Brainwavz S3 Quick Review

Brainwavz S3 Quick Review

Thanks to Brainwavz for the sample.

Brief:  Another Brainwavz.

Price:  US$80 which is about £52

Specifications:  Drivers: Dynamic, 8 mm, Rated Impedance: 16 Ω, Frequency Range: 16 Hz ~ 22 kHz, Sensitivity: 96 dB at 1 mW, Rated Input Power: 10 mW, Cable: 1.3 m Y-Cord, Copper, Plug: 3.5 mm, Gold Plated

Accessories:  Earphone Hard case, 3 sets of Silicone Ear Tips (S M L), 1 set of Comply™ Foam Tips T-400, 1 Shirt Clip, 1 set of Silicone Bi-Flange Eartips, 1 set of Silicone Tri-Flange Eartips, Velcro Cable Tie

Build Quality:  First rate as usual.

Isolation:  Good for a dynamic but not quite up to BA standards.  Fine for walking for on a bus but not really Tube or long flight material.  However easily enough to get yourself run over of course.  Please do remember to use your eyes.

Comfort/Fit:  Very good on both accounts.  Up or down were fine on me.

Aesthetic:  It is nice to see, unlike their S5 siblings, they show you the metal they are constructed of.  It instantly gives you an image of quality construction and frankly bare aluminium just looks good.  While I’ve see more pretty there are still top notch lookers to me.

Sound:  These are a bit of a departure from the S line in that these are rather polite.  The 5 was a bit of a beast, especially in the bass, these are much more refined and laid back.  Not soft, actually a bit coolish and a bit taut but so much more controlled and hesitant.  They are still somewhat bass centric, the bass is what is most prominent however it just doesn’t ever feel like it’s really dominating.  The bass isn’t aggressive or lively enough to become demanding and rambunctious.  It’s well behave and polite despite its relative dominant scale.  The mids are rather pushed back, too much I think for my tastes.  They are good, a little dryish comparatively and once more polite is the word that springs to mind.  It’s just very pleasant.  The highs too have the same attributes, though they are placed between the mids and bass.  They have practically no bight or edge to them, they retain the shimmer after impact but they won’t dance and sparkle like some want.  These are laid back, a most pleasantly pleasant listening experience that flows softly over the ear drum.  Not an especially warm flavour but similarly melodic and restrained.  I rather enjoy it.  If you are however looking for a thrilling party beast, this is not it.

Value:  It from Brainwavz, everything they do has to date been great value, this isn’t bucking the trend.  Very pleasing audio quality for your US$80

Pro’s: Value.  Pleasantness.  The whole package.

Con’s:  Unthrilling.  Cable, if you don’t like flat cables.