jant71
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2005
- Posts
- 8,372
- Likes
- 6,210
A bit of hyperbole, that title, but it does seem apt for the S1 earphones which have some bold styling, a bold sound, and I think they will be quite popular since they are easy to like.
I was sent one of the early samples. These are said to come in at the $60 price point. Thanks to Raz for the sample. I encourage at least 100 hours for the bass to flesh out and the treble to settle to it's final state.
View the S1 at http://www.yourbrainwavz.com/s1.html
Wide frequency response, with good bass and vocals.
All metal housing in a over the ear design.
Flat cable for less tangle.
Comply foam tips included.
My sample came with 10 pairs of tips, a 3.5mm to 6.3mm adapter, Brainwavz semi-hard zip case, and manual/warranty card. The tips include two types of silicone tips that vary in shape, silicone material firmness, and bore size which do sound different, a pair of Comply foams, and a pair of bi-flanges. Plenty of different sizes, shapes, and lengths for most to find a good fit! The accessories have changed a bit but will still be very good in both quantity and quality.
The bold design starts with all metal housings/sound tubes, a 4mm wide flat cable, overdone Y, reliefs, and plug. Big and beefy looking but not heavy. Bold choice on the color scheme including medium gray, gunmetal, and almost a light grape or berry trim color. Rich, strong colors but nothing flashy. Understated, no Monster inspired mirror finish or shiny bits all over.
The plug, Y, and reliefs seem to be a quality sneaker sole type of rubber. They can be physically manipulated and they will break in from stiff to more flexible if you bend them back and forth for a bit.
The Y is big and bold measuring in at a stout 1 and 7/8" long(including the slider) and 5/8" wide at it's widest. It is a 1/4" thick at it's thickest point. Just heavy enough to not bounce around but not heavy enough that you notice it.
The cables from the Y to the earpieces is a generous 16" so most people should find plenty of length even to go over the ear. Seems plenty of length to put the slider all the way up and make a necklace out of them to wear them while not in use if you so choose.
Designed from an over the ear first perspective, the S1 is actually one of the better I've come across for wearing both ways. Over the ear and straight down work well. I use them straight down 95% of the time and get an quick, easy, and comfortable fit. The housing shape, tapers larger toward the ear, and the size/angle of the reliefs seem to be trying to prevent deep insertion. This is good to help with driver flex, of which there is some over the ear(or longer tips) for me, and letting the phones breathe better. Too much seal and they can start getting too thick, obscuring detail. Thus, a shallower seal sounds better, eliminates flex, and is more comfy. The only possible downside is maybe wearing them down will require some to go to a longer tip or the next size larger since they don't fit quite as deep straight down. More a possible adjustment than a downside. Other than that they handle microphonics quite well. Even straight down is above average and using the slider kills nearly all. Wind noise is good as well though it can vary with tip choice. The only issue may be the flat cable being more rubbery feeling will grip a bit/snag some heavier fabrics. It handles the noise fine it may just grip and not smoothly slide over the material which can be annoying.
The sound is, like the design, big and bold. Rich, full, and with some good weight to the overall sound. A fairly large stage but quite forward overall presentation. A very slight U shape which is minimized since the whole sound is in your face. So, vocals are right there up close even if ever so slightly back in the mix. Extension is good both ways similar to other phones in its class that I have, the PCX 95 and VSD1. Details levels are again representative but some is hidden by the fullness of the sound. Can be brought out fully by amping provided your rig is above the inexpensive bass/volume boost kind. They appreciate a clean line out and some juice to gain their most articulation and some refinement yet keeping the charms of nice weight and richness.
Not amped they sound more "amped" then many other phones. They make my PCX95 sound flatter and more tame due to the S1's heft and coloration. The PCX in turn makes the VSD1 sound duller since it has more sparkle and liveliness. So, you have a good description of the S1; colored with a strong but well controlled low end, some treble sparkle, lusher but still clean enough mids and the whole thing is weighty and closer up, immediate and still lively enough that it's weight doesn't dull it or bog it down. It is unique set of sound traits and an enjoyable listening experience. Those who loved the Eterna, Silver Bullet type of phones may find another winner in the S1. They can make a great change of pace back up phone cause they have a more unique sound that you can enjoy regardless if you have a high end universal. They have a fun and immersive sound regardless of what you else you have on hand to listen to.
Simply put, I think the S1 are a well built, uniquely styled, rich sounding phone that is a heck of a lot of fun in all aspects! Kudos to Brainwavz for something a bit more unique and different than past offerings!
I was sent one of the early samples. These are said to come in at the $60 price point. Thanks to Raz for the sample. I encourage at least 100 hours for the bass to flesh out and the treble to settle to it's final state.
View the S1 at http://www.yourbrainwavz.com/s1.html
Description(from the Brainwavz site)
The Brainwavz S1 use dynamic driver speakers housed in a all metal shell that have been tuned for a powerful bass, sweet vocals and accurate sound reproduction. The S1 use a flat cable and are worn over the ear for good sound isolation. No matter what style of music you listen to the S1 is suitable for any genre of music.Wide frequency response, with good bass and vocals.
All metal housing in a over the ear design.
Flat cable for less tangle.
Comply foam tips included.
Specification
- Drivers Dynamic, 10mm
- Rated Impedance 16 Ω
- Frequency Range 20Hz ˜ 24kHz
- Sensitivity 93 dB @ 1 mW
- Max Input Power 2 mW
- Cable 1.3m, Y-Cord OFC Copper
- Plug 3.5mm Gold Plated
- Fitting Over Ear Style
Contents & Accessories
- Foam Tips Comply S-Series (x1)
- Silicone Tips Standard S,M,L (x6)
- Silicone Tips Bi-Flange (x1)
- Silicone Tips Tri-Flange (x1)
- Airplane Adapter x1
- Hard Casex1
- Manualx1
- Warrantyx1 (12 Months)
Contents/Specifications subject to change without notification
My sample came with 10 pairs of tips, a 3.5mm to 6.3mm adapter, Brainwavz semi-hard zip case, and manual/warranty card. The tips include two types of silicone tips that vary in shape, silicone material firmness, and bore size which do sound different, a pair of Comply foams, and a pair of bi-flanges. Plenty of different sizes, shapes, and lengths for most to find a good fit! The accessories have changed a bit but will still be very good in both quantity and quality.
The bold design starts with all metal housings/sound tubes, a 4mm wide flat cable, overdone Y, reliefs, and plug. Big and beefy looking but not heavy. Bold choice on the color scheme including medium gray, gunmetal, and almost a light grape or berry trim color. Rich, strong colors but nothing flashy. Understated, no Monster inspired mirror finish or shiny bits all over.
The plug, Y, and reliefs seem to be a quality sneaker sole type of rubber. They can be physically manipulated and they will break in from stiff to more flexible if you bend them back and forth for a bit.
The Y is big and bold measuring in at a stout 1 and 7/8" long(including the slider) and 5/8" wide at it's widest. It is a 1/4" thick at it's thickest point. Just heavy enough to not bounce around but not heavy enough that you notice it.
The cables from the Y to the earpieces is a generous 16" so most people should find plenty of length even to go over the ear. Seems plenty of length to put the slider all the way up and make a necklace out of them to wear them while not in use if you so choose.
Designed from an over the ear first perspective, the S1 is actually one of the better I've come across for wearing both ways. Over the ear and straight down work well. I use them straight down 95% of the time and get an quick, easy, and comfortable fit. The housing shape, tapers larger toward the ear, and the size/angle of the reliefs seem to be trying to prevent deep insertion. This is good to help with driver flex, of which there is some over the ear(or longer tips) for me, and letting the phones breathe better. Too much seal and they can start getting too thick, obscuring detail. Thus, a shallower seal sounds better, eliminates flex, and is more comfy. The only possible downside is maybe wearing them down will require some to go to a longer tip or the next size larger since they don't fit quite as deep straight down. More a possible adjustment than a downside. Other than that they handle microphonics quite well. Even straight down is above average and using the slider kills nearly all. Wind noise is good as well though it can vary with tip choice. The only issue may be the flat cable being more rubbery feeling will grip a bit/snag some heavier fabrics. It handles the noise fine it may just grip and not smoothly slide over the material which can be annoying.
The sound is, like the design, big and bold. Rich, full, and with some good weight to the overall sound. A fairly large stage but quite forward overall presentation. A very slight U shape which is minimized since the whole sound is in your face. So, vocals are right there up close even if ever so slightly back in the mix. Extension is good both ways similar to other phones in its class that I have, the PCX 95 and VSD1. Details levels are again representative but some is hidden by the fullness of the sound. Can be brought out fully by amping provided your rig is above the inexpensive bass/volume boost kind. They appreciate a clean line out and some juice to gain their most articulation and some refinement yet keeping the charms of nice weight and richness.
Not amped they sound more "amped" then many other phones. They make my PCX95 sound flatter and more tame due to the S1's heft and coloration. The PCX in turn makes the VSD1 sound duller since it has more sparkle and liveliness. So, you have a good description of the S1; colored with a strong but well controlled low end, some treble sparkle, lusher but still clean enough mids and the whole thing is weighty and closer up, immediate and still lively enough that it's weight doesn't dull it or bog it down. It is unique set of sound traits and an enjoyable listening experience. Those who loved the Eterna, Silver Bullet type of phones may find another winner in the S1. They can make a great change of pace back up phone cause they have a more unique sound that you can enjoy regardless if you have a high end universal. They have a fun and immersive sound regardless of what you else you have on hand to listen to.
Simply put, I think the S1 are a well built, uniquely styled, rich sounding phone that is a heck of a lot of fun in all aspects! Kudos to Brainwavz for something a bit more unique and different than past offerings!
