BASN BMaster5 Review
Intro
Today I have with me one of the latest iems to come from the audio brand BASN, named the “BASN BMaster5”. The Bmaster5 ($169) is appropriately named this due to the fact that it indeed is equipped with 1 dynamic driver as well as 4 balanced armature drivers and is the upgrade from previous iterations of the Bmaster series. Ya know, this set was sent to me recently from the good folks over at BASN and I have to admit, I didn’t know what to expect. Granted, I reviewed their BASN ASONE (ASONE Review) sometime last year and I was completely blown away at how well tuned that set is. Side note: check that set out, it is a very good planar magnetic earphone which really does compete favorably against just about any planar near its price point. Okay, back to the review. So, the ASONE was a true surprise as I simply didn’t know this brand had such a premium flare to it. I’ve seen BASN iems forever on Amazon US and always skipped by them. I thoughts they were a “for stage” type of brand. Perhaps I was living under a rock, who knows. At any rate, I humbly come before each of you and acknowledge my buffoonery because lady and gentlemen… BASN makes some very nice iems. I’m not talking just “on stage” either, no sir. I’m talking casual listening audiophile grade iems. Now, I’ve only heard two of them at this point, but I think I can comfortably state with a solid conviction that the people (acoustic engineers, structural engineers, designers, artisans, etc.) of BASN have the know-how and ability to make some nice products.
BASN
I don’t know much about BASN, except for the fact that they were founded in 2009 by a fellow named Louis Lee. I’ve also learned that “BASN” actually stands for “Be A Sincere Newcomer”. Lee named the company this so that he could always have a reminder as to why he ever wanted to be a headphone manufacturer in the first place. There’s actually not a lot out there (that I’ve seen anyways) about the brand, but from what I can see of their current lineup, as well as past sets and audio devices, that BASN has a fairly large following in different markets. I would say that mainly they seem to be attached more to the stage-use side of the industry. However, I think that is changing, or it should be changed, or I’m just a dunce and haven’t paid enough attention. Probably the latter. I’m actually entirely interested to see where they go from here as well as any future products.
Now, this is just the intro and so I’ve only listened at this point for about an hour, and I’ve sent the Bmaster5 to the burn-in station. There is a lot more that I need to learn about this set, and I plan on doing so soon. By the way, there is an ocean of sets which compete in the $150 to $200 range and so the Bmaster5 does have its work cut out for it. With that, I think I’m ready to get into this review folks. So, without further ado, the Bmaster5 everyone…
Non-Affiliated Purchasing Links:
–Amazon 10% off discount code: 10KCU5VF
–BASN
**Also, find BASN on all their social media:
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0jSZCntXF7KH-Wr7IEWGeg
Disclaimer:
I received the BASN BMaster5 from BASN Audio as a review sample and in exchange I will conduct a full review and feature at Mobileaudiophile.com. I have not received any payment or any other form of compensation for this review. This set is a review sample iem. BASN has not requested to pre-read any review and doesn’t have any control over “what” or “when” anything gets published to mobileaudiophile.com. All thoughts within this review are my own, though please take note that I will always have my own biases. This is impossible to get around. I try to be as objective as my subjective self can be, but this is an opinion piece folks. Thank you to the very kind people of BASN and thanks for reading.
Bmaster5 Pros
-Build Quality is very nice
-Design is very original and kind of bada$$ (probably also a con👇
-Flat out one of the best unboxing/accessory sets you’ll get
-Two cables, the non-mic cable is extremely nice
-That carrying case is as premium as it gets
-Nice dynamic balance across the mix
-Very smooth and fun sound
-Deep, authoritative and clean bass
-Midrange has nice note weigh, nice texture, not overly recessed
-Treble is non-offensive, still sparkly enough, good extension
-No metallic BA timbre at all
-Very musical sounding iem, smooth, warm/neutral
-Technically (details, separation, transients) nice for the tuning
Bmaster5 Cons
-Design may not be for everyone (Skull & Bones)
-Bass may be a bit much for those who want a moderate low-end
-Some folks will want a more brilliant top end, even airier
Gear used for testing
–Ifi Go Blu
–EPZ TP50
–Simgot Dew4x
–Aful SnowyNight
–Fiio Q15
–iBasso DX240 with Amp8 MK2
–Shanling M6 Ultra
Packaging / Accessories
Unboxing
The Bmaster5 showed up at my door in a decently large rectangular box (roughly 8” x 5”). There is a sleeve on the outside of the packaging which has a picture of the Bmaster5 with imposed streaks of different colors as well as certain specifications on the back etc. Nothing new but it’s a nice-looking box. However, if I’m being honest, I like the flat-black box “under the sleeve” which is all black and simply has the BASN logo in the middle in white. It looks very cool or simplistic, and really just appears… classy. Anyways, open the box, remove the paper film that so many iems come with anymore and what you’re met with is the gorgeous and totally rad looking Bmaster5’s staring back at you in foam cutouts. However, just next to that is an equally amazing enormous carrying case (more on that later. Inside the case you’ll find two cables, 12 pairs of tips, one 3.5 to 6.35 adapter, a nozzle cleaning tool, mmcx tool, as well as a small black pouch. It really is quite an impressive unboxing folks. One of the best you’ll ever receive under $200 and probably more.
Eartips
Like I stated in the last section, BASN provides up to 12 pairs of eartips or 4 different sets of 3 pairs in each. First, you receive three pairs (S, M, L) of slow rise foam eartips which are of decent quality. I don’t ever use foam tips but I’m sure some of you do. The next set (S, M, L) is triple flange white silicone tips which are also of good quality, deep fit, semi firm flanges and narrow bore. Next (S, M, L) are double flange white silicone tips with more of a semi wide bore. Slightly flimsier in the flange but again, good quality. By the way, the foams, double flange, and triple flange tips all do a very nice job of passive noise isolating. Lastly, they provided three pairs (S, M, L) of regular style white silicone tips which are about the same size (height, width) as something like the KBear 07 tips but a slightly flimsier flange. All are nice tips for when you need them. That said, I did not use any of the included tips as I simply didn’t get the seal I wanted. I actually went with wide-bore JVC EPFX10 silicone eartips. During my extensive searching for tips, I found that both fit-wise as well as sonically the JVC EPFX10 tips worked the best for me. I went through a huge variety of tips and no tips paired with me quite like the Velvets. Nice haul of tips anyways and nice selection.
Carrying Case
Now, the carrying case is what first blew my mind. Friends, this case is ridiculously awesome. Easily one of the best cases I’ve gotten with any set of iems at any price point. I mean, this case screams “premium” at every angle. I don’t even know why BASN went so lavish for a case at this price. Then again, they did the same thing for the less expensive BASN ASONE planar set. It’s bonkers how nice this thing is. You almost don’t want to use it. Anyways, enough of my goggling over the case. Okay, so it is an all-black aluminum case which is really large and able to fit just about anything you’d ever need in a mobile situation. To be exact the case is 6” in length, 4” wide, and 1 ¾” tall. It’s big! Also, it’s beautiful. Again, all aluminum, ribbed top face with a white BASN logo imposed on the top, a stainless-steel latch holds it closed. There’s more, the inside is lined in felt with flexible bands to hold your precious cargo tight. Also, there’s even more.
Carrying pouch
BASN decided that one case isn’t enough as they also added in a very nice leather carrying pouch inside of the case. A very nice pouch with a button to close. Did I say I was blown away? Friends, who does this? It’s almost overkill. I’m only partially joking. In truth, I feel that BASN knows that sometimes the little things matter, even presentation matters sometimes too. Having two methods to transport your earphones is a nice thing to have. I do like the pouch as I can simply out it in my pocket but the larger carrying case is great for putting in a bag and not worrying.
I was wondering if they put all of the money into the case. However, that thought was immediately dashed the second I held the Bmaster5, but that’s for later. Anyways, the case is awesome. Again, I actually got a similar case with the ASONE from BASN, not quite the same (I like the one with the Bmaster5 a bit better) but equally grand for the price. I’m used to cases which are far too small for my earphones, cheap looking and just throw-in CASES. BASN went above and beyond and seemed to not short the package in any area. Truly a class act brand who knows how to please their customers.
Cables
Let’s just carry that excitement of the “Carrying Case” section right into this section. BASN actually provides not one, but two cables. They give you a very nice cable with this set. In fact, it’s probably one of the better cables you’ll get in the price point. I feel only the Juzear 61T Butterfly gives a better cable which is really saying something. It’s a beautiful cable and fits the Bmaster5 wonderfully as far as design & color matching is concerned. To be exact the cable is a pretty fat 4-core OFC (Oxygen-Free-Copper) cable which terminates with a 3.5 single ended jack. It has an almost metallic brown or glossy appearance, really nice. It has what I’d assume aluminum fittings colored dark brown and very slick looking. Really a nice cable. Fantastic for any 3.5 single ended listening. I do wish there was an option for 4.4 balanced but… I’m not complaining at all, the cable is great. However, BASN also added in another cable that comes equipped with a mic and also ending in a 3.5 single ended jack. It has a much tighter braiding on it and is very nice for a throw in cable. The mic actually works really nice too. So, they added in two cables which is one more than you get with 99% of earphones. Another win for BASN as far as I’m concerned, nice job BASN!
I also used…
I should also note that I did a lot of listening with my balanced sources, so as nice as the included cable is, I still needed to swap cables at times. So, I used a silver BGVP graphene modular cable which worked wonderfully, sounds great together and is aesthetically a good fit as well. Man, I really wish the included cable came in a 4.4 because it is really a gorgeous wire. At any rate, you’ll notice in some pictures there is a more silver-ish cable, which is the BGVP, just an FYI.
Build / Design / Internals / Fit
Build Quality
The build quality of the BASN BMaster5 is nice. Granted, we’ve obviously seen resin builds with a top faceplate before, but the build is very solid, and you will feel that when they are in hand. I’m assuming that the shell itself was crafted using a 3D printing method. Again, it’s a solid feel, universal fit, and ergonomic. The nozzles are about medium length and roughly about 6 mm in width. The faceplates look to be in a separate piece, but it is very well done in my opinion. I can see resin covering the design as well as the greater majority of the faceplates while an alloy border surrounds the faceplates for a very nice look. I see only one vent in the backside of the Bmaster5 as well. The mmcx connectors rest at the tops of the units and are promised to have been an upgraded feature of this set. I find the mmcx connectors are very tight and do not feel cheap. They are a bit of a bear to get them off, even with the mmcx tool, but that’s probably a good thing. Ya know, we have so many well-built or well-constructed sets. I suppose the only thing I would’ve looked for is if the Bmaster5 was cheaply built or out of the ordinary for this price point. So, I can positively say that the build is very good.
Design
The design is one that may be a bit polarizing for some. Upon first glance I thought the faceplate was shimmering with crystalline specs but as I glanced a hair closer, I saw that the faceplates were actually many skull & bones mishmashed together creating a very cool look. Having said that, it won’t be for everyone. Not everyone wants skull & bones faceplates. I happen to think they look awesome. Really, a very cool & very hip design that you don’t see very often. It’s a bold look and a handsome look, but it also seems as though it may appeal more to a younger crowd. It’ll be a dope look for just chilling in your home and listening to music, out in the market or even on stage. Well-built and well-designed folks.
Internals
The BASN BMaster5 comes equipped with five drivers altogether. Each one takes on different parts of the frequency in hopes of having a nicely separated and layered sound. To be exact, that’s one 8mm dynamic driver with a liquid silicone diaphragm as well as four balanced armature drivers. Now, I don’t know exactly what BA’s are housed within as there really isn’t all too much to read up on them but I can tell you this…they must be pretty good drivers. I don’t hear any issues arising as I pump up the volume. No distortions, nothing grainy. It’s just a nicely warm and clean sound, even at higher volumes. There really isn’t a whole lot more that is offered about these drivers, but it really doesn’t matter when the sound is nice.
Fit / Isolation
I’ve already covered this a little bit but the Bmaster5 fits me very well. In truth, it has a very universal style fit which looks as though the body of the Bmaster5 would fit nicely to most ears. I can’t imagine many folks would have issues. Just find some tips that seal nicely for you and you are in business. On top of that, the Bmaster5 is not a heavy pair of earphones. They feel good on the ear, light, not fatiguing over time and trust me I’ve listened for hours on-end. Isolation is also something that the Bmaster5 does well. I’d say they do well to attenuate some noises to an extent. Definitely find some tips which seal really well in your ears.
Drivability
The BASN BMaster5 is rated with an impedance of 13 ohms and a sensitivity of 107 db’s which ultimately correlates to… this set is pretty easy to drive to volume. Yes, I said to “volume”. However, I have found that to get the best out of this set it really does pay to give it some juice. Folks, I listened quite a bit from 4.4 balanced on almost all of my sources. There were some which can give me some good power out of the 3.5 single ended which I was happy with. Despite that, there was and is something special about giving the Bmaster5 some extra output. It really does feel like everything is tightening up, separating, becoming more concise and pointed in attack. Juice does help. Having said that, the Bmaster5 actually sounds quite good even from sensitive sources. Even using my iPad was a nice listening experience. So, I’m not saying it sounds bad using less powerful sources. I’m not saying that. It simply gets that much better when you do have something with a bit more power to spare. At any rate, the Bmaster5 is a sensitive set that can be used with almost all sources which is a handy thing to be if you’re an iem.
Mobile Listening
I listen a ton when I go out and about, hit up the market, go on walks, work around the house, etc. In doing I want a mobile option. I have a few Bluetooth dacs that I use in the Qudelix 5k as well as the IFi Go Blu and both bring out the best in the Bmaster5 when it comes to mobile Bluetooth listening. I lean a bit more towards the Go Blu (CS43131 dac) as the bass just comes alive with that little device, but both are truly nice. As far as dongle dacs are concerned, the EPZ TP50 is the answer with this set. What a pairing the Bmaster5 is with it. To a slightly lesser degree the Aful SnowyNight and the Simgot Dew4x as well. All great, all closer to neutral too. Warmer sources are simply a hair… well… warmer. Not bad at all but I like how a neutral source pairs with the warmth of the Bmaster5. This is not a requirement though. If you dig warmth, then you’ll like this set with something which runs a tad warm. Devices like the Roseselsa RS9039 sounds very nice, dynamic, smooth as silk and velvet in its expression when paired. I think the biggest improvements come in the way of power. The Bmaster5 does scale a bit and it stands to reason. Usually, my more powerful sources are also my better sources.
Daps/Dac amps
Moving up to my daps I have the Fiio Q15 which is always attached by double-sided gorilla tape to my LG-V60 and is basically a dap. For me, the Q15 brings the Bmaster5 to this melodious crescendo of auditory joy. The offset in tonalities is great. You have the warm/neutral of the Bmaster5 with the neutral leaning dynamism of the Q15 and together they really do sing folks. However, I say that but the warm leaning and velvet tonality of the Shanling M6 Ultra is also quite good. So, I do feel that power and straight up ability of your source will make the most difference. I don’t think you need a dap, but if you have one you enjoy, I do think the Bmaster5 will reward you for it.
What do you need?
At the very least, I’d try to get a hold of a decent Dongle Dac. This is usually my answer in this section as it is the first step to an audiophile solution at a lower cost to the consumer. You can get some real fantastic dongle dacs for relatively cheap. Devices like the EPZ TP20 Pro are a great option for cheap, or the Moondrop Dawn 4.4, another really great sounding dongle dac. There’s way too many to jot down here. So, I would say that would make the most sense to have a good sonic experience. Again, more power helps but is not required. The BMaster5 sounds good with almost all sources. In fact, I didn’t hear anything that sounded outright bad. Now, I assume that most folks who can afford a $169 Bmaster5 will likely have at least a dongle at their disposal. Yet if you don’t, try not to fret because the Bmaster5 is a good set that doesn’t necessarily need that extra juice.
Sound Impressions
The BASN BMaster5 comes across with a very nice dynamic balance. Really a nicely tuned set for those who simply want to have an easy listening signature without any harsh peaks but still want some good ole’ fashion fun in their music. So, I would categorize the Bmaster5 as a slight V-shaped iem which can be characterized as warm/neutral yet with a warmer lean. Again, an easier sound which to me is smooth over crisp no matter the source I used, yet not without some crispness when needed. There is some macro-dynamic energy brought on by the well-developed low-end against the contrast of a slightly emphasized upper-mid & treble region. I detect only the slightest hints of sibilance, yet it doesn’t reach an annoying level for me. There’s just not a lot to complain about here which really was a nice surprise. The Bmaster5 is not a set that will make you want to rip them out of your ears in ear piercing agony. I hear nothing grainy, veiled, too far recessed or shouty. Just a nicely smooth jaunt through my library. There’s a balance going on. That balance runs across the spectrum as the bass and the treble seem to share bragging rights on which frequency boasts the most emphasis. When I listen to this set, I think fun yet well controlled, smooth yet not technically deficient. For a five-driver hybrid consisting of 1DD and 4BAs I find that the cohesion between drivers is really great. I’ll try to explain as I go through each 3rd of the mix but it’s really a valiant effort by the people of BASN Audio to bring a solid offering to a price point that’s absolutely chock full of nice offerings.
Condensed Sound Between the 20’s
So, I always add this portion of the review as just a condensed and peanut sized look at the sound in each area of the spectrum (bass, mids, treble). I’m still up in the air if this section even makes sense to have in my reviews or if it’s just a waste of digital ink. Just more words to add to my word count that I actively am trying to keep down to a less ridiculous number.
Each 3rd of the mix condensed
The low-end has a good and solid emphasis which digs pretty deep, hits pretty hard and can keep a good pace with most any bassline. That said, I wouldn’t necessarily call it a fast bass but rather a more natural & atmospheric type of low-end. Softer on the edges yet good density. The midrange isn’t overly recessed, and I hear good presence against the rest of the mix. I hear a nice and semi-rich note weight, smooth, and just enough shimmer in the upper-mids with no real drawbacks or negatives for the price. Just an easy, nice and warm listen. The treble has enough levity to lift the overall sound of the Bmaster5, as well as adding some slight “icing on the cake” type of sparkles and treble sheen. Yet without any of the sibilance or shrillness. You could certainly call this a safer treble, but it also has very nice timbre and suits the overall sound very well. Technically the Bmaster5 is not some detail king and won’t pick apart every last detail but for how this set was tuned… It’s pretty darn nice at picking up the subtleties in my music. Obviously, there are sets tuned to bring out details with super high gloss resolution. However, you miss out on musicality and timbre with those sets too. The Bmaster5 is a great middle ground for me in this regard. Instruments separation is about average as well as imaging too, but the stage has good width, height and has decent depth as well. To be honest, the Bmaster5 is a nicely tuned set that should definitely be a consideration if you are looking within this price point.
Bass Region
Like I said, the bass can reach fairly deep with decent extension into the lowest of lows as well as good density and weight. While the low-end is lifted in the mix, I wouldn’t call it basshead. This is a fun bass with good texture and a clean demeanor. Aggressive enough to keep the youthful people listening and refined enough as well. I’d also call this warmer bass which comes across with a natural transient attack through decay. The Bmaster5 low-end It certainly isn’t some lean, snappy, and ultra-peppy bass that attacks on a hair-trigger. Like I said “atmospheric” and “natural” to allow for some nice harmonics and ultimately nice timbre. Also, the definition in this region is pretty nice for the quantity that the Bmaster5 was tuned with. You’d think a slightly bigger bass would be murkier and muddier, but BASN really did a nice job of keeping it clean and balanced. In fact, I really enjoy the middle ground that BASN chose to go with this set. Nothing is overdone, overcooked, or over emphasized. Each region fits within the tuning framework of the tuning and the bass region is no outlier. So, it has a good and solid note density and richness, slightly soft on attack, not rock solid but nicely defined as well. I really enjoy it, but nothing is for everyone.
Sub-bass
The lowest of the lows (sub-bass) rumbles with “just above” moderate intensity and extends reasonably deep. Not so much that it muddies the mid-bass but enough to give the listener some good representation down low. You can hear this on the track “Heavy is the Ocean” by Bush. It starts out with a heavy riff which rumbles into my eardrums and slowly drones while accompanied by some bulbous kick drums building speed and intensity until the main verse. Folks, this set really hits the sweet spot for me. Now I’ve heard deeper and more basshead worthy sub-bass, but this really walks that fine line of mature and fun. There is a gravely and mean, almost juddering bass guitar with perfectly separated kick drums. The drums have a spring to them, a tacky edge at the crest of the note and a hollow resonant boom. It’s nice. I’m enjoying what BASN did here. Again, there are sets that will reach deeper but of course many times those sets really begin to overtake other areas of the mix. It sounds less like two distinct instruments and more like a mishmash of bass. Not on the Bmaster5. At least not to point that the sub-bass is intrusive for my ears. I hear many tracks and could repeat many of the same sentiments. It’s got nice extension down low, can be guttural, authoritative, with some very nice haptic feedback. The Bmaster5 can also resolve those sub-bass notes fairly well with that low droning vibrance and clean attack.
Mid-bass
The mid-bass can get it. It has some decent slam, well represented, not muddy and the mid-bass doesn’t blend too much with the midrange. Just enough to give weight to the low-mids I’d say. Of course, this limit is different for everyone. “2040” by Lil Durk and Lil Baby is a track I’ve got used to using to explain the bass in reviews and from my perspective the Bmaster5 has a meaty and hefty boom on this track. At times the Bmaster5 can come across a slight bit soft on attack, not always concrete hard or glass lined. However, this track makes a liar out of that statement. There’re many others too. Waxahatchee has a track “Lone Star Lake” which begins with a full and vibrant bass guitar and the Bmaster5 honors that fullness with fullness of its own. There’s weight to the bass guitar, it’s clean sounding, with distinct and hard lined edges, not soft, not grainy, and not fuzzy. There’s definition to this bass. However, like I said, there are some tracks that come across a hair less granite listening with the Bmaster5 but they are few and far in between. Generally the Bmaster5 has a very full and guttural bass which sound robust and weighted while also being able to sound differentiated enough from the sub-bass when it needs to. Let’s put it this way, it’s not always a one-noted affair.
Downsides to the Bass Region
If I were to call out some subjective issues that some folks “might” have, I’d first say that the bass region may be a bit much for some. It has some girth to it. Not basshead but also not a moderate bass either. I find its emphasis to be very nice but I’m not the next guy. So, some folks may find this region a bit too bulbous. Also, the low-end is not always perfectly clean-lined and well delineated in the sense that the transients are snappy and tight, less harmonics, more separation. Macro details aren’t as obvious in this region though I wouldn’t call it one-noted either. For the quantity that the Bmaster5 is tuned with, it’s more than fine and really helps the Bmaster5 to come across musical and well balanced.
Midrange
The midrange as a whole comes across smooth over crisp yet still crisp and defined enough to also come across clean and not congested. Note weight is what I would call semi-rich which is a nice place to be. More organic than it isn’t. Another nicely tuned area of the mix for a V-shaped sound. Not too recessed and the midrange does have good presence in the mix. Transients are generally pretty tight in this region but not so much that the BA drivers aren’t cohesive with the more natural and atmospheric dynamic driver. In fact, the Bmaster5 is actually very cohesive across the board. I hear more of a warmth towards the lower portions of the midrange as well as slightly thicker and fuller notes compared to the more shimmery and dynamic upper midrange. Vocals of both male and females come through rather nice, though I am partial to how the females come across, but I’ll get to that in a bit. Truthfully, the midrange is a smoother rendering of the spectrum and one that I do think some folks will appreciate.
Lower-midrange
The lower midrange is where most male vocalists make a home. Of course this isn’t true across the board, but by-and-large males are covered in this region. I happen to greatly enjoy male vocalists and even more so when those male vocalists have some body to their notes. Coincidentally, the Bmaster5 has that body, the weight, and subtle warmth it takes to provide just enough energy and gusto to this region. Basically, men sound like men. That’s my standard anyways. Nobody wants a thin sounding and anemic male voice. At least I don’t.
Low-mids cont…
Listening to Chris Stapleton in the track “Tennessee Whiskey” is one of those measuring tape type tracks which features a voice that covers many areas of lower midrange and mid-midrange. What I really enjoy is how the Bmaster5 takes this somewhat raspy, edgy, and even knife edged voice and instead of exaggerating those qualities like so many sets do, they instead smooth over them creating a very harmonic sound in this track. Well, any track featuring his amazing voice. These sentiments go for any song by any artist. I don’t hear a very crisp sound, but it is a velvet style smooth sound brought in by some spill over from the bass region. Like I said, just enough. This region is not the most defined and transparent due to this, but it is musical. Which if you ask me is the better tuning style to go with. Perhaps the low-mids are a hint recessed, but not so much that they are attenuated or pushed too far back. Actually, I find this region to be pretty organic sounding. For a slight recession, males really do well. They won’t be the ultra-tight and agile type note structure, but you will hear a very nice, even buttery type sound which till offers good clarity.
Upper-Midrange
This brings us to the upper-mids which do sit a bit more forward than the lower-mids and offer more of a shimmer. They are more elated sounding, more vibrant, yet still come across with good note weight. I have zero idea what the graph looks like, but it sounds to me that you don’t have some huge pinna rise. It’s certainly energetic enough, just not to the point of shout or glare. Instruments benefit greatly from this region. Piano, percussion, strings, woodwind, etc. have just the right amount of vibrance coupled with lean-lush note body. Transients are tighter here by a small margin and details shine through a bit easier. However, it’s the female vocalists who benefit the most. Vocalists like Taylor Swift in “The 1” off her Long Pond Studio Sessions album. Her voice is feathery sweet and each inflection to that voice carries a tuneful intonation. Or Caitlyn Smith who sings the song “High”. The Bmaster5 handles her voice very well. She starts out with this flowery style vocal sounding mellifluous and subtle in the main verse. However, towards the chorus there’s a build up which crescendos into this chaotic ensemble of sound. This is where I was impressed. I didn’t hear this mash of sound like so many sets. Her voice is belted out in a ballad style and she sounds natural and just juicy enough yet also luminous. What’s great is that alongside her voice is a bunch of well separated instrumentation. Maybe some other more analytical sets do it better but they don’t do it in this musically gifted way. Those sets come across unnatural and artificial sounding. I hear good control, great timbre and very good note definition while never coming across thin or weak in note.
Downsides to the Midrange
If I were to label some downsides to the midrange, they would only be subtle subjective gripes that some people could possibly have. Quite like the low-end in that regard. Nothing is outright bad. I could see some folks wanting a more forward midrange with even more of a snappy quality and presence. I’m sure of it actually. Lately we are seeing mid-centric set after mid-forward set. Again, those sets are weak in other areas though. The Bmaster5 may also be less transparent than some would like. This is not some ultra clean detail monster. In the same breath, I wouldn’t want it to be either. I’d hate to add in some forced resolution, all to ruin what makes this set good in the first place. It’s the musicality that it has, and the midrange is a key in that. That said, I have so many friends who’d rather have that thin, analytical, clinical and completely agile sound where transients attack and decay rapidly leaving all harmonics in the dust. So, which is better? Well, that’s up to you but both have their good qualities and not-so-good qualities. What I can say to you now is that the Bmaster5 does a very nice job balancing it all out while still coming across euphonious, nicely rendered stage, decent enough instrument separation, and a nice balance of musical & technical. What I don’t hear is ear gouging shout, crazy sibilance, nothing grainy, and nothing which could be described as fatiguing to my ears. It’s a nice midrange. Nice work BASN.
Treble Region
The treble region is one which doesn’t force its presence or force brilliance all in the name of resolution. This is a treble region which fits the overall tuning ultimately creating a good counterbalance to the emphasis in the bass region. Both the treble and the bass hold each region in check. Just like the bass isn’t overtly lifted and booming, the treble isn’t overtly emphasized and shrill yet they both have a healthy lift. The treble region follows the trajectory of the rest of the frequency spectrum with a smooth demeanor, mostly easy going, good note weight, and a good technical approach while carrying a musical flare. The highs are also pretty airy and do add in a decent level of openness which helps the overall sound to come through a bit more open. This is a treble that fits the tuning scheme in a way that provides some moderately vivacious energy while remaining cohesive across each frequency. I also hear a nice transition from the midrange into the treble. Actually, I can’t hear it at all, which I think is a good thing. It all kind of melts together. Having said all of that, the treble region is also well detailed, clean, and decently extended into the upper treble. Let’s put it this way, you’re not missing much up top with this set.
Safe Treble?
So, if I were you, I wouldn’t expect a treble region that carries some huge amount of brilliance. What I would expect is some touches of brilliance, even some sparkles, some luminance too. Rather, a slight glittering of brilliance. Just enough to bring some energy. Just enough to add to the macro-dynamic expression of this set and bring a more spirited presentation to your music. Certainly not flat and definitely not dark. Beyond that, expect nice detail retrieval and fairly concise notes. The treble does have some crispness and crunch that can be heard when a track calls for it. There’s a little bit of controlled treble punch as well. Again, not flat and not so smooth that all edges are sanded down. There’s some bite to the notes. However, all in all I would not refer to the Bmaster5 as anything other than a safer treble tuning and I think that is a very good thing in correlation to the other areas of the mix.
Examples
I found that the treble is well able to attack, decay/sustain and recover pretty nicely with a good transient response. These BA’s are able to take on more complicated tracks rather well without sounding like a soup of treble sheen. Tracks like “Keel Over and Die” by Old Crow Medicine Show. That banjo is moving at a hot speed and the Bmaster5 keeps up easily. Along with the speed, I also notice the timbre isn’t all out of whack. Nothing shrill, nothing piercing, nothing hazy up top. Maybe in ultra complicated tracks the treble can get a bit congested but it’s certainly not a regular occurrence. Also, listening to Lindsey Stirling in the track “Eye of the Untold Her” I can hear every note in a very clean and edgy manner. Her violin has that silvery yet abrasive quality which is so great listening with the Bmaster5. I suppose I could use a bit more emphasis at times. Maybe a hint more liveliness on some tracks but I really feel BASN did a nice job bringing the treble region up to a point that has good energy, has some airiness, has some bite, but is also smooth, non-offensive and isn’t shrill. It’s a nicely energetic version of a safe treble tuning.
Downsides to the Treble Region
I’ve already stated a few times that the treble is on the safer side. I can tell you right now that there are plenty of hobbyists who will not enjoy that. You have treble heads who will definitely not be impressed, and you have those who simply like a brighter display of their music. Maybe less bass, heightened treble response… brighter. I’m also sure that there will even be folks who don’t enjoy a smoother presentation. Lastly, there are plenty of folks who want a darker treble, more of a roll-off up top, less energy. Do you see what these brands are working with? So many different types of listeners. Without question, no brand or set can appease everyone. Shoot, no brand or set can appease half of the community. Too many variables to consider. What I can tell you is that BASN really did put up a nice effort and created a nice set. Part of what makes it nice is how they tuned the treble. It is a smart way to tune it. Just enough energy while having some edge to it, some spattering of crispness, some bite which makes way for better detail retrieval than I would’ve expected. It even has some good extension into the upper treble. All the while never getting out of control, sharp or shrill. I’d say they did well.
Technicalities
Soundstage
Listening with the Bmaster5 in my ears I’d say that it has a slightly above average soundstage. What do I mean by that? What’s average? Let alone slightly above average. To me, average is what I decide for myself what average is. To make it easy, the Bmaster5 has a slightly wider stage than what I would consider your average under $200 set. No way to quantify it. No way to measure it. And there’s no way to really explain it. Now height isn’t any different than most sets (about average) but there is some depth, which is nice to hear. One thing I enjoy about the Bmaster5 is the slightly holographic stage. There’s depth of field which adds some layering. It adds some dimension to my music. It isn’t a flat plane of sound in front of me. It’s a nice stage.
Separation / Imaging
Separation of elements within an imaginary stage is about as good as a smoother sound can get. Of course, there are sets which will do a lot better in this area, but also, those sets don’t have the same level of musicality and harmoniousness. Everything will always be a give and take in tuning. Unless you have tuning switches or tuning nozzles or some way to switch things up, and even then, the changes aren’t exactly sweeping. The Bmaster5 is pretty nice here and does a commendable job delineating between instruments and vocalists. The sound is clean, decently detailed, transients come and go relatively quick, the sound has some openness to it too. All of these attributes play into the perceived separation between instruments. Imaging does fairly well too. I have no real issues spotting instruments. I would say the only real problem comes with heavily congested music or music which has a ton of bass energy. Even then the Bmaster5 can hold its own fairly well. So not a technical monster, but better than adequate which is saying something for a dynamically balanced and fun tuning.
Detail Retrieval
Trying to pick apart all of the subtleties or details within my music isn’t really a problem with the Bmaster5. I feel it walks hand in hand with “separation” in that heavily congested stuff will trip this set. Of course, heavily congested tracks will trip up most sets. Especially at the price the Bmaster5 is at ($169). Having said that, I was well able to hear subtle things like breath on mics, little sounds on live tracks, guitar scrapes, etc. The Bmaster5 doesnt have a tuning which traditionally is going to blow anyone’s mind in this regard, and I don’t think even for a second that detail retrieval was what BASN was tuning this set for. I think they went in seeking a fun sound, reasonably balanced, clean and I think they wanted to bring to market a smooth performer. If my thoughts are correct, then I’d say they nailed it. However, at the end of the day the Bmaster5 is above average technically, pretty much across the board.
Is it worth the asking price?
Boy is this a tough one to answer. Not because I wouldn’t plop down $169 for this set either. What makes this a hard question to answer is the obscene number of sets priced around this set. I just reviewed the Juzear 61T Butterfly (61T Butterfly Review) which costs just about the same as the Bmaster5 and is an absolute beast for the price. So yeah, it’s a hard question to answer. However, if I’m looking at the BASN BMaster5 for what it is I couldn’t possibly say it isn’t worth the money they are asking. It’s a five driver Hybrid that performs well almost across the board. Possibly it falls into the “jack of all trades, master of none” camp. Despite that last statement, it’s a very nice sounding set folks. I really mean that. I’ve had a joy getting to know the Bmaster5 and I’m very happy to see BASN getting their due with this one and some of their other more recent sets.
The Why…
Because the BASN BMaster5 is built very well and designed even better. It’s a bold look adorning a durable chassis. If skulls and bones look dope to you, I have the perfect set. The unboxing is ridiculously good. Look at all of the accessories’ folks! My word, the cable is one of the best you’ll receive in the price point, along with an extra cable with a mic. On top of that you do get the best carrying case under $500, if not more. It is striking and completely classy from front to back. However, just like every other set that I’ve given a “thumbs up”, the sound quality is really engaging. You have this heavy, deep and dense bass that serves as the foundation of this set. The midrange is only slightly recessed but note weight is very close to natural, the timbre is organic and clean, the midrange altogether is musical to its core. The mids have a slight warmth covering an otherwise neutral tonal color that is entirely engrossing. Also, the treble is completely non-fatiguing. It has good bite to treble notes, good body and good extension into the upper treble. Also, it has good details, good layering, better than average separation and a holographic type of stage which gives off great dimension to my music. I suppose it wouldn’t be worth it for analytical heads who simply want the analytical style sound with resolution to the max. However, like I said, those sets won’t come across as immersive and musically gifted as this set. So, there are some things to consider.
Ratings (0-10)
Note: all ratings are based upon my subjective judgment. These ratings are garnered against either similarly priced sets or with similar driver implementations or styles with the unique parameters of my choosing. In the case of the BASN BMaster5 ratings below, that would be $100-$200 hybrid style iems. Please remember that “ratings” don’t tell the whole story. This leaves out nuance and a number of other qualities which make an iem what it is. A “5-6” is roughly average and please take into consideration the “lot” of iems these ratings are gathered against. $100-$200 US hybrid iems is an enormous sized scope of iems, and it’s also extremely competitive. It should mean something pretty special to see a rating above a “9.0”. My ratings are never the same and each set of ratings tells a different story. Each time you read one of my ratings will be unique to that review. Basically, I create a Rating that makes sense to me.
Aesthetic
–Build Quality: 8.9 Built very well.
–Look: 9.3 Very bold, very cool.
–Fit/Comfort: 9.0 Fit and comfort is great for me.
–Accessories: 9.9 Best case, fantastic cables, great presentation.
–Overall: 9.3🔥🔥
Sound Rating
–Timbre: 9.4 As natural as 4 different drivers can sound.
–Bass: 8.9 Big, extended, fast, defined.
–Midrange: 8.7 Musical, engaging, technically very good.
–Treble: 8.5 Simply awesome treble for $149.
–Technicalities: 9.1 Technically a very good set across the board.
–Musicality: 9.7 Very musical sound.
–Overall: 9.0🔥🔥🔥
Ratings Summary:
Okay, so I gave this set some very good scores in one of the most loaded price points in the hobby. Think of all of the hybrid sets between the prices of $100 and $200! I’m telling you people; this is a good set. I do feel. It is a jack of all trades and master of none type set, but it brings it all together wonderfully. Some sets don’t do as well rating individual rating points but score high when they are actually in your ears. That’s this set. I’ve said it countless times that I dont enjoy ratings. Not because I don’t enjoy the process because I do. I enjoy getting all of my $100 to $200 sets out, laying them down and going through quick passages of music. It’s fun. What I don’t like is that ratings don’t do the consumer any justice. There is a myriad of reasons for this, and I stand by it. I rate because I have to folks. If it was up to me, I’d never do it again. First off, they tell nothing of the intricacies of a set. It tells nothing about the nuances of an iem either. There’s no explanation. Just a number. Also, ratings need to be updated at least every six months to stay anywhere near relevant. This is why I break up my ratings the way I do. I decide the terms of the rating. Anyways, friends, I wouldn’t trust any rating on any site, any YouTube channel, any place anywhere. I just wouldn’t. The problem is that so many of you do. You buy earphones and audio devices because of them. Oh well, enough of that, moving on…
Explain Yourself!
This is one set where I feel my ratings really don’t need any explaining. I don’t think I went out on a limb with anything at all. I’d rather say that… In my opinion, after weeks of listening to the BASN BMaster5, I can say with perfect certainty that this is a set that shouldn’t be rated in this way. This is a set you judge solely as “a whole”. This is a set which brings a bunch of high “8’s” together and creates this beautiful rendering of sound in my ears. 8.9, 8.7, 8.5 in each 3rd of the mix, yet a “9.7” in “Musicality”. Folks, the Bmaster5 brings it all together very well and ratings do not do it justice whatsoever. It’s a very nice sounding set for what it is. I suppose a “9.0” overall sound score is actually pretty darn good and quite indicative of a fantastic set at a tough price point. So, it wasn’t as if I gave this set bad scores, that’s for sure. Musicality and timbre saved the Bmaster5 and I do think that plays out in life to a degree.
Conclusion
To conclude my full written review of the BASN Bmaster5 I have to first give a huge thank you to the good people of BASN for providing the Bmaster5 in exchange for a full review and feature at mobileaudiophile.com. It was very kind, so thank you very much. I gotta tell you people, BASN is the real deal. I haven’t heard many of their iems and I am just getting to know this brand but so far, they’re 2 for 2 with me. Certainly, they are a player in the game who should at least be looked at and considered and hopefully some more reviews will pop up covering their iems.
Now you know…
Friends, I am being 100% honest with you when I say that you don’t see reviews from me of even half of the iems I get sent to me. The reason you don’t see these reviews from me is because…I don’t like them, I don’t enjoy them, and I don’t believe that a good swath of hobbyists will like them either. I don’t want to spend time on a set that I don’t enjoy, and I don’t want to bash a set that a brand went out of their way to provide to me. People at these brands put hope in these products to do well, and they want them to succeed. Just for a reviewer behind a keyboard or a recorder to come and cut them down. I’d rather just not review, speak my thoughts to the brand and move on. Also, I wasn’t raised like that and truthfully, it’s just…not nice. I say all of that to say that if I have reviewed it, it’s because I think it’s good and should be a consideration in its price point. The BASN Bmaster5 is one to keep an eye out for if it seems that the tuning fits your preferences. At any rate, this has been a fun review period for me, and I’ve really had a fun time running this set through the gauntlet that is my playlists.
Thank You
I also extend a huge thank you to you, the reader from myself and from mobileaudiophile.com for clicking the link and visiting any page on our site. It truly means everything for us and all I can do is thank you and really mean it. Every click is beneficial as well as how long you stick around. Basically, we are here for you and because of you. Hence why each writer is dedicated to providing the most honest and forthright review possible. Anyways, thank you.
Other perspectives
Now that you’ve read my full review, I want to implore you all to check out other reviews of the BASN Bmaster5. We are all different folks. I say this in every review and I’m saying it again. Each and every one of us have different likes and dislikes. We have different gear to play our music through, we have different music libraries, different preferences in general. Shoot, we don’t even all physically hear the same. Most importantly, we have all likely been down at least a slightly different journey through audio. This cannot go understated. Weve been down different roads and so what is good to one man may be entirely different than what is good to another. So please do yourself a favor and read, watch, or listen to other perspectives and opinions. With that I think I’m done folks. It’s been a fun one. Please take good care. Stay as safe as possible and always…God Bless!
