Headphone Review: Brainwavz B2

 Brainwavz takes their first steps into the sub 200 dollar market with their flagship B2 models of headphones. Previously reviewed, the M1s and M3s both offered superior quality without requiring you to go out and rob a bank to afford them. The Brainwavz B2s are also Brainwavz first steps with Balanced Armature technology. To add even further, they are also their first steps into the multi-driver headphones as well as the B2s are actually dual driver headphones, which means they have 2 drivers in each earpiece like the Apple IEMs. These are a lot of first-time attempts for Brainwavz, but they still hit the bull’s eye in many areas. Read on for the rest of the review:



     Specifications
Driver: Dual Balanced Armature Drivers
Frequency: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
Sensitivity: 110 dB
Impedance: 40 ohms

In the Box
B2 In-Ear Monitors
Pocket-friendly hard case
4 Sets of ear tips
3 Silicon (S, M, L)
1 Comply T-100 Foam tip (M)
Airplane Adapter
¼” Adapter
Documentation

Design

The B2s have some really unique design aspects to them. The most eye-catching is actually the twisted, helix-shaped, black and white cables. These cables really catch attention since they are not only peculiar looking, but they also have a really nice twisted shape to them. This shape is similar to the cables found on the MEE A151 and many Westone model of IEM. This design for the cable really pays off in other areas as well; it’s not just for looks.

 

Audio

Heading off with a really nice eye-catching design, the B2s also offer really great audio quality through the four drivers that blast sound into your 2 ears. The balanced armature drivers are articulate and extremely fast with good precision. Like most armature drivers, however, they do lack in certain areas.

Bass

The bass response on the Brainwavz B2s is actually quite hitting the quantity mark just about perfectly. The bass extends really deep and can be heard, and felt throughout the entire bass spectrum, from the low bass to the mid bass. The texture of the bass is quite beautiful and articulate allowing you to visualize the bass really well. It’s not like the texture offered by the UE 500s, but it’s still really great nonetheless. The bass body gives the B2s an inviting, warm sound to them that is enjoyable and gives a bigger presence of bass to the table. The speed of the bass isn’t as quick compared to other armature IEMs. The B2s still may not be able to suit many bass-heads as it does lack bass in comparison even to the bass light Apple IEMs. The impact that the Brainwavz deliver is actually large compared to other armatures, but slightly lacking compared to other dynamic drivers, but it’s just enough to not be a problem. The bass can be summed up with a few words: textured, deep, inviting, and warm; all this ultimately leads to really great bass that is just enjoyable and fun to listen to.

 Microphonics

The twisted cable comes back here to show off one of its functions. The helix-shaped cable on the B2s has one major strength outside of looks; it’s microphonics. The microphonics on the Brainwavz are just about non-existent. The over the ear design along with the cable really help to just eliminate microphonics entirely.


Build

With a great design and audio quality, the build is either hit or miss; mostly hits though. The B2s do come with a case to protect them while not in use. This of course is always a nice addition and the case is actually really strong and portable. The case differs from the other Brainwavz cases as the Brainwavz logo isn’t plastered on them and the case is a little thinner, but wider.


  Comfort

The B2s come with a decent variety of tips which does help with comfort. Of the tips, the foam ones are the most comfortable; this in a sense can be assumed. However, the tips are only half the story on the comfort. The design, shape, size, and weight of the earpiece also makes a huge impact on comfort. To quickly sum it up, the lightweight, small design of the headphones really plays a huge role here allowing the IEMs to be one of the most comfortable ones I’ve ever worn.

                                    Overall Score