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Brainwavz M4 IEM Review

Got my BRAINWAVZ M4 sample unit in. Initial impressions are very good. These are the same as the production units, but the hole in the back of the housings are different, as well as the band on these are a bit wider. As samples, I got the M4's, case, and Comply tips as extras. These are the non mic version.

Specs:

* Transducers/Drivers: Dynamic, 10mm
* Rated Impedance: 16ohms Closed Dynamic
* Sensitivity: 101dB at 1mW
* Frequency range: 20 ~ 20000Hz
* Distortion: <= 0.3% @ 94dB
* Channel balance: =< 3dB (at 1000Hz)
* Rated input power: 4mW
* Maximum input power: 20mW
* Plug: 3.5 mm gold plated, L Shape
* Cable length: 1.2 meters Y cord
* 1 year warranty
* Dimensions (Packaging): 160 x 135 x 38mm
* Net Weight: 10g
* Gross Weight: 132g

Accessories:

These will come with the M4 production units:

* 1 x Comply foam tips
* 3 x Pairs of ear tips (S/M/L)
* 1 x Shirt clip
* 1 x Hard carrying case
* 1 x Instruction manual
* 1 x Warranty card

Build Quality:

Very nicely constructed. The vented housings, and the nozzles appear to be machined aluminum, painted, or perhaps anodized black. The "R" and "L" markings are nice and bright. I can't tell if the cable coating is transparent, or if it's just made that color/design, but it feels very durable. There are strain reliefs in place. The cables are Y cord, and cinched.

Comfort And Isolation:

I have only used the silicone tips thus far, but they fit in my ears perfectly, with a nice tight seal, and are very comfortable.

Sound:

I'll be pairing this up with my ROCKboxed Clip+. I listen to this player daily at work, and is my most used player, and the one I'm most accustomed to listening to. This is initial listening, with no burn in time. I will update as I go.

I'll be listening to various artists, genres, and am using mp3 files.

Microphonics are definitely present if you wear them straight down, as with many Y cords above the cinch, but is easily remedied by slinging the cords over the ear.

The M4's carry a wide soundstage, and possess a very natural sound. There's good separation, with consistent detail. Spectral balance is good.

I like the bass right off the bat. It's fast, more punchy than boomy, and not over powering, yet still impactful, with no bleed over into the mids.

The mids and highs have good clarity and detail, with good response. I like the balance they carry. These are bright, but not not B2 bright. I haven't had any harshness or sibilance issues with these at all. I do notice that these have better detail at moderate volume levels, as opposed to higher levels. This is not a problem for me, as I listen to my music at moderate levels.

For those more familiar with the BRAINWAVZ family, it's as if the M1's and B2's merged, and their offspring is the M4's, carrying over some of the M2's genetics. Detailed like the M1's, yet more analytical like the B2's, and possessing some of the M2's bass.

Update 1 - Burn In:

Have logged around 25-30 hours on these now. (Sorry I didn't keep exact time) I do believe these benefit from a little burn in time. Though the highs are still bright, they seem to have relaxed a bit. The bass has smoothed out a bit as well. I would like to point out as well that like the B2's, the M4's don't tolerate crap files. I checked the file size on some of the songs that sounded a bit brighter, especially with the high hats, and indeed they were lower bitrate files.

I normally listen to rock music, but I must say I have really enjoyed some of the acousticals in the country music. It's crystal clear. Very clean sounding.

I will keep updating. I will include if I feel there's any difference with the Comply tips, and also about amping.

Update 2 - Amping:

Plugged the E11 into the Clip+ with the M4's. It definitely smooths the sound out. The bass get's slightly more boomy than punchy, warming up a bit. The highs are slightly less detailed with amping, but they smooth out, and are less bright.

Update 3 - Comply Tips:

Tried the Comply tips tonight. To start with, I'm personally not a fan of the Comply tips. They're okay at first, but hurt my ears after extended listening. (Personal opinion) Perhaps I'm not using the right size, but as samples, I only got one size with them.

Sound wise, they seem to muffle the sound slightly to me. It does tame the highs somewhat, but over all, I feel the sound sounds more contained. Like it's closed in more. Not as detailed, and it's as if some sounds cut off faster, if that makes sense. Perhaps decay is the word I'm looking for. I got the best possible seal I could with them. (d2k came up with a plausible explanation HERE )

Pros:

Solid construction
Comfort
Clarity
Sound separation
Overall sonic traits

Cons:

May be too bright for some
Loses detail at louder volumes
L-Shaped plug (personal preference)

Conclusion:

I received these just a few days ago, and have only been able to listen to them for around 10 hours, but am very impressed. I like detailed IEM's, and the M4's deliver. From the detailed and analytical mids and highs, to the impactful bass, these have been a pleasure to listen to. Out of the entire BRAINWAVZ line up, the M1's have always been my favorite, until now. It'll be hard to put these down. I believe the M4's to be the most accurate and natural sounding of the entire BRAINWAVZ line up.

Other Reviews/Impressions At MP4Nation:

AlexL's HERE.
dragon2knight's HERE.
Rickstah's HERE.
bonglee23's HERE.
klw's HERE.
jorjjamur's HERE.
PolloLoco's HERE.
Suppin's HERE.
Intercrew's HERE.
dacrazydude's HERE.


Other Reviews/Impressions Elsewhere:

keanex's HERE.
iFans HERE.

Photos:

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You take incredible pics, TWP!! Love the way these look, very sleek and well made. Look forward to your updates on them as they break in

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Ainol NOVO 7 Elf II 7" 1024x600 Capacitive Screen, 16 GB of memory, 1GB of Ram, 32GB microSD card, Dual Core, Android 4.0.3 with the Custom Dark Elf Rom. VIDEO REVIEW: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpsSK5G0XMo

UG802 Android On A Stick HDMI based Android TV Device. 1080p Video, 4GB Ram, 32GB microSD card, Android 4.1.1 Jellybean, Rockchip 3066 Dual Core. VIDEO REVIEW: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gqd1AjJm60

Thanks brother, love taking the photos. They do look sweet. They sound so damn good too. Paired them up to the FiiO E11 tonight. Will post more perhaps tomorrow.

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nice review warrioir, and good to see some warrior pics again

i also have a pair for review and while i dont really like do phone reviews ill put mine up later, but, for starter i will say these are nice and weighty, quite noticeable heavy, but i like that and they feel solid and well made, the sound at first i thought a little messy but its defiantly calmed down after use, the BASS at the beginning felt too punchy for me but again thats calmed down and smoothed out quite a bit now. Nicly detailed and quite "clean" is how i can describe them at the moment but not very loud, popping my M2 back in at the same vol levels is very noticeable.

pop them into the E11, you will find them quite a bit smoother all round, i think you will like them amped even more

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• Phone: Samsung Galaxy Mini / Huawei G300 (just ordered)
• Fav App: Strava, IMDB, Jewels
• Portable Audio: currently none
• Headphones PC: Brainwavz HM5

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• MP4nation webstore: Here

Nice pics, TWP! It is always a pleasure to read your reviews and see your pictures!

Nice review, looking forward to your further updates on how you find the sound. Great pictures as always, but i need to point out that the the actual hole on your sample was drilled, hence why the drill hole look than the nicer finish on the pictures i posted before, we ran out of the finished back casings on some hand samples and the factory made some on the fly. The actual hole is the same size.

Thanks mad. I had it coupled to my E11 last night for a few. Sounded great. Been so damn busy here lately.

Thanks Louis. Always nice hearing that from the insane mad man himself.

Thanks razzer. I just looked at the photos on the product listings page. I see what you mean about the hole. Would you think it accurate what I said about he M1 + B2 = M4, with some of the M2's bass? I was trying to give people who follow the BRAINWAVZ line a good example of what they sound like.

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Your pictures changed my mind to get them.haha.

After viewing the pics, I would say that the M4 is the best looking IEM from the Brainwavz line.

... and thanks for the review TWP.

The M4's sound will definitely suit me, I'm just a bit hesitant to buy them at this point (although the early bird pricing is awfully tempting) because I'm enjoying my B2 too much, so it's not really a priority purchase for me at the moment, but I will get them sooner or later.

Nice review with some great pics TWP. Does the M4 sound anything like the new beta's in the mids and highs at all? I'm on the fence right now about buying the M4 since they've been described as being bright and I prefer a more laid back sound like the M1 and M2 as.. I find that the new beta's are too bright for my tastes so I'm afraid the M4's would be similar.