those who like a balanced sound that is leaning a bit more towards the brighter side, with an elevated, bright and airy upper midrange presentation (for example, a good amount of people I encountered who like female vocals prefer this kind of tuning – so the Rose BR-5 MKII would likely be a good choice in those cases).

It presents all of that with ample amounts of details and a nice soundstage presentation that, while it doesn’t rival the very best in-ears in this category, trumps several competitors in terms of three-dimensionality.



The in-ear’s only flaw is the slightly too energetic 6 kHz elevation that takes some realism and evenness from the treble while adding clarity and air, as well as some minor criticism when it comes to the visual finish.

Introduction –

Until now, I’ve yet to review many truly premium Chi-fi earphone so the BR5 MKII really intrigued me. And that’s because these smaller brands usually leverage value as their greatest asset yet with a $300 USD asking price, the BR5 MKII is hardly for the faint of heart. It takes a lot of trust to leap into this price range and while value orientated Chi-fi IEMs like the KZ ZS5 can be rewarding impulse purchases, the BR5 is a heartier commitment.

Rose may not be a household name, but they’ve made waves on Head-fi as a Chinese audio manufacturer that’s a step above (and with pricing to match). Their dual driver earbud, the Mojito, cemented their name in the minds of many and pioneered their very neutral orientated house sound which pervades throughout their entire product lineup of varying price and form factor. The BR5 was one of their first attempts at an in-ear design and a pretty premium one at that. And with a 5-driver design utilizing components from Knowles and Zsound, the updated BR5 MKII promises strong sound quality comparable to significantly more expensive. Let’s see what Rose’s flagship armature in-ear is all about.



Disclaimer –

I would like to thank Chi Kong Hui from Penonaudio very much for his quick communication and for providing me with the Rose BR5 MKII for the purpose of review. All words are my own and there is no monetary incentive for a positive review. Despite receiving the earphones free of cost, I will attempt to be as objective as possible in my evaluation.



Accessories –



The BR5 MKII comes within a nice hard box that magnetically latches open. The latch has a metal plate engraved with the company slogan and interestingly, the rear showcases that the earphones have been “designed and made in China”. It’s definitely intriguing to see Rose brandish this like a selling point, reinforcing that we can’t generalize the quality of a product simply by its country of origin.



Inside is the BR5 MKII and some ear tips presented nicely within a foam cutout. Rose also includes a plastic case filled foams and a shirt clip in addition to a soft pouch and Westone-vault imitation hard case in the two boxes to the right. The hard case is exceptional, the vault case is easily one of my favourites and Rose’s derivative is just as compelling; perfectly sized, immensely protective and well presenting with a metal Rose plate at the top. Inside is a silver plated cable which is also of excellent quality.



Design –

The BR5 MKII pursues a custom-like design that will be immediately familiar to buyers accustomed to in-ears like the Ibasso IT03 and Kinera H3. However, to my ear, the Rose is substantially better shaped than both, achieving exceptional fit depth and seal that is among the best I’ve tested. In addition, Rose offer the earphone in countless configurations similar to customs with colour choices ranging from transparent to a vibrant blue and green in addition to varying faceplate textures to mix things up. I received the BR5 MKII with a red wood faceplate and transparent housings that I find to look pretty stunning.



Build quality on the BR5 is good but not outstanding, chiefly because they are a plastic earphone lacking the solidity of the all metal cloaked Oriveti, Meeaudio and Dunu earphones. That being said, they do feel similar to models from Westone and Shure with no flex or visible joins in the plastic. Their transparent shells and perfectly joined wood faceplates with silver Rose text also grant them with a striking aesthetic that is only amplified by their braided silver cable. However, I do have some concerns with their construction, it would seem that the areas behind the driver assembly is hollow and the acrylic used by Rose isn’t perfectly transparent with a slight misting/haze to some areas but I didn’t find this to compromise the rigidity of the housings in any way. I doubt this is a limitation of Rose as an audio manufacturer since the Mini 2 has a perfect build; they likely did this to reduce the weight of the earphones and it does give them a more DIY look which has a certain charm. I would also intimate that the coloured options won’t be as affected.



And despite their long dimensions, the BR5 MKII actually has a pretty low profile fit on account of their fit depth. I wasn’t able to comfortably sleep with them like the Oriveti’s, but wind noise was minimal when out and about and they look pretty sleak during wear. Otherwise, I have very few complaints with the BR5 MKII’s ergonomics, they are simply an impeccably formed earphone. What most stuck out to me was the BR5 MKII’s fit depth, they are as close to customs as universals get. And combined with their fully sealed design (there is a small vent behind the driver assembly but this doesn’t affect isolation at all), the earphones produce more isolation with silicone tips than most sealed in-ears with foams, perfect for travel and use in other louder environments.



Stability is also faultless with an over-ear fit and that excellent fit depth augmenting some smart ergonomic forming on Rose’s behalf. However, this does come somewhat at the cost of comfort; while the BR5 MKII is small and smooth enough not to form any notable hotspots in my ears, they do produce quite a lot of pressure due to that deep fit and anything, no matter how perfectly shaped, will cause some level of discomfort at that depth. After a few days I acclimatised pretty well to the BR5’s however, listeners sensitive to pressure and bone conduction noise should probably consider a shallower fitting or vented earphone like the New Primacy. Otherwise, the BR5 MKII is more isolating and more stable than competitors, they just don’t disappear comfort wise.



The BR5 MKII utilizes a typical MMCX removable cable interface. The connectors are clicky and were completely reliable in my testing even with several different aftermarket cables. The stock cable is a very nice silver plated copper unit that is very supple with no notable memory or cable noise though it does have a slightly grippy texture. Otherwise, the cable looks fantastic with a loose braid, machined MMCX connectors and a straight 3.5mm plug laser etched with Rose branding.



The Plug is also case friendly which is a bonus for smartphone users. In addition, the cables leave the earphones at the perfect angle which, in culmination with their well-shaped pre-moulded ear guides, creates a comfortable yet stable fit, something some other Chinese earphones like the Magaosi, Simgot and TFZ Exclusive earphones struggle with.


Sound –

The BR5 MKII is Rose’s flagship balanced armature earphone featuring a whopping 5 balanced armatures per earpiece. That’s easily one of the highest driver counts I’ve seen around this price if not the highest though, of course, raw driver count doesn’t always produce a more agreeable experience. And looking through the transparent housings, the user can see the 5 drivers inside, 2 mid drivers, 2 tweeters and 1 huge bass driver. Interestingly, my BR5 MKII had a 26ohm resistor on the bass driver, I’m assuming orders straight from Rose may be able to be tailored through changing this component or removing it altogether, I would personally opt for a smaller resistance. Rose promise that each of those components is of excellent quality; the BR5 MKII utilizes drivers from some really renowned in-ears, featuring the same midrange driver as the $1400 FitEar 334 and the same tweeter driver of the JH24 to name a few. So with 5 quality drivers, the rest of the BR5’s performance comes down to housing design, dampening and, to an extent, the included cable. I was honestly concerned about Rose’s ability to weave these varied components into a coherent package, let’s see how the BR5 MKII performs as a single unit.



Cable and Burn-in –



I put the BR5 MKII through around 150hrs of burn-in to little effect, perhaps bass presence slightly increased though this could also be due to adjustment of my own ears to the BR5’s leaner sound. The BR5 MKII is noticeably sensitive to cable swapping, my unit actually didn’t come with the stock cable, so I spent some time swapping cables around while Penon shipped me the official Rose cable. I found the BR5 MKII to sound best when fed from a quality silver plated cables; the Ourart Ti7 upgrade cable and Campfire Audio Litz cables both provided excellent resolution and low-end balance, the ALO cable also improved sub-bass extension to the extent of producing some real slam on certain tracks. The BR5 MKII also sounded nice from the Plussound Exo Series Copper though that cable didn’t produce the bass depth I was looking for even if the added midrange body and cleaner soundstage were very welcome. That being said, buyers shouldn’t feel that they are being limited by the stock cable which was perhaps even cleaner sounding than the SPC Ourart cable but the Rose did suffer when fed from a generic copper cable from Aliexpress (even though the listing specified SPC, I very much doubt it).



Drivability –

With a sensitivity of 115dB and a conservative 15ohm impedance, the BR5 MKII is very easy to drive, more efficient than the New Primacy and Cardas A8 but slightly less efficient than the Campfire Jupiter which has a similar impedance and sensitivity rating. They are also surprisingly consistent among sources, picking up far less hiss than the Jupiter and New Primacy despite their sensitivity. I can’t comment on why this is so, but they do sound noticeably different from devices with a higher output impedance. For instance, from my HTC 10, the BR5 MKII actually sounded slightly warmer with increased sub-bass extension when compared to my Mojo and X7 II. That being said, users will still want to feed the BR5 MKII from a nice source, due to their excellent resolution and detailing, the Rose earphones scale very well, gaining more bass texture, more vocal clarity and notably improved soundstage space when moving up from my HTC 10 and iPod Touch to my X7 II. As such, buyers wanting a bit more low-end might want to consider impedance adaptors combined with a high resolution dedicated source. Ultimately, the BR5 MKII is a very efficient earphone that avoids being too sensitive towards hiss, they sound very nice from a decent smartphone or MP3 player and only improve with higher quality dedicated sources.



Tonality –

Not only is the BR5 MKII a balanced in-ear, it’s also a very neutral one with Hifiman-like accuracy. They even make the Oriveti New Primacy sound bassy yet alone more dynamic offerings like the Cardas A8, achieving a similar level of balance to the considerably more price prohibitive Audiofly AF1120 with a little more high-end zing to boot. For my tastes, I would classify them as a brighter, sightly upper mid-forward earphone; bass takes more of a backseat and treble is clear but doesn’t steal the show. But don’t let that description scare you off, because it’s how the sound works as a whole rather than its individual components that grants it strength and the BR5 MKII is ultimately a very cohesive package characterised by a super clean midrange and generally fantastic resolution.


Soundstage, imaging and Separation –

The BR5 MKII is quite a spacious earphone, they possess notably strong depth and nice width that has plenty of reach but never sounds explicitly out of the head. Listening to Arcade Fire’s “Everything Now” and the BR5 MKII didn’t quite expand like the Cardas A8 but came surprisingly close to the vented New Primacy in width with noticeably more depth, surprising given that it’s the most mid-forward of the bunch. Imaging is a strong point of the BR5 MKII and accuracy is among the best earphones I’ve heard around the price. Their excellent resolution and speed made them just as precise as the Oriveti New Primacy if not slightly more so; placement is sharp and atmospheric effects are airy, directional cues are swift with minimal smearing. When listening to Jonathan Richman’s “Egyptian Reggae”, elements were well placed, the main and backing guitars were clearly separated and drums and bass avoided any muddling. The BR5 MKII still doesn’t match more expensive earphones like the 64Audio U3 and Campfire Jupiter in terms of space or imaging precision due to inferior resolution and micro-detailing, but they do hold a notable lead over most other $300 earphones I’ve heard, even armature sets like the SE535 and W30 don’t match the BR5’s speedy tones. Separation is very good but isn’t outstanding, the BR5 clearly delineates between instruments, even during complex passages, but they lack that sense of space and isolation around each element that higher priced in-ears achieve. Still, the soundstage prevents their mid-forward tones from becoming overbearing in a similar fashion to the RE-600S.



Bass –

Bass takes more of a backseat in the presentation with a very neutral tuning though they never come across as explicitly anaemic and quality is stunning. On that note, while I do prefer a more u-shaped tone in general, I can appreciate the balanced tones of the New Primacy and the mid-forward RE-600S. That being said, even the RE-600S has a some extra sub-bass while the hybrid driver New Primacy and dynamic Cardas A8 both far outstrip the BR5 in terms of low-end rumble and slam. The BR5 MKII has a noticeable lack of sub-bass, even deep bass is just passable with notable roll-off to the lowest of lows that saps rock and electronic of a lot of impact. But that’s not to say that the BR5 MKII has no bass at all, deep bass has some body and mid-bass has a nudge of emphasis that grants low notes with some extra fullness. In addition, bass is very linear above that roll-off and the BR5 maintains just enough low-end body and warmth to satisfy instruments such as drums and acoustic guitar. So, for the most part, bass is perfectly present, they have adequate extension and a nice sense of mid-bass fullness. Bass can sound nicely punchy they just never sound deep like more extended armature or dynamic/hybrid driver earphones; even when listening to songs such as Calvin Harris’ “Feels”, the BR5 MKII has no real slam or impact though bass still sounded full, clear and textured.

As one would expect, any bloat or muddiness is non-existent yet male vocals have nice body when called for and bass frequently surprises me with its punchiness. Texturing is also fabulous but they lack the extension to resolve much within the lowest registers. When listening to Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September”, the BR5 MKII provided a lightning fast bass response that was significantly tighter than the New Primacy and Cardas A8 but also one that was lacking the sub-bass snap of those rivals. Mid-bass remained punchy and was just as textured and dynamic as the New Primacy but clearer with improved definition. By contrast, the Cardas A8 provided the most textured response though its thicker response took a step back in outright bass resolution. The BR5 MKII’s bass response is probably its weakest aspect, not because of its conservative tuning, but due to its lack of extension and power. While bass is super clear and tight, the Rose still lacks the deep-bass presence to grant some genres with accurate timbre and body, limiting versatility. As an added note, I did try some equalisation to achieve a little extra low-end presence, but no matter what software adjustment I applied, the BR5 MKII seems incapable of reproducing the lowest frequencies.


Mids –

The midrange on the BR5 MKII easily steals the show in terms of both focus and quality. They carry a brighter tone with lifted upper mids and a more neutral lower midrange that is very coherent with the mid and upper bass response. Despite this, mids come across as clean and surprisingly natural on behalf of some fine tuning but users accustomed to darker earphones will definitely require some acclimatization. Starting with lower mids and the Rose impresses with a similar presentation to the Oriveti New Primacy; both are slightly clearer, full-bodied sounding earphones though the BR5 MKII is sweeter while the New Primacy is smoother. Both are also similarly strong in terms of resolution, the BR5 MKII layers slightly better while the New Primacy has a bit more definition to foreground elements though neither sound as fluid as the higher priced Campfire’s and 64Audio earphones. The Cardas A8 pursues an inherently different sound than both earphones, it has the most spacious midrange by far in addition to the most body. But while the BR5 and New Primacy can’t match its organic tone and exceptional sense of body, they are both clearer and more balanced. However, whilst lower mids will be a question of taste, female vocal aficionados will definitely want to look into the BR5 MKII; to my ears, the Rose has the best balance between presence, body and quality, their tuning is much more refined than their price would suggest. First and foremost, I get pretty touchy about clarity, because clarity often comes with a loss of body resulting in an unnatural sound. But the BR5 MKII is just right, they are clearer than the New Primacy and considerably clearer than the Cardas A8 while retaining a lot of body, granting vocals with a very realistic tone even with the thinner mastering of Asian albums.

Upper mids are the BR5’s trump card, they are quite forward and can dominate the mix on some tracks, especially electric guitar, but luckily, the quality of the BR5’s upper midrange is truly exquisite with superb layering and smoothness free of sibilance or grain; the BR5 flourishes with piano, strings, female vocals and acoustic guitar. Arianna’s “Komm Susser Todd” best illustrated the BR5 MKII’s strengths; vocals were super clear with excellent resolution and strings were very textured and appropriately positioned, avoiding over-forwardness. The New Primacy was almost as clear but lacked the depth of the BR5, sounding less natural. Despite not having the clearest tuning, the A8 actually provided a really nice rendition with immediate vocals that were smooth, layered and defined if lacking the resolution of the BR5’s. And onto detailing, the BR5 continues to impress with nice retrieval and a slightly more aggressive presentation though the New Primacy has a more refined presentation overall. The New Primacy also retrieves slightly more information within their upper midrange but the transition into their treble is overly smooth whereas the BR5 has a more aggressive lower treble that makes them the immediately more nuanced earphone but also one that reveals more faults in the source material. As such, the BR5 MKII has a lot of bite to its midrange where the New Primacy and A8 tend to smooth these regions off in favour of more musicality and long-term listenability. If you’re looking for a darker, more organic earphone, the A8 is a fantastic choice whereas the BR5 MKII is more suited towards vocals and critical listening but comes across as slightly too forward in extended listening. I still maintain my love for the New Primacy which lies roughly in-between; it isn’t as nuanced as the BR5 nor as clear and revealing but does find the best compromise between detail and fatigue (or lack thereof).



Highs –

But really it’s within the upper registers that the BR5 MKII will start winning fans, rewarding listeners with a very nice treble response that is also quite refined. Starting with tuning, lower treble is on the more aggressive side while middle and upper treble are smoother and less immediately crisp. This is where the BR5 makes the greatest departure from the Oriveti New Primacy which carries a more polite treble response that clearly lacks the sparkle, detail and air of the BR5 MKII. Extension is very good, not Campfire Jupiter good, but better than the Oriveti and RE600S with some nice texturing and body to high-hats. In addition, they are probably the most detailed earphone I’ve heard around this price, besting the Westone W30 and New Primacy in terms of both detail retrieval and presentation; guitar strums and cymbals, in particular, had great nuance and body. But despite landing more on the resolving end of the spectrum, the BR5 still clearly lacks the nuance of more expensive in-ears, the Campfire Audio Nova and Dunu DK-3001 for instance, are both more resolving than Rose’s earphone despite being less aggressive; they have notably more body and resolution to higher elements. However, it’s the smoother response of the Rose that lends it better towards longer listening sessions, while its forward midrange may tire, treble never builds pressure like more middle treble focussed earphones.

And to expand more on the quality aspect, treble resolution and clarity are both excellent as is texture. Cymbals tend to sound slightly tizzy but are otherwise very raw and lifelike. They still don’t detail as well as the 64Audio U3 and Dunu DK-3001 but on many tracks they get scarily close. Nirvana’s “Lithium” provided apt demonstration of the BR5 MKII’s performance, the cymbals in the opening were very well textured if not quite as extended and airy as the much more expensive U3 or as textured as the Dunu. Eric Claptons “Old Love” was similarly flattered with more attack to each guitar strum than the New Primacy combined with increased micro-detail retrieval to higher elements. If I have a main complaint with the treble response of the BR5 MKII, it’s that treble isn’t perfectly linear so resolution of really high detail isn’t fantastic and some texturing is lost to more refined earphones, most notable when listening to string instruments. Otherwise, the BR5 MKII is a very airy, mostly clean and incredibly detailed earphone that manages to keep up with more expensive models in many scenarios. They also aren’t a particularly fatiguing or treble forward earphone nor is any sibilance immediately present, treble is exquisite.



Comparisons –



Kinera H3 ($99): Starting with design, both earphones are similarly shaped but the BR5 MKII sits considerably deeper in the ear and protrudes less as a result. The BR5 MKII, being fully sealed, isolates considerably better making it a better choice if you plan on buying an earphone for travel. While the Kinera is a fabulous earphone for the price, the BR5 MKII clearly has it beat on detailing, coherence and balance with the H3 sounding immediately more v-shaped. The BR5 MKII also has a nicer soundstage, especially with regards to imaging and separation. What the H3 does possess is a much fuller, more extended bass response that still retains a lot of texture and definition if not quite the same resolution as the BR5 MKII. I can definitely see some people preferring the way they handle lower frequencies the BR5. Mids are much clearer on the BR5 though with less body. The BR5 doesn’t necessarily sound less natural but layering and vocal clarity is improved, especially within the upper midrange. Treble is also improved on the BR5 MKII, while they aren’t as aggressive as the H3, they are more even and more refined which benefits texturing and micro detail retrieval.

Westone W30 ($399): While I do generally like the way the Westone’s are designed, their thin plastic faceplates make them feel a little cheaper than the unibody Rose. Both fit excellently, again, the Rose has a deeper fit though the Westone isolates almost as much due to its long nozzle and ear-filling housing. The Westone is lower profile but its tubby housings aren’t great for sleeping, putting some pressure over the tragus. The Westone has a notably fuller mid-bass response and neutral deep-bass leading into a similar lack of sub-bass. Despite this, the Westone’s retain a lot of balance throughout as mid and upper bass are well-integrated with their slightly forward lower midrange. The Rose on the other hand, is similarly integrated between bass and lower mids though both hold notably less emphasis in the overall sound, favouring the higher frequencies instead. As a result, the Rose is perceptibly faster and more defined within their bass response and lacks the tubbiness that occasionally affects the W30. Upper mids are inverted, the W30 carries a slightly darker tone, the BR5 MKII a brighter one. Both are really excellent performers though I would have to give the quality advantage to the BR5 MKII. If you are particularly sensitive to upper mids and listen to more rock, metal and electronic, the W30’s darker, bassier and more extended response definitely gives it the upper hand. However, for classical, jazz, modern pop and acoustic, the BR5 MKII holds an advantage with its superior soundstage space and improved midrange resolution.

Dunu DK-3001 ($499): The Dunu is actually a smaller earphone despite housing a mammoth 13mm dynamic bass driver and 3 balanced armatures. It has similar stability to the Rose but fit depth is considerably shallower and comfort isn’t quite as flawless due to the Dunu’s angular housings. Isolation is much better on the Rose, as far as ergonomics are concerned it would definitely be my pick for long term listening. The DK-3001 immediately has a much more dynamic, engaging response with that delicious sub-bass fullness driving their bass response with a general sense of weight to their low-frequency response. The BR5 MKII lacks the slam of the Dunu but above that, bass is faster and clearer if considerably more recessed within the mix. Mids are much more upfront on the Rose though I still feel it is the more balanced earphone, by comparison, the Dk-3001 pursues more of a u-shaped tonality. The Dunu is similarly very clear, they aren’t quite as clean and upper mids aren’t as smooth as the BR5 MKII but layering better and detailing is improved. Lower treble is more aggressive on the BR5 MKII with clearer details and more bite in general. However, above that, the Dunu resolves more information whereas the BR5 MKII smooths off a bit more, which isn’t a bad thing, it takes the edge off what might otherwise become a tiring high-end response. Finally, the Dunu has a noticeably larger soundstage with better separation and similarly strong imaging.

64Audio U3 ($499): The U3 similarly employs an acrylic shell though the Rose feels a little more hollow but there is some charm in its DIYish nature. That being said, the Rose is easily the more eye-catching design. The U3 is another incredibly stable earphone with a very long nozzle that almost achieves the same fit depth as the BR5 MKII. However, the U3 is semi-vented due to those APEX modules and isolation does take a hit as a result, even when using Comply Foams. However, for exercise, the U3 is definitely my go-to, not only do the APEX modules improve sound staging and clarity, they also eradicate bone conduction noise when running/walking while the Rose is almost unbearable due to their super deep fit. Sonically, the U3 is actually tuned quite similarly, both have a very clear, slightly brighter midrange though the Rose doesn’t separate and layer like the U3 nor is it as spacious. The U3 also has a slight bump in resolution over the Rose, though perhaps not to the extent one would expect, in addition to extra balance to upper mids, avoiding the over-forwardness that the BR5 is susceptible to. Treble extends more on the U3 with similar air and clarity though detailing is immediately superior as is treble separation on busier tracks. I really love the way the 64Audio earphones handle bass and the U3 is no exception, they have a sub-bass tilt with really nice extension and some impact if not quite as much as the Jupiter. The strongest asset of the U3 is their ultra-defined bass texturing which matches the Rose but with added nuance, body and extension. The U3 is a fabulously done “clear” sounding earphone though it also almost twice the price. The Rose gets incredibly close in terms of upper midrange and lower treble performance, but is the weaker earphones elsewhere and lacks the balance and linearity of the U3 overall.

Campfire Jupiter ($800): The Jupiter is easily among the best-constructed earphones I’ve handled with their all-metal build and exquisite silver plated litz cable. The Jupiter is more comfortable than the Rose due to its superior shaping and stability is similarly solid. Isolation is comparable to the Rose, both are some of the most isolating earphones I’ve come across. The Jupiter, being a much more expensive earphone, does hold numerous advantages over the Rose despite being at a disadvantage in sheer driver count (4 vs 5). Most noticeable is the Jupiter’s considerably improved resolution and separation which bring a sense of effortless refinement to every note over the BR5 MKII. The Jupiter extends considerably further into the lower frequencies with some genuinely satisfying sub-bass slam and rumble. Mid-bass is slightly fuller than neutral on the Jupiter as opposed to neutral on the Rose. As such, the Jupiter, despite being a very balanced earphone, comes across as immediately fuller and more dynamic, they have an excellent bass response that can compete with some dynamic driver earphones. Mids also take a different approach, again, the Jupiter possesses more resolution and quite a bit more midrange body which greatly aids layering and general imaging, transience and immediacy, however, the Rose has a lot more midrange clarity without coming off as unnatural, no small feat. The BR5 MKII has a notably more forward midrange, especially upper mids though lower mids also draw more attention due to their more sedate bass response while the Jupiter is more even throughout. Treble is interesting, the Rose presents similarly to the Jupiter with a very resolving response however, the Jupiter takes this a few steps further in terms of refinement; the Jupiter just sounds cleaner and more effortless with greater timbre to details and more realistic texturing to cymbals and strings. The BR5 MKII is definitely a very good $300 earphone, but though it may utilize some components from earphones costing closer to the Jupiter, they still fail to really match that earphone on outright quality.



Verdict –

There is a certain beauty to the BR5 MKII’s sound; sure it’s no Jupiter, but Rose provides listeners with the same kind of balance found around these price ranges for much, much less. In addition, the quality of the BR5 MKII’s sound is really exquisite, especially their upper midrange and treble response. Their bass response is excellent in many ways, it is one of the clearest, fastest bass responses I’ve heard around this price and even above it, but the BR5’s limited extension and occasional midrange dominance simply don’t do its excellent quality justice; bass and treble details tend to get overwhelmed by the midrange which really limits genre versatility. So overall, I do think the BR5 MKII provides that same sense of value provided by some of the more outstanding budget orientated Chi-fI earphones, even at their arguably premium $300 asking price.



It’s clear from my comparisons that the BR5 MKII still doesn’t compete directly with pricier earphones despite having a high driver count and some lofty marketing claims, once again demonstrating the importance of refinement. While the components are certainly there, the BR5 MKII is clearly lacking the balance and evenness of more expensive offerings and their lack of sub-bass extension and general low-end fullness does bother. Of course, after a few days, a lot of listeners can acclimatize to the BR5’s mid-forward tones, but they never quite come across as balanced as the AF1120 eventually did. So if you don’t mind some issues with the build and their super deep fit, the BR5 MKII is possibly the best midrange focussed in-ear you can get for the money. However, if you want a deep bass response, musicality and long-term listenability without fatigue, the smoother, better constructed and more comfortable competitors from Oriveti and Cardas are just as compelling in many aspects.

Verdict – 9.25/10, The BR5 MKII has an intriguing design and an excellent fit. Furthermore, they sport class leading detailing and an absolutely heavenly midrange that will please even the most discerning of vocal lovers. However, as much as I love the BR5 MKII’s high-end, I do have some qualms with their slightly misty, hollow housings and their lack of bass extension and body will limit recommendation.

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed my review, please see my website for more just like it:
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